Father: Timothy Perkins, Sr.
Mother: Miriam Sperry
Spouse: Joannah Stamper - b: 5/Nov/1781 or 11/May/1781
- NC
d: Jul/1861 - Grayson Co., VA
m: ~1801 - Grayson Co., VA
Child-1: Sarah (Sally) - b: 22/Feb/1802 - Grayson Co.,
VA
m: Stephen Anderson - 29/Dec/1825 - VA
m: George Swimpfield Anderson - 14/Apr/1836 - Hawkins Co., TN
2: Alexander
- b: 22/Nov/1803 - Grayson Co., VA
d: Sep/1881 - Grayson Co., VA
m: Malinda Wells - 12/Oct/1826 - Grayson Co., VA
3: Phebe
- b: 20/Aug/1805 - Grayson Co., VA
m: Reazon Plummer - 20/Jan/1831
4: Elijah
- b: 11/Jul/1807 - Grayson Co., VA
d: ~1833 - Grayson Co., VA
m: Elizabeth Linton - 23/Oct/1823 - Grayson Co., VA
5: Eli
W. - b: 9/Dec/1809 - Grayson Co., VA
d: ~1876 - Grayson Co., VA
m: Parzade Pugh - 28/Oct/1830 - Grayson Co., VA - m: Rhoda Clark
or
Leonard
m: Catherine Tucker - 5/Apr/1868 - Grayson Co., VA
6: Lucinda
- b: 17/Oct/1811 - Grayson Co., VA
d: 22/Apr/1843
m: Joseph Morgan Woods - 22/Aug/1833 - Grayson Co., VA
7: Adah
- b: ~1814 - Grayson Co., VA
m: William or Wilborn Ross - 3/Jul/1835 - Grayson Co., VA
8: Miriam
- b: 28/Feb/1817 - Grayson Co., VA
d: 1/Apr/1873 - Grayson Co., VA
m: Jacob A. Hash - 21/May/1840
9: Timothy
Fletcher - b: 1823 - Grayson Co., VA
d: 1/Jul/1862 - Henrico Co., VA - bur: Perkins Cem., Grayson
Co.
m: Elizabeth Sturges or Sturgill - 3/Oct/1843
Biographical Details:
As was his twin brother, it seems clear that Gordon Perkins was born after his parents, Timothy, Sr., and Miriam Sperry Perkins, had settled in North Carolina. Moreover, as noted elsewhere, civil boundaries in this region were quite uncertain at this time, so the precise county in which Gordon was born must remain somewhat uncertain, although it seems evident that it must have been either Rowan or Surry. It is thought that Gordon Perkins and Joannah Stamper were married about 1800 or 1801 in Grayson County, Virginia, and, accordingly, established their own separate household in this locality.1 Indeed, in 1800 "Gordan", i.e., Gordon Perkins was assessed tax on a single tithable and in 1805 and 1810 he was assessed tax on one tithable and two horses. Subsequently, in February of 1812 Gordon Perkins was appointed by the Grayson County Court to a road surveying party to view the nearest and best way for a public road from William Herbert's mill across the ridge to the North Carolina line near William Stamper. In 1813, he paid tax on one tithable and three horses. The household of Gordon Perkins was included in the population schedule of the 1820 US Census for Grayson County and consisted of ten individuals, viz., four males and six females. One of the males was of more than forty-five years of age and, thus, almost certainly corresponds to Gordon himself. Likewise, the oldest female, who was between age twenty-six and forty-five, must correspond to his wife, Joannah. Although there are minor discrepancies in ages, the genders of the remaining individuals are in accord with the known family of Gordon and Joannah Perkins.Source Notes and Citations:Three hundred acres in Grayson County, described as lying on "Kindrack's Knob" (presently called Kindrick Mountain) and Wilson Creek, were granted to Gordon Perkins on October 1, 1821. The associated survey was dated April 9, 1816, and describes a location that appears to have been on the east side of Wilson Creek just below the present village of Volney.2 Moreover, this grant apparently lay adjacent to land that Gordon had previously purchased. Subsequently, an additional two hundred acres in Grayson County (survey dated January 9, 1817) were granted to Gordon Perkins on July 30, 1828. The location of this parcel appears to be a few miles southwest of Kindrick Mountain "on the dividing ridge between ... Wilson and Grassy Creeks". In any case, it is clear that Gordon had become a significant landowner by 1830. Gordon Perkins was assessed tax on two tithables and five horses in 1824 and on three tithables and four horses in 1828. Of course, the additional tithables likely correspond to his older sons who were nearly adults by this time. The household of Gordon Perkins appeared in the 1830 US Census for Grayson County and included an older man between fifty and sixty and an older woman between forty and fifty years of age. Obviously, these individuals must have been Gordon and Joannah themselves. In addition, seven younger individuals were also living in the household; however, their identities are not clear, although some of them undoubtedly must have been Gordon and Joannah's children. In 1835, Gordon Perkins was assessed tax on one tithable and three horses and according to the 1840 US Census for Grayson County his household consisted of himself and his wife and two younger males and a younger female, whose identities cannot be determined with any certainty. Evidently, Gordon and Joannah remained in Grayson County during the 1840's since the household of Gordon and Joannah Perkins, seventy-six and sixty-eight years of age, respectively, was listed in the population schedule of the1850 US Census for Grayson County, Virginia. Apparently, their youngest son, Timothy Fletcher Perkins, his wife and young daughter were also living with them at this time. (There is good evidence that Timothy Fletcher Perkins served in Confederate cavalry and was killed at the Battle of Malvern Hill on July 1, 1862.)3 According to Cox's history, Gordon Perkins married a Miss Stamper and lived on Wilson Creek. They were good people and raised a worthy family. Thus, it would seem evident that the Perkins family was well respected in the local community. By all accounts, Gordon Perkins died in Grayson County on January 22, 1851. His burial place is not known.
