Clymer Weir Cox Genealogy » RUDOLPH HARLEY II (1719-1809)

Persönliche Daten RUDOLPH HARLEY II 

• Er wurde geboren am 14. Juni 1719 in At Sea while crossing the Atlantic.
• Glaube: Brethren.
• Er ist verstorben am 9. Juli 1809 in Amwell, Hunterdon, New Jersey, although he was living at the time in Indian Field, Franconia Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, er war 90 Jahre alt.
• Er wurde beerdigt in Landes Burial Ground, Franconia Township, Montgomery County, PA.
• Ein Kind von HANS RUDOLPH (HERLI) HARLEY und BARBARA REETLY
• Diese Information wurde zuletzt aktualisiert am 1. Juli 2023.

Familie von RUDOLPH HARLEY II

Er ist verheiratet mit Mary Dorothy Partman (Becker) Baker.

Sie haben geheiratet

Kind(er):

1. John Becker Harley  1741-1814 
2. Johanna Becker Harley  1743-1820 
3. Mary Magdelena Becker Harley  1747-???? 
4. Rudolph Becker Harley  1749-???? 
5. Sara Becker Harley  1750-1799 
6. Elizabeth Becker Harley  1750-1838 
7. Heinrich Becker Harley  1754-1840 
8. Samuel Becker Harley  1758-1839 
9. Joseph Becker Harley  1760-1835
10. Mary Margaret Becker Harley  1762-1842 
11. Abraham Becker Harley  1765-???? 

Notizen bei RUDOLPH HARLEY II

Rudolph Harley Jr.
Birth: 14 Jul 1719
Death: 9 Jul 1809 (aged 89) Amwell, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, USA
Burial: Harley Family Cemetery, Harleysville, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, USA
Memorial #: 51645402
Bio: Birth: 14 JUL 1719 in route to America
Family Members
Parents
Hans Rudolph Harley 1692-1764
Barbara Reetly Herli 1683-1765
Spouse
Mary Dorothea Becker Harley 1720-1813
Siblings
Mary Harley Groff 1714-1764
Children
John B Harley 1741-1814
Joanna Becker Harley Stauffer 1743-1820
Mary Magdalena Harley Diehl 1747-1769
Rudolph Harley 1747-1827
Sarah Becker Harley Price 1750-1799
Elizabeth Becker Harley Dettere 1750-1838
Heinrich Becker Harley 1754-1840
Samuel Harley 1758-1839
Joseph Becker Harley 1760-1835
Margret Mary Harley Detweiler 1762-1842
Maintained by: Tom Myers (47272121)
Originally Created by: Wilton Golson (46944807)
Added: 26 Apr 2010
URL: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/51645402/rudolph-harley
Citation: Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/51645402/rudolph-harley : accessed 10 February 2022), memorial page for Rudolph Harley Jr. (14 Jul 1719œ9 Jul 1809), Find a Grave Memorial ID 51645402, citing Harley Family Cemetery, Harleysville, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, USA ; Maintained by Tom Myers (contributor 47272121) .

Hans Rudolf Herli was probably born in the Rhenish Palatinate, or Pfaltz, in 1692 [his cemetery marker has the inscription —72 1764“, his age and year of death]. He spoke and wrote in German. But the spelling of his name would indicate that his family was originally from Switzerland or Holland. There are two cantons in Switzerland where the family name of Herrli can be found, namely Cantons Berne and Fribourg. It is also remotely possible but very doubtful that the family was of Welsh origin.

He was married to Barbara, surname unknown, about 1713. Their first daughter, Mary, was born August 1714 and their second, Elizabeth, was born in 1716.

According to the historian Abraham Harley Cassel, Herli was a Life Guard in the service of Frederick William I in Potsdam. Since Life Guards were required to be seven feet tall or taller, it is assumed that Herli was at least that tall.

It is unusual today to find men who are seven feet tall, but in the 17th century it was even more unusual. So if the King of Prussia could not induce these giants to serve voluntarily, he would abduct them.

