An aged man named James Hill, testifying in 1807, in the cause of Peter Heiskell vs. The Corporation of Staunton, gave some account of the town in 1762, when he settled here.
Waddell's Annals of Augusta County, Virginia, Indian Wars, etc., from 1758 to 1764. - Page 166

Some time between 1785 and 1790, several persons came to Staunton from different places, all of whom were prominent and influential in their day, and some of whom reared large families. ... and Mr. Barry were natives of Ireland, and leading merchants; Mr. Garber came from Pennsylvania, and Mr. Heiskell from Frederick county.
Waddell's Annals of Augusta County, Virginia, From the Close of the Revolution to the Year 1800. - Page 337

The earliest returns of commissioners of the revenue for Augusta county, found in our local archives, are for the year 1787. Parts of Bath and Pendleton counties were then included in Augusta. The commissioners of the revenue were James Ramsey, Joseph Bell, and Charles Cameron. Alexander McClanahan was clerk of the County Court. The number of horses and mules in the county was 7,747; cattle, 15,692; ordinaries, 5; kept by John Bosang, Windle Grove, Peter Heiskell, James McGonigle, and Thomas Smith, (all in Staunton); practising physicians, 4—Drs. William Grove, Alexander Humphreys, Alexander Long, and Hugh Richie. The number of gigs was two, owned by John Ermitage and Robert Richardson. There were no four-wheeled riding-carriages in the county.
Waddell's Annals of Augusta County, Virginia, From the Close of the Revolution to the Year 1800. - Page 339

The ordinary kept by Peter Heiskell in 1787, was the Washington Tavern, which occupied the site of the present Virginia Hotel, N. E. corner of New and Courthouse streets. Thomas Smith kept the Bell Tavern, diagonally opposite the Washington, and was succeeded by his son-in-law, Michael Garber.
Waddell's Annals of Augusta County, Virginia, From the Close of the Revolution to the Year 1800. - Page 340

The people of Staunton organized a Fire Company, January 9, 1790, in accordance with an act of the Legislature, and the names of the members are recorded in Deed Book No. 26, page 404. It is interesting to see who were the active citizens of the town at that time. Among the names of persons and firms composing the company—61 in all—are the following: William Bowyer, Michael Bowyer, Alexander St. Clair, Robert Gamble, James Lyle, Robert Stuart, Archibald Stuart, William Abney, Robert Douthat, William Chambers, John and Samuel Boys, Peter Heiskell, Jacob Peck, Robert McDowell, ...
Waddell's Annals of Augusta County, Virginia, From the Close of the Revolution to the Year 1800. - Page 341

Mr. Graham had six children,—the eldest Jahab, became a Presbyterian preacher, and died early, in Staunton, at the house of his father-in-law, Mr. Peter Heiskell, leaving no child. The youngest of Mr. Graham’s children, William, became a physician, settled in Georgia and left a family. His daughters were Mrs. Murdock and Mrs. Braken, of Pennsylvania, and Mrs. Riel, of Kentucky.
Waddell's Annals of Augusta County, Virginia, From the Close of the Revolution to the Year 1800. - Page 356

In 1809, General Blackburn was put on trial before the County Court, upon a charge which would now be considered very preposterous. On the 28th of August, the Grand Jury, on the information of George Bittle, presented the General “for exacting illegal fees, to wit: $3 for an opinion when no suit was brought, and $6 for fee in an Inferior Court.” James Allen was foreman of the jury, and among the members were Jacob Bumgardner, James Tate, James A. McCue, James Bell and Peter Heiskell. The trial came off October 23, 1809, and “the merits of this presentment being fully argued and considered,” the case was dismissed at the cost of Bittle.
Waddell's Annals of Augusta County, Virginia, from 1800 to 1812 (p.383)

The waters of the various wells were not equally good. The water of “Hopkins’ pump.” at the northeast corner of Beverley and Market streets, seemed to be impregnated with magnesia, and was generally avoided by thirsty people. But that of “Hill’s pump,” at the northwest corner of Beverley and Augusta, two squares from the former, was pure and sweet, and was sent for by people living far away. We have seen that most of the young men of Staunton, who went to the Southwest in search of fortune, drifted back in the course of time; and old Mr. Heiskell used to say that every boy who had drank of the water of “Hill’s pump” was sure to return to it. According to Mr. Heiskell, he longed for it as David did for “the water of the well that is by the gate of Bethlehem.”
Waddell's Annals of Augusta County, Virginia, from 1833 to 1844 (p.422)

The Fourth of July was celebrated with much enthusiasm during the earlier years of the century. In 1810 William Clarke delivered the annual oration. From the Republican Farmer we extract the following account of the celebration in 1811: “The day was announced by one discharge from the artillery of Captain McCue’s company at daybreak, and seventeen at sunrise. About 12 o’clock the artillery company and Captain Poage’s troop of cavalry paraded the streets of Staunton, and marched to Mr. Peter Heiskell’s spring, about a mile from town, when, after hearing a short address suitable. Source: Waddell's Annals of Augusta County, Virginia, from 1726 to 1871 (p. 385)