Samuel Peters

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, he 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 the third youngest of twelve children of John Peters and Mary Marks. 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. 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 Connecticut Blue Laws. The work was popular but criticized for being inaccurate and spiteful.