Person:James Peterson (8)

The Sutton, Peterson, Abbott Saga Written and submitted by Gordon A. Sutton, 23084 Springcreek Road, Titusville, PA 16354

Sometime prior to 1800, three brothers; James, Abraham, and Thomas left Salem County, NJ and came to what is now Crawford Co., PA. All three young men used the surname Abbott, but only one of them, Thomas, kept the name throughout his lifetime. The other two, Abraham and James, reverted to their original surname of Sutton, James by 1810, and Abraham by 1820, as verified by both family legends and by Crawford County tax records as well as census information and other data. (Brown's History of Crawford County, PA, 1885, page 554)

John, another Sutton, came to Crawford County from NJ by wagon bringing his son, John, with him. Although more proof is needed, it seems highly likely that the elder John also used the surname Abbott as in the January term of court in Crawford County in 1802 (Appearance Docket 1:227 #91), four Abbott men are listed singly as plaintiffs in what appears to have been an effort on the part of several individuals to conduct a "land grab". The Abbotts are named as Edward (quite likely James Edward Sutton), John (quite likely the John Sutton mentioned previously), Thomas (quite likely Thomas Sutton), and Daniel (most likely Abraham Sutton as family legends and records state that he was known as either Daniel or Abraham).

At any rate, present day Geneva was originally known as "Sutton's Corners" (Brown's History of Crawford Co., PA, page 556). This was where John Sutton settled and remained throughout his lifetime, and it is quite obvious that he was closely tied with the 3 brothers first mentioned. This connection is indicated by variations in the family legend stemming from the various branches of the family, and by their dealings in proximity with each other. The relationship is quite likely either that of brother or first cousin.

Still another Sutton, James, came from NJ via Fayette Co., PA (Brown's History of Crawford Co., PA, page 554) and used the surname Peterson throughout his life. He built the first grist mill in the eastern portion of the county and his son, Ezra, the first saw-mill at Custard's Post Office or Glendale (Brown's History of Crawford Co., PA, pages 554, & 555). James married Elizabeth Abbit, daughter of Abdon Abbit Sr. of Salem Co., NJ, and was identified by earlier researchers as the son of Thomas Coates Sutton (AFN: KRQC-53, Ancestral File of the Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter Day Saints). That James Sutton and James Peterson were indeed one and the same is verified by family legend and by both his and his wife, Elizabeth's, wills wherein reference is made to Elizabeth's share of an estate in NJ (James: Will Book B: 13 and Elizabeth: Will Book B:178 Crawford County, PA Courthouse). Further verification is found in the will of Abdon Abbit Sr. (Salem Co., NJ, 1790, #1992Q) which is the estate in question.

Thomas Sutton (Salem Co., NJ, Deed Book SS:295, May 20,1836), Abraham Abbott (Salem Co. Deed Book SS:503, August 17, 1836), John Sutton and Elizabeth (Sutton) Parvin wife of Daniel (Salem Co. Deed Book R:485), and others are listed as heirs of John Abbott. Thomas and Abraham both made their marks indicating that they appeared in Salem Co. in person. This substantiates the family legend which states that the brothers returned to NJ later in life to finalize an inheritance. It appears that James, Abraham, and Thomas, at least, were grandsons of Thomas Coates Sutton via one of his sons who married an Abbit. Thomas seems the most likely to have been the father of the 3, but more hard evidence is needed since at least 3 of the sons of Thomas Coates Sutton married Abbots: James m. Elizabeth, daughter of Abdon Abbit Sr.; Jacob m. Mary, also Daughter of Abdon Sr.; Thomas m. Edith, apparently the daughter of Benjamin and Hannah Burroughs Abbot (See L.D.S. Ancestral file, Thomas Coates Sutton, AFN-KRQCL2).

