James Pierson (Pearson)

10th June, 2009

It has been an interesting search to find all the sons of James and Sarah Pierson. It was clearly stated in Thomas' death notice "second son of James" but who was the first son? To me it seemed logical that the first son would be named for his father, it seemed the way of the day. I kept finding a James Pierson/Pearson married to Mary Ann. He was a Grocer in Colombo Street, Christchurch, NZ. I wondered!

After much research I finally looked at the National Archives New Zealand and found a copy of James' father, (also James Pierson) Last Will. It clearly states "......his eldest son - James". I then looked at James Pierson Grocers' Will. It speaks of his brother William as his Executor. Comparing the date of his death, the year about when James son of James would have to be born and the death records on the BDM Historical web site I now feel confident that that James 'the Grocer' is the same James. James was 36 years old when he died and he died in 1876 making his birth year 1840

Either way James senior's eldest son is James. Confirmation of information on a death certificate may confirm that James the Grocer is also son of James and Sarah.

Update 20th March 2016. This James Pearson is the son of James and Sarah (Mcgowan) Pierson. I have purchased the death certificate printout and it is all confirmed. The information reads as follows: Where and When died - 8th March 1876 - Chester Street Name & Occupation - James Pearson - Storekeeper Sex and Age - Male 36 Cause of Death and duration of Illness - Pulmunory ...............TB. 27 years Father's name and occupation - James Pearson - Farmer mother's name - Sarah formerly McGowan Where and When Buried - Weslyian Cemetery - This is the Weslyian section of the Barbadoes Street Cemetery Name of Minister / religion - Rev .............Weslyian Where born - Co Armagh How long in NZ - 12 years Where married - Christchurch, nz at what age - 30 To whom married - Mary Ann Turner If issue living state number and sex - 1x male 1x female Signature of informant - John Pearson his or her description - brother Residence - Geraldine Signature of registrar - Mr Parkinson date of registration - 9 march 1876