Third Generation

19. Joseph LEONARD²⁴ was born before 1670 in Bridgewater, Plymouth Co., MA. He died on 29 January 1749 at the age of 79 in Bridgewater, Plymouth Co., MA. He was buried in Old Grave Yard, Bridgewater, MA. He was a prosperous farmer and highly respected by the community as a man of intelligence and probity. The records of the church, South Precinct, show that he and his wife became members soon after it was formed and that their children were baptized in infancy.

In 1855, Simeon Leonard wrote to Manning Leonard: "My great grandfather divided his property between his two sons--the line of division I well knew. Ephraim was to maintain the old folks but he failed in business, his property was all taken from him, and he became poor. He went with all his children (Huldah excepted) to New Jersey, leaving his father in indigent circumstances, and I have been told, his parents were dependent in their old age."

"Not later than 1700, possibly earlier, Joseph build the interesting old house still standing opposite Central Square Bridgewater, now known as the Clara Washburn House or the Tory's House. Joseph and Martha lived there for at least seventeen years.. After the death of son Jacob the house was sold to their church for a parsonage." (Caroline Leonard Goodenough's Memoirs, 1928)

Joseph LEONARD and Martha ORCUTT were married in 1695. Martha ORCUTT, daughter of William ORCUTT and MARTHA, was born in 1671 in Bridgewater, Plymouth Co., MA. She died in 1752 at the age of 81 in Bridgewater, Plymouth Co., MA. She was buried in Old Grave Yard, Bridgewater, MA.

Joseph LEONARD and Martha ORCUTT had the following children: