Genealogy Report: Update: Descendants of Adam Leever
Update:Descendants of Adam Leever
1.Adam1 Lieber/Leever was born Abt. 1750 in Alsace-Lorraine [Elzroth on Rhine?], and died Bet. 26 March - 06 April 1801 in Ferguson TWP, Centre County, Pennsylvania.He married (1) Unknown first wife.She died Bef. 1770 in Alsace-Lorraine.He married (2) Catherine Stroup Abt. 1776 in prob. Pennsylvania.She was born Bet. 1759 - 1760 in Pennsylvania, and died 15 September 1827.
Notes for Adam Lieber/Leever:
The life history of Adam Lieber (later: Leever) is complex and in need of further research.The following are documentary sources which shed some light on the course of his life.
R. B. Strassburger: "Pennsylvania German Pioneers" [Baltimore, 1975], Vol.I, page 729:List 281-C
"At messieurs Willing & Morris's Store, Philadelphia.October 1st, 1770
Present:Thomas Willing, Esq.
The foreigners whose names are hereunder written, imported in the ship Minerva, Thomas Arnott, Master
from Rotterdam, but last from Cowes, did this day take and subscribe the usual qualifications.Consigned
to Willing & Morris:ADAM LIEBER(and others)
[Notes:The "qualifications" taken by immigrants were oaths to the British Crown, to the Proprietors of the Province, and to the Province of Pennsylvania itself.A representative of the province such as Thomas Willing administered the oaths, which required a signature.Adam Lieber signed his name, but many of his fellow passengers on the Minerva could only manage an "X".
Rotterdam was the usual port of departure for emigres who came down the Rhine River on barges from the various small German states and German-speaking parts of Alsace-Lorraine.The Island of Cowes in the English Channel was a stop to take on fresh water.
The Minerva brought German immigrants to Philadelphia in the month of October in 1767, 1768, 1769 and 1770 and in the month of September in 1771 and 1772.]
"Portrait and Biographical Record of Western Oregon"[Chicago, 1904], p.age 764.
[The following is excerpted from a sketch of the life of William Constant Leever.The items in parenthesis are added by the compiler of this webpage]
"German conservatism and stability have taken an important part in the rising fortunes of the family,
and the paternal great-grandfather (Adam Leever I) to whom America offered a solace for the limitations
of his fatherland, embodied the best traits which make the Teutonic citizen a desirable acquisition for
any community.This sire settled in the state of Pennsylvania at an early day (1770), purchased farm
lands which he cultivated and handed down to his children, and where he died at an advanced age (1801).
His son Samuel, the next in the line of descent, established the family in the state of Ohio, where
William T. Leever, the father of William Constant Leever, was born February 27, 1829".
[The remainder of the article is about the family's life in Jackson County, Oregon]
Federal Census of 1880; Clermont County, Ohio-
In the entry for Lewis Leever (1797-1882), son of Adam Leever I, he states that his father was born in "Germany".
Family Tradition:
In the Joseph Leever (1794-1868) line, the tradition has been passed down to the present generation that the original
ancestor, Adam Leever I, was born in Alsace-Lorraine.
Hiram G. Leever letter of 1897:Excerpts
[Hiram G. Leever, son of Joseph Leever and grandson of Adam Leever I, replied on Dec.10, 1897 to an inquiry from a
cousin, William Earl Leever, about the history of the family.The original letter is in the possession of Bill Leever, grandson
of W. E. Leever,and the contents were made available to the compiler of this webpage.The adjective "Dutch" in Pennsylvania
usage was a corruption of "Deutsch" or German.]
"Grandfather Adam Leever was born in Germany-I can't tell what part.They both came from Germany and
were married when they came.Their children all talked Dutch and some of them had Dutch Bibles.
Grandfather's wife's name was Catherine Stroup.I don't know in what year they came to this country, but it
was before the Revolutionary war.I don't know how the name was spelled in Germany, but Uncle Adam
said it was spelled with one "e", but most of us write it Leever.I think Grandfather fought in the Revolution;
Uncle Peter and Adam were in the war of 1812."
Family document:handed down to Bill Leever in the William Earl Leever line; author unknown.
"Adam Leever came to this country before the Revolution, from Elzroth, Germany, a settlement near the
Rhine River.He was a widower with no children.He is the only one of the family that is known to have come
across the water to this country.In this country, he married Catherine Stroup.He must have been rather
young when he came to this country.
He settled in Centre County, Pennsylvania.Here he had a fine farm of 300 acres with a large spring on it.He
learned the blacksmith trade.
Died at the age of fifty years with pleurisy.Buried at the foot of Tussey Mountain, Pennsylvania.After his
death his wife and children moved to Goshen, Clermont County, Ohio.
