Family Tree Maker's Genealogy Site: Genealogy Report: Descendants of Pierce/Pearces in America

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Descendants of Pierce/Pearces in America

4. William² Pearce (Pierce/Pearces in¹ America, Richard^A Pearce, Richard^B Percy, Peter^C, Ralph^D, Ralph^E, Henry VII^F De Percy, Henry VI "Hotspur"^G, Henry V^H, Henry IV^I, Henry III^J, Henry II^K, Henry I^L, William^M, Henry I^N, Joscelin I de Louvaine (became^O Percy), Godfrey "A La Barbe"^P de Lorraine, Henry II^Q, Lambert III^R de Lovaine, Lambert II^S de Louvaine, Raginerus III^T de Lorraine, Raginerus II^U, Raginerus I^V, Gilbert^W de Brabant) was born 1595 in Bristol, Somerset, England¹³, and died July 13, 1641 in Boston, Suffolk, MA¹³. He married Jane Unknown 1633 in Boston, Suffolk, MA¹³. She was born Abt. 1599 in England¹³.

Notes for William Pearce:
Captain William Pierce in the early history of the colonies was the most celebrated master of ships that came into the waters of New England. He was on very intimate terms with all the leading colonists, and was a warm friend of Winslow and Bradfor. He was first noticed in the early records of the colony in 1622, when he was master of the"Paragon," the owner of which ship was his brother John Pierce of London. In 1623, Capt. Pierce brought over to Plymouth the "Anne" with her noteworthy company. In 1624, he came in the "Charity," conveying Winslow, with his cattle which were the first brought in New England. In 1625 he was at Plymouth in the "Jacob," again bringing Winslow and more cattle.
In 1629, he commanded the renowned "Mayflower," and in her he took a company from Holland as far as the Bay on their way to Plymouth; and in the next year, Feb., 1630, he came with the "Lion" from Bristol, England, which was a part of Winthrop's fleet. Owing to the destitution at the Bay, he was hurried back for provisions, with which he returned November 22, just as the crisis of the famine had arrived. He also brought sixty passengers, including Roger Williams and his wife Mary. november 29, 1631, he came over again in the "Lion," and with him John Elliot and Governor Winthrop's wife. In 1632 he sailed once more to Boston and Plymouth in the "Lion;" but after carrying Winthrop to Weymouth lost his ship on the Virginia coast, for which place he sailed October 27, 1632. In 1634 he was gathering Oldham's corn in the "Rebecca," and taking observations in the "Narragansett," and the next year commanded the defense of London, and was first in the West Indies, and then later on in ice, rescuing refugees from the Connecticut Valley and returning them to Boston. In 1636, with the fine new ship "Desire," one hundred and twenty tons, built for him at Marblehead, he went with Endicott's force to Block Island. In 1637, he carried supplieds from Boston for the soldiers of the Pequod War and acted as tender. In 1638, he sailed between Boston and the West Indies; and it is sad to relate that according to the usage of the times, he took out several Pequod prisoners as bondmen, and returned with a few negro slaves, though even then some leading citizens condemned this traffic. At this time he seems to have presented Winthrop with what the latter calls an alegarto - an animal which much interested the grave Bostonians. In 1638, he cleared the "Desire" from London with passengers for Boston; the English officers writing his name "Piers." From Boston he kept on to the West Thames in twenty-three days -a passage which would even now reflcet much credit on such a craft and its captain.
It is well known that Pierce's Almanack for 1639 was the first thing in book form printed in the English colonies.
"Saints and Strangers" by George F. Willison pg 242 A week or two later the Charity reappeared in the harbor, again under the command of Captain William Peirce, renowned as the "ferryman of the North Atlantic" because he brought across so many of New England's early settlers, later settling down himself at Boston. Master of ANNE - of London (140 tons)

Children of William Pearce and Jane Unknown are:

	i.		Edward³ Pearce, b. 1633 ¹⁴; d. 1673¹⁴.
	ii.		James Pearce¹⁴, b. Bet. 1633 - 1660.
	iii.		William Pearce¹⁴, b. Bet. 1633 - 1660; m. Esther Webb¹⁴.

5. Michael J.² Pierce (Pierce/Pearces in¹ America, Richard^A Pearce, Richard^B Percy, Peter^C, Ralph^D, Ralph^E, Henry VII^F De Percy, Henry VI "Hotspur"^G, Henry V^H, Henry IV^I, Henry III^J, Henry II^K, Henry I^L, William^M, Henry I^N, Joscelin I de Louvaine (became^O Percy), Godfrey "A La Barbe"^P de Lorraine, Henry II^Q, Lambert III^R de Lovaine, Lambert II^S de Louvaine, Raginerus III^T de Lorraine, Raginerus II^U, Raginerus I^V, Gilbert^W de Brabant) was born 1615 in Higham, Kent, England^15,^16,¹⁷, and died March 26, 1676 in Scituate, Plymouth Colony, MA^18,^19,²⁰. He married (1) Persis Ames 1644 in Scituate, Plymouth Co., MA²⁰, daughter of Anthony Ames and Margery Pearce. She was born October 28, 1621 in Fordington, Dorset, England, and died December 31, 1662 in Hingham, Plymouth, MA. He married (2) Hannah (Mrs.) James 1665. She was born Abt. 1617.

