Henry Pierson of Southampton

Henry PEIRSON (William PEIRSON3, Thomas PEARSON2, John PEARSON1) was born BEF 10 DEC 1615 in Shadwell Parish, Stepney, Middlesex, England, was christened 10 DEC 1615 in Olney, Buckinghamshire, England, and died BEF 8 NOV 1680 in Bridgehampton, Suffolk, New York Colony. He was buried in Southampton, Suffolk, New York

family

From https://worldconnect.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&d...

He was the son of William PEIRSON and Wyborough GRIGGS. His widow Mary Pierson married 2nd to Seth Fletcher, contract May 1680

He married

1. Mary FULLER ABT 1639 in Olney, Buckinghamshire, England, daughter of Edward FULLER. She was born ABT 1621 in Olney, Buckinghamshire, England, was christened 24 MAR 1620/21 in Olney, Buckinghamshire, baptism, and died 1687 [SIC]in Southampton, Long Island, New York. Not named in father's 1656 will
2. Did he have a 2nd wife?

Children of Henry PEIRSON and Mary FULLER are: list of children to be validated Feb 2018

1. Joseph PIERSON was born ABT 1640 in Southampton, Suffolk, New York Colony, and died 13 OCT 1692 in Southampton, Suffolk, New York.
2. Daughter PIERSON was born ABT 1642 in Southampton, Suffolk, Long Island, New York. [not validated]
3. Daughter PIERSON was born ABT 1645 in Southampton, Suffolk, Long Island, New York. [not validated]
4. John PIERSON was born ABT 1647 in Southampton, Suffolk, Long Island, New York. Disputed by Peirson Record
5. Abigail PIERSON was born 1649. [not validated]
6. Henry PIERSON Jr. was born 1652 in Southampton, Suffolk, Long Island, New York, and died 15 NOV 1701 in Sagg/Bridgehampton, Suffolk, Long Island, New York. He married Susannah HOWELL, daughter of John HOWELL and Susanna MITCHELL. She was born 1658.
7. Benjamin PIERSON was born 1655 in Southampton, Suffolk, Long Island, New York, and died 1731 in Elizabeth Town, Union County, New Jersey. He married Hannah UNKNOWN ABT 1685 in Southampton, Suffolk, Long Island, New York.
8. Daniel PIERSON was born ABT 1657 in Southampton, Suffolk, Long Island, New York. Disputed by Pierson Record
9. Sarah PIERSON was born 20 JAN 1659/60 in Southampton, Suffolk, Long Island, New York. She married Jonathan RAYNOR 2 JUN 1680 in Southampton, Suffolk, Long Island, New York.
10. David PIERSON was born 1662 in Southampton, Suffolk, Long Island, New York. He married Mary COOPER. [???]
11. Deborah PIERSON was born ABT 1665 in Southampton, Suffolk, Long Island, New York. [WRONG: she was the daughter of Stephen Pierson of Stratford]
12. Daughter PIERSON was born ABT 1665 in Southampton, Suffolk, Long Island, New York
13. Theodore PIERSON was born 1669 in Southampton, Suffolk, Long Island, New York, and died 7 MAY 1726 in Sagaponack, Suffolk, Long Island, New York. He married Frances UNKNOWN ABT 1694.
14. Daughter PIERSON was born ABT 1673 in Southampton, Suffolk, Long Island, New York.

Family supporting data

Proven children

From the Pierson Millennium:

A deed dated 12 May 1662 and signed by "Henry Peirson" and John Cooper (Jr.) was written at Southampton, Long Island, and is now at the Staffordshire County Record Office, Stafford, England. The signatures match those of Henry Peirson and John Cooper Jr. in the Southampton town records. In the deed, Henry Peirson and John Cooper Jr. convey to Ignatius Fuller of Sherrington, county Bucks., (apparently the son of Edward Fuller of Olney, mentioned in the latter's will) two pieces of property in Olney, England. The grantors describe themselves in the deed as:

"Henry Peirson formerly of Olney in the Countie of Buckingham in old England sonne of William Peirson late of the same towne deceased and now of Southampton upon Long Island in New England gent: And John Cooper of the same towne of Southampton upon Long Island aforesaid Brother of the said Henry Peirson by the Mothers side gent."

In addition to showing that Henry is the sone of William, this deed also shows that Henry Peirson and John Cooper Jr. have the same mother. She was Wyborro Griggs, who married 1st William Peirson 25 Jul 1609, Olney, Buckinghamshire, England, and 2nd John Cooper Sr. 28 Oct 1618, also at Olney. This record also shows a continuing relationship between Henry Peirson and the Fuller family (it is believed that Henry married Mary Fuller, daughter of Edward Fuller of Olney and sister of Ignatius Fuller of Sherrington (three miles south of Olney) mentioned here, though a marriage record for Henry Peirson has not been located. (Pierson Millennium)
https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Pierson-117

origins

From
https://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=hagenr3&...
Birth: 25 JUL 1609 in Olney, Buckingham, England

From https://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=awrobert... William Pierson, probably buried at Lavendon, Buckinghamshire, 28 Jul 1616 (m 25Jul1609 Olney, Buckinghamshire Wilbroe Griggs [who married second John Cooper], d before 6 May1662)

Guillmus (William) Peirson, son of Thomas Pearson, was baptised 19 September 1577 in Howden, Yorkshire, England. He married Wyborro Griggs on 25 July 1609 at Olney, Buckinghamshire, England.

They had one child:

1. Henry (Harry) Peirson was baptised 10 December 1615 at Olney, Buckinghamshire, England. He married Mary Fuller about 1639 in Olney, Buckinghamshire. On 10 April 1639 they departed from London aboard the ship Mayflower, arriving in Boston, Massachusetts 10 May and settling in Lynn. In 1740 they, along with Henry's second cousin, Abraham Pierson, followed Henry's mother and her second husband (John Cooper) to Southampton, Long Island. Henry died in Southampton in October 1680.

He died 28 July 1616 in Lavendon Parish, Buckinghamshire, England.

Thomas W. Cooper II, in his article "The Cooper-Pierson-Griggs Connection", Long Island, Massachusetts and Buckinghamshire, England published in October 1989 in "'The American Genealogist," Vol. 64, No. 4, concludes with good evidence that Henry was instead the son of William Pierson of Olney, Buckinghamshire, England, the stepson rather than the son-in-law of John Cooper, Jr., and the half-brother rather than the husband of Mary Cooper, John Cooper's daughter. Mary [Fuller] is not mentioned in her father's will (1656). It is concluded that Mary Fuller had already received her share of the estate through her dowry, perhaps as payment for the trip to America in 1639. Thus, Mary Fuller may have been the wife of Henry Pierson, but no proof exists. She is probably the Mary Pierson that was Henry's widow in 1680. (Pierson Millennium).
Another source lists death date as 17 May 1681, but article gives death date as BEF 8 November 1680, when the inventory of his estate was taken.
Henry Pierson emigrated later than the rest of his family. In a 1663 lawsuit involving property in Olney, he said he had emigrated from Olney to New England "in or about the month of May 1639."
Cooper article ends with a copy of "Feoffement: Henry Peirson and John Cooper to Ignatius Fuller (1662). This document describes the location of property they owned in Olney.

---

From the Southampton Town Records'
John Cooper Sr. seems to have been a much respected, but very strenuous citizen, quite often in hot water, but always coming well out of it.

