David Augustus Perryman (1826 - 1906)

Born 8 May 1826 in Newton, Georgia, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth Moncrief (Kitchens) Perryman — married 1851 in Randolph County, Alabama, USA

Descendants

Died 7 Jun 1906 at age 80 in Heflin, Cleburne, Alabama, United States

Biography

Obituaries

Mr. Perryman was a native Georgian but in early life removed to Alabama, where in time be became one of the most influential and prominent citizens of the state. For years Mr. Perryman was prominently known in every walk of life. He served with distinction as superintendent of education but was especially well known for his philanthropic motives. His home was always regarded as a refuge for the motherless and fatherless, he having cared for and educated 17 orphans. With his own funds, Mr. Perryman built a Primative Baptist church, which will stand as a lasting monument to his memory." (Atlanta Journal, June 8, 1906)

The Roanoke Leader June 1906 NEWSPAPER ABSTRACTS FROM "THE ROANOKE LEADER", Roanoke, Randolph County, Alabama for JUNE 1906

PROMINENT MAN DIES Heflin, Ala., June 8th

Hon. D.A. Perryman died suddenly last evening. He was 81 years old and leaves a wife, four sons and four daughters. His sons are D.D., A.R., Frank and R.J. Perryman. His daughters are Mrs. Morgan of Heflin, Mrs. Little of Atlanta and Misses Hattie and Ella Perryman of Heflin. He will be buried with Masonic honors. He was the oldest Mason living in Alabama. Mr. Perryman until a few years ago lived in the northern part of Randolph county and was one of the best known and esteemed citizens that ever lived in the county.

David was a prosperous farmer. He read widely, maintained an excellent library, and was frequently referred to as Squire Perryman. It is believed that he opposed slavery and that his views reflected those of his parents, early immigrants from Virginia to Georgia, where his father was a state senator. Moved to Heflin in the 1890s where their sons established the Perryman Brothers General Merchandise business. The Perryman Farm Road leads to the nearby farm they bought. The Perryman home in town is located at about 300 Ross Street. It was once beautiful and the largest on the street. (Randolph County Hertiage Book)

Pinetucky Baptist Church at Micaville land was purchased in February 1935 for $20.00 from the Perryman Family.

The Perryman Family was a regular customer of John Wesley and Bedie Clara (Burgess) Vaughn's farm. They would purchase fruits and vegetables there.

The Cleburne New Era newspaper

Newspaper Notice from the Cleburne New Era Newspaper, Heflin, Alabama, newspaper issue of June 9, 1906:

D.A. PERRYMAN DEAD

David Augustus Perryman was born May 8, 1826 in Newton County, Georgia, and died June 7, 1906 at his home in Heflin, Ala. He leaves a wife, four sons and four daughters to survive him: M.F. Peryman; Mrs. Bertie Little, Atlanta, GA; D.D. Perryman, R.A. Perryman and R.J. Perryman composing the firm of Perryman Bros., in Heflin, Ala; Misses Hattie and Ella Perryman who live with their parents here. The deceased was the oldest Mason in Alabama, having been initiated 57 years ago. He was a member of the Baptist Church. His 71 years of residence in Alabama, principally in Randolph County; because of his love for his fellow man has ripened many ties of friendship. He was generous, charitable, always in sympathy with the distressed; this is evidenced by the fact that he has raised and educated as many fatherless and motherless children of others as he has of his own. Those who came in closer contact with him socially as heart to heart and friend to friend have learned to recognize the nobility of his character. His loved ones do and should mourn for him departed, but what to them, is sorrow and sadness to him his rest, peace and the beginning of an eternal life. Therefore through the gloom of their sadness they may see for him the sunshine of eternal joy and bliss. A friend.

