Robert Pearce:
- Born 13 Jun 1817 Porlock, Somerset, , England
- Died 18 Oct 1885 Paradise, Cache, Utah
- Parents: Thomas Pearce and Mary Snow
- Spouse: Sarah Brown (md. 28 Dec 1844 Porlock, Somerset, , England)
- Children: Elizabeth Pearce, Mary Pearce, Sarah Pearce, Robert Pearce, Mary Pearce, Thomas Joseph Pearce, Sr., Charles Pearce
- Christened 22 Dec 1816 Porlock, Somerset, , England
- Died 13 Apr 1898 Paradise, Cache, Utah
- Parents: John Brown and Sarah Bale
History of Robert Pearce
"Robert Pearce crossed the ocean on the John Boyd ship with William W. Cluff, leader of the company. Left Liverpool 30 April 1863 and landed in New York June 1st 1863 and arrived at Florence June the 12, 1863, Cross the plains with Captain W.B. Preston. Left July 9, 1863 with 55 wagons, 300 souls and arrive in Salt Lake Sept 10, 1863.
"Early Settlers of Paradise Utah, they first settled in hills in the southern end of the valley. The Indians were bad stealing their horses and cattle. They would come off the mountains and take their stock. The settlers desired to move 5 miles north where the country was more open so they could see the Indians coming. They called this place Paradise.
"Grandfather took an active part helping to protect the settlers against the Indians. He was a shoemaker, this was his trade in England and Wales, where he joined the church. He also was a gardener, frit and a farmer and stock raiser.
"He was active in the church work. He was true to his agreement, Grandmother that when promised to have a pair of shoes ready at a certain time he would stay up all night and have them ready. He sewed all the shoes by hand. And the boots and the half soles on with pegs.
"Robert Pearce ordained a teacher
"Ordained a priest - no date
"Ordained an elder Oct 21, 1872 by Joseph F. Smith at Salt Lake City, Utah
"ordained a Seventy Jan 7, 1884 by Robert Boxter at Paradise
"Set apart as a President of the 62nd quorum of Seventies Nov 28, 1891 by Pres. J. D. Feldjsted at Hyrum
"Set apart as President to the 118th quorum of Seventies Feb 6, 1899, Joseph G. Kimball being mouth in company with Pres. Jos. McMurrin
"Ordained a High Priest in the Hyrum Stake of Zion Feb 1, 1908 by Elder George Bradshaw Hyrum, Cache Co. Utah
"Robert Pearce baptized Sep 14 1860 at Cardiff Glamorganshire So Wales.
"Rebaptized Sep 1863 at Old Paradise Cache Co. Utah by Elder William Humphries
"Reconfirmed Sept 1863 by Bro. David James
"Rebaptized into United Order at Paradise Cache Co. Utah"
copied from records of Robert and Annie Marie Somes Pearce
* * *
"Among the first settlers were Robert Pearce and his wife Sarah Brown Pearce. He was born June 13, 1817, in Porlock, West Somerset, England. When he was a boy, he was apprenticed to a shoemaker, where he learned the trade which he followed throughout his life.
"On September 28, 1844, he married Sarah Brown. He joined the LDS Church and was baptized May 6, 1851.
"They were parents of seven children, four girls and three boys.
"In their married life they had many joys and some sorrows. Two of their daughters died and were buried in England. The rest of their family had the privilege of coming to America. This was the dream and hope of this family to come to America and eventually to Utah.
"Robert had a brother who worked for a brewery. They used a horse-drawn dray to haul the huge barrels. Some times the boys would get a chance to ride the drays. They used large Clydesdale horses for this purpose. The horses were hitched tandem and the men walked and led them. Some of the horses weighed as much as 2100 pounds. The men would take a few long hairs from the horse's tail, then Robert would knot them together for fishing line. Then would follow a nice afternoon of poaching. In England the gentry own all the land and brooks, so that was another incentive to come to America.
"Taught To Read
"His oldest son Robert was put in kindergarten when he was three years old. They were taught to read and write at an early age. When he was eight, he was able to read so well that his father would say "Bob, you read me the newspaper while I work." During this time he joined the fife and drum band. He learned the rudiments of music which were very helpful to him later in life. When he was ten he had to go to work at sewing and pegging shoes which was done by hand. This ended his schooling.
"This way of life continued until sometime in 1862 when they were able to sail to America. They crossed the ocean in a sailing vessel that took nearly six weeks to cross. Think of being out on the sea for six weeks at the mercy of the elements with a family of children. After some time of wind and weather they had crossed the wide Atlantic and came to the mouth of the St. Lawrence River. They sailed up this mighty river and crossed over to New York, then to Council Bluffs, Iowa.
"Arriving in Council Bluffs too late in the year to start overland across the plains to Utah, they decided to remain there for the winter. They rented a house and he set up his shop to have some income for the winter. They waited anxiously for the main thing in their lives to go ever onward in their travels until their destination and ambition was accomplished, a little home in the mountains of Utah.
"Move West
"Finally spring came and caravans began moving west. They were starting on a thousand mile trip over the vast plains, across rivers and through rugged mountains where roads were merely a name. What courage and faith they must have had to face this!
