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Thomas Perrett

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Thomas Perrett
Member of the North Carolina Senate
from the 10th district
In office
1907–1908
Preceded byJames J. Moore
Succeeded byEdmond Hawes
Justice of the Peace
In office
April 1, 1899 – April 22, 1923
Personal details
Born(1843-11-27)November 27, 1843
Chatham County, North Carolina, U.S.
DiedApril 22, 1923(1923-04-22) (aged 79)
Faison, North Carolina, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseEloise Faison
RelativesBetty Ray McCain (granddaughter)
Residence(s)Faison, North Carolina, U.S.
Occupationpolitician, businessman
Military service
Allegiance Confederate States of America
Branch/serviceConfederate States Army
Years of service1861 - 1865
RankSergeant
Commands26th North Carolina Infantry Regiment
Battles/warsAmerican Civil War
 • Battle of Gettysburg

Thomas Perrett (November 27, 1843 - April 22, 1923) was an American politician and businessman. He was elected to the North Carolina Senate in 1907, representing the state's 10th Senate district and later served as mayor of Faison, North Carolina for 25 years.

Early life

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Perrett was born on November 27, 1843, at his family's home in western Chatham County, North Carolina.[1] Later, his family moved to a farm near Alamance County.[1] He worked on the farm and attended a local public school.[1] Perrett was the grandson of Thos Howell, a merchant from England.[1]

Confederate States Army service

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Despite being the son of supporters of the Union, Perrett volunteered on January 10, 1861[2] to serve in the Mathews Cress Roads Company of the 26th North Carolina Infantry Regiment of the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War.[1][3] He served under the command of Colonel Zebulon Vance, Lieutenant Colonel Harry Burgwyn, and Major Abner B. Carmichael.[1][3] He was wounded during the Battle of Gettysburg.[4]

On February 22, 1865, command of his regiment had fallen to Perrett.[2] He deserted along with 17 others of the company but was brought back to camp at one of the Roanoke River crossings.[2] He stood trial for desertion in March 1865.[2]

Post-war

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Perrett served as a Justice of the Peace for Duplin County by appointment of the General Assembly, with his term beginning on April 1, 1899.[5]

As a Democrat, he was elected to the North Carolina Senate to represent the 10th district[3] in 1907,[6] replacing James J. Moore.[7] He served on the state agriculture, pension and soldiers, and public roads committees.[3] He also served on the committees for congressional apportionment and manufacturing, and chaired the committee on enrolled bills.[8] He supported enacting prohibition throughout the state,[6] having helped to pass such legislation for Duplin County.[9] He was succeeded as representative for Duplin and Pender counties by Edmond Hawes in 1909.[10]

He also ran a general store[11] since at least 1878,[12] and was a notary public.[13]

Personal life

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Perrett was married twice.[3] His second wife, Eloise Faison of Friendship Plantation, was a member of a prominent family and a relative of U.S. Congressman John M. Faison.[4]

Perrett was also a member of the Faison Hunting Club[14] and a Freemason for 58 years.[6]

Perrett died at his home in Faison, North Carolina on April 22, 1923.[6]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Perrett, Thomas. Autobiography and Reminiscences (PDF) (Unpublished manuscript). Faison, NC.
  2. ^ a b c d "Letter from Military Court 3d Corps A. N.V., dated March 13, 1865". The Daily Confederate. Vol. 2, no. 7. Raleigh. March 22, 1865. p. 2. Retrieved September 7, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Short Bio - Thomas Perrett". The News & Observer. Vol. 60, no. 148. March 24, 1907. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ a b Biographical Conversations With... | Betty Ray McCain: Fireball from Faison | Season 2011 | Episode 1501 (TV program). PBS. January 9, 2011.
  5. ^ "Chapter 515: An act to appoint additional justices of the peace in certain townshipsin North Carolina". Public Laws and Resolutions of the State of North Carolina passed by the General Assembly at its Session of 1899. Raleigh: Edwards & Brighton. 1893. p. 700 – via Internet Archive.
  6. ^ a b c d "Mr. Perrett Member of Noted Regiment". The News & Observer. Vol. 117, no. 122. May 2, 1923. p. 3. Retrieved September 7, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "The Next Legislature". The Charlotte Observer. December 14, 1904. p. 3. Retrieved September 7, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "The State Senate | Thomas Perrett, Senator from the Tenth Senatorial District". Raleigh Times. Vol. 27. April 22, 1907. p. 28. Retrieved September 7, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "For State Prohibition". The News & Observer. Vol. 85, no. 45. January 15, 1908. p. 6. Retrieved September 7, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Legislative Personnel". The Warren Record. Vol. 14, no. 36. Warrenton, NC. November 13, 1908. p. 3. Retrieved September 7, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Faison, N.C. has just received a full stock of general merchandise for the fall trade (advertisement)". The Sampson Democrat. Vol. 4, no. 12. Clinton, NC. November 21, 1895. p. 4. Retrieved September 7, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Letter to the Editor: Faison, The Goshen Canal Company, &c". The Weekly Observer. Vol. 2, no. 52. Raleigh, NC. December 24, 1878. p. 5. Retrieved September 7, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "Thomas Perrett, Notary Public, Faison, N.C. (advertisement)". Eastern Carolina News. Vol. 7, no. 2. Kenansville, Duplin County, NC. August 24, 1911. p. 1. Retrieved September 7, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "Duplin County Going Forward". The News & Observer. Vol. 89, no. 1. November 17, 1909. p. 2. Retrieved September 7, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.

Further reading

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