Father: Joseph Perkins, Sr.
Mother: Phebe Moulthrop
Spouse: Miriam Sperry
m: ~1764 - New Haven Co., CT
Child-1: Lutheral or Lighteral - b: ~1765 -
New Haven Co., CT
2: Jared
3: Jabez
4: Aarod
5: Timothy,
Jr.
6: Levi
- b: 26/May/1772 - Surry Co., NC - m: Minnie Hale
7: Gordon
8: Stephen
9: Lucy
- b: 2/Feb/1776 - Surry Co., NC
d: 28/Nov/1848 - Grayson Co., VA - bur: Youngs Chapel Baptist
Church Cem.
m: Joseph Young - 20/Oct/1796
10: William
Biographical Details:
Timothy Perkins, Sr., was born in Connecticut near the end of June in 1736. The date of his baptism was recorded as June 27 at the First Congregational Church of New Haven and his parents were Joseph and Phebe Moulthrop Perkins. It is thought that the family lived in Wallingford Township, which lay just to the north of the Township of New Haven and from which it had been formed in 1680. It would seem that Timothy Perkins, Sr., and Miriam (or Mariam) Sperry were married during the 1760's in Connecticut, perhaps, about 1764 since their oldest surviving son is reported to have been born in 1765. By all accounts, probably between 1771 and 1773, Timothy Perkins, along with his wife and children, his brother, Joseph, other relatives and in-laws, and, perhaps, even his parents, left Connecticut and settled in northwestern North Carolina in probably what was then either Rowan or Surry County.1 Their migration is confirmed by the will of Abel Sperry, Sr., father of Miriam Sperry Perkins, made January 29, 1776, in which he states that, "my Second son namely Wm Sperry and two of my Daughters Namely Merriam Perkins the wife of Timothy Perkins & namely Lois Sperry has made a remove to North Carolina contrary to my desire". The reason that they moved is not definitely known; however, it has been suggested that it was a consequence of the general political ferment and disorder prevalent in New England in the decade preceding the Revolutionary War. Within this context, there is strong evidence that the Perkins brothers were dedicated loyalists, i.e., Tories. Moreover, it is further suggested that a Whig faction sympathetic to rebellion became politically ascendant in Connecticut in the late 1760's and persecuted those who expressed loyalty to the Crown. However, the southern colonies were less rebellious and, therefore, would have likely been attractive to those having loyalist sentiments. In addition, there had been some migration, including other members of the extended Perkins family, southward from New England to Delaware and the Valley of Virginia throughout the eighteenth century. Although the story has never been adequately substantiated, it has also been reported that the Perkins brothers had been tax collectors in New England, which, then as now, would have made them unpopular and, perhaps, motivated them to leave the community to escape political persecution and social condemnation.2Source Notes and Citations:Arthur's History of Western North Carolina states, "Where Gap creek empties into the South Fork of New River is a rich meadow on which, according to tradition, there has never been any trees. It has been called the 'old field' time out of mind." According to the work of Ms. Eleanor Baker Reeves, this is exactly where Timothy Perkins, Sr., settled. She further stated that he made a formal land claim in Wilkes County, North Carolina, on April 7, 1778.3 (In 1777, Wilkes County was formed from Surry County and the District of Washington, which had both been formed from Rowan County in 1770 and 1776, respectively.) Subsequently, the area became part of Ashe County when it was formed from the northwestern portion of Wilkes County in 1799. Timothy Perkins' land claim can probably be identified with Wilkes County grant number fifty-five located in the general area of Gap Creek. Geographically, Old Fields Creek rises about five miles southwest of the present town of Jefferson, flows south to southeast several miles, and empties into the South Fork of the New River at the community of Fleetwood. The mouth of Gap Creek, which flows northward, lies less than a mile further downstream on the opposite side. Evidently, in the eighteenth century the floodplain of the river in this area was covered with grassy meadows rather than forest, hence the name "Old Fields" (as cited above from Arthur). The history of the Revolutionary War has been very well documented and, as is well known, significant fighting did not occur in the southern colonies until quite near the end of hostilities. Nevertheless, some of the more important battles were fought in Virginia and the Carolinas, culminating in the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown on October 19, 1781. Therefore, if the intention of Timothy and Joseph Perkins in moving south had been to avoid political conflict and the coming rebellion evident in New England, then by 1780 and 1781 they would have found that they had been unsuccessful in this attempt and were obliged to take up arms in any case. Indeed, there is evidence that they served with loyalist forces in North and South Carolina.4 Moreover, as Draper's account of the capture and rescue of Colonel Cleveland illustrates, at this time the North Carolina back country was in a lawless state of roving irregular bands of opposing Tory and Whig sympathizers that skirmished with each other and oppressed the civilian population.5 Kidnapping and lynching were common occurrences, legitimized by so-called court martials that were often a travesty of any reasonable conception of justice. Furthermore, even though the