Obituary of Fred Elias Perkins

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Fred Elias Perkins

November 22, 1874 - May 25, 1938

Hampton Union, Thursday May 26, 1938

Hampton's town's people were shocked this morning to learn of the sudden death of Fred E. Perkins who passed away last evening at the Portsmouth Hospital where he was taken Saturday for observation and a much needed rest.

Mr. Perkins was 63 years of age and during his lifetime has held many positions of trust in his home town. He was a native of Hampton, the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Elias Perkins and was born in the old homestead on Landing Road, spending his entire life in this town.

For several years he has held the position of Highway Agent which position he held at the time of his death. He was highly respected and revered by all who knew him, both in private and in public life.

Mr. Perkins leaves beside his widow Mrs. Belle Perkins, one son Harold G. also of Hampton and a daughter, Miss Maybelle Perkins, a teacher in the Melrose, Mass. Schools and one sister, Mrs. Frank James who resides on Drakeside Road.

He will be sadly missed by all in the daily walks of life for he was of a kind and charitable nature, and will be especially missed in the church where he has served as Deacon for many years. His family has the sincere sympathy of the entire community.

The funeral will be held at the First Baptist Church on Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock, with the Rev. Fred Buker of Anthony, Rhode Island, a former pastor in Hampton, for ten years, and an old friend of the family, officiating, assisted by resident pastor, Rev. R.W.E. DeWolfe.

Hampton Union, Thursday, June 2, 1938

Hampton is poorer by the loss of one of its most respected and most useful citizens. Fred E. Perkins died at the Portsmouth Hospital at 10:30 o'clock, Wednesday evening, May 25. While his friends realized that he was a very sick man, none dreamed that the end was so near; and the announcement of his death left the community stunned and saddened. The immediate cause of his death was coronary thrombosis, or blocking of one of the valves of the heart, complicated with kidney trouble.

Fred E. Perkins, the only son of Elias H. Perkins and his wife, Annie M. Atkinson Perkins, was born on the homestead in Hampton, Nov. 22, 1874. He attended the common schools of the town and Hampton Academy. His business was that of a farmer and teamster. In the latter capacity he found plenty to do and no job was too great or too small for him to handle.

It was in the office of Road Commissioner that Mr. Perkins last served the public and to this office he was elected several times. Before his election he had worked much on the roads with his teams and men, and was well qualified for his position. He had an accurate eye and seemed to know instinctively the treatment a road needed. The fine condition of the Hampton roads, summer and winter, is a tribute to his skill and efficiency.

The funeral was held at the Baptist Church Saturday afternoon at two o'clock, and was one of the largest funerals held in recent years in Hampton. Every pew was filled and men were standing in the rear of the auditorium.

By a fortunate coincidence, the Rev. Fred M. Buker of Anthony, R.I., the pastor under whom Mr. Perkins united with the Baptist Church was in town and took the main part of the service. He paid a high tribute to Mr. Perkins' Christian character. Mr. Buker was assisted in the service by the Rev. R. W. E. DeWolfe and the Rev. James MacLaughlin.

Norman Leavitt sang two selections. After the religious exercises the Mechanics rendered their impressive ritual.

The bearers were Edward S. Batchelder, Leavitt Brown, Otis Raymond Garland, Jerome F. Harkness, David Hamilton, Eugene M. Leavitt. William Brown was the funeral director.

Mr. Perkins leaves for immediate family, his widow, Mrs. Belle Perkins, his son Harold, who is employed at the Navy Yard, Kittery; a daughter, Maybelle, teacher in Melrose; and a sister, Mrs. Addie M. James of Hampton. There are many relatives.

Fred Perkins will be greatly missed. Under a somewhat stern and brusque exterior, there beat a heart as tender as a woman's. No deserving person or cause ever appealed to him for help in vain. It is said of him that he always thought of the other fellow first. As a public servant he was efficient and honored. He did not waste the town's money. The men under him liked him and gave him their best. The Baptist Church of which he was deacon, has lost one of its most active and valued members. The town of Hampton seems lonely without him. The sympathy of the community goes out to his wife and children and to his sister.

Our friend has gone but his memory and influence will continue as a rich inheritance.

Following is a list of the floral remembrances and their donors. The profusion and beauty of the flowers tell in a language more eloquent than words the respect and affection felt for the departed and of the sympathy of his friends for the stricken family. [This lengthy list has not been reproduced here]

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