Part Two: Decline, Legacy, and Unanswered Questions
By Al and Molly Scanlan
Since there are not a lot of known Peterman guns catalogued, one may wonder exactly how involved he was in gun making during his later years or throughout his entire time in Botetourt County. Clearly he owned gun making tools in 1843 but most of his personal property listed point toward farming and possibly whiskey making. The only item related to gun making when his final assets were sold in 1853 was a “box of old castings,” likely cast trigger guards, butt plates or other parts for gun building. A gun maker of that day working in Botetourt County for over 40 years should have produced many guns and production would have normally increased as more components were commercially available after 1820. While there may be other reasons for the scarcity of his works, it is probable that he was only a part-time gun maker.
The George Peterman household numbered 6 in 1810, 12 in 1820, 9 in 1830, 4 in 1840 and 2 in 1850. During this time several in the household were noted as tradesmen and engaged in manufacturing. One name that appears in both local records as well as those in Pennsylvania is one Daniel Peterman mentioned above. Daniel proved to be George’s older brother. Paschal Peterman, who settled George’s personal property upon his death, has not been identified as to what relation he was to George but he was probably also a brother.
Who was Paschal and what was his role in the shop? The answer to that question is not clear but the time, location along with the name, supports the notion that he was a relative and worked with George or Daniel. In tax records in Georgia we find a Paschal Peterman from Virginia for the years 1881 through 1887. The US census of 1900 lists a Paschal Peterman in records of Alabama. Both Georgia and Alabama records appear to be the same individual. This Paschal Peterman was reported as born about 1823 in Virginia and was a “watch or clock maker.” While there is no proof, it is possible that Paschal the elder worked with George Peterman as a lock maker and he taught his son, Paschal the younger, a related trade of watch/clock maker. Skills of making a gun lock could easily transfer to skills for making clocks and watches. Clearly, more research is warranted on Paschal Peterman and other Peterman family members. It would be a significant discovery to find that Paschal the elder worked with George as his lock maker. In addition to Paschal, George’s confirmed brother Daniel also may have had a role in gun making. With a reported household of 12 individuals in 1820 we may find that the Peterman gun shop was an enterprise of several Peterman family members making parts of or complete rifles. It is equally as likely that non family apprentices or even accomplished gunsmiths were a part of the Peterman shop.
There is one rifle catalogued today made in the Peterman shop which has the initials “W.E.D.” (or W.& D.) on the barrel. While it could have been the initials of the customer, it would normally be the name of the maker. Exactly who was this individual is another challenging question. (Is the “D” for Daniel?) An index of Court Orders identifies several pages related to the Peterman family. Unfortunately, those records are currently in storage locally. Further research will require accessing the microfilm records from the Library of Virginia.
The mid-1830s were financially troubled times in the U.S. leading to the “Panic of 1837” fueled by land speculation and excessive lending. This period gave rise to the term “hard times” used by John Sites as he described conditions prior to leaving Fincastle for Missouri. George Peterman appears to have been adversely affected as well. In addition to learning more about Paschal, two additional questions remain. Who were the tradesmen that worked in George Peterman’s shop and where is George’s final resting place? The question of why there are not more Peterman guns documented seems to be answered by recognizing that time takes a toll on all objects of the past. Additionally, George was probably mostly a farmer after 1816 and most of his guns were made in the early years, 1802 to 1815.
Collectors and enthusiasts of the American long rifle view George Peterman as one of Virginia’s and certainly Botetourt County’s finest gun makers. His work is particularly artistic and well executed. He finished his rifles with unique features not commonly found on the works of other local makers. Tasteful silver inlays and pure decorative embellishments are the norm for a Peterman rifle along with precise engraving and often checkering of the wrist. His work was not utilitarian but rather suited for the owner who wanted an exceptionally nice rifle. And an exceptionally nice rifle would have been more expensive as well.
Signed Peterman rifles are rare. Unsigned rifles are also uncommon.
