Sunday, October 19, 2008

Peter Shaver

Peter Shaver was the eldest son of Andrew Shaver, Sr., and the older brother of Andrew, Jr. who died of smallpox while providing hospitality to strangers (see yesterday's post).

Peter was considered one of the best educated men in the "Dutch Settlement." He was a progressive farmer and wielded the axe, the hammer, and the pen with equal grace. He served as a deacon and clerk for the Muhlenberg Dunker Church.

His initials "P.S." appear on the document outlining the beliefs and practices of the churches of Tennessee and Kentucky which begins:

First: The church to be governed by the Gospel of Jesus.
Second: We believe in the ordinance of baptism to be administered by immersing the candidate three times forward in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost.
Third: We believe in the Holy Communion to be administered in the night, and the washing of one another's feet, Jno. 13:4-6. We also believe in the Holy Kiss, recorded five times in the Gospel---.


Tomorrow: A letter to his son from Peter Shaver

Source: Lest We Forget and Tales of Yester-Years, Vol. III, Rolland F. Flory