https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/62049780/melchior-seese

'A Patriot of the American Revolution for PENNSYLVANIA (SOLDIER). DAR Ancestor # A101586 DAR says born in Germany.

THERE has been in the past TWO SETS OF PARENTS/ancestry attributed to him -

Thursday, April 14, 2005 Melchior Seese's (1759-1835) Corrected Ancestry

Melchoir Seese was born in 1759 in Lancaster Co, the son of immigrants from Baden, Germany. He grew up in Franklin Co, served in the Cumberland Co Militia, and came to Somerset (then Bedford) County in the late 1780's, first in the Brothersvalley settlement, where he and his wife Sophia (Lint) were members of the Reformed Congregation, and then a short time later locating in Quemahoning Twp in the far northwest part of Somerset Co, just south of what would later be the city of Johnstown. Between the 1810 and 1820 census, he moved one last time a few miles east to the other side of the Stoney Creek into Shade (now Paint) Township, where he and Sophia are buried in a small family plot on a hilltop on the Jonas Weaver farm.

Most of what has been written about Melchoir Seese's early life has been a combination of two histories, one true, the other not. In my opinion it was the belief that Melchoir must be a brother of George Seese, a Mennonite who also lived in Brothersvalley, that introduced stories of Bucks Co, alongside the correct references to Lancaster and Cumberland counties.

It has been widely accepted that "Melchoir arrived in America with his father Jacob Seese on a ship named "Betsy" which arrived in Philadelphia on 19 Sep 1765."

I do not believe this to be true. The Strassberger & Hinke passenger list for this arrival lists only a Jacob Gauss for a name which might be taken as Jacob Seese. There's been no evidence that Jacob Seese arrived on this ship.

It has been widely accepted that "He came to America as a small child with his father settling in Upper Salford Township, Bucks County, Pa."

I do not believe this to be true. There is a Seese family which originated in Bucks Co. They were Mennonites, and George Seese of Somerset was likely from this family. Many descendants married into other Mennonite families and located to Ohio and Indiana in the early 1800's. A Jacob Seese died and left a will in Bucks Co in 1821, but makes no mention of a Melchoir. Although included in the "Amish and Amish-Mennonite Genealogies" by Hugh Gingerich and Rachel Kreider, they admit that Melchoir's descendants were Lutheran and Brethren. There is no evidence that Melchoir or Sophia themselves were ever Mennonite. In 1788, Melchoir Seese was listed as a deacon of the Reformed Church of Brothersvally, and in 1790 their third child John was baptized there.

At the same time, it has been widely accepted that "Melchoir grew up first in Lancaster co., ...before becoming a soldier from 1779-1782."; "Melchoir was a Private in the Cumberland Co., Penn Militia in 1782."; "Melchoir Seese enlisted in the Revolutionary War. The Pa. Archives, have him listed as a Private under Captain Sam Roder 1779-1782."

These statements can be documented to be true. The Seese records in Lancaster Co will be missed unless one realizes that the anglicized name Seese is found as Süss (or Suess) in the German language, which is how many church records were kept in Pennsylvania the 1700's. There was a Johann Melchoir Süss baptized 28 Mar 1759 at the Emanuel Lutheran Church in Brickerville, Lancaster Co, as well as Johann Caspar Süss on 6 Sep 1747 and Johann Balthasar Süss on 10 Jan 1754 at the Hill Lutheran Church, all sons of Christopher Süss.

There was a Melker Seese who was on the muster rolls of the Cumberland Co Militia during the Revolution (1779 - 8th Batt., Capt. Rogers Co; 1780 - 1st Batt. 5th Co; 1782 - 4th Batt., 8th Co), as well as a Caspar Seese and a Baltzer Seese. These are the only Seeses listed in the Pennsylvania Archives.

In each instance, Melchoir is with Caspar and Baltzer - whose given names are the same as the the three kings of the Orient (The Magi) as told in the Bible.

In his book, "Stover Brethren" (2001), Richard Weber documents that Melchoir was born in Lancaster Co on 27 Feb 1759, son of the immigrant Johann Christopher Süss and his wife Catherine Elizabeth Hager, both from Karlsruhe District of Baden, Germany; that two of Christopher's sister, Margaret and Elizabeth, had in turn been wives of William Stober, also born in Karlsruhe; and that both Christopher Süss and William Stober moved to Antrim Twp, Franklin Co, where a survey of Stober's land shows Süss adjacent to the north. Please consult Weber's book for a more detailed discussion of the Stober and Süss families in Karlsruhe and Pennsylvania than can be told here.