As one of the king‘s recruiting officers, Herli saw a good candidate in Johannes Naas who was traveling with Jacob Priesz as German Baptist [Brethren] Evangelists from Creyfelt to Marienborn and Epstein. Priesz, a short man, was not molested. Naas, a very tall man, was taken to the king‘s presence, who definitely wanted the tall, handsome evangelist in his Life Guard. But Naas said he was already enrolled in serving in the army of a greater King, the Lord Prince Emmanuel. Naas was tortured by being hung up by his thumb and big toe, but still did not give in to the king‘s wishes. The king was so impressed that he gave Naas a gold coin and his freedom.

Herli was so impressed with their witness that he joined Naas and Priesz as they resumed their travels. He finally asked to be baptized which Naas did by immersing him three times face downward in running water. It was a big jump for Herli from being a military man for the King of Prussia to that of becoming a member of the newly-formed religious organization, who called themselves the German Baptist Brethren. Later, in Peter Becker‘s group, Herli became on of their ministers.

This group was persecuted by the civil authorities and was forced to flee to Holland for refuge. Here Herli was not a popular minister. One reason for his unpopularity can be placed, as in most cases of converts to all religions, on his over-zealousness. Another reason was the way he answered one or two skeptics, who would attend the meetings. He would lose his temper and shout at the men. One in particular who asked, "If Jesus sitteth on the right hand of God the Father, who sitteth on the left hand?" Another disturber of the peace said, "Why don‘t you tell the truth? The reason many married men leave their wives of long standing for a younger woman is because a rosebud is more attractive and desirable than a full-blown rose." Herli had to be restrained from fighting with the man.

One expression attributed to Herli was, "If there is not a God, there certainly is a conscience, which works invisibly inside one." Another was, "The most outrageous and unchristian expression is a Holy War." It made sense to him to abandon his previous military life for the non-violent doctrine of the Baptist Brethren. He could not understand why the Roman Catholic religion held so many masses: at 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 o‘clock. To him it seemed unwise and self-defeating. To justify one‘s existence, one should leave the world a little better than one found it.

Another Brethren minister who had fled to Holland with Herli, Peter Becker, organized a group of 20 families to travel to Pennsylvania where they could practice their faith without fear of persecution. Herli was particularly concerned, since he could have been put to death for having left the Life Guard before his six year term was expired. Herli, wife Barbara, and two daughters, Mary and Elizabeth, were part of this group. They left for Pennsylvania in the summer of the year 1719. What impressed Herli was what William Penn was reported to have said: —There are no witches in Pennsylvania. [But] if there were, they would have a perfect right to fly through the air.“

Herli and the others left their homes in Creyfelt and embarked from Friesland in a large Flemish vessel thought to have been named,Patience, with several hundred passengers on board. From Friesland, the vessel stopped at a port in Wales where they loaded more passengers.

The suffering, sickness and distress in crossing the wide ocean was almost indescribable. And what made matters worse, during the voyage Barbara gave birth to a son, Rudolf II , on 14 July 1719. About halfway over, as they encountered a storm that was so furious and continued so long that most of the passengers lost hope. Much of the merchandise on the vessel was thrown overboard. During the storm, the captain came down into the hold of the ship which was occupied by the Brethren families. He found them fervently engaged in singing and prayers, and was moved to tears by the sight. He went back to the crew encouraged by the thought that the Almighty would not let such pious men perish in the deep. Soon afterward, the storm abated and the passage was completed without further danger. The voyage that began in May 1719, was finally over in October when it entered the bay which later came to be known as Delaware Bay.2

Herli and his family were unregistered and classified as excess cargo. This was probably a safety measure. The German king had alerted his officers to search the villages, countryside and also all departing ships for his former recruiting officer.

The next step for the group of 20 families of the Baptist Brethren was to discover the location of the Town of the Germans. Many of the settled Germans had come down to the riverside in carts, wagons and carriages to meet the ship and offer their help and hospitality. Herli was fortunate in having Dr. Christopher Witt give him and his family a lift and shelter. They traveled six miles up the North Wales Road to Witt‘s home and botanical gardens. Witt and Francis Daniel Pastoruis were very generous in their assistance to fellow German immigrants as they would arrive.

