NOTE; Great-grandson of the Peter Shumway had the original discharge in the late 1800
Peter Shumway, a native of Massachusetts, came to Tioga county about 1805, and located at Mansfield. A year later he
removed to Charleston township, and settled on Shumway Hill. He was a veteran of the Revolution, serving nearly seven years.
There is now in the possession of his great-grandson, Peter E. Shumway, of Wellsboro, the original discharge received by him,
June 9, 1783. This rare and highly-prized relic shows that Peter Shumway was a "soldier of the Fourth Massachusetts regiment;"
that he "faithfully served the United States six years and three months," hving "enlisted for the war only." John Trumbull, Jr.,
certifies that it was "given at headquarters by His Excellency’s command." It was signed by Washington himself, the signature, "Go Washington," being clear, bold and distinct. It bears unmistakable evidence of genuineness. Another high officer, whose name
has become dimmed by age, certifies that "the above Peter Shumway, soldier, has been honored with the badge of merit, for
six years’ faithful service," and "John M. Davis, adjutant," certifies that it is "registered in the books of the regiment."
This venerable relic of Revolutionary days, although 114 years old, is in a fair state of preservation, and with care will easily
last another century. Inclosed in the same frame with the discharge are two specimens of "Massachusetts Bay" paper money
of the time, coarse-grained and antique in design. One bill is of the denomination of $8; the other is No. 59.222, and calls
for $65, "in gold or silver." In the contemplation of these old documents one’s mind is carried back to "the time that tried
men’s souls"—the days that were dark and gloomy, and when the cause of liberty trembled in the balance.
After Peter Shumway’s death in 1833, the discharge passed into the hands of his son, Sleeman Shumway. He died
May 3, 1864. It then became the property of his son, N. P. Shumway. During recent years it has been in the possession
of Melvina L. Shumway, wife of Jonathan V. Morgan, and is now owned by Peter E. Shumway, Wellsboro, a great-grandson
of the Peter Shumway to whom it was originally given as an evidence of faithful service in the Revolutionary army. It is
an heirloom of inestimable value.
SOURCE: 1897 Tioga County History Table of Contents
http://www.rootsweb.com/~srgp/1897/ch14.htm
Who is this family member?