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     Samuel Perley was born about 1640 in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts.² He was the son of Allen Perley and Susanna Bokesen, or Bokenson.¹

He married Ruth Trumble on 15 July 1664.² Samuel Perley moved to Essex, Essex County, Massachusetts, it is thought, and located about a mile and a half from the village on the Hamilton road, near a pond which was afterwards called "Parley pond," (by 1906, called "Parley meadow.") As early as 1693, perhaps some years previous, he located in the extreme western part of Ipswich and built the house wherein his grandson. Rev. Samuel Perley, was born, on the knoll just east of Howe's brook. He was a farmer and cultivated good soil. He was admitted to the privileges of freemen without oath 19 May 1669, and took oath of allegiance, at Ipswich, 1683. He was a member in the Topsfield church in full communion in 1684. In 1700 the seat number three in the Ipswich church was assigned to him. In 1707 he attended church in Topsfield, whose records show that "Samuel Perley, Sen'r, had liberty to make a fire in our watch-house on Sabath Dayes at noontime so long as the town see cause."³

     Samuel Perley was born in 1664.² He was the son of John Perley and Mary Howlett.¹

He died on 24 October 1746 in Rowley, Essex County, Massachusetts.²

     Samuel Perley was born on 28 May 1667 in Essex, Essex County, Massachusetts.² He was the son of Samuel Perley and Ruth Trumble.¹ Samuel Perley moved to Rowley, Essex County, Massachusetts, before his marriage, on land given to him by his father and confirmed by deed 24 Jun 1714, which in 1906 belonged to the farm of his descendant David Eri Perley, which had continued in the Perley name during the lapse of years. He lived so remote from the center of the town, that he held no town offices except those that fall to discreet men, such as field driver and survevor of highways. He was chosen field driver 8 Mar 1708-9. His whereabouts on "20 March" probably 1703, were questioned in court, when John "merifield," who was his apprentice, Abigail "pearly" and Elizabeth "perkins" testified that he was about home all day, and a part of the day plowing.³

He married Abigail Cummings , daughter of Dea. Isaac and Mary (Andrew) Cummings of Topsfield on 28 March 1694, by Rev. Joseph Capen, of the Topsfield church, which his family attended and in which his children were baptised, though born in Rowley.³

He died on 29 January 1724/25 in Rowley, at age 57.²

     Samuel Perley was born on 10 March 1712/13 in Linebrook Parish, Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts.³ He was the son of John Perley and Jane Dresser.²

On 28 Jul 1725, his mother was appointed his guardian.³

M. V. B. Perley writes "He was admitted to the Linebrook church 23 Jun 1754," however, this date is after Samuel's death.

His dwelling, built by his grandfather, stood on the knoll, where the cellar was still visible in 1906, just east of Howe brook, in Linebrook.³ He and Ruth How published their marriage intention on 10 January 1740/41 . They were first cousins once removed.³

He died on 10 April 1753 in Linebrook Parish, Ipswich, at age 40 . Mr. Perley, "being very sick," made his will three days before his death. It was proved 14 May 1753; his "dearly beloved wife" was named executrix; and it was witnessed by Jonathan Perley Grace Dunnels, and Mark How. He bequeathed to each of his daughters, Ruth and Martha, £40.

The inventory made by John Abbott, Jonathan Perley and Thomas Perley, values his buildings and land lying in Ipswich—240 acres—at £770, and enumerates among other things "too numerous to mention," seventeen sheep, eleven lambs, one mare, two yoke of oxen, two cows and calves, five cows, two heifers, three yearlings, four hogs, three pigs, and one colt, and amounts to £1378.⁴

     Samuel Perley was born on 11 August 1742 in Linebrook Parish, Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts, . When he was twelve years old, 11 Jul 1757, his father died. Abraham How of that parish was appointed his guardian. His boyhood was probably spent in his native parish. He was instructed in the family school of Rev. George Lesslie, pastor of the parish church. He entered Harvard College at the age of seventeen years, and graduated there in 1763, under President Holyoke. He declined, it is said, a professorship there, and studied divinity with his old instructor, Rev. George Lesslie.² He was the son of Samuel Perley and Ruth How.¹

His first pulpit was at Seabrook, now by a change of the town line Hampton Falls, N. H. He gathered the church and established the Presbyterian faith. He was there ordained and installed, 31 Jan 1765, when he was twenty-two years old. His old instructor, Rev. Mr. Lesslie, on the occasion preached the sermon, which was published. He was there ten years, during which the church was built as shown herewith. He lived in the birthplace of Gov. Mesheck Weare, called the "Boyd house," and later, by 1893, the "Stanley house."

