William Pearson

• General Notes
  • http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/PEARSON-UK/2004-10/1096650869
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    From: "Chris Dickinson" <chris@dickinson.uk.net>
    Subject: PEARSON of Ullock, Dean in Cumberland: 1
    Date: Fri, 1 Oct 2004 18:14:29 +0100
    
    In August I posted a number of items to the Quaker list about the Pearson family of Ullock, Dean, in Cumberland. Some of you may be interested in seeing these - to those of you who already have, my apologies for the repeat.
    
    The posts were largely of interest to American Pearsons, as they concerned the ancestry of Peter Pearson, a Quaker who emigrated from Cumberland to the New World c1700. We know who his brother and his mother and his paternal grandfather were. but I've yet to find any evidence for his father's name, despite many Internet sources calling him John. These postings were simply a public update on my researches.
    
    ***
    
    Ullock in the parish of Dean (there is another Ullock in a nearby parish!) is a small hamlet in an area of England that is, well .. remote and rural. The area doesn't change much and, introduce by time machine a yeoman of the 1690s into the modern day, and he would recognise many of the buildings and navigate around without too many shocks.
    
    Its remoteness was one of the reasons why it became such a Quaker stronghold. An important meeting house was established at Pardshaw (Crag), often described in early records as Pardsey Cragg; and a burial site at Eaglesfield.
    
    This remoteness is, so far as the 16th and 17th centuries are concerned, misleading. In the sixteenth century, a Cumbrian Edmund Grindal became Archbishop of Canterbury and his sister Elizabeth married John Woodall of Ullock; and, in a nearby parish, the Crown set up a mining operation that attracted a horde of Dutch and German miners and international money. In the mid-seventeenth century, the Lowther family made a fortune from coal mining at Whitehaven, a few miles away on the coast, and developed this village into a major port for transatlantic and Irish trade. What's more, another local lad Joseph Willamson made good as head of the English Secret Service and Secretary of State (his mother, a Bowman, came from a farm close to Ullock) - was knighted and married a cousin of the king.
    
    So the yeomanry of this part of West Cumberland were actually in a rather heady atmosphere. Lots of them became mariners or coal miners or made textiles, shoes and ropes and sails, and made small fortunes; those that didn't were able to sell up to the nouveau riche and emigrate to Ireland, Maryland and Pennsylvania.
    
    The other thing to bear in mind is that these yeoman families were very long established and surnames tend to saturate small areas. So the parish of Dean, for instance, had a number of Pearson families and a number of different Christopher Pearsons. There were numerous Woods and Fearons and Bowmans and Dickinsons and Marshalls and Towersons, etc.; so one should never jump to any conclusion about relationships.
    
    To follow .... the probate of Christopher Pearson 1711.
    
    Chris
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    From: "Chris Dickinson" <chris@dickinson.uk.net>
    Subject: PEARSON of Ullock, Dean: 2
    Date: Sat, 2 Oct 2004 15:01:41 +0100
    
    Christopher Pearson of Ullock in the parish of Dean was buried 19-ii-1711. This is recorded in the central Quaker Pardshaw register [PRO reference: RG 6/1026]; as is his marriage to Elianor Fearon of Ullock 9-iv-1670 and her burial 2-viii-1714.
    
    Christopher made his will on 17 March 1710/11. This does not use Quaker month descriptions. He signs his name, fairly vigorously considering he was on his deathbed; and the witnesses [Christopher Fearon, John Bowman, John Wilson] also sign confidently. By 1711, this level of literacy among male yeomen isn't unusual.
    
    Wills at this date did not usually mention real estate. The customary tenancy in this area passed automatically to the eldest legitimate son; with the widow entitled a share during her lifetime so long as she didn't remarry. Wills were about personal goods (from important things like the farm's husbandry gear and meal ark and parlour cupboard ... to the lesser personal items), investments, debts and additional freeholds. Executors often didn't include the main heir but often did include the youngest children.
    
