Transcript
of Thomas Perry’s family history notebook
This
comes from a notebook kept by Thomas Perry from 1835 to (apparently) 1841. By
some unknown means this notebook was in the possession of a family named Taylor
who lived in the Morphett Vale area just south of Adelaide in the 1960s/70s,
which is where Thomas’ eldest son Alfred farmed from the 1850s. I suspect the
Taylors were descendants of Alfred.
As
good fortune would have it, many years ago this notebook was lent to a cousin,
who transcribed it (along with “Lucy’s Log” and several letters from Thomas and
the other Perry children, to Alfred in SA, in the 1850s, which were in her possession).
<<<< >>>>>
[front]
Some
Account of the families of John Sims of Canterbury and of Daniel Perry of
Chartham near Canterbury and of their Posterity, Extracted from the Records of
East Kent Monthly Meeting from the year 1681. Also some further particulars of
them derived from personal knowledge or private Records in the families by
Thomas Perry 1835
[p1]
In the Spring of the year 1835 I was in
Dover on a visit to my sister Hannah and her husband Jap. Poulter, Brewer of
Dover, I accidentally met with the ancient Book of Records of the Society of
Friends, belonging to the Monthly Meeting for the District of East Kent,
consisting of the towns of Dover and Deale, the City of Canterbury, the Isle of
Thanet, and the village of Nonington with parts adjacent; on looking over these
Records I met with the names of several of my ancestors, and obtained
permission to take a copy of them, which will be found in the following pages.
Besides these Extracts I have continued the account from my own knowledge and
personal rememberance and intercourse of the different branches of my family
and near relatives, although there is a deficiency of dates of Births,
Marriages and Burials, which cannot now be readily procured. Thos. Perry
[p2]
Minutes of the Monthly Meeting.
At
our Monthly Meeting held at Nunington the 21st of 1st Month 1681/2… At this Meeting appeared John Simes and Mary
Laggett of Canterbury and Waltham Meetings, and declared their intentions of
marriage being their first time; and they are to bring certificates from their
friends of their consent, and also John West and William Upton are appointed to
enquire into the clearness of John Simes, and inform friends at the next
meeting, and Eliz. Hurst and Grace Methurfs(?) are appointed to enquire into
the clearness of Mary Laggett…
----------------------------------
At our Monthly Meeting held at Nunington
18th of 2nd mo. 1682. Then did present themselves to the Meeting John Simes and
Mary Laggett, and signified their further intentions of marriage which is the
second time; then was brought in two certificates one by John Simes from his
father, and one by Mary Laggett from her father, both signifying their consent
to the marriage, also good testimony concerning John Simes his clearness, also
of Mary Laggett her clearness, all to the satisfaction of this Meeting; and all
things being clear, the Meeting leaves them to their liberty to take each other
in marriage when they please…
[p3]
Copy of Marriage Certificate.
John Simes of Canterbury, in the parish of
St Paul, in the County of Kent, Tailor, 2nd of May (so called) 1682 in an
assembly of the People of God called Quakers, in their Meeting Place in
Nunington, in the County of Kent aforesaid did solemnly in the fear of God,
take Mary Laggett of Elmonstead, in the County of Kent, to be his wife; and
likewise she the said Mary Laggett, did in like manner take the said John Simes
to be her husband, promising to be faithful one to the other, so long as they
should live.
John
Simes Mary Laggett
In the presence of us, whose names are
here under subscribed, being witness.
Rob.
Claringbold Eliz Adams Alse
Simes (mother)
Will.
Boykin Mary Kinsfon Henry Simes (father)
Bar.
Boykin Hester
Warry Stephen
Laggett (brother)
John
Newman John
Knop John
Adams
John
Addams Robert
Pope Richard
Ford
Richard
Coxe Tho.
Euernden Tho. Swaine
Luke
Howard Susan
Ford
Wm.
Upton Eliz.
