Allan Perley

Allan Perley (First Quarter of 1608 - December 28, 1675) was the emigrant ancestor of the Perley Family in America, was born in Wales, in the first quarter of the year 1608, and died in Ipswich, Massachusetts, 28 December 1675. He married, about in the year 1636, in Boxford, Essex, Massachusetts, to Susanna Bokeson, of Bokenson, who died in Ipswich, 11 February 1692 (born in 1614; about 78 yrs. old), after a widowhood of sixteen years.

Allan Perley came to the New World in the Winthrop Fleet (English Puritans). He is the reason for the Perley family's existence in the United States. Because of Allan Perley, his descendants are in America, Canada, England, and probably other countries today. Ever since about 1636, when Allan Perley married Susanna Bokeson, many future generations existed in North America. To this day, there are many descendants of Allan Perley.
Settling to Ipswich, Massachusetts
Mr. Perley came to this country, at the age of twenty-two, in the fleet with Governor Winthrop, and located in "Charlestowne Village," on land which is now included in the city of Woburn and called "Button-end," near a tract of meadow, marked in the cut AAA, which has been known for two and a half centuries as "Parly meddowe," through which meanders a brook spanned by a plank bridge, marked B, six and a half feet wide, and known as "Parly brook." The name is found in probate records, and in the colonial records, 2:75, as it is spelled above; and it is pronounced by the citizens of Woburn today as it is here spelled.

Why he relinquished his settlement is a matter of conjecture. The rigors of his first winter were extreme; the sufferings of the settlers were intense. "The weather," reads Lendrum's History of the American Revolution, "held tolerable until the 24th December, but the cold then came on with violence. Such a Christmas eve they had never seen before. From that time to the 10th of February their chief care was to keep themselves warm, and as comfortable in other respects as their scant provisions would permit. They were so short of provisions that many were obliged to live upon clams, mussels, and other shell-fish, with ground-nuts and acorns, instead of bread. One that came to the Governor's house to complain of his sufferings, was prevented, being informed that even there the last batch was in the oven. The poorer sort were much exposed, lying in tents and miserable hovels, and many died of scurvy and other distempers." Such an experience would dishearten the most resolute; in fact, "some of the Board of Assistants," according to History of the United States, "men who had been trusted as the inseparable companions of the common misery or common success, disheartened by the scenes of woe, sailed for England." Many others also went home for the same cause.

The statement in Lambert's History of the New Haven Colony, that in 1634 "the colonies at Watertown, Dorchester and Newtown had become so crowded by the accessions of new planters, that many left," affords another suggestion. He may have sold his grant and improvements, all his local rights and interests, feeling assured attraction to Boston and vicinity was the learned, wealthy, and noble Governor Winthrop, but our ancestor seems to have found more attraction in the younger Winthrop at Ipswich. However it may have been with our ancestor—whatever his reason or motive for leaving, he remained long enough to stamp his name indelibly upon the territory and to record the unquestioned fact of his possession. According to the manuscript chart of the family, "From thence he moved to Ipswich in 1634." By the town records, he was in Ipswich in 1635.

But before identifying himself with Ipswich history, he visited England; for he was there "2° Aprilis, 1635," according to a record in the Augmentation office, London, and set sail that month for New England. He located in Ipswich, on High street, a short distance from Governor Bradstreet and the Waldo family. The place was and is the second houselot northwest of the High-street cemetery, and it is remarkable that it has the same shape and area now that it had then—two and a half centuries ago. Alexander Knight's homestead was on the northwest, George Smith's on the southeast, "a drift way" on the northeast, and High street on the southwest. At present the new part of the cemetery is on the northeast.

It was a picturesque spot. Located on the western slope of Town hill and agreeably elevated from the street, it commanded a fine view of the verdant slopes of Turkey and Timber hills and the ridge-range of houses along Scott's lane, the present Washington street. The deep frontage of his lot afforded ample opportunity to arrange a spacious avenue from the street to his dwelling, with flowering plants and shrubbery on either side, after the fashion of the average gentleman of the old country. Whatever he did in the matter, his selection of grounds of such possible improvements, attest his good taste and judgement, educated, no doubt, by the experiences of his early life. There he brought his young wife and began the business of life anew; there most of his children were born; thence have radiated the family name and influence.