He was next settled over the church in Groton, then known as Cockermouth, Strafford County, N. H., which had been organized 12 Mar 1777. He was installed there 8 Oct 1778, but continued only a few months. He was next installed, 20 Oct 1780, in Moul- tonboro, over the church that had been formed in 1779, a parish which he occupied but little more than three years. His next and last pastorate was over the Congregational church in Gray, Me., where he continued to reside till his death. He was installed 8 Sep 1784, as their first minister. He retired from the ministry about 1791. As a preacher he has been very highly estimated.

He led a company of volunteers to the battle of Bunker Hill, where he arrived quite too late to participate in the action. His further service was not needed and he returned home with his command.

Mr. Perley was a man of good natural abilities, and he was possessed of extensive learning for the times. His library was large and embraced many valuable works, not only upon the subject of theology, but of law and general knowledge, standard works of that period. He was tenacious of his opinions, and, we believe, had just enough egotism to give prominency to his talents. In his dress he was very plain; he said he never wore ruffles but once, and that was when he received his diploma at college. Few men wrote more in that section up to the time that Simon Greenleaf, afterward professor in Harvard College, settled in Gray. In 1809, as well as before and after, he had considerable correspondence with John Adams, President of the United States, upon current questions concerning the government and its condition and probable action in the trouble which had commenced with Great Britain. In these letters Mr. Perley betrays a familiar acquaintance with ancient and modern history, a versatility of talent to be commended, and a patriotism worthy of being placed in the same rank as that of his renowned correspondent. In one of his letters to Mr. Adams, dated at Gray 5 Apr 1809, after discountenancing the impressions that the "nefarious Governor Hutchinson," as he termed him, had occasioned, he closed his epistle as follows:

"But, Honored Sir, the GOD of the armies of Israel was our shield, buckler, and salvation. He, with a touch of his fingers, at Saratoga, and at Yorktown, in Virginia, laughed our enemies to scorn; the Almighty held them in derision,—Has not the God of Israel given us the best constitution (state and national) that he ever gave to any nation, or people, that ever inhabited this terraqueous globe? Has he not prospered us beyond all other people? I think that the questions imperiously demand an affirmative answer. How is it then, that all of a sudden, our political horizon is completely covered with sable clouds, which seem to be impregnated with the wrath of Jehovah, and threatening us with the roaring of cannon and civil war throughout our political jurisdiction.

"Sir, I am abashed; my soul sinks within me!! It seems to me, that our great political parties exert themselves as if it was not in their power to bring destruction upon us so swift and sudden as they could wish. It seems to me, that I can see trie exertions that took place in Athens, Macedon, and Sparta; that I can see the intrigues that were in Rome, in the days of Nero and Caligula. We well know, in our United States, what it was that overthrew all the republics in the old world. Shall we not shun these Syllas, these Charibdises?

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"But Honored Sir, if I am mistaken as to the nature and tendency of our State and national constitutions; if I am mistaken as to Mr. Jefferson's administration, your correction of these errors, will be grateful to millions in the U. States of America.

" I cannot believe, that you wish for the erection of a monarchy, in these United States, together with its concomitants; neither do I believe that you wish for a Grecian democracy."

In his answer to this letter, thirteen days later, Mr. Adams says:

" I agree with you that our prosperity has been as great as that of any people that ever existed, and that our Massachusetts and National Constitutions are better than any that I have ever known or read, as long as they are administered by the People and their Representatives according to their spirit and true principles. How long this will be depends upon the people themselves. If the People and their Representatives sacrifice the characters and destroy the influence of the best, most enlightened, and most disinterested men by calumnies, and promote those who have neither hands nor hearts fit for their stations, and are actuated only by motives of avarice and ambition, it will not be very long before our prosperity will be exchanged for calamity and our free institutions converted into tyrannies."

