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 last Will and Testament of Deacon Thomas Perkins senior. In the name of God Amen. I Thomas Perkins senior, of Topfield, living iu the county of Essex in New England, being weak in body but perfect in understanding, do commit my soul unto the hands of God and Jesus Christ, my blessed Redeemer, hoping in and through his merits to receive a blessed resurrection:

do dispose of my estate as followeth.—My Will and desire Is that my Wife might dwell in my house along with my sons, either with Thomas or Timothy, if they can possibly agree, for I do think it will be best for them to carry on together: and if they cannot agree together, then I give to my wife, Phebe Perkins, six pounds a year, to be paid her by my two sons Thomas and Timothy, so long as they keep together, and when they part then Thomas and Timothy and Elisha is to pay, each of them, forty shillings a year to her for her maintenance so long as she continues a widow. And I also give my wife, Phebe Perkins, two cows which shall be kept by the charge of the Executors for their mother's use so long as she is a widow. And I do also give to my wife, Phebe Perkins, a bed and all furniture thereuuto belonging, aud half the household stuff, to her and to be at her dispose.

I do give to my three sous, namely, Thomas, Elisha, and Timothy all the farm I do live on, to them and their male heirs together. I do give to my son Ellsha the norwest end of my farm, bounded within two rods of the west and north side of the spring that is by my son Ellsha's field, and the line to run from two rods of that spring, foremcutioned, upon a N. E. point, till it comes to my brother Reddington's land, and so two rods from the forementioned spring, his bounds is to run upon a S. W. Point till it comes to Jacob Towne Senior, his land.

And I do give to my sons, Thomas and Timothy, all the rest of my farm, forementioned, to be equally divided between them except the meadow: And I do also give to my son Thomas two acres of meadow lying beyond the clay pits, next Mr. Bradstreet's hill. And I do give to my son Zaceheus four acres of Meadow, out of my aforementioned farm, his lifetime, and if he hath a son it shall be his sous. And alll the rest of my Meadow I do give to my three sons namely Thomas, Elisha and Timothy.

My thirty acre lot lying over the river I do also give to my grandchild, Thomas Perkins, my son Johns son, or thirty pounds if he live til till he marryeth or be of age. And Thomas and Timothy mid Ellsha is to pay him this Thirty pounds or the forementioned lot.

And I give to my son Zaccheus the farm which he liveth upon, which I had of my father, Gould, to be his and his male heirs forever, provided he pays sixty pounds to the Executors or their assigns, and if he will not pay, then he shall have but half of It.

I do also give to my daughters children forty pounds to be equally divided among them.—I do also give to my son, Joseph Towne, sixteen acres of land lying by Serg. Jacob (Towne's) laud at the northwest end of the Long Hill, and sixteen pounds more which Is to be paid him by the Executors.

I do also give to my daughter, Judith, forty pounds and a bed and all furniture belonging thereunto, and one Cow.

I do further give to my son Thomas all the housing after the death of his mother. And while she liveth a widow she is to have use of a room, which she pleases. And If Thomas and Timothy can not agree to live together in those housing which are already built, then Thomas shall pay to his brother Timothy three parts of four toward the building of Timothy an house of the same bigness as his brother Elisha's House. I also give to my son Timothy all my cattle except my two steers coming three, which the said steers I give to my son Elisha, only my son Elisha shall give to his brother Timothy one of his oxen when he puts them off for fatting.

And I also will and give to my wife Phebe Perkins the old white mare for use. And I also give to my son Timothy the young mare and colt, only his mother shall have the use of her If she stands in need of her. And my will is that all the sheep that I have shall be divided betwixt my wife and Timothy, and Timothy shall keep them, and when his mother marrieth or dies, then Timothy shall have them all.

I also give to my son Elisha's son Thomas one calf.—I do also give to my son Timothy and his mother all the swine for their provision for the year ensuing the date hereof.

My will Is, If it may be, that Thomas and Timothy carry on the farm together, one to have half the improved hind and one the other half, and likewise pastures without dividing, and orchards; and when Thomas and Timothy part then my will is that one quarter of the income of the orchard shall bo my son Elisha's. Also my will is thut my cart and ploughs and chains shall be for Thomas and Timothy's use for the carrying on of tha farm.

And I do ordain and constitute my sons Thomas and Timothy, to be my lawful executors, for to receive all debts and to pay all debts. And my will is that my wife shall have her salary every year duly paid her, but the rest are not to have all their pay till four or live years be expired.

Date, the eleventh day of December, in the year of our Lord God one thousand six hundred and eighty and five.

Witness. Sam. Howlett. Danl. Reddington.
Proved before the pres'dt
Boston 10 Sepf. 1686.
Attest Daniel Allin Cler. H. M. Willis Reg.

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

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

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

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

7 (20) Martha, b. about 1649; m. John Lamson Dec. 17, 1669; d. after 1728. [Their daughter, Phebe, married Theophilus Fiske.]

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

9 (22) Elisha, 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, b. about 1659; m. Sarah Wallis Juue 1, 1683; d. 1719. [Thomas and Sarah's daughter, Hannah Perkins, married David Balch. His second wife was Esther Dwinnell, daughter of Thomas Dwinnell and Abigail Perkins.]

12 (25) Timothy, b. June fi, 1661; m. 1st, Hannah; 2nd, Abigail; 3d, Ruth Dorman. [Timothy and Abigail's daughter, Abigail Perkins, married Thomas Dwinnell]

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