Reuben Perkins

Reuben Perkins, born on November 5th, 1763, came from a family of the earliest settlers of New England. Perkins was a veteran of the Revolutionary War and had served in the battles at Plattsburg, Saratoga, and Stony Point. For his service he received a monthly pension of $6.00 per month for life. In 1800 he moved from the family home in Connecticut and settled and built a log cabin at Quality Hill along the Seneca Turnpike (Rt.5)., After a short stay on Quality Hill, Perkins bought a tract known as the “Canastota Reservation” of 239 and 2/10 acres from the Oneida Indians in 1807. A patent (deed) was granted by the State Legislature in 1810. Perkins built a cabin on the corner of what is now Main and James streets., Perkins was a tall, well-proportioned man of about two hundred pounds. He was not only a farmer but also a contractor and builder. He won the contract for two miles of the Erie Canal through this section and also the contract to stone several miles of the Seneca Turnpike. He was also superintendent of the Erie Canal through Canastota., Perkins did not keep the entire Canastota tract. In 1814, he sold 100 acres as shown on early maps as “East Canastota.” In 1832, Perkins sold his remaining acreage and the area came to be known as “West Canastota.” Captain Reuben Perkins was an industrious builder but not really a businessman. He died a poor man.