Swaine
[p4]
The before mentioned John & Mary Sims
appear to have resided for many years in the old Palace or late dissolved
Monastery called St Austin or Augustine without Burgate Canterbury (written
[I
don’t know what’s missing out of here]
they
had a numerous family of children whose names & time of birth are as
follows, as per monthly Meeting Records…
Henry Sims Born 24th of 12 mo 1683 (Married Cath. Courthope
Susanna " 30th " 2nd " 1685
Mary 8th 1st 1687
John 2nd 1st 1687 (Apprentice in London to a coppersmith
Grace 2nd 7th 1692
Stephen 4th 7th 1695
Ann 2nd 4th 1697 (died 24th 12th mo 1697
William 3rd 4th 1699 (died
28th 12th mo 1753 at Dover
Thomas 5th 4th 1701
Amy 8th 11th 1704(died 18th 4th mo 1719 unmarried
--------------------------------------------
Henry Simes of Swinfield, father of the
aforesaid John Sims was burried in Friends Burying Ground at Dunstones near
Canterbury the 5th of 12th month 1688.
[p5]
Minutes of Monthly Meeting
At our Mens Meeting held at Nunington the
15th of 2nd month 1707.
At this meting Henry Sims, Grocer, Son of
John & Mary Sims, of Canterbury, desired a certificate from their meeting
of his clearness from all others respecting marriage, except Catherine
Courthope, daughter of George Courthope of Cranbrook, this meeting has ordered
Richard Philpotts & John Adams, both of Canterbury to make enquiry into his
clearness, and bring or send in their answer to the next Men’s Meeting.
----------------------------------------------
At our Men’s Meeting held at Nunington the
20th of 3rd Month 1707.
Account was sent to this meeting from
Richard Philpotts and John Adams, that they had made enquiry into the clearness
of Henry Sims, and find nothing but that he is clear of all other women in
relation to marriage, and to have granted him a certificate of the same…
------------------------------------------
Note. The abovesaid Henry & Catherine
Sims appear by the Records to have lived many years in the Parish called St
Margarets, in the City of Canterbury and to have had a numerous family of
children, whose names and date of birth are as under. T.P.
[p6]
George Sims born 5th of 2nd
mo 1708
Mary 10th 11th 1709 (died 18th 9th mo 1711
Henry 22nd 9th 1711
Mary 5th 2nd 1713
Sarah 20th 1st 1715
John 2nd Nov. 1717 (died 16th 1st mo 1721
Frances 17th 1st 1718
Robert Courthope Sims 16th 3rd 1720 (settled
in Dunmow, Essex
Catherine Sims 30th 4th 1721
Elizabeth )twins 3rd 9th 1722 (died 31st 8th mo 1726
Susanna )
John 22nd Nov. 1723 (died 7th 2nd mo 1828
Note. Most of the above that lived,
married and settled in the County of Kent, except Robert Courthope Sims who
removed to Dunmow in the county of Essex, and obtained high repute as a Medical
Doctor for more than fifty years. T.P.
--------------------------------------------
Deaths & Burials from the Records.
Mary Sims wife of John Sims of the Borough
of Longport died 15th of 1st month 1708 & was buried in Friends Burying
Ground as St Dunstans, Canterbury.
-----------------------------------------------
Catherine Sims wife of Henry Sims of
Canterbury, died the 7th of 12th month 1723, ad was buried in Friends Burying
Ground at St Dunstans Canterbury.
[p7]
John Simes of St Austins Monastery in the
City of Canterbury, died the 11th of 4th month 1735 aged near 80 years, &
was buried in Friends burying Ground at St Dunstans Canterbury…
Note. His son John Sims who was placed
Apprentice in London & afterwards settled there, as left a short account of
his Father in manuscript which is incerted at page 11 of this Book.
----------------------------------------------
Mary Sims, widow of the late john Sims of
St Austins, died the 7th of 1st month 1741 and was buried in Friends Burying
Ground at St Dunstans, Canterbury.
-----------------------------------------------
Henry Sims, Grocer, of the Parish of St
Margarets Canterbury died the 20th of 6th month 1756, aged 74 years, and was
buried in Friends Burying Ground at St Dunstans Canterbury.
----------------------------------------------
Minutes of the Monthly Meeting.
At a Monthly Meeting held at Canterbury
the 6th of 6th month 1745.
