09/29/2026
📖 • On This Day in Perkins Diary
On Wednesday, September 28th, 1774, Simeon Perkins writes in his diary the following: "I get orders from the Governor, dated Aug. 30th, 1774, to make return of the militia under my command. I make out warrants to the several Captains at Yarmouth, Argyle, Barrington, etc."
🗡️ • Simeon Perkins served as the lieutenant-colonel of the county militia from 1772 until 1793, and as its commander from 1793 until 1807. During the American Revolution, Perkins defended Liverpool against American privateers in October 1776, March 1777, September 1777, May 1778, and September 1780.
🗡️ • On April 24, 1778, the French frigate Duc de Choiseul was run aground by the HMS Blonde in Liverpool harbour, with the 100 surviving crew being taken prisoner by the militia. In May of that same year, American privateers entered the harbour and attempted to tow the wreckage. Perkins led the militia to the shore and exchanged cannon fire for nearly an hour. The American privateers stayed offshore for several days, with Perkins stationing several men to keep watch at all hours until they departed.
📷• Pictured: The HMS Blonde at the Battle of Bishops Court, by Richard Wright, published in 1780.
