"History of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware to the present time" https://archive.org/stream/historyofbucksco03davi/historyofbucksco03davi_djvu.txt
page 24
THE VANSANT FAMILY. The Vansants of Bucks county are descendants of a common ancestor, Gerret Stoffelse Van Sandt or Van Zandt,* (otherwise Garret Van Sandt, son of Stoffel
or Christopher), who emigrated from the Netherlands, probably from Zaan-
dani in North Holland, or Zandberg in Drenthe, in or about the year 1651, and
settled in New Utrecht, Long Island, on the records of which town he is fre-
quently mentioned as Gerret Stoffellse. He was one of the fourteen patentees
mentioned in the patent from Governor Thomas Dongan, May 13, 1686, for the
Commons of New Utrecht, "on behalf of themselves and their associates, the
present freeholders and inhabitants of the said towne." His land was located
at Yellow Hook, "under the jurisdiction of the town of New Utrecht." He was
a magistrate of New Utrecht in 1681.
* For much of the information contained in this sketch, more especially that pertaining to the early
generations of the family, we are indebted to R. Winder Johnson of Philadelphia, who has made extensive
researches covering nearly twenty-five years pertaining to the ancestry of the Vansants and other Holland
families from whom he is descended. He is himself a descendant of Garret Vansandt, through liis son,
jacobus (') . and his fourth son, Isaiali X'iinsant. Who married Charity VanHorn, and their daugliter. Sarah,
who married Christian Van Horn, tlie descent being shown more in detail in the article in this volume on
the VanHorn Family.
By deed dated July 31, 1695, lie conveyed his Yellow Hook plantation to Derick Janse Van Zutphen, and removed to Bucks county, where Joseph Growdon on 12 mo. 10, 1698-9, conveys to him 150 acres in Bensalem township, and on the same date conveys a like tract adjoining to his son Cornelius. It
is probable that he was located for a time in New York, as he had two chil-
dren baptized at the Dutch Reformed church there in 1674 and 1676, respec-
tively. It is generally conceded that he was twice married, as the record of the
baptisms above mentioned gives the name of his wife as Elizabeth Gerritz,
while the later baptisms at New Utrecht and Flatbush churches give it as Lys-
beth Cornelis. It is, however, possible that in one instance her father's sur-
name is used and in the other his first name as was common on the Dutch
records. Cornelius Gerrets was a member of the Dutch church at New Utrecht.
Garret Vansand died intestate in Bensalem township, Bucks county, Pennsyl-
vania, prior to June 5, 1706, the date upon which his ten children make a con-
veyance of his land purchased as before stated in February, 1698-9. The record
of baptism of seven of his ten children appears at the Dutch church of New
Netherlands, and will be given in con-
nection with a sketch of each child, ta-
ken in regular order of birth, later in
this article. The names of the ten chil-
dren were: I. Stoffell; 2. Cornelius; 3.
Josias; 4. Harman; 5. Albert; 6. Johan-
nes; 7. Jacobus; 8. George; 9. Jesina,
and 10. Garret. (Harman was really the
third child in order of birth, and Josias
fourth).
I. STOFFEL VAN SANDT, eldest son of Garret, was born in the province
of New York about the year 1670, and took the oath of allegiance at New Ut-
recht, Long Island, as a native of New Netherlands, in 1687. He probably re-
moved to Bucks county at the same time as his fatlier, in 1699. He was a
member of the Bensalem Dutch Reformed church, with wife Rachel Cour-
son ; having joined by certificate in 1710. He seems, however, to have become a
member of Abington Presbyterian church at its organization in 1714,
and was made one of its elders.
He purchased of Henry Paulin on May 23, 1706, 300 acres of land in
Middletown, 200 acres of which he conveyed to his sons Garret and John, and
died seized of the balance in 1749. He was a justice of Bucks county. 1715-18,
1723-27, and a member of colonial assembly, 1710, 1712, 1714, 1719. His chil-
dren were: i. Jannctje. baptized at Brooklyn, September 3. 1693, married
November 3. 171 1, William Renherg. 2.
Garret, baptized at Brooklyn. May 4, 1695. probably died young, as the soii
Garret, mentinned later, was ceriai^ily
25
a younger man. (These children above were by Stoffel's first marriage with An-
netje Stoffels, who probably died prior to the removal to Bucks county.) The chil-
dren of Stoffel by his second marriage with Rachel Corson, daughter of Hen-
drick Courson, were eight in number and as follows:
3. Joshua, married February 20, 1728, Catharine Johnston, and settled in Kent
county, Maryland, on land conveyed to him by his father, October 28, 1728.
