INDEX to the Leland family files

Generation 1

HENRY LELAND (abt 1625 - 1680) of Medfield and Sherborn

Parents: Unknown

Henry Leland was born in England about 1625. [Ref] He died on 4 Apr 1680 in Sherborn. [Ref, p. 72][Ref] He married Margaret Badcock, [Ref] the sister of Robert Badcock of Milton. [Ref, p. 72]

Henry was at tailor. [Ref, pp. 161-169]

Henry came to America in 1652. [Ref] He lived first in Dorchester. [Ref, p. 72] He was recieved into the church at Dorchester on 22 (3) 1652. [Ref, pp. 161-169]

In 1654 Henry became one of the first settlers of Sherborn. [Ref, p. 72] He settled in the southeastern quarter of Sherborn, known as Bogistow. [Ref, pp. 161-169] For 12 years he lived on land owned by Thomas Holbrook. [Ref, pp. 161-169] On 3 Mar 1660 he gave his bond for 40 pounds to Henry Lane of Boston for 200 acres. He obtained the deed for this land in 1667 [Ref, pp. 161-169] In 1666 he received a deed from Thomas Holbrook for 80 acres. [Ref, pp. 161-169] His first house was on the land he bought from Thomas Holbrook and it burned that year while he was away. [Ref, pp. 161-169]

He was part of a committee that signed aricles of agreement between the town of Sherborn and the town of Natick on 16 Apr 1679. [Ref, p. 26] He and Ens. Bullen were chosen a committee with the selectman to grant lots in 1679. [Ref, p. 29]

Henry paid 3 shillings as part of Medfield's contribution to Harvard College in 1678. [Ref]

Henry wrote his will on 27 Mar 1680; it was proved on 8 Jun 1680. He mentioned his wife Margaret, Bethia Twitchell, his oldest son Hopestill, his daughter Experience Colburne, his son Ebenezer, his brother Brazier, his son Eleazer, his five grandchilden his brother Robert Badcock. [Ref, pp. 11-12]

The name "Leland" is frequently spelled as "Lealand" in the early records. Henry appears to have spelled his name as "Layland".

Children of Henry Leland and Margaret Badcock:

1. Dea. Hopestill Leland was born on 15 Nov 1655. He died in 1729. He married first Abigail Hill. He married second Patience Holbrook.
2. Experience Leland was born on 16 May 1656 [Ref says 1654][Ref] in Medfield. [Ref, d. Henry and Margaret] She died on 20 Dec 1708 in Dedham. [Ref] She married John Colburn [Ref][Ref, p. 72, only the year 1672] on 25 Jun 1674 [Ref] in Medfield. [Ref] John was the son of Nathaniel and Priscilla (Clarke) Colborn. [Ref, m. 25 (5) 1639 Dedham] He was born on 29 (5) 1648 in Dedham. [Ref, s. Nathaniel and Priscilla] He was baptised on 6 (6) 1648 in Dedham. [Ref] He died on 29 Jan 1705/6 in Dedham. [Ref]
   some descendants of Experience Leland
3. Ebenezer Leland was born on 2 Jan 1657/8 [Ref says 15 Jan 1657] in Medfield. [Ref][Ref, s. Henry and Margaret] He died on 30 Jun 1742 in Sherborn. [Ref] He married first Deborah Unknown. She died between 1690 and 1695. He married second Patience Rice. [Ref] Patience was born on 5 Mar 1671. [Ref, d. Matthew] Patience, the wife of Ebenezer, Sr., died on 1 Jun 1720 in Sherborn. [Ref] He married third Mary Hunt of Sudbury on 29 Aug 1721 in Sherborn or Sudbury. [Ref][Ref][Ref]
   Patience's father Matthew Rice refered to her as Patience Leland in his will. [Ref] She inherited a tract of land in Framingham called Indian Head. [Ref] By a 2 Apr 1722 deed, Thomas Sawin and his wife Deborah, Dorothy Ware and Ebenzer Leland with his wife Patience, heirs of Matthew Rice, sold the Indian Head farm of 150 acres to Joseph Stone, Jr. of Lexingon. [Ref]
   Ebenezer was admitted an inhabitant of Sherborn in 1678. [Ref, p. 32] He signed the town covenant in 1679. [Ref, pp. 25-6] He was a selectman for four years. [Ref, pp. 161-169] Later in life he lived with his son Dea. Timothy Leland. [Ref, pp. 161-169] Ebenezer and Capt. John Goulding were assigned the most honorable church pews. [Ref, pp. 161-169]
   Ebenezer Leland was appointed guardian of Samuel Hunt, age 15. [Ref]
   Ebenezer died intestate and provides a lesson on why it is a good idea to make a will. Administration on Ebenezer's estate was granted to his son Timothy Leland of Holliston on 18 Oct 1742. [Ref, p. 15] Jonathan Leland [the son of his brother Hopestill's son Henry] and Amos Coolidge [the husband of Jonathan's sister Mary] were the sureties. [Ref, p. 15] Inventory was taken on 18 Oct 1742 and it amounted to pounds 198.10.6 with debts of pounds 62.6.2. The latter included five pounds and 12 shillings owed [his daughter] Deborah Gleason for nursing; 12 pounds 17 shillings owed [his son] Amariah Leland for appraising; ten shillings owed [his brother Hopestill's son] William Leland for appraising; [the son-in-law of his brother Hopestill's son Henry] Edward Learned ten shillings for digging his grave. [Ref, p. 15] On 6 Nov 1743 Dea. Timothy presented the inventory. On 20 Feb 1749/50 Ebenezer's heirs David and Asaph Leland requested that [Ebenezer's grandson] Caleb Leland be appointed adminstrator to replace Dea. Timothy, who was by then deceased. Caleb requested 23 pounds to pay Timothy's estate for his troubles and a fee for himself. [Ref, p. 16] On 12 Jan 1753 the court recorded that Deborah Gleason, Caleb, David, Timothy and Asaph Leland and Elkanah Haven, Jr. had noted portions that Ebenezer gave [his sons] before he died. He gave Ebenezer 40 acres in 1707/8; Dea. Timothy and Capt. James each received 17 pounds and ten shillings; Isaac had received 100 pounds 30 years before; Amariah recieved half of his home in 1731/2 and later bought the other half for 300 pounds. [Ref, p. 17] On 21 Jun 1753 the land Amariah reeived was appraised at 400 pounds at the time he bought it and 11,000 pounds after his improvements. The appraisers were Daniel Emerson, Aaron Morse [the husband of Ebenezer's brother Hopestill's son Henry's daughter Ann] and John Leland, Jr. [the son of Ebenezer's brother Hopestill's son John]. The appraisers received a payment of two pounds and ten shillings. [Ref, p. 18] The distribution of Ebenezer's estate was ordered on 16 Apr 1753. It was determined that [his sons] Ebenezer, Timothy, James, Isaac and Amariah has received their portions and the estate was to go to [his daughters] Patience Havens, deceased, Deborah, Susanna and Sybil. [Ref, p. 18]
   some descendants of Ebenezer Leland
   
