Father: Jabez
Perkins
Mother: Nancy Ann Creekmore?
Spouse: Amy Girton - b: 29/Oct/1801 - TN
d: 8/Nov/1882 - Bureau Co., IL
m: 25/Jan/1819 - Whitley Co., KY
Child-1: Malinda - b: 23/Jan/1820 - Whitley Co., KY
d: 27/Apr/1860 - bur: Putnam Cem., Putnam Co., IL
m: John Wherry - 14/Dec/1843 - Bureau Co., IL
2: Elijah
Girton - b: 17/Dec/1821 - Whitley Co., KY
d: 27/Apr/1869 - Tecumseh, Johnson Co., NE
m: Rachel Wherry - 24/Mar/1842 - Bureau Co., IL
3: (unidentified
son) - b: ~1826 - KY - nra: 1830
4: Sarah
Matilda - b: 15/Apr/1827 - Whitley Co., KY
d: 7/Feb/1915 - Greene Co., IA - bur: Greenbrier Cem.
m: William Wherry - 14/Apr/1844 - Bureau Co., IL
5: Nancy
Mahalia - b: 14/Sep/1829 - Whitley Co., KY
d: 28/May/1843 - Bureau Co., IL - bur: Perkins Cem.
6: Jabez
Madison - b: 22/Mar/1832 - Whitley Co., KY
d: 29/Nov/1912 - Shawnee, Pottawatomie Co., OK
m: Mary Elizabeth Butler - 27/Apr/1854 - Putnam Co., IL
7: Alvin
- b: 22/Oct/1834 - Putnam Co., IL
d: 28/Aug/1896 - Marshall Co., AL - bur: Perkins Cem., Bureau
Co., IL
m: Lydia Hamilton - 1856 - Bureau Co., IL
8: Jesse
- b: 1837/1838 - IL - d: 1841
9: Emily
- b: 1840/1841 - IL
d: 7/Jan/1871 - bur: Putnam Cem., Putnam Co., IL
m: Charles Dodd - Sep/1857 - IL
10: Cirena - b:
1842 - IL
d: 1914 - bur: Putnam Cem., Putnam Co., IL
m: Jeremiah Drake - 25/Oct/1860 - Putnam Co., IL
Biographical Details:
Jesse Alvin Perkins was born in Virginia on May 10, 1787, and was the son of Jabez Perkins. His mother is reputed to have been Nancy Ann Creekmore, but this is doubtful and remains unproven at best. It is believed that at the time of his birth the Perkins family was living in an area of Montgomery County that ultimately became incorporated into Grayson County, Virginia. It is further known that Jabez Perkins and his family moved from Grayson County to Knox County, Kentucky, about 1812. Subsequently, Jesse Perkins was issued two land patents in Kentucky on July 20, 1818, and August 9, 1820.1 These were both located in the drainage of Brier Creek, probably about three or four miles southwest of Williamsburg, the county seat of Whitley County which was formed from the western portion of Knox County in 1818. Moreover, identification of this location is supported by an order of the Whitley County Court issued on June 12, 1818, which appointed Jesse Perkins as surveyor of the road from the town of Williamsburg to the top of Jellico Mountain, apparently running up Brier Creek.2 (This would probably correspond roughly to the present Kentucky state highway number ninety-two, which runs southwest out of Williamsburg over Jellico Mountain.) Of course, as with almost every other inhabitant of the region, Jesse's primary occupation was that of farmer and, consequently, his cattle mark (a crop off the left ear and a swallow fork out of the right ear) was recognized by the county court on August 16, 1819. Even so, in addition to surveying and overseeing county roads, Jesse seems to have been quite involved in local affairs of Whitley County and was appointed a commisioner of the county to replace Edward Reilly in December of 1819.3,4 (As well as county commisioner, Reilly was also justice of the peace, but seems to have been removed from both positions as the result of some dispute or malfeasance while in office.) Within this context, Jesse Perkins was reimbursed a total of six dollars by the Whitley County Court in the November term of 1821 for unspecified expenses and his services as commisioner for the year 1820. Amy Girton and Jesse Alvin Perkins were married on January 25, 1819, in Whitley County. He was older than she was by some fourteen years, which although a significant difference in age, was seemingly not as unusual an arrangement in the early nineteenth century as it would be presently considered. (There is no known evidence that she was a second wife.) The household of Jesse Perkins was listed in the population schedule of the 1820 US Census for Whitley County and consisted of an adult couple and two female infants. The implied ages of the adults accord well with those of Jesse and Amy. Moreover, it is known that their oldest daughter, Malinda, was born in 1820; however, the appearance of two female children in the population schedule suggests that she was one member of a pair of twins, the other who did not survive. Furthermore, it appears that the Perkins family remained in Whitley County throughout the 1820's since the household of Jesse Perkins again appeared in the 1830 Whitley County population schedule and at this time included an adult male between forty and fifty years of age; an adult female between twenty and thirty; a male and a female child both between five and ten; and two female children and one male child all less than five years of age. Obviously, the adults correspond to Jesse and Amy and, with the exception of the youngest male child, the others are easily identified with their children, Malinda, Elijah, Sarah, and Nancy. Within this context, other researchers have reported that Jesse Alvin and Amy Girton Perkins did have an additional son who died as a child; however, his name has not been determined. (Indeed, this son's name has been reported by some researchers as "Alvin"; however, there was a younger, surviving son named Alvin and, although reuse of a particular given name within an immediate family was not unheard of, especially prior to the nineteenth century, by this time it would have been quite unusual.)Source Notes and Citations:On September 7, 1833, Jesse Alvin and Amy Girton Perkins evidently sold their land in Whitley County to Joseph Duncan for the rather large sum of eight hundred dollars.5 (In addition, they also relinquished any claim on thirteen acres surrounding an unidentified church and cemetery.) Afterward, Jesse, along with his wife and family, then moved to northern Illinois and in 1834 settled in Putnam County.6 They had been preceded to this frontier region a few years earlier by his brother Timothy and his family who settled in this same general area, but moved