account states that Timothy and Joseph Perkins were absent in Tory service on April 14 and 15, 1781, female members of the Perkins household became directly involved in the events surrounding the ambush and capture of Cleveland by Riddle. In this regard, it seems very likely that Captain Riddle knew the Perkins brothers as loyalist sympathizers, which explains why he and his party would have stopped at their home in the first place. In this they were not disappointed since they were provided with useful information concerning the whereabouts of Colonel Cleveland. Even so, it seems that some members of the Perkins household were ambivalent about harm coming to Cleveland as a result of this information and, hence, attempted to upset the ambush. Indeed, this provides an excellent illustration of the complicated nature of personal loyalties prevailing in any civil war, since, one might suppose from their actions that the Perkins family would have also known Cleveland as a neighbor and, perhaps, even a friend before the political polarization of the rebellion.6
The death of Timothy Perkins, Sr., is a particularly vexing question for historians of this family. In particular, it has been asserted by Mr. Dow Perkins and others that Timothy Perkins, Sr., survived to a great age, dying in 1834, after which he was reportedly buried with his second (and much younger) wife, Ann Sturgill Perkins, in the "Sturgill Cemetery" (also known as the "Zion Hill Baptist Church Cemetery").7 Moreover, it is further reported that Ann was born in 1794 or 1795, that they married about 1812 and had one daughter, Lydia, and that Ann died about 1813. (Nothing specific seems to be known about the daughter beyond that she was said to have married someone named Price.) Furthermore, there are at least two Sturgill Cemeteries proposed as burial places for the couple, viz., along Helton Creek about one mile north of the village of Sturgills in Ashe County, North Carolina, and about two miles south of Mouth of Wilson, Virginia, just over the border in Alleghany County, North Carolina, near the New River. (Alleghany County was formed from eastern Ashe County in 1859.) Indeed, it seems that a stone has been recently erected in "Old Sturgill Cemetery" in Alleghany County which, along with others, explicitly includes the name of Ann Sturgill Perkins. Even so, the preponderance of documentary and circumstantial evidence indicates that none of this is correct. In particular, George Morris was appointed as guardian for Jabez Perkins, minor son of Timothy, Sr., in Wilkes County in either 1783 or 1784 and, according to the common law prevailing at the time, this is an almost certain indication that Jabez Perkins was an "orphan", i.e., a minor whose father was deceased, regardless of whether his mother was living or not. (In addition, it has been asserted that Miriam Sperry Perkins had died in 1777 in childbirth; however, this is also a debatable proposition and, in any case, is of little significance here.) Furthermore, in her book, Ms. Reeves has published a particularly sound analysis put forward by Judge Paul M. Perkins, who also cites original manuscripts from the Eller Collection as well as family tradition in support of the death of Timothy Perkins, Sr., in a skirmish during the Revolutionary War. In contrast, it appears that the primary documentary evidence in support of the survival of Timothy Perkins, Sr., into the nineteenth century comes from the diary of Dr. Elisha Mitchell, a geologist who surveyed western North Carolina in 1827 and 1828.8 The diary is in the form of a series of letters and was published as a monograph with footnotes in 1905. The first mention of Timothy Perkins came in the entry for July 11, 1828, in which it was stated that he was living on Helton's Creek with "an army of maidens". In addition, an associated footnote states, "Ancestor of a number of Perkinses on Helton Creek. All wealthy." It appears that later researchers have, perhaps, misinterpreted this footnote as an indication that the Timothy Perkins mentioned in the diary was Timothy, Sr. However, the footnote was likely added to the text at the time of publication of the diary, that is to say, more than seventy-five years after its composition and hardly qualifies as convincing evidence that Timothy Perkins, Sr., was still alive at the time of Mitchell's tour. Furthermore, Timothy Perkins, Sr., settled in the Old Fields, which lies a considerable distance from Helton Creek. Since, he is believed to have had significant land holdings in this locality, of which there is no evidence that he ever sold, it seems improbable, although not impossible, that he would have been living on Helton Creek. Other younger members of the Perkins family were subsequently also mentioned in the diary; in particular Stephen Perkins, whose grandfather, Dr. Mitchell said, came from Connecticut. Clearly, this was a reference to Timothy, Sr., since his brother Joseph had no known grandsons named Stephen. Nevertheless, the context does not explicitly indicate that either of them were then still living. Of course, there can be no doubt that Dr. Mitchell actually met Timothy, William, and Stephen Perkins when he was traveling in the vicinity of Helton Creek; however, it is likely that these men were the sons and grandson, respectively, of Timothy, Sr.9 All things considered, it seems most plausible that Timothy Perkins, Sr., was a casualty of the American Revolution and was killed in Wilkes County in the summer of 1782 fighting for King and country.
