Father: Joseph Perkins, Sr.
Mother: Phebe Moulthrop

Spouse-1: ***** Moore
  m: CT

Spouse-2: Lois Sperry
  m: ~1776 - NC

Child: Luther - b: 7/Feb/1777 - VA
                         d: 1/Jun/1858 - Ashe Co., NC - bur: Perkins Family Cem.
                        m: Susan Stamper - 7/Nov/1801 - Wilkes Co., NC

Biographical Details:

It is thought that Joseph and Phebe Moulthrop Perkins were the parents of two sons both named Joseph.  However, the older one, born in 1733, appears to have died as an infant or young child.  The younger one, born either in late December or early January of 1738 O. S., was, again, named Joseph and survived to adulthood.  Subsequently, Joseph Perkins, Jr., is believed to have married to a Miss Moore in Connecticut, perhaps, in the early 1760's.  However, it would seem that she soon died and they had no surviving children.  Subsequently, Joseph and his older brother, Timothy, left Connecticut with other family members and migrated to northwestern North Carolina about 1770.  As discussed elsewhere, it is believed that this move was made to escape political persecution in New England because of their strong loyalist sentiments.

According to Ms. Eleanor Baker Reeves, Timothy and Joseph Perkins settled together in an area called the "Old Fields", which generally lies in the floodplain of the South Fork of the New River two or three miles north to northwest of the intersection of the boundaries of the three present North Carolina counties of Ashe, Wilkes, and Watauga.¹  It is thought that Joseph Perkins, Jr., married Lois Sperry, younger sister of his brother's wife about 1776.  It seems evident from her father's will that she had moved to North Carolina as an unmarried woman.  They had only one known child, a son, Luther, born in 1777 in Virginia.²  (The absence of additional children for Joseph and Lois Sperry Perkins is a possible indication that she died relatively soon after her son's birth, but such a presumption is, as yet, unconfirmed.)  Joseph and his brother, Timothy, Sr., are believed to have both fought in loyalist military units during the Revolutionary War.³  Although controversial, there is strong circumstantial evidence that Timothy, Sr., was killed, probably about 1782, but Joseph apparently survived the war.  Concomitantly, Miriam Sperry Perkins is thought by many researchers to have died at the birth of her last child.  (Alternatively, some believe that she may have survived Timothy and subsequently remarried.)  Thus, it is reasonable to presume that Joseph may have looked after the children of his brother.  Within this context, there is evidence that in the last decade of the eighteenth century, Joseph and his nephew, Timothy Perkins, Jr., were living in Grayson, County, Virginia, which lies just to the north and adjacent to present Ashe County, North Carolina.  In support of this, the names of Joseph and Timothy "Pirkins", i.e., Perkins, both appeared on the 1793 Personal Property Tax List for Wythe County, Virginia.  Furthermore, the list indicated, two tithables, seven horses, and no slaves and one tithable, two horses, and no slaves, respectively, for each of them and that they were resident in the portion of Wythe County from which Grayson County was formed on November 7, 1792.  (Within this context, Grayson County did not become administratively effective until 1793.)  Accordingly, their names also appeared on the 1794 Personal Property Tax List for Grayson County.  (However, there were also several other individuals surnamed Perkins on this same list who do not seem to have belonged to the extended Perkins-Sperry family and, thus, remain unidentified.)  It is known that as many as four other sons of Timothy, Sr., and Miriam Sperry Perkins lived at various times in Grayson County during the first half of the nineteenth century.  Indeed, three of their names also appeared on the 1793 Wythe County tax list, but not on the 1794 Grayson County list.  The reason for this discrepancy is not known.  Even so, this probably indicates that they were all living in close proximity, perhaps, even within the household of their uncle (although he did not report additional tithables, but tithables were commonly underreported on early tax lists).  Subsequently, in 1800 Joseph was assessed tax in Grayson County on two tithables and, in addition, Arod, Jabish, Gordan, and Stephen Perkins were each assessed tax on one tithable.  These four individuals can be identifed with certainty as Joseph's nephews, Aarod, Jabez, Gordon, and Stephen Perkins.  (Timothy Perkins, Jr., appears to have married and moved back to North Carolina before 1800.)

