Peters, Or Peter, Hugh, an English dissenting clergyman, born at Fowey, Cornwall, in 1599, executed in London, Oct. 16, 1660. He graduated at Trinity college, Cambridge, in 1622, took holy orders, and preached for some time with great success at the church of- St. Sepulchre in London; but having been committed to prison by Archbishop Laud for nonconformity, he removed on obtaining his release to Rotterdam, and in 1635 went to New England. On Dec. 21, 1636, he became pastor of the church in Salem, succeeding Roger Williams, whose doctrines he disclaimed and whose adherents he excommunicated. He took an active part in mercantile and civil affairs, suggested coasting and foreign voyages and the plan of the fisheries, and aided in reforming the town police. In March, 1638, he was appointed by the general court to assist in collecting and revising the colonial laws. In 1641 he was sent to England to procure an alteration in the laws of excise and trade. He joined the parliamentary party, became a preacher in the army, and in 1649 accompanied it to Ireland. In 1651 he was appointed by parliament one of the commissioners to amend the laws, and in 1654 he was made one of the "tryers" of ministers.

After the restoration he was committed to the tower and indicted for high treason as having been concerned in the death of the king. It was also alleged that he was one of the masked persons who stood upon the scaffold when Charles was beheaded. During his imprisonment he wrote several letters to his daughter, published as " A Dying Father's Last Legacy to an Only Child" (1717). His other published works consist of sermons and political treatises and " Good Work for a Good Magistrate" (1651). His preaching was rendered very popular among the multitude by the use of coarse but striking images. His private character has been the subject of much discussion. According to Dr. Palfrey, his name should be written Peter.