Isaac Van Leer
Isaac Van Leer (1772–1821) was a well known Pennsylvania Ironmaster and owner of Van Leer Pleasant Hill Plantation, a historic stone farmhouse. On outset of the American Revolutionary War, his family's furnace supplied cannon and cannon balls for the Revolutionary Army.[1]
Isaac Van Leer | |
---|---|
Born | |
Died | August 10, 1821 49) | (aged
Occupation | Ironmaster, Entrepreneur |
Spouse(s) | Elizabeth Culbertson |
Children | Wayne, Linford, Margaret, Hannah |
Parent(s) | Samuel Van Leer Hannah Wayne |
Relatives | Captain Samuel Van Leer (father) "Mad"General Anthony Wayne (uncle) Anthony Wayne Van Leer (brother) Dr. Bernardhus Van Leer (grandfather) Isaac Wayne (grandfather) |
Biography
Isaac Van Leer was born in 1772 at Marple Township. After his mother's death, he was raised by his father Captain Samuel Van Leer a notable person, known for starting his military career with his neighbor General Anthony Wayne during American Revolutionary War. His family's furnace supplied cannon and cannon balls for the Revolutionary Army.[2] His grandfather Bernardhus Van Leer was also notable, known for traveling on horseback until the age of 102[3] and being one of the first medical doctors in New York. Bernardhus would later be studied at several medical universities.[4] On April 17, 1800, he married Elizabeth Culbertson whose family also fought in the Battle of the Boyne.[5] In 1815 he purchased the Hibernia House and built a furnace of his own. Van Leer's family and history[6] is also part of historical tour for the Van Leer Cabin[7][8] and Isaac's family home Van Leer Pleasant Hill Plantation. His family was considered one of the more well known families in Pennsylvania at the time and noted in the anti-slavery cause. [9] Another Van Leer Cabin was used as a station for the Underground Railroad.[10]
Isaac had four children with his wife Elizabeth. All children would own or be involved with the iron industry, except Lindford who died from a fall.
Descendants:
- Wayne Van Leer, moved to Texas in the 1800s.[11](son)
- Blake Ragsdale Van Leer, a notable military Colonel and president of Georgia Tech (great-grandson)
- Maryly Van Leer Peck, daughter of Blake was inducted in the Florida Women's Hall of Fame and received an award from Daughters of the American Revolution.[12]
- Isaac Van Leer, Isaac's son enlisted for the Union during the Civil War at age 15.[13]
References
- "Samuel van Leer welcomed the Revolution with enthusiasm".
- Anthony and Mary (Penrose) Wayne Family Bible
- "Dr. Bernardhus Van Leer".
- Lansing, D. I. (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.
- Caust-Ellenbogen, Celia. ""Mad" Anthony Wayne". Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
- Jordan, John Woolf (1962). "Mother's an Engineer". Historical Society of Pennsylvania. pp. 1322–1325. ISBN 9780806352398.
- "Dating the Van Leer Cabin".
- "Valley Forge Historical Society". 1962.
- Smith Futhey, J. (2007). "History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, Biographies". History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, Biographies. pp. 687–688. ISBN 9780788443879.
- "Historical Sites, Mortonson-Schorn Log Cabin". Gloucester County, New Jersey. Retrieved 2020-02-24.
- "History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with Genealogical and Biographical". The Portal to Texas History. 2007. pp. 366–367.
- "The National Community Service Award by the National Society of the daughters of the American Revolution".
- 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.
Sources
- Pleasants, Henry; Delaware County Historical Society (1907). History of Old St. David's Church Radnor, Delaware County, Pennsylvania. John C.Winston Co. pp. 206.
- (Van Leer) Family History