Uriah Leonard, Jr.

Added by Elwin Nickerson 1706 James Leonard frequently entertained Massasoit and King Philip, who journeyed from Mt. Hope to the hunting grounds at Fowling Pond. Fowling Pond is in Raynham, was one mile north of the Ancient Iron Works on present-day King Philip's Street near the end of Mill Street. Fowling Pond was said to be two miles long and three-quarters of a mile wide in King Philip's time, but today has disappeared. James repaired their gunsand conferred favors that led to a lasting friendship.

King Philip conveyed to James Leonard about 250 acres at Mattapoisett Neck in Swansea in October 1665, but the deed was lost by the Plymouth Court. Tradition says that out the outbreak of KIng Philip's War in 1675, Philip gave strict orders that his men were never to harm a Leonard (although young Uriah Leonard was almost shot by King Philip's men early in the war, a bullet having passed through his hat as he rode his horse to escape an attack). It is conjectured that because of the Leonards Taunton was not attacked during the war. (Philip's orders were actually not to disturb certain families including those of James Leonard, John Brown, and Capt. Thomas Willett, all of Taunton --Hurd, p. 346). A Detailed Short History of my Great grandfathers Life-with Citations-My Present Sawmill stands on the North Purchase Lands of my Great Grandfather-Next to the Original Iron Forge in the Whittenton Section Of Taunton-"Note" Owned a sawmill with his brother Thomas, which he gave to his son Seth in 1712. He aided his son James in the purchase of his uncle Uriah's interest in the Whittinton Forge in 1699. He placed his son Stephen as master workman at the West Hearth in Raynham Ironworks. Uriah (2) the youngest child of James was born in the old House opposite the (2nd Iron Forge owned by Leonard Family) Forge at Raynham ,Massachusetts -July 10, 16 62. His mother died son after probably in the spring of 1663/4. As he was the youngest he was probably the family Favorite and allowed to have his own way more than the others. His playmate was his sister Hannah who married Isaac Dean in her 17th year and who was Uriah's senior by two years. Their long lives, hers extending to 88 years and his to at least 80 years indicate their constitutions were good; no doubt they had plenty of outdoor life and left to amuse themselves to a great extent. Dr. Fobes in his genealogical sketch says that Uriah was riding from Taunton to the Forge during King Philip's War and was fired upon by the Indians; plucking his cap off he swung it around and startled his horse and in full gallop reached the forge without a wound, but several bullets were shot through the hat he had in his hand through the neck of the horse near the same.Uriah was but thirteen years old when this occurred but one bullet infive is calculated to hit in war there must have been quite a force of Indians in ambuscade and their remarkable fascination in firing at thehat is strange. (Repeated in NEHGS Register, 1851, p. 414-5) Uriah Leonard Resided in Taunton, Massachusetts. and Stoughton/Canton, Massachusetts.

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Leonard-2697