Person Page 4

Emma Pearsall

Parents

Biography

Julia Anna Pearsall

Parents

Biography

Birth	6 September 1841	Julia Anna Pearsall was born on 6 September 1841 in New Brunswick, Middlesex County, New Jersey.
Marriage	12 September 1861	Chester F. Burdick and she were married on 12 September 1861 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York,
Census	23 June 1865	She appeared in the household of Chester F. Burdick in the census 23 June 1865 at 2nd E.D. in Saratoga Springs, Saratoga County, New York. Chester is listed as Chester F. Burdick (41, born in Washington County, 2nd marriage, Methodist Episcopal Clergyman, native, owner of land), Julia A. (23, wife, born in Queens County, one child, first marriage), Alfred W. (son, born in Queens), Cornelia H. Burdick, 26, sister, born in Washington County, single, School Teaching.
Census	13 August 1870	She appeared in the household of Chester F. Burdick in the census 13 August 1870 in Green Island, Albany County, New York. Chester is listed as Burdick, F. Chester (47, Clergyman, real estate $600, personal estate $1000, born in New York), A. Julia (28, keeping house, born in New Jersey), W. Alfred (8, at home, born in New York), Jessie (3, born in Massachusetts), Caroline Pearsall (27, born in New Jersey).
Census	11 June 1875	She appeared in the household of Chester F. Burdick in the census 11 June 1875 at Ward 7, ED Northern, in Albany, Albany County, New York. Chester is listed as Chester F., brick dwelling of value $6500 (age 54, born in District of Columbia, Methodist Preacher), Julia (38, wife, born in New Jersey), Alfred (13, son, born Kings County), Jessie M. (8, daughter, born in Mass.) Carrie J. Pearsall (31, sister-in-law, born in New Jersey).
Census	17 June 1880	She appeared in the household of Chester F. Burdick in the census 17 June 1880 in Chatham, Columbia County, New York. Chester is listed as Chester F. Burdick (56, Clergyman, married, born in New York and parents born in Conn.), Julia A. (39, wife, keeping house, born in New Jersey and parents born in New Jersey), Afred (sic) (17, son, single, attending school, born in New York, father born in N.Y. and mother New Jersey), Jessie M. (12, daughter, attending school)
Death of Spouse	18 July 1895	On 18 July 1895, Julia suffered the loss of her spouse Chester Burdick.
Census	1 June 1900	She appeared in the census 1 June 1900 in Shelburne, Chittenden County, Vermont. Julia is listed as: Julia A (Head, renting from her sister Carrie who lives in and owns the same home, born Sept. 1841, age 58, widowed, married 39 years, 2 children, both living, born in New Jersey, father in New York, mother New Jersey) and Alfred W. (son, b. Aug 1862, age 37, born in New York, occupation: bookkeeper) In addition to her sister Carrie and Carrie's 2 sons Embree and Rollin, there is a Henrietta A. Moore (Head, b. May 1945, age 55, married 34 years, 3 children, 2 living, born in Vermont, father born in New York, mother in Vermont) also renting from Carrie, with her daughter, Emma L. (born in March 1867, age 33. Neither are employed.
Death	18 July 1916	She died on 18 July 1916 in Wichita, Sedgwick County, Kansas, Julia and her husband both died on July 18, and both died at age 72. One in 1895, the other in 1916.1,2
Obituary	19 July 1916	19 July 1916, Wichita, Sedgwick County, Kansas, Wichita Daily Eagle Obituary:. Mrs. Burdick dead at 72: Mother of Mrs. J.W. Somerville Expires 21 Years After Husband. On the twenty-first anniversary of the death of her husband, Mrs. Julia A. Burdick, mother of Mrs. J. W. Somerville, followed him into the Great Beyond, death occurring yesterday noon at the home of Rev. J. W. Somerville, 1406 Fairview. Mrs. Burdick had been ill for ten days, threatened with typhoid fever, but her death resulted from a stroke of apoplexy yesterday morning, from which she failed to rally. Mrs. Burdick was born in Brunswick, N.J. seventy-four years ago. She came to Wichita six years ago with her son-in-law and daughter, Dr. and Mrs. Somerville, with whom she had made her home for 25 years. Rev. Chester F. Burdick was her husband. She was a member of a number of church organizations, and of the W.C. T. U. She leaves, besides her daughter, one son, Alfred W. Burdick, of Oskaloosa, Ia., who is expected to arrive today. There are also three sisters, Mrs. E. L. Embree of Buena Vista, Va., Mrs. Carrie P. White of Bristol, Va., and Mrs. A. C. Fitch of Westfield, N.J., and one brother, A. E. Pearsall, of Westfield, N.J. The body will lie in state at the St. Paul Methodist church from 4 to 7 o'clock this afternoon, and the funeral service will be held at 8 o'clock this evening at the church, Dr. A. O. Ebright officiating. The casket will not be open during the service. Dr. Somerville will leave tonight for Albany, N.Y. with the body, which will be buried in the Albany Rural Cemetery.
Burial	20 July 1916	She was buried on 20 July 1916 at Albany Rural Cemetery in Menands, Albany County, New York. On her FindaGrave page, Julia is listed as born "Brunswick Gardens". First I have seen that reference, will check. The page says cause of death was Apoplexy, at Wichita, Sedgwick County, Kansas

