Samuel Peters (clergyman): Difference between revisions

Samuel Peters
Samuel Peters
	Samuel Peters, c. 1700s
Born	Samuel Andrew Peters; December 1, 1735; Hebron, Connecticut Colony
Died	April 19, 1826 (aged 90); New York City, U.S.
Education	Yale College
Spouse	Hannah Owen (m. 1760⁠–⁠1765) Abigail Gilbert (m. 1769⁠–⁠1769) Mary Birdseye (m. 1773⁠–⁠1774)
Children	4
Religion	Anglicanism
Church	St. Peter's Church, Hebron, Connecticut

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Samuel Andrew Peters (December 1, 1735 – April 19, 1826) was a Connecticut Anglican clergyman and historian. Born in 1735 in Hebron, Connecticut, he graduated from Yale College and became the local minister at St. Peter's Church in the town. Politically, e was a loyalist who was driven out of Hebron by the Sons of Liberty. He moved to England in response to that. In 1787, he tried to pay off his debts by selling his enslaved Africans, Cesar and Lowis. Twice prevented from doing so by the local townsmen, he relented. In 1805, he moved to New York City to pursue a property claim in the area that later became Minneapolis, but that venture failed. He returned to New York and died in poverty there on April 19, 1826.

Biography

Samuel Peters was born December 1, 1735, in Hebron Connecticut Colony, being third youngest of twelve children of John Peters and Mary Marks.^[1]

In 1757, he graduated from Yale College and was elected Rector of St. Peter's Church, Hebron, Connecticut. In 1758 he sailed to England where he was ordained Deacon in March 1759, before being advanced to the Anglican Priesthood a month later. In the following year he returned to America and took charge of St. Peter's Church parish at Hebron, Connecticut.^[2] In 1763, he climbed Killington Peak, and allegedly named the area Verd Mont giving the state its future name.^[3]

In August 1774, Peters fled to England after several visits from the "Sons of Liberty" because of his Loyalist sympathies.^[4] In 1781, he published, under a pseudonym, "General History of Connecticut, from its first settlement under George Fenwick, to its latest period of amity with Great Britain prior to the Revolution; including a description of the country, and many curious and interesting anecdotes. With an appendix, pointing out the causes of the rebellion in America; together with the particular part taken by the people of Connecticut in its promotion. By a Gentleman of the Province". This work is noted for its unflattering descriptions of the colonists and for its misrepresentation of the Connecticut Blue Laws. The work was popular but criticized for being inaccurate and spiteful.^[5]

In 1787, Peters made an attempt to sell off his properties, including his enslaved Africans, Cesar and Lowis Peters, in Hebron to help pay off his debts. By this point, his former house has been occupied by Cesar and Lowis. Six people went to Hebron. Two of them were appointed agents while the other four were salve owners who sought to capture Cesar and Lowis. After the town questioned their actions, they brandished their weapons and left with the captured couple. A local tailor and friend of theirs, Elijah Graves, falsely accused Cesar and Lowis of theft so they would be able to remain in Hebron. The resulting legal situation prevented the agents from taking them away. Samuel Peters made a later attempt to take them, but Graves made another false accusation which prevented that. Cesar and Lowis were later emancipated on January 1, 1789.^[6]

During his exile, Peters made several attempts to become a bishop. He unsuccessfully tried for the position in both Nova Scotia and Quebec.^[7] Peters made a final attempt to become a bishop in Vermont. He was invited to lead it on February 27, 1794. The previous candidate, Edward Bass, refused and Peters was suggested by a friend of his, John Graham. However, he had opponents in England who tried to prevent his consecration. Since American Anglican bishops, needed to be confirmed by the church hierarchy in England, Peters was unable to become bishop. His supporters in Vermont ceased supporting him in 1796.^[8]

