Nicholas H Perkins Sr (1718 - 1762)

Born 20 Oct 1718 in Tuckahoe, Henrico County, Virginia Colony

Ancestors

Husband of Bethenia (Harding) Perkins — married 1738 in Kentucky, British America

Descendants

Died 17 Jun 1762 at age 43 in Berry Hill Plantation, Halifax County, Virginia Colony

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Biography

Nicholas Perkins Sr was a Virginia colonist.

Col Nicholas H Perkins was born on 20 Oct 1718 in Tuckahoe, Henrico County, Virginia. He was the son of William Constantine Perkins and Anne Pollard. He married Bethenia Harding about 1738 in Kentucky. In 1751 he was one of the Processioners for St James Northam Parish, Goochland County, Virginia. In 1754 they were still residents of Goochland County, Virginia, but in 1755 they moved westward on the Dan River in Halifax County, Virginia into the section which became Pittsylvania County, Virginia in 1767. Nicholas was Justice of Peace in Halifax County in 1759. He died on 17 Jun 1762 at Berry Hill Plantation, Halifax County, Virginia which was owned by his son Col Peter Perkins. His will was proved 17 Jun 1762 Justice Of The Peace Family of Col. Nicholas PERKINS First Generation 1. Col. Nicholas PERKINS * was born 1718 in Albemarle Co., VA. He died 1762 in "Berry Hill" Plantation, Halifax County, VA. Col. Nicholas Perkins BIRTH: 1718, Albemarle co, VA DEATH: 1762, Halifax co, VA FATHER: Constantine Perkins (abt 1682 - Dec 1770) MOTHER: Anne Pollard (abt 1696 - ? ) SPOUSE: Bethenia Hardin (abt 1717 - ? ) dau of Thomas Hardin (abt 1691 - ? ) & Mary Giles (abt 1695 - ? ) MARRIAGE: 1738 Notes -Parentage, spouse, & marriage confirmed by Marriages of Some Virginia Residents 1607-1800, Vol II; shows his birth as ca.1718, on TuckahoeCreek, Henrico co,VA -Will proved 17 Jun 1762, Halifax co,VA -In 1751 he was one of the Processioners for St.James Northam parish, Goochland co,VA-Service as Colonel, FRENCH & INDIAN WARS-Resident in Goochland co,VA in 1754; in ca.1755 he moved westward on the Dan River in Halifax Co,VA into the section which became Pittsylvania co,VA in 1767 -In 1759 Justice of Peace, Halifax Co,VA -Source: History of Pittsylvania Co, VA, by Mary Carter Clement,1929 Echoes of the Revolution at Berry Hill By Henry H. Mitchell, 1990. http://www.victorianvill a.com/sims-mitchell/local/perkins/peter/berryhill/st01/

BERRY HILL: "It was here, in the spring of 1781, that General Nathanael Greene sent the wounded from the pivotal battle at Guilford Courthouse, in which his troops had yielded the field to the army of Lord Cornwallis, but only after dealing such a crippling blow that the stunned English reeled out of the Carolinas and into entrapment at Yorktown. (See also “Pittsylvanians Play Key Roles In Three Great Battles.”)

"During April, May, and June of 1781, Berry Hill served as a hospital, possibly housing the wounded soldiers in tents near the Dan River. (A flood in the late 1800's unearthed a quantity of military camp hardware and weapons.) In addition to Berry Hill, three neighboring plantations hosted a portion of the hospital. Later, a court of claims reimbursed Berry Hill's owner Col. Peter Perkins, who had commnded local militia at the Guilford battle, for great quantities of food and supplies, for damage to his house, for use of his wagons and horses, and for operation of a ferry across the Dan in conjunction with the hospital."Peter Perkins himself is one of early Pittsylvania County's most fascinating figures. Having inherited land from his father Nicholas, he managed to add parcels including a grant from the Crown for 1200 acres until he had become a major landholder by the time of the Revolution. He was elected to the Committee of Safety, a group responsible for the conduct of the Revolution in the county, and also served (as mentioned before) as a colonel of the local militia. Perkins was son-in-law of Capt. Peter Wilson, famous early settler of the Dan Valley and founder of Wilson's Ferry (which continued in operation until 1902) along the river just west of present-day Danville, along (Wilson's) Ferry Road. Nicholas Perkins (1718-1762) He operated Perkins Ferry near the line with Rockingham County, North Carolina. In 1976, as a part of the U. S. Bicentennial effort, the Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission authorized the placement along US 58 west of Danville of a marker recognizing Berry Hill. Berry Hill, unobtrusively nestled among ancient trees and giant boxwood several miles to the southwest along the road to Eden (VA 863), seems to have quietly absorbed its past into a complicated ongoing fabric of life, rather than boldly proclaiming the important role it once had.

