Father: Timothy Perkins, Sr.
Mother: Miriam Sperry
Spouse: Mary Polly Pennington - b: ~1773 - CT
Child-1: Miriam A. - b: 29/Jul/1795 - Grayson Co., VA
d: 11/Apr/1851 - bur: Kincannon Cem., Hardin Co., TN
m: James Kincannon - 30/Nov/1815 - VA
2: Christopher
Lewis - m: Rosa Hale
3: David
Levi - b: 1798
m: Mildred (Millie) Nancy Hale - 8/Dec/1826 - Grayson Co., VA
4: Lighteral
or
Linnian - b: 1799
5: Morrison
- b: 1800 - Grayson Co., VA
6: Daniel
- b: 23/Apr/1801 - Grayson Co., VA
d: 21/Nov/1872 - Hardin Co., TN
7: Pamelia
8: Matilda
M. - b: 13/Aug/1810 - Grayson Co., VA
d: 10/Jul/1894 - Grayson Co., VA - bur: Roberts Cem., Grayson
Co., VA
m: Johnathon Roberts - 28/Jun/1829 - Grayson Co., VA
9: William
M. - b: 12/Sep/1815 - Grayson Co., VA
m: Lockey Ann Henderson
Biographical Details:
The given name of Aarod Perkins has been spelled variously as "Aarod", "Arad", "Arod", or even "Aris" and it is uncertain, which, if any, of these is actually correct. In any case, he was the son of Timothy, Sr., and Miriam Sperry Perkins and was born in Connecticut about 1769.1 Evidently, as a young child, he moved to North Carolina with his extended family and spent his childhood in Wilkes County. The name "Erard Pirkins" (i.e., Aarod Perkins) appeared in the 1793 Personal Property Tax List for Wythe County, Virginia, and indicated an assessment for one tithable, one horse, and no slaves. In addition, the list indicated that he was then resident in the part of Wythe County organized that same year as Grayson County. Accordingly, it would seem that Mary Polly Pennington and Aarod Perkins must have married about 1793 or 1794, probably in Grayson County; Virginia, however, neither the location nor the year have been definitively confirmed. Even so, on September 26, 1796, the Commonwealth of Virginia issued a land patent to Arod (i.e., Aarod) Perkins for two hundred and sixty-five acres lying on Wilson Creek in Grayson County.2 Concomitantly, the name of "Aron Purkins" appeared on the 1799 Land Tax List for Grayson County, for an assessment on two hundred and sixty-nine acres. The apparent four acre discrepancy is probably not significant and it is likely that the tax assessment was for this same parcel; hence, Aron Purkins can be safely identified as Aarod Perkins. The next year, i.e., 1800, Arod Perkins was assessed tax in Grayson County on one tithable and one horse. In 1805, Arad (i.e., Aarod) Perkins paid tax, again, on two hundred and sixty-five acres and on one tithable and one horse. In 1810 and 1813, he was assessed tax on one tithable and three horses and on one tithable and four horses, respectively. In addition, two subsequent land patents were also granted to Aarod Perkins in 1816 and 1823, respectively, for one hundred and two hundred acre parcels on Wilson Creek.3 Accordingly, it seems evident from the survey descriptions included with each of the three patents, that these parcels were likely all adjoining. Subsequently, "Arod Purkins" (i.e., Aarod Perkins) was assessed tax on two tithables and four horses in 1824. Of course, the additional tithable almost certainly corresponded to one of his older sons.Source Notes and Citations:The household of "Arad Purkins" (i.e., Aarod Perkins) was listed in the population schedule of the 1820 US Census for Grayson County, and included an older adult male of forty-five years of age or greater and an adult female of between twenty-six and forty five years of age. In addition, there were seven younger individuals, viz., five males and two females. Undoubtedly, the older man was Aarod himself. However, Ms. Eleanor Baker Reeves has stated that his wife, Polly Pennington Perkins, died about 1817. Moreover, if she had been born in 1773, as some researchers believe, she would have been older than forty-five in 1820 and since no female of that age was listed in the population schedule, this would seem to support to Ms. Reeves' assertion. Nevertheless, when the will of Aris (i.e., Aarod) Perkins was probated in Grayson County in January of 1828, his wife, Polly, was explicitly mentioned. Moreover, Polly Purkins (i.e., Perkins) was listed in the 1828 Personal Property Tax List for Grayson County and was assessed for one tithable and four horses. It seems very likely that this Polly Perkins was the recent widow of Aarod and, hence, she had not died ten years previously. In addition, she was also, perhaps, somewhat younger that has been thought. The remaining members of the household indicated by the census population schedule are in approximate accord with the known children of Aarod and Mary Pennington Perkins; however, considerable uncertainty remains in their exact identities and dates of birth, which makes any attempt at a detailed analysis unrewarding. Even so, the previously cited will named six children as heirs: David, Christopher L., William M., Matilda, Linnia M., Daniel, and Morrison. Ms. Reeves also names six children: Lewis, Matilda, Lighteral, Pamelia, Levi, and Morrison, presumably from family sources. She further states that there were three additional daughters that moved to Texas and whose names she did not know. One of these may be the Miriam A. Perkins attributed to Aarod and Polly Perkins by other researchers, but this is not certain. Obviously, substantial additional information will be required for any consistent resolution of these apparent inconsistencies. In any case, it is clear that Aarod Perkins died in Grayson County, probably in the winter of 1827. Of his children, only Maltida and Levi appear to have remained in Grayson County. The others evidently moved westward to Tennessee and, perhaps, Texas. Within this context, the death of Daniel Perkins, born in Grayson County, Virginia, father of Rev. Joseph B. Perkins of Alabama, and son of Arad and Polly Perkins, was reported in March 15 and April 19, 1873, issues of the Christian Advocate, a nineteenth century periodical published in Nashville by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. In addition, it was further indicated that Aarod Perkins had been a Methodist minister, presumably, in addition to having been a farmer.
1. Eleanor Baker Reeves, A Factual History of Early Ashe County, North Carolina -- Its People, Places and Events, privately published, P. O. B. 286, West Jefferson, NC; printed by Taylor Pub. Co., Dallas, TX, 1986: pg. 172.
"(4) Arod b c 1769 Connecticut m Miss Pennington d c 1817, Grayson Co Va. He had 9 children (1) Lewis m Rosa Hale and moved to Texas (2) Matilda m Johnathon Roberts and had a son Johnathon 91 living in 1932 in Flat Ridge Va (3) Lighteral (4) Pamelia (5) Levi b 1798 m Mildred Hall 12/8/1826 Grayson Vol 1 pg 45 and they had Rusfus m Elizabeth Bourne; John; Celia m Reese Hale; Betty m Lambath; Mabrey m Isaac Thomas; Polly m McLean (their da Nannie m Henry Copenhaver (6) Morrison, and 3 daughters names unknown who moved to Texas."
back to bio.2. Robert Brooke Esquire Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia to all to whom these Presents shall come Greeting Know ye that by Virtue of a Land Office Treasury Warrant Number sixteen thousand four hundred and sixty four, issued the tenth day of May one thousand seven hundred and eighty three, There is granted by the said Commonwealth unto Arod Perkins, Assignee of William Seruch, a certain tract or parcel of Land Containing two hundred and sixty five Acres by survey bearing date the twenty seventh day of October one thousand seven hundred and ninety four, Lying and being in the County of Grayson, on a branch of Wilsons Creek and bounded as followeth to Wit, Beginning at a white oak sapling on the bank of a branch North forty five degrees East one hundred and twelve poles crossing a branch to a chesnut tree on the bank of said branch North thirty degrees West one hundred and twenty one poles to two Spanish oaks North sixteen poles to a Locust sapling North twenty eight degrees West sixty two poles to two chesnut trees near a path South thirty degrees West fourteen poles to a stake and chesnut tree, South fifty five degrees West one hundred and sixty eight poles to a stake and white oak North seventy five degrees West twenty poles to a Spanish oak South ten degrees East one hundred and thirteen poles to a white oak on the top of a ridge South thirty degrees East one hundred and forty eight poles to a Spanish oak thence North forty one degrees East one hundred and sixteen poles to the beginning, with its appurtenances to have and to hold the said tract or parcel of Land with its appurtenances to the said Arod Perkins and his heirs forever In Witness whereof the said Robert Brooke Esquire Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia hath hereunto set his Hand and caused the lesser seal of the said Commonwealth to be Affixed at Richmond on the twenty sixth day of September In the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety six, and of the Commowealth the Twenty first. /s/ Robert Brooke (Land Office Grants, Bk. 35, pg. 659, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - Land Office Grants and Patents #101).)
