Continuation of tree (1st child of William Peat (Peterson)/Flora E. Bottom); all known surname descendants:
10 William Pete (aka William Lawrence Peterson/Peat/Donovan) b: 16 August 1900 Ludlow, Hampden, MA; d: 14 November 1982 Dragoon, Cochise, AZ
+Isabelle Seymour b: 5 January 1901 Winooski, Chittenden, VT; m: 14 June 1920 Easthampton, Hampshire, MA [George/Elma St. Andre]; d: 15 March 1989 Grafton, Worcester, MA
11 Loretta F. Peterson b: 4 October 1920 Windsor, Hartford, CT; d: 1 July 1987 Wakefield, South Kingstown, RI
+William E. Kimmel b: 28 August 1917 St. Louis, MO; m: Abt. 1944; d: 12 February 2013 Rhode Island
11 William George Peterson b: 9 January 1922 Easthampton, Hampshire, MA; d: 3 December 1998 Burlington, Hartford, CT
+June Elizabeth Lofgren b: 1922 Connecticut; m: 13 April 1945 Southington, Hartford, CT [Simon/---]; d: Aft. December 1998
11 Arthur Joseph Peterson b: 23 December 1922 Windsor, Hartford, CT; d: 31 August 2006 Gardner, Worcester, MA
+Katherine Sfakianos b: 13 September 1925 Grafton, Worcester, MA; m: Abt. 1944 [Alek/Ellen Collarena]; d: 1 May 2008 Gardner, Worcester, MA
11 Andrew Lawrence Peterson b: 14 May 1924 Granby, Hartford, CT; d: 15 June 1998 Gilroy, Santa Clara, CA
+Jane L. Malone b: 1922; m: Abt. 1945 [Wilson Thomas/Ida Celia Bright] (divorced January 1972 Santa Clara, CA); d: Aft. September 1990 Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, CA
11 Henry Adam Peterson b: 25 November 1925 Hinsdale, Cheshire, NH; d: d: 2 June 2024 Grafton, Worcester, MA
+Eileen M. Murphy b: 16 April 1929 Auburn, Worcester, MA; m: Aft. 1950 [John J./Marietta Reynolds]; d: 26 December 2014 Grafton, Worcester, MA
11 Donald Robert Peterson b: 9 August 1927 East Granby, Hartford, CT; d: Aft. March 1989 Santa Clara, CA
11 Ruth Genevieve 'Dot' Peterson b: 4 January 1929 Hartford, Hartford, CT; d: 26 January 2010 Auburn, Worcester, MA
+Romeo Joseph Langlois b: 19 August 1926 Rhode Island; m: 1947 Grafton, Worcester, MA [Leo J./Marion M. ---]; d: 23 January 2011 Holiday, Pasco, FL
*2nd Husband of Ruth Genevieve 'Dot' Peterson:
+Francis Bertram Farrell b: 18 February 1924 Grafton, Worcester, MA; m: 22 November 1968 Nashua, Hillsborough, NH [Michael J./Laura Virginie Boucher]; d: 6 June 1990 Grafton, Worcester, MA
11 Barbara M. Peterson b: 30 December 1929 Hartford, Hartford, CT; d: d: 19 November 2008 New Britain, Hartford, CT
+--- Noel
*2nd Husband of Barbara M. Peterson:
+--- Boucher
11 James L. Peterson b: 16 December 1931 Rainbow Lake, NY; d: Aft. March 1989 NY
11 Jane M. Peterson b: Abt. 1933 Connecticut; d: Aft. June 2024 Palm Bay, FL
+--- Cronin
11 Raymond Randall Peterson b: 9 November 1934 Grafton, Worcester, MA; d: 8 March 1998 Hartford Co., CT
*2nd (Wife) of William Pete (aka William Lawrence Peterson/Peat/Donovan):
+Vera Caroline Nowak b: 27 February 1910 Lowell, Middlesex, MA; m: 13 October 1934 Lowell, Middlesex, MA [Jan/Kathrina Nostek]; d: 9 May 2007 Stratford, Fairfield, CT
