Person:Peter Cassanet (1)

Peter Cassanet was born on 29th March 1795, son of Peter Vincent Cassanet, a teacher of mathematics and Ann Dean. Peter was baptised when he was three years old alongside a younger sister in the parish of St Giles Cripplegate in the City of London. Peter's father was a Frenchman who had moved to England around the time of the French Revolution. He was reputedly from a wealthy or possibly noble family in France prior to the revolution. However, whilst Peter was young it seems likely that the family would have lived modestly in London and nearby Bethnal Green, where some of his younger siblings were born. Peter's parents did not actually marry until he was four years old.

On 5th March 1816, aged 20, Peter married Mary Ann Mackay at Stepney. They had a daughter, Mary Ann, in 1818, whose baptism records the family as living on James Street, Bethnal Green, and described Peter as being a victualler. She was followed by a son, Peter Vincent, in 1821, whose baptism records the family living on Paradise Row, Bethnal Green, and described Peter as being a brewer's clerk.

In 1828, Peter, Mary and their son Peter all sailed from Liverpool to New York, arriving there on 22nd September 1828. Their elder daughter Mary was left behind in London, presumably staying with family. Peter and his wife Mary have yet to be traced after their arrival in New York.

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 Church of England. St. Giles Cripplegate Church (London). Parish registers of St. Giles Cripplegate Church (London), 1559-1936. (London: London Metropolitan Archives).

   Christenings in November 1798 / Peter S[on] Peter Cassanet Teach[e]r Mathem[ati]cs & Ann / Born March 29/95 / Bap[tise]d November 4

2.   New York, Passenger and Crew Lists (including Castle Garden and Ellis Island), 1820-1957 (National Archives and Records Administration).

   Ship: Lima
   Arriving 22 Sep 1828 at New York from Liverpool
   Passengers including:
   Peter Cassant, 32 [1795/6], Mason
   Mary Cassant, 30 [1797/8]
   Peter Cassant j[unior], 6 [1821/2]
   All three described as belonging to Great Britain but intending to become inhabitants of the United States.