Chris & Julie Petersen's Genealogy

William Gant Perkins

Male 1801 - 1886  (85 years)


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  • Name William Gant Perkins 
    Born 11 Jan 1801  , Abbeville, South Carolina, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Died 16 Nov 1886  Saint George, Washington, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Buried 17 Nov 1886  Saint George City Cemetery, Saint George, Washington, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I514  Petersen-de Lanskoy
    Last Modified 27 May 2021 

    Family 1 Dicy Ray,   b. 12 Aug 1796, , Patrick, Virginia, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 5 Mar 1883, Saint George, Washington, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 86 years) 
    Married 22 Feb 1818  , , Tennessee, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Children 
     1. Cynthia Julia Frederick,   b. 25 Apr 1856, San Bernardino, San Bernardino, California, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1 Jan 1941, Mount Emmons, Duchesne, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 84 years)  [Adopted]
    Last Modified 28 May 2021 
    Family ID F421  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 2 Hannah Gold,   b. 12 Dec 1808, Liverpool, Lancashire, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 20 Dec 1893, Saint George, Washington, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 85 years) 
    Married 12 Apr 1853  Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Last Modified 28 May 2021 
    Family ID F393  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • RESEARCH_NOTES:
      1. 1880 US: St. George, Washington, Utah, p. 346C, NA film T9-1339:
      W.G. Perkins, self, M, 79, SC, SC, - .
      Hannah Perkins, wife, M, 71, Eng Eng Eng.
      Separately listed as next household over [due to polygamy?]:
      Decy Perkins, self, M, 83, VA, VA, VA. [Actually a polygamous wife of W.G.].
      Patty Perkins, keeping house, other, W, 61, TN, SC, VA.
      Neighbors include families of adopted daughter Cynthia Frederick Hardy, U.K. Perkins, Ute Perkins, and William Perkins.

      2. Parents per obituary are Ute Perkins and Sarah Gant.

      3. It is would be interesting if William met George K. Winner, the grandfather of Cynthia Julia Frederick, the girl he adopted who was the daughter of David Frederick and Mary Ann Winner; however, in contacting Connie Perkins, who maintains a website for William at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~uteperkins/index.htm, she notes that he did not serve a mission to the Pacific - he served in souther Illinois then again in southern Utah. The source of a "William Perkins" in the Pacific is from the following selected quotation of the beloved Mormon apostle from the book "Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt," edited by his son Parley P. Pratt, 1980, Deseret Book Company, Salt Lake City, Utah, p. 383: "July 7th [1851]. - We embarked on board the steaamship Ohio, and set sail for San Francisco [from Los Angeles], at 4 o'clock P.M. After four days' rather rough passage, we arrived in San Francisco on the 11th inst. at eleven o'clock, A.M. Found some good brethren who rendered us assistance in various ways. Rented a house the same day, and all [presumed from earlier journal entries to be Brothers F.H. Hammond, William Perkins, P.B. Wood, Rufus Allen, S. Woodbury, Morris Miner, and John Murdock] moved into it together. Brothers [Apostles] Lyman and Rich arrived per steamer Goliah. We visited and received visits." "Sunday, 20th. - I preached at eleven A.M. in a large room, a goodly number of persons out to hear, and good attention. Next morning we repaired to the water and baptized eight persons, and the same evening met at the house of Brother Wimmer [Winner] and organized a branch of the Church, confirming the above persons. I was chosen president of this branch, and Philo B. Wood, clerk. The remainder of the week devoted to writing and instructing inquirers who called."

      4. Looked at diary of William Perkins in the LDS History Archives. Parley P. Pratt had a missionary with him to California named William Perkins that may have placed Perkins in San Francisco at the same time as George Winner and Parley P. Pratt. I found no evidence of this William Perkins being the same. For citation of diary, see quote below.

      5. This individual may be the same William Perkins as is referred to in the following transcription of a letter from David Frederick living in San Bernardino, to daughter Mary in Utah; originals with David Fry:
      May 20, 1853: "Marry, my daughter, I again take my pen to write a few lines to you. I am well and I hope that you injoy the blessing I hav ben today and had my likeness taken that is have two cases, the one I sende to you and the other I calculate sende to Nancy by male as soon I can write to hur and receive an answer yours. I sende by Brol Wm. Perkins who has ben to the sandwich Islands on a mission is on his way to the Lake. He resides in the thirteenth warde near Mr. Beans Store and if you call on him you may get it. I did not recave line from you the last maile man. Bro Lyman and kids hav not returned as yet but we expect them in about two weakes, then if I do not receave a leter from yu I shall be sadley disappointed. I want to visit Hellin Loisa as often a you can and teach hir the principels of right and to be sobere minde to reflect uppon the princepels of virtu and honesty and not to forget hir Father for he deziers to see hir wonse more while in the flesh. These few linese from you father and friend in the new and ever lasting covenant. Give my respects to Bro Scofields father and you uncal and aunt and all inquiren friends. /signed/ David Frederick"

