James William Peirce (1832 - 1894)

Born 2 Jun 1832 in Faversham, Kent, England, United Kingdom

Husband of Ellen (Pearson) Peirce — married 6 Nov 1853 in Ramsgate, Kent, England, United Kingdom

Descendants

Died 23 Aug 1894 at age 62 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

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Biography

James William Peirce was born on 2 June 1832 and christened on 8 July 1832 in Faversham Kent England^[1]. His parents were James Pierce and Maria Forman^[2].

Ellen PEARSON and James William PEIRCE were married on 6 November 1853 in Ramsgate (Thanet), Kent, England^[3].

The ship, Blanche Moore set sail from Liverpool, England on 10 March 1855 with the PEIRCE family among the passengers and arrived in Hobson's Bay, Colony of Victoria on 10 June 1855^[4][5]. The PEIRCE family consisted of parents, James (age 24, Hair dresser) and Ellen (23) and their infant (William).

Their children included:

William James Reuben PEIRCE 1854–1944

Frederick James PEIRCE 1857-1920

Walter Nicholas PEIRCE 1859-1860

Ellen PEIRCE 1861-1864

Florence Edith PEIRCE 1865-1932

Ellen Foreman PEIRCE 1867-1948

Caroline Elizabeth PEIRCE 1870-1953

Thomas Henry PEIRCE 1873-1956

1 March 1886 - 1 March 1889, James was a member of the Legislative Assembly for the Electorate of West Melbourne^[6][7].

He passed away on 23 August 1894 in Melbourne West, Colony of Victoria^[8] and was buried at the Melbourne General Cemetery, Carlton North, Melbourne City, Victoria, Australia^[9].

Death Notice 24 Aug 1894^[10]

PEIRCE.—On the 23rd inst., at Elizabeth-street, Melbourne, Councillor James W. Peirce, dearly beloved husband of Ellen Peirce, aged 62 years.

Death of an Ex M.L.A,

It is with regret that we have to record the decease of Mr James William Peirce, tobacconist, who died at his residence, Elizabeth street, on the 23rd ult. Deceased, who had been suffering from an affection of the stomach for some time, had represented the Bourke Ward in the City Council for the past ten years. Some years ago he represented West Melbourne in the Legislative Assembly. He was 62 years of age, and leaves a wife and a grown-up family. The flag at the Town Hall has been flying half-mast during the day. ^[11]

Research Notes

It is worth reading James Peirce’s will which details many of his possessions and talks of his trips to Europe and abroad. Clearly he was also a musician as he owned several pianos and an organ ^[12]

Sources

1. ↑ England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975. Name James William Pierce; Sex Male; Christening Date 8 Jul 1832; Christening Place Faversham, Kent, England, United Kingdom; Christening Place (Original) Faversham, Kent, England; Father's Name James Pierce; Father's Sex Male; Mother's Name Maria; Mother's Sex Female. "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J7PK-C48 : 21 March 2020), James William Pierce, 1832.
2. ↑ BDM Victoria Deaths 1894/10576
3. ↑ England and Wales Marriage Registration Index, 1837-2005. Name James William Peirce; Marriage Date 1853; Marriage Place Thanet, Kent, England; Event Type Marriage; Registration District Thanet; Page 1102; Volume 2A; Affiliate Line Number 6; Registration Quarter Oct-Nov-Dec; Registration Year 1853; Possible Spouse Helen Pearson. "England and Wales Marriage Registration Index, 1837-2005," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2DS1-P3Y : 13 December 2014), James William Peirce, 1853; from "England & Wales Marriages, 1837-2005," database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing 1853, quarter 4, vol. 2A, p. 1102, Thanet, Kent, England, General Register Office, Southport, England.
4. ↑ Public Records Office Victoria. Unassisted passenger lists (1852-1923) Record Series Number (VPRS): 947. Ship: Blanche Moore; Departed: Liverpool, England, 10 Mar 1855; Arrived: Hobson's Bay, Colony of Victoria, 10 Jun 1855. https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/3AF96E01-F96C-11E9-AE98-A782DBE7F3B5?image=438

   PIERCE JAS M 24 1855 JUN BLANCHE MOORE EVANS WILLIAM

   PIERCE ELLEN 23 1855 JUN BLANCHE MOORE EVANS WILLIAM

   PIERCE ---- INFANT WITH I 1855 JUN BLANCHE MOORE EVANS WILLIAM

5. ↑ Ship Arrival: SHIPPING INTELLIENCE. (1855, June 11). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 4. Retrieved March 31, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4809386
6. ↑ Parliament of Victoria. Remember Database: People in Parliament: Former Members https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/about/people-in-parliament/re-member/details/24/770
7. ↑ Wikipedia contributors. (2021, January 22). Electoral district of West Melbourne. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 19:34, March 30, 2022, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Electoral_district_of_West_Melbourne&oldid=1002012659
8. ↑ Birth, Deaths and Marriages, Victoria Online Registry. Event: deaths; Registration number 10576 / 1894; Family name: PEIRCE; Given name(s) Jas Wm; Place of event: Melbourne West, Australia; Mother's name Maria FORMAN; Father's Name: Jas. https://www.bdm.vic.gov.au/research-and-family-history/search-your-family-history
9. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/180574460/james-william-peirce : accessed 31 March 2022), memorial page for James William Peirce (2 Jun 1832–23 Aug 1894), Find a Grave Memorial ID 180574460, citing Melbourne General Cemetery, Carlton North, Melbourne City, Victoria, Australia ; Maintained by Tony M. (contributor 48299134).
10. ↑ Family Notices (1894, August 24). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 1. Retrieved March 31, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article8697026
11. ↑ Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 1 September 1894, page 7
12. ↑ http://access.prov.vic.gov.au/