4. Eleazer Leland was born on 13 Jul 1660 [Ref, 16 Jul] in Medfield. [Ref, s. Henry and Margaret] He died in 1703. [Ref] He married Sarah Unknown. [Ref]
   Eleazer, age 33, signed his will on 16 Oct 1691. It was proved on 13 Dec 1703. He left his entire estate to his wife Sarah. [Ref, pp. 13]

Generation 2

DEA. HOPESTILL LELAND (1655-1729) of Sherborn

Parents: Henry Leland and Margaret Badcock

Hopestill Leland was born on 15 Nov 1655 [Ref][Ref says 1653] in Medfield. [Ref][Ref, s. Henry and Margaret] He died on 19 Aug 1729 [Ref] in Sherborn. [Ref, Dea. ][Ref gives only the year] He married first Abigail Hill [Ref] on 5 Nov 1678 [Ref] in Medfield. [Ref] She died on 5 Oct 1689 in Sherborn. [Ref, w. Hopestill] He married second Patience Holbrook [Ref] on 2 Feb 1691 in Sherborn. [Ref] Patience, the widow of Dea. Hopestill, died on 5 Oct 1740 in Sherborn. [Ref]

Hopestill lived on the homestead that his father had bought from Thomas Holbrook. [Ref, pp. 161-169]

Hopestill was admitted an inhabitant of Sherborn in 1678. [Ref, p. 32] He signed the town covenant in 1679. [Ref, pp. 25-6] He was chosen part of a committee to seat the meeting house on 27 Jan 1726/7. [Ref, p. 39] He was a selectman for ten years. [Ref, pp. 161-169]

Hopestill wrote his will on 18 Aug 1729. He described himself as a yeoman of Sherborn, weak and ill. He was quite solicitous of his wife Patience: he left her for her lifetime all his moveable and household goods, his "quick flock" and a comfortable room in his house. He left 10 shillings to his sons Henry, Hopestill, John and William and to his daughter Abigail, the wife of Lieut. John Bullard. He says that he previously provided for them. He left his son Joseph one-third of his lands at New Sherborn, saying that he also had been previously provided for. He left his daughter Margaret 15 acres near Dunstable Meadow in Sherborn that he got from his wife, 36 acres near Bald Hill in Holliston and 100 pounds. He left his sons Isaac and Joshua his farm, the rest of his land and his husbandry tools. He charged them with taking care of their mother, keeping cows for her and providing her with a gentle horse to ride. His will was proved on 13 Oct 1729. [Ref, pp. 14-15]

