He had hoped to enter the army following the model of his oldest brother, but that sentiment soon passed. His father believed Peter was destined to enter one of the liberal professions, and sent him to Staten Island in 1760 to be tutored by the Rev.
Initially, Peter aspired to enlist in the army, emulating his eldest sibling's path; however, this aspiration dissipated soon after. His father envisioned Peter pursuing a career in one of the liberal arts and sciences, and thus dispatched him to Staten Island in 1760 to receive instruction from the Rev.