    His will mentions his wife Ellinor, his son Peter (who is only given 1/- having 'preferred him before'] and son John. John is made executor.
    
    The second part of the probate was the inventory. Parishes that were well organised might well do this within 24 hours of death. The inventory involved a number of local males (never female) going round the estate and valuing everything (except real estate!). These apprisors were often relations or neighbours or involved in the same trade.
    
    The inventory was done on the 24th April 1711 by Christopher Fearon, John Bowman senr, John Bowman jnr (all signatures) and John Carter (mark). The value of the estate was a tiny £12-05-00 (minus funeral expenses of £1-10-00). There are two possible explanations for this - he could have been so heavily fined for Quaker beliefs in the past that he was severely impoverished; or he had 'retired' and his possessions had already been inherited by John. John's later inventory was considerably more, so the latter explanation seems the more likely.
    
    The third part of the probate was the bond. This was a document that the probate court obliged the executor of the will to sign in which he/she, and his/her financial backers (the bondsmen), promised to deal with the administration of the estate (make an inventory, pay back debts, look after any under-age children, etc.) and to pay a fine if the promise wasn't carried out. The fine in this area was usually set at twice the value of the inventory. In this case the value of the bond was set at £40.
    
    The bond was usually precise about the 'legal' status of the people involved, and often identifies them by place. So Christopher Fearon is described (in Latin) as of the same place (ie Ullock) and as a yeoman. John Bowman is also of Ullock but is only described as jnr - in other words, he hadn't yet inherited the customary tenancy from his father and so wasn't legally a 'yeoman'.
    
    Next - the probate of Christopher's son John 1728.
    
    Chris
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    From: "Chris Dickinson" <chris@dickinson.uk.net>
    Subject: PEARSON of Ullock, Dean: 3
    Date: Sat, 2 Oct 2004 15:04:50 +0100
    
    John Pearson of Ullock made his will on the 15th April 1724, 'being well stricken in age'. As he was under 50 at the time that is something of an exaggeration! He died in 1728.
    
    I thought that it would be useful to post about John for three reasons. First, there is a strong match between BMD details and the people he mentions in his will - so a somewhat textbook illustration of simple probate genealogy. Second, his inventory mentions various rooms in his house and may, therefore, give some of you an idea of how the Pearsons lived. Third, his probate may give some clue about transatlantic contacts.
    
    John was born 23-ii-1677 as recorded in the central Pardshaw register; and buried 13-iii-1728. His widow Mary was buried 6-v-1765 at Pardshaw Hall. Their children were: Sarah (2-iv-1712), Mary (16-xii-1714), John (28-viii-1717), Peter (11-x-1720), Jonathan (4-i-1722/3, married 22-1-1756 to Sarah Scott of Eaglesfield), Joseph (11-xi-1725, married 2-ix-1762 to Margaret Piper of Gillgarrow) and Isaac (25-ix-1728, buried 19-iv-1756).
    
    In his will John describes John as his eldest son and heir to his freehold, Peter as his second son, Jonathan and Joseph as his two youngest sons, Sarah Pearson as his daughter, Mary Pearson as his daughter, and Mary as his wife. All the children are mentioned as being under-age and he appoints trustees for them. He appoints his wife Mary and his daughters Sarah and Mary as executors.
    
    Another beneficiary in the will was Mary Gill. His sister Mary was the oldest of Christopher's children, being born 19-ii-1671. She married 7-ix-1695 at Pardshaw Cragg to John Gill of Eaglesfield [witnesses: Christr Pearson her father, Antho. Wood, Tho. Tiffin, Jno Banks Senr, James Dickinson, Jno Bowman, Jno Pearson], and they had children Rachel (1696), Thomas (1698, buried 1698), Mary (1700), Sarah (1702, buried 1716) and John (1704). Her husband was buried 6-xii-1704, just after the birth of their youngest. There is a burial for a Mary Gill 2-v-1708, which I take to be her; so I assume that the reference in the will is to her daughter, John Pearson's niece. John Gill of Eaglesfield did leave a will (which I don't yet have a copy which might shed further light.
    
