Person Page 510

Mary Leonard was born on 8 September 1797 in Norton, Bristol County, Massachusetts.¹ Calvin Wilbur and she were married on 30 November 1815 in Norton, Bristol County, Massachusetts. She died on 26 December 1863 at age 66 in Providence, Rhode Island.

Also called Maria. Mary Leonard had person sources.²

Elizabeth ("Betsey") Leonard was born on 20 August 1799 in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts.¹ David Godfrey and she were married on 26 May 1818.

Elizabeth ("Betsey") Leonard had person sources.²

George W. Leonard was born in 1811 in Norton, Bristol County, Massachusetts. He died on 2 September 1852 at age ~41 in Raynham, Bristol County, Massachusetts.

G.M.L. says he died unmarried September 2, 1852.

Or was he the George who married Ruth Hoar Leonard? ECL has that as George W. Leonard b. 1811, son of Daniel Leonard and Sibel Davis.

Louisa Leonard died in 1825.

Polly Lincoln was born about 1787 in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts. Job Leonard and she were married on 12 July 1812 in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts.^1,2 She died on 3 May 1840 at age ~53 in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts.¹ She was buried at Wetherell Cemetery in Lothrop, Prospect, and Hlll Streets, Taunton.

She was perhaps the Polly Lincoln, b. 30 Jun 1787 in Taunton, dau. of Asa, or the Polly Lincoln, b. 25 Jun 1793 in Taunton, dau. of Timothy. The second appears to have died in 1826.

Josiah Richmond Leonard was born on 11 April 1813 in Raynham, Bristol County, Massachusetts.¹ He and Caroline Wilbur were married on 8 December 1838 in Raynham, Bristol County, Massachusetts.² He died on 29 June 1902 at age 89 in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts. He was buried at Mayflower Cemetery in Taunton, Massachusetts.

Plaque in Mayflower Cemetery says he died in 1908. In the 1880 Taunton City Directory, a Josiah F. Leonard is listed as a farmer with a house on Prospect Hill, as is a Josiah R. Leonard.

The family was living in Taunton in the 1850 Census. Josiah was a shoemaker with real estate worth $1300. Josiah F. or Josiah R.? Father's will refers to him as Josiah R.

Ezekiel Leonard was born on 31 August 1816 in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts.¹ He and Sally R. Field were married on 29 September 1837. He died on 21 August 1895 at age 78 in Norton, Bristol County, Massachusetts.²

He was a shoemaker in Norton. In the 1850 Census, Ezekiel, 33, wife Sally, 32, Ezekiel 10, Louis E., 7, Irving L., 4, and Edwin A, 2, were all living in Norton.

Note that he was living near the Hathaway Leonard family and Otis Leonard family, Otis also being a shoemaker. That part of Massachusetts (near Brockton and Middleboro) was, for a time, a center of shoemaking in the US. Ezekiel Leonard was born about 1817 in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts. He and Sally R. Field were married on 29 October 1837 in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts.³

Job Mason Leonard was born on 1 September 1824 in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts.¹ He and Caroline Frances Field were married on 8 December 1847 in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts.² He died on 7 May 1905 at age 80 in Somerset, Massachusetts. He was buried at Mayflower Cemetery in Taunton, Massachusetts.

He was a grocer at the time of his marriage. He served for 9 mos. in Company F of the 52nd Mass. Infantry.

According to Hurd, HIstory of Bristol County, p. 654ff, he was a direct descendant of one of the Leonard families from Pontypool, Wales, who settled in Raynham in 1652. He was educated at the common schools and worked on a farm until about sixteen years of age; then he entered a hardware store in Taunton as a clerk and remained until 1844, when he commenced business on his own account. In 1849 he established an office in Boston, which has continued to the present time.

In 1850, he organized the East Bridgewater Iron Company and contined with them about five years, when he disposed of his interest in that establishment. He then organized the Mount Hope Iron Works at Somerset. He planned and build two iron works in Somerset for the manufacture of nails and plate iron, from which shovels and other implements were made. Job Leonard purchased the Somerset Iron Works in 1855 and renamed it the Mt. Hope Iron Works. He added a rolling mill ad manufactured nails. This first Mt. Hope Iron Works was destroyed by fire in 1866 and subsequently rebuilt. The works were sold to Parker Mills in 1871 and subsequently passed into the hands of the Old Colony Iron Company. The present works of the Mount Hope Company Mr. Leonard erected in 1872, and he repurchased the Old Colony Iron Works in 1878. The combined plant employed 500 men. Albert Field, Mr. Leonard's father-in-law, was elected President, with Mr. Leonard Treasurer. Henry B. Leonard, was the agent and general manager. Job Leonard's son, Henry, died, and his grandson, Russell, elected to go to college and law school rather than enter the iron business. "If a Leonard cannot run these iron works, no one else shall," Job said in 1904, and the iron works were destroyed.

