Hi Mike,
Joseph Perkins is my great, great, great grandfather. His parents were Thomas Perkins b.1764 who married Sarah Flesher b.1760 (sister of Gilbert Flesher of Towcester). I'm unsure of the exact date of the marriage but Thomas was a minor and had to gain the consent of his parents. Sarah, being four years older was of lawful age. Bear in mind that the age of consent for marriage in the 1870's was about 14, I think. Sarah Flesher died aged 30 in 1790. Thomas Perkins married again on 7th April, 1796 in Tiffield. His second wife was Sarah Steward b. 1776 in Towcester and d.1854. They worked the mill in Towcester. Their children have been listed in a previous post.
When Thomas died in 1829, Sarah "declined business" and an auction was held at the mill on April 19th , 1831. The lots included "nag and draught horses, stout iron-arm wagons, carts, excellent dairy cows, a quantity of household furniture etc." The auctioneer was John Martin.
In 1837 the mill was advertised to let by Sarah Perkins. By 1842 Samuel Perkins had succeeded his father Thomas as the miller.
By 1851 Sarah was living off an annuity and resided at Mount Pleasant, Yardley Gobion with her servant, 18 year-old Elizabeth Dunkley. On her death she left a considerable sum of money, over £1000 to relatives and to a trust fund.
