Person Page 1

Chester Burdick Pearsall

Parents

Biography

Birth	26 August 1888	Chester Burdick Pearsall was born on 26 August 1888 in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey.1,2
Photo Link	1895	In 1895, in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey. Photos from Chet's Childhood, 1890's
Photo Family Group	1898	In 1898, in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey. Left to right: James, Ethel, Ferris, Harriet, Father holding Helen. Katherine, Mother holding Virginia. Chester, and Bill Anderson in front.
Graduation	1910	He graduated 1910 from Lehigh University, M.E., in Bethlehem, Northampton County, Pennsylvania,
Address	18 June 1910	As of 18 June 1910, Chester lived at 122 Fitzhugh St. in Rochester, Monroe County, New York. In a letter to his mother dated 18 June 1910, Chet wrote that Collins (a friend working at the same company) "took me around to several places in search of a room. I had gone to the Y.M.C.A beforehand and had gotten several addresses of boarding houses. I finally landed at 122 Fitzhugh. It is a corner house, a very nice, old fashioned place. I have a side room, which I think will be quite comfortable. The present occupant will not leave till Monday, so I am staying with Collins until that time. Board and rent will amount to $6.50 -- a little higher than I had hoped for, but the best I could do. This is a great city. It seems to be up-to-date in every particular."
Employment	20 June 1910	As of 20 June 1910, Chester was employed in Rochester, Monroe County, New York, by M. D. Knowlton Co. He was assisted in getting the job by one of his professors at Lehigh, Professor Klein. The manager, Mr. Hawkins, was a personal friend of Prof. Klein. Chet said in a letter to his mother in early June Mr. Hawkins "is a man who takes personal interest in his men and advances them as they show ability." He started out in the drafting room. Edgar Hawkins was the husband of Nana Pratt, the sister of Mason D. Pratt, and aunt of Chet's future wife, Roxana Pratt.
National Guard	2 October 1912	Chester enlisted in the National Guard 2 October 1912 in Rochester, Monroe County, New York. At the time, he was living at 122 South Fitzhugh St., mispelled on his service card as Fitsburgh. The card lists his age as 24, Grade" Private, Organization: Mounted Scouts, 3rd Infantry, N.G., N.Y. In a letter to his mother of 10 June 1913, he says "Next month I will have to take a week off for Camp at Farnham, N.Y." Perhaps this was for the National Guard. I have some photos of his father at a military encampment, so perhaps his father was also in the Guard, I should look into that.
Employment	July 1913	As of July 1913, Chester was employed in Rochester, Monroe County, New York, in outside sales . He describes some of his sales trips in a letter to his mother. It does not give any hints as to whether this is still for M. D. Knowlton, or for another company, but due to a later letter I think he still worked for M.D.K. at this time.
Draft Registration	23 May 1917	Chester registered for the draft on 23 May 1917, Rochester, Monroe County, New York, Details from his Registration Card: age 29, Residence 83 So. Fitzhugh in Rochester, born 26 Aug 1888 in Westfield, New Jersey. Occupation: Mechanical Engineer. Employer: M.D. Knowlton & Co, 29 Elizabeth St., Rochester, NY. Have you a dependent solely dependent on you? No. Marital status: Single. Race: White. Prior military service rank: Private. Branch: Infantry. Years: 3. Nation or state: N.G.N.Y. Do you claim exemption from draft (specify grounds): "Principle (sic) means of support of mother". Height: Tall. Build: Medium. Eyes: Blue. Hair: Brown. Disability: No. Chet's father had died in 1914, and evidently he started sending funds to his mother after that time. He notes in letters from army training camp that she should expect monthly checks from Washington. In her letters to Chet in later years she starts each letter thanking him for his check, often detailing what necessity she plans to spend it on.
Military Enlistment	26 December 1917	Chester enlisted in the military on 26 December 1917 USA School of Military Aeronautics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, in Buffalo, New York,
Anecdote	21 April 1918	21 April 1918: While at the School of Military Aeronautics in Ithaca, Chet refers to being a member of the Masons. "I expect to obtain an over-Sunday pass. Will go up to Rochester to get my Third Degree in Masonry."
Military Transfer	11 June 1918	Chester received a military transfer 11 June 1918 to Souther Field, Aviation Training Camp, in Americus, Georgia,
Engagement	October 1918	He and Roxana Mabel Pratt were engaged in October 1918. On 31 Oct 1918, Chet's mother wrote a letter to Roxana, congratulating her and hoping to soon have the pleasure of meeting her. She wrote to Roxana at 11 Warren Place, White Plains, New York. They met in November, as evidenced by photos of the couple there, dated on the back.
Marriage	17 May 1919	He and Roxana Mabel Pratt were married on 17 May 1919 in Rochester, Monroe County, New York,
Directory	June 1919	As of June 1919 Chester was listed in the Rochester, Monroe County, New York, directory at 33 Pinnacle Rd. as home and salesman at 29 Elizabeth. With Roxanna.
Census	8 January 1920	He appeared in the census 8 January 1920 at 33 Pinnacle Road, 14th Ward, ED 156, in Rochester, Monroe County, New York. Chester is listed as: Head, married to Roxanna, Renter, Mechanical Engineer.3
Address	June 1920	As of June 1920, Chester lived at 181 Culver Rd. in Rochester, Monroe County, New York, and as of 2017, the house can be seen on Google street view, and still has the same front porch with balcony above.
Child Born	9 March 1921	On 9 March 1921 at 181 Culver Rd., in Rochester, Monroe County, New York, Chester and Roxana had their first child, a son, Mason Pratt, named after her father.
Child Born	18 October 1923	On 18 October 1923 at 181 Culver Rd, in Rochester, Monroe County, New York, Chester and Roxana had their second child and first daughter, Mary Ferris, named after Chet's mother.
Child Born	2 November 1924	On 2 November 1924 at 181 Culver Rd., in Rochester, Monroe County, New York, Chester and Roxana had their third and last child, Alice Crane.
Address	1925	As of 1925, Chester lived at 50 Werner Pk in Rochester, Monroe County, New York, In the Rochester Directory for 1925 they are still listed on Culver Rd., but in the census they are on Werner.
Census	1 June 1925	He appeared in the census 1 June 1925 at 50 Werner Pk in Rochester, Monroe County, New York. Chester is listed as: "Chester D., Head, age 35, Sales Engineer; Roxana P., Wife, 32, Housework; Mason P., son, age 4; Mary F., daughter, age 1; Alice, daughter, 209." I think the 209 represents days -- Alice was born in November of 1924. Block 6, ED 1, Ward 14.
Photo Link	1930	In 1930 Miscellaneous Pearsall photos from Rochester days Chet and Roxana
Census	18 April 1930	He appeared in the census 18 April 1930 at 26 Homer Street, Ward 21, ED 28-181, in Rochester, Monroe County, New York. Chester is listed as: as Head, with Roxana P., wife, Mason P., son, Mary F. and Alice, daughters, and Esther Schilstra, age 15, servant. Esther's sister Gladys appears to be the servant next door at #30, the Vincent Palmer residence.4
Employment	12 May 1930	As of 12 May 1930, Chester was employed by M. D. Knowlton, based on a letter from a Japanese customer sending a gift of appreciation to him at his business address.
Address	31 July 1937	As of 31 July 1937, Chester lived at 1029 Harvard Street in Rochester, Monroe County, New York, described in his lease as a single house and two car garage, for $75 per month. The lease states that the Landlord agrees to release the Tenant in the second year of the lease with 60 days notice if the Tenant is required to move from the city for business reasons. The family lived on Harvard St. until they moved in September of 1939 to 18 Green Street in New Canaan, CT. So perhaps Chet knew at the time that a transfer might be coming up.
Moved	1 September 1939	As of 1 September 1939, Chester moved to 18 Green Street New Canaan, Fairfield County, Connecticut, He signed a one-year rental agreement for the house, for $50 per month. This rental lease was renewed yearly through Sep 1943.
Employment	28 September 1939	As of 28 September 1939, Chester was employed in New York City, New York County, New York, by Container Co. as a salesman. On the occasion of his move to New Canaan, he received a letter from the President, Hans Eggerss. One paragraph states, "Appreciating that our request for you to come into New York under Frank has brought about some adjustment in your living, we are arranging to change your remuneration as of September first to $500 a month in place of the $450 you have been receiving." Also, "Getting back to the matter of the new arrangement for your working out of the New York office direct, I feel certain that both the Company and you personally are going to benefit by this adjustment. Frank's guidance and counsel will be invaluable and without doubt the new adjustment in the eastern territory will give you bigger and better opportunities..." Therefore, it appears that he has already been working for Container Co. for some period.
Census	4 April 1940	He appeared in the census 4 April 1940 at 18 Green Street in New Canaan, Fairfield County, Connecticut. Chester is listed as: S.D. 4, E.D. I-78. Listed as "Chester V. Pearsall, 18 Green Ave., Head, Renter, $50, not a farm. Age 41, Education completed College 4 yrs., Born in New Jersey, residence Rochester, employed, hours worked 50, Sales Engineer, Fibreboard industry, class of worker Private Sector, salary $5000+, more than $50 from sources other than money wages or salary" (not sure if this means commission). Chet's age is wrong, he was 51. Listed in the household were "Roxana P, wife, age 47, two years of high school; Mason P., son, age 19, 4 years high school; Mary F., daughter, age 16, 2 years high school; and Alice C, age 15, one year high school."
History Note	December 1942	In December 1942 the following event took place: Container Co. merged with Continental Can Corporation. Therefore, Chet became an employee of Continental Can. Hans Eggerss of Container Co. moved into an executive position there and remained the head of Chet's division for some years, as evidenced by yearly Christmas letters received by Chet in the 1940's. Eggerss retired from Continental Can in Dec 1955.
Photo Family Group	1943	In 1943 Chet, Mason and Mason Pratt
Moved	11 September 1943	As of 11 September 1943, Chester moved to 3 Brooks Road New Canaan, Fairfield County, Connecticut, which they purchased on that date for $15,500.
Photo Family Group	August 1947	In August 1947, in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey. Chet, his mother Mary Ferris Pearsall, his son Mason holding Holly
Photo Link	about 1973	About 1973 Grandpa Chet and Davey, about 1973
Photo Family Group	May 1977	In May 1977, in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey. On Steps: Chet with his sisters, Katharine top left, then Chet, Virginia. Eleanor seated left and Helen right.
Photo Family Group	September 1979	In September 1979, in Litchfield, Litchfield County, Connecticut. Chet, his sister Helen, his niece Kate Downham, and his son-in-law, David Tilley, with whom he lived at that time.
Photo Family Group	about 1981	About 1981, in Litchfield, Litchfield County, Connecticut. Mason, Molly, Alice, with Chet and Roxana
Death	21 January 1983	He died on 21 January 1983 at Home of David B. Tilley in Litchfield, Litchfield County, Connecticut,
Obituary	27 January 1983	27 January 1983, Westfield, Union County, New Jersey, Westfield Leader Obituary:. Chester B. Pearsall Former Westfield resident Chester B. Pearsall, 94, died Friday, Jan 21 at the home of his daughter, Alice B. Tilley, with whom he lived in Litchfield, Conn. He was born Aug. 26, 1888 in Westfield, the son of the late Edgar R. and Mary Ferris Pearsall. A graduate of Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa., he was a member of Tau Beta Pi. During World War I, he was a pilot with the Army Air Corps. Mr. Pearsall retired from Continental Can Co., where he had been a sales manager. In addition to Mrs. Tilley, Mr. Pearsall is survived by his wife, Roxana Pratt Pearsall; a son, Mason P. Pearsall of Houston, Tex.; a daughter, Mary P. Dickson of Salisbury, Vt.; two sisters, Miss Helen Pearsall of Westfield and Mrs. Virginia Picker of Haddonfield; 11 grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Funeral services and burial were private.
Burial Plot	1986	Chester and Roxana have a gravestone at Fairview Cemetery, in Chet's home town, near several generations of Pearsall and related family members.
Note		Chet's Memories of Childhood To My Sisters - Katharine, Helen, Virginia, Eleanor At the turn of the century, 1900, I was twelve years of age and aware of responsibilities as becomes the 5th child in a family of 9. Our home was unpretentious, yet adequate for our needs. My daily chores included cleaning of lamp chimneys, trimming the wicks, and keeping kerosene in the several lamps. We had no gas or electricity. I also was expected to scuttle coal from the lean-to in back of the kitchen to the sizable kitchen range , which used "pea" coal, and the upstairs hall stove, a "nut" burning Frank-lin, which would supply some heat upstairs for winter days when the hall was dressing room for most of us. 'There was no central heating, but we had a fireplace in the living room, put to good use; also a fireplace in the dining room, but it was more or less blocked off and was rarely used. The kitchen coal range provided heat for the adjacent dining room. We three boys, Ferris, James and I, occupied a largish bed-room above the dining-room. Jim and I had the double bed with a mattress that sagged and gave us considerable trouble at night keeping one another on side. Older brother Ferris had his own iron frame bed. Water for bathing had to be brought up from the kitchen; hot water from the big range. We all kept decently clean, using up-stairs pans or the washtub. Saturday was bath day. We took turns of course, and there was naturally considerable to-do about it, to cleanse us all. Much later a bathroom was installed; also a central heating plant supplying heat as needed throughout and wonderful hot water from the spigot. A contribution to the improvement in the homestead occurred in 1906 or 1907 for which I take credit. Mother sorely needed better kitchen facilities. The kitchen was two or three steps down from dining-room and the floor was old and difficult if not impossible to keep clean. Also, the lean-to shed which housed the coal bins was ram-shackle. I drew up a plan for remodeling the kitchen and dispensing with the out-shed. In due time it was com-pleted, including town water. I don't recall whether the old kitchen coal range was abandoned at that time in favor of an electric range, but I believe so. The above recollections are of 112 Ferris Place, formerly Union Place, Westfield. Now that I, Chester, am the oldest of the Edgar Pearsall tribe, events I may recall before 1900 antedate my sisters. I hope to have pep enough to recount events prior to 1900, when our home was with Grandmother and Grandfather Ferris on Broad Street. But that's another story. I'm sending this recollection to Helen to peruse and perhaps amend. Helen, please pass it on to Katherine, and then to Virginia, and to Eleanor. Whether the younger generation is interested in "olden times" is a question. We know a great deal about our ancestors, back many generations, but our own Grandmother Pearsall whom I so well remem-ber, has left no trace of her parentage. Presumably she was a "Morgan", yet if not mistaken, I hazily recall someone telling me that she was a VanDerhoeft, or some such dutch ancestry. In any event, I recall her as one of the finest of Christian characters, on a par with our own Mother. Whatever betides us, we can and will be proud of our ancestry, both Ferris and Pearsall lineage. I have not attempted to recount the many incidents that all five of us will recall more or less vividly. Perhaps one of my sisters will do this. One reason for this recording is to im-press upon me, and all four of my sisters, plus their children, the change, for better or worse, after seventy-odd years in way of life. And it roils me to hear and read about the critical attitude of much of our citizenry, complaining about this and that, from our President and on down to the garbage collection. This generation is just spoiled-rotten spoiled-myself not excluded. Folks have been rudely awakened to the fact that other countries than dear old U.S.A. have their "druthers" - and money, even the dollar, won't buy everything. It's just as well that "Americans" must come to accept the inevitable. If we're sound in mind we will profit by it As a 6 to 8 year old, I recall that men and. women, mostly from Europe, came to America with precious little except willing-ness and ability to work for wages; all to their credit. It paid off - after a generation or two, and for the most part they have become our esteemed citizens and neighbors. Our democracy has made this possible. I think all should realize and acknowledge it with-out 'beefing", especially those who have been aided so magnificently by opportunities America has offered. I trust you will accept this memorabilia in the spirit written, and add a contribution.

Citations

1. [S30] Jim Ferris, compiler, "Ferris, John CD ROM"; "JOHN" 1.1.3.1.1.3.1.5, Ancestral File (30 Jul 1999)
2. [S75] Mason Delano Pratt, Genealogy of Richard Henry Pratt and his wife Anna Laura Mason Pratt (San Francisco, California: Privately Printed, May, 1943). Hereinafter cited as Pratt Genealogy.
3. [S76] , Census Online, Viewed on ancestry.com, Image 14 of 21, Sheet 7B.
4. [S77] , Census Online, Viewed on ancestry.com, Image 37 of 111, Sheet 19A.