back to bio.3a. Linah Mims Esqr Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia To all to whom these presents shall come Greeting: Know Ye, That in Conformity with a survey made the 1st day of July 1798, by virtue of an Exchange Warrant No 8, issued the 18th day of June 1783; There is granted by the said Commonwealth unto Arad Perkins, A certain tract or parcel of Land Containing one hundred acres, situate in the County of Grayson on Wilson's creek and bounded as followeth towit: Beginning at a white oak on the south Bank of the creek marked A; thence South thirty five degrees East twenty two poles to a mountain birch; East twenty four poles to a cucumber sapling, on the side of a hill near the creek; North seventeen degrees, East seven poles to a locust on a branch near the creek; North thirty five degrees, West twenty poles to a large stooping red oak on the bank of the creek; North two degrees West ninety poles up said branch to a large mountain birch in said branch between two fine springs; West seventy four poles, to a large white oak on the side of a hill, near the head of a branch; South sixty degrees, West seventy Eight poles to a large poplar on the South side of a hill; South eight degrees East fifty six poles to a white oak by a branch at the head of a swamp; South eighteen degrees West fifty poles crossing the creek to a sugar tree in a bottom at the foot of a hill, South sixty degrees East thirty poles to a sugar tree and double cucumber on the side of a hill; North seventy three degrees East eighty five poles; and thence North twelve degrees East thirty nine poles to the beginning;
To have and to hold the said Tract or parcel of Land with its appurtenances, to the said Arad Perkins and his heirs forever.
In Witness Whereof, the said Linah Mims, Esqr Lieut Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia hath hereunto set his hand, and caused the lesser seal of the said Commonwealth to be affixed at Richmond on the first day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixteen, and of the Commonwealth the forty first. /s/ Linah Mims (Land Office Grants, Bk. 66, pg. 60, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - Land Office Grants and Patents #132).)b. James Pleasants, Junr; Esqr, Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia: To all to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting: Know Ye, That in conformity with a Survey, made on the nineteenth day of May, 1817, by virtue of Land Office Treasury warrant No 9100 issued the 23rd of November, 1781 there is granted by the said Commonwealth, unto Arod Perkins A certain Tract or Parcel of Land, containing Two hundred acres, Situate in the County of Grayson on Wilson creek a branch of New river and bounded as followeth To Wit Beginning at a maple, chesnut and two spanish oak saplings on the bank of Wilson creek S 25º W 92 poles up said creek and crossing the same to a white oak on the side of a hill near a large branch N 47º W 40 poles crossing two branches to a white oak sapling on the side of a hill N 12º W 84 poles to a chesnut maple and ironwood on the South bank of the creek N 60º W 78 poles up the creek including the bottom on said creek to two sugar trees on the bank of said creek N 27º W 40 poles crossing the creek to a white oak on a stony point of a ridge N 5º E 126 poles to a large spanish oak in Aquilla Greers line and with a line of same Greer's Survey N 35º E 16 poles to a large chesnut tree thence leaving Greer's line S 8º E 58 poles crossing a road to a chesnut tree N 60º E 58 poles to a chesnut tree S 30º E 28 poles to a spanish oak S 50º E 66 poles to a spanish oak S 25º E 70 poles to a chesnut tree near a field and within sight of said Perkins' dwelling house S 7º W 98 poles to a white oak and ash sapling on the side of a hill and thence on a straight line along the side of said hill 100 poles to the beginning;---To have and to hold the said Tract or Parcel of Land, with its appurtenances, to the said Arod Perkins and his heirs forever.