He resided there about seventeen years, selling, 3 September 1652, for £27, his "dwelling house and homestead" to Walter Roper, carpenter, of Topsfield. Mr. Roper, 15 July 1680, devised his "house, barn and homestead," valued at £80, (the "carpenter" having built a new house?), to his son John. John Roper died 27 November 1709, leaving by will dated 22 November 22, 1709, his "mansion house, barn and homestead," valued at £100, to his "loving cousin Benjamin Dutch." Mr. Dutch divided the property into half parts, "through the chimney from the top to bottom," and 3 February 1737, sold the northwestern half to John Browne, 4th, of Ipswich, hatter. Mr. Browne, 18 January 1776, devised his part to his widow, who, as Lydia Thornton, 23 June 1796, sold the premises to the same Nathaniel Lord, Jr., as above, who then owned the whole original estate. Mr. Lord, 8 August 1796, devised it to his sons Abraham and Isaac. Abraham died intestate and childless, and in the division of his estate, 9 October 1811, his interest in this property was settled upon his brother Isaac, who then owned the whole. Isaac, 17 May 1825,devised it to his son Levi, who, 4 June 1869, left it to his son George Edward Lord-110<sub>16</sub>, who now owns it and resides there.
Allan Perley's Homestead
Mr. Perley was a large land-holder, and besides possessions in Essex, Rowley and Boxford, he had in Ipswich, in 1635, land at Heartbreak hill; in 1640, 1 : 3 mo., a road from Rowley to Salem was laid out "over the falls at Mile river and by marked trees over Mr. Appleton's meadowe, called Parlye meadowe"; he was a commoner in 1641; he owned a houselot on Mill street in 1642, the street being now called Washington, and the lot on Town hill in 1645; "at a meeting of the seven men the (5) 1651" there was "granted to Alen Perlye (inexchange for Thirty acres more or less at Chebacco lying on the west side of his meddowe) the sum of forty-five acres of upland* lying beyond Mr. Winthropes farm joining up to some of the pirates thereabouts"; he was granted
*This land was then sometimes called, or was contiguous to the "Norton Reserve," land set apart for Rev. John Norton's brother, who declined to occupy it. The territory was early known—before 1693—as "The Ipswich Farms," or "The Farms," a designation that obtained till the incorporation of Linebrook Parish.—State Archives. 133: 45-6 and 55.
10 acres by the town in 1660; he owned one and a half shares in Plum Island in 1664, and, at some time, five acres of upland and marsh called Reedy marsh. In 1670, he had liberty of the town to cut timber for a "barne."
Allen Perley's House
Allen Perley's house was built after Allan's death. It began construction in 1784. At the time, the address was 421 Linebrook Road. Today, it is on 439 Linebrook Road. The easternmost portion of the house, when built 1784, was one of the two most substantial and finely styled houses in Linebrook. This house had a 5 bay facade, 2 room deep, central chimney plan and
was finished with 2nd Period raised-field paneling on fireplace walls. Three westernmost bays
added: 1840-1850; two entry porches, two-story side porches and a garage added: 20th century.
In Court
He was admitted to the privileges of freemen, 18 May 1642; was a grand junior, 25 September 1660, and at various times was witness to legal documents, and served on important committees' he was upon the corner's jury in the case of his neighbor, Alexander Knight's child Nathaniel, who, while alone, was so burned that he died in a few hours. He was excused from training in 1656 and again in 1664. A court record reads: 1669, September 28, Tobiah Colman vs. Allen Perley, for taking up and detaining his horse. Verdict for pl. 50s, no costs—a case probably wherein the law regarding field-drivers was no rigidly followed. In November, 1662, there was Allen Perley vs. Henry Batchelder, "for not giving him lawful assurance* of land" located near a pond, and Batchelder lost.
*We understand this land was conveyed without deed, certain persons being called in to witness the description, price, bargain sale and delivery. By these persons Mr. Perley proved the contract. Doubtless many sales of land were early thus made. Perhaps in this manner he conveyed his Woburn property; for we searched the records in vain for some reference to its transfer.
Adultery
While working as a grand junior, he was charged with raping his intern. Although Allan was able to prove that his sexual relationship with her involved mutual consent, he could not deny that sexual intercourse was taken place. As a result, his wife, Susanna left him. She did not return until his death in 1675.
Religious Faith
Mr. Perley was a man of considerable importance, and was held in good esteem. The location of his home, as referred to above, and his clear-penned signature to his will, though he was then nearly seventy years of age, witness a gentle birth, experience and character. The presence of pewter upon his table was a mark of more than ordinary social rank, and the probate inventory of his estate shows his business connections to have been with the honored and best citizens. Coming to America with the (Winthrop Fleet) in 1630, he must have been a cordial sympathizer with them in their persecutions and their faith, although it was not till late in life that he was received into full church-fellowship. He and his wife joined the church 12 August 1674.
Allan Perley's Will
This is Allan Perley's will,