At this meeting Robert Courthope Sims of
this City declared his intentions of marriage with Rebecca Tritton daughter of
Sarah Tritton of Ashford in this County, Widow… And at a monthly meeting held
the 3rd of 7th month 1745, after due enquiry being made, and he appearing clear
of all others, was allowed by said meeting to proceed in the covenant of
marriage.
[p8]
Note. It appears from the Records, that
after Marriage they lived in the Parish of St Mary Bredman, Canterbury, five
years and had two children born there, viz.
T.P.
Sarah Sims born 17th of 10th mo. 1747 (afterwards married --- Smith
John Sims born 13th of 8th mo. 1747
[?] (afterwards M.D. in London
--------------------------------------------
At a Monthly Meeting held at Canterbury
1st of 3rd mo. 1750.
At this meeting it was reported that Rob.
Courthope Sims, being about to remove from this City to Dunmow in Essex,
desired to have a Certificate of his conversation among, and Unity of his
friends here, this Meeting desires William Pattison, William Screen &
George Sims to prepare and bring one to next meeting.
At a Monthly Meeting held at Canterbury
9th of 7th mo. 1750.
George Sims produced a Certificate to this
Meeting on behalf of Robert Courthope Sims, pursuant to appointment which being
read & approved in and by this Meeting , was signed and given to George
Sims to forward to him.
----------------------------------------------
Note. Robert Courthope Sims (as before stated)
removed to Dunmow in the County of Essex, where he practiced Physic
successfully and with great repute for upwards of 50 years, obtaining a very
high character for industry, Sobriety, Temperence & true Piety; and died at
a very advanced age approaching 90 years, beloved by all who know his real
worth and excellency as a man and as a Christian, particularly by the Society
of Friends in those parts… he was well known and esteemed by T.P.
[p9]
His son John Sims practiced Medicine in
the City of London, with great skill and repute, particularly as an Accoucheur,
in which Capacity he had great practice among the higher classes; and he was
summoned to attend on the Princess Charlotte of Wales, although he did not act
professionally in the year 1817. T.P.
===================================
John Sims Junr, son of John Sims of St
Austins Monastery was (as before stated) placed apprentice in London to a Brass
Founder, to whom he served his time and lived some years afterward… he at
length married Ann Ollive daughter of Benjamin Ollive & commenced business
for himself in Houndsditch London, where they lived many years, and had six
children, as under.
Elizabeth Sims born about 1722 married
Stephen Perry
John Sims
“ “ 1730 died about 1822
near 92
Ann Sims
“ “ 1726 married Sam
Bundock
Mary Sims
“ “ 1729 “
Thos. Smith
Margaret Sims “
“ 1735 “ Joseph Thresher
---------------------------------------------
How long John Sims continued to carry on
business in Houndsditch, I never heard from any one, but I have good reason to
believe he lived to see all his children married & comfortably settled in
life, and was enabled through great industry to provide suitably for them,
altho’ he had at times difficulties to encounter, as set forth in a manuscript
he has left, which was copied by his daughter Elizabeth (my Grandmother) and by
that means came into our family, and is as follows. T.P.
[p10]
Some short memoirs of the Life of John
Sims, Brass Founder, of Houndsditch, London, written by himself.
I was born the 2nd of 1st month 1689 at
Canterbury in the County of Kent of honest Parents who educated me in the
principles of Truth; my father John Sims was a sober exemplary man, becoming
his profession with the Society of Friends; I do not remember scarce ever to
have seen him in a passion, nor to have heard an idle word come out of his
mouth, being of a meek and quiet spirit, innocent and inoffensive in his
conversation; he was a prisoner divers times for his Testimony to the Truths of
Christianity, & lived to a good old age, being near 80 years when he
departed this life.
In
my childhood, I was put to school, and learned to read & write, & some
small matter of accounts, and in those days I remember the Lord at times did
visit me with his Love inclining my heart to that which is good, although I
then hardly knew what it was, yet was made to throw away my playthings, in
order to be more sober, which did not last long.
In
my young years I was much afflicted with lameness, with much pain at times, and
then I thought, if I could get well, I would serve God better; and when I was
of age to go apprentice, my father had great difficulty to get me a place among
Friends, for he could not spare much money in placing me out; at length a
friend got a place for me in London, altho’ not in a Friends family, but on
condition that my master would let me go to Friends meetings, my father
consented; so I came to London & was put apprentice to a Founder in
Houndsditch; my Master was a Presbyterian by profession, and agreeable to his
promise gave me leave,
[p11]
and
I generally went to meetings; yet notwithstanding I was educated among Friends,
and both precept & example at my Father’s house, all that did not do the
Work, nor will it for any one, for it is only those who join in with the
visitation of God’s Love, and yield obedience thereto, by taking up the Cross,
that will come to know a growing and perservering on in true religion; for I
went on in a way like many others, in the vanity of my mind, being wanton &
wild, & thought little of my future state; but it so fell out, in the
forepart of my time, I had leave to go into the country for a week, to the
marriage of my Brother Henry to a meeting at Cranbrook in Kent, in which time
all things seemed very pleasant to me, as to the outward, but on my return to
London, to my dirty business again, all things seemed dull and unpleasant, in
order to remedy which it came into my mind (no doubt by the Love of God) that I
would endeavour to be a better boy, & mind that which is good, in the hope
it would give me ease, and make my mind more comfortable in my dull situation;
I remember it well, and with praise and thankfulness now write it, that I no
sooner endeavoured to put those good resolutions begot in me into practice, but
I found the Lord near to assist and enable me to go on with comfort &
satisfaction, whereby a great change was wrought in me for the better; from
being wild I became sober; and was enabled to take up the cross in some degree
and deny myself of many of the vain customs of the World, that I had used
myself to, some of which were hard to part with, and it is like the more so, by
not living among Friends; but hard things were made easy and some things I was
made to refrain from that my Master could have obliged me to do, in our way of
business, and such as were
[p12]
accounted
lawful, but I had courage & strength given me to tell my Master, that I had
not freedom to do them, and he being sensible of the change in me for the
better did not urge it; Oh! the many sweet & comfortable seasons I had in
those days, of the Love of God from Meeting to Meeting, I hope I shall never
forget them, being some of my first Love, which was sweet indeed & I may
say Truth is still as sweet & as precious as it ever was.
Oh! that the children of Men would yield
obedience thereto, it would soon make a change in them for the better, it would
let them see the beauty there is in the divine Love of God, and stain all the
Glory & Vanity of this fading World in their view; yea it would make Saints
of Sinners if the mind be but kept humble & near the lord, for as he visits
by his overcoming Love, he expects we should love him again by keeping his
commandments, for he deals with us as reasonable creatures, not by force, and
therefore we are to keep low watchful & humble, daily praying in secret to
him, and waiting from time to time upon him, to witness the revivings of his
Love & Strength to go on in welldoing by keeping to our first love and zeal
for the cause of God and his Truth; for if we grow careless & indifferent
the Enemy of our Souls will get in again, and will again draw our minds into
the Love of the World and its ways, which are emnity to God, for the woe is to
them that are at ease in Zion.
But to proceed, though I had also many sore
exercises, in the time of my apprenticeship and afterwards, that I felt many
times near overwhelmed, yea, I was so far gone for want of keeping low and
humble, as to be again led away into many of the vanities of the world for
sometime, for my business was such that I had but little conversation
[p13]
with
any friends, but there being none of out trade to work with, that I had not the
opportunity of the conversation, advice & council of honest Friends.
About this time a near friend out f our
County, having heard, and also observed a declension in me, took an opportunity
to advise & council me, which had a good effect, for it reached the witness
of God in my own heart, and by its fresh resolutions were begot in my mind to
walk more circumspectly in future; and also, an increase in the Love of God,
and Zeal for the promotion of his truth did prevail, as in the time of my first
love, although I had in the course of my walking, many low times and hard
struggles to keep in my place by reason of my weakness & poverty, and the
many temptations & besetments of the Enemy of my Soul’s happiness, which I
was from time to time tried with; but Oh! the Mercy & Goodness of God to my
Soul, it was often renewed unto me, more frequently than the morning, tis with thankfulness
& praise I speak it, for though I was almost continually poor & low,
and often concluded myself one of the poorest & meanest of his creatures,
not able to do any good thing, nor to keep above the billows, which were ready
to overwhelm me; yet Oh! the Goodness, the Mercy, the Loving kindness of my
God, how hath he from time to time all along through the course of my
pilgrimage, been my stay & support, and my exceeding great reward, by the
overflowings of his sweet Love & Life, in the secret of my Soul, for which
let me ever bless & praise his holy name.
