The Douglas Bierly FamilyUpdated June 1, 2003 |
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| This page is dedicated to the Bierlys (Bihrles/Buehrles), Ishlers (Ischlers), La Fleurs, Hofstras and all others related near and far. I hope in the making of this page that many will find links to their individual family trees. I welcome all inquiries. Please know that the information presented herein is in part from the internet, and sources have not always been verified. Some is also from previous Bierly family histories and recent La Fleur research. A little history on the Bierly side: My most distant ancestor is Johann Melchior Bihrle(n)/Buehrle (the ue is really u Umlaut). He was reportedly born around 1713 in Pfalz, Germany (Palatinate), however I have yet to find his birth record. One record has him married in Kleingartach, Germany, near Heilbronn, north of Stuttgart in Wuerttemberg. He arrived with his wife Maria Anna Barbara Ocker (Acker/Ocher) and possibly children (Anthony Bierly/Antony Buehrle?), on October 7, 1743 having survived (over 100 on this ship didn’t) a 23-week ocean voyage (average duration was 10-18 weeks). Please see Aaron Fogleman’s wonderful book "Hopeful Journeys" to gain more information and appreciation for this experience. They settled in Heidelberg Township, Berks County, PA, and lived there and in the Lancaster/Lebanon County areas until about 1770 when they followed the Susquehanna into the frontier. There was a rush for land, and their timing proved quite dangerous. The tensions with Britain were heating up. Anthony is shown owning land in 1772 (100 acres) at McKee’s Half Falls. Melchior and Anna Barbara were reported to be living north at Sunbury (near Ft. Augusta). By 1777-78, the war was raging and American Indians allied to the British along with British troops come down the Susquehanna and began killing settlers. This resulted in the massive flight of many families down the river in what became known as "The Great Runaway". Anthony and family apparently stayed through the conflict (Anthony served in the largely German-American populated PA Militia protecting settlers from Indian/British loyalists raids, occasionally going on "hunts" after attacks). Melchior and wife moved to safety in Lancaster. Melchior is said to have found employment in the iron-works there (at the age of 65 I might add). He reportedly died while living there "crossing over mountains to visit friends". Anthony had many children with wife Anna Maria Warner at McKee’s Half Falls during the war years (Britain surrendered in 1783) and after. It is a miracle they all survived, with one family legend recounting how Anna Barbara stuffed a young Bierly baby into a storage bin during a raid while they fled, only to come back and find the baby unharmed. The family moved to beautiful Brush Valey, Miles Township, Centre County, PA in 1791, leasing 300-acres from Colonel Samuel Miles. Anthony arrived in the first "conveyance" (Conestoga wagon, presumably) along the new road along the Brush Valley Narrows. In Brush Valley, Anthony is said to have helped build the first Lutheran and Reformed Chuch in what became Rebersburg, PA. Some of his direct descendents still reside in and around Brush Valley today. Brief Note on the Ishlers (Ischlers): I have connected our family tree to Ludwig Ischler (Ludwig Ishler), who emigrated through Philadelphia, PA in 1765 (on the ship the Myrtilla). Thanks to George Ishler, a descendent of Johannes George Ishler, I have also just learned that Ludwig's father was Friedrich Ischler (Friedrich Ishler) and that Ludwig emigrated from Wuerrtemberg, Germany just after marrying Apollonia Holl (Hollin). One source says that Ludwig Ischler was born in Muhlbach, Austria and emigrated from Niederhof in Wuerttemberg. A family legend has it that three Ischler brothers emigrated to America around that time, and there is a record of a Hans George Ihseller or Isseller who arrived in 1749, and reports of an Isaiah Ischler as well. No records have been located to date on Isa |
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