Here, in the Town of the Germans, the Herli family stayed until another daughter was born. She was name Helena and was born between 1720 and 1721.

From the Town of the Germans, Herli moved to Somerset County, Hew Jersey, perhaps to be with his father, and English soldier with the name Harley. Peter Becker baptized the soldier while Herli lived there. The soldier was in Wales at the time Herli‘s group stopped to pick up more passengers. He could have made contact with his father at that time, and the father would have told him where he would be living two years later.

The English soldier tried to help Herli become established, but he had just married for the second time and the arrangements may not have worked out. In any event, Herli left Somerset County shortly there after and moved to the next county, Hunterdon, where he purchased 176 acres from Nathan Allen on 5th and 6th December 1721. He built a house and became a farmer.

In 1724, Henry Graff, a German from Neuwied, Germany, came to Philadelphia and Germantown. His friend, Henry Landis, about 11 years old, who was an apprentice to Theobald Ent, a saddle-maker in Germantown, took Graff to Amwell in Hunterdon County, West Jersey and to Herli‘s farm. Herli hired the immigrant German to help him with the farm chores. Later Graff married Herli‘s eldest daughter, Mary, when she was 17 [1731].

A story from Jacob C. Harley, told by Alvin P. Harley, describes Herli‘s size and strength. —At that time almost everybody had a wine press to make his won wine, and used a horse to press the grapes with its hoofs. On one occasion they were having difficulty getting the horse up into the press. Rudolf cried, ”Aussem weg‘ or ”Out of the way‘. He lifted the horse up on to the press without any assistance.

On 25 August 1726, Rudolf sold 25 acres of his farm to Theophilus Ketcham,, an innkeeper. John Ringo, for whom the village of Ringoes was named, has been considered the first innkeeper at this locality, but it would seem Ketcham preceded him. Instead of the village being named Ringoes, it might have been named Ketchamville. The wife of Ketcham was Elizabeth, daughter of Andrew Heath. Theophilus died, or his will was recorded, on 4 March 1729/30. Rudolf signed this deed with his full name, Hans Rudolf Herli. This is the only known instance where he used his three names. At this period of time, the first name of a son was usually in honor of his father. It was not ordinarily used or written.

On 25 June 1730 it was necessary for Herli to go to Perth Amboy to appear before the Board of Naturalization and become naturalized. This was done and he became naturalized. This was done and be became a British subject. It became effective 8 July 1730.

Two important events happened in the year 1733. The one was the death of the English soldier. It is not known, but Herli may have buried him in the little family plot of one acre, reserved on his farm. The Englishman died at the age of 74 years, and was born in England in 1659.

The other event of 1733 was the coming to Philadelphia of Johannes Naas. Rudolf was overjoyed. At once upon hearing the good news, he arranged to journey down to Philadelphia to meet and greet him. So Herli and three other Brethren, namely, Jacob Moore, Antony Dirdorff, and Johannes Peter Lawsche gave the evangelist the kiss of charity and brotherhood.

By this time there were a few Brethren in the Amwell Valley, but they did not have a meeting-house. They worshipped in various homes. Naas encouraged the five families to build a log meeting-house, which they did with his help. Naas also went to Bucks County, Pennsylvania and founded a meeting place. He died in 1741 and was buried in the Moore Family Burying Ground near Ringoes, New Jersey.

In the year 1734 Herli was elected Constable, probably due to his experience in the Life Guard. The first recorded town meeting held in Amwell lists Rudolph Harley as the first constable3and he may have served informally prior to that meeting. The duties of a constable in those days were to serve writs and subpoenas and to make arrests. He received his orders from the Justice of the Peace, a very important man at that time. The job of constable was somewhat undesirable, and citizens would take turns fulfilling that obligation. On one occasion, Herli was called upon to stop a fight caused by some drunken men who were holding a meeting in a public house. Herli refused to go saying it would be foolish for one man, whether he were a constable or not, to try to bring order to a bunch of roughs acting violently. A good example of —Discretion is the better part of valor.“ So far as is known he served only one year as elected Constable.

