>From the book "History of Washington and Kent Counties, Rhode Island" by J.R. Cole, published 1889, New York, W.W. Preston & Company. Beginning on page 533. [xxx] respresents either notes or the page number. THE PERRY FAMILY, of South Kingstown, are descendants of Edward Perry of Sandwich, Mass. Edward Perry came from Devonshire, England. He had tow sons – Samuel and Benjamin, who came to South Kingstown and settled at Perryville. From them sprang all the Perrys in Washington county. In parental line the successors of Samuel Perry1 were: James2, James3, John4, John R.5, John G.6, who is the father of Doctor John E. Perry and Howard B. Perry (town clerk), both of Wakefield; Millard F. Perry, cashier of the Kingston Bank, and also of Mrs. Hattie E. Thomas of Wickford. John G. Perry6, above named, is prominent in both county and state. He was town clerk of South Kingstown for nineteen years, and state treasurer in 1887. Benjamin Perry, together with his brother, Samuel, purchased a thousand acres or more of land covering the present site and vicinity of the village of Perryville. Benjamin was the ancestor of the two commodores, Matthew C. and Oliver H. Perry. Christopher Raymond Perry, the father of these two distinguished men, was a seafaring man. He was united in marriage to Miss Alexander, and estimable lady. Oliver H. Perry, whose brilliant achievement on Lake Erie has preserved his name imperishable, was born in South Kingstown, August 23d, 1785. Young Oliver received a liberal education, and was an apt scholar. He early imbibed a strong desire for the naval profession, and was admitted midshipman on board [534] of the "General Greene" in April, 1799, when but fourteen years of age, and set sail for the West Indies. His most brilliant exploit was that of the naval combat and victory on Lake Erie. He was attacked with yellow fever while on an expedition to South America, and died August 23d, 1819, in the thirty-fourth year of his age. Commodore Matthew C. Perry, his brother, was born in Newport in 1794. His greatest exploit was the celebrated Japan expedition, which he commanded in 1852, in which he conquered a powerful empire. He died in 1858.