Sheppard Church Leakin was born in 1790, in Govanstown, Maryland (now Baltimore).

[1][2] His ancestors emigrated from Northumberland, England in 1684 and acquired an estate on the Patapsco River.

He was part of the defense of Baltimore at the Battle of North Point and Fort McHenry in the War of 1812.

His son, George Armistead Leakin, was a reverend in Baltimore County.

[1][4] Leakin died on November 20, 1867, at his home in Spring Hill in Baltimore County.