Leonard 4

c. 1796: James was born in Franklin County, GA, the son of Moses and Hannah Falkindon Birdwell.[1] Bill Lindsey believes that James' middle name may have been Gates.

1830 Census, Limestone County, AL: 1 male under 5, 1 30-40; 1 female under 5, 2 5-10, 1 20-30; 1 female slave 10-25.

9 May 1836: Thomas Linard made a deed of gift to James Birdwell, "husband of my daughter Leatha" of one slave Alexander, age 9, in Limestone County, AL. The deed was proved before [Alitha's uncle] John G. Lauderdale.[3]

The family moved just east of the Red River in Louisiana, where both Alitha and James died not many years later.[4]

Alitha supposedly died in Natchidoches Parish, LA c. 1840, but in light of the estimated birth dates of her last two children, that year can't possibly be correct unless James married a second time, fathering the two youngest daughters. Bill Lindsey believes that she died c. 1845, just after the birth of the last daughter.

Elvira Birdwell (c. 1822 - c. 13 Dec 1855; m. 1st James M. Grammer 17 Jan 1838, m. 2nd Samuel Kerr Green 13 Jun 1844)

Hannah Birdwell (25 Apr 1825 - 17 Oct 1910; m. 1st Hardin Harville 25 Nov 1845, m. 2nd Ezekiel S. Green 11 Dec 1867)

Thomas Birdwell (18 Jun 1832 - ; m. 1st Virginia Turner 11 Jul 1859, m. 2nd Sarah Nunn)

Normally, I wouldn't bother including a couple with so little information; but that information is significant, and might therefore be of great assistance to someone.

c. 1807: Millie was born.[8] According to Bill Lindsey, her name was "Milberry" or "Milbury", the name of her maternal grandmother Milberry Mauldin.

Millie supposedly died young and after her death, James Davenport, a farmer, moved with their three children to Polk, TX. [9] A James Davenport, age 43, born SC, appears on the 1850 Census in Rusk County, TX with Martha 25, born AL; John W. 20,, born AL; Charles 6, born TX; and Joseph 1[10].

c. 1811: "Cyntha" was born in Lincoln County, TN. She could have been born any year from 1809 to 1812, however, as the ages given in various censuses and by Thomas Dunlap Leonard don't always agree.

c. 1815: John N. Blanton was born in VA. His middle initial was either "R" or "N", both having been recorded at various times.

Cynthia was first married to Jonas Denton, who died in 1830 leaving her with two children. The son apparently died in childhood; the daughter married Charles Polk of Cherokee County, TX. Was he the Charles T. Polk who purchased land from A. M. Lenard on 4 Dec 1858 in Cherokee County, TX?

1830 Census, Limestone County, AL: Jonas Denton was listed with 1 male 15-20, 1 20-30; 2 females under 5, 1 20-30.[11] Could this be our Jonas and Cynthia Denton with the 15-20 year old male being a hired laborer or relative and with two daughters rather than the son and daughter claimed by Thomas Dunlap Leonard?

26 Aug 1830: Thomas Leonard was named administrator of the Jonas Denton estate in Limestone County, AL. Cynthia Denton then gave power of attorney to _____ Lauderdale to sell the dower property due from the estate.[12] Mr. Lauderdale was either John G. or Josiah M. Lauderdale, Cynthia's maternal uncles.

6 May 1839: Thomas and Sarah Linard sold 660 acres to John Linard for $4,000. The parcel included NE¼ S9 T4 R4W and all of S10 T4 R4W except 40 acres in northeast quarter and 100 acres on east side of Swan Creek comprising Cynthia Denton's dower. Witnesses: A. S Lamb and Solomon York. The deed was proven before [Cynthia's uncle] Josiah M. Lauderdale, Justice of the Peace.

Cynthia's marriage to John Blanton must have occurred between 6 May 1839, the date of the above deed, and 1842 when daughter Sarah G. Blanton was born.