Citations

1. [S686] April 18-23, 1917, 85th Session, pp. 79 and 86., Methodist Episcopal Church Minutes of the Troy Annual Conference, Saratoga Springs, New York, Viewed on google.books
2. [S287] Find a Grave Website, online www.findagrave.com

Chester F. Burdick

Biography

Birth	5 July 1823	Chester F. Burdick was born on 5 July 1823 in Granville, Washington County, New York.
Church Affiliation	1843	As of 1843, Chester was affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in Middlebury, Addison County, Vermont,to which he converted under the direction of Pastor Joseph Ayres.
Graduation	1848	He graduated 1848 from Troy Conference Academy in Poultney, Vermont, then in charge of Biship Jesse T. Peck.
Occupation	1848	In 1848 Chester worked as a Methodist Episcopal minister for 47 years, as a pastor for the Troy Conference, serving in a number of positions in northern New York, western Massachusetts and Vermont.
Marriage	19 June 1851	He and Abbie A. Atkinson were married on 19 June 1851 in Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts, Chester F. Burdick, Residing in St. Alban's, VT, age 27, Clergyman, born in Granville, N.Y., son of David Burdick, first marriage, married by J.A. Adams, Minister of M.E. Church. Abby A. Atkinson, of Lynn, age 20, born in Lynn, father George Atkinson, first marriage.1
Census	8 June 1855	He appeared in the census 8 June 1855 in Chesterfield, Essex County, New York. Chester is listed as: C. F. Burdick, wood dwelling, parsonage (age 31, born in Washington County, Clergyman), Abbie (25, wife, born in Mass.), Pruella (1, child, born in Vermont).
Death of Daughter	1857	In 1857, Chester suffered the loss of his daughter Ella.
Death of Spouse	23 March 1860	On 23 March 1860, Chester suffered the loss of his spouse Abbie Atkinson, who died of consumption. Their only child, Ella, had died three years before, at the age of 4.2,3
Marriage	12 September 1861	He and Julia Anna Pearsall were married on 12 September 1861 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York,
Census	23 June 1865	He appeared in the census 23 June 1865 at 2nd E.D. in Saratoga Springs, Saratoga County, New York. Chester is listed as: Chester F. Burdick (41, born in Washington County, 2nd marriage, Methodist Episcopal Clergyman, native, owner of land), Julia A. (23, wife, born in Queens County, one child, first marriage), Alfred W. (son, born in Queens), Cornelia H. Burdick, 26, sister, born in Washington County, single, School Teaching.
Census	13 August 1870	He appeared in the census 13 August 1870 in Green Island, Albany County, New York. Chester is listed as: Burdick, F. Chester (47, Clergyman, real estate $600, personal estate $1000, born in New York), A. Julia (28, keeping house, born in New Jersey), W. Alfred (8, at home, born in New York), Jessie (3, born in Massachusetts), Caroline Pearsall (27, born in New Jersey).
Census	11 June 1875	He appeared in the census 11 June 1875 at Ward 7, ED Northern, in Albany, Albany County, New York. Chester is listed as: Chester F., brick dwelling of value $6500 (age 54, born in District of Columbia, Methodist Preacher), Julia (38, wife, born in New Jersey), Alfred (13, son, born Kings County), Jessie M. (8, daughter, born in Mass.) Carrie J. Pearsall (31, sister-in-law, born in New Jersey).
Position	1876	As of 1876 Chester served as financial agent at Troy Conference Academy in Poultney, Vermont, He held this position through 1878. Rollin White, in his 1974 letter to my grandfather Chester Pearsall, wrote that when his mother (Caroline Pearsall) "became of age, she was invited to become a member of Uncle Burdick's family and assist Aunt Julia with the home and family work for her sustainance. About this time, Uncle Burdick was appointed as financial agent at the Troy Conference Academy. His job was to raise money for this poverty stricken school. As a member of the Burdick family, she fell into her proper place and was able to take lessons in German which along with the life in this boarding school she enjoyed very much. She has often told me that the few years spent at this school were the happiest years of her life."
Census	17 June 1880	He appeared in the census 17 June 1880 in Chatham, Columbia County, New York. Chester is listed as: Chester F. Burdick (56, Clergyman, married, born in New York and parents born in Conn.), Julia A. (39, wife, keeping house, born in New Jersey and parents born in New Jersey), Afred (sic) (17, son, single, attending school, born in New York, father born in N.Y. and mother New Jersey), Jessie M. (12, daughter, attending school)
Death	18 July 1895	He died on 18 July 1895 in Hutchinson, Reno County, Kansas, Based on FindaGrave page.
Obituary	18 July 1895	18 July 1895, Hutchinson, Reno County, Kansas, The Hutchinson News Obituary:. Father Burdick Dead A well Known Gentleman Departs This Life This Morning Rev. C. F. Burdick died this morning at 6 o'clock, at the residence of W. H. Lewis, on First avenue east. Rev. C. F. Burdick was a member of the Troy, N.Y. Methodist conference, and had been preaching the word of God for forty-five years. He was born in Granville county, N.Y., in July, 1823, and was therefore, at the time of his death, 72 years old. He leaves a wife and one son and one daughter, Mrs. Jay Somerville. Mr. Burdick had been a resident of Hutchinson for about five years, and up to the time of the removal of Rev. Somerville to Lawrence had always made his home with him. He removed with his son-in-law and daughter to Lawrence, where he and his wife remained but a short time on account of ill health. Two months ago they returned to this city and since that time the home of himself and wife has been with Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Lewis. The reverend gentleman had many friends, especially among the young people of the First M.E. church. He was always familiarly called Father Burdick by all. His remains were viewed today by a large number of people, who knew and loved him in life. It is to be regretted that owing to illness, Mrs. Jay Somerville was unable to be with her father in his last hours. A short funeral service will be held at the residence of W. H. Lewis this evening at 7 o'clock, and the remains will be taken by Mrs. Burdick to Albany, N.Y., where the regular burials services will be held.
Burial	21 July 1895	He was buried on 21 July 1895 at Albany Rural Cemetery in Menands, Albany County, New York. Sec 19, Lot #14, based on FindaGrave listing
Obituary	8 August 1895	8 August 1895, Hutchinson, Reno County, Kansas, Hutchinson News reprinted from the Granville, New York, Sentinel, Obituary: The Granville N.Y. Sentinel has the following to say of the late Chester Burdick, of this city. "Early in life, Mr. Burdick entered the ministry, and for forty-seven years was a member of the Troy, N.Y. Conference of the Methodist church, having been pastor of many of its leading churches, among which were those of Troy, Albany, Saratoga, Plattsburg, and Burlington, Vt. He was also presiding elder of the Troy and Albany districts. His last pastorate was Jonesville, from which he retired in 1889. He was an eloquent preacher and being possessed of a kindly heart and genial manner won for himself a host of friends who will regret his death. He was one of the founders of the camp-meeting grounds at Round Lake and is the last one of the four men to pass away who first explored the grounds. His health failing he went to reside with his son-in-law, Rev. Jay Somerville of the Kansas conference. He married twice, his second marriage being thirty-four years ago to Miss Julia Pearsall of Brooklyn, who survives him. He leaves two children, Alfred W. Burdick now engaged in newspaper work at Burlington, VT, and Mrs. Jay Somerville of Lawrence, Kan. The remains accompanied by his widow arrived in Albany last Saturday, where she was met by her son. The funeral services were held at 3 p.m., attended by a large gathering of friends, eight clergymen taking part in the services. At the conclusion of the services the officiating clergymen bore the remains to their last resting place. For several years previous to his death, Mr. Burdick was engaged in writing a personal history of his life, which will be published."
Biography	1896	In 1896: From Minutes of the Troy Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church 64th Session, April 15-20, 1896, Troy, N.Y. , pp. 132-133.

