Peter Willis

From the History of Paterson City and Passaic County, NJ., 1901, pg. 341 (353/464)

Peter, b. Sept. 4, 1788.

He was a wandering, wayward fellow, more noted for his skill in the dance than in other respects. But on occasion he could show rare courage and presence of mind. On a voyage as a sailor he was impressed by a British cruiser, and after manifold hardships made his escape in 1808. He enlisted in the War of 1812, and went with the army to Canada. In a desultory fight an Indian shot at him with a pistol, and the ball went through his hat. He sprang behind a tree to avoid a second shot. The Indian did the same, to load his gun, but unwarily exposing himself, Willis shot him through the heart. On his return to Paterson, as a recruiting officer, he proudly displayed the Indian's pistol. On another occasion, in an engagement the captain and lieutenants of his company were disabled, whereupon Willis leaped to the front and led the company through the rest of the fight. During a great flood in the river, when the bridge was threatened with destruction, he coolly drove several loads of stone upon the frail structure to steady it, and thereby saved it from being washed away.