1850 Census, Cherokee County, TX: Farmer Jas R. Blanton age 34, born in VA, with real estate valued at $400; Synthia L. age 39, born TN; Sarah G. age 7, born TX.[13]

4 Jun 1860 Census, Cherokee County, TX: Farmer J. N. Blanton age 45, born in VA, with real and personal property valued at $4,800 and $3,924; C. L. age 48, born in TN; female S. G. 18; male J. L. 16; female F. O. 14; male T. L. 12; female C. E. 8; male J. W. age 6. All the children were born in TX.[14]

1870 Census, Cherokee County, TX: Cynthia L. Blanton age 60, born AL, with real and personal property worth $750 and $150; James L, age 25; Eviline, age 19; Elizabeth King, a black domestic servant.[15]

1880 Census, Cherokee County, TX: Widow 71, TN SC SC; Thomas L. age 28, TX TN TN; granddaughter Addie Burns 10, AR PA TX; Emma Burns age 8; Blanch 7.[16]

1830 Census, Limestone County, AL: Cordy Clifton was listed with 1 male 15-20, 1 20-30; 1 female 60-70.[20]

7 Apr 1834: In accounts filed by John G. Lauderdale as administrator of the Peter Dunlap estate: "1 Jun 1833 Cordy Clifton for his afc $21.57 Int $1.18 . . . . $22.05".[21] John G. Lauderdale was Matilda's maternal uncle.

24 Jan 1835: Cordy was among those renting from the estate [undoubtedly slaves] of George Foote.[22]

16 Jul 1835: Cordy was recorded as a purchaser at the estate sale of Thomas Clifton in Limestone County.[23]

9 Sep 1850 Census, Desoto County, MS (Northern Division): Farmer Corde Clifton 50, born SC, with real estate valued at $2,000; Matilda 30, born TN; Thomas 18, born AL; Martha 15 or 16; Sarah 12; Eliza 10; Mary 8; Benjamin 5 or 6; Richard 3.[24] Is Matilda simply lying about her age since oldest son Thomas is 18 years old? Or was Thomas, almost inconceivably, not actually Matilda's son? And according to the birth year provided by Almer Engle, shouldn't Cordy be only 40 years old?

2 Oct 1851: Cordy died, supposedly in Limestone County.[25] But the family was residing in Desoto County, MS in 1850. Is the death place simply wrong?

After the Cordy's death, Matilda reportedly went to live with a younger sister.[26] Who was this sister? Was it Minerva Johnston? If so, no census verifies that.

1860 Census, Desoto County, MS (Hernando P.O.): Farmer M. C. Clifton 40, born MS; farmer Thomas L. 26, born TN, with real and personal property valued at $5,000 and $1,500; female M. E. 16, born AL; male A. B. 14; male R. M. 12; female F. P. 8, born MS.[27] The census taker apparently erred in the placement of the birth states by one line.

Thomas Leonard Clifton (5 Oct 1832 - 11 Aug 1900; m. Rebecca Thomas Worthen 9 Apr 1862)

1 Jan 1833: Guardian accounts for Lewis and Barsheba Driver listed $2.99 and $3.07 paid to William M. Johnson for tuition.[30] The name was given as "Johnston" in Lewis' account.

6 Aug 1833: Mariah Linard married William M. Johnson, the marriage performed by [uncle] J. G. Lauderdale, J. P.[31] Although Thomas Dunlap Leonard reported that Mariah had married Marmaduke Johnston of Cherokee County, TX, he had also verified that all of Thomas and Sarah Leonard's daughters were married in Limestone County, AL. Pauline Jones Gandrud gave the marriage date as 6 Mar 1833, which may have been the date their license was obtained.[32]

1 Jan 1834: William M. Johnson purchased 2 plates and dish for $ .25, 1 basin and 2 spoons for $ .62½, another basin for $ .50, 1 churn for $ .87½, and much, much more at estate sale of Elizabeth Witsett.[33]

September 1849: William M. Johnson posted a bond of $1,600 as administrator of the estate of his late wife Maria W. Johnson. He was appointed guardian of the children (Cornelia A., Alfred T., Minerva E., William Edward, and Mary M. E.) but his guardianship was contested by their grandfather Thomas Leonard. The inventory and appraisal by William K. Lacy, Peter King, and Austin Jones showed 2 slaves and 150-175 acres of land.[35]

1850 Census, Cherokee County, TX: William M. Johnson 41, born VA; Cornelia A. 14, born AL; Alfred T. 12; Minerva E. 10; William E. 4, born TX; Mary M. E. 2.[36]

1860 Census, Rusk Cherokee County, TX: W. M. Johnson 51, born VA; Cornelia 24; Edwin 14; Martha J. 8.[37] M. M. Johnson, age 12, is enumerated in the household of Thomas Leonard. Edwin is William Edward.

1870 Census, Rusk, Cherokee County, TX: Marmaduke Johnson 63, born VA; William E. age 26; Mary 21; Laura A. 3; Alice 1; Cornelia 34; Martha 18.[38]

24 Nov 1870: William Johns[t]on died in Cherokee County, TX.[39] He is buried in Alligator Cemetery, Henderson County.[40]

30 Jun 1821: Alfred was born in Limestone County, AL.[41] His middle name is listed by both Morris Jackson and Bill Lindsey. I've not been able to find any verification of it in my admittedly superficial search of the records. It doesn't seem to have been a family name, nor was it the name of any of Thomas Leonard's close associates – at least those who were recorded in extant records – in Limestone.

1 Sep 1845: Along with [brother-in-law] William M. Johnson, Alfred witnessed the issue of a land grant of 640 acres to [brother-in-law] James R. Blanton in Cherokee County, TX.[42]

31 Dec 1847: A. M. Lenard sold property to Thomas Lenard Senior in a bill of sale.[44] It must've been personal property rather than real estate.

16 Dec 1847: Alfred married Mary McGaughey in Cherokee County, the ceremony performed by Rev. Thomas Hanks.[45]

30 Oct 1848: William Y. Lacy versus Thomas and Alfred M. Linard for debt. The defendants failed to appear, therefore judgment was by default. The court decreed that Thomas and Alfred as Principle (or William M. Johnson, James Gibson, and James R. Blanton as their securities) pay the principle of $85.45½ plus interest of $41.39 plus $12.68 damages plus costs.[47]

1 Nov 1848: The case of Alfred M. Linard versus James Crossland was set aside, with Alfred permitted to enter a non suit, James S. Blanton and William M. Johnson were securities for payment of costs to the plaintiff. On that same day Alfred was security for David B. Kirby.[48]

4 Nov 1848: William Y. Lacy versus Thomas and A. M. Linard. "Notice to set aside judgment given in this case on the first day of this term". The defendants had appeared, a jury had been sworn, but then, with consent of all concerned, the case was consolidated with another cause to be continued until the next term.[49]

Other cases that autumn: 1) Thomas and Alfred were sued by William H. Lewis for debt. Once again, the defendants were not present, so judgment was by default for the principle of $111.24, interest of $$7.35 (totaling $118.59) plus costs. 2) Alfred M. Linard versus James Crossland resulted in Alfred being permitted to enter a "non-suit" giving security for all costs (once again James S. Blanton and William M. Johnson) which are owned the defendant.[51]

Thomas Dunlap Leonard claimed that Alfred married Harriet McGawhaw, but that Harriet had died young without issue. In the 1850 Census Alfred is enumerated with wife Mary M. age 17; in 1860 with Mary M. age 29. No children are shown in either census. Alfred married Sarah Dodson in Houston County, TX c. 1868-1869. And indeed, Sarah Dodson Leonard is buried beside Alfred in the Ward Branch Cemetery. Was Thomas Dunlap mistaken about his first wife's name? Or was she Harriet Mary or Mary Harriet with the middle initial standing for her surname of McGawhaw? Yet a third possibility would be three wives: Harriet, Mary, and Sarah.[52]

