The Perkins Family Legacy

The Perkins family traces back to the vibrant region  of Benin-Togo in West Africa. The original name of Benin was called Dahomey until 1975 when the country name was changed. In the movie The Woman King which is based on true stories displays the land of rich culture, strength, and beauty—holds a special place in our family’s story.  

Benin-Togo formerly known as Dahomey was not just any region in  West Africa—it was one of the most powerful and influential civilizations of its time. In fact, it was home to one of the most  extraordinary manmade structures in human history: the Great Wall of Benin. Built between 800 AD and 1460 AD, this massive earthwork once stretched over 10,000 miles—so vast that it could have wrapped  around the United States nearly three times, and it was even four times longer than the Great Wall of China.  This awe-inspiring wall wasn’t just physical structure, it was a symbol of strength, ingenuity, and sophisticated engineering. It reflected the  advanced society and powerful kingdom. But in 1897, that greatness was met with envy and violence. During their colonization efforts, the  British launched a devastating military campaign against the Kingdom of Benin. They burned the city to the ground and destroyed the magnificent wall, stealing priceless art and history in the process.

Yet even though the wall may have been torn down, the legacy and brilliance of our ancestors still stand tall in our blood. The greatness of Benin lives on—in us, in our family, and in the truth we’re reclaiming today.  Records show that they were captured and brought to the infamous Cape Coast Castle, one of about forty slave forts lining the West African coast. These castles were known as the "Gates of No Return “the final place our ancestors saw before being forced across the Atlantic in the horrors of the transatlantic slave trade. The trauma of that journey is unimaginable, but so is the resilience they carried with them.  

Many of these stolen souls were brought to America through the Lower Chesapeake Bay and into northeastern North Carolina. Our ancestors found themselves in areas stretching from Petersburg,  Virginia, inland toward Durham, and down as far as Wilmington, North Carolina. Despite the pain and struggle, they endured. And through that endurance, the Perkins family legacy began to take root in the soil of the American South—strong, proud, and unbreakable.

Thank You!

If you want to discover more about your ancestry, please sign up for Ancestry.com and you can link to other family members.  If you have any questions about our research and/or want to learn more send an email to: Tiesthatbindfamilyconnect@gmail.com  Subject: Perkins Ancestry

Also, if you would like to add more pictures of our Perkins Angels, please use the same email address.  Thank you.