The Job Leonard House (1860) still stands at 134 South Street in Somerset. The agent's office of the Mt. Hope Iron Works is now the home of the Somerset Historical Society.

In the 1850 Census, he is listed as an agent living in Taunton with his wife, Caroline, and young son, Henry B.

In his passport application of 5 Apr 1867, he described himself as 6 ft. one-half inch tall, blue eyes, brown hair, florid complexion, 42 years old, born in Taunton.

Lois Badger, The Leonard Dictionary, has the same information. She lists as references the Shaw Family Book, Taunton VR's, History of Northfield, MA, also data which belongs to the mother of Harriott Leonard Standish.

NEHGS records a Job Leonard and Betsey Ann Cook with intentions to marry published August 11, 1844, marrying August 29th. This Job is not in the data base. Is he somehow related to this line of Job Leonards?

Lincoln Leonard was born in 1825 in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts. He died on 28 December 1839 at age ~14 in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts.¹ He was buried at Wetherell Cemetery in Taunton, Massachusetts.

Arthur Thomas Dugmore was born MAR Q 1875 in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. He and Edith Mary Empson were married on 2 June 1902. He died in March 1921 in Aston, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England.

In the 1881 Census, he was living with his father at 304 Heath Street, Birmingham. In the 1901 Census, he was a visitor at the Gaunt family at 88 Hungiston St., All Saints, Birmingham, Warwickshire. He was fruiterer and named Wallis in the Census at that address. In the same Census, he is listed with his family at 141 Sycamore Road, Southwick, Worcestershire, as a grocer's assistant.

John Empson was born in June 1844 in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. He died on 20 April 1896 at age 51 in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England.¹ He was buried at Key Hill Cemetery in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England.

He was 52 when he died. His wife was 88 when she died.

In the 1871 Census, he, 27, and wife Mary Ann, 31, were living at Chester Road, Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire, where he was a toolmaker. For later censuses, see notes on Ann Sophia, his sister, who was living with the family.

In the 1881 Census, he was living with his wife and two adopted children, Alice and Lizzie Humphrey.

In the 1891 Census, he was a metal chain maker, living in Handsworth, Staffordshire with his wife, daughter Ann Sophia, and children Alice Humphrey and Lizzie Humphrey, adopted. They were all born in Birmingham.

Ref. John's birth: 1844, June, 16 + 249. A John Empson died June quarter, 1896, West Bromwich, ref. 6b, 423. He, his sister, and wife were buried in Key Hill Cemetery, Birmingham.

Ann Sophia Empson was born in 1838 in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England.¹ She died on 16 August 1901 at age ~63 in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England.² She was buried at Key Hill Cemetery in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England.

Ann is on the gravestone with brother John and John's wife, Mary Ann. Ann was 63 when she died. But doublecheck records -- an Ann Sophia Empson died March Q, 1877 (6 Feb?).

In the 1851 Census, she was a buttonmaker, 13, living with her parents and siblings at 33 Carver St. in St.

Mary Ann was born in 1840 in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. She died on 12 March 1929 at age ~89 in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England.¹ She was buried in Birmingham Cemetery, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England.

She's buried in the same grave as her husband and Ann Sophia Empson, her sister-in-law. She was 88 when she died.

William Empson was born on 20 December 1775 in London, Middlesex, England. He and Ann Willson were married on 14 September 1800 in Old Church, Saint Pancras, London, England.

William was christened February 11, 1776, in Old Church, Saint Pancras, London, England. Listed in Pallot's Baptism Index, 1780-1837 for St. Pancras.

Other William Empsons in London during the period who could be confused with this William:

- William Empson who married Sarah Whiting 30 Jul 1810 in Spital Field Christ Church, Stepney, London.

- William Empson who married Mary Powell 13 May 1751 at St. George Mayfair, Westminster, London.

Other Empsons living in the Birmingham, Warwickshire area who could be related:

- A Thomas Empson m. Ann Watson 24 Oct 1797 (Pallot's).

- Sarah Empson, b. 1781 in W., living with (son?) Thomas, button maker, b. 1801 in W. both living in Birmingham, LadyWood, District 2 (p. 2 of 14)

- James Empson, b. 1820 not in W., toolmaker, wife Sarah,also b. 1820, dau. Emma, b. 1841, both b. in W., residing in Birmingham, Lady Wood, District 1 (p. 1 of 14).

- Rd (Richard?) Empson, b. 1805 St. Pancras

- George Empson, b. 1811 St. Pancras. William Empson was baptized on 11 February 1776 in Saint Pancras Old Church, Middlesex, London. He was christened on 11 February 1776 at Old Church, Saint Pancras, in London, England.