    In all this recitation of vital statistics, it's worth remembering the human side of all this. Christopher's only adult daughter died some three years before he did. His other daughter Sarah (29-ix-1673 to 30-xi-1688) had died as a teenager.
    
    Mary Pearson was administrator in the probate (completed 25 July 1728) and John Bell was a bondsmen. Both signed their names. However, it is the inventory that is of particular interest.
    
    This was done on 18 May 1728 and was valued at £194-06-06 (funeral expenses £2-00-00), considerably more than that of his father. The inventory included a 1/32 share and a 1/3 share of a 1/16 share in two ships. The apprisors were Peter Peile (signature), Wm Sumpton (mark), John Wilson (signature) and John Bowman (signature).
    
    The signature is fairly close to that of Peter Peile of Whitehaven, who died in 1732. His inventory included shares in the ships 'Martha' and 'Felicity'. Pearson researchers may already know of connections between Peter Peile and the brothers John/Peter Pearson - if not, another area of research to pursue.
    
    John Pearson's inventory mentions: a Parlour and a Parlour Loft, house Lofts, a Fire House, a Bake House and Bake House Loft, an out Loft, a Back dwelling house and a Barn. As well as a good assortment of animals, the property included a hive of bees.
    
    Next: the probate of Dorothy Pearson of Ullock 1695.
    
    Chris
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    From: "Chris Dickinson" <chris@dickinson.uk.net>
    Subject: PEARSON of Ullock, Dean: 4
    Date: Sat, 2 Oct 2004 17:45:07 +0100
    
    Dorothy Pearson of Ullock died a spinster. Her will was written 2-(the second month commonly called April)-1695; she was buried 16-iv-1695 (Pardshaw register - her will requested she be buried at Eaglesfield); an inventory was taken on 26th June 1695 and the administration bond was dated 8th October 1695.
    
    Her will gives us a lot of names. She mentions her brother Christopher Peirson and her sister Isabel Oyes.
    
    Richard Oyes and William Oyes were beneficiaries (two shillings each), as was her cousin, Thomas Oyes, a minor (10 shillings). There is a probate entry for a Richard Oyes of St Johns Parish (south of Dean) in 1691 which contains provisions for under-age children, so I would guess that Richard, William and Thomas were children of Isabel and Richard and so nephews of Dorothy Pearson and of Christopher Pearson (calling a nephew a cousin was not unusual at that time). I would also guess that Richard and William were adults by 1695, hence the favoured treatment of Thomas. However, I could easily be wrong (and so often am)! I haven't looked at the Quaker Digest or local register for Oyes, nor at the Richard Oyes will..
    
    The first beneficiary in the will was her cousin Mary Peirson. This was a substantial gift of four pounds (the same as she gave to her brother Christopher), clothes and other items. This must be Christopher's eldest daughter Mary (her sister Sarah had already died by this time). It is no surprise that, with her aunt dead and a useful little inheritance, she married John Gill of Eaglesfield within a month.
    
    Other surnames in the will are: Brag(g), Hayston, Fearon, Dickinson, Richardson, Dixon, Walker, Bowman and Wilson.
    
    Dorothy's name appears to be written in the same hand as is the will, and she only attached her mark and seal. This doesn't necessarily mean that she was illiterate - she may simply have been too weak to sign.
    
    The inventory was valued at £25-11-10 (after funeral expenses of £1-10-00).  She was owed money by Mathew Dickinson, Isabel Oyes, John Bowman, George Porter, Daniel Dickinson and Elizabeth Pearson.
    
    The administration bond presents me with a problem. The executor of her will and the administrator of the probate was Mathew Dickinson of Dean (signature and seal). One of the bondsmen was Robert Dickinson of Cockermouth (mark and seal) and the other was Joseph Noble of Cockermouth (signature and seal).
    