Roxana Mabel Pratt

Parents

Biography

Photo Link		Miscellaneous Photos
Birth	18 January 1893	Roxana Mabel Pratt was born on 18 January 1893 in Steelton, Pennsylvania.
PhotoLink	about 1898	About 1898, in Steelton, Dauphin, Pennsylvania, United States.
Census	7 June 1900	She appeared in the household of Mason Delano Pratt in the census 7 June 1900 at 330 Spruce St in Steelton, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. Mason is listed as head, born Jan 1865, age 35, married 11 years, born in Indiana, both parents born in New York, Homeowner with mortgage. With Mabel, wife, born Jan 1866, age 34, married 11 years, 4 children, 4 living, born in Wisconsin, Father born in Vermont, mother in New York. Sarah, daughter, born June 1890, age 9. Richard H., son, born Dec. 1891, age 8. Roxana, daughter, born Jan 1893, age 7. Marion, daughter, born July 1894, age 5. Sarah E. Crane, mother-in-law, born June 1833, age 66, widowed, 3 children, 2 living, born in New York, father born in Connecticut, mother in Vermont. Maria Washington, servant, black, born June 1871, age 38, widowed, age 39, married 12 years, 1 child, 1 living, born in Virginia. Lizzie Johnston, servant, black, born Aug. 1874, age 20, single, born in Virginia. In the 1905 directory his home address is listed as Bellevue and 21st.1
Photo Family Group	1905	In 1905, in Harrisburg, Dauphin, Pennsylvania. Mabel and her family L. to R., Alex, Marion, Mabel, Grandma Crane, Sarah, Roxana, Dick. I found this photo tucked away in an old folder I had forgotten, and it is the photo that allowed me to identify the house they lived in on Bellevue Rd.
Photo Family Group	1905	In 1905, in Pennsylvania. Possibly taken at Carlisle, or Harrisburg. I am guessing the date because Alex who was born in 1901 looks about 4. Girls usually lowered their dresses to full length by 16, maybe 15. Sarah was born in 1890, and is wearing a long dress here. One more brother, Dick, is not in the photograph.
Photo Link	about 1908	About 1908
Newspaper Mention	30 October 1908	She was mentioned in a newspaper report about Mabel Crane when 30 October 1908 edition of the Harrisburg Telegraph, Harrisburg, Dauphin, Pennsylvania, reported that Mrs. Mason D. Pratt and Miss Roxanna Pratt, 1100 Green Street, are at The Preston, Wernersville, for a stay of several weeks. The South Mountain health resorts, or sanatoriums, west of Reading, PA, attracted many guests from eastern cities in the late 1800's and early 1900's , to enjoy the mountain air, exercise, and health services. From the website of the <1 href="http://www.berkshistory.org/ " target="new">Berks History Center: "The 'Preston Sunny Side' summer resort was established by Dr. James S. Preston in 1880 and operated by his son James after 1882. The buildings were of stone and frame, three stories high, and were connected by covered piazzas. There were accommodations for 125 guests. The piazzas commanded a magnificent view of the Lancaster Valley. The grounds were picturesque and attractive, comprising an extensive woodland park. The mountain in the rear of the resort reaching to the doors was studded with large pine, cedar, and dogwood trees. A beautiful sight, especially in the spring of the year. The resort consisted of over 500 acres, mostly woodland. The observatory on the mountain summit presented a panorama, including the most complete view of both the Lancaster and the Lebanon Valleys." An advertisement for a similar resort, The Mountain Home, in Wernersville, from the 1882 Pennsylvania Gazatteer, is also attached.
Photo Family Group	about 1912	About 1912 MD Pratt and family and his parents
Photo Link	about 1914	About 1914 Dick and Roxana
Engagement	October 1918	Chester Burdick Pearsall and Roxana Mabel Pratt were engaged in October 1918. On 31 Oct 1918, Chet's mother wrote a letter to Roxana, congratulating her and hoping to soon have the pleasure of meeting her. She wrote to Roxana at 11 Warren Place, White Plains, New York. They met in November, as evidenced by photos of the couple there, dated on the back.
Photo Link	1919	In 1919 Roxana with siblings
Marriage	17 May 1919	Chester Burdick Pearsall and she were married on 17 May 1919 in Rochester, Monroe County, New York,
Newspaper Mention	22 May 1919	The 22 May 1919 edition of the The Harrisburg Patriot, Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, reported Mr. and Mrs. Mason Delano Pratt, of Baltimore, have announced the marriage of their daughter, Miss Roxana Mabel Pratt, to Chester Burdick Pearsall of Rochester, N.Y. The wedding was solemnized Saturday, May 17, at Rochester. The Pratt family is widely known in this city, having lived here for a number of years. Mr. Pratt for a short time was with the old Pennsylvania Steel Company and lived for a year or more on Cottage Hill, Steelton, later moving to the Haehnlen home in Bellevue Park, and then to Green and Herr Streets. He was president of the Engineers' Society in 1912 and closed his offices in the First National Bank Building, where he was a consulting engineer, to accept a position as city engineer in Baltimore. Colonel Richard Henry Pratt, father of M.D. Pratt, was for years superintendent of the Carlisle Indian School. Mrs. Pearsall attended Central High School and later the Seiler School.
Photo Link	1921	In 1921, in Rochester, Monroe County, New York. Mason as a baby
Child Born	9 March 1921	On 9 March 1921 at 181 Culver Rd., in Rochester, Monroe County, New York, Chester and Roxana had their first child, a son, Mason Pratt, named after her father.
Photo Link	1922	In 1922 Baby Mason with his great grandfather, General Pratt Baby Mason with Gen. Pratt
Child Born	18 October 1923	On 18 October 1923 at 181 Culver Rd, in Rochester, Monroe County, New York, Chester and Roxana had their second child and first daughter, Mary Ferris, named after Chet's mother.
Photo Link	1924	In 1924, in Rochester, Monroe County, New York. Aunt Marion's visit, winter 1924-25
Child Born	2 November 1924	On 2 November 1924 at 181 Culver Rd., in Rochester, Monroe County, New York, Chester and Roxana had their third and last child, Alice Crane.
Witness	1925	As of 1925, Roxana Mabel Pratt lived at 50 Werner Pk in Rochester, Monroe County, New York, In the Rochester Directory for 1925 they are still listed on Culver Rd., but in the census they are on Werner.
Photo Link	1925	In 1925, in Rochester, Monroe County, New York. Grandpa Pratt with Molly
Census	1 June 1925	She appeared in the household of Chester Burdick Pearsall in the census 1 June 1925 at 50 Werner Pk in Rochester, Monroe County, New York. Chester is listed as "Chester D., Head, age 35, Sales Engineer; Roxana P., Wife, 32, Housework; Mason P., son, age 4; Mary F., daughter, age 1; Alice, daughter, 209." I think the 209 represents days -- Alice was born in November of 1924. Block 6, ED 1, Ward 14.
Photo Link	about 1926	About 1926, in Rochester, Monroe County, New York. Roxana's children
Photo Link	1926	In 1926 Children visit with Grandmother Pratt about 1926
Photo Link	December 1926	In December 1926, in Rochester, Monroe County, New York. Mason and Molly in the Snow, about 1926
Photo Link	1927	In 1927, in Carmel, California. Visit to California - beach at Carmel
Photo Link	1927	In 1927, in San Francisco, California. Visit to California -- Lake St.
Newspaper Item	24 April 1929	According to the 24 April 1929 edition of the Rochester Times Union ,Mrs. Henry Marvin of Jamestown spent the week-end with her cousin, Mrs. Chester Pearsall of Homer Street.
Census	18 April 1930	She appeared in the household of Chester Burdick Pearsall in the census 18 April 1930 at 26 Homer Street, Ward 21, ED 28-181, in Rochester, Monroe County, New York. Chester is listed as as Head, with Roxana P., wife, Mason P., son, Mary F. and Alice, daughters, and Esther Schilstra, age 15, servant. Esther's sister Gladys appears to be the servant next door at #30, the Vincent Palmer residence.2
Photo Link	about 1932	About 1932 Various photos of the children in the early to mid 1930's
Photo Link	about 1933	About 1933 Swimming at Lake Ontario
Witness	31 July 1937	As of 31 July 1937, Roxana Mabel Pratt lived at 1029 Harvard Street in Rochester, Monroe County, New York, described in his lease as a single house and two car garage, for $75 per month. The lease states that the Landlord agrees to release the Tenant in the second year of the lease with 60 days notice if the Tenant is required to move from the city for business reasons. The family lived on Harvard St. until they moved in September of 1939 to 18 Green Street in New Canaan, CT. So perhaps Chet knew at the time that a transfer might be coming up.
Witness	1 September 1939	As of 1 September 1939, Roxana Mabel Pratt moved with Chester Burdick Pearsall to 18 Green Street New Canaan, Fairfield County, Connecticut, He signed a one-year rental agreement for the house, for $50 per month. This rental lease was renewed yearly through Sep 1943.
Witness	11 September 1943	As of 11 September 1943, Roxana Mabel Pratt moved with Chester Burdick Pearsall to 3 Brooks Road New Canaan, Fairfield County, Connecticut, which they purchased on that date for $15,500.
Photo Link	October 1946	In October 1946, in Norfolk, Connecticut. At the Yale Barn Restaurant, Norfolk, CT 5 Oct 1946: Molly, Roxana, Joan Hollister, and Winnie Somewhere in Norfolk: Joan, Mollie kneeling, Marion Pratt, Winnie, Roxana -- could that be Mason's sailboat? Winnie and Mason were married in March of that year, and lived in Norfolk, so perhaps the family came up from New Canaan for a visit. The third picture, with Mason in it, is from Sep 1946 -- Mason, Winnie, Molly, and on the right, Roxana. Two friends of Roxana's.
Photo Link	2 October 1946	On 2 October 1946, in Devon, Pennsylvania. Roxana and Margaret Phillips
Photo Link	about 1955	About 1955 Molly, Roxana, Ellenor (McCombs) Hollister
Photo Link	September 1957	In September 1957, in New Canaan, Fairfield County, Connecticut. 2nd from L, Marion Pratt, Ellenor Hollister, Roxana Pearsall Perhaps the woman on the left could be Margaret Phillips.
Photo Family Group	May 1977	In May 1977, in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey. Chet with his sisters on the front porch at Aunt Helen's.
Photo Family Group	about 1981	About 1981, in Litchfield, Litchfield County, Connecticut. Mason, Molly, Alice, with Chet and Roxana
Death	19 January 1985	She died on 19 January 1985 in Litchfield, Litchfield County, Connecticut,
Witness	1986	Chester and Roxana have a gravestone at Fairview Cemetery, in Chet's home town, near several generations of Pearsall and related family members.

Citations

1. [S81] , 1900 Census Online, Viewed on ancestry.com.
2. [S77] , Census Online, Viewed on ancestry.com, Image 37 of 111, Sheet 19A.

Edgar Randolph Pearsall

Parents

Biography

Birth	3 November 1854	Edgar Randolph Pearsall was born on 3 November 1854 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York.1
Census	1870	He appeared in the household of Phineas Carman Pearsall in the census 1870 at Ward 21 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. Phineas is listed as age 52, Real Estate Agt, no real estate, $500 personal estate, b. New Jersey, with Catharine, age 48, b. New Jersey, Carrie, 27, At home, Lavina, 19, At home, Matilda, 17, At home, Edgar, 15, Clerk in Store, Charles 9. All children b. New York.2
Directory	1878	As of 1878 Edgar was listed in the Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, directory at 726 Monroe as reporter.
Church Affiliation	May 1878	As of May 1878, Edgar was affiliated with Janes Methodist Episcopal School, Bowronville, in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. He assisted with the Annual Sunday School parade, which was a major Brooklyn event. The Brooklyn Eagle devoted almost a full page on May 23rd to a detailed account of the event. The largest parade was in Brooklyn proper, but a smaller parade in the "locality of Bowronville, known as the Eastern Sunday School Union" parade, was also described. Bowronville was the area now called Bushwick. Sunday Schools from 7 churches participated, Reformed, Baptist, Episcopal, Presbyterian, and Methodist Episcopal. One of the M.E. churches was Janes, with which Edgar was associated. See some short excerpts from the newspaper, attached.
Church Affiliation	December 1878	As of December 1878, Edgar was affiliated with Johnson St. Methodist Episcopal Church, in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. He conducted the "Young People's prayer meeting" on Monday evenings. See attached.
Directory	1879	As of 1879 Edgar was listed in the Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, directory at 726 Monroe as reporter.
Newspaper Mention	2 May 1879	The 2 May 1879 edition of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, reported on the activities of the Brooklyn Association of Christian Workers. They have been holding revival services recently, and among the most active members is "P.C. Pearsall, of the Pearsall family." See attached.3
Census	5 June 1880	He appeared in the household of Phineas Carman Pearsall in the census 5 June 1880 in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey. Phineas is listed as Phineas C., age 64, Tailor, with Catherine M, 59, wife, Keeping house, and Edgar E, 25, son, Reporter. They are living next to Edward L. Embree, age 30, agent for a Salt Co., and Martha, 26 wife, keeping house, and Royal B, age 6, son, and Alvah L, age 2 son.
Marriage	27 October 1881	Edgar Randolph Pearsall and Mary Palmer Ferris were married on 27 October 1881 in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey,
Directory	1885	As of 1885 Edgar was listed in the Westfield, Union County, New Jersey, directory at Broad nr Prospect. as publisher (New York).
Position	1885	As of 1885 Edgar served as editor of the Union County Standard in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey, which he continued through 1888, when his brother Alfred took over.
Photo Family Group	November 1889	In November 1889, in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey. The names are noted on the back of the photo: Grandmother Grandfather Ferris Aunt Elizabeth Briggs Aunt El (Ferris) Father (Edgar R. Pearsall) holding Chester James Ferris Harriet Mother (Mary Ferris Pearsall) Ethel
Photo Family Group	1898	In 1898, in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey. Left to right: James, Ethel, Ferris, Harriet, Father holding Helen. Katherine, Mother holding Virginia. Chester, and Bill Anderson in front.
Death	1 May 1913	He died on 1 May 1913
Burial	3 May 1913	He was buried on 3 May 1913 at Fairview Cemetery, Ferris Plots, in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey.
Obituary	7 May 1913	7 May 1913, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, Westfield Leader, page 11:, Obituary:. "NEWSPAPER MAN PASSES AWAY Edgar R. Pearsall, Old Time Resident Succumbs After a Short Illness Large Church Funeral Edgar Randolph Pearsall passed away at his home on Ferris Place last Thursday morning, after an illness of three weeks' duration. Mr. Pearsall had been a resident of this town for the past thirty-two years, and was well known as a journalist and military man. He was the founder of the Union County Standard, and all his life had been identified with newspaper work. Mr. Pearsall was born in Brooklyn on November 3, 1854, he spent his early life in that city until he moved to Westfield. Mr. Pearsall served as bill clerk in the Assembly when Charles N. Coddling was one of the representatives from Union county. He was an exempt fireman, being one of the original members of the Westfield Hook and Ladder Company. He was also a member of Fireside Council, Royal Arcanum, and of the Immediate Aid. For many years the deceased was prominent in military affairs. He was connected with the National Guard for eighteen years, enlisting in Company C, of Elizabeth, when that organization was known as the Phil Kearny Guard, under command of Major DeHart. Later Mr. Pearsall joined Company K, of Plainfield, and after serving as a private, was promoted to the rank of corporal. Later he became sergeant, and three years ago was commissioned second lieutenant. He held this rank until his commission expired last February. For several years he had charge of the Boys' Brigade of Westfield. Mr. Pearsall leaves a widow, three sons, Ferris R. and Chester B. Pearsall of Westfield, and James F. Pearsall of Melrose, Fla. He also leaves six daughters, the Misses Harriet, Helen, Virginia, Eleanor and Catherine Pearsall of Westfield, and Miss Ethel Pearsall, of Jacksonville, Fla. Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon in the First M.E. church, the Rev. A.W. Hayes, of Madison, and the Rev. Dr. C.M. Anderson, of Plainfield, former pastors of the church, officiating. The service was largely attended, and included delegations from the fire department, Royal Arcanum and State militia, with which the deceased was closely identified for many years. The bearers were Ferris and Chester Pearsall, sons of Mr. Pearsall, and C.E. Pearsall, L.M. Pearsall, J.H. Pearsall, and R.C. Pearsall, nephews of Mr. Pearsall. Interment took place in the family plot in Fairview Cemetery."