4. John, who married Rebecca Cox, of Philadelphia, August 19, 1728, and set-
tled in Middletown, on land conveyed to him by his father in 1738, and died
there in 1750. leaving daughters Ann, Elizabeth, Catharine, Rebecca and Mary
and one son, John.
5. James, who was baptised at Abington as an adult September 16, 1716, and
had children, i. Rebecca, 2. Flora, 3, John, 4. Jacobus, baptized there 1719-
1733-
6. Garret, purchased land of his father in Middletown in 1742, died there in
1789. leaving large family of children;
see forward.
7. Elizabeth, who married John Enoch in 1718, and left a large family.
8. Alice, or Alshe, married Samuel Rue and left a number of children.
9. Rachel, married Lewis Rue, March 24. 1736, and left children.
ID. Je.sina. who never married.
II. CORNELIUS VAN SANDT, son of Garret (i) was born in New York,
probably about the year 1672. On 12 mo. ID, 1698-9. he purchased 150 acres of
land adjoining his father in Bensalem township. Bucks county. On May 4,
1714. he conveyed this tract to Thomas Stevenson. It was probably in exchange
for land in Cecil county, Maryland, as on the same date Stevenson conveyed
to him 1,035 acres on the west side of Elk river, in New Mnnster township,
Cecil county, Maryland. He was bap-
tized at Pennypack Baptist church, Sep-
tember 14, 1712, and in 1714, with wife
Dericka. was "dismissed to Welsh
Tract" Baptist church in Pencader Hun-
dred, New Castle county. This church
was organized by a colony of Welsh
Baptists at Milford Haven, wdien about
to embark for America, in 1701. On ar-
riving in America they located at Pen-
nypack. where they remained until 1703.
when they located in New Castle on
land donated to them by James James,
and were ever after known as the "Welsh Tract Baptist Church." Cornelius Vansarjt remained a member of this church, and was buried there May I. 1734- His will, probated in Cecil county, mentions wife Mary and children Cornelius, Garret and Rebecca, all
apparently minors. He evidently married a second time after his removal.
III. Harman' Van Sandt, son of Garrett and Lysbeth Gerritz, was baptized
at the Dutch Reformed church of New York, June 10, 1674, and died in Bensa-
lem township, Bucks county, in 1759. He purchased August i, 1704, 250 acres of
land in Bensalem of Thomas Stevenson, and on April 26, 1712, 250 more. On May
26, 1713, he purchased 125 acres which had belonged to his brother Johannes,
and devised it in his will to his daughter Catharine, wife of Daniel Severns.
On May 20, 1741, he purchased 100 acres for his daughter Gazina, wife of Jacob
Titus. He also purchased in 171 1 56 acres in Southampton, which he con-
veyed to his brother Jacobus. Harman Vansant was three times married. His
first wife, whom he married in New Utrecht, was Elizabeth Brouwers. He
married (second) in 1733 Jane Joudon, and (third) oji November 9, 1738, Judith
Evans, who survived him. She had been twice married before becoming the wife
of Harman Vansant, first to Cornelius McCarty, and second to John Evans,
both of Basalem township. The children of Harman Vansant were as follows, all
probably by Elizabeth, his first wife:
I. Garret, who died in 1755, leaving
a widow Mary and four children — Har-
man, Peter, Elizabeth and Garret. Har-"
man, who married Eleanor Vandegrift,
was the administrator of his father in
I7SS> and executor of the will of his
grandfather in 1759. He was devised by
the latter 125 acres of the land whereon
his father had lived, and subsequently
purchased considerable other land in
Bensalem where he died in 1815. His
children were: Jacob, baptized at South-
ampton church, July 7, 1754: Joseph;
Mary Van Horn; Eleanor, wife of Rob-
ert Wood; Sarah Cox; Ann Pleamess
and Garret. Peter was devised 100 acres
of land by his grandfather. Elizabeth and
Garret were the ancestors of practically
all the Vansants of Bensalem.