On February 5, 1800, Joseph Perkins was issued a patent by the Commonwealth of Virginia for five hundred and thirty acres in Grayson County lying on both sides of Wilson Creek.⁴  The associated survey had been returned on November 1, 1796.  Subsequently, in 1805 he was assessed tax on this parcel and also on an additional two hundred and sixty-five acres, which implies that his total land holding in Virginia exceeded seven hundred and ninety-five acres.  In addition, it is likely that Joseph Perkins, Jr., also owned land in North Carolina.  Indeed, it would seem that he had returned to North Carolina by 1808 since in February of that year he provided security for Henry Harden, who was appointed constable by the Ashe County Court, and the following year he was appointed to a "jury" to survey a new road apparently leading to the Old Fields.  Subsequently, in 1815 he was assessed tax in Ashe County for two hundred and forty-eight acres, again, in the Old Fields, which indicates that he was probably then living in this vicinity.⁵  As quoted by Ms. Reeves, Judge Paul M. Perkins stated that, "Joseph had acquired about 4000 acres in neighboring Watauga Co."  Of course, Watauga County was not formed until 1849; hence, in the 1810's and 1820's this would have been in Ashe County, probably a few miles south to southwest of the Old Fields.  Furthermore, Joseph Perkins was listed in the 1820 US Census for Ashe County and appears to have been an elderly man living alone.  It is not known when his wife died, but it was probably long before 1820.  According to an unpublished manuscript by Mr. Dow Perkins, which is available from the Wilkes County Public Library in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, Joseph Perkins, Jr., was buried with his wife, Lois Sperry Perkins on Beaver Creek in Ashe County where he died in 1831.  This has not been confirmed independently and there was no listing for either Joseph Perkins or his son, Luther, in the 1830 US Census for either Ashe or Grayson Counties.  Even so, a stone has been set relatively recently for Joseph and Lois Sperry Perkins in the "Perkins Family Cemetery" in Ashe County.  Accordingly, it seems quite probable that Joseph died after 1820 and very well could have lived until 1831.

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. 96.
     "General Verdict:
We the jury find the claim that Joseph Perkins hath set up in his Caveat of the land entered by Timothy Perkins known by the name of Old fields on New River running a crop the Old fields from a hickory saplin at or near a hay stack South and North course a Crop New River and to include Joseph Perkins claim to be just and that the ---------- of survey might offer to him the Joseph Perkins in preference to him that Timothy Perkins given under our hands this 31st day of July 1778.
     To the worshipful: George Wheatley, Randsom Judd, James Mitchel, George Gordon, Alex Gordon, Charles Walker, Reubin Stringer, Wm McSwain, Francis Vannoy, Hugh Smith, William Sturdy, Rubin Smathers"  Although garbled either in the original or in transcription, this appears to be the verdict in the case of a land dispute involving claims of Joseph and Timothy Perkins in Wilkes County, North Carolina.
back to bio.

2a. ibid. pg. 174.  "Bible Records of Joseph Perkins and His Descendants  Joseph Perkins, brother to Timothy Sr. was at the Old Fields with him.  Later Joseph Perkins was at Ninety-Six, a Fort in South Carolina.  Following is a list of births, marriages, and deaths of Joseph Perkins' son Luther Perkins, Luther's children and other descendants:
     Luther Perkins, born February 7, 1777; Susan Stamper, born May 22, 1778; Joseph Perkins, born October 27, 1802; James Perkins, born June 11, 1804; Loase Perkins, born July 27, 1806; Soloman Perkins, born April 9, 1808; Mary Perkins, born January 27, 1810; Martha Perkins, born December 25, 1812; Tempy Perkins, born December 8, 1814; Soloman Perkins, born December 3, 1817; David S. Perkins, born October 1, 1820; Lewis W. Perkins, born July 12, 1824; Carolina Blevins, born January 26, 1836; Rachel Osborne, born July 15, 1834; W. F. Perkins, born June 29, 1836; H. M. Perkins, born January 30, 1840; E. I. Perkins, born January 12, 1858; Samuel L. Perkins, born October 3, 1859; Mary U. Perkins, born August 31, 1861; Martha Ann Perkins, born June 29, 1863; Daniel J. Perkins, born July 15, 1865; Wiley C. Perkins, born July 7, 1867; William Franklin Perkins, born March 27, 1870; Green Perkins, born May 4, 1872; Lawson Smythe Perkins, born July 26, 1875; James Hosea Perkins, born April 16, 1877; Lee Grant Perkins, born November 23, 1883; Mildred Perkins, born June 25, 1910; Jean Ardna Perkins, born June 28, 1919; David Marcus Perkins, born June 2, 1916; Annie Mabel Perkins, born May 4, 1913; and Alice Toliver Perkins, born June 6, 1886.
     Perkins marriages as follows:  Luther Perkins married Susan Stamper, November 7, 1801; David Perkins married Caroline Blevins, March 6, 1857; Lewis W. Perkins married Rachel Osborne, October 20, 1848; and W. F. Perkins married Alice Toliver, date unknown.
     Deaths of Perkins and descendants as follows:  Luther Perkins, died June 1, 1858; Susan Perkins, died December 12, 1865; Joseph Perkins, died February 19, 1877; Lawson       , died July 8, 1877; James Perkins, died June 13, 1832; Pattie Perkins, died July 20, 1885; Lois Younce, died December 21, 1895; Tempy Perkins, died May 15, 1899; David S. Perkins, died June 17, 1905; Caroline Perkins, died April 28, 1916; Martha Ann Perkins, died November 28, 1926; Franklin Perkins, died 1873; James Hosea Perkins, died January 1941; Mary U. (Polly) Perkins Wayman, died November 22, 1954; W. F. Perkins, died April 1947; Alice Toliver Perkins, died February 2, 1949; Mildred P. Greene, died February 27, 1973; and Hardy M. Greene, died July 6, 1978."

b. According to the population schedule of the 1850 US Census for Ashe County, North Carolina, Luther Perkins was born in Virginia.  (1850 US Census Population Schedule for Ashe County, North Carolina, National Archives, Washington DC:  pg. 325A, (microfilm roll - M432_620; img. 178).)
back to bio.

