Gilman, Peter, 1704-1788

Biography

Peter Gilman served as a mandamus councilor, that is, a lawyer who served mandatory orders of the colonial court of New Hampshire upon citizenry and businesses in New Hampshire.

"Brig. Gen. Peter Gilman m. 1st Mrs. Mary Gilman; 2nd Mrs. Dorothy Taylor, her 4th marriage, her last husband being Rev. Taylor, by whom she had Ann who m. Nicholas Gilman and became the mother of Gov. John Taylor Gilman and Nicholas, signer of the Constitution. Col. Peter m. 3rd the widow of Dr. Moses Prince, brother of the author of Prince's Chronology. Mrs. Prince brought with her 2 sons and a daughter who m. Rev. Chandler Robbins and had Hannah, who married Benjamin Ives Gilman. Col Peter Gilman was Speaker of the N.H. Assembly from 1759 to 1771 when he became a member of the Governor's Council. He attained the rank of Brigadier General and frequently entertained the representatives of the Crown, from whom he received many favors. His home was elaborately remodeled for this purpose and is one of Exeter's historic edifices. At the beginning of the Rev. he was under surveillance on account of his attachment to the Royalists. He was well advanced in years at the time and took no part in the war, holding the respect of the townsmen notwithstanding his loyalty to England. He had no male heirs."

Peter Gilman was born in Exeter, New Hampshire, in 1705, the son of John and Elizabeth (Coffin) Gilman.

He was a selectman in Exeter and a proprietor of the Gilmanton Exeter Branch church. He commanded a regiment at Crown Point in 1755 and went on to hold several public offices in Exeter, including selectman, speaker of the New Hampshire Assembly (1759-1771), member of the Royal Council (1772) and member of the Governor's Council (1771-1773). He was also a Brigadier General.

He died in Exeter, New Hampshire, in 1788.

Found in 4 Collections and/or Records: