Reuben Perkins (1763 - 1854)

Born 5 Nov 1763 in Enfield, Hartford, Connecticut

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 22 Nov 1854 at age 91 in Lenox, Madison, New York, United States

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Biography

Reuben was born in 1763. He was the son of Reuben Perkins and Lucy Pease. He married Anna Steadman before about 1788. Reuben and family were living in Litchfield Connecticut in 1800, with his father adjacent and a Benjamin Perkins a few lines earlier, possible brother ^[1]. He and his family moved west to Canastota, Madison County NY, about 1807. He passed away in 1854 ^[2]. His gravestone indicates that he served the CT military during the Revolutionary War.

In "Names and sketches of the pioneer settlers of Madison County, New York" by William H. Tuttle, page 193, there is a brief outline of Reuben Perkins. "Born 1763. Veteran Rev. War. Served as Quarter Master in Shipmark’s Regiment of Conn. Militia. Pensioned in 1832. Came to Canastota in 1807 from Litchfield, Conn. Bought the site of Canastota in 1808. Died Nov. 22, 1854, age 91. Wife Anna died June 13, 1819 aged 52. Sons Reuben and Calvin. Daughters Mrs. William Jennings, Mrs. Thomas Menzie, Mrs. Warren Colton, Mrs. George M. Rowe, and Electa who never married. Family is buried at Quality Hill." Note that Quality Hill Cemetery is now Lenox Rural Cemetery.

In "Our county and its people: a descriptive and biographical record of Madison County, New York” Part I. Chapter XVI. Progress of improvement in towns—Lenox", page 273, last paragraph: “When the canal was first opened there were only three or four houses at this point, one of which was occupied by Thomas Menzie, son-in-law of Captain [Reuben] Perkins.”

Children from FindAGrave:

Spedee Perkins, 1793–1868, m. Warren Colton

Reuben Steadman Perkins, 1801–1860

Laura Perkins, 1803–1839, m. George M. Rowe

Calvin G. Perkins, 1808–1854

Others:

Anna Perkins, 1788-1846, m. Thomas Menzie

Mrs. William Jennings

Electa Perkins, maybe born after 1810? No records of her

1810 census: 1m<10 (Calvin), 1m10-15 (Reuben), 3m16-25 (probably farm hands), 1m>45 (Reuben), 2f<10 (Laura, Mrs Jennings?), 2f16-25 (Spedee, Anna), 1f26-44 (Anna)

By the 1820 census there are adult children so it is difficult to reconcile the household.

Sources

1. ↑ "United States Census, 1800," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GR8X-TPR?cc=1804228&wc=3V1X-W41%3A1585149203%2C1585149208%2C1585149215 : 10 June 2015), Connecticut > Litchfield > Harwinton > image 4 of 5; citing NARA microfilm publication M32, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
2. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/24426596/reuben-perkins : accessed 23 May 2022), memorial page for Capt. Reuben Perkins (5 Nov 1763–22 Nov 1854), Find a Grave Memorial ID 24426596, citing Lenox Rural Cemetery, Lenox, Madison County, New York, USA ; Maintained by Frank K. (contributor 46941322).

• "Connecticut Births and Christenings, 1649-1906", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F74D-JRH : 7 January 2020), Reubin Peirkins, 1763.

• R. Perkins in the 1810 United States Federal Census, Lenox, Madison, New York, p. 2/3, over 45, with large household, T. Menzies lives next door (ancestry.com)

• Reuben Perkins in the 1820 United States Federal Census, Lenox, Madison, New York, p. 4/13, over 45, with large household, Thomas Menzies lives next door (ancestry.com)

• Reuben Perkins in the 1830 United States Federal Census, Lenox, Madison, New York, age 60-69, William Tryon (father-in-law of granddaughter) and Calvin Perkins (son) on same page (ancestry.com)

• Reuben Perkins in the 1840 United States Federal Census, Lenox, Madison, New York, age 76 (ancestry.com)

• Reuben Perkins in the 1850 United States Federal Census, Sullivan, Madison, New York, age 87 (ancestry.com)