Person Page

     Michael Gater married Isabel Bailey on 13 November 1576 in Hillmorton Parish, Warwickshire, England.¹

     John Perkins was baptized on 14 September 1609 (an article by Mortensen in the newsletter "About Towne" says 8 November 1609) in Hillmorton, Warwickshire, England.^1,3 He married Elizabeth (?) by about 1636.^4,1 He died on 14 December 1686 in Ipswich, Essex Co., Massachusetts, at age 77.¹
     He came to New England with his parents in 1630/31 on the ship Lyon.^1,2 He became a freeman on 19 May 1633.¹
     The family genealogy tells of his exploits in September 1633 against a band of Tarratine Indians in 40 canoes who were about to attack Agawam, where there were just 20-30 men. A friendly Indian named Robin is supposed to have warned him about the plot.^1,5 He was Quartermaster of the company in Ipswich, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ In December 1643 he was owed 3s for his service against the Indians, at 12d/day.¹
     On 1 October 1633 he (or possibly his father) was ordered to carry "40 turfs" to the top of Corn Hill or Fort Hill in Boston, for use in the construction of a fort there, as punishment for drunkenness.¹
     He was named in his father's will, dated 28 March 1654 and proved on 27 Sep 1654, and received a share of his father's cattle, horses, and sheep.^1,2
     He operated the first ordinary in Ipswich, renewing his license every year. One evening after a training day in 1672, a group of young men rioted there, in a new room called "the Kings arms."¹
     He and Elizabeth had seven children according to Patterson, but at least eight sons and one daughter according to Davis.^2,1

     Elizabeth (?) married John Perkins, son of John Perkins and Judith Gater, by about 1636.^3,1 She died on 27 September 1684 in Ipswich, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^1,2
     She and John had seven children according to Patterson, but at least eight sons and one daughter according to Davis.^2,1

     Elizabeth Perkins was baptized on 25 March 1611 (an article by Mortensen in the newsletter "About Towne" says 3 March 1611) in Hillmorton, Warwickshire, England.^1,3 She married William Sargent by abt 1636.^4,1 She died before 18 September 1670 in Amesbury, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹
     She came to New England with her parents in 1630/31 on the ship Lyon.^1,2 She and her husband William lived in Newbury, Hampton, Salisbury, and Amesbury.¹ She was named in her father's will, dated 28 March 1654 and proved on 27 Sep 1654, and received a share of her father's cattle, horses, and sheep.^1,2

     William Sargent married first Elizabeth Perkins, daughter of John Perkins and Judith Gater, by abt 1636.^3,1 He married Joanna Pindor on 18 September 1670.¹ He died about 1674.¹
     He and his wife Elizabeth lived in Newbury, Hampton, Salisbury, and Amesbury.¹

     Mary Perkins was baptized on 3 September 1615 at St. John the Baptist Church in Hillmorton Parish, Warwickshire, England.^1,3 She married Thomas Bradbury about 1636.¹ She died on 20 December 1700 at age 85.¹
     She came to New England with her parents in 1630/31 on the ship Lyon.^1,2 She was named in her father's will, dated 28 March 1654 and proved on 27 Sep 1654, and received a share of her father's cattle, horses, and sheep.^1,2
     In 1692 she was tried for witchcraft. During her trial, her husband and clergyman testified on her behalf, and 117 of her friends and neighbors signed a petition supporting her character. She was convicted nevertheless, and sentenced to be executed. Her execution was delayed, however, and she was eventually released after the mania subsided.¹

More Information / Background

• Salem Witch Trials
  
• Salem Witchcraft Trials 1692
  
• Salem Witch Trials Documentary Archive and Transcription Project
  
• Mary Bradbury.
  

     Thomas Bradbury married Mary Perkins, daughter of John Perkins and Judith Gater, about 1636.¹ He died on 16 March 1694/95.¹
     He lived in Salisbury, Essex Co., Massachusetts, where he served as town clerk, schoolmaster, and Justice of the Peace, and was Representative to the General Court from 1651 to 1656.¹

     Anne Perkins was baptized on 5 September 1617 in Hillmorton, Warwickshire, England.¹ She died young.¹

     Jacob Perkins was baptized on 12 July 1624 (an article by Mortensen in the newsletter "About Towne" says 12 September 1624) in Hillmorton, Warwickshire, England.^1,3 He married first Elizabeth Whipple, daughter of Matthew Whipple and Anne Hawkins, by 1649.^4,1 He married second Damaris (?).¹ He died on 27 January 1699/0 (an "About Towne" article by Shirley Drury Patterson says 29 January 1701) at age 75.^2,1
     He came to New England with his parents in 1630/31 on the ship Lyon.^1,2 He was named in his father's will, dated 28 March 1654 and proved on 27 Sep 1654, and was to receive the house, outbuildings, and land after the death of his mother Judith.^1,2 In 1660 he was sworn as a freeman, and served often as a juryman.¹ He served as a sergeant in the "train-band" in Ipswich, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹
     He had a couple of strokes of bad luck with his houses. Quoting from The Ancestry of Dudley Wildes by Davis:
     In 1693 he made an agreement with two of his sons to support him for the remainder of his life.¹
     He and Elizabeth had eight children.²

     Elizabeth Whipple was born about 1630.² She married Jacob Perkins, son of John Perkins and Judith Gater, by 1649.^3,4 She died on 12 February 1685/86.⁴
     She and Jacob had eight children.⁵

     Lydia Perkins was baptized on 3 June 1632 in Boston, Massachusetts.¹ She married Henry Bennett by abt 1651.^4,1 She died before 20 May 1685.¹
     She was named in her father's will, dated 28 March 1654 and proved on 27 Sep 1654, and received a share of her father's cattle, horses, and sheep.^1,2

     Henry Bennett married first Lydia Perkins, daughter of John Perkins and Judith Gater, by abt 1651.^3,1 He married second Frances (?) on 20 May 1685.¹
     He was of Ipswich, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ In 1654 he bought a 200-acre farm from Jonathan Wade.¹

     Zaccheus Gould was born about 1589, based on a deposition given on 26 March 1661 in which he gave his age as 72, presumably in Bovingdon, Hertford, England.^2,3 He married Phebe Deacon, daughter of Thomas Deacon and Martha Field, about 1619.² He died in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts, between 30 March 1668, when he acknowledged the sale of some land to William Perkins, and 13 November 1668, when a record concerning the division of common land states that he was dead.^2,4
     According to family tradition, Zaccheus Gould and his wife Phebe immigrated to Massachusetts when their son John was three years old, which would mean in either the second half of 1638 or the first half of 1639.² After landing in Massachusetts Bay they settled in Weymouth, Massachusetts.² He must have moved to Lynn, Massachusetts, in early 1640, for he is referred at as being "of Lynn" in two drafts for leases of land from John Humphrey, the first made between 26 May and 1 June 1640 for a 300-acre farm called "The Plains" in Salem, Massachusetts, and the second made between 11 December and 19 December 1640 for a neighboring farm called "The Ponds." Neither deal appears to have been finalized.² He also owned a mill on the Saugus River in Lynn, Massachusetts, in 1640.²
     On 7 October 1640 he asked the Governor and General Court for an exemption from military training for himself and other farmers during planting, haying, and harvest times. The request was granted.²
     At the marriage of his daughter Phebe to Thomas Perkins, about 1640, he gave the couple 150 acres of land in Topsfield, Massachusetts.^1,5
     In 1643 his servant William Taylor was ordered to be severely whipped for stealing.²
     About 1644 he moved to a 300-acre farm in the area of Ipswich, Essex Co., Massachusetts, known as Ipswich Farms or Village, that he had purchased from William Paine. The tract was on the north side of the Ipswich River and east of Fishing Brook. Tradition says that he first built a block-house with fortifications against the Indians, followed by a more comfortable one to live in.^2,3
     On 26 November 1644 he bought a house and nine acres of upland in Weymouth, Suffolk Co., Massachusetts, from James Parker, who had previously purchased it from Zaccheus's brother Jeremy Gould.³ He sold this same property to Capt. William Perkins on 2 April 1645.³
     He was active in encouraging people to settle nearby. On 29 May 1644, in response to his petition, the General Court stated that "it is conceived to be for the general good and very convenient that there should be a village about that farm and that the town of Ipswich should further them therein." He was among a group that later petitioned the court asking that the new town be named Hempstead. However, on 18 October 1648 the court voted for the name Topsfield, perhaps influenced by the Governor's assistant Samuel Symonds, who had an estate at Topsfield Parish in Essex, England. On 18 October 1650 the court officially incorporated Topsfield as a town.^2,3
     He swore the Oath of Fidelity to Massachusetts on 30 September 1651, but nevertheless was not made a freeman, probably because of his disinterest in formally joining the church in Topsfield.²
     In July 1644 he sued Capt. William Perkins to recover a debt.² On 31 December 1650, in the Salem Quarterly Court, he successfully sued Joseph Fowler, who had claimed that Gould had stolen a horse, and was awarded £10. Less than a month later, on 26 January 1650/51, he was charged in the Ipswich Court by Richard Shattswell for taking one of his mares, likely relating to the same incident. The mare had apparently been a stray, and Gould was ordered to return it.³
     On 24 April 1656 he was charged and found guilty in Ipswich of being absent "from meeting on the Lord's day." His penalty, if any, is unknown.³ On 29 March 1659 he was charged in the Ipswich Court with disturbing the worship service. During the singing of the psalm, he had sat on the end of the table where the minister sat, with his back to the rest of the people and with his hat on his head. He was asked by the minister and others to either show the proper reverence or leave, but did neither, and "spoke audibly when the minister was preaching." At the following week's services he asked the congregation to remain (to clear the air?), and he and the others exchanged insults. The court fined him for "abusive carriages in the meeting house." It's worth noting that one of the witnesses against him was the minister, William Perkins, who served from 1655 to 1663, although he may never have been ordained. This was the same William Perkins that Gould had earlier sued for a debt, and that had purchased property from him in Weymouth. Another witness was Isaac Cummings, who filed various complaints over the years against Zaccheus Gould and his son John.^2,3
     Some evidence suggests he may have sympathised with the Quakers. He was fined £3 on 12 November 1659 for entertaining Quakers in his home. (The fine was forgiven on 31 May 1660 because of losses he suffered in a fire.) At the same time his nephew Daniel Gould, a Quaker who was probably one of the guests, was whipped "thirty stripes" and ordered to leave Massachusetts within five days.^2,3
     He was involved in the boundary dispute between Topsfield and the neighboring town of Rowley, which claimed that part of his 300-acre farm was within the borders. At a Topsfield town meeting on 23 February 1658/59, and again on 14 March 1661/62, Gould gave his farm to the town of Topsfield. The town of Rowley then seized the farm "for rates," and Gould sued the Rowley constable for trespassing. The jury decided in favor of the constable, but the court overruled the verdict, on the basis that Gould had paid his share of the minister's rate in Topsfield for several years. Later, on 11 October 1665, the General Court finally settled things in his favor.^2,3
     At the time of his death, he owned at least 3000 acres, probably the largest holdings in the area.³

     Phebe Deacon was baptized on 3 April 1597 in Hemel Hempstead, Hertford, England.² She married Zaccheus Gould, son of Richard Gould, about 1619.² She died on 20 September 1663 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts, at age 66.²
     According to family tradition, she and her husband Zaccheus immigrated to Massachusetts when their son John was three years old, which would mean in either the second half of 1638 or the first half of 1639.²

     Zaccheus Perkins was born about 1647 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ He married Rebecca (?) about 1704.² He died on 1 December 1732.¹
     He served in King Philip's War under Capt. Joseph Gardiner of Salem, and fought in the Great Swamp Fight in 1676.²
     As a young man, at least, he ran afoul of the law several times. Quoting Davis:
     This was not Zacheus's only offense. He had stolen a silver cup from Mr. Joseph Whiting, a gold ring from Goodman Robison of Topsfield, and goods and money from Mr. Batten. Found guilty at his trial on 4 May 1680, he was sentenced to be branded on the forehead with the letter B and publicly whipped, which was carried out on 6 May "immediately after lecture." He was to pay Mr. Maule £250 and Mr. Batten £24, which presumably his father had to assume.²
     In his father's will, dated 11 December 1685 and proved 10 Sep 1686, he was left the farm where he was living, "which I had of my father Gould," under the condition that he pay £60 to his brothers Thomas and Timothy who were the executors of the will. If he didn't pay, he was to receive just half of the farm. He was also to have four acres of meadow from the farm for life, and if he were to have any sons, the rest was to go to them.²

More Information / Background

• King Philip's War
  
• Great Swamp Fight.
  

     Rebecca (?) married Zaccheus Perkins, son of Thomas Perkins and Phebe Gould, about 1704.² She died on 15 May 1747.¹

     Martha Perkins was born about 1649 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ She married John Lamson on 17 December 1669.²
     She was named in the will of her sister Mary, dated 16 April 1719 and proved on 5 Aug 1728. She and her niece Joanna Nichols, daughter of her sister Phebe Towne, were left half of her sister Mary's clothing.³

     John Lamson married Martha Perkins, daughter of Thomas Perkins and Phebe Gould, on 17 December 1669.²

     Mary Perkins was born about 1651 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ She married William Howlett, son of Thomas Howlett and Alice French, on 27 October 1671.² She died before 5 August 1728.³
     She and her husband William lived in Ipswich, Essex Co., Massachusetts, just over the line from Topsfield, which they were more associated with.³
     In her husband's will, dated 3 January 1718 and proved on 12 May 1718, she was left half of the estate, including a silver tankard, a silver porringer, and a grater.³
     Her own will was dated 16 April 1719. A codicil was made on 2 February 1719/20, and the will was proved on 5 August 1728. She left half of her clothing to her sister Martha Lamson (with whom she was living) and her niece Joanna Nichols, daughter of her sister Phebe Towne. Her cousin (nephew) Joseph Cummings, son of her sister-in-law Sarah Cummings, received a bed and a silver tankard, and was to pay £4 to the Topsfield church and £3 to her cousin (nephew) Jacob Perkins, son of her brother Elisha. Her cousin (husband's nephew) John Howlett and his son John were left a silver porringer, and his daughter Mary was left a silver spoon. Her (other?) cousin (husband's nephew) John Howlett was left a bedstead, a large chest, and an ivory-handled cane. The rest was left to her cousin (great-nephew?) Joseph Cummings, and her cousin (husband's great-niece) Sarah Perkins, who had lived with her several years. The codicil redirected Sarah Perkins' share to Sarah Cummings, wife of her cousin Joseph Cummings, as Sarah Perkins had died. It also left half of her clothing that remained to Bathsheba Howlett, wife of her cousin (husband's nephew) John Howlett.³

     William Howlett was born about 1650.² He married Mary Perkins, daughter of Thomas Perkins and Phebe Gould, on 27 October 1671.³ He died between 3 January 1718 and 12 May 1718.²
     He and his wife Mary lived in Ipswich, Essex Co., Massachusetts, just over the line from Topsfield, which they were more associated with.² He served as a corporal in 1703, and was a sergeant at the time of his death in 1718.² His will was dated 3 January 1718 and proved on 12 May 1718. His cousin (nephew) John Howlett was the executor. Half of his estate was to be divided between his cousin (nephew) John Howlett and his cousin (great-nephew) Joseph Cummings. The rest was left to his wife, and included a silver tankard, a silver porringer, and a grater. A silver spoon was left to his great-nephew William Howlett, son of his cousin (nephew) John.²

     Judith Perkins was born on 28 January 1658/59.² She died before 1719 unmarried.²
     In her father's will, dated 11 December 1685 and proved 10 Sep 1686, she was left £40, a bed and furniture, and a cow.²

     Thomas Perkins was born about 1659 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.³ He married Sarah Wallis on 1 June 1683.² He died in 1722.²
     He was a weaver and a farmer in Topsfield.²
     He and his brother Timothy were named executors of their father's will, dated 11 December 1685 and proved 10 Sep 1686. They and their brother Elisha, and their sons, were left "all the farm I do live on." He and Timothy also were left the farm implements. They apparently did not get along well, however. Their father's will also stated that his wife was to live in his house with Thomas and Timothy "if they can possibly agree, for I do think it will be best for them to carry on together." If they were to split apart, they, along with their brother Elisha, were each to pay their mother £2 yearly. After her death, Thomas was to receive the house, and if he and Timothy didn't agree, Thomas was to pay 3/4 of the cost of building a house for Timothy "of the same bigness of his brother Elisha's house." Also, if they were to split apart, 1/4 of the income from the orchard was to go to Elisha.²
     His own will was dated 5 July 1720 and proved 10 May 1722. His wife Sarah and sons Thomas, Robert, and Samuel all were left property. His daughters Sarah, Phebe, Hannah, and Martha were left £40 each, of which Phebe had already received £34, and Hannah and Martha had already received "the greater part."²

     Sarah Wallis married Thomas Perkins, son of Thomas Perkins and Phebe Gould, on 1 June 1683.²
     She was named in her husband's will, dated 5 July 1720 and proved 10 May 1722, and was left property.²

     Timothy Perkins was born on 6 June 1661 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² He married first Hannah Hazen about 1688 (an "About Towne" article by Patterson says 1 August 1686).^1,2 He married second Abigail (?) about 1691 (an "About Towne" article by Patterson says 1694).^1,2 He died on 7 August 1738 in Topsfield at age 77.²
     He and his brother Thomas were named executors of their father's will, dated 11 December 1685 and proved 10 Sep 1686. They and their brother Elisha, and their sons, were left "all the farm I do live on." He and Thomas also were left the farm implements. They apparently did not get along well, however. Their father's will also stated that his wife was to live in his house with them "if they can possibly agree, for I do think it will be best for them to carry on together." If they were to split apart, they, along with their brother Elisha, were each to pay their mother £2 yearly. After her death, Thomas was to receive the house, and if he and Timothy didn't agree, Thomas was to pay 3/4 of the cost of building a house for Timothy "of the same bigness of his brother Elisha's house." Also, if they were to split apart, 1/4 of the income from the orchard was to go to Elisha. He also received various livestock.³
     He served as fence viewer in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts, in 1686/87, pound keeper in 1694/95, surveyor of highways in 1689/90, 1700/01, 1701/02, and 1715/16, and tythingman in 1708/09 and 1718/19.² He also served a deacon in the Topsfield church.²
     He died intestate, and his estate was apparently settled by his children. On 18 September 1738 his son Timothy and daughters Abigail Dwinell, Esther Perkins, and Elizabeth Perkins sold their rights to the estate to their brothers Jonathan and John for £72 11s. They retained the right to live in and improve their father's house. Jonathan and John had previously paid their father's debts and funeral expenses. That same day Timothy and Jonathan filed quitclaims transferring their rights to many pieces of their father's property to John. On 9 November 1738 Timothy and John filed a similar quitclaim to Jonathan.⁴
     The Gould genealogy lists a third marriage for this Timothy Perkins, to Ruth Dorman, daughter of Ephraim Dorman, abt 1712. It also lists a child Ruth from this third marriage, born in 1714. Davis, however, has this Timothy's son Timothy marrying Ruth Dorman, with a child Ruth born in 1714, and this is the information used in this record.^2,5

     Hannah Hazen married Timothy Perkins, son of Thomas Perkins and Phebe Gould, about 1688 (an "About Towne" article by Patterson says 1 August 1686).^1,2 She died on 14 November 1690.²
     She was admitted to the church on 1 June 1690.²

     Abigail (?) married Timothy Perkins, son of Thomas Perkins and Phebe Gould, about 1691 (an "About Towne" article by Patterson says 1694).^1,2 She died before 7 August 1738.²

     Ruth Dorman was born in 1686.¹ She married Timothy Perkins, son of Timothy Perkins and Hannah Hazen.¹
     The Goud genealogy says she married Timothy Perkins, father of the Timothy Perkins listed here, in 1712. Davis, however, has the information shown here.^1,2 She and Timothy had the following known children: Ruth (bap 29 August 1714, d bef 1741), Jonathan (bap 28 August 1715, d young), Timothy (bap September 1717, d young).¹

     Nathaniel Newhall was born on 9 February 1684/85 in Lynn, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ He married Phebe Towne, daughter of Joseph Towne and Phebe Perkins, on 25 July 1723 in Lynn, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ He died on 28 March 1724 in Lynn, Essex Co., Massachusetts, at age 39.¹

     Thomas Perkins was born on 15 October 1681 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^3,2 He married Mary Wildes, daughter of Ephraim Wildes and Mary Howlett, on 26 November 1719 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^3,2 He died in 1761 in Arundel (now Kennebunkport), York Co., Maine, after a long illness with facial cancer.^3,4
     He was named in the will of his grandfather Thomas Perkins, dated 11 December 1685 and proved 10 Sep 1686, and was left various livestock.⁵
     On 16 May 1718 he bought 200 acres of land in Cape Porpoise (later Arundel and now Kennebunkport), Maine, previously owned by John Barrett, from Joseph Leach of Manchester for £110.² On 24 June 1719 he and Andrew Brown purchased 50 acres on Mantague's Neck in Cape Porpoise from John Watson, Jabez Dorman, and James Tyler for £10.² His first two children were born in Topsfield, however, so it's likely he was not a permanent resident in Arundel until about 1723.^3,2
     Another Thomas Perkins moved to Arundel around 1720, from Greenland, New Hampshire. Both were active in the town's affairs, and it's difficult to separate their activities. One or the other of them served as town clerk in Arundel from 1720-1732, and as proprietor's clerk, and was a deputy to the General Court.²
     He and Mary had the following known children: Judith (bap 14 May 1721, d 8 November 1806), Thomas (bap 28 June 1724, d bef 1794), Mary (b 1728, d 14 September 1802), Sarah (b abt 1734, d 6 August 1807), John (d young), Ephraim (d young).³