LEECH, Thomas

   General Notes:

From: Kim Williams Obmik54@aol.com -The Families before us...

Thomas Leech:Was raised from age 4 by his step father Robert Hoar. He had little or no schooling, and was unable to write his name, this was possibly because of the family finances.Thomas' decision to become a Quaker was his desire to marry an Irish Quaker girl he was courting, her name was Sarah Boyd, daughter of John and Jane (Bell) Boyd. The Boyd's arrived in the New World two years prior from Ballyacres, County Antrim, Ireland. After only three months after receiving his membership to the Society of Friends he and Sarah formally announced their engagement to marry. According to the order the couple had to submit their intentions at least two times. The following are those submission dates to the Salisbury Monthly Meetings at Leacock. March 5, 1739 and April 2, 1739. The couple married on May 7, 1739 a Thursday. All the proper attendance wa srecorded and then certified. Not long after they married the couple moved across the Susquehanna River then Lancaster Co. now York Co. (since 1749). It is documented they held residence by November 9, 1743. The land they settled on became Warrington Township. They lived there approximently 5 years before Thomas tried to establish legal claim in 1747. Although a simple application compared to our time, all this application required was the number of acres, general locality, and accompanied by the office fees and a portion of the purchase price. The actual application date is unknown. There is a warrant to survey dated December 15,1747. On this warrant called to survey was fifity acres located at the Head of Wetweather Run at the foot of the mountain in Warrington Township. Thomas agreed to pay fifteen pounds, ten shillings, per one hundred acres, plus an annual quit-rent of a halfpenny sterling per acre. These terms of the sale was to be met within 6 months. In this particular case the process was delayed many years, for reasons unknown. Not until April 2, 1811 long after Thomas died was the original application was granted Thomas Leech (the son) the fifty acres,on his father's original application from December 15, 1747. This land was held in the Leech family until 1881, Sarah Ann Leech Hoopes husband then sold it to Samuel Bentzel.During the 1740's Thomas had built a log house 25x20 feet insize with loft, it is still occupied to this date as a part of the home.The Leech family were automatically members of the Warrington Monthly Meetings. Although Thomas was not an active member, records show he did participate.Tax Records for Thomas Leech in Warrington Township by year and tax.1762 taxed six shillings.1779 assessment on 150 acres, three horses, six cattle.1783 Taxed four pounds, fifteen shillings, ten pence on 150 acres of land, two horses, one barn, two stables, two houses, three cattle, five sheep. In 1783-- Thomas Leech had one of the largest tax assessed property at that time. It is possible this was the son Thomas (the Younger) as at this time Thomas (the Elder) was at the age to be tax exempted. This property had been worked by Thomas (the younger) and was his inheritence. Thomas Leech Will October 30, 1785 Bequeathing his wife Sarah, one horse criter and saddle, one cow and all the beds and bedding. The best chest, all the pewterware and two iron pots, all hemp, flax, wood, lining, one spinning wheel, and any necessity needed to keep house.Upon her death these items were to be added to the residualestate and divided among the daughters, Rachael King, Jane Taylor, Sarah Cox, along with ten pounds.The land and plantation was left to Thomas his only son.Thomas was 73 years old when he died, when his widow Sarah died is unknown. Most likely their place of interment is the burial ground adjoining the Warrington Meeting House. Burial records are incomplete and there are no markers according to the Quaker beliefs at that time.


Children
Rachael LEECH b: 28 FEB 1742 in York Co.
Jane LEECH b: 1743
Thomas (The Younger) LEECH b: ABT 1745 in Warrington Township, Pa.
Sarah LEECH b: 1750

   Research Notes:

Kim Williams Obmik54@aol.com -The Families before us...

   Marriage Information:

Thomas married Sarah BOYD on 12 Apr 1739 in Sadsbury Meeting House.