Born on the Isle of Guernsey, Great Britain, Peter Underhay Pridham moved to London at an early age. After his marriage, he emigrated to Montreal, Canada, in 1832, came to Texas in 1834, and settled on the San Jacinto River. He joined the Texas volunteers and fought in the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836. After the death of his wife, he moved to Victoria in 1839, fought in the Battle of Plum Creek in 1840, married Matilda Roberts in 1841, and served as tax assessor over Victoria County until his death.