There were three daughters born to Mr. Cooper and his wife after their arrival in America; about whom we know only from his will, which gave legacies to Thomas Topping’s son Thomas, to John Topping’s daughter Sarah, to his daughter White’s children, to his daughter Cook’s children, to his son, Henry Pierson, and closes thus: “And give the same counsell to all and every of you as Joseph gave unto your brethren that you fall not at difference.” The date of the will is May 6, 1662, and speaks of the testator as being sick and infirm. John Cooper Signature http://josfamilyhistory.com/htm/hopkins/woodruff/wood-blachly-wick-... ________________________________________________________________________________ There is some recent research that concludes he is not the son Abraham and Christiana Pierson .

This was proved by Thomas Cooper II in TAG 64:193 - Oct 1989. That Henry Pierson followed hi s mother and her second family by a few years (they came in the Hopewell in 1635. He followed about 1640).

Besides several "clues", the "smoking gun" was a real estate deed found in England where Joh n Cooper, Jr., and Henry Pierson of Southampton, Long Island joined together to sell land the y owned in England. In that deed, they described themselves as brothers "through the same mother." And, Henry specificially says he is the son of William Pearson, matching the birth re cord found by Mr. Cooper in Olney earlier.

John Cooper was his step-father. Wibroe Griggs was his real mother. His father was William Pearson. This Henry was born in Olney, Buckingham,England in 12/10/1615 to William and Wibro e (Griggs) Pierson. Wibroe married second John Cooper. Hope this helps, further research i s required.

=====================================================================================================

comments

10 Trees on Ancestry say he was the son of Guillmus (William) Pearson and Wilbroe Griggs

129 Trees on Ancestry say he was the son of Abraham Pierson and Christiana Johnston

=====================================================================================================

• http://awt.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=rutt&id=I2881

ALL CHILD BN SOUTHAMPTON

On 10 April 1639 they departed from London aboard the ship Mayflower, arriving in Boston, Massachusetts 10 May and settling in Lynn. In 1740 they, along with Henry's second cousin Abraham

11 CHILDREN-PIERSON,JOHN,ABIGAIL,JOSEPH,HENRY,BENJAMIN,DANIEL,THEODORE,SARAH,DAVID,DEBORAH

family disambiguation

Persistent confusion about whether Hanry married a Mary Cooper or a Mary Fuller. The default seems to be Cooper, the name of Henry's step-father. However, from this source we have:

"Henry Peirson, son of Guillmus Peirson , was born in 1615 in Olney, Yorkshire, England and baptised on 10 December 1615. Weaver. He married Mary Fuller, daughter of Edward Fuller, in 1638/39 in Olney, Buckinghamshire, England. Mary was born in 1621/22 in Olney. She was baptised on 24 Mar 1621/22 in Olney. On 10 April 1639 they departed from London aboard the ship Mayflower, arriving in Boston, Massachusetts 10 May and settling in Lynn. In 1640 they, along with Henry's second cousin, Abraham Pierson, followed Henry's mother, Wyborro, and her second husband, John Cooper, to Southampton, Long Island. Henry was first recorded as an owner of land in Southampton in records dated May 1643. Read more about the founding and histories of Long Island, and Southampton.

Henry and Mary had the following children:

• 1.Lt. Joseph Pierson Sr. was born about 1640 in Southampton, Suffolk Co., Long Island, NY. He died on 13 Oct 1692 in Southampton, Suffolk Co., Long Island, NY. Joseph married (1) Amy Barnes on 17 Nov 1675 in Southampton. Amy was born about 1640. She died on 3 Oct 1692 in Southampton, Suffolk Co., Long Island, NY. Joseph married (2) Joana in Southampton. Joanna was born about 1654 and died before 1698.
• 2.Daughter Pierson was born about 1642 in Southampton, Suffolk Co., Long Island, NY.
• 3.Daughter Pierson was born about 1645 in Southampton, Suffolk Co., Long Island, NY.
• 4.John Pierson was born about 1647/48 in Southampton, Suffolk Co., Long Island, NY.
• 5.Abigail Pierson was born in 1649 in Southampton, Suffolk Co., Long Island, NY.
• 6.Col. Henry Pierson Jr. was born in 1651/52 in Southampton, Suffolk Co., Long Island, NY. He died on 15 Nov 1701 in Sagg/Bridgehampton, Suffolk Co., Long Island, NY. He was buried in Sagg Harbor, Suffolk Co., Long Island, NY. Henry married Susannah Howell about 1675 in Southampton, Suffolk Co., Long Island, NY. Susannah was born on 15 Jul 1658 in Southampton, Suffolk Co., Long Island, NY.
• 7.Benjamin Pierson was born in 1654/55 in Southampton, Suffolk Co., Long Island, NY. He died in 1731 in Elizabethtown, Union Co., NJ. He was buried in 1731 in Old Presby. Ch., Elizabethtown, Union Co., NJ.
• 8.Daniel Pierson was born about 1657 in Southampton, Suffolk Co., Long Island, NY.
• 9.Sarah Pierson was born on 20 Jan 1660/61 in Southampton, Suffolk Co., Long Island, NY.
• 10.David Pierson was born in 1662 in Southampton, Suffolk Co., Long Island, NY.
• 11.Deborah Pierson was born about 1665/66 in Southampton, Suffolk Co., Long Island, NY.
• 12.Theodore Pierson was born in 1669 in Southampton, Suffolk Co., Long Island, NY. He died on 7 May 1726 in Sagaponack, Suffolk Co., Long Island, NY.
• 13.Daughter Pierson was born about 1673 in Southampton, Suffolk Co., Long Island, NY.

Henry appointed or elected to a variety of town offices between 1646 and his death in 1680 including Clerk, Register, Secretary, Townsman, Town Collector, and Assessor. Additionally, he accomplished many other short term public tasks on a continual basis ranging from writing letters on behalf of the town to surveying land for distribution grants.

Henry Pierson died after 1 July 1680 when he witnessed a Southampton town record and before 8 November 1680 when the inventory of his property was taken at Southampton. Henry was about 65 years old at death and the cause of death is unknown. Since no will existed, it is presumed that illness or an accident was sudden. Henry Pierson's inventory was taken by Capt. John Howell, John Jessupe, Mr. Edward Howell, and Thomas Cooper (Henry's half brother). This inventory included 11 pieces of land totalling about 100 acres worth about �700.

Mary married Rev. Seth Fletcher, the minister of Elizabethtown, New Jersey, in May 1682, but he died soon after. Mary died in 1687 in Southampton, Suffolk Co., Long Island, New York.

Colonel Henry Pierson, bp 10Dec1615, Olney, Buckinghamshire, as "harry pearson sonne of will pearson," d before 8Nov1680 Bridgehampton, Long Island, NY, bu Sagaponack, LI, NY, he came to this country about 1639 and settled at Lynn, MA. He was at Stamford, CT, ca 1640, and Hemstead, LI, NY about 1647. He was Town Clerk of Southampton for 30 Years (1650-1680) and Clerk of Suffolk County in 1669. "Said to have been founder of the common school system in America" (Sage Slocum, 33) (m ca 1649 Lynn, MA Mary ?)"

https://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=awrobert... _______________________________________________________________________________________

biography

Henry Peirson (1615-1680)

American Immigrant

Henry Peirson was the son of William and Wyborough (Griggs) Peirson of Olney, Buckinghamshire, England. Henry was baptized 10 Dec 1615 at Olney.