Also, the birthdate on Melchior Seese's matches the birthdate given in the baptismal record of Christopher Süss' son (in a way). Melchior's tombstone on the Weaver farm reads "MELCHIOR SEESE / DIED / June 27, 1835 / Aged / 76 yrs 4 mos / & 11 days " The baptismal record of Johann Melchoir Süss in the Emanuel Lutheran Church in Brickerville gives his birthdate as 27 Feb 1859 - 11 days later than Melchoir Seese's tombstone. First, remember that birth dates from tombstones, obituaries and death certificates are only as good as the sources used by the survivors. Second, the 11 day error is exactly what the date correction would be if he would have been born under the old calendar, which was last used in the British colonies on 2 Sep 1752, seven years before Mechoir's birth. It is plausible that the survivor who had the tombstone inscribed knew Melchoir's birthdate to be 27 Feb 1759, calculated the age as 76y 4m (0d), and then added 11d for the calendar correction, thinking Melchoir had been born under the old calendar.

It is my conclusion that Melchoir Seese was not Mennonite, and had no connections to Jacob or George Seese, or Bucks Co. Melchoir was born in Lancaster Co, moved as a young child to Franklin Co, and served in the Cumberland Co Militia during the Revolution. When he came to Somerset Co in the late 1780's, he was a neighbor of George Seese, who was a Mennonite and likely had his roots in Bucks Co. The two have not been proven to be brothers.

http://johnstowngenealogy.blogspot.com/2005/04/melchior-seeses-1759...

THERE IS TWO SETS OF PARENTS/ancestry GIVEN for him as follows:

SET # 1

1. Johann Balthasar Suss (Johann Caspar Suss1) was born 23 NOV 1697 in Graben, Karlsruhe, Germany, and died ABT 1757. He married Maria Barbara Physter 15 FEB 1724 in Graben, Karlsruhe, Germany, daughter of Valentine Physter. She was born ABT 1699 in Germany, and died AFT 1775.

2. Johann Christopher Suss (Johann Balthasar Suss2, Johann Caspar Suss1) was born ABT 1725 in Germany. He married Catharine Elizabeth Hager 21 OCT 1746 in Lancaster Co, Pennsylvania, daughter of Georg Friedrich Hager and Anna Margaretha Stober. She was born 27 AUG 1727, and died AFT 1778.

7. Johann Melchior Suss (Johann Christopher Suss3, Johann Balthasar Suss2, Johann Caspar Suss1) was born 27 FEB 1759 in Brickerville, Lancaster Co, Pennsylvania, and died 27 JUN 1835 in Springs, Somerset Co, Pennsylvania. He married Sophia Lint ABT 1783, daughter of Conrath Thomas Lind and Magdalena [Lind]. She was born 26 DEC 1762 in Lancaster, Lancaster Co, Pennsylvania, and died 17 NOV 1854 in Quemahoning Twp, Somerset Co, Pennsylvania.

	  Children of Johann Melchior Suss and Sophia Lint are: +	21	  i.	Conrad Seese was born 1784 in Quemahoning Twp, Somerset Co, Pennsylvania, and died 10 OCT 1875 in Springs, Somerset Co, Pennsylvania. He married Susanna Reed ABT 1808 in Somerset Co, Pennsylvania, daughter of Jacob Reed and Regina [Reed]. She was born ABT 1787. He married Catharine [Seese]. She was born ABT 1789. 

	22	  ii.	Anna Maria Seese was born 31 MAR 1786 in Springs, Somerset Co, Pennsylvania, and died 29 APR 1838 in Adams Twp, Cambria Co, Pennsylvania.

