Newspapers / The Pamlico News (Bayboro, … / April 24, 1985, edition 1 / Page 2
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Hie Historical Pierson Cemetery by Nancy Winfrey The historical Pierson/Pearson cemetery Is the oldest cemetery , remaining Id Pamlico County with headstones bearing the dates. Even though there is little doubt there are many burial spots throughout the County that are possibly as old as the Pier son/Pearson cemetery, they hold no date. One cemetery was recorded in' past years but has since vanished. It was located on a pulpwood road between Goose Creek and Broa^ Creek. This information Was found In a booklet from 'the Pamlico County Historical Association, compiled in 1935. Recorded as being buried there were Zebedee Rawls - no date of ‘ birth legible, died in 1816; Sam F. ' Sparrow, no birth date recorded, died in 1721; SENR Wasbom, born ' ■ 1721, died 1791; Ben Spark - born ■ 1767, died 1799. The booklet mentions that there were approx imately 12 graves marked with ballast stones. Unfortunately, this . cemetery has since been destroyed. There are many interested citizens in Pamlico County who are interested in recording and saving as much of the remaining history of this area as possi ble...two of whom are Vernon Daniels, Jr. and Ruth Lee. In 1967, in an earnest effort to ■ record the county’s past heritage, Vernon “Bud” Daniels, Jr. con . tacted Ruth Lee of the Arapahoe area, knowing that she was keenly , interested in the history of the county. The two visited the old Pier son/Pearson Cemetery, making recordings and rubbings of the unusual and handsome headstones. At that time, said < Lee, all but one of the markers were standing; that was approx imately seventeen years ago. One of the two black slate headstones had fallen and lay on the ground. Today, that marker is almost in a state of non-repair. ? This historically significant cemetery, which is located about > 109-feet from the Neuse River at > Dawson’s Creek, holds unique and 1 rare slate and * sandstone ; headstones. They were intricately ; carved. One of the black slate ;: markers has a large cherub’s s head with wings and the other slate marker holds a death’s head g with wings fanning to either side l of the large marker. The craft * smanship was of the highest quali ; ty. «- This is now the only surviving •> historical burial spot in the county and merits preservation both for the early dates and for the funerary motifs which are found on the headstones. It’s interesting to think back to the 1700s and realize the cost and the time it must have taken to have markers of this quality brought into the area. One of the stones Lee recorded had the stonecutter’s mark on the back. The family must have been quite wealthy to be able to afford a marker of its quality. ,V.V’AVWAVM^VU>.UIfM(Mi»»>VMViVi This past week, Ruth Lee of Arapahoe, George Baxter of Paradise Shores, and I revisited the Pierson/Pearson Cemetery to probe for more headstones that might have fallen and been hidden through the years by thegrassy overburden. We found, however, no other burials there. Lee’s foresight many years ago when she did her first rubbings has proven invaluable. At this most recent visit, the black slate marker bearing the cherub’s head was found to be broken into so many pieces that it’s doubtful if the superior craftsmanship of the " stonemaker’s design could ever be recaptured. ' For those who are members of «: the Pamlico County Historic^ K Association, along with mahSP l' others throughout the county Who > have a strong interest in seeing > the area’s history recorded and - preserved, the name “Ruth Lee’’ •: certainly has a familiar ring. Lee •; was me of several who helped »• form the association in 1968. You :• will find pages in a book entitled :• Pamlico County Imagery contain :• lag the early history of the county, ;* which were painstakingly resear ;• cited and written by Lee. She has •l been and still is involved in ;* genealogical research. You will find all of her writings and recor dings to be meticulously research ed and footnoted. Because of Lee’s sincere in terest In keeping as much valuable information on record as possible, she researched the (rid Pierson/Pearson Cemetery. Following is the