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 THE STORY AS I KNOW IT.

We believe that James Perry was born between 1780/90 in North Carolina. We do not know who his parents were yet.  A website states that Penelope's maiden name was Penelope Jenkins. There is no documentation.  However, during a recent visit to Robertson County Tennessee I found there many Perry's who had been given land grants in Tennessee for their Revolutionary service to North Carolina.   James was difinitely in Robertson County and an adult by 1808, when he was granted guardian ship noted below.  Some of the Perry men from North Carolina who may have been  related to James are:

1. Robert Perry, a Private in NC was granted 600 acres on May 20, 1793 or 95 (couldn't read number)
    He was selling land on Brush Creek April 30, 1810, Robertson Ct. Deed Book H, page 152
    He was in Robertson County Militia Feb. 23, 1801  Red River Settlers by Edythe Rucher Whitley
    The court records Minute Book 1, 1796-1807 has multiple references to Robert Perry

2.  William Perry,  for service in NC on Dec 2, 1797 granted 428 acres  on the south fork of the Red River.
      It was recorded May 29, 1809   Robertson Ct Deed Book B,  page 138.  Deed book E, page 214 was recorded a grant of 151 acres
     The court records Minute Book 1, 1796-1807 has multiple references to William Perry

3.  Joseph Perry in 1808  Robertson County Deed Book B, page 345 rewarded 320 acres, page346, 100 acres and page 347, 200 acres.
     then between 1813 he received 4 more grants for smaller amounts, 70 acres, 30 acres, 8 acres and 6+ acres,  Book H, pages 683 & 709

4.  Other Perrys mentioned in the Court records 1800 - 1808.
    David
    Josiah
    Norfleet & Roundtree  were sons of William.  Their mother died before their majority and in court they chose the guardianship of their father William,
    Nathan
    Thomas
Penenah

Our James Perry did not own land in Robertson county.  He was assigned in Jan 1808 to a road work, Robertson County Minute Book 2, page 7
I was told that the Overseer of a road crew was a property owner along the road.  The crew who kept the road in working order were non-land owners who lived alont the road.  The specific area was "from Springfield one half of the wasy to Thomas Harrisons"  I looked up Thomas Harrisons property and that placed the road to be along present day Rt 49 that goes southwest out of Springfield.  The Brush Creek is along their also.  I've guess they were north of Mt. Zion road east of rt. 49 along Brush creek.  It is still a lovely gentle stream valley with good farm land on both sides of the creek.

James Perry served on a number of juries of "good and lawful men.  The last time Feb. 1814, Book 3 page 385.   His son John was born in Ky in 1814, so he must have left soon after that jury duty.

There is a rather lengthy biography of the Perry family in The Princeton Art Guild 1987 Year Book Caldwell Ct, KY.  It states that "James and Penelope Perry came to Caldwell County from Robertson County, TN. James died in 1834….

The Perry children were listed in the article with their spouse. Birthdates are added as deduced from census records.
1.  William, born 1807 in Tenn or NC.  married Irena Hubbard Feb. 18, 1839, Caldwell Marriage Book 2, page 1.
2.  Hardy M, born 1805 in Tenn or NC,  married Sarah Cook, March 12, 1829
3.  Patsy or Betsy born 1810-1820  married Butler Hubbard Nov. 21, 1833, Caldwell Marriage Book 1, page 166. She died before 1870
4.  James J. born 1810-1820
5.  John, born 1814 in Kentucky
6.  Sarah born 1820 in Kentucky, married Nathaniel Hubbard Jan 10, 1845, Caldwell Marriage Book 2, page 58.
7.  Littleton..born 1826 in Caldwell Ct. KY  wed Eliza Nichols on Sept 29, 1846.  The Caldwell Year Book story on the Perry's is about Littleton's family.

8.  Whitnell was listed as their 7th child, but in fact the Perry's were his guardian.  His name was actually Whitnell Jenkins.   From Robertson County Tn Archives, County Court Oct Term 1808 Minute Book 2, page 87.  Where it states and I quote in full "James Perry appointed guardian for Whitnell Jenkins came into court and gave bond in the sum of five hundred dollars, with William Crocket and Jonathan Dirdd"  The last name I'm not sure of.

The 1820 Census of Caldwell County lists James as head of household age 26-45. His wife 16 - 26. There were 2 boys 10-16, 3 boys under 10 and 2 girls under 2. That seems like a lot of children for a 26-year-old. However, the 1830 Census states that James is 40 - 50 and his wife is also 40-50. The children are as follows: 1 male 20-30, 1 male 15 - 20, 2 males 10 -15, 1 male 5 -10, and 1 male under 5, females 1 female 15 - 20, and 1 female 5-10.

Records of Revolutionary War Pension Papers of Soldiers who Settled Caldwell County say that James Perry gave a good neighbor testimony for Walter McChesney in 1832.

Tracking all the siblings of Sarah Perry through the Census, I discovered that the 1850 Caldwell Census stated that William Perry was born in NC.  and then the 1880 Census had the following:
Wyley Perry age 66 Farmer born KY, both parents born NC
Sallie Hubbard, age 59, sister, born KY, both parents born NC
Joseph Hubbard, age 27
Thomas Hubbard, age 24

I have a copy of a court document of Caldwell county surveying the track of land that would be passed on to the "heirs and in-laws of said James Perry , deceased". It is dated July 1833.

I have a copy of a court document naming Penelope Perry guardian for John, Sally, Whitnell and Littleton Perry, infants of James Perry deceased. It is dated November 1836. Why this took 3 years I don't know.

The Princeton Art Guild 1987 Year Book Caldwell Ct, KY state that Penelope married William Rhodes in 1840. She died before 1850.

There is a Perry Cemetery north of Princeton Kentucky. Some of their children are buried there and it is possible this cemetery also holds the grave of James, but I have no record of his burial place.

If you know the answer please CONTACT US

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Date Last Edited: 7/31/2010