Peter (Abbott), b. by about 1632 ("Petter Abut" was granted land in Branford on 16 February 1652[/3?] [BranLR 1:169]); m. by an unknown date Elizabeth Evarts, daughter of John Evarts (his estate papers "named the four sons, and the child of their sister Elizabeth Abbott" [FOOF 1:193, citing an unknown source]); on 16 October 1667 he was hanged for murdering her and attempting to murder their child.
...As Peter Abbott grew toward adulthood it became apparent that he was “afflicted with a lunacy.” For that reason he was kept close to home, working in tandem with his father. Peter Abbott’s mental problem was not a bar to marriage however. A wife was found for him in the person of Elizabeth Everts of Guilford. Robert Abbott died in 1658 and Peter Abbott, as the eldest son, received a handsome inheritance. He used those proceeds to establish himself in a new home at Fairfield. It was there where he turned on his wife and child one night and slit their throats as they slept. Elizabeth Abbott died but the child recovered. Peter Abbott was sent to Hartford for trial and there he was capitally convicted. His mental derangement was not accepted as a mitigating factor. He was hanged at Hartford on October 16, 1667. One chronicler reports that “he died stupidly and sottishly.”
Probate.
He was executed for his crime 16 October 1667. Inventory was taken 9 August 1667. Administration was granted to John Knowles and John Sturges. The child Hannah was left to the care of Joshua Knowles. On 24 November 1685, one of the Administrators being deceased, John Sturges rendered account. He was ordered to deliver estate to Hannah Abbott, daughter and heir."
