Field Marshal and the first Russian count Boris Sheremetev long searched for a worthy bride for his son Pyotr. Unexpectedly, she turned out to be the only daughter of Prince Alexei Cherkassky, Varvara. As a dowry, the generous father provided 26 of his estates. This marriage, which became the most talked-about in Europe in 1743, made Pyotr Borisovich the largest landowner in the Russian Empire. According to various sources, he owned about 100,000 serfs. Notably, all his peasants never knew corvée and were on rent, paying only 2 to 3 rubles a year, which was significantly lower than that of other landowners. Moreover, the peasants could decide for themselves how to cultivate the land.

Pyotr Sheremetev, known for his hospitality, patron of the arts, and collector, did much for the upbringing of Russian talents. It is enough to recall artists and architects like Argunovs, composer Degtyarev, and actresses Kovalyova and Shlykova. In his estates, the count opened schools where peasants learned sciences and crafts. One of his serfs became the merchant Eliseev, whose descendants founded the famous Moscow grocery store.

Legends about the controversial character of Pyotr Borisovich circulated even during his lifetime. He granted freedom to some talented serfs while sending others to study in Europe. Historian Adel Alexeeva wrote that the count sought for his peasants to both love and fear him. He often repeated that he was ready to set them free but feared they would not survive. However, he strictly punished for drunkenness and deceit.

Nevertheless, his excessive love for the serfs played a cruel joke on him. His son Nikolai Petrovich married the serf actress Praskovya Zhemchugova, which angered his father and led to his illness. Fate was also unkind to the count: first, his beloved wife died, then his daughter Anna. Pyotr Borisovich passed away in 1788 and was buried in the Novospassky Monastery in the Sheremetev burial vault.