~~Leonard was born abt. 1822 (avg of 5 listed ages on various records) and died (according to some oral history) in 1874 by accidental gunshot and is buried near the Eaton Shepard home place (between Tennille and Riddleville in Washington Co., Georgia) (grave unmarked/likely lost?). UPDATE Apr 18, 2016: Probate records give his DOD as about Dec 1, 1870.
~~More than a few internet family trees erroneously assign him the name James Leonard Layton. Some researchers report his given names as JOHN LEONARD, but absolutely all his census and tax records, voter records, reconstruction oath records, and several definitive Civil War records, ONLY USE the single name of LEONARD. Only one POSSIBLE matching militia record used "John L. Layton" (an 19 Apr 1861 Irwin Volunteers, soldier's roster, Washington Co., GA.). However, that record has been conclusively traced to John Leonard Layton (1841-1903) the son of Hillery who was Leonard's brother; Furthermore, there were clearly other men in Washington County, GA between 1860-1864 who were named J.L. or John Layton ( John Wesley Layton - son of James who was Leonard's brother; and J.L./James Leonard Layton - also the son of James who was Leonard's brother).
~~According to Layton genealogists, Leonard was the son of John Layton (b. abt.1783/NC - d. aft.1840/GA) and Clarissa Hartley (b. abt.1783/NC - d. aft.1840/GA).
~~He was the husband of Mary Jane Boat(w)right (1830/GA - 1905/GA); was likely married in 1849 or early 1850 in Washington County, Georgia [date re. 1850 Fed census interpretation which enumerated them living by themselves next door to Mary's parents, John & Jane Boat(w)right.
~~Children of Leonard & Mary Jane: 1) Jesse Green (1851-1924) 2) Susan P (1853-) 3) William Marion (1855-1880) 4) James T (1857-1912) 5) Mary Frances (1858-1896) 5) Robert M (1860-1929) George S (1863-1937) 7) Elizabeth Elvira (1865-1927) 8) Benjamin Gordon (1869-1937).
~~First CIVIL WAR SERVICE: He is listed 4 Mar 1862 on the muster rolls for the 13th GA Militia, 91st Military District, Washington County, Georgia: "Leonard Layton" age 38, Present"
~~Other CIVIL WAR SERVICE according to "The Patriot Files" website: Company B 12th Georgia Battalion Georgia Light Artillery (Confederate Army). "Layton Leonard, Pvt., Enlisted 1/26/63, Sandersville, Present 12/24/64, In Jackson Hospital at Richmond 1/10/65 - 1/16/65 with dysentery, Given furlough 2/10/65. 1850 Census list Leonard Laton age 27 head of household, living Washington Co., GA. 1870 Census list Leonard Layton age 49 living Washington Co., GA."
~~His 1860 Fed Census listed "Leonard Leyton" age 36 living in Washington Co., GA, with wife Mary J. an d 6 children ages 9 yrs to 3 months old.
~~From "John Layton Family" (genealogy manuscript) by Ollie Bessie Elton (a Layton descendant), Aug 1972, LEONARD LAYTON (1820-1874): "Leonard enlisted Jan 26, 1863 as a private in 3rd Battery (Company B), 12th Batalion, Georgia Light Artillery for 3 years or duration of war. Served under Capt Rudisill, by order of Headquarters Dept of SC, GA, & FL. He was issued clothing while in Savannah, Nov & Dec 1864. His name was on Jackson Hospital list in Richmond, VA, Evans Brigade. Diagnosis was dysentery. Returned to duty Jan 16, 1865. Granted a furlough, Jan 31, 1865. Feb 1, 1865 he was paid $95 for Sept 1, 1864 to Jan 1865. Description - age 44, 5 feet 7 inches, fair complexion, blue eyes, light hair, Occupation - Farming. Leonard & wife" (Mary Jane Boatright) "were leaders in Mt. Moriah Baptist Church & community. He was a farmer & sheep rancher. He was killed by accident and is buried near the Eaton Sheppard home place. Mary donated land for Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in 1867 and is buried in the church cemetery" (beside her daughter Elizabeth E Layton Smith & son-in-law John Asa Smith).