History of the Henry Manor

Wesley Peters, son of Samuel and Mary Stevenson Peters and Elisabeth Ingman married 3 February 1825 in Fairfield County, Ohio.

1838 the family moved to a farm in Hocking Township, Fairfield County, Ohio 3 miles west of Lancaster on Cedar Hill Road (Range 19, Township 14, Section 4 consisting of 160 acres).

During the Civil War, when the Government appealed to farmers for army mules, Wesley Peters turned from farming to mule raising and supplied the Union Army with mules. He regularly had 40 to 60 head.

Circa 1869, Wesley Peters, now retired from farming built himself a Tuscan mansion on a 12 acre tract called "Hallelujah Heights," using the monies received from his sale of mules. From the upper windows of his home, it was possible to look directly into the main business street of Lancaster where General Sherman's birthplace, the Sherman House still stands.

A frustrated inventor, Peters created a central heating plant for his home.

Peters was one of the organizers of the Cedar Hill Turnpike Company which was one of the first efforts to take Hocking Township "out of the mud". One of the turnpike's tollgates stood on the corner of the Hallelujah Heights farm.

Wesley Peters was the uncle of Henry Beck Peters who was the son-in-law of Phillip Rising who owned the magnificent Greek Revival mansion on Main Hill in Lancaster known as the Reese-Peters House and now used by the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio.

The Peters home was eventually sold to the Henry family who lived in it for 75 years. Thus, the name Henry Manor was applied by the current owners, Kay and Wayne Williams. The home has been restored to its original splendor and furnished with beautiful antiques which exude its Victorian charm.

The Williams bring to Lancaster, Ohio over 30 years of culinary and catering experience. They are committed to providing the most distinguished events with personal care and artistic flair.

Have your next special event whether wedding, reception, shower, Sunday school party, tea, dinner party or corporate function the the Henry Manor.

Please note the Williams have a complete history of the Wesley Peters family - please contact them for further information.

Special Place for all your Special Occasions