Thomas Perley

Notes:

Biography:
From M. V. B. Perley:
THOMAS PERLEY was born in Ipswich in 1641, and died in Boxford 24 Sept., 1709, aged sixty-eight years. He married 8 July, 1667, Lydia Peabody, who was born in 1644 and died 30 April, 1716. She was a daughter of Lt. Francis and Mary-Foster Peabody, of Topsfield. Mary was a daughter of Reginald Foster, or Forster, whose family is honorably mentioned in "Lay of the Last Minstrel,” and in "Marmion." Her father came over from St. St. (great St.) Albans, in England, in the same vessel and at the same time, 2d Aprilis, 1635, that Allan Perley did. Lydia was a member of the church at Rowley, and by a letter of dismission was admitted to the Boxford church 21 Feb., 1702-3. By her father's will she received five pounds besides what she had already had.
Mr. Perley settled in Rowley. In 1676, Dec. 12, Richard Dole of Newbury, for £75 sold him 170 acres, "one half of that parcel of land which he bought of Mr. Anthony Crosbie, lying in Rowley.” The 8th of January, 1677, he and his wife confirmed to her brother William Peabody, then of Topsfield, later of Boxford, for £82, land lying on the south side of the Andover road in Boxford. Before his removal to Boxford with his brother John, in 1684, he deeded, 31 March of that year,. for £20, eighteen acres of upland lying in Boxford, which they bought of Zaccheus Gould. In 1687, he was assessed on the following property, besides three "heads" or polls: 1 house, 25 a. land, 4 oxen, 2 horses, 10 cows, 7 young cattle, 22 sheep, 8 swine. This year he paid the largest tax of any in the town except his brother-in-law, John Peabody, who paid four pence more.
His residence was on the site of the residence of the late Isaac Hale, marked of late years by the umbrageous elm pictured in family-70, and earlier by its proximity to the apple tree and stone bound which then marked the bound between Ipswich, Topsfield and Boxford, but now, by a change in the line, the salient angle of Topsfield.
He was one of the most prominent and influential citizens of the town, and in an enlarged sense was one of "the fathers of the town." He was made freeman 28 May, 1677. He and John Peabody were chosen, 8 June, 1689, representative to the General Court, "teell government shall be seated, only they bee to sarve but one at a time." They were again chosen 11 March, 1689-90, but Peabody "sarved" both times. They served together at the quarterly session beginning 8 June, 1692. He was chosen a representative 31 Oct., 1698, and 8 May, 1700, he and John Peabody were chosen, only one to serve at a time. He was again chosen for 1702. He was a selectman, 1690, 1694, 1699, 1701, 1704, 1709; a constable 1688; a grand juror 1695; trial juror 1692, 1698, 1707; moderator of town meetings 1698, 1701, 1704, 1706, 1707 and 1709; he was made quarter master of the Boxford militia company about 1688, and lieutenant in 1691. He served in the committees on settling the boundary between Topsfield and Boxford, on erecting the first church, on organizing the first religious Society, on assigning pews and building galleries. In January, 1701, he was one of the committee to receive the deed of the town of Boxford from the Indians, Samuel and Joseph English and John Umpee, grandsons of the old Sagamore Masconnomet. They all assembled at his house to make the transfer and seal it. His name is found on numerous committees, all of peculiar importance. He was extensively interested in promoting iron-smelting, which was begun in the town in 1669. He sold to Mr. John Ruck of Salem, one-sixteenth of the works, 7: 10, 1671, for £60 sterling. He was one of those who composed the jury that condemned Elizabeth Howe of Linebrook Parish, et al., of witchcraft, and who afterwards signed a recantation. He was deacon in the First Church till his death. His will is dated 9 May, 1704, and, without the usual verbiage, says: "I bequeath my soul to God and my body to a decent interment in the earth." He devised to his son Thomas all his land not already disposed of by deed to his son Jacob, and to his beloved wife Lydia all the personal estate during her life-time, and after her death in equal portions to his two sons Jacob and Thomas, requiring his ''son Thomas to furnish his mother a horse to ride upon and a suitable person to ride before her as often as she wishes to go abroad”—which manner of riding is illustrated on the opposite page. He mentions in his will his daughter Mary Hazen and granddaughter Alice Cummings.

Thomas married Lydia Peabody on 8 Jul 1667. Lydia (daughter of Lt. Francis Peabody and Lydia) was born about 1640 in Hampton or Ipswich, Massachusetts; died on 30 Apr 1715. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Thomas Perley was born on 24 Sep 1668 in East Boxford, Massachusetts; died on 13 Nov 1745 in East Boxford, Massachusetts.
2. Jacob Perley was born in 1670 in Rowley, Massachusetts; died in Apr 1751 in Bradford, Massachusetts.
3. Lydia Perley was born on 21 Apr 1672; died in 1685 in Boxford, Massachusetts.
4. Mary Perley
5. Hepzibah Perley
6. Sarah Perley was born between 1683 and 1684; died on 17 Jun 1769 in Bradford, Massachusetts; was buried in Harmony Cemetery, Boxford, Massachusetts.