research site did which has also been sent to Ar chives and History In Raleigh for their permanent records. A Link To The Past Ruth Lee is pictured at the Pierson Cemetery talcing a rubbing of a sandstone marker. She very carefully makes her rubbings capturing every remaining detail cut in to this 1700’s headstone. County Road number 1304, a dirt road, about 200-yards west of Pier son Point and about 100-yards in from the bank of the Neuse River. Those buried in this family cemetery are as follows: Here Lyes Y Body of Eunice Pearson - The wife of Capt—? Pearson, Ag ed 44 years. Dyed May 2, 1745 (marker of black slate); Here Lyes Burled The Body of Thomas Pierson ESQ - Who Departed This Life Dec. 8, 1748, 32 Year of flis Age (black slate marker); Hare Lyes the Body, of Wheelwright Pearson Esquire Who Departed This Life October 31,1751 in the 33 Year of His age (back of this red dish sandstone marker engraved by hand “Made by John Suricher in New York”); Here Lyes the Body of Joseph Crispin Senr. Who Departed this Life February 21, 1774 Aged 61 Years (reddish sand stone); Here Lyes the Body of Thomas W. Pearson Who Departed this Life January 29, 1791 Aged 40 Years (reddish sand stone); Here Lyes the Body of Thomas Kelly Who Departed this Life October 12, 1791 Aged 37 Years (reddish sandstone); In Memory of John Oliver Who Departed this Life Oct. 1,1837 Ag ed 63 Years and Elizabeth Pear son Ollver-His Wife-Who Departed this Life Oct. 15, 1823 Aged 37 Years 11 months (White stone slab, one stone for both graves). (NOTE: It’s interesting to note that there seemed to be a gap of twenty-some years between the first three of the oidest burials-1745, 1748, 1751, all dying about three years apart-and the next four burials-1774, 1781, 1791, 1791.) The following data was abstracted by Elizabeth Moore, a New Bern genealogist, from loose papers, now in the Raleigh Ar chives, found in the Clerk’s Office in Craven County.Lee abstracted the data from Elizabeth’s Genealogy and History released to the Pamlico County News and found in the issues of January 6, 1972, and January 13,1972. FELLOWS VS. KKI.LV The petition of Jonathan Fellows, says: That Thomas Pearson, who in his life time was of Craven County, died some time in the year 1748, having made his will, which was proved and Wheelwright Pearson, Thomas Pearson, Jr. and Mary Pearson therein named as Executors and Executrix, the said Thomas Pear son, Sr. having by his will made several bequests devised all the rest and residue of his estate, both real and personal, to be equally divided between Thomas Pearson, Jr., Mary Pearson, Elizabeth Pearson, Ann Pearson, Esther Pearson, their heirs and assigns forever. Petitioner says that part of the sakl Thomas Pearson’s estate comes within the said residuary clause, was part of land lying in said county of Craven on the north side of Neuse River call ed Nottingham Point, containing 250 acres, of which Thomas Pear son died seized of. The said Ann Pearson survived the testator and rparried Joseph Oliver and had by him a son called James Pearson Oliver, who survived his mother, and to whom her share of right of the land descended, she dying in testate. The said James Pearson Oliver afterwards died intestate and without issue, some time in the year 1789, and the said Ann’s share descended from him to Eunice Conway, his only surviv- + ing sister, of the whole blood, who afterwards intermarried with your petitioner, and being well and legally entitled by the said descent aforesaid, and under the will aforesaid, to 1/5 of said land undivided, your petitioner and the said Eunice, his wife, sold and conveyed said 1/5 undivided part to Thomas Hyman from whom your petitioner afterwards pur chased the same. And your peti tioner says that the other 4/5 of said land came at length to be united partly by descent and part ly by purchase —in—Thomas Wheelwright Pearson, who devis ed the same to Thomas Kelly, an infant under the age of 21 years, the guardianship of whom was ob tained by James Bryan, and who in right of said infant has entered into possession of said land and now holds the same and as the same has never been divided, your petitioner prays that Com missioners may be appointed ac cording to the Act of the Assembly