Additional obituaries from The Cleburne New Era newspaper, published in Heflin, Cleburne Co. Alabama, Newspaper Issue of June 23, 1906:

The following clippings concerning the death of our esteemed townsman and fellow citizen, D.A. Perryman, are taken from the three leading newspapers of Atlanta, Georgia and we gladly surrender space for their reproduction:

Frank M. Perryman and Jeptha Perryman of Atlanta returned to the city yesterday from Heflin, Ala., where they attended the funeral services of their father, David Augustus Perryman. Mr. Perryman'd death was sudden and unexpected. Though in his eightieth year, Mr. Perryman appeared hale and hearty and to those with whom he mingled daily and end of life for him had not been anticipated, so pleasant, genial and ever happy was his everyday life. A month before he died Mr. Perryman celebrated his eightieth birthday, and from dawn to bedtime he was apparently the youngest member of the immese fathering at his home. A man of broad and extensive philanthropic ideas, it will be many years before the good work he has accomplished in Georgia can be forgotten. Believing in education, he became one of the most pronounced educational factors in the state of his adoption. He opened his purse to pay for the building and dedication of a Primitive Baptist church in Randolph County, keeping from both sides the information of his dual act.

Mr. Perryman could have shown a family tree of which any American might be proud. A lineal descendant of de Jarnette and General Lovell of Revolutionary times, was Mr. Perryman himself, while his wife's lineage can be traced back to the George Washington family through the Smiths. Mr. Perryman left besides his wife, eight children, four sons and four daughters. Four of the children have made Atlanta their home, while four have never left their parental abode. In Atlanta there are Frank M. Perryman and Jeptha Perryman and Mrs. James R. Little and Miss Hattie Perryman. Augustus Perryman and David Perryman and Mrs. J.F. Morgan and Miss Ella Perryman are still residents of Heflin, the place wherein is the old family home.

Few Georgians are more widely known or more generally admired than are Frank Perryman and Jeptha Perryman, both loyal, energetic and successful Atlantans.

The Constitution.

Word has been received in Atlanta of the death of David Augustus Perryman, formerly of Wedowee, Randolph County, who at the ripe age of 80 years died early Thursday evening at his home in Heflin, Ala. Mr. Perryman was a native Georgian but in early life removed to Alabama where in time he became one of the most influential and prominent citizens of the state. He married Miss Elizabeth Kitchens of Randolph Co. Ala., who is a descendant of General Washington. Besides his wife he is survived by eight children... For years Mr. Perryman was prominently known in every walk of life. He served with distinction as superintendant of education but was especially known for his philanthropic motives. His home was always regarded as refuge for the motherless and fatherless, he having cared and educated seventeen orphans. On May 8th, last, Mr. Perryman celebrated his 80th birthday at his home in Heflin. All of the children and grandchildren were present and a happier gathering was never seen. The Journal.

David Augustus Perryman, an old and highly respected citizen is dead at his home in Heflin, Cleburne county, Alabama, in his eightieth year of age. He was a lineal descendant of the De Janette and Lovell families of revolutionary fame. He was a philanthropic gentleman, whose life was devoted to good works, particularly in church and educational lines....He was a valued member of the Primitive Baptist church which he built with his own funds at Heflin.

December 2002

Research Notes

Birth may be 1820 according to Linda Ayres on RootsWeb.com.

Of the Bell family genealogies, only two show evidence of a common ancestor linking them, those of Robert Bell I (Captain Robert Bell) (Ch. 9) and Samuel Bell I (Ch. 13). These individuals are said to be brothers. The connection of the "allied families" to the Bell families is not evident

The author's information about Robert Bell I's descendants apparently comes largely from George Emmett Bell , an insurance broker in Dallas TX about 1920, who corresponded with my grandmother, Mary Caroline Bell. Much information in several other sources appears to be derived from this book.

The author is a descendant of James Bell (not in this data base) dealt with in Ch. 2.

This data base focuses mainly on the descendants of Robert Bell I. It includes only limited information about descendants of Samuel Bell I, apparently because those who initiated the construction of the data base did not regard the claim of filial relation in this source to be convincingly supported (See individual entries for the above).

The material in this source pertaining to Robert Bell I before 1923/26 is based on the work of George Emmett Bell . The material after this date is apparently based on the author's own research.

