BIRTH YEARS
This first piece of evidence that we noticed was the difference in birth years between General Jethro Sumner and Eleanor (Sumner). 30 years is big gap between siblings.
The generally accepted birth year for General Sumner is 1733.
In a letter to her son, John Sumner Russwurm, dated February 17th, 1847, Eleanor claims to be 84 years old. Thus confirming her birth year at around 1763. (Source: John Sumner Russwurm papers; Box 2; S5)
This first piece of evidence that we noticed was the difference in birth years between General Jethro Sumner and Eleanor (Sumner). 30 years is big gap between siblings.
The generally accepted birth year for General Sumner is 1733.
In a letter to her son, John Sumner Russwurm, dated February 17th, 1847, Eleanor claims to be 84 years old. Thus confirming her birth year at around 1763. (Source: John Sumner Russwurm papers; Box 2; S5)
LACK OF EVIDENCE
We have been unable to locate any original documents that have Eleanor with the last name of Sumner or identified as a Sumner. Nor have we found any studies of the Sumner family that include the first name Eleanor. The name only appears after her son John Sumner Russwurm has children.
We have been unable to locate any original documents that have Eleanor with the last name of Sumner or identified as a Sumner. Nor have we found any studies of the Sumner family that include the first name Eleanor. The name only appears after her son John Sumner Russwurm has children.
SARAH
We have found second hand sources that name a Sarah as Gen. Jethro Sumner's sister.
Two of those sources are:
1. This article reviewing the Sumner family in a 1914 issue of the Times Dispatch of Richmond.
(Center column. Half way down)
2. This speech given by Kemp Battle, a relative by marriage to Gen. Jethro Sumner, in 1891. On page 4 and 5 of this booklet it states "Sarah married a man with the singular name of Rushworm, whose family seems to have become extinct."
We have found second hand sources that name a Sarah as Gen. Jethro Sumner's sister.
Two of those sources are:
1. This article reviewing the Sumner family in a 1914 issue of the Times Dispatch of Richmond.
(Center column. Half way down)
2. This speech given by Kemp Battle, a relative by marriage to Gen. Jethro Sumner, in 1891. On page 4 and 5 of this booklet it states "Sarah married a man with the singular name of Rushworm, whose family seems to have become extinct."
ELEANOR SHAW
The most interesting evidence is included in Eleanor's own pension applications. We have found two such applications.
Eleanor was married to George Gosnell and William Alexander Rushworm, both Revolutionary War soldiers.
The really interesting information appears in her application as George Gosnell's wife. All of the documents shown below come from the same pension application.
The most interesting evidence is included in Eleanor's own pension applications. We have found two such applications.
Eleanor was married to George Gosnell and William Alexander Rushworm, both Revolutionary War soldiers.
The really interesting information appears in her application as George Gosnell's wife. All of the documents shown below come from the same pension application.
This document outlines her marriage to George Gosnell, his service, death and then her following marriage to William Rushworm. It also delineates her final marriage to Christian Creamer/Kramer.
This document show Eleanor's marriage as Eleanor Russwurm to Christian Kramer.
This is the interesting marriage document that has Eleanor Shaw marrying George Gosnell.
Another certified document showing Eleanor Shaw's marriage to George Gosnell.
Given these documents the only way we can reconcile that Eleanor was a Sumner would be if she was previously married to a Shaw. We have found no record of this union. She was 17 at the time of her marriage to Gosnell.
GEOGRAPHY
We have found no evidence of Eleanor living anywhere other than Philadelphia. All her marriages appear to have occurred in Pennsylvania. This is noteworthy because the Sumner family she supposedly comes from is destinctly Virginian or North Carolinian.
ABSENCE OF SUMNERS IN ELEANOR'S PENSION APPLICATIONS
We have found no record of any Sumners providing support or evidence to Eleanor's pension applications.
We have found no record of any Sumners providing support or evidence to Eleanor's pension applications.
UPDATE - JOHN S RUSSWURM WILL/PROBATE RECORD - UPDATE
We found the document below in Tennessee, Wills and Probate Records, 1779-2008. Wills, Vol 10-11, 1832-1840.
It appears to be a statement by Eleanor Creamer outlining John S Russwurm lineage and connection to the Sumner family. In this document she corroborates our contention that Francis Russwurm married into the Sumner family. She has him marrying an Elizabeth and not Sarah as we contend. It is not clear if someone is in error or if this is the same person. It is unfortunate that she does not mention a Jethro Russwurm but it is possible she is including only individuals who are living at the time.
We found the document below in Tennessee, Wills and Probate Records, 1779-2008. Wills, Vol 10-11, 1832-1840.
It appears to be a statement by Eleanor Creamer outlining John S Russwurm lineage and connection to the Sumner family. In this document she corroborates our contention that Francis Russwurm married into the Sumner family. She has him marrying an Elizabeth and not Sarah as we contend. It is not clear if someone is in error or if this is the same person. It is unfortunate that she does not mention a Jethro Russwurm but it is possible she is including only individuals who are living at the time.