Person:Andrew Pengry (3)

BIOGRAPHY: A Genealogical Record of The Descendants Moses Pengry of Ipswich, Mass., By William M. Pingry Ludlow, Vt. Warner & Hyde, Book and Job Printers, 1881 Page 151 Andrew Pingree was born in Rowley,Mass., Feb. 17, 1775. Died March 25, 1846. In early manhood he followed the boot and shoe manufacturing business in some town not far from the place of his birth and was foreman of quite a large amount of business. He was leader of a choir in an orthodox church where he lived, delighting very much in not only vocal but instrumental music. He was not a bigot in his religious views, but in early life was inclined to think there must be a hell for the desperately wicked. Was not a very regular attendant at church, but spent his Sundays at home, reading his Bible and singing, resting from all the usual labors of the week. One year, within my recollection, (perhaps rather as a joke, as he seldom attended church.) he was elected Tithingman, and attended at the post of duty every Sunday during the year. Never before were the unruly boys so strictly subjected to the rule of New England "blue laws." Once, only, in the course of his official term and duty did a smile break the dignity of his conuntenance. An unruly boy, full of fun and the devil, seating himself in church beside his dignity, pulled a large knife and a plug of tobacco from his pocket and politely offered them to the peace officer of the day, who never used the poison. The act was done so deliberately and with such apparent kindness, that the courtesy was acknowledged with an "unwilling smile!"

  He married Abiah Straw of Weare, N.H.., about the year 1802, lived in Weare, Springfield, Grantham, and Meriden in Plainfield, N. H.. Removed to Kane Co., Illinois, in October, 1838, with his family. The place is now called Pingree Grove. Farming was mainly his business here. He was industrious, economical, temperate and strictly honest. Was a democrat all his life and died a Universalist, the 25th of March, 1846; was buried at Udina, near his home, aged 79.