Peter Perry (abt. 1776 - 1820)

Born about 1776 in Chesterfield County, Virginia

Died 1820 at about age 44 in Salem, Clarke County, Georgia

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Nick Hughey [send private message] and Bessie Pello [send private message]

Biography

Spouse

Lucy Graves

Marriage about 1805

Chesterfield Co, VA

Athens, GA Banner-Herald, June 15, 2001: Thomas Wells and Peter Perry were believed to be good friends, but Wells was very protective of his beautiful wife and believed she might be having an affair with Perry. Wells was not a suspect, however, when Perry was mysteriously murdered. In fact, there were no suspects until Perry's will was read. In it, Perry stated that he and Wells had exchanged several abusive letters and that Wells had sought to instigate a fight with him. He said he had not had an affair with Wells' wife and hoped that Wells would soon realize this. Perry said, however, that if he were killed that those seeking justice should investigate Wells. After the will was read, they did investigate and concluded that Wells had killed Perry. A grand jury brought a true bill against Wells, a jury convicted him, and the judge sentenced him to death by hanging. In the will, Perry also said that if Wells were convicted that he hoped he would be given as much time as possible to repent of his sin.^[1]

Census

CENSUS: Clark Co., GA, 1820; age 26-45 with 4 sons under the age of 15; 2 females under 10; 1 female 16-26; 1 female 26-45

Clark Co, Will book A 1803-1822 pg 166 Will of Peter Perry, not witnessed: dated Aug 4, 1820. probated: Sept 4 1820 To my friends Henry Davenport, Dr. Tigner, Thomas Hancock SR, Julius Alford the elder, William Clark Sr., James Williamson, William Buford, Thomas W. Stanley, William Nunnally, John Gordon and Maj. John Nunnally, take notice: You are the person I wish summoned as witnesses against Thomas Wells should he assassinate me, an attempt of which I expect daily. Enclosed are his several letters from June 3rd, 1820, to Aug 13, 1820. He appoints as Exe., Dr. H.H. Tigner, Jesse C. Paulett, Lodowick Alford, John Simmons, Henry Davenport, wife and Reubin Tucker. He directs that sons Oscar and William be kept at the best school and trained to be physician. Balance of estate given to his four other children, unnamed. note: Records of the Superior court show that Wells later killed Perry, was indicted, convicted and hanged for the crime. ^[2]

Sources

1. ↑ The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "Pedigree Resource File," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/2:2:SPRC-64S : accessed 2016-07-23), entry for Peter /Perry/.
2. ↑ The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "Pedigree Resource File," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/2:2:SPRC-64S : accessed 2016-07-23), entry for Peter /Perry