Georgina and her parents over the years.
Go To: Dr. and Mrs. Perkins // Georgina // Mrs. Perkins' Mission // Edward // Friends
There are a few hundred photos kept in two very old Christmas Card boxes. These boxes contain mostly the Phillip family photos that appeared to have been sorted at one point. Looking through them, it became evident that the Phillip family loved taking photographs - much more so than the Perkins family anyway, and that might very well be where Mrs. Perkins acquired her passion for photography. That said, I have come to truly respect Mrs. Perkins' skills as a photographer, but unfortunately not that of her kin. For most photos where she was part of, they were poor in quality. Out of focus is a major problem, whereas photos that she was not part of are quite good, assuming she took those. That's good for me, as I had much less to choose from for posting. Posted below are those chosen from photos that are focused. What have I learned?
Well, they were avid outdoor people! They had many family reunions and camping trips in the woods and by the lakes. They loved to hike! Also, the Phillip family is huge! But these were all extended family members of Mrs. Perkins, i.e., they were cousins. Mrs. Perkins was the only daughter of William and Jean Sword Phillip and was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. The family migrated to Toronto, Canada, when she was at the age of five. Subsequently, the family settled in the Hudson Valley (first in Hastings and Irvington, and lastly, in Yonkers), when Mr. Phillip worked for an architectural firm in New York City.
What remains true is that they appeared to be very much a carefree and earthly bunch and perhaps stood out a bit in contrast to a statelier Perkins clan.
Georgina and her cousins.
Georgina and her cousins - they sure looked alike as if they were sisters.
Here is a very nice write-up by F. Woodbridge Constant from American Alpine Club beautifully summarizing Professor Henry A. Perkins' distinguished professional life.
On the lake and cliff hanging.
Arthur (Cousin), Sidney Hooker, and Edward
Mrs. Perkins' Mother in Kiukiang: Center right; Ms. Crawford center left.
Well, I told you–Mrs. Perkins' whole family is Scottish....
Georgina and Edward with the Phillip family (Edward is hiding in the back in the photo at left.
Kiukiang, Ki., China. Taken at a Welcoming Reception for mother of Mrs. Perkins (in the center at W.L.H.), Edward at her left, Miss Crawford at her right. The children are at the front row. ca 1940
"Taxi" in China Around Late 19th and Early 20th Centuries: A major form of transportation in the cities.
Henry Leaving China: Here he is heading to Shanghai on a Yangtze River steamer
Georgina and her father and mother.
Close Family Members of the Couple
Yangtze River By The Hudson Bay
The Big Phillip Family.
Dr. Perkins, Mrs. Perkins, father, mother,
and Valerie and David Phillip (cousins).
Professor Perkins Thought He Was in New York City:
Henry in Japan on his way back to America
Celebrating "Xmas" and New Year.
Henry at The Old WLH Compound with Deanetta, Elizabeth (Bessie), and Georgie.
This photo is a "family" portrait for Dr. and Mrs. Perkins because standing here were the closest people they had in their lives (aside from Dr. Hyla Watters and her family). Henry was very close to his little brother (their father died when they both were very young), and in fact, Dr. Perkins passed away in the same nursing home in Hartford, where his older brother had stayed in his final days. In 1958, the Ploeg sisters drove thousands of miles to Hartford to see Edward for one last time.
Later, while living alone and battling cancer, the Ploeg sisters again drove to Connecticut and brought Mrs. Perkins to Grand Rapids, MI. The Ploeg family were Dutch immigrants (original name "Plough"), and they had been asparagus farmers for generations. Ms. Katie Louise Ploeg, the youngest sister of Deanetta and Bessie, also a nurse, helped taking care of Mrs. Perkins until her last day.
Martha's Vineyard, MA, year unknown:
"Olga (Henry's wife, who was an actress), Henry, E-, and 'Jags' (the dog) on South Beach (ocean). {OC}"
{OC} = ORIGINAL CAPTIONS
Henry Taking "Taxi" on the Streets of Tokyo, Japan
Dr. Perkins and His Older Brother, Henry (Actually, it should be Professor Henry A. Perkins, and a twice Acting President of Trinity College in Hartford, CT).
In this picture, the brothers were up on Kuling Mountains, a well known location for Methodist missionaries to rest and get recharged. Consequently, the area was nicknamed "The Methodist Valley", and it is situated right next to Kiukiang.