Richard Leader facts for kids

Richard Leader (1609–1661) was an English businessman. He was the first manager of the Saugus Iron Works. This was the first large iron-making factory in North America. Later, he worked in business in Maine and Barbados.

Early Life and Family

Richard Leader was born in 1609. On October 11, 1628, he married Elizabeth Stacy. She was from Uckfield, England. They had two children together. Richard was a merchant in Salehurst. He traded goods between England and Ireland.

Building the Saugus Iron Works

It's not fully known how Richard Leader learned about making iron. He probably had some experience with iron factories in Ireland.

In 1645, a company called the "Undertakers for the Iron Works in New England" hired Leader. He took over as manager from John Winthrop the Younger. Leader signed a seven-year contract. He would earn £100 each year.

After arriving in Massachusetts, Leader looked at different places for the iron works. He chose a spot in Lynn. This area is now part of Saugus. It was located on the Saugus River.

The new iron works was called Hammersmith. It started working in 1646. Leader first rented the land. Then, in 1647, he bought it. In 1650, Leader left the Iron Works. He had some disagreements with the company. John Gifford took his place.

Leader's Beliefs

In 1646, some people like Robert Child were put in prison. They had asked for freedom of religion. They were held at Richard Leader's house. Child wrote that Leader had many interesting books, especially about religious topics.

In 1651, Leader was found to have spoken against the church and government. He had to pay a fine. He later accepted his mistake and paid the money.

New Adventures in Maine and Barbados

After leaving the iron works, Leader tried to mine copper. This was at John Endecott's farm in Salem, Massachusetts. But this business was not successful.

In 1650, Leader moved to South Berwick, Maine. This area was then part of Kittery. He was given the special right to use the Little River. He wanted to build mills there. His sawmill had nineteen saws. It was called the "Great Works" and did a lot of business.

In 1652, Leader became a magistrate. This meant he was a local official who could enforce laws. He later bought a house and farm in Strawbery Banke (New Hampshire). He sold this property in 1655.

By 1656, Richard Leader was in Barbados. He worked in sugar refining and making salt there. In 1660, he wrote a letter. He complained about the hot climate in Barbados. He also said that if it wasn't for the enslaved workers there, he would rather live in New England. He planned to leave "this western world" for Ireland. He thought Ireland was the best place for profit and pleasure. This was surprising because Ireland was in a very difficult state after a war.

Leader was sick and could not leave Barbados until spring 1661. He died in Kittery on December 27, 1661. He had two daughters, Elizabeth Hole and Anna Clark.