This is a transcription of the biography of Israel Braton Perry of White Creek from History of Washington County, New York with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some if its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Philadelphia: Everts & Ensign, 1878.
Aaron Perry came from Dutchess Co., N. Y., with his brother William, and settled on the farm formerly known as the Perry farm, in White Creek, now owned by John James. Aaron built a log house on the north part of the farm, on the south side of the eminence known as Bald hill. William located a little north of where the James residence now stands. Aaron Perry married Anna Hoag, whose parents were from Dutchess county, and were among the early settlers in the town of White Creek. They had twelve children, two of whom still survive, viz., Lucinda Perry, residing at Post’s Corners, in this town, and Israel Braton Perry, whose name heads this article. The latter is unmarried, and resides on the family homestead, where he was born on the 31st of December, 1812.
After settling on the place above referred to, Aaron and William Perry purchased the Searles farm, and occupied it in partnership till they bought the present homestead, on which resides Israel Braton Perry. The deed of the place bears date Oct. 14, 1802. It was deeded to Aaron and William Perry by Sanford and Priscilla Smith, and contains one hundred and three acres. Aaron Perry also purchased of Heman and Elizabeth Swift the Swift farm, adjoining this on the north, containing a little over fifty-one acres, on the 5th of January, 1814. This farm is still owned by Israel Braton Perry, and also a portion of the Searles farm. Aaron Perry was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. After the purchase of the present homestead, in 1802, he and his brother William divided the property they had purchased and improved together, Aaron taking the present homestead, on which he resided till the time of his death, which occurred in August, 1818. He died very suddenly, after having worked all day in the Searles meadow, apparently as well as usual, being found dead in his bed in the morning. Mrs. Perry died in 1841, aged seventy-five years.
Israel Braton Perry tore down the old-fashioned Dutch house built here about the time of the Revolution, and erected the present commodious farm-house in 1862. During the early part of the Revolution a house stood on this place, which was burnt during the war. It was occupied by a Mr. Younglove, who was shot in the house by a British officer, but afterwards recovered.
Mr. I. B. Perry has been a farmer all his life, having received his early education in the neighborhood where he was born, and where his honest, industrious, and upright life has merited the esteem and confidence justly reposed in him by his neighbors and fellow-citizens.