in such cases made and provided, to divide the same between your petitioner and the said Thomas Kelly who are tenants in common. The citation may issue to James Bryan, guardian as aforesaid, to show cause, if any he has, why the prayer of the petitioner should not be granted and that 1/5 of said land may be set apart for said Jonathan Fellows. James Bryan, guardian, acknowledged service of com plaint at June Term 1800, and filed the following answer: Thomas Kelly, an infant under the age of 21, by James Bryan, his guardian, says: He admits that Thomas Pearson died at the time stated in said peti tion, having made a will, and devised the residue of his estate to be divided between Thomas Pear son, Jr., Mary Pearson, Elizabeth Pearson, Ann Pearson, and Esther Pearson, etc. land called Nottingham Point; that said Ann Pearson, and Esther Pearson, etc. land called Nottingham Poiht; that said Ann Pearson survived the testator and married Joseph Oliver, and had by him a son call ed James Pearson Oliver, but respondent does not know that said James Pearson Oliver la dead. It is admitted that petitioner married Eunice Conway, sister of James Pearson Oliver, but knows nothing of the conveyance from petitioner and his wife to Thomas Hyman, or of the conveyance from Thomas to petitioner. That he believes that Thomas Pearson, Jr. departed this Ufa and heir at law took Into his possession the whole undivided tract of land called Nottingham Point, claiming the same as heir ; to his uncle and did continually un til the day of his death, which hap- • pened some time in the year 1791, hold as his sole and exclusive pro perty, without any division of suit therefore, etc. Signed James Bryan, June Term 1800 before Samuel Chapman. The deposition of Thomas Oliver, a witness in the suit in New Bern Superior Court in which Jonathan Fellows is petitioner and Thomas Kelly by his guardian is defendant. He says he has been well ac quainted with the land called Not tingham Point on the north side of1 Neuse River below Wilkinson’s Point for 35 years. He knew Ann Pearson, the daughter of Thomas Pearson, she married Joseph Oliver, who was reputed to be lost at sea. Deponent held no personal acquaintance with him but the widow for several years lived upon Nottingham Point and after wards married Peter Hyman. Ann Pearson had by her husband Joseph Oliver a son James Pear son Oliver who deponent understood went to sea about twenty years ago, and has not been heard of and presumed by his family to be lost at sea. James Pearson Oliver was about 16 years old when he went to sea. Joseph Crispin before the memory of deponent married the widow of Wheelwright Pearson, who was the son of Thomas Pearson and had occupied the point land but i not within the recollection of depo nent. Captain Thomas Kelly settl ed upon the land about 16 years and and died there. About 18 years ago Thomas Wheelwright Pearson purchased the shares of two of the daughters of his grandfather, Thomas Pearson, in the Not tingham Point land. One of these was Esther, wife of James Little, after this, the deponent frequently heard Thomas Wheelwright Pear son declare that he had purchased all the shares in the Point land, ex cept the share of James Pearson Oliver, the son of Ann Oliver, and he intended to purchase the share of the said James as soon as he at tained the age of 20 years. Sworn to before John Stanly, —day of—1804. The deposition of John Gooding, a witness in the suit wherein Jonathan Fellows is petitioner and Thomas Kelly, by his guardian, defendant, says about 40 years ago deponent rented a piece of 'land on the North sidd of Neuse Slyer below Wilkinson’s Point, from Joseph Crispin, who inter married with the widow of Wheelwright Pearson. This is the same plantation which was after wards improved by Captain Thomas Kelly. Crispin informed deponent he rented the land for the benefit of Mrs. Ann Oliver, the' widow of — Oliver, who - was reported to be lost at sea, and her i children, James and Eunice. He further states that between the years 1780 and 1790 in which inter val deponent collected taxes for Craven County, he had a conver sation with Thomas Wheelwright Pearson, the said Pearson inform ed deponent he had purchased all the shares in the