The Whitmers had eight children together: Christian, Jacob, John, David, Catherine, Peter Jr., Nancy, and Elizabeth Ann.

In 1809, the family moved to Waterloo, New York, where they joined a German Reformed church and where Peter became a road overseer and school trustee.

In June 1829, Peter's sons and his son-in-law Hiram Page became witnesses to the golden plates.

Oliver Cowdery, who had assisted Smith in the translation of the Book of Mormon from the golden plates, married Elizabeth Ann Whitmer in December 1832.

[2] All surviving members of the Whitmer family broke with Smith in 1838 in Far West, Missouri, and were excommunicated from the church.