1889 History - Biography - True Perkins

Abraham and Isaac Perkins, younger brothers of John Perkins, settled in Ipswich, Mass., where, in 1633 or 1685, they married sisters, Mary and Susannah Wise, daughters of Humphrey Wise. They moved from Ipswich to Hampton, N. H.: Abraham in 1638, and Isaac in 1639. Isaac and Susannah Perkins, from whom are descended the several families of that name who have lived in Tamworth, had twelve children, two of whom were born in Ipswich and ten in Hampton. The direct line of descent from Isaac1 to True Perkins6 of Tamworth is Caleb2, sixth child of Isaac, born in 1648; Benjamin3, second child of Caleb, born May 11, 1680; Jonathan4, fifth child of Benjamin, born October 30, 1723, married Miriam True December 11, 1752; True5, eldest child of Jonathan, born October 26, 1753; True6, second child of True, born February 8, 1779.

True Perkins came to Tamworth from Gilford about the commencement of the century, and settled near Chocorua lake on the place now owned and occupied as a summer residence by Dr. Horace P. Scudder. He was a sober, godly man, of strict honesty and steady industry, and one of the early members of the Freewill Baptist church. He married Sally Hunt, who, like her husband, was an earnest member of the church and a woman of deep piety. Their children were Nathaniel, Enoch and True (twins), and Daniel. Mr. Perkins died January 15, 1842, aged sixty-three. Mrs. Perkins died July 5, 1839, aged fifty-four.

True Perkins, son of True and Sally (Hunt) Perkins, was born in Tamworth May 17, 1806, and died July 3, 1878. He early gave evidence of a strong religious nature, becoming a member of the Freewill Baptist church when but thirteen years of age. Remaining with his father until he was twenty years old, he soon after engaged in merchandising at the Iron Works, conducted this for about eleven years, and later was a farmer. He first appears as selectman in 1844, and from that time he was one of the town's most influential men. He was forty years a justice of the peace, many years selectman, nine years moderator, member of the constitutional convention of 1850, and several years representative in the legislature. He was very active in all civil affairs, and an acknowledged leader in the church. Possessing a clear, dispassionate judgment, with capacity for and knowledge of business, he was accustomed for many years to be an arbitrator to adjust differences, a counselor to advise in trouble, and a guardian for the orphan and widow. This caused him to do much probate business, and he was frequently made administrator as well as guardian, for which his great love for children and sympathetic nature well qualified him. He was a diligent reader, well informed in passing events, and kept pace with the progress of the momentous questions agitating the country during the whole period of his activity. His judgment was considered superior by his associates in all the various positions with which he was entrusted, and his honesty was above suspicion. He is remembered as a large, genial, kind-hearted man of fine presence, with a pleasant courtesy of manner (one whom children loved and called "Uncle True"), and as a public official of methodical accuracy and strict and conscientious performance of every duty. Hon. Larkin D. Mason says: "He was the best selectman the town ever had."

Mr. Perkins married, September 13, 1831, Mary A., daughter of Andrew McC. Chapman, of Parsonsfield, Maine. She was born February 16, 1810, and died October 22, 1867, and was a descendant of Edward Chapman, a resident of Ipswich, Mass., in 1638. Mrs. Perkins was endowed with unusual mental powers, which were fostered and cultivated by superior educational advantages. For some years in early life she was a successful teacher, and as a wife and mother made her home a model one. Her Christianity was an active force in the advancement of the moral and material welfare of the community, and she had the love and esteem of all, and the influence of her life and example will not soon pass away.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Perkins are: Edwin R., Mary A., Winslow T., George W., Andrew C. (dec).

Contributed 2022 Jul 12 by Norma Hass, extracted from History of Carroll County, New Hampshire by Georgia Drew Merrill, published in 1889, pages 779-780.