Gibbons Pearson (b. Abt. 1809, d. Bet. 1844 - 1845)
Gibbons Pearson was born Abt. 1809 in Parish of Leck, County Donegal, Ireland, and died Bet. 1844 - 1845 in Pennsylvania. He married Jane Wilson on Bef. 1832 in Ireland.
Notes for Gibbons Pearson: Current research on the origin of the Pearson clan in Ulster points to the townland of Lismonghan in the Parish of Leck, County Donegal. Related families in that same general area are the Bovairds (the name of their nurse) and the Gibbons families.
The List of Flax Growers of Ireland of 1796 lists Gibbons Pearson, of the parish of Leck, County Donegal. We can assume that this was the father of Gibbons Pearson who left his homeland and emmigrated to the New World.
"Gibbons Pearson, born in the north of Ireland, was of Scottish descent and was a member of the established Church of England (Anglican). He was a contracting teamster, the owner of more than a dozen teams, who had the contract to do all the hauling between Londonderry and a neighborhood village. He immigrated to the U.S. in early 1843?, stopping for a short time in New York City, where he was employed as a teamster. Sometime thereafter he moved to Pennsylvania where he died within the same year. His widow never remarried, but moved back to New York City, where she spent the remainder of her life." [Source: 'History of Reno County Kansas" by Sherian Ploughe, 1917, B.F. Bowen & Company, Indianapolis, IN]
The following letter was written by Alexander Pearson, Gibbon Pearson's grandson, to his sister Jane Pearson explaining what he knew about their grandparents who came to America from Ireland:
2132 S. E. Main St. Portland, Oregon November 10, 1940
Dear Jane,
"You asked me the birthplace of our Grand Parents. I forgot to give them to you in my last letter. So here they are.
"On the Paternal side of the house 1st.
"Gibbon Pearson born in the North of Ireland. I think of English ancestry.
"Jane Wilson (his wife) born in the North of Ireland. Two or three brothers came to America. Two are buried in Green-Wood Cemetery. Alexander , William and I think one named John.
On the Maternal side of the house.
"Mathew Edwards I think born in Scotland. his wife Jane McCallahan born in Scotland.
"William Pearson (OUR FATHER) born in the North of Ireland March 29th. 1841. Brought to America by his Parents when he was about three years old. Died September 12th. 1915.
"Ellen Anna Edwards, Wife of William Pearson born in St. Johns New Brunswick. Canada. March 17th. 1848. Died May 28th. 1930. Ellens father died before her birth. She was brought by her Mother to New York when a babe.
"Grand Father Pearson was Killed in an Accident in the State of Pennsylvania.
"Grand Father Edwards died of a fever contracted by visiting and providing for a friend. He had a disagreement with his family and took his share of the estate and with his family and Valet moved to St. Johns Canada.
"Grand Father Pearson brought their nurse with them from Ireland when they moved to America. She went with Aunt Eliza and nursed or helped to raise the family of five of the Lairds.
"One Item may be subject to correction and that is the date of Mothers death. Let me know.
Your brother Al Pearson"
Note 1: The nurse's name was Ann Bovaird. She was born in Ireland (probably County Donegal) in 1803 according to the 1870 U.S. census records of New York City.
Note 2: Note that there are flaws in some of the dates and places mentioned in this letter.
It is presumed that Great Great Grandfather Pearson's given name 'Gibbons' is actually a surname, probably from the maternal side of his family.
More About Gibbons Pearson: Immigration: 1843, County Donegal, Ireland to New York City.
More About Gibbons Pearson and Jane Wilson: Marriage: Bef. 1832, Ireland.
Children of Gibbons Pearson and Jane Wilson are:
Gibbons Pearson, b. 1832, Parish of Leck, County Donegal, Ireland, d. October 27, 1852, New York City, New York.
+Eliza Jane Pearson, b. January 05, 1835, Parish of Leck, County Donegal, Ireland, d. January 27, 1881, New York City, New York.
Thomas Pearson, b. 1839, Parish of Leck, County Donegal, Ireland, d. October 14, 1852, New York City, New York.
+William Gibbons Pearson, b. March 29, 1841, Parish of Leck, County Donegal, Ireland, d. September 12, 1915, Hutchinson, Reno Co., Kansas.
+James Pearson, b. April 12, 1843, New York City, New York, d. June 17, 1890, New York City, New York.
Gibbons Pearson (b. Abt. 1809, d. Bet. 1844 - 1845)
Notes for Gibbons Pearson: