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Peter Balthasar Suman

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Peter Balthasar Suman

Birth	:	10 May 1727 Schriesheim, Rhein-Neckar-Kreis, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Death	:	17 Aug 1781 Frederick, Frederick County, Maryland, USA
Burial	:	Ausherman School House Cemetery, Burkittsville, Frederick County, USA
Description	:	Peter Suman was hanged in Fredericktowne (now Frederick) alleged to be sympathetic to the British. His body was taken at night to the Ausherman School House Cem. and buried with a blank field stone marker. This was to prevent identification of his grave; the family fearing it be desecrated. The exact location of interment is now unknown. From: "A Pleasant View" Rev. H. Austin Cooper.∼May 10, 1727 Peter was born in Schriesheim, Germany. Peter was a Protestant of the Bretheren faith. Peter Suman sailed on the ship Dragon, Captain George Spence. Peter was 19 years... Read More	Peter Suman was hanged in Fredericktowne (now Frederick) alleged to be sympathetic to the British. His body was taken at night to the Ausherman School House Cem. and buried with a blank field stone marker. This was to prevent identification of his grave; the family fearing it be desecrated. The exact location of interment is now unknown. From: "A Pleasant View" Rev. H. Austin Cooper.∼May 10, 1727 Peter was born in Schriesheim, Germany. Peter was a Protestant of the Bretheren faith. Peter Suman sailed on the ship Dragon, Captain George Spence. Peter was 19 years old the day they sailed - May 10, 1749. When the ship docked in Philadelphia, September 26, 1749. Peter brought along his family bible. He was the only passenger who could read and write both German and English. 1754 - About this time Peter married Eleanor Miller, the daughter of Michael Miller. Peter and Eleanor settled Frederick County, Maryland and decided to stay. The family eventually settled at Birkittsville, Md. 1781 - Some English and Hessian prisoners are held in the Frederick, Maryland area. Peter's father-in-law, Michael Miller is a large supporter of the Revolution as he supplies a number of blankets to the army. A plot is uncovered that calls for British troops supported by Indians to come down from Canada and Detroit through Pittsburgh to Frederick. The aim of this invasion is to free the prisoners held by the Americans and then go east to help the British in Virginia. There is a suggestion that Peter is one of several local citizens suspected of being ready to welcome and help the English invaders. July 25, 1781 - On this day Peter and Nicholas Andrews, John George Graves, Yost Plecker, Adam Graves, Henry Shell and Casper Fritchie are convicted of treason and are sentenced under English law for this crime. Many people believe that as a member of the Brethren faith Peter was a pacifist and would not actively support any side at war. The judge was Alexander Contee Hanson. The sentence of the judge is as follows........ It has been suggested to the Court that not withstanding your Guilt has been ascertained by an Impartial Jury, you consider the proceedings against you as nothing more than a Mockery, and have adopted the Vain Idea, propagated by the Enemies of Your County that she dare not punish her unnatural Subjects for engaging in the service of Great Britain... From the strange insensibility you have heretofore discovered, I have been forced to conclude that you are laboring under a Delusion which may prove fatal to your prospects of Future Happiness in the Hereafter. The crime of which you have been Convicted, upon the clearest and fullest evidence, is of such a Nature that you cannot and must not look for Pardon. Had it pleased Heaven to permit the Full Execution of your unnatural Designs, the Miseries to be experienced by your devoted Country would have been dreadfuil even in the Contemplation.... The Ends of Public Justice, the Dictates of policy, the feelings of Humanity, all require that you should serve as an awful Example to your Fellow-Subjects; and the Dignity of the State, with everything that can interest the Heart of Man, calls to the Heavens for your just punishment.... If the Consideration of approaching Fate can inspire proper Sentiments, you will pour forth your Thanks to that watchful Providence, which has arrested you at an early stage of Guilt; and you will employ the short time you have to live in endeavoring by sincere Penitence to obtain Pardon from that Almighty Being who is to also sit in Judgement upon you, upon me, upon this faithful jury, and upon all mankind. I must now perform the painful Task of announcing the terrible Punishment ordained for High Treason..... You (he then pronounced the names of the convicted) and each and every one of you, attend to your Sentence.... You shall be carried from this place to the Goal of Frederick County, and hence to the gallows of Fredericktown and be hanged thereon. You shall be cut down to the Earth alive, and your Entrails shall be taken out and burnt while you are yet alive; your Head shall be cut off; your Body shall be divided into four Parts, and your Head and Quarters shall be placed where His Excellency - the Governor - shall appoint for public exhibition..... So God have Mercy upon your Poor Souls. August 17, 1781 - Peter and two others are executed. Their land is appropriated. Eleanor and some friends had to go around the town of Frederick and pick up the pieces of Peter, if you will. The report says that he was buried at Asherman or Ausherman School. In another part it states that the graves are just off Broad Run Road, just below the Mount Pleasant Church in Burkittsville. In still another place they refer to Pleasant View Church of the Brethren in Burkittsville. Peter and Eleanor were charter members of the church. ------------------------------- Addendum from Ken Striker (#47489461) of Dayton, Ohio (11/07/2013) From the publication "Peter B Suman and The Treason Trials" Rev Cooper wrote: In 1985 he (the author) and his wife were guests of Commander and Doris Jackson Jr. "Doris Jackson looked at me across the table and quietly said "Rev Cooper, if Peter Suman really was killed because of Tory leanings he paid the supreme price for loyalty to King George III who didn't deserve it." This author in all sincerity having an historical knowledge of the church background and the historical and political background of those times said, "Suman was in no way guilty of the charges lodged against Him." Also, "I became a member of the Sons of the American Revolution though my lineage with the Bachtell family. I am proud to descend from such devout, determined, responsible, and physically durable pioneers. I am a past president of the John Paul Jones Chapter of the SAR and president of the State Society Sons of the American Revolution despite my kinship to Peter Suman" --- Commander Elmer Martin Jackson, Jr, Annapolis Maryland. --------------------------------- The following provided by Contributor: ladyluck (48349858) Source: "Frederick County, MD, Equity JS-1 575-583 - SUMAN/SHUMAN, MACKLIN, BUZZARD, ECARD, MILLER - Jul 1819 Albert SUMAN, Willliam SHUMAN and Garrott SHUMAN vs Joseph ECARD and w/ Ganett of Ohio" PETER SHUMAN, dec'd widow - Eleanor (d/ 20 Jun 1818, intestate) and 11 children 1. Aaron SHUMAN 2. Catalina SHUMAN w/o Jacob/Robet MACKLIN - Tennessee 3. Albert SHUMAN 4. Jacob SHUMAN 5. Peter SHUMAN 6. John SHUMAN 7. Eleanor SHUMAN w/o Samuel BUZZARD 8. William SHUMAN 9. Isaac SHUMAN, dec'd - Ohio ...w/ Sarah/Catharine and 3 minor children ......Elen SHUMAN ......Sarah SHUMAN ......James SHUMAN 10. Ganett SHUMAN w/o Joseph ECARD - Ohio 11. Anne SHUMAN Peter SHUMAN was executed for High Treason in a Frederick County Court in Frederick Towne in 1781; his land was then confiscated and all his personal property as well, leaving his widow and eleven children defenseless and penniless. (I believe the whole tragic story is in the History of Frederick County). The family was forced to move in with friends until such time as they were able to protest to the court in a petition to recover the real estate of Peter SUMAN/SHUMAN. In Nov 1796, Chapter 15, a Special Act of General Assembly of Maryland provided his real estate should go to his rightful heirs. Land - "Bloomsberry", 71 1/2 acres from Joseph RENCH, John RENCH and Andrew RENCH; - "Goosebill", 75 3/4 acres, and "Sly's Discovery", 8 acres, from John SHENECK. During this period, Samuel and Eleanor BUZZARD purchased the interests from Eleanor's brothers: Aaron, Jacob, John and Peter. Sale was held and the highest bidder was John MILLER @ $79/acre, 148 3/4 acres totaling $12,541.25; however, the rights were transferred to Samuel BUZZARD. Each 1/11 part was $1,094.53.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Peter Balthasar Suman's memorial?
Peter Balthasar Suman's memorial is located at: Ausherman School House Cemetery, Burkittsville, Frederick County, USA.
When did Peter Balthasar Suman death?
Peter Balthasar Suman death on 17 Aug 1781 in Frederick, Frederick County, Maryland, USA

