Bernardhus Van Leer

Bernardhus Van Leer (1687–January 1790)[lower-alpha 1] was a German-American physician centenarian, who was father of American Revolutionary War Captain Samuel Van Leer and physician Benjamin van Leer.[5][2][6][3][4]

Bernardhus Van Leer
Born
Bernardhus Van Leer

1687
Hesse
Died1790 (104)
Marple Township
OccupationDoctor
TitleDr.
Spouse(s)Mary Branson (1733-1749), Christina Fuls (1750-1790)
Children15[1]
Parent(s)Johann George Van Leer, Mary Van Leer
RelativesSamuel Van Leer (son)

Biography

Dr. Bernardhus Van Leer was born in Germany to Johann and Mary van Lohr or Van Leer, one of William Penn’s first investors[3] His family was from Birstein in Hesse and he immigrated to the New World at age 11 in 1698. His great-great-grandfather Hans von Leer or sometimes von Lähr fought for the Swiss in the Battle of Grandson [3] After spending seven years back in Europe, where he qualified as a physician, Dr. Van Leer maintained an exclusive office practice, which was unique for the time.[2] Dr. Van Leer's son Captain Samuel Van Leer would later play an important role in American history as a revolutionary war soldier and army supplier with his iron business. His neighbor Isaac Wayne's daughter married Capt Samuel Van Leer in 1770.

The Van Leer Cabin and Mortonson-Van Leer Log Cabin were part of his family's property.[6][7] Mortonson-Van Leer Cabin was used as a station for the Underground Railroad escape network for enslaved Afro-Americans.[8]

While some of Dr. Van Leer's descendants gained fame in medicine, others achieved different distinguished careers in US history e.g.:

  • Samuel Van Leer, (1747–1825) ironmaster and captain in the American Revolutionary War (son)
  • Isaac Wayne Van Leer, enlisted for the Union during the Civil War at age 15 and was documented in several publications for his patriotism (great-grandson)[9]

See also

References
  1. Also spelled Bernhard or Bernhardus, and Vanleer, von Löhr, von Loehr, or von Lohr.[2][3][4]
  1. "Van Leer Family Papers (MS458)". Finding Aid. Archives, Library and Learning Excellence, Georgia Tech Library. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
  2. Lansing, Dorothy (July 1970). "The medical Van Leer family of Pennsylvania and New Jersey". Transactions & Studies of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. 38 (1): 44–6. PMID 4916432. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  3. Jordan, John W., ed. (1911). Colonial and Revolutionary Families of Pennsylvania; genealogical and Personal Memoirs, Volume III. Lewis Publishing Company. pp. 1320–1323. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  4. J. Smith Futhey (1881). History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with Genealogical and Biographical Sketches, VOLUME 2 ONLY. Heritage Books. p. 752. ISBN 978-0-7884-4387-9.
  5. Leaders in Georgia in Education, in Business and in the Arts. 1955. Dr. Bernardus Van Leer settled after coming with his parents, the Hon. John George Van Leer and wife, to America from Prussia in 1698. His son, Captain Samuel Van Leer, Ironmaster and owner of many furnaces in Chester county...fought in the American Revolution.
  6. Cox Southwell, Priscilla L. (1983). "Dating the Van Leer Cabin". Tredyffrin Easttown History Quarterly. 21 (3): 91–6.
  7. Stanley, Lois M (2012-02-20). Swedesboro and Woolwich Township. ISBN 9780738563343. Retrieved 2008-02-22.
  8. "Historical Sites, Mortonson-Schorn Log Cabin". Gloucester County, New Jersey. Retrieved 2020-02-24.
  9. Smith Futhey, J. (2007). "History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with Genealogical and Biographical". History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with Genealogical and Biographical. pp. 752–753. ISBN 9780788443879.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.