WILL OF Nicholas Perkins

WORKS PROGRESS ADMINSTRATION OF VIRGINIA - HISTORICALINVENTORYCOUNTY: Halifax - CLASS: Will 'Copy of Nicholas Perkins' Will Written Feb. 25, 1762' This write-up is a part of the Virginia W. P. A. Historical Inventory Project sponsored by the Virginia Conservation Commission under the direction of its Division of History. Credit to both Commission and the W. P. A. is requested for publication, in whole or in part. unless otherwise stated, this information has not been checked for accuracy by the sponsors. Research made by Mrs. Walter R. Ragland, Virgilina, VA - December 17, 1936 1. SUBJECT: Copy of Nicholas Perkins' Will written Feb. 25, 1762 2. LOCATION: In records in Clerk's office at Halifax, VA.

In the name of God, Amen. I, Nicholas Perkins being in perfect mind and memory do make this my last will and testament. Revoking all other by me made. First I bequeath my soul to Almighty God, relying on his mercy through Christ. Also after my just debts paid, My will and desire is to give to my sonCharles Perkins two Negroes named Hang and Jimmey. Also my son Constant Perkins the upper part and half of my land on the side of the river I now live after the same is equally divided together with one Negro boy called Jacob. Also give and bequeath to my loving daughter Bethunia two Negroes named Dinah and Abraham. Also to my daughter Susannah two Negroes viz, Feby and Solomon. And to my daughter Anna to Negroes Barshuba and Dan. Also to my daughter Mary two Negroes named Simon and Ned. And also to mv beloved daughter Elizabeth two Negroes Viz, David and Ben. And also my will and desire is to give and bequeath to my son Peter Perkins the one half of my lands lying on Dan River on the north side of the said river and the upper part of - the same.Also to my son Nicholas the looser part off the said land together with the land and mill on Mobleys Creek. I also give to my son Thomas Hardin Perkins the lower part and half the land I now live on after being divided Viz, as below mentioned and my will and desire is that all my lands lying on the waters of Cascade Creek shall be sold together with seven hundred acres." in North Carolina lying on Sevines Creek and the money so arising after my debts as before mentioned and funeral charges being paid the remainder to be equally divided between my beloved wive and children and my desire is that all the residue and remainder of my estate Rail and personal to give and bequeath to my loving wife Bethunia during her natural life and after her deceas to be equally divided amongst my surviving Children.I also leave my beloved wife hole and sole executrix as witness say hand and-seal February 25th 1762. (Signed) Nicholas Perkins. SEAL.

Signed sealed and delivered in presence of.-James Roberts, Jr - Elizabeth "her" Roberts mark". This is an exact copy of will.... At a court held for Halifax County the 17th day of June 1762. This last will and testament of Nicholas Perkins deceased was exhibited into court-by Bethunia Perkins his widow. Relict and executrix therein appointed who made oath thereto according to law and the same being proved by the oaths of the several witnesses is ordered to be recorded and on the notation of the said executrix certificate is granted her for obtaining a probate of the said will in due form, she giving security whereupon the said Bethunia together with James Roberts and Peter Perkins her securities entered into bond as the law directs and acknowledgedd the same. Test. Robert Munford, Cl Will Book O - 1753-1772. Part 1 Page 143 19 April 2007 Family of Col. Nicholas PERKINS * Page 3 Submitted by Jim Christian Chattanooga, TN jsxian @ mindspring.com

Nicholas married Bethenia HARDIN *, daughter of Thomas HARDIN * and Mary GILES *, on 1738. Bethenia was born 1719 in Henrico Co, VA. She died after 1762 in Breckinridge Co., KY.. BETHANIA HARDING (THOMAS, UNKNOWN) was born 1719 in Henrico Co., VA, and died Aft. 1762 in Breckinridge Co., KY. She married (1) JOHN CHADWELL. She married (2) NICHOLAS PERKINS 1738 in VA, son of CONSTANTINE PERKINS and ANN POLLARD?. He was born abt. 1718 in Henrico Co., VA, and died 1762 in Berry Hill Plantation, Perkins Ferry, Halifax Co., VA7. Notes for BETHANIA HARDING: See Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia, 1770-72, p. 25. Bethania Harding married Nicholas Perkins, an Henrico County neighbor, about 1738. Nicholas left a will in Halifax County which identified the following children (see below) (will dated 25 Feb. 1762, recorded 17 June 1762). Bethania bought 434 acres on both sides of Cascade Creek in Halifax County for £20 on 7 September 1763, of which she deeded 180 acres to George Russell and 254 acres to Isaiah Watkins for £150 total on 26 December 1763. In 1765 she gave slaves and other personal property to children, Peter, Charles, Susanna, Thomas Harding, Constant, Annie, Mary, and Elizabeth.

(Information on descendants of Nicholas Perkins and Bethenia Harding from a descendant, Robert Miller, who descends through Bethenia Perkins and Absalom Bostick.) Notes for NICHOLAS PERKINS:

Will of Nicholas Perkins recorded 17 Jun 1762, recorded in Halifax County, VA Will Book O, p. 142. See Hall, William K. DESCENDANTS OF NICHOLAS PERKINS OF VIRGINIA, 1980. Marriage Notes for BETHANIA HARDING and NICHOLAS PERKINS: Nicholas and Bethenia Harding Perkins lived in Goochland Co. VA until around 1754-55 when they settled on the Dan River at Perkins Ferry in Halifax (later Pittsvylania ) Co., VA near Danville. See Hall, Wm. K., DESCENDANTS OF NICHOLAS PERKINS OF VIRGINIA, 1980. Also see "Perkins of Virginia" in Dorothy Ford Wulfeck, HARDIN AND HARDING OF VIRGINIA AND KENTUCKY, privately published, pp. 4-7. Children of BETHANIA HARDING and NICHOLAS PERKINS are: i. PETER PERKINS, b. 26 Mar 1739, Goochland Co. VA; d. 1813, Williamson Co., TN. ii. CHARLES PERKINS, b. 06 Mar 1741/42, Goochland Co. VA; d. abt. 1780, Guilford Co., NC?. iii. BETHANIA PERKINS, b. 30 Aug 1743, Goochland Co. VA; d. 1809, Stokes Co., NC. iv. NICHOLAS PERKINS, b. 07 Jul 1745, Goochland Co. VA; d. 08 Dec 1800, Williamson Co., TN. v. CONSTANTINE PERKINS, b. 20 Nov Less Vital Information Close Details Name Nicholas Perkins Sr Sex Male Edit | Delete | Close Birth 1718 Tuckahoe, Henrico, Colony of Virginia, British Colonial America Reason This Information Is Correct No US at that date. No sources for day/month. Year shown in several Family Data Collections, somewhat iffy sources. More solid sources needed. Modified | History 12 June 2017 by 0ldcrone Sources | Tag 0

Sources

• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ancestral File (R) Bibliography: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Ancestral File (R). Copyright (c) 1987, June 1998, data as of 5 January 1998.
• Marriages of Some Virginia Residents 1607-1800, Vol II
• History of Pittsylvania County, Virginia by Mary Carter Clement, 1929. http://www.victorianvilla.com/sims-mitchell/local/clement/mc/abb/
• Echoes of the Revolution at Berry Hill by Henry H Mitchell, 1990. http://www.victorianvilla.com/sims-mitchell/local/perkins/peter/berryhill/st01
• Family of Col. Nicholas Perkins http://oursoutherncousins.com/Nicholas%20Perkins.pdf'
• WILLIAM K. HALL authored, Perkins Families of Goochland Virgina and it is presented among vast numbers of other families in GENEALOGIES OF VIRGINIA FAMILIES and a select sample of those families was printed in Tyler’s Quarterly Historical and Genealogical Magazine vol. 5 parts are found online at [1] select “view sample” and search for pp. 814-835 to see Hall’s article. Dodson-3295