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.
"(7) Gordon b 11/16/1773 m Hannah Stemper d 1/22/1851. b probably in Ashe. (No marriage record in Grayson. Dow says nothing is known. Above data from Miss Stewart.)"(
back to bio.2a. Thomas M. Randolph 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 Ninth day of April 1816, by virtue of a Land Office treasury warrant Number 9100 issued the 22nd of November 1781; there is granted by the said Commonwealth, unto Gordon Perkins A certain tract or parcel of Land, Containing Three hundred acres Situate in the County of Grayson, on Kindrack's knob and on Wilson creek and bounded as followeth to wit: Beginning at a large poplar by a branch Corner to said Perkins's land, North twenty degrees East seventy eight poles to a spanish oak on a ridge, North fifty degrees East sixty four poles crossing two branches to a spanish oak on a ridge, North eighty five degrees East twenty four poles to a white oak, South seventy degrees East one hundred and fifty poles crossing a branch and high ridge to a white oak by a branch, South forty degrees West two hundred and forty six poles crossing a high ridge to a poplar maple and hornbeam in a hollow South seventy five degrees West forty poles running to a branch and down the same to three thorn saplings at the mouth of said branch on the bank of Wilson Creek in said Perkins's and William Thomas's line and thence with the same North thirty seven degrees West one hundred and fifty poles to the Beginning--To have and to hold the said tract or parcel of Land with its appurtenances, to the said Gordon Perkins and his heirs forever. In witness whereof, the said Thomas M. Randolph Esqr 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 October in the year of Our Lord One thousand eight hundred and twenty one and of the Commonwealth the forty sixth. /s/Thomas M. Randolph (Land Office Grants, Bk. 70, pgs. 348-9, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - Land Office Grants and Patents #136).)
b. William B. Giles 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 ninth day of January 1817 by virtue of Land Office Treasury warrant No. 3150 issued March 1st 1780 there is granted by the said Commonwealth, unto Gordon Perkins A certain Tract or Parcel of Land, containing Two Hundred acres situate in the county of Grayson on the dividing ridge between the waters of Wilson and Grassey creeks and bounded as followeth to Wit:
Beginning at a two white oaks on the top of a ridge in Elijah Baker's line S. 70º W. 94 poles crossing three branches to a chesnut near the top of a ridge N. 80º W. 70 poles to two chesnut trees on the side of a hill N. 45º W. 84 poles to a gum on the side of a ridge; N. 55º E. 250 poles crossing five branches to a white oak; North 24 poles to four chesnut trees on a ridge; S. 80º E. 96 poles, crossing four branches to a white oak near Wilson's creek in a line with John Wells survey and thence S. 27º W. 247 poles to the beginning. TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said Tract or Parcel of Land, with its appurtenances, to the said Gordon Perkins and his heirs forever.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the said William B. Giles 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 thirtieth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty eight and of the Commonwealth the fifty third /s/William B. Giles (Land Office Grants, Bk. 77, pg. 246, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - Land Office Grants and Patents #143).)
back to bio.3a. Jeffrey C. Weaver and James J. Stamper, "Annotated 1870 US Census Population Schedule for Grayson County - Wilson District", Grayson County Hist. Soc., P. O. Box 529, Independence, VA, 24348, 2003.
"[Elizabeth Perkins was widow of Timothy Perkins, b. 1824, who was s/o Gordon Perkins, b. ca. 1774 in NC. Timothy enlisted on 3/27/1862 in Co. A, 26th NC Infantry, CSA and was killed in action at Malvern Hill, VA on 7/1/1862. Sarah A. Perkins Md. George Greear on 3/18/1879.]" (Other researchers indicate that Timothy Fletcher Perkins survived the Civil War and died in Grayson County on September 12, 1897. He was reportedly buried in the Old Perkins Cemetery. (Jeffrey Weaver (tr), New River Notes, www.newrivernotes.com/index.htm, 2015.)
455. Perkins, Elizabeth 43 Keeping House NC Sarah A. 17 Mary L. 13 Gordon M. 10 b. Jeffrey Weaver summarizes the military service of Timothy Perkins as follows:
"(PERKINS, TIMOTHY, 35, Farmer, 1860 GCC HH#1195"( (Jeffrey Weaver (tr), New River Notes, www.newrivernotes.com/index.htm, 2015.)
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. 1830 US Census Population Schedule for Grayson County, Virginia, National Archives, Washington DC: pg. 273, (microfilm roll - M19_190; img. 549).
6. 1840 US Census Population Schedule for Grayson County, Virginia, National Archives, Washington DC: pg. 312, (microfilm roll - M704_556; img. 296).
7. 1850 US Census Population Schedule for Grayson County, Virginia, National Archives, Washington DC: pg. 188A, (microfilm roll - M432_947; img. 59).
8. 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.)
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. Order Bk., 1811-1819, Grayson Co., VA, pg. unk., Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - City and County Records #13). (Jeffrey Weaver (tr), New River Notes, www.newrivernotes.com/index.htm, 2015.)
12. 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.)
13. 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.)
14. 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.)
15. Grayson County Personal Property Tax List of 1835, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - Personal Property Tax Records #140). (Jeffrey Weaver (tr), New River Notes, www.newrivernotes.com/index.htm, 2015.)
16. Aras B. Cox, Foot Prints on the Sands of Time: A History of Southwestern Virginia and Northwestern North Carolina, The Star Pub. Co. Print., Sparta, NC, 1900. (Jeffrey Weaver (tr), New River Notes, www.newrivernotes.com/index.htm, 2015.)
17. 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.