Samuel Peters

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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 Justice of the Supreme Court of Connecticut 1818-1834.

Chronology

December 1, 1735 : Born in Hebron, Connecticut being third youngest of twelve children of John Peters (1695-1754) and Mary Marks (1698-1784).

1760 Returned to America; took charge of St. Peter's Church parish at Hebron, Connecticut

February 14, 1760 : First marriage to Hannah Owen (1740-1765) who bore him three daughters.

April 20, 1773 : Third marriage to Mary Birdseye (1750- ) who bore him two sons.

August 1774 : Fled to London, England after several visits from the "Sons of Liberty" because of his Loyalist sympathies.

1781 : 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.

February 27, 1794 : Nominated Anglican Bishop-elect of Vermont (but never consecrated)

1817 : Visited the Falls of St. Anthony, taking up a large claim there, but again settled in New York (1818).

Cameron, Kenneth W., ed. "The Works of Samuel Peters of Hebron, Connecticut, New England Historian..." Hartford: Transcendental Books, 1967.

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.

Metz, Wayne Normile. "The Reverend Samuel Peters (1735-1826): Connecticut Anglican, Loyalist Priest." Doctoral dissertation, Oklahoma State University, 1974.

Middlebrook, Samuel. "Samuel Peters: A Yankee Munchausen" New England Quarterly 20 (March, 1947) 1:75-87

O'Neil, Maud. "Samuel Andrew Peters: Connecticut Loyalist" Doctoral dissertation, University of California, Los Angeles, 1947.

Peters, Samual Andrew. " The Frogs of Windham" a popular chapter from Peters' "History of Connecticut..." (1781)

Rourke, Constance. See first section of Chapter II in "American Humor: A Study of the National Character" University of Virginia (2001)

Trumbull, The Reverend Samuel Peters; His Defenders and Apologists (Hartford, 1877)