While the Pettengill name may not be known as well as many we mention, it is connected to both prominence and importance as part of Silverbrook’s legacies passed on to us.

Moses Pettengill was described within the family lineage; The Pettengill Family of Salisbury, N.H. on www.rootsweb.ancestry.com; as "...the most intelligent and scholarly of the family, married twice and both times happily. He spent the most active portion of his life at Niles, Michigan, but finally, like his brother Reuben, he sought the genial climate of California, at Auburn, where he d. (died) Feb. 3, 1884. What he saw in his extended and frequent journeys he wrote up for the press, and his articles were read with profit and pleasure. Moses was as tolerant in spirit and genial in manner as he was thoughtful and cultivated. He left a widow and two married daughters, Mrs. Coolidge, of Niles, Michigan, and Mrs. Hoppin, of Woodland, Calif., both of whom are very lovely and accomplished women."

The Pettengill family "emigrated from Yorkshire, England, purchasing a large tract of land in what is now Newburyport, Mass., in 1640. A portion of this land remained in the family until 1875, when it passed into the hands of the gold speculators. From this land considerable of the precious metal has been taken. The family in all its branches has been enterprising, hospitable, given to social enjoyment, moral and conscientious, positive in their opinions, faithful in their engagements, and universally respected."

Brothers and sisters who settled in Salisbury included Captain James Pettengill, born November 1775, who married Hannah True in 1797 and together with their six children left Salisbury in 1816 when he was 41 to "the wilds of western New York" state.

Click here to read the full articles at the Niles Daily Star.

Pubished September 26th, 2009