"… Sarah Heald, born in England, died at Springfield, 23 Nov. 1711. … [Her] origin is … unknown, and since no Heald family was early settled at Springfield, she may have been brought there by a relative or as an indentured servant. It should be noted that in the next generation Gershom Hale or Heald, son of John Heald of Concord, settled in Springfield, and Sarah may have been Gershom's aunt and sister of John. …
After the widow's death, action was taken to distribute her dower, 10 Sept. 1714. 'As to a Distribution of the Wd Sarah Tilton, alias Leonard's Thirds of the lands of her first Husband Leonard's estate which is £120 by the Court apprizal which is to Joseph Leonard £21.16.5 to the rest of the children being nine £10.18.12 apiece the sons and their heirs to have all the lands and the daughters and their heirs to be paid their shares by said sons in equall proportion.' Distribution was made 8 Apr. 1718 of 'some land in Springfield that was heretofore the estate of John Leonard … and left to or settle upon Sarah Leonard the widow … which land lyeth over Agawam River,' mention being made of the agreement of 10 Jan. 1676/7. The heirs named were: Joseph Leonard Dec'd's heirs (a double portion); Benjamin; Josiah Leonard representative of Josiah Dec'd; the representatives of Sarah Keep; Mary Bliss; the representatives of Martha Waite; the representatives of Lydia Bedortha; the representatives of Hannah Simon; Rebecca Billings; the representatives of Rachel Hancock; and Deborah Looff."