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Note: John Thomas Leach, II BIRTH 1778 DEATH 7 Mar 1837 (aged 58–59)in Johnston County, North Carolina, USA BURIAL: Leach Family Cemetery in Clayton, Johnston County, North Carolina, USA
MEMORIAL ID 40215537 PHOTOS 1
John Thomas Leach, II was born about 1778 in North Carolina, the only known son born to Dr. John Thomas Leach I (c. 1737-1793) and his wife, Elizabeth Winnants/Wynants (c. 1751-1795).
The Leach's arrival in NC began when John's father, Dr. John Thomas Leach (most often found as Dr. Thomas Leach) sold his land in Mecklenburg County, VA and removed to North Carolina settling somewhere in the Bute County area, which was later broken up and renamed as Franklin and Granville Counties. It is known he owned land in Bute, Franklin, Wake and Johnston Counties.
His father, Dr. Thomas Leach, married Elizabeth Winnants of Bertie County on November 17, 1767. It is believed they were the parents of 5 children (1 boy/4 girls): Elizabeth "Betsy" (c. 1771-1843), who became 2nd wife of Capt. John McCullers, II; Sarah "Salley" (c. 1772); Susanna "Susan" (c. 1774-1848), who married Samuel Loftis and removed to Greenville, SC; John Thomas II (1778-1837); and Mary "Polly" Leach (c. 1780).
No definitive information was found on the Leach's prior to their arrival in NC, but some researchers speculate this branch of the Leech family was part of a group of Scotch-Irish who began settling in Somerset County, MD in the 17th century. Some of the Leach's made their way up to Cecil County near the PA line. John Thomas Leach, II may be a descendant of Tobias/Toby Leach & Esther Ashmead Leach (1653-1726) who lived in Cheltenham, PA.
John Thomas Leach II married Susanna "Susan" Parham of Virginia in the early 1800's. The couple farmed in the Cleveland Township-Pleasant Grove area of Johnston County where they became parents to 2 known children (1 boy/1 girl): Dr. James Thomas Leach, III (1805-1883), and Susan Parham Leach (c. 1810-1886).
John Thomas Leach is also credited with building Mt. Zion Church on his plantation, "Leachburg" in Johnston County. Family legend states that when he brought his young wife to North Carolina, she was very distressed that there was no Methodist Meeting House for her to received her spiritual sustenance. He set aside two acres on his plantation and built the first Mt. Zion church dedicated to his lovely bride and the Glory of God. Many generations of Leach descendants continued to worship at this church.
John Thomas Leach died in 1837 at about age 59. His wife passed less then 2 years later in 1839 at about age 60.
Son, Dr. James Thomas Leach, married Elizabeth Willis Sanders and is buried here.
Daughter, Susan Parham Leach, married Adam Gerard Banks of of Wake County. It is not known where they are buried, although their son, Thomas Leach Banks, is buried in the Thomas Leach Banks cemetery in Wake. Another son, William Gaston Banks, is buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh.
Spouse: Susanna Parham Leach 1778–1839
Children: James Thomas Leach 1805–1883
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