Peter was born in either 1784 or 1785, in old Jefferson County, the part which became Shelby County. He was the son of John Van Cleave and his second wife Rachel (Demaree) Ryker, widow of Gerardus Ryker. Peter died in Madison Township. He was named for his Grandmother's (Leah Demarest) father...one of his mother's two Demarest grandfathers. His brother David was named for the other.

Peter was commissioned on may 20, 1807 as an Ensign in the 18th "Cornstalk" Regiment of Shelby County, Kentucky Militia.

Peter was married (firstly) on March 20, 1808, in Shelby County, Kentucky, to Anne Kennedy.

Peter was married (secondly) on July 25, 1816, in Jefferson County, Indiana, to Elizabeth Woodfill.

***The Jacob Riker listed as a half sibling is not a son of Gerardus Ryker and Rachel Demaree. He is of one of the New Jersey Rikers. Thus, he is not a half sibling to Peter.***

Besides the children listed having memorials Peter also had the following children whose death and/or burial information is unknown:
**John Van Cleave, born 1811, in Jefferson County, Indiana, died between 1860-1870, in Jennings County, Indiana. Married (firstly) on January 17, 1831, in Ripley County, Indiana, to Marticia Ann Waggoner. Married (secondly) on April 2, 1839, in Jennings County, Indiana, to Mary Ann Ransdale (born April 1822, in Kentucky, died between 1900-1910, in Jennings County, Indiana).
**Rachael Van Cleave, born circa 1812, in Jefferson County, Indiana, died pre-1849. Married on May 18, 1829, in Jefferson County, Indiana, to Jacob William Waggoner.
**Samuel Van Cleave, born circa 1814, in Jefferson County, Indiana, died 1841, in Jennings County, Indiana. Married on January 5, 1836, in Jennings County, Indiana, to Nancy C. Johnson (born circa 1817), the daughter of William Montigue Johnson and Sarah Shellhouse.
**Ann Van Cleave, born circa 1816, in Jefferson County, Indiana, died between 1834-1840. Married on August 11, 1831, in Jefferson County, Indiana, to Eli P. Jones (born 1808, in North Carolina).
**Mary Van Cleave, born circa 1818, in Jefferson County, Indiana, died between 1840-1846. Married on February 14, 1839, in Jefferson County, Indiana, to Williamson Bergen.
**Sarah Van Cleave, born 1820, in Jefferson County, Indiana. Married on April 27, 1836, in Jefferson County, Indiana, to Isom Brashears (born 1812, in Virginia).