2. Gazina, who married Jacon Titus and lived on land devised to her by her
father. She died prior to April 30, 1772, leaving children; Elizabeth, who married Ephraim Phillips, of Burlington,
New Jersey; Olshe. who married Joseph Seaborne, of Warwick, Bucks county;
Catharine, who married John Baker, of Mt. Holly, New Jersey; Charity, wife of
Samuel Sutton, of Byberry, Jacob. Seruch and William, of Bensalem; and Sa-
rah of Byberry.
3. Elizabeth, who married May 6, 1719, Volkert Vandegrift, and had nine chil-
dren, and died before her father. See Vandegrift Family.
' 4. Katharine, who married Daniel Severns and lived on land in Bensalem
devised to her by her father.
5. Harman, who married Alice Craven, daughter of James Craven, of Warmins-
ter, Bucks county, and died in 1735, leaving four children, mentioned in his
father's will in 1755. three of whom were James, Harman and William. James
26
was born in 1731, and died in Nortlianip-
ton, January 31, 1798; he married Aug-
ust 23, 1756, Jane Bennett, daughter of
William and Charity Bennett, and set-
tled in Northampton in 1764; James and
Jane were the ])arents of thirteen chil-
dren: Harman, married Alice Ilogeland
and settled in Warminster; Charity, wife
of John Corson, Esq.; William; Charles;
Elizabeth; Eleanor, wife of John Brown;
Richard; Isaac; John; Alice; James;
Aaron, and Mary. Harman, son of Har-
man and Alice (Craven) Vansant, mar-
ried Catharine Hogeland, and died in
Warminster in 1823; was many years a
justice; he left but one child, Elizabeth,
wife of James Edams. William died in
Warminster in 1805
IV. Josias Van Sandt, son of Garret
and Lysbeth Gerritz, was baptized at
the Dutch Reformed church of New
York, October 29, 1676. but as we find
no further record of him he probably
died in childhood.
V. ALBERT VAN SANDT, son of
Garret (i) was baptized at Flatbush,
May 13, 1681. He married November 8,
1704, Rebecca Vandegrift, daughter of
Leonard and Gertje (Ellsworth) Van-
degrift. He probably removed with
the rest of the family to Bensalem,
Bucks county, as he joined in the deed
conveying his father's real estate, but
in 1708-9, in connection with his bro-
ther-in-law, Jacob Vandegrift, purchased
500 acres of land in St. George's Hun-
dred, New Castle county. He seems also
to have purchased land in Georgetown,
Kent county, Maryland, which he con-
veyed to his brother George, May 14,
"^737- 111 1743 lie and his wife Rebecca,
of St. George's Hundred, New Castle
county, Delaware, joined in the deed for
his father-in-law's real estate in Bensa-
lem. After this date and prior to De-
cember 16, 1751, the date of his will, he
married a second wife, Sarah, who is
named as executrix. His children were:
Elizabeth, baptized October 3, 1705, mar-
ried a Joudon; Leonard, baptized No-
vember 5, 1707, probably died young,
not mentioned in will; Harmanus;
James; John; Garret; Christina, mar-
ried a Dushane; Rebecca, married a Mar-
tin; and Ann, who married a Brown.
VI. JOHANNES (or John) VAN
SANDT, born on Long Island, son of
Garret (i), married at the First Pres-
byterian church of Philadelphia, 12 mo.
17, 1702, Leah Grocsbeck, probably
daughter of Jacob Groesbeck, who ac-
companied the Vansants from Long Isl-
and .to Bensalem and purchased land
there. John Vansand, as he signed his
name, purchased August I, 1704, 125
acres of land in Bensalem of Thomas
Stevenson, but reconveyed it to Stev-
enson, May 17. 1714, and the latter im-
mediately conveyed it to Harmon Van-
Sandt before mentiontd. On the same
date Stevenson conveyed to him 500
acrs of land on Elk River, Cecil county,
Maryland. It is probable that his in-
tention to move to Maryland was-
frustrated by his sickness and death.
His will is dated October 30, 1714, and
was proved the sixth of the following
January. It devises to son John forty
shillings, and to his wife Leah his per-
sonal estate and the use of his Mary-
land real estate, if not sold, during life
for "the educaticui and maintenance of.
herself and children." Believing that it
will be necessary to sell his Maryland
real eistate, he empowers Stofifel Van-
sand and Bartholomew Jacobs to sell it.
