Perkins, Simon, 1771-1844

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Surveyor, soldier, and banker, of Ohio. Perkins was highly instrumental in the settlement of the Western Reserve (Ohio) and in the founding of the city of Akron, Ohio.

From the description of Papers, 1801-1919. (Rhinelander District Library). WorldCat record id: 18375963

Simon Perkins (1771-1844) was a surveyor, soldier, land agent, postmaster, and banker who played a major role in the early development of the Western Reserve. Born on September 17, 1771 to Simon and Olive Douglas Perkins in Norwich, Connecticut, he moved to Lisbon, Connecticut when his father died in 1778. From 1795-1797, Perkins was engaged in land development in Oswego, New York. In 1797 he was sent to the Western Reserve of Ohio by the Erie Land Company to make a report and plan for a settlement. He remained there until 1798, and returned in 1799 to continue his survey and promote land sales. Perkins was a land agent and surveyor for the Erie Land Company from 1797-1830.

Simon Perkins served as postmaster of Warren, Ohio, from 1801-1829. During that time he opened the first postal route through Indian country to Detroit, Michigan. He married Nancy Anna Bishop of Lisbon, Connecticut on March 18, 1804. He and his wife moved to Warren, Ohio, in July 1804, and this city would serve as the family home for the next 125 years.

Perkins served as a general in the 4th Division, Ohio Militia, during war of 1812. He had been made a Brigadier General of the 4th Division in 1808.

Perkins was also a businessman and banker. He was co-founder and president of the Western Reserve Bank from 1826-1838. This was the first bank in the Western Reserve.

He was a member of the Board of Canal Fund Commissioners from 1826-1838. He also helped to found the city of Akron, Ohio. Perkins died on November 6, 1844 in Warren, Ohio.

From the guide to the Simon Perkins Papers, 1758-1930, 1805-1855, (Western Reserve Historical Society)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Walworth family. Walworth family papers, 1774-1884. Western Reserve Historical Society, Research Library
creatorOf Huntington, Samuel, 1765-1817. Papers, 1776-1946. Library of Congress
creatorOf Punderson, Lemuel, 1782-1822. Papers, 1810-1826. Western Reserve Historical Society, Research Library
creatorOf Pease, Calvin, 1776-1839. Papers, 1798-1841. Western Reserve Historical Society, Research Library
creatorOf Tappan, Abraham, 1779-1855. Papers, 1803-1852 / Abraham Tappan. Western Reserve Historical Society, Research Library
referencedIn Atwater, Amzi, 1776-1850. Manuscripts relating to the early history of the Connecticut Western Reserve, 1795-1869 [microform]. Western Reserve Historical Society, Research Library
referencedIn Rockwell, John A. (John Arnold), 1803-1861. John A. Rockwell papers, 1791-1871. Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
creatorOf Fitch, Zalmon, 1785-1860. Papers, 1802-1863. Western Reserve Historical Society, Research Library
creatorOf Brown, Ethan Allen, 1776-1852. Papers. Library of Congress
creatorOf Perkins, Simon, 1771-1844. Letter, 1816. Ohio History Connection, Ohio Historical Society
referencedIn Edwards, Pierpont, 1750-1826. Pierpont Edwards papers, 1764-1826 (inclusive). Yale University Library
referencedIn Mentor, Ohio, abstracts of title, 1840-1895. Lake County Historical Society
creatorOf Perkins, Simon, 1771-1844. Warren, Ohio bridge contract, 1811 Sept. 9. Ohio History Connection, Ohio Historical Society
creatorOf Beard, Jedediah. War of 1812 : collection of papers, 1792-1876. Western Reserve Historical Society, Research Library
creatorOf Perkins, Simon, 1771-1844. Papers, 1801-1919. Western Reserve Historical Society, Research Library
creatorOf Simon Perkins Papers, 1758-1930, 1805-1855 Western Reserve Historical Society
creatorOf Walworth family. Walworth family papers, 1774-1884 [microform]. Western Reserve Historical Society, Research Library
referencedIn War of 1812 mss., 1776-1879 Lilly Library (Indiana University, Bloomington)
creatorOf Perkins, Simon, 1771-1844. Letter book : Springfield, Mass., 1834-1852. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Perkins family. Papers, 1834-1935. Western Reserve Historical Society, Research Library
referencedIn Pierpont Edwards papers, 1764-1826 Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
creatorOf Perkins, Simon, 1771-1844. Papers 1829-1842. Ohio History Connection, Ohio Historical Society
referencedIn Atwater, Amzi, 1776-1850. Manuscripts relating to the early history of the Connecticut Western Reserve, 1795-1869. Western Reserve Historical Society, Research Library
creatorOf Perkins, Simon, 1771-1844. Letterbook : Springfield, Mass., 1834-1852. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Brown, Ethan Allen, 1776-1852. person
associatedWith Brown, John, fl. 1834-1852. person
associatedWith Edwards, Pierpont, 1750-1826. person
associatedWith Erie Land Company. corporateBody
associatedWith Fitch, Zalmon, 1785-1860. person
associatedWith Giddings, Joshua R. (Joshua Reed), 1795-1864. person
associatedWith Huntington, Samuel, 1765-1817. person
associatedWith Ohio. Militia. Division, 4th. corporateBody
associatedWith Pease, Calvin, 1776-1839. person
associatedWith Perkins family. family
associatedWith Perkins, Henry Bishop. person
associatedWith Perkins, Jacob, 1821-1859. person
associatedWith Perkins, Jacob B. (Jacob Bishop), 1854-1936. person
associatedWith Perkins, Joseph, 1819-1885. person
associatedWith Punderson, Lemuel, 1782-1822. person
correspondedWith Rockwell, John A. (John Arnold), 1803-1861. person
associatedWith Tappan, Abraham, 1779-1855. person
associatedWith Walworth family. family
associatedWith Walworth family. family
associatedWith Wool industry person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Ohio
United States
United States
Ohio
Ohio--Western Reserve
Subject
United States
Canals
Canals
Deeds
Deeds
Investments
Land titles
Land titles
Ohio
Perkins, Simon, 1771-1844
Postal service
Postal service History
Real property
Real property
Wool industry
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1771-09-17

Death 1844-11-06

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