Fifth Generation

105. Sgt. Thomas LEONARD⁴⁵ was born on 22 August 1753 in Somerset Co., NJ.⁴⁵ He died on 28 January 1836 at the age of 82 in Beaver Co., PA.⁴⁵ He lived in Hunterdon Co., NJ. According to his Revolutionary War pension file, W3098, Thomas volunteered in early May to serve in the defence of his country in the Company commanded by John Yard in the Regiment commanded by Col Thomas Lowrey. Thomas served as a volunteer for one month, served as a substitute for two months, one of which was for a Mr. Smith, and served under Capt. William Tucker. He was next a drafted militia man under Capt. Tucker to Morristown and from thence to Brunswick, where he served out his month, initially at Perth Amboy, then at Red Bank under Col. , while at Trenton under Col Butter of the Regular Army, and at Monmouth under General Washington, General Lee, General LaFayette, and General Greene.

He moved to PA in 1780. He moved to Beaver Co., from Cumberland, now Mifflin Co., PA, in 1803, according to his son Alva.

His file had query letters from Mrs. W. C. Bartel of Lewisburg, PA (1926), Mrs. May Leonard Quick of Plymouth, IN (1925), Mrs. Bertha L. W. Ramsey, Buffalo, NY (1907)(She apparently had Thomas Leonard's Bible), Mrs. W. C. Bartol of Lehigh University, Lewisburg, PA. From the correspondence, it appears that there were two Thomas Leonards in NJ and that they were confused. The line of descent described in two of the letters does not match the children of this Thomas. There is also a letter from an Elizabeth Leonard Nicholson who claims descent from Thomas thru son Thomas and grandson Samuel.

There are two Thomas Leonards and two Esther Heaths in this data base, the same people. Correct!

Sgt. Thomas LEONARD and Esther HEATH were married on 6 March 1781 in Cumberland Co., PA.⁴⁵ Esther HEATH⁴⁵ was born on 6 February 1762.⁴⁵ She died on 4 September 1839 at the age of 77 in Beaver Co., PA. At the time she applied for Thomas' pension, she was living in North Beaver twp., Beaver Co., PA. Was her name Esther Cookson or Esther Heath?

Sgt. Thomas LEONARD and Esther HEATH had the following children:

186	i.	Priscilla LEONARD⁴⁵ was born on 23 November 1781.
187	ii.	Mary LEONARD⁴⁵ was born on 8 January 1784.
188	iii.	Abner LEONARD⁴⁵ was born on 11 April 1786 in Beaver Co., PA. He died after 1860 at the age of 74 in Beaver Co., PA. Abner was alive in 1838 to give a statement in support of his mother's application for Thomas' Revolutionary War pension. He was alive for the 1860 Census, when he owned land valued at $8000 and $1000 in other property in North Beaver, Lawrence Co., PA. In the 1830 Census, he is listed in Little Beaver, Beaver Co., with four in the family, 2 children (a boy and a girl) and 2 adults.
189	iv.	Clarissa LEONARD⁴⁵ was born on 21 November 1788 in Beaver Co., PA.
190	v.	Lucretia LEONARD⁴⁵ was born on 19 January 1791 in Beaver Co., PA.
+191	vi.	Absalom LEONARD.
+192	vii.	Hiel LEONARD.
+193	viii.	Eli LEONARD.
194	ix.	Col. Alva LEONARD⁴⁵ was born on 5 September 1799 in Beaver Co., PA. Alva was spelled Alvah in the family Bible, but Alva spelled it Alva when he signed his name. He was alive in 1838 when his mother applied for Thomas' pension.