If not sold, to be valued and divided
between the two boys, they paying their
sisters their equal shares. The only child
mentioned was John. It is possible that
the other of "the two boys" was Gar-
ret, who had a number of children bap-
tized at St. Stephen's church, Cecil
county, beginning with 1721. A daughter
Rachel was baptized June 5, 1711.
TJ^'-ijACOBUS (or James) VAN SANDT,
son of Garret (i), was baptized at Flat-
bush, Long Island, February 15, 1685,
and removed with his father to Bensa-
lem, Bucks county, in 1699. He married
at the First Presbyterian church of
Philadelphia, on January 7, 1707-8, Re-
becca Vandegrift, daughter of Nicho-
las and Barentje (Verkerk) Vandegrift,
who had come to Bensalem from Long
Island at the same date as the Vansants,
(See Vandegrift Family). Jacobus and
his wife joined the Bensalem church,
Neshaminy branch, at its institution in
1710. On April 7, 1711, Benjamin Hop-
per conveyed to Jacobus Vansand, of
Bensalem, yeoman, 100 acres of land in
Southampton, and on January I, 1712,
his brother Harman Vansandt and Eli-
zabeth his wife conveyed to Jacobus fif-
ty acres adjoining the 150 which had
been purchased by Harman of Ezra
Bowen, June 13, 171 1. He later purchased
144 acres of land of Cornelius Egmont,
which he devised to his son Nicholas.
The will of Jacobus Vansandl, of South-
ampton, is dated December 12, 1744. a"fl
was proven January 9, 1745- It devises
to son Jacob the 150 acre farm on which
he dwelt, reserving certain p-ivileges to
his wife Rebecca: the Egmont farm to
son Nicholas: mentions daughters Eliza-
beth and Rebecca as having received
their shares, the latter being ceceased;
sons Jacobus, Garret and Isaiah, and
grandson Charles Inyard, to have equal
shares. The will names "kinsman John
Vansand" and friend Nathaniel Brittian
as executors, but they renouncing, as
also did the widov/, letters were granted
to the sons James and Nicholas. The
will is signed "J. V." His widow Re-
becca survived him two years, leaving
will dated November 18, 1746, and
])roved January 13, 1746-7. and men-
tions the sanfe children, and grandson
diaries Inyar<l. The cliildren of Ja-
HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.
27
cobus and Rebecca Vandegrift Vansandt
were: Jacobus (or James) baptized De-
cember I, 1708; married 10 mo, i, 1732,
Margaret Rreece. daughter of Hendrick
and Hannah (Field) Breece of Bensalem;
see ancestry of Lewis R. Bond, in this
volume.
2. Elizabeth, baptized May 21. 17 10;
married 4 mo. i, 1732, Charles Inyard,
ef Warminster, and left one son, Charles
Inyard.
3. Garret, married May 13, 1739. Ann
Groome of Southampton.
4. Nicholas, baptized January i, 1711-12,
married May 18, 1744, Mary Brittian.
5. Rebecca baptized August 7, 1716,
married Isaac Larue.
6. Isaiah, married June 6, 1732, Char-
ity (or Gertrude) VanHorn.
7. Jacob.
James, who married Margaret Breece.
was a mason, and in 1734 purchased of
Gidean de Camp 100 acres in Warmin-
ster, which he sold in 1748. At about
the same date he signed a release to his
brothers-in-law, Hendrick, and John
Breese for legacy left his wife by her
father, and probably accompanied his
brother-in-law Hendrick Breece to Har-
ford county, Maryland. Garret, the sec-
ond son, was a blacksmith in Southamp-
jton. His will dated 9 mo. 29, 1779, is on
file in the register of wills' office of
Bucks county, but does not appear to
have been proven. It mentions wife
Ann and the following children: Will-
iam; Phebe, who married ]\Iiles Strick-
land, December 24, 1760; Mary and Re-
becca Walton; Margaret Foster; "daugh-
ter Elizabeth's three sons, Amos, Breece
and Mahlon Vansant; John; Ann Rich-
ardson; Esther Vansant and James.
Nicholas, the third son. married Mary
Brittian and had two children. Captain
Nathaniel Vansant, of the Revolution;
and Rebecca, who married January 9,
1768, Daniel Boileau. Nicholas died
about May i, 1801, and his widow Mary
in March, 1808.