Notes for Michael J. Pierce:
As is indicated by all of the information printed below, It suggested but not certain that Michael Pierce is related to the other Pierce Ship captains.

Michael PIERCE - d. Mar. 26, 1676, Pawtucket, RI. No evidence has been found to indicate that Michael PIERCE was related to Ship Master William PIERCE or to John PIERCE of Dorchester and Boston. Michael settled first at Hingham, MA, then moved to Scituate, MA. Commissioned a captain by the Colony Court in 1669. Ambushed and killed with company by Canonchet at Attleboro Gore during King Philip's war. Will dated Jan. 15, 1675, proved Jul. 22, 1676, names wife Anna, children Benjamin, John, Ephraim, Abigail HOLBROOK, Mary HOLBROOK, Elizabeth, Sarah, Annah, Abiah, Ruth and Persis, grandchildren Elizabeth and Abigail HOLBROOK, 'father EAMES,' and 'brothers' Mark JENNES and Charles STOCKBRIDGE. Married second in 1663 Anna (JAMES) ALLEN.

Will of Capt. Michael Pierce - January 15, 1675

I, Michael Pierce of Scituate, in the government of New Plymouth in America, being now by the appointment of God going out to war, against the Indians, doe make this my last will and testament: First I do committ myself and wayes unto the Eternal God; nextly concerning that estate which God has blessed me with, I thus dispose. First I give unto my beloved wife Annah Pierce, during her life, the westward end of my now dwelling house in Scituate aforesaid which I last built to dwell in, and the bed in it, with what appertenances to it, to use and dispose of, as she shall see cause, and the one half of my other household stuff for her use during her life, and then to be disposed of to my children as she shall see cause. Also my will is that for my wifes yearly maintenance, that my son Benjamin Pierce shall pay unto her twelve pounds per year, one half in money and the other half in provisions, and also sufficient
firewood for her use in the house during her life; and I give unto my son Benjamin aforesaid my now dwelling house and barn in Scituate afroesaid, and all the land which I have in Scituate excepting that I bought of Benjamin Bates of Hingham, and that which I bought of William James of Scituate and
excepting the abovesaid westerly end of my abovesaid house, during my wife's life as abovesaid, out of which abovesaid Estate in house and lands given to my son Benjamin, he shall pay unto my aforesaid wife for her maintenance twelve pounds a year, as abovesaid during her life, and sufficient firewood
also as abovesaid. And I give unto my son John Pierce all my lands in Hingham, in the Massachusetts, and my land in Scituate which I bought of William James, of Scituate, paying out of it to my son Ephraim's two children Eserikum Pierce and Ephraim Pierce, to each of them fifteen pounds at the age of twenty and one years; provided that neither my son Ephraim aforesaid, nor either of his after him, or any by or under him, shall go about to molest my said John of or upon the attempt of the three or four acres of meadow land in Hingham aforesaid which my father gave unto my said son Ephraim which is not yet so fully confirmed to me as by my son Ephraim's promise it should have been. Also I give unto my aforesaid son Benjamin all my movable estate in cattle and boats, and household goods, and such like, excepting that which I have disposed of to my wife as abovesaid, out of which said movable estate my said son Benjamin shall pay these legacies which I give to my children as followeth:
first I give unto my son Ephraim Pierce, five pounds.
2 I give unto my daughter, Abigail Holbrook five pounds.
3 I give unto my daughter, Elizabeth Pierce 30 pounds.
4 I give unto my daughter, Sarah Pierce 30 pounds.
5 I give unto my daughter, Anna Pierce, fifty pounds.
6 I give unto my daughter, Mary Holbrook, 20 pounds.
7 I give unto my daughter, Abiah Pierce, thirty pounds.
8 I give unto my daughter, Ruth Pierce, thirty pounds.
9 I give unto my daughter, Persis Pierce, 50 pounds.
Also I give unto my grandchild Elizabeth Holbrook five pounds to be paid her by my son Benjamin aforesaid at her day of marriage or 21 yers old.
Also I give unto my grandchild Abigail Holbrook five pounds, to be paid her
by my son John Pierce aforesaid at her day of marriage, or twenty-one years of
age.
Also my will is, that if it should please God that my beloved wife
aforesaid should be afflicted with lameness or sickness so that the abovesaid
12 income be not sufficient to maintain her in comfortable manner, that then
what shall be meet by my overseers to be added for her comfortable maintenance
shall be equally payed her yearly by my son Benjamin Pierce and my son John of
that estate which I have given them as aforesaid.
Also I make my abovesaid wife my executrix and my son Benjamin Pierce
abovesaid my executor of my last will and testament, and also I the abovesaid
Michael Pierce my truly and will beloved friends Cornett Robert Statson and
Isaac __________ and my brother Mark Jennes and my brother Charles Stockbridge
overseers or witnesses of this my abovesaid last will and testament. In
witness wereof I set my hand and seal this fifteenth of January 1675.

