Peter Jefferson (February 29, 1708 – August 17, 1757) was a planter, cartographer, and politician in colonial Virginia best known for being the father of the third president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson. The "Fry-Jefferson Map", created by Peter in collaboration with Joshua Fry in 1757, accurately charted the Allegheny Mountains for the first time and showed the northbound route of "The Great Road from the Yadkin River through Virginia to Philadelphia distant 455 Miles", which later became Great Wagon Road. The map also indicates the southbound route of the Trading Path from Petersburg, Virginia to Old Hawfields, North Carolina and beyond.

Jefferson was born at a settlement called Osbornes along the James River in present-day Chesterfield County, Virginia, the son of Captain Thomas Jefferson (1679–1731), a large property owner, and Mary Field (1680–1715), who was the daughter of Major Peter Field of New Kent County, Virginia, and granddaughter of Henry Soane (1622–1661), a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses. Jefferson's mother, Mary Field Jefferson, died when he was eight years of age. Peter Jefferson had several brothers and sisters including Judith Jefferson (1698–1786) who married George Farrar (1692–1772), Thomas Jefferson (1700–1723), and Field Jefferson (1702–1765). During his childhood, he learned about plantation management from his father. When he was 18 years of age, he managed his father's plantations. His father died when he was 24 years of age.

He did not receive any formal education while young, but according to his son Thomas Jefferson, he nevertheless "read much and improved himself" and provided for education for his children. He was the fourth child of six children.

From his father's estate, he inherited land and slaves in 1731 along the James River near Isham Randolph and his nephew William Randolph of Tuckahoe. Jefferson's residence, called Fine Creek Manor, was in present-day Powhatan County, Virginia near Fine Creek. It is now part of Fine Creek Mills Historic District. He was a sheriff, surveyor, and justice of the peace. In 1734, Jefferson claimed the land in present-day Albemarle County, Virginia, which he eventually named Shadwell. By purchase and patent, Peter Jefferson assembled a second plantation which he called “Snowdon” (aka Snowden), located at the Horseshoe Bend of what was then known as the Fluvanna River (later the James River). The name recalls Mount Snowdon, presumably the home of his Jefferson ancestors.

He married Jane Randolph, daughter of Isham Randolph and granddaughter of William Randolph, in 1739. For a year or two following his marriage, they lived at Fine Creek Manor. Jefferson built a house on the Shadwell tract, after his wife's birthplace, in 1741 or 1742. They moved there sometime before his son, Thomas, was born in 1743. His friend William Randolph, a widower and his wife's cousin, died in 1745, having appointed Jefferson as guardian to manage the Tuckahoe Plantation until his son came of age. That year the Jeffersons relocated to Randolph's plantation in the Fine Creek area.

Jane and Peter offered a privileged life for their family whether in established areas of eastern Virginia or, later, as they settled in the Shadwell plantation of the Piedmont. They ate on fine dishware, frequently entertained, enjoyed classic books and music, and attended dances. The family was considered prosperous and cultured. While at Tuckahoe, Peter also oversaw the development of his plantation at Shadwell, traveling there as needed while also deftly managing the affairs of the Tuckahoe plantation.

In 1752, Jefferson returned to Shadwell, which was improved to include a mill along the Rivanna River. A member of the gentry, he was a host to his peers and to Native Americans who travelled on official business to Colonial Williamsburg. A favored guest was Cherokee chief Ontasseté.

Jefferson had more than sixty slaves at Shadwell.