Eastern Pennsylvania
Most of the following people were born or lived in Eastern Pennsylvania during the 1700s.  For raw data on these people, click here.

George Pearsall
Page 1352
Chapter 45, Section 1
George Pearsall, son of Thomas Pearsall, Chapter 27, Section 1; resided at Pearsall, Hellgate Neck and Middleburg, all names of the same place on Long Island, New York; removed to New Jersey, thence to the Delaware Peninsula; thence to the head of the Brandywine within the disputed territory between Maryland and Pennsylvania, later known as Nantmeal Township, Chester County, Pa.; married –. Children:
John Pearsall. Chapter 45, Section 2.
Jeremiah Pearsall. Chapter 45, Section 23.
The biographical narrative begins with two of George’s land transactions in September 1667 in Newtown, Long Island. Aside from the land documents and a brief reference to a tax record, no other sources mentioning George are cited in the text. The text explains that George apparently became involved in the last boom in New Jersey. "George Pearsall in 1667 moved over into Elizabeth, New Jersey; the charter for which had been granted in 1664 to Daniel Denton, Luke Watson and others. Some time before 1676 Luke Watson promoted an emigration to the Delaware River section of New Jersey. George Pearsall joined in this movement. They tried several places until the most of the party located in Cape May County. In 1678 Luke Watson removed to the other side of the river into what shortly thereafter became Pennsylvania, where he became a member of the council of that province from 1684 to 1688. About the same time a small party, including George Pearsall, passed over into the upper Delaware Peninsula, where they finally settled within what was believed to be the province of Maryland. The lands they occupied were at the head of the Octararo whose fountain waters are located in Welsh Mountain. This location is now in Chester and Lancaster counties, Pennsylvania." The narrative then provides a lengthy account of the dispute between Maryland and Pennsylvania over which colony owned that area. The Pearsalls settled under the belief they were within Maryland’s boundaries, which explains why they didn’t apply for Pennsylvania land patents until 1717. The narrative ends with a hazy tradition about George’s death. "The Beaver County Piersols have a tradition that their ancestor, George Pearsall, was killed and scalped by the Indians near Philadelphia. This must refer to general locality and not to actual place. For George Pearsall died very soon after William Penn became proprietor of Pennsylvania and at this time there were no Indian troubles near Philadelphia, though there may have been such in the Susquehanna country."

Comments
+ As noted in the introduction, "The Fabulous Pearsalls," which appeared in the October 1941 edition of The American Genealogist, effectively shot down the link between Thomas and his alleged sons on Long Island, including George.
+ A George does appear in records in Hempstead, Long Island, but I have not found any references to him – or any other Georges – in Pennsylvania before the late 1700s. In fact, I have found only one reference to any Pennsylvania Pearsalls before 1716 – to Edward in 1706. This seems rather strange if George, both his sons and all of their children moved into the area in the late 1600s. The Pearsall history claims that he and his son don’t appear in Pennsylvania records because they sided with Maryland in its dispute with William Penn over the area. However, Pearsalls are also absent from the early records of Cecil County, Md., which abuts Chester County, Pa.


John Pearsall
Page 1358
Chapter 45, Section 2
John Pearsall, son of George Pearsall, Chapter 45, Section 1; died circa 1680; resided at Chester Co., Pennsylvania; married first –; married second, Mary –. Child of first marriage:
John Pearsall. Chapter 45, Section 3.
Child of second marriage:
Jeremiah Pearsall. Chapter 45, Section 22.

The biographical narrative begins by mentioning the will of John’s second wife, who had remarried and was known as Mary Jarmen. The narrative provides two pages of information on the Jerman/Jarmen family. A family of that name lived on Long Island at about same time as George.

Comments
+ I have found no proof that any John Piersol lived in what’s now Chester County, Pa., before 1716. Since John supposedly died before the foundation of Pennsylvania, it’s not surprising that his name doesn’t appear in its records. However, the earliest reference to Pearsalls in the area –Edward in 1706 – doesn’t reflect the names of John’s alleged sons, either. No other Piersols appear until 1716. This is a surprising lack of evidence for a family who supposedly arrived in 1680. The theory that the family sympathized with Maryland’s claim on the area doesn’t hold water since the Piersols don’t appear in the records of Cecil County, Md., either.
+ Mary Jerman does not appear to have been married to a Piersol at any time in her life. However, it’s to be an easy mistake to make since her will seems to indicate that she had four sons, each with a different surname – among them Jeremiah Peirsol. The will appears in Chester County, Pa., Estate File 762. However, it seems certain that these four men were actually the husbands of Mary’s daughters. Chester County, Pa., Deed Book P2, pages 444-452, records a series of transactions that followed the death of Mary’s husband, Jeremiah Jerman, who died without leaving a will. A 1737 deed mentions "Jeremiah Piersall and Mary, his wife" but adds that Mary was among the "the Daughters of the said Jeremiah Jerman." In addition, a 1735 deed lists "Jeremiah Piersel and Mary" among the "Children and Daughters of Jeremiah Jerman late of Uwchlan Deceased." Since Jeremiah Piersel obviously wasn’t a child of Jeremiah Jerman, it seems certain that the reference is to his wife, Mary Piersel. It seems very likely that Mary Jerman’s will reflects a legal shorthand – or a mistake – that equated the daughter’s husbands with the daughters. Finally, one has to wonder how Mary could be the mother of both Jeremiah and John if only Jeremiah is listed in the will.


John Pearsoll
Page 1360
Chapter 45, Section 3
John Pearsoll, son of John Pearsall, Chapter 45, Section 2; born 1677; died November 8, 1777, aged one-hundred yours; resided at West Nantmeal Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania; married Alice –, who died December, 1789, aged 84 years. Children:
Sara Pearsoll, married William Porter.
Elizabeth Pearsoll, married Richard Pearsall. Chapter 45, Section 24.
Alice Pearsall, born April 5, 1733; died January 20, 1820, aged 86 years, 9 months and 15 days; gravestone in the graveyard on the old Trego Farm, Honeybrook Township, Chester County, Pa.; married Joseph Trego, whose grave is alongside of his wife, born February 21, 1732, died October 29, 1806.
Rebecca Pearsoll, died before 1785; married Matthew Brown.
John Pearsoll, Chapter 45, Section 4.
Mary Pearsoll, died March 6, 1748, aged 19 years; married David Davis.
Jeremiah Pearsoll. Chapter 45, Section 11.

The narrative includes an abstract of John’s will and information from a land transaction, two tax records and a petition to divide Nantmeal Township. Almost half of the two pages of text describes the history of John’s neighbors who are mentioned in the land transactions.

Comments
+ John appears frequently in Chester County records beginning in 1716. This is in sharp contract to his alleged grandfather, father and uncle, who never appear.
+ There is no proof that the elder John was this John’s father. In fact, there is no proof that anyone named John Piersol lived anywhere in southeastern Pennsylvania before 1716. The first Piersol to appear in local records is Edward in 1706. No others appear until 1716. It seems more likely that John’s father was Edward – although Edward could probably be ruled out if he was also the man who was Richard’s brother (see Chapter 46, Section 1). It’s also possible that John emigrated from England or Wales and his parents remained there.


John Piersol
Page 1362,
Chapter 45, Section 4
John Piersol, son of John Pearsoll, Chapter 45, Section 3; resided at West Nantmeal, Chester Co., Pennsylvania; died 1815; married Dinah Davies, daughter of Zaccheus Davies. Children:
Sarah Piersol, married Isaac Kyle.
Mary Piersol, married – Scott.
Zaccheus Piersol. Chapter 45, Section 5.

No narrative.

Comments
+ John Jr. appears in Chester County records from 1747 to 1765.
+ John actually died in 1765 or 1766. John appears in Chester County tax records in 1765 but in 1766 his wife Dinah is listed in his place. In his father’s will, written in 1773, "Dinah Kennedy" is mentioned as a daughter-in-law. This indicates that Dinah remarried after 1768, the last time the name Dinah Piersol appears in tax records. The elder John’s will can be found in Chester County, Pa., Estate File 3145.
+ John’s wife, Dinah, was the second daughter of Jenkins Davis, according to "Biographical Annals of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania," by J.H. Beers & Co., pages 1519 and 1520.


Zaccheus Piersol
Page 1362
Chapter 45, Section 5
Zaccheus Piersol, son of John Piersol, Chapter 45, Section 4; died November 18, 1804; resided in Salisbury Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, and Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; married August 17, 1779, Margaret Davis, or Davies, daughter of Gabriel Davies and Jane Douglas his wife. Margaret Davis was born September 15, 1756; died February 10, 1829; buried February 12, 1829, St. John’s Church Compound. They were of the Welsh settlement of Chester County and later of Bangor Church in Lancaster County. Chidlren:
Dinah Piersol, married Thomas Thomas.
John Piersol. Chapter 45, Section 6.
John Piersol, resided in Salisbury Township, Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania; married 1802, Isaac Lytle, born in Lampster, Lancs. Co., Pa., 1772; sons of Colonel Andrew Lytle.
Davis Piersol.
Gabriel Piersol, died Jun, 1869.
Thomas Piersol. Chapter 45, Section 7.
Archibald Piersol. Chapter 45, Section 8.
Isaac Piersol, died 1838; unmarried.
Margaret Douglas Piersol, married John Whitehall Luckey.
10, 11, 12. Three other children, whose names are not known.

The narrative is a rundown of Zaccheus’ Revolutionary War and postwar militia records. It starts with his appearance as a corporal in the Lancaster County militia in 1776 and ends with his appearance as a major in 1792.

Comments
+ Zaccheus appears in the records of Lancaster County from 1776 to 1797.
+ Zaccheus appears to have owned land in western Pennsylvania. Allegheny County Orphans Court records mention that Zaccheus owned land in Elizabeth Township. They also mention that his oldest son was named John. Note: The death date does not agree with that provided in the Pearsall history. – Docket page 107, #452, as recorded in "Orphan’s Court Docket I, Allegheny County, Pa., 1789-1820," abstracted by KTH McFarland, page 46.


Jeremiah Piersol
Page 1367
Chapter 45, Section 11
Jeremiah Piersol, son of John Piersol, Chapter 45, Section 3; born 1728; died February 28, 1771, aged 43 years; gravestone in graveyard of P.E. Church at Churchville, Chester Co., Pennsylvania; resided in Chester Co., Pennsylvania; married first –; married second, Bathsheba Ann Babb, daughter of Peter Babb and his wife Mary Lewis of West Calm. Children:
Mordecai Piersol. Chapter 45, Section 12.
Hannah Piersol.
Peter Piersol. Chapter 45, Section 15.
Mary Piersol, married Eli Trego, son of John Trego.

No Narrative.

Comments
+ Jeremiah appears frequently in Chester County records starting in 1749. He owned a mill. He didn’t leave a will but his estate papers were filed in 1771, according to Chester County, Pa., Estate File 2604.
+ It seems to be very unlikely that Jeremiah married twice. Quaker records from 1748 mention that Bathsheba Bab was disowned for marrying outside the denomination. The first marriage of their son, Mordecai, occurred in 1770, according to "Lancaster County Pennsylvania Church Records of the 18^th Century," Vol. 3, by F. Edward Wright, page 110. He was probably born in 1749 or 1750. Although it’s possible that the union was a second marriage for both Jeremiah and Bathsheba, it seems most likely that they married in 1748 – the year before Jeremiah starts appearing in tax records. The reference to Bathsheba’s marriage appears in "Early Church Records of Chester County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, Quaker Records of Bradford Monthly Meeting," by Martha Reamy, page 135.


Mordecai Peirsol
Page 1368
Chapter 45, Section 12
Mordecai Peirsol, son of Jeremiah Piersol, Chapter 45, Section 11; resided at West Nantmeal Township, Chester, Co., and Easton, Northampton Co., Pennsylvania; married first, Margaret –; married second, Ann Rebecca Douglass, daughter of George Douglass, born February 13, 1757. No children of the first marriage. Children of the second marriage:
Mary Piersol, married William H. Freeman. No children.
Bathsheba Peirsol, born March 13, 1782; buried March 20, 1871, in Easton Cemetery, aged 89 years; married Thomas Bullman.
Jeremiah Peirsol; married Ann Maria –. Child: 1. William Peirsol.
William Peirsol. Chapter 45, Section 14.
Andrew Douglass Peirsol.
Mordecai Peirsol.
Isaac Peirsol
George Douglass Peirsol, born February 26, 1780; died January 23, 1782.

The narrative lists several land warrants to Mordecai from the state of Pennsylvania. It also mentions a deed that identifies Mordecai as Jeremiah’s oldest son. It is dated Oct. 29, 1774 and appears in Deed Book F 2, page 42. The account then describes an iron furnace built by Mordecai about 1764.

Comments
+ Mordecai appears in numerous Chester County records starting in 1770. He inherited his father’s mill. He owned a slave. He paid fines to the county militia, probably for failing to muster for duty, which was required of all Pennsylvania men during the Revolution.
+ Mordecai’s first wife was Margaret Aston. Their license was dated Feb. 20, 1770, according to "Lancaster County Pennsylvania Church Records of the 18^th Century," Vol. 3, by F. Edward Wright, page 110.
+ Mordecai and Margaret had at least one child, John, who was born July 7, 1775. The birth is recorded in the records of St. Gabriel’s Protestant Episcopal Church in Amity Township, Berks County, Pa., according to "Pennsylvania Births, Berks, County, 1710-1780," by John T. Humphrey, page 259.
+ Mordecai and Rebecca may have had one more daughter, Margaret, who was born Feb. 2, 1782. However, Margaret may be Mary’s full name. The birth is recorded in the records of St. Gabriel’s Protestant Episcopal Church in Amity Township, Berks County, Pa., according to "Pennsylvania Births, Berks, County, 1710-1780," by John T. Humphrey, page 258.
+ Bathsheba was born March 18, 1782, according to "Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Church Records of the 18^th Century, Vol. 5," by Robert L. Hess and F. Edward Wright, page 156.
+ George Douglass Peirsol did not die in 1782. He was baptized Feb. 24, 1783, according to "Register of Marriages and Baptisms kept by the Rev. Traugott Frederick Illing," Harrisburg Publishing Co., 1891, page 21.


Peter Peirsol
Page 1369
Chapter 45, Section 15
Peter Peirsol, son of Jeremiah Piersol, Chapter 45, Section 11; resided in Honeybrook, Chester Co., Pennsylvania; married –. Children:
Bathsheba Peirsol, married John Lewis. Children 1. Samuel Lewis, born 1814; died May 18, 1882; married Margaretta Manck. 2. Evan Lewis, born August 22, 1816; died April 5 1866; married Mary Rettew, born 1823; died September 13, 1854. 3 Lewis Piersol Lewis, born August 24, 1821; died January 22, 1901; married Sara Jane Rettew, born March 17, 1826; died September 5, 1912. 4. Elizabeth Lewis, born August 28, 1826; died December 28, 1895.
Rebecca Peirsol.
Richard Peirsol, married Hannah Bunn.
Mordecai Peirsol. Chapter 45, Section 16.
Elizabeth Peirsol.

