Leonard, Abiel

Leonard, Abiel S.T.D., an army chaplain and Congregational minister, was born at Plymouth, Mass., Nov. 5,1740; graduated at Harvard College in 1759; and was ordained pastor of the original Church in Woodstock, Conn., in 1763. In 1775 he was appointed chaplain in the Revolutionary army, and was in the service of his country until 1778. when he went home on a furlough to see his sick child. Having remained longer than the appointed time, he found, upon his return, that he was superseded, which news so affected him that he put an end to his life in the western part of Connecticut, Aug. 14,1778. Dr. Leonard was an elegant speaker, and published two sermons. See Cong. Quar. 1861. p. 350.