approximately sixteen miles north at about the same time that Jesse and his family arrived in Putnam County. Within this context, in March and April of 1837, three land patents were issued to Jesse Perkins for a continuous tract of one hundred and sixty acres lying in Putnam County.7 Moreover, the first forty acre parcel of this tract was purchased for cash on May 16, 1834, which accords well chronologically with the arrival of the family of Jesse and Amy Perkins from Kentucky. However, it was located east of the Illinois River about a mile west of the present village of La Rose in present Marshall County, Illinois. (Marshall County was formed from a part of Putnam County on January 19, 1839.) Therefore, it appears that the Perkins family did not permanently settle on this tract. Accordingly, Jesse Perkins patented five more parcels of land in the area of Putnam County from which Bureau County was formed on February 28, 1837.8 The first of these contained just over eighty-three acres and was obtained by preemption, which implies that this parcel probably included the family's residence. It was located about two and a half miles northwest of the town of Hennepin, Illinois, and lies just at the western edge of Leepertown Township as it is at present. The remaining four parcels were purchased for cash and presently lie at the eastern edge of Arispie Township and, together, the five patented parcels amount to a total of just over four hundred and forty-three acres. Moreover, with the exception of one forty acres which lay about a mile to the west, these parcels also formed a continuous tract. Therefore, by 1840, Jesse Perkins may have owned more than six hundred acres in Bureau and Marshall Counties. In addition, it appears that in June of 1835 he purchased eighty acres in La Salle County on behalf of Joel Strawn, who was probably living on the parcel since it was obtained by preemption.9 It is likely that this was purely a financial arrangement. (Perhaps, Jesse loaned money to Mr. Strawn to secure the parcel, which means that a formal mortgage was probably executed, but documentation of this remains yet to be discovered.) As previously in Kentucky, Jesse Perkins participated in the public life of the local community and in 1837 was found, again, overseeing county roads.10
The household of Jesse Perkins appeared in the population schedule of the 1840 US Census for Bureau County and included thirteen individuals. The two oldest adults, a male between fifty and sixty years of age and a female between thirty and forty, clearly correspond to Jesse and Amy Perkins themselves. Similarly, a male and a female child both under five years of age can be identified as their son, Jesse, and daughter, Emily, and two male children between five and ten were almost certainly sons, Alvin and Jabez Madison. Likewise, two females between ten and fifteen can be confidently identified as daughters, Nancy and Sarah. However, further identification of the remaining five adults and adolescents is problematical. Within this context, it is probable that Jesse and Amy's two older children, Elijah and Malinda, were among these; however, the identity of the others is not known. Of course, a plausible hypothesis is that they were servants or more distant relatives. Accordingly, at the time of the census, Jesse Alvin Perkins and his family were probably living within the present territory of either Leepertown or Arispie Township. Unfortunately, the situation has become quite confused because a second household of Jesse Perkins was listed in the population schedule of the 1840 US Census for Marshall County, which included ten individuals one of which was, again, a male between fifty and sixty years of age. However, the other members of the family do not accord well with the known family of Jesse and Amy Girton Perkins and, thus, one must conclude that this was probably a different family. In addition, Ellsworth's history, published in 1880, stated that Jesse Perkins settled in Bell Plain Township north of Crow Creek in 1840 or 1841. This location corresponds precisely to that of the first land patent granted to Jesse Perkins mentioned above, which suggests that this second Jesse Perkins was present in Putnam County as early as 1834 and that these parcels were, hence, not patented by Jesse Alvin, son of Jabez Perkins. Even so, since the second Jesse Perkins seemingly did not arrive until at least 1840, it is, perhaps, more likely that the land was originally claimed by Jesse Alvin Perkins, who may have been acting as a proxy, which according to Matson was a common practice in the pioneer community. Alternatively, it is also possible that the land was simply conveyed to the second Jesse by deed as is usual practice. In any case, the coincidence of names was probably not accidental and, although unproven, it would seem likely that these two individuals were related, since the given name "Jesse" seems to have been used several times within the extended Perkins family. The family of Jesse Perkins was listed in the population schedule of the 1850 US Census for Bureau County and included Jesse, Amy, their five youngest children, and a ten year old boy, Caleb Drake, as resident in the household. Concomitantly, no household for Jesse Perkins appeared in the population schedule of the 1850 US Census for Marshall County. Accordingly, it would seem safe to presume that after 1840 Jesse Alvin and Amy Girton Perkins remained continuously resident in Bureau County where Jesse died on March 7, 1856. In 1860, his widow, Amy Perkins, was living with her daughter and son-in-law, Emily and Charles Dodd, in Leepertown Township. She survived almost another quarter century and died November 8, 1882. Clearly, Jesse Alvin Perkins was a successful farmer and amassed a considerable land holding. In addition, according to the work of Steven C. Perkins, he was also a Methodist minister. This is, indeed, consistent with his origin in Grayson County, Virginia, which was known as an early stronghold of Methodism.