No narrative.

Comments
+ Peter appears in Chester County tax records beginning in 1779.
+ Peter died about 1807, when his will was proved, according to "Abstracts and Administrations 1713-1825: Chester Co, Pa.," from USGenWeb Archives. The will doesn’t mention a daughter named Elizabeth. His wife is not mentioned in his will, so it is likely that she died earlier.


Jeremiah Pearsall
Page 1372
Chapter 45, Section 22
Jeremiah Pearsall, son of John Pearsall, Chap. 45, Sec. 2; resided West Nantmeal, Chester Co., Penn.; married Mary –. Child: 1 Mary Pearsall.
The narrative includes a drawing of Jeremiah’s property, showing his neighbors. It then provides information on the neighbors. It also mentions surveys for 1717-19 that mention lands held by Richard Pearsol and John Pearsol [but doesn’t include Jeremiah even though a Jeremiah is listed in the actual records].

Comments
+ Jeremiah appears in Chester County records from 1717 until the 1760s.
+ There is no proof that John was Jeremiah’s father or that anyone named John Piersol lived in southeastern Pennsylvania before 1716. The first Piersol to appear in local records is Edward in 1706. No others appear until 1716. It seems more likely that Jeremiah’s father was the Edward who appears in 1706, unless he’s the same man who died in 1717 (Chapter 46, Section 1). That Edward was the brother of Richard and the son of Elizabeth, according to his will, which appears in Philadelphia County Will Book D, page 77. He might have been Jeremiah’s brother, although he doesn’t mention Jeremiah in his will. It’s also possible that Jeremiah emigrated from England or Wales and his parents remained there.
+ Mary Jerman was actually Jeremiah’s mother-in-law, not his mother. In fact, Mary Jerman does not appear to have married a Piersol at any time in her life. However, it’s an easy mistake to make since her will seems to indicate that she had four sons, each with a different surname – among them Jeremiah Peirsol. The will appears in Chester County, Pa., Estate File 762. However, it seems certain that these four men were actually the husbands of Mary’s daughters. Chester County, Pa., Deed Book P2, pages 444-452, records a series of transactions that followed the death of Jeremiah Jerman, who died without leaving a will. A 1737 deed mentions "Jeremiah Piersall and Mary, his wife" and four other couples but adds that the women were the "the Daughters of the said Jeremiah Jerman." In addition, a 1735 deed lists "Jeremiah Piersel and Mary" and four other couples as "Children and Daughters of Jeremiah Jerman late of Uwchlan Deceased." Since Jeremiah Piersel obviously wasn’t a child of Jeremiah Jerman, it seems certain that the reference is to his wife, Mary Piersel. It seems very likely that Mary Jerman’s will reflects a legal shorthand – or mistake – that equated the daughter’s husbands with the daughters.
+ The will of Mary Jerman mentions Jeremiah had a daughter, who inherited a feather bed. The Pearsall history takes this as an indication that the unnamed daughter was Jeremiah’s only child. However, this is a bad assumption. The only other grandchildren mentioned in Mary’s will seem to have been the children of Roger Evans and Margaret. Roger and Margaret are named in the above-mentioned land transactions but don’t appear in Mary’s will. It seems that both had died in the intervening years and Mary passed their legacy directly to their children. Mary’s failure to mention other grandchildren in her will should not be taken as an indication that none existed.
+ Jeremiah appears to have had several sons. During the late 1750s and early 1760s, Chester County records show a number of Piersols who suddenly appear "out of nowhere." These men – John, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David – were probably born in the 1730s and 1740s. Only three Piersols appear in the records of southeastern Pennsylvania during that time – John, Richard and Jeremiah. John and Richard left wills identifying their children and grandchildren, which leaves only Jeremiah as a possible father for these mystery men. The problem is that Jeremiah didn’t leave a will so there is no list of his heirs. However, there are several indications – in addition to the process of elimination – that point to Jeremiah being the father of these men. First, each of the men makes his initial appearance in Chester County tax records in West Nantmeal Township, where Jeremiah lived. In addition, at least one – Jacob – lived on property adjoining Jeremiah’s, according to Chester County, Pa., Deed Book L3, page 246. Also, Jacob and David make their first appearance in the tax records as "inmates" in 1760, indicating that they had married since the previous tax assessment and lived on property controlled by someone else – probably their father. Abraham and Isaac were the last of these men to appear, surfacing in 1762. Interestingly, Jeremiah drops out of the tax records in that year. He reappears in 1763 but does not seem to be listed again after that. However, Jeremiah does not appear to have died. In 1762, Jeremiah sold land to Jason Cloud, according to Chester County, Pa., Deed Book Q, page 172. This record mentions that the 50 acres he sold was part of a tract of 307 acres granted him in 1738. The deed was not actually recorded until 1769, when it was entered into the deed books at the request of "the above mentioned Jeremiah Peirsoll." This indicates that the same Jeremiah who sold the land in 1762 was still alive in 1769. He probably didn’t appear in the tax records during this time because he had transferred control of his property to his sons. Since the records only show the sale of one small tract, he must have transferred control without using deeds. Pennsylvania taxed a property’s occupants, not its owners. So, even if Jeremiah still "owned" the land, his sons would appear on the tax lists. Jeremiah must have completed this process by 1762, when he pretty much drops out of the tax lists. This also would explain why he didn’t leave a will.
+ In addition to the men mentioned above, it seems pretty certain that Jeremiah’s children included the Jeremiah who is described in the Pearsall history’s Chapter 45, Section 36. This Jeremiah is described as the son of John (Chapter 45, Section 24). However, John probably died childless and actually appears to have been Jeremiah’s older brother. Jeremiah seems to appear in Chester County records in the 1770s, although it’s a bit difficult to tell exactly when his father stops appearing and when he starts. If this Jeremiah did emerge in the early 1770s, he was probably born in the late 1740s or early 1750s. During those decades, the elder Jeremiah was the only Piersol who could have been having children who aren’t already accounted for in wills.
+ It’s also possible that Jeremiah had a son named William (Chapter 47, Section 2). William reportedly was born in 1748 and lived to be 100 years old. If he really was born in 1748, it’s pretty certain that Jeremiah was his father because there are no other viable candidates. However, if William were actually born later, it’s possible that he was the son of one of Jeremiah’s son. For details see the comments on Chapter 47, Section 2.


Jeremiah Pearsall
Page 1373
Chapter 45, Section 23
Jeremiah Pearsall, son of George Pearsall, Chapter 45, Section 1; died before 1700; resided at Nantmeal Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania; married Elizabeth –. Children:
Edward Pearsall, Chapter 46, Section 1.
Richard Pearsall, Chapter 45, Section 24.

The entire narrative reads: "Edward Pearsall, in his will dated August 1717, names his mother Elizabeth Pearsall, from which it is assumed that his father was dead at the time; and he also mentions his brother, Richard."

Comments
+ There is no proof that anyone named Jeremiah Pearsall lived in what’s now Chester County, Pa., before 1717. The earliest references to a Pearsall in the area is to Edward in 1706.
+ Since Edward’s will, which is transcribed in the Pearsall history, doesn’t mention his father’s name, there’s no proof that Edward and Richard’s father was named Jeremiah.
+ Edward’s will does not preclude other Piersols in the area from being his brothers. The will only mentions that Richard and Edward co-owned property and were brothers. It’s very possible that other brothers – such as Jeremiah and John – owned other property.


Richard Pearsall
Page 1373
Chapter 45, Section24
Richard Pearsall, son of Jeremiah Pearsall, Chapter 45, Section 23; resided in Chester Co., Pennsylvania; married Elizabeth Pearsoll, daughter of John Pearsoll, Chapter 45, Section 3. Children:
Richard Piersol, Chapter 45, Section 25.
John Peirsol. Chapter 45, Section 35.

The brief narrative focuses on the dispute between Pennsylvania and Maryland over the area that is now Chester County. It notes that "Richard Pearsall was among the last of those who accepted the proprietorship of the Penns as to the lands south of the fortieth parallel in the Chesapeake country." However, no sources for this information are cited.

Comments
+ No one fitting this profile ever existed. First, even if this Richard had existed, he could not have married Elizabeth, the daughter of John Pearsoll. John’s daughter, Elizabeth, and her husband, Richard, are mentioned in the will John’s wife, Alice, wrote in 1785. The Richard who actually married Elizabeth died in 1800, when his will was proved. (Both wills are abstracted in USGenWeb Archives in "Abstracts and Administrations 1713-1825: Chester Co, Pa.") These facts fit the profile of this Richard’s "grandson," who is described in Chapter 45, Section 26.
+ The Richard who was truly the brother of Edward was, without a doubt, the man listed as this Richard’s "son" (Section 25). Edward died in 1717 and his will mentions that he co-owned land with his brother Richard in Chester County. (Edward’s will appears in Philadelphia County Will Book D, page 77.) The real Richard then appears in an unbroken string of records until 1753, when his will was proved (Chester County, Pa., Estate File 1485).
+ Chester County tax records never list two Richards at the same time during the 1700s. That means that this man didn’t live in Chester County – and, considering the other problems with his profile, probably didn’t even exist.
+ The father of the Richard profiled in Section 25 – the "real" Richard – is unknown. The only Piersol who appears in Pennsylvania records earlier than Richard is Edward – possibly Richard’s brother. It is possible that Edward and Richard – and any other brothers – emigrated from England or Wales.
+ The father of the John profiled in Section 35 appears to have been the Jeremiah profiled in Chapter 45, Section 22. None of the information in John’s profile – aside from the reference to his estate papers – is believable. John Pearsoll died in 1757 and Sarah Pearsoll was appointed his estate’s administrator, according to Chester County, Pa., Estate File 1694. This John also appears in the tax lists of 1756 and 1757 but in no other records. It’s virtually certain that he was born in the 1730s, married about 1756 and died the following year. Only three Piersol men in southeastern Pennsylvania were old enough to have had children in the 1730s – Richard, John and Jeremiah. Richard and John’s children and grandchildren are known. Jeremiah didn’t leave a will but it seems very likely that his children included John – and several other "unaccounted for" Piersols who appear in the 1750s and 1760s.


Richard Piersol
Page 1374
Chapter 45, Section 25
Richard Piersol, son of Richard Pearsall, Chapter 45, Section 24; resided at West Nantmeal, Chester Co., Pennsylvania; married Bridget –. She subscribed in 1754 to the building fund of Bangor P.E. Church Hill, Chester Co., Pennsylvania. Children:
Rachel Piersol, married Jacob Morgan.
Elizabeth Piersol, married Davies.
Martha Piersol, married Peter Hunter.
Mary Piersol, born at Rebecca Furnace, Nantmeal Township, Chester Co., Pennsylvania, August 23, 1731; died October 12, 1789; married April 25, 1747, George Douglas, son of Andrew Douglas and his wife Jane Rose. He was born March 25, 1726; died March 10, 1779.
Richard Piersol. Chapter 45, Section 26.

No narrative.

Comments
+ Richard appears in Chester County records between 1717 and 1753.
+ As mentioned above, the man profiled in Chapter 45, Section 24, of the Pearsall history was not Richard’s father and probably didn’t even exist. Richard’s true father is unknown. The only Piersol who appears in Pennsylvania records much earlier than Richard is Edward – possibly his brother – in 1706. It is possible that Edward and Richard – and any other brothers – emigrated from England of Wales.
+ Richard wrote his will May 7, 1753, and it was proved May 24, 1753. His wife was listed as Bridget and his children were Richard, Rachel, Elizabeth, Martha and Mary, according to Chester County, Pa., Estate File 1485.
+ Rachel was born about 1723, according to a biographical item about her husband in "Transactions of the Historical Society of Berks County."


Richard Peirsol
Page 1374
Chapter 45, Section 26
Richard Peirsol, son of Richard Piersol. Chapter 45, Section 25; resided in Honeybrook, Chester County, Pennsylvania; married Elizabeth –. Children:
Rebecca Peirsol.
Rachel Peirsol.
Mary Peirsol.
Alice Peirsol.
Elizabeth Peirsol.
Jacob Peirsol. Chapter 45, Section 27.
John Peirsol. See Z, this Section.
Martha Peirsol.
David Peirsol, predeceased his father.
Isaac Peirsol, predeceased his father.

No narrative.

Comments
+ Richard appears in Chester County records between 1758 and 1800.
+ Richard married Elizabeth Pearsoll, the daughter of John and Alice. Alice’s will, which was written in 1785 and proved in 1790, mentions that her daughter Elizabeth was married to Richard Peirsol. The will appears in USGenWeb Archives in "Abstracts and Administrations 1713-1825: Chester Co, Pa."
+ Richard wrote his will in September 1799 and it was proved April 7, 1800. His wife was listed as Elizabeth and his children were Rebecca, Rachel, Mary, Alice, Elizabeth, Jacob (who was younger than 21) and John. The will appears in USGenWeb Archives in "Abstracts and Administrations 1713-1825: Chester Co, Pa."
+ The book contains no "Z" section concerning John. John lived in Honeybrook Township, Chester County. He wrote his will Dec. 20, 1811 and it was proved Jan. 3, 1812. He doesn’t mention a wife or children. He does mention his brother Jacob and sisters Martha, Rachel, Mary, Alice and Elizabeth and mother-in-law Mary. The executor was his brother-in-law John Thomson.
+ The Jacob who was Richard’s son was probably the man described in Chapter 45, Section 29 – not the man in Section 27. Richard’s son Jacob was younger than 21 in 1799, according to Richard’s will. The Jacob in Section 29 was born in 1784. Richard’s son Jacob had not had any sons by the time of his brother John’s death in late December 1811 or early January 1812. The Jacob in Section 29 had his first son, John, in March of that year.
+ The only Isaac and David mentioned in Chester County records appear in the early 1760s in West Nantmeal Township. They were born too early to be Richard’s sons. An Isaac Pearsol also joined the 2^nd Pennsylvania Battalion during 1776, according to "Pennsylvania in the War of the Revolution: Battalions and Line, 1775-1783," L.S. Hart, page 97. He might have been the man who appears in the 1760s records but I have been unable to determine what area the company was recruited from.


Jacob Piersol
Page 1374
Chapter 45, Section 27
Jacob Piersol, son of Richard Peirsol, Chapter 45, Section 26; resided at West Nantmeal, Chester Co., Pennsylvania; married –. Children:
Isaac Piersol. Chapter 45, Section 28.
William Piersol. Chapter 45, Section 32.

No narrative.

