Continuation of tree (1st child of Gilbert Pitre/Emelia Johnson); all known surname descendants:
8 Felix Pitre (aka Philip Edward Peterie) b: 12 March 1868 St. Jean Baptiste, Dalhousie, Restigouche, NB; d: Aft. 1919
+Anne Aurah Cordelia Richards b: 22 April 1869 Eden, Lamoille, VT; m: 30 May 1898 Johnson, Lamoille, VT [Jereb K./Melissa Wheelock] (divorced June 1903 VT); d: 7 March 1959 Hyde Park, Lamoille, VT
*2nd Wife of Felix Pitre
+Henriette 'Etta' Wills (Grover) b: 2 June 1875 Port Henry, NY; m: 8 May 1916 Fairfield, Somerset, ME [John Albert/Annie Reed] (divorced February 1920); d: 11 July 1940 Fairfield, Somerset, ME
Notes for Felix Pitre:
Census
- 1891 Chatham, Northumberland, NB: Gilbert Peterie 56 (shoemaker), wife Amelie 43, Felix 23 (mill/labourer), Joseph 21 (mill/labourer), Mary 20, Minnie 15, Sarah 12, Earnest 10, Alfred 9, John 6, Clement 3.
- 1900 Waterbury, Washington, Vermont: Phillip Petrie, unknown age, married [Vermont State Hospital for the Insane]
- 1900 Eden, Lamoille, VT: Aurah Peterie 31 (mar.), servant to Powell family
- 1910 Johnson, Lamoille, VT: Aurah Richards 40 (single), servant to McLenathan family
- 1920 Johnson, Lamoille, VT: Ora Richards 50 (div.) store keeping/groceries, 1 servant, 4 boarders.
- 1920 Fairfield, Somerset, ME: Etta Grover 43, Flora Grover 17 stenographer, Frank Grover 19 laborer/saw mill.
- 1930 Johnson, Lamoille, VT: Aurah Richard 56 (div.) merchant/grocery store, lodger Abbie Dike 49 saleslady/grocery store, nephew Richard Dike 19 laborer/talc mill, boarder Frank Mustard 17.
- 1930 Fairfield, Somerset, ME: Widow Etta Grover 54
- 1940 Johnson, Lamoille, VT: Aurah Richards 70 (single), servant Abbie Dike 59.
- 1940 Fairfield, Somerset, ME: Widow Etta Grover 64.
- 1950 Johnson, Lamoille, VT: Widow Aurah C. Richards 80, lodger Abbie C. Dike 69 clerk.
MISC: News & Citizen (Johnson, VT), Wednesday, 12 July 1899: Mrs. Orra Peterie was in town last week calling on her many friends, who were very glad to see her. We understand when Mr. Peterie returned to Johnson after visiting Eden about a week ago, he reported that Mrs. Peterie had no friends left in town since she was wise enough to leave his "bed and board." We think Mr. Peterie did not stop long enough in town to learn the true feeling here; if he had, he would have soon learned that she had more friends here than he had, and all, so far as we have heard any opinion expressed, think she did a wise thing when she left him.
- News & Citizen (Johnson, VT), Wednesday, 16 August 1899: Philip Peterie, who attempted to kill his wife and then himself at East Johnson last week, is on the road to recovery. He will be taken to jail soon. Mrs. Peterie is able to be about.
- News & Citizen (Hyde Park, VT), Wednesday, 23 August 1899: Philip Peterie, who attempted to murder his wife and then to take his own life a couple of weeks ago at Johnson, was brought to jail last Thursday. Dr. Prentiss and a nurse came along with him. He has improved so rapidly that the nurse has been discharged and the doctor is not obliged to give him close attention. He will be given a hearing soon.
- News & Citizen (Hyde Park, VT), Wednesday, 4 October 1899: (Hyde Park) Philip Peterie, the attempted wife murderer, is now the only occupant of the jail. (Further down the page): Philip Peterie, who has been feigning insanity for some time, has come to his senses and is now "behaving himself like a man." He has given Sheriff Stevens quite a little trouble, but Jonas has all along believed he was fooling. Monday night he was given his supper and the next morning was told that he could have nothing more to eat until he had passed out the dishes - a rule which is always adhered to. He was morose and sullen and Jonas again told him, "no dishes, no food." Peterie kept up his sulkiness until along in the afternoon when he rapped on the door and told Mrs. Stevens he would give up, that "Jonas was too smart for him." He passed out the dishes and slicked up his room and is now on his good behavior, and promises to give those in charge no more trouble. Jonas allows, however, that he is a good actor, and can play the insanity act pretty well.
- Herald and News (Randolph, VT), Thursday, 21 September 1900: Philip Petrie of Johnson, now at Hyde Park jail for attempting to kill his wife, secreted a case knife recently and was heard sharpening it on a brick. The sheriff heard the noise and at once got on to Petrie's racket, which was feigning insanity, as he found Petrie in bed with his clothes on and smoking a pipe, muttering incoherently. Drs. Slayton and Prentiss were called in and they are also of the opinion that the culprit was playing crazy. He appears all right now.
- News & Citizen (Hyde Park, VT), Wednesday, 12 June 1901: Hyde Park - Sheriff Robbins went to Waterbury Saturday and brought back Philip Peterie, who has been confined in the asylum there the past year and a half. He is to be tried for attempted murder. He is in good health and has taken on great flesh.
