Fourth Generation

104. Col. Ephraim LEONARD⁵² was born on 16 January 1706 in Norton, Bristol Co., MA.⁵³ He died on 2 May 1786 at the age of 80 in East Mansfield, MA.¹⁹⁴ Ephraim was Colonel of militia in French and Indian War. He was judge of the Court, appointed in 1747. He was initially an ambivalent supporter of the new United States. He disinherited his son, Daniel, who was a loyalist, required descendants to take an oath of allegiance to the US, and left his estate to Daniel's son, Charles. He was said to be the wealthiest man in Mansfield in his time. (NEHGS Register, 1851, p. 409). Obituary describes him as a "well-known jurist of Massachusetts."

Fanny Leonard says Daniel was his only child. See Fanny Leonard Koster, p. 80, for more about Col. Ephraim Leonard. It seems strange that with four wives Ephraim had only one child, but ECL/GML records also include only one.

He recorded: "Dick, an Indian man Major George Leonard deceased gave to his son Ephraim December 4, 1727."

Receipt dtd. 17 July 1730 by Ephraim Leonard, bloomer, for legacy from estate of his father Major George Leonard of Norton, as paid by his mother Anna Leonard, widow and executor. Also mentions Abiah Leonard and Anna Leonard, sister, deceased.

He apparently built a forge in Mansfield, MA.

Col. Ephraim LEONARD and Judith PERKINS were married on 28 May 1739 in Norwich, MA. Judith PERKINS was born in 1714 in Norwich. She died on 4 September 1740 at the age of 26 in Mansfield, Bristol Co., MA.¹⁹⁵

Col. Ephraim LEONARD and Judith PERKINS had the following children:

Col. Ephraim LEONARD and Meletiah Fisher WARE were married on 15 July 1745 in Wrentham, Norfolk Co., MA.¹⁹⁶ Meletiah Fisher WARE was born in 1707 in Wrentham, Norfolk Co., MA. She died on 3 October 1758 at the age of 51 in Norton, Bristol Co., MA.¹⁹⁷ She was the widow of Dr. Benjamin Ware of Weymouth.

Col. Ephraim LEONARD and Abigail KING were married on 18 March 1760. Abigail KING, daughter of John KING and Alice DEAN, was born on 7 July 1710 in Taunton, Bristol Co., MA. She died on 27 July 1771 at the age of 61 in Mansfield, Bristol Co., MA.¹⁹⁸ She was the widow of John Williams.

Col. Ephraim LEONARD and Anna Ruggles WENTWORTH were married on 27 December 1773 in Rochester, Plymouth Co., MA.¹⁹⁹ Anna Ruggles WENTWORTH, daughter of Elisha WENTWORTH, was born in 1705. She died on 7 October 1782 at the age of 77 in Mansfield, Bristol Co., MA.¹⁹⁶ She was the widow of Rev. Timothy Ruggles of Rochester, MA.