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| Mary "Polly" Fuller Leecraft and son Benjamin Leecraft III |
Leecrafts are listed as members of the Virginia Company that helped colonize Virginia Bermuda , as well as settlements north of Virginia
A Leecraft was Governor of Bermuda under George III when many became discouraged by their lack of independenceCaribb ean —Barbados Antigua and Martinique , to continue commercial shipping using their fleet of ships to cargo to ports along mainland America
Around 1780 several Leecraft brothers came to the colonies. It is believed that two settled inNew York Beaufort , South Carolina
Benjamin Leecraft II, born circa 1793, was the only male heir. In 1816 he married Mary “Polly” Fuller, descendant of the Mayflower Fullers, and daughter of Belcher Fuller and Zilphia Guthrie. They had four sons—Benjamin III, William, Lafayette and Nathan Franklin—and four daughters, Susan Benjamin, Zilphia Ann, Mary and Julia Frances. In 1845 Benjamin Leecraft III married his first cousin Mary Elizabeth Arendell, daughter of Sarah Fisher and Bridges Arendell. Mary and Benjamin III had seven children; all died as infants or young children except for Benjamin Bridges and Carolus Arendell. Their mother, Mary Elizabeth, died in 1858. The 1860 census shows a widowed Benjamin Leecraft III with three small children; his real estate value was $50,500 and personal estate was $23,000.
By 1862 the Union provost marshal granted a Boston merchant “permission to occupy the store formerly occupied by Benjamin Leecraft, the owner having joined the CSA.” Leecraft served in the Confederate Army, 2nd Regiment, North Carolina Artillery.
Since Leecraft was not occupying his home at the corner of Ann and Orange Streets, it was taken by the Federals and used as officers’ quarters. Soldiers left axe marks in the floor of the room (now the dining room) where fire wood was stored.
Benjamin Leecraft III left Beaufort shortly after the war. It appears that Leecraft’s wealth and holdings diminished—or else he was discouraged by the results of the war and the Federal occupation. Leecraft married his second wife, Susan Elizabeth Stowe in 1866. Susan, who was half his age, was the daughter of Colonel Samuel Neel Stowe, M.D., who had served on the staff of General Robert E. Lee.
Confederate swords carried by Captain Leecraft and Colonel Stowe became treasured possessions to Brigadier General Walter Alexander Dumas, son of Bessie Holland Leecraft and DeBerry Glenn Dumas and grandson of Benjamin Leecraft III. Leecraft’s sword was originally the property of a Masonic lodge and put into military service at a time when weapons were scarce.
Susan and Benjamin Leecraft III moved to Sherman, Texas in 1870. They had four children—Albert Stowe, Charles Fuller, Daisy Dean and Arthur Neel. Benjamin Leecraft III died in 1880 in Denison, Texas, when his oldest son Arthur was only about fourteen years old.
Arthur Neel Leecraft owned the first all-purpose store in Indian Territory--Leecraft Mercantile-- just north of Denison across the Red River by ferry. He married Lelah Maupin who was part Chickasaw. Arthur later became “Colonel” Leecraft and was very active in governmental and civic affairs in the state of Oklahoma.
Emails from Pat Fleury, Benjamin Leecraft's great-great granddaughter, gives us more insight into the family's life in Texas. Pat is the daughter of Marjorie Leecraft McMahon, daughter of Bertram Maupin Leecraft, son of Arthur Neel Leecraft.
Pat wrote, After Benjamin III left North Carolina, I couldn't find him in Texas. Finally, on a wild hunch, I found him in a California Gold Rush camp, living in a barracks with other men on the same quest. After he got that 'out of his system,' he came back to Texas. Even though genealogical records show the location as Sherman and Denison, back in those days they lived in the countryside. Even today, a person can easily get gored by a wild hog in the woods just outside of Denison,Texas.
When Arthur Neel Leecraft left to go into politics, he left my grandfather, Bertram Maupin Leecraft (b. 1894) behind to attend to Leecraft Mercantile. Back then, the only way across the Red River was by ferry boat. At first, the town was called Colbert's Ferry.
John Rice Maupin
Lelah Maupin Leecraft's father, John Rice Maupin, rode with Quantrill's Raiders during the Civil War. Maupin married Helen Eastman. Through Helen Eastman, we are also cousins to the Eastman Kodak people. My grandfather Bertram Maupin Leecraft could tell stories about Jesse James and other outlaws because of the Quantrill's Raiders connection. Oklahoma in those post Civil War days was really a wild wild west.
