Allen Family History

Sources of Information: 1. Vital Records of Worthington, Massachusetts, To The Year 1850 (Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1911), pages 5-7, 42-47, 98-101, 144-145 (FHL #974.423/W2 V29) 2. Ashtabula County, Ohio, Probate Records, Volumes A-B, 1811-1833, pages 305, 323, 421 (FHL #890157) – Will and probate records for Ezra Leonard, will written 7 March 1822, proven 10 June 1823. 3. Anne Walker Cassidy, “One Line of the Solomon Leonard Family of Monmouthshire, England, Leyden, Holland, and Plymouth, Duxbury, and Bridgewater, MA, with some Female Lines of Interest,” page 11, 67-68 (FHL #929.273 L553c) 4. Manning Leonard, “Memorial: Genealogical, Historical, and Biographical, of Solomon Leonard, 1637, of Duxbury and Bridgewater, Massachusetts, and Some of His Descendants,” (Southbridge, MA: the author, 1896), page 72, 89

Notes:

ROBERT ALLEN RESEARCH REPORT

[marsh012904 / 0346] 22 March 2004

Research was requested to identify the life and ancestry of Truman Leonard and his wife Roxanna Allis. According to previous research Truman was born 23 March 1784 at Worthington, Hampshire, Massachusetts, to Ezra and Hannah (Marsh) Leonard. He married Roxanna Allis on 1 June 1811 at New Caanan, Columbia, New York, or Hampshire, Massachusetts. He died 24 February 1846 at Chatham, Medina, Ohio. The objective of this research project was to focus on the ancestry of Truman Leonard=s mother, Hannah (Marsh) Leonard, and the ancestry of his wife, Roxanna (Allis) Leonard. According to previous research Hannah (Marsh) Leonard was born about 1762 possibly at Worthington, Hampshire, Massachusetts. She married Ezra Leonard, who was born 30 June 1755 at Preston, New London County, Connecticut. They had at least one child, Truman Leonard, who was born 23 March 1784 at Worthington. She died about 1787. Research began by consulting several large genealogical databases. These included Ancestral File, International Genealogical Index, Pedigree Resource File, and Ancestry World Tree.. None of these databases, which combined contain over 2 billion names, listed any new information about Hannah (Marsh) Leonard. Hannah Marsh and Ezra Leonard were married around 1780 in either Connecticut or Massachusetts. Several marriage records databases at Ancestry.com were searched, such as: Connecticut Marriages to 1800, Connecticut Marriage to 1850, Massachusetts, Town Marriage Records, and Massachusetts Marriages to 1800. These electronic databases did not contain any information about their marriage. The Family History Library has thousands of compiled family histories among its holdings, with 258 of them containing information about various Marsh families. Each title was examined for relevance to the Marsh families of Connecticut or Massachusetts during the eighteenth century. Those which appeared to have relevance were: The Marsh Family Chronicles of 1978, The Ancestors and Descendants of F. A. Marsh and Ivy Crites, Genealogy of the Family of George Marsh, Who Came From England in 1635 and Settled in Hingham, Massachusetts, The Marsh Antecedents and the Descendants of Erwin Sheldon Marsh and Kate Sanderson Marsh, Marsh Genealogy B Giving Several Thousand Descendants of John Marsh of Hartford, Connecticut, 1636-1895: Also Including Some Account of English Marshes, and a Sketch of the Marsh Family Association of America, and Our Marsh Family in America, 1635-1995. The ancestral names of Ezra and Hannah (Marsh) Leonard were not found in these published family histories. We next turned to local records of Worthington, Hampshire, Massachusetts, where Hannah Marsh was born about 1762, and her son, Truman Leonard, was born in 1784 at Worthington. The Vital Records of Worthington, Massachusetts, to The Year 1850 was consulted for any events pertaining to Ezra and Hannah (Marsh) Leonard and the following abstracted [document #1-9].
Births 3 June 1782: Louis, child of Captain Ezra Leonard 23 March 1784: Truman, child of Captain Ezra Leonard 20 October 1786: Prentice, child of Captain Ezra Leonard 11 August 1795: Mervin, child of Captain Ezra Leonard 30 October 1796: Rachel, child of Captain Ezra Leonard Deaths 13 February 1792: Rachel, wife of Captain Ezra Leonard, in 38th year

This Rachel may have been Ezra=s second wife, but these vital records did not include any of Ezra Leonard=s marriages. The birth records prove Ezra was in the Worthington area from at least 1782 thru 1796. During that time, Hannah allegedly died in 1787, Rachel died in 1792, and he must have married another woman with whom he had at least two children, Mervin in 1795, and Rachel in 1796. The available historical records for Worthington, Massachusetts, were consulted. The Secular and Ecclesiastical History of the Town of Worthington: From its First Settlement to the Present Time did contain Leonard and Marsh entries, but nothing which would link the two families together. The Family History Library has two indexes referencing historical Worthington publications containing Leonard and Marsh listings. These were Index of Names in Papers on the History of Worthington, Massachusetts and Index of Names in The History of Worthington, Massachusetts Settlement to 1874 by James C. Rice. After an exhaustive search, the only location found for the History of Worthington Yto1874 was one non-circulating copy at the New England Historical Society library in Boston. If so desired an onsite researcher could examine this publication for any pertinent information. At this point in the research, it became necessary to find any original document which mentioned Hannah as the wife of Ezra Leonard. According to family records, Ezra died 15 April 1823 at Williamsfield, Ashtabula, Ohio. Ezra=s will and probate records were found and the following abstracted [document #10-13]. 7 March 1822: Ezra named his wife, Dorcas; sons, Truman and Prentis; daughters, Lois and Rachel; executor, Marvin Leonard.

10 June 1823: Ezra=s will proven in court. Appraisers appointed were Jonathan Tuttle, Levi Leonard, and Samuel Morse.

21 April 1824: Marvin Leonard, executor of Ezra Leonard=s estate gave account and among others reported the following had received settlement: Truman Leonard, Prentice Leonard, Lousis Tuttle, and Rachal Fobes. This account was recorded 25 June 1825.

These probate records indicated Ezra=s last wife was Dorcas, whom it is assumed was the mother of Mervin and Rachel Leonard. Ezra=s daughter, Lois, may have married a Tuttle and his daughter, Sarah, may have married a Fobes. The marriage and death records of Ezra=s children may show their parent=s names; therefore the direction the research focused on finding their records. According to family records, Truman Leonard and Roxanna Allis were married 1 June 1811 at New Canaan, Columbia County, New York or in Hampshire, Massachusetts. He died 24 February 1846 at Chatham, Medina County, Ohio. The Family History Library marriage records for Columbia County, New York, begin in 1824 and the death records for Medina County, Ohio, begin in 1867, both of which are too recent for this study. Roxanna (Allis) Leonard was born 15 September 1786 at Chester, Hampshire, Massachusetts. However, there is no Chester in Hampshire County. There is a Chesterfield in Hampshire County, and a Chester in Hampden County. Vital Records of Chester, Massachusetts, to The Year 1850 did not contain any listings connecting Truman Leonard to Roxanna Allis. The vital records of Chesterfield, Hampshire County were examined for any mention of an Allis and Leonard connection; however, nothing was found. All available Hampshire County histories were examined; however, none of them contained any information linking the Allis and Leonard families. Available biographical publications did not contain any information on the Allis or Leonard surnames. Ancestral File, International Genealogical Index, Pedigree Resource File, and Ancestry World Tree, were consulted for any new information which would link Truman Leonard to Roxanna Allis. Nothing was found in these databases or the sources referenced that provided sufficient evidence for their marriage. The Family History Library has thousands of compiled family histories among its holdings, with 22 of them containing information about various Allis families. Each title was examined for relevance to the Allis families of Connecticut or Massachusetts during the eighteenth century. Those which appeared to have relevance were consulted, but none of them contained any references to Roxanna Allis or Truman Leonard. Conclusion Previously unknown information was located that provided additional genealogical evidence. Thorough analysis of the evidence and clues found thus far, combined with further research, may enable the identification of Hannah Marsh=s parents.
In addition, many available sources were consulted in the search for documentation linking Truman Leonard and Roxanna Allis as husband and wife. When adequate evidence is found for their marriage, research can continue by locating documentation connecting Roxanna to her proposed parents, Lemuel and Rebecca (Davis) Allis. In pursuing information found during this research project, the following searches should be conducted: The Family History Library has two indexes that reference historical Worthington publications containing Leonard and Marsh listings. These were Index of Names in Papers on the History of Worthington, Massachusetts and Index of Names in The History of Worthington, Massachusetts Settlement to 1874 by James C. Rice. After an exhaustive search the only location found for the History of Worthington Yto1874 was one non-circulating copy at New England Historical Society library in Boston. If so desired an onsite researcher could examine this publication for any pertinent information. Contact could also be made with the Berkshire Genealogist Indexing Committee for any information they may have as to a location of these publications.

