Life History

24th June, 1767	Born (in Suriname?).
	Birth of son Theodore John Buschman in Suriname
	Married (?) Majorin Elizabeth Bijval.
1802	Birth of daughter Maria Elizabeth Buschman in Suriname
1803	Birth of daughter Amelia Buschman in Suriname
1805	Birth of daughter Caroline Buschman
2nd Jan 1808	Birth of daughter Laurentia Buschman in Suriname
1811	Birth of son John Buschman in Suriname
1814	Died and buried in Nieuwe Orange Tuin, Suriname

Notes

John Buschman was a prominent businessman/trader in Paramaribo, Suriname.

Suriname was taken by the British in 1630. Paramaribo was declared the capital in 1650 becoming a major port for trade.
In 1667, Suriname was taken by the Dutch and remained a Dutch province until 1954 - except for two periods of British occupation: 1799-1802 and then

In 1804 the British took Suriname back from the Dutch and held it till 1816.

1st May 1805, a document stating the official prices in the new British colony was published. The document listed the prices of over thirty commodities in silver and guilders. The text above the signatures says:

"We the undersigned merchants do hereby Certify that the above are at the present period the current prices of commodities and rate of exchange in this Colony."

The declaration is signed by William Carlyon Hughes, Lieutenant Governor (1805-1808), and three local merchants: William Leckie, John Buschman, and D. Holsm...(?)

07 Nov 1804, In the Lutheran Index of Baptisms, Suriname:

John Buschman was godfather at the baptism of the child of Johanna Cornelia Dorenbos, named Christina Johanna Cornelia Heyman.

22 Feb 1806, John Buschman made a Will

John Buschman's Will - Front    Page 1    Page 2    Page 3    Page 4    Page 5    Page 6    Page 7    Page 8

An Overview of Will Highlights (Courtesy of Donna Mendes):

On 22 Feb 1806 there appeared before Jan de Koff, sworn clerk, and witnesses Christoffel Hendrik Frere and Cornelis Christian Bergert: Johan Buschman, residing in Paramaribo, being of sound mind, and with assets worth 100,000 guilders.

If he dies in the colony, he wants his executrix to organize a simple burial, and ensure that his heirs wear mourning clothes.
To his sister Adelheit Lucia Buschman, wife of J. Peter Paulssen, and the children of their marriage, namely Johanna Frederika, Johanna Catharina Elizabeth and Pieter Herman Paulssen, residing in the city of Oldenburg in the land of the Duke of Oldenburg: 5,000 guilders each. If his sister should die, then her children are to receive her share in equal portions....and so on, until her longest lived child receives all portions.

His effects are to be sold by his executors within a year of his death, using an accredited accountant in Holland. The legacy is to be transferred to the magistrate of the city of Oldenburg, whether or not his sister is still alive.
Guardianship and administration of the legacy given to his sister's minor children shall be the responsibility of the orphan chamber in Oldenburg.

After all debt is paid, his effects including real estate are to become the property of his universal heir: Miss Majorin Byfall.

If she has already died, then the universal heirs shall be her children once they reach the age of majority, namely: Theodorus Byfall, and Elizabeth, Amalia and Carolina Buschman, as well as any other children which Miss M. Byfall should happen to bear, in equal portions. [Laurentia, John and Frederic have not yet been born]

He appoints as executrix and director of his burial: Miss Majorin Byfall. If she should predecease him, that role shall go to Mr. Francois Beudeker, who will then become executor as well as administrator and guardian of any minor heirs, with full power and authority.

He expressly excludes the new Orphan Chamber of this colony as well as all other similar official bodies in Surinam, in favour of the orphan chamber in Oldenburg. He does this so that they may exercise full control over the estate regardless of where he dies, where his property is located, or where his minor heirs are living.
If there are any necessary changes to be made to this will in regard to legacies, executorship, guardianship or administration, he requires that they be passed in notarial form by an independent sworn clerk, to ensure that his wishes are carried out properly.

The Orphan Chamber was a Dutch institution responsible for handling estates, ensuring that creditors and the taxman got their money, sold off property when necessary, and put orphans into care with an allowance, when available. Donna Mendes says: "Although it was unusual, I think he was wise to take the power away from the Surinamese officials. I suspect that they weren't always prompt or honest when it came to transferring money to the often illiterate heirs."

December 1811 the British held a census (in order to get better control of the country and in order to levy taxes efficiently)

J. Buschman (white) was living with M.E. Bijval (a free coloured woman) and children with initials M, A, C, L and J.
[1811 census reel 2, reference CO278/17 folio 58]

Images of the 1811 census form:

Whole Form    Top Left    Bottom Left    Bottom Right

Curiously, in the 1811 census there is another J. Buschman listed, apparently in the care of S.A. Gerholdt.

July 1, 1814, burial of John Buschman.

Based on Surinamese burial registers Donna Mendes informed us that:

Mr. J. Buschman was buried July 1, 1814, aged about 47 years, following an illness lasting 6 days.

He was an uncle/friend of P. Paulsen and ME Bijval, who buried him at the Nieuwe Orange Tuin and paid for a stone marker.

He had been a business partner of J.R. Ryhiner, who continued the business after his death.

On April 16, 1815, ME Bijval bought a plot for herself next to him.

Additional Notes

A British Admiralty document dated 29 Oct 1812, records the commissioning of the Private ship , called the "John Buschman", during the 1812-1815 War with The USA.

Donna Mendes also provided the following notes that refer to mentions in Surinaamse Courant held on microfilm at the Koninklijke Bibliotheek (Royal Library) at the Hague.

April, 1808, Buschman/Weyne for Moseberg
15, July, 1814 announces the death of J. Buschman died age 47
October, 1815 Jacob Matroos regarding Buschman's business.
November 1816, M Bijval
December, 1819 Buschman/Bijval
June, 1821 TJ Buschman represented by E. Matroos
January, 1825 Bijval and Matroos free a slave named Vossenberg
June, 1827 FJ Buschman leaving colony [should this be 'TJ'?]