Name/Title
Leonard FamilyEntry/Object ID
MSS-02-007Scope and Content
Years covered are approximately 1680 – 1887. Papers of the Leonard family. Types of materials are letters, photos, books and original documents.Context
Seven Leonard’s arrived in North America during the period of 1630 – 1750.
Henry Leonard, an ironworker arrived before 1650, settling first in Braintree, MA before moving to Topsfield, Saugus, Taunton and then New Jersey. He has numerous descendants in New Jersey and the southern states.
James Leonard, an ironworker, younger brother of Henry who first came to Providence, RI, then Braintree and finally settled in Taunton.
Solomon Leonard, came from Leyden, Holland in 1629 or 1630, settled first in Plymouth, then Duxbury and finally Bridgewater, MA. He is believed to have been born in Monmouthshire, England about 1610 and then to have emigrated to Leyden, Holland with his father, Samuel.
John Leonard settled in Springfield, MA in 1638. A farmer he had 15 children and consequently lots of descendants.
William Leonard was born about 1685 and married Sarah Bolton in 1708/09 in either RI, CT, or MA. They lived in Bridgewater, MA and had 8 or 9 children. The puzzle of his origins has not been solved. George Leonard was born about 1686 in Mayo, Ireland and arrived in America in the late 1600s or early 1700s. His descendants spread south from Pennsylvania.
Philip Leonard, a third brother, who settled in Duxbury and had no male issue and one daughter, Phebe. Rice (Rece) Leonard settled in Rehoboth, MA about 1643. He had 2 daughters, Rachel and Hopestill and one son, Samuel who died without male issue. He is not known to be related to any of the early Leonard’s.
Henry Leonard is first mentioned at the Saugus Ironworks in 1649. Henry and James were skilled workmen. They and their descendants were often identified with many colonial iron enterprises. The family name is the most noted in the annals of the New England iron industry. Many Leonard’s followed in ironworks. At least five of James’ six sons were ironworkers. They developed a strong connection to Taunton, primarily through their involvement in the iron industry. Operating for generations they contributed significantly to the region’s industrial development. They impacted Taunton’s early industrial landscape and their descendants continued to be involved in the region.Archive Details
Archive Size/Extent
Collection consists of 8 boxes, 38 folders and 1,128 documents.