Research should continue by locating the marriage and death records for Ezra Leonard=s children. These records may show the names of their mother.

All Marsh probate records for Worthington, Hampshire County, Massachusetts could be examined for any mention of a Hannah Marsh.

Documentation should be found that would provide adequate evidence for the marriage between Truman Leonard and Roxanna Allis. This may be accomplished by examining available birth, marriage, and death records of their children.

It is a pleasure to assist you in researching and documenting your family history. We look forward to continuing research according to your instructions. _2004 Price & Associates Incorporated SM/mh [marsh012904 / 0346] 22 March 2004

ROBERT ALLEN RESEARCH REPORT

[marshdavis121304 / 0346] 15 December 2004

The objectives of this research project were to identify the parents of Hannah Marsh, wife of Ezra Leonard, and to prove the parentage of Rebecca Davis, wife of Lemuel Allis. Concerning the Marsh line, at the beginning of this project we knew Ezra Leonard (born 1755) had children Lois, Truman, Prentice, Mervin, and Rachel from 1782 to 1796 at Worthington, Hampshire, Massachusetts. The identity of his wife, Hannah Marsh, was provided by Ancestral File, a genealogical database with no sources proving the information contained therein. We also knew Rachel, Ezra=s supposed second wife, died at Worthington in 1792. As there is a gap between the births of Prentice, born 1786, and Mervin, born 1795, it is assumed Hannah died sometime after 1786 and Ezra married Rachel between that time and 1792. He then married Dorcas Brown in 1793. Hannah Marsh We first searched records of Worthington, Hampshire, Massachusetts for the identity of Hannah=s parents. We found Joseph Marsh, along with Nathan Leonard and Ebenezer Leonard, was one of the first settlers of Worthington in 1764 [document #1a-d, 2a-n]. Through vital records of Worthington, we found Joseph was born about 1719 [document #6e]. He married a woman named Lydia and had children as late as 1776. Joseph died 24 July 1786 at Worthington. Due to Joseph=s birth date and early residence in Worthington, he became a prime candidate for Hannah Marsh=s father. As Worthington was not settled until 1764, we thought it likely Hannah was born somewhere else, and came to the area with her father, and later married Ezra there. However, neither Hannah Leonard nor her children were included in Joseph=s will, written June 1785 [document #7]. Joseph did mention daughters named Anna/Amey Wright and Elizabeth Leonard, and Nathan Leonard was a witness to the will. We learned Elizabeth was the wife of Ebenezer Leonard [document #8a]. The couple had children at Worthington between 1779 and 1793. Although all of a testator=s children are not always included in his will, Joseph=s will seemed complete, as it named his wife and many children. The only way Hannah could be Joseph=s daughter is if he mentioned the wrong married name for his daughter, Anna/Amey, and it should have been Leonard (which is unlikely), or if Hannah died before Joseph=s will was written. This is possible, but the difficulty in this approach is Ezra had a child, Truman, born March 1784 and a child, Prentice, born October 1786. Then, between 