In a 1663 lawsuit involving property in Olney, Henry Peirson stated in writing to an English court that he had emigrated from Olney, Buckinghamshire, England to New England "in or about the month of May 1639." Based on Pierson family legend that he came on the Mayflower and a ship and date match, Henry sailed to New England in America from London, England, May 1639 on the ship Mayflower of London. Based on family legend and New England records of Piersons, two other Pierson kinsmen accompanied him on this Mayflower voyage, the Rev. Abraham Pierson and Bartholomew Pierson. In that year, New England bound ships landed at Boston.

To determine in what year Henry's marriage to Mary took place, we will estimate the age of Henry's eldest son Joseph for which no birth record has been found:

"At a towne meeting (Southampton, Long Island) March 6, 1657/58 it was concluded that Joseph Pierson and Richard Howell (bap. 1629, now age 28) are to receive the hundred pounds for the town's use of the Indians."

Here, Joseph is mentioned for the first time in records and he is the eldest son of Henry Peirson (birth information for Joseph has not been located). If we assume that Joseph is at least 18 years of age in 1658 (reasonable for dealing with Indians and disbursing 100 pounds), then Joseph was born about 1640 in Lynn, Massachusetts or Southampton, Long Island. If this is so, then Henry probably married about age 24 in 1639, probably at Olney, Buckinghamshire, England. Therefore, it is probable that Mary ____, Henry's wife, came to America with Henry Peirson in May 1639. Henry's wife Mary is probably the daughter of Edward Fuller of Olney, Buckinghamshire, England, whom Henry had hold a mortgage for him in Olney before departing in 1639 and to whom Henry sent a letter from Lynn, Massachusetts, in 1639 or 1640 about Edward Fuller's son, John.

At Olney, Buckinghamshire, England: "Mary Fuller Daught(er) of Edward was bapt(ized) the xxiiijth of March 1621 (24 Mar 1621/2)." Baptisms were also recorded there for Mary's siblings Abygall, 31 May 1618; John, 20 Feb 1619/20; and Thomas (same date as Mary).

After John Cooper arrived at Boston with his family on the Hopewell in 1635, he was made a freeman at Boston 6 Dec 1636, was an elder of the church at Saugus (Lynn, Massachusetts), when it was formed in 1638, and owned 200 acres in Lynn. John Pearson came to Saugus (Lynn) in 1637 (a distant relative of Henry's). Henry Peirson joined his mother, Wyborough (Griggs) (Peirson) Cooper, and step-father John Cooper in Lynn in 1639 after arriving on the Mayflower of London (not the pilgrim ship).

Near Boston, Massachusetts, at Lynn in 1640, eight men formed a company with the intention of establishing their own town. These men were Edward Howell, Edmond Farrington, Edmund Needham, Thomas Sayre, Josiah Stanborough, George Welbe, Henry Walton, and Job Sayre. Before the company departed Lynn, twelve more families were added: Daniel How (ship's Captain), John Cooper, Allen Breed, William Harker, Thomas Halsey, Thomas Newell, John Farrington, Richard Odell, Philip Kyrtland, Nathaniel Kirtland, Thomas Farrington, and Thomas Terry. Edward Howell & Company purchased eight square miles on Long Island from James Farrett for 400 pounds, approved June 12, 1640. The rights to settle a town were said, in the agreement from James Farrett, to be commensurate with those rights enjoyed by "other Plantations of the Massachusetts Bay under its governor, John Winthrop, Esquire." After a false start on the western end of Long Island, the ship, with the Company aboard headed south from Boston toward the eastern end of Long Island and entered the interior of Long Island by sailing up the Great Peconic Bay landing at what is now called North Sea about three miles north of where they settled and named it Southampton.

By July 7, 1640, they had determined the town boundaries. On October 11, 1640, the Southampton men selected as their minister, Mr. Abraham Pierson. Abraham's ordination and the forming of the church took place at Lynn, Massachusetts, in November 1640. Based on English parish records, the Rev. Abraham Pierson is the 2nd cousin of Henry Peirson.

There were native Indians on Long Island and they now had to purchase their land from them even though they had already paid a British owner. The Indian Deed was obtained December 13, 1640. The largest signature witnessing the deed for the Southampton settlement was their minister, Abraham Pierson:

During the next few years (1640-1643), Southampton was further increased in population by 43 families: Richard Barrett, William Barker, William Barnes, John Bishop, Robert Bond (1643), John Bostwick, Thomas Burnett, Ellis Cook, John Cory (1643), Samuel Dayton, Fulk Davis, Christopher Foster, John Gosmer, Thomas Goldsmith, James Hampton, John Hand, James Herrick, Thomas Hildreth, John Jagger, John Jennings, John Jessup, Anthony Ludlam, John Lum or Loom, Robert Merwin, Richard Mills, John Moore, William Mulford, Robert Norris, John Oldfields, John Ogden, Henry Pierson, Richard Post, Joseph Raynor, William Rogers, Robert Rose, Richard Smyth, Richard Stratton, Thomas Talmage, Thomas Topping, William Wells (1643), John White, Isaac Willman, and John Woodruff. It is believed that Henry Pierson, his wife Mary, infant son Joseph, and perhaps another child were living with his step-father, John Cooper, and his mother, Wyborough (Griggs) (Peirson) Cooper, at Southampton before he became a land owner in Southampton and thus appeared in Southampton records in May 1643 as owning a one-acre home lot which he obtained at some earlier point in time:

May 29, 1643. "It was ordered by the General court (Southampton) that Richard Barret, John Mulford, Arthur Bostock, Thomas Tomson & Robert Bond, shall have each of them two acres of land divided unto them upon the plain, viz. Richard Barret, John Mulford and Thomas Tomson shall have the aforesaid two acres to lye next unto Henry Pierson's one acre lot ..."

In 1644 in Southampton town records, reference is made to "John Cooper the elder." This is Henry Peirson's stepfather and elder refers to a church position as opposed to seniority. All references to seniority in Southampton records have used Senior. The church here at Southampton referred to itself as "Presbiterians" in 1707 when purchasing land for a church site and again in 1712 when assigning land in Bridgehampton "for use of a Presbyterian ministry and no other."

March 7, 1644/45. The settlers observed that a large number of whales annually beached themselves on the beaches near Southampton. This became a new industry for the settlers. The whale oil was used for lamps and the whale bone (thin plastic-like sheetings hanging from the upper whale jaw) was used for corset stays. Because of the value of these whales and to maintain order, the town had to set rules for their taking:

"It is ordered by this present Court (Southampton) that if by the providence of God there shall be henceforth within the bounds of this plantation any whale or whales cast up. For the prevention of disorder it is consented unto that there shall be fowre (four) wards in this towne, eleven persons in each ward, and by lot two of each ward, if any such whales be cast up, shall be employed for the cutting out of the said whales, who for their pains shall have a double share, And every inhabitant with his child or servant that is above sixteen years of age, shall have in the division of the other part an equal proportion, provided that such person when it fall into his ward (be) a sufficient man to be employed about it. And it is further agreed upon that there shall be in each ward eleven persons:"

Ward "1. For the first ward William Barnes, Geo. Wood, Thomas Cooper, Richard Stratton, Job Sayre, Thomas Burnet, John White, William Mulford, Thomas Halsey Junr, Thomas Talmage Senr, and Mr. Johnes."

Ward "2. For ye second ward Richard Jaques, Thomas Talmage Junior, Mr. [Abraham] Pierson, Robert Rose, Mr. Gosmer, Thomas Halsey Senr, Mr. Stanborough, Richard Barret, Richard Post, Thomas Tomson, Robert Talmage."

Ward "3. For the third ward Richard Gosmer, Arthur Bostock, Henry Pierson [age 30], John Hande, Thomas Hyldreth, John Mulford, John Moore, Ellis Cook, Robert Bond, Fulk Daves, & Mr. Howe."

