Children Martin, Ursula, Anna Marie, Maria Malona, Anna Maria and Trinie Betty were all taken prisoner by Indians in a raid on settlers in 1757. Martin escaped and returned after six months. One of the Anna’s came back after 14 years, mentally deranged, came to Ohio, and died there, but the other three girls were never heard of again.
In 1758 the mother, Sarah, was taken captive by Indians with 19 others. She saw them tomahawked to death. She was the only survivor because an Indian thought her worth saving. She was held prisoner for about six years. Eve Elizabeth Harper, later wife of Sarah' son John Jacob was also taken prisoner with the Peterson children and held for about six years.
507Children
1. John Jacob PETERSON b: 13 NOV 1729 in Baenwyl, Switzerland
2. John Martin PETERSON b: 20 OCT 1730
3. Ursula PETERSON b: 25 DEC 1731 in Switzerland
4. Sarah PETERSON b: 8 JAN 1733 in Switzerland
5. Anna Maria Barbara PETERSON b: 27 JUL 1738 in Pennsylvania
6. Maria Malona PETERSON b: 18 DEC 1739 in Pennsylvania
7. John (Hans) Michael PETERSON b: 1 OCT 1741 in America
8. Maria Anna PETERSON b: 17 SEP 1744 in Pennsylvania or Virginia
9. Trina Bettie PETERSON b: 15 MAR 1746 in Virginia?