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Subject: [MAFRANKL] LEAVITT, Jonathan - Descendants of (part 1 of 2)
Date: Tue, 26 Nov 2002 00:00:29 EST

FIRST GENERATION
1. Rev. Jonathan LEAVITT was born in 1731 in Suffield, Hartford,
Connecticut. He Int. Marriage on 11 Mar 1798 in Gill, Franklin,
Massachusetts. He died on 9 Sep 1802 in Heath, Franklin, Massachusetts. A
History of the Churches & Ministers and of Franklin Association, Franklin
County, Mass. by Rev. Theophilus Packard, Jr., Published by S.K. Whipple and
Company, 100 Washington Street, Boston, Mass. 1854. p. 68.
The following obituary notice is taken from the Greenfield Gazette, of
Sept. 20, 1802. "Mr. Leavitt was taken sick with the dysentery on the 20th
of August, while attending upon his youngest son, who was sick with the same
disorder. For eighteen days he endured the pains and distresses of his
disorder with great patience. During the time of his sickness he manifested
teh most cheerful resignation to the will of his Creator, and a firm belief
in the mercy of God through the merits of Christ. A little before he
breathed his last, he raised his hand to his head, and endeavored to close
his eyes as well as he could, and, at the close of life, appeared to expire
without a struggle, in the hope of a happy immortality. It is but just to
remark, that, in early life, Mr. Leavitt made a profession of his belief in
the religion of Christ, and ever after appeared to be steadfast, zealous, and
sincere in maintaining the doctrines of the gospel. He considered the
scriptures as the only perfect rule, and the character of Christ as the only
perfect example, for the conduct of men. His hope of acceptance with God was
in his mercy, through the merits of the Redeemer. This hope seemed to be a
cordial to his spirits, in all the trying and distressing scenes of his life,
and his unfailing support while passing through the dark valley of the shadow
of death. "Blessed is he who trusteth in the Lord, whose hope the Lord is."
Mr. Leavitt has left a numerous family and many friends to mourn the loss of
an affectionate husband, a most excellent father, and a faithful freind." In
1801, he published a volume on the "New Covenant and the Church's Duty." He
was buried in South Cemetery, Heath, Franklin, Massachusetts. History of
Deerfield, by George Sheldon, Published by E. A. Hall & Co., Greenfield, MA,
1896. p. 159.
of Heath, Mass. 1792.

1785 - 1935 Sesquicentennial Anniversary of the Town of Heath, Mass., Edited
by Howard Chandler Robbins, Published by The Heath Historical Society.
Printed by E. A. Hall & Co., Greenfield, Massachusetts, 1935. p. 65, 67 & 69
- 71
The town of Charlemont chose David White to go to Walpole, N.H. to invite
the Rev. Jonathan Leavitt to come to Charlemont to preach as a candidate.
This was in the early part of the year 1767. Mr. Leavitt's preaching proved
satisfactory, but it was not until the fall of 1768 that the installation was
held - not until there was a suitable place prepared for it.
The town voted to build Mr. Leavitt a house in 1767 It was built in 1768
and is one of the oldest of the houses now standing in town. It was in the
possession of the Leavitt family for 80 years, but later was the home of
William Bassett and family. It is now owned by Mrs. John Farwell Moors,
formerly Miss Ethel Paine, and has been restored to its old-time dignified
appearance. All of the old fireplaces were left, including the one in which
the old brick oven is located; also the one in the back part of the house
that was used for soap making.
The church was organized in Sept. 1767, and the installation of the Rev.
Jonathan Leavitt was preceded by a solemn fast, and was closed with feasting
and rejoicing, according to the custom of those days. Mr. Leavitt preached
about 14 years, and ministered acceptably to the united church in this house
"set on a hill."
He came of a fine, well educated family. He graduated from Yale in 1758
and was ordained at Walpole, N.H., in 1761
The Rev. Jonathan Leavitt was a fine looking gentleman, generally wore as
was the custom then, a powdered wig and a cocked hat and always presented a
dignified appearance. He was a man who was always ready to dispense
hospitality in his comfortable home and was often the host of those who
journeyed from town to town. His congregation usually rose to salute him
when he entered the church, and remained standing while he passed, hat in
hand, bowing to all down the aisle.
During the Revolution Parson Leavitt's people had trouble in paying his
salary and what was paid was in money that had depreciated in value, so Mr.
Leavitt was concerned to find a proper living for his family. Then began
much disturbance between the town and the pastor, which resulted in the town
refusing to make further provision for his support, and they closed the
church.
There were of course many causes for the trouble. There was very little
money and almost no means of getting any, furthermore the men were away at
war. There is no record to show that Mr. Leavitt claimed any more than what
was due him, but with his strong conviction he possibly failed to give proper
thought to the hardship endured by his people in raising his salary.
Mr. Leavitt preached five years or more in the south school-house after the
closing of the church to people living mostly in the town of Heath.