JDS's copy of this book was purchased from a used book dealer (Epiphanies) in Denison TX 01/05/05. The owner of the shop said she "believed" she acquired it from the Goodwill Industries store in Durant OK. Inscribed on the flyleaf of the book is

"To my cousin Lois (mother's favorite) I love you! G. Gina Bell"

JDS 07/25//08 .

Paranthetical: Y

Randolph County AlArchives Military Records.....Some Sold/Transferred Military Land Grants In Randolph County Alabama For Soldiers Of The Indian Wars Indian

Name: Dennis, Aaron Regiment: Story’s Company Georgia Volunteers Cherokee War Granted to: David A. Perryman

1843 - David A. Perryman moved to Randolph County and carried the mail for many years.

1850 - US Census, Randolph County, AL with Elizabeth M. Perryman.

November 24, 1852 - Warrant #2399 to Aaron S. Dennis for land, settled by David A. Perryman, Sec 9, Tsp 19, Range 11 in the Centre SG5165. (The Old Mardisville, Lebanon, and Centre Land Office Records and Military Warrants 1834-1860, Page 110).

March 28, 1853 - commissioned as Justice of the Peace of Randolph Co, AL.

Written for the Toiler.

Tax Assessors

August 1853, David A. Perryman, then 27 years of age, and a mail contractor, was elected Tax Assessor. In politics he was ever loyal, open and pronounced in his fidelity to the national nominee; but local and state elections he usually voted for the lesser of two evils. He opposed secession, had no ambition or disposition to shoot or be shot at by the "Yanks" and out-general Hero in keeping out of the war and staying at home, which he certainly did. He voted the Cooperation ticket in 1866, and for Horatio Seymore in 1868; was a Grant man in1872, and since that time voted the Republican ticket. In state, county and local elections he voted for the man generally. He is one of the most active, industrious, persevering and energetic men in the country; but the same time, he has never been rightly or justly accused so far as we have heard, of manual hard labor. In fact, he said; "When a boy, I was not able to labor until I was twenty-five; since then I have managed so as not to have to do it." In other words when a boy he was physically incapacitated to labor, and since a man morally indisposed to do so. He has managed to inform himself with the practical workings and requirements of the postal and pension laws and rulings and forms of these department, from which he had made a good living and educated his children. "All I lack of being a wise man. said he, "is learning it. For I never forget anything I ever learned." This is no doubt theoretically true, for he has a remarkable memory and a never-failing fountain of wit, humor and tenor of sarcasm. He is the encyclopedia of Randolph County and her public men. Judge John T. Heflin who bore the sobriquet "law-library", was another as equally as remarkable for memory. Esq. Perryman came to this county in 1843. He carried the mail for years, and was associated as principal or deputy census taker in 1860, '70, '80, and '90.

He has been Notary Public, Justice of the Peace, County Commissioner of Roads and Revenue, and was elected to the Legislature--vice Milton D. Barron, deceased--in 1863, but refused to take his seat because he feared to trust 200 pounds of Union loyalty to fill a Confederate loyalty seat. He used to be an active Mason. He is now a member of the Primitive (Hardshell) Baptist, and quotes scripture like a theologian student. On one occasion he met Rev. Moses Park, a Christian divine, whose daily theme was the revelation of God's word. And as the reverend and learned divine began to reveal the mysteries and wonders of the treasures of the goodness, mercy and love of God, by quoting text after text to support his church creed, Esq. Perryman as the opportunity and occasion demanded, dropped in a Primitive text. This at first stimulated Rev. Mose, and he became enthused over the love and mercies of God. Esq. P. Quickly quoted one of his Primitive predestination's from before ;the foundation text. Rev. P. Raised his head and looked him in the eye and asked: "Are you a preacher?" "No," answered Esq. P. "Are you not a member of a church?" "Yes," replied Esq. P., "but I am like the Negro that had the small pox. It has never marked me."

Esq., Perryman in one of Randolph 's best citizens; he is liberal, charitable and neighborly. He is now in his 60th year and is remarkable active and stout for a man of his age. He lives in Rockdale Beat No. 3, where he had made his home for many years.