Comment
+ No one fitting this profile ever existed. The Jacob who was Richard’s son was almost certainly the man described in Chapter 45, Section 29. Richard’s son Jacob was younger than 21 in 1799, according to Richard’s will. The Jacob in Section 29 was born in 1784. Richard’s son Jacob had not had any sons by the time of his brother John’s death in late December 1811 or early January 1812. (Richard stipulated that 50 acres be given to Jacob’s son – if he should have one.) The Jacob in Section 29 had his first son, John, in March of that year. Richard and John’s wills appear in USGenWeb Archives in "Abstracts and Administrations 1713-1825: Chester Co, Pa." The birth date for the Jacob in Section 29 is confirmed in "The History of Union County, Ohio," by W.H. Beers & Co., Chicago, 1883, page 351.
+ The profiles of Jacob’s alleged sons, Isaac and William, don’t represent reality, either. Please read their sections for details.


Isaac Piersol
Page 1375
Chapter 45, Section 28
Isaac Piersol, son of Jacob Piersol, Chapter 45, Section 27; resided at West Nantmeal, Chester Co., Pennsylvania; married –. Children:
Jacob Piersol, born March 18, 1784; died 1866. Chapter 45, Section 29.
Sarah Piersol, second wife of James Stevenson Graham.

The entire narrative reads: "Isaac Piersol assessed in 1766 in Chester County, Penna."

Comments
+ No one fitting this profile ever existed. Let’s examine Isaac’s ancestry and do some math. Isaac’s "grandfather" Richard first appears in Chester County tax records in 1758. Since Chester County generally began taxing men when they reached age 21, we can assume he was about that age. We can also assume that he was married since he’s not listed as a "freeman." That means that Isaac’s father Jacob was born no earlier than about 1758. Amazingly, Isaac appears in the tax records only eight years later, in 1766. Obviously, this doesn’t make sense.
+ No Isaac appears in Chester County records after 1766 so it’s extremely unlikely that he could be the father of someone who was born in Chester County in the 1780s (see profile of Jacob in "The History of Union County, Ohio," by W.H. Beers & Co., Chicago, 1883, page 351). It’s almost certain that the man identified here as Isaac’s son Jacob was actually the son of Richard from Chapter 45, Section 26. The two generations between Richard and Jacob seem to be fictitious or misplaced.
+ The father of the "real" Isaac – who appeared in Chester County tax records from 1762 to 1776 – was probably the Jeremiah profiled in Chapter 45, Section 2. Since Isaac first appears in tax records in 1762, he was probably born about 1741. During that time, the records of southeastern Pennsylvania show only three Piersol men – Richard, John and Jeremiah. Richard and John’s children and grandchildren are known because they left wills. Jeremiah didn’t leave a will and property records don’t records any heirs. However, a number of Piersols – Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, John and Jeremiah – appear in Chester County during the 1750s and 1760s. It seems very likely that each was a son of Jeremiah, primarily since there are absolutely no other candidates in southeastern Pennsylvania. It seems possible that Jeremiah gave his land to his sons before his death, which would explain the lack of a will or specific references to heirs in the Chester County deed books. Jeremiah acquired quite a bit of land but is rarely seen selling it. (See Chester County, Pa., Deed Book Q, page 172, and Deed Book L3, pages 244-246.)


Jacob Piersol
Page 1375
Chapter 45, Section 29
Jacob Piersol, son of Isaac Piersol, Chapter 45, Section 28; born March 18, 1784; died 1866; resided at Ostrander, Ohio; married May 18, 1809, Mary Magdalene Moyer, widow of Washburn, of Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania. She was born April 15, 1784; died June 6, 1866. Children:
John Piersol, born March 21, 1812. Chapter 45, Section 30
Silas Piersol, born August 26, 1814; died young.
Richard Piersol, born December 6, 1819. Chapter 45, Section 31.
Elizabeth Piersol, born March 15, 1810; married John William Haney.
Julia Ann Piersol, born March 15, 1810; married – Herring.
Mary Ann Piersol, born August 26, 1818; married – Poe.
Sarah Piersol, born July 31, 1822; married John Allison.

No narrative.

Comments
+ The man identified as Jacob’s father didn’t really exist. For details, see the comments on Chapter 45, Section 28.
+ Jacob was almost certainly the son of the Richard in Chapter 45, Section 26. Richard’s son Jacob was younger than 21 in 1799, according to Richard’s will. This Jacob was born in 1784. Richard’s son had not had any sons by the time of his brother John’s death in late December 1811 or early January 1812. (Richard stipulated that 50 acres be given to Jacob’s son – if he should have one.) This Jacob had his first son, John, in March of that year. Richard and John’s wills appear in USGenWeb Archives in "Abstracts and Administrations 1713-1825: Chester Co, Pa." The birth date for the Jacob in Section 29 is confirmed in "The History of Union County, Ohio," by W.H. Beers & Co., Chicago, 1883, page 351.
+ Jacob Pursol appears in the 1850 Census of Mill Creek Township, Union County, Ohio. Jacob and Mary – both 65 and born in Pennsylvania – were listed in the household of Silas Pursol. Silas was a 36-year-old farms who was born in Pennsylvania. His property was valued at $700. Also in the household were Frances, age 26, and James, 2, both born in Ohio.


William Piersol
Page 1377
Chapter 45, Section 32
William Piersol, son of Jacob Piersol, Chapter 45, Section 27; resided at Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; married –. Child:
Isaac Pearsol. Chapter 45, Section 33.

No narrative.

Comments
+ It seems unlikely that this profile represents a real person. First of all, the man identified as his father doesn’t appear in contemporary records and probably didn’t exist. (For details, see the comments on Chapter 25, Section 27.) Second, William would have had to been an adult by at least 1785 to have had a son who was having children by 1806. Only one William appears in Chester County records during the 18^th Century. He appears in tax and militia records during the 1780s and was probably the man who is described in Chapter 47, Section 2. Mordecai (Chapter 45, Section 12) and Jeremiah (Chapter 45, Section 36) had sons named William but they start appearing after 1800. A William appears in Berks County in 1794 but he’s also likely to be the William from Chapter 47, Section 2, or the son of Mordecai, who would have been 19 years old.


Isaac Pearsol
Page 1377
Chapter 45, Section 33
Isaac Pearsol, son of William Piersol, Chapter 45, Section 32; died 1825; resided at Lancaster and Chester Co., Pennsylvania; married Anne Hopper, widow of Whitehill. Children:
Rebecca Pearsol, resided at Salem County, Ohio; married first, George Thomas. No children. She married second, David Thomas. Child: 1 John Thomas.
Sara Pearsol, born June 11, 1806; died August 13, 1895; resided at Lancaster County, Pa.; married first –; married second, William Reese. Child of first marriage, a daughter. Children of second marriage: 1. Annie Reese. 2 John Reese.
John Hopper Pearsol, born January 12, 1818. Chapter 45, Section 34.
William Hopper Pearsol, married Alice –.

No narrative.

Comments
+ There are some serious problems with this profile. First, no Isaac appears in Chester County after 1766 and no Isaac appears in Pennsylvania census records for 1790 or 1800. And the man identified as Isaac’s father, William, does not appear to have existed. For details on that, see comments on Chapter 45, Section 32.


John Pearsall
Page 1379
Chapter 45, Section 35
John Pearsall, son of Richard Pearsall, Chapter 45, Section 24; resided in Chester Co., Pennsylvania; married Sarah –. Children:
Jeremiah Peirsol. Chapter 45, Section 36.
Abraham Peirsol, Chapter 47, Section 1.
Job Pearsall, Chapter 48, Section 1.

The narrative begins: "Letters of Administration were granted upon the Estate of John Pearsall December 13, 1757, to Sarah Pearsoll, in Chester County, Pennsylvania, and recorded in Administration Book 2, page 118." It then describes the boundary dispute between Maryland and Pennsylvania turned into open conflict. "Finally it resulted in a condition of civil war with the side of the Baltimore adherents under the appointed command of Thomas Cresap. In this Maryland force John Pearsall held important command." This is attributed to "Dr. J.W. Thomas – oration re Thomas Cresap. The Daily News, Cumberland, Maryland, June 25, 1919." Cresap’s force tried to assert their control but was eventually rounded up by Pennsylvania authorities. "The prisoners, including John Pearsall, were brought before the Lancaster County court which freed all but Cresap who was remanded for a hearing before the court in Philadelphia. Amid this legal wranglings, Pennsylvania and Maryland decided to draw a boundary, which became known as the Mason Dixon line. Cresap and John Pearsall then ended up in Virginia. "Lord Fairfax had in the meantime induced Job Pearsall, son of John Pearsall, to become the tenant in chief of his manor of South Branch which was located on the south branch of the Potomac, where the present town of Romney, the county seat of Hampshire County, West Virginia, is now located. … John Pearsall went to Virginia with his son and there is every reason to believe that the Manor of South Fork was at first made to him and later released to his son, Job, but in this we have followed the lead of the Virginia historians and credited the tenancy of the Manor of South Branch to his son Job Pearsall. John Pearsall returned to Chester County, Pennsylvania, where he died."

Comments
+ No one matching this profile ever existed. The "real" John – the man who died in 1757 – was probably born in the 1730s. His father was probably the Jeremiah described in Chapter 45, Section 22 of the Pearsall history. John probably didn’t have any children. Abraham and Jeremiah were probably John’s brothers, not his sons. Job’s father is unknown. I have found no records that specifically state a relationship between John and anyone other than Sarah, who presumably was his wife.
+ John appears in Chester County tax records in 1756 and 1757. Since he is not listed as a "freeman" in 1756, he was already married. Since he didn’t appear in previous tax records, it’s pretty certain that he was about 20 years old and had recently married. That puts his approximate birth year at 1735.
+ John’s estate papers were filed Dec. 13, 1757, in Chester County, Pa. Sarah Pearsoll, presumably John’s wife, was named administrator, according to Chester County Estate File 1694. No Piersols appear in the records of the Chester County Orphans Court during the 1750s or 1760s, which would normally indicate that John died childless.
+ During the 1730s, the records of southeastern Pennsylvania show only three Piersol men – Richard, John and Jeremiah. Richard and John’s children and grandchildren are known because they left wills. Jeremiah didn’t leave a will and property records don’t records any heirs. However, a number of Piersols – Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, John and Jeremiah – appear in Chester County during the 1750s and 1760s. It seems very likely that each was a son of Jeremiah, primarily since there are absolutely no other candidates in southeastern Pennsylvania. It seems possible that Jeremiah gave his land to his sons before his death, which would explain the lack of a will or specific references to heirs in the Chester County deed books. Jeremiah acquired quite a bit of land but is rarely seen selling it. (See Chester County, Pa., Deed Book Q, page 172, and Deed Book L3, pages 244-246.)


Jeremiah Peirsol
Page 1382
Chapter 45, Section 36
Jeremiah Peirsol, son of John Peirsol, Chapter 45, Section 35; resided at Honeybrook, Chester Co., Pennsylvania; married Elizabeth –. Children:
Jeremiah Peirsol.
Moses Peirsol. Chapter 45, Section 37.
John Peirsol; died 1814.
Daniel Peirsol. Chapter 45, Section 39.
Samuel Peirsol. Chapter 45, Section 42.
Jane Peirsol, married John Miller.
Sarah Peirsol, married first, September 22, 1796, Samuel Buchanan. She married second, Grimes. [Information about children is not being included here.]
Elizabeth Peirsol, married first, November 27, 1821, John White at St. Mary’s P.E. Church, Warwick, Chester Co., Pennsylvania. She marred second, Goheen. Children of second marriage: 1 Elizabeth Goheen. 2. Lane Goheen. 3. Hannah Goheen.
William Peirsol, predeceased his father. See Z, this Section. [No "Z" was contained in this section.]

No narrative.

Comments
+ Jeremiah appears in Chester County records from 1774 until his death in 1813.
+ Jeremiah was not the son of John Peirsol. John first appears in Chester County tax records in 1756. Since Chester County started taxing men as soon as they were married or reached the age of 21, it’s pretty certain that he was about 20 years old and had recently married. He died the following year and Sarah was named his estate administrator, according to Chester County Estate File 1694. Since no Piersols appears in the records of the Chester County Orphans Court during the 1750s or 1760s, it’s pretty certain that John died childless.
+ Jeremiah was probably the son of the Jeremiah who is described in the Pearsall history’s Chapter 45, Section 22. Since Jeremiah apparently shared a name with his father, it’s difficult to determine exactly when Jeremiah enters the records. However, if he was born between 1717 and 1755, there’s only one serious candidate to be his father – the elder Jeremiah. The children of all other Piersols who appear in the tax records can be determined through wills. Also, a profile of Jeremiah’s grandson, Lewis, gives some indirect support to the link. It states: "Jeremiah Piersol, paternal grandfather of Lewis Piersol, was born in Honeybrook Township, this county, on the old homestead, where he passed his life and died." This indicates that Jeremiah was born on property that he later owned. A series of transactions recorded in Chester County, Pa., Deed Book L3, page 244-246, seem to indicate that Jeremiah lived on or near land owned by the elder Jeremiah. The profile of Lewis appears in "Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Chester County, Pennsylvania," by Winfield S. Garner, page 704. However, it must be admitted that this source is somewhat removed from the events and is, therefore, not as solid as we would hope.
+ William did not predecease his father. Jeremiah died in 1813 and his wife Elizabeth died the following year. William is mentioned in Elizabeth’s will. Her will lists the following surviving children in 1814: William; Jeremiah; Moses; John; Daniel; Samuel; Sarah, wife of Samuel Buchanan; Jane, wife of John Miller; and Elizabeth Peirsol. – "Wills: Abstracts and Administrations 1713-1825: Chester Co, Pa.," at USGenWeb Archives.
+ Elizabeth was not the mother of the Goheen children. Elizabeth’s 1814 will lists Elizabeth, Lane and Hannah Goheen as grandchildren so they cannot be the children of the as-yet-unmarried Elizabeth.


Edward Pearsall
Page 1386
Chapter 46, Section 1
Edward Pearsall, son of Jeremiah Pearsall, Chapter 45, Section 23; resided at Nantmeal and Radnor, Chester Co., Pennsylvania; married January 4, 1717, Dorothy Davis at Christ Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, daughter of John Davis and his wife Ann Evans. Child:
Edward Pearsall, born 1717; died 1762. Chapter 46, Section 2.