Citations

1. [S684] Massachusetts Town Records; familysearch.org database
2. [S287] Find a Grave Website, online www.findagrave.com
3. [S686] Memorial for Chester Burdick, April 17-22, 1889, 57th Session, p. 133, Methodist Episcopal Church Minutes of the Troy Annual Conference, Saratoga Springs, New York, Viewed on google.books

Eliza Pearsall

Parents

Biography

Caroline Jacobs Pearsall

Parents

Biography

Note		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.
Birth	8 July 1843	Caroline Jacobs Pearsall was born on 8 July 1843 in New Brunswick, Middlesex County, New Jersey.1,2,3
Census	13 August 1870	She appeared in the household of Chester F. Burdick in the census 13 August 1870 in Green Island, Albany County, New York. Chester is listed as Burdick, F. Chester (47, Clergyman, real estate $600, personal estate $1000, born in New York), A. Julia (28, keeping house, born in New Jersey), W. Alfred (8, at home, born in New York), Jessie (3, born in Massachusetts), Caroline Pearsall (27, born in New Jersey).
Census	11 June 1875	She appeared in the household of Chester F. Burdick in the census 11 June 1875 at Ward 7, ED Northern, in Albany, Albany County, New York. Chester is listed as Chester F., brick dwelling of value $6500 (age 54, born in District of Columbia, Methodist Preacher), Julia (38, wife, born in New Jersey), Alfred (13, son, born Kings County), Jessie M. (8, daughter, born in Mass.) Carrie J. Pearsall (31, sister-in-law, born in New Jersey).
Marriage	between 1880 and 1882	James E. White and she were married between 1880 and 1882 in Vermont
Newspaper Mention	13 September 1881	The 13 September 1881 edition of the Burlington Free Press, Burlington, Chittenden County, Vermont, reported In the Shelburne news, "There will be a reading at the M.E. Church on Thursday evening by Alfred E. Pearsall of New York. He comes highly recommended." Most likely Carrie was living in Shelburne at the time her brother gave this reading, if not already married to Walter J. White.
Death of Spouse	14 May 1892	On 14 May 1892, Caroline suffered the loss of her spouse James.
Probate Record	1 November 1892	Caroline was listed in probate records on 1 November 1892 in Shelburne, Chittenden County, Vermont, as follows: (listed in the Burlington Free Press, 2 Nov 1892) "Embree B. White, et al., Shelburne; appointment of Carrie P. White, Shelburne, guardian."
Census	1 June 1900	She appeared in the census 1 June 1900 in Shelburne, Chittenden County, Vermont. Caroline is listed as: Carrie P. (Head, b. July 1843, age 56, widowed, married, 2 children, both living, born in New Jersey, father in New York, mother in New Jersey. Owns home.), Embree B. (Son, b. Feb 1882, age 18, single, born in Vermont, father in New York, mother in New Jersey, At School), Rollin P. (Son, b. May 1886, age 14, born in Vermont, father in New York, mother in New Jersey, At School) Lives in the same house as her sister, Julia A. Burdick (widow) and her son Alfred (age 37, bookkeeper). Julia rents from her. Also renting from Carrie and living here is a Henrietta A. Moore (Head, b. May 1945, age 55, married 34 years, 3 children, 2 living, born in Vermont, father born in New York, mother in Vermont), with her daughter, Emma L. (born in March 1867, age 33. Neither are employed.
Newspaper Mention	24 June 1908	The 24 June 1908 edition of the Burlington Free Press, Shelburne, Chittenden County, Vermont, reported in Shelburne news, that "Mr. and Mrs. Roy Embree of Virginia are visting Mrs. Carrie White, Mr. Embree's aunt. Mrs. Embree was Miss Nellie Chapman."
Census	1 April 1910	She appeared in the census 1 April 1910 at 102 Village Ave. in Shelburne, Chittenden County, Vermont. Caroline is listed as: Carrie P (Head, age 66, Widowed, 2 children, 2 living, born in New Jersey, father in New York and mother in New Jersey, own income), Rollin P (Son, age 23, single, born in Vermont, father in New York and mother in New Jersey, Farmer)
Census	8 April 1930	She appeared in the household of Rollin Pearsall White in the census 8 April 1930 at 134 Walnut Ave. in Buena Vista, Rockbridge County, Virginia. Rollin is listed as Rollin P (Head, rents home for $10 monthly, age 43, Single, born in Vermont, parents born in New York State, shipping clerk in Stationary industry, not a veteran), Carrie P. (Mother, age 87, widowed, born in New York, father born in New Jersey, mother New York), Jessie B. Somerville (Cousin, age 62, widowed, born in Massachusetts, father in New York State, mother New York). At 136 Walnut we see Matilda Embree, owns home worth 10,000, widowed at 79, and next to her, at 137 Walnut, Laurence Embree, owns home worth $12,000, with his wife Josephine, 6 children from 3-19, and his mother in law Sarah Haas.
Death	1936	She died in 1936 in Buena Vista, Rockbridge County, Virginia,4
Burial	1936	She was buried in 1936 at Green Hill Cemetery in Buena Vista, Rockbridge County, Virginia.