Citations

1. [S13] Clarence E. Pearsall with Hettie May Pearsall and Harry L. Neall, History and Genealogy of the Pearsall Family in England and America (San Francisco, CA: H.S. Crocker Company, Inc., 1928), Chap42 pg 1328 sec 16. Hereinafter cited as Pearsall Genealogy, CEP.
2. [S84] , Census Online, Viewed on ancestry.com.
3. [S159] , Brooklyn Daily Eagle 1841 - 1902 Brooklyn Public Library Online, Brooklyn, New York, http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/eagle/, 2 Mar 1879, p. 2, 2 Mar 1879, p. 2

Mary Palmer Ferris

Parents

Biography

Note		Note by Edgar Leggett: Phone conversation with Mason C. Deaver on 26 Sept, 2000 He recalls grandmother Pearsall telling how she was in Nashville, TN in 1864 at age 8 seeing the "defeated confederate soldiers straggling into town". Her father ran a Union army store in Nashville. At the time of Grandmother's tale telling Mason, she was in Lexington visiting Uncle Mason and Ethel. She probably had taken the train to Lexington or Buena Vista. Mason remembers Grandmother telling stories about her grandfather telling stories about George Washington.
Note		Family Photographs These two portraits hung in the living room of Helen Pearsall in Westfield, NJ, and had presumably hung there when her mother, Mary Palmer Ferris Pearsall, was living. Helen always lived with her mother and continued living in the same home until towards the end of her life, she went into a senior living center in or near Wilmington, Delaware. In the attached photo of Helen and her brother Chet, you can see one of the portraits over the mantelpiece. The portraits are in possession of the Downham family. A curator at the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum in Williamsburg, VA, estimated that they were painted around 1840. This is based on their clothing styles and the style of the chairs. There is no signature or other information on them. I estimate that the girl is the elder of the two, perhaps 16 or 18. The boy could be perhaps 12, plus or minus a few years. The boy has blue eyes. The girl appears to have pierced ears. Both are holding a book, perhaps a Bible, or in her case, a hymnal. In his case, perhaps a schoolbook. Speculating on their birthdates, based on the estimated painting date of 1840, and guesses on their ages, I estimated around 1823 for the girl and 1829 for the boy, or thereabouts. The family of Mary's husband Edgar does not present two young family members of these ages in 1840. However, the family of Mary's father, James Royce Ferris, presents several possibilities. His brother, Josiah Seymour Ferris, Jr., was born in Peekskill, NY in November 1829, and he had several sisters who might qualify: Mary Ann b. Sep 1822, Eliza b. Apr 1825, and Lydia b. Jul 1827. Another brother, Joseph, b. 1820, died as a child in 1826, and his only other brother, William, lived only 2 years, from 1835 to 1837. Eliza married James Currey in 1843, and had a big family. Some of those descendants are DNA matches to descendants of Chester Pearsall, Mary's son.
Birth	20 June 1856	Mary Palmer Ferris was born on 20 June 1856 in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey.
Marriage	27 October 1881	Edgar Randolph Pearsall and she were married on 27 October 1881 in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey,
Photo Family Group	1898	In 1898, in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey. Left to right: James, Ethel, Ferris, Harriet, Father holding Helen. Katherine, Mother holding Virginia. Chester, and Bill Anderson in front.
Newspaper Mention	25 May 1939	The 25 May 1939 edition of the Courier-News, Bridgewater Township, Somerset County, New Jersey, reported Two Homes Companions for 150 Years The article tell the story of the old Pearsall home at 112 Ferris Place in Westfield.
Death	8 February 1949	She died on 8 February 1949 in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey,
Burial	February 1949	She was buried in February 1949 at Fairview Cemetery, Ferris Plots, in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey.
Obituary	10 February 1949	10 February 1949, Westfield, Union County, New Jersey, Westfield Leader Obituary:. Mrs. Mary Pearsall, Prominent Methodist Mrs. Mary Ferris Pearsall of 112 Ferris place, eldest member of the First Methodist Church here and its communion custodian, died Teusday morning at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Lindley H. Leggestt, Jr., of 339 East Broad street, where she was visiting. Mrs. Pearsall, who was born here, was in her 92nd year. Funeral services will be held in the church tomorrow at 3 o'clock with Bishop J. Wesley Lord of Boston, former pastor, officiating. Mrs. Pearsall was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Royce Ferris, who were the donors of a portion of the land on which the Methodist Church was built. She has been a member of the church for 80 years. Her husband, Edgar R. Pearsall, died in 1913 and three of her nine children also predeceased her. Surviving are two sons, James F. Pearsall of Plainfield and Chas. [sic] B. Pearsall of New Canaan, Conn.; four daughters, Mrs. Leggett, Miss Helen Pearsall at home; Mrs. Alfred M. Picker of Westmont and Mrs. J. Howard Shoemaker of Garden City, N.Y.1

Citations

1. [S677] Westfield Leader, 10 Feb 1949, p. 2; available online at the Westfield Memorial Library (http://www.digifind-it.com/westfield/home.php)

