ABRAHAM PERKINS: "...HE HAS SOLD THE KETCH AT BARBADOES..." CONCLUSION

The rest of the record of Abraham Perkins' lawsuit against John Cutt for the unauthorized sale of the ketch Dove is a bit frustrating in that while there are people listed who testified about the case, some of those testimonies are not detailed. But a few are and apparently there was enough evidence to give Abraham a victory in court:

Bond, dated July 19, 1673, of Abraham Perkins* and John Burnum* for the payment of the cost of building the ketch

Wit: Benjamin Marshall* and Edmond Marshall.* Benjamin Marshall deposed that being at the house of Abraham Perkins the evening before he intended to go out with the Dove, he heard Mr. Huberd ask said Perkins whether he would sell his part of the ketch. Perkins answered that he built her for his own use and had put himself out of his other employment to go in her, and therefore would not sell, though he could have more than she was worth for he liked her so well. Sworn, June 29, 1674, before Daniel Denison.* 

Edmond Marshal and Benjamin Marshall, aged respectively twenty-six and twenty-four years, deposed. Sworn, June 24, 1674, before Daniel Denison.* 

John Burnam, aged about twenty-seven years, deposed. Sworn, June 25, 1674, before Daniel Denison.* 

Francis Wainwright deposed that Perkins said he would sell his half for 80li., Jno. Burnum, jr., having sold his half to Hubbard for 70li. Sworn, June 29, 1674, before Daniel Denison.* 

Daniel Hovey deposed that in his own house and in Abraham Perkins' house, he heard said Perkins say that he was not pleased  with the sale of his ketch. Sworn, June 30, 1674, before Daniel Denison.* 

John Rennerrik deposed that at his house, etc. Sworn, June 30, 1674, before Daniel Denison.* 

Artor Arbit, aged about thirty-five years, deposed. Sworn, June 16, 1674, before Daniel Denison.* 

Luk Perkins, aged about twenty-five years, deposed that he was at Porchmouth when his brother Abraham Perkins demanded the ketch of John Cutt, who said that Mr. Hubard gave him order to sell her at Barbadus, etc. Sworn, June 29, 1674, before Daniel Denison.f

John Perkins and Elizabeth, his wife, deposed that Mr. Hubbard wrote Cutt a letter, etc. Sworn, June 27, 1674, before Daniel Denison pp341-342

Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Massachusetts:  Vol V 1672-1674 Massachusetts. County Court (Essex County) Essex Institute, 1916

So while John Cutt was ordered to pay damages to my ancestor Abraham Perkins, he was still out of a ketch. I haven't found sny record yet if he ever built another one.

ABRAHAM PERKINS: "...HE HAS SOLD THE KETCH AT BARBADOES..." PT3

The cargo list of the Dove was entered as evidence in the lawsuit filed by Apraham Perkins against John Cutt:

