LEAKE FAMILY

William Leake came from Nottingham, England in 1685 with his wife Mary Bostick who brought the Bible given to her by her Grandfather.  It is thought he descended from Sir John Leake who was knighted by King Henry VIII.  There is the story in the family that William was the son by a first marriage of a very wealthy man in Wales.  His mother died early in his infancy & his father married a second wife & had children.  The estate would have descended to the oldest son so during the Father's’absence, the step-mother has his first son kidnapped & sent to Va.  The step-mother persuaded the Father that a company of Gypseys in the area stole his son.

Another story passed down through the family - “In confirmation of it (this story) the following incident, undoubtedly authentic, is given:   My uncle Austin D. Leake, was, about 1795, sent to college at Carlisle Pa.  He was expected home every day, when one day a young man rode up to my grandfather’s.  My grandmother saw him alight, and supposing him to be her son, ran out, threw her arms around and kissed him, before she discovered her mistake.  He was wonderfully like my uncle Austin and gave his name as ‘Leake’ from one of the Northern States.  He was traveling for pleasure and remained some weeks at my grandfather’s.  He said he was descended by a second marriage from a very (sic) Englishman on the ‘marches of Wales’ and the only son by the first marriage ‘was stolen by gypsies.’

“Up to that time our name had been spelt ‘Leak’ but this young gentleman convinced my grandfather that the true spelling was Leake, and so it has remained ever since.”  The above photo is of Sutton Hall, the ancestral home of the Leke/Leake/Leak/Leeke/Leeks.

There’s the debate regarding whether there is a connection of the ancestors of William Leake & Robin Hood.  Information comes from the following website if you’re interested in reading more. 
http://www.robinhoodloxley.net/default.htm

It is believed that Robert de Lockesly was Robin Hood.  Below is a record of 1245 A.D. that connects him to the Leake/Leak/Leeke/Leek/Leke Family

Ascension Day, 29 H. III., Nic Meverill, with John Kantia, on the one part, and Henry de Leke. Henry released to Nicolas and John 5 m. rent, which he received from Nicolas and John and Robert de Lockesly for his life from the lands of Gellery, in consideration of receiving from each of them 2 M. only, the said Henry to live at table with one of them and to receive 2 m. annually from the other.

Their home in Goochland County, Va. Was called Rocky Spring.

A descendant of William Leake, was Walter Leake who became Gov. of Mississippi.  John McCain, presidential candidate is also a descendant of the Leake family.

SIR FRANCIS LEAKE 1500-1611 & MARY EGIOKE 1588-1630


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