Elnathan Perkins

A Patriot of the American Revolution for CONNECTICUT (Soldier). DAR Ancestor #: A088757

Died in defense of Fort Griswold, September 6, 1781

"Elnathan Perkins was a well to do farmer in his day living upon what is now known as Brier Hill in the Second School District of Groton His house was situated near what was the residence of the late Captain Levi Perkins Elnathan had two wives the first Mary died December 18 1776 aged fifty five years the second Freelove formerly the widow of Benjamin Bailey died 1 794 aged seventy five

Elnathan and wife owned the covenant in the Congregational Church of Groton of which Rev John Owen was pastor on April 1 1739

His children were regularly brought in infancy to the altar of the church to receive the rite of baptism We find such entries as these in the ancient records of the church in the handwriting of John Owen: "Elisha son of Elnathan Perkins was baptized in infancy April 5th 1747; Asa son of Elnathan Perkins was baptized in infancy May 28 1749"

Elnathan's name is found on the rate bill of the town in 1 768 taxed on L69 4 shillings

Elnathan on the morning of the battle went into the fort with four sons Obadiah Elisha Asa and Luke Jr The three latter were killed and Luke Jr and Asa are buried beside him in the Starr Burying Ground Elisha who was a married man is buried in the same ground beside his two infant children Elisha and Mary near him lies Sarah Wood relict of William Wood formerly the widow of Elisha Perkins who died June 26 1824 aged seventy years Elisha appears in the rate bill of 1768 rated at L18"

source: The Battle of Groton Heights: A Collection of Narratives, Official Reports ...

By William Wallace Harris, p. 244-5

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Find A Grave record

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Sources: Headstone Inscriptions, Town of Groton, New London County, Conn.,

copied by Charles R. Hale, 1932 (Hale Collection); The Groton Avery Clan; The

Stone Records of Groton; 1st Congregational Church of Groton records; Harris/Allyn; BET,fiche 6011337; Barbour, film 1,309,870, It. 2; Stonington District Probate Packet, film 1,032,100.

Hale: Elnathan Perkins, died 6 Sept. 1781, at Fort Griswold, age 63, buried in the Starr Cemetery. Killed when the British attacked the fort.

BET: Elnathan Perkins, born 25 Sept. 1718.

Probate Packet: Groton, 1781, #2659.

Bequests: Son Obadiah, farm; son Elisha, land near William Wood's property; son Asa, land; son Luke, land; son Caleb, part of homestead; daughter Theoda Williams, one cow; daughters Lydia and Annah, remains of estate after debts and funeral expenses are paid, to be divided equally. Obadiah, Elisha and Luke were to provide a home, maintainence and pay funeral expenses for their "Granny" Phillips. (With Elnathan, Elisha and Luke killed at Fort Griswold, that left the wounded Obadiah to carry out these wishes.) Obadiah and Elisha were named administrators. The will was signed by Elnathan in a very poor hand. It was witnessed by Solomon Perkins, Henry Woodbridge and Luke Perkins, his mark.

Harris/Allyn: "Elnathan Perkins was a well-to-do farmer in his day, living

upon what is now (1882) known as Brier Hill, in the Second School District of

Groton. His house was situated near what was the residence of the late Captain Levi Perkins. Elnathan had two wives: the first, Mary, died December 18, 1776, aged fifty-five years; the second, Freelove, formerly the widow of Benjamin Bailey, died 1794, aged seventy-five. Elnathan and wife, 'owned the covenant, in the Congregational Church of Groton, of which Rev. John Owen was pastor, on April 1 1739. His children were regularly brought in infancy to the altar of the church to receive the rite of baptism. We find such entries ...in the ancient records of the church, in the handwriting of John Owen..." Elnathan's name is found on the rate-bill of the town in 1768, taxed on 69 pounds, 4 shillings. On the morning of the battle at Fort Griswold, he went to the forth with four sons: Obadiah, Elisha, Asa and Luke Jr. Only Obadiah survived, although he was wounded.

Church: One record says, ________, daughter of Elnathan Perkins,

baptized April 1743. (This another daughter or Amy with the wrong date?

Barbour: Elnathan Perkins, son of Luke and Lydia, born 20 Sept. 1718.

Married Mary Phillips 13 Dec. 1737.