Joshua Leonard Jr of Scipio NY and his wife Eunice

For those who are following my research on the Leonard families of Cayuga County, New York, and surrounding towns, I have discovered the name of the wife of Joshua Leonard, Jr., who is believed to have been a brother of Russel Leonard.

We learn from Cayuga County Deeds that Joshua Leonard, Jr's wife, Eunice, was named in the will of Josiah Beard and on October 22, 1823, Joshua and Eunice Leonard, of Venice, Cayuga County, New York, sold to Aaron Beard all of their right, title, and interest in property coming from the estate of Josiah Beard, deceased, for $150 (roughly $4,700 in 2026 money).

In summary, what they were conveying was:

• their claim in Josiah Beard’s estate

• specifically their equal undivided one-eighth share in the surplus land on Lot 62

• and any claim they may have had to the 150-acre farm that Josiah Beard had already willed to Aaron Beard

Josiah Beard (or Baird) was born in Becket, Massachusetts, in 1763 and married Elizabeth Murdock (1770-1820) abt. 1789, in Windham, Connecticut and they had several children. He died July 30, 1821, and is buried in Venice Center Cemetery in Venice Center, Cayuga, New York. His wife was Elizabeth (Murdock) who was born in 1770 (death date unknown) and she is buried in the same cemetery. (Findagrave) His will, he named "my loving daughter Eunice, wife of Joshua Leonard", along with several other children. You can find it on FamilySearch here. I should also be noted that Aaron Beard's wife was also named Eunice, according to this 1805 deed.

Signing a deed

The 1823-1824 deed reads as follows:

Joshua Leonard Jun. to Aaron Beard

62.Scipio.150A

This Indenture made the twenty second day of October in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and twenty three Between Joshua Leonard & Eunice Leonard his wife of the town of Venice, County of Cayuga and State of New York of the first part and Aaron Beard of the town County and State aforesaid Witnesseth that the said parties of the first part for and in consideration of the sum of One hundred and fifty dollars to them in hand paid by the Guardian of the party of the second part the receipt whereof is hereby confessed and acknowledged, Have granted bargained sold remised released aliened and confirmed and by these presents do grant bargain sell remise release alien and coming and by these presents do grant bargain sell remise release alien and confirm unto the said party of the second part in his actual possession and to his heirs and assigns forever. All our rite title interest property or demand in and to all the estate both landed and moveable property that did belong to Josiah Beard late of Scipio, Now Venice, dec'd, Except the sum of Five Dollars which was willed to Eunice Leonard by the said Josiah Beard dec'd in his last Will and testament, it being the equal and undivided part of Lot number Sixty two in the town formerly Scipio now Herrick in the County of Cayuga and State of New York it being the farm deeded to Josiah Beard dec'd and bequeathed unto the said Aaron Beard, his son, one hundred and fifty acres by Will of the said dec'd there being over and above the One hundred and fifty twenty two acres three rods & Eleven rods not included in the said will be the same more or less, the one equal and undivided eighth part of the afores'd Overplus land is hereby intend to be sold and conveyed, and all claim to any part of the One hundred and fifty acres of land described in the aforesaid Will by the said parties of the first part: Together with all and singular the hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto belonging in any wise appertaining and the reversion and reversions remainder and remainders rents issues and profits thereof, and all the estate rite title interest claim or demand whatsoever of the said parties of the first part either in law or equity of in or to the above bargained premises with the said hereditaments and appurtenances. To have and To hold the said land tenements and hereditaments above mentioned and described to the said party of the second part and to his heirs and assigns forever to the sole and only proper use benefit and behoof of the said party of the second part and his heirs and assigns forever. And the said parties of the first part for themselves and the heirs do covenant grant bargain promise and agree to and with the said party of the second part and his heirs and assigns the above granted and bargained premises to the said party of the second part and his heirs and assigns against all and every person or persons lawfully claiming or to claim the whole or any part of the above mentioned and described premises from by or under us, hereby relinquishing all claim in by or to the above mentioned and described premises. And in confirmation of what is above written we hereunto set our hands and seals the day and date first above written.

Signed Sealed & delivered in Presents of Denis Taylor,

Joshua Leonard Jr. L.S.

Eunice Leonard L.S.

Cayuga County On the 27th day of October, 1823, personally came before me Elizabeth Baird to me known who after being duly sworn did declare that she is acquainted with Joshua Leonard and Eunice his wife and know them to be the persons described in and who executed the within deed and on the same day appeared before me the said Joshua Leonard and Eunice his wife, and the said Joshua Leonard acknowledged the due execution thereof. And the said Eunice Leonard his wife on a private examination by me separate and apart from her said husband acknowledged the due execution thereof without any fear, threats, or compulsion from her said husband. Let the same be recorded.

Peleg Gallup, one of the Judges of the Cayuga Com. Pleas.

I have been unable to find any further information about Joshua Leonard, Jr. If you have any information, please comment below or contact me!

See Joshua's Wikitree profile here: Leonard-9499

Sources:

"Cayuga, New York, United States records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9WK-49MY-C?view=explore : Apr 4, 2026), image 214 of 594; New York. County Court (Cayuga County).

Image Group Number: 007167315

"Cayuga, New York, United States records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GYC7-9QVH?view=explore : Apr 4, 2026), image 659 of 739; New York. County Court (Cayuga County). Image Group Number: 005115391