Person Page 122

Capt. Eliphalet Leonard was born in 1702 in Easton, Bristol County, Massachusetts. He and Ruth Fenno were married on 10 October 1728 in Stoughton, Norfolk County, Massachusetts. He died on 4 February 1786 at age ~84 in Easton, Bristol County, Massachusetts. He was buried in Old Burying Ground, Main Street, Easton, Massachusetts.

ECL says that he was the first to manufacture steel in the United States. This is based on the recollections of his grandson, Jonathan. NEHGS also published an article wherein he was called a bloomer (NEHGS Register, 1851, p. 484).

From the ECL-GML manuscript and Chapin's History of Eaton: "The third industry, to be positively known, in Easton was the Leonard Forge at the foot of Stones Pond, so called, known to have been in operation in October 1723. The discovery of bog iron in the northwest part of the Town induced Capt. James Leonard, grandson of the original James Leonard, to start the iron business there. In December 1716 James purchased of Nathaniel Manley 35 acres on both sides of "Trought Hole Brook," so called, where Stone's Pond now lies, and set his son Eliphalet to living there. In 1720 he made of further purchase of 8 1/2 acres at the same place, and in 1726 he purchased the homestead of Isaac Leonard, son of Solomon Leonard. The exact date when the forge was erected is not ascertained but probably before 1723. It was in full operation in October 1725. Capt. James Leonard's son, Eliphalet, just reached 21 years in 1720, was manager of the business from the start. It was the first forge built within the limits of the Town of Easton. It was christened the Brummagen Forge. The word Brummagen is a corruption of the name Birmingham, the famous ironworking place in England. But the forge was really known as Eliphalet Leonard's forge. Excellent iron was made from the bog ore brought from near Lincoln Spring, which James also bought, and elsewhere. In August 1742 Capt. James Leonard gave full ownership to Eliphalet, and Epiphalet carried on the business until 1782, when he deeded it to his son Jacob. It does not appear to have been very prosperous at any time. The property passed to Isaac Leonard, son of Jacob, in 1800. In 1802 the forge, the grist mill, and the coal house were sold. In April 1804 Isaac Leonard sold his homestead, which is now part of the Ames estate."

For more, see Eliphalet Leonard, Jr. in next generation.

His epitaph reads: "He was so just that his friends put trust in him for years to come; we hope the Lord will him name, for He hath called him home."

Eliphalet was listed by the DAR as having served in an eligible capacity during the Revolutionary War. Capt. Eliphalet Leonard had person sources.¹

Ruth Fenno was born on 30 May 1705 in Dorchester, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. Capt. Eliphalet Leonard and she were married on 10 October 1728 in Stoughton, Norfolk County, Massachusetts. She died on 11 April 1786 at age 80 in Canton, Norfolk County, Massachusetts.

Lydia Leonard was born in 1711 in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts. Capt. Thomas Cobb and she were married about 1729 in Massachusetts. She died on 23 October 1762 at age ~51 in Attleboro, Bristol County, Massachusetts.

Lydia Leonard had person sources.¹

Capt. Thomas Cobb was born in 1705 in Attleboro, Bristol County, Massachusetts. He and Lydia Leonard were married about 1729 in Massachusetts. He died on 7 May 1779 at age ~74 in Attleboro, Bristol County, Massachusetts.

Thomas was at first a sea captain, then tavern-keeper, then iron-maker with James Leonard, whose daughter Lydia he married. In 1760 Thomas Cobb purchased a dwelling house, grist mill, fulling mill, dam, and appurtenances from Samuel Danforth, Jr. In 1762 he built a rolling and slitting mill at the Danforth dam and pursued the business until his death in 1779. He left the mills and privilege to his son, Jonathan, who also engaged in the iron business. Jonathan died in 1801, leaving the iron works to his son, Jonathan B. Cobb, who sold the iron works to Samuel Fales in 1803 whose son carried on the iron business.

Was he also a colonel? Capt. Thomas Cobb had person sources.¹

Sarah Leonard was born in 1708 in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts. Thomas Danforth and she were married on 11 June 1730. She died on 23 May 1742 at age ~34 in Norwich, Connecticut. She was buried in 1742 in Norwich, New London, Connecticut.

Sarah Leonard had person sources.¹

Stephen Leonard was born before 1710 in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts. He died before 1710 in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts.