Wit: Thomas Harney* and John Cutt.* Account, dated Barbados, Feb. 14, 1673-4, of freight sent to Barbados in the ketch Dove of Ipswich upon account of Mr. William Hubbard and Mr. Abraham Parkings of Ipswich, signed by John Cutt*: Dr. `to wages for myself in the Dove from Nov. 21 to Feb. 16, at 4li. per month, is 10li., in sugar at 8s. 4d. p, 2,400li.; to wages paid Jos. Sharbron from Nov. 21 to Jan. 29, at 35s. p month, 3li. 15s., in sugar 906li.; to wages paid Lewes Colle from Nov. 24 to Jan. 29 at 34s. per month, 3li. 12s., in sugar 864li.; to wages paid Christopher Cose from Nov. 21 to Jan. 29, at 35s. per month, 3li. 15s., in sugar, 906li.; to boat hire for lading the ketch, 1s. 8d., in sugar 216li.; to entering in the Secretary and Navy office, 12s. 6d., in sugar 150li.; to gunpowder, 14 pounds, at 1s. 6d. p., in sugar 252li.; to abatement of your freight for damage of fish by defect in the ketch's deck, in sugar 600li.; to my expense and charge, in sugar 500li.; to 2 hhds. sugar, 1,670li.; to the duty of your sugar at 4 1-2 per cent., 75li.; to him. for sugar, 250li.; total, 8,789li. sugar; to wages for myself from Feb. 16, 1673 to Apr. 16, at 4li. per month, 8li. Cr., by freight of 8 hhs. 34 quintals of fish in bulk being consigned to Mr. John Johnson at the rate of 600li. sugar per ton, in sugar 2,230li.; by freight of 8 hs. consigned to Mr. Tho. Stockom at 600li. sugar per ton, 1,200li.; by freight of sundry goods sent to Mr. Parret at 600li. sugar per ton, 2,700li.; by freight of 10 quintals of fish consigned to Mr. John Vaux at 600 p ton, 300li.; by freight of 30 quintals of fish in bulk con-signed to Mr. John Johnson at 600li. sugar per ton, 900li.; by freight of 30 quintals of fish in bulk consigned to Mr. Strowed, at 600li. of sugar per ton, 900li.; by freight of one bb. of oyle, 3-4 C. of hgd. staves, 55 pipe staves, 100li.; by freight of 4 him. consigned to Mr. Banster, 600li.; total, 8,930li. sugar. Due to balance, 141li. -pp340-341

Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Massachusetts:  Vol V 1672-1674 Massachusetts. County Court (Essex County) Essex Institute, 1916

A few thoughts:

-The contract with Mt Martin mentioned a deadline of 31 October to load his cargo of fish and leave Portsmouth. But the details in the freight list after the ketch arrived in Barbados

-It looks like payment for the goods was made in sugar and that the crew of the ship received sugar as part of their pay. Sugar was a very valuable commodity in New England amd was used in the manufcture of rum. It became part of the Triangle Trade which brought slaves to the colonies.

-A quintal is a unit of measurement equal to 100 pounds.
To be continued...

ABRAHAM PERKINS: "...HE HAS SOLD THE KETCH AT BARBADOES..." PT2

The following document was introduced into evidence in the lawsuit of Abraham Perkins against John Cutt for unlawfully selling the ketch Dove without Abraham's permission. It's called a "charter party" but in effect it's a contract between Abraham, his partner John Burnham, and a merchant named Richard Martyn to transport cargo to Barbadoes. I've added some thoughts after it:

Charter party, dated, Portsmouth, Sept. 7, 1673, between Abraham Perkins, owner of the ketch Dove of Ipswich, 29 tons, and Richard Martyn f of Portsmouth, merchant, the said owner have "fraight letten" to the said merchant the ketch "for a voyage wth her to bee made by gods grace in manner & forme following (That is to say) The said owner Covenanteth granteth & agreeth to & wth the said merchant his factors & Assignee by these psents: That y* said ketch shall bee compleatly fitted w” all her tackell & Apparrill & wt ever is convenient for her for such A voyage w” an able master & three sufficient Seamen more for her and all such puision as shall bee needfull for her: And shall bee readie in the Riuer of Pascataque to take in such loading of fish in casque: packt casque mackrill & oyle, as the said Mercht. Shall See meet to load her with at or before the last day of October next ensuing the date hereof And that the sd ketch shall as soone as shee is loaden by sd merch* his Factors or Assignes wth the first faire wind & weather make sayle from thence towards & vnto the Island of Berbados vnto Carlisle bay where shee shall bee won all convenient speed discharged from her said service & Imploym*," and the said owner was to receive 600li. of Muscovadoe sugar for every ton carried for said merchant to be paid within ten days after she be unloaded, also he was to have liberty of two tons freight, and the owner and merchant bound themselves in 200li. to have the covenant fulfilled. John Burnum,* part owner, also agreed to the indenture. -p.340

Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Massachusetts:  Vol V 1672-1674 Massachusetts. County Court (Essex County) Essex Institute, 1916

 So, on 7 Sep 1673 Abraham Perkins and his partner John Burnham contracted to carry freight from Portsmouth to Barbados in the Carribean for a merchant named Richard Martyn.
-The cargo was to be kegs of mackerel packed in oil.
-The cargo was to be loaded by 31 Oct.
-The crew would consist of a master and three seamen.
-The ketch would deliver the cargo at Carlisle Bay in Barbados.
-Abraham was to be paid "600li of Moscavadoe sugar for every ton carried..." within ten days after delivery.

Some thoughts;
-The delivery was probably being made to the port of Bridgetown which is the modern capital of Barbados. It's located on the southwest corner of the island.
-I'd never heard of "Moscavadoe sugar" until now. Sugar was apparently a very valuable commodity in 17th century New England as the freight list will show.

To be continued

52 ANCESTORS IN 52 WEEKS 2019 WEEK 14: ABRAHAM PERKINS SR. OF HAMPTON, N.H. PT. 2

I found a transcription of my ancestor Abraham Perkins' will online at Google Books. His son Abraham Jr. had been killed by Indians at Hampton six years earlier, so he is not mentioned. I am descended from another son, Luke, who is mentioned  near the end of the will:

ABRAHAM PERKINS 1683 HAMPTON

In the name of God Amen. I Abraham Perkins of Hampton in the Province of New Hampshire in New England being weak in body but sound in understanding and of a disposing mind Do make this my last Will & Testament, as followeth.

ffirst, I commit my soul to Almighty God ye ffather of Spirits, who gave me life and being, and my body to the earth from whence it was taken, that after my dissolution to be buried in Hampton burying place in a Christian & decent manner as my Executors shall appoint. And for what worldly goods God hath given me, my Will is as follows

Item, I give unto my beloved Wife during her life the new end of my house, with the chamber above: And give her hereby liberty to make use of ye other back house as she shall have need. And I give unto her two cows & their increase wholly to dispose of them as she shall please. And for as much as I do by this my Will give unto my sons Jonathan & Humphry all my land & cattell excepting them two above menc’oned deviding all things equally betwixt them as hereafter shall be declared. And my Will is, that they do both of them carefully provide comfortable relief for their mother, & to provide three lods of hay & to put it into the barn for to winter her two cows, except they do agree otherwise. And further my two sons Jonathan & Humphry shall provide for their mother sufiicient fire wood so much as she shall need making it fit for her use, And to give her yearly sixteen bushel of corn Twelv of lndian Two of wheat & Two of barly or rye. And they shall provide for her a well fatted hog or shot to kill, 8 : half a hundred of good beef yearly. And I do give unto my Wife all my houshold stuff to be at her disposing excepting carpentars tools & military implements & husbandry. And I give unto her 4 sheep & my sons to maintain them for her & the thirds of ye apples in ye orchard. And in case my two sons Jonathan & Humphry do neglect their duty to their mother in providing things necessary for her comfortable being & not attending to my Will, then this is my Will; She shall have ye thirds of all I have And furthermore this is my Will, That I give unto my two sons (Jonathan Perkins and Humphry Perkins all my lands I have in Hampton, both meadow and Upland, viz; My house Lots & planting Lot North hill Lot and Asbrook Lot and the North devision towards Greenland And the New plantac’on with three shares of the Cow com’ons and one in ye Ox com’on. With all my tools for Carpentars, All implements for husbandry, as Ploughs, carts, harrows, yokes, chains. And likewise all implements belonging to military discipline; Guns, swords, pikes, ammunition, 8: what els. And my Will is, That my son Jonathan shall have ye whole Lot that I bought of Isack Cole w°“ is about four or five acres, lying between my old house Lot & ye street way which he hath now built upon. All these particulars above menc’oned I do give to him & his heirs for ever, paying out such legacies as hereafter shall be expressed. And I do give unto my son Humphry my House y‘ I now live in. With all ye building belonging to it, With ye Orchards belonging & being that this Lot is bigger than Jonathans, the Lot being about ten acres & much building, my son Humphry shall pay to my daughter Sarah twenty pounds for a legacy, Shall pay it in four years after my decease, To pay it in currant merchantable pay at currant price. And I do give unto my Granddaughter Mary ffifield now dwelling with me, fiive pound. And I give unto my daughter Abigail ffive pound. And I give unto my son James Perkins fiive pound. And I give unto my Grandson John Perkins ffive pound. And I give unto my son David ffive shillings. And I give unto my son Luke ffive shillings ; for these two sons have had their share already, These six last legacies which is twenty pound ten shillings shall be paid by both my sons Jonathan & Humphry equally alike every year ffive pound to them abovenamed after one another as they are set down to be paid in currant marchantable pay at curra’t price: And my son Jonathan & Humphry shall equally devide all my cattel excepting that cow he had with his wife. And to all these abovemenc’oned I set my hand & seal
Hampton August 22. 1683. Abraham Perkins [seal]