      BIOGRAPHY:
      1. Joseph Smith knew and spent the night with William: "Tuesday, 16 [May 1843]—At eleven o'clock, with George Miller, William Clayton, Eliza and Lydia Partridge and J. M. Smith, I started for Carthage where we tarried about half-an-hour conversing with different individuals, when we started for Ramus; arrived about half-past three, p. m., and stayed at William G. Perkins for the evening; then went to Benjamin F. Johnson's with William Clayton to sleep. Before retiring, I gave Brother and Sister Johnson some instructions on the priesthood; and putting my hand on the knee of William Clayton, I said: 'Your life is hid with Christ in God, and so are many others. Nothing but the unpardonable sin can prevent you from inheriting eternal life for you are sealed up by the power of the Priesthood unto eternal life, having taken the step necessary for that purpose...' " [Roberts, B.H. (Ed.). 1976. P. 391 in Vol. 5 of History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2d ed. rev. Salt Lake City, UT: Deseret Book Co.]

      2. The book "Mormon Redress Petitions, Documents of the 1833-1838 Missouri Conflict," edited by Clark V. Johnson, contains a copy of the "Scroll Petition" dated 28 Nov 1843 at Nauvoo, IL addressed to the U.S. Congress by members of the LDS Church who had property destroyed by Missouri mobs in the 1830's. Included with over a couple thousand signatures are those of Wm. G. Perkins and Ute Perkins.

      3. Will of William's father - note will was prepared and witnessed by Abraham Lincoln (photocopy on file): "Will of Ute Perkins. In the name of God Amen. I Ute Perkins of the county of Hancock and State of Illinois being in feeble health but of Sound mind and mem- ory do make this my last will and testament. First. I wish all my last? debts to be spedily settled. Second. I will and bequeth unto my beloved wife Sara[h] Perkins during her lifetime all my property of whatever name or nature or wherever found. Thirdly. After the decease of my wife It is my will and desir[e] that my son William G. Perkins shall have and retain to him and His and assigns forever all the following described lands To wit: The west half of lot No. Second and all of lot no. Third Block No. Eight in Town of Macedonia in the County of Han [cock] and State of Illinois. Fourthly. All the remainder of my property of whatso[ever] kind it is my will and desire shall be divided equally betwe[en] all my children William G. Perkins not excepted. Fourthly. It is my will That my son William G. Perkins shou[ld] be and I hereby appoint him Executor of this my last will an[d] testament. Done at Macedonia this tenth day of November in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and forty three. In w[it-] ness where of I have hereunto set my hand and seal the da[te] above written. Witness: Ab. Lincoln Samuel Miles Isom William G. Perkins; Ute (his X mark) Perkins {Seal}; State of Illinois Hancock County, Probate Court 19 April 1844. This day came Ab. Lincoln and William Perkins two credible witnesses, and on there Oaths do say th[at] they were present and saw the above named Ute Perkins si[gn] the annexed and foregoing last will and testament and [ac-] knowledge the same to be his free act and desire and that [they] believed the same testator to be of sound mind and memory [at] the time of signing the said last will and testament. {Seal} Witness David Greenleaf Probate Judtic[e] of the Peace."
      Abraham Lincoln was a Circuit Court Lawyer in Illinois at this time. Source: World Book Encyclopedia.

      4. H.H. Bancroft's "History of Utah": Chapter XVII. Utah As a Territory. 1849-1853. Pg. 450: "In January 1851 Salt Lake City was incorporated(24) by charter of the general assembly, powers being granted to levy and collect taxes; to establish a system of common schools; to provide a water supply; to open streets, light them, and keep them in repair; to organize a police; and to tax, regulate, restrain, or suppress gambling-houses, houses of ill-fame, and the sale of spirituous and fermented liquors. Footnotes: (24) Jedediah M. Grant was appointed mayor; Nathaniel H. Felt, William Snow, Jesse P. Harmon, and Nathaniel V. Jones, aldermen; Vincent Shirtleff, Benjamin L. Clapp, Zera Pulsipher, William G. Perkins, Lewis Robinson, Harrison Burgess, Jeter Clinton, John L. Dunyon, and Samuel W. Richards, councillors. Deseret News, Jan. 11, 1851. See also Tullidge's Hist. S. L. City, 77, where the name of Lewis Robinson does not appear in the list of councillors."