Phineas Carman Pearsall

Parents

Phineas Carman Pearsall

Biography

Genealogy		See attached image from the Clarence Pearsall 3-volume genealogy of the Pearsall family for Phineas's page.
Birth	6 September 1817	Phineas Carman Pearsall was born on 6 September 1817.
Education		He was educated in New Brunswick, Middlesex County, New Jersey, as written in his obituary.
Employment	about 1837	As of about 1837, Phineas was employed in New Brunswick, Middlesex County, New Jersey, by his uncle James F. Randolph on the Fredonian newspaper. His uncle was married to Sarah Kent Carman, his mother's sister.
Marriage	15 May 1839	He and Catherine Ann Morgan were married on 15 May 1839 in Middlesex County, New Jersey, New Jersey County Marriages database lists her at her marriage as Cathrn Van Derhoof. Maggi Downham sent for the image from the NJ State Archives, which is attached. The archivist wrote in an accompanying letter to Maggi that it reads Cath. A. VanDerhoof. The minister cited at the bottom of the listing is G. A. Raybold, of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 1876 Minutes of the Annual Conferences of the Methodist Episcopal Church, available on Google books, on pages 159 and 160, has a biography of George A. Raybold.1,2
Census	1840	He appeared in the census 1840 in North Brunswick Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey. Phineas is listed as: Phineas Pearsall, 1 male 10-14 1 male 20-29 1 female under 5 [Catherine had her first daughter in March 1840] 1 female 10-14 2 females 20-29 1 female 40-49 [this could be his divorced mother Abigail, who was 46] Phineas is the last name on the page, on image 76 of 83 on Ancestry.com. The first name on the page is Peter S. Pearsall. The name at the bottom of image 75 could be Garret Pearsall. There is also an N.W. Pearsall on image 70. Alice ("Elcy") Vanderhoef, Catherine's mother or stepmother, in 1840 the widow of James Vanderhoef, is listed on image 5 of 83 for North Brunswick.
Child Born	12 March 1840	On 12 March 1840 in New Jersey, Phineas and Catherine had a daughter, Eliza
Child Born	6 September 1841	On 6 September 1841 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, Phineas and Catherine had a daughter, Julia Anna
Death of Daughter	10 June 1842	On 10 June 1842, Phineas suffered the loss of his daughter Eliza.
Child Born	10 August 1843	On 10 August 1843 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, Phineas and Catherine had a daughter, Caroline Jacobs Pearsall. Rollin White gives the date of his mother's birth as 10 Aug, 1843, and says her parents were already living in Brooklyn. The 1850 census says that Caroline was born in New Jersey.
Moved	about September 1843	As of about September 1843, Phineas moved to 27 Butler Street, between Smith and Court, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, from New Jersey3
Occupation	about 1844	About 1844 Phineas worked at Coenties Slip in Manhattan, New York County, New York, as a store owner. According to Rollin White's letter to Chester Pearsall in 1974: "Another story handed down by mother relates to grandfather's financial status in his earlier years, his business standing as a younger man...According to my hand-down, Grandfather was a very prosperous and successful business man having a thriving business in the form of a 'Ship Store'. This store was located on what was then known as Counches Slip (spelling uncertain). I suppose this store was located somewhere down on East River, from the nature of the business it doubtless was located on or near the water. At any rate, it had everything for sale needed for seafaring men and ships going down to sea. I cannot give date of this period, but aside from this I feel sure this story is very accurate." According to Wikipedia, Coenties Slip is on the East River, from Pearl Street to South Street, 2 blocks. A number of pronunciations are reported for Coenties including KOH-en-teez, KWIN-seez, KWEN-chiz and KWIN-cheez. You can see the location on the attached maps. The Forgotten New York website points out that Herman Melville mentions Coenties Slip in Moby-Dick, Chapter 1: "Circumambulate the city of a dreamy Sabbath afternoon. Go from Corlears Hook to Coenties Slip, and from thence, by Whitehall, northward. What do you see? Posted like silent sentinels all around the town, stand thousands upon thousands of mortal men fixed in ocean reveries." Forgotten New York goes on to relate: "The name “Coenties” is old Dutch as Dutch can be since it recalls an early landowner from New Netherlands era, Conraet Ten Eyck, a tanner and shoemaker. He was nicknamed Coentje, or “Coonchy” to the British, and over time settled into this spelling. Ten Eyck Street in Brooklyn’s East Williamsburg was also named for him. " There were ferries back and forth to Brooklyn, as described in the attached excerpt from the 1845 Doggett Directory. The ride cost 2 cents.4
Church Affiliation		Phineas was affiliated with Old John Street Methodist Episcopal Church, New York,where he was at one time the chorister. The church was located at 44 John Street between Nassau and William Streets. It was built in 1841 and is the oldest Methodist congregation in North American, founded on 12 Oct 1766. According to Rollin White's letter, "Grandfather was a man of great musical talent, and was at one time chorister at John Street Methodist Church, one of the prominent churches in New York City. Grandfather had made great preparation for the Easter service at this great triumphant Easter season. He had procured the services of a famous singer, Janet Cullen. Now Janet Cullen was a Presbyterian and was not accustomed to those shouting Methodists who demonstrated in this manner to give vent to their feelings and emotions of joy and happiness and approval when listening to a sermon or music. Back in those early pioneer days of Methodism, it was nothing unusual to hear a solid old member come out with a loud "Amen, Hallelujah, Praise the Lord," to give approval to what the preacher was saying or the singer was singing. So in the midst of the beautiful Easter Anthem Janet Cullen was singing, pouring out words of victory like a bird of paradise, the preacher shouted out his spirit of approval in tones of joy and happiness, and in volume equal to that of Janet Cullen, he shouted "Amen, Hallelujah." Stunned by these words she did not understand, Janet Cuooen stopped short in her song. Grandfather understanding exactly what had happened, and why, picked up the words of the song, and reassured by the support of grandfather's voice, Janet Cullen picked up the words and fell in with the cadence of the song, and together they completed it to its beautiful conclusion, and, I hope< without anything unusual noticed by the audience. As soon as the service was over and the choir was breaking up, Janet Cullen came rushing up to grandfather and said, "Oh Mr. Pearsall, why was the preacher shouting at me the way he did?" Grandfather then had to explain to her that the preacher was so thrilled by her song that he was simply giving expression to his feelings of joy and happiness."4
Child Born	23 March 1845	On 23 March 1845 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, Phineas and Catherine had a daughter, Emma.
Church Affiliation	22 November 1845	As of 22 November 1845, Phineas was affiliated with Pacific Street Church, in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. Phineas is shown on the Quarterly Conference Minutes for 22 Nov 1845 and 9 May 1846. For 7 Aug 1846, it lists "withdrawn". From "A History of the city of Brooklyn" by Henry R. Stiles, 1867: The Pacific Street M. E. Church is built in the romanesque style of brown stone, and is the most costly and attractive of the churches of this denomination in the city. On Tuesday evening, October the 1st, 1844, a few persons belonging to the denomination met at the house of Aaron B. Marvin, corner of Court and Livingston streets, to deliberate as to the purchase of the property formerly occupied by the South Presbyterian church, on Pacific street, between Court and Clinton, as a place of worship for the Methodists in South Brooklyn. A committee was appointed which lost no time in effecting the proposed purchase for the sum of $6,500. The Rev. George Peck, D.D., then editor of the Quarterly Review, having been appointed to take charge of the movement, preached the first sermon on Sunday, October 13, 1844. On the Sunday following, October 20, the church was formally organized under its present charter, as the fifth separate Methodiststation in the city of Brooklyn, forty persons connecting themselves by certificate with the new society. [9] It is a singular circumstance that notone of the original official members is now in connection with this church. Most of them have " fallen asleep," and others have removed to other places or churches. The society continued to worship in this place till the 18th of May, 1851, when they removed to their present beautiful edifice, on the corner of Clinton and Pacific streets.
Child Born	18 April 1847	On 18 April 1847 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, Phineas and Catherine had a son, Alfred Everson. The name may have been from Nicholas Evertson, later Everson, the father of Margaret Evertson, who was the wife of Captain James Morgan.
Child Born	11 February 1849	On 11 February 1849 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, Phineas and Catherine had a son, Frederick.
Death of Son	4 April 1849	On 4 April 1849, Phineas suffered the loss of his son Frederick.
Census	20 July 1850	He appeared in the census 20 July 1850 at 10th Ward in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. Phineas is listed as: Fineas, age 38, Occupation: clothing, born New York. Catharine, age 27, born New Jersey. Julia age 9, born New Jersey. Caroline, age 6, born New Jersey. Alfred, age 3, born New York, and Susan Vanderhoff, age 20, born New Jersey.5
Child Born	25 May 1851	On 25 May 1851 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, Phineas and Catherine had a daughter, Lavinia Watson.
Death of Daughter	10 June 1851	On 10 June 1851, Phineas suffered the loss of his daughter Emma.
Child Born	9 November 1852	On 9 November 1852 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, Phineas and Catherine had Matilda Lawson The name Lawson may have been from Abigail's sister Isabel who married William Lawson.
Child Born	3 November 1854	On 3 November 1854 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, Phineas and Catherine had a son, Edgar Randolph. The Randolph name came from Phineas's uncle James Fitz Randolph, husband of his mother's sister.
Census	25 June 1855	He appeared in the census 25 June 1855 at Tenth Ward in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. Phineas is listed as: Phineas, age 36, born New York County, Resident of this city 12 yrs, Occupation Clothier, native, owner of land. His wife Catharine is 32, born in New Jersey, 12 yrs resident here. Children: Julia (13, born in New Jersey), Caroline (12, born in New Jersey), Alferd (sic)(8, born in Kings Co.), Levina (4, born Kings Co.), Matildia (sic)(2, born Kings Co.) Edgar (8/12, born in Kings Co.). Also Servant, Mary Dowley, age 21, born in New Brunswick, Alien. They are living in a brick half-double.6
Directory	1856	As of 1856 Phineas was listed in the Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, directory at 27 Butler Street as as Phineas C., clothing, 22 1/2 South, N.Y. 22 1/2 South Street in Manhattan was right around the corner from Coenties Slip where Phineas reportedly had a ship store at some point. So Phineas commuted to Manhattan to work. A Samuel Richards is also listed at 27 Butler.
Child Born	19 November 1856	On 19 November 1856 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, Phineas and Catherine had a daughter, Laura Anta.
Directory	1857	As of 1857 Phineas was listed in the Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, directory at 29 Butler Street as Phineas C. clothier, 31 Coenties slip, New York, home 29 Butler. In this directory there are 38 entries for Coenties Slip, including several shipchandlers at #27 (John W. Fox, Orin Cowl, Thomas C. Dodd, Thomas Graham, sailmaker, Richard Robson, lighter, William Simpson, pumpmaker, and Ezra F. Lewis at #26). Other entries are merchants, drugs, fish, blockmaker, lighter, pilot, agent, liquors, flour at #28, stevedores, forwarding, sailmakers, saloon, inspector, grain measurer, city weigher. So it was a busy, bustling, diverse street (one block long). Other entries at 29 Butler this year were William Herring, Steamboat Captain, Harvey Farrington, junior merchant on Pearl St. in New York.
History Note	1857	In 1857 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, the following event took place: The Hanson Place Methodist Church was erected. Phineas's obituary says that he was involved in the organization of this church. It was dedicated 3 Jan 1859. A Sunday school building was constructed in 1860. In 1863 a parsonage was built, and construction for a larger church was begun in 1873 and dedicated 4 Jan 1874.
Church Affiliation		Phineas was affiliated with Hansen Place Methodist Episcopal Church, in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York,where he was one of the organizers. For listing of FHL films of ME Churches in NYC, 1785-1893
History Note	September 1857	In September 1857 the following event took place: The Panic of 1857. In Phineas's obituary, his son says that he "failed in '57, but subsequently met all claims, sustaining his reputation for the highest business integrity to the last." Rollin White writes in his 1974 letter, "Along about this time a great financial panic struck the country when grandfather was at the height of his usiness success. Businessmen everywhere were taking bankruptcy and managing by this device to save their business, and grandfather could have done the same. But his sense of honesty would not let him take this means of escaping his debts. He paid all his debts, every last penny he ever owed any men he paid in full and as a result he went "broke" and he never got on his feet again. Grandfather was a tailor by trade, and after he lost his business he actually went out and got a job in a sweat shop in an effort to maintain his family but never did he again get in any affluent condition as before his failure." Wikipedia has an article on the panic of 1857, with this introduction: "The Panic of 1857 was a financial panic in the United States caused by the declining international economy and over-expansion of the domestic economy. Because of the interconnectedness of the world economy by the 1850s, the financial crisis that began in late 1857 was the first worldwide economic crisis.[1] In Britain, the Palmerston government circumvented the requirements of the Peel Banking Act of 1844, which required gold and silver reserves to back up the amount of money in circulation. Surfacing news of this circumvention set off the Panic in Britain.[2] Beginning in September 1857, the financial downturn did not last long; however, a proper recovery was not seen until the American Civil War.[3] The sinking of the SS Central America contributed to the panic of 1857, as New York banks were awaiting a much-needed shipment of gold. American banks did not recover until after the civil war.[4] After the failure of Ohio Life Insurance and Trust Company, the financial panic quickly spread as businesses began to fail, the railroad industry experienced financial declines, and hundreds of workers were laid off.[5] Since the years immediately preceding the Panic of 1857 were prosperous, many banks, merchants, and farmers had seized the opportunity to take risks with their investments and as soon as market prices began to fall, they quickly began to experience the effects of financial panic."
Directory	1858	As of 1858 Phineas was listed in the Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, directory at 3d av n. 17th. as "clothing", with work address of 31 Coenties Slip. This address is a change from the address later mentioned by family members on Butler St. Also listed at this address was Theodore M. Vanderhoef, a salesman. The next directory available on the Brooklyn Library website is for 1862, and Phineas Pearsall is not listed in that directory. There are 10 Vanderhoef's, not including Theodore, and none at 3rd and 17th.
Census	7 July 1860	He appeared in the census 7 July 1860 at 2nd District, 9th Ward, in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. Phineas is listed as: F. Pearsall, age 43, Merchant Tailor, no real estate, Personal Estate of $5000. Born in NY. With Catherine (28 [error, she was 38], born in Jersey), Julia (19, born in Jersey), Caroline (17, born in Jersey), Alfred (13, born in New York), Lavinia (8, born in New York), Matilda (6, born in New York), Edgar (4, born in New York) and Laura (2, born in New York). Alfred, Lavinia, Matilda and Edgar are listed as attending school.7
Child Born	7 July 1861	On 7 July 1861 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, Phineas and Catherine had a son, Rollin Burdick. Burdick was named after the husband of their oldest living daughter, Julia, 20 years older than Rollin, who had married Chester F. Burdick.
Directory	1863	As of 1863 Phineas was listed in the Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, directory at Reed av. n. Hancock as working in "music."
Death of Daughter	11 January 1863	On 11 January 1863, Phineas suffered the loss of his daughter Laura.
Directory	1864	As of 1864 Phineas was listed in the Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, directory at Jefferson n. Reed av working in "music."
Directory	1865	As of 1865 Phineas was listed in the Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, directory at Jefferson c. Reed av. as musician.
Census	9 June 1865	He appeared in the census 9 June 1865 at 9th Ward in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. Phineas is listed as: Phineas C., 47, born N.J., married once, Prof. Music, Catherine, 42, wife, born N.J., mother of 10 children, married once, Carrie J., 21, born N.J., single, school teacher Alfred E., 18, born Kings, single, Dry Goods, Clk. Lavenia W., 14, born Kings Matilda L., 12 born Kings Edgar F. [not correct initial], 9, born Kings Charles F. 11/12 [looks like 3 11/12, but I don't know if they list months for children over one year. Also says F for female.] Born Kings. Living in a frame home of value $1500, not a property owner Charles F. Pearsall is a child I have not seen listed for them. If the listing says 3 years and 11/12, he would have been born in July, 1861, which is the birthdate of Rollin Burdick. If only 11/12, born in 1864, and must have died before 1870. And Rollin is not listed on this census, when he should be. And they reported 10 children, of which 4 had already died before 1865, and even counting Rollin it should have been 11, so I am doubting this Charles. I have never found church baptism records for this family in Brooklyn.
Directory	1866	As of 1866 Phineas was listed in the Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, directory at Jefferson c. Reed av. as working in "music." Phineas is not listed in the 1867 , 1868, or 1869 directories. 1870 is not available on the Brooklyn Library website.
Census	1870	He appeared in the census 1870 at Ward 21 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. Phineas is listed as: age 52, Real Estate Agt, no real estate, $500 personal estate, b. New Jersey, with Catharine, age 48, b. New Jersey, Carrie, 27, At home, Lavina, 19, At home, Matilda, 17, At home, Edgar, 15, Clerk in Store, Charles 9. All children b. New York.8
Directory	1871	As of 1871 Phineas was listed in the Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, directory at Putnam av. n Patchen av. as working in real estate.
Directory	1874	As of 1874 Phineas was listed in the Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, directory at 626 Monroe as working in real estate. Phineas is also listed in the business directory under Music Teachers. John W. Oddle is also listed at this address.
Census	19 June 1875	He appeared in the census 19 June 1875 at 2nd E.D. of 25th Ward in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. Phineas is listed as: Phoenias (58, born in New York County, Occupation: Real Estate, works in Kings County), Catherine A (56, wife, born in New Jersey), Edgar R. (18, born in Kings County) and Charles B. (14). They are living in the household of Henry Spence and family, who is listed as owner.
Directory	1876	As of 1876 Phineas was listed in the Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, directory at 726 Monroe as working in real estate.
Directory	1878	As of 1878 Phineas was listed in the Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, directory at 726 Monroe as agent. His son Edgar is listed also at the same address.
Directory	1879	As of 1879 Phineas was listed in the Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, directory at 726 Monroe as agent. Neither Phineas nor his son Edgar are listed in the 1880 Brooklyn directory, which confirms their move to Westfield, New Jersey, in 1879.
Moved	1879	As of 1879, Phineas moved to Westfield, Union County, New Jersey, as mentioned in his obituary.
Newspaper Mention	2 May 1879	The 2 May 1879 edition of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, reported on the activities of the Brooklyn Association of Christian Workers. They have been holding revival services recently, and among the most active members is "P.C. Pearsall, of the Pearsall family." See attached.9
Death of Son	30 July 1879	On 30 July 1879, Phineas suffered the loss of his son Rollin.
Census	5 June 1880	He appeared in the census 5 June 1880 in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey. Phineas is listed as: Phineas C., age 64, Tailor, with Catherine M, 59, wife, Keeping house, and Edgar E, 25, son, Reporter. They are living next to Edward L. Embree, age 30, agent for a Salt Co., and Martha, 26 wife, keeping house, and Royal B, age 6, son, and Alvah L, age 2 son.
Directory	1885	As of 1885 Phineas was listed in the Westfield, Union County, New Jersey, directory at Jerusalem Rd (home)., real estate - Broad nr Prospect.
Photo Family Group	1889	In 1889, in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey. Phineas Pearsall Family Reunion 1889 Left to right: Mary Ferris Pearsall with James Ferris Pearsall standing in front of her. Edgar Randolph Pearsall holding Chester Burdick Pearsall (my grandfather). Roy Embree, Carrie White, Fred Burdick, Julia Pearsall Burdick, Matilda Pearsall Embree, Edward L. Embree behind Malilda, Bert Pearsall looking off to the right, Alfred Everson Pearsall, Clifford Pearsall, Ruth Pearsall (little girl with her head cocked), Ralph Pearsall, Leigh Pearsall, Jessie Burdick, Edgar Fitch holding lapel, Allen Fitch, Mabel Fitch. Front row, left to right: Starting with the girl in the little chair, Ethel Pearsall, Embree White, Phineas Carman Pearsall, the three children on the blanket: Harriet Wheelock Pearsall, Lawrence Embree, Ferris Randolph Pearsall. Pauline Embree (little girl in white next to Phineas) Catherine Morgan Pearsall, Chester Burdick holding Rollin Pearsall White, Lucy Fitch in little chair, Lavinia Pearsall Fitch, Bessie Fitch.
Death	28 May 1896	He died on 28 May 1896 in Ocean Side, Long Island, New York, at the home of Alexander A. Pearsall.
Obituary	29 May 1896	29 May 1896, New York City, New York County, New York, New York Tribune Obituary:. Phineas Carman Pearsall, and old and respected resident of Westfield, N.J., died from apoplexy yesterday at the house of Alexander A. Pearsall, at Ocean Side, Long Island. He was born in this city seventy-nine years ago, and for many years was a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. By his efforts a number of Methodist congregations were organized in the outskirts of Brooklyn. He leaves two sons, Alfred E. and Edgar F. Pearsall, who are both connected with the press of this city, and four married daughter. His body is to be taken to Westfield for burial.
Obituary	30 May 1897	30 May 1897, Westfield, Union County, New Jersey, Union County Standard Obituary:. A GOOD MAN AT REST SQUIRE PEARSALL PASSES AWAY- Stricken with Paralysis at Rockville Centre, L.I. While visiting members of his family at Rockville Centre, L. I., Squire Pearsall received a paralytic stroke early Thursday morning of last week. He rallied sufficiently to recognize his family, including his wife and eldest daughter, who had been summoned to his bedside from Virginia and Kansas; and for several days he remained happily conscious of the presence of his kindred. For twenty-four hours before his death, however, he lay in a state of coma out of which he passed peacefully into the Great Beyond. For some time the Squire, as everybody called him, had not been well. He complained of dizziness and nausea; but his inherent good cheer never left him, even under the most trying circumstances. He had commenced a tour of last good byes to relatives and old friends. The angel of death overtook him in the beautiful home of his favorite nephew and niece, Mr. and Mrs. Alexander A. Pearsall at Rockville Centre. He had the best medical skill and a trained nurse to supplement the tender care of his devoted people; but in his seventy-ninth year, his time had come -- and he was ready! Why should he not fall asleep in the utmost peace? For his life was a life of "Good will to men!" Funeral services will be held Saturday morning at 11 o'clock at the Methodist Episcopal church. Phineas Carman Pearsall was a direct descendant of John Carman, who in 1634 came to America and was one of the nine original joint purchasers of land from the Indians on Long Island, and gave the name of Hemstead (Homestead) to their settlement. John Carman's third son was the first white child born on Long Island. The Carmans and Pearsalls and Randolphs, through marriages in these early days, became allied. The late governor Randolph, of New Jersey, and the late Chancellor Theo Runyon were cousins of deceased. "Old Squire Pearsall" lived to be a great grand-sire and was always fond of talking revolutionary lore to his grand children; how their ancestors made it hot for the Tories and Hessians and how they made the red coats run. Born in New York City, Sept. 6, 1817, he was the son of Peter Roebeck and Abigail Carman Pearsall; was educated in New Brunswick, N.J. where he was afterwards employed on the New Brunswick Fredonian, then owned by his uncle James F. Randolph. On May 15, 1838, he married Catherine Morgan Vanderhoef. Subsequently he engaged prosperously in business in New York City; endorsed other men's notes; paid dollar for dollar; passed through the crisis of '37; failed in '57; but subsequently met all claims, sustaining his reputation for the highest business integrity to the last. It was at that time that he went into his home and said: "Not everything is gone. I thank God that I have left me an honest reputation and my wife and children." They reared seven children: Julia A..who became the wife of Rev. C. F Burdick: Carrie J., wife of James E. White; Lavinia W., the wife of Allen C. Fitch; [Matilda L., the wife of E. L. Embree -- the version this compiler copied from the Union Standard microfilm did not list Matilda. However, it has been added into the wording in the Clarence Pearsall book. The books also calls Rev. Burdick and James E. White 'the late.']; Alfred E., Edgar R., and the late Rollin B.-- all living excepting the latter, whose death occurred in 1879. For years the deceased was chorister of The Old John Street church, New York. He was one of the organizers of the Hansen Place M. E. Church, Brooklyn. He came to Westfield with his family in 1879 and united with the Methodist Episcopal Church. For many years he was a Justice of the Peace. He dies revered by his family. beloved by his friends and respected by his fellow citizens. Many a richer man, measured by the dollar sign, will die and be forgotten before the sweet memory of the "old Squire" dies out or the record of his goodness ceases to affect his mankind. Alfred E. Pearsall1
Newspaper Mention	4 October 1911	He was mentioned in a newspaper report about James Royce Ferris when 4 October 1911 edition of the The Courier-News, Bridgewater Township, Somerset County, New Jersey, reported on the dedication of the new Methodist Church of Westfield, NJ. In the article, several memorials were described: "Windows in Prospect Street Side: The large window, a memorial to Phineas C. Pearsall, Catherine Morgan Pearsall; Benjamin F. Ham, who held the offices of class leader, steward and trustee; and James R. Ferris, who in his time was class leader, Sunday School superintendent, steward and trustee, contains the symbols of the Four Evangelists on the shields in the tracery...The inscription on the Pearsall memorial reads: "Their children rise up and call them blessed" and on the Ferris memorial: "Fervent in spirit, serving the Lord."

Citations

1. [S29] Clarence E. Pearsall, History and Genealogy of The Pearsall Family in England and America (San Francisco: H.S. Crocker and Company, Inc., 1928), Vol III chap 42 sec 16 page 1328. Hereinafter cited as The Pearsall Family.
2. [S619] Phineas Pearsall and Cathrn Van Derhoof, (15 May 1839), New Jersey County Marriages, 1682 - 1956: Digital Folder Number 004836078, Image Number 00046; New Jersey State Archives, Filmed by Family History Library, FHL Film 851752, Trenton, New Jersey
3. [S563] , Census, Microfilmed, Ancestry.com census records, which states they lived in the city 12 years.
4. [S641] Rollin White, (Buena Vista, Virginia) to Chester Burdick Pearsall, letter, 29 Mar 1974; privately held by Holly Kilpatrick., 2017. From David B. Tilley
5. [S605] , 1850 Federal Census (), Image 26/282 ancestry.com.
6. [S563] Census, Microfilmed, Ancestry.com census records, Image 22/84.
7. [S85] , Census Online, Viewed on ancestry.com, Image 152/240.
8. [S84] , Census Online, Viewed on ancestry.com.
9. [S159] , Brooklyn Daily Eagle 1841 - 1902 Brooklyn Public Library Online, Brooklyn, New York, http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/eagle/, 2 Mar 1879, p. 2, 2 Mar 1879, p. 2