Strangely enough, the Maupins were French Huguenots in 1700's Williamsburg, Virginia. Their 'ordinary' or inn in Williamsburg was first given a liquor license in 1711. Eventually they operated three inns. The last one is now called the Taliferro-Cole House, on Lot #352 in Williamsburg.
So, the Maupins started in Virginia and the Leecrafts in North Carolina and they all wound up in Oklahoma during and after the Civil War.
I am sending old photographs from the Bessie Holland Leecraft album that I inherited from my Mom. The photo of John Rice Maupin came from an issue of Chronicles of Oklahoma.
A Leecraft was Governor of Bermuda under George III when many became discouraged by their lack of independence
Around 1780 several Leecraft brothers came to the colonies. It is believed that two settled in
Benjamin Leecraft II, born circa 1793, was the only male heir. In 1816 he married Mary “Polly” Fuller, descendant of the Mayflower Fullers, and daughter of Belcher Fuller and Zilphia Guthrie. They had four sons—Benjamin III, William, Lafayette and Nathan Franklin—and four daughters, Susan Benjamin, Zilphia Ann, Mary and Julia Frances. In 1845 Benjamin Leecraft III married his first cousin Mary Elizabeth Arendell, daughter of Sarah Fisher and Bridges Arendell. Mary and Benjamin III had seven children; all died as infants or young children except for Benjamin Bridges and Carolus Arendell. Their mother, Mary Elizabeth, died in 1858. The 1860 census shows a widowed Benjamin Leecraft III with three small children; his real estate value was $50,500 and personal estate was $23,000.
By 1862 the Union provost marshal granted a Boston merchant “permission to occupy the store formerly occupied by Benjamin Leecraft, the owner having joined the CSA.” Leecraft served in the Confederate Army, 2nd Regiment, North Carolina Artillery.
Since Leecraft was not occupying his home at the corner of Ann and Orange Streets, it was taken by the Federals and used as officers’ quarters. Soldiers left axe marks in the floor of the room (now the dining room) where fire wood was stored.
Benjamin Leecraft III left Beaufort shortly after the war. It appears that Leecraft’s wealth and holdings diminished—or else he was discouraged by the results of the war and the Federal occupation. Leecraft married his second wife, Susan Elizabeth Stowe in 1866. Susan, who was half his age, was the daughter of Colonel Samuel Neel Stowe, M.D., who had served on the staff of General Robert E. Lee.
Confederate swords carried by Captain Leecraft and Colonel Stowe became treasured possessions to Brigadier General Walter Alexander Dumas, son of Bessie Holland Leecraft and DeBerry Glenn Dumas and grandson of Benjamin Leecraft III. Leecraft’s sword was originally the property of a Masonic lodge and put into military service at a time when weapons were scarce.
Susan and Benjamin Leecraft III moved to Sherman, Texas in 1870. They had four children—Albert Stowe, Charles Fuller, Daisy Dean and Arthur Neel. Benjamin Leecraft III died in 1880 in Denison, Texas, when his oldest son Arthur was only about fourteen years old.
Arthur Neel Leecraft
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| Arthur Neel Leecraft |
Emails from Pat Fleury, Benjamin Leecraft's great-great granddaughter, gives us more insight into the family's life in Texas. Pat is the daughter of Marjorie Leecraft McMahon, daughter of Bertram Maupin Leecraft, son of Arthur Neel Leecraft.
Pat wrote, After Benjamin III left North Carolina, I couldn't find him in Texas. Finally, on a wild hunch, I found him in a California Gold Rush camp, living in a barracks with other men on the same quest. After he got that 'out of his system,' he came back to Texas. Even though genealogical records show the location as Sherman and Denison, back in those days they lived in the countryside. Even today, a person can easily get gored by a wild hog in the woods just outside of Denison,Texas.
When Arthur Neel Leecraft left to go into politics, he left my grandfather, Bertram Maupin Leecraft (b. 1894) behind to attend to Leecraft Mercantile. Back then, the only way across the Red River was by ferry boat. At first, the town was called Colbert's Ferry.
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| John Rice Maupin |
Lelah Maupin Leecraft's father, John Rice Maupin, rode with Quantrill's Raiders during the Civil War. Maupin married Helen Eastman. Through Helen Eastman, we are also cousins to the Eastman Kodak people. My grandfather Bertram Maupin Leecraft could tell stories about Jesse James and other outlaws because of the Quantrill's Raiders connection. Oklahoma in those post Civil War days was really a wild wild west.