Other Events:

• Immigration: Abt 1630, Massachusetts
• Will: 23 Jun 1670, Ipswich, Massachusetts
• Probate: 19 Jan 1675/76

Notes:

Biography:
From M. V. B. Perley:
ALLAN PERLEY, the emigrant ancestor of the Perley Family in America, was born in Wales, England, in the first quarter of the year 1608, and died in Ipswich, Massachusetts, 28 Dec, 1675. He married, in the year 1635, Susanna Bokesen, or Bokenson, who died in Ipswich, 11 Feb., 1692, after a widowhood of sixteen years.
Mr. Perley came to this country, at the age of twenty-two years, in the fleet with Governor Winthrop, and located in "Charlestowne Village," on land which is now included in the city of Woburn and called "Button-end," near a tract of meadow, marked in the cut A A A, which has been known for two and a half centuries as "Parly meddowe," through which meanders a brook spanned by a plank bridge, marked B, six and a half feet wide, and known as "Parly brook." The name is found in probate records, and in the colonial records, 2:75, as it is spelled above; and it is pronounced by the citizens of Woburn today as it is here spelled. Why he relinquished his settlement is a matter of conjecture. The rigors of his first winter were extreme; the sufferings of the settlers were intense. "The weather," reads Lendrum's History of the American Revolution, "held tolerable until the 24th December, but the cold then came on with violence. Such a Christmas eve they had never seen before. From that time to the 10th of February their chief care was to keep themselves warm, and as comfortable in other respects as their scant provisions would permit. They were so short of provisions that many were obliged to live upon clams, mussels, and other shell-fish, with ground-nuts and acorns, instead of bread. One that came to the Governor's house to complain of his sufferings, was prevented, being informed that even there the last batch was in the oven. The poorer sort were much exposed, lying in tents and miserable hovels, and many died of scurvy and other distempers." Such an experience would dishearten the most resolute; in fact, "some of the Board of Assistants," according to Bancroft's History of the United States, "men who had been trusted as the inseparable companions of the common misery or common success, disheartened by the scenes of woe, sailed for England." Many others also went home for the same cause.
The statement in Lambert's History of the New Haven Colony, that in 1684 "the colonies at Watertown, Dorchester and Newtown [Cambridge] had become so crowded by the accessions of new-planters, that many left," affords another suggestion. He may have sold his grant and improvements, all his local rights and interests, feeling assured of finding another location as good or better. The great attraction to Boston and vicinity was the learned, wealthy, and noble Governor Winthrop, but our ancestor seems to have found more attraction in the younger Winthrop at Ipswich. However it may have been with our ancestor—whatever his reason or motive for leaving, he remained long enough to stamp his name indelibly upon the territory and to record the unquestioned fact of his possession. According to the manuscript chart of the family, "From thence he moved to Ipswich in 1634." By the town records, he was in Ipswich in 1635.
But before identifying himself with Ipswich history, he visited England; for he was there "2nd Aprilis, 1635," according to a record in the Augmentation office, London, and set sail that month for New England. He located in Ipswich, on High street, a short distance from Governor Bradstreet and the Waldo family. The place was and is the second houselot northwest of the High-street cemetery, and it is remarkable that it has the same shape and area now that it had then—two and a half centuries ago. Alexander Knight's homestead was on the northwest, George Smith's on the southeast, "a drift way" on the northeast, and High street on the southwest. At present the new part of the cemetery is on the northeast. It was a picturesque spot. Located on the western slope of Town hill and agreeably elevated from the street, it commanded a fine view of the verdant slopes of Turkey and Timber hills and the ridge-range of houses along Scott's lane, the present Washington street. The deep frontage of his lot afforded ample opportunity to arrange a spacious avenue from the street to his dwelling, with flowering plants and shrubbery on either side, after the fashion of the average gentleman of the old country. Whatever he did in the matter, his selection of grounds of such possible improvements, attest his good taste and judgment, educated, no doubt, by the experiences of his early life. There he brought his young wife and began the business of life anew; there most of his children were born; thence have radiated the family name and influence.
He resided there about seventeen years, selling, 3 Sept., 1652, for £21, his "dwelling house and homestead" to Walter Roper, carpenter, of Topsfield.
……
Mr. Perley was a large land-holder, and besides possessions in Essex, Rowley, and Boxford, he had in Ipswich, in 1635, land at Heartbreak hill; in 1640, 1 : 3 mo., a road from Rowley to Salem was laid out "over the falls at Mile river and by marked trees over Mr. Appleton's meadowe, called Parlye meadowe"; he was a commoner in 1641; he owned a houselot on Mill street in 1642, the street being now called Washington, and the lot being traversed by Mt. Pleasant street; he had a planting lot on Town hill in 1645; "att a meeting of the seven men the 8th (5) 1651" there was "granted to Alen Perlye (in exchange for Thirty acres more or less at Chebacco lyeing on the west syde of his meddowe) the sume of forty-five acres of upland lyeing beyond Mr. VVinthropes farme Joyneing up to some of the ppriatyes thereabouts"; he was granted 10 acres by the town in 1660; he owned one and a half shares in Plum Island in 1664, and, at some time, five acres of upland and marsh called Reedy marsh. In 1670, he had liberty of the town to cut timber for a "barne."
He was admitted to the privileges of freemen, 18 May, 1642; was a grand juror 25 Sept., 1660, and at various times was" witness to legal documents, and served on important committees; he was upon the coroner's jury in the case of his neighbor, Alexander Knight's child Nathaniel, who, while alone, was so burned that he died m a few hours. He was excused from training in 1656 and again in 1664. A court record reads: 1669, Sept. 28, Tobiah Colman vs. Allen Perley, for taking up and detaining his horse. Verdict for pi. 50s, no costs—a case probably wherein the law regarding field-drivers was not rigidly followed. In November, 1662, there was Allen Perley vs. Henry Batchelder, "for not giving him lawful assurance" of land” located near a pond, and Batchelder lost.
Mr. Perley was a man of considerable importance, and was held in good esteem. The location of his home, as referred to above, and his clear-penned signature to his will, though he was then nearly seventy years of age, witness a gentle birth, experience and character. The presence of pewter upon his table was a mark of more than ordinary social rank, and the probate inventory of his estate shows his business connections to have been with the honored and best citizens. Coming to America with the Puritans in 1630, he must have been a cordial sympathizer with them in their persecutions and their faith, although it was not till late in life that he was received into full church-fellowship. He and his wife joined the church 12 Aug., 1674.
Mrs. Perley's history is quite unknown to us. Marriageable maidens of gentle social rank were titled Mrs., and Mrs. Susanna Bokesen was doubtless one of that class. We have diligently sought the name Bokesen, in books and by correspondence with Old and New England, without satisfactory results. We have, however, met the name Boksen, which is, no doubt, the same as hers. The name is of Danish origin, and she was probably descended from those Danes who early in English history crossed the North Sea, and settled along the east coast of England.
Doubtless Mr. Perley had a home prepared on the grant of 1651 beyond Mr. Winthrop's farm, when he sold his town estate to Mr. Roper. The site of the later residence is still pointed out in Ipswich, south of the residence of Charles M. Perley. There they lived and labored and loved for a quarter of a century; there they saw their children grow up about them respected and useful citizens; there they were honored; there they practised sobriety and earned their wealth; and when the sun of their life glowed m the western horizon,
“Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch
About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams,”
they rested in the hope of a blessed immortality. The place of their interment is probably near their first home.

