"Mrs. John Kinsman, Rebecca Perkins, daughter of Capt. Simon and Olive (Douglas) Perkins, came from Lisbon, Connecticut, to Kinsman in 1804 with her family and attendants in a carriage, followed by three wagons and two riding horses. The party included Mrs. Manning, her son, and son-in-law, Chester Lewis and family, Lavisa Morse (Mrs. Isaac Meacham), Eunice Morgan (Mrs. J.L. Cook), J.L. Cook, Jahazael Lathrop, carpenters and Joseph Coit.
The first home of this family here was in a double log cabin with puncheon floors, standing just where the "Kinsman National Bank is situated (1896). Here the Indians often came and Rebecca Kinsman was to them "Sin-e-qua", i.e., wife of "Coc-co-sin," meaning "Great Stone, Can't Move it." Nine years after her arrival John Kinsman died leaving his wife to manage her property and bring up five of her nine children. She was converted under the convincing earnestness and simple goodness of Deacon William Matthews. Benevolent and public spirited was she, giving largely towards the building of the Congregational and Presbyterian Church, adding a parsonage with land, bequeathing an endowment for ministerial support.....
Mrs. Kinsman was interested in educational institutions. She made several donations to 'Western Reserve College.'
Once, when it was in need, she said to her brother, Simon Perkins of Warren: "We must not let that college go down: you must give and I will give," and it was done.
Her portrait hangs upon the college walls."