Children of Hopestill Leland and Abigial Hill:

1. Ens. Henry Leland was born on 22 Feb 1679 [Ref, only the year] in Sherborn. [Ref, s. Hopestill and Abigail] He died on 29 Oct 1732 [Ref, only the year], in his 53rd year, in Sherborn. [Ref, Ens. Henry] He married Mary Unknown. [Ref] She was born about 1685. She died on 16 Oct 1760, in her 76th year, in Sherborn. [Ref, wid. Henry] Morse says that she was Mary Morse, the daughter of Jeremiah Morse of Medford. [Ref, pp. 161-169] Jeremiah and Elizabeth Morse had a daughter Mary who was born on 5 Mar 1684/5 in Medfield, but she appears to have married Aaron Clark on 8 Nov 1705 in Medfield. [Ref]
   Henry manufactured ropes and halters. [Ref, pp. 161-169]
   some descendants of Henry Leland
2. Dea. Hopestill Leland was born on 22 Feb 1679 [Ref, only the year] in Sherborn. [Ref, s. Hopestill and Abigail] He died on 7 Jun 1760 [Ref only the year] in Sherborn. [Ref] He married Mary Bullard [Ref] on 24 Feb 1701/2 in Sherborn. [Ref] She died on 8 May 1758 in Sherborn. [Ref, w. Hopestill]
   some descendants of Hopestill Leland
   
3. Abigail Leland was born on 17 Feb 1683 [Ref, only the year] in Sherborn. [Ref, s. Hopestill and Abigail] She is probably the widow Abigail who died on 30 Nov 1761 in Medway, Norfolk, Massachusetts. [Ref] She married Lieut. John Bullard [Ref] on 7 Jan 1701/2 in Sherborn. [Ref]
4. John Leland was born on 11 Oct 1687. He died in 1759 in Holliston. He married first Abigail Badcock. He married second the widow Sarah Bullard.

Children of Hopestill Leland and Patience Holbrook:

1. Dea. William Leland was born on 11 Feb 1692 [Ref, only the year] in Sherborn. [Ref, s. Hopestill and Patience] He died on 18 Mar 1742/3 in Sherborn. [Ref] He married Mehitable Breck [Ref] on 16 Mar 1715/6 in Sherborn. [Ref]
   On 18 Oct 1742 William's uncle Ebenezer's estate owed William Leland 10 shillings for appraising. [Ref, p. 15]
   some descendants of William Leland
   
2. Eleazer Leland was born on 8 Apr 1695 [Ref, only the year] in Sherborn. [Ref, s. Hopestill and Patience] He died on 6 May 1717 in Sherborn. [Ref, s. Hopestill and Patience]
3. Joseph Leland was born on 9 May 1698 [Ref, only the year] in Sherborn. [Ref, s. Hopestill and Patience] He died in 1776. [Ref] He married Esther Thurston [Ref] on 17 May 1721 in Sherborn. [Ref] Esther is probaby the daughter of Thomas and Esther Thurston, born on 21 Jun 1700 in Wrentham, Norfolk, Massachusetts. [Ref] She was baptised on 21 Jul 1700 in Wrentham. [Ref]
   some descendants of Joseph Leland
4. Martha Leland was born on 8 Sep 1699 in Sherborn. [Ref, d. Hopestill and Patience]
5. Isaac Leland was born on 2 Jun 1701 [Ref, only the year] in Sherborn. [Ref, s. Hopestill and Patience] He died in 1766. [Ref] Or, he died on 14 Jan 1733 in Holliston. [Ref] He married first Mary West. [Ref, p. 265] He married second [the widow?] Abigail Mason [Ref] on 27 Sep 1744 in Sherborn. [Ref]
   Somewhat confusingly, this Isaac Leland of Sherborn had a cousin Isaac Leland of Holliston who was one year older and also married a woman named Mary.
   some descendants of Isaac Leland
6. Joshua Leland was born on 5 May 1705 [Ref, only the year] in Sherborn. [Ref, s. Hopestill and Patience] He died in 1772. [Ref] He married Ruth Morse [Ref] on 21 Jun 1732 in Holliston. [Ref]
   some descendants of Joshua Leland
7. Margaret Leland was born on 27 Dec 1708 [Ref, only the year] in Sherborn. [Ref, d. Hopestill and Patience] She died on 10 Dec 1775, in her 69th year, in Medway. She married John Carpenter [Ref] of Holliston on 29 Oct 1730 in Sherborn. [Ref] John may have been the son of William, Jr. and Elizabeth (Robinson) Carpenter (m. 8 Apr 1685 Rehoboth) who was born on 7 Feb 1705 in Rehoboth. [Ref] This John was the grandson of William and Priscilla (Bennett) Carpenter (m. 5 Oct 1651 Rehoboth). [Ref] John died on 17 Oct 1776, in his 72nd year, in Medway. [Ref] He married second [the widow?] Rachel Turner on 10 Oct 1776 in Medway. [Ref] Rachel Turner of Medway married Malachi Bullard in Medway. [Ref, recorded between 20 Nov and 18 Dec 1777]
   some descendants of Margaret Leland