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. 173.
"3. Migration of Timothy Perkins Sr and Joseph Perkins He left Connecticut before 1776 because his father-in-law Abel Sperry in his will dated January 1776 says that his daughter Miriam, daughter Lois, and son William Sperry went to North Carolina against his wishes. Dow Perkins places it between 1769 and 1771. Did they first go to Wilson Creek in Grayson Co Va., or Old Fields in Wilkes Co (now Ashe) N. C. Dow suggested the former. But Timothy made a land entry on Old Fields April 1, 1778 and there are no land dealings of record for any of the family in Grayson until 1796. Having been of a family that had already lived a hundred years in New Haven, they were familiar with the importance of land titles. They would have had just to squat on Wilson Creek before 1796, and they were not squatter types. Just as in Kentucky (which was Kentucky county of Virginia) you had to make land improvements to make a legal entry. The 1778 entry refers to those improvements, clearly showing that Timothy had been there at least two or three years."
"4. Why did they leave Connecticut? I found the following by Dow Perkins in the Wilkes Co library:
'As one considers the Connecticut genealogy and realizes New Haven was one of the oldest and most enlightened areas of this land before the revolution, one wonders why families that had been in the New Haven area for over 100 years should migrate to the still wilderness of S. W. Virginia and North Carolina. There is a possible explanation in the history of Connecticut.'
'New Haven was the mother town of the New Haven colony, which was early independent of the Colony of Connecticut, but consolidated into the Connecticut Colony when John Winthrop Jr became governor of it. The Congregational Church (Puritan) was made the 'State Church'. Its members were the leaders and political power in the colony. As its population increased, the old problem of the 'haves' and 'have nots' caused a split in the church between the conservatives (loyalists and tories) and radicals (Whigs) in increasing social and political conflict. In 1776 [sic - 1766] the Whigs defeated the Tories politically, and the Whigs instituted a persecution of the Tories. The history of the Colony records that some 2000 to 2500 paid dearly for their loyalty to the King. This undoubtedly accounts for the disappearance of so many ancient families from Connecticut soon after 1766, an exodus that continued long after the Revolution, directly westward and down the Ohio River, and southwest down the 'Wilderness Road' from the 'Great Road of Virginia' to Cumberland Gap and into Kentucky.'
'Why these Perkins went to S. W. Va and western North Carolina is also probably explained by the fact that kin folk had earlier migrated to Delaware and then to the Valley of Virginia ... gentleman John Perkins. Thus when Timothy and Joseph left Connecticut they probably took the course of joining kinsmen in these areas, especially as at that time, 1769-1773 this area was loyalist and tory in sympathy.'
The Arthur story that they were tax collectors in New England and had to leave has not been confirmed. But they were historic tories, very dedicated. There is an undertone of bitterness from which I conclude they probably left after the 1766 defeat. Miriam's father Abel Sperry bitterly says in his will in Jan. 1766 [sic - 1776] that his daughter had gone to North Carolina against his wishes."
back to bio.2. John Preston Arthur, History of Western North Carolina, Chap. V, Edwards and Broughton Printing Co., Raleigh, NC, 1914.
"THE PERKINS FAMILY. J. D. Perkins, Esq., an attorney at Kendrick, Va., in a letter to his brother, L. N. Perkins, at Boone, N. C., of date December 1, 1913, says that his ancestors Joseph and Timothy Perkins were tax gatherers under the colonial government of Massachusetts about the commencement of the Revolutionary War, but removed to Old Fields, Ashe county on account of political persecution. They remained loyal to the King during the whole of the Revolutionary War, and Timothy was killed somewhere in Ashe in a Tory skirmish. Timothy left several sons and one daughter, Lucy, J. D. Perkins' great grandmother, who married a man named Young. Joseph also left sons and daughters. 'I have forgotten the names of most of our great grand uncles,' wrote J. D. Perkins in the letter above mentioned, 'but I remember to have heard our mother tell about seeing 'Granny Skritch,' a sister to our great-great-grandfather, and who was very old at that time, and living with one of her Perkins relatives up on Little Wilson. Our mother was then quite small and the old lady (Granny Skritch) was very old and confined to her bed; but our mother was impressed with Granny Skritch's loyalty, even then, to King George, and the manner in which she abused the Patriot soldiers in her talk.'" Obviously, the reference to Massachusetts is incorrect since, it is known that the Perkins brothers came from Connecticut and, of course, Ashe County did not exist at the time of the Revolution. (Jeffrey Weaver (tr), New River Notes, www.newrivernotes.com/nc/wnc.htm, 1998.)
back to bio.3. op. cit. (Reeves): pg. 96. "7 April 1778 -- Timothy Perkins entered four hundred acres of land in Wilkes County on North side of New River begining at a small branch at or near the upper end of lot. Is called the Coldfields [sic - Old Fields] on groping the said River at the mouth of branch thence East groping Deep Gap Creek thence North including the three improvements and the one whereon the Perkins now lives and the one where on the Royal Porter now lives and the one that the said Perkins Bought of Samuel McQueen for Complimentz. Wilkes County Court Records" Presumably, Ms. Reeves copied this directly from Wilkes County records and included misspellings, etc.
back to bio.4. 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) According to Steven C. Perkins, who cites the work of Clark: Timothy Perkins and his brother, Joseph, possibly served as privates in Captain Benjamin Perkins' Company of Colonel John Phillips' Regiment of Jackson's Creek Militia from Camden District, South Carolina. This was a loyalist unit that served under Lord Rawdon during June and July of 1781. The Perkins brothers may also have served under Captain Joseph McDaniel in Captain Thomas Pearson's Regiment of the Little River Militia, Ninety Six Brigade, for thirty-four days, sometime between May 6 and August 5, 1782. (Steven Curtis Perkins, "Descendants of Timothy Perkins and Marian Sperry of New Haven, CT and Wilkes/Ashe Co., NC", freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~scperkins/tperkdesc.html, 1999-2001.)
back to bio.5. Lyman C. Draper, Kings Mountain and Its Heroes, Peter G. Thomson Pub., Cincinnati, OH, 1881: Chap. 19, pgs. 437-41. (Reprint available from the Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimare, MD)
"To Colonel Cleveland, whose career was replete with perilous adventures, an occurence now, transpired, which at one time threatened the most tragic termination; and which, for its hairbreadth escapes, may be regarded as the most notable event of his life. Some thirty-five miles from his home at the Round-About on the Yadkin, some twenty northwest of Wilkesboro, and in the southeastern portion of the present county of Ashe, was a well-known locality, mostly on the northern bank of the South Fork of the New River, called the Old Fields which at some previous period, was probably the quiet home of a wandering band of Cherokees. These Old Fields belonged to Colonel Cleveland, and served in peaceful times, as a grazing region for his stock.
Having occasion to visit his New River plantation, Colonel Cleveland rode there, accompanied only by a negro servant, arriving at Jesse Duncan's, his tenant, at the lower end of the Old Fields, on Saturday, the fourteenth of April, 1781. Unfortunately for the Colonel, Captain William Riddle, a noted Tory leader, son of the Loyalist Colonel James Riddle, of Surry County, was approaching from the Virginia border, with Captain Ross, a Whig captive, whom he had taken, together with his servant, and now enroute for Ninety Six, where a British reward appears to have been paid for prisoners. Riddle, with his party of six or eight men, reached Benjamin Cutbirth's some four miles above the Old Fields. Cutbirth was a fine old Whig, and an old associate of Daniel Boone, who had only partially recovered from a severe spell of fever. The Tory Captain, probably from Cutbirth's reticence regarding solicited information, shamefully abused him, and placed him under guard.
Descending the river to the upper end of the Old Fields, where Joseph and Timothy Perkins resided (1970 farm of H. H. Lemly) about a mile above Duncan's, both of whom were absent in Tory service, Riddle learned from their women that Cleveland was but a short distance away, at Duncan's, with only his servant, Duncan, and one or two of the Callaway family there. Every Tory in the country knew full well of Cleveland's inveterate hatred of their race; how prominently he had figured at King's Mountain, and had given his influence for the Tory executions at Bockerstaff's and caused the summary hanging of Covie and Brown at Wilkesboro. Riddle well judged that such a prisoner would be a prize to take along to Ninety Six.
The prospect of making Cleveland his prisoner was too tempting for Riddle to neglect. His force was too small to run any great risk, and so he concluded to resort to stratagem. He resolved, therefore, to steal Cleveland's horses in the quiet of the night, judging that the Colonel would follow their trail the next morning, supposing they had strayed off, when he would ambuscade him at some suitable place, and thus take 'Old Round-About', as he was called, unawares, and at a disadvantage. The horses were accordingly taken that night; and a laurel thicket selected, just above the Perkins house, as a fitting place to waylay their expected pursuers. During Saturday, Richard Callaway and his brother-in-law, John Shirley, went down from the neighboring residence of Thomas Callaway, to Duncan's, to see Colonel Cleveland and appear to have remained there over night.
Discovering the horses were missing on Sunday morning, immediate pursuit was made. Having a pair of pistols, Colonel Cleveland retained one, handing the other to Duncan, while Callaway and Shirley were unarmed. Reaching the Perkins place one of the Perkins women, knowing of the ambuscade, secretly desired to save the Colonel from his impending fate, so she detained him, as long as she could, by conservation [sic - conversation], evidently fearing personal consequences should she divulge the scheme of his enemies to entrap him. His three associates kept on, with Cleveland some little distance, behind, Mrs. Perkins still following, and retarding him by her inquiries; and as those in advance crossed the fence which had adjoined the thicket, the Tories fired from their places of concealment, one aiming at Cleveland, who though some little distance in the rear, was yet within range of their guns. But they generally shot wild. Only one shot, that of Zachariah Wells, who aimed at Callaway, effectual, breaking his thigh, when he fell helpless by the fence, and was left [for] dead. Duncan and Shirley escaped. Cleveland from his great weight - fully three hundred pounds, knew he could not run any great distance, and only be too prominent a mark for Tory bullets, dodged into the house with several Tories at his heels. Now, flourishing his pistol rapidly from one [hand] to another, they pledged to spare his life and accord him good treatment, if he would quietly surrender, which he did.
Wells by this time having reloaded his rifle, made his appearance on the scene, swearing that he would kill Cleveland; and aiming his gun, the Colonel instantly seized Abigail Walters who was present, and by the dint of his great strength, and under a high state of excitement, dextrously handled her as a puppet, keeping her between him and his would be assassin. Wells seemed vexed at this turn in the affair, and hurled his imperfections [sic - imprecations] on the poor woman, threatening if she did not get out of the way, he would blow right through her as well, not appearing to realize that she had as little power as a mouse in the clutches of a ferocious cat. Cleveland, getting his eyes on Capt. Riddle, whom he knew, or judged by his appearance, to be the leader, appealed to him if such treatment was not contrary to the stipulations of his surrender. Riddle promptly replied that it was, and ordered Wells to desist from his murderous intent, say that he would take Cleveland to Ninety Six and make money out of his capture. The terrified woman who had been made an unwilling battery, was now released from Cleveland's grasp as from a vise; and the whole party with the prisoner and his servant were speedily mounted, and hurried up New River. The stream, so near its source, was quite shallow, and the Tories traveled mostly in its bed to avoid being tracked, in case of pursuit.
Soon after the Tory party had called at Cutbirths, on their way down the river, young Daniel Cutbirth and a youth named Walters, who were absent at the time, returned; and encouraged by Mrs. Cutbirth, though only fourteen or fifteen years of age, they resolved they would take their guns, select a good spot, and ambuscade Riddle on his return, and perhaps rescue whatever prisoners he might have. But on the return of the Tory party the next day, they made so much noise, and gave so many military commands, that led the youthful ambuscaders to conclude that they had received a reinforcement, and that it would be rashness for two single handed youths to undertake to come with numbers, so unequal. So Riddle and his party reached Cutbirths undisturbed, and ordered dinner for himself, men and prisoners. One of the Cutbirth girls, not engaging willingly in this service received abuse and even kicks, from the Tory leader. Their appetite appeased, they proceeded up New River, mostly along its bed, till they reached Elk Creek, up which they might make their way in the same manner. Col. Cleveland, meanwhile, managed unperceived, to break off overhanging twigs, dropping them into the stream to float down as a guide to his friends, who he knew would make up an early pursuit. >From the head of the south fork of the Elk, they ascended up the mountains to what has since been known as Riddle's Knob, in what is now Watuaga County, and some four miles from the place of Cleveland's captivity, where they camped for the night.
