 After moving to Hingham, Leavitt's first wife Mary died, and he subsequently remarried at Hingham on December 16, 1646, Sarah Gilman, daughter of Edward Gilman Sr., a fellow Hingham resident who later removed with his family to Ipswich, Massachusetts, and thence to Exeter, New Hampshire, where the Gilman family became well-known businessmen, statesmen and American patriots.Sarah Gilman's sister Lydia married Daniel Cushing, who became Hingham's town clerk  and John Leavitt's lifelong friend and, later, witness to his will.Leavitt became active in Hingham town affairs, was named a Sergeant in the militia, as well as Deputy to the Massachusetts General Court from 1656–64, a Selectman  for the town in 1661 and many subsequent years, and then Deacon of the church, pastored by Rev.