Mrs. Jane Van Leer, 93, Dies in Sons’ Home Near Marion Center

Mrs. Jane Van Leer, widow of John Van Leer, died at the home of her son, Grant Van Leer of near Marion Center at 8:15 Friday morning at the age of 93 years. She was a great-great grandmother.

The deceased was born in Center County, this state, 93 years ago and came to the home of her son Grant about four years ago. She was a member of the Wesleyn Methodist church of Indiana, and one of the most highly respected and lovable characters in this section.

Among her survivors are one son, Grant Van Leer, at whose home she died and the following grand, great grand and great-great grandchildren: Mrs. James Thomas of Punxsutawney; Mrs. Vanora V. Rowe, of Pittsburgh; Mrs. Zene Hines, of Pine Flats; Miss Murtel Van Leer, nurse in the Dixmont hospital; Mrs. Mabel Van Leer of Jeannette; Mrs. William Van Leer of Indiana, Mrs. Anna Fritz and John Walker in California; David and Ernest Van Leer in the West; Bernard Van Leer, of North Mahoning township; Mrs. William Dunmire, of Juneau; Charles, Mona and Theodore Van Leer, of near Marion Center; Thomas Walker, Mrs. Helen Cook, Eearl and Anna Washington of Pittsburgh, and the great-great grandchildren are the son and daughters of Bert Moorhead of Indiana; of Mrs. Zene Hines and Mrs. Helen Cook, of Pittsburgh.

Funeral services will be held at the late home of the deceased beginning at 1 o’clock Monday afternoon and interment made in the Marion Center cemetery

Joseph Campbell was a half-brother to my husband’s 3rd great-grandfather, William Campbell.  They both lived in Indiana County, PA.

Joseph appears to have been pretty well off.  He even owned a silver watch worth $10. 

Inventory of the Goods and Chattels, Rights and Credits of Joseph Campbell late of Center Township Indiana county, deceased.

Indiana County, ss.

We John H. Allison + W. H. McMullen do swear by Almighty God, the searcher of all hearts, that we will well and truly, and without prejudice or partiality, value and appraise the Goods, Chattels, and Credits of Joseph Campbell late of Center Township Indiana County, deceased, and in all respects perform our duty as appraisers, to the best of our skill and judgment, and that as we shall answer to God at the Great Day.

Sworn and subscribed before me this 29 ” day of May 1879} John H. Allison        W H McMullen

D. R. Lewis Register

3 Cows – $15                        $45.00
3 Yearling calves 6 18.00
2 Spring calves 3 6.00
One Sorrel mare & colt 50.00
” Brown mare & colt 60.00
Six Shoats 10.00
5 Sheep 12.50
5 Lambs 10.00
One Farm Wagon 18.00
” Spring Wagon 15.00
One corn drill 2.00
” Harrow 2.50
” Log Chain 1.00
One Spread chain .50
” cultivator 2.50
” Plow 1.50
2 Setts Heavy harness 25.00
Single trees 1.00
One man’s saddle 2.00
2 Riding Bridles 1.50
2 Halters .50
One mattock .75

carried over $285.25

Amount brought over $285.25

One manure fork .50
2 cant Hooks .50
One Hoisting jack .50
” Half bushel measure .50
” Sheep Skin .50
” Half Barrel salt .50
One fanning mill 8.00
” Grain Shovel .25
2 pitch forks .20
1 pair hay ladders .50
Hay fork and tackle 9.00
4 Bushels of wheat $1 4.00
4 Do Oats 1.00
5 Old Barrels .25
One Grindstone .50
A lot of loose irons about saw mill 1.00
4 Acres of oats in ground 12.00
3 Do in Growing wheat 9.00
4 Do ” corn 16.00
5 Do ” Rye 10.00
One old axe .25
One half interest in Russel Mower 20.00
” Hay Rake 12.00
” Old Sled and Box 1.00
” Lot of Oak posts 1.00
One Garden Spade .40
2 corn Hoes .40
2 Hives of Bees $4 8.00
2 mowing scythes 1.00
One Grain cradle 2.00
One lot of feathers 3.00
” spinning wheel .50
2 Grain Rakes .30
” piece of Harness .50
One large chest and contents 4.00
” small chest of drawers 1.50
stand .50
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one large chest and contents 4.00
” small chest of drawers 1.50
” ” stand .50
” clock case 1.00
One Bedstead and bedding 3.00
” Do ” Do” 5.00
4 Bed quilts 4.00
map of Indiana County 1.00
2 sickles .40
One side saddle 3.00
” lot of wool 5.00
” churn .50
meat vessels and cider Bbl. 2.00
2 Spinning wheels 2.50
One Reel 1.00
One churn 1.00
Old Bread tray .50
Flour and corn meal 1.25
4 Grain sacks 1.00
One Bureau 5.00
” Bedstead and Bedding 10.00
” Table and cover 4.00
” Do 3.00
One Stand .60
11 chairs 40c 4.40
One Rocking chair 1.00
A lot of Books 10.00
One Bedstead and Bedding 6.00
” Dough Tray 1.00
One clock 2.50
2 old looking Glasses 1.00
One cook stove 3.00
Contents of cupboard 4.00
A lot of crockery and Tin ware 1.50
One silver Watch 10.00

We do Certify that after being duly sworn as appraisers, we attended at the late residence of Joseph Campbell deceased, in Center Township Indiana County, on the 5th day of June A.D. 1879, when and where the foregoing articles were exhibited to us, an that we appraised the same as above stated.
Witness our hands this Fifth day of June 1879.
John H. Allison
W H McMullen

The transcription of the will follows the images.

