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History about my Fourth Great-Grandfather David Perry
History about my Fourth Great-Grandfather David Perry.
The Perry family first originated in Alleghany County, NC when David Perry swapped land that he owned in Gary, West Virginia, with a gentleman who had land in the Piney Creek community.
David Perry was a progressive man. He built and owned the first turbine mill in the county. This mill was constructed in the late 1800’s and was used to grind corn and wheat until it was rendered inoperable in the 1940’s because of a flood. The rocks that were used in the construction of the mill came from France. They were shipped to Chattanooga, TN. David and a few other men embarked on a six-week journey by ox team to Chattanooga to bring this shipment back to Alleghany.
It is known that David grew quite wealthy. At the beginning of the Civil War he had two laborers load up iron pots filled with money onto a sled. With two mules pulling the sled, he and the two laborers headed towards the waterfall and cliffs above his house. He made the laborers turn back after some distance. Early next morning David returned home with one mule, one had died in the harness during the night. He had buried his money in a unknown spot and as far as is known, it has never been found.
David married Mary Baker who was a direct descent of Captain John Cox, a prominent Revolutionary War hero. David and Mary had five Children, one of the five was my Third Great-grandfather Aras Perry. David lived to be a very old man. It is known that until the day he died, he could crack hickory nuts with his own teeth.
Source: As told by my Great-grandmother Edna W. Perry
(David Perry Pictured)