John PERKINS, alias Thomas CARSON. W2640 West Tenn., #26837 $50.00/year Issued 12 June 1834. Frances PERKINS, widow Tenn. # 2899, $50.00/year issued 16 Nov. 1853. Bounty Land warrant 86132-160-55.
30 Aug. 1832 Franklin County, John PERKINS, aged 67, states he was born 11 May 1865 in Halifax County, Va., and entered the service as a resident of that county in April 1781. He served first under Capt. James TURNER as a private in the militia, participating in the siege of the fort at 96 in South Carolina. In 1782 he removed to Caswell County, N.C. and was drafted for 18 months under Capt. Elijah MOORE. While encamped at Bacon’s bridge in South Carolina, Capt. MOORE became ill and Capt. RHODES took command. He was among a detachment commanded by a French officer which was ordered to James Island to attack Fort Johnson. The fort was evacuated and next morning a skirmish was fought with the enemy, who were cutting wood on the island for their aray in the city. After his discharge he returned to Caswell County where he resided with his brother-in-law, whose house burned, and with it his discharge papers. He knows of no one by whom he can prove his service. He removed from North Carolina to Pendleton District, S.C., where he lived until 1810, when he settled here. He is known is this county to Rev. Henry HUNT, Robert BLACKBURN, John MORROW, John HICKERSON, Esq., and many others. Re. Henry HUNT and John MORROW vouch for PERKINS reputation and Character.
2 Sept. 1833 Franklin County, John PERKINS states he has a record of his age made by his father in a family Bible which is at his house 14 miles distant.
2 May 1834 North Carolina Secretary of State declares that militia rolls Thomas CARSON entered the service in 1782 for 18 months under Capt. BREVARD. The persons named as his messmates include: Edward KING, George TIPPIT, John GRINAGE and William DOBBINS. NOTE: Reference is made to a statement sent to the pension office naming PERKINS’ messmates from his memory, but such document does not appear in file.
26 May 1834 Franklin County. in August 1832 John PERKINS, alias Thomas CARSON, applied to Micah TAUL to prepare his original declaration for a pension. He sent this and an amended declaration to the War Department. A copy was also sent to North Carolina to obtain proof of service, which the Secretary or State said proof did not exist, to the applicants mortification. In March 1834 the applicant visited TAUL at his home in Winchester and inquired whether TAUL had good news from Washington for him, as he had sent to the Pension Office a list of his messmates. “being answered in the negative, which in a moment banished from his mind all hope of ever succeeding .” PERKINS” with tears in his eyes and in a tone of voice and manner manifesting the deepest distress, asked me my opinion” After a little conversation it occurred to PERKINS that the problem was one of his own making, having performed his service under the name of Thomas CARSON, by which he was then known. He was the son of Mary PERKINS who intermarried with Thomas CARSON when her son was and infant. Carson was a widower and had a children, one who was named John, so the baby was called Thomas CARSON after his stepfather. Said stepfather died about the close of the war and his mother then informed him that his name was John PERKINS, by which he has ever since been called and known. ” He is gratified to know that whatever may be the fate of his application, he was not compelled to change his name, it was only a resumption of his proper name” Applicant further states that he discovered recently that John NELSON of Warren County, was acquainted with him during the war. He would have taken NELSON’S deposition earlier had he known. Capt. John NELSON of Warren County, Tenn., states he was acquainted with Elijah MOORE and also with Capt. BREVARD and slightly with a John PERKINS, alias Thomas CARSON.
12 March 1853 Franklin County Clerk issues copy of marriage bond for John PERKINS and Franky FERRELL, both residents of Franklin County, dated 5 April 1822. Bondsman was Daniel EVENS. Executed 16 April 1822 by John W.CAMDON, J.P.
5 April 1853 Wayne County, Tenn. Franky PERKINS aged 72, states her before marriage was Frances NICHOLS. She is from old age and infirmity, unable to appear in court. Witness; John STRIBLING, H. GREESON. Catherine LAXTON aged 38 states she saw John and Franky PERKINS married at least 30 years ago in Franklin County and knew them at the time of his death in Hardin County, to which place they had removed in 1840.
2 Oct. 1853 Wayne County, Tenn. Frances PERKINS explains her maiden name was NICHOLS but she was married first to Martin M. FERRELL in Franklin County, Tenn., in about 1812. Martin FERRELL died 16 June 1817 and she afterward married John PERKINS.
15 Jan. 1859 Wayne County, Tenn. Frances PERKINS (age not given) applied for bounty land. Jesse WHITE and James MAHAN vouch for her reputation.