Family:William Perkins and Elizabeth Nelson (1)

This family is usually thought to have moved to Sutton. The records of Topsfield suggest it was another couple, Family:William Perkins and Elizabeth Towne (1). Those records suggest that this couple stayed in Topsfield. This couple could not have had a daughter Elizabeth old enough to marry Cornelius Putnam Jr. in 1753 [i.e., probably born by 1735), which the Sutton couple was known to do.

This would mean that Elizabeth Nelson is not the person who subsequently married Cornelius Putnam and Jonathan Newell. See the full discussion on Which Widow Elizabeth Perkins Married Cornelius Putnam.

There are births of three William Perkins in Topsfield of about the age to marry in 1734 and have children. There are marriage records for two. There appears to be the death record of one, "an aged man who Died Suddenly" on 29 Feb 1776. It is difficult to sort them out with any certainty. The death appears to apply to the one who stayed in Topsfield, i.e., this one. Possibly, since the birth of daughter Apphia labels her father William Sr., this is the William Perkins, b. 1698, to Timothy Perkins and Edna Hazen, who is the oldest of the three candidates. But more research is needed to be certain. The full discussion may be found on Person:William Perkins (102).

1. ↑ Topsfield, Essex, Massachusetts, United States. Vital Records of Topsfield, Massachusetts to the End of the Year 1849. (Topsfield, Massachusetts: Topsfield Historical Society, 1903, 1916)
   175.

   PERKINS, William, and Elisabeth Nelson of Newbury, at Newbury, Apr. 18, 1734.

2.   Newbury, Essex, Massachusetts, United States. Vital Records of Newbury, Massachusetts, to the End of the Year 1849. (Salem, Mass.: The Essex Institute, 1911)
   382.

   PERKINS, William, of Topsfield, and Elisabeth Nelson, Apr. 18, 1734.