452Peter Groover was born in Germany1 circa 1762.2 (However, Germany—as we now think of it—didn't exist in 1762. Presumably, 452Peter was actually born in the Holy Roman Empire.) The circumstances of his immigration to America are unknown.

He fought for America in the Revolutionary War (NSDAR ancestor #A048870). He enlisted in the North Carolina militia in the summer of 1780 and served for 1.75 years straight, but also served intermittently at other times. Not long after enlisting he participated in the Battle of Camden, one of the worst disasters in American military history (and mocked in Mel Gibson's 2000 movie The Patriot—video link). He also fought at the Battle of Eutaw Springs. Later in the war he spent some time in a Light Horse Brigade; such units were often used for reconnaissance on the enemy. Over the course of the war he was promoted from private to corporal to sergeant.2

Two of his Revolutionary War pay vouchers are shown below.3,4

452Peter had been living in Orange County, North Carolina when he enlisted in 1780.2 In 1804 he baptized two of his children at a church in nearby Guilford County.5 The baptism records report his wife's name as Susanna, but nothing else is known of her.

Sometime thereafter he moved his family to Franklin County, Georgia.2 Although the purchase records are missing, we know that he owned land in Franklin County, since he sold some of it in 18166 and paid taxes for 200 acres on Broad River in 18187 and 1819,8 and defaulted on the corresponding tax in 1823.9

1818: 452Peter Groover pays tax for 200 acres in Franklin County, Georgia. Full page.7

452Peter successfully applied for a veteran's pension in 1832.2

As previously explained, 452Peter probably moved from Franklin County to Cobb County in the 1830's.

There are conflicting opinions on where 452Peter is buried, and as a result, there are two competing tombstones in two different cemeteries. The first is at coordinates N33.9777 W84.4669 in Antioch Cemetery, Cobb County, Georgia.10 The other is at nearby Holly Springs Cemetery, which is at coordinates N34.0171 W84.4711.11 Both stones indicate that he died on 11 July 1841, but I can find no independent evidence thereof.

Sources Cited:

1: 1880 U.S. Federal Census (Population Schedule). Township 16 Range 12, Cleburne County, Alabama. Enumeration district 44, page 193B, dwelling 115, family 116, Phillip Groover household. NARA microfilm publication T9, roll 8. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9YYJ-3N5?cc=1417683&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AM4JC-MQ7>, accessed 3 January 2021.

2: Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Applications, file S31717 for Peter Groover of North Carolina. NARA microfilm publication M804, roll 1139. <https://catalog.archives.gov/id/54738491>, 4 February 2021. You can see a transcription of the application here. The relevant sentence reads, "He was born about the year 1762 does not know that there is any record of his age."

3: North Carolina Revolutionary pay vouchers, microfilm reel for William Green to Reubin Gurganos, voucher 1839 for Peter Groover. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9W8-N74N?i=734&cc=1498361&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AQ2WT-GD11>, accessed 9 February 2021.

4: ibid., voucher 327 (in lieu of voucher 837) for Peter Groover. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9W8-N747?i=736&cc=1498361&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AQ2WT-5W6S>, accessed 9 February 2021.

5: David R. Koontz, ed., Frieden Lutheran Church Book 1800-1853, translated by Henry Reeves. Copied by: Peggy Reece Bruckner, <http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~bruckner/genealogy/koontz.htm>, page 10, accessed 4 February 2021. Two pertinent entries are: (1) "Petrus Gruber and his wife Susanna their daughter 'Milly' born 16th Aug 1803 - sponsors were the parents - baptised 15th July 1804;" and (2) "Petrus Gruber and his wife Susanna - their son Johannes born 16th Sept 1800 - and baptized 26th Aug 1804 - sponsors parents of same."

6: Franklin County, Georgia. Deed book B, pages 57-58. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4K-2CR5-L?i=69&cat=342823>, accessed 12 February 2021. On 22 October 1816, 452Peter sold 100 acres on the north side of Broad River to John Hood.

7: Franklin County, Georgia. 1818 tax digest, section for Captain Burrough's district, entry for Peter Groover. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS42-93NL-8?i=546&cat=305988>, accessed 12 February 2021.

8: Franklin County, Georgia. 1819 tax digest, section for Captain Hammonds' district, entry for Peter Groover. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS42-93X2-D?i=642&cat=305988>, accessed 12 February 2021.

9: Franklin County, Georgia. 1823 tax digest, defaulters list, section for Captain Jordan's district, entry for Peter Groover. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKV-55TF?i=267&cat=305988>, accessed 12 February 2021.

10: Tombstone for Peter Groover (born 1762 Germany, died 11 July 1841), Antioch Cemetery, Cobb County, Georgia. The tombstone is at coordinates N33.9777 W84.4669. Photograph taken by 1Bryant Knight on 6 February 2021.

11: Tombstone for Peter Groover (died 11 July 1841), Holly Springs Cemetery, Cobb County, Georgia. The cemetery is at coordinates N34.0171 W84.4711. Photograph added to FindAGrave.com by user stubbytate on 25 March 2012, <https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29691420/peter-groover>, accessed 12 February 2021.