Thomas Coates Sutton and his son were listed as Tories, but for whatever reason, at least James Sutton Peterson and Moses Sutton deserted the British Camp, James on June 25, 1778 and Moses in November of the same year. (Copied from files of earlier researchers). One son, Jacob died on June 26, 1778 as a Cpl. in the loyalist Army (also copied from earlier research) which raises the question, "Was he caught deserting with his brother, James, and executed as a result?" Jacob's widow, Mary, later m. as 2nd husband, Ephraim Garrison, apparently the brother of Rachael who was m. to Moses Sutton, Jacob Sutton's brother. Abdon Abbit Jr., brother-in-law of James and Jacob, deserted along with James and others. Abdon Jr. was sentenced to hang by the NJ authorities but was pardoned on condition that he leave the colony (Salem Co. In The Revolution by Frank H. Stewart). The Sutton boys property, along with others, was confiscated and sold by the State of NJ (Salem Co. In The Revolution, page 85). Moses, at least, was imprisoned for a year (Salem Co. In The Revolution, page 83).

Fresh from the trauma of the Revolutionary War period, at least some of the sons and/or grandsons of Thomas Coates Sutton changed their surname and attempted to re-establish themselves in the frontier wilderness area. The three brothers mentioned earlier were active in Crawford County, PA, and, in the case of James, other states as well. Thomas m. Mary (Polly) McFadden and left a numerous posterity. His cabin was the first polling place in Greenwood Township, Crawford Co. in 1829 (Crawford Co. History, page 552), and along with John Sutton, Thomas was among the first members of a Methodist congregation in Geneva, PA (Crawford Co. History, page 556). Abraham Sutton and wife Bersheba (Appearance Docket 6:201, #3 Crawford Co., PA) are named in a legal action ads William and Mary Taylor, while Abraham Sutton is listed as married to Catherine (Crawford Co. Census 1850). It is believed by this writer that Bersheba and Catherine are one and the same, as both family records and legend state that Abraham or Daniel m. Catherine Peterson, and no mention is made of another marriage. Earlier researchers listed Abraham as married to Rhoda, daughter of James and Elizabeth (Abbit) Sutton /Peterson (KRQC-S3 Ancestral File Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints). That this is in error becomes more probable in light of the information and sources previously quoted and the following information concerning, James Sutton Abbott Sutton.

Sometime before or around 1830, James left Crawford County and was eventually lost to the Crawford Co., PA portion of the family. Our Family Legend stated that "... one of the boys went west and did well, having a town named for him somewhere near the Canadian border, probably in or around present day Montana." Imagine the excitement when James was recently rediscovered via L.D.S. Ancestral File #AFNQ3CH-3N as married to Rhoda (no pedigree listed). This matches data in Crawford Co., PA, i.e., James Abbott is m. to Rhoda (Appearance Docket 2:99, #24), and James Sutton is m. to Rhoda (Deed Book N:295). A submitter of the James and Rhoda Sutton Ancestral File was contacted, and the writer is indebted to her for a wealth of material dealing especially with the children of James and Rhoda. She is descended from this line and reported that James and Rhoda migrated via Trumball Co., Ohio to Fulton Co., Illinois. [It is interesting to consider that two daughters of James and Elizabeth (Abbit) Sutton/Peterson married Thompsons. One of them migrated to Brown Co., Illinois, adjacent to Fulton Co., as did the family of the other daughter. (LDS Ancestral file KRQC-S3)] She also reported that all three of the daughters of James and Rhoda lived and died in Coos County, Oregon.

One of James and Rhoda's two sons lived and died in Franklin County, Kansas, while the other traversed the Oregon Trail and after a short stay in Oregon, lived and died in Columbia County, Washington.

The longevity of the descendants of James and Rhoda causes one to suspect that Rhoda was from the James and Elizabeth (Abbit) Sutton/ Peterson line as longevity was characteristic of both families. [An interesting side to the aspect of longevity is that so far no burial site has been identified for either Abraham or Catherine Sutton, but an "Old Mrs. Sutton" is buried in the Blooming Valley Cemetery in Crawford County, PA. If this burial is indeed that of Catherine, she would be about 102 years old (Census 1850 Crawford Co. lists birth date as 1780) as death was listed in cemetery records as occurring in 1882. This fits with our family legend that Abraham's wife lived to a "great age". This grave site is beside Abram Sutton Jr.] Earlier researchers working with the Peterson family files found a daughter of James and Elizabeth named Rhoda who was listed as married to a Sutton (no first name given). The places of death and/or burial sites of James and Rhoda Sutton are unknown to this writer.

