Peter Pearson II (1711 - 1779)

Born 19 Jun 1711 in Nansemond County, Virginia

Ancestors

Husband of Rachel (Bogue) Pearson — married Dec 1733 in Perquimans County, Colony of North Carolina

Husband of Mary Ann (Martin) Pearson — married 1746 in North Carolina

Descendants

Died 27 May 1779 at age 67 in Perquimans, North Carolina, United States

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Biography

Peter Pearson, b. 19 July 1711, Nansemond County, Virginia; 1st of 7 born to Rachel Newby and Peter Pearson.

He was a farmer and Quaker (Perquimans Monthly Meeting, North Carolina).

He first married Rachel Bogue December 6, 1733/4 and they had five children together.

Peter second married Mary Ann Martin, the widow of Thomas Jessop in Perquimans, North Carolina on March 10, 1746/7 following the death of Rachel Bogue in 1744. Mary was not a member of the Society of Friends, which presented a problem because Friends were not allowed to marry outside their faith. They were disowned by the Society in June 1749. Peter appears with 60 acres of land, two slaves, four horses, 10 head of cattle and 21 pounds of money in the Perquimanns tax list of 1778. He lived near the Cypress Pocosin (swamp) in the Upper District. Peter was at the peak of his prosperity at the time, but in another year he was dead (May 1779), having drawn his will dated 27 Mary 1779, Perquimans County, North Carolina.

He bequeathed his wife a generous portion of the estate, and to his sons Nathan and William went a slave, Ike (Isaac), to his sons William and Peter went featherbeds, etc., to his son Jonathan went 8 pounds gold and featherbed, to his daughter Mary Moore he bequeathed a featherbed, to his daughter Ruth Boyce, he left another featherbed and to his son Christopher, 25 pounds money, to his daughter Rachel Newby also possessions, to his grandsons Nathan, Peter, and Josiah Lacy he bequeathed a cow and a calf. He made his son Nathan Pearson and Matthew Whie his executors."

Peter died May 1779. Rachel Bogue was named in his will as mother of his children.

Will of Peter Pearson

Will of Peter Pearson, Will Written 27 May 1779, North Carolina, Perquimans County

Know all men by these presents that I Peter Pearson of the aforesd County and Province being sick and weak in body and knowing the uncertainty of this life do for settling of my temporal concerns make this my last will and Testament in manner as followeth, that is to say-

1 I give unto my wife Marry Pearson the best bed and furniture in my house two cows & calfs a side saddle two iron pots three pewter dishes & one bason half dozen plates & one third part of the Delft ware to her & her heirs forever

2 I give unto my two sons Nathan & William Pearson my Negro boy Isaac to be equally divided between them I also give my son Nathan one feather bed & furniture to him & his heirs forever

3 I give unto my son William Pearson one feather bed without furniture my yearling colt & one cow & calf to him & his heirs forever -

4 I give unto my son Peter Pearson one feather bed & furniture & my mains after paying my son Jonathan the value of eight pounds gold & silver to him & his heirs forever-

5 I give unto my Daughter Mary Moore one feather bed & furniture to her and her heirs forever-

6 I give unto my son Jonathan Pearson one feather bed & furniture & the value of eight pounds gold and silver which he is to receive from my son Peter Pearson to him & his heirs forever-

7 I give unto my Daughter Ruth Boyce one feather bed & furniture to her & her heirs forever-

8 I give unto my son Christopher Pearson twenty five pounds I mean the value of that sum in gold and silver to him & his heirs forever-

9 I give unto my Daughter Rachel Newby four pounds seventeen shillings which is all ready hard-

10 I give unto my three grand children Nathan Peter & Josiah Lacy one cow & calf a piece to each of them to them and theirs forever-

11 I give all the remainder part of my estate not before mentioned & desire it may be equally divided amongst my six children Peter Nathan William Mary Ruth & Jonathan to them and their heirs forever.

Lastly I nominate constitute & appoint my son Nathan Pearson & my friend Matthew White Executors to this my last will and testament hereby revoking all other wills heretofore by me made and publishing this to be my last.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and have this 27th day of may In the year of out Lord one thousand seven hundred seventy nine.

Peter Pearson (his mark)

It is my desire that Josiah White Matthew White Josiah Jordan may divide my estate agreeable to the above mentioned will.

Signed Sealed & Published & Delivered by the sd. Peter Pearson to be & contain his last will In the Presents of: Nathan Lacey, Mary White, Josiah Jordan Junr.

Transcriber’s note: Peter was the son of Peter Pearson and Rachel Newby Pearson. Contributed and transcribed by Bob Stokley (Transcribed as written, including errors in spelling and grammar.)

Slaves

• 2 slaves in 1749 (Perquimans Tax List)

• Isaac (Ike) Pearson-13721 - bequeathed to in 1779 to sons Nathan and William

Sources

• U.S., Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy, Vol I–VI, 1607-1943

• Wills and Estate Papers (Perquimans County), 1663-

1978; Author: North Carolina. Division of Archives and History (Raleigh, North Carolina); Probate Place: Perquimans, North Carolina [Name: Peter Pearson; Inferred Death Place: North Carolina, USA]

• https://ncgenweb.us/perquimans/peter-pearson-1779-will/

• https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/L1CT-K5C