Guide to the Perkins Family papers MSS.1127

The Perkins Family Papers spans the period from 1813 to 1928, with the bulk of the collection being from the 1840s to the 1910s.

The Perkins Family Papers consists mainly of photographs and correspondence between family members. Within the collection, there are diaries, ledgers, a scrapbook, an unpublished novel, printed invitations, death notices, receipts, legal documents and other financial papers, and memorabilia. All papers are originals with the exception of some newspaper clippings that are photocopies.

The Perkins collection relates to Stephen C. and Carolina A. Perkins; their son Julian C. and his wife Mamie Kennedy Perkins, and their children: Edwin, Brook, Julian H., and Maud. The majority of the correspondence and papers were generated by Caroline A. Perkins and Mamie Kennedy Perkins. It concerns mostly family matters. The family life of Julian and Mamie Perkins and their children are well documented in pictures compiled by their son, Edwin. The photos have been removed from the papers and housed with the Hoole Library’s photo collections.

The main correspondent in this collection is P.W. Connor of Virginia to Stephen and Caroline Perkins. He lucidly describes life in the 1840s to 1870s and the effects of the Civil War and Reconstruction.

Stephen Constantine Perkins: Stephen Constantine Perkins was probably born in Louisa County, Virginia. He moved to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, around 1843 and ran a general store. He also served as city treasurer in 1853. He married Caroline Ann Walker in 1847, and they had one son, Julian C. Stephen died in 1858.

Caroline Ann Walker Perkins: Caroline Ann (Walker) Perkins was born in Albermarle County, Virginia. Upon her mother’s death around 1840, Caroline moved to Louisa County, Virginia, to stay with the Campbell family, and she also lived with relatives in Charlottesville, Virginia. She married Stephen Perkins in 1847, and had one child, Julian C. She died on September 27, 1892.

Julian C. Perkins: Julian C. Perkins was born in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, on October 14, 1853. The son of Stephen and Caroline Perkins, he married Mary Kennedy on November 27, 1878, and worked as a dentist in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Upon retirement, he bred chickens and champion roosters. He died on January 28, 1917.

Mary Kennedy Perkins: Mary (Mamie) Kennedy Perkins grew up in Kennedale, Florence, and Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Her date of birth is October 13, 1858. She also spent time in Labadieville, Assumption Parish, Louisiana. Her father was John S. Kennedy. She had two brothers, John R. Kennedy and L.P. Kennedy, and a sister, Vernon Kennedy Warren. She graduated from Tuscaloosa Female College. Mamie Kennedy married Julian C. Perkins on November 27, 1878. She was an accomplished pianist and taught music in her home. Mamie and Julian C. Perkins had four children: Edwin (1879), Brook (1885), Julian Herbert (1888-1958), and a child named David Patton Kennedy, who may have died in infancy. Mamie died around 1926.

Others Vernon Kennedy Warren was the sister of Mamie Kennedy Perkins and her husband was Edward Warren, Sr. She had two sons, Edward, Jr., and John K. Warren.

John A. Perkins, the brother of Stephen C. Perkins, died on November 6, 1889.

Brook B. Walker, the brother of Caroline Walker Perkins, died in 1858.

Sources: Green, Bruce. A History of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 1816-1949. University, Alabama: Confederate Publishing Company, 1949. Perkins Family Papers Social Security Death Index U.S. Census, 1900