Catherine Ann Morgan

Parents

Catherine Ann Morgan Vanderhoef Pearsall, 1821-1908

Biography

Research Note		Parentage Question, part 1. The parentage of Catherine Ann Morgan is not known. David B. Tilley, when researching this line, sent for her death certificate in the hopes of learning her parents' names, but the Commonwealth of Virginia replied to him in 1975 that death registrations began in Virginia as of June 14, 1912. As noted on her marriage, the State of New Jersey recorded her name at marriage as Cathrn Van Derhoof. D.B. Tilley believed, or had heard, that she had been adopted, or raised, by another family, perhaps the Van Derhoof's. He attempted to find adoption records in New Jersey without success. In the family her maiden name has been recorded and referred to as Morgan. The marriage record is the only place I have seen Van Derhoof. When Alfred Everson Pearsall wrote Phineas Carman Pearsall's obituary in 1896, he stated that Phineas married "Catherine Morgan Vanderhoef". Numerous children in later generations had the middle name of Morgan. None were given the name of Vanderhoef. In the death certificate of her daughter Julia Ann Burdick, Catherine's maiden name is given as Morgan. In the 1850 Brooklyn, NY, census, Phineas and Catherine have 3 little children and Susan Vanderhoff (born in New Jersey) in the household. This is Amanda Susan Vanderhoef Gibbs Brown, daughter of Alice Disbrow Vanderhoef Letts. In the 1858 Brooklyn, NY directory, Theodore M. Vanderhoef lives at the same address as Phineas and Catherine and family. This is the son of Alice Disbrow Vanderhoef Letts. On 29 Mar 1974, my grandfather's uncle, Rollin White, wrote a letter to my grandfather Chester Pearsall. Rollin White was the son of Caroline Jacobs Pearsall, who was a sister to Chester's father Edgar Randolph Pearsall. Therefore Rollin and Chester were cousins, and Catherine Ann Morgan was their grandmother. Catherine Ann Morgan lived with Rollin's parents in Buena Vista, Virginia for the last 15 years of her life, 1893-1908. Rollin was born in 1886 and was 7 years old when his grandmother came to live with them. In this letter, Rollin relates a number of memories of his grandparents, and I quote here two paragraphs from this letter, which discuss Catherine Ann's parentage: "I want to bring up a subject you mentioned in your letter, namely, why we know so little about the ancestry of grandmother Pearsall. I can tell you exactly why, grandmother would never tell anyone anything about her parenthood. Mother related a great deal of family lore to me before her death in 1936 and I learned from her that grandmother would never tell any member of the family, or anyone else, anything about her own parenthood, especially who her father was. In fact I recall how on one occasion when one of the children asked her a question about her father, grandmother turned to the whole family and said in a tone almost of anger, 'Don't ever mention that subject again.' Now just why this subject was hidden so mysteriously and secretively in grandmother's heart, no member of the family seemed ever to know but the fact remains that this subject was one that she would never disclose to anyone and has gone down in family history as a dark secret that we can only speculate and guess on. But one thing seems to be certain that her father was a Morgan and I have always been under the impression that he was a direct descendent, perhaps a son, of Gen. Morgan of Revolutionary fame. At all events from the tales and stories handed down from my mother I am of the impression that there is a great mystery and secrecy hanging over the origin or parenthood of our dear grandmother Pearsall." In March, 2017, this writer found a reference to "my granddaughter, Catherine Ann Morgan" in the will of John D. Disbrow, the husband of Susannah Morgan. With further research, I found that one of their daughters, Alice J. (Elsie) had married first a Vanderhoef, and had 4 - 6 children. It appears that Alice (Disbrow) Vanderhoef raised Catherine Ann. Alice may have been her mother, with an out-of-wedlock birth by some Morgan male, before her marriage to James Vanderhoef. Unfortunately, the New Jersey federal censuses for 1790, 1800, 1810, and 1820 do not exist, which is a hindrance to New Jersey research. See Alice Disbrow's person page for more on her life and her children. Another point to consider is the mystery of John D. Disbrow's eldest son, Daniel Morgan Disbrow. He is not mentioned in his father's will. I have no information on him. His absence from his father's will was mentioned by another Disbrow researcher, Jay W. Sterner, who wrote a booklet on the Disbrows in 1956. He stated therein, "Perhaps he was in disgrace. Jay (Sterner) Jr's mother-in-law remembers a ballad she heard as a girl anent "Dirty Danny Disbrow" that might possibly be the answer. " Some of our family members have suspected Daniel might be the father of Catherine Ann. However, then why would her grandfather have mentioned her as Catherine Ann Morgan? She would have been a Disbrow.
Research Note		Parentage Question, part 2. In 1977, some old Westfield Union County Standard newspapers were digitized, and on the occasion, the Westfield Leader spoke with some members of the Pearsall family still living in Westfield. The article (attached) contained this sentence, "The motivating force behind the old "Standard" was the Pearsall family, who have been part of Westfield's history since one of their ancestors, James Morgan, a soldier on guard duty during the Revolution, shot the Rev. Caldwell, after he failed to give the proper password, and was hanged on Gallows Hill Road." From this article, it seems that at least those Pearsalls had the impression that Catherine Ann Morgan was related in some was to the sentry James Morgan who was hanged. The Pearsall history in Westfield does not go back to the Revolution, however, since Phineas Carman Pearsall only moved there in 1879. For all the known details about Sentry John Morgan, go to his person page on this website (linked in the following Reference Link).
Reference Link		This event provides a link from Catherine Ann Morgan to one or more others: Sentry James Morgan
Research Note		Parentage Question, part 3. Some possibilities for the Morgan connection: In addition to Sentry James Morgan discussed above, there was a large and prosperous Morgan family in the area of South Amboy, New Jersey in the 1700's and 1800's. The family was centered around two James Morgans, father and son. I will refer to them by their military titles to differentiate them. Captain James Morgan 1734-1784, son of Charles and Abigail Morgan, born in South Amboy, married Margaret Evertson 27 Jun 1754. Served in the Revolution, rank of Ensign and then Captain. His son Nicholas was killed while on guard duty, Dec 1782. Margaret lived from 1731-1827. The material below is pulled from a variety of detailed online sources, including an Ancestry Public Tree of Deirdre McIntosh and a Van Wickle website of John VanWicklin, and a number of other sources that looked well researched.. This is just notes to organize an overview of these families. I have NOT done research on these families, I am reporting easily available online data, so please do not take this as gospel. Captain James Morgan and Margaret Evertson had a number of children: Sarah --? Abigail (1755-1809) Margaret - ? Nicholas (1755 - 1782) (killed in Revolution, no issue) Major General James Morgan (1756-1822)(see below) Susannah (1761-1853) (married John D. Disbrow 1780)(see below) Sarah (1772-1835) (married Judge Jacob Charles Van Wickle, they had 9 children between 1795-1813) Charles (1775 - 1848), moved to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana by 1807 when he married Hyacinthe Allain there, they had 8 children between 1808-1823) Major General James Morgan, 29 Dec 1756 - 11 Nov 1822. Continental Army officer. Rank of Major General. Wounded and taken prisoner. Married (1) Catherine Van Brackle, who died 1802 at age 37. Married (2) Ann S. Van Wickle, 20 Oct 1805. United States Congressman from New Jersey's at-large district from 1811-1813. Ann Van Wickle died 13 Aug 1869, aged 85 years 2 months. and is buried at Morgan Manor, S. Amboy, NJ. This Morgan family and affiliated families ran a stoneware pottery operation in South Amboy, among other business interests. They were also involved in a scandalous trial related to selling slaves to Louisiana in 1818. See attached document for the fascinating details of that incident. Major General James Morgan's children with Catherine Van Brackle: Ida Morgan (1791-1862) Jonathan Morgan (1798-1867) (married Dinah Van Wickle) Margaret Morgan Major General James Morgan's children with Ann Van Wickle: 1. Catherine (Caty) Ann Morgan, b. 6 September 1806, S. Amboy Twp, NJ 2. Charles Morgan, b. 13 January 1808, S. Amboy Twp, NJ 3. Emeline Morgan, b. 29 December 1810, S. Amboy Twp, NJ 4. Mary D. Morgan, b. 18 January 1814, S. Amboy Twp, NJ 5. Almira Morgan, b. 10 May 1818, S. Amboy Twp, NJ "Caty" married John Weatherill on 6 Sep 1824, and she died 29 Apr 1825. I am interested in this family because of the time frame and the name Catherine of Morgan's first wife and Catherine Ann for the first daughter of his second wife. The book "History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey", p. 783, has an entry on Andrew J. Disbrow (1815-1890) who was a grandson of John Disbrow, the husband of Susannah Morgan, sister of Major General James Morgan. See attached biographical article. One of the sons of John D. Disbrow and Susannah Morgan was Nicholas Morgan Disbrow, b. 1783, who married Mary, daughter of Cornelius P. Vanderhoef, in 1807. Mary H. Van Derhoef (1787-17 Aug 1865, Matawan, Monmouth County ) daughter of Cornelius P. Vanderhoef, 1726-1816 and Phoebe Van E Hunn (1767-1808. Mary and Nicholas M. Disbrow had 12 children. Her father Cornelius died before our Catherine Ann was born, and her mother had long been dead. Cornelius P. Vanderhoef and his wife (Phoebe V.E. Hunn) had a number of children besides Mary, including Thomas Hunn Vanderhoef (1789-1876, born in Monmouth County and died in Brooklyn, NY), and Samuel Cornelius Vanderhoef (1796-1847). I don't know if Cornelius P. Vanderhoef had siblings. Another child of John D. and Susannah Morgan Disbrow was Alice J. (Elsie) Disbrow Vanderhoef Letts. After finding a bequest in the will of John D. Disbrow to his granddaughter Catherine Ann Morgan, I am considering this woman as a possible mother of Catherine Ann Morgan. I am connecting her as Catherine Ann's mother in this database SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSE OF BEING ABLE TO CONNECT CATHERINE ANN TO HER GRANDFATHER, JOHN D. DISBROW. I know that Elsie raised Catherine, but I do not know whether or not Elsie was Catherine's mother. Catherine Ann Morgan Pearsall was involved with Alice's family as shown in the 1850 census and the 1858 Brooklyn Directory. If anyone is alive who knows the true story, and happens to see this page, please contact me at hollyfpk @ gmail.com.1
Birth	6 September 1821	She was born on 6 September 1821 in New Jersey. For the purposes of this database, I have connected Catherine with Alice Disbrow as mother. She may have been her biological mother, or just adoptive mother. However, as granddaughter of John D. Disbrow, I want to connect Catherine with that family. John D. was Alice's father.2
Mention	11 April 1835	As of on 11 April 1835, Catherine was mentioned with a special bequest in the will of her grandfather, John D. Disbrow, as follows: "I will and bequeath to my Granddaughter Catharine Ann Morgan the sum of Fifty dollars, to her, her heirs and assigns forever." The three other bequests in John's will were one to his wife, one to his oldest son, and the general assignment of his estate to all his children. No other grandchildren were mentioned although he had many. $50 in 1835 is equivalent to almost $1500 in 2020.
Marriage	15 May 1839	Phineas Carman Pearsall and she were married on 15 May 1839 in Middlesex County, New Jersey, New Jersey County Marriages database lists her at her marriage as Cathrn Van Derhoof. Maggi Downham sent for the image from the NJ State Archives, which is attached. The archivist wrote in an accompanying letter to Maggi that it reads Cath. A. VanDerhoof. The minister cited at the bottom of the listing is G. A. Raybold, of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 1876 Minutes of the Annual Conferences of the Methodist Episcopal Church, available on Google books, on pages 159 and 160, has a biography of George A. Raybold.2,3
Child Born	12 March 1840	On 12 March 1840 in New Jersey, Phineas and Catherine had a daughter, Eliza
Child Born	6 September 1841	On 6 September 1841 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, Phineas and Catherine had a daughter, Julia Anna
Death of Daughter	10 June 1842	On 10 June 1842, Catherine suffered the loss of her daughter Eliza.
Child Born	10 August 1843	On 10 August 1843 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, Phineas and Catherine had a daughter, Caroline Jacobs Pearsall. Rollin White gives the date of his mother's birth as 10 Aug, 1843, and says her parents were already living in Brooklyn. The 1850 census says that Caroline was born in New Jersey.
Child Born	23 March 1845	On 23 March 1845 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, Phineas and Catherine had a daughter, Emma.
Child Born	18 April 1847	On 18 April 1847 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, Phineas and Catherine had a son, Alfred Everson. The name may have been from Nicholas Evertson, later Everson, the father of Margaret Evertson, who was the wife of Captain James Morgan.
Child Born	11 February 1849	On 11 February 1849 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, Phineas and Catherine had a son, Frederick.
Death of Son	4 April 1849	On 4 April 1849, Catherine suffered the loss of her son Frederick.
Census	20 July 1850	She appeared in the household of Phineas Carman Pearsall in the census 20 July 1850 at 10th Ward in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. Phineas is listed as Fineas, age 38, Occupation: clothing, born New York. Catharine, age 27, born New Jersey. Julia age 9, born New Jersey. Caroline, age 6, born New Jersey. Alfred, age 3, born New York, and Susan Vanderhoff, age 20, born New Jersey.4
Child Born	25 May 1851	On 25 May 1851 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, Phineas and Catherine had a daughter, Lavinia Watson.
Death of Daughter	10 June 1851	On 10 June 1851, Catherine suffered the loss of her daughter Emma.
Child Born	9 November 1852	On 9 November 1852 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, Phineas and Catherine had Matilda Lawson The name Lawson may have been from Abigail's sister Isabel who married William Lawson.
Child Born	3 November 1854	On 3 November 1854 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, Phineas and Catherine had a son, Edgar Randolph. The Randolph name came from Phineas's uncle James Fitz Randolph, husband of his mother's sister.
Church Affiliation	about 1855	As of about 1855, Catherine was affiliated with Pacific Street Church, in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. Catherine Pearsall is listed on the membership list. It is not dated, but many of the notes of members joining and leaving are in the 1850's.5
Census	25 June 1855	She appeared in the household of Phineas Carman Pearsall in the census 25 June 1855 at Tenth Ward in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. Phineas is listed as Phineas, age 36, born New York County, Resident of this city 12 yrs, Occupation Clothier, native, owner of land. His wife Catharine is 32, born in New Jersey, 12 yrs resident here. Children: Julia (13, born in New Jersey), Caroline (12, born in New Jersey), Alferd (sic)(8, born in Kings Co.), Levina (4, born Kings Co.), Matildia (sic)(2, born Kings Co.) Edgar (8/12, born in Kings Co.). Also Servant, Mary Dowley, age 21, born in New Brunswick, Alien. They are living in a brick half-double.6
Child Born	19 November 1856	On 19 November 1856 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, Phineas and Catherine had a daughter, Laura Anta.
Census	7 July 1860	She appeared in the household of Phineas Carman Pearsall in the census 7 July 1860 at 2nd District, 9th Ward, in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. Phineas is listed as F. Pearsall, age 43, Merchant Tailor, no real estate, Personal Estate of $5000. Born in NY. With Catherine (28 [error, she was 38], born in Jersey), Julia (19, born in Jersey), Caroline (17, born in Jersey), Alfred (13, born in New York), Lavinia (8, born in New York), Matilda (6, born in New York), Edgar (4, born in New York) and Laura (2, born in New York). Alfred, Lavinia, Matilda and Edgar are listed as attending school.7
Child Born	7 July 1861	On 7 July 1861 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, Phineas and Catherine had a son, Rollin Burdick. Burdick was named after the husband of their oldest living daughter, Julia, 20 years older than Rollin, who had married Chester F. Burdick.
Death of Daughter	11 January 1863	On 11 January 1863, Catherine suffered the loss of her daughter Laura.
Census	9 June 1865	She appeared in the household of Phineas Carman Pearsall in the census 9 June 1865 at 9th Ward in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. Phineas is listed as Phineas C., 47, born N.J., married once, Prof. Music, Catherine, 42, wife, born N.J., mother of 10 children, married once, Carrie J., 21, born N.J., single, school teacher Alfred E., 18, born Kings, single, Dry Goods, Clk. Lavenia W., 14, born Kings Matilda L., 12 born Kings Edgar F. [not correct initial], 9, born Kings Charles F. 11/12 [looks like 3 11/12, but I don't know if they list months for children over one year. Also says F for female.] Born Kings. Living in a frame home of value $1500, not a property owner Charles F. Pearsall is a child I have not seen listed for them. If the listing says 3 years and 11/12, he would have been born in July, 1861, which is the birthdate of Rollin Burdick. If only 11/12, born in 1864, and must have died before 1870. And Rollin is not listed on this census, when he should be. And they reported 10 children, of which 4 had already died before 1865, and even counting Rollin it should have been 11, so I am doubting this Charles. I have never found church baptism records for this family in Brooklyn.
Census	1870	She appeared in the household of Phineas Carman Pearsall in the census 1870 at Ward 21 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. Phineas is listed as age 52, Real Estate Agt, no real estate, $500 personal estate, b. New Jersey, with Catharine, age 48, b. New Jersey, Carrie, 27, At home, Lavina, 19, At home, Matilda, 17, At home, Edgar, 15, Clerk in Store, Charles 9. All children b. New York.8
Census	19 June 1875	She appeared in the household of Phineas Carman Pearsall in the census 19 June 1875 at 2nd E.D. of 25th Ward in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. Phineas is listed as Phoenias (58, born in New York County, Occupation: Real Estate, works in Kings County), Catherine A (56, wife, born in New Jersey), Edgar R. (18, born in Kings County) and Charles B. (14). They are living in the household of Henry Spence and family, who is listed as owner.
Witness	1879	As of 1879, Catherine Ann Morgan moved with Phineas Carman Pearsall to Westfield, Union County, New Jersey, as mentioned in his obituary.
Death of Son	30 July 1879	On 30 July 1879, Catherine suffered the loss of her son Rollin.
Census	5 June 1880	She appeared in the household of Phineas Carman Pearsall in the census 5 June 1880 in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey. Phineas is listed as Phineas C., age 64, Tailor, with Catherine M, 59, wife, Keeping house, and Edgar E, 25, son, Reporter. They are living next to Edward L. Embree, age 30, agent for a Salt Co., and Martha, 26 wife, keeping house, and Royal B, age 6, son, and Alvah L, age 2 son.
Death	24 May 1908	She died on 24 May 1908 in Buena Vista, VA,
Obituary	26 May 1908	26 May 1908, Bridgewater Township, Somerset County, New Jersey, Courier-News Obituary:. Westfield News: Mrs. Catherine Morgan Vanderhoef, widow of Phineas Carman Pearsall, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. E. L. Embree, in Buena Vista, Va., on Sunday afternoon. Mrs. Pearsall was in her 87th year, and is the mother of Alfred E. Pearsall, Edgar R. Pearsall and Mrs. A. C. Fitch, of this place. She had lived with her husband for a number of years, but for some time past had been making her home with her daughter in Virginia. Besides her four children, she is survived by a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The body was brought to this place today and funeral services will be held this evening at 8 p.m. from the Methodist church. The interment will be Fairview cemetery tomorrow morning.
Obituary	27 May 1908	27 May 1908, Lexington, Virginia, The Lexington Gazette Obituary: See attached clipping.
Newspaper Mention	4 October 1911	She was mentioned in a newspaper report about James Royce Ferris when 4 October 1911 edition of the The Courier-News, Bridgewater Township, Somerset County, New Jersey, reported on the dedication of the new Methodist Church of Westfield, NJ. In the article, several memorials were described: "Windows in Prospect Street Side: The large window, a memorial to Phineas C. Pearsall, Catherine Morgan Pearsall; Benjamin F. Ham, who held the offices of class leader, steward and trustee; and James R. Ferris, who in his time was class leader, Sunday School superintendent, steward and trustee, contains the symbols of the Four Evangelists on the shields in the tracery...The inscription on the Pearsall memorial reads: "Their children rise up and call them blessed" and on the Ferris memorial: "Fervent in spirit, serving the Lord."

