Samuel Van Leer | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Captain inAmerican Revolutionary War | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1747-01-07)January 7, 1747 Marple Township,Province of Pennsylvania,British America |
| Died | October 15, 1825(1825-10-15) (aged 78) East Nantmeal, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Resting place | St. Mary's Episcopal Church,Elverson, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Spouse | Hannah Wayne |
| Children | 8 |
| Relatives | Bernardhus Van Leer(father) Isaac Van Leer(son) Isaac Wayne(father in-law) Anthony Wayne(brother in-law) Florence Van Leer Earle(granddaughter) George Earle II(grandson) |
| Occupation | Ironmaster |
| Nickname | Capt Samuel |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Branch/service |  Continental Army U.S. Army |
| Years of service | 1777–1781 |
| Rank |  Captain 1775–1781Lieutenant 1780–1781 |
| Commands | Seventh Company, Fifth Battalion, Chester County Militia Chester County Light Horse Volunteers |
| Battles/wars | |
CaptainSamuel Van Leer (January 7, 1747 – October 15, 1825) was a military officer fromPennsylvania who served as a captain in theContinental Army during theAmerican Revolutionary War and as a lieutenant in the Chester County Light Horse Volunteers from 1781 to 1785. After his retirement from the military, he owned theReading Furnace ironworks.
He was a member of the influentialVan Leer family. His fatherBernardhus Van Leer was an early settler of theProvince of Pennsylvania. He married the sister of American Revolutionary War GeneralAnthony Wayne. His sonIsaac Van Leer was a U.S. Congressman.
Van Leer was born in 1747 inMarple Township,Province of Pennsylvania,British America to Mary (Branson) andBernardhus Van Leer.[1][2] His maternal grandfather is William Branson who was an ironworks pioneer and owned the historical homeWarrenpoint.[3]
In 1770, Samuel married Hannah Wayne, daughter toIsaac Wayne and sister toAnthony Wayne.[4]
Van Leer was commissioned captain of theSeventh Company, Fifth Battalion of the Chester County Militia on May 17, 1777.[5] He fought with Anthony Wayne during theBattle of Paoli, theBattle of Brandywine and theBattle of Germantown.[2] All of his brothers were military officers during the war.[5]
He was a commanding officer in the 4th Battalion 1780 under Lt. Col. John Bartholomew.[6] He served as lieutenant of the Chester County Light Horse Volunteers from 1780 to 1781.[7]
After his retirement from the military, Captain Samuel went on to grow his Iron business inReading Furnace, formerly owned by his grandfather William Branson.[5] He lived in the historical mansion on site with his wife Hannah.[8]
He inherited two plantations in East Nantmeal, Pennsylvania from his brother, Dr. Branson Van Leer, and died there in October, 1825.[5]
Van Leer and his family owned several historic properties including theVan Leer Cabin in Tredyffin Township, Pennsylvania, theMortonson–Van Leer Log Cabin, anUnderground Railroad station inSwedesboro, New Jersey,[9][10][11] and theVan Leer Pleasant Hill Plantation in West Nantmeal, Pennsylvania.[12] Van Leer's also supported the free black community known as theVillage of Lima.[13]
Samuel had eight children with his wife Hannah. On 10 July 1786, Hannah gave birth to twin girls and died due to birth complications. After her death, Anthony Wayne offered to have Van Leer's children stay with his family. Van Leer declined the offer and kept his children at his home and never remarried.[2]