      5. Journal History, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Church History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, 20 Jan 1848, p. 25: "Following is the petition for a post office on the Pottawattamie lands, referred to, with the signatures attached. To the Honorable Postmaster Gerneral of the United States. Sir: There are many thousand inhabitants in the vicinity of the Log Tabernacle, which is situated on the Government purchase of the Pottawatamies and in the State of iowa, whose interest is materially injured, and whose journey, business and improvements are retarded or destroyed by non intercourse; there being no Post Office within forty or fifty miles of said Tabernacle, and the public good requires a convenient office: Therefore, We your Petitioners, Citizens of the United States and residents of said vicinage, pray your Honor to cause, such an office to be located at or near said Tabernacle without delay, to be called the Tabernacle Post Office... [Approximately 2,000 plus all male signatures including] Wm. G. Perkins, Jude Allen, Daniel Tyler, Wm. Stoker, Israel Barlow, William Thompson [and William Thompson, Jr.], Joseph Mangum, William Richey, John B. Richey, William B. Richey, John R. Holden [Wiley Holden and Joshua Holden are immediately adjacent - relations?], Andrew Allen [with Ira Allen, Franklin Allen, Joseph Allen immediately adjacent - relations?], John Coon [with Samuel Coon, eli Coon, Jacob Coon, and Joseph Coon immediately adjacent - relations?].

      6. Historical Dept., LDS Church, Salt Lake City, UT, excerpts from MS 3357, "Patriarch William Gaunt Perkins [ca. 1892]" by his wife Hannah Gold Perkins, 1808-1894, which is a book belonging to Hannah. Contains genealogy, William and Hannah's patriarchal blessings, some favorite poetry, and some minutes of 24 years of Quorum meetings.
      a. Genealogy: "Genealogy of William Gaunt Perkins of St. George, Washington County, Utah, April 1st, 1892 as copied from the High Priests Records by William Fawcett December 1st, 1892. I William Gaunt Perkins was the son of Ute and Sarah Perkins. I was born in South Carolina on Janurary the 11th, 1801. My fathers family moved from there to the State of Tennessee in 1805. He resided there until 1829, and then he married Dicy Ray on the 22nd of February 1818, by whom he had a daughter and a son. He moved from there to Hancock Co, Illinois in 1829, and there obeyed the gospel in 1839, and was baptised by Elder Joel H. Johnson and was ordained at the same time a Teacher by Joel H. Johnson. And was ordained an High Priest under the hands of Hyrum Smith in 1843. I was Ordained a Bishop under the hands of President Brigham Young and Pres't Heber C. Kimble and some of the Twelve and set apart to act as a Bishop in Macedoonia in 1846 - I received my Endowments then started West with my family and remained at the Bluffs 2 years, and in 1849 came to Salt Lake was set apart as Bishop of the 7th Ward in 1850. I married Hannah Gould, born Dec. 12th, 1808 in Liverpool Lancashire England and was the daughter of James and Ellen Gold. In 1861, I was called with my family on a mission to Dixey and settled in St. George Washington County. was Ordained Patriarch under the hands of President Brigham Young, George A. Smith and Erastus Snow, Brigham Young Jun'r, and Joseph W. Young March 6th, 1870. I took a mission with Andrew Perkins to the Southern part of Illinois in 1843. I had my 2nd Anointings in August 1870 and at the same time was baptized for many of my dead. I have been 2nd Counsellor to President William Fawcett who was the President of the High Priests Quorum of the St. George Stake since March 22nd, 1862."
      b. One part talks of the organization of the High Priest's Quorum of the St. George Stake March 22nd, 1862. Wm. Fawcett was Pres., and John Vance, Sr. and William Gaunt Perkins as 1st and 2nd counselors respectively. At the dedication of the St. George Temple, William was first counselor and set on the stand with Pres. Fawcett and the new 2nd counselor John Lytle, Sr.
      c. "Copied by Wm. Fawcett. Given Sep. 30, 1875. 'A Blessing by John L. Smith Patriarch upon the head of William Gaunt Perkins son of Ute and Sarah Gaunt Perkins born Jan'y 11th, 1801 in South Carolina. Bro. William In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth I place my hands upon thy head and seal upon thee a Patriarchal Blessing. Thou art of Joseph through the loins of Ephraim. Thy name is recorded in the Lamb's Book of life never to be erased. Thy guardian Angel has watched over thee from thy youth, and held thy feet that they haven't slipt, and gaurded thy pathway from the beginning. Thy wives and children shall be increased unto thee to thine hearts content. They shall be stars in the crown which shall be given unto thee of thy Savior. For thou shalt see and converse with him face to face, as with thy brother, and stand with him as one of the Patriarchs in Israel numbered with the one hundred and forty four thousand spoken of in the Revelations of St. John. The Priesthood in fullness with all the gifts and blessings and promises pertaining there unto this with every desire of thine heart in Righteousness for in thy habitation thy poweers shall be made manifest. And thy word like a two edged sword shall drive the destroyer from thee, with thee and thine not lack, enjoy all the gifts and blessings and promises which thou canst desire or imagine, with Eternal lives and accomplish thy labors in the House of the Lord for thy kindred both the dead and the living to thy hearts content that not a link be broken in the chain back to the days of Adam. With Health and strength with wisdom and power to accomplish thy labors in the many capacities, with those will be called to labor as a Father in Israel in very deed. Thou shall overcome all thine enemies and they shall come bending unto thee for favour. I seal these blessings upon thee in the name of Jesus Christ thy Redeemer Amen.' The above blessing is copied by Wm. Fawcett, Patriarch October 12th, 1894. Bro. Wm. G. Perkins died 16th Nov 1886. He was my counselor in te High Priest Quorum of the St. George Stake and I have copied this in remembrance of him."

