Peter Mawney (c.1689-1754) was a member of one of the few French Huguenot families that remained in Rhode Island, following violent clashes with the English citizens of East Greenwich, Rhode Island over disputed land. Mawney spent 24 years in the military service of the colony, serving in both the East Greenwich and Providence militias, and retiring as a Colonel in the Providence County 2nd Regiment. He also served for many years as Justice of the Peace for the town of East Greenwich.

Mawney was married twice, both times to daughters of Pardon Tillinghast, Jr., and had eight children. His son, John Mawney, was Sheriff of Providence for several years, and his grandson, John Mawney, Jr., was a surgeon and one of the raiders that attacked and burned the British revenue ship Gaspee during the leadup to the American Revolutionary War.