Peters returned to America in 1805 and settled in New York City.^[9] He returned to acquire land. During the 1810s, he inherited a land claim in the area that later became Minneapolis from an explorer who he had befriended. He named this area "Petersylvania". However, this venture failed, as the land was not actually the explorer's to give away.^[10] He died in poverty in New York City on April 19, 1826.^[11]

Marriages and issue

February 14, 1760: First marriage to Hannah Owen (1740–1765) who bore him three daughters.^[12]
June 25, 1769: Second marriage to Abigail Gilbert (1751–1769).^[13]
April 20, 1773: Third marriage to Mary Birdseye (1750–1774) who bore him one son.^[14]

References

^ Cohen 1976, pp. 5–6.
^ Cohen 1976, pp. 6–7; Middlebrook 1947, pp. 76–77.
^ Star 2010, p. 1B.
^ Cohen 1976, pp. 15–23; Middlebrook 1947, p. 75.
^ Cohen 1976, pp. 27–33; Middlebrook 1947, p. 79.
^ Connecticut History 2020; McCalla 2023; Cohen 1976, pp. 27–33.
^ Cohen 1976, pp. 41–44.
^ Cohen 1976, pp. 44–47.
^ Cohen 1976, pp. 48–49.
^ Cohen 1976, pp. 48–52.
^ Cohen 1976, p. 53.
^ Cohen 1976, pp. 9–10.
^ Cohen 1976, pp. 11–12.
^ Cohen 1976, pp. 12–13.

General and cited sources

"Changing Sentiments on Slavery in Colonial Hebron". Connecticut History. 9 February 2020. Archived from the original on 6 June 2023.
Cohen, Sheldon S. (1976). Connecticut's Loyalist Gadfly: The Reverend Samuel Andrew Peters. Hartford, Connecticut: American Revolution Bicentennial Commission of Connecticut. hdl:11134/30002:5343973. ISBN 9780918676023. OCLC 3273190.
McCalla, Donna. "Cesar & Lowis Peters". Hebron Historical Society. Archived from the original on 19 August 2023.
Middlebrook, Samuel (March 1947). "Samuel Peters: A Yankee Munchausen". The New England Quarterly. 20 (1): 75–87. doi:10.2307/361731. ISSN 0028-4866. JSTOR 361731. S2CID 147168397.
Starr, Tena (29 September 2010). "Do warriors haunt the ruins on Pisgah?". The Chronicle. Barton, Vermont. p. 1B. ISSN 0746-438X.

External links

[FOOTNOTECohen19765–6-1] Cohen 1976, pp. 5–6.

[FOOTNOTECohen19766–7Middlebrook194776–77-2] Cohen 1976, pp. 6–7; Middlebrook 1947, pp. 76–77.

[FOOTNOTEStar20101B-3] Star 2010, p. 1B.

[FOOTNOTECohen197615–23Middlebrook194775-4] Cohen 1976, pp. 15–23; Middlebrook 1947, p. 75.

[FOOTNOTECohen197627–33Middlebrook194779-5] Cohen 1976, pp. 27–33; Middlebrook 1947, p. 79.

[FOOTNOTEConnecticut_History2020McCalla2023Cohen197627–33-6] Connecticut History 2020; McCalla 2023; Cohen 1976, pp. 27–33.

[FOOTNOTECohen197641–44-7] Cohen 1976, pp. 41–44.

[FOOTNOTECohen197644–47-8] Cohen 1976, pp. 44–47.

[FOOTNOTECohen197648–49-9] Cohen 1976, pp. 48–49.

[FOOTNOTECohen197648–52-10] Cohen 1976, pp. 48–52.

[FOOTNOTECohen197653-11] Cohen 1976, p. 53.

[FOOTNOTECohen19769–10-12] Cohen 1976, pp. 9–10.

[FOOTNOTECohen197611–12-13] Cohen 1976, pp. 11–12.

[FOOTNOTECohen197612–13-14] Cohen 1976, pp. 12–13.