1a. Kentucky Land Grant; Grantee: Perkins, Jesse; 45 acres; County: Knox; Water Course: Briar Cr.; Survey Date: 10/Dec/1816: Grant Bk. C. This grant seems to have been expanded to one hundred acres when issued on July 20, 1818. (Willard Rouse Jillson, The Kentucky Land Grants - Vol. I, Part 1, Chap. VI, Filson Club Pub., Louisville, KY, 1925: pg. 680.)b. Kentucky Land Grant; Grantee: Perkins, Jesse; 56 acres; County: Whitley; Water Course: Brier Cr.; Survey Date: 2/Jan/1819: Grant Bk. F. Grant issued on August 9, 1820. (ibid.)
back to bio.2. "June Term, 1819 At a county Court holden for the boddy of Whitley County on Munday the 21st day of June 1819."
"Ordered by the court that Jessee Perkins be appointed surveyor of the road to commence at the ford of the river above the Town of Williamsburgh thence down the river to the town lines thence to commence at the end of the main street leading from the court house (or publick square thence to the top of Gilico Mountain to intersect the road leading from this place up the clear fork and he together with all the hands on bryer creek waters and up the clear fork including Robert Leforce And Archibald Gibson and all on the south side of the river including Michael Stephens and Symeo [?] Adams shall Keep the same in repair as the law directs." (Minute Bk. 1, 1818-1822, Whitley Co., KY, pg. 60.)"August Term, 1819 At a county Court holden for the body of Whitley county on Munday the 16th day of August 1819."
"Ordered by the Court that Frederick Snider, Samuel W. Walker, John Sharp, James Murphey, Sampson Wildier, Jese Purkins & John Meadors be appointed to review two roades one leading from Anguss Rosses by way of the pine not Tavern to the salt work on the South Fork and the other up Marsh Creek from said Rosses by the way of Stepens Mill [sic] to said salt work or as far as the County line on each roade and make report the nearest and best way to next Court."
"Ordered by the Court that Samuel Cox E[sqr?] be appointed to bind Isaac Cox to Jessee Perkins." (ibid., pg. 63, 64, & 66.)"May Term, 1820 At a county court holden for the body of Whitley County on Monday the 15th day of May 1820"
"Ordered by the court that Jesse Purkins be appointed Surveyor from the fork of the road above Williamsburgh and he together with all the hands that he formerly hand [sic] and to include James Gatliff and his hands to keep the same in repair." (ibid., pg. 94.)"November Term, 1820 At a county court holden for the body of Whitley County on Monday the 20 day of November 1820."
"Ordered by the court that John Duncan, Thomas Galion, Samuel Cox, John Richardson and Jesse Purkins be appointed as reviewers to review a road and report to the next County court the nearest and best way to meet the main street." (ibid., pg. 114.)"June Term, 1821 At a County Court began and held for the County of Whitley at the home of Benjamin S. Parsons in the Town of Williamsburg on Monday the 18th day of June 1821."
"Ordered that John Duncan be appointed Overseer of the Road leading from near this place to the top of Gilico Mountain in the Room of [in place of] Jess Perkins and that all the hand who assisted the said Perkins do assist the said Duncan in keeping said Road in repair."
"Ordered that Samuel Cox Senr. & Jesse Perkins be appointed to allot to Samuel Cox Jr. and John Duncan overseers of certain roads the number of hands which they are entitled." (ibid., pgs. 136-7.)"September Term, 1821 At a county Court began and held for the County of Whitley at the Courthouse in the Town of Williamsburg on Monday the 17th of September 1821"
"Ordered that Jesse Walker, William Edwards, Edmond Steele, Nathan Cox & Jesse Perkins or any three of them do view the nearest and best Way for the alteration of the road leading from this place to Barbourville, So as to turn said road off of Isaac Kings bottom land on Watts Creek & that they report &c." (ibid., pg. 147.)
back to bio.3. "November Term, 1819 At a county Court holden for the boddy of Whitley county on Munday the 15th day of November 1819."
"Commonwealth pltff.
ag. } on a charge of vagrantcy
William Wilder Deft.
This day came the Defendant into court in discharge of his recognizance and also came the attorney for the commonwealth likewise whereupon came a jury &c. to recog[???] &c. (Towit) Thomas Mahan, John Sharp, Solomon Litton, Joseph Gillis, David Wilson, Thomas Laughlin Senr., James Sullivan, Jessee Walker, John Heaton, Washington Brown, Jesse [?] Perkins & Moses Parks who being elected tried & sworn upon their oaths do say we of the jury do find the within named Wm. Wilder Guilty of the offence of being an idle loitering and disalute person without visable means of support and we do find that he the said Wm. Wilder is a vagrant within the meaning of the act of assembly in that case made and provided.
/s/Thos. Mahan one of the jury
It is therefore ordered by the court that the sheriff proceed to hire out the sd Wilder to the highest bidder for the Term of 5 months." (Minute Bk. 1, 1818-1822, Whitley Co., KY, pg. 74.)
back to bio.4. "December Term, 1819 At a County Court holden for the body of Whitley County on Monday the 20th day of December 1819."