About the thirty first year of my age I
had an inclination to marry, this had been in my thoughts some years before,
and many snares & temptations I had to pass through on that account, for my
conversation was but little amongst friends by reason of my business; but the
Lord In Mercy preserved
[p14]
me
from the many snares that beset me on that account, & inclined my mind to
look towards one that loved him, and his Truth, and that was a stay to my mind,
for the engaging with those, that I thought not so qualified; and in the year
1721 I fixed my mind on Ann Ollive daughter of Benjamin Ollive, who was a
religious & sober young woman, of a very honourable & reputable family
for Piety, and after consent of Parents and her goodwill obtained, we were
married at the Peel Meeting in London, and then I set up in my business in
Houndsditch, and followed the same in order for a maintainance for my family,
which increased in a few years after.
But I very seldom let my outward affairs
take up my mind, so as to hinder the duty I owed to God and his Church, but
kept close to meetings both on first & week days, and those for discipline
of which we had many in and about London for I have often with regret and
lamentation observed that the too eager pursuit after worldly affairs, in order
to get large portions for our Children, hath done hurt in abundance to our
Society; not only to those who pursue after them but also to their Children,
who have become high in their minds, but where the Mind is exalted, there is no
room for the Grace of God to work, it being only the humble & lowly in mind
that he will teach of his ways; for I have often thought, there cannot be a
greater obstruction to the growth of genuine Christianity, than an exalted
mind; Oh! how hath the Love and riches of this world, been a snare not only to
the aged, but also to the youth, by drawing away their affectations after the
Grandure, the Customs, & the vain Fashions thereof to the great loss of our
humble & holy profession, which is cause of great lamentation; therefore
all have need to be careful that they set no bad example in these respects.
As for me I may
[p15]
in
humility say, it has been my care to avoid that extreme, for from my youth
upwards the Lord hath inclined my heart to bear a Testimony by my conduct,
against the Worlds vain Fashions and traditions, and also against the hireling
Priests and their maintainance, as well as Church Rates, and paying towards the
Trained Bands or Trophy Money; neither had I freedom in any degree to flinch or
baulk my Testimony by any under hand dealing, such as giving the Marshall
money, or allowing others to pay it for me; but whenever they came with lawful
authority, I then found it my place to bear my sufferings in a meek & quiet
spirit, which the Lord gives to those that stand faithful to their Testimony;
neither did I ever keep my Shop shut on their Fast or Festival days, but found
it to be my place to bear my Testimony against such superstitions, as well as
to set up lights on their vain rejoicing nights, in all which I had true peace
& satisfaction in my own breast; and I sincerely desire that all professors
of Truth may be faithful in these branches of our Christian Testimony.
It pleased God in the course of his
providence to give us six children one of which died an Infant, the other five
living to maturity, and I can with thankfulness say the Lord continually
inclined my heart to bring them up in his fear, according to my capacity, both
by precept and example, and to keep them to plainness of speech behaviour &
apparel, agreeable to our profession; I endeavoured also to make them sensible
of the folly & vanity of following the customs and Fashions if this vain
World, being convinced in my judgement, that it is one of the greatest
obstacles to the work of true religion, and inconsistant with the and lowliness
of mind, in which we ought to be found walking, for such only will the Lord
teach of his ways. Oh! the excellency of an humble, meek
[p16]
&
lowly frame of mind, how can I enough set forth the value thereof, it is in the
sight of God of great price; therefore I earnestly recommend it to all, and if
kept in we shall not want to deck and adorn these poor frail bodies, which must
in a little time return to the earth from whence they came.
