Philip Peck Family from Walpole As It Was and As It Is (1880) Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by MLM, Volunteer 0000130. For the current email address, please go to http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00001.html#0000130 Copyright. All rights reserved. ************************************************************************ Full copyright notice - http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm USGenWeb Archives - http://www.usgwarchives.net ************************************************************************ Surname: PECK Source: Walpole As It Was and As It Is by George Aldrich, The Claremont Manufacturing Co., Claremont, N.H., 1880, pages 343-344 Peck, Philip, was a descendant of Joseph Peck, the ancestor of most of the name in this country, who came from Hingham, Eng., to Hingham, Mass., in 1638. Joseph subsequently removed to Rehoboth, where the ancestors of Philip remained till his grandfather, Solomon, removed to Royalston, Mass., in 1779, and purchased thirty acres of land, to which he afterwards made additions. His son, Benoni, married Eunice Rogers, and lived on this farm till 1862, he then being in his eightieth year. Philip was the oldest son of Benoni and Eunice (Rogers) Peck, born Jan. 16, 1812. He worked on his father's farm till about the age of eighteen, when he came to Walpole (1830), and entered the store of Col. David Buffum, as clerk. After some years he formed a copartnership with William Bellows, under the style of Bellows & Peck. This firm was unfortunate in business, and dissolved about 1841. Mr. Peck afterwards resumed trade alone, but was soon burned out; after which he relinquished active business, and spent much of his time in reading books and the newspapers of the day. He was a great admirer of Horace Greeley, and was a subscriber to the New York Tribune for more than twenty years. He was one of the first in town to cast an anti-slavery ballot, and continued yearly to do so till the Republican party was formed. He adhered to the fortunes of Andrew Johnson, and was appointed postmaster under his administration, and held the office about three months, till his appointment was overruled by Congress, and he was dismissed from office, when he became disgusted with politics and political intrigues. When the library became the property of the town, he manifested a lively interest in its success, and was one of the library committee for several years. Mr. Peck possessed a keen intellect and a sensitive nature, and at the time of his death, which occurred Sept. 15, 1875, was one of the best-informed men in town on the political and financial condition of the country. He married, Nov. 21, 1839, Martha Eleanor, dau. of Hon. Thomas and Eleanor (Foster) Bellows, by whom he had two sons: I. Henry Phillip, b. Aug. 31, 1840; d. July 13, 1852, from injuries received by a fall from a horse. II. II. Thomas Bellows, b. Aug. 18, 1842; fitted for college at our High School and the Latin School in Boston; graduated at Harvard College in 1863, after which he made the tour of Europe. He now resides in Melrose, Mass., with his mother, and does business in Boston. He is gratefully remembered by the citizens of Walpole for the efficient services rendered when on the town library committee.