Leonard family of Franklin County, NC

William Leonard

From future census records and his military pension records, we know that William was born in Prince George County, Virginia on 2 Jun 1760. Shortly after moving with his family to Franklin County, William joined the local militia, 14 May 1776. He marched to Wilmington N.C. where he heard the Declaration of Independence read for the first time. Later in Feb of 1781 he was drafted for another three-month term. His unit marched to Warrenton, then to Harrisburg in Granville County, and then to Guilford Old Court House, the headquarters of General Nathaniel Green. At the time of the battle there he was sick and sent off with the baggage to the iron works. Later, at Ramsey’s Mill he was attached to a company under Captain Evans. He marched with the main army down to Camden, S.C. and was in the engagement of the British there. This information was taken from his testimony in court.

Sometime around 1779 William married Catherine Murphy, the daughter of Arthur and Charity Murphy. Arthur’s will confirms this relationship. The couple had the following children:

• ·         John
• ·         William Jr
• ·         Van (Vandeo Van)
• ·         Cherry
• ·         Sarah

It is through Van’s daughter, Mary Polly, who married Jack Brewer that our family is tied to William. Through the Brewer line, William becomes our grandfather. Through the John Leonard direct descendants, William is our uncle as brother of Frederick.

When looking at the names of William's children we find Van or Vandeo Van. In an earlier post I discussed the possible relationship with the Vandavan in Prince George Virginia records. The use of this name is found several times in the Leonard family of Franklin County.

John lived  to the ripe old age of 92, he passed away on April 1, 1852. He watched our country grow from a English colony to an independent country. 

William lived a colorful life. 

After the birth of Sarah, Catherine passed away. William then fathered two sons that records indicate were illegitimate, Eaton and Curlin. Their mother's name is unknown.

William married again in December of 1836, to Priscilla Stokes Leonard. She was the widow of William’s nephew John and the daughter of Thomas Stokes.

There was a big age difference between William and Priscilla. William would have been 64 years old and Priscilla would have been around 40 years old. Priscilla had four children from her marriage to John. She was about the age of William's children. I wonder what they thought about this marriage.

After William's death, Priscilla sought pension for William's service during the American Revolutionary war.

After William and Priscilla's deaths the family continued to fight in the courts over their inheritance. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Pattie

John Leonard, the Elder, Franklin County, North Carolina

John Leonard

The Elder 

of Franklin County North Carolina

The first mention of John in the records of Franklin County seem to be when John was listed in the NC taxpayers for 1766 in Bute County. Bute County would later be dissolved and divided into Granville, Warren and Franklin Counties. 

Also in the Bute records is John's purchase of land. 

12 Feb 1777

John Leonard purchased land in Franklin County from Ephraim Gillam and was recorded in the courts. It was witnessed by Peter Smart, the grandfather of Peter Collins. They are both related to the Leonard family. Peter Smart would be my six times great grandfather. Peter Smart came to North Carolina directly from Edinburgh, Scotland before 1752 when he married Sarah.

In the Franklin County, NC Deed book 1 pp 717 we find that on 2 Feb 1780 Wm. Stuart sold John Leonard a tract of 100 acres beginning at black gum on Miry Prong and adjacent to William Leonard and Ephraim Gilliam.

Another record of land sale is below from March 1793. This record helps to identify John's wife as Mary.

March 1793

John can be found in three census records in Franklin County, 1790, 1800, 1810. The 1790 Census lists him as Jones but I am sure that is an error on the census takers part. Also William Leonard is listed on that census. The 1800 census has many of our ancestors listed living close to each other. They were John Leonard Sr. and Jr., James Collins Sr. and Jr., Peter Collins and Frederick Leonard. 1810 was similar to 1800. From these records we know that John owned slaves. In 1790 he is recorded with 4, in 1800 there are 7 on the record, and finally in 1810 with 8.

An interesting discovery was an inquest into the death of Robert Acres. It seems that on 12 March 1803 an inquest was held. On the 6^th of March, Robert Acres came to John’s and continued to drink until the 11^th when he was found dead that morning. The jurors believed that drinking was the cause of death.

John's will lists his children by name: They were:

• ·         William
• ·         Elizabeth
• ·         Frederick
• ·         Mary

John Leonard's will, page one 

John Leonard's will, page two

John's sons; William and Frederick are both direct ancestors for our branch of the Leonard family. Over the years we find that the Leonards intermarry and create an interesting but confusing web of branches. I want to thank Gerald for his previous research that he shared with me. Without that information I would have been totally lost and confused. 

Next up: William Leonard and how he is connected to our tree as both uncle and grandfather.

Thanks for stopping by!

Pattie

The Leonard Family

The Search for John

There is a family name that appears several times in Franklin County, North Carolina. That name is very unique; Vandevan.  This name only appears in the descendants of John the Elder. This name could be another clue to the family in Virginia. 

After John is found in North Carolina, the records show a Vandevan Leonard still living in Prince George, Virginia. This Vandevan eventually settled in Georgia. Below is the research of the Leonard family of Georgia. Once again family names appear; Frederick and Patrick. I will share three of the pages about the Leonard family in Virginia. It gives us some food for thought about this family.

Another interesting discovery was a family in early Virginia with the surname Vandevin. I am wondering if our Leonard ancestors married into this family and would account for the name used in future generations. 

Share your thoughts with me, what do you think? 

Thanks for stopping by!

Pattie