Leonard

My Leonard ancestors

"The name "Leonard" is a very ancient one and is a surname which was derived fron the Christian given name, "Leo" and carries the basic idea of lion-hearted. It is strange that those of the family who attained the honor of knighthood chose the head of a tiger, rather than of a lion, for use on their crest."  Source: "Memorial : Genealogical, Historical, & Biographical, of Solomon Leonard" (1896) by Manning Leonard

01. Samuel Leonard was born abt. 1580 in Pontypool, Monmouth, England and died about 1630.  Manning Leonard's book states that Samuel, a dissenter, migrated to Leyden, Holland (The temporary home of the Pilgrims who came to Plymouth Colony on the Mayflower in 1620) from the environs of the town of Bristol in Monmouthshire, England. It is possible that Samuel came to America with his son, Solomon, but if he did, he died shortly afterwards.

02. Solomon Leonard, son of Samuel was Born in about 1610 in England.  He came to Massachusetts around 1630 or 1631 from Monmouthshire, England.  His father is believed to be Samuel Leonard who came over with him.  Solomon married Sarah Chandler, daughter of Roger Chandler and Isabella Chilton, daughter of James Chilton who was one of the original Mayflower passengers.   Solomon was one of the founders of Duxbury and Bridgewater, Massachusetts. 

03. Samuel Leonard, son of Solomon and Sarah was born abt. 1643 in Duxbury, MA.  He owned land at Worchester, Mass. and moved to Conn. about 1695. He was an original member of the Preston, Conn. church in 1720.  He married Abigail Wood, daughter of John Atwood and Sarah Masterson.  Samuel died after November 30, 1720  died near Pachaug, CT.

04a. Mercy Leonard, eldest daughter of Samuel and Abigail was born abt 1673 in Plymouth, MA.  She married Richard Adams, son of James Adams and Priscilla Ramsell in 1704.  Mercy died in 1704.  I descend from their son Richard Adams who married Susanna Preston. 

04b. Elizabeth Leonard, youngest daughter of Samuel and Abigail was born in 1683 in Bridgewater, MA.  She married Thomas Clark, son of John Clark and Mary Burnham on July 10, 1703.  I descend from their son Thomas Clark who married Sarah Woodward. 

ADAMS

CHANDLER

1

Mem.: gen., hist., & biogr. of Solomon Leonard, 1637, of Duxbury & Bridgewater, Mass. & some of his desc., by Manning Leonard. 454p. (1896).   Higgenson books should have it.

2

Click HERE for some other books that are discussed in the Genforum.