The Edward Pearce Family
from Northern Ireland to Chester County, Pennsylvania, 1737

That’s the legend in a nutshell. Although the details vary, this same basic story was repeated many times by descendants of Edward Pearce and Frances Brassington. ( Some sources at the bottom of this page. )

Edward brought his family to America at a time when immigrants from Northern Ireland were pouring in to Pennsylvania. These immigrants were later known as the Scots-Irish (or Scotch Irish – take your pick) although they were not Irish - they were largely of Scottish descent, and the Presbyterian faith. However, the Pearce family claimed British descent, and upon arriving in Pennsylvania they joined an Anglican church.

History has recorded that the Edward Pearce family of Chester Co. PA made no secret of their pride in their heritage, and their religion. These early American Pearce’s were leaders within their church, and in the military.

Edward Pearce the immigrant (1701-1777) was the primary builder and architect of St. Peter's Church in the Great Valley, Paoli PA, in 1744, and became a senior warden. This church, with many modifications, is still in use today.

St. Peter's Church in the Great Valley, Malvern, Pennsylvania - from a 1960s era penny postcard.

Cromwell Pearce (1732-1794), son of Edward, was a Lieutenant during the French and Indian Wars. When the Revolution broke out, Cromwell took the "Oath" thereby renouncing the King of Great Britain. During this time he was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Chester County Militia. A battle known as the Paoli Massacre took place on his farm in 1777.

Marmaduke Pearce (1776-1852), son of Cromwell, was a noted Methodist – Episcopalian minister, one of the early "Circuit Riders".

Col. Cromwell Pearce (1772-1852), another son of Cromwell, was an officer of note during the War of 1812, a Sheriff of Chester County and a Presidential Elector for the state of Pennsylvania.

To what extent the Pearce’s of Chester County had assimilated into the Scots-Irish culture is uncertain, but they seemed to exhibit all the traits of the Scots-Irish. They had no use for slaves or slavery. At the same time they held a strong contempt for Irish Catholics, and a total disregard for the Native Americans.

In the tradition of the Scots-Irish people, who are known for being individualistic, rebellious, and always ready for the "good" fight, they were well-suited to the task when the U.S. government’s objective turned to carving out the American frontier.

They were without a doubt, products of their heritage, as well as the critical time period in which they lived. They were members of an ethnic group that has had a profound impact on American society and culture as it exists today - by the sheer force of their wills.

The Second Generation of Pearces in America

Edward and Frances Brassington Pearce had three children in Ireland. As the family legend goes, two of these children died of smallpox on the voyage to America. The surviving child was Cromwell, born in 1732. He was followed by Rachel and George, both born in Pennsylvania.

Rachel Pearce married Richard Robinson and apparently died childless in 1815. In her will, she leaves the bulk of her estate to nieces and nephews.

George Pearce migrated to Shelby County, Kentucky about 1785 where he left a large family. According to one of his descendants, there exists somewhere in Kentucky an old family bible, and a typewritten manuscript that documents this family and relates it back to Edward and Frances Brassington Pearce. At this time, there is no research of this family contained within this website. Although of great interest, it is a project not even started, but it will be dealt with at some future time.

Cromwell Pearce, the oldest surviving child of Edward and Frances, stayed in Pennsylvania, on the farm he inherited from his father in Willistown Township, Chester County, near Paoli. Cromwell married Margaret Boggs and they had a least six sons and one daughter.

At this time, the research on this website is confined to the descendants of Cromwell and Margaret Boggs Pearce.

The Third Generation of Pearces in America

The children of Cromwell Pearce and Margaret Boggs, as documented primarily by Will and Estate files of the immediate family found in the Chester and Delaware County archives:

Richard Pearce, married Sophia King

Edward Pearce, married Hannah Roberts

John Pearce, married Hannah

George Pearce, no further information.

Colonel Cromwell Pearce, married Isabella Bull and Mary Bartholomew

Marmaduke Pearce, married Jane Potter and Hannah Jameson

Joseph Pearce, married Jane Harris ( or Jean Christie, as claimed by one genealogist )

Frances Brassington Pearce, married Isaac Weaver

Excerpt from the Will of Colonel Cromwell Pearce, dated 1 Oct 1847.

The third generation has been reasonably easy to document, with the two exceptions of Richard and George. The other four siblings remained in Chester County or nearby, and more than enough old records have been found to document at least their vital statistics.

Despite a great deal of effort, little is known of Richard Pearce who married Sophia King.

Only two references to George Pearce have been uncovered so far:
• In 1792, Cromwell Pearce wrote a letter to his brother (another George) in Kentucky. He mentions George his son, indicating that he may have become a "Taylor".
• His father also mentions him in his will, dated 1794. At this time George would appear to be of legal age, and Cromwell leaves him £20.

Perhaps George died young, or perhaps he relocated. This remains to be discovered.

The Fourth Generation of Pearces in America

It is here that the research takes some thorny turns, about 1820 - 1840. Many Pearce descendants began to leave Pennsylvania – evidence of some has surfaced in old family bibles, military records, family histories published in the 1800s, etc. Others left sparse trails that will take a great deal of time to track.

Do you know any of these Pearces ? You can search the database to see who is there and who is missing. Comments and contributions of data are always appreciated.