Isaiah, the fourth son, rr\arried Gertje
(or Charity) Van Horn, daughter of
Peter and Elizabeth Van Horn of Mid-
dletown. On March 18, 17^6-7, he pur-
chased at sheriflf's sale 178^4 acres of
land in Makefield township. In 1754 he
purchased a small tract adjoining, and in
1768 purchased of John Scott 100 acres
in Upper Makefield. His children w^ere:
Isaiah; Elizabeth, wife of Cornelius Van-
degrift; Rachel, wife of George Merrick,
married 4 mo. T2. 1769; Charity; Sarah,
who married Christian VanHorn, June
14, 1764; Mary, who married Gabriel
VanHorn, January 18, 1772; Joshua;
Peter, who married Elizabeth W^ollard
April 8. 1778, and (second) Alethia Cur-
tis; Gabriel; and Cornelius, who married
Mary Larzelere. The will of Isaiah Van-
sant is dated April 15, 1786, and
was proved September 28, 1786. It
devises to son Joshua the land
bought of John Scott in Upper Make-
field, and to Gabriel and Cornelius the
home plantation, "reserving one-fourth
of an acre for a graveyard, where I have
began to bury, for myself and my rela-
tions;" mentions Elijah, eldest son of
Isaiah, daughter Rachel's three children;
daughter Charity's four children, and
daughter Mary, and her daughter Char-
ity; and daughter tElizabeth.
Jacob, the youngest son of Jacobus
and Rebecca Vansant, inherited from his
father the homestead in Southampton,
and died there in 1812, devising ninety
acres thereof to his daughter Elizabeth
Vansant. His other children were: Jane,
who married Samuel Dickson; and Mar-
garet, wdio married Jacob Roads.
VIII. GEORGE VAN SANDT, son
of Garret (i) was baptized at Flatbush,
Long Island, April 24, 1687, and re-
moved with the family to Bensalem,
Bucks county, in 1699. He married 12
mo. 17, 1706, Micah Vandegrift. He
joined his brother Jacobus in the pur-
chase of his father's Bensalem farm in
1706, and purchased his brother's inter-
est on- April 2, 1711. On May 17, 1714,
he and wife Micah conveyed this 150
acres in Bensalem to Thomas Stevenson,
and removed to Cecil county, Maryland,
where he purchased of Gideon Pearce,
February 20, 1721, a tract of land called
"Forks and Revision," and in 1737 pur-
chased of his brother Albert part of a
tract called "Tolchester." On October
17, "^733, he and wife "Mary" convey to
his son Nicholas, a tract called "Nich-
olas' Inheritance," and on same date,
they convey to son George other lands.
In 1745 they convey parts of "Tolches-
ter" to sons Ephraim and Benjamin.
From the w-ill of George Vansant, proven
:\Iarch 22, 1755, we learn that his chil-
dren were Nicholas, Cornelius, George,
Benjamin, Ephraim, John; Elizabeth,
wife of Peter Cole; Hester Newcombe,
Resultah Salisbury, and Ann Smith.
X. GARRET VAN SANDT, young-
est son of Garret (i) was a minor when
his father's real estate was conveyed in
1706. He settled in Wrightstown town-
ship, near Penn's Park, where he had a
large plantation. He died in 1746, leav-
ing a widow Claunchy, sons Garret and
Cornelius, to whom he devised the plan-
tation; and daughters Sarah Sackett,
Rachel Dungan and Rebeclcah Vansant.
the latter a minor. Cornelius married
Mary Lee, December 6, 1748, and died in
March, 1789, without issue. His wife
Mary died in August, 1808. Garret, eld-
est son of Garret and Claunchy, inher-
ited one-half of the Wrightstown home-
stead, and died there in June; 1806. He
married April 30, 1760, Rebecca Evans,
who survived him. She was possiblv his
second wife. Their children were Eliza-
beth Addis, Rebecca McClellan. and
Marv, wife of Joseph Carver. Rebecca^
28
daughter of Garret, Sr.. married a Brit-
tian, whose son Joseph and grandson
Cornelius are mentioned in the will of
Cornelius Van Sant.
Garret Vansant of Middlctown. son of
Stophel, received by deed of gift from
his father on October 21, 1742, gsYj acres
of land, part of 300 acres purchased bj'
Stophel of Henry Paulin in 1706, and on
January 10, 1748, purchased 214 acres in
Middletown of Charles and Ann Plumlj'.