Citations

1. [S641] Rollin White, (Buena Vista, Virginia) to Chester Burdick Pearsall, letter, 29 Mar 1974; privately held by Holly Kilpatrick., 2017. From David B. Tilley
2. [S605] , 1850 Federal Census (.)
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. 1328. Hereinafter cited as Pearsall Genealogy, CEP.
4. [S287] Find a Grave Website, online www.findagrave.com, Green Hill Cemetery, Buena Vista, VA

Alfred Everson Pearsall

Parents

Alfred Everson Pearsall

Biography

Note		Chap 42 sec 16 Z 1328 THE PEARSALL FAMILY 142-151 Alfred Everson Pearsall founded the News Bureau which devoted itself to gathering the news of the Wall Street zone of the city of New York. It was the ally of all the metropolitan papers and the source from which came the daily report of financial and business affairs sent out over the country by the Associated Press. 42-161 THE AMERICAN ANCESTRY 1329 It is not possible to write an accurate history of Alfred Everson Pearsall. We are too near the events of his life to give them their exact value, but as to Alfred Everson Pearsall, this can be said, his history is so inseparably connected with the financial growth of this country, that the history of its business for his generation must accord him a large space in its record. It is needless to say that such an organization as he founded is the eyes and ears of the business world. Through it was gained the knowledge and impressions which have moulded and guided the business and financial affairs of the country at large. It is easy to comprehend that such a man must be trustworthy, truthful, reliable, fair and disinterested; that he must be farseeing, yet microscopic in his vision. Any one can tell of the big things already accomplished. It takes the man of discernment and most minute view to discern the germs of movements that will ultimately grow into great enterprises. It takes the judicial mind to sift the false from the true; and to-do it day after day for a lifetime, and yet win the approval of the man in the Street, betokens talents far beyond the ordinary and tells of training such as very few men have. Then the dryest facts must be dressed up so that they are entertainingly presented. It is comparatively easy to write of flowers and fruits but to detail day by day the doings of the Bulls and Bears of finance and to yet -be uncontaminated by the sordid selfishness which controls most of their desires and purposes requires a man with a soul above things mundane. Hence the reader of his story, as related by himself, must keep in mind that behind the expressions .of dire want is really the keen-sighted man of vision, pouring out his irony and covert sarcasm against those who think that the mere possession of wealth is the only badge of true greatness. For he never lost the perspective of things which he saw in the field of the country's money market. Hence he reported about money and bonds and banks and bankers in a way calculated to bring them within the power of the truth, and in such a manner as to aid in the upbuilding of the whole land and all the people. To him the acquisition of bonds and money was not desirable for the power and wealth thereby obtained, but that they never should cease to be instruments for the good and right purpose of making all the people happy. Year after year he spent his holidays in the gypsy wagon which he owned, and in which he wandered all over the country seeking above all other things to regain renewed contact with the common people. Hence the broad and wide vision and the wonderfully accurate discernment which he brought to the dissemination of what otherwise would have been only the sordid news of the money world; which world knows nothing about and cares less for the rest of mankind except in so far as they can be made the means of paying tribute to the comparatively few of the monetary class. He was also a journalist of commanding position, but he will be better remembered by the part he has taken in the development of the financial and business interests of the country. He was withal a delightful companionable man, as we can well understand after reading the following account he has written of himself. But the reader must take in a Pickwickian sense his references to poverty. He and his were and are men of ample means. According to the Book my name is Alfred Everson Pearsall, the oldest son of Phineas Carman and Catherine Morgan Pearsall, and by the same token I was 1330 THE PEARSALL FAMILY [42-161 born in Butler Street, near Court Street, Brooklyn, April 18 1847. My father's father was Peter Roebuck Pearsall, organist of a Moravian Church, I don,t know where-and like most musicians, he was poor. My own father inherited his tendency to be musical and poor-poor as to this world's goods but rich, rich indeed, in the graces and tenderness of a refined, gentle, poetic nature so that when it came his time to die, all kinds of people, rich and poor, alike, even the blacks, surrounded Squire Pearsall's bier-and a very few of them all were worthy to touch the hem of his garment or to loose the latcht of his shoe. Some very good men with a mistaken idea of life sighed: What a failure, not appreciating the songs he had sung at their festivals and funerals, the fetching stories he had told and the Gospel of Good Cheer his life had always been to the living and dying. When I consider the musicalness of my grandfather and of my father and my own misfortune in that direction it is not so difficult for me to think that there may be some kind of a crest for me which I don't want, anyhow. I say my own misfortune because I've been everlastingly bothered with music interruptions when I've been saying I won't be musical, I won't learn a note and then I can't teach music and wear a shawl and long hair. However, I've never let my hair get very short for the matter of that. But while I don't know one note from another I've had the nerve to sing in the Metropolitan Opera House, New York, and make money