Peter, John Frederick (19 May 1746–13 July 1813), minister of the Moravian church (Unitas Fratrum), composer, and church record keeper, minister of the Moravian church (Unitas Fratrum), composer, and church record keeper, was born Johann Friedrich Peter in the Moravian settlement of Herrndijk, Holland, the son of Johann Friedrich Peter, the Moravian minister there, and Susanna Jacksch. Following Moravian custom, young Johann was sent to Moravian boarding schools in Haarlem and Zeist, Holland; Niesky and Gross Hennersdorf, Saxony; and the Moravian Seminary at Barby, Saxony, between the years 1750 and 1769. The school at Gross Hennersdorf and the seminary at Barby were well known for their excellent music programs. It is likely that Peter received his musical training there under composer Johann Daniel Grimm. Meanwhile, in 1760 his father was transferred by the church to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania....