On June 25, 1789, he conveys the last
mentioned tract in about equal parts to
his sons, Garret, Jr., and John, and on
July 31, 1789, he convej'ed to his son
George the 95^ acres conveyed to him
by his fatliei. No record appears of the
name of his wife. A Garret Vansant
married Leah Nixon at Churchville,
April 15, 1747, which was probably this
Garret, although it may have been his
cousin Garret, of Wrightstown. The will
of Garret Vansant is dated July 7, 1789,
and was proven August 7, 1789, only a
week after the couA'eyance of his land.
It mentions the children of his son
Jacob, and their mother Mary Vastine;
daughters Rachel Harrison, Keziah
Sweetman, Vashti Vansant and Sarah
Hise; sons John, Garret and George, and
grandson James Vansant. Jacob, the
eldest son. married Mary Richardson,
daughter of Joseph Richardson, and set-
tled in Falls township, Bucks county,
where he died in April, 1785. leaving chil-
dren: Elizabeth, James, Catharine and
Garret. His widow married Benjamin
Vastine prior to 1789. George Vansant
married Sarah Johnston, December 24,
1783. He sold the old homestead to
Joshua Woolston in 1794, and removed
to Bristol township. John married Le-
titia Leaw and died in Middletown in
1812, leaving a son John, and daughters
Ann Leah Lovett and Amelia Booz. Gar-
ret Vansant. Jr.. remained on the home-
stead purchased of his father in 1789 un-
til 1822, when he convej^ed it to his sons
James and John, and soon after removed
to Newtown, where he died in 1842 at an
advanced age. His wife Mary had died
many years previously. The children of
Garret and Mary Vansant were John,
James, Martha: Jane, wife of Isaac Ran-
dall; Rachel wife of Eber Randall; and
Mary, wife of Jonathan Hunter. James
died in Middletown in 1833, leaving a
widow Amy and two children. Elizabeth,
born March 11, 1821, and James born
May I. 1826.
JAMES TITUS VANSANT, of Mid-
dletown township, son of John and Mary
(Hunter) Vansant. and grandson of Gar-
ret and Mary Vansant, last mentioned,
was born in MiddletowMi township May
-^• ^837. where he was educated at the
public scliools. and has spent his whole
life on the farm that has been the prop-
erty of his direct ancestors since 1748,
and part of it since 1704. On January
21, 1863. he married Lucy Ann Carman,
daughter of Samuel and Mary Ann
(Brown) Carman, of Bensalem townships
and granddaughter of Barzilla and Beu-
lah Carman. Her maternal grandparents
were Israel and Sarah (Hellings) Brown,
the latter being a daughter of Nathan
and Rachel Hellings, of an old Middle-
town, Bucks county, family whose pro-
genitor was Nicholas Hellings, an early
settler in Northampton. Mr. and Mrs.
Vansant are the parents of eight chil-
dren, viz.: Samuel Jennings, born Au-
gust IS, 1865. died February 28, 1904;
William Carman, born May 14, 1867;
John Andrew, born August 11, 1869;
Howard, born September 12. 1871; Clar-
ence, born August 22, 1873; James Mer-
ton. born November 15, 1875. Joseph
Winder, born January 10, 1879; Lucy
Ann. born June 16. 1883. Samuel Jen-
nings Vansant married August, 1891,
Martha A. Tomlinson of Fox Chase, and
they are the parents of three children —
Roy. Arthur and Frederick. William
Carman Vansant married January I,
•1894, Melvina Search, and they have
four children — Charles Search, James
Merton, Mary, and Edward. Mrs. Mel-
vina Search died in December, 1904.
John Andrew Vansant married April 13,
1900, Ella. Sickle, and had one child
Esther Helen. Clarence Vansant married,
January 25, 1898, Clara Worthington,
and their children are: Harriet, born Oc-
tober 21. 1898; and Samuel, born Octo-
ber 19. 1901. James M. Vansant married,
March 6, 1900, Ada K. Hibbs, and their
children are: Albert Hunter, born De-
cember 31, 1900; and Clifford Randall,
born July 31, 1903. Joseph Winder Van-
sant married June i, 1904, Matilda Pre-
vost McArthur.
Mr. Vansant is one of the prominent
and successful men of the county, and
has held many positions of trust. He
owns a large amount of real estate, in
dwellings and farms and takes a lively
interest in the affairs of the county. He
and his family are members of the Meth-
odist church. In politics he is a Re-
publican. He is a member of Nesha-
miny Lodge, No. 422, I. O. O. F., of
Hulmeville.