Family Members:

Spouse

Eleanor Beauford Miller Suman

(1730 - 1818)

Children

Aaron Suman

(1759 - 1828)

Albert Ellsworth Suman

(1763 - 1842)

Garrett Suman

(1767 - 1862)

Eleanor Suman Bussard

(1772 - 1840)

Flowers:

Left by Anonymous on 14 Jan 2017

Left by Anonymous on 22 Feb 2015

Left by Anonymous on 13 Nov 2016

I know you made your money playing a mean violin.

Left by Anonymous on 01 Jul 2020

Left by Anonymous on 16 Dec 2020

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Ausherman School House Cemetery
Burkittsville, Frederick County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4208740, -77.2210960

2. Burkittsville Union Cemetery
Burkittsville, Frederick County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4347000, -77.1994019

3. Ceres Bethel AME Church Cemetery
Burkittsville, Frederick County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4401000, -77.1817000

4. Pleasant View Church of the Brethren Cemetery
Burkittsville, Frederick County, USA

5. Slifer Family Cemetery
Burkittsville, Frederick County, USA

6. Sams Creek Cemetery
Clemsonville, Frederick County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4340744, -77.2542953

7. Saum Family Cemetery
Clemsonville, Frederick County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4099300, -77.2533800

8. Simpson-Williams Family Cemetery
Clemsonville, Frederick County, USA

9. Mount Olive Methodist Episcopal Church Cemetery
Edgewood (Frederick), Frederick County, USA

10. Highland Cemetery
Highland, Frederick County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2912530, -77.3246870

11. Miller Family Cemetery
Highland, Frederick County, USA

12. Devilbiss Clary Family Cemetery
Linganore, Frederick County, USA

13. James-Kimmel Cemetery
Linganore, Frederick County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4208740, -77.2210960

14. Locust Grove Church of the Brethren Cemetery
Linganore, Frederick County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4347000, -77.1994019

15. Old Harne Farm Cemetery
Linganore, Frederick County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4401000, -77.1817000

16. Poole Family Cemetery #2
Linganore, Frederick County, USA

17. Saint James AME Church Cemetery
Linganore, Frederick County, USA

18. Central Cemetery
New London, Frederick County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4340744, -77.2542953

19. Hammond Family Cemetery
New London, Frederick County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4099300, -77.2533800

20. Jones Family Cemetery
New London, Frederick County, USA

21. Nelson Family Cemetery
New London, Frederick County, USA

22. McLain Family Cemetery
Thurston, Frederick County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2912530, -77.3246870

23. Rollins Family Cemetery
Thurston, Frederick County, USA

24. House-Phillips Family Cemetery
Braddock Heights, Frederick County, USA