"Ordered that Jesse Purkins be appointed as a Commissioner in the room [in place] of Edward Reilly removed." Edward Reilly was appointed by Gabriel Slaughter, Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, as one of the original Justices of the Peace of Whitley County. However, he seems to have become embroiled in some kind of dispute or malfeasance involving either the reporting of his taxable property or construction of the courthouse or some other issue. In any case, it appears that he was dismissed abruptly both as a Justice of the Peace and county commisioner in November of 1819. (Minute Bk. 1, 1818-1822, Whitley Co., KY, pg. 80.)"November Term, 1821 At a County Court began and held for the County of Whitley at the Courthouse in the Town of Williamsburg on Monday the 19th day of November 1821."
(ibid., pg. 153.)
To Thomas Laughlin Sr. per act. filed $4,00 To Samuel Walker Same 4,00 To Jesse Perkins Same 4,00 To Thomas Laughlin Sr. for Services rendered as Commissioner for 1820 } 2,00 To Samuel Cox Sr. Same 2,00 To Jesse Perkins Same 2,00
back to bio.5a. Deed Summary: Indenture made on September 7, 1833, between Jesse Perkins and Amy, his wife, and Joseph Duncan for the consideration of eight hundred dollars, Jesse Perkins sold to Joseph Duncan one hundred and fifty-six acres on Brier Creek, one hundred of which were granted to Perkins by a land patent bearing the date of July 20, 1818, the other fifty-six acres by a land patent bearing the date August 9, 1820, including the farm where Sarah Perkins formerly lived.
Survey Summary: Beginning at a white oak at the corner of Elijah Girton's survey; S 85º E, 248 poles, with Girton's survey line to two sourwood where the State road crosses the same branch; S 2º E, 50 poles, to a sweet gum and beech; S 45º W, 104 poles, to a poplar and small sweet gum; S 77º E, 8 poles, to a poplar, maple, and sweet gum; S 1º W, 60 poles, to a black walnut and buckeye; S 73º W, 94 poles, to a stake and beech; S 22º W, 108 poles, to the beginning.
Recorded: October 11, 1833. (Deed Bk. 1, 1818-1822, Whitley Co., KY, pg. 457.)b. Deed Summary: Indenture made on September 7, 1833, between Jesse Perkins and Amy, his wife, and the heirs (not named) of John Duncan, deceased, in consideration of an understanding between Richard Browning and Elijah Girton made previous to Jesse's purchase from Browning, any claim was relinquished on thirteen acres surrounding a two acre reserve made by Girton in his agreement with Browning for establishment of a meeting house and grave yard.
Survey Summary: Beginning at a black oak and stake; N 18º W, 50 poles, to a red oak and dogwood; N 68º E, 28 poles, leaving Girton's survey to a beech and black gum on Gatliff's line; S 18º E, 24 poles, with Gatliff's line to two sourwoods at crossing of the Sand branch; N 85º W, 28 poles, to the beginning.
Recorded: January 24, 1834. (Deed Bk. 1, 1818-1822, Whitley Co., KY, pg. 466.)
back to bio.6a. Spencer Ellsworth, Records of the Olden Times; or Fifty Years on the Prairies, Home Journal Steam Printing Establishment, Lacon, IL, 1880: pg. 267.
"The first white settler at Senachwine was James R. Talliaferro, who in, March, 1835, made a claim on the site of the deserted Indian village. The only white settlers then in this valley besides himsel were: Tyrrell Reeves, Jesse Perkins, Wm. Lathrop and Russell Mallory and their families. For many miles above and below, on the east side of the river, there were no settlers.
At Henry there were Major Thompson, Mr. Stacy and Charles Nock. With the exceptions of Mr. and Mrs. Talliaferro, there are now none living of those first settlers of this Township.
George Reeves, famous as 'the outlaw,' lived in a small shanty north of Talliaferro's dwelling, which is now known as the James Winship place. Reeves' brother Tyrrell at one time lived near the top of the same hill, but subsequently removed to the lower end of Crow Meadow Prairie. Their was a third brother named William, who lived with them a short time, but returned to Indiana. There was still another brother named John, who improved the place from which George was afterward expelled. Tyrrell and William improved the place that was afterward known as the Barnhart place.
When Talliaferro moved to Senachwine he was accompanied by a young man named Asa Mounts, and a young woman, Charlotte Pfieffer. These persons were subsequently, in the fall of 1835, united in marriage and settled north of Mr. Talliaferro's place, on the Perkins farm." From subsequent census and civil records as well as family tradition, this Jesse Perkins can be identified as Jesse Alvin, son of Jabez.b. ibid: pg. 427.
"Settlements were begun in the western part of the (Belle Plain) Township in 1833, when Robert F. Bell built a cabin on Crow Creek. He had nine children, several of whom made claims in the vicinity--one, George F., still living there. Colonel Bell's military title was won in the war of 1812, when he served under General Harrison.
Other settlers in the vicinity were Wm. Mills, who came in 1840; John Wilson at Cherry Grove, in 1835; Wm. Hendricks, 1838, on the John Brown place, now owned by Wm. James; Samuel Rogers, in 1840; Thomas S. Dobson, on the Feazle claim, about the same date; Allen Gray and Jesse Perkins, both north of Crow Creek, in 1840 or '41; Jacob Fetter, on the south side of Crow Creek in 1842; John Brevoort, 1845." It is almost certain that this Jesse Perkins who settled in Bell Plain Township was not Jesse Alvin Perkins, son of Jabez; however, it is a reasonable presumption that they may have been relatives.
back to bio.7a. The United States of America; Certificate No. 10508; To all to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting: Whereas Jesse Perkins of Putnam County Illinois has deposited in the General Land Office of the United States, a Certificate of the Register of the Land Office at Springfield whereby it appears that full payment has been made by the said Jesse Perkins according to the provisions of the Act of Congress of the 24th of April, 1820, entitled "An Act making further provision for the sale of Public Lands," for the South West quarter of the North West quarter of Section seventeen, in Township twenty nine North of Range one West of the third principal Meridian, in the District of lands subject to sale at Springfield Illinois containing forty Acres according to the official plat of the survey of the said Lands, returned to the General Land Office by the Surveyor General, which said tract has been purchased by the said Jesse Perkins.