3. Murtie June Clark, Loyalists in the Southern Campaign in the Revolutionary War - Vol. 1, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimare, MD, 1981: pgs. 164, 168, & 313.  (Reprinted by the Clearfield Co. in 1999)
back to bio.

4. James Monroe Esquire Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia  To all To whom these presents shall come Greeting  Know ye that by Virtue of three Land Office Treasury Warrants to wit:  three hundred and seventy acres by Ten thousand Seven hundred and twenty, One hundred Acres by Number twelve thousand two hundred and eighty seven, sixty acres by number twelve thousand & sixty five.  There is granted by the said Commonwealth unto Joseph Perkins a Certain tract or parcel of Land Containing five hundred & thirty acres by survey bearing date the sixth day of November One thousand seven hundred and ninety six lying and being in the County of Grayson on both sides of Wilsons Creek a branch of the New River & bounds as followeth (to wit)  Beginning at a white oak on a ridge his former corner North Seventy degrees West fifty four poles to a hickory & white oak sapling near a field South forty seven degrees West twenty p" to a maple on a branch South seventy two degrees West thirty two poles to a large white oak on the point of a hill near a mill South fifty four degrees West fifty four poles to two white oaks on the side of a hill near the head of said Millpond South fifteen degrees West fifty four poles Crossing said Creek to a white oak on the side of a ridge near a path West sixty six poles to a Chesnut & locust Sapling on a spur of a high ridge North fifteen degrees West fifty two poles to a large Chesnut and cucumber tree on the side of said ridge North thirty degrees East eighty poles to a Chestnut tree North thirty seven degrees East two hundred and sixty poles Crossing a fork of Wilson Creeek to a stake East One hundred and ninety eight poles to a poplar on a branch South thirteen degrees East one hundred and twenty poles down said branch to a maple by a Branch South fifty four degrees East one hundred poles to a white oak South eighty two degrees West forty poles Crossing said Creek to a white oak sapling South seven degrees East fifty poles to a white oak South eighty four degrees West seventy six poles to a white oak South sixty four degrees West sixty poles to a white oak near a Creek North fifty three degrees West One hundred and ninety five poles to the Beginning, with its appurtenances  To have & To hold the said tract or parcel of land with its appurtenances To the said Joseph Perkins & his Heirs forever  In Witness whereof the said James Monroe 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 fifth day of February In the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred & of the Commonwealth the twenty fourth  /s/James Monroe (Land Office Grants, Bk. 45, pgs. 78-9, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - Land Office Grants and Patents #111).)
back to bio.

5a. "State of North Carolina  Ashe County  At a County Court begun and held in the County o Ashe on the 2d Monday being the 9th of February 1808."
     "Henry Harden was this day appointed Const., entered into bond of £500 and gives for security Joseph Purkins."  (Court Minutes - 1808, Ashe Co., NC, pgs. unk.  (Jeffrey Weaver (tr), New River Notes, www.newrivernotes.com/index.htm, 2015.))

b. "State of North Carolina  Ashe County  At a County Court begun and held for the County of Ashe on the first Monday of August being the ... day of August A. D. 1809."
     "Ordered by the court that Barnet Owen, Henry Harden, Jacob Hartsog, Jno. Yonce, Wm. McNeal, Jonathan Philips, Saml. Wellcockson, [illegible] Lowrance, James Parsons, Jos. Purkins, Luther Purkins, Elijah Ginnings, Wm. Greer, James Tatom and Lewis Sheppard be a jury to view and lay off a road from the fork of the road on Obias Creek to the Old Fields."  (Court Minutes - 1809, Ashe Co., NC, pg. unk.  (Jeffrey Weaver (tr), New River Notes, www.newrivernotes.com/index.htm, 2015.))
back to bio.

6. op. cit. (Reeves): pg. 107.  "Ashe County: 1815 Tax List Capt. Bakers Destrict
Name               - Acres - Valuation ($) - Poles [Polls] - Taverns - Stores -studs - Adjacency
PERKINS Jos. - 248     -   1000                                                                            - old field"
(Jeffrey Weaver (tr), New River Notes, www.newrivernotes.com/index.htm, 2015.)
back to bio.

Additional Citations:

7. 1820 US Census Population Schedule for Ashe County, North Carolina, National Archives, Washington DC:  pg. 2, (microfilm roll - M33_81; img. 11).

8. 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.)

9. Grayson County Personal Property Tax List of 1794, 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 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.)

11. 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.)

12. Perkins Family Cemetery, Ashe County, North Carolina (www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=2418525&CScn=Perkins&CScntry=4&CSst=29&CScnty=1655&, continuously updated).

Return to Index