Fifth Generation

483. Eliphalet LEONARD⁶⁴⁰ was born on 4 March 1730 in Easton, Bristol Co., MA. He died on 23 October 1805 at the age of 75 in Canton, Norfolk Co., MA. He was a bloomer and made steel for the Revolutionary Army. He was the first to make steel in Easton, MA. He was a Captain in the Militia. Jonathan Leonard, his son, erected a furnace capable of making 3 tons at a time. In 1813, he erected another in Canton making 100 tons a year (p. 369, The New England States, William T. Davis, ed., Vol 1, D. H. Hurd & Co., Boston, 1897).

More from ECL: "Sometime before 1771 Eliphalet Leonard, Jr., had erected a forge on the road east of the Washington Street Methodist Church. It was deeded to him in 1765, and not long after he erected a forge. It is said that he was the first person to attempt the making of steel in this country. We are aware that claims of this kind must be received with caution, but it was made by the well-known Jonathan Leonard, the son of Eliphalet. Jonathan wrote in a letter February 23, 1826 (see NEHGS Register Vol. XI, pp.289-90), "as to the making of steel, the first attempt made in this country, so far as my knowledge goes, was made by my father Eliphalet about the year 1775/6. He led to the attempt by the extreme scarcity of steel and the difficulty of procuring it for the manufacture of arms, then in great demand for the defense of the country. He constructed several furnaces and so far succeeded as to supply himself and some of his neighbors. In 1787 I obtained further insight into the business and erected at Easton a furnace capable of making 3 tons at a batch. This continued until 1808, in consequence of commercial restrictions, I erected another in the same place capable of making 10 tons at a batch. In 1813 I erected another furnace in Canton where I now live (1826) and where I made about 100 tons of steel per year." As to the manner in which he obtained insight into the business, it is told that Jonathan, hearing that steel was being manufactured by an improved process in Pennsylvania, went there where it was made. When he came to the place he assumed the ways of a simpleton, gradually arousing the sympathies and humorous interest of the workmen. He received menial employment about the furnace, meanwhile keeping his eyes open and profiting by the knowledge he gained. This Jonathan, who became known as "Quaker Leonard," was eccentric and bright enough to have done all this. He paid a poll tax in Easton from 1785 to 1792; after that his name disappears, but he was taxed as a nonresident as he continued the business. About 1792/3, Eliphalet, 3rd, brother of Jonathan, built the dam which is known as "The Shovel Shop Pond Dam" and erected a forge there and a nailors shop. Later he built a house there and it was the first painted house in Easton Village. It is the home in which Oakes Ames was born. Eliphalet, 3rd, did not meet with much success, and he was bankrupt in 1801. The place was sold in 1803 and finally passed into the hands of Oliver Ames. In this section of town the iron business was carried on exclusively by the Leonards."

Katherine Guild, his granddaughter: "He was a self-educated man, remarkable for his intelligence and acquirements. His beautiful residence was the resort of the first literary men of Boston, as well asmanyothers who claimed the hospitality so well known to be found there."

Was he born in 1730 or 1731? Did he die Oct 23 or Oct 27, 1805?

Eliphalet LEONARD and Silence HOWARD were married on 4 July 1755 in Bridgewater, Plymouth Co., MA.³⁴⁶ Silence HOWARD, daughter of Ebenezer HOWARD and Catherine DEAN, was born on 10 September 1736 in Bridgewater, Plymouth Co., MA. She died on 12 May 1802 at the age of 65 in Easton, Bristol Co., MA. Howard or Haward? Married before?

Eliphalet LEONARD and Silence HOWARD had the following children: