Sixth Generation

1170. John LEONARD was born about 1756 in Bottle Hill, Morris Co., NJ. Birth from his Rev. War pension file S.33416. His Rev. War pension file, S.33376, is the source of what we know of John and his family. His pension application comes from his being a destitute invalid, having received a wound in the groin.

He states he initially had 2 acres in Morris County, which he sold about 1802.

He was a blacksmith by trade. He suffered from piles and was unable to work at his trade after 1815.

He had five more children, whose names are unknown (ten children in all). Note that some children were born when he was in his 50's. It's unclear as to when he was married and whether he was married more than once. Some of his children live in NY and others in OH.

He served in several campaigns, enlisting in Nov 1775 in Capt. Morris' company. Later, he served in the New Jersey Militia.

At the time of his pension application, he was living in New Providence, Essex Co., NJ.

There is no proof that this John is the son of this David Leonard. The intuition that he may be his son comes from where he was born, David being the Leonard who was living in that area.

John LEONARD and UNKNOWN were married. His pension file mentions that his wife was previously married, and that they split up in 1816, when she went back to live with friends and children. The file also states that they had 10 children, mostly married and living in western NY and OH, with large families, and poor. UNKNOWN died about 1823 in Essex Co., NJ?.

John LEONARD and UNKNOWN had the following children: