Bill Barton: "As early as 1674, Samuel, along with his brothers Nathaniel and Thomas, was providing the technical skills needed to operate the Rowley ironworks. On 2:1:1676 Josias Bridges testified at Court held at Ipswitch that to his knowledge Samuel, son of Henry Leonard of Topsfield, transacted his father's business in his absence and kep his books after his bookkepper, James Hansecon, went away." It appears that Henry had limited ability to write (he used "HL" to sign documents) and perhaps read, from the nature of all the lawsuits engendered during his years at Rowley, but that Samuel could both read and write.
He moved to New Jersey about 1674. His father, Henry and his brothers, Thomas, Nathaniel, John, and Henry, Jr., "bought of the Indians" land in the summer of 1675 and 1676. Title to this land was finalized in 1685, when Samuel brought before the Governor's Council two Indians who acknowledged the bill of sale (Minutes of the Board of Proprietors of the Eastern Division of New Jersey from 1685-1705 (1949), 1:65-66 and I:75). This land was at Colt's Neck in Monmouth County.
"On 14 Feb 1678, a charter for a whalefishing company was proclaimed with exclusive authority to capture and kill whales and other fish in the sea harbor off the coast of Eastern Jersey from Barnegat at Northward to Sandy Hook. Both Henry and Samuel were among the owners." (Bill Barton, source: Donna Hutchins, Archives of the State of New Jersey, 1st series, 21:42, Deed Book 3:152.)
7 Jun 1687: Deed. Benjamin Devell of Middletown to Samuel Leonard of Monmouth Co., finer, for 100 acres at Manesquam, surveyed for Leonard 15 April 1686 (East Jearsey Deeds, p. 101).
20 Jun 1687. Deed. to Samuel Leonard of Middletown for 200 acres on N. side of Manesquam R, 100 acres thereof in his own right, the other 100 in right of Benjamin Devell, by warrant of 24 Dec 1685, also 8 chains square of lowland, N.E. the river, on all other sides unsurveyed land. (New Jersey Colonial Documents, p. 106)
On 25 June 1689, Samuel Leonard bought from Aramaseek, Hougham, Wayanutan of Mannusquam a tract of land at Mannusquam in the County of Monmouth beginning at the land called Sqaumcum, then running down the Mannusquam River until it comes to the land of William Worth, then running back in the woods from the River (deed C;92).
Thomas Clark, the lawyer, requested a warrant from the Court to bring Captain Samuel Leonard before them for breach of the peace--which was granted--and Capt. Leonard appearing. The said Clark charged him with striking him--said Leonard bids him prove it. John Hollinshead attested saith that Samuel Leonarde and Thomas Clark being at the widow Basnetts about some differences between them, calling one another abusive names as Sorry Rascal and old fool, the said Leonard struk the said Clark. William Hollinshead attested saith, he was said Basnetts but not at the beginning of the words they had and what words past before he could not say, but as the said Leonard stood by the fire he looking upon said Clark uttered thes words to him: You are a rascal and so struck him. The said Leonard confessed in his passion he might strike said Clark and leaves it to the Court. The Court awar said Leonard to pay the costs being nine shillings which was paid accordingly. (Burlington Court book, 181, 1700 Feb Court of Sessions--Court of Pleas).
He made his will 2 Apr 1702. Wife Sarah was administratrix. John and Henry Leonard, gentlemen, were bondsmen. He was called Capt. Samuel Leonard of South River in inventory made 30 Jan 1703/04.
Bill Barton: " On 12 Aug 1702 a communication was received from the Earl of Nottingham listing persons proposed for the Councils of the two divisions in New Jersey (i.e., East & West New Jersey). Along with this list was another list of nine persons who were considered to be objectionable, they "being of the Scotch and Quaker
ffactions concerned sundry years in ye divisions, and incendiary Parties, that has brought these Provicneces into such Confusion of Governmt Injustice to ye Proprietors and aversion of ye Planters and Inhabitants." Mr. Samuel Leonard was one of the nine!
In September 1792 letter from Lord Clarendon to the Secretary of State about the Council for New Jersey, Lord Clarendon enclosed with his letter remarks made by Coll Basse relative to six Quakers under consideration. Regardig Saml Leonard: "A man of no Estate Complain'd of by the country and a zealous stickler for the Quakers."
In spite of the above, on 16 Nov 1702, Queen Anne's instructions to Lord Cornbury included Samuel Leonard among the members of the Council to be appointed by him. Edward lord Cornbury was "oour captain general and governor in chief, in and over our province of Nova Caesaria, or New Jersey, in America." Upon his arrival in New Jersey on 10 Aug 1703, Lord Cornbury advised the Lords of Trade that Mr. Leonard was dead." Capt. Samuel Leonard had person sources.
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