Perkins Family [Jockeys and Horse Trainers]

Four members of the Perkins family are noted for their success in the horse racing industry: James "Soup" Perkins, William "Will" Perkins, Edward "Eddie" Perkins, and Frank Perkins. The following is additional information about the family. 

• Mother: Mattie Maupins Perkins - born around 1855 in KY - died October 13, 1904 in Lexington, KY; former slave of Major Flournoy in Fayette County, KY; wife of John Jacob Perkins; mother of Frank, Carrie, Elizabeth "Eliza", William "Will", James "Soup", and Edward "Eddie" Perkins. [sources: 1880 and the 1900 U.S. Federal Census; KY Death Certificate #8066; Porter & Jackson Funeral Home, buried in African Cemetery #2; Obit in "Colored," Lexington Leader, 10/16/1904, p.2; "Court house news," Lexington Leader, 10/23/1904, p.6; and Emerson & Dark's Lexington Directory].
• Father: John Jacob "Jake" Perkins - born around 1845 in KY - died January 26, 1913 in Lexington, KY; former slave of Major Flournoy in Fayette County, KY; horseman; husband of Mattie Perkins; father of Frank, Carrie, Elizabeth "Eliza", William "Will", James "Soup", Edward "Eddie", and Walter Perkins. [sources: 1880 U.S. Federal Census; KY Death Certificate #1043; Williams & Reed Funeral Home, buried in African Cemetery #2; Obit in "Colored Notes," Lexington Leader, 01/26/1913, p.5].
• Son: Frank Perkins - born around 1871 in KY - murdered by Thomas Christian, October of 1900; race horse trainer [sources: 1880 U.S. Federal Census; "Frank Perkins," Lexington Leader, 10/09/1897, p.5; "Trial is on," Lexington Leader, 03/05/1901, p.1; "Shot down in his own door," Lexington Leader, 10/07/1900, p.1; and "Case passed," Lexington Leader, 10/11/1900, p.5].
• Daughter: Carrie J. Perkins Lawrence Bulett - born around 1873 in KY; lived in Chicago, IL [source: 1880 and 1910 U.S. Federal Census; "Will Perkins succumbs," Daily Racing Form, 04/19/1927, p.12].
• Daughter: Elizabeth "Eliza" Perkins - born around 1877 in KY - died January 17, 1896 on Thomas Street in Lexington, KY. [source: 1880 U.S. Federal Census; KY Death Certificate #966; Death notice, "Eliza Perkins," Lexington Leader, 01/18/1896, p.8].
• Son: William "Will" Perkins - born around 1879 in KY - died April 17, 1927 in Lexington, KY; jockey, race horse trainer and owner; Claughton Funeral Home, buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Lexington; [sources: KY Death Certificate #15241; and see his NKAA entry].
• Son: James "Soup" Perkins - born in 1880 in KY - died August 10, 1911 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; jockey; husband of Frankie Perkins; [sources: 1880 U.S. Federal Census; several articles in the Lexington Leader; and see his NKAA entry].
• Son: Edward H. Perkins - born August 2, 1888 in KY - died August 7, 1952 in Lexington, KY; also called Eddie Perkins; stable agent for Will Perkins; WWI veteran; Claughton Funeral Home, buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Lexington, KY; [sources: 1900 and 1910 U.S. Federal Census; WWI Draft Registration Card; KY Death Certificate #52 16492; and see Will Perkins NKAA entry].
• Walter W. Perkins, born January 9, 1889 in KY - died August 10, 1987 in Lexington, KY; son of John Jacob Perkins; [sources: Social Security Death Index; and John Perkins' Obit in "Colored Notes," Lexington Leader, 01/26/1913, p.5].