M. before 1610 in England
Wife: Elizabeth _________
D. 7 Oct 1666 in Charlestown, Massachusetts
For someone who passed down his surname to a future president and first lady, Thomas Peirce held no prominence in his New England community. His origins in England are largely unknown; Thomas was thought to be born in Norwich, England in about 1584. Around 1610, he married a woman named Elizabeth, and they had at least eight children born between about 1610 and 1629. It’s likely there were others who died as infants.
Upon arrival in Massachusetts in about 1634, Thomas settled in the town of Charlestown where he and his wife were admitted to the church. His children arrived with him, and as they started to marry, they made their homes nearby. On May 6, 1635, Thomas was made freeman in Charlestown.
Town records for Charlestown showed that Thomas didn’t have much of a role in the settlement. The only assignment that's noted is as a commissioner to verify that farmers were producing their share of saltpeter. He was given this job on September 27, 1642, one of 21 men in the Massachusetts Bay colony to hold that position. Saltpeter was the main ingredient in gunpowder, a vital need in New England. That year the General Court in Boston ordered every settlement to build a 20’ x 30’ warehouse for producing saltpeter, which was made from human and animal urine. It’s likely that Thomas spent time going from farm to farm, making sure that everyone complied with this order.
The process of making saltpeter.
On November 7, 1665, Thomas made out his will at the house of his friend, Thomas Danforth, who was the treasurer of Harvard College. In it, he mentioned two granddaughters who were living with him at the time, giving them £10 each, and designates that most of his estate be divided among his wife and children. He also bequeathed 20 shillings to Harvard. Thomas died about a year later on October 7, 1666. He was the ancestor of Franklin Pierce, Barbara (Pierce) Bush, George W. Bush, Jeb Bush and John Steinbeck.
Children:
1. John Peirce — B. about 1610, (probably) Norwich, England
2. Robert Peirce — B. about 1614, (probably) Norwich, England; D. 1653; M. Sarah (1613-1692)
3. Thomas Peirce — B. about 1615, (probably) Norwich, England D. 6 Nov 1683; M. Elizabeth Cole (1619-1688), about 1639, Charlestown, Massachusetts
4. Samuel Peirce — B. about 1617, (probably) Norwich, England; D. Sep 1678, Charlestown, Massachusetts; M. Mary (1631-1705)
5. Elizabeth Peirce — B. about 1618, (probably) Norwich, England; D. 21 Apr 1692, Woburn, Massachusetts; M. Randall Nichols (~1613-?)
6. Persis Peirce — B. about 1626, (probably) Norwich, England; D. 7 Mar 1682, Woburn, Massachusetts; M. (1) William Bridge (1615-?); (2) John Harrison (~1619-1684)
7. Mary Peirce — B. about 1627, (probably) Norwich, England; D. 10 Jan 1703, Charlestown, Massachusetts; M. Peter Tufts (1628-1700)
8. Abigail Peirce — B. 17 Jun 1629, (probably) Norwich, England; D. 7 Jun 1643, Woburn, Massachusetts
Sources:
Pierce Genealogy, Frederic Beech Pierce, 1882
A History of American Manufactures from 1608 to 1860, J. Leander Bishop, 1864
Find A Grave
WikiTree
