Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 08.djvu/310

 PETERS

PETERS

Hebrew and Christian (Vols. I. and II.. 1886-89), publisliea in Enf::lancl untlor the title TJie Bible for Home and School (1898); contribution in "The Bible as Literature," edited by Dr. Lyman Abbott (1896); Laula Zion (1896); Nippur, or Explorations and Adventures on the Euphrates (2 vols.. 1897); The Old Testamettt and the Neto Scholarship (1901); Archaeological History of Hither Asia in "The Universal Anthology "(1902). He also translated Political History of Recent Times, with an additional section carrying it down to date (1882); edited Diai-y of David McChire (1899), and also Labor and Capital (1902).

PETERS, John Samuel, governor of Connec- ticut, was born in Hebron, Conn.. Sept. 21, 1772; son of Beneslie and Ann (Sliipman) Peters; grandson of William Peters, and a descendant of William Peters, son of Lord Peters of England, who immigrated to America with his brothers Thomas and Hugh, and settled in Meriden, Mass. Beneslie Peters in company with other loyalists sailed to England in 1777, and after residing there for a time secured a large tract of land in Upper Canada, where he settled with liis family. John worked on a farm, attended the district schools, and in 1790 began to teach school in Hebron. He studied medicine under Dr. Benjamin Peters of Marbletown. N.Y., for six months and then under Dr. Abner Mosely of Glastonbury, Conn.; in 1796 attended lectures in Pliiladelphia, Pa., and practised in Hebron, 1797-1837. He was town clerk for twenty years, judge of probute for the district of Hebron, and frequently a member of the state legislature. He received the votes of one branch of the state legislature in 1824, when Calvin Willey was elected; was lieutenant-governor of Connecticut, 1827-31, and governor of the state, 1831-33. He was a fellow of the Tolland County Medical so- ciety; treasurer, vice-president and president of the State Medical society, and received the hon- orary degree of M.D. from Yale in 1818, and LL.b. from Trinity in 1831. He died in Hebron, Conn., Marcli 30, 18r)7.

PETERS, Richard, delegate to congress, was born at Blockley, Philadelphia, Pa., June 22, 1743; son of William and Mary(Breintnall) Peters. His father was for many years register of the admiralty, and liis uncle, the Rev. Richard Peters, was secre- tary of the proprietary government and afterward rector of Christ church. Richard was graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. A.B., 1761, A.M.. 1765; was admitted to the bar in 1763, and practised in Philadelphia. He was register of the admiralty, 1771-75. and upon the outbreak of the Revohitionary war was commissioned captain in the Continental army, and commanded a

company of provincial troops, 1775-76. He was elected by congress, secretary of the Continental board of war, June 13, 1776, and served till 1781, when he was appointed a commissioner of war. In 1780 he personally subscribed £5000 for the pi'ovisioning of the army, and when he I'esigned his office of secretary in 1781, congress passed a vote of thanks for his long and faithful services. He was a delegate to the Continental congress, 1782-83; a member and speaker of the state assembly, 1787-90, and speaker of the state senate in 1791. He declined the comptrollership of the treasury tendered him in 1792 by President Wash- ington, and was appointed judge of the U.S. district court for Pennsylvania, April 11, 1792. serving till his death. He was a member of the Philadelphia Agricultural society for over thirty years, and its first president; was instrumental in constructing the first bridge over the Schuykill river, and was first president of the bridge com- pany. He was married to Sarah, daughter of Abraham Robinson. The honorary degi'ee of LL.D. was conferred on him in 1827 by the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania, of which institution he was a trustee, 1789-91. He is the author of: Ad- miralty Decisions of the District Court of the United States for the Pennsylvania Districts. 17S0- 1807 (1807). He died at Belmont, Philadelphia, Pa.. Aug. 22, 1828.

PETERS, Richard, law reporter and author, was born at Bl ockley, Philadelphia, Pa., in August, 1780; son of Ricliard (q.v.) and Sarah (Robinson) Peters. He was admitted to the bar in 1800 and practised in Philadelphia. He was .solicitor of Philadelphia county, 1822-25; was one of the founders of the Pliiladelphia Saving Fund socie- ty, and was chosen reporter of the U.S. supreme court to succeed Henry Wheaton. He edited "Chitty on Bills of Exchange" (3 vols., 1810), and Bushrod Washington's " Circuit Court Re- ports" (4 vols., 1826-29), and is the author of: Reports of the U.S. Circuit Court, 1S03-1S (1819); Reports of the U.S. Supreme Court, 1S2S-43(\1; vols., 1828-43); Condensed Reports of Caaes in the U.S. Supreme Court from its Organization till 1S37 (6 vols., 1835); Full and Arranged Digest of cases determined in the Supreme, Circuit and District Courts of theUnited States, from the Organization of the Govei-nment (3 vols., 1838-39; 2d ed.. 2 vols., 1848). He died at Belmont, Philadelphia, Pa.. May 2. 1848.

PETERS, Samuel Ritter, representative, was born in Walnut Township, Pickaway county, Ohio. Aug. 16, 1842; son of Lewis S. and Margaret (Ritter) Peters. He matriculated at Oliio Wes- lej-an universit}- with the class of 1864; served in the Federal army as private, sergeant, lieutenant, adjutant and captain in the 7.3d Oliio volunteers. 1861-65; was graduated at the University of Mich- igan, LL.B., 1867; practised law in Memphis,