Individual Details
Peter Howe
(1 Aug 1756 - 19 Dec 1842)
Peter Howe moved with his father from New Marlborough to Poultney, Vermont.
He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and with his father was at the battle of Bennington. Peter Howe continued to fight in the Revolution after his father's death. He spoke of being in the battle of Bunker Hill. Also believe Peter was at battle of Saratoga, a very important battle. That was the battle that was the turning point for France to come in the war to help.
After the war he married Orinda Fuller and purchased land in Poultney, Rutland Co., Vermont, where they lived until 1801. Here all their children were born except Matilda. During that time they had 13 children; three died when infants; the six oldest were girls, then two boys, and then two girls.
In 1799 and 1800, some of Peter's acquaintances moved to Ohio, and wrote how the 'far west' had rich soil and an easier living. So in Sept. 1801 he emigrated with his wife and ten children to Ohio - an interesting account of it was written by his son Sylvanus, then 14 years old. Orinda's youngest baby girl was only six weeks old. The emigrant party consisted of Peter and his family, including their oldest daughter's family, and Joseph Chadeus and Elijah Pond and their families, making 30 persons in all.. When they came to the head waters of the Alleghany River they lashed canoes together by twos. One pair of canoes struck a rock and spilled all the contents including the men, women, and children, but fortunately the passengers and most of the goods were saved.
They arrived at Marietta, Ohio, 12 Nov. 1801, having been about two months on the way. Peter and Orinda settled in Washington Co., Ohio near Marietta along the Muskingum River, where they lived about 25 years. Peter was a farmer, and his children all married and settled in Ohio and fifty years after they landed at Marietta, all of them were living. At one time, Sylvanus says, his father sat at a table with his oldest daughter, granddaughter, great granddaughter, and great great granddaughters. After their children were all married and on their own, Peter and Orinda went to live with their youngest son, Sylvanus, in Athens Co., where they remained most of the time while they lived.
Memorial to Peter Howe
Now I will add a memorial of my father: Peter Howe, the subject of the following memoir, was born in New Marlborough, Mass., August 1st, 1756; he was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and was in several battles; was in the one in Bennington, where the Americans conquered the British forces, and drove them from the battle ground. The British had some Hessians in their army, and when the Americans were returning to their place of rendezvous, and passing over the ground where the men were lying, some dead, some wounded, they saw a Hessian soldier that was wounded, and lying on the ground with his head raised up against a tree, and one of the soldiers shot him again and his head fell down, and they left him supposing him to be dead, but Peter Howe came along in the rear and the Hessian was yet alive, and had raised his head against the tree again, and so Howe went to him, and gave him water to drink, and got help and took him to the house where the soldiers were stationed, which was a double log-house, and they heard the man who shot him the second time, say in a boasting, way, that he put one d--d Hessian out of his misery. So Peter Howe left the Hessian in care of the surgeon and nurses, and not knowing his name or whether he got well or not.
After the war he was married to Orinda Fuller, and settled in Rutland county, Vermont, where he remained until 1801, when he moved to Washington county Ohio, where he lived about 25 years. His children having all married and left them he and his wife went to live with their youngest son, Sylvanus, in Athens county, where they remained the most of the time while they lived. He was the father of 15 children, and at the time of his death, he had 61 grandchildren, 44 great-grand-children, and 1 great-great-grand-child, and in the spring of 1842, he sat at the table with his eldest child, his eldest great-grand child, and his only great-great-grand-child, all daughters. After the repast, he arose and said -- arise, daughter, and go to your daughter, for your daughter's daughter has got a daughter. He was a father to the fatherless, and the widow's help; he was a philanthropist and a republican; he led a Christian life, and was a worthy example of morality before his children and neighbors. As his earthly body was fast failing, and he was about to cross the river death, his prospects for a better and happier state of existence grew brighter and brighter, and while laboring under his last illness not a murmur was heard; all was quiet, all was peace; and his mind was clear and tranquil, and he testified to all that a virtuous life disarms death of his sting, for he was patient and submissive to the will of his Heavenly Father, to the end of his earthly Journey, leaving his friends to mourn their loss, but in the firm belief that their loss was his eternal gain. He died December 19th, 1842, being 86 years, 4 months and 18 days old. His wife died seven years previously. But a few weeks before his death, he found out that an old woman, who was about 90 years old, and two of her sons, who were living in the neighborhood where he then lived, were the wife and sons of the wounded soldier whose life he was instrumental in the hands of Providence of saving at the Bennington battle, so the Hessian soldier, who was shot twice by the Americans at the Bennington battle got well, and married, and settled in New York, and died there, and his wife and two of his sons moved to Ames township, Ohio, where Peter Howe spent his last days.
