After Peter's release from British captivity, he remained in New Jersey. In 1779 and 1780 he was living Shrewsbury Township, Monmouth County, New Jersey, along with a Stephen Stillwaggon who may have been his brother. Records of Stillwaggons in Monmouth County continue for many years and these undoubtedly are descendants of Stephen. Peter lived in Middletown Township, Monmouth County, New Jersey from 1784 to 1786.

Peter Stillwaggon had moved to Deckertown, Wantage Township, Sussex County, New Jersey by 1790. Deckertown was founded in 1740 by Peter Decker. It is located in the northern part of the state. Deckertown is now known as Sussex. Peter Stillwaggon contributed 10 shillings towards the building of a Dutch Reformed Church in Wantage Township in 1790.

Peter Stillwaggon was on a list of men enrolled in the Militia for Wantage Township in 1793. On the same list was a Jacob Pool, maybe a relative of Elizabeth Poole Stillwaggon's.

In 1793, Peter Stillwaggon purchased 51& 2/100th acres of land in Wantage Township, from Richard Edsall, Jr., for the price of 61 pounds, 4 shillings and 6 pence, New York money (Each state then produced its own currency, the value of which varied considerably).

In 1804, Peter Stillwaggon and his wife Elizabeth sold this same land for $750 (by now Federal currency) to Moses DeWitt.  Peter Stillwaggon moved with his wife and nine of his children to Connellsville, Fayette County, Pennsylvania. He first appears there in 1807 on tax records of Bullskin Township. (Which then included all of modern Connellsville). He is listed as having no occupation, but owned three horses and one cow.

By 1808, Peter's occupation was that of a wagoner. He now was listed as owning a house. Ellis' History of Fayette County reports that Peter Stillwaggon had a long house on the corner of Water and Peach Streets. An old map of Connellsville would indicate that this house was on either lot #163 or #164 in the plan of the town.  (The internet listed Peter Stillwaggon owed 0.30 taxes for Borough of Connellsville for year end 04-01-1808.)

As a wagoner, Peter Stillwaggon apparently had an opportunity to travel about. It may have been on one of these trips that the following event, also recorded in Ellis' History of Fayette County occurred.

"William Salters had this story told of him while traveling in the West, as Ohio was then called. He halted for the night at a small village inn. Hearing that some strange preacher was to do missionary service in the town school house, to while away the time he concluded to go and hear the preaching. On entering the house, great was his surprise to see the preacher, "Pete" Stillwaggon, a noted CHARACTER of Connellsville. Though equally surprised to see Salters, "Pete" maintained his position undauntedly and spoke energetically. At the close he announced that "Brother Salters" would now take his hat around for their offerings. "Brother Salters" did as he was desired and took up the collection. On leaving the house "Pete begged Salter not to betray him, which, of course, after his part in the matter, Salters did not.

In 1817 Peter Stillwaggon, Sr. was appointed Sexton of the Connellsville graveyard. He was to "Take charge of the graveyard, keep it in good order and keep the gates locked and in case of deceased, to dig graves and inter all dead bodies, except those who have been hanged or have committed suicide; such are not to be buried in the graveyard."

In 1819 he was given the additional office of Inspector of Cordwood sold within the Borough.

By 1822, the tax lists called him an "Old man" and 1823, "too old" (presumably too old to work or pay taxes), and he transferred ownership of his house on Water Street. to his son Andrew, but continued to live there.

Peter Stillwaggon, Sr. died in December, 1831 and was buried in the old graveyard. Years later the cemetery was dug up to build the present Connellsville Library. Few remains were found in the older graves, so in most cases, only the stones were moved.

Parts of the above information was taken from a book written by Mark H. Welchley and provided to Billy McMenamy by Cary Schooling Campbell.

Military service: July 1776, Enlisted in Fifth Pennsylvania Regiment of Colonial Army  Pension # W3197 Widow applied 05-06-1846 in Fayette Co., PA.  Soldier enlisted near Philadelphia, PA.

Notes for Elizabeth Poole:  Elizabeth Poole Stillwaggon lived to the age of 115 years and died when her house burned. Obit of Elizabeth (Poole) Stillwaggon: Found in the Uniontown, Pennsylvania "Genius of Liberty" dated (February 2, 1854). (I seriously question this date, because my information says she died in 1866).

"We regret to learn that on Monday last week Mrs. Elizabeth Stillwaggon of Connellsville, came to her death in the following horrible manner. Her grandson had left the house for a few hours, when on opening the door on his return, the stench of smoke was so great that he could not enter. The alarm was immediately given, the windows were thrown open and water thrown in to quench the fire. On entering, the old lady was found burned to a crisp. It is thought her clothes took fire, whilst lighting her pipe. She was one hundred fifteen years old and was quite active for one her age. She had two sons before the Revolutionary War, in which her husband was a soldier and at one time a prisoner."