Ward 4. "For the fourth ward John Cooper Senr [age 51], Tristrum Hedges, John Cooper Junr [age 20], John Cory, Mr. Howell, Mr. Odell, John Howell, Richard Smith, & Thomas Sayre." [Notes in brackets by Richard Pierson.]

Every able bodied man of 16 years age and older is listed above for Southampton on this date in 1644/45.

June 27, 1646. "At the same court, it is ordered that Henry Pierson shall have full power as clarke (clerk) of the band (of soldiers) to see that all the soldiers bring their arms to the meeting every Sabbath day and to gather six pence upon every default and also to examine when hee see good how every soldier is provided with powder and shot." In essence, Henry Pierson is the officer in charge of the town militia and the sword listed in his 1680 inventory was likely used for that position. However, no rank title was recorded for Henry Pierson as was done in later years for militia leaders at Southampton.

October 6, 1646. "Henry Pierson was censured by the Court of Magistrates (of Southampton) for miscarriage in threatening that if any man should strike his dog he would knock him down, and to pay for the said miscarriage ten shillings and to be of good behavior." The laws written by Rev. Abraham Pierson for Southampton in 1640-41 were partially obliterated or missing, therefore, a law on threatening was not found. Regardless, this unusually trivial violation seems to be an improper mixture of church morals and civil law. Cruelty to animals or damage to Henry's property (his dog) was apparently not a consideration of the court.

October, 1646. "Southampton this _th October 1646, Henry Pierson dothe acknowledge himselfe to owe unto the sayd towne the summe of five pounds, and John Cooper doth acknowledge to owe the sayd towne five pounds to be leavied of their goods & chattels lands and tenements upon this condition that the sayd Henry Pierson shall appeare at the next quarter Court holden for this towne, and in the meane whyle to be of good behaviour towards the Magistrates and all other persons. (Note added later:) Henry Pierson appeared this day." Because of the October 6, 1646, fine of ten shillings against Henry Pierson, it is probable that Henry's stepfather, John Cooper, joined Henry in redressing the magistrates for this attack on freedom of speech and for allowing the church to impose such laws on one who was simply protecting his property (his dog). Henry Peirson and John Cooper received five-pound fines for their behavior toward the magistrates. This was the beginning of general town resistance to church ideals being enforced by civil court which culminated in Rev. Abraham Pierson's dismissal as Southampton minister. It is noted that Abraham Pierson is still present June 24, 1647, but does not appear in later town records:

"Southampton, June 24, 1647. Wee whose names are underwritten doe witnes that all the inhabitants of this towne except Tho. Vale & Tho. Burnet were present and consenting unto the aforesaid agreement (not stated herein), only Mr Smith was out of towne.

Edward Howell Jo. Gosmer Abraham Pierson
Job Sayre Richard Odell John Moore Thomas Halsey Henry Pierson"

It was evident that the beliefs of Rev. Abraham Pierson did not coincide with enough members of the Southampton community for him to continue as their minister. Abraham "was most rigid in his desire to have the civil as well as the ecclesiastical power all vested in the church, and to allow none but church members to act in the choice of officers of government, or to be eligible as such." A small part of his congregation agreed with him, and they, with Rev. Abraham Pierson, moved to Branford, Connecticut, in 1647 where he founded a new church and was its minister for 23 years. Rev. Fordham became the new minister for Southampton. After leaving Branford, Rev. Abraham Pierson was the first pastor of what is now the First Presbyterian Church of Newark, New Jersey. He died on August 9, 1678. His son, Rev. Abraham Pierson Jr., was the first President of Yale College (1701-1707), acting as its rector.

In 1649, Mrs. Thomas Halsey was murdered by Indians at Southampton, which caused some apprehension of a general resurrection against the English on Long Island. She was the wife of Thomas Halsey, who died 1678, and who was the first Halsey family at Southampton. A messenger was immediately sent by the magistrates to summon Wyandanch, Chief of the Montauk ruling tribe of Long Island Indians, to appear before them. "His counselors, fearing that he would be summarily condemned to death by way of retaliation, advised him not to obey the summons. Before he expressed his own opinion, he submitted the case to Mr. Gardiner, who happened to be lodging in his wigwam that same night. By his advice, he set out immediately for Southampton, Mr. Gardiner agreeing to remain as a hostage to the tribe, for the safety of their beloved chief. With amazing celerity, he not only accomplished the journey of twenty-five miles, but actually apprehended on his way, and delivered to the magistrates, the murderers of the woman; who instead of being his own subjects, proved to be Pequot Indians from the main; some of whom were generally lurking on the Island for the purpose of promoting disturbances between the natives and the new settlers. These men being sent to Hartford (Connecticut), were there tried, convicted, and executed." This murder is the only known loss of an English settler life at Southampton by Indians. Thomas Halsey remarried ten years later 25 July 1660 Ann, widow of Edward Johnes.

Halsey family tradition states that Thomas Halsey was from Yorkshire, England. While George Rogers Howell in his 1887 book states that Thomas descended from Halseys in Hertfordshire that have a coat of arms, that is probably not true. Descendants of Thomas Halsey have married into the Peirson line more than once, including the marriage of Josiah Peirson in our line (son of Col. Henry Peirson) in 1724 to Martha Halsey (born 1699, daughter of Jeremiah and Ruth Halsey). Jeremiah Halsey b. Sep. 7, 1667, married 1st Ruth and 2nd Deborah. Jeremiah was the son of Thomas Halsey Jr. who m. Mary and wrote a will Aug. 3, 1688. Thomas Halsey Jr. was the son of the Thomas Halsey Sr. who first settled in Southampton and died in 1678. Thomas Halsey Sr's first wife was murdered in 1649 by Indians. He remarried July 25, 1660 to Ann, widow of Edward Johnes, who was the mother of Thomas Jr.

Southampton: "A list of all the townsmen, May 10, 1649.

• Mr Edward Howell Mr Gosmer Mr Raynor
• Mr Odell Thomas Halsey John Howell
• John Cooper Thomas Cooper Thomas Sayre
• Job Sayre Edward Johnes Josiah Stanborough
• Thomas Talmage Samuel Dayton Thomas Vayle
• Richard Post Thomas Hildreth Henry Pierson
• John White Ellis Cooke Isaac Willman
• Richard Barrett Richard Smith Thomas Burnet
• George Wood John Jessup Wm Rogers"

September 10, 1650. "John Howell, Richard Howell, Mr. Rainer, Thomas Vayle, Joseph Rainer, Thomas Burnet, Thomas Cooper, Henry Pierson, Ellis Cook, and John Halby are to have for their paines 3s per day at the seapoose." Seapoose is an Indian word for "little river" and as found in these records usually refers to the inlet connecting Mecox Bay with the ocean. A considerable amount of digging was needed there to keep the waterway open to Mecox Bay. Three shillings per day per person was paid by the town since the passageway benefited the whole town.

November 15, 1652. "Mr Josiah Stanborough exchangeth with Thomas Pope, and passeth over unto him the home lott of two acres (less or more) which hee the said Thomas Pope now dwells on In consideration of the 3 acres given and granted by this towne October the 6the last past unto the said Thomas Pope, which 3 acres lying next unto the said Mr Stanboroughs his home lot, the said Thomas doth exchange with and passeth over in lyke manner affore said unto the said Mr Stanborough.

Witness Henry Peirson Cloark"

"Cloark" was written with a double underline and is the title (Clerk). There is no doubt how Henry spelled his surname in 1652, and with a colonial "S" in Peirson.