Strangely enough, the Maupins were French Huguenots in 1700's Williamsburg, Virginia. Their 'ordinary' or inn in Williamsburg was first given a liquor license in 1711. Eventually they operated three inns. The last one is now called the Taliferro-Cole House, on Lot #352 in Williamsburg.
So, the Maupins started in Virginia and the Leecrafts in North Carolina and they all wound up in Oklahoma during and after the Civil War.
I am sending old photographs from the Bessie Holland Leecraft album that I inherited from my Mom. The photo of John Rice Maupin came from an issue of Chronicles of Oklahoma.
The Leecraft Houses on Ann Street
Leecraft House in March 1862. - 307 Ann Street - mounted orderly Lt. C.M. Duser. Benjamin Leecraft II (and/or Ben III) built this 1850 house and other Leecraft houses next door on 
The three Greek revival-style homes have features taken from books on architecture by Asher Benjamin. His influence is seen in its wide hall, broad staircase, large rooms with high ceilings, and distinctive woodwork. Even though plaqued 1850, 1856 and 1857, the 1857 house, on the corner of Ann and Orange, due to its construction details, may have been the first built.
Last Will and Testament of Susannah Leecraft 1818
In the name of God amen I Susannah Leecraft of the County of Carteret and State of North Carolina being weak in Body but of my Right mind and Sound memory and calling to mind the mortality of my body, and the certainty of death before my departure to another World Do make this my last will and Teatament, In measure and form following.That is to say first of all, my Soul I reccomment to Almighty God who gave it, and my Body to be Decently buried in a Christian like manner By my Executors viz. My Brother Josiah Bell and my Son Benjamin Leecraft. whom I appoint constitute and ordain to be executors of this my Last will and Testament. And as touching the Earthly Property wherewith God has blessed me withal I give and alot in a manner and form as follows. viz.
1 Item I give and bequith to my son Benjamin One Negro Girl named Maria. also one third of two Negro boys named Jim, and David to him and his heirs forever.
2 Item. I give to my Daughter Elizabeth Roberson Twenty Shillings to be paid after my Decease by my Executors. I also lend to her the said Elizabeth Roberson the use of one Negro boy named Philip, during her life, and at her Decease, I give him to her children forever. I also give to my said daughter Elizabeth Roberson one third part of two Negro boys named Jim and David to her and her heirs or Assigns forever.
3 Item I give to my Daughter Susan Verell one third part of two Negro boys named Jim and David to her her heirs or Assigns forever. I also lend to my said daughter Susan Verell during her life one Negro woman named Jane and her child Alfred and should she my said daughter Susan die without issue I give the said woman and Child to be equally divided among my surviving Children or their heirs of their body.
4 Item I give to my daughter Nancy Perry Twenty Shillings to be paid her after my Decease by my executors.
I give in safe keeping One Negro man named Daniel and one Negro girl named Delila, In the hands and possesion of my son Benjamin Leecraft as a Trustee the said Negro to be hired out annually and the money arising from the hire thereof to be applied to the support of her my said daughter Nancy and her Child or Children for and during her natural life and should she die without heirs of her body then the said Negro to be divided among my other Children or their survivers. And should my said Daughter Nancy Perry leave Issue then and in that case I give said above named Negro to them their heirs or Assigns forever.
I give to my daughter Nancy Perry one Bed, Bedstead Furniture to her and her heirs forever.
5 Item I give my grandson Benjamin Leecraft Perry one Bed Bedstead and Furniture, to him and his heirs forever.
6 Item. I give to my daughter Mary Manson Twenty shillings to be paid her after my Decease by my Executors. I also lend to her the said Mary Manson on Negro man named Sam during her natural life and should she Die leaving Issue I give the said Negro Sam to the ??? of her body forever. but should she die without Issue to be divided between all my other Children or their ??? heirs of their body.
All the debts which I owe it is my will and desire that all my Children pay an equlal share of the sum.It is my will and desire that all my House hold goods and Kitchen Furniture not already bequethed be Equally Divided among all my Children, by my Executors.
I Susannah Leecraft do hereby declare this to be my Last Will and Testament. Revoking all other will by me made. Publishing and Declaring this my Last Will and Testament, by affixing my seal there to this Twenty Eighth day of March One Thousand Eight Hundred and Eighteen in presense of James Manney Matthew Norris--Susannah Leecraft Seal
Carteret County Court of Pleas and Quarters Session August Term 1818. I certify that then was this written paper exhibited into Court and by oath of Matthew Norris ??? witness duly proved to contain the true Last Will and Testament of Susannah Leecraft dsc and Benjamin Leecraft and Executor therein named to qualify as such. GeoRead Clerk
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