George Peter (politician, born 1779)
George Peter was a U.S. Representative from Maryland.
Born in Georgetown, Maryland, Peter pursued classical studies and graduated from Georgetown College. At the age of fifteen, Peter joined the Maryland troops in the campaign against the Whisky Insurrectionists in 1794, but at the request of his parents, was sent home. Commissioned by John Adams at the request of George Washington he entered second lieutenant in the Ninth Infantry in July 1799, was transferred to the artillery in February 1801. In 1806 he was in command of Fort Bellefontaine when the Lewis and Clark Expedition returned. In May 1808 Peter organized and commanded the first company of light artillery in the country. He resigned on June 11, 1809, and engaged in agricultural pursuits. He later served as a major of volunteers in the War of 1812.
Peter was elected as a Federalist to the Fourteenth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Alexander C. Hanson. He was reelected as a Federalist to the Fifteenth Congress and served from October 7, 1816, to March 3, 1819. Afterwards, Peter served in the Maryland House of Delegates from 1819 to 1823.
Peter was elected as a Jacksonian to the Nineteenth Congress, and served from March 4, 1825 to March 3, 1827. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1826 to the Twentieth Congress, and resumed agricultural activities. He served as commissioner of public works of Maryland in 1855, and later retired to his plantation. He died near Darnestown, Maryland, and is interred in Oak Hill Cemetery in Georgetown.
Peter was married a total of 3 times; his first wife was the daughter of Thomas Plater, also a Maryland congressman. His son George Peter stepped in his footsteps and became a member and president of the Maryland State Senate.
