William Leech (abt. 1830 - 1896)

Born about 1830 in Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom [uncertain]

Husband of Emma Johnson (Drew) Leech — married 27 Jan 1862 in D'Urban, Natal, South Africa

Died 7 Jan 1896 at about age 66 in St. George's Street, Durban, Natal, South Africa

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William Leech migrated from England to Natal, South Africa.

Biography

William was born in about 1830.

William emigrated from England to the Colony of Natal, where he married Emma Johnson Drew on 27 January 1862 at St Paul's Church, D'Urban, Colony of Natal, after Banns^[1]. They were both of full age. William was a Bachelor, a Builder whose address was given as Grey Street, D'Urban; Emma was of Pine Terrace, D'Urban. The witnesses were Emma's siblings Diana Drew and George Drew.

The wedding was a triple affair with Emma's sister Rose marrying John Hillary, and John's brother James Hillary marrying Sarah Hamblin. It was a picturesque affair, as the bridal parties were driven to St Paul's Church, D'Urban in a flower bedecked ox wagon, which aroused much interest.

They had at least three children:

1. Frank Leech (b. 8 Apr 1863)
2. Joe Leech (b. 12 May 1865, d. 1926)
3. Thomas Spencer Leech (b. 1867, d. 28 Apr 1925)

William went on to become a Hotel Keeper.

He passed away in 1896 at the age of 66 due to a Cerebral Hemorrhage^[2].

Sources

1. ↑ "South Africa, Natal Province, Civil Marriages, 1845-1955," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KDCK-Z5M : 27 December 2014), William Leech and Emma Johnson Drewes, 27 Jan 1862; citing D'Urban, Natal, South Africa; 00284; National Archives and Records Service of South Africa, Pretoria; 1,259,159.
2. ↑ "South Africa, Natal Province, Civil Deaths, 1863-1955," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QG6G-RV8W : 23 January 2019), William Leech, 7 Jan 1896; Death, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, The National Archives of South Africa (NARS), Pretoria; FHL microfilm 2,092,394.

• "South Africa, Pietermaritzburg Estate Files 1846-1950," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QLKL-1FCG : 14 August 2019), William Leech, 1896; citing Probate, Pietermaritzburg Archives (Formerly Natal State Archives), South Africa.