Peter was the father of three children who had suddenly lost his wife, Ellen, in a car crash. She died of her injuries at Woodbridge (New York) Hospital. He tried his hardest to be both mother and father to his three children. His oldest, Susan Ames Dunbar, became the mother figure, and also became somewhat bossy; his son, Jerry was so angry with the driver who took his mother's life that he nearly killed him, and landed in reform school. Amy, the youngest, was worried, and was the focus, as everyone tried to make sure she was all right.