Pellett

Francis A.

1765 – 1846

♦Verified

 

 

Francis A. Pellett is the first well-documented Pellett in our family line. Francis was born in 1765 in Moate, Egremont, St. Galway, Ireland.He is believed to be the son of George and Eleanor Pellett of Ireland. 

 

Religious Persecution

Despite Francis’  ties to Ireland, his ancestry may have been rooted in France.  According to a passage read from a family Bible at a reunion in 1900, Francis’ grandfather and grandmother were persecuted for their religion in France.  It stated “One was burnt on the spit and one on the gridiron. . .” while their son George was forced to watch.  He then supposedly got loose from the bounds that held him and fled to Ireland.  Others indicate George was actually born in Ireland.

 

Immigration

Francis immigrated to America in 1795.  Four years later he joined in marriage with Mary John, daughter of Abel and Mary (Fisher) John, at the Menallen MM (Quaker Meeting) in Adams County, Pennsylvania. .

 

In 1800, Francis and Mary were recorded with the Westland MM in Washington County, Pennsylvania.  During this time, the first of their  children was born.  By 1807,  the family was with the Middleton MM and four more children had been born.

 

In 1817, they were united with the Carmel MM, including 10 of their children.  It was after the move to Carmel MM that their last child was born.

 

Children

Francis and Mary’s children were:

  • Eleanor married Martin Kennedy.
  • Abel John
  • Mary Eleanor married George Kennedy.
  • Elizabeth married Edward Pyle Horn.
  • Nancy Elizabeth “Ann” married Nathan Borom.
  • Vincent
  • Rachel
  • Matilda
  • Joseph married Sarah Holloway.
  • Ann
  • Lorenzo Dow married Anna Randall.

Disowned & Reinstated

In 1826, Francis was disowned by the Society of Friends for “disunity” meaning that he had done something that the Quakers felt objectionable.  However, in 1829 he was reinstated.  Then in 1846, Francis, Mary, and Matilda were granted a certificate to move to the Honey Creek MM in Indiana. 

 

Francis died in Tippecanoe, Marshall, Indiana in October of that year.  Mary lived another 9 years dying in the same location.