Now I will bid you all good-bye.
SOPHRONIA H. TROWBRIDGE
December 8th, 1874.
He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and with his father was at the battle of Bennington. Peter Howe continued to fight in the Revolution after his father's death. He spoke of being in the battle of Bunker Hill. Also believe Peter was at battle of Saratoga, a very important battle. That was the battle that was the turning point for France to come in the war to help.
After the war he married Orinda Fuller and purchased land in Poultney, Rutland Co., Vermont, where they lived until 1801. Here all their children were born except Matilda. During that time they had 13 children; three died when infants; the six oldest were girls, then two boys, and then two girls.
In 1799 and 1800, some of Peter's acquaintances moved to Ohio, and wrote how the 'far west' had rich soil and an easier living. So in Sept. 1801 he emigrated with his wife and ten children to Ohio - an interesting account of it was written by his son Sylvanus, then 14 years old. Orinda's youngest baby girl was only six weeks old. The emigrant party consisted of Peter and his family, including their oldest daughter's family, and Joseph Chadeus and Elijah Pond and their families, making 30 persons in all.. When they came to the head waters of the Alleghany River they lashed canoes together by twos. One pair of canoes struck a rock and spilled all the contents including the men, women, and children, but fortunately the passengers and most of the goods were saved.
They arrived at Marietta, Ohio, 12 Nov. 1801, having been about two months on the way. Peter and Orinda settled in Washington Co., Ohio near Marietta along the Muskingum River, where they lived about 25 years. Peter was a farmer, and his children all married and settled in Ohio and fifty years after they landed at Marietta, all of them were living. At one time, Sylvanus says, his father sat at a table with his oldest daughter, granddaughter, great granddaughter, and great great granddaughters. After their children were all married and on their own, Peter and Orinda went to live with their youngest son, Sylvanus, in Athens Co., where they remained most of the time while they lived.
Memorial to Peter Howe
Now I will add a memorial of my father: Peter Howe, the subject of the following memoir, was born in New Marlborough, Mass., August 1st, 1756; he was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and was in several battles; was in the one in Bennington, where the Americans conquered the British forces, and drove them from the battle ground. The British had some Hessians in their army, and when the Americans were returning to their place of rendezvous, and passing over the ground where the men were lying, some dead, some wounded, they saw a Hessian soldier that was wounded, and lying on the ground with his head raised up against a tree, and one of the soldiers shot him again and his head fell down, and they left him supposing him to be dead, but Peter Howe came along in the rear and the Hessian was yet alive, and had raised his head against the tree again, and so Howe went to him, and gave him water to drink, and got help and took him to the house where the soldiers were stationed, which was a double log-house, and they heard the man who shot him the second time, say in a boasting, way, that he put one d--d Hessian out of his misery. So Peter Howe left the Hessian in care of the surgeon and nurses, and not knowing his name or whether he got well or not.
After the war he was married to Orinda Fuller, and settled in Rutland county, Vermont, where he remained until 1801, when he moved to Washington county Ohio, where he lived about 25 years. His children having all married and left them he and his wife went to live with their youngest son, Sylvanus, in Athens county, where they remained the most of the time while they lived. He was the father of 15 children, and at the time of his death, he had 61 grandchildren, 44 great-grand-children, and 1 great-great-grand-child, and in the spring of 1842, he sat at the table with his eldest child, his eldest great-grand child, and his only great-great-grand-child, all daughters. After the repast, he arose and said -- arise, daughter, and go to your daughter, for your daughter's daughter has got a daughter. He was a father to the fatherless, and the widow's help; he was a philanthropist and a republican; he led a Christian life, and was a worthy example of morality before his children and neighbors. As his earthly body was fast failing, and he was about to cross the river death, his prospects for a better and happier state of existence grew brighter and brighter, and while laboring under his last illness not a murmur was heard; all was quiet, all was peace; and his mind was clear and tranquil, and he testified to all that a virtuous life disarms death of his sting, for he was patient and submissive to the will of his Heavenly Father, to the end of his earthly Journey, leaving his friends to mourn their loss, but in the firm belief that their loss was his eternal gain. He died December 19th, 1842, being 86 years, 4 months and 18 days old. His wife died seven years previously. But a few weeks before his death, he found out that an old woman, who was about 90 years old, and two of her sons, who were living in the neighborhood where he then lived, were the wife and sons of the wounded soldier whose life he was instrumental in the hands of Providence of saving at the Bennington battle, so the Hessian soldier, who was shot twice by the Americans at the Bennington battle got well, and married, and settled in New York, and died there, and his wife and two of his sons moved to Ames township, Ohio, where Peter Howe spent his last days.
