Born in Shklov, R' Pinchas was the son of Rabbi Avraham Abba Shapiro and Sora Rochel Shapiro. He was named after his paternal grandfather, described as "the famous and great scholar Rabbi Pinchas from Shklov." Yehudah Meir (born in 1760), Eliyahu, and Rachel Sheindel Sara. His grandson was Rabbi Pinchas Chodorov.
Rabbi Meir Shapiro was a 5th generation descendant of R' Pinchas. Originally of Lithuanian background, R' Pinchas' family was against
chasidus, but when they moved to the town of
Wohlin, his father became a student of the
Baal Shem Tov, who was known as the founder of the chasidic movement. R' Pinchas, too, followed the Baal Shem Tov, and became known as one of his most important disciples. R' Pinchas had many students, including the grandson of the Baal Shem Tov,
Rabbi Boruch of Medzhybizh. In 1790, R' Pinchas attempted to make
Aliyah to
Safed,
Israel. However, while on route, he died and was buried in
Shepetivka. After R' Pinchas' death, his son, Yehudah Meir, was appointed Rabbi in Shepetovka. ==Works==