Perley, Sidney

Sidney Perley (Mar.6, 1858- June 9, 1928) was born in Boxford, studied law at B.U. School of Law. When he began to practice law, it was in Salem.

He was considered a capable, conscientious and successful lawyer.

Perley married Harriet Hood Spofford (from Georgetown)in 1889, and they had two children.

Aside from his large practice, Perley indulged in some serious literary pursuits including works on law, history, genealogy and poetry. Almost since boyhood he had delved into history and genealogy.

He wrote the preface to his History of Boxford before he turned twenty-one. He devoted his leisure hours to his work, searching Salem records in quest of

the original house lots, thoroughfares and water boundaries. He was interested in ancient court files and records of deeds and /or wills.

These findings he published in the Essex Antiquarian,which he edited and founded. It was a quarterly magazine devoted to genealogy, biography and history

and antiquities of Essex County. It published from 1897-1909. He was a member of N.E. Historic Genealogical Society and the Essex Institute.

He wrote books on historic storms in New England and Poets of Essex County. His master work is History of Salem, Massachusetts in 3 volumes. They cover

the years 1626-1716. He had just finished volume 3 when he passed away on June 9, 1928.