Mr. Perley was the delegate from Gray to the convention held in Hoston to ratify the Federal Constitution in 1788. In this convention Mr. Perley was one of the majority that consented to its adoption. While the convention was in session, some one had the audacity to defame the character of Washington which tended to arouse the patriotic feeling of Mr. Perley, who, rising, made a spirited reply. He said he had an acquaintance with Roman and Grecian history, and he believed there was never since the creation of the world a greater general than Washington, except Joshua, who was inspired by the Lord of Hosts over the armies of Israel.

For some time Mr. Perley was the only physician in Gray, and for many years he did an extensive law and probate business, writing deeds, wills, agreements, and doing the work of a justice of the peace. His first justice's commission is dated 14 Feb, he received it 3 Apr, he qualified before Hon. Robert Southgate and Samuel Freeman, Esqs., 11 Apr 1804. His second commission was dated 18 Mar 1811, and his third 18 Mar 1818. Thus he performed the office of lawyer, physician and clergyman with ability, and his name is yet revered and honored in the place of his usefulness.

Mr. Perley resided in the house which he built in Gray upon the " Parsonage," which was inherited by his twin sons Abraham and Isaac, which in 1906 was in possession of Isaac's sons Thomas H. and Washington, who with their brothers Isaac and Cephas W. possess about 550 acres, mostly contiguous. The original farm contained about 125 acres, which was somewhat encumbered, till, by the enterprise of Joseph H. Perley of Portland, the mortgage was lifted.³

He married Hephzibah Fowler on 21 May 1765.⁴

He died on 28 November 1830 at age 88 . Near his residence was an old oak tree in whose shade he used to pass much of his time during the summer season, and he requested that his remains might repose beneath its shade. His request was observed, but a brook that flowed fast by washed away the earth, and it was thought proper to remove the remains to the village cemetery,—which was done a few years since. A newspaper correspondent in Gray wrote concerning this incident: " I often sit under the same oak tree under which he used to sit and write. He requested to be buried there. It always reminds me of the 'old talking oak,' so beautifully spoken of by Tennyson. It stands upon a bank, at the foot of which runs a little brook whose liquid music you hear all the year. The little stream began to undermine the grand old oak, many of its roots were bare, and it was evident that in time the tree must fall. So the remains were taken to the village cemetery." A granite monument seven feet four inches in height marks his resting-place. The inscription upon the front tablet is as follows:

Rev. Samuel Perley,
Born Aug. 11, 1742,
Died Nov. 28, 1830.

The inclosure is ample for the interment of about thirty persons. The headstones are of Italian marble, and bear only the Christian names of the persons reposing beneath. The dates of their deaths and their epitaphs are upon the monument. The monument was erected in 1878, by the brothers Cephas W., Washington and Thomas H., grandsons of Rev. Samuel, at a cost of from $1000 to $1500.

One of his grandsons writes: "I was much indebted to my grandfather for my early instruction. He gave the impetus; he first taught me to articulate the sounds of ideas, and he it was who guided my infant steps in my first attempts to walk. His precepts and example will cling around my heart while memory endures."⁵

     Samuel Perley was born on 15 September 1757 or 15 September 1758 . He served in the army of the Revolution a few months near its close, and then settled upon the parental farm. A good view of the ancient mansion and the massive, wide-spreading elm that graces the frontage, is shown here. This was one of the largest, most symmetrical, and beautiful elms in the County.

Thomas Perley chose the site for his residence as early as 1684. The property passed to his son Thomas; then to Asa, who razed the old house and built the present one. The subject of this family was the next owner. Later owners were Israel and Isaac Hale, then Isaac Hale, and, by 1906, Frank Barnes, though the house was still known as "the Hale house."

Mr. Perley was a frugal, diligent, and prosperous husbandman. He was a selectman in 1797, and district surveyor of highways in 1786 and 1800.² He was the son of Asa Perley and Susannah Low.¹ He and Phebe Dresser published their marriage intention on 24 March 1798.²

He died on 18 June 1807 of a wound.² He and Phebe Dresser were buried in Harmony Cemetery, East Boxford, Essex County, Massachusetts, Phebe's epitaph reads: "All the days of my appointed time will I wait."³

     Samuel Perley was born on 6 August 1770 in the part of Rowley which is now Millwood, Essex County, Massachusetts.² He was the son of John Perley and Lydia Perley.¹

He married Lydia (Nabby?) Perkins of Topsfield on 12 January 1812.²

He bought the farm in Boxford that was once the property of his great uncle, Capt. Francis Perley, and resided there, leaving the estate to his children. In 1906, it was occupied by David DeW. C. Mighill.

