Part One: Origins, Life, and Work in Botetourt County
By Al and Molly Scanlan
George Peterman is one of many Botetourt County gunsmiths of the early 19th century. There is almost no detailed information published on Peterman. In James Whisker’s four books on Virginia gun makers, Peterman is only named in two and the only information reported was that he was born in Pennsylvania in 1775 and reported as a gunsmith in the 1850 census in Botetourt County, Va.
Through further research we find Peterman was born in York, Pa. on September 5, 1775. Church records (United Church of Christ/Trinity Reform Church, York, Pa.) show his father was Daniel Peterman. Subsequently, in other documents, his mother is identified as Mary Lang. He appears in the U.S. census from 1810 to 1850 as a Botetourt County resident. The census of 1850 specifically lists his occupation as a gunsmith and “misc repair services.” He probably died in 1852 or 1853 as his personal property was sold December 22, 1853 by Paschal Peterman. There was no will or record of real estate owned at that time and no record of burial has been found. Interestingly, George remained in Botetourt County through his lifetime, unlike many gunsmiths who moved following the westward expansion such as John Sites.
It is not known specifically where or by whom Peterman received his training as a gunsmith. Trades were normally passed down father to son or, in many cases, young men were entrusted to a master craftsman as an apprentice. Pennsylvania tax records of 1798 reveal that Daniel Peterman, George’s father, was noted as owning 173 acres and a “smith shop, 18×14.” Clearly George’s father may have been a blacksmith or a gunsmith and it was he who either completely or partly taught George the trade. It is almost certain that George arrived in Virginia with his gunsmith skill around age 25.
The first records found placing George in Virginia are in 1802 at which time he purchased a lot in Horwey’s Town, Botetourt County, for six pounds. Horwery ‘s Town was at the current day junction of Trinity Road and Greenfield Street. In 1803 he purchased lot No. 122 in Amsterdam for 50 pounds. An 1855 gazetteer noted that Amsterdam was a “postal village with one brick church and several tradesmen’s shops.”
While 1855 is past the time of Peterman, it does characterize the early nature of Amsterdam. A small community of tradesmen would have attracted Peterman. Allied trades such as a blacksmith, whitesmith, lock maker and carpenters fit nicely into the realm of gun making. George wanted to be in Amsterdam among fellow tradesmen who might be able to provide services, support and materials for his gun making business.
George married in either 1803 or 1804. His wife was Susannah Kirfman, who is recorded as being born in Virginia. The Petermans had three children, Supina (Joshua Sawyer), Lucinda (Samuel Brugh) and Mary “Polly” (David H. Rader). Mary is buried in the Rader family cemetery off US 11 in Troutville.
Census and other county records indicate George’s older brother Daniel purchased two lots in Amsterdam in 1806. The 1820 census shows there were four individuals in the Daniel Peterman household with two engaged in manufacturing. Records reflect that Daniel sold one lot in Amsterdam in 1808, retaining the other one.
In 1816 George purchased 75 acres along Back Creek. Among the many named sellers in this purchase were Susannah’s mother and father as heirs to the estate of one George Ronk. In 1817 he purchased an additional 280 acres along Back Creek. An 1843 inventory of Peterman’s personal property lists, along with gun maker’s tools, two horses, three cows, three heifers, ten sheep, ten hogs, one wagon, two sets of harness, two ploughs, three beds and furniture, one bureau, one clock, one stove and two stills with tubs. His land purchases and the above inventory of personal property suggest that Peterman may have been more involved in agriculture than gun making.
Court records contain an indenture dated February 15, 1836 in which George acknowledges a debt he owed to another Botetourt County citizen. It is not stated as to exactly what this debt is but George agrees to pay $90 by the first of August 1836, and in this indenture he offers as security “his favorite horse, known by the name of Raven; the said Raven a black horse with both hind feet white and a star in his forehead.” Things must have been difficult for George to offer up his favorite horse for security on a $90 debt. But “times were hard.”
By 1843 Peterman had also amassed additional debt. Court records indicate he owed almost $1,000 to at least four or five different individuals in Botetourt, Bedford and Greenbrier County. Additionally court records reflect he had not been paid in full for the Howrey’s Town property upon its sale and that one other individual also owed him money. It is not clear exactly what he did to amass such debt but $1,000 in 1843 equates to just under $38,000 today. Peterman pledged all of his real estate and personal property against his debt in two recorded indentures of 1843.
Paschal Peterman was also named in one indenture as a debtor. This supports the assumption that Paschal was involved in some manner with George’s business. Court records seem to support the conclusion that Peterman lost it all by 1849, the date at which full payment was due. The creditor of that 1843 indenture sold the specific property pledged by Peterman in 1856. Default by Peterman conveyed ownership to that named creditor.
George died in 1852 or 1853 with no will, but Paschal Peterman was the administrator assigned to dispose of his personal property which consisted of significantly fewer personal effects and no real property being noted in the inventory.
