Research by Henry Farley and published in the Morning Times, Sayre, PA 09/20/2018
The Honorable Edward Henry Perkins died at his home in Athens at 10:30 a.m. Thursday Oct. 23, 1902. His death removed from Athens its oldest citizen, and closed a long and eventful life.

Mr. Perkins came from old New England ancestry. He was sixth in descent from John Perkins, who settled in Boston with his family early in the history of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, having arrived here on the ship Lyon, with Roger Williams and others as fellow passengers, February 6, 1631. Others of his ancestors were among the founders of several cities and towns in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut, the family history being especially identified with the last-named State, and particularly with the city of Norwich from the year 1695, where two brothers, Joseph and Jabez Perkins, grandsons of the above mentioned John Perkins, went, acquiring three large tracts of land. There they established themselves and remained to the end of their lives. Edward H. Perkins was a descendant of both brothers, from the elder of them, Joseph, in the direct male line. He was the son of Augustus and Lucy Huntington Perkins, and was born in Norwich April 4, 1810. His father was also born in Norwich, and his grandfather and a great-grandfather were captains in the army of the Revolution. Augustus Perkins was a shipping merchant and owned a brig engaged in the West India trade, but his business in common with the shipping interests of all New England, was ruined by the disturbed conditions growing out of the wars of that period. In 1819 he removed to Ithaca, NY engaging in business and remaining there until his death.

Edward H. was a child of nine years when his father came to Ithaca. When in his thirteenth year he came to Athens with an older brother George A. Perkins, to assist in the opening of a drug store. This was his first visit to Athens. After remaining with his brother for a year and a half Edward returned to Ithaca, where he attended the Academy for three years. At the end of that time, through the influence of the Hon. David Woodcock, who was the representative in Congress from that district and a friend of the family, he was appointed a midshipman in the United States Navy. The Naval Academy not having been established at that time, he was directed to report at the Brooklyn Navy Yard for study. From there he was ordered to join the war sloop St. Louis, which was being built in Washington Navy yard. There being some delay in getting the vessel ready, while waiting, Mr. Perkins attended a "levee" at the White House given by President John Q. Adams, in company with his friend, Congressman Woodcock. As soon as the war sloop was ready he embarked with a company of officers consisting of a captain, six lieutenants, sixteen midshipmen, a surgeon, sailing master and purser, with a full crew of men. Sailing down the Potomac, their first objective point was Norfolk, where they remained some time, waiting for their ranking officer, Commodore Thompson. Proceeding southward along the coast of the United States and South America, they touched at Rio de janeiro. Continuing from here and passing around the Cape Horn, they entered the waters of the Pacific and sailed along the west coast of South America. The greater part of three years was spent in cruising along this coast. Part of the time they were in the company of other United States Navy Ships, Callao, on the west coast of Peru, being a rendezvous for our ships. During the progress of this cruise some of the harbors entered were Valparaiso, Arica, Callao, Truxillo and Guayaquil. After sailing farther north along the coasts of Panama and Mexico, the St. Louis received home orders, and again rounding Cape Horn, returned to her home port.

Having been given a long leave of absence, Mr. Perkins returned to his home. His father having died in the meantime he came for a second time to Athens on a visit to friends. While in Athens he was married, and soon afterwards, at the earnest solicitation of his wife's family he resigned his position in the Navy and settled in Athens. Following various lines of business for thirty years, a portion of that time being in partnership with his brother George.

His next public service was as Consul at Santa Cruz, in the Danish West India Islands. He was appointed in 1862 by President Lincoln at the instance of Senator David Wilmot, without previous knowledge or solicitation on his part. This position he held for nine years, making occasional visits to his home, performing the duties of the office with fidelity and acceptance to his Government, receiving the approbation of Secretary Seward and the personal acknowledgement of President Johnson and in the meantime was able to render valuable service to the English Government during a vacancy in the English Consulate there. In 1871 he returned to his home in Athens, where he spent the evening of his life.

Mr. Perkins was twice married; first to Susan Phoebe Welles, daughter of General Henry and Sarah Spalding Welles. She died September 27, 1847, He was married the second time December 19, 1849, to Mary Eglin, daughter of John and Sarah Bentley Eglin, seven children were born of the first marriage: Henry W., Edward H., Augustus S., Sarah W., George W., Lucy H., and Susan W., at the time Edward H Perkin's death only Susan was living. Three of the sons enlisted in the Civil War and were distinguished in the service.

Of the second marriage five children were born: Mary P., Ellen G., William H., Elizabeth B., and John. They with their mother all survived Edward H. Perkins. William H. lived in New York City and at the time of his father's death he was president of the Bank of America a position he held since 1890.

During the early part of his long residence in Athens Mr. Perkins was actively engages in various lines of business, as mercantile, lumbering and farming. As a man and a citizen, he was public spirited and of great fidelity to trust and enjoyed the highest respect and confidence of his fellow citizens. He served as trustee and president of the Tioga Point Cemetery Association, was burgess, trustee of the Athens Academy, and the Presbyterian Church. He was twice elected Justice of the Peace.

When Edward Henry Perkins died at the age of 92 it was noted that the closing years of his life, would always bring pleasant recollections, and to his memory they will gladly bring the tribute of his kindness, appreciation and sympathy.