"Fifteen miles a day was good traveling for the lumbering oxen. His wife walked nearly all the way. The older children walked most of the time. A great many thing happened on this long journey, many pleasant and some sad. The wagons were loaded with priceless possessions they would need in their new home. It was necessary to supplement their food supply with game, fish and fruit as they traveled along.
"After many weary months on the plains, they saw the sight that cheered the travelers. In the dim distance they got the first glimpse of the Rockies. Day by day these majestic mountains with their snow capped peaks piercing the blue sky became clearer as they approached. It was a signal and promise that their goal day by day was coming nearer. Now they were in the mountains, abundant with game and fish, plenty of wood for fires and sparkling streams of cold water. Their hearts were cheered with the assurance that they were nearing the promised land.
"On a day about two weeks out from Salt Lake, Robert Jr. was allowed to drive one of the wagons which was loaded with kegs of nails for use in building their homes.
"This brave couple with their five children were delighted with their first sight of the Salt Lake Valley.
"Settle in Ogden
"It was getting autumn time so he decided to set up shop for the winter in Ogden. During his stay there he purchased a team of oxen and a wagon. The church leaders advised the family to join the saints in Cache Valley so they loaded their belongings and started for their final destination in Paradise. They journeyed north to Brigham City, up Brigham Canyon, over the old Devil's Gate Pass, on over the mountains and down into the land of their dreams. Looking down from the top, they saw spread out before them one of the beauty spots of Utah, a verdant valley with sparkling streams, teaming with trout, wild fruit abundant everywhere, wild chickens and game for the taking and free land for a home. It was a long dry stretch over the divide and down into the valley. The end of their journey in old Paradise (Avon) was just a few miles away. Before the sun had set they rounded the last hill, crossed the last river and looming on the horizon was the place they traveled so far to see. It was just a group of log cabins and a bunch of goodly people who had traveled the same dreary road but they were met with love and sincere friendship and a hearty welcome. They were a free people in a free land where everyone was equal.
"Time was getting short until winter set in. They chose a site near a hill so they could make a half dugout and half cabin. Some of the men went into the canyon for logs and poles and others were busy digging the dugout. By community effort they soon had a snug place to live.
"Fall Harvest
"The colony was in their fall harvest so everyone turned out. The grain was cut with cradles and it took a strong man to handle one. They swept the grain around into little bundles, then with wooden hand rakes. Some of the men and women raked them into little bundles, ready for tiers. They grasped a bunch of wheat straws and whipped them around a bundle; the twisted the ends under. Many of the precious heads were dropped so the children and women gleaned them one by one. In this way they harvested twelve bushels which went a long way toward their bread stuff for the winter.
"Robert was allotted his land but he couldn't do any farming until next year so he helped the other men and got a good supply of firewood for the coming winter. He also kept the community shoes and harnesses all mended. So went their first winter in old Paradise.
"Among the neighbors living in the old fort were J. G. Crapo, Ahrin Monteith, Barnard White, William Woodhead, James Lofthouse, Enoch Rawlins, Edward Davenport, John Sperry, Jerome Remington, Winslow Farr, James Bishop, Elijah Tams, Charles Rawlins, Leonard Crapo, Dr. Ellis and Albert Crapo.
"On account of Indian uprisings and warnings, the Blackhawk Indian war in southern Utah and an increasing hostility of the Indians in northern Utah, it was thought advisable by Ezra T. Benson and Peter Maugham that the settlement be moved three miles to the north to the present site of Paradise. The country was more open here and settlers could protect themselves better. Such a move involved a considerable sacrifice to the settlers, but they made the move in the spring of 1868.
"Farming was a new occupation Robert had to learn and this with the earnings from his trade, he made a good living. His health began to fail but he kept going at light work in his garden and his trade. He died October 18, 1885, in Paradise.
"When we think of the hardships and sacrifice our noble pioneers endured we wonder, but we look at the vast number of posterity left, we know their mission was for a purpose. Their seed is rooted in the west and will live on forever. So we can say thanks to our forefathers who had the courage and made the effort and we can live a little easier in the heritage they left us."
From
THE HERALD JOURNAL
Logan, Cache County, Utah
Monday February 26, 1968
Early English Pioneers Help to Found Paradise
By Viola S. Welch
By Viola S. Welch
"Among the first settlers were Robert Pearce and his wife Sarah Brown Pearce. He was born June 13, 1817, in Porlock, West Somerset, England. When he was a boy, he was apprenticed to a shoemaker, where he learned the trade which he followed throughout his life.
"On September 28, 1844, he married Sarah Brown. He joined the LDS Church and was baptized May 6, 1851.
"They were parents of seven children, four girls and three boys.
"In their married life they had many joys and some sorrows. Two of their daughters died and were buried in England. The rest of their family had the privilege of coming to America. This was the dream and hope of this family to come to America and eventually to Utah.