His widow, who lived with Lewis Leever, died at the age of 66 or 67 years.There were nine children, seven
boys and two girls, of the following names:
Adam Leever, Peter Leever, George Leever, Benjamin Leever, Joseph Leever, Lewis Leever,
Samuel Leever, Barbara Leever, Betsy Leever."
Pennsylvania Arcbives:
Series III: Vol.19, p.412
[State tax list:Penn Township, Northumberland County]
ADAM LIVER203 pounds/ 5 shillings/ 0 pence[valuation of property]
Series III: Vol.19, p. 570
[Federal supply tax:Penn Township, Northumberland County]
ADAM LEVER8O acres,1 horse,1 cow
Tax (1783]-15 shillings, 2 pence
Tax (1784)-10 shillings, 2 pence
Series III: Vol.19, p.602
[State tax-Northumberland County, 1785]
ADAM LIEBER50 acres,2 horses,2 cattleTax:4 shillings, 0 pence
Series III: Vol.19, p. 663
[State tax-Northumberland County,1786]
ADAM LIEBER50 acres,2 horses,3 cattleTax:7 shillings,8 pence
Series III: Vol.25, p.16
[Warrantees of land-Northumberland County]
ADAM LEVER105 acresSurveyed:26 January 1792
Series VI: Vol.3, p. 624
[Northumberland County militia rolls: 1783-1790;Captain Philip Meyer's Company]
ADAM LEVER
ANDREW SHETTERLY(and others)
Series VI:Vol.11, pp.305-307
[Election returns-Northumberland County,10 October 1786]
ADAM LEVER,freeholder of Northumberland County, appointed inspector of elections
1790 Census:Northumberland County, Pennsylvania[page 191]
Head of family:ADAM LEVER
Free white male over 16 years of age:one
Free white males under 16: four
Free white females: two
Slaves:[none]
[Note:enumerated nearby, if not next door:ANDREW SHETTERLEY and family]
Information gathered at the Centre County (PA) Courthouse:
[notes taken by John Eugene Lever in 1977; given to the compiler]
(1)The coffin for Adam Leever cost $5.00
(2)Catherine Leever and her sons tried several times to break Adam's will and eventually
succeeded in about 1808.
(3)A deed was recorded 31 December 1799 indicating that Adam Leever of Potters Township of
Mifflin County (adjacent to Centre County which was formed in 1800) purchased a farm of
217 and one half acres from the estate of Reuben Haynes, Esq.The farm was located in
Ferguson Township of what became Centre County and the purchase price was 314 pounds
8 shillings and 9 pence.
(4)A deed was recorded by Adam's son Peter Leever selling to Andrew Stroup approximately 300 acres
for $3,750.51.This sale was to settle Adam's estate and was dated 12 October 1808.
Adam Leever's Will: 1801-Centre County, PennsylvaniaWill Book A, page 4,Will No.3
[transcribed by John Eugene Lever at Centre County Courthouse, Bellefonte, PA; 1977]
In the name of God Amen.The twenty sixth day of March in the year of our Lord 1801. I
Adam Leever of Ferguson Township in Centre County and State of Pennsylvania, yeoman,
being very sick and weak in body, but of perfect mind and memory, Thanks be to God for the
same.
And Calling to mind the mortality of my Body, and Knowing that it is appointed for all men
once to die,do make and ordain this my last will and testament.
That is to say, principally and first of all,I give and recommend my soul into the hands of
God that gave it.And for my body I recommend it to the earth, to be buried in a Christian
like and decent manner, at the discretion of my Executor,nothing doubting, but at the
general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty Power of God;and as
touching such worldy estate where with it hath pleased God to help me in this life,I give,
Devise, and Dispose of the same in manner and form followingthat is to say.In the first
place,I give and bequeath to Catherine my dearly beloved wife,After mylegal debts are paid;
the one-third part of my personal property;her bed, two cows, and one horse- Creature,her
choice of my stock, exclusive of the aforesaid property, together with her riding saddle;and
likewise the full privilege and enjoyment of all the profits and benefits accruing from the
Plantation I am now possessed of,for and during the term of twelve years from the present
date,Providing she remains unmarried;if not, the aforesaid privileges and enjoyments of the
aforesaid Plantation for the aforesaid term or time is to be null and void;
Likewise at the expiration of the aforesaid term, the aforementioned Plantation is to be
disposed of at Public Sale and the moneys arising there from, are to be divided among my
surviving family,in the manor and form as followeth.
That is my wife Catherinemy daugther Elizabethmy son Adamand my son Peter are to
receive each and every separate one of them an equal divided part of the first sale,or money,
and further my son George is likewise to receive an equal share of the aforementioned sale
equivalent to the aforementioned legaseis;
And further my daughter Barbara,and my son Benjamin,are to have an equal divided part
separate of the second sale or payment;And furthermore my sons Joseph and Lewis are to
have as aforesaid,each an equal divided part or payment as aforesaid.
