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Joseph Pearson 1735 - 1807 Joseph was baptised at Kingswinford Parish Church on 29 February 1735 the only son of Edward Pearson and Elizabeth nee Dean. He had an older sister, Anne baptised 10 March 1734 at Oldswinford, and a younger sister, Dinah (or Diana) baptised 12 April 1738 at Kingswinford. What became of Josephs sisters is not known, but what is known is that their father died in January 1737 and was buried at Kingswinford Parish Church - this was four months prior to the birth of his youngest child, Diana. It is fairly likely that Edwards wife died shortly afterwards in 1741 for there is a burial of Elizabeth Pearson recorded at Kingswinford on 14 October 1741. |
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Joseph survived these traumas of his early childhood to enjoy a prosperity unknown to his immediate ancestors. His grandfather, William, had been a collier and nailer - an arduous life which meant working basically from sunrise to sunset in what was essentially an outbuilding attached to his dwelling containing a small forge. Here the entire family would often be engaged in making nails by hand, working these long hours in order to survive.
Joseph married Elizabeth Batham on 4 August 1765 at Kingswinford Parish Church. They had eight children: Bethiah born 1766, Nancy born 1768, Betty born 1771 died 1775, Zipporah born 1773, Joseph born 1776, Elizabeth, Mary born 1786 and James born 1789.
Joseph left a large number of descendants, little is known of his youngest son, James born 1789 other than that he is mentioned in Joseph's will, but his eldest son, also named Joseph survived to carry on the surname.
Little is known about Joseph's business activities. One of the few references to these is that he operated a Colliery at Holly Hall with his sons - 'Ten Score Colliery, Joseph Pearson & Sons' (source Directory).
Joseph died on 3 February 1807 and was buried at Brierley Hill Parish Church three days later. He left a will for which probate was granted on 14 May 1807 - the original document is preserved in Lichfield Joint Record Office.
Pearson/Rowley/Parrish/Batham/Gauden
Steve Pearson
PO Box 2483, Dudley, West Midlands, England, DY2 0YH
Tel: +44 (0)1384 571244 E-mail: Steve Pearson
©S Pearson 2002
