Our Leisure family information begins with Joseph Leisure born in Scotland in 1730. He emigrated to America and married Rachal Ryan of Halifax County, VA. The only child I am aware of is Nathan Leisure born in Frederick County, Maryland on March 03, 1777. According to Nathan's obituary, Joseph Leisure died prematurely of a cancerous condition in 1885 at the age of 105 years.
Nathan married Sarah Irvin of Halifax County, VA. At some point they lived in Garrard County, KY and finally settled in Rush County Indiana where they died. Nathan died on May 23, 1865 and Sarah on December 27, 1876. They are both buried in the Hannegan Christian Church Cemetery.
Nathan and Sarah had four children:
Joseph P. b. 02/21/1806 in KY d. 06/08/1891 in Rush Co., IN
m. Dorinda T. Fresh, 11/08/1836 in Lincoln Co., KY
George W. b. 06/03/1809 in KY d. 03/27/1896 in Rush Co., IN
m. Lucinda Myers, 10/08/1829 in Garrard Co., KY
James Madison b. 11/16/1814 in KY
m. Margaret Snider 10/06/1834 in Rush Co., IN
John Henry b. 1821 in KY d. 12/27/1851
m. Elsa Swain 08/13/1838 in Rush County, IN
George W. and Lucinda (Myers) Leisure went to Rush County, Indiana almost immediately after their marriage. According to the Rush County History Book:
Their labors were liberally rewarded, and in the course of time, Mr. Leisure was enabled to enter and purchase lands until he finally became one of the most extensive free holders in the county.. He was a staunch Democrat and was frequently elected to the office of Trustee and Justice of the Peace, and in 1875 was elected County Commissioner.
George and Lucinda had 14 children, all born in Rush County, IN:
Sarah Elizabeth b. 07/15/1830 d. 08/30/1907 m. John Price
Mary A. b. Aft 1830
John b. 1834 d. 1913 m. Jane Green
Christina b. 1835 d. 09/06/1842
Joseph b. 09/13/1837 d. 09/15/1896
m. Eliza Jane Hinton on 01/23/1859
Henry b. 1839 m. Martha Souder 10/16/1862
Nathan b. 1842 m. Sarah Moore 09/23/1866
Elizabeth b. 1843 m. John Osborn
Lucinda b. 06/01/1844 d. 11/13/1890 m. Noah Souder
George M. b. 1846 d. 1881 m. Elizabeth Cross
James P. b. 1848
William b. 1850 d. 1927 m. Nancy Caroline Powell
Myaria b. Abt 1851 m. John Langston 08/15/1869
Rachel b. Abt 1852 m. John F. Moore 07/30/1871
Joseph and Eliza Leisure spent their entire married lives in Rush County. Eliza is remember by one of her great-granddaughters for possessing a sweet and loving spirit, strong faith, and smoking a corn cob pipe.
They had seven children; one son died in infancy. The other six are:
James Wash b. 11/13/1859 d. unknown
m. Mabelle Sexton 09/13/1881
Mary Francis b. 10/26/1861 d. 05/22/1951
m. William Sydney Emay 09/12/1878
Lee W. b. 01/19/1864 d. 05/23/1961 in Bartlesville, OK
m. Minnie Nantz
When Lee moved to OK, he changed the spelling to Laysure
Noah b. 1870 d. 1908
m. Hypatia Birt 02/16/1893
Oliver Carr b. 1873 d. 1947
m. Evie Powell abt 1893
John P. b. 1876 d. 1901
m. Delle Langston 03/26/1891
Mary Frances, known as Fannie or Ma, married William Sydney Emay on 09/12/1878 in Rush County, IN.
William and `Fannie' had four children:
Clara Elizabeth b. 09/11/1879 d. 03/14/56
m. Charles Sumner Stewarton 09/10/1902
Joseph Blount b. 06/19/1881 d. 06/24/1969
m. May Reeves
Cleveland b. 09/18/1884 d. 07/24/1885
Ola Blanche b. 03/31/1886 d. 12/28/70
m. Glen Samuel Ging
Clara Elizabeth was known to all and forever as Lizzie. Her tombstone is inscribed with Lizzie. She married Charles Sumner Stewart and they lived in Mays, IN. Charles owned the granary there.
They had five children:
Chase b. 09/11/03 d. 11/20/18
Ruby b. 08/18/06 d. 02/04/87
m. Ralph Beabout
Mable Irene b. 09/29/10 d. 05/14/91
m. George Flanagan
Earl Robert b. 10/03/15 d. 09/11/94
m. Gladys Miller
Charles Wayne b. 04/28/20 d. 04/19/67
If we're researching the same line or if you'd just like to chat about genealogy, in general, or Leisure, in particular, drop me a line.
Copyright ©: 1996, Becky Higgins. Revised - (November 26, 1997)
BHiggins@aol.com