	23	  iii.	John Seese was born 6 SEP 1789 in Springs, Somerset Co, Pennsylvania, and died 3 APR 1790 in Springs, Somerset Co, Pennsylvania. +	24	  iv.	Emanuel M. Seesewas born 27 OCT 1792 in Pennsylvania, and died 23 OCT 1858 in Springs, Somerset Co, Pennsylvania. He married Barbara Hoffman 1814 in Windber, Somerset Co, Pennsylvania, daughter of Phillip Hoffman and Barbara Miller. She was born 4 MAR 1794 in Quemahoning Twp, Bedford Co, Pennsylvania, and died 1831 in Paint Twp, Somerset Co, Pennsylvania.  +	25	  v.	Jacob Seese was born 14 APR 1796 in Springs, Somerset Co, Pennsylvania, and died 3 FEB 1862 in Springs, Somerset Co, Pennsylvania. He married Mary Custer ABT 1827, daughter of Frederick A. Custer and Elizabeth Stover. She was born 9 FEB 1805 in Davidsville, Somerset Co, Pennsylvania, and died 13 OCT 1884 in Paint Twp, Somerset Co, Pennsylvania.  +	26	  vi.	Catherine Elizabeth Seesewas born 1806 in Quemahoning Twp, Somerset Co, Pennsylvania, and died 1880. She married Frederick A. Custer ABT 1822 in Somerset Co, Pennsylvania, son of Frederick A. Custer and Elizabeth Stover. He was born 1802 in Berks Co, Pennsylvania, and died 14 AUG 1838 in Paint Twp, Somerset Co, Pennsylvania. She married John Berkey AFT 1837, son of Jacob Berkey and Barbara Miller. He was born ABT 1798 in Springs, Somerset Co, Pennsylvania, and died 1881 in Indiana.  +	27	  vii.	Margaret Seesewas born 1800 in Springs, Somerset Co, Pennsylvania, and died 21 SEP 1887 in Conemaugh, Cambria Co, Pennsylvania. She married David Livingston ABT 1820 in Holsopple, Somerset Co, Pennsylvania. He was born 1799 in Quemahoning Twp, Somerset Co, Pennsylvania, and died 8 APR 1853 in Conemaugh, Cambria Co, Pennsylvania.  +	28	  viii.	Melchior Seesewas born 1801 in Springs, Somerset Co, Pennsylvania, and died 1 MAY 1868 in Rummel, Somerset Co, Pennsylvania. He married Elizabeth Helman 1820 in Pennsylvania, daughter of John Daniel Helman and Elizabeth Sell. She was born 1796 in Franklin Co, Pennsylvania, and died 14 FEB 1888 in Paint Twp, Somerset Co, Pennsylvania. 

	29	  ix.	Philip E. Seese was born 3 JUL 1809 in Quemahoning Twp, Somerset Co, Pennsylvania, and died 5 OCT 1878 in Paint Twp, Somerset Co, Pennsylvania. He married Catherine Lehman ABT 1828 in Somerset Co, Pennsylvania. She was born 1811 in Somerset Co, Pennsylvania, and died in Conemaugh, Cambria Co, Pennsylvania. He married Elizabeth Ripple ABT 1830 in Paint Twp, Somerset Co, Pennsylvania. She was born 4 DEC 1809 in Pennsylvania, and died 15 FEB 1895. 

	  http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=REG&db=lacor&id=...

=SET # 2=

1.	Jacob Seese  @ http://www.geni.com/family-tree/index/6000000011972852006#6000000011972635636 was born 1733 in Hesse, Darmstadt, Germany, and died 1821 in Upper Salford Twp., Bucks County, PA. He married Elizabeth Denham. 

4. Melchoir Seese (Jacob Seese1) was born 16 FEB 1759 in Hesse, Darmstadt, Germany, and died 6 JUN 1835. He married Sophia Lint. She was born 29 DEC 1762 in Lancaster, PA, and died 17 NOV 1854.

	  Children of Melchoir Seese and Sophia Lint are: +	17	  i.	Conrad Seese was born 1785 in Quemahoning Twp., Bedford Co., PA, and died 10 OCT 1875 in Paint Twp., Somerset Co., PA. He married Catherine Custer Hamel. He married Susannah Reed ABT 1805. She was born ABT 1785, and died 1847.  +	18	  ii.	Anna Marie Seese was born 31 MAR 1786, and died 1852. She married Adam Follmar.  +	19	  iii.	Emanuel M. Seese was born 29 OCT 1792, and died 23 OCT 1858. He married Barbara Hoffman 1814. She was born 1793. +	20	  iv.	Jacob Seese was born 3 MAR 1795, and died 3 FEB 1862. He was buried in Lutheran cemetery, Paint Township, PA. He married Mary Custer. She was born 8 FEB 1804, and died 12 OCT 1884. She was buried in Lutheran cemetery, Paint Township, PA.

	21	  v.	Catherine Seese was born 1798. She married Frederick Custer.

