Fourth Generation

244. Capt. Philip LEONARD^264,330,331 was born in 1718 in Taunton, Bristol Co., MA. He died on 27 January 1785 at the age of 67 in Middleborough, Plymouth Co, MA.⁷¹ Philip came from Taunton as a young man to make his way as master workman in lawyer Elkanah Leonard's ironworks. He was barely 21 years old. He settled into his work and remained there the rest of his life. He did little outside of his business; his employers were the ones who held all of the offices. After Elkanah's mental infirmity Philip was the mainstay of the business, while Elkanah Jr. and Zebulon were growing up to the management of affairs. Philip ran the forge while Zebulon and Elkanah ran the store and with their mother gradually paid off and settled the estate. His forge was later known as the tack factory on the railroad between Middleboro and Taunton.

Philip was Captain of the Third Company, First Regiment, of the Militia. Out of the Toryism of Zebulon, who had become quite prominent, coupled with that of Daniel Leonard and George Leonard, also prominent Tories, rendered for a time all Leonards under suspicion by the Revolutionary party, such that Philip was dropped from his captaincy. However, his sons Philip, George, and Benjamin were in arms at the Lexington alarm. They also served throughout the War whenever an alarm was sounded.

Philip Sr. was described as a large and powerful man of commanding height and figure and moderate in his manners. At the Rhode Island alarm (1778), he shouldered a musket and went as a private at age 60. DAR Patriot Index.

Capt. Philip LEONARD and Mary "Polly" RICHMOND were married on 6 January 1738 in Middleborough, Plymouth Co, MA.³³² Mary "Polly" RICHMOND, daughter of Josiah RICHMOND and Mehitable DEANE, was born in 1719 in Middleborough, Plymouth Co, MA. She died on 20 October 1801 at the age of 82 in Middleborough, Plymouth Co, MA.³³³ Mayflower Historical Society - #28,280.

Capt. Philip LEONARD and Mary "Polly" RICHMOND had the following children: