Perry, Benjamin Franklin

Perry, Benjamin Franklin a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was born of pious parentage in Talbot Co., Ga., Feb. 13, 1836. He was early converted, and dedicated himself to the service of God. In 1853 he became a student at Emory College, Va., where he graduated in 1855, taking the first honor of his class, and about that time he was licensed to preach. In 1856 he received his first appointment 2. The Texas Conference. In 1861 he filled the Austin Station with great credit to himself. At the outbreak of the civil war he determined, after removing his family to Alabama, where they would be better cared for, to enter the Southern army as chaplain. He thus spent the eventful years of 1862 and 1863, sharing the hardships of the Vicksburg siege. Having resigned his chaplaincy, he was appointed, in 1864, a missionary to Johnson's army. In 1865, after the close of the war, he returned to the itinerant ranks; was transferred to the Montgomery Conference, and stationed at Lowndesboro, the appointment of which he held at the time of his death. He was also for two years in charge of the Female College. His health began to decline about June 1, 1868. He refused to rest, though it was manifest that he was overtaxing his strength. About the last of July he was compelled to desist. He died Sept. 23, 1868. In his last hours he was exultant in Christ's atonement. See Minutes of the Annual Conf. of the M. E. Church, South, p. 229, 230.