which were working to take the institution not only further out of the practical lines he had in the outset marked for its course, but also to make it more agreeable to the political party to which he was opposed. He attended the regular meeting subsequent to Dr. Peters election; but infrequently afterwards, and in the April following as stated before, he sailed for England. The heat of local politics may have fused some antagonisms which served to counteract his influence in the Board, and indicated for the welfare of the College that some one identified with the Proprietary interest should preside over their deliberations, and who so fitting as the constant churchman and faithful Secretary Richard Peters, whose election if any other was to be chosen could not but be acceptable to his friend Franklin.
Thomas Leech was the son of Toby and Hester Leech of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, who came to America in the year 1682, and settled in Cheltenham township, now in Montgomery County. They are buried in Trinity Church, Oxford, Philadelphia, the inscription on their joint stone being quoted by the Rev. Dr. Buchanan in his Early History of Trinity Church.[1] Thomas Leech was clerk to the Assembly from 1723 to 1727, and a representative of Philadelphia County for nearly thirty years, and was Speaker pro tem in 1758 "in the room of Isaac Norris, who fell sick." In the controversy in the assembly over Judge Moore's case, which must be reviewed in later pages on account of Provost Smith's part in it, Mr. Leech was an active participant, and was Chairman of the committee which framed the address to the Governor asking Moore's removal. He was a Vestryman of Christ Church for many years, and Warden in 1728 and again in 1746–47. He was with his fellow Trustees, Lawrence and Peters, signer of the letter of 23 April, 1741, from the Vestry of Christ Church to the Bishop of London announcing the death of the Rector, Rev. Archibald Cummings. And we find him in 1760 joining with many of his fellow trus-
- ↑ Two Discourses, &c., Philadelphia, 1885, p. 108. Their second son John born in Philadelphia shortly after their arrival was said to have been the first male child born here of English parents: Old York Road and its Early Associations, Philadelphia, 1890, p. 67.
