Home
Surname List
Name Index
Sources
Email Us |
Fourth Generation
163. Capt. Eliphalet
LEONARD232 was born
in 1702 in Easton, Bristol Co., MA. He died on 4 Feb 1786 in Easton,
MA. He was buried in Old Burying Ground, Main Street, Easton, MA.
ECL says that he was the first to manufacture steel in the UnitedStates. This
seems to be based on the recollections of his grandson,Jonathan. But NEHGS also
published an article wherein he was called abloomer (NEHGS Register, 1851, p.
484).
From the ECL-GML manuscript: "The third industry, to be positivelyknown,
in Easton was the Leonard Forge at the foot of Stones Pond, socalled, known to
have been in operation in October 1723. The discoveryof bog iron in the northwest
part of the Town induced Capt. JamesLeonard, grandson of the original James Leonard,
to start the ironbusiness there. In December 1716 he purchased of Nathan Hanley
35 acreson both sides of "Trought Hole Brook," so called. In 1720
he made offurther purchase of 8 1/2 acres at the same place. The exact date
whenthe forge was erected is not ascertained but it was in full operation inOctober
1725. Capt. Leonard's son, Eliphalet, just reached 21 years in1720, was manager
of the business from the start. It was the first forgebuilt within the limits
of the Town of Easton. It was christened theBrummagen Forge. The word Brummagen
is a corruption of the nameBirmingham, the famous ironworking place in England.
But the forge wasreally known as Eliphalet Leonard's forge. Excellent iron
was made fromthe bog ore brought from near Lincoln Spring and elsewhere. In
August1742 Capt. James Leonard gave full ownership to Eliphalet, and Epiphaletcarried
on the business until 1782, when he deeded it to his son Jacob.It does not appear
to have been very prosperous at any time. Theproperty passed to Isaac Leonard,
son of Jacob, in 1800. In 1802 theforge, the grist mill, and the coal house
were sold. In April 1804 IsaacLeonard sold his homestead, which is now part
of the Ames estate."
For more, see Eliphalet Leonard, Jr. in next generation.
His epitaph reads: "He was so just that his friends put trust in him foryears
to come; we hope the Lord will him name, for He hath called himhome." Capt.
Eliphalet LEONARD and Ruth FENNO were married on 10 Oct 1728 in Stoughton, MA.
Ruth FENNO (daughter of John FENNO and Rachel NEWCOMB)
was born on 30 May 1705 in Dorchester, Suffolk Co., MA. She died
on 11 Apr 1786 in Canton, MA. Capt. Eliphalet LEONARD and Ruth FENNO
had the following children:
|