 Peterson erected a "humble cabin" on a hill overlooking Wilmington and cleared away the forest covering the southern declivity of the hill.It was near Peterson's cabin where, as Peterson tilled the land with oxen, Quaker leader Elizabeth Shipley took in a view that she had earlier reported seeing in a dream, and determined that the Quakers were destined to settle the Delmarva Peninsula.Peterson gave "30 feet" toward the construction of the Swedish Lutheran Church in Wilmington (now Holy Trinity Church (Old Swedes)).