11 John Lawrence Donovan b: 7 November 1937 Lowell, Middlesex, MA; d: Aft. June 2024 Washington
+Judith M. Mayfield b: 22 February 1946 Ritzville, Adams, WA; m: 28 July 1964 Coeur d'Alene, Kootenai, ID [Darrell/Emma Englehart]; d: 3 October 2019
11 Patricia Carole Donovan b: 11 July 1939 Oakland, CA; d: 16 August 2023 Bridgeport, Fairfield, CT
+Robert Lawrence Anderson b: Abt. 1937 Bridgeport, CT; m: 7 November 1960 Arlington, VA [Clarence Eugene/Ann Yamnicky]
*2nd Husband of Patricia Carole Donovan:
+Kendall Porter Mann b: 8 May 1924 Milford, Worcester, MA; m: unknown [Lester Perry/Viola Tracy]; d: 20 August 1978 Shelton, Fairfield, CT
*3rd (Wife) of William Pete (aka William Lawrence Peterson/Peat/Donovan):
+Agnes Hael (Southworth) b: 4 December 1905 Sweden; m: 1955 [Julius/Alma Beeman]; d: 29 October 1985 Deerfield Beach, Broward, FL
*4th (Wife) of William Pete (aka William Lawrence Peterson/Peat/Donovan):
+Marjorie Hecht b: 2 May 1908 New York City, NY; m: 16 May 1966 Virginia Beach, VA [Charles Henry Clay/Natalie Bertha Happ]; d: 3 September 2000 Stamford, Fairfield, CT
Notes for William Lawrence Peterson:
- Death Notice: Tucson Citizen (Tucson, AZ), Tuesday, 16 November 1982: Deaths - Donovan, William, 82, Dragoon, Nov. 14, Valley.
Misc: Birth record - William Pete, b. 16 August 1900 Ludlow, MA, s/o William Pete (NY) laborer & Mary Lafond (Can)
- No record of divorce before 2nd marriage.
- Marriage record - Lowell, MA, 13 October 1934, Holy Trinity Church, William L. Donovan (res. Lowell) 33, machinist (Salt Lake City, UT), par: William & Flora E. Butten to Vera Caroline Nowak (res. Dracut) 24, operative (Lowell), par: John & Catherine Nostek; 1st marriage for both.
- Marriage record - Virginia Beach, VA, 16 May 1966: William Patrick Donovan, 65, divorced (1 previous marriage), engineer, res. 99 Bow St., Portsmouth, NH; b. Ludlow, MA; par: William Patrick Donovan & Mary Edna Bottom; to Marjorie Hecht, 58, single, engineer, res. 1014 Trout Brook Dr., West Hartford, CT; b. New York City, NY; par: Charles Henry Clay Hecht & Natalie Bertha Happ;
- 1938 Worcester, MA City Directory: Peterson Wm L (Isabelle S) mach h Maple av
- 1962 Worcester, MA City Directory: Peterson Isabel S (wid Wm) h15 1/2 Orchard (SG)
- Soc. Sec Index: William Donovan, 021-05-2160, b. 16 Aug 1900, d. Nov 1982; last residence Dragoon, Cochise, AZ
Census
- 1930 Hartford, Hartford, Connecticut: William L. Petterson 29 (truck driver), wife of 9 years Isabel S. 29, Lorretta 9, William 8, Arthur 7, Lawrence 5, Henry 4, Donald 2, Dorothy 1, Barbara 2 months.
- 1940 Westford, Middlesex, MA: William Donovan 39 machinist/machine shop, wife Vera 30, John 2, Patricia 10 months. [Graniteville, Fourth Street]
- 1940 Grafton, Worcester, MA: Isabelle Peterson 39 winder/cotton tex, William 18 new worker, Dorothy 11, James 9, Jane 6, Raymond 5. [27 Railroad Court]
- 1940 Southington, Hartford, Connecticut: Donald Peterson 12 lodger.