:In the name of God, Amen! I, Allen Perley, of Ipswich, in the County of Essex, in New England, being by the good blessing of God in good health and enjoying my understanding and memory, yet sensible of my mortal and changeable condition here, and desirous to set my house in order, do therefore make my last will and testament:

:First. I commit my soul into the hands of Jesus Christ, my blessed Savior and my Redeemer; my body to be decently buried in what place the Lord shall allot for me to depart this life, in assured hope of a joyful resurrection at the last day.

:And for my outward estate that God has graciously given me I thus dispose: My three elder sons, viz: John Perlye, Thomas Perley and Samuel Perlye, taking their liberty at the age of twenty-one to leave me at, yet I have given unto them three parts of the land beyond Bachelours brook (each of them a part which they are possessed of and do enjoy) excepting the great meadow, which I do reserve. And all that part of land which was Nathaniel's, my son who is departed this life, which I do give and bequeath unto my two daughters Sarah and Martha Perley.

:And my house and the use of my land and the great meadow I give and bequeath unto my son Timothy, when he shall attain to the age of twenty-three years, provided still by beloved wife Susanna shall have one room to her own use during her natural life.

:Item. I give unto my beloved wife all my cattle and movable goods and one-third part of the land bequeathed to my son Timothy during her natural life for her comfortable maintenance.

:And after her decease my will is, the house and land be unto my son Timothy, and the cattle and movable goods be equally divided among all my children then living.

:And my will and mind is, that if my said wife shall marry, that then the land and room in the house be unto my son Timothy and he pay unto his mother seven pounds a year during her life.

:And I do make my beloved wife sole executrix of this my last will.

:My will further is, that my son Timothy at the age of 23 years shall have the use of part of the stock to the value of thirty pounds during the life of my wife and then to be returned to be divided as is above expressed.

:In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the 23 of June Anno Domini, 1670.
:Signed and seaaled and Published
:as his last will in presence of us: ALLAN PERLEY
: Robert Lord
: Mary Lord
Allan Perley's Codicil
:The 16th day of November, 1671, I, Allan Perley, as an explanation of that clause in my will within mentioned, concerning my wife, having given unto her my cattle and movables during her natural life, besides the thirds of land a room in the house and in case of her marriage to leave the room in the house and land and to have seven pounds a year paid her by my son Timothy but nothing spoken about the cattle and movable goods,—my will is that she return also the cattle and movables to be divided among my children, as is expressed in said will.
: Witness my hand the day and year above written.
: Signed and Sealed and Published
:in presence of us: ALLAN PERLEY.
: Robert Lord
: Mary Lord
Allan Perley's Inventory
THE INVENTORY of the estate of Allan Perley, deceased, the 28th of December last past taken and appraised by us whose names are underwritten, the 19th of January, 1675.