Mr. Perley was a man of good natural and practical ability. He was called into town affairs in other relations beside these. He was surveyor of highways 1813 and 1820; constable 1817, 1821 and 1823; tax collector 1817; member of the school board 1817 and 1824. In the militia he was ensign in 1817 and as late as 1821.²

He died on 27 May 1848 at age 77.² He and Lydia (Nabby?) Perkins of Topsfield were buried in Harmony Cemetery, East Boxford, Essex County, Massachusetts.²

     Samuel Perley was born on 17 November 1766 in Hampton Falls, Rockingham County, New Hampshire, . He was a farmer.² He was the son of Samuel Perley and Hephzibah Fowler.¹

He married Abigail Lewis on 13 November 1793 in Ludlow, Windsor County, Vermont.³ About 1795, Samuel Perley moved to Gray, Cumberland County, Maine.³ In 1807, Samuel Perley moved to Harrison, Cumberland County, Maine . He first occupied "the Giles house," a short distance south of Summit mineral spring, on the old road from Harrison Village to Caswell's Corner. In 1808, he built a residence opposite, near the present homes of his son and grandson, David L. and William S. Perley. "Early Settlers of Harrison" says he was sometime of "Groton, Mass." which probably should read Groton, N. H., where his father at one time preached. Samuel Perley, Jr., of Grey, Me., husbandman, 16 Mar 1789, mortgaged a farm in Cockermouth [Groton], N. H., which he had that day bought of the grantee.—Deeds Reg., 12: 362. His father, Rev. Samuel Perley, bought sixty acres in the same town 10 Dec 1779,—Deeds Reg., 5: 415,—and 15 Apr 1780, sold fifty acres in the same town, lot No. 6, third range, second division, which "was drawn to the ministerial right."—Deeds Reg., 7: 99.³

He died on 10 September 1828 at age 61 of diarrhoea.³

     Samuel Perley was born on 19 July 1775 in East Parish, Bradford, Essex County, Massachusetts, . His father died 1778, when he was only three years old. His stepfather was appointed his guardian, 5 Dec 1791, and when he was of Bradford, 13 Mar 1797, he discharged his guardian and receipted for $25, as per his guardian's account. He was apprenticed to Silas Hopkinson of Bradford, the part now Groveland, and of him learned the trade of house carpenter.

He resided, first, in Newburyport, where he built a number of houses. He was of Londonderry, N. H., 24 Apr 1812, engaged in farming. In 1814, he took "the western fever," prevalent at that time, and planned to go west. He took an overland route, with his own team, in the spring of 1815, saying goodbye to New England. His family consisted of himself, wife and four children, the youngest only two years of age. He was forty-five days en route. They crossed the Alleghany Mountains during the engagements of Waterloo, 15-18 Jun 1815. They made a halt at Steubenville, Ohio, where his "fever" turned. In the spring of 1816, he retraced his steps to Harrisburg, Pa., where they resided about nine years. Then they located in New York City.² He was the son of Nathaniel Perley and Sarah Dutch of Ipswich Village.¹

He married Lucy Balch on 16 January 1799.²

He died on 30 April 1830 at age 54.³

     Samuel Perley is the son of Henry Perley and Eunice Hood.¹

He married Nancy Peabody on 9 May 1816.²

     Samuel Perley was born on 27 December 1788.¹ He was the son of Jacob Perley and Dolly Wood.¹

He was drowned on 17 September 1817 in Plum Island river, Essex County, Massachusetts, at age 28.¹ He was buried in South Byfield, Rowley, Essex County, Massachusetts, in the Congregational church yard, at the side of his parents, and his epitaph reads:

"Where is Tomorrow? In another world,
for numbers this is certain; the reverse
Is sure to none.".¹

     Samuel Perley was born on 7 February 1815 . He always lived at home and assisted in carrying on the farm.¹ He was the son of Samuel Perley and Lydia (Nabby?) Perkins of Topsfield.¹

He died on 18 March 1869 at age 54 of jaundice, unmarried.¹

     Samuel Perley was born on 16 December 1798 in Gray, Cumberland County, Maine.¹ He was the son of Samuel Perley and Abigail Lewis.¹

He died on 22 September 1823 in Harrison, Cumberland County, Maine, at age 24 of diarrhoea.¹