It has seemed to me that many of our
Friends, take more pains for the outward prosperity & grandure of their
children in this world, than for the welfare of their immortal Souls, whereas
if they had a part in Christ, they would be truly happy, let things here below
fall out as they may; as for me I humbly acknowledge that through the Mercy
& goodness of God to my Soul, he hath let me see in the Sight of Christ,
that all things here below are but dross & dung in comparison to the Love
& favour of God; and therefore it hath been, from time to time, the earnest
desire and secret breathing of my Soul to the Lord, on behalf of my children,
that they may learn to love & fear God, and thereby come to have an
Interest & Portion in him, which would far transcend all the riches and
Glory of this fading world.
And now in my declining years, I find as
much need as ever to keep low & humble & watchful for the enemy is
continually presenting temptations to which if we give way, we may be soon
drawn aside, being of ourselves poor weak creatures; there is therefore great
need for us to be frequent in retirement that we may witness our Strength to be
renued. Oh! the many comfortable & sweet seasons on the Love of God I have
enjoyed in those times of retirement of mind, I am not able to express; how
often hath my cup been made to overflow, and in the enjoyment thereof how hath
my feelings yearned in Love towards my offspring, and the whole bulk of
Mankind, that they might partake also of the same divine Love; with praise
& humble thankfulness I write it, for in
[p17]
my
greatest troubles, by inward retirement, I have found peace and comfort to my
weary Soul.
John
Sims
Note.
He is supposed to have died in about 1758 or 9
T.P.
Note.
I have thought best to continue the account of the Sims family to this time,
and must go back in the order of time to begin with the Perry family, as
overleaf. T.P.
[p18]
Minutes of the Monthly Meeting.
At our Men’s Meeting held at Nunington
20th of 5th mo 1708.
At this Meeting appeared Daniel Perry of
Chartham (in the County of Kent) Son of Richard Perry of the same place
deceased & Elizabeth his wife surviving, and Mary Griffin, Daughter of John
Griffin of Canterbury Brazier; and declared their intentions of marriage with
each other; the Meeting has ordered Jap. Collins and Wm. Thomas to enquire into
his clearness from all others; and Eliz. Thomas & Rachel Lowe to enquire
into her clearness, and bring or send the answer to next meeting.
---------------------------------------------
At our Men’s Meeting held at Nunington
17th of 6th mo 1708.
At this Meeting appeared the aforesaid
Daniel Perry and Mary Griffin, and declared their intentions of marriage the
second time; also James Collins and William Thomas stated that they had made
enquiry into the clearness of Daniel Perry, and find nothing but that he is
clear of all others; also Elizabeth Thomas acquainted the Meeting, she could
not find but that the said Mary Griffin was clear also, and Rachel Lowe sent a
paper to the same effect. john Griffin being present gave his consent that his
daughter should have the said Daniel Perry; but Daniel did not bring his
Mother’s consent in writing, and she not being present, the Meeting has ordered
James Collins and William Thomas to procure her consent in writing witnessed by
two witnesses, before they proceed to marry and then the Meeting gives them
liberty to take each other in the covenant of Marriage when & where they
see meet.
[p19]
Note.
I did not meet with a record of their Marriage but it appears from the Records
that the said Daniel Perry & Mary Perry had six children whose names are as
under, and that they continued to reside at Chartham ‘till the time of their
decease.
Richard Perry born 28th of 5th mo 1709
Daniel " “ 31st 1st 1712 (died 1741 buried at Canterbury
Sarah “ “ 12th 11th 1713
Stephen
“ “ 29th 7th 1715 (removed to London 1745
William
“ “ 10th 3rd 1718 (
“ “ “
1759
Mary “ “ 26th 4th 1720
----------------------------------------------
Elizabeth
Perry of Chartham near Canterbury (widow of Richard Perry and Mother of Daniel)
died 26th of 2nd mo 1713 and was buried in Friends burying Ground at Dunstans.
-----------------------------------------------
[p20]
Monthly Meeting Minutes & Records.
Daniel Perry of Chartham near Canterbury
died the 30th of 11th month 1723 and was buried 2nd of 12th month in Friends
burying ground, Dunstans, Canterbury
---------------------------------------
At a Monthly Meeting held at Canterbury
24th of 4th month 1746.
At this meeting a letter was received from
Stephen Perry now at London, desiring a certificate from this Meeting of the
conversation & clearness from all women in these parts respecting marriage,
William Screene & William Pattison are appointed to make due enquiry into
his clearness, and bring or send an account to next meeting.
