Early “Perkins Men” in Chesterfield County, South Carolina

There is no doubt that John Henry Perkins, Sr., born 1 February 1818 was one of the early Perkins men in Chesterfield County. But, after many years of research his parents have yet to be identified. Many say his parents were James Perkins and Lucy Stanley of Virginia. The problem with this is there is no proof.

Census shows that the first Perkins to moved into Chesterfield County were David and John Perkins and they are the only PERKINS enumerated in the 1800-1810 Census. 

By 1820, the only Perkins enumerated in Chesterfield County is DAVID PERKINS.

Remember above I said “many say his (John Henry, b. 1818) parents are James Perkins and Lucy Stanley of Virginia. This does not seem possible since there was no James Perkins in Chesterfield County between 1800-1830. It appears to me that John Henry Perkins must be either a son of David Perkins or John Perkins.

In  1830, the ONLY Perkins listed is Bilsey Perkins. Bilsey Perkins is the wife of Stringer Perkins, son of David or John Perkins. Bilsey is a misnomer; her real name is Bilzer (Stringer) Perkins.

Search of early newspapers for this county has the following listings:

• 333. Charles Evans, 450 acres of land in Chesterfield County, Cheraw district, bounded by land of David Perkins and others. [City Gazette, March 19, 1800] This may be David Perkins, Jr. 

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• State of South Carolina.
In the Senate
December 18, 1809
Carolina Gazette, August 31, 1810
For Chesterfield – At the court house, managers, Erasmus Powe, Joseph Ellerby and William Chapman. At the house of John Bailes, Hugh Blakeney, John Perkins and Henry Jackson. The managers to meet the third day, at Chesterfield court-house, count over the votes and declare the election. One senator and one representative to be elected.

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ELECTIONS.

In the House of Representative
December 18, 1822
Southern Chronicle, August 7. 1822, Column 3
For Chesterfield – At the court house, managers, Hugh Craig, John Chapman, jun. and Oliver Spencer. … At Welsh’s store, managers, Jacob Mangum, John Wadsworth and Hugh A. Welsh. At Benjamin Outlaw’s, managers Stringer Perkins, John Middleton and John Horton.

Stinger Perkins Esquire was mentioned several times along with Levi Pate in the Court martial of Brig. General James Blair, 5th Brigade. [City Gazette, Charleston, SC, 20 November 1826]

John Henry Perkins married Nancy Jane Davis, daughter of William Davis and Julia Thurman.
To this union was born 14 children.

Nancy Jane Davis Perkins is my 1st Cousin 4 times removed.