HOWARD VANSANT. fourth son of
James T. and Lucy Ann (Carman) Van-
sant. was born in Middletown township,
September 12, 1871. and received his ele-
mentary education at the public schools.
He graduated from Pierce's Business
C>)llege in 1891. and for one winter filled
the position in that institution as teacher
in the banking department. He then
accepted the position of bookkeeper for
.Augustes Beitney, which he filled for
six j-ears. and then entered into the em-
ploy of Walton Bros., grain merchants
of Philadelphia, as bookkeeper, and after
a short time was promoted to the posi-
tion of general superintendent, haying
general charge of their large warehouse.
The firm has for many years done a
29
large business, and is one of the largest
dealers in that line in Philadelphia. In
politics Air. Vansant is a Republican,
and takes an active interest in the af-
fairs of the town in which he lives. He
has been for many years a member of the
borough council, and is now filling the
position of clerk of that body. He is a
member of the Masonic fraternity, being
affiliated with Bristol Lodge No. 25, F.
and A. M. He is also a member of
Neshaminy Lodge, No. 422, L O. O. F.,
of Hulmeville, of which he is a past
grand. He married, November 12, 1895.
Cora Wilson, daughter of Charles and
Sarah (Snyder) Wilson, of Trenton, New
Jersey, and a granddaughter of Chris-
topher and Sarah (Snyder) Wilson. They
are the parents of two children, Ella
Praul, born February 23, 1900; and
Elisha Praul, born March 9, 1904-
ANCESTRY OF MARTIN V. B. and
NATHANIEL VANSANT, of South-
ampton.
Captain Nathaniel Vansant, only son
of Nicholas and Mary (Brittian) Van-
sant, of Southampton, was born on the
old homestead in that township, March
13- 1745- At the outbreak of the Revolu-
tion he was a resident of Bensalem town-
ship having purchased a farm there in
1777. He was commissioned first lieu-
tenant of the Associated company of that
township. From the very beginning of
the arming for the conflict with the
mother country, the Vansants were fore-
most in oft^ering their services for home
defense and militia service. Garret and
Peter were members of the Bensalem
company; Garret. of Southampton,
brother of Nicholas, ^.nd uncle to Cap-
tain Nathaniel, was second lieutenant of
the Southampton company in 1775. and
was second lieutenant of the Fifth Com-
pany of the First Battalion in the re-
organization of 1777- Nicholas, father
of Captain Nathaniel, and Jacob, his
brother were both members of the
Southampton company in 1775. In i\Iid-
dletown. George and John, sons of Gar-
ret and grandsons of Stophel, were mem-
bers of the Associated company of that
township. James, son of Harman and
grandson of Harman. Sr.. the only mem-
ber of the family in Northampton, joined
the Associated company there in 1775.
Peter, of Lower Makefield, son of Isaiah
and grandson of Jacobus, was captain of
the company of that township, and his
brother Cornelius was second lieutenanh^
The member of the family, however,
who rendered pre-eminent service and
suffered untold hardships in the defense
of his country was Captain Nathaniel
Vansant. of Bensalem. He was commis-
sioned a captain January 5, 1776. in Col-
onel Robert Magaw's Fifth Pennsylvania
Battalion of the Flying Camp, in which
there was a large number of Bucks coun-
tians. who through the treachery of Ma-
gaw's adjutant, were badly routed at
Fort Washington, New York, on No-
vember 16, 1776, and 2,700 American sol-
diers were taken prisoners, including
Magaw and almost his entire command.
Captain Vansant was captured with the
rest, and for two years suffered the hor-
rors of imprisonment in the floating hells
in New York harbor and the loathsome
warehouses in the city. Many of the let-
ters written home to his wife while a
prisoner are in the possession of the
Bucks County Historical Society and of
members of the family. The quaint
chapeau worn by him in the service is
also in possession of the Historical So-
ciety.
Captain Vansant married August 27,
1768. at the Dutch Reformed church of
Southampton, Hannah Vansandt. There
seems to be some dispute about the
maiden name of Hannah Vansant; both
the church records and that of the grant-
ing of the license by the civil authorities
give it as Vanzandt, while his descen-
dants claim that her name was Brittian,
the same as that of the Captain's mother.
