Abigail Leonard and Josiah Sumner miraculously spared by God during a mob attack in Jackson County

On the night of February 20, 1834, in Jackson County, Missouri, a mob consisting of approximately fifty to sixty armed men arrived at the home of Abigail and Lyman Leonard. The group, which included individuals identified as John Youngs, Mr. Yocum, Mr. Cantril, Mr. Patterson, and Mr. Noland, brandished whips and guns. During the confrontation, the mob members threatened Abigail Leonard’s life, telling her with an oath, 'If I did not go in they would blow me through.' In a courageous attempt to protect her household, Abigail intervened to disarm the mob and called upon a neighbor, Mrs. Brace, for assistance. Despite these efforts, the mob proceeded with their violence. Josiah Sumner, who was present at the residence, was forcibly taken from the house and suffered severe beatings and injuries from being whipped. Lyman Leonard was also subjected to a brutal whipping, leaving him in such a condition that he was unable to stand. This account is documented in Abigail Leonard’s own affidavit, sworn on February 24, 1834.

Fuller account of this event (in the witness’s own words):

I, Abigail Leonard, depose and say, that on the night of the 20th of February, 1834, in the county of Jackson, and State of Missouri, a company of men, armed with whips and guns, about fifty or sixty in number, came to the house of my husband; among them was John Youngs, Mr. Yocum, Mr. Cantrell, Mr. Patterson, and Mr. Noland. They came to the door and demanded that I should come out. I told them I would not. They then told me, with an oath, that if I did not go out, they would blow me through. I told them I was not afraid of their guns, and that I would not go out. They then broke open the door, and came in. I then took hold of one of them, and told him to go out. He said he would not. I then called for Mrs. Brace, who was in the house, to help me. She came, and we both took hold of him, and tried to put him out, but could not. They then took Mr. Josiah Sumner out of the house, and I heard them whipping him. He came in very bloody and bruised. They also took my husband out, and whipped him so that he could not stand. They then left the house, and went off.