    How these fit in, I don't know. Usually administrators and bondsmen were relatives.
    
    Next: the probate of Elizabeth Pearson of Ullock, 1678.
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    From: "Chris Dickinson" <chris@dickinson.uk.net>
    Subject: PEARSON of Ullock, Dean: 5
    Date: Sat, 2 Oct 2004 19:58:43 +0100
    
    Elizabeth Pearson of the bridgend, Ullock, was a widow. Her will, dated 13 October 1678 mentions her son Christopher Pearson; his wife Ellinor; his children Mary, Sara and John; her daughter Isabel Oyes and son-in-law Richard Oyes and children; her daughter Dorothy Peirson and daughter Elsabeth Peirson.
    
    Elizabeth only managed a mark, not a signature.
    
    We've come across all these names before, with the exception of Elizabeth Peirson. The will is useful as a confirmation.
    
    The will uses the spelling Elsabeth throughout, but the administration bond uses 'Elizabeth'.
    
    The administration bondsmen were Christopher Peirson of Ullock and George Fearon of Ullock, both described as yeoman.
    
    Christopher Pearson had married Ellinor Fearon of Ullock in 1670, and Pearson researchers call her the daughter of George Fearon.  A George Fearon of Ullock left a will in 1678, which I don't have but which I assume confirms this relationship and may provide further clues.
    
    The point to note is that here is no mention by name of Elizabeth's late husband (Christopher's father).
    
    Next: John Pearson of Ullock 1649
    
    Chris
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    From: "Chris Dickinson" <chris@dickinson.uk.net>
    Subject: PEARSON of Ullock, Dean: 6
    Date: Sat, 2 Oct 2004 20:25:54 +0100
    
    John Peirson of Bridgend, Ullock in the parish of Dean, wrote his will on 19th January 1649.
    
    He gave his husbandry gear to his grandchild, Christopher Peirson. This means that Christopher was the main heir, inheriting the farm. It also means, almost certainly, that his (unnamed) father was dead.
    
    Other beneficiaries were his grandchildren Henry Towerson, James Peirson and Elizabeth Marshall, who he appointed executors; and Thomas Marshall, his son-in-law and Thomas' daughter Margaret.
    
    So to summarise. This is what researchers of this line have so far:
    
    Generation 1. John Pearson;
    Generation 2. Elizabeth Pearson, his daughter-in-law;
    Generation 3. Her children, Christopher Pearson (with wife Elianor), Isabel Oyes, Dorothy Pearson and Elizabeth Pearson;
    Generation 4. Christopher's children, John Pearson, Peter Pearson, Mary Gill and Sarah Pearson.
    
    John continues the line in England. Peter emigrated to America.
    
    Fortunately, we can take matters a lot further. Henry Towerson provides the breakthrough.
    
    Next: Henry Towerson Als Pearson 1651/1661
    
    Chris
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    From: "Chris Dickinson" <chris@dickinson.uk.net>
    Subject: PEARSON of Ullock, Dean: 7
    Date: Sun, 3 Oct 2004 11:33:04 +0100
    
    As it's short, I'll quote part of the will of Henry Towerson
    (leaving out the legalese) .  Actually, it's not a standard will - it is what is called a nuncupative (spoken and later written down) will.
    
    'Memorandum that upon the eighth day of October in the yeare of our Lord one thousand six hundred fifty one Henry Towerson alias Pearson late of the Parish of Deane in the County of Cumberland' ...'I give and bequeath all my estate whatsoever unto my sister Elizabeth Marshall which words or words to the same effect were spoken in the presence of Leonard Allason and John Fearon'.
    
    An inventory was taken in 1660 (nine years later) in which Henry was describes as 'singleman, who died in Scotland lately', his possessions being purely money owed to him: by Richard Lancaster £7-00-00, by Anth: Towerson £6-00-00 and Henry Morlin [?] £4-00-00. The probate is dated 1661.  So what are we to make of this?
    