1653. "The amicable relations between the two races (Indians and English) was seriously threatened in 1653, when the Narragansetts, perhaps allied with emissaries of the Dutch, endeavored to seduce the Indians on the east end of Long Island into a combination with them to exterminate all white settlers. In this they were unsuccessful, although the apprehension of the English (was high), and for some time unusual care was taken to guard against sudden attack." In the field a guard was continuously kept. At night, none knew at what hour the alarm would sound. On the Lord's day, they went to meeting with rifles as men prepared for instant war. Every male, sixteen years of age and older, was a soldier enrolled in the ranks.

March 8, 1653. The four wards for cutting up beached whales are now four squadrons. Instead of a double portion for their efforts, cutters now get a third of what they cut in addition to their town portion. "Henry Pierson" was listed in the 3rd Squadron for cutting whales. Below the list of squadrons it stated, "Memorandum that after ye squadrons had gone round not orderly, the town began according to order, Mr Smiths Squadron (1st) cut next, Mr Johnes (2nd) at Spring 1655, next John White his Squadron (3rd) cut April 26 1655, Richard Barrets squadron (4th) cut May 1655, Mr Smiths squadron (1st) cut May 9 1655, Richard Post (2nd) cut in Aprill '56." The rate shown here is four beached whales per year for 1655, mostly in the spring, and must vary some from year to year.

January 9, 1653/54. "At a general court, it is concluded that if the Indians will suitably fence one half betweene them & us that then ye towne will fence with 3 rails or that which is answerable thereunto, the other halfe, and what soever else may bee thought necessary to bee done about or concerning the said fencing, as treating & concluding with the Indians about it, & disposing of the fence in regard of placeing it, is referred to 4 men namely Jonas Wood at North Sea, John Jessup, Tho. Goldsmith & Henry Pierson." It is likely that these four men speak the Indian's tongue, Henry having been in contact with the Indians for over 13 years now.

April 30, 1657. Southampton: "Half a pound of powder a peece delivered unto ye undernamed persons out of ye magazen: Nathaniel Foster, Isaac Halsey, Thomas Halsey Jr, John Howell, John coopr Jr, Edward Howell, Francis Sayre, John Oldfield, John Jagger, John Bishop, Joshua Barnes, Tho. Pope, John Ogden, Jonas Bower, John White, Ellis Cook, Isaac Willman, Tho. Topping, Elnathan Topping, John Hand, John Jessup, Daniel Sayre, Henry Ludlam, Thomas Cooper, John Woodruf Sen, John Woodruf Jr, David Halsey, John Negro, John Topping, Tho. Burnet, Sergeant Post, Obadiah Rogers, Henry Pierson, James Herrick, Edward Howell, Christopher Foster, John Foster, Joseph Foster, Richard Howell, Joseph Rayner, and there was weighed 9 lb 1/4 of powder and put into the barrel, & remains to be disposed." Here, the town of Southampton is preparing to defend themselves against Indian attackers who have been burning houses. Note the number of family heads listed is 40 and that another 9 1/4 pounds of powder has been readied for instant use.

1657 "Henr Pierson," (sic) census of 61 families, only one Pierson family, center of Main St., east side.

After 1657 "Hen. Pierson," (sic) 3rd whaling group.

July 5, 1659. Dorchester and Roxbury, Massachusetts. First Church at Dorchester, church minutes: "This day the Teaching & ruling elders of our Church as messengers of ye Church met at Rocksbery with ye messengers of other Churches, for to hear the Indians make a relation, of the work of God upon their soul: at which time there were six made their relation in the Indian tongue, & repeated by Mr Eliot in English witnessed unto ye truth of his translation, by Mr Pearson of Long Island, & Goodman Fordgier of Martins Vinyard, & Mr Eliots own son, & because ye time would not permit for ye other two Indians to make their relation at that time, therefore ye relation which they had made ye day before unto Mr Pearson in private it was declared by Mr Pearson, & many questions put to ye Indians in point of knowledge to ye great rejoising of ye hearers & so it was left in ye close of ye day to ye counsel of ye messengers of ye churches what was next to be done." This Pearson on Long Island can only be Henry Peirson in 1659.

Both Henry and his son Joseph Peirson dealt with Indians on Long Island and spoke the Indian's language at this date. However, Henry would be the one classified as a "teaching and ruling elder" of the church. Roxbury is a few miles from both Boston and Dorchester in Massachusetts.

January 20, 1660/61. Southampton: "Henry Pierson his daughter Sarah was borne the 20 day of January 1660." This is the earliest primary record of a child's birth for Henry Pierson's children. However, Sarah is believed to be the seventh or eighth child of Henry. Of the first six or seven children, five names are later identified as Joseph, John, Henry, Benjamin, and Daniel. Two of these five children's birth years are determined from age and death date on their tombstones: Col. Henry Peirson born 1652 and Benjamin Pierson born 1655. Theodore and two of the daughters are known to have been born after Sarah.

In 1663, when Henry Peirson lost a court plea to recover property which he had loaned 120 pounds on in Olney, England, he apparently wrote the following in his anger. George Rogers Howell states in his book that in Henry's own handwriting, he wrote in the town records:

• "Jehovah I upon thee call!
• O make thou haste to me,
• And hearken thou unto my voyce,
• When I do crye to thee."

The above entry comes from the Bible, Psalm 141, verse 1, and the 1560 Geneva edition of the Bible was then in use by Presbyterians in America.

In 1664, the English captured New Netherland from the Dutch, and Charles II gave the colony to his brother James, the Duke of York and Albany. In so doing, Charles included all of Long Island as part of the new colony which James renamed New York. James also changed the city names of New Amsterdam to New York and Beverwyck on the Hudson river at Fort Orange to Albany. Southampton became part of New York in the court system, but maintained its military support and trade ties with the Connecticut colony at Hartford.

April 10, 1667. "Know all men by these presents that I the within named Humphrey Hughes doe hereby Assigne unto Mr Nicholas Stephens of Boston one third, and unto John Cooper of Southampton on Long Island another third pt of the Interest I have in the within grant, & the product, or any manner of benefit that may any way whatsoever come or bee obtained thereby. Witness my hand this 10th day of Aprill 1667. Humphrey Hughes.

Witness Henry Pierson Mary X Pierson her mark"

This is the first appearance of Henry Pierson's wife, Mary, in Southampton records and one of the assignees above is John Cooper. John Cooper Sr. had died five years earlier in 1662. Therefore, the above assignment is to John Cooper Jr., Henry Pierson's half brother.

March 23, 1667/68. "Henry Peirson," 3rd whaling Sqdn., no other Peirsons (of any spelling).

In 1673, the Dutch fleet recaptured New York colony and in August the Dutch requested the English settlements on Long Island to surrender to the arms of the Prince of Orange. Southampton and the other villages on eastern Long Island realized that their military situation was deplorable. Regardless, they intended to resist this takeover to the best of their ability. The Dutch had not been in control of New York colony for nine years (since 1664) and they had never controlled the eastern end of Long Island. But now the Dutch presence was the first threat of foreign takeover of Southampton.