1786 and 1795 there is a gap in children, which makes it more likely the death of Ezra=s wife and his remarriage took place in those later years. Still, it is possible Hannah was Joseph=s daughter and she died before June 1785 and Ezra remarried soon after her death. We found another possibility for Hannah=s father was Moses Marsh of Hadley, Hampshire, Massachusetts [document #9], who later came to Worthington [document #10a]. As Moses died testate (with a written will) in 1796, we searched the will for additional clues, but found he mentioned only his wife, Hannah, and named none of his children [document #11]. In Hadley vital records, however, we found Moses did indeed have a daughter, Hannah, born 2 February 1748 [document #12a-b], about seven years before Ezra Leonard was born. This Hannah did not die as a child (in Hadley). We searched marriage records of the same town and found Hannah Marsh married Daniel Marsh, Jr. in December 1781. Both were of Hadley at the time of their marriage. One genealogist claims this Hannah was the daughter of Moses [document #13c], and if this is the case, she cannot be the ancestral Hannah Marsh who married Ezra Leonard. As the vital records of this area appear to be incomplete, however, it is possible there were two individuals named Hannah Marsh in the area. There were definitely other Marsh families having children at the time Hannah was born. For example, Daniel Jr. may have been the son of Daniel Marsh born January 1724/1725 [document #12a], but no birth records were found for this Daniel Marsh=s children. As Hannah and Daniel were both of Hadley at the time of their marriage, it became imperative to discover when the Moses Marsh left Hadley and migrated to Worthington. If the family was living in Worthington by 1781, the Hannah Marsh of Hadley was likely not the daughter of Moses. We learned one of Moses= sons, Job, married in 1783 [document #12a]. By this time, he was Aof Worthington,@ even though his bride was Aof Hadley.@ We searched church records of Worthington and discovered Moses Marsh and his wife (from Hadley) were received into the Congregational Church of Worthington on 27 June 1783 [document #15a]. This means Moses and his family likely did not come to Worthington before 1783 and the marriage of Hannah Marsh in 1781 in Hadley could very likely be for Moses= daughter. It may be of note Ezra Leonard did not have his children baptized until 1799, when he brought all five known children to be baptized on the same day [document #15b]. The Congregational Church was the only church operating in Worthington at this time, but it is possible Ezra attended a church of another faith in a neighboring town or did not attend any church at all. This may be a clue as to why it is difficult to locate his first two marriages. In an effort to locate any other possibilities for Hannah=s father, we searched Marsh wills in Hampshire County [document #16]. We found no mention of Hannah in any other Marsh wills. Since we have not yet found proof that the name of Ezra Leonard=s first wife was even Hannah Marsh, we searched records of the following town (from about 1773-1783) for Ezra Leonard=s marriage: Hampshire County Worthington Hadley Cummington Middlefield Northampton Goshen Hatfield Amherst