for it. I've sung from Maine to California and from the Canadian border to the Mexican border. Shall I tell you about the time I sang in the Tabernacle in Salt Lake City? Well, I'll put my time against yours, since I'm just rambling at best. I was a delegate to the Convention of the International League of Press Clubs in San Francisco in the winter of 1,893. En route we were royally entertained by every big city our long train passed through. Dear Kate Field and Mrs. Frank Leslie and Elita Proctor Otis and Belva Lockwood were of the party and so was Marshall P. Wilder, there being a train of eight cars of newspaper people. At Salt Lake City we were the guests of the city. As a part of our entertain- ment a sacred concert was given in the tabernacle, a feature of which was oratorio singing by a choral union consisting of 350 gentiles and 350 Mormons. The work of these 700 singers was thrilling; for what better acoustics were offered in the known world than the acoustics of the old Mormon tabernacle, with its famous pin-dropping test. Of course, the alleged highbrows from the East had to contribute that evening; and, before I knew what was going on I stood in front of the great pipe organ, at one time the world's greatest organ, and was told to sing, facing 12,000 people. What, inquired the longhaired organist; as I felt called on to quit or say some- NMI, thing, I managed to say: The Palms. What key? I didn't know for the life of me. This key, I said, stepping to the organ and fingering the place I knew by heart, but couldn't name. That organist's introduction was an inspiration. I stepped aboard at the proper place and we were off. First it was the organ and then it was me; and then it was the organ again plumb to the finish. I'd only got fairly started when I pulled out my nux vomica; the organist saw me and pulled out his aurora borealis; with that I dragged on my eucalyptus tremolo. Not to be outdone in politeness the organist brought out his buranto, how-come-you-so. By 42-161 THE AMERICAN ANCESTRY 1331 that time the palms were beginning to sprout in every seat and at the conclusion of the first verse the palms came together in a way that told me I had scored and that the cunning thing was for me to retire while the going was good. The organist wouldn't have it so, nor the audience either, so back I went, grabbed a chest full of various sounds which I organized and liberated into some sort of shape that made out the concluding verse, in the course of which, however, the organ came to a dead pause and left me to sing unaccompanied or to stop. As I finished the phrase the organ came in on the last word with everything wide open and my voice riding the air an octave above a level that I'd ever undertaken. It was a dramatic climax to an eventful musical career. In a recent letter Leigh M. Pearsall writes --My father travelled many hundreds of miles in his camp wagon and with his team of Texas horses, having in the rear of the wagon a full size bed and also a little organ which he used throughout h is journeys to entertain himself and also the people at whose places he would stop to camp from time to time. He drove up through the New England states into Canada and went as far south as North Carolina. One of his many exciting experiences included being held up by moonshiners in West Virginia. They assumed he was a revenue officer and refused to allow him to camp on the rocky mountain road where he had pulled up and ordered him to leave the mountainsthey hastened him down a precipitous road with rifle balls so placed as to hasten his gallop and yet they, being undoubtedly expert markmen, gave him to understand that so long as he kept moving they would not take his life. His organ broke loose and thrashed around in the wagon, as did his bed, his wheels were dished and were it not for the fact that he had made companions of his horses so they were reasonably easily gotten under control at the foot of the mountain he would undoubtedly have been killed. He was a most interesting character, a great traveler, a man of exceptional literary talent and was possessed of a most wonderful voice which earned him many thousands of dollars during his young and middle life. As an elocutionist on the platform he was conceded to be a dean of them all. I could cite hundreds of instances, all going to prove him to be a most versatile man. He had enemies but they were of the type which caused Teddy Roosevelt to state, I love him for the enemies he has made. As a newspaper publisher he attacked graft, political chicanery and back room politics without compromise. His close friends were legion. I recall as a young man our leaving his office in Wall Street for the ferry to catch a certain train, having ample time to make the boat, but we were exactly one and a half hours late in arriving at the ferry because of the many stops he was called upon to make by friends he met on the way. He neither smoked nor drank and, while a bitter enemy once his hat was in the ring, he was true blue with all his friends, more particularly those in distress, his motto being that of the Salvation Army, a man may be down but never out. His quiet contributions to improvident friends reached into the thousands of dollars as we have since learned through going over his check books. He never took notes, believing these friends would repay him if ever it came within their power. The last twelve years of his life were spent in the Canadian waterways during the summer and in Melrose, Florida, during the winter. At the latter place he had a most remarkable homewhich he called the Latchstring, where his doors were never locked and his home was headquarters for the whole country side. His death was a great loss to all in Westfield, N. J., his home town, to his hundreds of Wall Street friends and his little Florida town has never been anything like the same since he passed on.1
Birth	18 April 1847	Alfred Everson Pearsall was born on 18 April 1847 in New Brunswick, Middlesex County, New Jersey.2
