Archive Record
Metadata
Object # |
2004.170.014 |
Description |
born 1789; starter of Pacific Union Church at the head. WHS 2004.170.014 Starter of Pacific Union Church at Head Peleg Peckham Born 1789 Peleg W. Peckham was a descendant of Stephen Peckham, who in the early days purchased 70 acre farm on the Old County road, which was originally laid out to Christopher and Robert Gifford. This tract began just west of Quaker Meeting House Hill and extended along the north side of Old County road as far as the so called Richard Tripp farm. Peleg W. Peckham was the great-great-grandson of the said Stephen Peckham. The family for many years belonged to the Acoaxet Meeting of Friends and also in the period from 1761 to 1840 attended "The Centre Meeting-house" when it was located opposite George H. Gifford's corner and later when the meeting house stood within a quarter of a mile of the Head on Quaker Meeting House Hill. Peleg W. Peckham however, departed from the faith of his fathers and in 1856, was one of the leaders, financially and otherwise, in establishing the Pacific Union Church at the Head. Peleg W. Peckham was born in Westport in 1789, the son of Jonathan and Hannah (White) Peckham. He was educated in the schools of the town and also attended for a time one of the schools maintained by the Friends. As a young man, he followed the sea, going several voyages whaling and went several times as master of the schooner Columbia and the sloop A.M.P. He later creased to follow the sea and entered into a partnership with Stephen Howland. These two men under the firm name of Peckham and Howland continued to carry on a general store for many years. During the time of their partnership they fitted out many sailors also had a county liquor license as most country stores did at this time. Through the carrying on these various enterprises, Peleg W. Peckham acquire a large fortune, or one which was so considered at that time. With some of his wealth he built the house, now owned by Joseph M. Shorrock which stands on the Gifford road just behind Mr. Shorrock's residence. This estate was one of the show places of the town during the period. It was owned by Mr. Peckham and later by his widow, Alice Tucker Peckham. At this time, a long drive bordered with tall trees led from the Old County road to the front door of the house. The spacious grounds were finely kept and in summer were made beautiful by beds of flowers and flowering shrubs. The conservatory on the east side of the house was always filled with flowering plants in winter. The house is of the square two story type with a large central chimney, a broad piazza on the south and east sides of the house, and a large fan glass over the front door. Attached to the main part of the house is an ell, wash room and work shop. Like too many other fine old houses this one has been allowed to fall into ill repair and hence has lost much of its former appearance of grandeur. 2. Peleg Peckham was always greatly interested in town affairs and held several town offices. For a period of several years he was collector of taxes. As all of Peleg Peckham's children died previous to his death, his only heir was his wife. Accordingly in his will, he devised all his property after his wife's death to public institutions in Westport. The chief beneficiaries under this will were the Pacific Union Church, the Pacific Union Sunday School, the Linden Grove Cemetery Association and School Districts 14 and 19, these being the two school districts at the Head. The legacies were given in the form of trusts, the incomes of which were to be paid out by the trustees as the |
Search Terms |
Pacific Union Congregational Church |
People |
Peckham, Peleg |
Subjects |
Churches |
Title |
Peleg Peckam |
Object Name |
Manuscript |
Category |
8: Communication Artifact |
Sub-category |
Documentary Artifact |
Accession# |
2004.170 |