In October 1673, the Dutch government required the eastern towns of Long Island to take the Oath of Allegiance to the Dutch government. "This oath was refused to be taken by the men of East Hampton, Southampton, Southold, and Huntington, they understanding that it was to be administered to their Magistrates only in behalf of the people. Whereupon, the Dutch sent a vessel to compel the people to take it. The commissioners came from New York in the frigate Zeehond, arrived at Southold, and called a meeting of the inhabitants to take the oath of allegiance to the Dutch government. The flag of the Prince of Orange was brought in and displayed. Failing in their attempts to force the oath on the Southold people, they resolved to break up the assembly and depart." The frigate Zeehond's Journal stated: "On leaving the place, some inhabitants of Southampton were present; among the rest was one John Cooper (half brother of Henry Peirson) who told Mr. Steenwyck, to take care and not appear with that thing at Southampton, which he more than once repeated: for the Commissioners, agreeable to their commission, had intended to go thither next morning. Whereupon Mr. Steenwyck asked what he meant by that word thing, to which said John Cooper replied, the Prince's Flag: then Mr. Steenwyck inquired of John Cooper if he said so of himself or on the authority of the inhabitants of Southampton. He answered, Rest satisfied that I warn you, and take care that you come not with that Flag within range of shot of our village." They did not visit Southampton and East Hampton fearing they would "do more harm than good."

February 25, 1673/74. Earlier, in August 1673, the Southampton people had addressed a letter to the New England colonies, setting forth the demand of the Dutch to surrender to the arms of the Prince of Orange, and their deplorable situation militarily. On the receipt of this, John Winthrop, Major of the Connecticut militia, was sent (after October 1673) with such force as could be spared in a vessel to Southold to assist the Long Island people. Captain John Howell with forty soldiers from Southampton and twenty from East Hampton, had come promptly at the summons of Major Winthrop for assistance. Captain John Howell's forty soldiers from Southampton surely included John and Thomas Cooper (sons of John Cooper Sr.) and three of Henry Peirson's sons, Lt. Joseph (about age 36), Col. Henry (then a Lt. at age 22), and Benjamin (age 20). Colonial soldiers of the period were considered to be those 16 years to 50 years of age though every male that could shoot a gun was used in defense of the community. Henry Peirson, then age 58, may not have participated because of age. The combined forces of Major Winthrop, Captain Howell, and Southold militia probably numbered between 150 and 250, and they stood ready at Southold to defend the eastern end of Long Island against the Dutch.

On February 25, 1673/74, Major Winthrop wrote at Southold of an engagement between his forces and the Snow, a Dutch ship, with one ketch and two sloops, who summoned the town of Southold to surrender. Major Winthrop replied "Sir, I am here appointed by the authority of his Majesty's colony of Connecticut, to secure these people, in obedience to his Majesty, and by God's assistance I hope to give a good account thereof, and you may assure yourself that I will receive you in the same condition as a person that disturbs his Majesty's subjects." It is not recorded how many shots were fired (if any) or if the Dutch troops were landed from their ships, but the Dutch withdrew their forces and the last that was seen of them the vessels were on their return passage through Plum Gut (a water passageway from the Great Peconic Bay into Long Island Sound). No casualties were reported for this engagement. The Dutch apparently were not expecting significant armed resistance and may have been outnumbered by the Englishmen. In 1674, the Dutch were compelled to surrender New York colony for the second time to the English crown, the first time being in 1664.

December 26, 1677. "A list of the fence to bee done by the towne at Shinnecock against the land which ye Indians plant. Of 39 lots: No. 38 Henry Pierson, 150 pounds, 5 poles (of fence). Per me Henry Pierson Register."

November 5, 1679. "At a town meeting ... It is ordered that Mr. Justice Topping (Mr. Justice is a title for John Topping), the constable & overseers attended by Henry Pierson shall appoint all the inhabitants of this towne their proper and distinct places in the meeting house on the Lords day to prevent disorder." The seating in the Presbyterian church of this era required that the elderly sit in front next to the church elders and their wives, and the remainder of the congregation be seated behind them with the younger to the rear or balconies of the church meeting house. The men always sat on one side of the church and the women on the other side. A single family might be scattered over the entire seating area. Over the years, an individual gradually moved from the rear of the church meeting house to up front just before dying. In 1675, the Southampton church had 49 heads of families and if all were present with their children, more than 200 people were required to sit in their assigned place. One can understand how confusion and disorder might reign as the congregation grew larger and simultaneously moved forward to fill the seats of the deceased.

1640-1691. Summary of Land Transactions for Henry Peirson, as taken from Southampton town records, Suffolk Co., New York Colony, on the given dates:

• Before May 29, 1643 Lot in Southampton. 1 acre
• Nov. 19, 1644 Lot bought from John White. about 1 acre
• Oct. 29, 1645 On the Great Plain. 4 acres
• Before Apr. 16, 1646 From Mr. Odell of Southampton. 4 acres
• Nov. 6, 1648 Swampland in division of Great Plain. unk. acreage
• Nov. 21, 1653 Henry swaps acreage in old town for acreage on Farington's (Old Town) pond. 3 acre swap
• Feb. 2, 1653/4 Division of Sagaponack, 150-pound lot to Henry on east side of Sagaponack pond. 6 acres
• Feb. 1654/5 Division of Sagaponack field 23-pound lot to Henry in Seaponack division. About 1 acre
• Oct. 7, 1659 Eastward lotment of meadow at the beach or Pines No. 1. Guess 4 acres
• Jan. 22, 1660/1 Acreage in Halsey's Neck in the Great Plain given to Henry by Southampton. 2 acres
• Sep. 9, 1662 Henry trades property in Sagaponack for property in Shinnecock Neck. 6 acre swap
• Undated between 1662 and 1665 Redefines location of his 10 acres in Southampton town as behind his home lot ye rest by John Jessup's close. 10 acres redefined
• Dec. 18, 1665 150-pound lotment at Quaquanantuck. About 4 acres
• Jan. 14, 1667/8 The east side of Littleworth Hollow south of the mill path. 35 acres
• May 29, 1673 Meadow at Quaquanantuck from Assops Neck to the 4th Neck. 150-Pounds twice, lots 3 & 9. About 8 acres
• Nov. 15, 1676 Division of the ox pasture north of Southampton at Great Hogg Neck and Little Hogg Neck, 150-pound lot 7 South Division, 150-pound lot 14 North Div. About 8 acres
• May 11, 1677 150-pound lot 17 at Mecox, against Kellie's pond, north of the great Hollow that runs down to Calf Pen creek. About 4 acres
• June 1, 1680 Lot 41 at Hog Neck. About 4 acres
• Apr. 2, 1683 Quaquanantuck purchase: division of meadow at Catchaponack, Potunk and Onunk, lots 29 & 32 (totaling 300 pounds) to Henry's estate. 5 acres
• Mar. 21, 1691 The 300-pound lotment to Henry Pierson deceased at Quaquanantuck purchase now belongs to Joseph, Henry (Jr), and Theodore Pierson, and Mathew Howell, assignee of Benjamin Pierson. 5 acres to sons of inheritance
• ____________
• Total lands registered at Southampton for Henry Pierson about 100 acres

Henry Peirson's public service spanned 35 years. He was appointed or elected to 24 Southampton public positions requiring his excellent writing skills. Each position was held for one year or less, and some simultaneously with others. Additionally, he accomplished many other short term public tasks on a continual basis ranging from writing letters on behalf of the town to surveying land for distribution grants. During the last 13 years of his life beginning in 1668, he was continuously the Clerk of Suffolk County while simultaneously holding office with Southampton during three of those years.

