Second Generation

5. Ruth LEONARD was born about 1762 in Bridgewater, Plymouth Co., MA. She died on 9 September 1826 at the age of 64 in Taunton, Bristol Co., MA.⁸ "The Eddy Family in America" quotes her as the daughter of Seth and Ruth (Horn or Hoar) Leonard (from Cheseboro Gen., p. 60).

She left a will which identified her brothers and sister: leaving money to sister Sarah Field, brother Seth Leonard, brother Daniel Leonard, and real estate to her nephew, Artemas Field. She and Ezra had no children.

John and Hanna Eddy sold to Artemas Field "all our right in the estate of Ruth Eddy, late of Taunton, dec'd." (i.e., dower rights). Dated 23 Aug 1832. This was witnessed by John Eddy, Jr. and Artemas Field, Jr. Note that this was after both Ruth and her husband, Ezra, had died. It's unclear as to who this John Eddy was, but probably he was Ezra's brother.

Daniel Leonard and widow Sarah Field did the same dtd. 19th March 1828, Taunton. Seth Leonard did the same dtd. 11 Jan 1828, Cheshire, New Hampshire. They were the ones benefitting from Ruth Eddy's will.

Barney Leonard and Ruth L. Mitchell did the same 20 Aug 1832. This would have been after Ezra remarried and died.

On 31 Dec 1832, William Leonard's living heirs did the same, including Simeon Woodward, Peddy (Leonard) Woodward, Stillman Fields, Dinah W. (Leonard) Fields, Ruth H. Leonard widow of Mansfield, William Leonard, Abigail Leonard, Pardon Leonard, Lovice (Burt) Leonard, Sally Field, Nathaniel Field, Philander Fecto, Lemira W. (Leonard) Fecto, Josephus Leonard, Theodora D. (Leonard) Wilbor. This would seem to indicate the above were closely enough related to Ruth to have some claim to her dower rights.

Ruth LEONARD and Ezra EDDY were married on 1 January 1784 in Norton, Bristol Co., MA.⁹ Ezra EDDY, son of Caleb EDDY, was born in 1754 in Norton, Bristol Co., MA. He died on 28 May 1832 at the age of 78 in Taunton, Bristol Co., MA.⁹ Ezra was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and also the War of 1812. He lived all his life in Norton and Taunton. He and Ruth had no children. He's #9373 in the Eddy Family Genealogy (pp. 917-8).

There is an Ezra Eddy household listed in Norton in the 1790 Census. It consisted of two males over 16 and one female.