And as it is evident that my wife is pregnant at the present juncture and the life of mankind
uncertain,I constitute and appoint that the infant shall be nurtured and sufficiently and
legally taken care of,and provided for during the years of its minority.The expenses thereof
to be defrayed equally out of the aforementioned legacies,exclusive of its own equal divided
part;which if it lives, it is to receive in rotation equivelent with the rest, and as for the
remaining sales or payments they are to be equally divided as they become due.
And further, it is my will and desire, that my son in law Philip Anshuts is to receive twenty
pounds legal money for his improvement of the aforementioned Plantation,exclusive of his
aforementioned legacies.
And I likewise Constitute, Make and ordain Valentine Fleegle,and William Richard, My
only and sole Executors of this my last will and Testament.
And I do hereby utterly Disallow, Revoke, and Disannul all and every other former
Testaments, Wills and legacies, Bequests and Executors, by me in any ways before this time
named, Willed and Bequeathed;Ratifying and Confirming this and no other to be my last
Will and Testament;in witness thereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this Day and
Year above written.
Signed, Seald, Published, Pronounced, and
Declared by the said Adam Leever, as his
last Will and Testament,in the presence of Adam Lieber
us the subscribers,that is to say
Barnabas Riley
John Rea
John Brisbin
[Note by the compiler:in the photocopy of this will the following is observed:in contrast to the spelling employed
by others in the text of the will, the signature, written in a shaky hand, clearly appears as Adam Lieber.]
LETTERS TESTAMENTARY:granted to Valentine Fleegle, William Richard6 April 1801
Before me Richard Miles Esq, Register for the Probate of Wills and granting Letters of
Administration in and for the County of Centre appeared Barnabas Riley, John Rea &
John Brisbin who being duly sworn,do declare and say that they saw Adam Leever
in the aforegoing Testament namedsign, seal and deliver the aforegoing instrument as his
last will and Testamentthat at the time he was of sound and disposing mind and memory
that at the time of the executing the same they subscribed the same in the presence of the
Testator and at his request and in the presence of each other.
Sworn and subscribed this
6th day of April 1801
Before:Rich. MilesRegister
Notes for Catherine Stroup:
Surname:Taken from family sources, including letters written by and to Hiram Leever in the late 19th C.The Stroup family was
numerous and is found later in Clermont County, OH.
Birthdate:Calculated from memorial marker.
Birthplace:Her son Lewis stated in the 1880 Census that his mother was born in "Pennsylvania".
Deathdate:Memorial marker
Deathplace:Presumed to be Clermont County, OH.
Note:The marker in Myers Cemetery is probably her grave marker, but could be a memorial marker to a person buried elsewhere.
The notation is:"Erected by George Leever in the memory of Catherine Leeverwife of Adam Leever, who departed this
life September 15, 1827 in the 67th year of her age".
Marriage date:Records not found.Presumed to be about 1776.
Second marriage:Family records suggest a second marriage to a "Mr.Ramsey" in about 1808.No further information has been found.
More About Catherine Stroup:
Burial: Possibly Clermont County
Children of Adam Lieber/Leever and Catherine Stroup are:
+ | 2 | i. | Mary Elizabeth2 Leever, born Abt. 1777 in Pennsylvania(prob. Northumberland County); died 06 December 1858 in Clermont County, Ohio. | |
+ | 3 | ii. | Adam Leever II, born 26 July 1779 in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania; died 27 February 1866 in Goshen TWP, Clermont County, Ohio. | |
4 | iii. | Barbara Leever, born Bet. 1780 - 1781 in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania; died Bef. 1836 in Pennsylvania?.She married ?David Shetterly Bef. 1801. |
Notes for Barbara Leever: Barbara Leever is the least-well documented person in this family unit.Her birthdate and birthorder are mere guesses in this file.Her name does not appear on a deed, signed by her siblings in 1836.She may have died before that date. |
+ | 5 | iv. | Peter Leever, born 09 January 1782 in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania; died 02 February 1855 in Clermont County, Ohio. | |
+ | 6 | v. | George Leever, born 12 February 1784 in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania; died 05 October 1860 in Goshen TWP, Clermont County, Ohio. | |
+ | 7 | vi. | Benjamin Leever, born Abt. 1789 in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania; died Bet. 1860 - 1870 in Clermont or Warren County, Ohio. | |
+ | 8 | vii. | Joseph Leever, born January 1794 in Mifflin (later Centre) County, Pennsylvania; died 06 July 1868 in Miami TWP, Clermont County, Ohio. | |
+ | 9 | viii. | Lewis Leever, born 22 June 1797 in Mifflin (later Centre) County, Pennsylvania; died 04 April 1882 in Goshen TWP, Clermont County, Ohio. | |
+ | 10 | ix. | Samuel Leever, born 20 August 1801 in Ferguson TWP, Centre County, Pennsylvania; died 02 April 1876 in Fayette County, Illinois. |