Will:
HIS WILL.
In the name of God, Amen! I, Allen Perley, of Ipswich, in the County of Essex, in New England, being by the good blessing of God in good health and enjoying my understanding and memory, yet sensible of my mortal and changeable condition here, and desirous to set my house in order, do therefore make my last will and testament:
First. I commit my soul into the hands of Jesus Christ, my blessed Savior and Redeemer; my body to be decently buried in what place the Lord shall allot for me to depart this life, in assured hope of a joyful resurrection at the last day.
And for my outward estate that God has graciously given me I thus dispose: My three elder sons, viz: John Perlye, Thomas Perley and Samuel Perlye, taking their liberty at the age of twenty-one to leave me at, yet I have given unto them three parts of the land beyond Hachelours brook (each of them a part which they are possessed of and do enjoy) excepting the great meadow, which I do reserve. And all that part of land which was Nathaniel's, my son who is departed this life, which I do give and bequeath unto my two daughters Sarah and Martha Perley.
And my house and the use of my land and the great meadow I give and bequeath unto my son Timothy, when he shall attain to the age of twenty-three years, provided still my beloved wife Susanna shall have one room to her own use during her natural life.
Item. I give unto my beloved wife all my cattle and movable goods and one-third part of the land bequeathed to my son Timothy during her natural life for her comfortable maintenance.
And after her decease my will is, the house and land be unto my son Timothy, and the cattle and movable goods be equally divided among all my children then living.
And my will and mind is, that if my said wife shall marry, that then the land and room in the house be unto my son Timothv and he to pay unto his mother seaven pounds a year during her life.
And I do make my beloved wife sole executrix of this my last will.
My will further is, that my son Timothy at the age of 23 years shall have the use of part of the stock to the value of thirty pounds during the life of my wife and then to be returned to be divided as is above expressed.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the 23 of June Anno Domini, 1670.
Signed and sealed and Published as his last will in presence of us: ALLAN PERLEY. [L.S.]
Robert Lord.
Mary Lord.
CODICIL.
The 16th day of November, 1671, I, Allen Perley, as an explanation of that clause in my will within mentioned, concerning my wife, having given unto her my cattle and movables during her natural life, besides the thirds of land a room in the house and in case of her marriage to leave the room in the house and land and tp have seven pounds a year paid her by my son Timothy but nothing spoken about the cattle and movable goods,—my will is that she return also the cattle and movables to be divided among my children, as is expressed in said will.
Witness my hand the day and year above written.
Signed and Sealed and Published in presence of us: ALLAN PERLEY. [L.S.]
Robert Lord.
Mary Lord.
February the 3d, 1675.
Before our Honored Majesurates, Mr. Samuel Symond, Dep. Gov. and Major-Gen. Denison, the Clerke being present, this will and addition was proved to be the last will and testament of Allen Perley, by the oaths of Robert Lord, Senior, and Mary Lord.
As Attest, Robert Lord, Clerk.
The signature above was photographed from his will, which is in the Essex County Court Files, Vol. 24 : 121, and the Registry of Deeds, Vol. 4; and in the latter Registry and the Probate, is

