An American Family History

Deacon Thomas Perkins8, the second son and second child of John, sen., and Judith Perkins, was born in England (probably in the town of Newent, in Gloucestershire) in 1616, and, with his parents and their entire family of four children beside himself, came to Boston in 1631. The family removed from Boston to Ipswich in 1633. He resided there only a few years, during which time he had received a grant of land in Ipswich from the colony; this he shortly alter sold to his brother John and others, and removed to "New Meadows" or what is now the town of Topsfield, where he engaged in farming.

He married Phebe Gould about 1640. She was the oldest child of Zaccheus and Phebe Gould of Topsfield. She, like her husband, was born in England; her baptism is recorded at Hemel Hempstead, Sept. 27, 1620, and it is probable that her birth was only a few days before this date, as it was the custom of that time to baptize children within a week or two of the time of their birth.

At the time of the marriage of Thomas Perkins with Phebe Gould, her father gave them, by "deed of gift," a farm of 150 acres of land in the central part of Topsfield upon which be probably resided until July 6, 1660, when he purchased a farm of Richard Swain containing 227 acres, "more or less," and upon this farm it is probable he spent the last days of his life. This farm was bounded on the west by the land of Zaccheus Gould, his father-in-law. Other bounds fix this farm as being mostly to the eastward of the road now leading from Topsfield to Wenham and upon Ipswich river; upon a road passing through this farm many of his descendants have resided and do so to this day; old bricks are ploughed up upon the spot where his house is believed to have stood.

Thomas Perkins was a farmer during the whole of his life ; he certainly had the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens who elected him to fill many honorable positions in the church and town.

He was chosen to be one of the selectmen of the town in 1656 and was also one of the "tything men" in 1677.

He was chosen Deacon of the Church in Topsfield about 1677 (the date of this choice is not exactly ascertained); after this he was known as "Deacon Thomas Perkins" upon the records of the town. He died in the year 1686.

We give a copy of his will, which was found in the probate office of Suffolk County, where it was recorded by order of Sir Edmund Andros.

The children of Dea. Thomas Perkins' and Phebe (Gould) Perkins were:

4 (17)John [Perkins], b. 1641; m. Deborah Browning Nov. 28, 1666; d. May 19, 1668.

5 (18) Phebe [Perkins], b. ab. 1644; m. Joseph Towne 1665; d. after 1680.

6 (19) Zaccheus [Perkins], b. about 1647; m. Rebecca about 1704; d. Dec, 1732.

7 (20) Martha [Perkins], b. about 1649; m. John Lamson Dec. 17, 1669; d. after 1728.

8 (21) Mary [Perkins], b. ab. 1651; m. Wm. Howlett, Oct. 27,1671; d. 1728. [Mary and William raised Captain Joseph Cummings.]

9 (22) Elisha [Perkins], b. about 1656; m. 1st, Catherine Towne [daughter of Jacob Towne] Feb. 23, 1680; 2nd, Wid. Elizabeth (Knight) Towne.

10 (23) Judith, b. 28 Jan., 1658; unmarried; d. before 1719.

11 (24) Thomas [Perkins], b. about 1659; m. Sarah Wallis Juue 1, 1683; d. 1719.

12 (25) Timothy [Perkins], b. June 6, 1661; m. 1st, Hannah; 2nd, Abigail; 3d, Ruth Dorman.

Timothy (Thomas1, John1) was born in Topsfield, Mass., June 6, 1661. He married, first, Hannah , about 1688-9. She died about 1693. He married, second, Abigail , about 1694. She died about 1710-11. He married, third, Ruth Dorman about 1712. The dates of the several marriages of Timothy Perkins are very unreliable, as the early records are exceeding defective; we only base a conjecture upon the mention of the births of their children. In the last will of Ephraim Dorman of Topsfield, he mentions the fact that his daughter, Ruth, had married Timothy Perkins, and was then dead, leaving a daughter, Ruth, to whom he gives "Ten pounds if she live to the age of eighteen years." This will was signed in July, 1720. He died Dec. 18, 1751.

He was a farmer and received a portion of the farm of his father, as will be seen from his will.

The children of wife Hannah were:
32 Timothy, bapt. July 6, 1690.
33 Hannah,
34 Jonathan [Perkins], bapt. Jan. 29, 1692-3; d. Jane 2, 1749.

Children of wife Abigail were:
35 Abigail, b. June 7, 1695.
36 Hannah, b. Jan. 21, 1697-8.
37 John [Perkins], b. June 2, 1700.
38 Ester, b. July 22, 1703.
39 Elisabeth, bapt. Jan. 7, 1709-10; d. Dec. 8, 1710.

Child of Ruth [Dorman] was:
40 Ruth, bapt. Aug. 29, 1714.

Thomas Perkins, son of Deacon Thomas Perkins, was born in Topsfield, about 1659. He and his brother Timothy inherited the farm, which they cultivated together until they separated in 1718. He was one of the jurors on the Salem witchcraft cases, and expressed his regrets with others who had been carried away by the delusion over his participation in the shedding of innocent blood. (See Upham's "Witchcraft"). He was a weaver by trade.

He married, June 1, 1683, Sarah Wallis. Children:
1. Sarah, born January 20, 1684-5; married William Makittrick, January 28, 1722-3.
2. Thomas, baptized December 9, 1688.
3. Hannah, baptized March 12, 1692: married David Balch.
4. Martha, born June 29, 1695.
5. Robert, born February 28, 1697; mentioned below.
6. Samuel, born November 22, 1699; married Margaret Towne.

John [Perkins] (Elishia3, Thomas3, John1,) was born in Topsfield, Mass., August 12, 1685. He married Mary Easty, Sept. 10, 1713. She was the daughter of Isaac and Abigail (Kimball) Easty. He died June 22, 1750.

"John Perkins, house carpenter, and Joseph Perkins, husbandman, of Topsfield, sell one third part of the estate of their father, Elisha Perkins, late deceased, to their brother Jacob." Joseph Perkins had died when the deed was acknowledged, March 26, 1751.

Children of John and Mary (Easty) Perkins were:
73 Elisha, b. Dec. 21, 17 14. Lucy Tarbox.
74 Isaac, b. Sept. 17, 1717; m Elizabeth Perkins
75 John, b. Feb. 10, 1719-20.
76 Thomas, b. Jan. 26, 1723-4.
77 Moses [Perkins], b. Dec. 17, 1732.

Robert Perkins, son of Robert Perkins, born Topsfield, January 16, 1727-28, died November 10, 1801. He was in the revolution, in Captain Stephen Perkins' company and answered the Lexington alarm, April 19, 1775.

He married, probably in Ipswich, the intentions being published September 30, 1750, Hannah Cummings, of Ipswich, born 1725. died July 12, 1802. Children:
1. Ruth, born October 1, 1753; married, 1744, John Gould, 3rd.
2. Hannah, born May 17, 1755, died November 16, 1802.
3. Lydia, born August 6, 1757, died February 27, 1830.
4. Robert, born May 29, 1760; mentioned below.
5. Asa, born June 15, 1762; married Hannah Johnson.
6. Mehitable, born November 14, 1767, died December 28, 1818.