Andrew VanVlara

                             VANVLARA FAMILY (VAN LEAR)

These people were Holland Dutch, and but little is known of their

beginning in the colony at Neal's Station. The first year of the new century

finds them clustered about the first fort of Neal's Run, known at that time as

Smith's Run, and on the stream above Niceleyville. They were probably

from Randolph or Pendleton Counties.

There were three of the Vanvlaras who owned land here in 1800,

Adam, Andrew, and Cornelius, and there were two or three others living in

the vicinity.

The name, at first "Vanvlara", became in a few years "Vanolear"

and Vanolera", with a choice of several other variations if desired, but in

later years, it is usually written "Van Lear".

Adam Vanvlara evidently lived in the vicinity of the Gihon Church.

Andrew Vanvlara owned the land at the forks of the stream. He also

patented other adjoining lands at a later date. He married Mary, daughter of

Uriah Gandee, and was thus the brother-in-law of Jesse Gandee and Uriah,

Jr., who married "Massie" Hughes and removed to Roane County.

Cornelius Vanvlara lived in the same vicinity, and joining land with

Andrew. He was an older man with children grown, and may have been the

father of the others. He died about 1800, and left a widow, Susannah, a

daughter Susannah, and a son John are mentioned.

Jeremiah Vanvlara lived in the community. He bought land of Hugh

Phelps.

John Vanvlara, Senior and Junior, were both members of the group,

the latter a son of Cornelius. One of these had a mill on the north fork of Lee's

Creek, as far down as opposite Mustapha Island. Either this, or antother [sic]

Vanvlara's Mill was in operation before 1800. Probably this has been only a

little corncracker at the settlement on Neal's Run.

[PIONEERS IN WOOD COUNTY, W. VA., Vol. II, p 480]

In about 1800 Andrew Vanlara won the contract to build the county jail in Wood

County, (W)V. That contract was sold to Andrew, the lowest bidder, by the sheriff

for $279.

Wood County Hardesty's History, p 6

1820 Census of Wood County (West) Virginia

November-1985

Wes Cochran

Andrew Vanlear's household shown to include

1 male under the age of 10

1 male 45 years or older

4 females under the age of 10

1 female 10 years and under 16 years

1 female 16 years and under 26 years

1 female 26 years and under 45 years

          LAST WILL AN TESTAMENT OF ANDREW VANLEER DECEASED

I Andrew Vanleer of Wood County Virginia do take this as used for my last Will and

Testament as folows - I give and bequeath unto my deal wife Mary Vanleer (after

the payment of my just debts and funeral expences) all my property both real and

personal to have and to hold the same to her her heirs __ __ forever. And I hereby

appoint Edward Tracewell Executor of this my last will and testament, hereby

resolving and annulling all former will or wills by me made. In witness whereof I

have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal this 12th day of November

1838.

Signed sealed and witnessed