A History of the Churches & Ministers and of Franklin Association, Franklin
County, Mass. by Rev. Theophilus Packard, Jr., Published by S.K. Whipple and
Company, 100 Washington Street, Boston, Mass. 1854. p. 65.
The first church became extinct, and the records being lost, it is not
certainly known when it was organized, or when it became extinct. As the
town was incorporated in 1765, and the first pastor (Rev. Jonathan Leavitt -
Congregationalists Church) was settled in 1767, and the deacons were chosen
in 1767, the church was probably formed about the time of the settlement of
its first pastor, in 1767.
The church was probably disbanded or considered extinct, at the time of the
dismission of the first pastor (Rev. Jonathan Leavitt) as a part of the
members, living in Heath, were at that time organized as a church in Heath,
and a new church was formed about three years afterwards in Charlemont.
Unhappy differences between the pastor and people arose during the latter
part of his pastorae among them. From the town records it appears that his
people, or the town (Charlemont), considered him as dismissed from them, not
by a council, but by their own vote, Aug. 29, 1781. He not considering
himself dismissed from the church, and being refused the use of the
meeting-house, gave notice that he should hold meetings and preach at his own
private house; and he continued thus to do for several years, a few of his
people attending upon his ministrations. At length he claimed his salary,
and it being refused, he commenced a legal prosecution and recovered it. At
one stage of the difficulties, the pastor called a council to advise in
relation to his dismission from the church. The council advised him to
continue for six months longer, in the hope that a reconciliation might be
effected during that time.

The Early Setlers of Colrain, Massachusetts, by Charles H. McClellan, W. S.
Carson, Printer, Greenfield, Mass. 1885. p. 39.
In 1766, an effort was made to have "Revd. Jonathan Leavitt come and preach
in town.

He was married to Sarah HOOKER. Sarah HOOKER died in 1791 in Charlemont,
Franklin, Massachusetts. 1785 - 1935 Sesquicentennial Anniversary of the
Town of Heath, Mass., Edited by Howard Chandler Robbins, Published by The
Heath Historical Society. Printed by E. A. Hall & Co., Greenfield,
Massachusetts, 1935. p. 69.
Sarah Hooker, was a great-granddaughter of the Rev. Thomas Hooker, a noted
early New England minister. Mrs. Leavitt died in 1791. It was said of her,
"in addition to good natural talents and deportment which gave a lustre to
the beauty of her person far superior to what is could have derived from the
most brilliant ornaments of art." She gave birth to one daughter and 11
sons. Rev. Jonathan LEAVITT and Sarah HOOKER had the following children:

2 i. Clarissa LEAVITT was born on 26 Sep 1762 in Walpole, Cheshire,
New Hampshire.
+3 ii. Jonathan LEAVITT (born on 27 Feb 1764).
4 iii. Josiah Hart LEAVITT was born on 20 Jul 1765 in Deerfield,
Franklin, Massachusetts. He died in 1836 in Greenfield, Franklin,
Massachusetts. 1785 - 1935 Sesquicentennial Anniversary of the Town of
Heath, Mass., Edited by Howard Chandler Robbins, Published by The Heath
Historical Society. Printed by E. A. Hall & Co., Greenfield, Massachusetts,
1935. p. 71.
Resided next to his brother, Jonathan at the upper end of Main
street. Hart Leavitt kept a general store near these residences.

History of Greenfield - Shire Town of Franklin County, Mass., by
Francis M. Thompson, Volume 2, Greenfield, Mass. 1904. p. 804.
Hart Leavitt, brother of Jonathan and Hooker, was born July 20,
1765, and came to Greenfield about 1790. He was the owner of much real
estate, but died insolvent. He was selectman of the town several years, and
a man of considerable prominence. He died in 1836. He was not a member of
the bar.
5 iv. Joshua LEAVITT was born on 17 Apr 1767 in Walpole, Cheshire, New
Hampshire.
6 v. David LEAVITT was born on 13 Feb 1769 in Charlemont, Franklin,
Massachusetts.
+7 vi. Col. Roger Hooker LEAVITT (born on 12 Jan 1771).
8 vii. Erastus LEAVITT was born on 21 Dec 1772 in Charlemont,
Franklin, Massachusetts.
+9 viii. Dr. Roswell LEAVITT (born on 2 Jan 1775).
10 ix. Thomas LEAVITT was born on 2 Oct 1776 in Charlemont, Franklin,
Massachusetts.
11 x. Samuel LEAVITT was born on 5 Apr 1779 in Charlemont, Franklin,
Massachusetts.
12 xi. Horatio LEAVITT was born on 12 Oct 1781 in Charlemont, Franklin,
Massachusetts.
+13 xii. Hooker LEAVITT (born on 3 Jan 1785).

He was married to Tirzah FIELD (daughter of Col. David FIELD and Thankful
TAYLOR) on 27 Aug 1792 in Heath, Franklin, Massachusetts. Tirzah FIELD was
born on 16 Apr 1749 in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts. She died in 1797.
1785 - 1935 Sesquicentennial Anniversary of the Town of Heath, Mass., Edited
by Howard Chandler Robbins, Published by The Heath Historical Society.
Printed by E. A. Hall & Co., Greenfield, Massachusetts, 1935. p. 71.
of Deerfield, Mass.

He was married to Mary TODD (daughter of Rev. Samuel TODD and Mercy EVANS) in
Mar 1798 in Heath, Franklin, Massachusetts. Mary TODD was born in 1742. She
died on 16 May 1815 in Gill, Franklin, Massachusetts.

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