Berkshire County Peru Windsor Hinsdale Washington Becket

Hampden County Chester

Franklin County Whately

The marriage of Ezra Leonard was not found in records for any of these towns. Thus, we currently have no proof of the identity of Ezra Leonard=s first wife. With this in mind, we turned to other possibilities for Ezra Leonard=s wife. The fact he named a child APrentice@ in 1786 may be a clue as to his wife=s maiden name. We found there were individuals with the surname Prentice in Worthington as early as the 1790s and some of these individuals were born in the 1720s [document #17]. Thus, the maiden name of Ezra=s wife may actually have been Prentice and not Marsh. Without additional proof of Hannah Marsh=s identity, it is difficult to continue a search for her parentage. Her name must first be established, perhaps through additional death or burial records or the records of her children. Records of the above town were also searched for the birth of a Hannah Marsh with no additional results. In summary, both Joseph Marsh and Moses Marsh are possible, but unlikely, parents of Hannah Marsh. There is currently no known proof that the identity of Ezra Leonard=s wife was Hannah Marsh, and research should step back to prove her identity before her parentage can be established. Perhaps records of her children or any available land records for the area will aid in this process. Rebecca Davis Research began with tentative birth information for ARebeckah@ Davis as 20 May 1758 in Stafford, Tolland, Connecticut, daughter of Benjamin Davis and Hannah Lull [research report dated 10 November 2004, page 3]. This seemed probable because Stafford is located just east of Somers, the location of Rebecca=s marriage to Lemuel Allis. As her parentage was not yet proven, our primary objective was to prove whether this birth information concerned the wife of Lemuel Allis. As the above information was found through the International Genealogical Index and was not primary source information, we first sought to verify this Rebeckah=s birth information through Stafford vital records. As this was not found, we turned to records of the First Congregational Church in Stafford for clues. We searched baptismal records from 1757 to 1772 and did not find a baptism for Rebeckah. We did find, however, Benjamin Davis had three children baptized 20 May 1764: Sarah, Benjamin, and Susanna [document #18]. We also found 10 January 1759 Aan infant of Mr. Benjamin Davis died@ [document #18]. As Rebeckah=s baptismal record was not found at Stafford even though she was supposedly born there, and baptismal information for her probable siblings was found in that town, it is very likely the infant who died January 1759 was seven-month-old Rebeckah. If this is true, then Benjamin and Hannah Davis cannot be the parents of Rebecca Davis.
Searching for additional information, we looked at land records for Stafford which concerned the Davis family. We found nothing which mentioned Rebeckah Davis. On the contrary, we found a deed involving Sarah Davis, Benjamin Davis Jr., and Mary Davis of Stafford, who may have all been siblings and children of Benjamin Davis Sr., in 1792, and the fact no Rebeckah was included implies she was not part of the family [document #19]. We did find that the Davis family was involved with persons from Somers, located just west of Stafford [document #20].
We searched the International Genealogical Index for other possibilities for Rebecca Davis= birth and parentage and found the following [document #21-24]: Rebeckah Davis, birth: 22 Feb 1761 Mansfield, Tolland, Connecticut; father: Jonathan Davis, mother: Rebeckah Parker [extracted] [southeast of Somers]

Rebeckah Davis, birth: 11 Jan 1763 Killingworth, Middlesex, Connecticut; father: Solomon Davis, mother: Sibel [extracted] [further south of Somers]

Rebeckah Davis, birth: 9 Nov 1763 Middletown, Middlesex, Connecticut; father: William Davis, mother: Abigail [extracted] [south of Somers]

As Somers, Tolland, Connecticut is located in northern Connecticut, we also searched Massachusetts for possibilities [document #25-28]: Rebecca Davis, birth: 14 Dec 1744 Oxford, Worcester, Massachusetts [not far north of Somers]

Rebecca Davis, birth: 11 Nov 1746 Grafton, Worcester, Massachusetts [not far north of Somers]

We have not verified whether any of these possibilities could or could not concern the wife of Lemuel Allis. As most original records apparently spelled the name ARebeckah@ we have changed the spelling on the family group record. In summary, concerning the line of Rebeckah Davis, we feel she is not the daughter of Benjamin and Hannah Davis of Stafford, Tolland County, Connecticut, because this child probably died young. It appears there were many persons named Rebeckah Davis in the area and in the future we will have to determine which is ancestral through a process of elimination and a search of original records. This project consisted of a thorough examination of compiled and original records in search of the marriage of Ezra Leonard and possible birth and parentage of Hannah Marsh. His marriage was not found and it is imperative the identity of his first wife be determined before her parentage can be established. We eliminated the possibility of Rebeckah Davis= parents as Benjamin and Hannah Davis and found other candidates for her parentage which can be verified in the future. It is a pleasure to assist you in researching and documenting your family history. We look forward to continuing research according to your instructions. _2004 Price & Associates Incorporated JMD/mh

ROBERT ALLEN PROJECT SUMMARY

[hannah011305 / 0346] 11 February 2005

OBJECTIVES Identify Hannah Marsh, wife of Ezra Leonard of Worthington, Massachusetts.

