Sarah (Tolman) Leadbetter (1637-1690) of Dorchester (Boston), Suffolk County, Massachusetts, was the wife of Henry Leadbetter (born in Hinckley, Leicestershire, England, but emigrated from England to the Commonwealth Colony of Massachusetts circa 1652).

"Thomas Leadbetter was Vicar of Hinckley, Leicestershire (England), in the time of (King) Charles II (1630-1685). It is established that Henry Leadbetter migrated from Hinckley and married Sarah Tolman of Dorchester (Boston), Massachusetts in 1658."
--Source reference: "Migrations, Racial Origin And Traits" chapter, Ledbetters From Virginia book, Authors & Researchers: Roy C. Ledbetter, William R. Ledbetter (Colonel, US Army), Justus Reiniger Moll, James D. Tillman, Junior, Christian Albert Ledbetter, Publisher: Wilkinson Printing Company, Dallas, Texas, USA, 1964, page 10.

Colonial Marriage of Sarah Tolman and Henry Leadbetter occurred upon 18 January 1659, as recorded in a Primary Source Record, specifically: Marriage Register of the Town Clerk of Dorchester, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. A Secondary Source Record, entitled, "Leadbetter Records", the 1917 published book by author Jesse Ames, also documents 18 January 1659, as the Marriage Date of Sarah Tolman and Henry Leadbetter in Dorchester, Suffolk County, Massachusetts (a British Commonwealth Colony in those bygone days).

An unverified source reports 16 March 1658, as their marriage date. However, 16 March 1658 may have been the betrothal (marital engagement) date or the marriage bond (marriage license) date, rather than the actual wedding date, of Sarah Tolman and Henry Leadbetter.

"DORCHESTER LEADBETTERS
1. Henry Leadbetter.
Born in England, probably in Hinckley, about 1633. Was first listed as a freeman, May 31, 1671. Was a constable, 1673. Was a soldier in King Philip's War, 1675-1676, probably a sergeant. Took oath of allegiance before the Hon. John Leverett, the Provincial Governor, Nov. 11, 1678. Was active in the First Church of Dorchester for many years. Selectman of Dorchester, 1687, 1688, 1689, 1690, 1691.
Executor to Estates of Thomas Lake, Jan. 6, 1679; of Nicholas Clap, Nov. 24, 1679.
Married Jan. 18, 1659 to Sarah Tolman, by Major Atherton. (She) was third child of Thomas Tolman of Dorchester, who was born in England in 1608, and came to this country in the "Mary and John" (sailing ship), in 1630."
--Source references:
1. Marriage of Henry Leadbetter & Sarah Tolman: 18 January 1659, Officiator: English Army Major Atherton, "Dorchester Leadbetters" chapter, Leadbetter Records book, Author: Jesse E. Ames, Publisher: Higginson Book Company, Salem, Massachusetts, 1917, Page 17.
2. Marriage of Henry Leadbetter & Sarah Tolman: 18 January 1659, Marriage Register of Old Dorchester Baptist Church, Dorchester, Sufflok County, Massachusetts
3. Marriage of Henry Leadbetter & Sarah Tolman: 18 January 1659, Marriage Register, 1659 Anno Domini, Town Clerk Records, Dorchester, Suffolk County, Massachusetts.

The 18 January 1659 Colonial Massachusetts Marriage Union of Sarah Tolman and Henry Leadbetter produced 8 children (4 daughters & 4 sons). Their names and basic vital information are declared hereinafter.

1. Sarah Leadbetter, Daughter, Born Nov. 20, 1659, in Dorchester, Suffolk County, Massachusetts.

2. Katherine Leadbetter, Daughter, Born Feb. 28, 1662, in Dorchester, Suffolk County, Massachusetts.

3. Henry Leadbetter, Son, Born Aug. 16, 1664, in Dorchester, Suffolk County, Massachusetts;

Died May 10, 1689.

4. Ruth Leadbetter, Daughter, Born Mar. 31, 1666, in Roxbury, Norfolk (now Suffolk) County, Massachusetts.

5. Deliverance Leadbetter, Daughter, Born Feb. 9, 1667, in Dorchester, Suffolk County, Massachusetts.

6. Increase Leadbetter, Son, Born Jan. 20, 1672, in Dorchester, Suffolk County, Massachusetts.

7. Ebenezer Leadbetter, Son, Born May 10, 1676, in Dorchester, Suffolk County, Massachusetts.

8. Israel Leadbetter, Son, Born Oct. 10, 1678, in Dorchester, Suffolk County, Massachusetts.

According to "Leadbetter Records", an excellent 1917 published book, authored by Jesse Ames, Sarah (Tolman) Leadbetter was buried in "Old Dorchester Burying Ground", established in 1634 in Dorchester (Boston), Suffolk County, Massachusetts. This same graveyard alternatively is entitled, "Dorchester North Burying Ground", "Dorchester North Burying Place", or "First Burying Place". In modern times, Dorchester North Burying Ground is designated as a Boston (MA) Landmark and is listed upon the United States National Register of Historic Places.

Graveyard Burials of Henry Leadbetter, 1st Wife, Sarah (Tolman) Ledbetter & 2nd Wife, Relief (Foster) Leadbetter

"He (Henry Leadbetter) was doubtless buried in the Old Dorchester Burying Ground, although no stone marks the spot of his last resting place, or of that of his first wife, the mother of his children. Very few stones were used in the early burials; the graves of only a few of all the Mayflower colonists are known today. His second wife, Relief, is also buried there, and a small stone with a fairly decipherable inscription marks her grave."
--Source reference: "Burials of Henry Leadbetter, 1st Wife, Sarah (Tolman) Ledbetter & 2nd Wife, Relief (Foster) Leadbetter" section of Chapter 12, Leadbetter Records book, Author: Jesse E. Ames, Publisher: Higginson Book Company, Salem, Massachusetts, 1917.

Sarah (Tolman) Leadbetter (1637-1690)
Memorial Bio-Sketch
Author: Dean Ledbetter
Created: 27 Sept. 2013
Updated: 19-20 May 2017;
21-22 October 2018 & 27-29 October 2018
Copyright (c) 2013-2018 by Dean Ledbetter;
All Copyright Provisions Reserved (American & International).