| Notes |
- from "Genealogical and Personal Memoirs Relating to the Families of Boston and Eastern Massachusetts", Vol 2, 1908
Nathaniel Brown Perkins, son of n Joseph and Elizabeth (Hunt) Perkins, born Salem, September 21, 1813, died in that city February 8, 1885. From early manhood he had been in one capacity or another identified with the banking interest of Salem, having entered the old Exchange Bank hardly more than a boy, and continued there first as clerk and after as bookkeeper for several years. From that position he went to Merchants Bank, then a corporation organized under the state laws, and filled the responsible office of cashier of that institution and its successor, the Merchants National of Salem, from about 1848 until July 1883, when he resigned, after a faithful performance of duty through a period of thirty-five years. In speaking of his qualities as a man of business one of Mr. Perkins's biographers says that he "was endowed with superior mental gifts for an accountant, and most methodical bookkeeper, possessing an admirable system, and was a highly valued officer." His exactness and method won for him the distinguished consideration of bankers. In making his returns to the comptroller of the currency at Washington, he frequently made valuable suggestions to that officer, and some of which were carried out by the department. He was a man of the strictest integrity and of unblemished character, who was revered and looked up to as their adviser by many young men who received their early banking training at his hands, and all of his young pupils profited by his instructions. Mr. Perkins was the first agent in Salem for the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, and for many years held profitable connection with that company. He was a member of the board of trustees of the Salem Savings Bank, for several years a member of the school committee and for four years a member of the common council. In 1829 he became a member of the Salem Light Infantry and was a member of the Veterans Corps at the time of his death. He was a man of strong convictions, outspoken in the expressions of his opinions and withal was genial in companionship, generous in his impulses, and possessed a high moral character. In politics he was originally a Whig, afterward a firm Republican and always was consistent in his party affiliations. Mr. Perkins married Susan E. Breed, who died December 12, 1891, daughter of Holton Johnson and Nanqy (Symonds) Breed (see Breed family) and by whom he had nine children: I. Anna Frothingham, born Salem, June 10, 1840. 2. George Holton, born Salem, August 16, 1842, married Rebecca Moses Floyd and had five children: Cornelia, now dead; Holton Breed, Charlotte, G. Hawthorne and Palfrey. 3. Susan Breed, married William H. Symonds, of Salem, and had Frederick P. and Nathaniel P. Symonds. 4. Horace S., married (first) Charlotte Coffin; (second) Elizabeth P. Kenney, and had Leila B., Beatrice and Dorothea. 5. Charles Willard, now dead, married Sarah E. Fellows, and had Israel F. and Harker S. 6. Walter Palfrey, died young. 7. Alice Delf. 8. Grace Hawthorne, married E. Victor Emilio, and had S. Gilbert and Marguerite Emilio. 9. Edith Allen, married Walter C. Hagar.
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1813 - 1885 (71 years)
Joseph Perkins, b. 1785, Maine 