1850 Census, Cherokee County, TX: Farmer A. M. Linard age 28, born AL, with real estate worth $2,500; wife Mary M. age 17; 16 year old farmer John Wilson.[53]

1850 Agricultural Census, Cherokee County, TX: A. M. is shown with 60 acres improved, 300 unimproved, valued at $2,500; machines and tools worth $10; 4 horses, 6 milk cows, 2 oxen, 7 cattle, 25 hogs, for total livestock value of $400; 600 bushels of corn, 30 bushels peas and beans, 100 bushels of sweet potatoes, 200 lbs butter, and $75 worth of slaughtered animals.[54]

10 Feb 1851: A. M. Lenard sold land to J. R. Blanton in Cherokee County.[55]

11 Oct 1853: A. M. Lenard purchased property from Jesse Duren.[59] Could the surname be Darden?

17 Dec 1853: A. M. Lenard sold land to [younger brother] Thomas E. Lenard.[60]

1 Feb 1858: Patentee A. M. Leonard sold 271.60 acres in Cherokee County to C. W. Brown.[64]

4 Dec 1858: A. M. Lenard sold property to Charles T. Polk.[66]4 Jun 1860 Census, Cherokee County, TX (Rusk P.O.): Farmer age 39, born in AL with real and personal property valued at $2,560 and $9,423; M. M. age 29, born TN; Thomas Leonard, farmer age 79, born in MD; female S. M. age 75, born GA.[67] Next door is the family ot Thomas E. Leonard.

1860 Agricultural Census, Cherokee County, TX: Alfred was listed with 150 improved acres, 170 unimproved, valued at $2,560; equipment worth $150; 3 horses, 4 mules, 16 milk cows, 3 oxen, 50 cattle, 15 sheep, 50 hogs, for a total livestock value of $915; 60 bushels wheat, 1,500 bushels corn, 20 bushels oats, 14 bales ginned cotton at 400 lbs each, 50 lbs wool, 20 bushels peas and beans, 8 bushels Irish potatoes, 40 bushels sweet potatoes, 140 lbs butter, 12 gallons molasses, 12 lbs honey, and slaughtered animals worth $50. Thomas E. Leonard was listed next to him.[68]

1860 Slave Schedule: A. M. Leonard was shown with 5 males, ages 60, 45, 39, 14, and 7; and 7 females, ages 45, 35, 32, 16, 12, 10, and 5.[69]

November 1862: A. M. Linard, S. F. Harrison, and S. M. McGaughy were appraisers for the James A. Sharp estate.[72]

6 Jan 1864: The muster roll of men discharged from the 10th Militia included A. M. Linard, age 42, "discharged by reason of being a Miller".[73] But was this our Alfred? He was not identified as a miller in any census, but he was shown with a prodigious 1,500 bushels of corn in the 1860 Agricultural Census.

1867: Sarah Bloomfield and Sarah Bradford were apprenticed to Alfred M. Leonard.[74]

c. 1868-69: Alfred married Sarah Dodson, the daughter of Jesse Dodson. Sarah had been born on 22 Apr 1830 in Jackson County, AL.[75]

After 1870 A. M. Lenard was mentioned in a court judgment involving G. W. Pearson in Cherokee County.