Early on that Sabbath morning, Joseph Callaway and his brother-in-law Barry Toney, wishing to see Colonel Cleveland on business matters, called at Duncan's, and learned about the missing horses, and the pursuit; and at that moment they heard the report of the firing at the upper end of the plantation, and hastened in that direction, soon meeting Duncan and Shirley in rapid flight, who could only tell that Richard Callaway had fallen, and Colonel Cleveland was either killed or taken. It was promptly agreed, that Duncan, Shirley, and Toney should notify the people of the scattered settlements to meet that afternoon at Old Fields, while Joseph Callaway should go to his father's close by, mount his horse, and hasten to Captain Robert Cleveland's, on Lewis Fork of the Yadkin, a dozen miles distant. His brother, William Callaway, started forthwith up the river, and soon came across Samuel McQueen and Benjamin Greer, who readily joined him; all being good woodsmen, followed the Tory trail as best they could, till night overtook them when some distance above the mouth of Elk Creek, and about ten miles from the Old Fields. William Callaway suggested that he and McQueen would remain there while Greer should return to pilot up whatever men may have gathered to engage in pursuit of the Tories.
By night-fall, Captain Robert Cleveland and others, to the number of twenty or thirty, good and tried men, who had served under Colonel Cleveland, had gathered at the Old Fields, determined to rescue their old Commander at every hazard, even though they should follow the Tory party to the gates of Ninety Six. Greer made his appearance in good time, and at once they were on the trail of the enemy. They reached William Callaway and McQueen, to lead the advance, along with John Baker, as spies. A little after sun-rise, having proceeded four miles, they discovered indications of the enemy's camp on the mountain. But little arrangment was made for the attack; nine men only were in readiness, the others were apparently some distance behind; and only four or five of these were designated to fire on the enemy, the rest reserving their shots for a second volley, or any emergencies that might happen - of these was William Callaway.
Some of the Tories, had already breakfasted, while others were busily employed in preparing their morning meal. Colonel Cleveland was sitting on a large fallen tree, engaged, under compulsion, in writing passes for several members of Captain Riddle's party, certifying that each was a good Whig to be used, when in a tight place, to help them out of difficulty, by assuming they were patriots of the truest type. Cleveland's commendation passing unquestioned along the borders of Virginia and The Carolinas. But 'Old Round-About' had a strong suspicion that their urgency for these passports betokened that the moment they were completed; his days would be numbered; and thus naturally but a poor penman, he purposely retarded his task as much as possible, hoping to gain time for the expected relief, apologizing for his blunders, and renewing his unwilling efforts. Several of the Tory party were now gathering up their horses for an early start, and Cleveland was receiving severe threatening if he did not hurry up with the last passport.
Just at this moment, while Captain Riddle and Zachariah Wells were especially guarding Cleveland and Captain Ross, the former with Cleveland's pistol presented at his breast, and the latter with his gun aimed for instantaneous use if need be the relief party were silently creeping up; and the next moment several guns were fired, and the Whigs rushed up, uttering their loadest yells. Colonel Cleveland, comprehending the situation, tumbled off the prostrate tree, on the side opposite to his friends, lest their balls might accidentally hit him, and exclaiming, in his joy, at the top of his thundering voice, 'Hurra for brother Bob! - that' right, give 'em hell!' Wells alone was shot, as he was scampering away, by William Callaway in hot pursuit, and supposed to be mortally wounded, he was left to his fate; the rest fled with the aid of their fresh horses, or such as they could secure at the moment - Riddle and his wife among the number. Cleveland's servant, a pack-horse for Tory plunder, was overjoyed at his sudden liberation. Cleveland and Ross were thus fortunately rescued, and the happy Whigs returned to their several homes. William Callaway was especially elated that he had had the good fortune to shoot Wells, who had so badly wounded his brother, Richard Callaway, at the ambuscade at the Old Fields.
Shortly after this occurrence, Captain Riddle ventured to make a night raid into Yadkin Valley, where on King's Creek, several miles above Wilkesboro, they surrounded the house where two of Cleveland's noted soldiers, David and John Witherspoon, resided with their parents, and spirited them many miles away in the mountain region on the Watauga River, in what is now Watauga County, were both sentenced to be shot-blind-folded and men detailed to do the fatal work. It was then proposed, if they would take the oath of allegiance to the King, repair to their home, and speedily return with a certain noble animal belonging to David Witherspoon, known as the 'O'neal mare' and join the Tory band, their lives would be spared. They gladly accepted the proposition with such mental reservations as they thought fit to make. As soon as they reached home, David Witherspoon mounted his fleet-footed mare, and hastened to Col. Benjamin Herndon's, several miles down the river, who quickly raised a party, and piloted by the Witherspoons, they soon reached the Tory camp, taking it by surprise, capturing three, killing and dispersing the others. So the young Witherspoons fulfilled their promise of speedily returning to the Tory camp, bringing the 'O'neal mare' with them, but under somewhat different circumstances from what the unsophisticated Tories expected.
The three prisoners taken were Captain Riddle, and two of his noted associates, named Reeves and Goss. Upon their arrival at a court martial they were condemned to be hung. But as if to curry favor with the soldiers, or get them in a condition so he might escape, Riddle treated them freely to whiskey. Learning which, Colonel Cleveland frankly informed him that it would be useless to waste his whiskey in such efforts that he would be hung directly after breakfast. The three notorious freebooters were accordingly executed, on a hill adjoining the village, on a stately oak, which is yet standing, and pointed out to strangers at Wilkesboro. Mrs. Riddle, who seems to have accompanied her husband on his wild and reckless marauds, was present and witnessed his execution." This passage is paraphrased in Arthur and excerpted by Ms. Reeves, pgs. 89-91.
back to bio.6. Shannon Jackson cites Mr. Todd Perkins with a somewhat different version of the relationship between Colonel Cleveland and the Perkins family:
"It is known that Col. Cleveland (a famous Revolutionary raider in SW VA) was captured by some Tories at the Perkins home and would have been killed if it were not for one of the Perkins women, who delayed his departure before he could be ambushed. Timothy and his brother were off serving in the Royal Army at the time. Cleveland was proclaimed as a hero to some, but others said he was rude and sadistic. His nickname was 'Old Roundabout' and it is said he was very fat. I also note a 1781 court record where Timothy and Cleveland disputed ownership of Timothy's home. Cleveland had a plantation in Old Fields and Timothy moved there as well. After Timothy was established, Cleveland claimed it was his land, as he asked Timothy to watch some of his cattle when he moved there (making Timothy an employee). Timothy lost in court, and this may be why part of the family relocated closer to the VA line. Cleveland also tried to claim the same thing with Timothy's brother, Joseph, but lost that one at trial. Timothy was probably killed in a skirmish near his home at Old Fields. There is an old document that states Timothy killed on the Tory side in battle on the South Fork near the mouth of Gap Creek during the Revolutionary War." (Shannon Jackson; database - liberty_68123; worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com, 2004 & www.gencircles.com/users/liberty_68123/1/data/7568, 2004.)
back to bio.7. op. cit. (Reeves): pgs. 173-4. "Timothy Perkins Sr. New Information May 1976 5. The time and manner of Timothy Sr's death:
"The story in Arthur's History of Watauga County that he died in a skirmish fighting for the Tories is disputed by Dow Perkins who writes (in a document in the Virginia archives) 'The story that Timothy was killed in a rebel skirmish is not true. He is said to be buried in the Sturgill cemetery in Ashe Co N. C.' And from a document of Dow Perkins in Wilkes Co library; 'His mostly illegible stone establishes his death in 1834 ... Dr. Mitchell's diary records him living alone at a very old age in 1828.' Mrs. Jesse Reeves of West Jefferson doubts that the 'the unmarked grave' in the Sturgill cemetery is that of Timothy. I found a record which seems to throw doubt on the assertion that Timothy did not die until 1834. In the Wilkes Co. N. C. will and estate book I found that in 1783 Geo Morris was appointed guardian for Gebas (Jabez) Perkins. Jabez, a son of Timothy Sr, had been born in 1766. So in 1783 he would have been a minor age 17. The only reason for appointing a guardian in those days was to handle the interest a minor had in land, and he probably was an heir to his deceased father Timothy Sr. So the story that he died about 1781 in a skirmish (or at least did not die until 1834) seems proved by another reliable fact of record. But I would like to know where can Dr. Mitchell's diary can be found.""Additional References Perkins Family Revised November 1981 B. Hypothesis that he died in a Revolutionary War skirmish
Probate records In 1783 George Morris was appointed guardian of Gebas Perkins (undoubtedly Jabez, Timothy Sr's son, then 17) I found this record while at the State Archives in Raleigh in April 1976. Later in 1788 Jabish Perkins was appointed adminstrator of William Sperry, his mother's brother.