The narrative quotes from Edward’s will, which is recorded in Philadelphia County Will Book D, page 77. It reads, in part: " In the name of God Amen, the twenty-sixth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and seventeen I Edward Pearsall of the Township of Radnor in the County of Chester being sick and weak in body but of sound and perfect mind and memory praise be given to Almighty God for the same and calling to mind the uncertainty of life and being desirous to settle things in order do make this my last will and testament … Item. I give and bequeath the one half of all my estate of what kind or nature so ever or in whose hands so ever it now is to my dear and loving wife Dorothy Pearsall to be by her full possessed and enjoyed. Item. I have and bequeath the other half of my estate unto my loving mother Elizabeth Pearsall to be by her freely had and enjoyed and my will is also that immediately after my death my said wife shall be discharged by my brother Richard Pearsall of the bargain that I and he now are partners in concerning the house and plantation where we now life and whereas by servant Richard Hughes was to serve the four years as by his indenture appeareth therefore, my will is that my said servant shall have six months time given him before the expiration of his term by indenture and my will is also that he shall serve the residue of his time in such place or places as my wife shall order until the last six months aforesaid and do hereby nominate and appoint my loving wife aforesaid and my brother Richard to be the executors of this my last will and testament … and whereas my wife aforesaid is now with child therefore my will is that if the said child shall live until it doth attain the full age three years that then my brother Richard is to – five pounds more to my wife aforesaid out of my mothers share towards the maintenance and bringing up of my said child which said five pounds my said brother is to reserve in his hands until he doth see that my said child doth live or not as aforesaid." The narrative explains that Dorothy went home to live with her parents after Edward’s death. The family eventually moved to North Carolina.

Comments
+ The named Edward appears in just three documents: a 1706 deed, his 1717 wedding record and his 1717 will. This may not seem like much but it’s in sharp contract to his alleged father and grandfather, who don’t appear in any records. The will mentions that Edward owned land in partnership with his brother Richard, which might explain why he doesn’t appear in many land records. Richard may have been the controlling partner.
+ Since Edward’s will doesn’t mention his father’s name, there’s no proof that Edward and Richard’s father was named Jeremiah. The only reference to a Piersol in the area much before 1717 is to the Edward in the 1706 deed. It’s possible this reference was to an older Edward who was the husband of Elizabeth but that doesn’t seem very likely. The deed is listed in "Abstracts of Chester County, Pennsylvania, Land Records, Vol. 4," by Carol Bryant, page 68.


Abraham Piersol
Page 1408
Chapter 47, Section 1
Abraham Piersol, son of John Piersol, Chapter 45, Section 35; resided in Chester County, Pennsylvania, near Bangor Episcopal Church. He married –. Children:
Liday Piersol, married January 19, 1786, Jason Cloud.
Phyllis Piersol, baptized May 27, 1792.
William Piersol, Chapter 47, Section 2.
Benjamin Pearsall, born 1752. See Z, this Section.

The entire narrative reads: "Abraham Piersol subscribed to the building fund of the new Bangor P.E. Church in 1765; he had purchased a pew in the old church in 1754."

Comments
+ Just looking at the dates makes this item seem highly improbable. Although it is possible, I have never seen anyone whose earliest child (Benjamin in 1752) was born 40 years before their last child (Phyllis in 1792). Benjamin was born about 1752, according to his Revolutionary War pension application – S40251. Phyllis, presumably was born about 1792 since she supposedly was baptized in that year and Episcopalians practice infant baptism.
+ Abraham appears in Chester County tax records from 1762 to 1769. Since he initially appears in the 1762 tax list, he was probably born about 1741. In 1769, he is listed as a "freeman," which would normally indicate that he had never been married. That would explain why no wife is listed in the Pearsall history’s profile of Abraham. In 1781, Abraham appears on a list of people who rented pews at Bangor Episcopal Church in Lancaster County, Pa., according to "Register of Marriages and Baptisms kept by the Rev. Traugott Frederick Illing," Harrisburg Publishing Co., 1891, page 11. Abraham actually co-rented the pew along with Mordecai Piersol.
+ Abraham does not appear in any property records, militia records, wills or estate papers in Chester County. I have not have the opportunity to search Lancaster County’s records as thoroughly, but Abraham doesn’t appear in early property records, militia records or estate records in there, either. He seems to disappear from Pennsylvania records after 1781. It is unknown whether he died or moved away from the area.
+ Abraham was not the son of John Peirsol. John first appears in Chester County tax records in 1756. Since Chester County started taxing men as soon as they were married or reached the age of majority, it’s pretty certain that John was about 20 years old and had recently married. He died the following year and Sarah was named his estate administrator, according to Chester County Estate File 1694. Since no Piersols appears in the records of the Chester County Orphans Court during the 1750s or 1760s, it’s pretty certain that John died childless.
+ As noted above, Abraham was probably born about 1741. During the late 1730s and early 1740s, the records of southeastern Pennsylvania show only three Piersol men – Richard, John and Jeremiah. Richard and John’s children and grandchildren are known because they left wills. Jeremiah didn’t leave a will and property records don’t records any heirs. However, a number of Piersols – Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David and John – appear in Chester County during the 1750s and 1760s. It seems very likely that each was a son of Jeremiah, primarily since there are absolutely no other candidates in southeastern Pennsylvania. It seems possible that Jeremiah gave his land to his sons before his death, which would explain the lack of a will or specific references to heirs in the Chester County deed books. It would also explain how Abraham appeared from nowhere and held 200 acres without getting himself mentioned in the county’s deed books. Jeremiah acquired quite a bit of land but is rarely seen selling it. (See Chester County, Pa., Deed Book Q, page 172, and Deed Book L3, pages 244-246.)
+ Benjamin was not Abraham’s son. If Abraham married at all, it wasn’t before 1762. Married men appeared in Chester County’s tax records even if they lived with their parents. In fact, Benjamin was almost certainly the son of Job Pearsall of Hampshire County, Va. For details, please see the comments on his profile (Chapter 47, Section 1, Z) as well as that of Benjamin Pearsall (Chapter 49, Section 1) and Job Pearsall (Chapter 48, Section 1).
+ William should probably be ruled out as a son of Abraham’s. William reportedly was born in 1748, which is long before Abraham starts appear in Chester County tax records. Also, William first appears in Chester County tax records in 1781, which prompts questions about his whereabouts between 1769 – when Abraham disappears – and 1781. It’s possible he had been living with a relative before that time, or had just moved into the area. It seems much more likely that William and Abraham were brothers, if they were related at all.
+ It’s extremely unlikely that Abraham was the father of Phyllis. If her birth date in the above item is correct, she was born 23 years after Abraham’s last mention in Chester County records.
+ Liddy/Liday’s parents are unknown but she fits into the branch of the family linked ot Jeremiah. She was married Jan. 19, 1786, to Jason Cloud. Jason was probably the son of the Jason Cloud who owned property adjoining land owned by Jeremiah Piersol in in West Nantmeal Township. The wedding is recorded in "1780-1799 Marriages by Rev. T.F. Illing: St. Peter’s (Lutheran) Middletown & Caernarvon, (Episcopal) Lancaster Co," at USGenWeb Archives. A deed mentioning the Cloud and Piersol land appears in Chester County, Pa., Deed Book L3, page 244.


Benjamin Pearsall
Page 1408
Chapter 47, Section 1, Z
Benjamin Pearsall born 1752 [he is identified as the son of Abraham]; resided in Fayette and Westmoreland Counties, Pennsylvania, and in Ohio Township, Monroe County, Ohio; married Catherine –, born 1765. Children: 1. Nancy Pearsall, born circa 1800. 2. John Pearsall, born circa 1804.

The narrative consists of a rundown of Benjamin’s Revolutionary War service in the 8^th Pennsylvania Regiment. He enlisted in 1776 and fought in the Battles of Brandywine and Paoli and was discharged in Pittsburgh. His pension file is S-40251.

Comments
+ There is no evidence that anyone named Benjamin Piersol ever lived in southeastern Pennsylvania until after the Revolutionary War. The name Benjamin never appears in the records of Chester County or other surrounding counties during the 18^th century.
+ Abraham was not Benjamin’s father. If Abraham married at all, it wasn’t before 1762 – the year he makes his first appearance in Chester County tax records. Married men appeared in the records even if they lived with their parents. Since Benjamin was born in 1753, he could not have been Abraham’s son.
+ It seems virtually certain that Benjamin was the son of Job Pearsall of Hampshire County, Va. (Chapter 48, Section 1). Job had a son named Benjamin but the Pearsall history describes him in Chapter 49, Section 1. It says that he was killed by Native Americans in 1774, which is incorrect, as is shown in the comments on that profile. Two sets of documents can be used to build a strong case that Job’s son survived well after 1774 and moved to Monroe County, Ohio. The first is the will of Job’s other son, John, which was filed in Hampshire County in 1811. During his life, John accumulated much property but didn’t have any children. As a result, he left his property to his brother, sisters, nieces and nephews when he wrote his will in 1809. The will mentions John’s brother Benjamin and later mentions Benjamin’s children, although it doesn’t list their names. This appears to be a pretty solid indication that Benjamin was still alive in 1809. First, it’s extremely unlikely that John would mention Benjamin and his children separately if Benjamin were dead. Second, Benjamin is not listed as deceased. This is in stark contrast to Cornelius Hoagland – apparently a brother-in-law – who is specifically listed as deceased and whose daughters are listed by name as heirs. An abstract of the will appears in "Early Records of Hampshire County, Virginia (Now West Virginia)," compiled by Clara McCormack Sage and Laura Sage Jones, page 129. A check of the actual will in Hampshire County gives no reason to suspect Benjamin was dead at the time. The second set of documents is Benjamin’s 1823 estate papers, which named Job Piercole as administrator. Since estate administrations were usually handled by the closest relative, it seems very likely that Job was Benjamin’s son. (The estate administration papers are listed in "Monroe County, Ohio Records," Vol. VIII, by Catharine F. Fedorchak and Wilma S. Davis, page 88.) The 1820 Census of Ohio Township shows Benjamin Pearseall living near Jobe Persall. It’s certainly more than coincidence that the Benjamin of Hampshire County had a father named Job and the Benjamin of Monroe County apparently had a son named Job. It seems virtually certain that there was only one Benjamin. He was born in 1753, the son of Job. He served in the Continental Army from 1776 to 1779. He lived in the Pittsburgh area from about 1780 until at least 1800, according to military and census records. He named a son after his father. He moved to Monroe County, Ohio, and died there in 1823.
+ The best source of information for Benjamin is his Revolutionary War pension, which is cited in the narrative. In fact, it appears to be the only source of information used by the editors of the Pearsall history. However, much more information on Benjamin is available. The problem is that the editors of the Pearsall history have misplaced some of it in Chapter 51, Section 1, linking it to a man who didn’t really exist.
+ The pension application for Benjamin Pearsall of Monroe County, Ohio, mentions his wife, Catharine; younger children, Nancy and John; and his service in the 8th Pennsylvania Regiment from 1776 to 1779, which was recruited in the Pittsburgh area and southwestern Pennsylvania. In addition to this service, Benjamin Peircall was "ordered to duty" with Westmoreland County, Pa., militia on April 16, 1782, as recorded in "Pennsylvania Archives," Series 6, Vol. 2, page 336. (No other Benjamin Pearsall, of any spelling, appears in Pennsylvania’s Revolutionary records.) However, the pension application – S40251 – also prompts a bit of confusion since it says that Benjamin applied for his pension on Aug. 22, 1818, saying he was 66 years old, making his birth year 1753. Then, it says that Benjamin said he was only 56 in 1820, which would make his birth year 1764. Since the 1800 Census of Allegheny County, Pa., indicated that he was older than 46 in 1800, the earlier birth year is more likely to be correct. He died before June 24, 1824.
+ Benjamin appears to have had more than two children. In the 1790 Census of Allegheny County, Pa., the household of Benja Piercall contained three free while males over 16, three free white males under 16 and one free white female. Nancy and John have already been mentioned in connection with the Revolutionary War pension. They also appear to be listed in the 1820 Census under Ohio Township, Monroe County, Ohio. Benjamin Pearseall’s household contained one male age 10-16, one male age 45 or older and one female age 18-26. (The pension information mentions that Catharine was very sick. It’s possible that she had died or was being cared for elsewhere when the census was taken.) It seems almost certain that Job of Monroe County, Ohio, was another child of Benjamin’s. Job Piercole served as the administrator of Benjamin’s estate in 1823, according to Monroe County, Ohio Records," Vol. VIII, page 88. Acting as administrator or executor is often the role of the oldest son – or at least one who lived nearby. Also, Jobe Persall’s household appears next to Benjamin’s in the 1820 Census. The 1850 Census of the same area shows that Jobe was born about 1788 in Pennsylvania. He was probably one of the males under 16 mentioned in the 1790 Census.


William Piersol
Page 1408
Chapter 47, Section 2
William Piersol, son of Abraham Piersol, Chapter 47, Section 1; resided in Fayette County, Pennsylvania; married March 5, 1781, Grace Cope, at the Bangor P.E. Church, Churchville, Chester County, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of John and Mary Cope. Children:
John Piersol, born July 4, 1782; Chapter 47, Section 3.
Sarah Piersol, born February 24, 1785; married May 3, 1803, Richard Osburn, who died November 3, 1857. [Information about children is not being included here.]
Jeremiah Piersol, born March 4, 1787. Chapter 47, Section 5.
Samuel Piersol, born July 24, 1789. Chapter 47, Section 6.
Mary Piersol, born December 17, 1792; married Nicholas Beal, born July 3, 1813. [Information about children is not being included here.]
Elizabeth Piersol, born May 29, 1794; married 3 mo. 18, 1818, Samuel Sharpless. He was born 2^nd mo. 25, 1703; died 6 mo. 25, 1846. [Information about children is not being included here.]
William Piersol, born May 4, 1797. Chapter 47, Section 7.
James Piersol, born May 29, 1799. Chapter 47, Section 8.

The narrative is a paragraph speculating that William moved to Fayette County because of the Pearsall’s traditional affiliation with George Washington.

Comments
+ William appears in Chester County records from 1781 to 1783. In 1785, he appears in Fayette County, Pa. He may actually appear in the tax records of Chester County a little earlier, but I have not copied all of the tax records for the late 1770s.
+ Abraham was probably not William’s father. William was reportedly born in 1748. If Abraham married at all, it wasn’t before 1762 – the year he makes his first appearance in Chester County tax records. Married men appeared in the records even if they lived on their parents’ property. Additionally, it’s not altogether certain that Abraham ever married. The 1769 tax records state that he was a "freeman," which is normally the indication that someone had never married. If he were married or a widower, he would have appeared among the regular taxpayers or listed as an "inmate."
+ If William was born in 1748, it seems most likely that his father was the Jeremiah who is profiled in Chapter 45, Section 22. During the late 1740s and early 1750s, only five Piersol men appear in southeastern Pennsylvania records. The children of four of those five are identified in wills and other court records. The fifth was Jeremiah. There are no records identifying Jeremiah’s heirs – or even indicating whether he had any. However, there are no other options available. It seems likely that Jeremiah distributed land to his sons before his death, without using deeds. That would explain why Jeremiah disappears from the tax records in 1762 but is still mentioned in a deed in 1769. During the same period, several other Piersols – Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David and John – suddenly appear in the tax records. These men were probably his sons. If William truly was born in 1748, he should be added to this list
+ It’s not absolutely certain that William was born in 1748. By the mid-1700s, Chester County normally taxed men once they reached the age of 21 – unless they were very poor. Since William doesn’t appear in tax records until he 1781, it seems possible that he actually was born about 1760. However, it does seem possible that William was from a poor family. If he were Jeremiah’s youngest son and became an orphan when his father died, tax collectors might have excused him for a number of years. Of course it should be noted that no Piersols appear in the records of the Chester County Orphans Court during the 1750s or 1760s. The only Piersols who appear in the 1770s are the children of the Jeremiah who is profiled in the Pearsall history’s Chapter 45, Section 11. This lack of appearance in orphans court records would tend to support the idea that William was about 21 when his father died. Unfortunately, there is no clear indication of when Jeremiah died. A good guess for a death date would be 1769, when many of Jeremiah’s suspected sons disappear from Chester County records – possibly because they received some sort of inheritance and used the money to move away.
+ If William were actually born about 1760, it would be much more difficult to determine who his father was. Several other Piersols suddenly appear in the records during the late 1750s and early 1760s. They were Abraham, Jacob, Isaac and David. As mentioned above, Abraham probably didn’t marry until 1762 – if he married at all. That makes him a pretty weak candidate. Jacob can be eliminated from consideration because he moved to the Pittsburgh area when William would have been 12 – if he were born in 1760 – and William remained in Chester County. That leaves Isaac and David, who present something of a mystery. They appear suddenly in the tax records, they aren’t mentioned in any wills or property records, and they disappear again without any indication of where they went. It is unknown what happened to them but it seems that they either died or moved out of Chester County by 1770. It’s pretty certain that David was married by 1760 since he is listed as an "inmate" in that year’s tax records. That makes him a solid candidate. It’s uncertain whether Isaac ever married. As noted above, it seems pretty certain that each of these men was a son of Jeremiah (Section 22). Each would have to have been born in the 1730s or 1740s. As noted above, only three Piersol men in southeastern Pennsylvania were old enough to have had children in the 1730s – Richard, John and Jeremiah. Richard and John’s children and grandchildren are known from wills and other court records. Jeremiah didn’t leave a will but it seems very likely that his children included Abraham, Jacob, Isaac and David.
+ William and Grace appear to have been married a year later than stated in the item above, and not at Bangor P.E. Church. According to the journals of the Rev. T.F. Illing, he received 15 shillings for conducting the wedding on March 5, 1782 at Mr. Wilson’s. This is recorded at "1780-1799 Marriages by Rev. T.F. Illing: St. Peter’s (Lutheran) Middletown & Caernarvon, (Episcopal) Lancaster Co," at USGenWeb Archives. Of course family sources might have changed the year since John appears to have been born a little less than four months later.
+ As for the alleged family affinity for George Washington, that seems to have evaporated by the time William arrived in Fayette County. Those closest to Washington were the Pearsalls of Hampshire County, Va., and it’s uncertain how closely they were related to the Chester County Piersols. However, by 1781, the Pearsall and Washington families don’t appear to have been on good terms because John Pearsall – a son of Job – was involved in a dispute with John Augusta Washington over land in Fayette County, according to "Pennsylvania Archives," Series 3, Vol. 2, page 627-628.

Western Pennsylvania, Virginia and Ohio
Most of the following people lived in Western Pennsylvania, Virginia or Ohio during the late 1700s and early 1800s.  For raw data on these people, click on the name of the appropirate area above. 

Job Pearsall
Page 1413
Chapter 48, Section 1
Job Pearsall, son of John Pearsall, Chapter 45, Section 35; resided at Nantmeal Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, and Fort Pearsall, Hampshire County, Virginia; also at Patterson’s Creek, Hampshire County, Virginia. He married Bithia Bull, daughter of Thomas Bull of Nantmeal Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania. It is very possible that some of her family came along with Job Pearsall to Virginia as the census of 1783 contains the name of Samuel Bull as living in Shenandoah County. Children:
John Pearsall. Chapter 48, Section 2.
Benjamin Pearsall. Chapter 49, Section 1.
Eleanor Pearsall, resided at Hampshire Co., Virginia; married Daniel Hale.
Rachel Pearsall, resided at Hampshire County, Virginia; married first – Berkeley, who was a son of William Berkeley who resided in County Stafford, Virginia, in 1728. [Information on Berkeley is not being included.]
Margaret Pearsall. See Z, this Section.
James Pearsall, killed in the Revolutionary War, served in the 4^th Virginia Regiment [Virginia Magazine, vol. 1, page 206]; Yorktown, April 15, 1778. 4^th Virginia Regiment, one month’s pay from March, 1778, James Pearshall. Pay Roll for detachment of different regiments on their march to headquarters under command of Captain Berkeley and Lieutenant Samuel Gill, April 14, 1778. Number 28 on the list James Parthall, private.
Richard Pearsall. Chapter 52, Section 1.

The narrative discusses the settlement of what is now Romney, W.Va., Job’s activities as a representative of Lord Fairfax, who was issuing land grants in the area, and the French and Indian War.

Comments
+ There is no evidence that Job ever set foot in Pennsylvania. Job does not appear in any Pennsylvania records aside from a land advertisement in the March 14, 1765, edition of The Pennsylvania Gazette of Philadelphia. It mentions that Joe Pearsall was living on 323 acres that were for sale on the South Branch of the Potomac.
+ The Pearsall history states that Job’s father was John Pearsall of Chester County, Pa., who is described in Chapter 45, Section 35. However, no one matching that profile ever existed. First, Chester County tax records are very complete after 1719, listing every married male, except for the very poor, at roughly two-year intervals. They show only one John Piersol until 1747, when that man’s son begins to appear. Second, the history identifies Job’s father as the John who died in 1757. (This John’s estate papers can be found in Chester County, Pa., Estate File 1694.) However, this John was probably in his 20s when he died since he first appeared in the tax records in 1756. The estate papers don’t mention any heirs and the case does not appear in the records of the county’s orphans court. Finally, no John Pearsall appears in the records of what became Hampshire County, Va., until 1761.
+ If Job was actually born in Chester County, there are only two candidates who could be his father. Either one is possible but neither one seems very likely. Job was probably born no later than 1720. This is based on the fact that Job’s son John starts appearing in Hampshire County records in 1761. If we estimate that John was about 20 in 1761 and Job was at least 20 when John was born – admittedly, these are very rough estimates – we arrive at a birth year of no later than 1721 for Job. If he actually came from Chester County, there are only four men who appear in contemporary records who could be his father. They are the John who is described in the Pearsall history’s Chapter 45, Section 3; Jeremiah of Chapter 45, Section 22; Richard of Chapter 45, Section 25; and Edward of Chapter 46, Section 1. John and Richard left wills that list their children and most of their grandchildren. Jeremiah left no will, which leaves him a candidate. (The Pearsall history says that Jeremiah had only a daughter, based on the will of Mary Jerman. However, this is an incorrect assumption, as is explained in the comments on Jeremiah.) The other candidate for Job’s father is Edward. He died in 1717 soon after writing a will that mentions his wife – the former Dorothy Davis – was pregnant. The Pearsall history says this child was the Edward who ended up in North Carolina in the mid-1700s. I have not researched the North Carolina family, but those who have tell me that there are no records proving or disproving the connection between the two Edwards. However, a connection to either Edward or Jeremiah seems unlikely. The fact remains that Job never really appears in Pennsylvania records. Even if he were raised by grandparents or a stepfather, Job would have started appearing in the tax records when he married, which presumably would have been about the time John was born. Of course, if we accept the Pearsall history’s contention that he arrived in Virginia in 1735, we might be able to claim that Job never owned property and didn’t marry or hold property until he moved to Virginia. The problem with this line of reasoning is that there aren’t any documents that support the suggestion that Job arrived in Virginia before 1751. So, if we decide neither Edward nor Jeremiah is a likely candidate, we are left with the likelihood that Job originated outside Chester County. The best place to look might be among the Long Island, N.Y., branches of the family, which I have not checked. Another possibility is St. Mary’s County, Md., since there was obviously a Pearsall family in that colony when Richard was born in 1741, according to Richard’s Revolutionary War pension application – S1245. However, that doesn’t seem very likely since Richard was the only Piersol/Pearsall who turned up in a quick check of wills and other colonial records from that county. It also must be remembered that Piersols continued to emigrate from Great Britain well into the 1800s and it’s possible John came from there.
+ The Pearsall history states that Job moved to what’s now Hampshire County to act as an agent for Lord Fairfax, who was the proprietor of the area. The history says: "Job Pearsall was vested with the manor of south Branch of the Potomac and was the mesne tenant and as such he exercised the rights incident to the lord of an English manor." Without a doubt, such a powerful representative of Lord Fairfax – in charge of a manor that embraced 55,000 acres – would have left numerous records concerning his activities. But that’s not the case here. I have not found any records that show Job had any relationship with Lord Fairfax. In fact, Job appears in only a handful of records concerning Virginia’s Northern Neck, which included the lands held by Lord Fairfax, and those records were all created after Job’s death. His failure to appear in the records isn’t surprising because the Pearsall history’s account just doesn’t make sense. It seems extremely unlikely that the rich Fairfax family in Great Britain would choose a young man from an obscure farming family in Chester County, Pa., to be their "lord of the manor" in Virginia.
+ The Pearsall history states that Job arrived in what is now Hampshire County, W.Va., in 1735. (The land in question was part of Orange County, Va., in 1735. It became part of Frederick County when it was formed in 1738. It fell within Hampshire County when it was formed in 1753. West Virginia was formed when the western counties of Virginia broke away from the rest of the state during the Civil War.) However, I have not found any records indicating Job was in that part of Virginia before 1751. In fact, the Pearsall history itself doesn’t list any records that were created before 1761. Job first appears in Frederick County on May 15, 1751, when he witnessed a deed. Six months later, on Nov. 15, 1751, Job Pearsall "of the County of Frederick" bought land on the South Branch of the Potomac. As mentioned above, Job doesn’t appear in records concerning Virginia’s Northern Neck, either. It seems certain that Job would appear in at least one record from Frederick County or the Northern Neck between 1738 and 1751 if he actually lived in the area. This total absence of records is in stark contrast to the period after 1751, during which Job appears in numerous records on a regular basis. Another indication that Job’s role in early Hampshire history may have been exaggerated in the Pearsall history is that he gets little mention in the 1897 "History of Hampshire County, West Virginia, From Its Earliest Settlement to the Present," by Hu Maxwell and H.L. Swisher. The book states the following about the county seat, Romney, which was established in 1762, more than 10 years after Job’s first appearance in the records: "It was known as Pearsall’s Flat before the town had an existence probably because a man of that name lived there at a very early time." It also makes a brief mentions of Job’s fort, which was used during the French and Indian War. Josiah Hughes’ 1932 "Pioneer West Virginia" doesn’t offer an early date, either. "Romney, one of the two oldest organized towns of the State, was laid out in 1762 by Lord Fairfax, who named it after a town in England. At Romney was Fort Pearsall, erected by John Pearsall, prior to 1765. The earliest settlers of the county came about 1735. The Coburn, Howard, Walker, and Rutledge families were the earliest. Among the later pioneer families were the Pearsalls …" Interestingly, the Pearsall history also mentions these families, but in a different context. It claims that Job was Lord Fairfax’s enforcer, evicting those who didn’t acknowledge that Fairfax’s claim to the land was superior to Virginia’s. The Pearsall history says: "The names of Coburn, Howard, Walker and Rutledge are preserved by the local historians as being among those whom Job Pearsall compelled to vacate because the were not willing to acknowledge that these were not the lands of Virginia." It’s uncertain what historians this is referring to since Job’s role isn’t mentioned in the 1897 county history. (It’s also interesting to note that the 1932 history lists John as Fort Pearsall’s builder despite that fact that George Washington mentions Job and his fort in his correspondence during the French and Indian War. This mistake would seem to indicate that Job didn’t exactly leave an indelible mark on history.) After the publication of the Pearsall history in 1928, arrival dates in the 1730s start to appear in historical accounts – possibly because they used the Pearsall history as a source. In 1937, "Historic Romney," sponsored by the town’s council, reports "the Cobin, Howard, Walker, Rutledge, and Forman families" settled before 1735. Those families "were followed three years later by two brothers, Job and John Pearsall, who built their homes near the present site of Romney." Selden W. Brannon’s 1976 "Historical Hampshire County" says that Job and John arrived on the present site of Romney in 1735 but doesn’t mention his source for the information. Page 236 says: "John and Job Pearsall were among the first settlers to locate on the South Branch about 1735-38. The settlement was named for them. Job Pearsall and his wife, Bithia, purchased a ‘plantation’ on the river in 1751 from Samuel Earl who had received it from Lord Fairfax in 1749." Once again, one has to wonder what Job was doing between 1735 and 1751 if he didn’t appear in any records until the later date. (Also, this account contains an error, stating that Job sold his property in 1776, when he actually sold it 10 years earlier and was dead by 1776.) Several other books that mention the Pearsalls in Hampshire County obviously rely on the 1928 family history because they cite information that appears in the history but not in the original records. Finally, if Job had a brother named John who accompanied him to Virginia, it would seem to rule out both Edward and Jeremiah as candidates to be his father. Edward only had one child. Jeremiah already seems to have had a son named John – the man who died in Chester County in 1757.
+ The list of children contained in this item needs to be revised. The 1811 will of Job’s son John lists his brother and sisters. An abstract says his heirs were: "Eleanor Lyons and Amee Kearfoot, daughters of Cornelius Hoagland, deceased. Sister – Rachel Mooney. Brother – Benjamin. Sisters – Margaret Jackson and Eleanor Hall or Hill. Sister Rachel has 7 children, Rachel, Isaac, Edmund, and David Mooney; also Mordecia, Elijah, and John Berkley or Barkley. Benjamin has children named probably nieces and nephews. Kisiah Hill, Hannah Kelly, sister (?) Naomy McNary, (husband Ebenezer), her children to get Alleg. Co MD land." The will is abstracted in "Early Records of Hampshire County, Virginia (Now West Virginia)," compiled by Clara McCormack Sage and Laura Sage Jones, page 129 [the question mark is contained in the original abstract]. Since Richard lived into the 1830s and still doesn’t appear in John’s will, it seems extremely unlikely that he was Job’s son. In addition, Richard’s Revolutionary War pension application – S1245 – states he was born in St. Mary’s County, Md., and served in the Maryland Line. Richard appears to have stayed in that area until at least 1790, when he appears in a list of voters, according to "Catholic Families of Southern Maryland," compiled by Timothy J. O’Rourke, page 100. These records seem to rule out the possibility that Job was his father. Since James doesn’t appear in any records concerning Job or Hampshire County, it seems unwise to link him to Job – especially since his name appears as Parthall in one of the records cited in the family history. Finally, Neomy, wife of Ebenezar McNary should probably be added to list of Job’s children. The will abstract asks whether she was John’s sister. I checked the will – Will Book 5, page 233 – at the courthouse in Romney and it does seem that Neomy, wife of Ebenezar McNary, (as the names appears to be spelled) is listed like a sister, although she isn’t described as such.
+ Finally, the presence of a Peter Pearsall in Hampshire County just after Job’s death needs to be explained. This man is not mentioned in the Pearsall history. Peter Pearsall received a bond in Hampshire County, Va., on Nov. 13, 1770, according "West Virginia Estate Settlements: An Index to Wills, Inventories, Appraisements, Land Grants and Surveys to 1850," by Ross B. Johnston, page 21. It seems likely that he was related to Job in some way. Although neither Peter nor any of his children are listed in the John’s will, he is the only Pearsall who appears in Hampshire County records that isn’t directly tied to either Job or John in at least one record. Also, the date of 1770 seems to be too close to Job’s death to be coincidental. Further research might show some sort of relationship.


