Leonard Wood Hastings (1803–1883): The Faithful Farmer of New Ipswich
Leonard Wood Hastings was one of the most stalwart, generous, and unwavering Sabbatarian Adventist pioneers in New England. Born in Ashburnham, Massachusetts on August 14, 1803, his father Captain Charles Hastings was a Revolutionary War hero who fought under General Lafayette. Leonard established a prosperous farm in New Ipswich, New Hampshire, married Elvira Burrows in 1832, and became a close friend and benefactor of Captain Joseph Bates, Elder James White, and Ellen G. White.
The Famous 1844 Potato Crop Miracle
In the summer of 1844, as the Midnight Cry spread across New England, Leonard Hastings felt convicted by the Spirit of God to bear a public testimony of his faith. When harvest time arrived in October 1844, he refused to dig his potato crop, leaving the potatoes in the ground to show his neighbors that he truly believed Jesus Christ was coming on October 22.
Townspeople laughed and called him foolish. But shortly after harvest, a catastrophic potato rot blight swept New England, destroying the harvested potatoes in farmers' cellars throughout the region.
In the spring of 1845, when farmers had no seed potatoes to plant, Leonard went out to his field and dug up his potatoes. Every potato left in the ground was completely sound, dry, and healthy! He sold his sound potatoes for premium prices as seed, giving God the glory. With the proceeds from this miracle, Leonard was able to fund James White's early printing of The Present Truth and support Joseph Bates's travel!
Faithfulness Through Trial & Single Fatherhood
When his beloved wife Elvira Hastings died on February 28, 1850, Ellen White received a divine vision (Letter 10, 1850) confirming that Elvira was sealed and would come up at the voice of God in the special resurrection to stand with the 144,000.
Left as a single father with six children, Leonard's faith shone brightly. On June 22, 1850, Elder James White visited New Ipswich and baptized four of his children: Harriet, George, Sarah, and Emma.
Later Leadership & Legacy
Leonard Hastings continued to host Sabbath meetings in his home and helped organize the New England Conference in 1870. In 1875, he served as Vice President of the New England Tract & Missionary Society and received a ministerial license to preach the Advent truth.
He passed away on April 11, 1883 at age 79 and was buried in Central Cemetery, New Ipswich, NH, beside his wives Elvira and Martha.
Pioneer & Study Resource Connections
- Mrs. Elvira Hastings — Wife, sealed pioneer, and special resurrection witness.
- The 144,000 Master Hub — Complete study on sanctuary, sealing, and special resurrection.
- Captain Joseph Bates — Close friend and author of A Seal of the Living God.
- Elder James White — Baptized the Hastings children on June 22, 1850.
- Ellen G. White — Received Letter 10, 1850 vision of Elvira's sealing.
- J. N. Loughborough — Historian who recorded the 1844 potato miracle.
- Master Site Index — Complete directory of SundayLaw.com.