Third Generation

16. Ensign Elkanah LEONARD⁶⁷ was born on 15 May 1677 in Raynham, Bristol Co., MA.² He died on 29 December 1714 at the age of 37 in Lakeville, Middleboro, Plymouth Co., MA.³⁴ He was buried in Lakeville Cemetery (Thompson's Hill), Lakeville, MA.⁶⁰ Elkanah practiced law in Middleborough. He was the only lawyer at the time. He was appointed Major in militia early in career, First Regiment, Plymouth County Militia. He's covered in Fanny Leonard Koster, Genealogy of the Leonard Family, p. 80. Children are listed in the Genealogical Register of Pilgrim Families, p. 171.

ECL: He also learned the bloomers art. His father purchased two of three tracts of land in Middleborough in 1700 and with Philip King built the dam at Trout Brook, a saw mill, and commenced on a forge when he bought out King and finished the forge . Young Elkanah was put there to manage the forge when he was 24 years old. In 1703 he married Charity Hodges and built a house on the west side of the brook below the dam. He was a smart, capable young man and soon had a lively business -- mills, forge, lumberman, store owner. In 1706 he was chosen constable of the town, but refused to serve and was fined 5 pounds penalty. On 7 Oct 1708, he sold to Elkanah Leonard several pieces of land, including his iron mine swamp. On March 1, 1709/10 he was elected with Capt. James Vaughn and Rodolphus King as Selectmen. He continued in this office the rest of his life. He was addenda member #22, First Church of Middleborough, and had child Timothy baptized there in 1713. He died at the young age of 37, leaving a large property in Plymouth and Bristol Counties.

His son, Elkanah, was appointed guardian of Rebecca and Jemima Leonard, daughters of Elkanah Sr., late of Middleberry. April 15, 1724/5 (5:63). Benjamin Hodges of Middleborough was appointed guardian of Elkanah's children Joseph, Simeon, and Abiah. April 20, 1724/5 (5:64). Plymouth Court records also show that Ephraim Hodges, Elkanah's wife's brother, was appointed guardian of Abiah, Simeon, and Jemima Leonard (Elkanah's children). This should be checked further, but it is evidence that later-born children had died.

Ensign Elkanah LEONARD and Charity HODGES were married on 25 March 1703 in Taunton, Bristol Co., MA.² Charity HODGES⁶⁸, daughter of Henry HODGES and Esther GALLOP, was born on 5 April 1682 in Taunton, Bristol Co., MA.² She died about 28 February 1739 at the age of 56 in Middleborough, Plymouth Co, MA. She was buried in Taunton/Lakeville Congregational Cemetary, Taunton, MA. The George Marston Leonard charts lists her death date as 3/29, 1759, but no source given. When Jabez Perkins died, she returned to Middleborough.

She was the Charity Leonard who was member no. 66 in the First Church of North Middleborough.

ECL: "Charity, the widow, was one of twenty persons who were allowed the privilege of building a pew in the Meeting House. They were placed on the sides of the Hosue, and the center was occupied by the inhabitants at large. She married the second time to Jabez Perkins of Norwich in 1722 and after his death came back to Middleboro to reside, where she died and is buried by her husband in the precinct cemetery in Middleboro. Her daughters Rebecca and Jemima married her stepsons Jabez Jr. and Jacob Perkins and left descendants in Connecticut." Jabez and Charity had a daughter, Charity, born 6-12-1724 at Norwich.

Did Charity, the mother, marry (3) 29 Jan 1743 Ezra Lothrop of Norwich? If so, she died later than thought.

Ensign Elkanah LEONARD and Charity HODGES had the following children: