Bernardhus Van Leer

Bernardhus Van Leer[lower-alpha 1] (1687–January 26, 1790) was a German-American early settler of the Province of Pennsylvania. He worked as a physician and was father of American Revolutionary War Captain Samuel Van Leer.

Bernardhus Van Leer
Born
Bernardhus Van Leer

1687
near Isenberg, Germany
DiedJanuary 26, 1790 (104)
Marple Township
OccupationPhysician
TitleDr.
Spouse(s)Mary Branson (1733-1749), Christina Fuls (1750-1790)
Children14
Parent(s)Johann George Van Leer, Mary Van Leer
RelativesSamuel Van Leer (son)

He built the Barnardus Van Leer House in Marple Township, Pennsylvania, c. 1742 and owned the land in Tredyffrin Township, Pennsylvania, on which his son Isaac built the Van Leer Cabin c. 1800.

Biography

Van Leer was born near Isenberg, Germany in the electorate of Hesse[4] to Johann George and Mary van Lohr. He emigrated to the Province of Pennsylvania with his family at age 11 in 1698.[2] During his youth, he was sent back to Europe to be educated as a physician.[5]

As an adult, he traveled to Germany and studied medicine for several years. He returned to Pennsylvania and opened a medical practice in Chester County.[2] Van Leer maintained an exclusive office practice, which was unique for the time.[1]

Van Leer built the Barnardus Van Leer House in Marple Township, Pennsylvania, c. 1742 with assistance from his father in law.[1]

In 1759, Van Leer purchased 109 acres in what is now Treddyffrin Township, Pennsylvania.[6]

Personal life

Van Leer married Mary Branson, the daughter of wealthy merchant, William Branson, who owned the historical Warrenpoint William Branson House and was a leader in the colonial iron industry[7] Together Bernardhus and Mary had five children. Mary died and Van Leer took a second wife and together they had an additional nine children.[4]

Bernardhus' son Samuel Van Leer served as a military officer for the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.[2] His other son Benjamin Van Leer became a prominent doctor in Philadelphia.[1]

He was known locally as "the centenarian".[8] He kept his health well into his later years and was known to travel 30 miles by horseback between his properties even at the age of 100. He was beaten by burglars in his home at the age of 102 and never fully recovered from his injuries.[4] He died on January 26, 1790, at the age of 104.[2]

Legacy

After Bernardhus's death, his son Isaac built the Van Leer Cabin on the Tredyffrin property that had been deeded to him.[6]

See also

Notes
  1. Also spelled Bernhard or Bernhardus, and Vanleer, von Löhr, von Loehr, or von Lähr.[1][2][3]

Citations
  1. 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): 44–46. PMID 4916432. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  2. 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.
  3. J. Smith Futhey (1881). History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with Genealogical and Biographical Sketches, VOLUME 2 ONLY. Heritage Books. pp. 752–753. ISBN 978-0-7884-4387-9.
  4. Smith, George (1862). History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, From the Discovery of the Territory Included Within Its Limits to the Present Time, With a Notice of the Geology of the County, and Catalogues of Its Minerals, Plants, Quadrupeds and Birds. Philadelphia: Henry B. Ashmead. pp. 508–509. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  5. "Dr. Bernardhus Van Leer". www.vanleerarchives.org. Van Leer Family Archives & History. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  6. Southwell, Priscilla L. Cox (1983). "Dating the Van Leer Cabin". Tredyffrin Easttown History Quarterly. 21 (3): 91–96.
  7. "Branson Family". www.vanleerarchives.org. Van Leer Archives. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  8. The Pennsylvania-German Society, Volume 17. Lancaster, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania German Society. 1908. p. 452. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
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