Generation 3

JOHN LELAND (1687-1759) of Sherborn and Holliston

Parents: Dea. Hopestill Leland and Abigail Hill

John Leland was born on 11 Oct 1687 in Sherborn. [Ref][Ref gives only the year [Ref, pp. 161-169] He died on 7 Jan 1759 [Ref, p. 5] in Holliston. [Ref][Ref gives only the year] He married first Abigail Badcock [Ref][Ref, p. 3] on 10 May 1710 in Sherborn. [Ref] She died on 28 Jun 1740 [Ref, p. 4] in Holliston. [Ref, w. John] He married second Sarah Bullard [Ref, pp. 161-169] on 12 Jul 1744 in Holliston. [Ref] Sarah was probably the widow of Lieut. Isaac Bullard. [Ref, p. 25] Morse says that Isaac's widow was Sarah Morse. [Ref, p. 25]

Children of John Leland and Abigail Badcock: All of the children were born in that part of Sherburne that became Holliston. [Ref]

1. Samuel Leland was born on 3 May 1711 [Ref gives only the year] in Sherborn. [Ref, s. John and Abigail] He died in 1783. [Ref] He married Dinah White. [Ref][Ref, pp. 161-169] It appears possible that Dinah was the daughter of Thomas and Margaret, born on 19 Dec 1713 in Mendon, Worcester, Massachusetts. [Ref]
   Samuel was a farmer in Holliston. [Ref]
   some descendants if Samuel Leland
2. John Leland was born in 1713. [Ref] He died in 1786 in Leominster. [Ref] John of Holliston married Lydia Leland [Ref][Ref, pp. 161-169] on 2 Jun 1737 in Sherborn. [Ref]
   John was a farmer in Holliston. [Ref] When he was old, he went to live with his son in Leominster. [Ref]
   some descendants of John Leland
3. Abigail Leland was born on 28 Mar 1716 in Sherborn. She died on 23 Aug 1745 in Holliston. She married Isaac Johnson.

Generation 4

ABIGAIL LELAND (1716 - 1745)

Parents: John Leland and Abigail Badcock [Ref, p. 36]

Abigail Leland was born on 28 Mar 1716 [Ref, p. 36][Ref only gives the year] in Sherborn. [Ref, d. John and Abigail] She died on 23 Aug 1745 [Ref, p. 36][Ref gives the year] in Holliston. [Ref] She married Isaac Johnson [Ref][Ref, pp. 161-169] on 15 Feb 1736 [Ref, says 1737, p. 36] in Holliston. [Ref]

References

Appleton, William S., The Family of Badcock of Massachusetts, Boston, D. Clapp & Son, 1881.

Bartlett, Gardner, John Hill of Dorchester, Mass., 1633, and Five Generations of His Descendants, Boston, Lew C. Hill, 1904.

Bigelow, William, History of Sherborn, Mass., Milford, MA, Ballou & Stacey, 1830.

Hill, Don Gleason, ed., The Records of Baptisms, Marriages and Deaths, and Admissions to the Church and Dismissals Therein, transcribed from the church records in the town of Dedham, Massachusetts, 1638 - 1845, Dedham, unknown, 1888.

Johnson, Paul Franklin and Frank Leonard Johnson, Genealogy of Capt. John Johnson of Roxbury, Massachusetts, Commonwealth Press, Los Angeles, 1951.

Leland, Sherman, Leland Magazine or a Genealogical Record of Henry Leland and His Descendants, Boston, Wier and White, 1850.

Morse, Abner, A Genealogical Register of the Inhabitants and History of the Towns of Sherborn and Holliston, Boston, Damrell and Moore, 1856.

Peach, Joy F., "The Hunt for Simon Hunt 'of Concord' [Massachusetts]," The American Genealogist 75, 2000, 30-36.

Pulsifer, David, trans., "Records of Boston," New England Historical and Genealogical Register, 2, 1948, 76-80, 188-191, 274-276; 3, 1849, 48-40, 136-127, 247-248; 4, 1850, 181-184, 267-274, 359-360; 5, 1850, 97-8, 243-244; 6, 1851, 380-381; 7, 1852, 159-162, 283-284; 8, 37-40; 8, 347-9; 11, 1857, 330.

Massachusetts Vital Records to 1850. Online Database: NewEnglandAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2001-2007.