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Curator's Note (17 June 2015]: The theory that Peter Morley (aka Pierre de Morlaix) was the son of a Breton duke or the Count of Dreux seems highly unlikely. For this reason, we will remove [Pierre de Dreux de Bretagne, vicomte de Leon Pierre de Bretagne, vicomte de Laon] as parent of [Peter Morley Pierre de Morlaix (Morley)] unless some evidence is provided.
The only Pierre, Comte de Dreux who might possibly have been his father (time-wise) was, as listed in the French Wikipedia listing of Comtes de Dreux, "1331-1345 : Pierre, (1298-1345), fils de Jean II et de Jeanne de Beaujeu marié en 1341 à Isabeau de Melun, († 1389). Sa fille Jeanne hérita du comté." If Pierre who became Peter Morley had in fact been the son of this man, he would have inherited the comté before a sister. The theory that Peter Morley was the son of Pierre de Bretagne posited here (http://en.rodovid.org/wk/Person:140985) lacks any sources or references.
For this reason, we will remove any parents for this profile unless some evidence is provided.
See http://www.jeaniesgenealogy.com/2012/11/pierre-de-morlaix.html for a cynical discussion of Peter's existence and possible ancestry. See also the most current Wikipedia entry, posted below.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, referenced 17 June 2015 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Perkins_alias_Morley
Peter Perkins alias Morley (c. 1325–1380) was Sergeant to Hugh le Despencer, 2nd Baron le Despencer, for his manor of Shipton in Oxfordshire, England, and was the ancestor of a family of the landed gentry. He died at Ufton.
It has been claimed that Perkins was a migrant from Morlaix in the Duchy of Brittany and that he had previously been known as Pierre de Morlaix, becoming known in England as Morley and later as Perkins, but reliable sources for this are lacking.
If Perkins originated in Brittany, the date of his move to England is unknown, but he undoubtedly settled in Shropshire where he served the powerful nobleman Hugh le Despencer, becoming Steward of the latter's Oxfordshire estate. The Despencer family has a notable history. Hugh's father the first Lord Despencer, also known as Hugh Despenser the Younger, was a favorite of King Edward II, but fell foul of Isabella of France and Roger Mortimer, 1st Earl of March, when they invaded the country and in 1326 was executed by them as a traitor. After this, the family name was spelt in various ways, including Despenser, Le Despencer, and Spenser. By the 15th century, the family was simply called "Spencer" and eventually produced Lady Diana Spencer, later Princess of Wales.
If Perkins was previously Pierre de Morlaix, it is possible that he knew members of the Despencer family from his days in Brittany, since the Despencer family had estates in the Morlaix region. This would also explain his rise to power within the Despencer household. A Seneschal, or Steward, was in effect a trusted estate manager. In surviving records, Perkins is referred to as "serviens" to Despencer. Various authors have described him as a "servus", "bailiff", or "sargent".
Peter Perkins or Morley married Agnes Taylor (c. 1352–1399), the daughter of John Taylor (c. 1327–1377) and Margaret Welmote (born c. 1328), and John and Margaret Taylor are the ancestors of nine U.S. Presidents.
It has been claimed that Peter's earlier name was Pierre de Morlaix, and that he came to England from Brittany. Another name ascribed to him in a family pedigree is Peter Morley, which might be an anglicization of "Morlaix", while the name Pierrekin can mean "little Pierre", and Perkins can also denote a son of Peterkin. An originator of the Pierre de Morlaix theory was an American called A. T. Perkins, in a book called: A PRIVATE PROOF printed in order to preserve certain matters connected with the Boston Branch of the PERKINS FAMILY intended only as an indication of the best points of further investigation (Boston: T. R. Marvin & Son, Printers, 1890). The book begins as follows:
In the latter part of the long reign of King Edward the First, 1272–1307, Pierre de Morlaix, the ancestor of this family so far as known, was born, whether in England or at Morlaix in France is not ascertained.
Later in his book Perkins makes the claim that “Henry, the son of Pierre de Morlaix by his wife Alice Taylor, who succeeded to the Stewardship of the estate of Despenser, is called Henry Pierrekins or Henry the son of Pierre.” However, there is no historical evidence that Henry ever called himself Pierrekins or even that he worked for the Despenser family. Since there is documentary evidence that both his father, Peter, and his son, John, worked for the Despensers, it is likely that Henry was also employed by them.
After his first book was published, Perkins acknowledged that the “Pierre de Morlaix” theory may be incorrect. This acknowledgement appears in a later work, The Perkins Family in ye Olden Times, at pages 67-68: Boston, 14 March 1891
My Dear Mr. Perkins: Mr. Parkyns, Miss Sharp, Dr. George Perkins and you have certainly knocked some of my theories from under me with a vengeance, and I only wish you had done it some months earlier, before my book was printed, for I should certainly have called a halt had I had matters put before me as I see them now; but it is all right, for in our matters nothing is of great importance, even if it is true, but it is worse than nothing, much worse, if it is not true. (Signed) A. T. Perkins
An argument against the "Morlaix" theory is that the only historical record for Peter and Henry is the Pedigree, so this theory appears to be no more than speculation.
