May 19, 1746:
Johann Friedrich Peter is born in Heerendijk, Republic of the United Netherlands.
January 2, 1759:
Johann Friedrich Peter (15) is formally received into the boys’ section of the Moravian Church in Gross Hennersdorf, east of Dresden.
November 25, 1759:
Johann Friedrich Peter (16) is formally received into the adult section of the Moravian Church in Gross Hennersdorf, east of Dresden.
September 18, 1765:
Johann Friedrich Peter (19) enters the seminary at Barby, Saxony.
January 4, 1770:
In the middle of a snowstorm, Johann Friedrich Peter (23) and four others depart the Moravian Theological Seminary in Barby, Saxony, heading for America. They have been called to this service by the Moravian Synod.
January 18, 1770:
Johann Friedrich Peter (23) and his four companions reach Amsterdam on their journey to America.
May 18, 1770:
Johann Friedrich Peter, in the company of several others, reaches the Moravian center of America, Bethlehem, in the Province of Pennsylvania, on the eve of his 24th birthday.
May 28, 1770:
Johann Friedrich Peter (24) begins his service to the Moravian Church in America, teaching at a boys’ school in Nazareth, Pennsylvania.
January 30, 1773:
Johann Friedrich Peter (26) enters into duties in charge of the boys at the Moravian community in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
June 6, 1773:
Johann Friedrich Peter (27) is received as an Acoluth in the Moravian Church as he begins new duties at a boys’ school in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
September 15, 1779:
Johann Friedrich Peter (33) moves from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania to a new post as record keeper and clerk in Lititz, Pennsylvania.
May 22, 1780:
Johann Friedrich Peter (34) departs his post in Lititz, Pennsylvania heading for Salem, North Carolina.
June 15, 1780:
Johann Friedrich Peter (34) arrives in Salem, North Carolina from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. His new post is as secretary to the Elders’ Conference, reader, and musician.
September 16, 1780:
Because of the success of the Moravian colony in Salem, North Carolina is so great, church musician Johann Friedrich Peter (34) and two others are ordained to help the overworked clergy.
April 10, 1785:
While returning to Salem, North Carolina from the Friedland Church, a short distance away, Johann Friedrich Peter (38) falls from his horse and is dragged some distance. Unconscious for about 30 minutes, he is discovered by two passing men who take him back to Friedland. He recovers and is able to return to Salem on 11 April.
May 1, 1786:
Johann Friedrich Peter (39) marries Catharina Leinbach in Salem, North Carolina.
August 23, 1790:
After ten years of service, Johann Friedrich Peter (44) and his wife depart the Moravian community of Salem, North Carolina for Graceham, Maryland.
September 9, 1790:
Johann Friedrich Peter (44) and his wife arrive in Graceham, Maryland where he will serve as interim pastor.
April 9, 1791:
Johann Friedrich Peter (44) and his wife arrive in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania from Graceham, Maryland.
May 7, 1791:
Johann Friedrich Peter (44) and his wife arrive in Hope, New Jersey where he is to take charge of the Moravian school there.
May 18, 1806:
A new, large Moravian church is dedicated in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. 6,000 people are on hand for the ceremony, including Johann Friedrich Peter who, presumably, contributes his abilities on the organ, on the eve of his 60th birthday. Gott hat unter uns aufgerichtet das Wort von der Versöhnung by Johannes Herbst (70) is performed.
July 13, 1813:
Shortly after playing the organ for a children’s service, Johann Friedrich Peter goes to an apothecary and tells the man he does not feel well. Peter thereupon suffers a stroke and dies in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA, aged 67 years, one month, and 24 days. His mortal remains will be laid to rest in the Moravian Cemetery of Bethlehem.