Re: Perry's of Saratoga, NY
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In reply to:
Re: Perry's of Saratoga, NY
Bill Wright 8/29/05
Dear Jeanne,
Bill Wright is absolutely correct.There is, as far as I have been able to determine – after more than twenty-five years of careful and diligent intense research (and I have a research Ph.D. from an Ivy League University) – absolutely no connection between “our” Perrys and the famous commodores, Matthew Calbraith and Oliver Hazard.
The closest I have been able to come to establishing a connection between “our” Perry family and that of the Comodores’ was a suggestion I once found of a relationship between the Commodores and a Dwelly Perry (one of Matthew Perry‘s [b.1630] great- great-great grand sons through his son John [b.1669]).Dwelly Perry, this source suggested would be – if this suggestion was indeed fact, and I have serious doubts about it – the grandfather of the famous Commodores (and, by the way, a second cousin twice removed of the John Darius Perry that was the subject of your original inquiry).
Regarding a Mayflower connection:Again, probably not.There may possibly be a Mayflower connection through the Elizabeth Blake who was the wife of the first Matthew Perry [b. 1630] but I have yet to establish such a connection.I am currently looking into the ancestry of Elizabeth Gashet (wife of John Perry [b. 1705], the great grandfather of the John Darius Perry that was the subject of your original inquiry) for a possible Mayflower descent, but have yet to establish such.It doesn’t appear to be likely.
This, “our” Perry line has dwelled in what is now the US for more than three hundred seventy years in what might be described as “obscurity.”We are descended from farmers, blacksmiths, laborers, wheelwrights, foundry workers and carpenters who have never played major roles in its history.Nevertheless, these, our Perry ancestors, have served their country (or its predecessors) in every military event since King Phillip’s War – but never as prominent players on the grand stage of the conflict:Four of the five Revolutionary War veterans among our ancestors were private soldiers (only one – Ephraim Hathaway – was an officer, a Captain in the Massachusetts militia).There are members of our family currently serving in the war in Iraq as enlisted men and women [and officers, too, but not generals or admirals, or “Commodores”] – I am a Vietnam-era enlisted ex-Marine, and proud of that service.
This, “our” Perry family, has survived and lived in its “obscurity” through wars, depressions, good and bad times.We are, despite not having connections to either the Mayflower or those famous Commodores Perry, in my opinion, truly America’s native sons and daughters.Be proud of your ancestry, despite its “obscurity” and lack of connections to the famous.
Best wishes,
John Perry
More Replies:
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Re: Perry's of Saratoga, NY
Linda Harris 2/16/10
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Re: Perry's of Saratoga, NY
Bill Wright 9/07/05