John Pearsall
Page 1442
Chapter 48, Section 2
John Pearsall, son of Job Pearsall, Chapter 48, Section 1; resided at Fort Pearsall and Pattersons Creek, Hampshire County, Virginia; married Hannah Lyons. [Information on Hannah’s family is not being included here.]

The narrative describes a 1762 land transaction between John and Lord Fairfax involving land on the North Branch of the Potomac, which is recorded in Virginia Patent Book M. 174, page 32.

Comments
+ John appears in the land records of Hampshire County, Va., now West Virginia, from 1761 to 1811. He also appears in land records from Fayette County, Pa., but does not appear to have lived there.
+ Hannah was a Hartley, not a Lyons. John Hartley wrote his will in Hampshire County, Va., on June 5, 1783 and it went to probate March 9, 1784. Among his children were Hannah Pearsall and Eleanor Houghland. Eleanor probably died before her father because he lists her children as heirs, including Elianor. One of his executors was Cornelius Houghland, probably the elder Eleanor’s husband. When John Pearsall wrote his will on Feb. 13, 1809, he mentioned Eleanor Lyons, the daughter of Cornelius Hoagland, deceased. And when Hannah wrote her will on Jan. 22, 1812, she mentioned her niece Eleanor Lyons. It seems possible that the name Lyons got attached to Hannah because of this reference to her niece. The wills are in "Early Records of Hampshire County, Virginia (Now West Virginia)," compiled by Clara McCormack Sage and Laura Sage Jones, pages 118 and 129.
+ John owned several slaves. In his will, he made provisions that they be freed. The will – which is in Will Book 5, page 233 at the Hampshire County courthouse in Romney – stipulates that Will, George, Lucy and Sucky and their children be taken to Pennsylvania immediately to be emancipated. Sydney, a woman, was to continue serving Hannah but also be taken to Pennsylvania to be freed at Hannah’s death. Forrester was to serve Hannah for four years and Mack was to serve her for five years. Interestingly, John could not sign his name but left his mark on the will.


Richard Piersall
Page 1466
Chapter 52, Section 1
Richard Piersall, son of Job Pearsall, Chapter 48, Section 1; born 1741; resided Washington County, Pa., and Green County, Kentucky; married –. Children:
John Washington Piersall, born May 6, 1778. Chapter 52, Section 2.
Samuel Pierceall. Chapter 52, Section 11.
Zachariah Piersol.

The narrative says that Richard and his brother Benjamin settled along Chartiers Creek south of Pittsburgh, Pa., during the 1770s. It briefly discusses the boundary dispute between Virginia and Pennsylvania concerning the area that later became southwestern Pennsylvania. After the dispute was settled, Richard moved to Kentucky, which then was part of Virginia. "Richard Piersall was among the first to remove to Kentucky; he was a soldier and a follower of Washington, so he at once removed to the territory governed by Virginia. He had been a lad of thirteen when Washington spent the eventful day and night at his father Job Pearsall’s fort on the south branch of the Potomac, and from that day until the end of his life he never ceased to be a follower of his boyhood hero and friend, George Washington.
"In the list of Virginia soldiers of the Revolutionary War appears the name of Richard Pierceall, under the list of the names of those upon the pension rolls of other states who had served in Virginia commands, Secretary of War report, 1835, pension rolls 3 Ky. 98. Statement of Green County, Kentucky, Richard Pierceall, private, annual allowance $20.00, amount received $60.00, served in Virginia Militia, placed on pension rolls April 25, 1833. Pension to commence May 4, 1831; aged 90 years."

Comments
+ The Pearsall history reports: Richard was the son of Job Pearsall of Hampshire County, Va.; he was 13 years old in 1754, when George Washington stayed at Job’s fort; he lived on Chartiers Creek, south of Pittsburgh, during the 1770s; he was a soldier and a follower of Washington; and he was "among the first to remove to Kentucky." First of all, Richard does not appear in any records from Hampshire County or from Pennsylvania, which immediately casts doubt on his profile. However, there is actually evidence that contradicts the above account. Primary sources show that the real Richard could not have been Job’s son; he was only 10 years old in 1754; he didn’t live near Pittsburgh in the 1770s; he was briefly a soldier in an obscure unit serving nowhere near George Washington; and he arrived in Kentucky well after settlement had begun.
+ The Pearsall history’s profile includes a synopsis of Richard’s Revolutionary War pension application. However, it’s hard to believe that the editors of the Pearsall history actually read the application since it contradicts much of their information. The application – S1245, filed in Green County, Ky. – shows Richard was born March 25, 1744 in St. Mary’s County, Md.; he enlisted in an independent company in December 1776 in St. Mary’s County; he served for 5½ months in and near his home county before being discharged because of disease; and he later served a few weeks in a local militia unit. It’s astounding that the Pearsall history got so much wrong when it actually quotes information from both Richard’s pension application.
+ Richard appears in St. Mary’s County in the 1790 Census and in 1790 voting records from St. Mary’s County that are listed in "Catholic Families of Southern Maryland," compiled by Timothy J. O’Rourke, page 100. This makes it clear that he stayed in his native Maryland county until well after the settlement of Kentucky had begun. Kentucky became a state in 1792 and settlement began about two decades earlier.
+ Job Pearsall’s children are listed in the 1811 will of his son John, which appears in "Early Records of Hampshire County, Virginia (Now West Virginia)," page 129. John died childless so he left his estate to his siblings and their children. Richard does not appear in the will even though he outlived John by more than 20 years.


Benjamin Pierceall
Page 1443
Chapter 49, Section 1
Benjamin Pierceall, son of Job Pearsall, Chapter 48, Section 1, resided in Hampshire County, Virginia, and Washington County, Pennsylvania; married Rebecca Babb, daughter of Jacob Babb. The Babbs came from Goshen Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Children:
John Peirsol. Chapter 49, Section 2.
Sampson Peirsol. Chapter 50, Section 1.
Benjamin Pearsall. Chapter 51, Section 1.
Samuel Pearceall. Chapter 49, Section 11.

Most of the biographical narrative deals with the local fallout from Lord Dunmore’s War, which was a brief conflict waged by Virginia’s governor in 1774. The Pearsall history says that the resulting attacks by Native Americans on settlements in southwestern Pennsylvania caused Benjamin’s death. He refers to "Pennsylvania Archives," Vol. 4, page 540, and "Pioneer Forts of Pennsylvania," page 427, as sources. These provide background on the conflict but don’t mention Benjamin.
The only portion of the narrative that actually refers to directly to Benjamin is as follows: "Benjamin Pearsall was among those who came from Hampshire County, Virginia, and settled in the country south of the forks of the Ohio but west of the Monongahela. He located on Chartiers Creek in what is now Washington County, Pennsylvania, near Fromans Fort. … Hence one day when Benjamin Pearsall was working in the field with his grandson, Jacob, a band of Indians came suddenly upon them from the cover of the underbrush and while Jacob hurried to the house for assistance his grandfather stood his ground against the red men. Although he killed several of them they were too many for him and before his sons could come to his relief he had bee killed and scalped. The family tradition is that his granddaughter, Anne, rode bareback with her hair streaming down her back to warn the neighbors of the Indian outbreak."

Comments
+ Aside from the statement that Benjamin was the son of Job Pearsall of Hampshire County, Va., and lived in Washington County, Pa., everything in his profile is questionable. Comparing the profile to 18-century documents results in a different picture – and literally a different man. It seems very likely that this Benjamin and the Benjamin in Chapter 47, Section 1, Z, are the same man.
+ A link to the Babb family of Chester County, Pa., is virtually impossible. There is absolutely no evidence that Benjamin ever set foot in Chester County, Pa., and there’s no evidence that Jacob Babb ever set foot in Hampshire County, Va., which is now in West Virginia. Also, Jacob was a German who actually lived in York County, Pa., not part of the English family that lived in Chester County and Hampshire County, according to "Babb Families of American," page 523. However, it should be noted two daughters of Peter Babb of West Caln Township, Chester County, married men named Piersol. Bathsheba married Jeremiah and Ann married a Piersol – almost certainly Jacob, who later moved to the Pittsburgh area. This will be discussed below.
+ The children attributed to Benjamin appear to be either sons of other men or nonexistent. John (1) was the son of a man named Jacob Pearcil, who appears in Washington County, Pa., during the Revolution. When Jacob died, John was named the administrator of his estate, according to Washington County, Pa., Accounts, File P, No. 5. The estate account mentions that John paid for a coffin "for father." Sampson (2) was probably another son of Jacob. Sampson stated in his Revolutionary War pension application – S.22937 – that he was born in Chester County in 1764. There’s no evidence that Benjamin ever set foot in Chester County but Jacob appears there from 1760 to 1772. Benjamin (3) never existed. Please see the comments on Chapter 51, Section 1. Samuel (4) never existed. Almost all references to Samuel in the records can be proved to be references to Sampson. The one possible exception is still very likely to be a reference to Sampson. For details, see the comments on Chapter 49, Section 11.
+ No Benjamin Pearsall appears in records from southwestern Pennsylvania until about 1780. The name then appears repeatedly for the next 20 years. Each of these records seems to refer to the man the Pearsall history describes in Chapter 47, Section 1, Z. [Virginia claimed part of southwestern Pennsylvania during much of this time. Its county records from the Pittsburgh area don’t contain any references to Benjamin.]
+ There is no documentary evidence that Benjamin was killed by Native Americans during Lord Dunmore’s War – or even that he died prematurely. Aside from records related to Job, there are no wills, estate administrations or orphan’s court records in Virginia or western Pennsylvania concerning the death of any Pearsall/Piersol until Jacob Pearcil’s estate papers were filed in 1783. Benjamin’s name does not appear in connection with attacks by Native Americans in any document or account that dates before the Pearsall family history was published in 1928.
+ It seems almost certain that Benjamin actually outlived his brother John, who died in 1811 in Hampshire County. John had no children so he named his brother, his sisters and many of his nieces and nephews in his will. First of all, Benjamin is listed in the will separately from his children. If he were dead, John would not have mentioned him as an heir. Also, John mentioned that Benjamin had children but didn’t list their names. If Benjamin were dead and John wanted to ensure that his nieces and nephews received an inheritance, it seems certain that he would have listed them by name, like he did with so many of his other nieces and nephews. The will is abstracted in "Early Records of Hampshire County, Virginia (Now West Virginia)," compiled by Clara McCormack Sage and Laura Sage Jones, page 129. I also checked it – Will Book 5, page 233 – at the courthouse in Romney.
+ If Benjamin were still alive when John wrote his will in 1809, he would appear in census records in 1790 and 1800. The only Benjamin appearing in these years in Pennsylvania or Virginia was the man described in Chapter 47, Section 1, Z. He lived in the Pittsburgh area at the time. [I have been unable to check the 1810 Census so far.]
+ This brings us to the conclusion that Job’s son was probably the Benjamin Pearsall who applied for a Revolutionary War pension in 1818 in Monroe County, Ohio, and is profiled in Chapter 47, Section 1, Z. The application mentions his wife, Catharine; younger children, Nancy and John; and his service in the 8th Pennsylvania Regiment from 1776 to 1779, which was recruited in the Pittsburgh area and southwestern Pennsylvania. He was born about 1753 and died June 24, 1824. The application is S40251. It appears that Benjamin had children older than Nancy and John. In the 1790 Census of Allegheny County, Pa., the household of Benja Piercall contained three free while males over 16, three free white males under 16 and one free white female. In the 1800 Census of Allegheny County, the household of Benjamin Pearcehaul contained one male 10 or younger; one male 10-16; one male 16-26; one male 46 or older; three females 10 or younger; and one female 26-46. One of these children was probably the Job Piercole who served as administrator of the estate of Benjamin Piercole, deceased, in October 1823 in Marion County, Ohio. The administration is cited in "Monroe County, Ohio Records," Vol. VIII, by Catharine F. Fedorchak and Wilma S. Davis, page 88. In addition, Jobe Persall’s household appears next to Benjamin’s in the 1820 Census of Monroe County, Ohio. The 1850 Census of the same area shows that Jobe was born about 1788 in Pennsylvania. Also, Job Persall died Feb. 9, 1867, at age 78, and was buried at Mount Union United Brethren Church in Ohio Township, Monroe County, Ohio. This is listed in "Monroe County, Ohio, Genealogical Records," Vol. IV, by Catharine F. Fedorchak, page 88. Job was probably one of the males under 16 mentioned in Benjamin’s household in the 1790 Census. The likelihood that one of Benjamin’s children was named Job strengthens the link between Benjamin and the elder Job. It seems to be more than coincidence that the name Job Pearsall was held by only two people who appear in Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania records and one had a son named Benjamin and the other had a father named Benjamin. Even with the children identified in this paragraph, there are a number of Benjamin’s children who aren’t accounted for.
+ A birth year of 1753 increases the likelihood that the Benjamin from Monroe County was Job’s son. As noted above, he appears to have been closely related to Job – either a son or grandson. If an older Benjamin existed and was having children in 1753, he would certainly appear in records near his father and brother, who appear in numerous records between 1751 and 1770. However, there is no mention of any Benjamin Pearsall/Peirsol in records from western Virginia until John’s 1811 will. The silence can only mean that the only real Benjamin was the one born in 1753 and that he left the area at a relatively young age – or at least before he held property. Since the real Benjamin enlisted in 1776, this matches perfectly.
+ If Benjamin Pearsall of Monroe County was Job’s son, the Pearsall history’s link between him and the Babbs needs to be explained. It seems certain that the connection to the Babbs actually pertains to the man who was the father of Sampson and John, rather than to Benjamin specifically. When Benjamin was incorrectly identified as Sampson and John’s father, the link to the Babbs was mistakenly attached to him. Sampson and John were actually the sons of Jacob, as noted above. Jacob appears to have married Ann Babb, the daughter of Peter Babb of West Caln Township, Chester County. Peter’s 1773 will names Ann Peirsoll as a daughter, according to Chester County, Pa., Estate File 2797. Ann was married about 1760, when she was disowned by a Quaker meeting for marrying outside the faith, according to "Early Church Records of Chester County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, Quaker Records of Bradford Monthly Meeting," by Martha Reamy, pages 149-150. Jacob, too, was married about 1760. He makes his first appearance in Chester County tax records in 1760 as an inmate, which indicates that he was married but was living on someone else’s property – probably his father’s. Since he doesn’t appear on the 1758 tax list, he was married between then and the time the 1760 taxes were collected. Then, the 1762 and 1763 tax records show Jacob living in West Caln Township, which home to Peter Babb.
+ The account of the attack by Native Americans also needs to be explained. It seems very likely that this account also refers to Jacob. As noted above, Jacob Pearcil’s estate papers were filed April 17, 1783, according to Washington County, Pa., Accounts, File P, No. 5. Among the papers is a merchant’s account that suddenly ends in April 1780, which corresponds with an attack by Native Americans that killed a number of settlers, according to "The Indian Wars of Pennsylvania," by C. Hale Sipe, page 608. The papers also indicate that Jacob had young children, including at least one young son. It seems virtually certain that one of these young children was Peter (see comments on Peter’s profile in Chapter 51, Section 2). Peter’s son reported that his "grandfather Peirsol" was killed by Native Americans near Pittsburgh in 1780. Jacob is the only Piersol to appear in estate or orphan’s court records around that time. For additional details see the profile of Jacob.