12 Jun 1880 Census, Somervell County, TX: Farmer A. M. Linard 58, AL MD GA; wife Sarah, age 48, TN __ __; son Jesse T. age 10, TX AL TN.[76]

17 Mar 1890: Alfred died in Somervell County, TX, and was buried in Ward Branch Cemetery in Glen Rose.[77]

19 Jul 1909: Sarah Dodson Leonard died in Erath County, TX. She was buried beside husband Alfred in Ward Branch Cemetery in Somervell County.[78]

Jesse Thomas Leonard (4 Jul 1869 - 26 Aug 1946; m. Nancy Adeline McCagren 28 Aug 1890)

13 Dec 1846: Along with James Gibson, Thomas witnessed a deed from [brother-in-law] John R. Blanton of Cherokee County to Robert W. Smith of Rush County for ½ of 640 acres issued to Blanton in 1845.[79]

1850 Census, Cherokee County, TX: Thomas A. Leonard, 21 year old farmer, born AL, residing in the household of father Thomas.[80]

17 Dec 1853: Thomas E. Lenard apparently purchased property from and sold property in Cherokee to [brother] A. M. Lenard.[81]

29 Aug 1858: Thomas E. Lenard purchased property from A. M. Lenard and wife.[82]

4 Jun 1860 Census, Cherokee County, TX (Rusk P.O.): Farmer Thomas E. Leonard age 31, born in AL, with real and personal property valued at $2,360 and $730; female S.__. age 5, male A. M. age 2; female M. M. Johnson age 12. All children were born in TX.[83] M. M. Johnsonis almost certainly "Mary Martha Elizabeth" daughter of Thomas' sister Mariah Leonard Johnson.

1860 Agricultural Census: Thomas is shown with 75 improved and 320 unimproved acres, valued at $2,960; 2 horses and 2 oxen for a livestock valued of $230; 2 bushels of peas and beans, 30 of sweet potatoes, 100 lbs butter, and slaughtered animals worth $150. The entry, however, was crossed out.[84]

He was not the Tom Leonard who served in Co K, 4th TX Cavalry, Sibley's Brigade in the Civil War.[87]

Both he and wife supposedly died rather young.[89] And certainly, I've not been able to locate Thomas and/or his widow on the 1870 Census.

Was Tom's daughter the Susan Lenard who married Henry Wiggins on 12 Jun 1879 in Cherokee County?[90]

If you have material about or photos of any individuals included in Nancy's Dead Relatives, can add well-documented family lines, have corrections and/or comments, or wish to establish a link to or from this site, please contact me at nancy@nancysdeadrelatives.com. However, the decision whether or not to include any submitted material is the webmaster's (mine) alone.

Any information is only as reliable as its source. Evaluate the following sources accordingly.

[1] Gregory Roselle

[2] Leonard-Gill, Biography of the Leonards

[3] Deed Book 5, p. 107

[4] Leonard-Gill

[5] Gregory Roselle

[6] Bill Lindsey

[7] Leonard-Gill

[8] Bill Lindsey

[9] Leonard-Gill

[10] Rusk County 1850 Census, p. 269

[11] Copy provided by Jackie Leonard

[12] Gandrud, Alabama Records, v. 237, p. 114, from original p. 290; Will Book 4, p. 200-201; Gandrud, v. 98, p.100

[13] Linda Smith, from original Household #394

[14] Cherokee County 1860 Census, p. 411

[15] Cherokee County 1870 Census, p. 227

[16] Linda Smith

[17] Leonard-Gill

[18] Almer Engle

[19] Almer Engle

[20] Copy provided by Jackie Leonard

[21] Will Book 4, p. 319

[22] Will Book 4, p. 433

[23] Limestone County Historical Society, Limestone Legacy, v. 16, n. 2, p. 31, Winter 1993, from Will Book 4, p. 508-510

[24] Desoto County 1850 Census, p. 379

[25] Almer Engle

[26] Leonard-Gill

[27] Desoto County 1860 Census, p. 157

[28] Bill Lindsey, from Johnston Family Bible

[29] Bill Lindsey

[30] Will Book 4, p. 284, 286

[31] Limestone Marriage Record 1832-1862, p. 19, #1140

[32] Gandrud, v. 21, p. 54

[33] Will Book 4, p. 246

[34] Bill Lindsey

[35] Huttash, Probate Records of Cherokee County, Texas 1846-1875, p. 94

[36] Bill Lindsey

[37] Sarah Jane Brown

[38] Sarah Jane Brown

[39] Bill Lindsey, from Johnston Family Bible

[40] Sarah Jane Brown

[41] Somervell Historical and Genealogical Society, p. 109, copy provided by Morris Jackson, birth and death dates on tombstone

