PERIT, Pelatiah, merchant, born in Norwich, Connecticut, 23 June, 1785; died in New Haven, Connecticut, 8 March, 1864. He was graduated at Yale in 1802, taught for a year, and in 1809 settled in business in New York. He became a partner in a firm of shipping-merchants in 1817, in which he continued till 1863. He was president of the chamber of commerce in 1853-'63, and took an active part in the monetary affairs of that city. In June, 1857, in the contest between the two city police forces (see MATSELL, GEORGE W.), he was chosen a commissioner of police, and rendered important service in restoring the public security. Throughout his career he was a supporter of benevolent and educational institutions, and during the cholera epidemic of 1832 he nursed the sick and gave large sums to the sufferers.