Citations

1. [S689] Ed. W. Woodford Clayton, History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey: with Biographical Sketches of many of their Prominent Men (Philadelphia. Available on archive.org and googlebooks.: Everts & Peck, 1882), p. 783
2. [S29] Clarence E. Pearsall, History and Genealogy of The Pearsall Family in England and America (San Francisco: H.S. Crocker and Company, Inc., 1928), vol III chap 42 sec 16 page 1328. Hereinafter cited as The Pearsall Family.
3. [S619] Phineas Pearsall and Cathrn Van Derhoof, (15 May 1839), New Jersey County Marriages, 1682 - 1956: Digital Folder Number 004836078, Image Number 00046; New Jersey State Archives, Filmed by Family History Library, FHL Film 851752, Trenton, New Jersey
4. [S605] , 1850 Federal Census (), Image 26/282 ancestry.com.
5. [S792] United Methodist Church (New York City, New York and Vicinity), Baptism, Marriage and Other Records, Vol 27, Pacific Street Church; digital images, Ancestry.com ().
6. [S563] , Census, Microfilmed, Ancestry.com census records, Image 22/84.
7. [S85] , Census Online, Viewed on ancestry.com, Image 152/240.
8. [S84] , Census Online, Viewed on ancestry.com.

James Royce Ferris

Parents

Biography

Family History		See attached family record. Found on a public tree on Ancestry.com.
Birth	7 February 1818	James Royce Ferris was born on 7 February 1818 at Henry Ward Beecher Farm in Peekskill, Westchester County, New York.1
Directory	1846	As of 1846 James was listed in the New York City, New York County, New York, directory at 55 William St. as Furnishing, and home at 25 Vandam, also the listing of his father. "Gentlemen's Furnishings" would have referred to clothing articles not made by tailors: Shirts, Cravats, Underwear, Hosiery, Suspenders, Gloves, Collars, and other articles of the male wardrobe.2
Directory	1847	As of 1847 James was listed in the New York City, New York County, New York, directory at 80 Stanton St as James R Ferris, home. and he is still listed at 55 William St. for the furnishing business. His father is listed at home at 28 King. 80 Stanton was the address of his wife's father, Charles Hawkins, who died in 1845.
Marriage	3 March 1847	He and Harriet Eliza Hawkins were married on 3 March 1847 in New York City, New York County, New York,3,4
Relocation	1848	In 1848, James Royce Ferris moved to Westfield, Union County, New Jersey.
Directory	1849	As of 1849 James was listed in the New York City, New York County, New York, directory at 28 King Street as (home) and place of business (Furnishing) 55 William St. Josiah S. is listed at the same address, 28 King, as a Clerk. It is possible that this refers to Josiah Jr, but most likely Josiah Sr.5
Directory	1850	As of 1850 James was listed in the New York City, New York County, New York, directory at 55 William St. as Furnishing, home at 28 King St.
Census	17 July 1850	He appeared in the census 17 July 1850 at Ward 8 in New York City, New York County, New York. James is listed as: James R. (30, Merchant, b. N. York) Harriet Ferris (25, b. N. York) Elizabeth Hawkins (45, b. Rhode Island) Bridget Mountain (18, b. Ireland) Ward 8 was the west side of Greenwich Village. Two dwellings up the page is Cyrus Ferris, age 60, Merchant, with Elizabeth, age 43, and Angeline, age 25. I note that because Angeline was also the name of one of James' sisters. They are living next to Seymour Strong (40) and his wife Eliza. Just noting because Strang was a Westchester County family with which his family was later associated by marriage. Just in case it is really Strang. Image 17/531, Ancestry
Directory	1855	As of 1855 James was listed in the New York City, New York County, New York, directory at 55 William St. as "Gents Fur'ing", with home at 56 King St. In the same directory, David A. Herrick is also listed as Gentlemen's Furnishings, at 95 William (home Adelphi, Brooklyn). He was the Herrick of Herrick, Ferris and Co. which underwent financial suspension in the 1957 panic. David A. Herrick had formerly been in business with Israel W. Scudder as Herrick and Scudder, also a Gentlemens' Furnishings business. David A. Herrick was in the furnishings business earlier in Brooklyn. See attached ad from the Brooklyn Evening Star, 7 Dec 1846, when he operated a business from No. 72 Maiden Lane.6
Census	6 June 1855	He appeared in the census 6 June 1855 at Ward 8 in New York City, New York County, New York. James is listed as: Jas. R. (age 33, born in Westchester County, married, resided 10 years in this city, Merchant, homeowner) (Indexed as Ferus on familysearch) Harriet E. (age 30, Wife, born in New York, married, resided 30 years in this city) Harriet E. (age 1, born in New York) Elizabeth Hawkins (age 53, mother, born in Queens, widowed, lived 33 years in this city) Jane McCarthy (age 25, Servant, born in Ireland, lived 5 years in this city, cannot read or write)
Relocation	1856	In 1856, James Royce Ferris moved to Westfield, Union County, New Jersey.
Directory	1856	As of 1856 James was listed in the New York City, New York County, New York, directory at 296 Broadway as "gents furnish", home New Jersey. So at this time, James is commuting, and the business has moved to Broadway. Josiah, his father, is listed as a clerk, home at 56 King. Josiah S. Jr., his brother, is listed as gents' furnishing, 296 Broadway, home 28 King St. So his brother is working with him in the clothing store. David A. Herrick is listed as gents' fur., 296 Broadway, home 202 Adelphi, Brooklyn.7
Church Affiliation	1856	As of 1856, James was affiliated with Westfield Methodist Church, in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey. The local church had been recently incorporated, 27 Mary 1851, and was given independent status in 1853, when the first pastor was appointed, Rev. Thomas Campbell. He had been leading Methodist Sunday services since about 1850 in Westfield. A plain frame church was built in 1851, on West Broad St. on land donated by Matthias Clark. Before the building was built, meetings were held on lawns of members, or at John M. Clark's Town Tavern. When James R. Ferris moved to Westfield, he soon became very active with this group. He was the leader of the project to build a new church after the Civil War. "After service one morning, he started a building fund with a contribution of $3,500. Effingham Embree, S.G. Hanson and F. B. Ham added a $1,000 each" and before the day was over about one-third of the required amount was pledged. James purchased the old church for $1,400, and moved it to the opposite side of Broad St, east of Prospect St., and converted it to other uses. "A deeply religious man, Mr. Ferris was devoted to the home church, and the guiding spirit of its activities for 50 years -- precentor of the choir, superintendent of the Sunday School, a trustee. A tall, angular man, with snow white hair and flowing beard, he resembled a patriarch in appearance, and all eyes were fixed upon him when, at the first strains of the organ, he arose to lead the singing. He had a powerful voice and sang with great fervor -- at 70. His daughter, Miss Ella Ferris, was the organist."1
Newspaper Mention	14 April 1857	The 14 April 1857 edition of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, reported two advertisements of property for sale, one by James R. Ferris and the other by David A. Herrick. Herrick was James' business partner in the Gentlemens' Furnishing business. 1857 was the year of the financial panic. It looks like they were trying to raise money to stay afloat. 202 Adelphi was actually where David Herrick and family lived, so this must have been a stressful time for them. By this time, James had bought property in New Jersey. See attached.
Newspaper Mention	15 October 1857	The 15 October 1857 edition of the Buffalo Courier, Buffalo, New York, reported on New York City business failures in the Panic of 1857. These lists were reprinted from New York papers, and appeared in many papers, including the Raleigh Weekly Standard, North Carolina, and the London Standard, England. The Raleigh paper listed, among other business "suspensions", "Herrick, Ferris & Co., Gentlemen's furnishing goods." The business is listed in Trow's 1857 New York Directory at 296 Broadway. It is listed in Wilson's 1858 Business Directory of New York City, "Herrick, Ferris & Co., 48 Warren St." This was James's business. Even after he moved to Westfield, he commuted to New York for his business.
Property Record	1858	James was involved in a property transaction in 1858 in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey. He bought a house on East Broad Street, and also 45 acres known as the Elias Mills Tract, which ran from E. Broad St. to a line along what later became Dudly Ave. He built a new home on the property, and had the old home moved farther back in the property to what is now Ferris Place. The old home became the residence of his parents, Mr. And Mrs. Josiah S. Ferris. After Mary Ferris married Edgar Randolph Pearsall, they moved back into the older house. By 1939, when a newspaper article was written about the house, the newer home James built had been razed. 2015 Article about 112 Ferris Place.
Census	9 July 1860	He appeared in the census 9 July 1860 in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey. James is listed as: James R (40, Merchant, married, Real Estate $3000, Personal $300, b. New York) Hariet E. Ferris (28, b. New York) Mary Ferris (3, born in New Jersey) Hattie E. Ferris (6, born in New York) Ellen Ferris (1, born in New Jersey) Elizabeth Hawkins (54, born in New York) Phebe Ross (70, Real Estate $400, Personal $100, born in N. J.) [This is the first entry in this household on the census form] Levina Wood (16, Servant, born in New York) John Vap (40, Farm Laborer, b. New York)
Draft Registration	30 June 1863	James registered for the draft on 30 June 1863, Westfield, Union County, New Jersey. Listed as James R., age 44, Merchant, born in New York.
Census	1865	He appeared in the census 1865 in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey. James is listed as: James R. Ferris Harriet E. Ferris Mary P. Ferris (child 5-16) Ella L. Ferris (child 5-16) Josiah S. Ferris Francis Curry (child 5-16) Elizabeth Hawkins This is the New Jersey State Census. It does not give any further information, it is basically a resident list.
Census	17 August 1870	He appeared in the census 17 August 1870 in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey. James is listed as: James R. (52, Ret. Merchant, Real Estate $20,000, personal $700, b. New York, Father of Foreign Birth) Harriett E. (45, Keeps House, b. NY) Ella L. (11, b. in New York, attends School) Henry (9, b. in New York, attends School) Josiah S. (83, Fancy Goods Dealer, personal estate $600, b. in New Brunswick, the columns Father and Mother of Foreign Birth both checked off) Catharine Shaunnessy (21, Domestic, born in Ireland, cannot read or write, both father and mother of Foreign Birth) Hawkins, Elizabeth (69, b. in NY)
Census	7 June 1880	He appeared in the household of Josiah Seymour Ferris in the census 7 June 1880 in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey. Josiah is listed as Josiah S. (92, Father, widowed, formerly Merchant, Health: old age. Born in Canada, parents b. New York) James R. (60, Son, married, Mercantile Agency, b. NY, parents Canada) Harriet (50, Wife, married, Keeping House, b. NY and parents also) Mary P. (22, daughter, single, b. New Jersey, parents NY) Ella L. (20, daughter, single, b. New Jersey, parents NY) Kate Wood (40, servant, married, cannot read or write, born in Ireland) Image 21/45
Directory	1885	As of 1885 James was listed in the Westfield, Union County, New Jersey, directory at Broad, corner Prospect., as (no occupation listed) in the Boyd's Combined Directory of Plainfield, Somerville, Bound Brook, Raritan, Dunellen, Westfield, Fanwood.
Census	11 June 1900	He appeared in the census 11 June 1900 at 90 Prospect Street in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey. James is listed as: James R. (Head, b. Feb'y 1818, age 82, married 52 years, b. new York and parents also, occupation: landlord, owns home with mortgage) Harriet E. (Wife, b. Aug 1824, age 75, married 52 years, 3 children, 2 living, born in New York and parents also) Ella L. (Daughter, b. Apr 1859, age 41, single, b. in New York and parents also, Teacher in Music)8
Death	26 October 1908	He died on 26 October 1908 in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey,
Obituary	28 October 1908	28 October 1908, New York City, New York County, New York, New York Times Obituary:. James Royce Ferris, a retired merchant of Westfield, N.J., is dead at his home there at the age of 91 years. He was born in Peekskill and was engaged in mercantile pursuits until ten years ago.
Obituary	30 October 1908	30 October 1908, Westfield, Union County, New Jersey, Union County Standard Obituary:. JAMES R. FERRIS DEAD. One of Westfield’s Oldest and Best Loved Citizens Passes Peacefully Away. IN HIS NINETY-FIRST YEAR. Came to Westfield Fifty Years Ago – A Life Long Republican and Devout Christian – Built First Town Hall. James Randolph Ferris, one of Westfield’s oldest and most respected citizens, died at his home on Prospect street, Monday afternoon. Mr. Ferris had been confined to his bed since last April. Ten years ago he had had a stroke of apoplexy from which he never fully recovered, and since that time he has taken but little part in active work. He died very peacefully. The members of his family were at his bedside when the end came. James Randolph Ferris was born at Peekskill, New York, February 19, 1818, at what is known as the old Henry Ward Beecher farm, which was also the homestead of his father and grandfather. He received his education in the schools of his native town, and early in life entered the mercantile business. During the war he engaged in the men’s furnishing business in Nashville, Tennessee, with great success. Returning North he established himself in business in New York City, where he gained the reputation of being one of the most accurate and capable rating agency experts in the business. Fifty years ago, Mr. Ferris came to Westfield to spend his summers, and he liked the country so well that he bought property on Broad street, east of the present site of the First M.E. Church. The land comprised a large farm and extended north to Dudley avenue. Here Mr. Ferris built a handsome home, which has since been removed to face Prospect street. Mr. Ferris was always one of Westfield’s most active and patriotic citizens. He was a life long Republican, and although he never held office, he took a leading part in the councils of his party and was a liberal contributor to the party cause. In the early days of Westfield there was no public meeting place, and Mr. Ferris lead the enterprise which resulted in the building of Aeolian Hall, afterwards known as Arcanum Hall, which was located at the corner of Broad and Prospect streets, and was totally destroyed by fire many years ago. He was also one of the prime movers in the organization of Fairview Cemetery Association, and one of the first members of the Board of trustees of that association. He likewise took an active part in the development of the Westfield public schools. Mr. Ferris was a devoutly religious man, and it was to this work that he gave his best efforts. Born in the Methodist faith, he became actively identified with the local denomination upon his coming to Westfield. He was a trustee of the church for fifty years, and superintendent of the Sunday school for a number of years being succeeded in that office by the late Robert Rutherford Sinclair, his personal friend. Mr. Ferris was a liberal contributor to all religious enterprises particularly those promoted by his own denomination. The Methodist Church still has the record of the services he rendered, and his name is to be found on the roll of honorary trustees. Mr. Ferris represented the best in our American citizenship, and will long be remembered as one of the town’s exemplary citizens. He is survived by a widow and two daughters, Mrs. Edgar R. Pearsall, of Union Place, and Miss Ella Ferris. His children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren live to pay tribute to the ideals of citizenship and fatherhood which he exemplified in his home. At the special request of Mr. Ferris, the funeral services were private from his late residence, Wednesday evening, at 8 o’clock, the Rev. Dr. Addison W. Hayes, pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, officiating. The pall bearers were his three grandsons, Ferris, James and Chester Pearsall; his son-in-law Edgar Pearsall, his nephew Joseph Ferris, and William S. Hurst. The interment was at Fairview, yesterday morning. [Note: I question the information on the rating agency in New York, rivaling Bradstreets. That may be a confusion with one of the Pearsalls, or perhaps another Ferris. James was a men's clothing merchant. HK, 2018]
Newspaper Mention	4 October 1911	The 4 October 1911 edition of the The Courier-News, Bridgewater Township, Somerset County, New Jersey, reported on the dedication of the new Methodist Church of Westfield, NJ. In the article, several memorials were described: "Windows in Prospect Street Side: The large window, a memorial to Phineas C. Pearsall, Catherine Morgan Pearsall; Benjamin F. Ham, who held the offices of class leader, steward and trustee; and James R. Ferris, who in his time was class leader, Sunday School superintendent, steward and trustee, contains the symbols of the Four Evangelists on the shields in the tracery...The inscription on the Pearsall memorial reads: "Their children rise up and call them blessed" and on the Ferris memorial: "Fervent in spirit, serving the Lord."
Newspaper Mention	10 February 1949	The 10 February 1949 edition of the Westfield Leader, Westfield, Union County, New Jersey, reported "Some Chapters of Early Methodism", with an article about the contributions of James Royce Ferris to the early Methodist Church in Westfield. See attached.