1855 - D.A. Perryman found William ? saddle bags of silver and returned them to him. William had a little too much to drink after collecting the taxes and had lost the saddle bags on his way home.

March 31, 1856 - commissioned as Justice of the Peace of Randolph Co, AL.

May 1856 - David A. Perryman, guardian of the estates of Matilda C. McDaniel, formerly M.C. Haywood, Cyntha M.A. Haywood, Sarah A. Haywood, and William A. Haywood. in Randolph Co, AL.

May 15, 1856 - David was on the committee of the Primitive Baptist Church and in Sawyer Lodge No. 93 paid tribute of respect to James H. Rouse who died May 7, 1856.

January 6, 1859 - Notary Public for Randolph Co, AL.

March 18, 1859 - Justice of the Peace for Randolph Co, AL.

1860 - US Census, Randolph County, AL.

He was a member of the Secret Society in Randolph Co, AL during the Civil War. (The War of the Rebellion, Series IV, Vol III, pages 395-398).

Jefferson Faulkner’s Mounted Infantry Company A Randolph Reserves (Home Guard) Perryman, David Augustus [Born 1825, died 1906, buried Heflin City Cemetery, Cleburne County, Alabama]

He was Notary Public, County Commissioner of Roads and Revenue and elected to the Legislature - vice Milton D. Barron, deceased - in 1863. He refused to take his seat because he feared to trust 200 pounds of Union loyalty to fill a Confederate loyalty seat. He was also an active Mason, but later became a Primitive (Hardshell) Baptist, and quoted scripture like a theologian student. He was know as the encyclopedia of Randolph County and her public men. (Historical Records of Randolph County, Alabama 1832-1900 by Marilyn Davis Barefield)

1860 - In 1860 Census for Randolph Co, GA enumerated by D.A. Perryman.

June 7, 1862 - commissioned as Notary Public of Randolph Co, AL, but failed to qualify.

August 27, 1862 - appointed and commissioned as Notary Public of Randolph Co, AL.

February 1, 1863 - D.A. Perryman, Notary Public issued passport to John Franklin Stewart to travel to Rome, GA; Cass County; Atlanta; Washington and Wilkes Counties, GA; Abbeville, SC and Charlotte and Concord, NC.

March 1st, 1864 - David A. Perryman, Justice of the Peace and Officer of the Randolph County Secret Society.

March 9, 1864 - commissioned as Justice of the Peace of Randolph Co, AL after Joseph Savage resigned.

March 17, 1865 - commissioned as Justice of the Peace of Randolph Co, AL, general election held March 6, 1865.

1866 - He voted the Cooperation ticket.

1868 - He voted for Horation Seymore.

1870 - In 1870 Census for Randolph Co, GA enumerated by F.M. Perryman; pg 473 at Wedowee P.O.

1872 - Held some office in Randolph Co, AL (unable to read). Commissioner

1872 - He voted for U.S. Grant and voted Republican ever since.

1875 - Tax $7.40 [Moved to Cleburne County] PERRYMAN, D. A. for Cintha PERRYMAN Tax $14.80 [Cynthia Perryman died before 1880]

August 22, 1878 - commissioned as Notary Public and Justice of the Peace of Randolph Co, AL.

1880 - In 1880 Census for Randolph Co, AL.

December 16, 1880 - commissioned as Justice of the Peace of Randolph Co, AL

1882 - Morgan and Perryman Brothers General Merchandise in Heflin.

October 13, 1884 - appointed and commissioned as Justice of the Peace of Rockdale, Precinct 3, Randolph Co, AL.

He lived in Rockdale Beat No. 3.

September 7 1888 - appointed as Notary Public, Rockdale, Precinct Co, Randolph Co, AL, qualified on September 20, 1888 and commissioned on September 24, 1888..

September 23, 1891 - appointed Notary Public, Post Office, Rockdale, Randolph Co, AL, qualified on September 28, 1891, and commissioned October 7, 1891.

October 18, 1894 - appointed as Notary Public and Justice of the Peace for Rockdale, Prec. 3, Randolph Co, AL and commissioned on October 23, 1894.