Marriage	18 November 1869	He and Amanda Terry were married on 18 November 1869
Newspaper Mention	6 June 1873	The 6 June 1873 edition of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, reported on some of the local Sunday School activities. "The Reid Avenue M.E. school met at the South Bushwick Reformed Church, which was appropriately decorated with flags, flowers and ensigns. Several pooular Sunday School humns were here rendered with great spirit, the smallest of the members of the congregation appearing to relish the opportunity of stretching their lungs immensely. The children here were addressed by Rev. Mr. Davis, of Manhasset, L.I. and Mr. A.E. Pearsall, whose remarks, like Red Jackey's eloquence, had the rare merit of being short, though highly gratifying to the little ones." ..... "after the exercises at the churches were concluded the schools all united at the corner of Bushwick avenue and Kosciusko street when the line of march was taken up, W.B. Barber officiating as Grand Marshall, and A.E. Pearsall as his assistant. The procession then moved through the principal streets of the neighborhood, and the schools were dismissed at the corner of Gales and Patches avenues, the children returning to their respective schoolrooms, where they were regaled with an abundance of refreshments awaiting them."3
Newspaper Item	29 April 1874	According to the 29 April 1874 edition of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, ,Alfred sang in a church concert -- see attached article.4
Newspaper Mention	15 October 1875	The 15 October 1875 edition of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, reported on a tea meeting of the Ladies Aid Society of the Reid Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church. Among the attendees are listed Mr. and Mrs. A.E. Pearsall, and also Mr. Clarence Vanderhoff with Miss Annie Terry. See attached article.
Position	1888	As of 1888 Alfred served as the editor of the Union County Standard in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey, which he continued until 1904.
Death	28 April 1919	He died on 28 April 1919 in Melrose, Florida,
Obituary	30 April 1919	30 April 1919, Obituary: ALFRED E. PEARSALL DIES IN MELROSE, FLA. Passed Peacefully Away Early Monday Morning in his Winter Home, the "Latchstring" Left Wide Circle of Friends Uncle Alfred has laid down his pen, never to write again. He passed away peacefully at 1:30 Monday morning in his quaint winter home, "The Latch String," in Melrose, Florida. To the very end he was keen of mind, bright of eye, and last Saturday sat out of doors in his wheel chair directly his men in some construction work on his place. At the time of his death his oldest son, J. Herbert Pearsall was with him and all arrangements had been made to bring him home in a private car with Doctor Sinclair or with Doctor Decker present to care for his physical needs. Mr. Pearsall's life had always been a busy one and full of the big things of his time. He had a host of friends from coast to coast and was well known in New York club life, particularly the New York Press Club of which he was a life member. Alfred Everson Pearsall was born in Brooklyn, April 18, 1857, and therefore in his 73rd year at the time of his death. He was educated in the public schools of Brooklyn and then plunged into the school of experience via the journalism route. From the very beginning he was successful and rapidly mounted the ladder from copy boy to Wall street editor of the New York Herald. He allied himself with the Associated Press many years ago as markets editor which relation he maintained until he retired from business in 1910. [Copy very poor, date may be 1916 or 1918] The older James Gordon Bennett of the New York Herald was one of Mr. Pearsall's most staunch friends. In addition to being a successful newspaper man, Mr. Pearsall was a lecturer and entertainer of very unusual ability and all the older residents of Westfield will recall with pleasure the splendid stories in dialect, his songs and his readings. He was a hearty advocate of the slogan "See America First" and had visited nearly every state in the union. Back in 1889 he purchased the Union County Standard and at once started a campaign of a "Better Westfield." He denounced the use of residences fences, assailed the authorities because of the entire absence of stone roads, urged dispensing with the "town dog" and then proceeded to fight "special privilege" laws at Trenton. The Standard of today is the Union County Standard of those earlier days. In 1892 Mr. Pearsall organized the Pearsall's News Bureau, now one of the well known news gathering institutions of Wall Street. This business is today being conducted by his sons. For many years Mr. Pearsall was the market news editor of the Associated Press. One of his chief delights upon his retirement from business was to stock up his camp wagon and behind a pair of spanking good Hamiltonian mares, drive through the mountains from Canada to the Virginias, traveling 3,200 miles in this way. In 1899 he became acquainted with Emory [?] J. Whitehead and a David and Jonathan friendship resulted. They because associated in several business ventures and all during Mr. Pearsall's recent illness, Mr. Whitehead spent much of his time at "The Latchstring" in Melrose, striving to the very uttermost to coax back good health in the man he loved as a brother. Mr. Pearsall leaves four sons and a daughter: J. Herbert, Clifford, Leigh M, Ralph C. and Ruth Pearsall Neefus. He was a member of Melrose Lodge No. 38 [unreadable. In early boyhood he became a Methodist. Among his many staunch friendships in Westfield were those with Robert R. Sinclair, James O. Clark, Wm. G Peckham, James R. Ferris, G[?] Hanford, Chas. G. Endicott and S. D. Reese and one thousand and one others. Funeral services will probably be held in the Methodist Church Saturday afternoon with interment, private, in Fairview cemetery.

