Peter, referred to by everybody as Uncle Peter is a former slave of the Hamilton family, serving Pittypat Hamilton.
Biography[]
Given by his complete devotion to the Hamilton family Peter was likely born to slaves already owned by the Hamilton family. He claims to have taken care of Sarah Jane "Pittypat" Hamilton since she was very little, so the early 1800s.
Eventually, at the orders of Henry Hamilton, he became Pittypat's personal slave, who in actuality took care of her and subtly influenced her actions as she always listened to him. He helped Pittypat and Henry Hamilton raise their nephew and niece Charles Hamilton (1841) and Melanie Hamilton (1843).
During the war, Uncle Peter stayed with Pittypat until they had to flee because of the Burning of Atlanta. They returned to their house on Peach Tree Lane after the war, and it had been spared. After the war and the liberation of the slaves, Uncle Peter stayed with Pittypat as a paid man-servant, acting as a butler, coachman, cook's help and cleaner.
Later after the war he is insulted by a Yankee woman who says she wouldn't entrust her children to a "darky", which is odd since the North liberated the slaves. Later, three Yankee women laugh at "that old n***** swelling up like a toad".
He is there with Pittypat and India Wilkes when Melanie dies.
Appearance[]
He is described as a thin black man with grizzled hair.
Personality[]
Uncle Peter is very proud of his position, and loyal to his mistress. Despite this, he can be very strict with Pittypat and deals with her fainting fits.
He judges Scarlett O'Hara severely for barely mourning her husband Charles Hamilton, whom he raised, and doesn't agree with the way she treats her son, Wade Hamilton. Like Henry Hamilton, he sees Wade as the family heir and wants to raise him himself.
Despite his loyalty to his enslavers, Peter is very sensitive to racism and starts to cry after a white person calls him the n-word for the first time in his life.