The Pearce Family
Frank Pearce in NE corner of house at 47 Forsyth St., Marmora
The story of the Pearce family in Canada begins in Norwood, surveyed as part of Asphodel Township in 1820. By 1832, after a few settlers had made their way via Rice Lake, the population of the Township was 265, increasing to 3000 by 1870. The first mill was set up by Joseph Keeler of Colborne, and in 1836, it was being operated by Peter Pearce, who had arrived in Canada the previous year from Mevagissey, Cornwall, England, with hiswife, Jane Bond. They were accompanied by 6 children,Peter Jr., Ellen, Elizabeth, Timothy, Samuel and Caroline. Three children were born thereafter -Aseneath, Josiah & Joseph
Jane Bond Pearce, Wife of Peter Pearce, Sr.
Born: 1784 at Land's End, Cornwall, England Came to Canada in 1835Died: October 20, 1861
Mrs. Jane Pearce of Peterborough and mother of Peter Pearce, Esquire of Norwood Circuit, an active and enthusiastically-minded Wesleyan, was born in a small sea-port town on the coast of Cornwall, England, called Mevagissey. Her maiden name was Bond. It is highly probable that she was favoured from infancy with the advantages furnished by that form of Christianity called Methodism, for which her native country has been so remarkable since the days of Wesley, as she is said to have experienced the "peace and joy of faith" as early as her fifteenth year, and connected herself with the society of which she continued a member till the day of her death, during the long period of sixty two years. At the age of twenty-nine she married Mr. Peter Pearce, a Wesleyan. He was a miller by trade and part of his life a mill-owner, in very respectable circumstances. This worthy couple, with their family, held it among their most cherished recollections of their lives that they had enjoyed the company of preacher, travelling and local, in their weekly visits to this out-lying appointment of the circuit.
Children of Peter Pearce Sr. and Jane Bond Pearce
Peter Pearce, Jr., Farmer, miller, County Warden 1812–1875
Ellen Jane Pearce 1818–1874 married Richard Parnell 1819-1893
Elizabeth Pearce 1820–1851- Married John Williams
Timothy Pearce 1822–married Lucinda Kennedy and had son, Jack Kennedy
Samuel Bond Pearce, a miller 1824–1885 - married Elizabeth Inch 1833-1906. They had 10 children
Caroline Pearce 1825–1900
Aseneath Pearce 1828–
Josiah Pearce Died at 19 yrs old
Joseph Burgess Pearce Remained in England. Two daughters: Arabella and Elizabeth
INTERMENTS OF PEARCE FAMILY MEMBERS AT MARMORA PROTESTANT CEMETERY - 2009
The failure of worldly enterprise and the decay of trade from time, subjected them at sundry times to serious trials; but it was remarked of this good woman that she paid out to those whom she chanced to owe, when due, the last penny, although she knew not where the next meal for her family might come from. But pursuing that honourable and Christian course, she was never left to want, ---although the relief trusted for came often only on the last extremity. Some of these providential interpositions, in the recollection of her children, were among the most extraordinary ever recorded.
In 1839, the family came to this country and experienced all the vicissitudes usually attended on such an undertaking. But in all, this steadfast woman maintained her integrity. Although the writer knew little of her personally, she is remembered by her leader and class-mates as punctual to the means, till age and infirmity prevented; and as one possessed of a clear and active mind and great freedom and appropriate- ness of language in speaking and prayer. Her course was terminated by a gradual decay of body and mind. During her last illness, which was short, her mind, during its lucid intervals, dwelt on the subjects embraced in the "ruling passion", - religion, in connection with herself and family. Her last and only solicitude was manifested for the safety of an unconverted child. To her steadfast, religious son, she said, "The Lord will be with you and bless you." To a son-in-law, with whom she had once some slight misunderstanding, she said, "There was once a cloud between us, but it is now passed away." When she closed her eyes at any time, she would still affirm, that she could see her departed husband as if waiting to receive her. She said, "I am going home to heaven." Thus did she solace herself while going down into the dark valley of the shadow of death. Two days before her departure, she became totally insensible to joy and grief, pleasure and pain. And on the 20th of October, 1861, she fell asleep in Jesus, aged nearly 77.
(The Peterborough Despatch - June 19, 1862)
(Material donated to the Marmora Historical Foundation by Peter Marett)
LINK to 2nd generation - Peter Pearce Jr. & Almira Edmunds, Norwood including 3rd generation Joseph Burgess Pearce, Norwood and Havelock
LINK to 3rd generation - Josiah Williams Pearce, Marmora
LINK to 3rd generation - Thomas Peter Pearce, Marmora
LINK The Pearce Company
INTERMENTS OF PEARCE FAMILY MEMBERS AT MARMORA PROTESTANT CEMETERY - 2009(Click here)
