• Born: 21 Dec 1729, Philadelphia PA
• Died: 16 Nov 1802, Philadelphia PA

  General notes:

Silversmith

  Events in his life were:

• Alternate Mark.

• Alternate Mark.

• Apprenticed about 1742, possibly with Philip Syng in Philadelphia PA
  

• He worked circa 1750-1767 as a silversmith in Philadelphia PA first from a shop on Walnut Street and after 1752, on Front Street. By the late 1760s Leacock had gained such prominence that he could retire to the country to take up the pursuits of a gentleman farmer. He left his business in Philadelphia in 1767 and bought an estate in Lower Merion, about seven miles from Philadelphia. Interested in agricultural experiments, Leacock promoted the establishment of a public vineyard, with the help of the American Philosophical Society. He also gained prominence as a propagandist during the Revolution, writing a number of influential plays and poems against the Crown. He moved back to Philadelphia in 1780, and was appointed city coroner by 1785.

• Advertised: Pennsylvania Gazette, on 27 Jun 1751. Announcing "John Leacock, Goldsmith, is removed from Second street to the Sign of the Cup in Water street, Philadelphia, where he continues to carry on the business as before, and gentlemen may be supplied with all sorts of new and fash­ionable plate, at the most reasonable rates, and may depend upon its being done in the neatest manner. N.B. He like­wise has some goldsmiths tools to dispose of viz:—Raising and bellying anvils, bottom stakes, binding wire, crucibles, files, etc."

• Advertised: Pennsylvania Gazette, on 29 Nov 1753, in Philadelphia PA. Announcing "John Leacock, having removed from Walnut Street in Front street opposite Mr. Norris's alley at the sign of the golden cup hereby gives notice that he continues to carry on the business as formerly where all persons in town may be supplied with gold and silver work."

• Example: Baby rattle, circa 1755-1760, in Philadelphia Museum of Art. L: 5 1/4"
  wt: 1 oz, 12 dwt

• Advertised: Pennsylvania Gazette, on 15 May 1757. Announcing "At the Sign of the Cup, in Front-street, Philadelphia; Variety of Silver-mounted Small Swords, either chased, gadroon, or fluted, or plain. Likewise all Sorts of Gold and Silver Work, at the most reasonable Rates."

• Example: Caster, circa 1760, in Philadelphia Museum of Art. H: 5 13/16"
  d: 2 7/16" (at waist)
  wt: 4 oz, 3 dwt

• Example: Creamer, circa 1765, in Private Collection. H: 5 7/8''
  l: 7 5/8''
  Engraved L over M * H.

• Example: Teapot, circa 1780, in Private Collection. H: 15"
  wt: 44 oz, 10 dwt
  Engraced WMPC in a foliate cartouche.