RESULTS Research on Hannah Marsh, wife of Ezra Leonard of Worthington, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, has concluded that while she may not be a daughter of Deacon Joseph Marsh of Worthington, she is in all likelihood related to him somehow, and further study of Deacon Joseph Marsh’s family may reveal how Hannah Marsh fits into it. Found Ezra Leonard’s father Nathan deeded him land for “love and affection” in 1778, possibly on the occasion of his marriage. The previous year, Nathan Leonard served as a selectman of Worthington with Joseph Marsh. In 1778, one of the selectman was Deacon Jonathan Brewster, who served as a selectman with Ezra Leonard in 1787 and 1788. Further research revealed connection between the Leonards, Marshes, and Brewsters. Deacon Jonathan Brewster’s son Jonathan married Lois Marsh, daughter of Deacon Joseph Marsh. Ezra and Hannah (Marsh) Leonard had a daughter Lois. Deacon Jonathan Brewster’s son Elisha witnessed the deed in 1785 when Ezra Leonard sold land to Ebenezer Webber. Joseph Marsh named a daughter Elizabeth Leonard in his 1785 will. He had no known daughter Elizabeth and this could be a mistake for Hannah.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The original wills and probate papers for Hampshire County are not available in Salt Lake City and will need to be obtained from the county.  The original probate packet may also contain receipts, and if Elizabeth (Marsh) Leonard is really Hannah (Marsh) Leonard, then the receipt for her five shilling legacy will be in Hannah’s name, and if she was deceased at the time, will so indicate.
If the original probate packet fails to resolve the question, a study of Joseph Marsh’s other children may reveal mention of their sister who married a Leonard and whether it was “Elizabeth” or indeed Hannah, wife of Ezra Leonard.  If she is not Joseph Marsh’s daughter, then she may be related to him in some other way, in which case a wider study of this Marsh family would be a valid pursuit.  

ROBERT ALLEN RESEARCH REPORT

[hannah011305 / 0346] 11 February 2005

Research on Hannah Marsh, wife of Ezra Leonard of Worthington, Hampshire, Massachusetts, has concluded that while she may not be a daughter of Deacon Joseph Marsh of Worthington, she is in all likelihood related to him somehow, and further study of Deacon Joseph Marsh’s family may reveal how Hannah Marsh fits into it.
According to Manning Leonard’s Memorial: Genealogical, Historical and Biographical, of Solomon Leonard, 1637: of Duxbury and Bridgewater, Massachusetts, and Some of His Descendants, Ezra Leonard, son of Nathan Leonard of Worthington, Massachusetts, was married first to Hannah Marsh.  No date of marriage was given, but their first child Lois was born 3 June 1782.  Hannah (Marsh) Leonard was supposed to have died sometime in 1787, but certainly after the birth of her son Prentiss Leonard on 20 October 1786 [document #1].
In previous research, the will of Deacon Joseph Marsh of Worthington was examined, and since he did not name a daughter Hannah Leonard, it was concluded he was not the father of Hannah (Marsh) Leonard.
Hampshire County deeds had apparently not been examined in previous research, so they were checked for mention of Ezra Leonard and any connection to a Marsh family.  The following deeds were noted [document #2-4]:

On 18 August 1778, Nathan Leonard of Worthington deeded, for love and affection, to his son Ezra Leonard of Worthington, one half of lot number 118 in Worthington containing 50 acres

On 17 March 1785, Elisha Leonard deeded, for one hundred pounds, to Ezra Leonard, the other half of lot number 118 in Worthington

On 7 October 1785, Ezra Leonard of Worthington deeded, for eighteen pounds, to Ebenezer Webber of Worthington one half of lot number 118 in Worthington