It is interesting to note that near the area of Washington where James' son, Lott, died, there is a town of Sutton less than 160 miles, "as the crow flies", from the Canadian border, and roughly 60 miles from Idaho. The history of this town is as yet unknown to the author, but it makes the legend of, "... one of the boys went west..." seem plausible at this time, especially when coupled with the fact that the original "Washington Territory" included the present state of Washington, northern Idaho, and western Montana, and the fact that Lott, son of James and Rhoda died 2 months before Washington became a state in 1889.

Many questions remain unanswered and many points need firm verification. It is hoped that this report will fine its way to someone who can help verify (among other things):

1. Rhoda's pedigree.

2. Catherine/Bersheba's pedigree.

3. The death dates and burial sites of James and Rhoda.

4. The burial site of Abraham Sr., Catherine, and their son, Daniel Jr. (from whom I am descended). (Abraham d. 1855, Daniel d. 1849 at age 36 of blood poisoning.)

5. The death date of Catherine.

6. The pedigree of James & Abraham Sutton Abbott Sutton, Thomas Sutton Abbott, and John (Abbott?) Sutton of Crawford County, PA via NJ. Were they brothers of - Elizabeth Sutton Parvin? (Parvin Family Bible in possession of Cumberland Co., NJ History Society, Bridgeton, NJ, states that Elizabeth was the daughter of Thomas Sutton.)

7. The relationship of Abraham, James, Thomas, and others to John Abbit and Abdon Abbit Sr.

8. The pedigree and descendency of Thomas Coates Sutton.

The Daniel Jr. mentioned as part of "Hope #4" above was the writer's great grandfather. After his death, his widow, Angeline (Culver) Sutton, m. as 2nd wife, Henry Kelley and had four more children bringing her total to twelve. Therein lies another saga, and so it goes.

Family Sheet

HUSBAND

        Name: William Mcfadden Note
        Born: Abt 1776 at Pittsgrove Township, Salem County, New Jersey [2]
     Married: Abt 1793 at Greenwood Township, Crawford County, Pennsylvania
        Died: Abt 1861 at Greenwood Township, Crawford County, Pennsylvania [4]
      Father: James Sutton
      Mother: Elizabeth Abbott

WIFE

        Name: Sarah Votaw Note
        Born: February 24, 1774 at Loudoun County, Virginia [6]
        Died: July 21, 1852 at Greenwood Township, Crawford County, Pennsylvania [7]
      Father: Isaac Votaw
      Mother: Ann Hough Smith

CHILDREN

        Name: Isaac Peterson
        Born: 
        Died: 

        Name: John Votaw Peterson
        Born: 
        Died: 

        Name: Joseph Peterson
        Born: 
        Died: 

        Name: Mary (polly) Peterson
        Born: 
        Died: 

        Name: Sarah Peterson
        Born: 
        Died: 

        Name: Ann Peterson
        Born: 1803 at Crawford County, Pennsylvania
        Died: January 19, 1888 at Near Madison, Blue Lake, Blue Earth County, Minnesotta
     Husband: William Mcfadden

SOURCES 2). Columbiana Co., Ohio Pioneer Families, 3, p33 4). Columbiana Co., Ohio Pioneer Families, 3, p33 6). Columbiana Co., Ohio Pioneer Families, 3, p33 7). Columbiana Co., Ohio Pioneer Families, 3, p33 NOTES

1). bobspu.ged James Sutton changed his surname to Peterson. Source Columbiana Co., Ohio Pioneer Families, 3, p33

2). bobspu.ged Sarah was disowned in 1790 for bearing an llegitimate child, Johathan, who was later adopted by her parents as one of their own children. Source Columbiana Co., Ohio Pioneer Families, 3, p33