Stephen Greenleaf, Jr.

Stephen Greenleaf, Jr.
Husband:
Stephen Greenleaf, Jr. Born: in Newbury, MA, 15 August 1652.
Died: in Newbury, MA, 13 October 1743.
Father: Captain Stephen Greenleaf.
Mother: Elizabeth Coffin.

First Wife:  Elizabeth Gerrish Born: in Newbury, MA, 20 September 1654.
Died: probably in Newbury, MA, 5 August 1712.

Father: Captain William Gerrish.
Mother: Joanna Lowle.
Married: probably in Newbury, MA 23 October 1676.
Second Wife: Mrs. Hannah Jordan Married: in 1713.

Stephen, Jr. was a prominent man in public affairs. He was a selectman in Newbury in 1675-76. Like his father, he was Ensign, appointed Lieutenant in 1685, and Captain of Militia in 1689. He served in King Philips War on the Connecticut River and was wounded in the Battle of Hatfield, MA. He was famed for his services in the Indian wars and was known as “the great Indian fighter.” The following notes give an account of some of his experiences with the Indians:

“In 1689, he was appointed agent of the state to treat with the Indians at Pennacock. May 18, 1695, he files a petition for relief, and presents the bill for professional services of Dr. Humphrey Bradstreet, which reads: ‘Bill for curing Capt. Stephen Greenleaf, who was wounded while moving a family who had been taken from Newbury by the Indians.’ On the fifth of March, 1696, Captain Greenleaf addressed the following petition to the general court: ‘The petition of Captain Greenleaf, of Newbury, Humbly Showeth: That upon the Seventh of October last, about three o’clock in the afternoon, a party of Indians surprised a family at Turkey Hill in said town, captured nine persons, women and children, rifled the house, carrying away bedding and dry goods. Only one person escaped, and gave notice to the next family, and they to the town; upon the alarm your petitioner with a party of men pursued after the enemy, endeavoring to line the river Merrimack to prevent their passage, by which means the captives were recovered and brought back. The enemy lay in a gully hard by the roadway and about nine at night made a shot at Your Petitioner, and shot him through the wrist, between the bones, and also made a large wound on his side, which would have been very painful and costly to your petitioner in the cure of them, and have in a great measure utterly taken away the use of his left hand, and wholly taken off from his employment this winter. Your petitioner therefore honorably prays this honorable court that they would make him such compensation as shall seem fit; which he shall thankfully acknowledge, and doubts not but will be an encouragement to others, and possibly to relieve their neighbors when assaulted by so barbarous an enemy, And your petitioner shall every pray.’

                                                                               “(Signed) Stephen Greenleaf”

“March 6 —- Read and voted that there be paid out of the province treasury to the Petitioner the sum of forty pounds.”

This is said to be the only instance in which the Indians attacked, “captivated,” or killed any of the inhabitants of Newbury.

Captain Stephen Jr. and his first wife Elizabeth (Gerrish) Greenleaf had ten children, all born in Newbury, MA:

Elizabeth, b. 12 Jan. 1677/8; m. Henry Clarke, son of Nathaniel Clarke.

Daniel, b. 10 Feb. 1679/80; m. Elizabeth Gookin, daughter of Samuel Gookin.

Stephen, b. Aug. 1682; d. 15 Oct. 1688.

William, b. 1 April 1684; d. 15 April 1684.

Joseph, b. 12 April 1686; m. Thomasine Mayo.

Sarah, b. 19 July 1688; m. Richard Kent.

Stephen, b. 21 Oct. 1690; m. Mary Macrest, daughter of Benoni Macrest.

John, b. 29 Aug. 1693; m. Sarah Smith, daughter of James Smith.

Benjamin, b. 14 Dec. 1695; probably died young.

Moses, b. 24 Feb. 1697/8.