- 1940 East Windsor, Hartford, CT: Laurence Peterson 15. [Hartford County Temporary Home for Children]
- 1940 West Hartford, Hartford, CT: Richard Rapport 37 chemist, wife Sylvia 38 bank counter/state, servant Loretta Peterson 19.
- 1940 Hartford, Hartford, CT: Hugh Sherriffs 43 (Scot) machinist/factory, wife Anna 29, lodger Arthur Peterson 17 plumber/contract.
- 1940: cannot locate Henry Adam Peterson 15, & Barbara M. Peterson 10.
- 1950 Grafton, Worcester, MA: Isabelle S. Peterson 48 (sep) laborer/textile mill, Henry A. 24 weaver/textile mill, Jane M. 16, Raymond R. 15.
- 1950 Bridgeport, Fairfield CT: Vera N. Donovan 40 (sep.), Carol 10, Gail 8.
- 1950 Dracut, Middlesex, MA: John Nowak 67, wife Catherine 69, son Edward F. 41, wife Anna M. 37, nephew John L. Donavan 12.
- 1950: cannot locate William Lawrence Peterson 50, Donald Robert Peterson 13, Barbara Peterson 20, & James Peterson 18.
Notes for Isabelle Seymour:
Obituary: Worcester Telegram & Gazette (MA), Thursday, 16 March 1989: Mrs Isabelle S Peterson, 88. Grafton - Isabelle S. (Seymour) Peterson, 88, of 3 Railroad Court, South Grafton, died yesterday in Worcester Memorial Hospital. Mrs. Peterson was a member of St. James Church in South Grafton. She leaves seven sons, William G. Peterson of Burlington, Conn., Arthur J. Peterson of Holland, Andrew L. Peterson of Morgan Hills, Calif., Henry A. Peterson of Whitinsville, Robert D. Peterson of Santa Clara, Calif., James B. Peterson of New York City and Raymond R. Peterson of Westboro; three daughters, Dorothy R. Farrell of South Grafton, Barbara M. Noel of Port Richie, Fla., and Jane M. Cronin of Palm Bay, Fla.; a brother, Leonard Seymour of East Hampton; 35 grandchildren; 50 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. A daughter, Loretta F. Kimmel, died in 1987. She was born in Winooski, Vt., daughter of George and Elma (St. Andre) Seymour, and had lived in South Grafton 55 years. The funeral will be held tomorrow from Turgeon Funeral Home, 64 Main St., Millbury, with a Mass at 11 a.m. in St. James Church, Main Street, South Grafton. Burial will be in Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester. There are no calling hours. The family requests that flowers be omitted. Memorial contributions may be made instead to the Mustard Seed, 93 Piedmont St., Worcester.
Notes for Vera Nowak:
Obituary: Connecticut Post (Bridgeport, CT), Sunday, 13 May 2007: McAuley - Vera C. McAuley, age 97 of Stratford, died on Wednesday, May 9, 2007 at Lord Chamberlain Convalescent and Rehabilitation Center. She was the widow of Norman McAuley. She was born in Lowell, Mass. to the late John and Katrina Nowak. Mrs. McAuley retired from Sikorsky Aircraft where she had been employed for more than 30 years in the blueprint department. She is survived by three beloved children, Patricia Mann of Oxford, Gail DelFranco of Stratford and John Donovan of Washington; seven grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Friends may call on Monday from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Pistey Funeral Home, Stratford. Interment and funeral services will be private in Lowell, Mass.
