Peter Rouzer was born November 1, 1792, in Hagerstown, Washington County, Maryland, the son of Daniel and Maria Sophia Schober Rouzer. He was married in Mechanicstown (now Thurmont), Frederick County, Maryland, on May 29, 1817, to Rachel Hope Martin, daughter of John and Elizabeth Burk Martin. They were the parents of ten children: Sophia Margaret who died young; Mary Elizabeth, married Joseph Freeze; James Madison, married Mary Jane Geiselman; Daniel Riley, married Elizabeth Meals; Catharine Jane, married Joel Weller and removed to Washington D.C.; Simon Henry, died young; Barbara Ann, married Washington A. Bennett and removed to Shepardstown, West Virginia; Eliza Adeline, married first James Howell, second Joshua Smith; Uriah Alphonso, married Mary Emily Murphy, they removed to Knoxville, Tennessee, Col. John Robert, first marriage Harriet E. Wilhide, after her death, he married Julia Wilhide, the sister of Harriet and the widow of Lt. John L. Willman.


From "Portrait and Biographical Record of Frederick County", page 578, biography of Col. John R. Rouzer:

"...Peter Rouzer was born November 1, 1792, in Hagerstown, Md. He married Rachel Hope Martin, a daughter of John and Elizabeth Martin, May 29th, 1817, in Mechanicstown. She was born in Albemarle County, Va., July 10, 1799, and died August 16, 1840, on the old family homestead, at the age of forty-one years, when her son, our subject, was one year old. The father of our subject engaged in schoolteaching during much of his life, following that occupation in Virginia for a time. In addition to teaching he engaged in farm pursuits. His death occurred May 17, 1877, when eighty-four years old, at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Joseph Freeze, in Thurmont.
"...The family of which our subject was a member consisted of five sons and five daughters. Sophia Margaret was born July 18, 1818, and died in infancy; Mary Elizabeth was born March 22, 1820; she is the widow of Joseph Freeze and now lives in Thurmont. James Madison was born June 21, 1822, and died July 26, 1895. He was a cabinet-maker by trade. In 1861 he enlisted in the First Pennsylvania Reserves, and served in said regiment until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged. Daniel Riley was born October 20, 1824. He was a miller and farmer, and died December 15, 1860. Catharine Jane, who was born April 1, 1827, married Joel Weller. Her death occurred May 2, 1898, in Washington, D. C., where she lived. Simon Henry died in infancy. Barbara Ann, born December 19, 1830, was the wife of Washington A. Bennett, and she died May 11, 1890, in Shepardstown, W. Va. Uriah A. was born July 20, 1833. He was a mill wright by occupation....He died at Knoxville, East. Tenn., on the 14th of December, 1886. Eliza Adaline was born Janaury 22, 1836. She married Joshua Smith and is now a widow, he having died a number of years ago."


Obituary notice for Peter Rouzer, Catoctin Clarion, May, 1877:

"On the 17th inst., at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Joseph Freeze, Mr. Peter Rouzer aged 84 years 6 mo and 16 dys."


Another notice from the Catoctin Clarion, May, 1877:

"In the afternoon, about half past two o'clock, Uncle Peter Rouzer died at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Joseph Freeze. Although it was generally conceded that he would not last a great while yet his death on that day was rather unexpected. Uncle Peter was in his 84th year and up to a few months prior to his death he was as active as any young man. His latter days, however, were full of suffering and pain as he was unable to lie down with any ease. His funeral took place on the following day at Apple's Church and was largely attended by relatives and friends, of the latter he had a great many."