Now Know Ye, That the United States of America, in consideration of the Premises, and in conformity with the several acts of Congress, in such case made and provided, Have Given and Granted, and by these presents Do Give And Grant, unto the said Jesse Perkins and to his heirs, the said tract above described: To Have And To Hold the same, together with all the rights, privileges, immunities, and appurtenances, of whatsoever nature, thereunto belonging, unto the said Jesse Perkins and to his heirs and assigns forever.
In Testimony Whereof, I, Martin Van Buren, President Of The United States of America, have caused these Letters to be made Patent, and the Seal of the General Land Office to be hereunto affixed. Given under my hand, at the City Of Washington, the twentieth day of March in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven and of the Independence Of The United States the sixty first. By The President: Martin Van Buren; By A. Van Buren Secretary; Hudson M. Garland Recorder of the General Land Office (US Land Patent Certificate No. 10508; Washington, DC, issued 20 Mar 1837.)Federal Land Sale: May 16, 1834. 40 Acres: Southwest Quarter of Northwest Quarter of Section 17, Township 29 North, Range 1 West of Principal Meridian 3 (Bell Plain Township) in Marshall (formerly Putnam) County, Illinois. Purchaser: Jesse Perkins; Rate: $1.25 per acre; Price: $50.00. (Field General Land Office Register, Vol. 68, pg. 215, Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL, 1957. (Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales Database, http://www.ilsos.gov/isa/landsrch.jsp, 2015.))
b. The United States of America; Certificate No. 8853; To all to whom these presents shall come, Greeting: Whereas, Jesse Perkins of Putnam County Illinois has deposited in the General Land Office of the United States, a Certificate of the Register of the Land Office at Springfield whereby it appears that full payment has been made by the said Jesse Perkins according to the provisions of the Act of Congress of the 24th of April, 1820, entitled "An Act making further provision for the sale of Public Lands," for the East half of the North East quarter of Section eighteen, in Township twenty nine North of Range one West of the third principal Meridian, in the District of Lands subject to sale at Springfield Illinois, containing eighty Acres according to the official plat of the survey of the said Lands, returned to the General Land Office by the Surveyor General, which said tract has been purchased by the said Jesse Perkins.
Now Know Ye, That the United States of America, in consideration of the Premises, and in conformity with the several acts of Congress, in such case made and provided, Have Given and Granted, and by these presents Do Give And Grant, unto the said Jesse Perkins and to his heirs, the said tract above described: To Have And To Hold the same, together with all the rights, privileges, immunities, and appurtenances, of whatsoever nature thereunto belonging, unto the said Jesse Perkins and to his heirs and assigns forever.
In Testimony Whereof, I, Martin Van Buren, President Of The United States of America, have caused these Letters to be made Patent, and the Seal of the General Land Office to be hereunto affixed. Given under my hand, at the City Of Washington, the eighteenth day of March in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven and of the Independence Of The United States the sixty-first. By The President: Martin Van Buren; By A. Van Buren Secretary; Hudson M. Garland Recorder Commisioner of the General Land Office (US Land Patent Certificate No. 8853; Washington, DC, issued 18 Mar 1837.)Federal Land Sale: July 3, 1834. 80 Acres: East Half of Northeast Quarter of Section 18, Township 29 North, Range 1 West of Principal Meridian 3 (Bell Plain Township) in Marshall (formerly Putnam) County, Illinois. Purchaser: Jesse Perkins; Rate: $1.25 per acre; Price: $100.00. (Field General Land Office Register, Vol. 68, pg. 181, Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL, 1957. (Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales Database, http://www.ilsos.gov/isa/landsrch.jsp, 2015.))
c. The United States of America; Certificate No. 11,827; To all to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting: Whereas Jesse Perkins of Putnam County Illinois has deposited in the General Land Office of the United States, a Certificate of the Register of the Land Office at Springfield whereby it appears that full payment has been made by the said Jesse Perkins according to the provisions of the Act of Congress of the 24th of April, 1820, entitled "An Act making further provision for the sale of Public Lands," for the North West quarter of the South West quarter of section seventeen, in Township twenty nine, North, of Range one West of the third principal Meridian, in the District of lands subject to sale at Springfield, Illinois, containing forty acres according to the official plat of the survey of the said Lands, returned to the General Land Office by the Surveyor General, which said tract has been purchased by the said Jesse Perkins.
Now Know Ye, That the United States of America, in consideration of the Premises, and in conformity with the several acts of Congress, in such case made and provided, Have Given and Granted, and by these presents Do Give And Grant, unto the said Jesse Perkins and to his heirs, the said tract above described: To Have And To Hold the same, together with all the rights, privileges, immunities, and appurtenances, of whatsoever nature, thereunto belonging, unto the said Jesse Perkins and to his heirs and assigns forever.
