Leonard Leist was born in 1710; his birthplace is unknown. He is said to have a brother John Lease who took up land in Lancaster County circa 1742, Leonard bought his land July 1, 1743; the tracts are not far from each other. When York County was formed from Lancaster, their land became part of Reading twp, York County, and in 1800 when Adams County was formed from York, the land was part of Reading twp, Adams County.

Leonard married Salome (last name unknown) about 1742; the were the parents of 12 children.

June 10, 1754 Leonard Lease purchased land contiguous to his 1743 purchase, 54.5 acres. He payed 15 pounds 10 shillings per 100 acres and a yearly quit rent of a half-penny sterling per acre. Living conditions were not good at that time; the water was said to be bad and there was much unrest with some Indian tribes. By 1755 the French and Indian War sent some of the pioneer settlers scurrying back eastward to Lancaster, York and Cumberland Counties.

On May 13, 1762, Leonard and wife, Salmy Lease sold the 294 acre tract of land to Peter Wirtz for 45 pounds 12 shillings 10 pence. Leonard was a weaver and ran the only tavern in Reading twp, licensed from 1762 through 1782 and in 1783 the tavern was licensed to his son Daniel.

Leonard made his Last Will & Testament on November 7, 1782; York County Will Book F-63 shows Leonards will as having been probated December 19, 1782. The inventory filed by Executors 1787 shows him to have been a wealthy man for the times. He spells his name LEAS in this document and most of his descendants used that name from that time.

There is some indication that he owned Markey Burial Ground on Conewago Creek, Washington twp, per 1783 Tax List but it is not proven. His tombstone gives his name as Leonard Leist and the inscription is in German.∼Married Salome "Sarah" Worley
Father of thirteen children;
6 daughters & 7 sons
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1744 Eleanora "Nalli" (Fahnestock)***see below
1745 Margaret (Johns) (Ross)
1748 William***see below
1750 Abraham d. 1799 PA
1752 Daniel***see below
1754 Mary (Neas)
1754 Ursala (Cough)
1755 John***see below
1759 Leonard
1759 Benjamin d. 1828 PA
1761 Catharine (DeLap)***see below
1765 Jacob
1768 Sarah Elizabeth (Stuyvesantt)***see below

Notes
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Leonard Leas was born in 1710, died on 16 Nov 1782 in Reading Township, Adams Co, Pennsylvania and was buried in Nov 1782 in Markey Burial Ground, York Co., PA

He first appears in record when he recorded deed from Penn brothers for land in Reading Township, York Co., PA in 1743 (this is now in Adams Co. of which Gettysburg is the county seat).

His Will is found in Will Book F, page 63, York County, dated November 11, 1782 and probated December 19, 1782.

German origin but may have come through England on way from Germany

Note***
This information was provided by Joyce (Lease) Taylor