LEECH, Thomas ¹²

   General Notes:

Thomas III was named in honor for his paternal grandfather and his father. He and his wife Hannah were married at the York Meeting House in 1801.Thomas and Hannah were both birth-right Friends, and were highly esteemed members of the Warrington Monthly Meetings. Hannah was first appointed Clerk in 1817 and Overseer in 1820, she served in these for many years. Thomas served as Overseer in 1822, and was appointed as Elder in 1827. Six of their children had died by 1820. By 1830 only onedaughter Jane Atkinson had married and left the area, son Joseph had married and reside in a second home on the homestead, thethree younger children still remained inthe family home.**Drinking of alcohol was not prohibited by the early Quakers,and they indulged freely in strong drink. It was thought that no crop could be garnered, no building raised, in fact no work could be accomplished without the use of stimulants. Also on all social occassions it was passed around freely. As long as member kept sober no complaint was ever made. However on two occassions, Thomas Leech was found in excess of the rule, in 1831 & 1837. He was called to task for this breach of discipline by the Warrington Meeting. After each of these incidents had been resolved. Thomas was re-appointed to the position of Elder.In 1840 Thomas and Hannah and their youngest son Eli, requested a certificate of removal. They moved at the end of the occupancy of their homestead which the Leech family had held for nearly a century. They would attend the Menallen Monthly Meetings after the move. Thomas was 65 years old when this move took place and Hannah was 61 years, and son Eli was a young man of 17 years. They settled on a 85 acres next to the Menallen Burial Grounds. They were enumerated as residents in the 1840 Census. Later that year Thomas and Hannah were both appointed as Elders of their new Meeting House.Thomas signed his Will on February 2, 1846. He bequeathed the following:
His wife Hannah, the interest on $3000.00, and the use of as much of my house and kitchen furniture as necessary for (her) comfort and support.
His wearing apparel was to be divided among his 3 sons. (Joseph, John and Eli)
His wifes share and the remainder of the estate was to be sold and the proceeds of equally divided among the 5 children. Special conditions were applied to his son Eli, and daughter Jane Fisher. They were to receive only the interest portion of their share during their lifetimes. The principle being divided among their children upon their deaths. Five years before the will was written daughter Jane was widowed with four children she re-married. The will provided no information as to why she was not in favor of her father at that time. Eli on the other hand had been disowned by the Friends in 1843 for the drinking, abusing his wife, and profanity. So Thomas' Will states the following for son Eli: In order to encourage a reformation in my son Eli, which I ardently desire, I insert two clauses' or priviso concerning him and leave it for is serious consideration when my body is laidin the silent grave, earnestly craving his present and eternal welfare. That is my executor....shall extend a friendly care over him, advice and encourage him in well-doing and if there should hereafter appear so much evidence of permanent ammendment his to have the priciple of his share of my estate, to purchase apiece of land for a home for himself and his family. Thomas still fretting about his son Eli five months afterwriting his Will added the following: If son Eli abandons his family, then the interest on his legacy...was to be applied to the benefit of his children until he returns and resumes care of them.

Marriage Hannah GARRETSON b: 11 NOV 1778
Married: 10 FEB 1802
Children
Joseph LEECH b: 24 NOV 1802
John LEECH b: 8 JAN 1804
Jane LEECH b: 19 DEC 1805
Margaret LEECH b: 9 APR 1808
Thomas LEECH b: 23 APR 1810
Cornelius LEECH b: 20 SEP 1811
William LEECH b: 6 APR 1814
Samuel LEECH b: 2 JUL 1816
Sarah Ann LEECH b: 19 JUN 1818
Joel LEECH b: 17 SEP 1820
Eli LEECH b: 1822