Citations

1. [S677] "Some Chapters of Early Methodism", Westfield Leader, 10 Feb 1949, p. 2.; available online at the Westfield Memorial Library (http://www.digifind-it.com/westfield/home.php)
2. [S273] New York City Longworth's American Almanac, New-York Register and City Directory (: D. Longworth, late 1700's - early 1800's), 1847, p. 138. Hereinafter cited as New York City Longworth's Directory.
3. [S86] , 1850 Census Online, As viewed on ancestry.com.
4. [S881] Katharine Searle McCartney, "Copy of Family Record of the Elias Mulford and Elizabeth Gardiner Families and Descendants", New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, 43 (Jan 1912), viewed on FindMyPast, New York Genealogical and Biographical Society (www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org), p. 65
5. [S828] Doggett's New York City directory (New York: John Doggett, Jr., and Co., 1800's), 1849/50, p. 153. Hereinafter cited as New York City Doggett's Directory.
6. [S273] New York City Longworth's Directory, p. 281.
7. [S273] New York City Longworth's Directory, p. 273.
8. [S81] , 1900 Census Online, Viewed on ancestry.com.

Harriet Eliza Hawkins

Parents

Biography

Citations

1. [S881] Katharine Searle McCartney, "Copy of Family Record of the Elias Mulford and Elizabeth Gardiner Families and Descendants", New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, 43 (Jan 1912), viewed on FindMyPast, New York Genealogical and Biographical Society (www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org), p. 65
2. [S86] , 1850 Census Online, As viewed on ancestry.com.

Josiah Seymour Ferris

Parents

Biography

Family Bible	1800'S	Records from Family Bible Or a similar volume for recording important family events.1
Bio Detail		A paragraph on the Ferris family. from "Andrew Warde and His Descendants", 1597-1910 by George K. Ward, A.T. De La Mare Publishing Company, New York, 1910.2
Birth	19 August 1788	Josiah Seymour Ferris was born on 19 August 1788 in St John, New Brunswick, Canada.
Marriage	23 February 1813	He and Elizabeth Royce were married on 23 February 1813 in Peekskill, Westchester County, New York,3,4
Census	1820	He appeared in the census 1820 in Cortlandt Manor, Westchester County, New York. Josiah is listed as: one male under ten one male 26 - 45 [Josiah was 32] 1 female under 10 1 female 16 - 26 [Elizabeth was 26] They had been married seven years, and had a son and two girls. Since only one of the girls is listed here, perhaps one died young. In reference to Elizabeth's possible mother, she is not living with this family and I don't see a Mrs. Royce listed separately. One in manufacturing Neighbors: Father Joseph Ferris. John and Jabez Lounsbury, John Badeau, Bethuel Washburn, Josiah Pugsby, John and Isaac Deniker, Thomas Currey, James Briggs, Benjamin Ward, David Birdsell.
Census	1840	He appeared in the census 1840 in Cortlandt Town, Westchester County, New York. Josiah is listed as: one male 5-10 [William was 5] one male 20-30 one male 40-50 [Josiah was 52] one female 5-10 one female 10-15 one female 15-20 one female 40-50 [Elizabeth was 47]
Death of Father	23 November 1841	On 23 November 1841, Josiah suffered the loss of his father Joseph. Josiah is treated differently in his father's will from the other seven children of Joseph. Joseph stated in his will that his property would be divided eight ways, and the other seven children would receive their 1/8th after a one-year period. However, the executors are instructed to invest Josiah's share, and to pay him the interest yearly, and on his death, pay out the principal to his children. Josiah was the eldest child of Joseph. Joseph had 3 executors, two of whom were friends, and one was his youngest son, William Belden Ferris. This provision is curious. At the time the will was written, Josiah was also living in Cortlandt Town, where his father lived. He was married and already had all 9 of his children, who ranged in age from 3 to 23. A possible reason that springs to mind is that his father did not think Josiah would handle the money responsibly.
Directory	1845	As of 1845 Josiah was listed in the New York City, New York County, New York, directory at 25 King St. as Inspector. Josiah is not listed in the 1840 or 1842 directory. He is listed in 1846, p. 138, as Ferris, Josiah S. , Inspector, 25 Vandam.5
Directory	1846	As of 1846 Josiah was listed in the New York City, New York County, New York, directory at 25 Vandam St. as Inspector. His son is also living at 25 Vandam, and Furnishing business at 55 William St.
Directory	1847	As of 1847 Josiah was listed in the New York City, New York County, New York, directory at 28 King Street as Josiah S. Ferris, inspector.6
Directory	1849	He was mentioned in the directory listing of James Royce Ferris in 1849 in New York City, New York County, New York, at 28 King Street which said (home) and place of business (Furnishing) 55 William St. Josiah S. is listed at the same address, 28 King, as a Clerk. It is possible that this refers to Josiah Jr, but most likely Josiah Sr.7
Directory	1850	As of 1850 Josiah was listed in the New York City, New York County, New York, directory at 28 King Street as Clerk.8
Census-not found	1850	Josiah has not been found on the census of 1850
Property Record	1860	Josiah was involved in a property transaction in 1860 in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey. The Courier-News of Bridgewater, NJ on 4 Oct 1937 ran a story on 'Old Days' in Westfield told by J. Warren Brown. A paragraph from his story read: "It was in the year 1861 that my father and mother, with their six children, moved from 81 Grand Street, New York City, to Westfield. Our coming was heralded as a great event. Two large vans, with four horses each, transported the goods, taking nearly one entire day. In 1860 my father bought a farm of 25 acres on Jerusalem Road (now Clark Street) from Josiah Ferris, father of the late James R. Ferris, for $3000. This farm consisted of good productive soil with about six acres of woodland. Edgewood Avenue now occupies the old lane which ran through the center of the property." I wonder of J. Warren Brown was related to the Brownne family into which Josiah's daughter Angeline married. She married Robert H. Brownne in New York about 1835 and they had a number of children.
Census	1860	He appeared in the census 1860 in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey. Josiah is listed as: Josiah Ferris (age 70, Farmer, real estate $1500, personal $150, b. New York) Elizabeth Ferris (age 60, b. New York) Frances Ferris (age 10, b. New York.)
Census	1865	He appeared in the household of James Royce Ferris in the census 1865 in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey. James is listed as James R. Ferris Harriet E. Ferris Mary P. Ferris (child 5-16) Ella L. Ferris (child 5-16) Josiah S. Ferris Francis Curry (child 5-16) Elizabeth Hawkins This is the New Jersey State Census. It does not give any further information, it is basically a resident list.
Census	17 August 1870	Josiah Seymour Ferris appeared in the household of James Royce Ferris in the census 17 August 1870 in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey. James is listed as James R. (52, Ret. Merchant, Real Estate $20,000, personal $700, b. New York, Father of Foreign Birth) Harriett E. (45, Keeps House, b. NY) Ella L. (11, b. in New York, attends School) Henry (9, b. in New York, attends School) Josiah S. (83, Fancy Goods Dealer, personal estate $600, b. in New Brunswick, the columns Father and Mother of Foreign Birth both checked off) Catharine Shaunnessy (21, Domestic, born in Ireland, cannot read or write, both father and mother of Foreign Birth) Hawkins, Elizabeth (69, b. in NY)
Photo Link		Photo of Josiah Seymour Ferris, copied courtesy of Julie Lafontaine, who is also a descendant of Josiah.
Census	7 June 1880	Josiah Seymour Ferris appeared in the census 7 June 1880 in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey. Josiah is listed as: Josiah S. (92, Father, widowed, formerly Merchant, Health: old age. Born in Canada, parents b. New York) James R. (60, Son, married, Mercantile Agency, b. NY, parents Canada) Harriet (50, Wife, married, Keeping House, b. NY and parents also) Mary P. (22, daughter, single, b. New Jersey, parents NY) Ella L. (20, daughter, single, b. New Jersey, parents NY) Kate Wood (40, servant, married, cannot read or write, born in Ireland) Image 21/45
Death	17 February 1882	He died on 17 February 1882 in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey,
Obituary	18 February 1882	18 February 1882, New York Herald Obituary:. "Ferris - On Friday, Feb. 17, Josiah S. Ferris, in his 94th year. Funeral services on Monday 20th at 2 p.m. at the residence of his son, James R. Ferris, Westfield, NJ. Trains leave foot of Roberts Street at 1 pm."9
Obituary Mention	1 February 1913	He was mentioned in the obituary of Angeline Betts Ferris, on 1 February 1913. Mrs. Angelina Betts Brownne, 98 years old, the widow of Robert H. Brownne, died Monday of apoplexy at the home of her son, Dr. Robert H. Brownne, Spruce street and Atlantic avenue, Morris Park, L.I. Mrs. Brownne was a native of Peekskill, N.Y. and was the daughter of Josiah Ferris, who was at one time sheriff of Westchester County.

Citations

1. [S827] Ferris Family Record Copy (Family Records, 1800's), Digital copy privately held by Helen Pearsall, Westfield, NJ, mid-1900's (Descendant). This looks like it was copied from the Family pages of a Family Bible, or another volume meant to record family events. I think this list was copied by Aunt Helen Pearsall, and given to her brother Chester, or to my uncle David Tilley. It came to me, Holly Kilpatrick, in a box of David Tilley's files.
2. [S1002] George Kemp Ward, Andrew Warde and his descendants, 1597-1910 (New York: A.T. De La Mare Publishing Company, 1910), p. 510; digital images, archive.org, Internet Archive (https://archive.org/details/andrewwardeandh00unkngoog/page/n11/mode/1up : accessed
3. [S2] A Ferris Family Tree, the Descendants of Jeffrie Ferris, James G. Ferris, email address, Brownsboro, Alabama, online https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/tree/45050807/family?usePUBJs=true
4. [S158] "David B. Tilley Research Notes 1950 - 1965", 1950-1965, David Brown Tilley (1928 - 1989) (Easton, PA, Danby, NY, and Litchfield, CT), to Holly Kilpatrick (East Bangor, PA), marriage date from DBT notes.. Hereinafter cited as "DBT Notes."
5. [S880] Groot and Elston New York City directory (106 Fulton St., New York: Groot and Elston, 1800's), 1845, p. 142. Hereinafter cited as New York City Groot and Elston Directory.
6. [S273] New York City Longworth's American Almanac, New-York Register and City Directory (: D. Longworth, late 1700's - early 1800's), 1847, p. 146. Hereinafter cited as New York City Longworth's Directory.
7. [S828] Doggett's New York City directory (New York: John Doggett, Jr., and Co., 1800's), 1849/50, p. 153. Hereinafter cited as New York City Doggett's Directory.
8. [S273] New York City Longworth's Directory, p. 173.
9. [S158] David Brown Tilley (1928 - 1989), "DBT Notes."

Elizabeth Royce

Parents

Elizabeth (Royce) Ferris

Biography

Birth	6 September 1793	Elizabeth Royce was born on 6 September 1793 in Northamptonshire, England. Her birth date is inscribed on her gravestone.1
Immigration Group Member	1794	Elizabeth Royce immigrated along with William Royce in 1794 in New York. according to the memoirs of his great-grandson, J. S. Currey. Currey wrote that they came in a ship captained by Capt. White. The family group consisted of William, his wife Elizabeth, their daughter Elizabeth, and Elizabeth's sister Keren-Happuch Redman.2
Research Note	1810	In 1810 Cortlandt Town, Westchester County, New York, Census Entry for Royce. Three years before Elizabeth's marriage, there was only one Royce entry in Westchester County for Royce: Mrs. Royce: one male under 10 [William?] one male 10-15 1 female under 10 1 female 10-15 [Maria?] 1 female 16-25 [this could have been Elizabeth] 1 female 26-44 Mrs. Royce would have been born between 1766 and 1784. If this is Elizabeth at 17 as the eldest child, Mrs. Royce would have had children between 1793 and say, 1805. Mr. Royce may have died sometime after say, 1804. That would put Mrs. Royce's birthdate closer to 1773. There is a burial in the Cortlandt Manor Hillside Cemetery for a William Royce, b. 1804, d. 1864. This could have been the boy under 10 above.
Marriage	23 February 1813	Josiah Seymour Ferris and she were married on 23 February 1813 in Peekskill, Westchester County, New York,3,4
Census	1820	She appeared in the household of Josiah Seymour Ferris in the census 1820 in Cortlandt Manor, Westchester County, New York. Josiah is listed as one male under ten one male 26 - 45 [Josiah was 32] 1 female under 10 1 female 16 - 26 [Elizabeth was 26] They had been married seven years, and had a son and two girls. Since only one of the girls is listed here, perhaps one died young. In reference to Elizabeth's possible mother, she is not living with this family and I don't see a Mrs. Royce listed separately. One in manufacturing Neighbors: Father Joseph Ferris. John and Jabez Lounsbury, John Badeau, Bethuel Washburn, Josiah Pugsby, John and Isaac Deniker, Thomas Currey, James Briggs, Benjamin Ward, David Birdsell.
Death	18 February 1865	She died on 18 February 1865 in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey,
Burial	20 February 1865	She was buried on 20 February 1865 at Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey.

Citations

1. [S287] Find a Grave Website, online www.findagrave.com, photos of gravestones
2. [S999] Josiah Seymour Currey, The Papers of J. Seymour Currey: In the Collections of the Evanston Historical Society, Collection Number 117 (Evanston, Illinois: Between 1869 and 1929); 4 archival boxes, (https://connect.historyit.com/PublicSites/browse/603/0?account=evanstonhistorycenter : accessed
3. [S2] A Ferris Family Tree, the Descendants of Jeffrie Ferris, James G. Ferris, email address, Brownsboro, Alabama, online https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/tree/45050807/family?usePUBJs=true
4. [S158] "David B. Tilley Research Notes 1950 - 1965", 1950-1965, David Brown Tilley (1928 - 1989) (Easton, PA, Danby, NY, and Litchfield, CT), to Holly Kilpatrick (East Bangor, PA), marriage date from DBT notes.. Hereinafter cited as "DBT Notes."