Now I will bid you all good-bye.
SOPHRONIA H. TROWBRIDGE
December 8th, 1874.
Events
| Birth | 1 Aug 1756 | New Marlborough, Berkshire, Massachusetts, United States |  | ||
| Military | May 1775 | American Revolution |  | | |
| Marriage | 12 Jul 1780 | Orinda Fuller | | ||
| Census (family) | 1800 | Poultney, Rutland, Vermont, United States - Orinda Fuller | | | |
| Census (family) | 1820 | Union Township, Washington, Ohio, United States - Orinda Fuller | | | |
| Census (family) | 1830 | Homer Township, Athens, Ohio, United States - Orinda Fuller | | | |
| Death | 19 Dec 1842 | Ames Township, Athens, Ohio, United States | | | |
| Burial | Demming Cemetery, Watertown Township, Washington, Ohio, United States | | |
Families
| Spouse | Orinda Fuller (1762 - 1835) |
| Child | Cynthia Dianthy "Diantha" Howe (1781 - 1862) |
| Child | Delinda Howe (1782 - 1852) |
| Child | Violetta "Vilaty" Howe (1784 - 1862) |
| Child | Minerva Howe (1786 - ) |
| Child | Lorille Howe (1788 - 1853) |
| Child | Sophronia Howe (1790 - 1877) |
| Child | Cyrenus Howe (1792 - 1885) |
| Child | Sylvanus Howe (1795 - 1875) |
| Child | Orinda Howe (1799 - 1889) |
| Child | Lucinda Howe (1801 - ) |
| Father | Nehemiah Howe (1721 - 1777) |
| Mother | Beulah "Betsey" Wheeler (1723 - 1799) |
| Sibling | Abner Howe (1747 - 1785) |
| Sibling | Olive Howe (1750 - 1825) |
| Sibling | Phoebe (Phebe) Howe (1752 - 1758) |
| Sibling | Beulah Howe (1754 - ) |
| Sibling | Candis Howe (1758 - ) |
| Sibling | Phebe Howe (1761 - 1833) |
| Sibling | John Howe (1763 - 1834) |
| Sibling | Joel Howe (1765 - ) |
Notes
Military
Enl May 1775, as Pvt. Served 8 mos under Capt Isaac Baldwin, John Hale, Col. John Stark. Re-enlisted Jan 1, 1776; served under Capt. John Hale, Col. John Stark, New Hampshire State Tr. In battles of Bunker Hill, Trenton, Bennington. Br. Aug. 1, 1756. New Marlborough, Mass. Parents: Nehemiah Howe and Bulah Wheeler Howe. Mar Orinda Fuller in 1780. (Br. 1762, died 1835). Children: Dianthy, Delinda, Vilaty, Minerva, Lorilla, Sophronia, Cyrenius, Sylvanus, Orinda, Lucinda. D Dec 19 1842, Ames Twp, Athens Co. Bur Demming Cem, Washington Co. MI: "In memory of Peter Howe, who died Dec. 19, 1842, in the 87th year of his age." GM by Marietta Chap with Revolutionary marker in 1920. Came to Ohio in 1801, lived in the old blockhouse in the stockade. Lived in Washington Co. 25 yrs. then moved to Athens Co. Ref: Natl No. 56,465, Vol 57, p 160, D.A. R. Lin Fur infor Marietta Chap. (Curry).Peter How (1756-1842) enlisted, 1777, as a soldier in Capt. Ebenezer Allen's company, Colonel Herrick's regiment of Rangers. He was at the battles of Bennington, Mt. Defiance, Diamond Island, and Stillwater. He was born in Marlborough, Mass.; died in Ohio.
(from The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution Volume 57 page 161
under Mrs. Mary Lorana Wolcott Howes. DAR ID Number: 56465 )
The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution Volume 57
page 160
Mrs. Mary Lorana Wolcott Howes.
DAR ID Number: 56465
Born in Grayson, Ky.
Wife of Austin P. Howes.
Descendant of Joseph Wolcott, Nehemiah How, and Peter How.
Daughter of Wesley Cook and Delinda Howe Wolcott, his wife.
Granddaughter of Elias Howe Wolcott and Lorana Starling, his wife.
Gr-granddaughter of Elias Wolcott and Delinda How, his wife.
Gr-gr-granddaughter of Joseph Wolcott and Elizabeth Bosworth, his wife; Peter How and Orrinda Fuller, his wife.
Gr-gr-gr-granddaughter of Nehemiah How and Buelah Wheeler, his wife.
