Faneuil, PETER

Faneuil, PETER, a merchant in Boston, U.S., was born of a Huguenot family at New Rochelle, N.Y., in 1700, and died in 1743. His name is remembered from his having built the Faneuil Hall in Boston at his own cost (1742), and presented it to the town. Originally the building contained a hall for public meetings, with lesser apartments above, and a basement used as a market. In 1761 it was destroyed by fire, and rebuilt. During the revolutionary struggle with England the hall was so often used for important political meetings that it became known as 'the cradle of American liberty.' In 1805 the building was increased in height by an additional story, and also increased in width.