John Peirsol
Page 1444
Chapter 49, Section 2
John Peirsol, son of Benjamin Pierceall, Chapter 29, Section 1; resided in Washington County, Pennsylvania; married Sarah Custard, daughter of George Custard and sister of Noah Custard of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. They were Shenandoah Valley folks having settled quite early in Rockingham County, Virginia. Children:
Jacob Peirsol. Chapter 49, Section 3.
Anne Peirsol.
Rebecca Peirsol.

The biographical narrative begins with a rundown of the tax and militia records that contain John’s name. John’s militia service during the Revolutionary War included participation in Col. William Crawford’s ill-fated expedition against the Native Americans at Sandusky, Ohio, in 1782. The rest of the narrative tells of the campaign and mentions that John returned having given "satisfactory service." No other information on John is provided.

Comments:
+ John was actually the son of Jacob Pearcil, not Benjamin Pearsall. When Jacob died in 1783, John handled the administration of his estate, according to Washington County, Pa., Accounts, File P, No. 5. The papers mention that John paid for "father’s coffin."
+ John seems to drop out of the records during the 1790s. He may have died or moved out of state because I have not found him in Pennsylvania census records in 1800. [The John who appears in nearby Mahoning County, Ohio, in the early 1800s was a son of the William who lived in Fayette County, Pa.]
+ The recitation of militia service contains the following reference: "John Peirsol First Corporal, Captain G. Wigton’s Company, 18^th Section of Riflemen, commanded by Colonel Thomas Humphrey, located at Camp Dupont November 12, 1814." This record appears in "Pennsylvania Archives," Series 2, Vol. 12, page 539. It seems extremely unlikely – although not impossible – that someone who served in the militia in 1782 also served 32 years later. He would have to have been about 54 in 1814. Also, as noted above, John disappears from the records long before 1814, having either moved or died. It seems far more likely that the John who served in the War of 1812 was from another family.


Jacob Peirsol
Page 1447
Chapter 49, Section 3
Jacob Peirsol, son of John Peirsol, Chapter 49, Section 2; resided in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, in the village of Harmony; married Elizabeth Savage. She is said to be the daughter of George Savage of Chester County, Pennsylvania. The family originally came from Maryland where Edward Savage and William Savage were in Dorchester County, before 1672. Children:
Mary Ann Peirsol, married George Hinds. Child: 1. Naomi Hinds.
John Peirsol, born February 13, 1801. Chapter 49, Section 4.
Samuel Peirsol. Chapter 49, Section 8.
Sarah Peirsol, married Jesse Moor.
George Peirsol, married – Donaldson.
Elizabeth Peirsol, married Joseph Bannon.
Sampson Peirsol. Chapter 49, Section 9.
Jacob Peirsol. Chapter 49, Section 10.

The only information provided on Jacob concerns his service in the 26^th Regiment of Pennsylvania Militia during a campaign near Lake Erie in early 1814. The source for this information is "Pennsylvania Archives," Series 6, Vol. 10, page 132.

Comments:
+ Jacob Peirsol is listed in the 1850 Census of New Sewickley Township, Beaver County, Pa. The census indicates that he was 81 years old and had been born in Pennsylvania. If Jacob was born in 1769, he could not have been the son of John Peirsol, who was probably born about 1760. As mentioned in comments above, John was the son of the Jacob Pearcil, who died in Washington County, Pa., about 1780. John was the administrator of Jacob’s estate and papers mention that he paid for "father’s coffin," according to Washington County, Pa., Accounts, File P, No. 5. Jacob seems to have been married around 1760, which is the year when Ann Piershal was disowned by a Quaker meeting in for being married by a priest, according to "Early Church Records of Chester County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, Quaker Records of Bradford Monthly Meeting," by Martha Reamy, pages 149-150. It seem certain that the younger Jacob was actually another son of the elder Jacob. The Washington County estate papers also indicate that Jacob had young children, including at least one young son. Only two Piersol/Pearsall families appear in western Pennsylvania: Jacob’s family and that of Benjamin Pearsall. Benjamin can be ruled out as Jacob’s father because he was born in 1753 and too young to have had a son in 1769. (Benjamin’s year of birth is listed in his Revolutionary War Pension application – S40251.) Additionally, Jacob lived near Sampson Piersol (Chapter 50, Section 1) and Peter Piersol (Chapter 51, Section 2) in northern Beaver County, according to census records and tax records in "Beaver County’s Earliest Residents," by Publishers of Beaver County Records, Helen G. Clear and Mae H. Winne.
+ Jacob’s will, which appears in Beaver County Will Book C, page 257, differs in several key points from the information provided in the Pearsall history. No Mary Ann appears in the will but a Mary and an Ann appear. Mary was the wife of Sampson Hind and Ann was the wife of George Hinds. Also, Elizabeth’s husband was actually Samuel Cookson. The will also lists a daughter named Ruth, who was the wife of Joseph Hennon (probably the origin of the "Joseph Bannon" in the list above). Jacob died in 1857.
+ Additionally, the will mentions that Jacob lived in New Sewickely Township, not Harmony. Earlier Beaver County tax records show him living in North Sewickley Township. These are in "Beaver County’s Earliest Residents," by Publishers of Beaver County Records, Helen G. Clear and Mae H. Winne.
+ The 1850 Census of New Sewickley Township also provides approximate birth years of several of Jacob’s family members. His wife Elizabeth was age 78, Jacob Jr. was 34, Sampson was 43 and Samuel was 45. The 1850 Census of North Sewickley Township indicates that his son George was 39. [The census indicates that his wife’s first name was Susannah and he was 31.] In addition, Mary was born about 1796. Mary Hind, the wife of Sampson Hind, is buried at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Marion Township, Beaver County, Pa. – "Beaver County Cemeteries," Vol. 1, by Bob and Mary Closson, page 69.
+ It’s possible that the militia service record actually belongs to the Jacob who was the son of Sampson. Both lived in the same general area and both were within the age range of most militia members. Sampson’s son – who is profiled in Chapter 50, Section 2 – was about 16 years younger and probably more likely to be called to active duty but I have found not evidence one way or the other.
+ The Pvt. Jacob Peirical listed as serving in the 26^th Regiment of Pennsylvania Militia during the War of 1812 may have been the son of Sampson. I have not found any pension records that refer to service by a Jacob so it’s hard to prove one way or the other. However, it seems that a 45-year-old was less likely to serve than a 29-year-old who had been married less than five years. The muster roll appears in "Pennsylvania Archives," Series 6, Vol. 10, page 132.


Samuel Pearceall
Page 1450
Chapter 49, Section 11
Samuel Pearceall, son of Benjamin Pierceall, Chapter 49, Section 1, born circa 1765; resided in Washington County, Pennsylvania; married – , Child:
Samuel Piersall. See Z, this Section.
(Z. Samuel Piersall, born 1798 (aged forty July 19, 1838); died September 2, 1865; married first, Anna Miller, March 19, 1823. He married second, May 18, 1837, Mary Ann White. She was born Oct. 13, 1821.)

The entire narrative reads: "Samuel Pearceall was a private in Captain Cunningham’s Company 1782-85 and served on the frontier. A return of the Militia officers of the Fourth Regiment of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Monday, August 19, 1793, gives the name of Samuel Pearceall as Captain. (Pennsylvania Archives.) The Pension Rolls of pensioners under the act of 1835 for the relief of Revolutionary soldiers disclosed the name of Samuel Piersol who served in the Pennsylvania Indian spy service as living in 1834 in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and being at this time 69 years of age."

Comments:
+ The reference to Samuel in the Allegheny County militia roster from Aug. 19, 1793, is a clerical error and actually refers to Sampson Piersol. It appears in "Pennsylvania Archives," Series 6, Vol. 4, page 246. Other records for the same unit refer to Sampson – not Samuel – as the captain, including one that is dated the same day, Aug. 19, 1793. That record appears in "Pennsylvania Archives," Series 9, Vol. 1, page 643. This mistake is quite perplexing because the Pearsall history actually refers to Sampson being promoted to captain of this unit in 1792 in Chapter 50, Section 1.
+ The Revolutionary War pension roll that lists Samuel Piersol, age 69, former Indian spy, of Beaver County, Pa., actually refers to Sampson Piersol. It appears in "Pennsylvania Archives," Series 3, Vol. 23, page 522. The information perfectly matches the information contained in Sampson’s Revolutionary War pension application, S.22937.
+ The roster for Capt. Cunningham’s company appears in "Pennsylvania Archives," Series 2, Vol. 14, page 737, and is repeated in Series 6, Vol. 2, page 239. This is the only reference to Samuel that can’t be proved to be a reference to Sampson. However, it still seems very likely that it, too, contains a clerical error rather than an actual reference to Samuel. This roster lists three of the men who appear on the roster of Sampson’s unit during the June 1782 Crawford expedition ("Pennsylvania Archives," Series 6, Vol. 2, page 329).
+ It seems that Samuel never really existed. It seems very likely that the Samuel in Chapter 49, Section 11, is actually an accidental creation of the editors of the Pearsall history or their correspondents based on clerical errors and the need to find a father for the younger Samuel in Section Z, who appears to be a late addition to the chapter.


Sampson Peirsol
Page 1452
Chapter 50, Section 1
Sampson Peirsol, son of Benjamin Pierceall, Chapter 49, Section 1; born circa 1764; resided at Beaver County, Pennsylvania; married Susannah –. Children:
Jacob Peirsol. Chapter 50, Section 2.
Ruth Peirsol, married David Shanor.
Anna Peirsol, married Michael Nye. Child: 1. Sampson S. Nye.
Elizabeth Peirsol, married Joshua Buris. Child: 1. Sampson Peirsol Buris.
Susannah Peirsol, married William McGaw. Children: 1. James McGaw. 2. Sampson McGaw.
Tobias S. Peirsol, died unmarried.

The narrative lists some of the tax and militia records that mention Sampson. It also includes transcriptions of several records that describe some of Sampson’s legal activities and the establishment of a Bible class. However, the narrative has several significant gaps, such as his Revolutionary War pension (which the book actually links to Samuel), his appointment as justice of the peace and his election as county commissioner.

Comments:
+ See comments on John Peirsol (Chapter 49, Section 2), Jacob Peirsol (Chapter 49, Section 3) and Peter Peirsol (Chapter 51, Section 2) for information on parents, and Samuel Pearceall (Chapter 49, Section 11) for information on militia service. Also see the profile of Sampson elsewhere.
+ Tobias is not listed in any other source. He probably didn’t exist.


Jacob Peirsol
Page 1455
Chapter 50, Section 2
Jacob Peirsol, son of Sampson Peirsol, Chapter 50, Section 1, born October 16, 1785; died 1850; resided in Beaver County, Pennsylvania; married June 21, 1810, Rachel Stille of Peters Creek; born November 14, 1785; daughter of Tobias Stillie. She is descended from Olaf Stillie, who was one of the original Swedish colonists of the Delaware Peninsula, as his passport or certificate of character bears date December 2, 1634. Children:
Sampson Peirsol, born March 24, 1818; Chapter 50, Section 3.
Jeremiah S. Peirsol, born March 13, 1827; died August 6, 1883; unmarried.
Scudder Hart Peirsol, born January 1, 1828; Chapter 50, Section 7.
Samuel Peirsol, born February 18, 1832; died August 30, 1868.
Joseph Peirsol, born March 15, 1835; Chapter 40, Section 8.
Benjamin Peirsol, born October 29, 1836; Chapter 40, Section 9.
Susannah Peirsol, born March 26, 1815; died 1913; married December 23, 1830, George W. Alleman, born August 30, 1811.
Ruth Peirsol, born December 16, 1813; died August 8, 1814.
Ruth Peirsol, born December 4, 1816; married Sampson S. Nye.
Rachel Peirsol, born August 15, 1821; married Michael Nye.
Rebecca Peirsol, born May 2, 1824; died 1890; married – Walker.
Jacob Peirsol, born October 19, 1825; died August 31, 1865; Chapter 50, Section 10.
Elizabeth Peirsol, born March 17, 1823; died 1882; married E. Swesey.
Uriah Peirsol.
Tobias Stille Peirsol, born July 4, 1820; died August 9, 1847.
David Peirsol, born August 23, 1830; died December 7, 1836.
Anna Peirsol, born September 28, 1838; died August 2, 1847.

No narrative.

Comments:
+ Uriah does not appear in Beaver County, Pa., Deed Book 35, page 109, which lists Jacob’s heirs or in the listing of Peirsol family burials at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, which is in "Beaver County Cemeteries," Vol. 1, by Bob and Mary Closson, page 68 and 69.
+ Jacob actually appears to have died in 1851. His death was recorded Nov. 3 in Beaver County, Pa., Register’s Docket No. 1, page 262.


Benjamin Pearsall
Page 1459
Chapter 51, Section 1
Benjamin Pearsall, son of Benjamin Pierceall, Chapter 49, Section 1; resided in that portion of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, taken form Washington County. Married – . Children:
Peter Peirsol. Chapter 51, Section 2.
Jacob Peirsol, Chapter 51, Section 5.
Benjamin Peirsol, Chapter 51, Section 8.