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. 16Z page 1328. Hereinafter cited as The Pearsall Family.
2. [S29] Clarence E. Pearsall, The Pearsall Family, Vol III chap 42 sec 16Z page 1328.
3. [S159] , Brooklyn Daily Eagle 1841 - 1902 Brooklyn Public Library Online, Brooklyn, New York, http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/eagle/, 6 Jun 1873, p. 3, 6 Jun 1873, p. 3
4. [S159] Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 29 Apr 1874, p. 2, 29 Apr 1874, p. 2.

Frederick Pearsall

Parents

Biography

Lavenia Watson Pearsall

Parents

Biography

Note		Her name is spelled "Lavenia" on her gravestone.
Birth	25 May 1851	Lavenia Watson Pearsall was born on 25 May 1851 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York.1
Marriage	between 1870 and 1875	Allen Cady Fitch and she were married between 1870 and 1875 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, Shortly after Allen and Lavenia married, Allen's sister Lucy Clara married Lavenia's 2nd cousin Charles Pearsall. Charles was the grandson of Oliver Denton Pearsall, the brother of Peter Roebuck Pearsall who was Lavenia's grandfather.1
Death	24 April 1921	She died on 24 April 1921 at 239 Prospect Street in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey,2
Burial	26 April 1921	She was buried on 26 April 1921 at Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey. Plot Section B52
Obituary	27 April 1921	27 April 1921, Westfield, Union County, New Jersey, Westfield Leader Obituary:. The funeral services of Mrs. Lavinia W. Fitch, aged 70 years, who died last Sunday morning at her home, 239 Prospect street, as an illness of over a year, were held yesterday afternoon from her late home. Rev. Charles W. Wright, of the First M.E. Church, officiating. Mrs. Fitch was the wife of Assistant Tax Collector Allan C. Fitch and sister of the late Alfred M. and Edgar R. Pearsall, and came here from Brooklyn thirty-two years ago. She was an active member of the Methodist Church and an active member of the Ladies' Aid and Home Missionary Society. She is survived by her husband, on son, Edgar L. Fitch, of Plainfield, and three daughters, Mrs. John S. Fisher and Mrs. J.H. Pearsall, of this town, and Mrs. Hugh Van Alstine, of Old Chatham, N.Y., eleven grandchildren, and two sisters, Mrs. E. L. Emery [sic], of Buena Vista, Va., and Mrs. Carrie P. White, of Melrose, Florida. Many beautiful floral tributes surrounded the coffin, remembrances of her many friends.3

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), pg 1328 chap 42 sec 16. Hereinafter cited as Pearsall Genealogy, CEP.
2. [S287] Find a Grave Website, online www.findagrave.com, Fairview Cemetery, Westfield, NJ
3. [S677] Westfield Leader, 27 Apr 1921 p. 3; available online at the Westfield Memorial Library (http://www.digifind-it.com/westfield/home.php)

Matilda Lawson Pearsall

Parents

Biography

Laura Anta 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), chap 42 pg 1328 sec 16. Hereinafter cited as Pearsall Genealogy, CEP.

Rollin Burdick Pearsall

Parents

Biography

Birth	7 July 1861	Rollin Burdick Pearsall was born on 7 July 1861 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York.
Death	30 July 1879	He died on 30 July 1879
Burial	3 August 1879	He was buried on 3 August 1879 at Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey. Section B4. Died at age 18.

Amanda Terry

Biography

Citations

1. [S287] Find a Grave Website, online www.findagrave.com, Fairview Cemetery, Westfield, NJ

Jay Herbert Pearsall

Parents

Biography

Citations

1. [S287] Find a Grave Website, online www.findagrave.com, Fairview Cemetery, Westfield, NJ
2. [S677] Westfield Leader, p. 4; available online at the Westfield Memorial Library (http://www.digifind-it.com/westfield/home.php)

