John Pettes | |
---|---|
United States Marshal for the District of Vermont | |
In office 1849–1853 | |
Preceded by | Jacob Kent Jr. |
Succeeded by | Charles Chapin |
Sheriff of Windsor County, Vermont | |
In office 1837–1839 | |
Preceded by | Daniel Bowen |
Succeeded by | Joel Lull |
Personal details | |
Born | Amherst, Massachusetts, U.S. | March 17, 1793
Died | March 24, 1868 Windsor, Vermont, U.S. | (aged 75)
Resting place | Old South Cemetery, Windsor, Vermont |
Political party | Whig |
Spouse(s) | Lucy Richards (m. 1820-1849, her death) |
Children | 7 |
Occupation | Farmer Businessman Government official |
John Pettes (March 17, 1793 - March 24, 1868) was a businessman and public official who was active in Windsor, Vermont. Among the offices in which he served were Sheriff of Windsor County (1837-1839) and United States Marshal for the District of Vermont (1849-1853).
Early life[]
John Pettes was born in Amherst, Massachusetts[1] on March 17, 1793,[2] a son of Joseph Pettes (1757-1811) and Charlotte (Wales) Pettes (1761-1849).[3] Joseph Pettes moved his family to Windsor, Vermont in 1800,[1] where he operated a coffee house and hotel.[4] After his death, Charlotte Pettes took over management of the business, which she operated until the early 1840s.[3]
Business career[]
After the Pettes family's move to Vermont, John Pettes was educated in the schools of Windsor, then became the operator of a general store in Windsor, which he owned in partnership with his brother Frederick.[4] Pettes also became active in the Vermont Militia; in 1820, he was first lieutenant of the Jefferson Artillery, a Windsor battery commanded by Allen Wardner with the rank of captain.[5] Pettes advanced through the militia's officer grades to become a major in a Windsor-area unit, and afterwards was frequently addressed by his rank.[1]
Among the other ventures Pettes pursued in addition to the store were an ownership stake in the Cornish–Windsor Covered Bridge,[6] a wool brokerage partnership,[7] real estate sales,[8] serving on the board of directors of the Bank of Woodstock,[9] importing and reselling foreign goods transported to Vermont via steamboat on the Connecticut River,[10] an interest in a fire insurance company,[11] and owning and managing a family farm.[12] In 1833, he was one of the incorporators of the Ascutney Mill Dam Company.[13] In 1845, he was an original incorporator of the Vermont Railroad Iron Company, which manufactured rails and other railroad train and track components.[14]
Murder of Homer Cooper[]
In June 1842, the family of John Pettes was reported on in newspapers throughout the United States in connection with a murder that took place on the Pettes farm.[15][16][17][18] According to contemporary newspaper accounts, a crew of laborers including several of Pettes's sons and a man named Peter McCue were working on the farm.[15] The group included Pettes's son Frederick Dudley Pettes, who was about 11 years old, and a local African American boy, Homer Cooper, who was four.[15] As the adults left the field where they had been working, McCue told the group he was going to return and provide additional assistance to the boys.[15] Instead, he attacked them with two hoes.[15] Both boys were severely injured, but Frederick Pettes was able to run for help.[15] McCue fled by attempting to swim to the New Hampshire side of the Connecticut River,[15] but drowned before he reached the shore.[19] Cooper later died as the result of his injuries.[15] Frederick Pettes recovered, served as Deputy U.S. Marshal for Vermont during his father's term as Marshal, and later owned and operated the family farm.[20]
Public official[]
A Whig, Pettes was active in Vermont's politics and government.[21][22] He served as Sheriff of Windsor County from 1837 to 1839.[4] In 1849, he was appointed United States Marshal for the District of Vermont, succeeding Jacob Kent Jr.[23] He served until 1853, and was succeeded by Charles Chapin.[24]
Later life[]
For many years, Pettes suffered from a tumor which started near a place on his neck where he had been injured after he was thrown from a horse and impaled on a fence.[1] The tumor negatively affected his breathing and disfigured his face, and in his later life Pettes became a near-recluse as a result.[1] In 1867, his hip and leg were broken when the horse he was attempting to bridle knocked him down, after which he was confined to his bedroom.[1][25]
Death and burial[]
Pettes died in Windsor on March 24, 1868.[1] He was buried at Old South Cemetery in Windsor.[2]
Family[]
In 1820, Pettes married Lucy Richards (1799-1849) of Dorchester, Massachusetts.[2][26][27] They were the parents of seven children who lived to adulthood:[1]
- William R. (1821-1881)[28][29]
- Mary E. (1823-1841)[30]
- John Jr. (1825-1866)[31]
- Edward C. (1829-1877)[32][33]
- Frederick D. (1831-1907)[34]
- Robert T. (1833-1867)[35]
- Lucy E. (1834-1911)[36]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 "The Late Maj. John Pettes", p. 4.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Vermont Vital Records, 1720-1908, Death Record for John Pettes".
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Deaths: Charlotte Wales Pettes", p. 3.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Gazetteer and Business Directory of Windsor County, Vt., for 1883-84, p. 270. Cite error: Invalid
<ref>
tag; name "FOOTNOTEGazetteer and Business Directory of Windsor County, Vt., for 1883-84" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ Vermont Register and Yearbook, p. 99.
- ↑ "Meeting Notice, the Proprietors of Cornish Bridge", p. 3.
- ↑ "Wool Purchase Notice", p. 4.
- ↑ "Notice: Farm for Sale", p. 4.
- ↑ "Directors of the Bank of Woodstock", p. 3.
- ↑ "Notice: Fresh Goods", p. 3.
- ↑ "Ascutney Fire Insurance Company", p. 3.
- ↑ "Windsor Co. Agricultural Society", p. 1.
- ↑ Acts and Laws Passed by the Legislature of the State of Vermont (1832), p. 76.
- ↑ Acts and Laws Passed by the Legislature of the State of Vermont (1845), p. 63.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 15.6 15.7 "Shocking Murder", p. 2.
- ↑ "Murder in Windsor", p. 3.
- ↑ Mord, p. 3.
- ↑ "Attempted Murder", p. 3.
- ↑ "Murder -- Quick Retribution", p. 3.
- ↑ "Obituary, Frederick Dudley Pettes", p. 8.
- ↑ "Whig State Convention (1839)", p. 2.
- ↑ "Whig State Convention (1856)", p. 3.
- ↑ "Appointments by the President, p. 2.
- ↑ "Vermont Appointments", p. 2.
- ↑ "Maj. John Pettis (sic) of Windsor", p. 1.
- ↑ "Massachusetts Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988, Marriage Entry for John Pettes and Lucy Richards".
- ↑ "Death Notice, Mrs. Lucy Richards", p. 7.
- ↑ "Death Notice: Helen H. Pettes", p. 3.
- ↑ "Gravestone Photo, William Richards Pettes".
- ↑ "Death Notice, Mary Elizabeth Pettes", p. 3.
- ↑ "Death Notice, John Pettes, Jr.", p. 8.
- ↑ "1850 United States Federal Census, Entry for Edward C. Pettes".
- ↑ "Miscellaneous: Capt. Edward C. Pettes", p. 5.
- ↑ "Death Notice, Frederick Dudley Pettes", p. 6.
- ↑ "Death Notice, Robert Thaxter Pettes", p. 6.
- ↑ "Death Notice, Lucy Ellen Sabin", p. 8.
Sources[]
Newspapers[]
- Green, Isaac (December 16, 1816). "Meeting Notice, the Proprietors of Cornish Bridge". Vermont Journal. Windsor, VT. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45320450/cornish_bridge/.
- Phelps, Francis E. (January 2, 1826). "Notice of Incorporation, Ascutney Fire Insurance Company". Vermont Republican & American Yeoman. Windsor, VT. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45321741/ascutney_fire_insurance_company/.
- "Wool Purchase Notice, Thomas Emerson, Fred. Pettes, John Pettes". American Whig. Woodstock, VT. June 6, 1831. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45320531/wool_purchase_notice/.
- "Directors of the Bank of Woodstock for the Year Ensuing". Vermont Republican & Journal. Woodstock, VT. January 19, 1833. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45320637/bank_of_woodstock/.
- Pettes, John (December 12, 1834). "Notice: Farm for Sale". Vermont Courier. Woodstock, VT. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45320589/farm_for_sale_john_pettes/.
- "Whig State Convention (1839)". Vergennes Vermonter. Vergennes, VT. July 3, 1839. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45319811/whig_state_convention/.
- "Death Notice, Mary Elizabeth Pettes". The North Star. Danville, VT. August 5, 1841. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45319844/death_notice_mary_e_pettes/.
- "Shocking Murder". Vermont Mercury. Woodstock, VT. June 10, 1842. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45320902/shocking_murder/.
- "Murder in Windsor". The Commercial Advertiser. Buffalo, NY. June 14, 1842. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45385023/murder_in_windsor/.
- "Mord" (in German). Der Liberale Beobachter. Reading, PA. June 14, 1842. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45385067/mord/.
- "Attempted Murder". Democratic Free Press. Detroit, MI. June 15, 1842. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45385129/attempted_murder/.
