Three Richards, William and Elizabeth, of Baltimore County, MS before 1718
In researching Daniel Johnson, who died in Baltimore County, Maryloand circa 1715/1716, I have found that he had several connections to the Perkins family of that area/time.Specifically, I need help with three Perkins mysteries/puzzles.The first involves a William Perkins, the second involves three different men, all named Richard Perkins, and the third involves an Elizabeth Perkins.Here are the three "historical" items.
1.According to the book "Baltimore County Families 1659-1759", by Robert W. Barnes, at p. 500:An administrative bond was posted 16 April 1706 by Mary Perkins, widow of Richard Perkins, with William Perkins and John Mills [as her sureties or bondsmen?], to settle Richard's estate.
2.From Baltimore County Court Proceedings, dated November 9, 1710:John Belcher, Richard Perkins, Richard Smithersdo and stand firmly indebted unto Richard Perkins, Wm Perkins, Elisha Perkins, Mary Perkins, Martha Perkins, Orphans of Richard Perkins late of this county dec'd in the full and just sum of 108 pounds 15 shillings and 8 pence to which payment well and truly will be done.
3.From records of the Prerogative Court of Maryland:
Daniel Johnson 39C.140 A BA £49.7.5 Apr 10 1718
Payments to: Mr. James Phillips on account of James Heaton, Richard Davis, Elisabeth Perkins, Mr. Richard King, Thomas Webb, Mr. James Phillips, Capt. John Dorsey, Thomas Knight, Mr. John Roberts, John Gallon, Samuel Vaus, Mr. James Presbury, John Coin, Nicholas Day, Garret Garrison, Christopher Cox.
Executrix: Francis Johnson.
Mystery 1:Who was the William Perkins who was surety for widow Mary in 1706?This William Perkins was surely an adult (assume age 21 or older) by 1706, so it was NOT her minor son William (born in March 1692, new style, and who was only 14 in April 1706).There is a reasonable inference that this William Perkins was "family", and so related in some way to Mary's late husband, Richard.I see several possibilities, as follow:this William MIGHT have been (1) Mary's brother-in-law (her late husband’s brother); (2) her father-in-law (her late husband’s father); (3) her late husband’s uncle;(4) her late husband’s nephew; or (5) her late husband’s cousin.Because this William was surely an adult by 1706, he was likely born before 1685, but because he was likely under 70 (given life expectancy at that time and place), he was likely born after 1636.My own "guess" at this time is that he was Mary's brother-in-law, and so a brother of the deceased Richard.Most (but not all) siblings are born within about 20 years of each other, and because Richard was possibly born circa 1662-1668, then this William might have been born between about 1642 and 1685.
Mystery 2:Who was the Richard Perkins who pledged in 1710 to pay the orphans of Richard Perkins (including the late Richard's son Richard)?There is a reasonable inference that this Richard Perkins was "family", and so related in some way to Mary's late husband, Richard.I see several possibilities, as follow:this Richard MIGHT have been (1) the elderly father of the deceased Richard;(2) the uncle of the deceased Richard;(3) the first cousin of the deceased Richard;(4) the nephew of the deceased Richard.This "Mystery Richard" was surely an adult by 1710, so born before 1689, but likely under 70, so born after 1640.My own "guess" at this time is that he was the nephew of deceased Richard,POSSIBLY the son of William.
Mystery 3:Who was the Elizabeth Perkins who received a payment in 1718 from the estate of Daniel Johnson?I see three possibilities, as follow:this Elizabeth was (1) single, so born a Perkins;(2) married as of 1718 to a Perkins; or (3) the widow of a deceased Perkins.If this Elizabeth was born a Perkins, she MIGHT have been a sister of the deceased Richard (and William), and so an "old maid" by 1718, OR a daughter of William (and sister of "Mystery Richard").If this Elizabeth was married by 1718 to a Perkins, she MIGHT have been the wife of either William or "Mystery Richard".If this Elizabeth was a widow of 1718, then she MIGHT have been the widow of William (and thus the mother of "Mystery Richard").My own guess at this time is that she was the widow of William and the mother of "Mystery Richard".William might have died between 1706 and 1710, which would explain why "Mystery Richard" had stepped in for the 1710 monetary obligation to the orphans.
To recap, my THEORY about these people can be summarized in the proposed tree below:
Mr. FNU Perkins, b. < 1642, d. > 1666, and had
William, b. < 1662, d. 1706-1709; m. Elizabeth MNU and had
Richard, b. < 1689, d. > 1710
Richard,b. ca. 1663-1666, d. 1704; m. 1688 Mary MNU and had
Richard, 1689
William, 1691
Mary, 1695
Elisha, 1697
Sarah, 1699 (and d. 1699)
Martha, b. 1701
After Richard Perkins died in 1704, his widow Mary remarried, to John Belcher, and in 1715 she was one of the two witnesses to the Last Will of Daniel Johnson (whose wife was a Frances MNU).I have seen speculation that Mary was born a Utie (of the family after whom Spesutia Island, in Maryland, was named) or possibly born an Innes (a daughter of James, and thus sister of Elizabeth (Innes) Lofton, wife of William Lofton, with whom Richard Perkins co-owned land, including a tract called "Brotherly Love").Finally, Richard Perkins, who was called a "well beloved friend" by Thomas Gash (a/k/a Gish or Geish) in his Last Will in April 1704 (of which Daniel and Frances Johnson were the two witnesses), was made executor and residual legatee.
I am sensing some family connection between Daniel Johnson and Richard Perkins, and it might have been through their wives.I am wondering if Mary and Frances might have both been sisters of Elizabeth Innes.
Does anyone have any information on any of these people that would help solve the mysteries and perhaps reveal some women's maiden names?If so, please post here, or contact me directly at [email protected].
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Re: Three Richards, William and Elizabeth, of Baltimore County, MD before 1718
Duane Boggs 4/11/11