In Testimony Whereof, I, Martin Van Buren, President Of The United States of America, have caused these Letters to be made Patent, and the Seal of the General Land Office to be hereunto affixed. Given under my hand, at the City Of Washington, the fifth day of April in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven and of the Independence Of The United States the sixty first. By The President: Martin Van Buren; By A. Van Buren Secretary; Samuel D. King acting Recorder of the General Land Office, ad interim (US Land Patent Certificate No. 11827; Washington, DC, issued 5 Apr 1837.)Federal Land Sale: July 24, 1835. 40 Acres: Northwest Quarter of Southwest Quarter of Section 17, Township 29 North, Range 1 East (sic - West) of Principal Meridian 3 (Bell Plain Township) in Marshall (formerly Putnam) County, Illinois. Purchaser: Jesse Perkins; Rate: $1.25 per acre; Price: $50.00. (Field General Land Office Register, Vol. 68, pg. 242, Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL, 1957. (Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales Database, http://www.ilsos.gov/isa/landsrch.jsp, 2015.))
back to bio.8a. The United States of America; Preemption Certificate No. 327; To all to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting: Whereas Jesse Perkins, of Putnam County, Illinois, has deposited in the General Land Office of the United States, a Certificate of the Register of the Land Office at Galena whereby it appears that full payment has been made by the said Jesse Perkins, according to the provisions of the Act of Congress of the 24th of April, 1820, entitled "An Act making further provision for the sale of Public Lands," for the West half of the North West quarter of Section nineteen, in Township fifteen North, of Range ten East, in the District of Lands subject to sale at Galena, Illinois, containing eighty three acres and eighteen hundredths of an acre, according to the official plat of the survey of the said Lands, returned to the General Land Office by the Surveyor General, which said tract has been purchased by the said Jesse Perkins.
Now Know Ye, That the United States of America, in consideration of the Premises, and in conformity with the several acts of Congress, in such case made and provided, Have Given and Granted, and by these presents Do Give And Grant, unto the said Jesse Perkins and to his heirs, the said tract above described: To Have And To Hold the same, together with all the rights, privileges, immunities, and appurtenances, of whatsoever nature, thereunto belonging, unto the said Jesse Perkins and to his heirs and assigns forever.
In Testimony Whereof, I, Martin Van Buren, President Of The United States of America, have caused these Letters to be made Patent, and the Seal of the General Land Office to be hereunto affixed. Given under my hand, at the City Of Washington, the first day of August in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight and of the Independence Of The United States the sixty third. By The President: Martin Van Buren; By M. Van Buren, Jr. Secretary; Jos. S. Wilson, Acting Recorder of the General Land Office ad interim (US Land Patent Certificate No. 327; Washington, DC, issued 1 Aug 1838.)Federal Land Sale: June 27, 1835. 83.18 Acres: West Half of Northwest Quarter of Section 19, Township 15 North, Range 10 East of Principal Meridian 4 (Leepertown Township) in Bureau (formerly Putnam) County, Illinois. Purchaser: Jesse Perkins; Rate: $1.25 per acre; Price: $103.98. (Field General Land Office Register, Vol. 708, pg. 142, Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL, 1957. (Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales Database, http://www.ilsos.gov/isa/landsrch.jsp, 2015.))
b. The United States of America; Certificate No. 1316; To all to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting: Whereas Jesse Perkins, of Putnam County, Illinois, has deposited in the General Land Office of the United States, a Certificate of the Register of the Land Office at Galena whereby it appears that full payment has been made by the said Jesse Perkins, according to the provisions of the Act of Congress of the 24th of April, 1820, entitled "An Act making further provision for the sale of Public Lands," for the East half of the South East quarter of Section twenty four, in Township fifteen, of Range nine East, in the District of lands subject to sale at Galena, Illinois, containing eighty acres, according to the official plat of the survey of the said Lands, returned to the General Land Office by the Surveyor General, which said tract has been purchased by the said Jesse Perkins.
Now Know Ye, That the United States of America, in consideration of the Premises, and in conformity with the several acts of Congress, in such case made and provided, Have Given and Granted, and by these presents Do Give And Grant, unto the said Jesse Perkins and to his heirs, the said tract above described: To Have And To Hold the same, together with all the rights, privileges, immunities, and appurtenances, of whatsoever nature, thereunto belonging, unto the said Jesse Perkins and to his heirs and assigns forever.
In Testimony Whereof, I, Martin Van Buren, President Of The United States of America, have caused these Letters to be made Patent, and the Seal of the General Land Office to be hereunto affixed. Given under my hand, at the City Of Washington, the first day of August in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight and of the Independence Of The United States the Sixty third. By The President: Martin Van Buren; By M. Van Buren, Jr. Secretary; Jos. S. Wilson, Acting Recorder of the General Land Office ad interim (US Land Patent Certificate No. 1316; Washington, DC, issued 1 Aug 1838.)Federal Land Sale: July 13, 1835. 80 Acres: East Half of Southeast Quarter of Section 24, Township 15 North, Range 9 East of Principal Meridian 4 (Arispie Township) in Bureau (formerly Putnam) County, Illinois. Purchaser: Jesse Perkins; Rate: $1.25 per acre; Price: $100.00. (Field General Land Office Register, Vol. 708, pg. 116, Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL, 1957. (Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales Database, http://www.ilsos.gov/isa/landsrch.jsp, 2015.))
c. The United States of America; Certificate No. 2580; To all to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting: Whereas Jesse Perkins, of Putnam County Illinois has deposited in the General Land Office of the United States, a Certificate of the Register of the Land Office at Galena whereby it appears that full payment has been made by the said Jesse Perkins, according to the provisions of the Act of Congress of the 24th of April, 1820, entitled "An Act making further provision for the sale of Public Lands," for the South West quarter of the North West quarter of Section twenty three, in Township fifteen North, of Range nine East, in the District of Lands subject to sale at Galena, Illinois, containing forty acres, according to the official plat of the survey of the said Lands, returned to the General Land Office by the Surveyor General, which said tract has been purchased by the said Jesse Perkins.
