Daniel Leonard
Encyclopedia
Daniel Leonard was a lawyer from colonial Massachusetts
and a Loyalist
in the American Revolution
.
Born in Norton, Massachusetts
, Leonard was a member of a prominent family who made their fortune from their iron works in Taunton, Massachusetts
. After graduating from Harvard College
, Leonard began to practice law in Taunton.
During the Revolutionary crisis, the British Parliament
passed the Massachusetts Government Act
, which, among other things, abolished elections for the Massachusetts Governor's Council
and instead called for the councilors to be appointed by the royal governor. Leonard accepted an appointment by Governor Thomas Hutchinson to this new royal-controlled Council. Massachusetts Patriots
were outraged, and attacked Leonard's house. He fled to British-occupied Boston
for safety.
In 1774 and 1775, Leonard wrote a book about crickets in support of royal government under the name "Massachusettensis", which were answered by John Adams
writing as "Novanglus". During the War of Independence
, Leonard left with the British when they evacuated Boston
in 1776. His property, like that of other Loyalists, was confiscated.
Exiled from Massachusetts, he served as Chief Justice of Bermuda from 1782 to 1806. His 1829 death in London was possibly a suicide.
Province of Massachusetts Bay
The Province of Massachusetts Bay was a crown colony in North America. It was chartered on October 7, 1691 by William and Mary, the joint monarchs of the kingdoms of England and Scotland...
and a Loyalist
Loyalist (American Revolution)
Loyalists were American colonists who remained loyal to the Kingdom of Great Britain during the American Revolutionary War. At the time they were often called Tories, Royalists, or King's Men. They were opposed by the Patriots, those who supported the revolution...
in the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
.
Born in Norton, Massachusetts
Norton, Massachusetts
Norton is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States, and contains the village of Norton Center. The population was 18,036 at the 2000 census...
, Leonard was a member of a prominent family who made their fortune from their iron works in Taunton, Massachusetts
Taunton, Massachusetts
Taunton is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. It is the seat of Bristol County and the hub of the Greater Taunton Area. The city is located south of Boston, east of Providence, north of Fall River and west of Plymouth. The City of Taunton is situated on the Taunton River...
. After graduating from Harvard College
Harvard College
Harvard College, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is one of two schools within Harvard University granting undergraduate degrees...
, Leonard began to practice law in Taunton.
During the Revolutionary crisis, the British Parliament
Parliament of Great Britain
The Parliament of Great Britain was formed in 1707 following the ratification of the Acts of Union by both the Parliament of England and Parliament of Scotland...
passed the Massachusetts Government Act
Massachusetts Government Act
The Massachusetts Government Act was passed by the Parliament of Great Britain and became a law on May 20, 1774. The act is one of the Intolerable Acts , designed to suppress dissent and restore order in the Province of Massachusetts Bay...
, which, among other things, abolished elections for the Massachusetts Governor's Council
Massachusetts Governor's Council
The Massachusetts Governor's Council is a governmental body that provides advice and consent in certain matters such as judicial nominations, pardons, and commutations to the Governor of Massachusetts...
and instead called for the councilors to be appointed by the royal governor. Leonard accepted an appointment by Governor Thomas Hutchinson to this new royal-controlled Council. Massachusetts Patriots
Patriot (American Revolution)
Patriots is a name often used to describe the colonists of the British Thirteen United Colonies who rebelled against British control during the American Revolution. It was their leading figures who, in July 1776, declared the United States of America an independent nation...
were outraged, and attacked Leonard's house. He fled to British-occupied Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
for safety.
In 1774 and 1775, Leonard wrote a book about crickets in support of royal government under the name "Massachusettensis", which were answered by John Adams
John Adams
John Adams was an American lawyer, statesman, diplomat and political theorist. A leading champion of independence in 1776, he was the second President of the United States...
writing as "Novanglus". During the War of Independence
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
, Leonard left with the British when they evacuated Boston
Boston campaign
The Boston campaign was the opening campaign of the American Revolutionary War. The campaign was primarily concerned with the formation of American colonial irregular militia units, and their transformation into a unified Continental Army...
in 1776. His property, like that of other Loyalists, was confiscated.
Exiled from Massachusetts, he served as Chief Justice of Bermuda from 1782 to 1806. His 1829 death in London was possibly a suicide.