The census of 1790 listed 2 heads of families, named Peter Riter in Roxborough Township. Both households included 1 male over 16, and 1 under 16. One family had 1 female, and the other 2. It has not been determined which belonged to Peter of upper Roxborough, whose family at one time uncluded 3 or 4 sons, and a daughter.[Heads of Families 1790, 207]
Peter Righter made his will 2 October 1817, and it was probaled 26 June 1819. His wife Elizabeth survived a few years, as she died shortly before April, 1822. Where they were buried has not been determined. Peter named his friend John Livezey as his executor. He gave his wife Elizabeth the privilege of living in his house, with household and kitchen furniture as the executor thought sufficient for her needs. All the rest of his moveable estate the executor was to sell at public vendue, and pay the proceeds in amounts he thought fit to Elizabeth, as she might need it. The executor was to rent out his real estate, except the house and one half acre of land reserved for his wife. The wife was to be paid such part of the rent as the executor thought she needed yearly throughout her life. Firewood for her stove, hay and pasture for her cow were also to be provided. After her death the property was to be sold in lots at public or private sale. He cancelled the debt of $875 owed by his son John, deceased, and gave $250 each to the 9 children of John. He cancelled the debt of $775 his son Joseph owed him and gave Joseph $3000, with the proviso, that, if Joseph died without issue, the sum was to be paid back for distribution among the grandchildren. He gave to Hannah Jones, daughter of his daughter Mary, deceased $3000, and to Elizabeth the daughter of his son Anthony, deceased, who had lived with him, $3000 to be paid when she reached age 18, and to Anthony's widow Rebecca $600. He gave $200 to his daughter-in-law, widow of his son John. the rest of his estate was to be divided equally among the grandchildren then living.[Will Book 7, 30#72,1819]
On 5 April 1822, John Livezey, executor of Peter Righter's will, sold for $1134.12 1/2, 13 acres and 13 perches of Peter's farm to Elizabeth, widow of John Righter, William Zorns of Abington Township, Montgomery County, and Mary, his wife (late Righter in the right of Mary),Hannah Righter, Elizabeth Righter, and Sarah Righter, all of Roxborough Township. Probably Mary, Hannah, Elizabeth and Sarah were 4 of the 9 children of Peter's son John. There should be other records of the settlement of this estate, but a brief search has not located them, except a report of John Livezey, executor, to the Orphans Court of a balance of $1285.00 1/2 due the estate to be distributed. (Orphans Court Book, 28, 298, session of 15 September 1822)
The children of 8. Peter and Elizabeth (Tunis) Righter were:
John Righter. He died before 1817, when his father made his will.
Joseph Righter. He had no children when his father made his will in 1817. Joseph applied for a certificate to Exeter Meeting, and was granted it by the Gwynedd Monthly Meeting. 24 April 1792. On 31 Marth 1801 a cretificate to exeter was again signed for him.
Mary Righter
Anthony Righter.
These children are named in order as they were mentioned in Peter's will, which may not be the order of birth. Mary and John were born before October 11, 1763, for they were named in the certificare of removal from Merion Meeting, granted on that date. The Minuted of Gwynedd Monthly Meeting indicate that there may have been a son Peter, for , 28 June 1791, Peter Righter, Jr. requested a certificate of removal to Abington.(Ibid., 463)