- News & Citizen (Hyde Park, VT), Wednesday, 19 June 1901: Lamoille County Court - The case of State vs. Philip Peterie occupied the attention of Court three days before it was given to the Jury. Although the charge on which he was tried was simple assault, a great fight was put up by both the prosecution and the defense. There was an array of witnesses from far and near, expert medical testimony was given as well as evidence from those who knew Peterie at Johnson. Peterie himself was on the stand a long time and gave evidence as to what produced the insanity which led him to attempt to kill his wife. States Attorney Cheney and his associate, George M. Powers, made strong arguments for the State, and F. W. McGettrick made a powerful plea for his client. The case went to the Jury Friday morning and that body in charge of Francis White hung together until three p.m. Saturday, when they reported they could not agree and so were discharged. It is said they stood eight to four for conviction. The result is certainly a surprise to many, as public opinion was that the respondent was guilty.
- News & Citizen (Hyde Park, VT), Wednesday, 19 June 1901: Most of the citizens of East Johnson and some other parts of the town were summoned to court last week to witness in the Peterie trial. It seems that there is chance for a doubt as to whether a man in Vermont may cut his wife's throat and go free. Strange!
- The St. Albans Daily Messenger (St. Albans, VT), Friday, 10 January 1902: Lamoille County Court: (A jury was selected.) The case against Petrie was tried at the last term of the county court and at that time the jury disagreed. At that time the testimony showed that August 8, 1899, Mrs. Orra Petrie was found near her home in Johnson with her throat cut and but for prompt medical attention her wounds would have proved fatal. Testimony showed that the act was committed by her husband, Philip Petrie, who immediately made for the woods. A large force of men was put on his trail and in a short time he was found in a piece of woods not far from the scene of the crime. Upon being discovered he took the same knife that he used upon his wife and cut his own throat. He was then taken to the same house where his wife was having her wounds dressed and here his wound was given attention. As soon as possible after the accident Petrie was taken to the jail at Hyde Park and after a few weeks his wounds became healed. While in jail here he appeared to be somewhat bewildered and at several times acted insane and as the law provided he was taken to the hospital at Waterbury and remained there one year. The only defense which will be made is that he was at the time of the assault insane and not responsible for his actions. The case will probably occupy nearly all the rest of the week as the state has many witnesses here from Johnson and elsewhere. T. C. Cheney appears for the state and Col. E. B. Sawyer for the respondent.
- Barre Evening Telegram (Barre, VT), Monday, 13 January 1902: Hyde Park, Jan. 13 - The case of State vs. Philip Peterie for the (attempted) murder of his wife, Orra Peterie, Aug. 8, 1899, was given to the jury Saturday, and they returned a verdict of guilty.
- Herald and News (West Randolph, VT), Thursday, 23 January 1902: In Lamoille county court at Hyde Park last week Philip Peterie was sentenced to not more than five nor less than four and one-half years at hard labor at the house of correction for assault, with intent to kill. On Aug. 8, 1899, Philip Peterie cut a gash four inches long in the neck of his wife, and after being surrounded by a crowd of people, took the same knife and cut his own throat, but by prompt medical attention he recovered, and after being in jail a long time, was taken to Waterbury asylum and remained a year, as allowed by law. Owing to a mistake in drawing the original declaration he could only be tried for common assault.
- News & Citizen (Hyde Park, VT), Wednesday, 24 June 1903: Aurah C. Peterie of Eden has been divorced from Philip Peterie because of severity. T. C. Cheney for the petitioner.
- St. Albans Daily Messenger (St. Albans, VT), Thursday, 3 May 1906: Philip Petrie, who gave sensational testimony at previous sessions of the commission, charging gross immorality of prisoners and alleging cruel and inhuman treatment of the inmates by officials, cannot be found. A subpoena was issued by Atty.-Gen. C. C. Fitts last night and efforts will be made to locate him.
- Daily Kennebec Journal (Augusta, ME), Tuesday, 29 January 1918: Court items: Etta Peterie Lib., vs Philip Edward Peterie
- The Independent Reporter (Skowhegan, ME), Thursday, 19 February 1920: Divorce decree: Etta Grover Peterie of Fairfield vs Philip Peterie of Fairfield for cruel and abusive treatment.
- The Independent Reporter (Skowhegan, ME), Thursday, 5 February 1920: Divorce Hearings: Etta Grover Peterie of Fairfield vs Philip E. Peterie, cruel and abusive treatment.
Notes for Anne Aurah Cordelia Richards:
Obituary: The Newport Daily Express (Newport, VT), Monday, 9 March 1959: Mrs. Aurah C. Richards, 89, died Saturday in a Hyde Park nursing home where she had been under care since August 1957. Mrs. Richards operated a grocery and general store in East Johnson for 50 years. She is survived by several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held in the Nazarene Church, Johnson, at 2 p.m. Tuesday with the Rev. Delbert Wise officiating.
Tombstone Inscription, Eden Cemetery, Eden, VT: Aurah C. / 1869 - 1959 (by Richards family monument)
Notes for Henriette 'Etta' Wills:
Obituary: Sun Journal (Lewiston, ME), Friday, 12 July 1940: Fairfield - Mrs. Henrietta Grover died at her home late Thursday evening after several weeks illness. She was born June 2, 1874 in North Petersborough, N. Y., daughter of John and Annie Reed Wills. She was a member of the Methodist church and was a Gold Star mother of the George O. Grover post, American Legion, and was the last Gold Star mother of the Forest K. Pare, post, Veterans of Foreign Wars. Survivors are: two sons, Albert Grover of Greenville; Frank Grover of Fairfield; one daughter, Mrs. Flora Newman of Rockland and four grandchildren.
Back one generation to parents of Felix Pitre
Items in RED have been verified against parish register entries.
Last updated: 28 September 2023.