Pennsylvania Biographical Sketches

William Perkins b.1785 CT (African American), son of (Prince & Unknown (Unknown) Perkins). He arrived with his father from Connecticut to PA in 1792-95.  He later moved to Brooklyn Township, Susquehanna Co., PA. His wife......... [See Below]

**IMPORTANT UPDATE ** In 2012 I was contacted by a descendant of William Perkins. She states that William Perkins wife was MELINDA (Unknown). She has stated that this 1850 Federal Census Record is incorrect and that she has proof that Melinda was his wife and that her age is also incorrect on this census.

*The 1850 Fed. PA Census lists the family in this order*

His Known Child was:

1. Angeline Perkins b.1832 PA m. Henry W. Dennis

On the 1850 Census, a woman named Charlotte Perkins, age.57 was listed living in his household, possibly his wife as stated in the below book.
On the 1850 Census, a woman by the name of Violet Perkins, age 74 was listed living in his household, possibly a wife, sister or a step-mother.

Prince Perkins b. 1750 CT (African American) d.1839 PA. His 1st wife JUDITH (Unknown). He was a former slave of Capt. Perkins of Connecticut, and was set free in CT.  He, his wife and his son William Perkins (above) and two grandchildren were part of the group of 40 "Nicholson Colonists" who came from Philadelphia to the Susquehanna Valley during the years 1792-95.  He appears on the Luzerne Co., PA Census in 1800. He is missing from the 1810 Census. In 1820 he is listed at Waterford, Susquehanna Co., PA Census. He is listed in 1830 at Brooklyn, Susquehanna Co., PA.

His Known Children were:

1. William Perkins b.1785
2. Phebe Perkins b.1820-1830 PA m. Bristol Budd Sampson
3.Female Perkins b.1820-1830 PA
4.Female Perkins b.1820-1830 PA

*More Children are highly possible*

His children were:

1. John Perkins b. ca. 1782-1802  *Not mentioned in 1840 Land Sale
2. David Perkins b. ca. 1782-1802  *Died before 1840 without Issue
3. Jonathan b. ca.1796-1802   *Died before 1840 without Issue
4. Jemima b. ca. 1782-1802  **Not mentioned in 1840 Land Sale
5. Anna Perkins b. ca. 1782-1802  **Not mentioned in 1840 Land Sale
6. Elizabeth Perkins b. ca. 1782-1802 **Not mentioned in 1840 Land Sale
7. Mary Perkins b. ca. 1782-1802 m. Hugh Phillips
8. Hatjia Perkins b. ?  *Not mentioned in fathers Probate, Not mentioned in 1840 Land Sale
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I find a land purchase deed dated 2.13.1798 recorded in the PA Land Records, Patent Record book showing that Eleazer Perkins purchased land at Aurora, Fayette Co., PA
I find a land sale deed dated 8.29.1840 recorded in the Fayette Co., PA Deeds 1737-1845, Mortgages 1837-1845 Book where Hugh Phillips and Mary his wife, formerly Mary (Perkins) dau. of Eleazer Perkins are selling off his land that she inherited from her father's estate. She states that her brothers David and Jonathan Perkins died without issue and she is the only surviving sister of the whole blood.

*Executor: John Robinson - Witnesses to his Last Will Were/: Andrew Grapp, George Bachelor, Samuel Bachelor