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m. 1628
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m. Abt 1660
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Hans Herr (September 17, 1639 – October 11, 1725) was born in Zürich, Switzerland. While often cited as a descendant of the knight Hugo Herr, scholarship done in the 20th century has put this claim in doubt. He joined the Swiss Brethren (later called Mennonites) and became a bishop. He was the first Mennonite bishop to emigrate to America. When religious persecution became unendurable in Switzerland, many of his congregation emigrated with him to the Electorate of the Palatinate in Germany, which was governed by a ruler who promised them protection and religious freedom. This was satisfactory until the Palatinate fell into the hands of other rulers, subjecting the Mennonites to severe religious persecution once again. When this occurred, a number of them visited William Penn in London, in 1707, and arranged terms with him to colonize a portion of what is now Lancaster County, near what was then the western frontier of Pennsylvania. In 1710, Hans Herr, John R. Bundely, Martin Meylin (Mylin), Martin Kendig, Jacob Miller, Hans Funk, Hans Graff, Martin Oberholtzer, Wendel Bowman and others bought 10,000 acres (40 km²) of land on the south side of Pequea Creek. A warrant was issued for the land October 10, 1710, and it was surveyed October 23, 1710. The tradition, which has never been disproven, is that these immigrants held a conference as to what steps should be taken to inform their relatives and friends in Europe of their opinions and expectations of their new lands, and it was determined that Hans Herr, their revered minister, should return, explain the situation and the great advantages of emigration, and bring with him those he could induce to come. He sailed to Europe and returned to America with many more immigrants, despite making the journey at 70 years old. He had six sons and one daughter by his wife Elizabeth Kendig. He died in West Lampeter Township on October 11, 1725. Bishop Hans Herr: is described as "of medium height, with long grey hair curled under at the ends and parted in the middle,....Heavy brows, dark hazel eyes, aquiline nose, mouth rather small with heavy lips,complexion florid,with full beard covering the face, the whole lighted by a countenance in which sweetness and austerity were gracefully blended. Clad in the coarsest homespun, his feet shod with wood, he at last arrived in the far-off land in which some strange prophecy told him he and his People would be prosperous and happy, however poor when arriving. ( C.H. Martin, paper read before the Lancaster county historical society, 1925 WAPPIN DES GELCHILECHTS Herr: Coat of Arms - The following translation from the German is of much interest: " The race of Herr descended from a very ancient family - -is free - that is to say of noble origin. Likewise from time immemorial its Knights were brave and worthy." "Possessing in Schwaben vast and rich estates, the same of which was called And written - HERN VON BILRIED." "The father of this race was called Schwabish Knight Hugo, the Herr or Lord of Bilried. In the year 1009 flourished and was known to all, the family from whom that of Herr is descended. But in the fifteenth century several of the race resigned their nobility and settled as citizens. They however retained their noble name and their Coat of Arms and in the year 1593, John Herr of Bilried obtained of the Emperor Ferdinand in SWABISH HALL, a written testimonial proving for his flourishing family their Coat of Arms, their free and noble descent and the possession of their race to the latest generation and the Coat of Arms yet rightly belong to the present living family of Herr." [edit] ==========================================Information Source: O.F. Harr Family Record. In 1709 Hans and seven other Mennonites bought 10,000 acres of land in Pennslyvania from William Penn. Sailed from Gravesend, England in April 29, 1710. Landed in Philadelphia, in Sept 1710. Name of the ship : Mary Hope, Mastered by John Annis. Bishop Hans Herr: Is described as "of medium height, with long grey hair curled under at the ends and parted in the middle, ...heavy brows, dark hazel eyes, aqualine nose, small mouth with heavy lips, complexion florid, with full beard covering face, the whole lighted by a countenancein wich sweetness and austerity were gracefully blended. Clad in coursest homespun, his feet shod with wood, he at last arrived in the far off land in wich some strange prophecy told him his people would be prosperous and happy, however poor when arriving.
Information Source: O.F. Harr Family Record. In 1709 Hans and seven other Mennonites bought 10,000 acres of land in Pennslyvania from William Penn. Sailed from Gravesend, England in April 29, 1710. Landed in Philadelphia, in Sept 1710. Name of the ship : Mary Hope, Mastered by John Annis. Bishop Hans Herr: Is described as "of medium height, with long grey hair curled under at the ends and parted in the middle, ...heavy brows, dark hazel eyes, aqualine nose, small mouth with heavy lips, complexion florid, with full beard covering face, the whole lighted by a countenancein wich sweetness and austerity were gracefully blended. Clad in coursest homespun, his feet shod with wood, he at last arrived in the far off land in wich some strange prophecy told him his people would be prosperous and happy, however poor when arriving.
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