	22	  vi.	Margaret Seese was born 1800, and died 1887. She married David Livingston. +	23	  vii.	Melchoir Seese Jr.was born 1801 in Quemahoming Twp., Somerset Co, PA, and died 1 MAY 1868 in Rummel, Paint Twp., Somerset Co., PA. He married Elizabeth Helman 1820. She was born 1796 in Franklin Co., PA, and died 14 FEB 1888 in Rummel, Paint Twp., Somerset Co., PAand died 1 MAY 1868  in Rummel, Paint Twp., Somerset Co., PA.

	24	  viii.	Elizabeth Seese was born 1806. She married Fred Custer. She married John Berkey.

	25	  ix.	Philip Seese was born 1808. He married Catherine Lehman. +	26	  x.	John Seese was born 6 SEP 1789. He married Catherine Dempsey.

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=REG&db=jeffdeval...

===============================

• # Birth: 27 Feb 1759 in Lancaster Co, Pa
• # Death: 27 Jun 1835 in Paint Twp, Somerset Co, Pa
• # Burial: Seese Cem, Paint Twp, Somerset Co, Pa

Note:

   Melchoir Seese was born in 1759 in Lancaster Co, the son of immigrants from Baden, Germany. He grew up in Franklin Co, served in the Cumberland Co Militia, and came to Somerset (then Bedford) County in the late 1780's, first in the Brothersvalley settlement, where he and his wife Sophia (Lint) were members of the Reformed Congregation, and then a short time later locating in Quemahoning Twp in the far northwest part of Somerset Co, just south of what would later be the city of Johnstown. Between the 1810 and 1820 census, he moved one last time a few miles east to the other side of the Stoney Creek into Shade (now Paint) Township, where he and Sophia are buried in a small family plot on a hilltop on the Jonas Weaver farm.

# Event: Baptised 28 Mar 1759 Emanuel Lutheran Cem, Brickerville, Lancaster Co, Pa

Revolutionary War Service :

• Melchoir served as a Private during the Rev. War, 1779-1782. Service is documented in the Pa Archives, Harrisburg, Pa.
• 1779- Melker Cease, 8th Battalion, Cap. Rodgers Company
• 1780-Melchoir Seese, 1st Battalion, 5th Company (Capt. Rodgers)
• 1782-Melcar Sease, 4th Battalion, 8th Company (Capt. Walter McKinney)

From Laurel Messenger, Aug 1978: It is said that during a hunting trip in Paint Twp., then known as Deerfield, Melchior noticed a clearing of abt 8 acs at what became known as the Jacob Sease farm & still later as the Jonas Weaver farm. The following spring he returned but found the place occupied by a man named Yoder. He then went to what was later known as the old David Seese place, & later as the Dollard farm nearby. Tradition says that he unloaded his goods under a huge tree, & there lived during the summer until a log cabin was built. He had with him a large chest which is still in the family's possession in good condition. Mr. Yoder did not have a claim to this land & he left it in favor of Mr. Seese. It has since been owned by some member of the family. His old flintlock gun, used during the Rev is still in possession of an Emanuel Seese descendant. In a letter written Jun 5 1924, Jonas Weaver says he bought the gun after Jacob d & that Jacob L. Seese at Ogletown got it.

Melchoir was a teacher on his farm and is the only Seese listed in 1800 census for Somerset County, PA (Ref. SE1b).

Both Melchoir and Sophia are buried in a family graveyard on land owned in 1978 by Robert H. Seese. This burial plot also contains members of the families Weaver, Custer, as well as Seese (Ref. SE1a). Reference SE1b indicates that Melchoir is buried on Jonas Weaver farm. We spoke with Mr. Robert H. Seese of 1105 Parkview Drive, Johnstown, PA, on 9/3/94, who gave us directions to the property. Ellis Berkebile purchased the property from Robert H. Seese around 1988.

To reach this gravesite, take SR 601 south off SR 56. Go to top of the hill passing Mt. Zion Lutheran Cemetery on the right and turn left onto Spruce Run Road. Go 0.6 miles to farm on right. Cemetery is on far left property line behind barns in a grove of trees at the top of a hill.

Mrs. Berkebile is the great-granddaughter of Jonas Weaver, for whom the farm is named. They now board horses and still farm the land.

1. Family Tree Maker, World Family Tree, Vol. 701, V701_01, 1995, Tree #4805, The Learning Company, Broderbund Blue Banner Division, 1700 Progress Drive, P.O. Box 100, Hiawatha, Iowa 52233, www.Genealogy.com

. "Melchoir Seese was born Abt. February 16, 1759 in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, and died Abt. June 27, 1835 in Windber, PA.

