• Born: Around 1709 in Germantown
• Died: October 19, 1768
• Buried: Lower Skippack Mennonite Cemetery (no stone)
• Spouse: Ann Godschalk
  • Born: 1706 
  • Died: Sept 28, 1768
  • Parents: Jacob Godschalk
• Married: 1728
• Children: Harmon*, Jacob, Else, John, Paul

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Peter, the eldest son of Hermanus and Isabella, was born around 1709 in Germantown. 

If he was indeed born around 1709, then he was only 17 or 18 years old in 1727 when he purchased 110 acres adjoining his father’s plantation in Worcester Township and settled down to farm it. The following year, he married Ann Godschalk of Towamencin, the daughter of an old family friend.  Ann’s brother, Gaedschalk, married Paulus Kuster’s daughter, Eva.

Ann was the daughter of Jacob Godschalk, born around 1670 in a village called Gog, in the County Cleave in Holland.  Early on in the history of the Mennonite settlements, Jacob gave land which became one of the earliest burial grounds for the community.  Jacob was also a deacon and preacher of the German Mennonite congregation, and later went on to become Bishop.

In 1728, Peter purchased another 50 from George Lawrence.  The “Elenor Custer” genealogy depicts his property as being secluded and peaceful. Peter and his oldest son, Paul, built a mill and a 2-story stone house, and the property featured a natural spring sheltered by a cave which provided water. Over time, he sold a small amount of land, with 110 acres remaining before his death.

Peter was a trustee of the Dutch Anabaptist Society, which later became the Methacton Mennonite Church.  His sons Paul and Jacob were also trustees after him. The church was near Peter’s property and became the resting place of later generations of Custers.  

The Methacton Mennonite Church still exists, and a brief history of the parish is recounted on its website:

“In 1739 the land was deeded to the Dutch Anabaptist Society for 5 shillings and thus begins the written record of the Methacton Mennonite Church. The first Meetinghouse was built prior to 1771, although the exact date is unknown. A second Meetinghouse was erected of stone in 1805 and used as a community school and place of worship. The third and present Meetinghouse was erected in 1873.”  (Methactonmennonite.org)

Peter died on October 19, 1768. Ann died before he wrote his will.  Peter left his entire 110 acre plantation to his youngest son, Paul.  He gave 40 pounds to his daughter Else Stem. All “moveable property” was to be sold and shared between his five children.

Peter & wife likely buried in Skippack but no stones exist. Many early stones were rough cut with just initials

Children of Peter and Ann

1. Harmon Custer is discussed here.

2. Jacob Custer was born on October 14, 1731 and died on December 14, 1804. He married Elizabeth Van Fossen on April 17, 1760. She was, the sister of Hermann’s wife, Eve Van Fossen. Elizabeth died on November 19, 1819.  Both are buried in the Lower Skippack Mennonite Cemetery.

He served in the Revolutionary War in 1781 alongside his brothers Harmon and Paul. They were in the 6th Battalion, Third Company, Worcester Township, Philadelphia County Militia, under Captain Jonathan Lowry.

Jacob & Elizabeth’s children were Peter (1764-1832), Samuel, Joseph, Jacob (1778-1854), Catherine, Mary, Ann, and Rebecca.

3. Else Custer was born around 1733 and died around 1759.  She married Balzer Stame (Stem). 

4. John Custer was born on October 14,1735 and died on February 22, 1794. He married Sarah (last name unknown).

5. Paul Custer was born around 1737 and died before the end of July, 1800.  He married Elizabeth (last name unknown). Their children were John, Susanna, Mary, Peter, Jonas (who moved to Frederick County, Maryland), Ann, Elizabeth, and Sarah. He served in the Revolutionary War in 1781 alongside his brothers Harmon and Jacob. They were in the 6th Battalion, Third Company, Worcester Township, Philadelphia County Militia, under Captain Jonathan Lowry.

After Paul’s death, his oldest son, John, petitioned the court to partition the 150-acre estate (much of which had been in the family since 18-year-old Peter purchased it in 1727) so that it could be divided equally among Paul’s children. The court refused, “find it would be prejudicial to divide the real estate among the heirs.”  The court awarded all 150 acres to John, who ultimately sold it to John Van Fessen.