vital records sources
go to Elizabeth Mileham page

bio in progress

Although Lawrence and Elizabeth were married in Hurst, Berkshire, England, and had children baptized there and in nearby Sonning, no evidence was found of them before this. The first record found of Lawrence connected to Massachusetts Bay Colony is in a letter written by Mathew Craddock, Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Company, to Gov. John Endicott, Governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony, on 17 April 1629. The letter discussed various topics and instructions before Endicott and his entourage sailed to New England to establish the colony. Men intending to settle there were mentioned particularly for specific jobs and dependable character that were necessary to make the colony function. Lawrence was one of the latter:

Wee desire yow to take notice of one Lawrence Leech, whom we have found a carefull & painfull man, and wee doubt not but hee will continue his dilligence; lett him have deserving respect. 1:394

     Six ships may have carried the Leech's to New England, sailing in May and June of 1629. They were called George Bonaventure, Talbot, Lion's Whelp, Mayflower (not the ship to Plymouth), Four Sisters, and Pilgrim. William Crowninshield Endicott, "John Endecott and John Winthrop," Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical Society, 3rd series, vol. 64 (Oct., 1930 - Jun., 1932), 9-10.
https://www.jstor.org/stable/25080253           The church in Salem was founded in the Summer of 1629 when the recently-arrived settlers gathered there. Lawrence and Elizabeth were among the first members. p. 5 Lawrence must have been granted land there about this time, the records for which aren't extant. On 19 October 1630, Lawrence was among the first men in the colony to request freeman status. p. 79 He took the freeman's oath on 18 May 1631. 366.
     The first record of Lawrence in Salem isn't until 6 April 1635, when he promised to leave enough room for a cartway. p. 9 Between 26 December 1636 and 12 July 1637 he was granted a hundred acres. p. 19 His son Robert is listed next to him with no acreage, leaving the assumption that this was a grant to both men. This is described as "100 over against mrs Daniells farme." The grant was brought up again almost two years later. "Another warrant of 17th of 12th mo 1636[/7] for ye laying out to Law : Leach 100 acres upland & sixe acres marsh our ag[ainst] mr Daniells & Jacob Barney 50 acres wth ye marsh before ye ground. p. 37
     On 23 January 1636/7 "John Leech the brothr of Lawrence Leech [received] for an Inhabitant." p. 33 John was likely a new arrival in the colony. He died without heirs, and the land granted to him was bequeathed to Lawrence's son John.
     Lawrence served on juries at the Salem Quarterly Court on 28 March 1637,1:5 27 March 1638 1:7 26 March 1638 1:8 25 December 1638 1:10 and 31 December 1639 1:14 At the last mentioned court, "Captain Trask [was] admonished to be more careful about grinding and toll-taking, Richard Ingersoll testified that he had grist made before Lawrence Leach, a grand journeyman, before they went to mill and when they came back, they were much short of weight wanting in two grits, 7 pounds each, and 5 pounds in another besides being badly ground."
     Lawrence had a grant in "ye marsh neere adjoyning upon survey." Inserted in the margin is "John Woodbery did view it and it lyeth along in divers marshes and coves. p. 27 It's known that the Leach's settled on land along the coast between what became known as "Beverly Farms," between the center of Beverly and Manchester. The above land description fits this area particularly.
     It's likely Lawrence was a selectman of Salem by 1637, reflecting the praise given to him in Gov. Craddock's letter. He and other town leaders petitioned the Massachusetts Bay Colony General Court about land in the town. The town records have the following:

By the Towen representative[s] the 27th of the 11th 1636[/7]

That a peticon be drawne vnto the gene rail Court concerning the Limitts of Salem. It is ordered that all the Land along the shore on Darbys fort side [now in Marblehead] up to mr Humfries Hogsties and so to run along towards marble head 20 pole into the Land shall be reserved for the Comons of the towne to serve for wood & timber.p. 34

The petitioners were "Capt. Endecott, Townsend Bishop, Robt Molton, Jacob Barney, Lawrence Leach, Elias Stileman, Thomas Scrugs, John Balch, John Woodbury, Daniel Ray."

