John Leach Sr. (abt. 1665 - bef. 1744)

Born about 1665 in West Bridgewater, Plymouth Colony, New England

Husband of Alice (Unknown) Leach — married 1695 in Bridgewater, Plymouth, Massachusetts

Descendants

Died before 7 Jan 1744 before about age 79 in South Bridgewater, Plymouth, Province of Massachusetts Bay

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Rev Daniel Washburn Jones [send private message] and Bob Leach [send private message]

Biography

John Leach; b. 1665 at West Bridgewater, Massachusetts; m. Alice ?? ^[1] 1695^[2]; d. 1733 his will was proved on Feb 6, 1744 at Bridgewater, Plymouth, Massachusetts. He was a farmer, and resided in the south part of the town of Bridgwater. 3 Mar. 1701-2 the Selectmen were ordered "to lay out a highway from the Taunton road on the other side of 4 mile Brook, to John Leach's Hos, and so, to Taunton Line." In 1742, he was chosen a Juryman of the Plymouth Co., Court, but does not appear to have held any public office. The inventory of his estate was filed 6 Feb. 1744, ^[3]The estate appraised at 341 pounds. In the settlement of the estate, his son Giles Leach took the homestead, and settled with the other heirs. ^[4]

Known children of John Leach and Alice ?? all b. at South Bridgewater^[5], Plymouth, Massachusetts, were as follows: ^[6]

• i. John; b. 1695; m. Susanna White 1719; d. 1744.
• ii. Giles; b. Mar 28, 1697; m. Leila Waterman circa 1725 at Halifax, Plymouth, Massachusetts; d. Dec 20, 1749 at Halifax, Plymouth, Massachusetts, at age 52.
• iii. Stephen; b. Jan 28, 1698/99; m. Sarah Hooper, daughter of John Hooper, 1725 at West Bridgewater, Massachusetts; d. 1729.
• iv. Abiel; b. Dec 18, 1700; m. Sarah Waterman, daughter of John Waterman and Lydia Cushman, before 1728; d. Oct 2, 1787 at Middleboro, Plymouth, Massachusetts, at age 86.
• v. Ebenezar; b. Dec 3, 1702; m. Joanna Washburn, daughter of Josiah Washburn, 1734; m. Lydia Tilson 1739; She was from Halifax; d. 1803; ??
• vi. Mehitable; b. Nov 14, 1704.
• vii. Timothy; b. Oct 15, 1707; m. Sarah Leach, daughter of Benjamin Leach and Hepzibah Washburn, 1732 at Bridgewater, Plymouth, Massachusetts; d. Oct 25, 1770 at West Bridgewater, Plymouth, Massachusetts, at age 63.
• viii. Nehemiah; b. Dec 18, 1709; m. Mary Staples May 28, 1730; m. Ruth Bryant, daughter of Benjamin Bryant and Hannah Eaton, Nov 11, 1735 at Plympton, Plymouth, Massachusetts; She was from Plympton; d. May 17, 1769 at South Bridgewater, Plymouth, Massachusetts, at age 59.
• ix. Solomon; b. Feb 19, 1712; m. Tabitha Washburn, daughter of Samuel Washburn and Abigail (--?--), Apr 14, 1736 at Bridgewater, Plymouth, Massachusetts; m. Jerusha Byrant Apr 19, 1738; m. Hannah Leach, daughter of Benjamin Leach and Hepzibah Washburn, Aug 6, 1743 at West Bridgewater, Massachusetts.
• x. Jesse; b. Oct 16, 1714; m. Alice Churchill circa 1741; d. 1744 at South Bridgewater, Plymouth, Massachusetts.

Probate Records

We know all 10 of John's children by the Bridgewater Vital Records as each is listed with parents "John and Alice". However, we learn a little more from John's probate records that are rarely referenced in detail.

He died intestate and on 6 February 1743/44, Giles Leach was granted the administration of his estate.^[7]

His inventory was taken on 3 February 1743/44 in Bridgewater.^[8]

There are 7 surviving children at the time of John's death, all sons. The list of his heirs is given in a 'division' document for John's personal estate. This document is found in the Plymouth County Probate Records. ^[9]

John's surviving children are listed in order: John "deceased", [Giles - the Administrator], Stephen "deceased", Abiel, Ebenezer, Timothy, Nehemiah, Solomon and Jesse.

The only missing child in the division document is Mehitable and she must have already died without issue. NEHGR Vol 169 on page 44 ^[10] proposes that our Mehitable Leach married Richard Everson (intentions in Kingston, March 25, 1731/2). Mehitable must have died without issue by October 25, 1740 when this Richard Everson recorded his intention of marrying Thankful Whitmarsh.

The division document also names 5 grandchildren of John Leach: of his son John we have the three, Alice, Abiah and Stephen, and then of his son Stephen we have the two, Anna and Stephen.

There is also a separate document giving a partial accounting of the administration of John's estate by his son Giles Leach, also found in the Plymouth County Probate Records. ^[11]

This probate account document is very notable because it records that almost 74 pounds of the 151 pounds in John's personal estate are paid to one "Eleen'r Leach 2d". This is an amount that might be applied for the "Widow's thirds" in a probate proceeding although no surviving spouse is mentioned in any other part of the probate documents. Was John remarried to an Eleanor after Alice died, possibly shortly before his own death?

NOTES:

• John is shown as being b. in "West" Bridgewater, but this seems a bit early for the divisional designation ... clarification needed

John Leach MP

Gender: Male

Birth: circa 1670

West Bridgewater, Plymouth , Massachusetts

Death: before February 6, 1744

Bridgewater, Plymouth, Massachusetts

Immediate Family:

Son of Giles Leach and Anne Leach

Husband of Alice Leach

Father of John Leach; Giles Leach; Stephen Leach, Sr.; Abiel Leach; Ebenezer Leach and 5 others

Brother of Sarah Aldrich; Elizabeth Emerson; Samuel Leach; David Leach; Ebenezer Leach and 1 other

Added by: James Walter Place, Jr. on July 28, 2007

Managed by: Thomas M. Clifford and 12 others

Curated by: Erica Isabel Howton

Sources

1. ↑ The only documentation found thus far shows only that her name was Alice. Her maiden name/parentage is yet unknown
2. ↑ New England Marriages Prior to 1700, by Clarence A. Torry p. 457 shows: : John m. Alice _____, 1695, Bridgewater.
3. ↑ Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988 shows: John Leach Death: 7 Jan 1744 - Bridgewater, Massachusetts
4. ↑ Lawrence Leach of Salem, Massachusetts : and some of his descendants by Fayette Phelps Leach. pub. 1927
5. ↑ Lawrence Leach of Salem, Massachusetts : and some of his descendants by Fayette Phelps Leach. pub. 1927
6. ↑ Edward D. MITCHELLS HIST OF BRIDGEWATER p 230. Vital records. pub. 1897 (Abiel recorded out of birth order)
7. ↑ "Massachusetts, Plymouth County, Probate Records, 1633-1967," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G97D-JKJN : 20 May 2014), Probate records 1742-1745 and 1844-1856 vol 9-9M > image 108 of 583; State Archives, Boston.
8. ↑ "Massachusetts, Plymouth County, Probate Records, 1633-1967," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G97D-JKJN : 20 May 2014), Probate records 1742-1745 and 1844-1856 vol 9-9M > image 108-109 of 583; State Archives, Boston.
9. ↑ Plymouth County Probate Records vol 9 page 347
10. ↑ NEHGR Vol 169, page 44
11. ↑ Plymouth County Probate Records vol 9 page 368

• Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988
• U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970