The narrative includes a petition that Benjamin Pearsall signed in 1782 when residents of the area around Alexander Wells’ mill asked militia leaders for additional protection. It also mentions the listing of Benjamin’s household in the 1790 Census of Allegheny County. It included three males under 16 years of age. The narrative’s final paragraph concerns the possibility that Benjamin was killed by Native Americans in the 1790s, citing a letter from J.E. Peirsol stating that his great-grandfather had been "killed by the Indians at old Fort Duquesne."

Comments:
+ This Benjamin never really existed. The Pearsall history has divided the "real" Benjamin into three people – this man, the man identified as the son of Abraham Piersol of Chester County (Chapter 47, Section 1, Z) and the son of Job (Chapter 49, Section 1). There was only one Benjamin. He was the son of Job. He wasn’t killed by Native Americans. He died in Ohio in 1824. For details, see the comments on the sections just cited.
+ It seems very unlikely that Peter or Jacob, mentioned as sons in this section, belonged to any Benjamin. First, Peter actually appears to have been the son of the Jacob Pearcil who died in Washington County, Pa., about 1780. For details, see the comments on Peter’s profile (Chapter 51, Section 2). Second, Jacob didn’t really exist. Only two Jacobs appear in Allegheny or Beaver county during this time: the son of Jacob Pearcil and the son of Sampson Piersol. For details, see the comments on Jacob’s profile (Chapter 51, Section 5).
+ In the last paragraph of the narrative about Benjamin, the Pearsall history enters a confused discussion about correspondence with J.E. Peirsol of Tulsa, Oklahoma. J.E. Peirsol wrote in 1917: "My Father [Joel] told me that my Great-Grandfather as killed by the Indians at old Fort Duquesne, the present site of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania." From this statement, the editors draw the following conclusion: "It is more than probable that this tradition was meant to refer to the great-great-grandfather of the writer [whom the Pearsall history identifies as Benjamin, the son of Job Pearsall]. It is however, also within the range of possibility that it may have been his grandfather." The narrative then describes an attack by Native Americans in western Pennsylvania in 1792 and states "it might very well be that during this period of Indian depredations Benjamin Peirsol may have lost his life at the hands of the Indians." Since the only "real" Benjamin moved to Ohio after 1800 and lived until 1824, the editors’ speculation seems to be off base. Also, it’s hard to see what the editors were thinking when they raised the possibility that the tradition might referred to J.E. Peirsol’s grandfather. His grandfather was Peter Peirsol, who died in 1859 in Fulton County, Ill. It must be noted that J.E. Peirsol didn’t mention the name of the man who was killed by Indians. This possibly prompted the Pearsall editors to search for the most likely candidate for J.E. Peirsol’s great-grandfather. They simply looked in the wrong place.
It should be noted that two additional versions of the great-grandfather’s death have survived – both several decades closer to the events than the version provided by J.E. Peirsol in 1917. First, a biographical note on Joel Peirsol – J.E. Peirsol’s father – appears in "The 1871 Atlas Map of Fulton County, Illinois." This states: "Joel Peirsol was born in Pennsylvania in 1804 … His grandfather Peirsol was killed by the Indians in the year 1780, within eleven miles of Pittsburg." It must be noted that such books can be highly unreliable because they simply contain whatever information the subject paid the writers to include. However, they often can be trusted on general facts about generations near to the source. This statement seems to be relatively trustworthy because it’s about the subject’s grandfather. On the other end of the spectrum is information contained in a biographical note about John C. Peirsol – J.E. Peirsol’s brother – that appears in "History of Monroe County, [Missouri]," which was published in 1884. This item states: "Mr. Peirsol’s great-grandfather, Peter Peirsol, was killed at Ft. Duquesne in 1753, when under the command of Washington, at the time the English or Americans were driven from that fort by the French and Indians." This item – which can be found at the Monroe County RootsWeb Internet site at www.RootsWeb.com/~momonroe/history/chapter19.htm – is extremely unreliable and virtually every detail should be questioned. However, it does support the tradition that Peter’s father was killed by Native Americans. With this strong tradition of a slain ancestor, it’s hard to identify Peter as the "real" Benjamin’s son.


Peter Peirsol
Page 1460
Chapter 51, Section 2
Peter Peirsol, son of Benjamin Peirsol, Chapter 51, Section 1; resided in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and Holmes County, Ohio; married Sarah Lutton, widow of Hines and daughter of Robert Lutton, and near neighbor of Benjamin Peirsol in Allegheny County. Children:
Joel Peirsol, born May 22, 1804; Chapter 51, Section 3.
Elizabeth Peirsol, born January 29, 1803; Chapter 51, Section 4.
Prudence Peirsol, married Harrison Rigdon. Child: Peter Peirsol Rigdon; married –. Children: 1. John Rigdon. 2. Emma Rigdon, married Earl.
Nancy Peirsol, married Stephen Adkins. Child: Hannah Adkins.
Sally Peirsol, married Asa Munn. Child: Sampson Munn.
Ann Perisol, married Jefferson Luke. Children: 1. David Luke. 2. B.F. Luke. 3. John P. Luke. 4. Jane M. Luke, married Wheeler. 5. Charles Luke.
Sampson Peirsol: married – Bell. Child: 1. Jasper Peirsol, died 1877.
John H. Peirsol, born 1821; died February 17, 1856, married Ann Fraser. Children: 1. Ann Peirsol, married Clinton Ufford. 2. Margaret Peirsol, married Conn Durrell.
Hannah Peirsol, married Hilman Otis.
Mary Peirsol, married John Russell.
Peter Peirsol; married 1853, Martha Guernsey. Children: 1. Willard G. Peirsol. 2. Madison Peirsol.

The narrative describes several of Peter’s land transactions, including one recorded in Beaver County Deed Book E, page 226, which concerns a Dec. 10, 1817, sale of land to Samuel White. Two 1836 land transactions took place in Holmes County, Ohio.

Comments:
+ A good deal of information on Peter is provided in a biographical note on Joel Peirsol, which appears in "The 1871 Atlas Map of Fulton County, Illinois," by Andreas, Lyter, and Co., Page 35. It reads: "Petter Peirsol was the father of Joel Peirsol, the subject of this sketch, and was born in Pennsylvania in the year 1780, and lived there until 1818, when he moved to Ohio and settled in Holmes county, where he resided until 1836, when he moved with his family to Illinois and settled on section 21, in Lee township, Fulton county, and lived there until about 1851, when he moved to Fairview and lived about four years, when he moved to Lewistown, and lived there until his death, which was in 1859. Mrs. Peirsol was born in 1784 and died in 1858. Petter Peirsol was the father of thirteen children – six sons and seven daughters – of whom twelve lived to maturity, one died in infancy, and four are yet living and doing well. Mr. Peirsol in his young days was a mechanic, but his principal business was farming and raising stock. He was a man that held many offices of trust, and died, as he had lived, in the confidence of all that knew him.
"Joel Peirsol was born in Pennsylvania in 1804."
This item seems pretty reliable because it discusses items that Joel would have been in a position to know first-hand. In addition, the statements that I have been able to check against original documents proved to be reliable. This and other accounts indicate that Peter’s father was killed by Native Americans in the Pittsburgh area. Since only "real" Benjamin in the Pittsburgh area actually moved to Ohio and lived until 1824, he can’t be Peter’s father unless that tradition is incorrect.
+ Peter Pearsoll was born about 1780 in Pennsylvania, according to the 1850 Census of Lee, Fulton County, Ill.
+ Peter appears in Beaver County tax records for North Sewickley Township from 1802 until at least 1815. In 1802, he is listed as a single male. Judging from the tax records, it seems likely that he suffered some sort of economic setback. In 1803, he is listed as owning 130 acres but only 50 acres in 1815. The 1803 listings are in "Beaver County’s Earliest Residents," by Publishers of Beaver County Records, Helen G. Clear and Mae H. Winne, page 11. The same source contains listings for 1806-1810. The 1815 listings are in "Gleanings," Beaver County Genealogical Society, Pa., Vol. XV No. 2.
+ In my comments on Benjamin, whom the Pearsall history identifies as Peter’s father, I mentioned a biographical item on John C. Peirsol of Monroe Township, Monroe County, Mo., which was published in "History of Monroe County" in 1884 and is available on the Monroe County RootsWeb Internet site at www.RootsWeb.com/~momonroe/history/chapter19.htm. It reads: "Mr. Peirsol’s great-grandfather, Peter Peirsol, was killed at Ft. Duquesne in 1753, when under the command of Washington, at the time the English or Americans were driven from that fort by the French and Indians. Peter Peirsol, Jr., was born after his father’s death, and he became the father of Mr. Peirsol’s father, Joel Peirsol. Joel Peirsol was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania." Almost every detail in this account should be doubted. It identifies Peter’s father as an elder Peter. However, that seems unlikely. First of all, the only other Peter I’ve been able to find in Pennsylvania records from 1750 to 1780 spent his life in Chester County in eastern Pennsylvania. Next, the 1850 Census indicates that Peter "Jr." was born in 1780, not 1753. It seems likely that Joel’s son John heard stories about the raid by Native Americans equated all "Indian troubles" in the Pittsburgh area with the French and Indian War. Finally, there is no evidence to suggest that Peter ever lived in Berks County, Pa., so it seems very unlikely that Joel was born there.
+ Peter’s father actually appears to have been the Jacob Pearcil who died near Pittsburgh about 1780. Jacob’s estate papers – from Washington County, Pa., Account, File P, No. 5 – mention fees paid "for schooling & clothing for one of the deceased[’s] children" and to "Patrick Dugan for Boarding a Boy of Said Dec’d." The papers also include an account with a merchant that suddenly ends in April 1780 – probably an indication of when Jacob died. That month coincides with a major raid by Native Americans that killed between 40 and 50 people, according to "The Indian Wars of Pennsylvania," by C. Hale Sipe, page 608. Other sons of Jacob were probably the John profiled in the Pearsall history’s Chapter 48, Section 2; Jacob of Chapter 49, Section 3; and Sampson of Chapter 50, Section 1. For details on their connections with Jacob, see the comments on their profiles. One sign that these men were probably related is the fact that Peter named sons Sampson and John. He did not name a son Benjamin, which would have been an obvious choice if his father had that name.
+ Since Peter first appears in northern Beaver County, Pa., as a single man, it seems likely that he was living on or near a relative’s farm. Sampson and Jacob Peirsol lived in the same area, North Sewickley Township. It seems likely that Peter lived with Sampson after his father’s death. According to the 1790 Census of Allegheny County, Sampson’s household contained two males younger than 16. However, all records indicate that Sampson had only one son – another Jacob, who was born about 1785. That extra boy was probably Peter.
+ Peter was almost certainly named after his grandfather – Peter Babb. Peter’s father, Jacob, appears to have married Ann Babb, the daughter of Peter Babb of West Caln Township, Chester County. Peter’s 1773 will names Ann Peirsoll as a daughter, according to Chester County, Pa., Estate File 2797. Ann was married about 1760, when she was disowned by a Quaker meeting for marrying outside the faith, according to "Early Church Records of Chester County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, Quaker Records of Bradford Monthly Meeting," by Martha Reamy, pages 149-150. Jacob, too, was married about 1760. He makes his first appearance in Chester County tax records in 1760 as an inmate, which indicates that he was married but was living on someone else’s property – probably his father’s. Since he doesn’t appear on the 1758 tax list, he was married between then and the time the 1760 taxes were collected. Then, the 1762 and 1763 tax records show Jacob living in West Caln Township, which home to Peter Babb. Interestingly, Peter Babb will spells his name "Petter" – the same spelling used for "Petter Peirsol" in "The 1871 Atlas Map of Fulton County, Illinois." The will also indicates that Peter had a son named Sampson – a name never given to Piersols previously but given to several men subsequently.


Jacob Peirsol
Page 1462
Chapter 51, Section 5
Jacob Peirsol, son of Benjamin Pearsall, Chapter 51, Section 1; resided in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and southern central Ohio; married –. Children:
Peter Pearsol, Chapter 51, Section 6. [The item on Jacob’s son Peter on page 1462 says he was "born 1800; died 1888; resident West Elizabeth, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania; married Sarah Donaldson, born 1802, died 1881."]
J. Smith Piersall, Chapter 51, Section 7. [The item on Jacob’s son James Smith on page 1462 says he was "born at Marietta, Ohio; came to Mount Kisco, Westchester County, New York, when he was ten years old; died March 27, 1890; his gravestone is in Oakwood Cemetery Mount Kisco, Westchester County, New York; resided at Bedford, Westchester County, New York; married first Esther Anne, who died August 11, 1867, aged 49 years, 4 months and 10 days; married second, Sarah, widow of Vandevear; she died November 1, 1887, aged 72."]

No narrative.

Comments:
+ No one matching Jacob’s profile ever existed. This Jacob does not appear in Beaver County or Allegheny County records. The only two Jacobs who appear during this time are those profiled in Chapter 49, Section 3, and Chapter 50, Section 2. By 1800, both counties were generating enough records to ensure that no adult male was missed.
+ Even if Jacob existed, the details in these accounts wouldn’t mesh. It seems very improbable that Jacob would "reside" in Beaver County; move to Ohio, where J. Smith was born; and then have the 10-year-old J. Smith move to New York State – apparently without the rest of his family.


Benjamin Pearsall
Page 1464
Chapter 51, Section 8
Benjamin Pearsall, son of Benjamin Pearsall, Chapter 51, Section 1; resided in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania; married first, Isabella Mills; married second –. Children:
Benjamin Pearsall, born September 15, 1815, Chapter 51, Section 9.
Andrew Pearsall, born April 2, 1825, Chapter 51, Section 10.
Jacob Pearsall, married Elizabeth Crossit.
Mary Jane Pearsall, married William Holmes.
– daughter married Barnes.
Phebe Jane Piersall, died January 26, 1873; married March 9, 1845, John Asahel Tyler of Shartonsville, Ohio; …
Job Pearsall, married Sarah Ogg; they resided in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. Child: 1. Sarah Pearsall, died in 1884; married 1848, Isaac McCamic, born 1828. …

No narrative.

Comments:
+ It seems that Benjamin never actually lived in Allegheny County or other counties near Pittsburgh. In fact, only one Benjamin appears as the head of a household in Pennsylvania census records from 1810 to 1840. A Benjamin Pearsol appears in Brunswick Township, Schuylkill County in the 1820 Census. His household contained 2 males under 10, 1 male 16-26, 3 females under 10 and 1 female 26-45. He disappears in 1830.
+ Since Benjamin is said to be the father of children who ended up in Ohio, he might be the Benjamin Pierseall who appears in the 1830 Census of Liberty Township, Franklin County, Ohio. His household contained 1 male 0-5, 1 male 5-10, 1 male 10-15, 1 males 15-20, 1 male 40-50, 1 female 0-5, 2 females 5-10, 1 female 10-15 and 1 female 30-40. Since this Benjamin’s age doesn’t appear to match the age of the man in Schuylkill County, they might be different men or one age might be a clerical error.