He married Sophia Lint Abt. 1782, daughter of COnrad Lint and Mary . She was born December 29, 1762, and died November 17, 1854.

He came to America as a small child with his father settling in Upper Salford Township, Bucks County, PA. He served in the Revolutionary War and several enlistments in the Cumberland County Militia. His war record is given in the PA Archives with his name spelled in several ways. His records show service from 1779 to 1782 .

After the Revolution he and Sophia settled first in Elk Lick Township and later in what was then Quemahoning (now Paint Township). Melchoir was a teacher on his farm and is the only Seese listed in 1800 census for Somerset County, Pa.

Both Melchoir and Sophia are buried in a family graveyard on land owned in 1978 by Robert H. Seese.  This burial plot also contains members of the families Weaver, Custer, as well as Seese indications are  that Melchoir is buried on Jonas Weaver farm. 

Melchoir's grave was marked by the DAR in 1930. Tombstone inscription: MELCHIOR SEESE DIED June 27, 1835 Aged 76 yrs 4 mos & 11 days SOPHIA Wife of M. Seese Died November 17, 1854 Aged 91 Yrs, 11 Mos & 18 dys.
Children are:
MARGARET;

• CATHERINE m. Frederick Custer Jr.;
• CONRAD b. Abt. 1785;
• EMANUEL M. b. October 27, 1792 d. October 23, 1853;
• JACOB b. 1795 d. 1862;.
• MELCHOIR,JR. b. 1800 d. 1868;
• ANNA MARIA b. 1805 d. 1852.;
• ELIZABETH b. 1806; m. 1) Fred Custer Jr. m. 2) John Berkey ;
• PHILIP b. 1809 m. Elizabeth (Katie) Lehman RIpple

2. Family Tree Maker, World Family Tree, Vol. 701, V701_01, 1995, Tree #4805, The Learning Company, Broderbund Blue Banner Division, 1700 Progress Drive, P.O. Box 100, Hiawatha, Iowa 52233, www.Genealogy.com.

"Melchoir Seese was born Abt. February 16, 1759 in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, and died Abt. June 27, 1835 in Windber, PA. 

He married Sophia Lint Abt. 1782, daughter of COnrad Lint and Mary . She was born December 29, 1762, and died November 17, 1854. He came to America as a small child with his father settling in Upper Salford Township, Bucks County, PA.
He served in the Revolutionary War and several enlistments in the Cumberland County Militia. His war record is given in the PA Archives with his name spelled in several ways. His records show service from 1779 to 1782 .

After the Revolution he and Sophia settled first in Elk Lick Township and later in what was then Quemahoning (now Paint Township). Melchoir was a teacher on his farm and is the only Seese listed in 1800 census for Somerset County, Pa. Both Melchoir and Sophia are buried in a family graveyard on land owned in 1978 by Robert H. Seese. This burial plot also contains members of the families Weaver, Custer, as well as Seese indications are that Melchoir is buried on Jonas Weaver farm.

Melchoir's grave was marked by the DAR in 1930. Tombstone inscription: MELCHIOR SEESE DIED June 27, 1835 Aged 76 yrs 4 mos & 11 days SOPHIA Wife of M. Seese Died November 17, 1854 Aged 91 Yrs, 11 Mos & 18 dys.

Children are:

• MARGARET;
• CATHERINE m. Frederick Custer Jr.;
• CONRAD b. Abt. 1785;
• EMANUEL M. b. October 27, 1792 d. October 23, 1853;
• JACOB b. 1795 d. 1862;.
• MELCHOIR,JR. b. 1800 d. 1868;
• ANNA MARIA b. 1805 d. 1852.;
• ELIZABETH b. 1806; m. 1) Fred Custer Jr. m. 2) John Berkey ;
• PHILIP b. 1809 m. Elizabeth (Katie) Lehman RIpple

http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=18164023&pid=65."

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Tho Johann "Melchior" parentage is wrong in this lineage - he gives his decents fom his son Great3-grandfather: Emanuel Seese

http://web.me.com/abacusinfo/Lehman-Burke_Family_History/10._Seese,...

• Reference: FamilySearch Genealogy - SmartCopy: Mar 1 2020, 16:16:58 UTC

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Revolutionary War Veteran* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Sep 1 2019, 2:15:13 UTC