PERKINS, Mary Elizabeth

PERKINS, Elizabeth

Identification on photo: Elizabeth Perkins
Photo taken: Moody Studio, Salem, Massachusetts, 1913
Purchased: Feb 2017 at Traditions Antique Mall, Wildwood FL

Here is the photo of Elizabeth PERKINS, taken in 1913, by F V Moody Studio in Salem Massachusetts. The photo is enclosed in a bifold paper folder, with onion-skin type layer directly over the photo. On the outside of the brown paper folder, there is an embossed symbol (see at right), which on close examination looks like a High School stamp. It says Beverly at top and BHS within the year 1913 at bottom.

If this was a graduation photo, taken in 1913, then Elizabeth (assuming around 18 years of age at this time) would have been born around 1895.

There is a Mary Elizabeth Perkins who was born 3 June 1895 in Wenham, MA (a small town next to Beverly). Stephen P. Hall, the former Executive Director of the Beverly Historical Society & Museum, who helped immeasurably with this research, tells me, "It was common of the students in Wenham to transfer over the Beverly High prior to WWII, because Wenham was too small to have their own High School."

Elizabeth was a daughter of Frank Ellis Perkins (1856-1930) and Mary Frances Dodge (1869-1928). Her siblings were Ralph Willis Perkins (1888-1958), Lawrence Webster Perkins (1890-1891), Ruth Dodge Perkins (1892-1982) and John Millard Perkins (1897-1929).

1920 Census > Mass > Essex > Wenham
PERKINS, Frank E., head, 63, born in Mass of Mass & NH parents, poultry farmer
PERKINS, Mary F., wife, 51, born in Mass of Mass parents
PERKINS, Ralph W., son, 31, born in Mass, bookkeeper at Gas & Elect Utility
PERKINS, Ruth D., daughter, 27, born in Mass
PERKINS, Elizabeth M., daughter, 24, born in Mass, Bookkeeper at Insurance Co.
PERKINS, John M., son, 22, born in Mass, machinist in machine shop
PERKINS, Emily F., 32, daughter-in-law, born in Mass
PERKINS, Frank E. Jr., 5, grandson, born in Rhode Island
PERKINS, Eleanor K, granddaughter, 4, born in Rhode Island

The Emily mentioned on the 1920 Census as daughter-in-law, is Emily Dalrymple, who was the wife of Ralph. Emily was also the mother of Winthrop Perkins (1920-2008) and Laurence D. Perkins (___) who were not yet born during the time of the 1920 Census. The 2008 obit for Winthrop mentions surviving sister Eleanor K. Perkins and cousins John F. Perkins and John M. Perkins. Another cousin Maynard M. Perkins predeceased him. The obit does not mention any children for Winthrop.

Elizabeth married Andrew Miles Herrold (1891-1975).  She died 11 Oct 1979 and is buried in the Wenham Cemetery next to her husband and parents.

Stephen Hall also included the following information: "Although given her mother's name of Mary, she was known (and listed on the census records of 1920) by her middle name of Elizabeth. As late as the 1940 census she was still "single" and living with her sister Ruth. She was bookeeper of decades with an Insurace Agency. It looks like she married late in life to Andrew Miles Herrold," and produced no offspring. However, her brothers Ralph and John had descendants, and I will focus my search there.