There is no reason generally to appoint a guardian of a minor if the natural parents are living. We know that Jabez' mother Miriam died at the birth of her last child in 1777. The existence of the appointment is proof that his father Timothy had died before 1783.
No one would have gone to all that trouble without some reason. One example requiring the appointment of a guardian would be to deal with a minor's interest in inherited real estate.
Another reason is suggested by the fact that Jabez was a minor when he married Nancy Ann Creekmore. Now as then the marriage of minors must be approved by a parent. If a parent is not living, it must be by a person in loco parentis - i.e. a guardian.
The absence of real estate transactions by Timothy Sr In 1783 Timothy Sr would only have been 47. The whole clan was very acquisitive and got land as fast as they could. His children had acquired almost 5000 acres in Grayson Co Va and Ashe Co NC by 1818. His brother Joseph had acquired about 4000 acres in neighboring Watauga Co. The Perkins had now settled and civilized New Haven and were well acquainted with land titles. They were not frontier hunter types who simply 'squatted' on land. If Timothy had in fact lived until 1834, I believe he would have been involved in land deals as were his children. The total absence of any such deals is pretty good proof to me that he had died earlier.
Traditional proof The Eller Collection on file in the West Jefferson N. C. library, a collection of old documents says: 'Timothy killed on Tory side in a battle on the South Fork near the mouth of Gap Creek during the Revolutionary War.' (Source 24)
Mrs. Eleanor Reeves (Source 24) '...I have heard this (the battle) all my life. John Baker my paternal relative and my maternal Calloways were active in the Old Fields skirmish, and it has been talked about ever since it happened, generation after generation.' Mrs. Reeves is a professional genealogist.
Conclusion From all the evidence I conclude that Timothy did not live until 1834 but died at least before 1783, and probably as history reports, in a skirmish. I found some controversy on this point. The fact that I may differ from Dow Perkins on this point does not detract from his magnificent work. Our branch of the family should be deeply appreciative of his work. I wrote him in 1976 but received no answer. Judge Paul M. Perkins"
back to bio.8. Elisha Mitchell, Diary of a Geological Tour, James Sprunt Historical Monograph No. 6, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 1905: pgs. 24-5. (Jeffrey Weaver, New River Notes, www.newrivernotes.com/nc/mitchdia.htm, 2003.)
back to bio.9. One "loose end" that remains to be resolved is who was the Timothy Perkins that allegedly married Ann Sturgill? As noted above, Timothy Perkins, Sr., had probably been killed in 1782 and it is known that Timothy Perkins, Jr., married Tabitha Anderson. Therefore, neither of them could have been the husband of Ann Sturgill and, if this Timothy existed at all, he was probably a grandson of Timothy, Sr., or Joseph Perkins. One possible candidate is Timothy Perkins, son of Jabez. Longstanding family tradition indicates that he married Mary Ann Sturgeon or, as is more likely, Sturgill, probably in Grayson County, Virginia, about 1808 or 1809. In addition, it is known that Mary Ann was born in 1793 and that Timothy and Mary Ann's first child was a daughter. (Even so, the daughter's name has been recorded as "Nancy" rather than "Lydia".) However, Timothy and Mary Ann Perkins left the region in 1812 or 1813 and settled in Whitley County, Kentucky. Moreover, Mary Ann survived until 1844 and died in Illinois or Missouri. Therefore, she was almost certainly not buried in either Ashe or Alleghany County, North Carolina. Even so, it is possible that later researchers did not know these additional details and mistakenly assumed she had died in North Carolina or Virginia about 1813. Of course, all of this remains highly speculative and other explanations are possible or even likely. (unpublished notes)
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Additional Citations:
10. Baptismal Register, First Congregational Church, New Haven , CT: Vol. 1, pg. 38. (Steven Curtis Perkins, "Ancestry of Henry Franklin Perkins", freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~scperkins/hperkanc.html, 1989-2001.)11. Deed Bk. 1, 1778-1783, Wilkes Co., NC, Grant no. 55. (Jeffrey Weaver (tr), New River Notes, www.newrivernotes.com/nc/ashedeed.htm, 2003.)
12. Larry Hash, "Old Sturgill Cemetery, Piney Creek, Alleghany County, North Carolina", unpublished. (Jeffrey Weaver, New River Notes, www.newrivernotes.com/nc/sturgilloldcem.htm, 2003.)
13. Ancestral File: FLSP-HM, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, UT, continuously updated.