Perkins Street

Perkins Street is named for the abundance of Perkins family members who lived in that stretch of Wenham over time, and their family name goes back to 1679. There was a Perkins house from the 17th century that was listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings, but it was destroyed in 2011.

Perkins Street wasn’t always referred to as Perkins Street though. The street had an offensive name well into the 19th century, one perhaps referring to Black residents living on the street. On the 1765 census records, there was 28 people listed as being of African descent. Since there are no surviving records or notes on the census of that year indicating free people of color, we can make the assumption that all 28 Africans were enslaved. 

At the end of Perkins Street was Mingo Corner. Mingo was enslaved to Ebenezer Lovering and most likely worked in the household throughout the 1700s. Today, Mingo’s Corner is where Arbor Street is. While the names have changed, it is still worthwhile to remember who was here and what their everyday lives might have looked like.  

If you are interested in learning more about the enslaved community who lived in Wenham, check out Robert O. Corcoran's book, Enslaved People and Wenham. 

Image: A view of Arbor Street in 1893, which was formally known as Mingo's Corner.