      BIRTH:
      1. Supporting information: Twin sister Anna Wood Perkins was born 11 Jan 1801. Obituary says 11 Jan 1801 in South Carolina. Biography says 11 Jan 1801 in So. Carolina. Endowment says 11 Jan 1801. Headstone clearly states "Born Jan 11, 1801at White Co., Tennessee.
      Dissenting information: Death record says 1 Jan 1801. Spouse sealing record (1856) says 9 Jan 1801 at Abbeyville District, South Carolina. Rebaptism record says 7 Jan 1801 in Abbeyville, South Carolina.

      2. Town and county per LDS Ordinance Index 1.02.

      MARRIAGE:
      1. Date and assumed place per obituary. For Hannah Gold, obituary says May 1853; however, extracted sealing record cited below states 12 Apr 1853.

      DEATH:
      1. Dates and places per obituary.

      2. Utah State Historical Society Burials Database online: Wm. G. Perkins, b. So. Carolina, d. 16 Nov 1886 of old age, bur. St. George City Cemetery A-B-12-6-NH.

      BURIAL:
      1. Date and place per obituary.

      2. Per website ; "Cemetery/Death Indexes (1852-1996) in Washington County, Utah," compiled by Wesley W. Craig, Ph.D: "Eliza Jane Mangum, b. 1 Jan 1801, d. 16 Nov 1886, St. George Cem."

      OBITUARY:
      1. The newspapers "The Deseret News," p. 752, Dec. 8, 1886 and "Deseret Weekly News," p. 768, Dec. 15, 1886: "Perkins. - Died 16th November, 1886, in St. George, Washington County, Utah. He was the son of Ute Perkins and Sarah Gant Perkins; was born in South Carolina, January 11th, 1801; His father moved to Tennessee in 1805, and Wm. G. Perkins lived there until 1829. He married Dicy Ray the 22d of February, 1818, by whom he had a son and a daughter. He moved to Hancock County, Illinois, in 1829, and in 1838 was baptized by Joel H. Johnson, and was ordained a Teacher. He was ordained a High Priest under the hands of Hyrum Smith in 1843, and set apart under the hands of Presidents Brigham Young and H.C. Kimball to act as Bishop in Macedona. He took a mission with Andrew Perkins to the southern part of Illinois in 1843, and in 1846 received his endowments, started west with his family, remained at Council Bluffs two years, in 1848 came to Salt Lake City, and was made Bishop of the Seventh Ward. May, 1853, he married Hannah Gold, and in 1861 was called on a mission to St. George; on the 23d of March, 1862, he was set apart as Counselor to William Fawcett, President of the High Priests' Quorum of the St. George Stake, and acted in that capacity over 24 years, or until his death. He was ordained a Patriarch under the hands of Presidents Brigham Young and G. A. Smith, Apostles Erastus Snow and Brigham Young, Jun., and Joseph W. Young, President of the Southern Mission Stake on Zion, on the 27th of March, 1870. The funeral services were held in the Tabernacle at St. George, on the 17th of November, 1886, at 2 p. m. Wm. Fawcett, President of the High Priests' Quorum of the the St. George Stake, spoke,and also the Presidency of the Stake, Bishop David H. Cannon and High Counselor Charles Smith. A large number of attendants and vehicles escorted him to the grave." [Note: Joel H. Johnson is known for Johnson's Fort in Southern Utah and is the father-in-law to David Ira Frederick, Jr.. David is the brother to Cynthia Julia Frederick and Martha Catherine Frederick. Upon the death on 22 Feb 1859 of these siblings' mother, Mary Ann Winner Frederick, young Cynthia was adopted and raised by William Perkins. Cynthia named her oldest son William and her oldest daughter Dicey Ray.]