Clifford Everson Pearsall

Parents

Biography

Birth	15 November 1870	Clifford Everson Pearsall was born on 15 November 1870 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York.
Marriage	22 February 1894	He and Grace Caroline Moffett were married on 22 February 1894
Census	1 June 1905	He appeared in the census 1 June 1905 at 21 Carleton Place in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey. Clifford is listed as: Pearsall, Clifford E. ( b. Nov 1870, age 34, b. New York and parents also, Occupation: Editor, owns home with mortgage) Grace C. ( b. Apr 1871, age 34, b. New Jersey and parents also) Donald M. ( b. Dec 1895, age 9, b. New Jersey, at school) Dorothy P. (b. Apr 1898, age 7, b. New Jersey, at school) Living near other family households: brother Ralph C. and wife, James and Emma Moffett, brother Jay H. Pearsall and wife, brother Leigh M. Pearsall and wife, all on Carleton Place.
Photo Family Group	about 1916	About 1916, in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey. Clifford E. Pearsall, Grace (Moffett) Pearsall, Donald M. and Dorothy Pearsall
Newspaper Mention	2 January 1930	The 2 January 1930 edition of the Courier-News, Bridgewater Township, Somerset County, New Jersey, reported Westfield News: Mr. and Mrs. Clifford E. Pearsall of Brightwood avenue will leave today for their Winter home in Melrose, Fla. Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Pearsall will leave for Melrose by automobile on Jan. 9.
Newspaper Mention	25 February 1939	The 25 February 1939 edition of the Courier-News, Bridgewater Township, Somerset County, New Jersey, reported Westfield News: Mr. and Mrs. Clifford E. Pearsall of Brightwood Ave. celebrated their forty-fifth wedding anniversary at their winter home in Melrose, Fla., Wednesday. Celebrating with them were the former's brother and sister-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. J. Herbert Pearsall, also of Brightwood Ave., who marked their thirty-sixth anniversary.
Death	3 July 1953	He died on 3 July 1953 in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey,
Burial	6 July 1953	He was buried on 6 July 1953 at Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey.
Obituary	6 July 1953	6 July 1953, Bridgewater Township, Somerset County, New Jersey, Courier-News Obituary:. Westfield: Clifford Everson Pearsall, 80, for many years a resident of this community, died Friday (July 3, 1953). Private services will be held today at 3:30 p.m. in Gray's Funeral Home. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery. Mr. Pearsall was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. on Nov. 15, 1872. He moved to Westfield in 1888 from Montclair. For many years he was a Wall St. journalist and a member of Pearsall's News Bureau. He retired from business in 1926. Survivors are his widow, Mrs. Grace Moffett Pearsall; a son, Freeholder Donald M. Pearsall, Westfield; a daughter, Mrs. Dorothy Pearsall Hamilton, Westfield; two brothers, Leigh M. Pearsall and Ralph C. Pearsall, both of Westfield; four grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Grace Caroline Moffett

Biography

Birth	April 1871	Grace Caroline Moffett was born in April 1871 in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey.
Marriage	22 February 1894	Clifford Everson Pearsall and she were married on 22 February 1894
Photo Family Group	about 1916	About 1916, in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey. Clifford E. Pearsall, Grace (Moffett) Pearsall, Donald M. and Dorothy Pearsall
Newspaper Mention	20 May 1930	The 20 May 1930 edition of the Courier-News, Bridgewater Township, Somerset County, New Jersey, reported Westfield News: The Social and Literary Circle of the First Methodist Church will have a lawn party on Thursday afternoon, with Mrs. L. W. Neefus and Mrs. Clifford E. Pearsall as the hostesses. The musical program will be in the home of Mrs. Pearsall and the picnic at the home of Mrs. Neefus.
Death	20 April 1956	She died on 20 April 1956 at Middlesex Nursing Home in Metuchen, Middlesex, New Jersey,
Obituary	21 April 1956	21 April 1956, Bridgewater Township, Somerset County, New Jersey, Courier-News Obituary:. Westfield: Mrs. Grace Moffett Pearsall, 85, recently of Melrose, Fla., and formerly of 112 Brightwood Ave., died yesterday (Apr. 20, 1956) in the Middlesex Nursing Home, Metuchen, after an illness of several months. She was the mother of Donald M. Pearsall, Union County treasurer. Mrs. Pearsall was the widow of Clifford E. Pearsall, who died July 3, 1953. Born in Westfield, she was a member of the First Methodist Church here. She had resided in Florida about 15 years. Besides her son, who resides at 745 Prospect St., Mrs. Pearsall is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Henry C. Hamilton of 642 Tremont Ave.; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and one brothger, Frank B. Moffett of 830 Prospect St. Private services will be held at Gray's Funeral Home. The family has requested that flowers be omitted.

Leigh Morgan Pearsall

Parents

Biography

Birth	9 April 1872	Leigh Morgan Pearsall was born on 9 April 1872.
Marriage	22 February 1900	He and Mary Ellen Moffett were married on 22 February 1900
Position	1917	As of 1917 Leigh served as editor of "The Boys of '17" in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey,

Mary Ellen Moffett

Biography

Citations

1. [S81] , 1900 Census Online, Viewed on ancestry.com.

Ralph Cornish Pearsall

Parents

Biography

Grace Runyon

Biography

Ruth Pearsall

Parents

Biography

Citations

1. [S81] , 1900 Census Online, Viewed on ancestry.com.

Lester Wright Neefus

Biography

Ferris Randolph Pearsall

Parents

Biography

Citations

1. [S287] Find a Grave Website, online www.findagrave.com, Fairview Cemetery, Westfield, NJ

Ethel Pearsall

Parents

Ethel (Pearsall) Deaver

Biography

James Ferris Pearsall

Parents

Biography

Citations

1. [S27] , Social Security Death Index (SSDI), (: Social Security Administration, As updated.)