[42] Ericson, Nacogdoches Headrights 1838-1848, p. 107

[43] Mullins, Republic of Texas Poll Lists for 1846, p. 98

[44] Deed Index, original located in Book B, p. 142

[45] Bill Lindsey

[46] Huttash, First Recorded Minutes of the District Court of Cherokee County, Texas, p. 55, from original p. 88, 108

[47] Huttash, First Recorded Minutes of the District Court of Cherokee County, Texas, p. 71, from original p. 113

[48] Huttash, First Recorded Minutes of the District Court of Cherokee County, Texas, p. 108, 78, from p. 125

[49] Huttash, First Recorded Minutes of the District Court of Cherokee County, Texas, p. 94, 106, from p. 68

[50] Huttash, First Recorded Minutes of the District Court of Cherokee County, Texas, p. 103

[51] Huttash, First Recorded Minutes of the District Court of Cherokee County, Texas, p. 104, 108

[52] Leonard-Gill; Winnie Brown, "Descendants of Thomas Alfred Linard", copy provided by Morris Jackson; Somervell Historical and Genealogical Society, p. 109, copy provided by Morris Jackson

[53] Cherokee County 1850 Census, p. 879

[54] Bill Lindsey, from original p. 157

[55] Deed Index, original located in Book J, p. 531

[56] Deed Index, original located in Book I, p. 438

[57] Deed Index, original located in Book J, p. 533

[58] Deed Index, original located in Book N, p. 139

[59] Deed Index, original located in Book I, p. 18

[60] Deed Index, original located in Book I, p. 166

[61] Deed Index, original located in Book L, p. 729

[62] Deed Index, original located in Book L, p. 724

[63] Deed Index, original located in Book T, p. 395

[64] Ancestry.com/Texas Land Title Abstracts

[65] Deed Index, original located in Book T, p. 395

[66] Deed Index, original located in Book N, p. 537

[67] Cherokee County 1860 Census, p. 411

[68] Bill Lindsey, from original p. 198

[69] Ancestry.com/1860 Slave Schedule, Beat 1, Cherokee County, TX

[70] Deed Index, original located in Book Q, p. 377

[71] Deed Index, original located in Book S, p. 137

[72] Huttash, Probate Records of Cherokee County, Texas 1846-1875

[73] Huttash, Civil War Records of Cherokee County, Texas, Vol. 1, p. 42, from Texas State Archives, Document #901-1

[74] Huttash, Probate Records of Cherokee County, Texas 1846-1875, p. 194, from Probate Book F2, p. 563, 495, 543

[75] Somervell Historical & Genealogical Society, p. 109, copy provided by Morris Jackson

[76] Somervell County 1880 Census, p. 15/351

[77] Somervell Historical and Genealogical Society, p. 109, copy provided by Morris Jackson, from birth and death dates on tombstone.

[78] Somervell Historical and Genealogical Society, p. 109, copy provided by Morris Jackson

[79] Bill Lindsey, from Deed Book A, p. 48

[80] 1850 Census, p. 875

[81] Deed Index, original located in Book I, p. 166, 169

[82] Deed Index, original located in Book T, p. 395

[83] Cherokee County 1860 Census, p. 411

[84] Bill Lindsey

[85] Deed Index, original located in Book Q, p. 328

[86] Deed Index, original located in Book Q, p. 234

[87] Linda Smith

[88] Deed Index, original located in Book T, p. 398

[89] Leonard-Gill

[90] Huttash, Marriage Records of Cherokee County, Texas, 1846-1880, p. 77, from Book H, p. 452

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