Sarah Pea Rich's Father Survived War Service and Frontier Dangers

Sarah DeArmon Pea Rich documented her father John Pea's remarkable preservation through multiple dangerous circumstances. She wrote: 'My father, John Pea, was one of the first settlers of Illinois, was one of the rangers of that new country, and had to fort up his family from the Indians. My father served in the war of 1812, for which he drew a pension until the day of his death, and he lived to the good old age of 91 years.' The fact that John Pea survived both the War of 1812 and the dangers of frontier settlement with Native Americans testified to divine protection. Sarah further noted that her father's long life was a blessing to the family: 'he lived to the good old age of 91 years, and taught his children to be like himself, true to our country and honor the flag of our Union under which he fought and helped to maintain all his life.' This account demonstrates how God preserved John Pea through military service and frontier dangers so that he could live a full life and teach his children godly principles. His extended lifespan and continued mentorship of his children were blessings that extended far beyond his own generation.