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+{{short description|American reverend (1735–1826)}}
-'''Reverend Samuel Andrew Peters''' (1735–1826) was a Connecticut [[Anglican]] clergyman and historian. A nephew, [[John Samuel Peters]] (1772–1858), served as [[Governor of Connecticut]] 1831–33.  Another nephew, [[John Thompson Peters]] (1765–1834) served as [[Judge|Justice]] of the [[Supreme Court of Connecticut]] 1818–1834.
+{{other people|Samuel Peters|Samuel Peters}}
+{{Use American English|date=August 2023}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}
+{{Infobox clergy
+| image = Samuel_Andrew_Peters,_Bishop_of_Vermont,_1735%E2%80%931826.tif
+| caption = Samuel Peters, {{c.}} 1700s
+| alt = Portrait drawing of Samuel Peters, facing left
+| church = St. Peter's Church, Hebron, Connecticut
+| predecessor =
+| successor =
+| education = [[Yale College]]
+| religion = [[Anglicanism]]
+| birth_name = Samuel Andrew Peters
+| birth_date = {{birth date|1735|12|01|mf=y}}
+| birth_place = [[Hebron, Connecticut|Hebron]], [[Connecticut Colony]]
+| death_date = {{death date and age|1826|04|19|1735|12|01|mf=y}}
+| death_place = [[New York City]], U.S.
+| spouse =
+{{marriage|Hannah Owen|1760|1765}}
+{{marriage|Abigail Gilbert|1769|1769}}
+{{marriage|Mary Birdseye|1773|1774}}
+| children = 4
+| signature =
+}}
+'''Samuel Andrew Peters''' (December 1, 1735 – April 19, 1826) was a Connecticut [[Anglican]] clergyman and historian. Born in 1735 in [[Hebron, Connecticut]], he graduated from Yale College and became the local minister at St. Peter's Church in the town. Politically, e was a loyalist who was driven out of Hebron by the [[Sons of Liberty]]. He moved to England in response to that. In 1787, he tried to pay off his debts by selling his enslaved Africans, Cesar and Lowis. Twice prevented from doing so by the local townsmen, he relented. In 1805, he moved to New York City to pursue a property claim in the area that later became [[Minneapolis]], but that venture failed. He returned to New York and died in poverty there on April 19, 1826.
 ==Biography==
-Samuel Peters was born December 1, 1735, in [[Hebron, Connecticut|Hebron]] [[Connecticut Colony]], being  third youngest of twelve children of John Peters (1695–1754) and Mary Marks (1698–1784).
+Samuel Peters was born December 1, 1735, in [[Hebron, Connecticut|Hebron]] [[Connecticut Colony]], being  third youngest of twelve children of John Peters and Mary Marks.{{sfn|Cohen|1976|pp=5–6}}
-In 1757 he graduated from [[Yale College]] and was elected Rector of St. Peter's Church, [[Hebron, Connecticut]]. In 1758 he sailed to England where he was ordained Deacon in March 1759, before being advanced to the [[Anglican]] [[Priesthood]] a month later. In the following year he returned to America and took charge of St. Peter's Church parish at Hebron, Connecticut. in 1763 he climbed [[Killington Peak]], and allegedly named the area Verd Mont giving the state its future name.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Tena|last=Starr|title=Do warriors haunt the ruins on Pisgah?| publisher=The Chronicle|location=Barton, Vermont|page=1B| date=29 September 2010}}</ref>
+In 1757, he graduated from [[Yale College]] and was elected Rector of St. Peter's Church, [[Hebron, Connecticut]]. In 1758 he sailed to England where he was ordained Deacon in March 1759, before being advanced to the [[Anglican]] [[Priesthood]] a month later. In the following year he returned to America and took charge of St. Peter's Church parish at Hebron, Connecticut.{{sfnm|1a1=Cohen|1y=1976|1pp=6–7|2a1=Middlebrook|2y=1947|2pp=76–77}} In 1763, he climbed [[Killington Peak]], and allegedly named the area Verd Mont giving the state its future name.{{sfn|Star|2010|p=1B}}