----------------------------------------------
At a Monthly Meeting held at Canterbury
8th of 5th month 1746.
At this Meeting Willm. Screen & Wm
Pattison reported, that they have enquiry, and do not find but that Stephen
Perry is clear from all women in these parts regarding to marriage; and a
certificate id therefore granted & signed on behalf of this Meeting, and
delivered to Henry Sims to send to him.
---------------------------------------------
Mary Perry widow of the late Daniel Perry
of Chartham, died the latter end of 6th month 1747 and was buried in Friends
burying Ground at Dunstans.
----------------------------------------------
[p21]
Minutes of Monthly Meeting.
At a Monthly Meeting held at Canterbury
7th of 5th month 1759.
At this Meeting a Paper of disownment of
William Perry late of Chartham near this City, son of the late Daniel Perry of
the same place deceased, was read and approved, although not without great
Grief & reluctance of his Friends, he having been under dealing of this
meeting for upwards of three years, for great impropriety of conduct, and
neglect of attendance of meetings, notwithstanding the many loving and
affectionate invitations, to forsake his past course of Sin & Folly, and
lead a life of true obedience and subjection, to that holy principle of
Christianity which he professes to believe in. Two friends were appointed to
inform him thereof.
------------------------------------------
Note.
In looking over the records of East Kent Monthly Meetings for a number of
years, the aforesaid Daniel Perry of Chartham, appears to have been highly
esteemed as a member of the Society of Friends, a very frequent attender of
their Meetings, and to have taken his share in the management &
transactions of the affairs of the society in those parts.
His Son William Perry after being disowned
from the Society of Friends, went to London married and resided in White Chapel
Road – he had an extensive Milk Walk, which calling he followed for many years
with success, he was my great Uncle, I well remember him & my Aunt – they
had one Son William who was a painter
by trade. T Perry.
[p22]
Stephen Perry (my Grandfather) left
Chartham in Kent about the year 1745, he was then by trade a Carpenter, and on
his first coming to London, I have been told he worked in that capacity at the
building of Black Friars Bridge. He afterwards was married to Elizabeth Sims,
daughter of John Sims of Houndsditch and took a Dairy Farm in the Eastern
Suburbs of London at Stepney Green, for the supply of milk to that City. They
had a numerous family of children but only four lived to maturity, as under.
Daniel Perry born 2nd mo 1750 (died
in 1809 aged 59
Ann Perry “ 8th “ 1751 ( “
1832 “ 81½
John Perry “ 1st “ 1754 ( “
1824 “ 70½
Joseph Ollive Perry bn about 1760 (
“ 1802 “
42
--------------------------------------------------
Stephen & Elizabeth Perry were for
many years members of Ratcliffe Meeting, London, and lived in high repute &
estimation with the Society of Friends and all that knew them; my Grandfather
died the 6th of 6th Month 1785 aged near 70 years, I well remember him, and on
taking leave of him when about the eigth year of my age, on gong to Boarding
School at Gildersome near Leeds, he told me he should not live to see me
return.
My Grandmother survived him near 13 years,
she died 27th of 1st Month 1798 aged near 76. During her widowhood, she had to
experience many bodily infirmities attendant on her declining years which
confined her very much to the house, which she bore with great patience and
resignation, leaving behind her a bright and shining character for piety,
affectionate solicitude for her children and Grand children, and for great Love
Charity and Goodwill towards all within her ability.
[p23]
My Grandmother’s Sister Ann Sims was
married to Samuel Bundock, of near Kelvedon in Essex. They had two daughters,
Ann and Mary.
Ann Bundock was married to Robert Hayward
of Kelvedon Hall. They had three Sons Robert, Charles and Joseph.
Mary Bundock married Jonathan Powell of
Layer Britain, Essex. No offspring to live.
------------------------------------------------
Mary Sims Daughter of John & Ann Sims
of Houndsditch was married to Thos. Smith Banker, of the firm of Smith Woight
& Gray, Lombard Street London. They had no Children, she died 1799.