Notes for Agnes Hael :
Obituary: South Florida Sun Sentinal (Fort Lauderdale, FL), Thursday, 31 October 1985: Donovan - Agnes H., 79, of Deerfield Beach, died Tuesday. She had resided here the past 24 years and was formerly from Granby, CT. She is survived by a son, Robert Southworth, Tavernier, FL; daughter, Alberta Denton, Lantana, FL; mother, Alma Larson, Deerfield Beach; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Friends may call at the Kraeer Deerfield Beach Funeral Home, from 5 to 7 PM, Friday. The funeral service will be 6 PM, Friday at the funeral home. Interment will be in Rocky Hill, CT.
Tombstone Inscription, Rose Hill Memorial Park, Rocky Hill, CT: Agnes H. Donovan / 1905 - 1985
Obituaries for the children:
Loretta F. Peterson: Providence Journal (RI), Thursday, 2 July 1987: Loretta F. Kimmel, 66, of 23 Old Post Rd. died yesterday at South County Hospital. She was the wife of William E. Kimmel. Born in Windsor, Conn., a daughter of Isabelle (Seymour) Peterson of Grafton, Mass., and the late William Peterson, she lived in South County for nine years. Besides her husband and mother she leaves two sons, William E. Kimmel Jr. of Westerly and Steven F. Kimmel of Houston, Tex.; a daughter, Lynn Kimmel-Anderson of South Kingstown; seven brothers, William G. Peterson of Burlington, Conn., Lawrence Peterson of San Jose, Calif., Donald Peterson of Sunnyvale, Calif., Arthur Peterson of Southbridge, Mass., Henry Peterson of Whitinsville, Mass., Raymond Peterson of Worcester and James Peterson of Grafton; three sisters, Barbara Noel of Easthampton, Mass., Dorothy Farrell of Grafton, Jane Cronin of Melbourne, Fla., and six grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held tomorrow at 10 a.m. at St. Francis Church, High Street, South Kingstown. Burial will be in the Rhode Island Veterans Cemetery, Exeter.
William George Peterson: Hartford Courant (Hartford, CT), Sunday, 6 December 1998: William George Peterson, 76, of Burlington, died Thursday (Dec. 3, 1998) at home after a long illness. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, June (Lofgren) Elizabeth Peterson; four children, Susan, William, Jan and Keith and nine grandchildren. Born Jan. 9, 1922, in Easthampton, MA, he was the son of Isabelle and William Peterson and brother to Loretta, Arthur, Lawrence, Donald, Henry, James, Raymond Dorothy, Barbara and Jane. He was a World War II veteran who served aboard the USS Princeton in the Phillipines during the battle of Leyte Gulf. He worked as a wood pattern maker for Terry Steam and Turbine for over 20 years. A memorial service will be celebrated Monday, Dec. 7, 3 p.m., at the Burlington Congregational Church, Route 4, Burlington.
Tombstone Inscription, Burlington Center Cemetery, Burlington, CT: PETERSON / 1922 William G. 1998 / 1922 June E. (blank)
Arthur Joseph Peterson: Worcester Telegram & Gazette (MA), Tuesday, 5 September 2006: Gardner, MA. Peterson, Arthur J., 83. There are no calling hours; funeral service 11 a.m. Thursday, September 07, 2006, the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Winchendon. Died Thursday, August 31, 2006. Funeral Home: The John H. Mack Funeral Home, 91 Vernon Street, Gardner, MA.