-In August 1774 Peters fled to England after several visits from the "[[Sons of Liberty]]" because of his [[Loyalist]] sympathies. In 1781 he published, under a [[pseudonym]], "''General History of Connecticut, from its first settlement under George Fenwick, to its latest period of amity with Great Britain prior to the Revolution; including a description of the country, and many curious and interesting anecdotes. With an appendix, pointing out the causes of the rebellion in America; together with the particular part taken by the people of Connecticut in its promotion.  By a Gentleman of the Province''". This work is noted for its unflattering descriptions of the colonists and for its misrepresentation of the [[Blue Laws (Connecticut)|Connecticut Blue Laws]]. The work was negatively received.<ref>According to "{{cite book|author=Kacirk, Jeffrey|title=Forgotten English|location=New York|publisher=William Morrow & Co|year=1997|isbn=0-688-15018-7|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/forgottenenglish00kaci}}, the ''Monthly Review'' proclaimed the book as "altogether unworthy of the public attention.""</ref> In February 1794 he was nominated Anglican Bishop-elect of [[Vermont]] but was never consecrated.<ref name="nie">[[New International Encyclopedia]]</ref>
+In August 1774, Peters fled to England after several visits from the "[[Sons of Liberty]]" because of his [[Loyalist]] sympathies.{{sfnm|1a1=Cohen|1y=1976|1pp=15–23|2a1=Middlebrook|2y=1947|2p=75}} In 1781, he published, under a [[pseudonym]], "''General History of Connecticut, from its first settlement under George Fenwick, to its latest period of amity with Great Britain prior to the Revolution; including a description of the country, and many curious and interesting anecdotes. With an appendix, pointing out the causes of the rebellion in America; together with the particular part taken by the people of Connecticut in its promotion.  By a Gentleman of the Province''". This work is noted for its unflattering descriptions of the colonists and for its misrepresentation of the [[Blue Laws (Connecticut)|Connecticut Blue Laws]]. The work was popular but criticized for being inaccurate and spiteful.{{sfnm|1a1=Cohen|1y=1976|1pp=27–33|2a1=Middlebrook|2y=1947|2p=79}}
+In 1787, Peters made an attempt to sell off his properties, including his enslaved Africans, Cesar and Lowis Peters, in Hebron to help pay off his debts. By this point, his former house has been occupied by Cesar and Lowis. Six people went to Hebron. Two of them were appointed agents while the other four were salve owners who sought to capture Cesar and Lowis. After the town questioned their actions, they brandished their weapons and left with the captured couple. A local tailor and friend of theirs, Elijah Graves, falsely accused Cesar and Lowis of theft so they would be able to remain in Hebron. The resulting legal situation prevented the agents from taking them away. Samuel Peters made a later attempt to take them, but Graves made another false accusation which prevented that. Cesar and Lowis were later emancipated on January 1, 1789.{{sfnm|1a1=Connecticut History|1y=2020|2a1=McCalla|2y=2023|3a1=Cohen|3y=1976|3pp=27–33}}
-Peters returned to America in 1805. In 1817 he visited the [[Saint Anthony Falls]], taking up a large claim there, but again settled in New York in 1818.<ref name="nie" /> He died in poverty in New York City on April 19, 1826.<ref name="nie"/>