In the name of God Amen, I Joseph Campbell of the Township of Center, County of Indiana and State of Pennsylvania being impressed with a Sense of the uncertainty of human life but being of Sound and disposing mind and memory do hereby make this my Last Will and Testament and first all Just debts and funeral expenses being paid I give and bequeath the remainder of my personal estate and effects (except my silver watch) to my wife Rebecca to be at her Sole disposal. my silver watch above excepted I give and bequeath to my Daughter Sarah Ann and further I give and devise in ____ to my wife Rebecca without power to Sell or alieviate my Real estate on Which we now reside with the improvements thereto belonging to be held and managed by her for her Sole use and benefit during her natural life and further I direct that upon the decease of my wife Rebecca my Real estate shall be disposed of and the proceeds distributed as follows. To my Daughter Sarah Ann Two Hundred and fifty Dollars and the remainder of said proceeds of Real Estate shall be divided equally among my three Daughters viz: Sarah ann.  Rebecca Jane and Nancy Ellen and I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint William McCrea of Blacklick Township Executor of this my last Will and Testament In Witness Whereof I Joseph Campbell the said Testator have to this my last Will and Testament Set my hand and Seal this 21st day of December AD 1872

Joseph Campbell (Seal)

Signed, Sealed, published and declared by the said Testator Joseph Campbell as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence and at his request and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as Witnesses thereto

John Allison
W H McMullen

Indiana County SS Be it Remembered that on the 29th day of May 1879 before me Register of Wills for Said County was duly proved and approved the foregoing Instrument of writing as and for the Last Will and Testament of Joseph Campbell decd who died on the 16th day of May 1879 at 9 o’clock PM by the _____ of John H Allison and W H McMullen the subscribing Witnesses thereto Wm McCrea the executor named therein being dead + the widow having ____ her right Same day Letters Cum Testemento Annexo issued to John Davis + Sarah A. Campbell they having given bond to the Commonwealth in the Sum of Fifteen Hundred Dollars Conditioned According to law with W. H. McMullen and John H. Allison as Security. Same day administrators Sworn according to law. (See will + probate filed)

D R. Lewis Register

General Affadavit

State of Kansas, County of Shawnee

In the matter of claim for Rebecca Baker, widow of James Baker late of Co. “F” 74″ PA.

Personally appeared before was an officer duly authorized to administer oaths within and for the county and State aforesaid, Joseph Campbell, Topeka Kan. 72 yrs old.

person of lawful age who being duly sworn declare in relation to the aforesaid case as follows:

I am a brother of Rebecca Baker and was present and know that she was married to James Baker March 4th 1846 in Indiana County, Pa.  Her maiden name was Rebecca White Campbell.  I also know that Rebecca Baker has never re-married since the death of her husband James Baker Nov. 9″ 1885

J. Campbell

My husband’s Campbell and Baker ancestors lived in this area, and a few of them are buried here.

This is the grave of Catharine (Baker) Campbell.  She was the first wife of Rev. Joseph Campbell.  She died 22 Dec 1851 at the age of 33 yrs, 11 months, and  6 days. leaving behind 4 young children.

How tragic.  It really hits home for me, because I’m about the same age and have 5 small children.  I can’t imagine not being there to see them grow up.

Joseph Campbell remarried to another Catherine – Catherine Palmer and they also had 4 children together.

They moved on to Kansas, so Joseph is not buried here in this cemetery along with her.

Here is the church:

The woman in the front center is Rebecca White Campbell (Baker).  She was born 10 Mar 1821 in Indiana county, PA.  She lived to be 88.

I have a lot of information on her.

Census records.  Her gravestone.  Numerous affadavits and paperwork from her widow’s pension for her husband, James Baker’s service during the Civil War.  I know that she had a wooden leg later in her life.

But there is a mystery surrounding her.  I’m hoping that when I make my journey through PA this May, I will be able to solve it – at least in part.

What has intrigued me for years is the following church record, which was printed in the local newspaper in one of their historical editions.:

“Rebecca Campbell a member of this church guilty in the crime of fornication appeared before the session, acknowledged her sin and professed deep repentance” whereupon it was “resolved to restore her to her standing in the church and that notice of her sin be read out before the congregation.” (Dated 1842)

She had a daughter named Caroline, born in 1840 (when she was 19).  She didn’t marry James Baker until 1846.  Her daughter is listed as Caroline Park in the 1850 and 1860 census records.  In Caroline’s obituary, James and Rebecca are listed as her parents though.

I think that the reason this interests me so much is that things like this make our ancestors more real.  Humans who make mistakes.

What I’m wondering is who was the father of her baby?  Why didn’t he marry her?  Did he also have to acknowledge his sins before the church?  In a small community, I’m sure everyone already knew her business.  But it still would have been hard to get up in front of everyone and announce what she had done. Was she not allowed to attend church during the 2 yrs between her daughter’s birth and when she acknowledged her sins?

I am hoping that I can glean some more info from the Gilgal Church records at the local genealogy library.  If I sift through them, maybe I can solve this mystery and learn a little more about what her early life was like.

But what am I going to do with my husband and kids while I’m looking?  Maybe I’ll have to send them down the street to the Jimmy Stewart Museum.