1900 - US Census in Heflin, Cleburbe Co, AL.

This came from my 3rd great-grandfather Jeptha Smith's old papers. It is a list of men who were responsible for maintaining a portion of the road; they signed to say they would keep up their section, and if not, would then receive a visit from the Overseer, then the Sheriff.

The 1860 federal census for Randolph County lists these men in nearly the same order as their names are written on this list. My guess, by looking at the 1860 census, is that John Garner’s property would now be located across the Randolph County line in Cleburne County, while Joseph Bell’s property would be in the vicinity of Morrison's Crossroads. I know that Grandpa Smith’s property would be just outside of Wedowee on Piney Woods Creek. Grandpa Smith died in 1864 and Joseph Bell did not move to Randolph County until the mid-1850s, so the list probably dates from between 1855 and 1860, but certainly before the Civil War began.

The Linville family lived in a portion of Randolph County which is now part of Cleburne County; most of the Linvilles eventually moved to Texas. Linville should not be confused with Lineville (Clay County), which was called Lundieville (for the Lundie family) before about 1860.

State of Alabama) Randolph County) To Lawful Constable

You are hereby Commanded to make known to Isaac Newell that he has been appointed overseer on that portion of Linville Ford Road beginning at John Garner’s on the Linville Ford Road.

Signed by:

Solomon Bowen John V. McKee John Hicks Harrison Hicks John Hicks Jr James Morgan David M. Morgan William J. Satterwhite [killed in Civil War] & boy Yancey Satterwhite James Whitaker Fredrick Leefinger Cicero Satterwhite Jesse Savage Joseph Savage Elias Morrow John W. Martin James Kitchens M. M. Teague James Smith Worley D. Lineville Isaac M. Newell Joseph Bell [moved to Randolph County after 1850] John Brooks Vincent Walls Jefferson Levins F. Davis Josiah Keadle William Keadle John B. Thomas Jr. C. L. Thomas John Morrow Sr. John Hunter William Hunter Greenberry Canady Jeptha V. Smith [killed Civil War] & two boys Dallas Smith Andrew Smith Dr. Daniel Harris John Wortham Thomas Wortham Alphesus Wortham William Reid David A. Perryman William Perryman Alford Belcher Henry Belcher Lewis Kelley J. Thomas Weaver

Dr. James Perryman and wife of Tuscumbia, visited their Uncle, D.A. Perryman, in the city this week. NEWSPAPER NOTICES FROM "THE CLEBURNE NEW ERA", Heflin, Cleburne County, Alabama for JULY 1900

The Cleburne New Era NEWSPAPER NOTICES FROM "THE CLEBURNE NEW ERA" for APRIL 1906

NEWSPAPER Issue of Saturday, April 28, 1906

Heflin has two citizens who joined the Masons in 1849: Mr. Fayette Snow was born in 1824 and joined the Masons in 1849. Mr. D.A. Perryman was born in 1826 and joined the Masons in 1849 at Sawyer Lodge, Wedowee, Ala. They have been Masons for 57 years.

Sources

• "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MH57-YVX : 9 November 2014), David A Perryman in household of Elizabeth M Perryman, Randolph county, Randolph, Alabama, United States; citing family 112, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
• "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHDP-D15 : 30 December 2015), D A Perryman, 1860.
• "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4V8-7SK : 11 August 2016), D A Perryman, Morrisons and Rockdale, Randolph, Alabama, United States; citing enumeration district ED 107, sheet 243A, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 0029; FHL microfilm 1,254,029.
• "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M98Q-JB6 : accessed 17 February 2017), D W Perryman, Precincts 5-6 Shoal Creek, Heflin Heflin, Cleburne, Alabama, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 138, sheet 1A, family 1, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,240,009.
• "Alabama Deaths, 1908-1974," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JDRK-4ZS : 27 November 2014), David A. Perryman in entry for David D Perryman, 20 Apr 1937; citing reference cn 8405, Department of Health, Montgomery; FHL microfilm 1,908,553.
• Bell, Geta Gina. The Bells in U. S. A. and Allied Families 1650-1977.