+During his exile, Peters made several attempts to become a bishop. He unsuccessfully tried for the position in both [[Nova Scotia]] and [[Quebec]].{{sfn|Cohen|1976|pp=41–44}} Peters made a final attempt to become a bishop in Vermont. He was invited to lead it on February 27, 1794. The previous candidate, [[Edward Bass]], refused and Peters was suggested by a friend of his, John Graham. However, he had opponents in England who tried to prevent his consecration. Since American Anglican bishops, needed to be confirmed by the church hierarchy in England, Peters was unable to become bishop. His supporters in Vermont ceased supporting him in 1796.{{sfn|Cohen|1976|pp=44–47}}
+Peters returned to America in 1805 and settled in New York City.{{sfn|Cohen|1976|pp=48–49}} He returned to acquire land. During the 1810s, he inherited a land claim in the area that later became [[Minneapolis]] from an explorer who he had befriended. He named this area "Petersylvania". However, this venture failed, as the land was not actually the explorer's to give away.{{sfn|Cohen|1976|pp=48–52}} He died in poverty in New York City on April 19, 1826.{{sfn|Cohen|1976|p=53}}
 ==Marriages and issue==
-* February 14, 1760 : First marriage to Hannah Owen (1740–1765) who bore him three daughters.
+* February 14, 1760: First marriage to Hannah Owen (1740–1765) who bore him three daughters.{{sfn|Cohen|1976|pp=9–10}}
-* June 25, 1769 : Second marriage to Abigail Gilbert (1751–1769).
+* June 25, 1769: Second marriage to Abigail Gilbert (1751–1769).{{sfn|Cohen|1976|pp=11–12}}
-* April 20, 1773 : Third marriage to Mary Birdseye (1750-  ) who bore him two sons.
+* April 20, 1773: Third marriage to Mary Birdseye (1750–1774) who bore him one son.{{sfn|Cohen|1976|pp=12–13}}
 ==References==
 {{Reflist}}
+==General and cited sources==
-==Resources==
+* {{Cite web |date=February 9, 2020 |title=Changing Sentiments on Slavery in Colonial Hebron |url=https://connecticuthistory.org/changing-sentiments-on-slavery-in-colonial-hebron/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606084217/https://connecticuthistory.org/changing-sentiments-on-slavery-in-colonial-hebron/ |archive-date=June 6, 2023 |website=Connecticut History |language=en}}
-* Baker, Mark. ''Connecticut Families of the Revolution, American Forebears from Burr to Wolcott'', The History Press, 2014
+* {{Cite book |last=Cohen |first=Sheldon S. |url=https://collections.ctdigitalarchive.org/islandora/object/30002:5343973 |title=Connecticut's Loyalist Gadfly: The Reverend Samuel Andrew Peters |publisher=American Revolution Bicentennial Commission of Connecticut |year=1976 |isbn=9780918676023 |location=Hartford, Connecticut |language=en |hdl=11134/30002:5343973 |oclc=3273190 |hdl-access=free}}
-* Cameron, Kenneth W., ed. ''The Works of Samuel Peters of Hebron, Connecticut, New England Historian...'', Hartford: Transcendental Books, 1967
+* {{Cite web |last=McCalla |first=Donna |title=Cesar & Lowis Peters |url=https://hebronhistoricalsociety.org/hebron-slavery/182-hebron-history/189-cesar-lowis-peters-articles-exhibits.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819174118/https://hebronhistoricalsociety.org/hebron-slavery/182-hebron-history/189-cesar-lowis-peters-articles-exhibits.html |archive-date=August 19, 2023 |website=Hebron Historical Society |language=en-gb |ref={{harvid|McCalla|2023}}}}
-* Cohen, Sheldon S. "Connecticut's Loyalist Gadfly: The Reverend Samuel Andrew Peters", [[American Revolution Bicentennial Commission of Connecticut]] Pamphlet XVII (1976)
-* Cohen, Sheldon S. "Yale's Peripatetic Loyalist: Samuel Andrew Peters", [[Journal of the New Haven Colony Historical Society (NHCHS)]] 25 (Summer 1977) 1:3-7
