Person:Peter Cleaver (6)

The origins of Peter remains a mystery. Neither the date of his arrival in Germantown nor the country from which he immigrated is known. He is first recorded the first day of the first month in 1696, the old calender, (01 March 1689) as the purchaser of fifth acres from William Strepers (a brother of Margaret who is our ancestor) one of the "Original Thirteen" of the Colony from Kresfield on the Rhine. Peter at first was declared to be of German birth, however, more recent research shows that many, if not most who settled in Germantown, Pa., were originally Dutch who had emigrated to Germany first, before emigrating to America. No wonder they were called "Pennsylvania Dutch".

Grandpa Peter Cleaver, he was a weaver And he must have been as busy as a beaver He was born in Germany, but he didn't like that "Crown" for he became a Quaker, the rulers always put them down. Then William Penn said "Come with me, come get on board, There's freedom in America and land you can afford" So, Pete, he climbed on board and they sailed into Old Philly Now here was where he'd marry and raise a family. He settled very near at Germantown, Pa. Soon found Pete Schumacher's daughter, and he knew right away That Catherine was the girl he'd love and care for all hs life For she was very pretty and she'd make a sturdy wife. She gave him sons and daughters, he had his family at last And as they grew, they went to school, the die had been cast For they must learn to read and write, and do their numbers, too You see, these were things he'd never had the chance to do. But, he could teach them how to work the land, and with his forsight They'd all learn the weaver's trade, will all this they'd do alright So they raised sheep for wool, while they grew crops and flax Hey, there was never much time to relax For they had to spin their threads and weave them into cloth While fighting rain and draught, weevils, beatles and moths Now the year had come and gone, and the people have too and eight generations later, I'm here to sing this song for you About my Grandpa Peter Cleaver, busy as a beaver Grandpa Peter Cleaver, The German Linen weaver. Copyrighted 1990 by: Agatha Ann Hartley

Peter is probably associated with Bristol Township which was incorporated into the City of Philadelphia following the passage of the Act of Consolidation of 1854 1727-wills for Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, 1682-1819 book E pg 72 shows Peter died 10 Nov 1727/8; will proven 24 Feb 1727; he was a weaver; children: Christian, Melchior, Eve Adams, Isaac, Peter, Dorick, Agnas, John; exec: David Potts, Anthony Denis

1. ↑ Linages, Inc., comp., (i)Philadelphia County Wills, 1682-1819(/i),. (Philadelphia, Pa. : Historical Society of Pennyslvania, 1900)
   Book E, Page 72.
2. ↑ Historical Society of Pennsylvania, 1900. Philadelphia Co., Pennsylvania Wills, 1682-1819
   Book E pg 72.

   Peter Cleaver; Bristol, Philadelphia; weaver; died 10 Nov 1727/8; prove date: 24 Feb 1727; children: Christian, Melchior, Eve Adams, Isaac, Peter, Dorick, Agnas, John; exec: David Potts, Anthony Denis