1646 Clerk of the Band of Soldiers, at age 31 1650 Register 1651 Townsman 1652 Town Clerk, Secretary 1653 Townsman 1654 Secretary 1655 Town Clerk, Secretary 1659 Secretary 1660 Secretary, Register 1661 Register 1663 Register, Town Collector, Assessor 1664 Townsman 1665 Clerk, Recorder, Overseer 1668 Public Notary, Keeper of Cattle Records 1668 thru 1680 Clerk of Suffolk County 1673 Recorder 1680 Recorder, at age 64

1 Jul - 7 Nov 1680. Henry Peirson died after 1 July 1680 when he witnessed a Southampton town record and before 8 November 1680 when the inventory of his property was taken at Southampton. Henry was about 65 years old at death and the cause of death is unknown. Since no will existed, it is presumed that illness or an accident was sudden. Henry Peirson's inventory was taken by Capt. John Howell, John Jessupe, Mr. Edward Howell, and Thomas Cooper (Henry's half brother).

The inventory of Henry Peirson, clearly stated that he was deceased by 8 Nov 1680 and that he spelled his name Peirson. In the inventory, the values were given in English pounds, each of which contains 20 shillings, and each shilling contains 12 pence. Henry's 11 pieces of land totaled about 100 acres and were worth about 700 pounds. His residence with house, barn, and land (about 6 acres) located on the southeast corner of Main and Meetinghouse Lane in the center of Southampton, where the First Presbyterian Church now stands, was worth half of his total land assets. At the Close at the old Towne, Henry owned about 4 acres. The Close at Littleworth refers to Littleworth Hollow where Henry owned 35 acres and perhaps grazed his cattle there. The Great and Little Plains are no longer shown on maps. However, the Great Plain was bounded on the north by Captain's Neck Lane, east by the town pond, south by the beach, and west by Taylor's Creek; thus it included First, Cooper's, Halsey's and Captains necks. Of this, Henry owned 6 acres at Halsey's neck which he plowed for crops. The Little Plain was bounded north by Frog pond or Gin Lane, south by the beach, east by old town pond, and west by the town pond. Henry probably owned about 4 acres in the Little Plain. Henry owned about 2 acres at Hog neck not including his meadow there. His five meadows all totaled about 43 acres where he mowed for winter hay.

Henry had 10 horses worth 39 pounds and no oxen whereas his neighbors had 2 to 10 oxen each for plowing and pulling carts. Since riding horses were then worth about 5 pounds each, it is reasonable to say perhaps only four or five of Henry's horses were riding horses, the others being colts or plow horses for Henry's two plows, harrowteeth, one cart, and three animal yokes. Henry had over 185 pounds of cattle. The value of cattle at that time ranged from 2 pounds 10 shillings for two year old steers to 4 pounds 10 shillings for the best cows. Using an average of this value range, Henry had 53 cattle. Henry had more than 32 pounds of sheep, hogs, and Indian corn with value lumped together. However, it was typical to have about 7 pounds of corn on hand, based on other inventories of the period locally, and have four times as many sheep as hogs (each worth 10 shillings). Therefore, Henry had approximately 56 bushels of Indian corn (maize), 10 hogs, and 40 sheep. The cattle and hogs were raised for milk, butter, and meat, and Henry probably sold some of them as the quantity seems excess to his family needs. Henry probably raised his sheep for wool only as his inventory lists no sheep skins or sheepskin rugs, only wool. He probably sold the wool and used the money to purchase finished cloths and other household items not raised on his farm as indicated by the large cloth inventory.

Henry had over 35 pounds of wheat, hay, and oats. Using the ratios of these in other inventories of Southampton, the 1679 rates of 5 shillings per bushel wheat & 2 shillings 6 pence per bushel oats or corn, and estimating hay at 6 pence per bushel, Henry had approximately 120 bushels wheat, 20 bushels oats, and 150 bushels hay on hand. While Henry had 18 pounds of flax (probably thread) on hand, he had no listing of flax crops (in bushels) as some of his neighbors did. Thus it is believed that Henry's crops were only wheat, oats, and Indian corn (maize). Hay (grass, alfalfa, or clover) was mowed from his meadows, dried, and used to feed his cattle and horses during the winter. These crops were probably stored in the barn as they were listed with the plows and cart in the original inventory. Wheat was used in porridge or taken to the local mill and made into flour and durum. The flour was used to make bread, wheat cakes (pancakes), cakes, and pastries. The coarsely ground durum meal, a byproduct created in the manufacture of fine flour, was used in making puddings, noodles, spaghetti, and macaroni. Oats were used as cereal for porridge or as horse feed. Corn was probably eaten off the cob in season and the dried corn stored for the winter was either boiled into hominy or milled into corn meal for corn bread and other foods. The hogs probably got table scraps after the dogs and cats got the better parts including the meat scraps. Meats were not listed in the inventory but would have existed as ham, bacon, beef and perhaps some venison from hunting. Chickens were not listed in the inventory, but are believed to have existed at Henry's home based upon the 17 pounds of feathers on hand and the five feather beds, though their source could also be geese. Thus, eggs were probably available. Dogs and cats were not listed in the estate inventory, but it is known that Henry had at least one dog based on a court case about someone striking his dog, perhaps a sheep dog for his 40 sheep. Cats were probably present for rodent and snake control. Fruit is not mentioned in this November inventory and is probably not available in large enough quantities to justify drying for the winter. However, jam and jelly preserves were common in that era, and it is known that most farmers in Southampton had fruit trees based on a law passed to prosecute those that steal fruit from other's fruit trees (likely apple, peach, apricot, cherry). It is clear that Henry Peirson worked hard as a yeoman (gentleman farmer) and he and his family ate well.

The furnishings of the house, tell us how many rooms the house had and what was in each room. It is probable that each room's inventory starts with the major furniture. When it lists a bed, for example, there is only one bed in that room, otherwise it would have said 2 beds. Based on that analysis, there appears to be five bedrooms and a great room which contains the kitchen, fireplace, tables, chairs, pillows, dishes, cooking utensils, etc. Henry's house was built in 1648 when Henry moved to his larger home lot in the center of the current Southampton and probably looked similar to the sketch below of Mr. Sayre's house built there the same year with barn in background. The Sayre house was still standing in 1887 when this sketch was made.

A house built in 1648 at Southampton The kitchen was on the main floor at the high wall side of the house, fireplace in the middle, two or three bedrooms over the kitchen, with the balance of the bedrooms at the back or sides on the kitchen level. The barn was separate and large. Many frame structures of this exact practical design were built in Southampton at this time. The design was called a saltbox (two-story on the front side and one-story on the back).

Since Henry's books and wearing apparel were listed before the house and fences in the original inventory, it is unknown where they were kept, but it indicates their importance. The three guns shown in the inventory of Henry's estate were powder and shot type rifles used in the defense of the community or for hunting. The word pistols has been used in other inventories of this place and time when gun does not mean rifle. The sword probably signifies his status as an officer in colonial armed forces of the community, but only a record of him being "Clerk of the Band of Soldiers" in 1646 (age 31) has been found. It probably meant that he was in charge since no commander was mentioned at the time.

Henry was not listed as owning slaves in the inventory of his estate, but his half brother, John Cooper Jr., was shown as owning "2 Negroes & 2 chd" worth 90 pounds when he died in 1678. This means that Henry had opportunity to own slaves, but chose not to do so. In the greater Southampton area in a 1698 census, there were 83 Negro slaves representing about 8 percent of the total population. Many of these were freed by the owners in the 1700s as recorded in Southampton records.