Tombstone Inscription, Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Winchendon, MA: Arthur J. / Peterson / PVT / US Army / World War II / Dec. 23, 1922 / Aug. 31, 2006 / Silver Star
Henry Adam Peterson: Roney Funeral Home (MA): November 25, 1925 - June 2, 2024 Grafton - Henry A. “Hank” Peterson, 98, passed away peacefully June 2, 2024. His wife Eileen (Murphy) Peterson predeceased him. He leaves his son Michael Peterson and his wife Donna, his sister Jane Cronin, his grandchildren Brian Carter, Kelly Segal, and Timothy and Erin Peterson, his great-grandchildren Zachary and Steven Carter, Finn Johnson and Ava Peterson, his stepbrother John Donovan and many nieces and nephews. He was also predeceased by 10 siblings. Hank was born in Hinsdale, NH and his roots were in Grafton where he lived for most of his life. He was a proud World War II veteran serving as a Gunners Mate in the United States Navy aboard the USS Tabitha Brown, a Liberty troop transport ship. Hank worked as an HVAC Engineer for many years before retiring from that role from UMass Memorial in Worcester. Following his military service he returned to Grafton where he played baseball for the Polish Tigers in South Grafton and softball in Auburn with the Pinehurst Cafe team. One of his true joys throughout his life was playing golf and he was a long time member of Whitinsville Country Club. All are welcome to gather with Hank’s family and friends Friday June 7th from 10-11am at Roney Funeral Home, N. Grafton, MA followed by the celebration of his Funeral Mass at 11:30 at St. James Church, S. Grafton, MA. He will then be laid to rest with military honors at Fairview Cemetery in South Grafton.
Tombstone Inscription, Fairview Cemetery, Grafton, MA: Henry A. Peterson / Nov. 25, 1925 - (blank) / his wife / Eileen M. Murphy / Apr. 16, 1929 - Dec. 26, 2014
Ruth Genevieve 'Dot' Peterson: Ruth G. (Peterson, Langlois) Farrell, also known as Dot, was the daughter of William and Isabelle (Seymour) Peterson. Her husband, Francis B. Farrell passed in 1990. She was predeceased by one son, James F. Farrell, one step-daughter, Diane Rozell, one step-son, Michael Farrell, one sister, Loretta Kimell, five brothers, Arthur, James, William, Raymond and Lawrence Peterson. She was born and grew up in Hartford Ct. Ruth was an avid fiction reader, played the organ, and made and dressed dolls as hobbies. She was a great hostess and cook and loved the holidays. Ruth and Francis owned a home in South Grafton, Ma. where they lived throughout their marriage. After Francis died Dot moved to Worcester, Ma. where she spent her final days.
Tombstone Inscription, Fairview Cemetery, Grafton, MA: Farrell / (reverse) Francis B. Farrell / 1924 - 1990 / his wife / R. Dorothy Peterson / 1929 - 2010 / beloved son / James F. Farrell / 1969 - 2005
Raymond Randall Peterson: Tombstone Inscription, National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, Phoenix, AZ: Raymond R. Peterson / SK3 US Navy / Korea / Nov. 9, 1934 - Mar. 8, 1998
John Lawrence Donovan: Tombstone Inscription, Washington State Veterans Cemetery, Medical Lake, WA: Judith / Marie / Donovan / Feb 22, 1946 / Oct 3, 2019 / beloved wife of / John L. / MSGT USAF / may we meet / again in heaven
Patricia Carole Donavan: Connecticut Post (Bridgeport, CT), Thursday, 24 August 2023: Patricia Carole Mann, age 84, of Stratford, died on August 16, 2023. Carole's brother, John Donovan, sister, Gail Delfranco, son, Daniel Mann, and stepsons, Kendal and Pete Mann, survive and cherish her memory; along with generations of cousins, nieces, and grandchildren. A memorial visitation will be held in Carole's honor on Friday, the 25th of August, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. at the Pistey Funeral Home, Stratford, Connecticut. Those who had the privilege of knowing Carole are invited to reminiscence, grieve, and celebrate her radiant spirit. We encourage you to share your favorite memories and cherished moments with Carole on her memorial page. Your stories and uploaded photographs will serve as a comforting testament to her full and vibrant life. Let's remember Carole with love, laughter, and the joy she brought into our lives.
* Some of the above research provided by John Donovan & Richard Lambert.
Back one generation to parents of William Lawrence Peterson
Items in RED have been verified against parish register entries.
- New York birth/marriage/death items in RED have come from newspaper obituaries, some marriage announcements, and occasional birth announcements.
Last updated: 14 July 2024.