In her book on the history of the Perkins family and Ufton Court, A. Mary Sharp makes no mention of Morlaix, but she does claim that in the Pedigree "Morley" may be an error for "Moore", as the names of Moore and Perkins are found constantly together in Shropshire and Oxfordshire, but Morley is not otherwise found there. Nevertheless, James Fulton Perkins has asserted:
"The last generation to use the original spelling of "Morlaix" in or around 1331 was the family of one Pierre de Morlaix of Shropshire, England. He appears to have been born 1312 in Bretagne, Morlaix, Normandy, France and died about 1384 in Shropshire, England. His name indicates that although originally from Morlaix, Normandy, France, he was part of the Celtic/Welsh group previously mentioned who migrated to England. During this time period surnames were not in common use. Everybody was known by some personal characteristic such as what they did, who their father was or where they came from, hence Pierre de Morlaix was from Morlaix, France. Attaining a high position within English society, Pierre became the High Steward of the Hugo de Spencer Estate of Oxfordshire, England (later known as the House of Spencer, of whom Princess Diana was a daughter).
"Pierre changed his name to the English translated version "Peter Morley" when Charles V of France renewed the Hundred Years War with England. This war was disrupting English shipping, compromising trade with Spain and the Netherlands and persecuting English subjects on the mainland in many ways. Because of the French victory at the Battle of Hastings, Frenchmen became persona-non-grata in England. To conceal his French origins Pierre changed his name to the English translation, Peter Morley (1312–1384).
"Unwilling to end the heritage of the de Morlaix name, when Peter Morley (or Pierre de Morlaix) married Agnes Taylor, daughter of John Taylor and Margaret Welmote of Madresfield, Worcestershire, England, they had a son named Henry Pierrekin (meaning "first son of Pierre"), born 1340 in Shropshire, England, and died in Hillmorton, Warwickshire, England). The "kin" suffix indicates the eldest son in a family and any subsequent sons are simply called with the suffix "son", as in "Pierreson". Hence, the first son is Pierrekin and the second son of Peter (Pierre) Morley would be "Pierreson"." [1]
The medieval genealogy of Thomas Perkins of Hillmorton
The line of descent for Thomas Perkins, husband of Alys — is as follows:[2]
There is disagreement about the earlier lineage of Peter Morley, but the Ford pedigree shows him as the son of a Perkin Morley.[3] The Wenham pedigree gives the following line of descent:
Descent of the Perkins Family of Ufton, Brimpton & Beenham
From whom descend the Perkinses of Hillmorton, Warwickshire.[4]
"Until about the year 1400, surnames were extremely uncommon in England, but since that time men were accustomed to add to their Christian names certain terminals, especially such as would the better distinguish them from their fathers. We find among these that of kin or kins, which Bardsley, a late English writer, thinks has all the significance of our junior, so that we have Wilkins, the son of Will; Jenkins, the son of James; Tomkins, the son of Tom; Pierrekins, the son of Pierre, etc. In the reign of Richard II. Pierre de Morlaix, or Morley, probably a Norman from the town of Morlaix, in France, was high steward of the estates of Hugo Despencer, who was at that time one of the richest and most powerful nobles of England. This Pierre de Morlaix had by his wife, Agnes Taylor, a son Henry, who, on the death of his father, was known as Henry Pierrekin, or Henry the son of Pierre. He succeeded to the stewardship, and had a son John who in time became steward and wrote his name John Perkins, and sometimes Perkyns, armiger. This John Perkins, esquire, was Lord of the manor of Madrasfield as well as steward of the Despencers, and it is believed that he was the first who bore for his arms, the fesse dancette between six billets. John Perkins[disambiguation needed], armiger, was living during the reign of Henry VI and held that position of high steward when the heiress of that famous family married the king-making Earl of Warwick. In the numerous transfers of land which he was called upon to make at the time, he sometimes signed his name Perkyns and sometimes Perkins, and some of his descendants, now living in England, sign themselves Parkyns or Parkins. This coat of arms of the Perkins family was taken from a deed of land in Ipswich, Mass., from Dr. John Perkins and wife to John Wainwright[disambiguation needed] of Ipswich, and bears date of 1725, and was of right used by Dr. Perkins and his family, who were then British subjects. This is the same arms as is found upon memorial tablets in churches in England at this day…" [5]
Source: Perkins, George A., The Genealogy of John Perkins (Salem, MA: Salem Press Publishing & Printing Co., 1889)
Quoting from “The Curd and Allied Families,” by William B. Curd and Lucy Price Rayne Truog (1927)
“‘A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames,’ says: Parkin, Parkins, Parkinson, Parkisson, Perkin, Perkins, Perkinson, Parkyns, Bapt. ‘the son of Peter,’ from the pet Perkin or Parkyn. There are no Perkins or Parkins in the Hundred Rolls, while the French diminutives Perrin and Perrott are common. What May be called the Flemish forms appear in Yorkshire and the East counties about the beginning of the 14th century, with Perkins and Parkins.