It seems to be conceded that she was
his cousin, and it is probable that she
was the daughter of his uncle, James
Vansandt. who married Margaret, daugh-
ter of Hendrick and Hannah (Field)
Breece. Hannah was born January 16,
1746, and died August 19, 1818. The chil-
dren of Captain Nathaniel and Hannah
Vansant were as follows: Harman, who
died of yellow fever in Philadelphia dur-
ing the epidemic of that disease in the
city, about the close of the century; and
Nicholas, born February 25, 1771. died
April 19. 1850.
Nicholas, as only surviving child of
Nathaniel and Hannah Vansant, inher-
ited the real estate of his father, who
died August 8, 1825. intestate. He lived
and died on the old homestead in South-
ampton, which remained in the family
for six generations and until 1889, when
it was sold, a period of at least one hun-
dred and fifty years. Nicholas married
Alary Larzelcre. daughter of Nicholas
and Hannah (Brittian) Larzelere of Ben-
salem township. She was born Septem-
ber 8, 1772, and died October 27, 1863.
The children of Nicholas and Mary
(Larzelere) Vansant were:
1. Alary, born September 6. 1795, mar-
ried Jacob Vansant, and had two chil-
dren, Franklin, who married a Hogeland,
and Angelina.
2. Nathaniel, born April 14, 1797, mar-
ried z\lice Vanartsdalen; see forward.
3. Elizabeth, born February 24. I799,
married Silas Rhoads, and had one child,
Alary Ann, who married William Go-
forth.
4. Benjamin, born February 14, 1803.
died June. 1869; married (first) Sarah
Campbell, born Alarch 7. 1810, died
Alarch to. 1853: and (second) Jane Lu-
kens. The children of the first marriage
30
were: Lendrum L., born October 4,
1832; Elizabeth R., who married J. Paul
Knight; Harriet P., who married George
Shoemaker; and Charles R., who mar-
ried Carrie Saurman. The only child of
the second marriage was Dr. Benjamin
Vansant.
5. Nicholas L., born September 7,
1807; married Margaret Vandegrift, and
had two children, Mahlon and Marj^ Ann.
The children of Nathaniel and Alice
(Vanartsdalen) Vansant, were:
1. Mary Amanda, born March 26, 1824,
married Anderson Leedom, and had
three children: Thomas, deceased; Alice,
wife of John Tomlinson; and Nathaniel,
who married Martha Comly.
2. Casper R., born April 3, 1826, died
June 26, 1881, married Ellen Field, and
had two children: Nathaniel, born Oc-
tober 12, 1859; see forward; and Levi,
who married Ida Sickle.
3. Nicholas B., born January 28, 1828,
went to California, where he probably
died.
4. Hiram R., born January 12, 1831,
•died September 19, 1888.
5. Jacob W., born March 7. 1833: mar-
ried Esther Buckman, and had five chil-
dren: Alice, who married William Brad-
field; Watson, who married a VanReif;
Howard, who married Lydia Stout;
Leonard, who married Sarah Yerkes; and
Mary who married Horace Blaker.
6. Howard S., born February 13.
1835; married Elizabeth Fetter. He died
July 9, 1866.
7. MARTIN VAN BUREN VANSANT, born on the old homestead in
Southampton, February 4, 1839. He was
reared on the old homestead and edu-
cated at the public schools. He learned
the trade of a miller, and was engaged in
the milling business at Churchville for a
number of years. At his father's death
in 1883 he purchased the old homestead
in Southampton, and subsequently sold
it to Dr. Benjamin Baer, of Philadelphia.
Mr. Vansant was never married. In pol-
itics he is a Democrat. He never held
other than local offices, having filled
that of assessor, which office, by the way,
was held by his great-great-grandfather
under Colonial authority, the original
commission being in possession of the
Bucks County Historical Society.
NATHANIEL VANSANT, son of
Casper (4) and Ellen (Field) Vansant.
was born at Somerton. Philadelphia
county. October 12,. 1859, but was reared
in Southampton township, Bucks county,
and educated at the local schools. His
father purchased a farm in Southamp-
ton in 1870, which he conveyed to Na-
thaniel in 1888, and he has always fol-
lowed the life of a farmer. In politics
he is a Democrat. He has filled the of-
fice of school director for several years.
He was married in September, 1888. to
Wilhelmina Depew, and they are the
parents of two children: Blanche, born
March 10, 1890; and Viola E., born October 8, 1892.