Witnesses: Benjamin Woodworth Michael Pierce
Charles Stockbridge

Above information from files of Stephen M. Lawson

From Robin Dane Pierce:

Michael PIERCE - b. 1615 in England ; d. Mar. 25,1676, Cedar Falls, RI. Little is known about his ancestors. He was commissioned a Captain by the Colony Court in 1669. On Sunday March 26, 1676, while leading a company of about 65 Englishmen and 20 friendly Indians, he and his company were ambushed by a band of Narragansett Indians led by chief sachem Canonchet at Attleboro Gore on the banks of the Blackstone near present day Central Falls, RI. Nine of his men were captured and taken to a spot in Cumberland, RI, now called Nine Men's Misery, and tortured to death. Arriving too late, a relief force found and buried the bodies of the nine. A few days later, Canonchet was captured and executed. Capt. Pierce's will, dated Jan 15,1675, was proved Jul. 22, 1676. Will can be viewed at web site of Stephen M. Lawson

From Michael Pierce (mpierce282@ibm.net):

The actual birthdate of Michael Pierce, usually found as Captain Michael Pierce, is not known, although it is generally given as about 1615. This is based upon his first wife's birthdate and the age of his children. He first shows up in the records of Hingham, MA in the 1640's. He later moved to Scituate. There is still a street there called "Capt Pierce Rd." He was active in the affairs of the town, as his name appears in a few official records. He was killed at Central Falls, RI on March 26, 1676, as was most of his command. There are two plaques in Central Falls which commerate this fight; one is in the park at Pierce Park and Riverwalk.

As far as the line being traced back 24 genrations, some genealogists have taken the line that far, however, I have been unable to substantiate it. There have been at least three names given for his father, but none of these have been proved either. It is said he had brothers Richard, John, and William. Again, there is no absolute proof of this.

His son Ephraim later lived in Providence, RI, and Swansea and Rehoboth, MA. My line is Michael, Ephraim, Mial, Job, Job Jr., Benonia, Hiram, Benonia, Frank, and Lawrence.

I have some information on some other branches of the family, as well as information on some of the related families. Several of these lines go back to England in the 1500's. If you are interested, or if you have additional information for me, please let me know.

More About Michael J. Pierce:
Fact 1: 1676, Killed by Indians

Children of Michael Pierce and Persis Ames are:

	i.	Persis³ Pearce, b. January 07, 1644/45, Scituate, Plymouth, MA ²¹; d. 1646, Scituate, Plymouth Co., MA; m. Richard Garrett; b. Abt. 1646, Scituate, Plymouth Co., MA²¹.
14.	ii.	Capt. Benjamin B. Pierce, b. 1646, Scituate, Plymouth Co., MA; d. May 03, 1730, Scituate, Plymouth Co., MA.
15.	iii.	Ephraim Pierce, b. 1647, Scituate, Plymouth, MA; d. September 29, 1719, Warwick, Kent, RI.
	iv.	Elizabeth Pierce, b. Abt. 1649, Scituate, Plymouth Co., MA²¹; m. Unknown Holbrook, 1673, Scituate, Plymouth Co., MA; b. Abt. 1650, Scituate, Plymouth Co., MA.
	v.	Deborah Pierce, b. Abt. 1650, Scituate, Plymouth, MA²¹.
	vi.	Sarah Pearce, b. Abt. 1652, Scituate, Plymouth Co., MA.
16.	vii.	Mary Pierce, b. 1654, Scituate, Plymouth, MA; d. April 26, 1735, Scituate, Plymouth, MA.
17.	viii.	Abigail Pierce, b. Abt. 1656, Scituate, Plymouth Co., MA; d. 1723.
	ix.	Anna Pearce, b. Abt. 1657, Scituate, Plymouth Co., MA.
18.	x.	Abiah Pierce, b. Abt. 1659, Scituate, Plymouth, MA; d. Abington, Plymouth, MA..
19.	xi.	John Pierce, b. Abt. 1660, Scituate, Plymouth, MA; d. June 28, 1738, Swansea, Bristol, MA.
	xii.	Ruth Pierce, b. Abt. 1661, Scituate, Plymouth, MA; d. 1760.
	xiii.	Persis Pierce, b. Abt. 1662, Scituate, Plymouth, MA; m. Richard Garrett, December 03, 1695, Scituate, Plymouth Co., MA; b. Abt. 1660, Scituate, Plymouth Co., MA.

Children of Michael Pierce and Hannah James are:

	xiv.		Abigail³ Pierce, b. May 09, 1655.
	xv.		Anna Pierce, b. May 09, 1655, Scituate, Plymouth, MA.

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