- "Murder -- Quick Retribution". Bennington Banner. Bennington, VT. June 21, 1842. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45320937/quick_retribution/.
- Pettes, John (November 15, 1845). "Notice: Fresh Goods at the West End of Cornish Bridge". Vermont Journal. Windsor, VT. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45321067/fresh_goods_john_pettes/.
- "Death Notice: Helen H. Pettes". Vermont Chronicle. Bellows Falls, VT. June 16, 1847. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45321236/deaths_helen_h_pettes/.
- "Appointments by the President". Middlebury Register. Middlebury, VT. March 20, 1849. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45321452/appointments_by_the_president/.
- "Deaths: Charlotte Wales Pettes". Vermont Chronicle. Bellows falls, VT. June 6, 1849. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45319579/deaths_charlotte_wales_pettes/.
- "Death Notice, Mrs. Lucy Richards". Aurora of the Valley. Newbury, VT. June 9, 1849. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45320064/death_notice_lucy_richards/.
- "Windsor Co. Agricultural Society". The Woodstock Mercury. Woodstock, VT. January 25, 1850. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45321386/windsor_co_agricultural_society/.
- "Vermont Appointments". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. April 6, 1853. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45321564/vermont_appointments/.
- "Whig State Convention (1856)". Burlington Sentinel. Burlington, VT. October 16, 1856. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45319952/whig_state_convention/.
- "Death Notice, John Pettes, Jr.". Vermont Chronicle. Bellows falls, VT. June 30, 1866. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45320128/john_pettes_jr/.
- "Maj. John Pettis (sic) of Windsor met with a severe accident". Vermont Journal. Windsor, VT. September 7, 1867. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45321858/maj_john_pettis/.
- "Death Notice, Robert Thaxter Pettes". Vermont Journal. Windsor, VT. October 5, 1867. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45320206/robert_thaxter_pettes/.
- M. D. (April 11, 1868). "The Late Maj. John Pettes". Vermont Journal and Farmer. Windsor, VT. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45319424/the_late_maj_john_pettes/.
- "Miscellaneous: Capt. Edward C. Pettes". Vermont Journal. Windsor, VT. December 15, 1877. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45319304/edward_c_pettes/.
- "Death Notice, Frederick Dudley Pettes". Rutland Herald. Rutland, VT. February 18, 1907. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45320165/frederick_dudley_pettes/.
- "Obituary, Frederick Dudley Pettes". Vermont Journal. Windsor, VT. March 2, 1907. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45320976/frederick_dudley_pettes/.
- "Death Notice, Lucy Ellen Sabin". Vermont Journal. Windsor, VT. March 10, 1911. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45320261/obituary_for_lucy_ellen_sabln/.
Internet[]
- "Massachusetts Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988, Marriage Entry for John Pettes and Lucy Richards". Lehi, UT: Ancestry.com LLC. January 20, 1820. https://www.ancestry.com/.
- "Vermont Vital Records, 1720-1908, Death Record for John Pettes". Lehi, UT: Ancestry.com LLC. March 24, 1868. https://www.ancestry.com/.
- "1850 United States Federal Census, Entry for Edward C. Pettes". Lehi, UT: Ancestry.com LLC. July 29, 1850. https://www.ancestry.com/.
- Habben, David M. (February 17, 2013). "Gravestone Photo, William Richards Pettes, St. Johns Episcopal Cemetery, Tallahassee, Florida". Florida Cemeteries Project. http://www.uscemeteryproj.com/florida/leon/stjohnsepis/pettesw82.htm.
Books[]
- The Vermont Register and Yearbook for the Year of Our Lord 1820. Burlington, VT: E. & T. Mills. 1820. http://www.ancestraltrackers.net/vt/resources/vermont-yearbook-1819-1822.pdf.
- Child, Hamilton (1884). Gazetteer and Business Directory of Windsor County, Vt., for 1883-84. Syracuse, NY: Syracuse Journal. https://archive.org/details/gazetteerbusinesd00chil/page/270/mode/2up/search/pettes.
- Vermont General Assembly (1832). Acts and Laws Passed by the Legislature of the State of Vermont at Their October Session, 1832. Montpelier, VT: Vermont Secretary of State. https://books.google.com/books?id=gcc_AQAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA76.
- Vermont General Assembly (1845). Acts and Laws Passed by the Legislature of the State of Vermont at Their October Session, 1845. Burlington, VT: Chauncey Goodrich. https://books.google.com/books?id=ToROAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA63.
External links[]
- John Pettes at Find a Grave
The original article can be found at John Pettes and the edit history here.