Joseph Ferris

Parents

Biography

Family Bible	1800'S	Family Bible or similar Family Record Volume Copy1
Birth	15 November 1757	Joseph Ferris was born on 15 November 1757 in Peekskill, Westchester County, New York. Josiah Seymour Ferris's 1870 census said that both of his parents were of Foreign Birth, as well as himself.
Marriage	25 December 1786	He and Lydia Seymour were married on 25 December 1786 Lydia's sister Mary married Finch Gildersleeve, who was the father of Thomas Gildersleeve, who married Ann Post Ferris, who was Lydia and Joseph Ferris's daughter. I have often wondered why the children were born in St. John, although his father Jonathan supposedly served in the Revolution, and Josiah's daughter Eliza married a Currey whose family served in the Revolution. On the United Empire Loyalists website, there are a number of Ferris's of Westchester County or Stamford, listed as Loyalists, including a Joshua. Joseph had a brother named Joshua. There is a Joseph, but with a different death date. The timing and location are so specific to Loyalists, it raises the question.
Address	about 1787	As of about 1787, Joseph lived in St. John, New Brunswick, Canada. This date is approximate.
Address	about 1801	As of about 1801, Joseph lived in Peekskill, Westchester County, New York.
Census	1820	He appeared in the census 1820 in Cortlandt Town, Westchester County, New York. Joseph is listed as: 2 males 10-16 1 male 16-26 1 male 26-45 1 male 45+ [Joseph and Lydia were both 63] 1 female 10-16 1 female 16-26 1 female 45+ 3 in Agriculture
Will	26 November 1838	He signed a will on 26 November 1838 in Cortlandt Town, Westchester County, New York. I, Joseph Ferris, of the town of Cortlandt, in the County of Westchester and State of New York, being of sound mind and memory, do hereby make, publish and declare this my last Will and testament, in the manner and form following, namely: I will and order that all my property of every kind and description remain unsold and undivided for the term of one year after my decease. I give and bequeath the use of all my house, except the lower or ground story, and all my back yard, and garden for the term of one year from my decease, to my daughter Mary Summerbell, I give also to her all the fire wood and provisions I may have on hand at the time of my decease, I further more give to her the use of all my household furniture, of every description during the said year after my decease. I will and order my executors to rent out the basement or lower story of my house, for the term of said one year after my decease and to place the rent in my general stock. I will and order and hereby empower my executors to sell all my real and Personal estate as soon after the expiration of the first year after my decease as they may deem best and most expedient and after defraying all necessary expenses and paying all my honest debts, I will and order the remainder to be disposed of in the following manner, namely: First: I give and bequeath to my two grandsons, Joseph Summerbill and Benjamin Summerbill, to each of them the sum of seventy five dollars. Second: I will and order my executors to divide all the remainder of my estate into eight equal shares and I order and empower them or either of them beginning at the first named, to put out at interest one of said eight shares and to pay the interest on said share to my son, Josiah B. Ferris, yearly during his natural life and after his decease, I will and order my said executor or executors to divide the said share equally among all his surviving children. Third: I will and order my executors to pay over the remaining seven shares at the time before mentioned equally to my seven children, namely to Mary Summerbill, Joseph Charles Ferris, Lydia A. Blakeney, Edward, Sally Lent, Ann Gildersleeve, and William B. Ferris equally share and share alike. Lastly: I appoint my friend, Doctor James Fountain, of Yorktown, and William H. Briggs, of Cortlandtown, and my son William B. Ferris, executors to this my last Will and testament, hereby revoking all former Wills by me made. In witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 26th day of November, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight. Joseph Ferris (seal) Signed, sealed, published and declared by the above named Joseph Ferris to be his last Will and testament, in the presence of us who have signed our names as witnesses in the presence of the testator, and in the presence of each other: Wm Royce Samuel W. George I, Joseph Ferris, do hereby make, ordain and publish this Codicil to my above Will and testament, namely: I will and bequeath all my wearing apparel to my son, Charles Ferris, and I hereby order this Codicil to be annexed to and form a part of the above my last Will and testament. Joseph Ferris (seal) Wm Royce Samuel W. George See attached will, and related documents from when his will was proved.
Death	23 November 1841	He died on 23 November 1841 in Peekskill, Westchester County, New York,
Burial	25 November 1841	He was buried on 25 November 1841 at Hope Methodist Church Burial Ground, Baldwin Place, in Somers, Westchester County, NJ. Inscription: "Joseph Ferris died Nov 23, 1841 age 84 years" This was the West Somers Methodist Episcopal Church Cemetery, on Tomahawk Street (Rt. 118) (also known as the Tomahawk Chapel). Joseph also has a Findagrave listing for Tomahawk Chapel Cemetery.2
Probate Record	4 March 1842	Joseph was listed in probate records on 4 March 1842 in Cortlandt Town, Westchester County, New York. in the matter of proving the last Will and testament and Codicil Annexed, of Joseph Ferris, deceased. To: Josiah S. Ferris, Mary Summerbill, Thomas Blakeney and Lydia A., his wife, Jacob Lent and Sarah his wife, and William B. Ferris, all of the County of Westchester, Joseph Charles Ferris, of the State of Pennsylvania, and William B. Ferris, his attorney, Edward Ferris, residing in Putnam County, Thomas Gildersleeve and Ann his wife, of the City and County and State of Newo York, the next of kin and heirs at law of Joseph Ferris, late of the County of Westchester, deceased, Whereas, William B. Ferris, of the town of Cortlandt has lately applied to our Surrogate of the County of Westchester to have a certain instrument in writing bearing date the 26th day of November, 1838 purporting to dispose of both real and personal estate duly proved as the last Will and testament of the said deceased and Codicil annexed of Joseph Ferris, deceased late of the town of Cortlandt... The full text of the will proving are attached with the Will, see entry date 26 Nov 1838..

Citations

1. [S827] Ferris Family Record Copy (Family Records, 1800's), Digital copy privately held by Helen Pearsall, Westfield, NJ, mid-1900's (Descendant). This looks like it was copied from the Family pages of a Family Bible, or another volume meant to record family events. I think this list was copied by Aunt Helen Pearsall, and given to her brother Chester, or to my uncle David Tilley. It came to me, Holly Kilpatrick, in a box of David Tilley's files.
2. [S287] Find a Grave Website, online www.findagrave.com, Hope Methodist Church Cemetery, Baldwin Place, NY

Lydia Seymour

Parents

Biography

Citations

1. [S287] Find a Grave Website, online www.findagrave.com, Hope Methodist Church Cemetery, Baldwin Place, NY

Peter Roebuck Pearsall

Parents

Biography

Genealogy		See attached image of Peter's page from the 3-volume Pearsall genealogy1
Birth	1 May 1790	Peter Roebuck Pearsall was born on 1 May 1790 in Long Island, New York.2
Baptism	6 July 1791	He was baptized on 6 July 1791 at St. George's Church in Hempstead, Long Island, New York.3
Marriage	18 November 1813	He and Abigail Carman were married on 18 November 18134,1
Divorce	15 December 1826	He and Abigail Carman were divorced on 15 December 1826 in Middlesex County, New Jersey. by an act of the General Assembly of New Jersey.
Marriage	20 July 1829	He and Hannah Frost were married on 20 July 1829 in Beardstown, Pennsylvania,
Relocation	May 1847	In May 1847, Peter Roebuck Pearsall moved to Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana.
Census	1850	He appeared in the census 1850 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana. Peter is listed as: Peter R. Pearsall (age 60, Prof. of Music, b. NY) Hannah Pearsall (age 45, b. Pa.) Nancy J. Pearsall (age 20, b. Pa.) James R. Pearsall (age 18, b. Pa.) Isabella S. Pearsall (age 10, b. Pa.) Catherine R. Pearsall (age 13, b. Pa.,) Anna S. Pearsall (age 8, b. Ohio) James Frost Pearsall (age 4, b. Ohio) William B. Pearsall (age 2, b. Indiana)
Obituary	25 March 1878	25 March 1878, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, Indianapolis News Obituary:. Professor Pearsall Professor Pearsall died yesterday morning at a quarter past 12 o'clock. From the instant that he was stricken with paralysis on Tuesday morning last until his death, he was unconscious. Peter Roebuck Pearsall was born at Hempstead, Long Island, May 1, 1790. When 11 years of age he was sent to the Moravian school at Nazareth, Pa., where he remained until he was 18 years of age, when he became book-keeper in a wholesale commission house in New York city. On the breaking out of the war of 1812 he volunteered in a New York regiment, serving as a private during the war. After the war he engaged in the brokerage and commission business in New York, where he accumulated a considerable fortune, which, when the professor was nearly 50 years of age, was swept away through the failure of others for whom he had endorsed. He was a fine German and French scholar, and with natural musical talent which had been highly cultivated, when adverse fortune came upon him he turned his accomplishments into a means of support. After teaching at Brownsville, Pa., at Mount Vernon and Granville, Ohio, in May 1847, he came to this city. He was the pioneer professional teacher of music of Indianapolis. The "old professor" as he was lovingly called, was one of the most kind hearted and genial of gentlemen. There was a courtly affability in his manner that was as far removed from stiffness as it was from sycophancy. The children were his especial pets and friends, and they flocked around him on all occasions, and never failed to receive kind words, hear an amusing story, which he told with inimitable grace, or take a lesson in practical politeness which a Chesterfield could hardly improve upon. The ragged and tinted little gamins of the northwest quarter of the city, the children of obscurity and crime along the canal, as well as those of better birth, always paid deferential tribute to the nobility of his character. Professor Pearsall's old pupils, male and female, met at the chapel of Christ church at 3 o'clock this afternoon, took action and made arrangements to attend his funeral. The funeral will take place from Christ church tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. Services by Rev. E. A. Bradley. *************************************** A death notice also appeared in the Chicago Tribune on the same day: Indianapolis, Ind., March 24, Peter Roebuck Pearsall, the first music-teacher in Indianapolis, and one of the oldest residents, died today of an apopelectic stroke received last Wednesday. He was aged 88. ******************************* Another article in the 26 Mar 1878 issues of the Indianapolis News adds some further information: "The remains were taken to the Crown Hill Cemetery, and deposited in the chapel vault. They will be buried privately in a few days. The pall bearers were M.A. Stowell, A.G. Willard, J.B. McChesney, S.V. Morris, S. Goldsberry, H.L. Benham, Albert Gall and Edward Ketcham. The choir was composed of those who took part in Professor Pearsall's last concert. A large number of relatives were at the funeral, including his widow, two sons and four daughters, one daughter, Mrs. Lockhart, of San Francisco, being unable to get here."
Burial	26 March 1878	He was buried on 26 March 1878 at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana.
Death	28 March 1878	He died on 28 March 1878 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana,

Citations

1. [S13] Clarence E. Pearsall with Hettie May Pearsall and Harry L. Neall, History and Genealogy of the Pearsall Family in England and America (San Francisco, CA: H.S. Crocker Company, Inc., 1928), p. 1325. Hereinafter cited as Pearsall Genealogy, CEP.
2. [S13] Clarence E. Pearsall with Hettie May Pearsall and Harry L. Neall, Pearsall Genealogy, CEP, pg 1325 chap. 42 sec. 14.
3. [S29] Clarence E. Pearsall, History and Genealogy of The Pearsall Family in England and America (San Francisco: H.S. Crocker and Company, Inc., 1928). Hereinafter cited as The Pearsall Family.
4. [S884] Howard S. F. Randolph, "The Family of Richard Carman of Woodbridge, New Jersey", New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, 81 (Apr 1950), viewed on FindMyPast, New York Genealogical and Biographical Society (www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org), p. 104

Abigail Carman

Parents

Biography

Birth	1 September 1794	Abigail Carman was born on 1 September 1794.1,2
Marriage	18 November 1813	Peter Roebuck Pearsall and she were married on 18 November 18132,3
Divorce	15 December 1826	Peter Roebuck Pearsall and she were divorced on 15 December 1826 in Middlesex County, New Jersey. by an act of the General Assembly of New Jersey.
Death	20 April 1870	She died on 20 April 18704
Burial	22 April 1870	She was buried on 22 April 1870 at Rockville Cemetery in Lynbrook, Long Island, New York. Plot: Line 2 W.

Citations

1. [S687] Family Bible Record of Family of Phineas Carman of New Jersey, Holy Bible: with the HISTORICAL AND CRITICAL NOTES contained in Baskerville's Edition (New Brunswick, New Jersey: William Elliot and Robert Eastburn, 1809), owner Transcribed by Marian Crawford Unknown. http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~carman/phineas/.
2. [S884] Howard S. F. Randolph, "The Family of Richard Carman of Woodbridge, New Jersey", New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, 81 (Apr 1950), viewed on FindMyPast, New York Genealogical and Biographical Society (www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org), p. 104
3. [S13] Clarence E. Pearsall with Hettie May Pearsall and Harry L. Neall, History and Genealogy of the Pearsall Family in England and America (San Francisco, CA: H.S. Crocker Company, Inc., 1928), p. 1325. Hereinafter cited as Pearsall Genealogy, CEP.
4. [S287] Find a Grave Website, online www.findagrave.com

Uriah Pearsall

Parents

Biography

Catherine Roebuck

Parents

Biography

Hezechiah Pearsall

Parents

Biography

Citations

1. [S13] Clarence E. Pearsall with Hettie May Pearsall and Harry L. Neall, History and Genealogy of the Pearsall Family in England and America (San Francisco, CA: H.S. Crocker Company, Inc., 1928), Vol 1, Chap 42, p. 1321. Hereinafter cited as Pearsall Genealogy, CEP.

Martha Bedell

Biography

Citations

1. [S13] Clarence E. Pearsall with Hettie May Pearsall and Harry L. Neall, History and Genealogy of the Pearsall Family in England and America (San Francisco, CA: H.S. Crocker Company, Inc., 1928), Vol 1, Chap 42, p. 1321. Hereinafter cited as Pearsall Genealogy, CEP.

Henry Pearsall

Parents

Biography

Martha

Biography

Jarvis Roebuck

Biography

Citations

1. [S909] New York City Directory and Register (New York City, New York, Online at New York Public Library digital collections: David Franks, printed by Shepard Kollock, 1786). Hereinafter cited as New York City Directory and Register.

Phineas Carman

Parents

Biography

Birth	9 September 1762	Phineas Carman was born on 9 September 1762. (or 1763?)1
Marriage	about 1782	He and Huldah Ayers were married about 17821
Business Enterprise	1812	In 1812, the State Bank of New Brunswick was chartered by the legislature. Phineas Carman was one of the 13 directors. The first cashier was Daniel W. Disbrow.
Death	25 February 1827	He died on 25 February 1827 in New York City, New York County, New York,1
Burial	27 February 1827	He was buried on 27 February 1827 at Old Colonial Cemetery in Woodbridge Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey. (Now in Metuchen.) Phineas Carman was a Revolutionary War Veteran. According to an article in the Bridgewater Courier-News of 25 Jun 1937, p. 15, there are 31 Revolutionary War Veterans in the Old Colonial Cemetery. The surnames include related families such as Bloomfield, Ayres, and Mundy. One of those listed is Melancthon Freeman, which must be a connection because Phineas and Huldah's last child was named Melancthon Freeman Carman.
Family Bible		Family Bible: The transcription of the pages is attached as a pdf.2
Family Bible		The images of the family Bible: there is no image for the first Births page. These images are, as of 2017, online at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~carman/books.htm

Citations

1. [S884] Howard S. F. Randolph, "The Family of Richard Carman of Woodbridge, New Jersey", New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, 81 (Apr 1950), viewed on FindMyPast, New York Genealogical and Biographical Society (www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org), p. 104
2. [S687] Family Bible Record of Family of Phineas Carman of New Jersey, Holy Bible: with the HISTORICAL AND CRITICAL NOTES contained in Baskerville's Edition (New Brunswick, New Jersey: William Elliot and Robert Eastburn, 1809), owner Transcribed by Marian Crawford Unknown. http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~carman/phineas/.

Huldah Ayers

Parents

Biography

Citations

1. [S884] Howard S. F. Randolph, "The Family of Richard Carman of Woodbridge, New Jersey", New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, 81 (Apr 1950), viewed on FindMyPast, New York Genealogical and Biographical Society (www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org), p. 104
2. [S687] Family Bible Record of Family of Phineas Carman of New Jersey, Holy Bible: with the HISTORICAL AND CRITICAL NOTES contained in Baskerville's Edition (New Brunswick, New Jersey: William Elliot and Robert Eastburn, 1809), owner Transcribed by Marian Crawford Unknown. http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~carman/phineas/.

Stephen Carman

Parents

Biography

Isabel Moores

Parents

Biography