In primis.

The house, barn and orchard with the homestead,
great meadow and meadow about home with
some little upland belonging to the meadow, £, 201, 0, 0
The half part of that land as was Nathaniel Perley's, 20, 0, 0
The meadow that was Nathaniel's, 16, 0, 0
2 Oxen, 10, 0, 0
3 Cows, 10, 10, 0
2 Cows, 5, 0, 0
1 Heifer, 1, 15, 0
1 Calf, 1, 0, 0
1 Horse, Mare and Colt, 5, 0, 0
20 Sheep, 8, 0, 0
9 Swine, 4, 0, 0
His wearing clothes, 4, 0, 0
3 Beds with what do belong to them, 7, 0, 0
2 pairs Sheets, 1, 0, 0
Table-cloth, Napkins, 1, 2, 0
4 Pillow-cases, 0, 10, 0
6 Trays, 0, 3, 0
6 Trays, 0, 3, 0
Pewter, 1, 0, 0
20 pounds Butter, 0, 10, 0
Cheese, 0, 5, 0
20 pounds Cotton Wool, 0, 16, 0
20 " Sheep's Wool, 1, 0, 0
12 " Woolen Yarn, 1, 10, 0
Linen Yarn, 1, 10, 0
Guns, 2, 10, 0
5 bushels Wheat, 1, 10, 0
4 " Rye, 0, 16, 0
Indian Corn, 3, 0, 0
Beef, 1, 10, 0
2 Iron pots and a mortar, 1, 0, 0
Brass, 0, 15, 0
Pans, dishes and spoons and some small things, 0, 10, 0
Pail, Half-bushel, Half-peck, 0, 4, 0
A churn, a barrel, a meat-tub and some old tubs and a barrel, 0, 10, 0
Trammels, Frying-pan, Pot-hooks, and a gridiron, Fire-pan and Tongs, 0, 15, 0
3 axes and a hoe, 0, 10, 0
An old Cart, Tumbrel, Wheels, Plow, Yoke and irons, belonging to them, 1, 10, 0
An Auger, a Chisel, 2 pair Fork-tines, 0, 4, 0
A Rope, 0, 2, 0
A pair of Bellows, 0, 2, 0
Chairs and Cushion, 0, 3, 0
A Table, Cotton wheel and form, 0, 5, 0
A smoothing Iron, 0, 2, 0
Sieves, 0, 2, 0
A Bible and a Psalm book, 0, 6, 0
Sacks, 0, 2, 0
Hay and Flax, 3, 5, 0
A Chest, 0, 4, 6
Cards, 0, 4, 0
5 Bushels of Barley, 1, 0, 0
A Boar, 3, 10, 0

Total , 320, 2, 6
John Kimball,
Nehemiah Abbott.
.

DEBTS OF THE DECEASED.
Mr. Winthrop, 6, 3, 0
To the Constable, 2, 14, 0
:" Dea. Goodhue, 0, 18, 0
:" Capt. Currier, 0, 10, 0
Mr. Cobbett, 0, 11, 0
Thos. Perley, 3, 12, 0
Job French, 0, 6, 0
Dea. Knowlton, 0, 4, 6
James Howe, senior, 0, 3, 6
, 15, 2, 0 Third, was Thomas Perley. He was born in also Ipswich in 1641. Lydia Peabody became his wife in Boxford on 8 July 1667, and died on 24 September 1709. Fourth, was Nathaniel Perley. Born in Ipswich in 1643 and died in Ipswich on 29 April 1668. Next, Sarah Perley. Born in Topsfield in 1649 and married William Watson in Newbury on 6 December 1670. Then died in Ipswich on 5 February 1694. Sixth, was Timothy Perley. He was born in Ipswich in 1653 and married a woman named Deborah. He died on 25 January 1718. Lastly, was Martha Perley. She was born in Topsfield on 20 April 1657, and married to Benjamin Coker on 31 May 1678.
John Perley
John Perley was born in Ipswich in 1636, and died in Boxford on 15, December, 1729, at the age of ninety-three years. He married Mary Howlett in 1661, who was born in 1642, to Thomas Howlett of Ipswich, and died on 21 October 1718 ,at the age of seventy-six years.

