Person:Joseph Perkins (33)

An interesting incident is connected with this old homestead known as Brandywine Hundred. Joseph Perkins was ill with a disease known in those days as the "gravel". Being of a superstitous nature and having faith in dreams, he dreamt one night that tea made from the leaves and berries from a certain holly tree standing on his farm would cure his desease. Having such faith, he forthwith sent his son, Amor Perkins, to gather the leaves and fruit, out of which the tea was made and the cure wrought. After his recovery, he and his son Amor dug up this holly tree and transplanted it in the front yard, which overlooked the Delaware River. Because of this incident also from the fact that there were many large oaks growing on his farm, he named his place "Holly Oak", which is only a short distance north of Wilmington.