Joseph Wolcott (1740-1808) entered the service, 1777, as private in Capt. Elijah Deming's company, Colonel Ashley's Berkshire County regiment. He was born in Weathersfield, Conn.
Nehemiah How (1721-77) was a member of Committee of Safety of New Hampshire grants, 1777. He was born in Marlborough, Mass.; died in Poultney, Vt.
Peter How (1756-1842) enlisted, 1777, as a soldier in Capt. Ebenezer Allen's company, Colonel Herrick's regiment of Rangers. He was at the battles of Bennington, Mt. Defiance, Diamond Island, and Stillwater. He was born in Marlborough, Mass.; died in Ohio.
Census (family)
Peter How 20010 1321010 people in household:
2 boys under 10, Cyrenus (8) Sylvanus (5)
1 man 26-45, Peter (44)
1 girl under 10, Orinda (1)
3 girls 10-16, Sophronia (10) Lorille (12) Minerva (14)
2 women 16-26, Vilaty (16) Delinda (17)
1 woman 26-45, Orinda (38)
Diantha was married.
Census (family)
9 people were in Peter Howe's household001201 00101 0300
1 man 16-18
2 men 16-26
1 man 45+, Peter (64)
1 woman 16-26
1 woman 45+, Orinda (58)
3 slaves
Census (family)
Peter and Orinda lived with their son Sylvanus in the elder years.Sylenus Howe
2 boys under 5, Albertus (4) Marvin (2)
2 boys 5-10, Peter (8), ?
1 boy 10-15, ?
1 man 15-20, ?
1 man 30-40, Sylvanus (35)
1 man 40-50, ?
1 man 70-80, father - Peter (74)
2 women 20-30, Abigail (29), ?
1 woman 60-70, mother - Orinda (68)
5 unidentified people, possibly another married sibling living here?
Maybe Lucinda (29) ?
Death
Howe Genealogies has 12 Dec, 1842 as death date.Burial
Orinda Howe wife of Peter Howe (74th yr of her age) -----------Oct. 7. 1835
Peter Howe 1756 1842
New England, the town/area where Peter Howe is buried in a farm cemetery, is 'way out in the midst of nowhere. Another descendant, Gloria VanDoren (of CA) recently with the Marietta Hist. Soc. folks had the site designated as Rev. War vet burial ground, with ceremonies. She is at gloriagen@aol.com
(Marjorie Henninge mahening@frognet.net>)
Endnotes
1. Trobridge, Sophronia H., 1790- , daughter of Peter and Orinda Howe., Grandma Trobridge's Little Book. (Gallipolis, Ohio: James Harper, Print., Journal Office, 1875.), p. 38.
2. Curry, The Official roster of the soldiers of the American Revolution buried in the state of Ohio (Columbus, Ohio: Ohio Adjutant General's Dept., 1929), 194; digital images, Heritage Quest Online, ( : accessed May 2009.
3. Curry, The Official roster of the soldiers of the American Revolution buried in the state of Ohio (Columbus, Ohio: Ohio Adjutant General's Dept., 1929), 194; digital images, Heritage Quest Online, ( : accessed May 2009.
4. Curry, The Official roster of the soldiers of the American Revolution buried in the state of Ohio (Columbus, Ohio: Ohio Adjutant General's Dept., 1929), 194; digital images, Heritage Quest Online, ( : accessed May 2009.
5. U.S. Census images. Heritage Quest Online. Subscription database through the Sonoma County Public Library. (ProQuest LLC, 2009.), 1800 > VERMONT > RUTLAND > POULTNEY Series: M32 Roll: 52 Page: 186.
6. U.S. Census images. Heritage Quest Online. Subscription database through the Sonoma County Public Library. (ProQuest LLC, 2009.), 1820 > Ohio > WASHINGTON > UNION Series: M33 Roll: 95 Page: 271.
7. U.S. Census images. Heritage Quest Online. Subscription database through the Sonoma County Public Library. (ProQuest LLC, 2009.), 1830 > OHIO > ATHENS > HOMER Series: M19 Roll: 126 Page: 222.
8. Curry, The Official roster of the soldiers of the American Revolution buried in the state of Ohio (Columbus, Ohio: Ohio Adjutant General's Dept., 1929), 194; digital images, Heritage Quest Online, ( : accessed May 2009.
9. Hanebury, Eliz, "Genealogy of Jeffrey Wilcox Buchanan," e-mail message from
10. Curry, The Official roster of the soldiers of the American Revolution buried in the state of Ohio (Columbus, Ohio: Ohio Adjutant General's Dept., 1929), 194; digital images, Heritage Quest Online, ( : accessed May 2009.