HASTINGS, Leonard (1803-1883) and (first wife) Elvira (c. 1808-1850) and (second wife) Martha (c. 1819-1888)

Pioneer laypersons from New Ipswich, New Hampshire, and early friends of Ellen and James White. Elvira Hastings is said to have become “a full believer” in Ellen White's visions by 1847. Ellen White devoted several pages of her autobiographical account in Spiritual Gifts to a description of the dramatic events that attended her visit to the Hastings family in 1849.1EGWLM 843.1

Leonard Hastings, a New Ipswich farmer, not only pioneered the Seventh-day Adventist message in his own area but was later given a ministerial license by the New England Conference in 1875 and preached further afield. He also served as vice president of the New England Tract and Missionary Society for a period in the 1870s.1EGWLM 843.2

See: Obituary: “Leonard W. Hastings,” Review, June 5, 1883, p. 367; W. [James White], “Our Tour East,” Advent Review, August 1850 (No. 1), p. 14; obituary: “Martha C. Hastings,” Review, July 3, 1888, p. 431; Charles H. Chandler, The History of New Ipswich, New Hampshire, 1735-1914, pp. 288, 457; James White to “Sister Hastings,” Aug. 22, 1847; Ellen G. White, Spiritual Gifts [vol. 2], pp. 109-113; S. N. Haskell, “The New England Conference,” Review, Sept. 16, 1875, p. 86; L. W. Hastings, “Report of the General Quarterly Meeting of the N. E. Tract and Missionary Society,” Review, Apr. 1, 1875, p. 110.1EGWLM 843.3