Was he a judge? Was he the son of James and Lydia? (Boston Transcript). Confusion with Stephen Leonard, son of James and Lydia, who went to New Jersey (see #29).

ECL: probably died in infancy. Stephen Leonard had person sources.¹

Thomas Danforth was born in 1703 in Norwich, Connecticut. He and Sarah Leonard were married on 11 June 1730. He and Hannah Hall were married on 29 August 1742 in Norwich, Connecticut. He died about 1786 at age ~83 in Norwich, Connecticut.

They had five sons.

Joshua Leonard was born before 1710 in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts. He died before 1710 in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts.

ECL says he assumes he and his brother died in infancy, in that he could find no records of them. Joshua Leonard had person sources.¹

Jonathan Leonard was born on 11 October 1727 in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts. He and Johanna Lee were married on 29 July 1780. He died on 4 March 1790 at age 62 in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts. He was buried at Old Plain Cemetery in Taunton, Massachusetts.

The History of Taunton lists Jonathan Leonard as dying in 1779, had a son, Lee, per ECL's notes. Jonathan Leonard who died in 1797 conveyed his gristmill to his son, Lee, per History of Bristol County, per ECL's notes. Taunton VR's list a Jonathan Leonard died May 4, 1790, 63rd year, buried in Old Plain Cemetery, Taunton, with wife Johanna. Different Jonathans or mixed-up dates?

ECL: "On December 7, 1790, Johanna was appointed guardian of the children. In the division of the property - to son Lee, to Abiah, wife of Cyrus Dean, to Polly Leonard the property at Whittinton."

Taunton Probate Records: 7 June 1792, Jonathan Leonard's widow Joanna sells part of Easton Furnace that was set off in execution to George Leonard. Jonathan Leonard had person sources.¹

Johanna Lee was born in 1747. Jonathan Leonard and she were married on 29 July 1780. She died on 10 August 1840 at age ~93 in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts. She was buried at Old Plain Cemetery in Taunton, Massachusetts.

June 7, 1792, Johanna sold part of Easton Furnace that was set off in execution to George Leonard October 13, 1784, per ECL's review of Taunton Probate Records. Johanna was appointed guardian of the children on December 7, 1790, after Jonathan's death. The three daughters received property at Whittinton upon Jonathan's death.

She died in her 90th year (?). Johanna Lee had person sources.¹

Elizabeth Leonard was born on 14 February 1732 in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts. Joseph Harvey and she were married about 1750 in Massachusetts.

Elizabeth was one of the three sisters of James benefitting from the sale of land for 200 pounds to Jonathan Leonard. Elizabeth Leonard had person sources.¹

Joseph Harvey was born in 1716 in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts. He and Elizabeth Leonard were married about 1750 in Massachusetts.

Jerusha Leonard was born on 24 April 1734 in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts. Abijah Hodges and she were married on 24 June 1754 in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts. She died on 3 February 1810 at age 75 in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts.

Jerusha was one of the sisters of James who benefitted from the sale of land for 200 pounds to Jonathan Leonard. Jerusha Leonard had person sources.¹

Abijah Hodges was born in 1728 in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts. He and Jerusha Leonard were married on 24 June 1754 in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts. He died on 10 December 1807 at age ~79 in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts.

He lived at the homestead of his father, William. He was said to be a loyalist, but his son was a major in the Revolutionary Army. Abijah Hodges was born in 1728.

Hannah Leonard was born before 1705 in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts. Lemuel Pratt and she were married on 9 June 1741 in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts.¹ She died on 23 November 1750 in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts.²

ECL has birth "before 1725" when Hannah Walley died. She would have been 60 in 1725. Marriage to Lemuel (ECL: Samuel) Pratt recorded in Taunton Marriages, p. 291, and also The Abridged Compendium of American Genealogy on page 198. Hannah Leonard had person sources.¹

Lemuel Pratt was born in 1719 in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts. He and Hannah Leonard were married on 9 June 1741 in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts.¹ He and Lydia Willard were married on 23 November 1750 in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts.² He died on 22 March 1776 at age ~57 in Newton, Massachusetts.

He was a Revolutionary War veteran. ECL refers to him as Samuel rather than Lemuel.