March 2, 1680/1. "Att a Court of Sessions held at Southampton Begune the 2nd day of March 1680/1 Was Presented to the Court by Mary Peirson Relict & Widow of Henry Peirson of South Hampton deceased an Inventory of her said Husbands estate Aprized by Mr John Howell, Edward Howell, John Jessupe, Thomas Cooper who were Sworne by Mr John Tapping Justice of the Peace which Inventory and Aprizemt was allowed by the Court & Ordered to be Recorded; being as Followeth (dated 8 Nov 1680, see above). Upon the Petition of the said Mary Peirson for Liberty to Administer upon the aforesaid Estate as also to Ascertain her third of the whole estate according to Law. The Court doth Admit her the said Mary Peirson to be sole Administratrix of the whole Estate she performing the same according to Law as also her third pt of said according to her petition."

March 3, 1680/1. "Henry Peirson Inventory. There is a petition of Mary Peirson, widow of the deceased, dated 3 March 1680/1. She has several small children and asks letters of administration and that the court decide, after her one-third is deducted, how much shall be given to her sons and daughters and that she have the guardianship of the younger children."

Mary Peirson remarried to the Rev. Seth Fletcher in May 1682 who was the son of Robert Fletcher of Concord, Massachusetts. Seth Fletcher had married 1st Mary, daughter of Bryan Pendleton of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Seth Fletcher became the minister in Southampton in 1676 and remained as minister until about the beginning of 1679. The Reverend was installed as minister at Elizabethtown, New Jersey, in 1680. He died in 1682, after marrying 2nd Mary Peirson, leaving an estate valued at 559 pounds, 5 shillings, 8 pence.

March 21, 1691/2. (Abstract by Wm. Pelletreau) "Whereas there are several pieces of meadow laid to a 300 pound lotment to Henry Pierson deceased, lying at Quaquanantuck purchase, in 4 lots, and 5 acres, which now by agreement belong to Joseph, Henry, and Theodore Pierson, and Mathew Howell assignee to Benjamen Pierson. The said Henry, Joseph and Theodore (Pierson) make over to Mathew Howell all that lot of meadow at Quaquanantuck Neck. Witness John Howell, Joseph Wickham March 21, 1691." This documentation leaves little doubt about the names of four of Henry Peirson's sons.

[Dick Pierson 9/2007]

https://worldconnect.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&d... ...........................................................

The ancestors of the Pierson family were clear, cool, consistent men of mature opinions, of large and fair views. They were rare men, men of comprehensive, exact, liberal, regulated minds. They were highly educated, and stood high in the community in regard to educational talents and integrity. Being nearly all of Puritan stock they possessed all the religious earnestness of their age.

(I) Henry Pierson, the first of the name of whom we have definite information, was one of the first settlers of Southampton, Long Island, in 1640, coming from Lynn, Massachusetts, with his brother Abraham. He served as clerk of Suffolk county from 1655 to 1669. He married Mary Cooper [?]; children : Joseph, see forward; Henry, born 1652, died 1701; Benjamin, died 1731; Theodore, born before 1659; Sarah, born January 20, 1660. Henry Pierson (father) died in 1680-81.

New England Families, Genealogical and Memorial: a record of the ..., Volume 3 By William Richard Cutter

http://books.google.com/books?pg=PA1324&lpg=PA1324&dq=ephraim%20pierso n%20%2B%20submit%20stowe&sig=VSQByJXFO9LU2wAo3x1JCW7K3Uc&ei=ZE7LSsGEJo uMtgfosoHaAQ&ct=result&id=7_UsAAAAYAAJ&ots=WFdtJ-Nppt&output=text ____________________________________________________________________________________________

There is also this: There is some recent research that concludes he is not the son Abraham and Christiana Pierson .

It was assumed for many years that Henry graduated from TrinityCollege, Cambridge, England and came to America in 1639 with his brothers, (Rev.) Abraham and Thomas, to serve the growing Pilgrim settlement (Puritans). They first went to Lynn, MA, then toSouthampton, Long Island, NY. Henry was town clerk in Southamptonfrom 1663-1669 and clerk of the County Court from 1669-1680. However,Thomas W. Cooper, II in his article "The Cooper-Pierson-Griggs Connection" Long Island, Massachusetts and Buckinghamshire, England published in October 1989 in The American Genealogist, Vol. 64, No.4, concludes with good evidence that Henry was instead the son of William Pierson of Olney, Buckinghamshire, England, the step-son rather than the son-in-law of John Cooper, Jr., and the half-brother rather than the husband of Mary Cooper, John Cooper's daughter.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
He was baptized as Harry Pearson (son of William Pearson). The dictionary gives Harry as a diminutive of Henry in middle English. Records shows that Henry Pierson left England for America in May 1639 probably in the "Mayflower" which departed London, Master William Caine, in about May 1639 and arrived in New England, probably Boston,in about July 1639 (7 to 10 week trip). Also shown as Henry Peirson.(Pierson Millennium)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
During the War this name was frequently spelled Peirson; and not only that way, but also Parson, Parsons, Person and persons. Many of the Family spell it Peirson today - notably in Western Mass. It will also be observed that all the autographs in the following biographies give the name as Peirson. On the other hand, we have the authority of the Pierson Gen. and of Howell's "Southampton" for writing it Pierson; and Hon. James H. Pierson, of Southampton, who has made a careful inquiry, declares to the same effect. It is certain that nearly all the descendants of the Refugees, of this name, have adopted the form, Pierson. The founder of the Family on L. I. was Henry 1, who came from Lynn, Mass., to Southampton, in 1640. He m. Mary Cooper, of Lynn; d.in 1680.

His sons were:

• Lt. Joseph 2,;
• Col Henry 2;
• Benjamin 2, who removed to N.J.; and
• Theodore 2.

Henry 1, was at Stamford, Conn., about 1640; and at Hempstead, L.I., by 1647. He had:

• John 2,
• Daniel 2,
• Joseph 2,
• Henry 2,
• Benjamin 2, and
• Sarah 2.

(N.Y. Gen'l and Biog'l Rec,. 10, 12) He went from Stamford to Hempstead, in 1644. (Chap. 16.Also Huntington's "Stamford," p. 39) The Family tradition is that henry 1, d. at Southampton; and that his Wid. and son, Benjamin 2, removed to Elizabeth, N.J. (Hon. James H. Pierson) (Refugees of 1776from LI to CT)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There is some recent research that concludes he is not the son Abraham and Christiana Pierson .

This was proved by Thomas Cooper II in TAG 64:193 - Oct 1989. That Henry Pierson followed his mother and her second family by a few years (they came in the Hopewell in 1635. He followed about 1640).

Besides several "clues", the "smoking gun" was a real estate deed found in England where John Cooper, Jr., and Henry Pierson of Southampton, Long Island joined together to sell land the y owned in England. In that deed, they described themselves as brothers "through the same mother." And, Henry specificially says he is the son of William Pearson, matching the birth record found by Mr. Cooper in Olney earlier.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

John Cooper was his step-father. Wibroe Griggs was his real mother. His father was William P earson. This Henry was born in Olney, Buckingham,England in 12/10/1615 to William and Wibroe (Griggs) Pierson. Wibroe married second John Cooper. (Arlene Murdock)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DEATH: Page 419.-- Letters of administration on estate of HENRY PIERSON, Southampton, granted to his widow Mary Pierson, November 18, 1681. Inventory:

Wearing aparall, ½21. His books, ½6 19s. House and land adjoining,½350. Close at Old Town,½100. Close at Littleworth½120. Land in Great and Little Plains,½66. Land in Hog neck,½13. Total amt,½1276. [NOTE.--Henry Pierson was Town Clerk of Southampton for many years. His house lot is where the Presbyterian Church now stands, and it extended east to Old Town street or lane. W. S. P.]

https://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=hugginsj...