Now Know Ye, That the United States of America, in consideration of the Premises, and in conformity with the several acts of Congress, in such case made and provided, Have Given and Granted, and by these presents Do Give And Grant, unto the said Jesse Perkins and to his heirs, the said tract above described: To Have And To Hold the same, together with all the rights, privileges, immunities, and appurtenances, of whatsoever nature, thereunto belonging, unto the said Jesse Perkins and to his heirs and assigns forever.
In Testimony Whereof, I, Martin Van Buren, President Of The United States of America, have caused these Letters to be made Patent, and the Seal of the General Land Office to be hereunto affixed. Given under my hand, at the City Of Washington, the fourth day of August in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight and of the Independence Of The United States the Sixty third. By The President: Martin Van Buren; By M. Van Buren, Jr. Secretary; Jos. S. Wilson, Acting Recorder of the General Land Office ad interim (US Land Patent Certificate No. 2580; Washington, DC, issued 4 Aug 1838.)Federal Land Sale: September 7, 1835. 40 Acres: Southwest Quarter of Northwest Quarter of Section 23, Township 15 North, Range 9 East of Principal Meridian 4 (Arispie Township) in Bureau (formerly Putnam) County, Illinois. Purchaser: Jesse Perkins; Rate: $1.25 per acre; Price: $50.00. (Field General Land Office Register, Vol. 708, pg. 115, Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL, 1957. (Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales Database, http://www.ilsos.gov/isa/landsrch.jsp, 2015.))
d. The United States of America; Certificate No. 3137; To all to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting: Whereas Jesse Perkins, of Putnam County, Illinois has deposited in the General Land Office of the United States, a Certificate of the Register of the Land Office at Galena whereby it appears that full payment has been made by the said Jesse Perkins, according to the provisions of the Act of Congress of the 24th of April, 1820, entitled "An Act making further provision for the sale of Public Lands," for the North East quarter of Section twenty five, in Township fifteen North, of Range nine East, in the District of lands subject to sale at Galena, Illinois containing one hundred and sixty acres, according to the official plat of the survey of the said Lands, returned to the General Land Office by the Surveyor General, which said tract has been purchased by the said Jesse Perkins.
Now Know Ye, That the United States of America, in consideration of the Premises, and in conformity with the several acts of Congress, in such case made and provided, Have Given and Granted, and by these presents Do Give And Grant, unto the said Jesse Perkins and to his heirs, the said tract above described: To Have And To Hold the same, together with all the rights, privileges, immunities, and appurtenances, of whatsoever nature, thereunto belonging, unto the said Jesse Perkins and to his heirs and assigns forever.
In Testimony Whereof, I, Martin Van Buren, President Of The United States of America, have caused these Letters to be made Patent, and the Seal of the General Land Office to be hereunto affixed. Given under my hand, at the City Of Washington, the fourth day of August in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight and of the Independence Of The United States the Sixty third. By The President: Martin Van Buren; By M. Van Buren, Jr. Secretary;Jos. S. Wilson, Acting Recorder of the General Land Office ad interim (US Land Patent Certificate No. 3137; Washington, DC, issued 4 Aug 1838.)Federal Land Sale: January 14, 1836. 160 Acres: Northeast Quarter of Section 25, Township 15 North, Range 9 East of Principal Meridian 4 (Arispie Township) in Bureau (formerly Putnam) County, Illinois. Purchaser: Jesse Perkins; Rate: $1.25 per acre; Price: $200.00. (Field General Land Office Register, Vol. 708, pg. 116, Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL, 1957. (Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales Database, http://www.ilsos.gov/isa/landsrch.jsp, 2015.))
e. The United States of America; Certificate No. 3138; To all to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting: Whereas Jesse Perkins, of Putnam County, Illinois has deposited in the General Land Office of the United States, a Certificate of the Register of the Land Office at Galena whereby it appears that full payment has been made by the said Jesse Perkins, according to the provisions of the Act of Congress of the 24th of April, 1820, entitled "An Act making further provision for the sale of Public Lands," for the East half of the South East quarter of Section thirteen, in Township fifteen North, of Range nine East, in the District of lands subject to sale at Galena Illinois, containing eighty acres, according to the official plat of the survey of the said Lands, returned to the General Land Office by the Surveyor General, which said tract has been purchased by the said Jesse Perkins.
Now Know Ye, That the United States of America, in consideration of the Premises, and in conformity with the several acts of Congress, in such case made and provided, Have Given and Granted, and by these presents Do Give And Grant, unto the said Jesse Perkins and to his heirs, the said tract above described: To Have And To Hold the same, together with all the rights, privileges, immunities, and appurtenances, of whatsoever nature, thereunto belonging, unto the said Jesse Perkins and to his heirs and assigns forever.