Signed & Sealed in y° p'sence of us Witnesses
Seaborn Cotton
John Tucke
[Proved Sept. 18, 1683.]
[Deeds, vol. 4, p. 63.]

[Inventory of the estate of Abraham Perkins of Hampton, who died Aug. 31, 1683; taken Oct. 4, 1683; amount, £361.2.6; attested before Edward Cranfield by Jonathan Perkins and Humphrey Perkins Oct. 5, 1683.]

-pp 263-265

Probate Records of the Province of New Hampshire ... 1635-[1771], Volume 31   Rumford Printing Company, Concord, N.H. 1907

52 ANCESTORS IN 52 WEEKS 2019 WEEK 14: ABRAHAM PERKINS SR. OF HAMPTON, N.H.

Turning now to the family of my 5x great grandmother Ann (Perkins) Packard, I can trace the line back to my immigrant ancestor and 9x great grandfather Abraham Perkins Sr. Abraham was one of the first settlers of the seacoast town of Hampton, N.H. and William Richard Cutter has this brief biography:

(I) Abraham Perkins, born in 1611, came from England to America, and appears of record in New England in 1638, as one of the first settlers of Hampton, where he was made a freeman, May 31, 1640. A man of good education, and an excellent penman, he was much employed in the town's affairs. He died August 31, 1683, at the age of seventy-two years, his widow, Mary, surviving him until May 29, 1706, when she passed away at the age of eighty-eight years. His daughter Mary married Giles Fifield, and was grandmother of Mary Adams, mother of the patriot, Samuel Adams. His will dated August 22, 1683. and probated September 18,1683. mentions his wife Mary, and sons, Jonathan, Humphrey, James, Luke and David. An old family Bible still preserved among his descendants gives the birth dates of eleven of his thirteen children, which were as follows: Mary, born September 2, 1639; Abraham Jr., September 2, 1639; Luke, 1640-41 ; Humphrey, January 22, 1642; James, April 11, 1644; Timothy, October 5, 1646; James (2), October 5, 1647; Jonathan, May 30, 1650; David, mentioned below; Abigail, April 2, 1655; Timothy (2), June 26, 1657; Sarah, July 26, 1659; Humphrey (2), May 17, 1661.-p1304

New England Families, Genealogical and Memorial: A Record of the Achievements of Her People in the Making of Commonwealths and the Founding of a Nation, Volume 3  Lewis historical publishing Company,  N.Y., N.Y.    1914

One surprise in that is the information that I may be distantly related to Samuel Adams!

Hampton was part of Essex County Massachusetts during Abraham's lifetime. He was involved in several lawsuits in the Court there and I've found those records, I've also found a transcription of his will. I will be sharing them here in the following posts.

To be continued...