In witness whereof, the said James Pleasants Jun. Esq. Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, hath hereunto set his Hand, and caused the lesser Seal of the said Commonwealth to be affixed, at Richmond, on the twenty fifth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty three and of the Commonwealth the Forty seventh /s/ James Pleasants Jr (Land Office Grants, Bk. 72, pg. 264, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - Land Office Grants and Patents #138).)
back to bio.
Additional Citations:
4. 1820 US Census Population Schedule for Grayson County, Virginia, National Archives, Washington DC: pg. 51, (microfilm roll - M33_131; img. 64).5. Wythe County Personal Property Tax List of 1793, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - Personal Property Tax Records #350). (Jeffrey Weaver (tr), New River Notes, www.newrivernotes.com/index.htm, 2015.)
6. Grayson County Land Tax List of 1799, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - Land Tax Records #122). (Jeffrey Weaver (tr), New River Notes, www.newrivernotes.com/index.htm, 2015.)
7. Grayson County Personal Property Tax List of 1800, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - Personal Property Tax Records #139). (Jeffrey Weaver (tr), New River Notes, www.newrivernotes.com/index.htm, 2015.)
8. Grayson County Land Tax List of 1805, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - Land Tax Records #122). (Jeffrey Weaver (tr), New River Notes, www.newrivernotes.com/index.htm, 2015.)
9. Grayson County Personal Property Tax List of 1805, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - Personal Property Tax Records #139). (Jeffrey Weaver (tr), New River Notes, www.newrivernotes.com/index.htm, 2015.)
10. Grayson County Personal Property Tax List of 1810, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - Personal Property Tax Records #139). (Jeffrey Weaver (tr), New River Notes, www.newrivernotes.com/index.htm, 2015.)
11. Grayson County Personal Property Tax List of 1813, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - Personal Property Tax Records #139). (Jeffrey Weaver (tr), New River Notes, www.newrivernotes.com/index.htm, 2015.)
12. Grayson County Personal Property Tax List of 1824, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - Personal Property Tax Records #139). (Jeffrey Weaver (tr), New River Notes, www.newrivernotes.com/index.htm, 2015.)
13. Grayson County Personal Property Tax List of 1828, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - Personal Property Tax Records #140). (Jeffrey Weaver (tr), New River Notes, www.newrivernotes.com/index.htm, 2015.)
14. Will Bk. 1, Grayson Co., VA, pg. unk., Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - City and County Records #9). ("Grayson County, Virginia Wills 1793-1849", Jeffrey Weaver (tr), New River Notes, www.newrivernotes.com/index.htm, 2015.)
15. obituary: Christian Advocate; Nashville, TN, Sat., Mar. 15 and Apr. 19, 1873. (Jonathan Kennon Thompson Smith, "Genealogical Abstracts from Reported Deaths, The Nashville Christian Advocate, 1861; 1872-1873", pgs. 71 & 75, privately published, 2000. (Laurel Baty (tr), Madison County TNGenWeb Archives, 2003.))
16. Kincannon Cemetery, Hardin County, Tennessee (www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=14323&CScn=Kincannon&CScntry=4&CSst=45&CScnty=2460&, continuously updated).
17. Roberts Cemetery, Grayson County, Virginia (www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=51883&CScn=Roberts&CScntry=4&CSst=48&CScnty=2840&, continuously updated).
18. Stephen C. Perkins, "Descendants of Timothy Perkins and Marian Sperry of New Haven, CT and Wilkes/Ashe Co., NC", freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~scperkins/tperkdesc.html, 2000.