Rudolf and Barbara came down from Amwell to attend a religious meeting held in the Town of the Germans. It is thought is was the first of Count Zinzendorf‘s Synods held on 1 January 1742. Rudolf would not stay but said he had to go home to attend to his cattle. Going home he was forbidden to cross over on the ice of the Delaware River. He took Barbara out to the middle of the river, ran back, brushed aside the officer, dashed across in the sleigh, reached out and grabbed up his wife. All the time the ice was breaking and cracking under the runners of the sleigh, but he made it to the Jersey shore. A few days later, the officer and a big burly Irishman came to the Herli farmhouse to arrest him. Rudolf grabbed the officer and threw him over a picket fence and off his property. The Irishman met the same fate, and that ended the matter.

On 1 July 1743 Rudolf sold eight acres of his homestead farm to Johannes Justus Ganze. He may have been a son or relative of the George Balzer Gantz who was one of the 20 families of the Becker group. Rudolf II, who owned a 50-acre farm in Amwell, sold it to a Justus Gans on 23 June 1744. It is likely that Ganze and Gans were the same person. Since Helena, Herli‘s daughter, married a man named Gans, it was probably the son-in-law of Rudolf Herli.

On 6 May 1747 Rudolf signed a bond in connection with the estate of Antony Dirdorff, a Brethren of the Amwell Valley, Hunterdon, West Jersey. Perhaps Antony was a brother of Barbara, and that could explain why Herli settled in Amwell.

On 29 March 1754, Rudolf and Barbara conveyed their property to their son, Rudolf II, by a deed of release. He later sold it to his brother-in-law, Henry Graff, who in turn sold it to his son-in-law Henry Landis on 1 May 1772. From the Town of the Germans, Herli moved to Somerset County, Hew Jersey, perhaps to be with his father, and English soldier with the name Harley. Peter Becker baptized the soldier while Herli lived there. The soldier was in Wales at the time Herli‘s group stopped to pick up more passengers. He could have made contact with his father at that time, and the father would have told him where he would be living two years later.

On 26 June 1758 Nicholas Austin and his wife, Sarah, widow of Nathan Allen, executed a quit-claim deed. Herli was enumerated as having 142 acres. Twenty-five acres sold to John Ganze, eight acres sold to Theophilus Ketcham and one acre reserved for the burying grounds adds up to the original 176 acres.

From 1754 to 1764, the year of his death, Rudolf Herli may have lived in Lower Salford Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, with their son and daughter-in-law, Mary Becker Harley. Another possibility is that they lived with Henry and Mary Herli Graff, who could have owned the homestead farm during that time since Rudolf II had sold it to his brother-in-law.

After Rudolf‘s dath in 1764, it is known that Barbara lived with her son Rudolf until she died in 1765. Her stone reads B. H. May 17, 1765. She was taken to the family burying ground in Ringoes, West Jersey, and buried there where her husband Rudolf had been buried.

Rudolf Herli was not the quiet, acquiescent, peace-loving Brethren that was the ideal of the faith. He was a big, strong, crude, rugged and entirely independent man. Barbara was a small woman who could walk under her husband‘s outstretched arm.5

He married Barbara about 1713. She was born about 1695 and died 17 May 1765 in Franconia Township, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. Hans Rudolf Herli died in 1764. He resided in Ringoes, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, and was buried in the Harley Burying Ground, [Landis], Ringoes, New Jersey.

The children of Hans Rudolf and Barbara Herli were:

1Mary Herli: she was born about 1714 and died 15 September 1764, Burial in Harley Burying Ground, Ringoes, NJ. She marriedHenry Graff, son ofJohann Bertram GraffandAnna Catharina AckermannOctober 1731 in Amwell Township, Hunterdon, NJ.
2Elizabeth Harley: she was born in 1717. She marriedJohn Stager, son ofJacob Stager.
3Rudolf Harley II: [See Second Generation, below]
4Helena Harley: [See Second Generation, below]

Hans Rudolf Herli

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