-* Gencarella, Stephen Olbrys. "The Reverend Samuel Peters’s Natural History: A Reassessment." ''Folklore'' 133, no. 3 (2022): 267–288.
-* Metz, Wayne Normile. [https://web.archive.org/web/20070529080346/http://e-archive.library.okstate.edu/dissertations/AAI7609724/ "The Reverend Samuel Peters (1735-1826): Connecticut Anglican, Loyalist Priest"], Doctoral dissertation, [[Oklahoma State University]], 1974
 * {{Cite journal |last=Middlebrook |first=Samuel |date=March 1947 |title=Samuel Peters: A Yankee Munchausen |journal=The New England Quarterly |volume=20 |issue=1 |pages=75–87 |doi=10.2307/361731 |issn=0028-4866 |jstor=361731 |s2cid=147168397}}
+* {{Cite news |last=Starr |first=Tena |date=September 29, 2010 |title=Do warriors haunt the ruins on Pisgah? |page=1B |work=The Chronicle |location=Barton, Vermont |issn=0746-438X}}
-* O'Neil, Maud. "Samuel Andrew Peters: Connecticut Loyalist", Doctoral dissertation, [[University of California, Los Angeles]], 1947
-* Peters, Samuel Andrew. "[http://www.19.5degs.com/ebook/the-frogs-of-windham/1739 The Frogs of Windham]" a popular chapter from Peters' ''History of Connecticut...'' (1781)
+==Further reading==
-* [[Constance Rourke|Rourke, Constance]]. See [http://xroads.virginia.edu/~HYPER/rourke/ch02.html first section of Chapter II] in ''American Humor: A Study of the National Character'' [[University of Virginia]] (2001)
+* {{Cite journal |last=Gencarella |first=Stephen Olbrys |date=July 2022 |title=The Reverend Samuel Peters's Natural History: A Reassessment |journal=Folklore |language=en |volume=133 |issue=3 |pages=267–288 |doi=10.1080/0015587X.2021.1987772 |issn=0015-587X |s2cid=251980312 |ref=none}}
-* [[James Hammond Trumbull|Trumbull]], ''The Reverend Samuel Peters;  His Defenders and Apologists'' (Hartford, 1877)
+* {{Cite magazine |last=Mampoteng |first=Charles |date=June 1936 |title=The Reverend Samuel Peters, M. A.,: Missionary at Hebron, Connecticut, 1760–1774 |magazine=Historical Magazine of the Protestant Episcopal Church |volume=5 |issue=2 |pages=73–91 |issn=0018-2486 |jstor=42968232 |ref=none}}
-* Avery, Joshua M., [http://www.ohiolink.edu/etd/view.cgi?acc_num=miami1216387236 "Subject and Citizen: Loyalty, Memory and Identity in the Monographs of the Reverend Samuel Andrew Peters"], M.A. Thesis, [[Miami University]], 2008
+* {{Cite magazine |last=Metz |first=Wayne N. |date=March 1983 |title=A Connecticut Yankee in King George III's Court: A Loyalist Anglican Clergyman in England, 1774–1804 |magazine=Historical Magazine of the Protestant Episcopal Church |volume=52 |issue=1 |pages=29–41 |issn=0018-2486 |jstor=42973929 |ref=none}}
+* {{Cite journal |last=Peters |first=Samuel |date=September 1967 |editor-last=Cohen |editor-first=Sheldon S. |title=Samuel Peters Comments on the Death of Silas Deane |journal=The New England Quarterly |volume=40 |issue=3 |pages=425–431 |doi=10.2307/363167 |issn=0028-4866 |jstor=363167 |ref=none}}
 ==External links==
+* {{Internet Archive author |sname=Samuel Andrew Peters}}
-*[https://web.archive.org/web/20040812102517/http://www.quinnipiac.edu/other/ABL/etext/trueblue/bluelawsmain.html The True-blue laws of Connecticut and New Haven : and the false blue-laws invented by the Rev. Samuel Peters : to which are added specimens of the laws and judicial proceedings of other colonies and some blue-laws of England in the reign of James I / edited by J. Hammond Trumbull, Hartford, Conn, American Pub. Co., 1876]
+* {{Gutenberg author|id=48950|name=Samuel Peters}}
+* {{YouTube|ngxHD98CrIU|Testimonies of a Quiet New England Town}}
 {{Authority control}}

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