LEAK-MONSELL-ASHTON FAMILY HOUSE
This home on Bartlett Road was built prior to 1750. At the time of the Revolution the Leek family occupied the house. Captain Leek was an officer serving with the Burlington rangers in New Jersey. State archives in New Jersey show him twice escorting prisoners to Trenton. Tradition states that while Leek was away during the war, some British soldiers stopped at the Leek home. Knowing the Leeks to be patriots they demanded that Mrs. Leek prepare them dinner. While waiting, one of the British officers began to strike the handle of his sword against panels on the wall, listening for a hollow sound where valuables might be stored. An anxious Mrs. Leek watched this knowing that a secret panel did exist next to the fireplace. In this panel were silver pieces and other valuables. The soldiers did not find anything and left after dinner. Shortly after the war Leek sold the house to another Revolutionary war veteran Alexander Monsell and moved back to New Jersey. Alexander and his wife Mary (Moger) had 7 children: Jacob, John, Nathaniel, Samuel, Isaac, Jesse, and Hannah. While living in this home Monsell purchased 2 slaves. The Brookhaven Town Historians office provided a copy of the bill of sale. "John Newton of Brookhaven for fifty-five pounds sells to Alexander Monsil of the township above said ' a certain negro woman named Jud being about twenty eight years of age an also a Negro boy named Oliver about five years old…' 9th Feb. 1797 At the time of his death in 1807 Alexander Monsell's will left the farm to his son Nathaniel. During this time a Methodist minister, Reverend Dickerson, spent the night with the Monsells.It was then discovered that he was a descendent of Captain Leek. It was Dickerson who told the Revolutionary tale of the secret cupboard. Upon examination the secret panel was found and in the cupboard behind it was the hiding place built into the solid brickwork of the chimney. Nathaniel and his wife Mary (Smith) had eleven children. 1. Mary E. Monsell b. Feb. 5
1838 Their daughter Isabel
married James Ashton and took ownership of the house when
Nathaniel died. Her sister Jerusha married Adam Bubb and
moved into the house next door. The Ashtons had four
daughters: Minnie, Alice, Julia and Frances. Minnie took
possession of the house and was the last family member to
own it. Information compiled by: |
