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Many early researchers claimed that John Perkins Sr. of Ipswich, the 9th generation grandson of Pierre deMorlaix (aka Peter Morley) was from Newent in Gloucestershire, England. Quite simply, this is not factual. Discovery of the Hillmorton Parish Records indicate his birth as 21 Dec 1583 and with his marriage and all the births of his children, except one born in Boston, recorded there, proves without doubt that he was from Hillmorton, Warwickshire, England. The births of cousins Abraham and Isaac can also be found in these early records of Hillmorton Parish.
John Perkins Sr. married Judith Gater, daughter of Michael and Isabel Bailey Gater, in 1608 at Hillmorton Hall, Hillmorton Parish, Warwickshire, England. They had three sons John Jr. (1609-1686), Thomas (1622-1686) and Jacob (1624-1700). In addition John and Judith had four daughters Ann (1617-?), Elizabeth (1611-1670), Mary (1615-1700) and Lydia (1632-1672). Unfortunately, contrary to today's standards, daughters were not carriers of the family name and therefore will be mentioned only for information purposes in this essay. One item must be clarified regarding Jacob. Many researchers following the Perkins family have come across "Sergeant Jacob Perkins". This is one in the same person as the military title of Sargent was first prefixed to the name of Jacob Perkins in 1664 when he was chosen sergeant of the military band of Ipswich, a title which he favored and bore forever after.
John Perkins Sr. left Bristol, England on Dec 1,1630 on the ship "Lyon", William Pierce, master, setting sail for Boston, in the Americas, taking with him his entire
family. At the time, consisting then of his wife and five children, daughter Ann having died at some point in England and Lydia later born in Boston.
Of historical note, Rev Roger Williams, afterward of famous divine, was a fellow
passenger.
Upon arrival in the Americas in Nantasket February 5,1631 John and his family spent the following two years in Boston. where the youngest child, Lydia was born. On May 18, 1631 John Perkins Sr. took the oath of freeman, admitting him to all the civil rights of the colony. He removed himself and his family in 1633 to the colony then newly founded by John Winthrop and others at Ipswich.
It was now that the sons of John Perkins spread out across the land. Jacob
(1624-1700) took a wife, Ellizabeth Whipple, daughter of Matthew Whipple and
Elizabeth Hawkins and produced five sons and 4 daughters. John Jr. (1614-1686) also took a wife, Elizabeth __________ and produced eight sons and one daughter. Thomas (1616-1686) also married, Phebe Gould, and they produced five sons and four daughters.
For the purpose of this essay, as one can plainly see, with 18 male offspring of John Perkins Sr. it would be impossible to record the genealogy trail for each of the original "three brothers". For those interested in this family, the proceeding is the factual historical recounting of the stories told from generation to generation of the "three brothers" referred to in many family stories and who,according to legend, began the Perkins family in the New World.
Included at the end of this work is a excellent list of not only research material used in the preparation of this piece but further works which will aide in identifying a
particular line.
Kinsmen of the name Perkins were amongst the many whom sailed aboard the armada of small sailing ships know as the "White Sails". Where John Perkins Sr. and family arrived in Boston in 1631 they were long considered the first Perkins family to arrive in North America. However, they were not necessarily the only branch to arrive, nor the first. Principle amongst the other settlers where the families of:
Rev. William Perkins of Topsfield, Mass. (Half brother of Edward of Conn.)
Isacc Perkins of Ispwich, Mass. (Cousin to John Sr. of Ipswich)
Abraham Perkins of Hampton, New Hampshire (Cousin to John Sr.)
Rufus Perkins of Chester, Vermont (descendant of John of Ipswich)
William Perkins of Dover, New Hampshire
Edward Perkins of New Haven, Connecticut (Half brother of William of Topsfield)
William Perkins of New Jersey
Thomas Perkins settling in 1642
Robert Perkins settling in Virginia in 1645
and Davy and Dinah Perkins settling in Virginia in 1651.
Of significant historical note is the fact that one Francis Perkins arrived and settled in Virginia in 1607, thirteen years before the "Mayflower".
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