Little was known of John Perley till he settled in Boxford, in 1683. He was of Topfield in 1657, the year he became of age, and in 1658; of Ipswich in 1668 and 1669, and he was living in Rowley "beyond Bachelours brook," according to his father's will, in 1670, and was said to have been of Newbury in 1677. "John Pearly, Boxford," was made freeman "22 March 1689-90," and "John Pearly, Boxford, October, 1690," which is probably the completion of the preceding record. That he married as above stated, is determined from the birth of his first child. It is supposed that he built the house that stood over the cellar now visible in the pasture belonging to Benjamin S. Barnes, Esq., and near the "great meadow," and in which his great-grandson Nathaniel is said to have been born. Previous to 1683, ho owned a considerable part of "the great meadows."

He sold two acres of them, on 19 February 1684, to Daniel Wood, of Boxford, for £3 5s. in silver, "called ye great meadow in sd. Rowley bounds, which lyes upon the southwest side of James Dickinson's meadow, it being twenty rods long and sixteen rods broad, the southwest end joyning on or bounded by the upland." The deed is signed by John and Mary Perley. He sold, 26 Sep 1684, to John Hovey, Sr., of Topsfield, four acres of meadow, lying in the "great meadows," and bounded as follows: "Ye North End cutting upon a brook & on ye East side Samuel Pearlyes Line and cutting Southward upon ye upland, both ends of an equal breadth, to the extent and quantity of four acres with a straight line on the west side." He sold to Daniel Wood of Boxford, 7 Jan., 1683, for a yoke of oxen, "a parcel of upland, lying in Boxford bounded on the Northwest by Daniel Woods, on the Northwest corner by young black oak tree, wh'h is the corner bounds between John Perley, Daniel Wood & Thomas Hazen; thence on a straight line Southeast to a stake and stones; thence Southwest to the Andover road, so bounded by the Andover road to the said Daniel Woods land, above mentioned, being ten acres more or less." In 1687, he was taxed for two heads or polls, and the items in the assessors' inventory of his property were: 1 house, 12 acres land, 2 pr. oxen, 2 horses, 5 cows, 2 young cattle, 7 sheep, 5 swine.

Mr. Perley was a carpenter and house-wright by trade. The First Church meeting-house in Boxford was built largely under his supervision, he being on most of the committees relating to it; and he exercised his skill and labor in its construction. He was on a committee to consult about building the first corn-mill in Bradford, which was located on Johnson's creek. He was chosen on a committee to lay out "necessary" roads, in Boxford, in 1686, the year following the town's incorporation. He was chosen, 19 Aug., 1687, and also the year following, a "commissioner" to aid the selectmen in assessing the taxes. Himself, his brother Thomas and Thomas Andrew were a committee to consult with the town of Rowley, sometime during the winter of 1689-90, about the bounds between the two towns; and he and others were a committee to perambulate the line, the next April. He was a representative to the General Court, for the quarterly sessions, beginning 12 Feb 1690, and 3 Feb 1691. He was selectman in 1691, 1695 and 1700, and at other times filled other offices of important trust. He was one of the committee who received the deed of the town from the Indians in 1701-2. He was chosen ensign in the militia in 1689.

He and his wife were members of the Topsfield church, and his family attended that service, till their dismission, 4 Oct 1702, to form a church and society in their own town. His name is seldom mentioned in the town records after his seventieth year. It is not found in the tax-list after 1721. He was then near eighty-five years of age; his wife had died three years before. He divided real estate to his grandson John Perley, of Boxford, and his son Jeremiah Perley, who had buildings, etc., on Christmas—a Christmas gift—1728; and since no settlement of his estate is found recorded, it is probable that he divided all his property among his children, and gave himself into their care, freed from anxiety and toil.