    'Alias' or 'als' usually (though not necessarily) in the 17th century means that the individual was illegitimate. His presence in Scotland and his sudden death and his lack of possesions other than monies owed suggest to me a soldier. The fact that the probate wasn't settled until the Restoration suggests also that he was a Royalist (which would have fitted in well with local sympathies in Cumberland), and that he was wounded or killed sometime in the year or so after the Battle of Dunbar. An expert on Cromwell's campaign's in Scotland could probably place his death quite accurately.
    
    John Pearson had, in 1649, appointed his grandchildren Henry Towerson and Elizabeth Marshall as executors. Henry Towerson als Pearson described Elizabeth Marshall as his sister. How does this all fit together?
    
    Next: Pearson, Towerson and Marshall
    
    Chris
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    From: "Chris Dickinson" <chris@dickinson.uk.net>
    Subject: PEARSON of Ullock, Dean: 8
    Date: Mon, 4 Oct 2004 13:05:06 +0100
    
    Pearson, Towerson and Marshall
    
    The Parish of Dean register has a nasty big gap of 50 years from the 1620s; but on page 60 of the transcript at Whitehaven record office there is the following:
    
    'Henery s. of Annas Pearson singlewoman & Henery Towardson supposed father baptized the 25th daye of Januarie 1619'
    
    So here is the Henry who died in Scotland in 1651. And here is a daughter of John Pearson and an aunt of Christopher Pearson.
    
    But how did Henry Towerson become the brother of Elizabeth Marshall? John Pearson's will describes a Thomas Marshall as his son-in-law, but the most likely candidate (Thomas Marshall of the Edge in Branthwaite, Dean) was already married and the father of a young family.
    
    Thomas Marshall's wife Janet was buried in 1623. Though there is no record of a marriage between Thomas Marshall and Annas Pearson, Thomas would have been desperate for a mother for his children - and would have welcomed Annas' experience. For her, the marriage would have been manna from heaven - (or maybe just a man, thank heaven) - a much better catch than footloose Henry Towerson (whose brother Roger had inherited his family's farm).
    
    Anyway, back to John Pearson. A teenage daughter with a child in 1619 firmly identifies his place in the parish registers and gives us the name of Christopher Pearson's probable father.
    
    Next and Final: John Pearson's family
    
    Chris
    --------------------
    From: "Chris Dickinson" <chris@dickinson.uk.net>
    Subject: PEARSON of Ullock, Dean: 9
    Date: Tue, 5 Oct 2004 09:56:36 +0100
    
    The family of John Pearson from the parish register:
    John Pearson of Ullock married Isabell Wood of Cavey on the 10th August 1599. Quite possibly she was a second wife.
    
    John's children were:
    
    John baptised 4 October 1603, buried 23 May 1606
    William baptised 18 November 1605
    Ellen baptised 1 May 1607, buried 20 September 1610
    Janett baptised 19 April 1612 Matthew baptised 26 February 1614/5, buried 14 June 1619
    
    That allows a slot for Annas in 1601/2, making her 16 or 17 when she had Henry Towerson; and probably about 22/23 when she married Thomas Marshall.
    
    So ... it seems very likely then that Christopher's father was William. That doesn't mean though that another John couldn't have squeezed his way in; and there are plenty of potential further documents that could prove things one way or another.. One such I have on order in London and I may have a chance to look at in November.
    
    And that's it. I could tell you how and when I think William died, but I won't. I could tell you about John's brothers, Thomas and Christopher, but I won't. I'll reserve those for later :-)
    
    Any feedback welcome. For those of you who have no Cumbrian Quaker ancestry, my apologies for filling your inboxes!
    
    Chris

Click here for details of William's family with Elizabeth ?

Source/Citation A Preliminary Paper on the Quaker Pearson Family of Cumberland, England and Colonial North Carolina

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