Perry, Gardner Braman

Perry, Gardner Braman D.D., a Presbyterian divine, was born in Norton, Mass., Aug. 9, 1783. He received a very careful academical training, and entered Brown University in the fall of 1800; after two years' study he left, and entered Union College, Schenectady, N.T., where he graduated in 1804. After teaching for one year as principal of Ballston Academy, N. Y., in 1806 he was elected tutor in Union College, where he remained three years. Here he studied theology under Rev. Dr. Nott, and, taking charge of an educational institution at Kingston, N. Y., he resumed teaching, which he continued five years. In the mean time he was licensed, in March, 1812, by Albany Presbytery. In 1814 he was ordained pastor of the Second Congregational Church at Groveland, Mass., where he remained as pastor for forty-five years. Though pastor of a Congregational Church, he was a member of the Presbytery. He was one of the original members of Newburyport Presbytery, preached the sermon at its organization in October, 1826, and was a commissioner from that Presbytery to the General Assembly in 1834.

After the dissolution of Newburyport Presbytery he joined Londonderry Presbytery, which he represented in the Assembly in 1849. This relation existed until his death, Dec. 16, 1859. Dr. Perry was a Christian gentleman of the highest refinement and taste.. His vast stores of general information rendered him a conversationalist of a high order. He was interested in all public movements, an earnest advocate of the temperance reformation, and ever zealous in the cause of education. He published a History of the Town of Bradford; also a number of sermons. See Wilson, Presb. Hist. Almanac, 1861, p. 105. (J. L. S.)