NCFRANKL-L Archives

From: Johnny and Lisa Bass <>
Subject: Re: Franklin County PERRYs
Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1998 08:50:00 -0600

Dear Franceine and Franklin Co. Researchers, and Perry Researchers:

Thank you very much for your insight on the "Perry Brothers".
I for one am ALWAYS skeptical until I have proven for myself any documentation
that I have.

So many of us began our genealogy research using the data that someone else
started with years ago. For instance, I had a cousin that began her research on
one branch back in the 1940's. She transcribed the information she had and
those copies are still being circulated to family members to this day. I have
found many errors in her research, however, she provided many factual
names/places/dates that enabled me to get started in my search.(Not to mention
treasured old family photographs!) I will forever be indepted to this dearly
departed cousin (whom I never met and wish I could have) for her efforts.
Research, even 10 years ago, was so much more difficult and time consuming than
it is nowadays due to our vast amount of resource information coming via the
Internet. I'm talking about addresses for libraries/archives, historical facts,
people willing to share their info., etc..... Yes, I trade info. with others
in my family line, again remaining skeptical until I have proof. However, they
are also providing me with valuable names/dates/places/old family photographs
that I may not have had to begin with. In fact, I have had so many responses to
my posts, that I still have not had a chance to go over everything sent to me!
Again, I'm excited that I might find clues to these elusive Perry's that I may
not have had prior to my query! To all those who responded, Thank You!!! and I
will be mailing you privately as soon as I go through all the data that was
sent.

Yes, we should all be skeptical, but stay open-minded and have fun researching
to find the FACTS!
Perhaps someone out there reading my previous post to the Roots had proof of
the "7 Perry Brothers". Never know, that's what makes this so enjoyable and
exciting!

Thanks again to all my fellow Perry researchers for their comments, advice, and
responses!

Lisa
Burnet Co., Texas

wrote:

> A recent posting regarding the Perry family prompts me to send a message to
> all urging caution when reading the various family histories in print and
> on the Internet. There has been no comprehensive, systematic, documented
> study of the prolific and prominent Old Granville County Perry family
> published and widely available, although at least one careful researcher
> --a descendant of two of the seven men (brothers?) did record many of their
> records and made copious notes based on her research, which I am told are
> in the Dallas Public Library.
>
> There have been some widespread mis-statements and/or wild guesses
> concerning the origin of William, Nathaniel, Francis, Joshua, Jeremiah,
> John, and Burwell Perry.
> There is no proof that they came from Nansemond County (a burned record
> county) or anywhere else in Virginia. There is no documentation that ties
> them to the family of Philip Perry of Isle of Wight County, which does have
> traceable descendants considerably eastward of what is now Franklin County.
> What is quite plausible is that they may have traveled quickly through
> Virginia to reach North Carolina and take up their Granville grants--as
> recent immigrants from England. Their coolness, even hostility toward the
> Revolution was remarkable in Bute County ("No Tories"). A couple of the
> Perrys refused to serve on the Committee of Safety; Nathaniel even refused
> to swear the Oath of Allegiance to the state of North Carolina--regarded by
> the new government as a serious offense.
>
> What kind of records did Nathaniel Perry, Sr. generate in Tennessee during
> the early 1800s, when his probated will clearly indicates that he died in
> Franklin County August-Sept. 1790? The Tennessee man must have been Drury
> Perry's son, also named Nathaniel.
>
> What evidence is there that William Perry, Sr. had the middle name of
> Wiston? I know this name appeared as a middle name in some of his male
> descendants and have wondered if this is not an extrapolation of a commonly
> used mark, an initial, as his signature, which would make his name appear
> as "William W. Perry." This is also the case with "Francis F. Perry." The
> only way to be sure is to look at original papers at the Archives (not
> recorded clerk's copies and certainly not typed, published transcriptions),
> such as wills, deeds, etc.
>
> The Texas, to whom I alluded earlier, shared some of her notes with me
> during the several years we corresponded. She stated that the John Perry
> who settled in Perry Co, Alabama, and d. 20 Sept. 1828 was the son of
> William Perry, Sr. and wife Martha _?_.
>
> Were the seven men brothers? I seem to recall my Texas cousin saying she
> had seen them recorded this way in in the original tax lists (some of which
> have not been transcribed and published), with notations that one man was
> paying for himself and a brother. I have not personally read through these
> manuscript lists, which are in the N.C. Archives. It has always seemed less
> important to determine for sure if they were brothers, since we don't know
> their parentage.Their naming pattern supports the widespread assumption
> that they were brothers. Six of the men named one or more children after
> the others, as well as a son after himself. (Nathaniel evidently did not.)
> The Rev. E. H. Davis wrote many "historical sketches" which appeared in the
> Franklin Times newspaper during the 1930s and 1940s, including a little
> essay on the seven Perry brothers. He was then advanced in age and
> well-acquainted with many citizens in Franklin County. It is quite likely
> that he personally knew some of the original Perrys' grandchildren who may
> have told him the Seven Brothers story.
>
> Because of the Perrys' propensity to name their offspring after each other,
> there were so many Johns, Jeremiahs, Burwells, etc. by the late
> 1700's-early 1800s that they had to be distinguished by nicknames (Red
> Hair, Speckle, Crooked Creek, Ridge, River, etc.)
>
> Genealogical research into this family can be a nightmare! It can also be
> rewarding, if one can find a clear, well-documented line back to one of the
> original seven. But it's wise to take undocumented statements about the
> earliest generation of these Perrys with a large dose of skepticism!
>
> Franceine Perry Rees, descendant of John Perry, Sr.

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  • Re: Franklin County PERRYs by Johnny and Lisa Bass <>