In Testimony Whereof, I, Martin Van Buren, President Of The United States of America, have caused these Letters to be made Patent, and the Seal of the General Land Office to be hereunto affixed. Given under my hand, at the City Of Washington, the fourth day of August in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight and of the Independence Of The United States the Sixty third. By The President: Martin Van Buren; By M. Van Buren, Jr. Secretary; Jos. S. Wilson, Acting Recorder of the General Land Office ad interim (US Land Patent Certificate No. 3137; Washington, DC, issued 4 Aug 1838.)Federal Land Sale: January 14, 1836. 80 Acres: East Half of Southeast Quarter of Section 13, Township 15 North, Range 9 East of Principal Meridian 4 (Arispie Township) in Bureau (formerly Putnam) County, Illinois. Purchaser: Jesse Perkins; Rate: $1.25 per acre; Price: $100.00. (Field General Land Office Register, Vol. 708, pg. 113, Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL, 1957. (Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales Database, http://www.ilsos.gov/isa/landsrch.jsp, 2015.))
back to bio.9. The United States of America; Preemption Certificate No. 328; To all to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting: Whereas Joel Strawn, assignee of Jesse Perkins, has deposited in the General Land Office of the United States, a Certificate of the Register of the Land Office at Galena, whereby it appears that full payment has been made by the said Jesse Perkins, according to the provisions of the Act of Congress of the 24th of April, 1820, entitled "An Act making further provision for the sale of Public Lands," for the East half of the North East quarter of Section eight, in Township thirty three North, of Range three East, in the District of Lands subject to sale at Galena, Illinois, containing eighty acres, according to the official plat of the survey of the said Lands, returned to the General Land Office by the Surveyor General, which said tract has been purchased by the said Jesse Perkins.
Now Know Ye, That the United States of America, in consideration of the Premises, and in conformity with the several acts of Congress, in such case made and provided, Have Given and Granted, and by these presents Do Give And Grant, unto the said Joel Strawn and to his heirs, the said tract above described: To Have And To Hold the same, together with all the rights, privileges, immunities, and appurtenances, of whatsoever nature, thereunto belonging, unto the said Joel Strawn and to his heirs and assigns forever.
In Testimony Whereof, I, Martin Van Buren, President Of The United States of America, have caused these Letters to be made Patent, and the Seal of the General Land Office to be hereunto affixed. Given under my hand, at the City Of Washington, the first day of August in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight and of the Independence Of The United States the sixty third. By The President: Martin Van Buren; By M. Van Buren, Jr Secretary; Jos. S. Wilson, Acting Recorder of the General Land Office ad interim (US Land Patent Certificate No. 328; Washington, DC, issued 1 Aug 1838.)Federal Land Sale: June 27, 1835. 80 Acres: East Half of Northeast Quarter of Section 8, Township 33 North, Range 3 East of Principal Meridian 3 (Ottawa Township) in La Salle County, Illinois. Purchaser: Jesse Perkins; Rate: $1.25 per acre; Price: $100.00. (Field General Land Office Register, Vol. 704, pg. 124, Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL, 1957. (Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales Database, http://www.ilsos.gov/isa/landsrch.jsp, 2015.))
back to bio.10. George B. Harrington, Past and Present of Bureau County, Illinois, The Pioneer Pub. Co., Chicago, IL, 1906: pg. 54.
"At the August session of the county commissioners in 1837 the subject of roads was discussed and measures taken to provide for the same so as to accomodate the different settlements as far as possible and these roads were to be made not only to provide for the present inhabitants, but future needs were anticipated. Among the men appointed to look after the interest of the new roads to be made in the different parts of the county we noticed those of John H. Bryant, David Robinson, Jonathan Colton, John Clark, Jesse Perkins and Robert Stuart. It will be seen by this that Bureau county early realized the necessity of good roads and we fully believe that the same idea prevails at the present time."
back to bio.
Additional Citations:
11. 1820 US Census Population Schedule for Whitley County, Kentucky, National Archives, Washington DC: pg. 124, (microfilm roll - M33_28; img. 135).12. 1830 US Census Population Schedule for Whitley County, Kentucky, National Archives, Washington DC: pg. 291, (microfilm roll - M19_42; img. 572).
13. 1840 US Census Population Schedule for Bureau County, Illinois, National Archives, Washington DC: pg. 198, (microfilm roll - M704_55; img. 171).
14. 1850 US Census Population Schedule for Bureau County, Illinois, National Archives, Washington DC: pg. 259A, (microfilm roll - M432_99; img. 150).
15. 1860 US Census Population Schedule for Bureau County, Illinois, National Archives, Washington DC: pg. 427, (microfilm roll - M653_158; img. 428).
16. Nehemiah Matson, Reminiscences of Bureau County, Republican Book and Job Office, Princeton, IL, 1872: pg. 50.
17. Putnam Cemetery, Putnam County, Illinois (www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=445772&CScn=Putnam&CScntry=4&CSst=16&CScnty=767&, continuously updated).
18. Greenbrier Cemetery, Greene County, Iowa (www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=94939&CScn=Greenbrier&CScntry=4&CSst=14&CScnty=583&, continuously updated).
19. Perkins Cemetery, Bureau County, Illinois (www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=2354189&CScn=Perkins&CScntry=4&CSst=16&CScnty=695&, continuously updated).
20. Steven Curtis Perkins, "Ancestry of Jabez Perkins, 1766-1836, of New Haven, CT., Ashe/Wilkes Co., NC, Grayson Co., VA, Bureau/Putnam Co., IL, and Knox/Whitley Co., KY", freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~scperkins/jabez.html, 1989-2001.