Ann Willson was born on 28 December 1772 in London, England. William Empson and she were married on 14 September 1800 in Old Church, Saint Pancras, London, England.

Ann Willson christened 10 January 1773, Old Church, Saint Pancras, London, England, parents Nathaniel Willson and Susannah, witnesses, John Read Willson and George Gray.

There were a number of Ann Wilsons in London in that period. This could be the wrong one. Ann Willson was baptized on 10 January 1773 in Old Church, Saint Pancras, London, England. She was christened on 10 January 1773 at Old Church, Saint Pancras, in London, England.

Fielding Empson, , Esq., was born about 1749 in London, England. He and Ellenor (Eleanora) Taylor were married on 23 July 1769 at Saint Anne in Soho, Westminster, London, England.

A Fielding Empson had a residence at Audsley St., St. George, Hanover Square, in London in 1758 until 1764, when he moved to Brook Street, later on Seymour Street. He appears to have moderately wealthy.

A Fielding Empson married an Eleanor Taylor 23 Jul 1789 at St. Anne Soho, Westminster, London. Given that the marriage date was so long after these children were born, it was not this Eleanor nor this Fielding.

Whose child was the Joseph Empson born abt 1757, buried 24 Oct 1829 at Hackney St John, Homerton, London, married Sarah bef. 1793, had Joseph chr. 3 Nov 1782, Sarah chr. 19 Jun 1785, Ann chr. 20 Jan 1788, Elizabeth Hennings Empson chr. 23 Aug 1793, Harriet chr. 24 Mar 1799, and Charlotte chr. 5 Apr 1801, all at St John at Hackney, Middlesex, London.

Ellenor (Eleanora) Taylor was born about 1749. Fielding Empson, , Esq., and she were married on 23 July 1769 at Saint Anne in Soho, Westminster, London, England. She died before 14 March 1827 in Saint Marylebone, Middlesex, London.

Fielding Empson was born on 20 September 1777 in London, Middlesex, England.

He was christened October 19, 1777, at Saint Mary, Saint Marylebone Road, London.

A Fielding Empson was buried at St. Marylebone on 11 Jun 1791. It may have been this Fielding Empson, in that no further records of him are found.

There was a Fielding Empson who apparently was an apprentice of a Mr. Green in 1792. Fielding Empson was baptized on 19 October 1777 in Saint Marylebone, Middlesex, London.

Thomas Empson was born on 19 January 1781 in London, Middlesex, England. He and Sarah Lewis were married on 29 June 1795 at Saint Martins in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. He died before 1841 in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England.

Thomas was christened February 11, 1781, at Saint Mary's, Marylebone Road, London. He was a Florentine button maker, according to his wife's death certificate.

A Thomas Empson b. 1773 was buried in Birmingham 15 Jun 1827.

Who was the John Nathaniel Empson born 19 May 1797, chr. 25 Jun 1797 at St Marylebone, London? He was the son of Thomas and Sarah, but this Thomas and Sarah had moved to Birmingham by 1795 and had had a child just five months before, John Fielding Empson. Nathaniel may have been named after his great grandfather. Thomas Empson was baptized on 11 February 1781 in Saint Marylebone, Middlesex, London. He was christened on 11 February 1781 at Saint Mary-St. Marylebone Road, Saint Marylebone, in Marylebone, London, England.

John Francis Empson was born on 5 October 1782 in London, England.

John Francis Empson was baptized on 26 April 1783 in Saint Marylebone, Middlesex, London.

Sarah Lewis was born in 1781. Thomas Empson and she were married on 29 June 1795 at Saint Martins in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. She died on 28 May 1856 at age ~75 in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England.¹

She was head of household and apparently had enough money to afford a servant, per 1851 Census. Her son, Thomas, lived with her at 19 King Edwards Place, District 2, Lady Wood, Birmingham (1841 and 1851 Censuses). She died at 22 King Edward Place of general debility for 2 months and bronchitis.

John Fielding Empson was born before 12 January 1797 in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. He and Sarah Harris were married on 14 February 1827 in Saint Martin, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. He died on 22 July 1874 in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England.

He was christened at Saint Phillips, Birmingham. He became a buttonmaker, then a master button maker, employing 3 men, 80 women, and 19 children by 1851.

In the 1851 Census, they were all living in Edgbastion. In the 1861 Census, children Sarah, Henry, Helen, Mary, and Fanny were still living at home in Edgbastion, Birmingham. By the 1871 Census, he had retired. Daughter Mary was living with him.

His death record: Q3 1874, Birmingham, Vol. 6d, page 38. He had a will; executors Frederick Matchett and Thomas Brittle, 22 July 1874.