This was followed by another reference to a court petition:

By the Towne represent. 2d of first mo 1636-7 After much discourse about the equitie of the proportions of Land to be Laid out to these Inhabitants. It is agreed that wherin we have not walked by order & Rule in the portioning of [that] Land, that it should be rectified. Townsend Bishop, Thos. Scrugs, Philip Verin, John Woodbury, Robt. Molton, Elias Stileman, Jacob Barney, Lawrence Leach. p. 38

     The town meeting minutes of 11 September 1637 give a list of "raters" or tax appraisers for the town, but in the margin is another list saying "Raters Chosen Jo. Holgrave, John Woodbury, Peter Palfrey, Jeffry Massy, mr Fisk, mr Batter, mr Blackleech, Luient Davenport, Goodma Leech." It isn't clear what this signifies. p. 57
     The town meeting minutes for 5 February 1643[/4] say "It is ordered that the Lotts that are layd out next to Goodman Leeches, at the great hill as namely Jacob Barneyes & Richard Ingersolls, shall determyn wth a streight lyne, at the top of the hill at the marked tree where Laurance Leeches lot doeth end provided it comes not wthin any mans proprietie." p. 124
     At a meeting being the 15th day of the 3 mo, 1639, the selectmen were "Mr Connant John Balch, John Woodbury, Jeff'ry Massy, Lawrence Leach, Will. Hathorne p. 87 At the same meeting, they appear to have been reimbursed for attending Rec. of Tho" Gardner Cunstable [distributed] 3£: 1£ 2d to John Woodbury 1£ to William Hathorne and 16s to Jeffry Massy for ther expence at the Court in the first moneth 1638, & 6d to Mr Connant & 6d to Lawrence Leach. p. 88 same date
selectman mentioned 20 Sep 1639, 9 Dec. 1639 (also [*Granted to Lawrence Leach 10 acres of meadow*] p. 93
20 Nov 1657 p. 207 It is ordered that that way from the meeting house on Cape an syde to Lawrence Leach his mill shall be directlie in the Countrie way to Edmund grovers and from thence to the way lying betwixt the said grouers land & the land of Osman Traske & Soe forward through the Land of henerie hericke. Itm, it is further ordered that wheras some of the neighbors on Cape an syde doe desyre a way from the said meeting house to the mill through the proprieties of Roger A & others that thayre desyres are graunted provided that before they shall make any Claym thervnto there shall be paid vnto the said Rodger Haskells & the rest of the proprietors full satisfaction as 2 men Chosen by the select men shall apoint the said way not exceeding 4 [*poale*] ifoote in any pt of it and to be made and mentayned by those that make vse therof.

Nuncupative will of Lawrence Leach of Salem, proved 25 : 4 : 1662. " Larance Leach Aged 85 years or thereabouts beinge parfitt in memory neer a yeare before his death expressed himselfe vnto vs whose names are heervnder written in the disposinge of that w'^^ hee had, we beinge vrgente w*^ him to make his will his expressions to us was this firste he said that he did owe thirtie pounds II for the mill & his will was that his wife should pay his debts and when his debts ware paid then shee should take all hee had. John Porter,t John Bacheller."

Inventory of the estate of Lawrence Leach of Salem, deceased, taken by John Porter § and Jacob Barney :§ His wearing apparell, 31i. ; 2 feather bolsters, Hi. ; 3 feather pillowes, 12s. ; 1 Coverlet & 2 Ruggs, Hi. 10s. ; 2 blanketts, Hi. 5s. ; a Fether bed & 2 flocke beds, 31i. ; 2 paire of sheetes, Hi. 10s. ; 3 pillow beares, 6s. ; 3 small table clothes, 10s. ; 1 single sheet, 4s. ; a bedsted and a Chest, Hi. 10s. ; 5 Chaires, 15s. ; 3 barills, a tub & 8 trays, Hi. 5s. ; a table, a forme & 3 dishes, 6s. ; 3 old brasse kettles & a skillet, a Chafindish & 1 Candlestick, 2 Iron pots & a skillet, Hi. 6s. 8d. ; 1 Iron kitle & a morter, 21i. 10s. ; a spit & a dripping pan & a frying pan, 10s. ; 6 pewter dishes. Hi. 5s. ; a Baskett with other Lumber, 5s. ; 2 Cowes, a heyfer & a Calfe, 121i. ; 5 small swine, 41i. ; the howse, with 2 acres of land with the orchard, being parte of the said 2 acres, 301i. ; a mill, 401i. ; 20 acres of land not improved on Ryall side neare John Bacheler, lOli. ; 15 acres of meadow neare John Porters farme bought of Mr. Downing, 201i. ; a Bible with another Booke, 5s. ; total, 1381i. 14s. 8d.

Children of Lawrence and Elizabeth (Mileham) Leach:

Robert

vital records sources:

1 1.