M. about 1610 in England1
Wife: Elizabeth _________
D. 7 Oct 1666 in Charlestown, Massachusetts2
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 1584.1 Around 1610, he married a woman named Elizabeth,1 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.1 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.1
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.1 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,3 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,1 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, 1666.2 He was the ancestor of Franklin Pierce, Barbara (Pierce) Bush, George W. Bush, Jeb Bush, John Steinbeck, John Lithgow, Bill Richardson (governor of New Mexico), Margaret Mead, and James Spader.4
Children (birth order is uncertain):
1. John Peirce – B. (probably) Norwich, England5
2. Samuel Peirce – B. (probably) Norwich, England;6 D. Sep 1678, Charlestown, Massachusetts;1 M. Mary ______ (1631-1705)6
3. Thomas Peirce – B. (probably) Norwich, England;7 D. 6 Nov 1683, Woburn, Massachusetts;1 M. Elizabeth Cole (1619-1688), 6 May 1635, Woburn, Massachusetts1
4. Robert Peirce – B. (probably) Norwich, England;8 M. Sarah Eyre, 18 Feb 1657, Charlestown, Massachusetts1
5. Mary Peirce – B. about 1627, (probably) Norwich, England;9 D. 10 Jan 1703, Malden, Massachusetts; M. Peter Tufts (1617-1700), about 1648, Malden, Massachusetts9
6. Elizabeth Peirce – B. (probably) Norwich, England;10 D. 21 Apr 1692, Woburn, Massachusetts;11 M. Randall Nichols (1615-?), about 1643, Charlestown, Massachusetts10
7. Persis Peirce – B. (probably) Norwich, England;12 M. William Bridge (1615-?), about 1643, Charlestown, Massachusetts12
Sources:
1 Pierce Genealogy, Frederic Beech Pierce, 1882
2 Death record of Thomas Peirce, Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001, FamilySearch.org
3 A History of American Manufactures from 1608 to 1860, J. Leander Bishop, 1864
4 FamousKin.com listing of Thomas Pierce
5 John Pierce Family Group Sheet on Rootsweb.com
6 Samuel Pierce Family Group Sheet on Rootsweb.com
7 Thomas Pierce Jr. Family Group Sheet on Rootsweb.com
8 Robert Pierce Family Groups Sheet on Rootsweb.com
9 Peter Tufts Family Group Sheet on Rootsweb.com
10 Randall Nichols Family Group Sheet on Rootsweb.com
11 Death record of Elizabeth Nichols, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
12 William Bridge Family Group Sheet on Rootsweb.com