“In the Herold’s ‘Visitation’ for the Berkshire 1623, this family is said to have descended from a certain Peter or Petrus de Morely of Shropshire, a county on the border of Wales. Hence, the family is sometimes said to have been of Welsh origin.
“For three hundred years the Perkins ancestors were seneshals or wardens of de Spencers and Warwich Castle. The Ufton Book shows the Perkins line, eldest son to eldest son, etc., continued to the present time. Some of the family were distinguished in the history of England and were prominent in Stratford district, the home of Shakespeare and his wife, Mary Arden. ”
“Domesday Book, A. D. 1085,” lists a manor in Berkshire, England, called Offstone, belonging to William Fitz Anscuff, and Ufton Court was a beautiful old Manor house at the same place, the ancient home of the Perkins family.”
Generation 14. Peter De Morley was Servous to Hugh de Spencer and was living in 1380. He was married to Agnes Taylor.
Generation 13. Henry Parkyns was the son of Peter.
Generation 12. John Parkyns, son of Henry Parkyns, was Seneschal to Thomas de Spencer, Earl of Gloucester. in 1390, he was the first to acquire property in Madresfield. He was living in 1400.
Generation 11. William Parkyns (1), son of John Parkyns, was 1st “Lord of Ufton. ”(bailiff to Humphry Plantagent, Duke of Glouster) He married Margaret, and was living in 1447.
Generation 10. Thomas Parkyns (1), son of William and Margaret Parkyns, was living in 1452-1479. He was called “Thomas of Ufton and Madresfield,” and gave Madresfield Manor House to his second son, Thomas.
Generation 9. Thomas Parkyns (2), son of Thomas Parkyns (1), was married to Ellen Tompkinson. They had four sons, William of Madresfield, James of Shropshire, and Richard and Lawrence, twins.
Generation 8. William Parkyns (2), son of Thomas Parkyns (2), was married to Joan Reade, daughter of Reade near Coventry.
Generation 7. Richard Parkyns, Sr., son of William Parkyns (2) and Joan Reade, was married to Ann Twynborrowe, daughter of Walter Twynborrowe, of Woodmention, Herfordshire.
Generation 6. Richard Parkyns, Jr., the son of Richard Parkyns (1) and Ann Twynborrowe, was of Bunny Park. He married Elizabeth Beresford, daughter of Aden Beresford, of Fenney Bently of Derbyshire. There were eight children: Sir George Parkyns, Knight who died in 1626; Adrien; John; Aden; Francis; Annie; Eliza; and Margaret.
Generation 5. Aden Parkyns, the son of Richard Parkyns, Jr. and Elizabeth Beresford, was married to Mary ____. They came to Virginia in 1607, where he was registered as “Grocer. ” Whether he returned to England, or died in Virginia, is not known. They had four children: George; Richard (3); Annie; and Thomas.
Generation 4. Richard Parkyns (3), son of Aden and Mary Parkyns, owned land near Jamestown, or on the James River. Whom he married is not known.
Generation 3. Nicholas Perkins (1), the son of Richard Parkyns (3), was also married to a Mary, and there were 7 children. Records show that in 1641 Nicholas Perkins was transported to Hernia County, Virginia, by Brayant Smith, although it appears he was born in America, the grandson of the immigrant. On 30 August 1650, he was granted land in Bermuda Hundred, beginning in Cole’s Swamy, Henrico County, for the transportation of four persons into the colony, although only three are named: Mary Perkins, William Owen, and Richard Hues. The original document is almost illegible, and the names are given differently in several references. However, it is thought these persons were Mary Perkins, his wife, and his sons, William, Owen, Richard (4), and Thomas. He died about 1664, and his will mentions only his daughter, Lydia, and his two youngest children, Elizabeth and Nicholas (2). His widow married Richard Parker.
Generation 2. William Perkins, son of Nicholas and Mary Perkins, was born about 1633. His wife, was also named Mary. William and Mary, and their daughter, Mary, were passengers on the ship “Kent,” in 1667. Members of the Society of Friends, they joined the Burlington Monthly Meeting, in New Jersey.
Generation 1. Mary Perkins, daughter of William and Mary Perkins, was married 24 May 1683, at Burlington Monthly Meeting, to Henry Grubb
From: http://www.jeaniesgenealogy.com/2012/11/pierre-de-morlaix.html
http://kristinhall.org/fambly/Perkins/PierreDeMorlaix.html
Pierre DE MORLAIX
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From: http://kristinhall.org/fambly/Perkins/PerkinsName.html
Generation; Husband; Wife; Person #s
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Sources
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1303 |
1303
|
Morlaix, Finistere, Brittany, France
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|
1340 |
1340
Age 37
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Ufton, Berkshire, England
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|
1370 |
1370
Age 67
|
Hillmorton, Warwickshire, England
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1384 |
January 5, 1384
Age 81
|
Madresfield, Worcestershire, England
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|
???? | |||
???? |