Thomas Pierson, Sr.

Thomas Pierson, son of Samuel Pierson, was baptised on 6 August 1634 at Dewsbury, Yorkshire, England. Weaver. He came to America about 1661 and joined his uncle, Abraham Pierson in Branford, Connecticut where he married Maria Harrison, daughter of Richard and Sarah (Yorke) Harrison, on 27 November 1662. In May 1666 they moved to Newark, NJ with his uncle, Abraham Pierson, her mother, Sarah (Yorke) Harrison, her brother, Sgt. Richard Harrison, Jr., and the other colonists. Thomas was the ninth signer of the agreement to form a common township at New-Ark on Pesayack dated 30 October 1666. Their homestead lot of "six acres which ran from High Street to Brick Lane" (to which each settler was entitled) is lot number 9 in the NW section of the Map of the Town of Newark. For a more complete history of Branford and Newark go to the Horseneck Founders of Newark, NJ.

They had the following children:

  1. Samuel Pierson, Sr. was born in 1663 in Branford, Connecticut. Carpenter, Deacon. He married Mary Harrison, his first cousin, about 1692 in Newark, NJ. They moved to Orange, NJ where they had 7 children. Samuel died 19 March 1730.

  2. Hannah Pierson was born about 1666.

  3. Elizabeth Pierson was born about 1669 in Newark.

  4. Abigail Pierson was born about 1672 in Newark.

  5. Mary Pierson was born about 1675 in Newark. She married Samuel Lyon.

  6. Thomas Pierson, Jr. was born in 1678 in Newark. He settled Whatnong Plain (now Morris Plain) where he commenced running a sawmill. He died 5 March 1758 in Orange.

Thomas was made townsman, 1677, constable, 1679, and grand juryman, 1680. Thus, while Abraham Pierson led the band of emigrants in their spiritual interest, Thomas was active in discharging official duties. Records of 1676 show he was one of the first settlers of Watsessing (now Bloomfield). He is said to have appraised the property of Rev. Abraham Pierson in 1678, whose will he witnessed, 1668.

Thomas' will is dated January 12, 1698, and proved March 3, 1701, names his children Samuel, Thomas the youngest son, Hannah, Abigail, Mary, and Elizabeth. Executor was his son-in-law Samuel Lyon. (NJA 21:326).

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