land on which deponent had settled except one. Signed John Gooding, the - day of—1804: before John Stanly. April Term 1811. Sheriff of Craven commanded to summon Roger Jones, William Whitty, Jesse Vendrick, Ephraim Fulcher, and William S. Sparrow, to meet and make partition of said land called Nottingham Point, 250 acres, between Jonathan Fellows and Thomas Kelly, by his guar dian John Oliver, according to their respective shares, etc. Witness Wright C. Stanly, Clerk of Court. September..1810. To further enhance the story of the Pierson/Pearson graves, Lee abstracted the following deeds from Craven County: D/B 20 p. 432 - This Indenture made the 17 Feb. 1774, between Elizabeth Pearson and Esther Pearson, daughters of Thomas Pearson, late of Craven County in the Province of North Carolina, Esquire, deceased, of the one part and Thomas Wheelwright Pear son of the same county and pro vince of the other part...Elizabeth and Esther for the sum of 40 pounds sell their estate right to Thomas Wheelright Pear son...land situate on the north side of Neuse River called Nottingham Point containing 250 acres from Gilbert Dover (?) to Thomas Pearson bearing date 16 July 1734, also one lot of land'in the town of New Bern known in the plan of the said town by No. 38 which lot was panted by the commissioners to Thomas Pearson - Witnesses: Joseph Crispin and Sidney Crispin; signed: Elizabeth Pear son by Esther Pearson, her at torney. Esther Pearson. Money received from Thomas W. 7 Feb. 1774. K» - Bath County, et-Dec. 23,1712/3 toOourt Capt.Far George Baxter of Paradise Shores helps probe for other grave sites at the historical Pierson Cemetery. No other graves were found. his right to and interest in a pcell of land as followeth: Know all men by these present that I Famifold Green of Bath County in Neus River doe bargaine and sell unto Martine Franks of the same Coun ty and place his Heirs Ex(rs), Asm(rs), or assigns one settle ment tract or pcell of land contain ing two hundred and fifty acres ly ing and being in Notingams Neck and I doe make over all my right title and interest. Witnesses - Rich. Whitehouse, Rich. William son. In Famifold Green’s Will, writ ten October 26, 1711 - found on p. 210 in North Carolina Wills and In ventories by Grimes: It is noted that he willed to his daughter-in law, Ann Smithwick, “one Tract of Land Lying on ye No. side Neus River, Called Nottingame point...Two hundred and fifty acres.” CONCLUSION Upon gathering data about the. unique Pierson/Pearson graves, an interesting story evolved. The first ownprs and settlers of the land around Pierson’s Point in Pamlico County were seafdring men. Several traveled the waters and never returned. The need for help-mates was so great that widows and widowers had little trouble remarrying with other set tlers. Famifold Green of Bath County, first owner of the land, named it Nottingame Point as early as 1711. In that year he willed it to his daughter-in-law, Ann Smithwick. It can be surmised that Ann never settled on the land or that within one year she died; because Far nifold sold the same land in 1712 to Martin Franks. Martin Franks was a large landowner in Bath County, Craven Precinct, as was Famifold Green. Neither lived upon the land around Nottingame Point as records revealed their residences as being Green’s Creek and close to New Bern Town. The land was continuously bought and sold by speculators until Thomas Pearson purchased it in 1734. Thomas Pearson was the first person to settle upon the land around Nottingame Point. He and his family farmed the land and in dications show they still traveled the seas. The elaborate black slate tombstones show possibilities of having come from England. One of the reddish sandstones states that it came from New York. The rugged mode of living afforded this family upusually short life spans. The Pearson family lived ' upon this land for some 40 6dd years, thus it became known as Pearson’s land. The variants in spelling are noted on the tomb stones as well as in the records. In time the name of the Point became Pierson’s Point.
The Pamlico News (Bayboro, N.C.)
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April 24, 1985, edition 1
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