-------------------------------------------
Margaret Sims daughter of John Sims of
Houndsditch, was married to Joseph Thresher of Kelvedon Essex. They had a son
Thomas, and a daughter Elizabeth, who both died unmarried. Joseph Thresher was
a widower when my Aunt married him, with two Sons Joseph & Ralph. Joseph
married the daughter of a West India Planter, she had large property at her own
disposal; they both died early in life without family, and the property was
left to his Father, Brother and Sister. Subsequently they all died before their
Father and Mother, and left their respective shares to them. Joseph Thresher
retired from Trade, still living on his own Estate at Kelvedon till his death
in 1802. My Aunt survived him fifteen years, and died in the fifth month 1817
aged about 82. She bequeathed the principle part of her property to 10 Nephews
and Nieces, the children of her Sisters and Brother John Sims, and their
descendants, and also a number of Legacies to useful Institutions and many of
her particular Friends, in amount about ₤26,000-0-0.
[p24]
John Sims, son of John Sims of
Houndsditch, was of delicate constitution, and lame through a long life, he
lived ‘till near 92 years of age, dying 1827, he married and was by Trade a
watchmaker Lombard Street London. I never knew his wife, she dying early, they
had five children, but I have no dates.
Ollive Sims, Chemist & Druggist at
Stockport
John Sims, “
“ “ Norwich
Mary Sims, married to Isaac Brightwen
Ann Sims “ James Kenway
Martha Sims “ Joseph Oxley
-----------------------------------------------
Ollive Sims, married to Sarah Phipps of
Norwich and settled at Stockport in Cheshire, as a Chemist and Druggist. They
had a numerous family, all of whom died rather early in life; he continued to
reside at Stockport until his death in
at an advanced age, obtaining
a high character and great esteem for his upright and truly christian conduct
amongst men.
----------------------------------------------
John Sims Jnr. married Ann Mason of
Yarmouth and settled at Norwich as Chemist & Druggist, they had numerous
family. After he left Norwich I cannot say where he resided.
-----------------------------------------------
Mary Sims was married to Isaac Brightwen
of Coggeshal in Essex, he was a Malster and Corn Merchant, they had a numerous family,
and lived in great repute for a number of years, carrying on a very extensive
trade but the money Panic of 1825 obliged him to retire, and the latter part of
their lives they lived near Whitehaven in Cumberland.
[p25]
Ann Sims was married to James Kenway of
Bridport in Dorsetshire, Ironmonger, they both died rather early in Life,
leaving three daughters.
---------------------------------------------
Martha Sims was married to Joseph Oxley of
Norwich, a large manufacturer of the Mohair Norwich Shawls & Stuffs; they
had a large family of children. He has been dead many years, his widow still
survives 1841. Some of the children still carry on the business.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Thomas
Perry’s journal ends here (presumably in 1841, after some 5-6 years of
entries).
Stuck
on the next blank page of his journal is an envelope, and written on it is …
“Copy
from a notebook of Mothers (Lucy Puplett) by her daughter E. K. Ridgeway -
Thomas
Perry (our Grandfather) died January 16th 1847 in his 70th year and his wife
Elizabeth Perry the 11th February 1838 in her 54th year.”
Then reading in from the “other” front...
In
the reverse front there are some extra bits, written in TP’s own copperplate
hand, being - “The relation of two remarkable Dreams copied from The Irish
Friend of the 6th and 7th months 1841”
His own header note is -
“On the danger of seeking the praise of
men rather than the Glory of God, and how applicable are the words of our
Saviour to the following remarkable instance ‘Wow unto you when all men shall
speak well of you’ – Luke 6.24 The
following was taken from the Imperial Magazine for 12th month 1819, and the
substance of a remarkable dream related by R.Bowden a clergyman of Darwin, who
committed it to writing from the lips of the person who dreamed it on the
evening of the 13th of 5th month 1813.”
“The Dream”
(my synopsis)
– a minister falls asleep and dreams of a visit by a friend who tells him he’s
just died (and the time) and says he’s damned because he wasn’t humble enough.
On going to church after waking he’s informed that his friend has actually just
died, and the exact time.
“Remarkable Dream”
(my synopsis)
– two young “libertines” sleeping, one has a dream of Hell, improves their ways
for one year but relapses then dies, condemned for eternity.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>