Beginnings

There is always a first. Well, at least a first to have a last name.

Beware, Pearson was a common family name. The name is a patronym meaning that it was derived from the first name of the father - Pierre and sonne. This is the French spelling. In English it would commonly be written today as Peterson. In the sixteenth century and before, spelling was not always consistent. (Nor is it today.) Pierre could become Peer and Pear.

There are multiple stories of the first Pearson in America. I will give you this one. First, I will set the scene.

Wilmslow, Cheshire, England -1648.

King Charles I is on the throne, but the Parliamentarian forces under the command of Oliver Cromwell will triumph and the king will lose his head in 1649.


SOURCE: The book "THE PEARSON FAMILY TREE FROM ENGLAND TO AMERICA" by Enid Pearson Hawthorne gives the following account of Edward Piersonne:

Birth: 1575 Cheshire, England Death: Jul. 25, 1648 Wilmslow Cheshire, England

EDWARD PEERSONNE WAS THE SON OF UNKNOWN PARENTS. SOME FAMILY TREES HAVE HIS PARENTS LISTED AS EDWARD AND ISABELLE UNKNOWN PEERSONNE (UNPROVEN RELATIONSHIP). MANY FAMILY TREES HAVE HIM MARRYING TWICE: (1) UNKNOWN IN ENGLAND. GOD BLESSED THIS MARRIAGE WITH THE FOLLOWING CHILDREN: ROBERT, KATHERINE, JOHN, JEFFERY, ELIZABETH, LAWRENCE, EDWARD JR, THOMAS, THOMAS AND HELLENE PIERSON. (2) ANNE NORTH IN ENGLAND. NO KNOWN CHILDREN AT THIS TIME. ***************

Edward Peersonne is found on the churchwarden's books of 1631. Each year at least two churchwardens were chosen to assist the Parish priest. One was chosen by the priest and one by the parishioners. The office was for one year, and this official kept books on church property, managed land holdings, wrote settlement certificates and made reports. Churchwardens commonly held civil posts also such as overseer of the poor, tax assessor, highway overseer, etc. In 1631, Edward wrote up some of these official papers and was reimbursed for his efforts.

This tells us that our ancestors were literate and were held in some esteem by their community in the 1600's. One writing lists Edward as a thatcher.

Following are the children recorded in the Wilmslow Parish registers who were children of an Ed or Edward Peirson, person or Peersonne. Some of these children may possibly be children of another Edward Peersonne, inasmuch as some of the christening dates are very close together. Please keep in mind that at that time in England babies were not usually christened immediately after birth but whenever it was convenient for the family to make the tripe to Wilmslow, there being no church in Daine Rowe. Hence, it is not unusual for the two babies of one family to be christened within six months of each other.

Robert Peersonne is not listed in the parish registers as a son of Edward Peersonne; however, he was mentioned as a brother in the will of Lawrence Peersonne dated 1 FEB 1673.

Robert Peersonne John Peersonne christened at Wilmslow Parish 3 FEB 1603/4

Jeffrey Peersonne christened at Wilmslow Parish 8 AUG 16004 and born at Styall.

Lawrence Peersonne christened at Wilmslow Parish 4 MAY 1607 and born at Daine Rowe.

Elizabeth Peersonne christened at Wilmslow Parish 20 SEP 1607 and born at Daine Rowe.

Edward Peersonne christened 9 FEB 1608/9 at Wilmslow Parish and born at Daine Rowe.

Thomas Peersonne christened 27 APR 1610 at Wilmslow Parish and born at Daine Rowe.

Thomas Peersonne christened 12 MAY 1613 at Wilmslow Parish and bron at Daine Rowe.

Hellene christened 11 DEC 1617 at Wilmslow Parish and born at Daine Rowe.