An analysis of these deeds suggests the first deed made in 1778 by Ezra’s father for “love and affection” was in recognition of Ezra Leonard being an adult and possibly getting married and establishing a household.  This was a common phenomenon in colonial New England.  The second deed made in 1785 was probably made by Ezra Leonard’s brother Elisha Leonard, born 1751.  The third deed, also made in 1785, was probably Ezra Leonard selling off half the lot at a loss, for an unknown reason.  There were no Marsh witnesses to these deeds.
If Ezra Leonard came of age in 1778 and married that year, it seemed likely he would marry into a Marsh family in Worthington.  The History of the Town of Worthington, published in 1853, presented a very interesting possibility.
In 1777, the year before Nathan Leonard deeded land to Ezra Leonard for “love and affection,” two of the three selectmen (town councilmen) of Worthington were Nathan Leonard and Joseph Marsh [document #5].  In  1778, the year Ezra probably married, one of the selectman was Deacon Jonathan Brewster.  In 1787 and 1788, Ezra Leonard was a selectman with Deacon Jonathan Brewster.
A re-examination of the will of Joseph Marsh revealed some very interesting connections between the Marshes, the Leonards, and the Brewsters.  Joseph Marsh named the following children, either directly or implied, in his will dated 30 June 1785 [document #6]:
daughter Ama or Anna Wright
daughter (implied) Elizabeth Leonard
son Joseph Marsh
son Rufus Marsh
daughter (implied) Lois Bruster [sic]
son Thomas Marsh
daughter Sarah Marsh
daughter Lydia Marsh
son William Bennett Marsh

Interestingly, the will was witnessed by Nathan Leonard, the father or brother of Ezra Leonard.
The children of Joseph Marsh and Lydia Bennett were born both at Windham, Connecticut and Worthington, Massachusetts [document #7-9].  Daughter Lois Marsh was born 15 April 1762.  According to the International Genealogical Index, Lois Marsh married Jonathan Brewster, son of Jonathan Brewster, the selectman who served with her father and Nathan Leonard in 1777 [document #10].  The published Vital Records of Worthington show Jonathan Brewster had a son Joseph Marsh Brewster born in 1797 and his wife Lois died 24 September 1810 in her “48th year” [document #11].  This means she was 47 years old when she died, putting her birth year at about 1762/1763 – a close match to the date of birth of Lois Marsh.  It is also interesting Ezra and Hannah (Marsh) Leonard named their first daughter Lois – possibly after Lois Marsh.
What makes the Brewster/Marsh/Leonard connection even more intriguing is Elisha Brewster, brother of Jonathan Brewster, was one of the witnesses to the 1785 deed whereby Ezra Leonard sold land to Ebenezer Webber.
Another interesting feature of the will of Joseph Marsh is his reference to an Elizabeth Leonard who is treated equally with the other children and so is an implied daughter.  However, neither at Windham nor at Worthington is a daughter Elizabeth recorded for Joseph Marsh.
An examination of the children of Joseph Marsh indicates only one place where a daughter Hannah or Elizabeth might have been born.  Joseph Marsh and Lydia Bennett were married 20 June 1754.  Their first child Ebenezer Marsh, was born 1 August 1755.  Their next child, Joseph Marsh, was born 1 February 1759 – a gap of three and a half years and exactly the time when the wife of a man born in 1755 might have been born.
The published vital and church records of Windham showed no other children of Joseph and Lydia Marsh born or baptized in this time period.  The original vital records of Windham show the children of Joseph Marsh recorded in sequence, and there are no children recorded in the 1755 to1759 gap [document #12].
Be that as it may, Joseph Marsh had a daughter who was married to a Leonard by 1785.  There is a remote possibility the recorded will of Joseph Marsh is incorrect and the original will will indicate the correct name of this daughter.  The original wills and probate papers for Hampshire County are not available in Salt Lake City and will need to be obtained from the county.
The original probate packet may also contain receipts, and if Elizabeth (Marsh) Leonard is really Hannah (Marsh) Leonard, then the receipt for her five shilling legacy will be in Hannah’s name, and if she was deceased at the time, will so indicate.
If the original probate packet fails to resolve the question, a study of Joseph Marsh’s other children may reveal mention of their sister who married a Leonard and whether it was “Elizabeth” or indeed Hannah, wife of Ezra Leonard.  If she is not Joseph Marsh’s daughter, then she may be related to him in some other way, in which case a wider study of this Marsh family would be a valid pursuit.
It has been a pleasure to assist you in researching and documenting your family history.  We look forward to continuing research according to your instructions.

2005 Price & Associates Incorporated GLR/mh