George Leonard | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromMassachusetts | |
| In office March 4, 1795 – March 3, 1797 | |
| Preceded by | None (at large) |
| Succeeded by | Stephen Bullock |
| Constituency | 7th district (1795–97) |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromMassachusetts | |
| In office March 4, 1789 – March 3, 1793 | |
| Preceded by | None (new seat) |
| Succeeded by | None (at large) |
| Constituency | 7th district (1789–91) 6th district (1791–93) |
| Member of theMassachusetts House of Representatives | |
| In office 1801–1802 | |
| Member of theMassachusetts Senate | |
| In office 1792–1793 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1729-07-04)July 4, 1729 |
| Died | July 26, 1819(1819-07-26) (aged 90) |
| Political party | Pro-Administration Federalist |
| Spouse | Experience (White) Leonard (m. 1759-1819, his death) |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | Harvard College |
| Profession | Attorney |
George Leonard (July 4, 1729 – July 26, 1819) was an American lawyer, jurist, and politician fromNorton, Massachusetts. Besides service on state court benches and in both houses of the state legislature, he representedMassachusetts in theU.S. House of Representatives.
Leonard was born inNorton, Massachusetts on July 4, 1729, the son of George Leonard (1698–1778) and Rachel (Clapp) Leonard.[1] He was educated locally and graduated fromHarvard College in 1748.[1][a] Leonard received hisMaster of Arts degree from Harvard in 1751.[2] He began thestudy of law while serving asBristol County's register of probate, an office he held from 1749 to 1783.[1] He was admitted to the bar in 1750 and practiced in Norton.[1] From 1764 to 1766, Leonard served as a member of the Massachusetts Provincial Assembly.[1] From 1770 to 1775 he was a member of the Massachusetts Executive Council.[1]
From 1784 to 1790, Leonard was judge of the probate court in Bristol County.[1] He was judge of the common pleas court 1785 to 1798. Leonard was the court's chief judge from 1798 to 1804.[1] During his career, Leonard held several local offices, including town meeting moderator, town selectman, town clerk and treasurer, town assessor, and commander of the Norton-area militia with the rank of colonel.[1]
In 1788, Leonard was elected to theUnited States House of Representatives as a Pro-Administration candidate.[1] He was reelected in 1790 and served in the1st and2nd U.S. Congresses (March 4, 1789 to March 3, 1793).[1]
Leonard served in theMassachusetts Senate from 1792 to 1793.[1] In 1796, he was again elected to Congress, this time as aFederalist.[1] He served in the4th Congress, March 4, 1795 to March 3, 1797.[1] In 1801 and 1802, Leonard served in theMassachusetts House of Representatives.[1]
In retirement, Leonard was a resident ofRaynham, Massachusetts. He died in Raynham on July 26, 1819.[2] Leonard was buried at Norton Center Cemetery in Norton.[3]
In 1759, Leonard married Experience White (1738–1827).[1] They were the parents of two daughters, Peddy (1761–1850) and Fanny (1762–1779).[4] Peddy Leonard was the second wife ofJabez Bowen.[5][b]
{{cite book}}:ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by None (district inactive) | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromMassachusetts's 7th congressional district March 4, 1795 – March 3, 1797 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromMassachusetts's 6th congressional district March 4, 1791 – March 3, 1793 | Succeeded by |
| New district | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromMassachusetts's 7th congressional district March 4, 1789 – March 3, 1791 | Succeeded by |
