author
Peter E. Gumaer
1771–1869
Best known for preserving the early history of Deerpark, New York, this 18th- and 19th-century writer left behind a vivid local record shaped by a remarkably long life. His work blends town history, family stories, and firsthand knowledge of the people and places around Minisink country.
1 Audiobook
A History of Deerpark in Orange County, N. Y.
by Peter E. Gumaer
About the author
Born in Deerpark, Orange County, New York, on May 28, 1771, Peter E. Gumaer lived until December 18, 1869, reaching the age of 98. He is remembered chiefly as the author of A History of Deerpark in Orange County, N. Y., a detailed account of the town's early settlement, families, and community life.
Gumaer's book was published after his death by the Minisink Valley Historical Society, drawing on material he had prepared over many years. The work has remained valuable for readers interested in local history and genealogy because it preserves names, traditions, and episodes that might otherwise have been lost.
Sources about his life also describe him as a surveyor, as well as a merchant and farmer in Port Clinton, New York, and note that he served in the militia and held local offices. Taken together, those roles help explain the practical, close-to-the-ground perspective that gives his writing its lasting appeal.