Probate:
THE INVENTORY
of the estate of Allan Perley, deceased, the 28th of December last past taken and appraised by us whose names are underwritten, the 19th of January, 1675.
£201 0 0 – In primis. The house, barn and orchard with the homestead, great meadow and meadow about home with some little upland belonging to the meadow
16 0 0 – The half part of that land as was Nathaniel Perley's
20 0 0 – The meadow that was Nathaniel's
10 0 0 – 2 Oxen
10 10 0 – 3 Cows
6 0 0 – 2 Cows
1 16 0 – 1 Heifer
1 0 0 – 1 Calf
5 0 0 – 1 Horse, Mare and Colt
8 0 0 – 20 Sheep
4 0 0 – 9 Swine
4 0 0 – His wearing clothes
7 0 0 – 3 Beds with what do belong to them
1 0 0 – 2 pairs Sheets
1 2 0 – 1 Table-cloth, Napkins
0 10 0 – 4 Pillow-cases
0 8 0 – 6 Trays
1 0 0 – Pewter
0 10 0 – 20 pounds Butter
0 5 0 – Cheese
0 16 0 – 20 pounds Cotton Wool
1 0 0 – 20 " Sheep's Wool
1 10 0 – 12 " Woolen Yam
1 10 0 – Linen Yarn
2 10 0 – 3 Guns
1 10 0 – 5 bushels Wheat
0 16 0 – 4 " Rye
3 0 0 – 18 " Indian Com
1 10 0 – Beef
1 0 0 – 2 Iron pots and a mortar
0 15 0 – Brass
0 10 0 – Pans, dishes and spoons and some small things
0 4 0 – Pail, Half-bushel, Half-peck
0 10 0 – A churn, a barrel, a meat-tub and some old tubs and a barrel
0 15 0 – 2 Trammels, Frying-pan, Pot-hooks and a gridiron, Fire-pan and Tongs
0 10 0 – 3 axes and a hoe
1 10 0 – An old Cart, Tumbrel, Wheels, Plow, Yoke and irons, belonging to them
0 4 0 – An Auger, a Chisel, 2 pair Fork-tines
0 2 0 – A Rope
0 2 0 – A pair of Bellows
0 3 0 – Chairs and Cushion
0 5 0 – A Table, Cotton wheel and form
0 2 0 – A smoothing Iron
0 2 0 – Sieves
0 6 0 – A Bible and a Psalm book
0 2 0 – Sacks
3 5 0 – Hay and Flax
0 4 6 – A Chest
0 4 0 – Cards
1 0 0 – 5 Bushels of Barley
3 10 0 – A Boar
----------
320 2 6 – Total [according to the record]
John Kimball
Nehemiah Abbott.
DEBTS or THE DECEASED.
6 3 0 – Mr. Winthrop,
2 14 0 – To the Constable
0 18 0 – '' Dea. Goodhue
0 10 0 – " Capt. Currier
0 11 0 – Mr. Cobbett,
3 12 0 – Thos. Perley
0 6 0 – Job French
0 4 6 – Dea. Knowlton
0 3 6 – James Howe, senior.
----------
15 2 0

Allan married Susanna Bokesen in 1635. Susanna was born in in England; died on 11 Feb 1692 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Immigration: Massachusetts
• Name: Susanna Perley