He died on 15 December 1729, in Boxford. He was buried in Harmony Cemetery, East Boxford, Essex County, Massachusetts, where his tombstone reads:

HERE LYES BURIED
THE BODY OF Mr
JOHN PERLEY WHo
DIED DEcEmBER ye 15
1729 & IN the
94 YEaR OF HIS AGE.
Samuel Perley
Samuel Perley was born about 1640 in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts. He was the son of Allan Perley and Susanna Bokeson.
Thomas Perley
Thomas Perley was born in 1641, in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts. Thomas Perley moved to Rowley, Essex County, Massachusetts. In 1676, Dec. 12, Richard Dole of Newbury, for £75 sold him 175 acres, "one half of that parcel of land which he bought of Mr. Anthony Crosbie, lying in Rowley." The 8th of January, 1677, he and his wife confirmed to her brother William Peabody, then of Topsfield, later of Boxford, for £32, land lying on the south side of the Andover road in Boxford. Before his removal to Boxford with his brother John, in 1684, he deeded, 31 March of that year, for £20, eighteen acres of upland lying in Boxford, which they bought of Zaccheus Gould. In 1687, he was assessed on the following property, besides three "heads" or polls: 1 house, 25 acres land, 4 oxen, 2 horses, 10 cows, 7 young cattle, 22 sheep, 8 swine. This year he paid the largest tax of any in the town except his brother-in-law, John Peabody, who paid four pence more.

His residence was on the site of the residence of the late Isaac Hale, which by 1906 was marked by an umbrageous elm, and earlier by its proximity to the apple tree and stone bound which then marked the bound between Ipswich, Topsfield and Boxford, but later, by a change in the line, the salient angle of Topsfield.

He was one of the most prominent and influential citizens of the town, and in an enlarged sense was one of "the fathers of the town." He was made freeman 23 May 1677. He and John Peabody were chosen, 3 June 1689, representative to the General Court, "till government shall be seated, only they bee to sarve but one at a time." They were again chosen 11 March 1689-90, but Peabody "sarved" both times. They served together at the quarterly session beginning 8 June 1692. He was chosen a representative 31 Oct, 1693, and 8 May 1700, he and John Peabody were chosen, only one to serve at a time. He was again chosen for 1702. He was a selectman, 1690, 1694, 1699, 1701, 1704, 1709; a constable 1688; a grand juror 1695; trial juror 1692,1698, 1707; moderator of town meetings 1698, 170l,1704, 1706, 1707 and 1709; he was made quarter master of the Boxford militia company about 1688, and lieutenant in 1691. He served in the committees on settling the boundary between Topsfield and Boxford, on erecting the first church, on organizing the first religious society, on assigning pews and building galleries. In January, 1701, he was one of the committee to receive the deed of the town of Boxford from the Indians, Samuel and Joseph English and John Umpee, grandsons of the old Sagamore Masconnomet ("£8 4s and on pound in vittels and drink to Samuel and Joseph English and two shillings and six pence to John Umpee and Rum and vittels Enouf."). They all assembled at his house to make the transfer and seal it. His name is found on numerous committees, all of peculiar importance. He was extensively interested in promoting iron-smelting, which was begun in the town in 1669. He sold to Mr. John Ruck of Salem, one-sixteenth of the works, 7: 10, 1671, for £60 sterling. He was one of those who composed the jury that condemned Elizabeth Howe of Linebrook Parish, et al., of witchcraft, and who afterwards signed a recantation. He was deacon in the First Church till his death.

He died on 24 September 1709 in Boxford, Essex County, Massachusetts. His will is dated 9 May 1704, and, without the usual verbiage, says: "I bequeath my soul to God and my body to a decent interment in the earth." He devised to his son Thomas all his land not already disposed of by deed to his son Jacob, and to his beloved wife Lydia all the personal estate during her life-time, and after her death in equal portions to his two sons Jacob and Thomas, requiring his "son Thomas to furnish his mother a horse to ride upon and a suitable person to ride before her as often as she wishes to go abroad." He mentions in his will his daughter Mary Hazen and granddaughter Alice Cummings.
Nathaniel Perley
Nathaniel Perley was born in Ipswich, 1643; he died in Ipswich, 29 April 1668, at the age of twenty-four years. He was frugal and industrious, as is evidenced by the inventory of his estate: he was a man of much promise.

THE INVENTORY of the estate of Nathaniel Perley, deceased the 29th of April, 1668, as it was prized by Isaac Foster and Nehemiah Abbott, the 26 of May next following:

A frame almost fitted for raising, 5 0 0
2 Cows, 8 10 0
A Bull and a steer, 8 8 0
2 Steers, 5 10 0
Corn, 1 13 0
A Saddle, 0 20 0
A Pike and Interest in a Gun, 0 12 0
Tools, 2 1 0
Chest and Clothes, 10 6 0
Upland and Meadow, 60 acres, 60 0 0
Six acres and half an acre of Meadow, 16 5 0
Two acres and half an acre of Meadow more, 9 0 0
Boards and Logs, 0 10 0
Plow and Tackling, 0 10 0
In debts due the above named Deceased, 3 17 6
133 2 6
.

DEBTS OF THE DECEASED

:There is due from the estate:
The Deceased being in debt forty-two shilling, 2 6 0
To the Physician for his coming to him, at about 1 0 0
For Funeral Expenses, 2 0 0
There is due to Francis Wainwright,
as appears upon his book. 0 4 5½
5 10 5½
Timothy Perley
Timothy Perley was born in Ipswich about 1653 and died 25 January 1718, aged sixty-five years.

Mr. Perley inherited his father's homestead and made it his home. He owned land, "very mean meadow and swamp," in Boxford, which continued in the family name for several generations. His farm had an extensive area. It had been known for its excellent fruits, particularly for several varieties of apples. There were numerous aged pear trees on this farm, a few of which bore delicious fruits into the 20th century.

Town offices are seldom bestowed upon persons who live remote from the center, however worthy and efficient they may be. Timothy, being removed six miles from official trust, exercised only such duty as the law may impose upon every discreet and judicious townsman. He was surveyor of highways and doubtless attended to other civil duties. He took the oath of allegiance in 1678. He had some experience in the merciless witchcraft delusion. He and his wife were witnesses in the case of their neighbor, James How's wife, Elizabeth, who was accused of witchery.

He married Deborah (her last name is unknown) in about 1680. Timothy Perley in at Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts, on 24 June 1705. They were members of the society from their marriage and contributed to defray its expenses.

In 1709, ten years before his death, he confirmed to his son Stephen, for love and affection and to encourage him in his life work, half of his buildings and land, which was valued at £336. After that, in 1713, he purchased of the town of Ipswich land valued at £22.

He died on 25 January 1718 (Savage says 1719.) In the inventory of his estate, made for probate by Abraham Howe, Jacob Peabody and Caleb Foster, are mentioned one ox, two cows, two young cattle and one swine. The estate was appraised at £354. His widow was his administratrix till her death. Thomas Perley was appointed to succeed her 26 Jul 1736. His minister's rate was, in the year 1689, 4 shillings, when his brother Samuel's was 5 shillings 4 pence, a rating that showed, at that time, the relative value of their estates.
Martha Perley
Martha Perley was born in Topsfield "about 20" April, 1657, and married 31 May 1678, Benjamin Coker of Newbury, who was born there 30 June 1650, to Robert and Catherine, and died 24 March 1705. His will was proved the 20th of the following April. The place of his nativity became his home. His father was a yeoman, born 1606, went to Newbury with the first settlers, and died two years previous.
Family Tree
Notable Descendants
*William Goodhue Perley, business man
*George Halsey Perley, politician and diplomat

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