B. about 1619 in (probably) Great Bowden, Leicestershire, England1
M. about 1639 in Charlestown, Massachusetts1
Husband: Thomas Peirce
D. 5 Mar 1688 in Woburn, Massachusetts2
Although Elizabeth Cole came to America in the Winthrop Fleet, she seems to have spent the first few years living in the household of a former Mayflower passenger. Elizabeth was from Great Bowden, England, a village in Leicestershire, born there in about 1619.1 She was the second child of Ryse Cole (also spelled Cowles) and Arrold Dunnington.
Elizabeth’s parents were followers of Puritanism, and when she was about 11-years-old, they took the drastic step of joining the migration to America.1 In the spring of 1630, a total of about 700 people, led by John Winthrop, sailed across the Atlantic on 11 ships. They landed at Charlestown, where a small number of settlers already lived. Most of the group would then go on to found Boston, but for a few months during the summer, everyone remained at Charlestown.
Elizabeth’s parents were followers of Puritanism, and when she was about 11-years-old, they took the drastic step of joining the migration to America.1 In the spring of 1630, a total of about 700 people, led by John Winthrop, sailed across the Atlantic on 11 ships. They landed at Charlestown, where a small number of settlers already lived. Most of the group would then go on to found Boston, but for a few months during the summer, everyone remained at Charlestown.
In August 1630, Charlestown was visited by a doctor who had been in America for a while, and he offered to treat the sick. His name was Samuel Fuller, a man about 50 years of age, who was an unlicensed practitioner of medicine.3 He had been one of the people who fled England in about 1610 to live in Leiden, Netherlands, then joined the Pilgrims who arrived on the Mayflower in 1620. Before sailing, he took it upon himself to learn the basics of “medical knowledge” so that he could offer himself as a doctor to the new colony. His treatments were questionable by modern standards, using such things as “blood letting.”3
Fuller survived the early years of the Plymouth colony, and in 1630, he was at Charlestown to help treat the new arrivals. Elizabeth’s father must have had a respect for him, and being concerned about the rough conditions in Charlestown, asked the man to take his two oldest children into his household at Plymouth (although perhaps it was Fuller who offered it). So Elizabeth and her older brother Robert left their parents, and moved in with Fuller’s family.1
Fuller survived the early years of the Plymouth colony, and in 1630, he was at Charlestown to help treat the new arrivals. Elizabeth’s father must have had a respect for him, and being concerned about the rough conditions in Charlestown, asked the man to take his two oldest children into his household at Plymouth (although perhaps it was Fuller who offered it). So Elizabeth and her older brother Robert left their parents, and moved in with Fuller’s family.1
Puritans were known for a practice called "sending out," which meant that parents would give their children over to live in another household for a period of time. It was done for various reasons, and most often to expose the children to an experience that will help them later in life.4 In Elizabeth and her brother's case, the arrangement seems to have lasted for three years, until Fuller died of small pox in 1633. In his will, he noted that Elizabeth had been in his care “committed to my education,” and was to be sent back to her parents in Charlestown upon his death. Interestingly, her brother was described in the same document as Fuller’s “servant.” There was also a boy from another family mentioned in the will.5
Samuel Fuller's 1633 will.
About six years after coming home to her family, Elizabeth married Thomas Peirce,1 who also lived in Charlestown in his parents’ household. They settled in Woburn, a new town located inland; between 1643 and about 1662, she gave birth to 12 children, two of whom died as infants. Thomas took on a leadership role in Woburn, becoming sergeant of the militia, and having other civic posts.
Elizabeth and Thomas spent the rest of their lives in Woburn. He died first on November 6, 1683,2 and she lived another few years, passing away on March 5, 1688.2 Elizabeth’s large family gave her many descendants, among them were Governor Benjamin Pierce (of New Hampshire), President Franklin Pierce, Barbara (Pierce) Bush, George W. Bush, Jeb Bush and James Spader.6
Elizabeth and Thomas spent the rest of their lives in Woburn. He died first on November 6, 1683,2 and she lived another few years, passing away on March 5, 1688.2 Elizabeth’s large family gave her many descendants, among them were Governor Benjamin Pierce (of New Hampshire), President Franklin Pierce, Barbara (Pierce) Bush, George W. Bush, Jeb Bush and James Spader.6
Children:
1. Thomas Peirce — B. about 1640, (possibly) Woburn, Massachusetts;7 D. 8 Dec 1717, Woburn, Massachusetts;2 M. Rachel Bacon (1652-?), 25 Mar 1680, Woburn, Massachusetts2
2. John Peirce — B. 7 Mar 1643, Woburn, Massachusetts;2 D. 25 Mar 1720, Woburn, Massachusetts;2 M. Deborah Converse (1647-?), 1 Jul 1663, Woburn, Massachusetts23. Elizabeth Peirce — B. 25 Dec 1646, Woburn, Massachusetts;2 M. (1) Thomas Whittmore (1645-1670), 9 Nov 1666, Woburn, Massachusetts;2 (2) Hopestill Foster (1648-1679), 15 Oct 1670, Woburn, Massachusetts;2 (3) Nathaniel Pierce (1655-1692), 23 Mar 1680, Woburn, Massachusetts2
4. Joseph Peirce — B. 22 Sep 1648, Woburn, Massachusetts;2 D. before 13 Aug 1649, Woburn, Massachusetts2
5. Joseph Peirce — B. 13 Aug 1649, Woburn, Massachusetts;2 D. 21 Nov 1716, Woburn, Massachusetts;2 M. Mary Richardson, 24 Jun 1681, Woburn, Massachusetts2
6. Stephen Peirce — B. 16 Jul 1651, Woburn, Massachusetts;2 D. 10 Jun 1733, Chelmsford, Massachusetts;8 M. Tabitha Parker (1658-1742), 18 Nov 1676, Chelmsford, Massachusetts9
7. Samuel Peirce — B. 20 Feb 1654, Woburn, Massachusetts;2 D. 27 Oct 1655, Woburn, Massachusetts2
8. Samuel Peirce — B. 7 Apr 1656, Woburn, Massachusetts;2 D. 5 Jul 1721, Woburn, Massachusetts;2 M. Lydia Bacon (1655-1717), 9 Dec 1680, Woburn, Massachusetts2
9. William Peirce — B. 7 Mar 1658, Woburn, Massachusetts;2 D. 22 Aug 1720, Woburn, Massachusetts;2 M. Abigail Sommers (~1658-~1726), 8 Apr 1690, Woburn, Massachusetts2
10. James Peirce — B. 7 May 1659, Woburn, Massachusetts;2 D. 20 Jan 1741, Woburn, Massachusetts;2
11. Abigail Pierce — B. 20 Nov 1660, Woburn, Massachusetts;2 D. 9 Sep 1719, Woburn, Massachusetts;2 M. George Reed (1660-1756), 18 Feb 1685, Woburn, Massachusetts2
12. Benjamin Peirce — B. about 1662, (probably) Massachusetts;10 D. 25 Sep 1739, Woburn, Massachusetts;2 M. Mary Reed, 10 Oct 1688, Charlestown, Massachusetts11
Sources:
1 The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England, 1620-1633, Robert Charles Anderson, 1995
2 Transcript of Woburn Town Records of Births, Marriages & Deaths, 1641-1843, Family search.org
3 Samuel Fuller (Pilgrim) (Wikipedia article)
4 Albion's Seed: Four British Folkways in America, David Hackett Fischer, 1989
5 Will of Samuel Fuller, 30 Jul 1633
6 Famous Kin (website)
7 Birth is missing from Woburn town records which begin in 1641
8 Births, marriages, deaths, 1673-1770, Chelmsford, Massachusetts, FamilySearch.org
9 Town Records of the Town of Chelmsford [Massachusetts], 1650-1730, FamilySearch.org
10 Estimated birth year based on marriage date
11 Woburn Records of Births, Deaths and Marriages, from 1640 to 1873, Part III, p. 209, Edward F. Johnson, 1891
1 The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England, 1620-1633, Robert Charles Anderson, 1995
2 Transcript of Woburn Town Records of Births, Marriages & Deaths, 1641-1843, Family search.org
3 Samuel Fuller (Pilgrim) (Wikipedia article)
4 Albion's Seed: Four British Folkways in America, David Hackett Fischer, 1989
5 Will of Samuel Fuller, 30 Jul 1633
6 Famous Kin (website)
7 Birth is missing from Woburn town records which begin in 1641
8 Births, marriages, deaths, 1673-1770, Chelmsford, Massachusetts, FamilySearch.org
9 Town Records of the Town of Chelmsford [Massachusetts], 1650-1730, FamilySearch.org
10 Estimated birth year based on marriage date
11 Woburn Records of Births, Deaths and Marriages, from 1640 to 1873, Part III, p. 209, Edward F. Johnson, 1891