"Robert had a brother who worked for a brewery. They used a horse-drawn dray to haul the huge barrels. Some times the boys would get a chance to ride the drays. They used large Clydesdale horses for this purpose. The horses were hitched tandem and the men walked and led them. Some of the horses weighed as much as 2100 pounds. The men would take a few long hairs from the horse's tail, then Robert would knot them together for fishing line. Then would follow a nice afternoon of poaching. In England the gentry own all the land and brooks, so that was another incentive to come to America.
"Taught To Read
"His oldest son Robert was put in kindergarten when he was three years old. They were taught to read and write at an early age. When he was eight, he was able to read so well that his father would say "Bob, you read me the newspaper while I work." During this time he joined the fife and drum band. He learned the rudiments of music which were very helpful to him later in life. When he was ten he had to go to work at sewing and pegging shoes which was done by hand. This ended his schooling.
"This way of life continued until sometime in 1862 when they were able to sail to America. They crossed the ocean in a sailing vessel that took nearly six weeks to cross. Think of being out on the sea for six weeks at the mercy of the elements with a family of children. After some time of wind and weather they had crossed the wide Atlantic and came to the mouth of the St. Lawrence River. They sailed up this mighty river and crossed over to New York, then to Council Bluffs, Iowa.
"Arriving in Council Bluffs too late in the year to start overland across the plains to Utah, they decided to remain there for the winter. They rented a house and he set up his shop to have some income for the winter. They waited anxiously for the main thing in their lives to go ever onward in their travels until their destination and ambition was accomplished, a little home in the mountains of Utah.
"Move West
"Finally spring came and caravans began moving west. They were starting on a thousand mile trip over the vast plains, across rivers and through rugged mountains where roads were merely a name. What courage and faith they must have had to face this!
"Fifteen miles a day was good traveling for the lumbering oxen. His wife walked nearly all the way. The older children walked most of the time. A great many thing happened on this long journey, many pleasant and some sad. The wagons were loaded with priceless possessions they would need in their new home. It was necessary to supplement their food supply with game, fish and fruit as they traveled along.
"After many weary months on the plains, they saw the sight that cheered the travelers. In the dim distance they got the first glimpse of the Rockies. Day by day these majestic mountains with their snow capped peaks piercing the blue sky became clearer as they approached. It was a signal and promise that their goal day by day was coming nearer. Now they were in the mountains, abundant with game and fish, plenty of wood for fires and sparkling streams of cold water. Their hearts were cheered with the assurance that they were nearing the promised land.
"On a day about two weeks out from Salt Lake, Robert Jr. was allowed to drive one of the wagons which was loaded with kegs of nails for use in building their homes.
"This brave couple with their five children were delighted with their first sight of the Salt Lake Valley.
"Settle in Ogden
"It was getting autumn time so he decided to set up shop for the winter in Ogden. During his stay there he purchased a team of oxen and a wagon. The church leaders advised the family to join the saints in Cache Valley so they loaded their belongings and started for their final destination in Paradise. They journeyed north to Brigham City, up Brigham Canyon, over the old Devil's Gate Pass, on over the mountains and down into the land of their dreams. Looking down from the top, they saw spread out before them one of the beauty spots of Utah, a verdant valley with sparkling streams, teaming with trout, wild fruit abundant everywhere, wild chickens and game for the taking and free land for a home. It was a long dry stretch over the divide and down into the valley. The end of their journey in old Paradise (Avon) was just a few miles away. Before the sun had set they rounded the last hill, crossed the last river and looming on the horizon was the place they traveled so far to see. It was just a group of log cabins and a bunch of goodly people who had traveled the same dreary road but they were met with love and sincere friendship and a hearty welcome. They were a free people in a free land where everyone was equal.
"Time was getting short until winter set in. They chose a site near a hill so they could make a half dugout and half cabin. Some of the men went into the canyon for logs and poles and others were busy digging the dugout. By community effort they soon had a snug place to live.
"Fall Harvest
"The colony was in their fall harvest so everyone turned out. The grain was cut with cradles and it took a strong man to handle one. They swept the grain around into little bundles, then with wooden hand rakes. Some of the men and women raked them into little bundles, ready for tiers. They grasped a bunch of wheat straws and whipped them around a bundle; the twisted the ends under. Many of the precious heads were dropped so the children and women gleaned them one by one. In this way they harvested twelve bushels which went a long way toward their bread stuff for the winter.
"Robert was allotted his land but he couldn't do any farming until next year so he helped the other men and got a good supply of firewood for the coming winter. He also kept the community shoes and harnesses all mended. So went their first winter in old Paradise.
"Among the neighbors living in the old fort were J. G. Crapo, Ahrin Monteith, Barnard White, William Woodhead, James Lofthouse, Enoch Rawlins, Edward Davenport, John Sperry, Jerome Remington, Winslow Farr, James Bishop, Elijah Tams, Charles Rawlins, Leonard Crapo, Dr. Ellis and Albert Crapo.
"On account of Indian uprisings and warnings, the Blackhawk Indian war in southern Utah and an increasing hostility of the Indians in northern Utah, it was thought advisable by Ezra T. Benson and Peter Maugham that the settlement be moved three miles to the north to the present site of Paradise. The country was more open here and settlers could protect themselves better. Such a move involved a considerable sacrifice to the settlers, but they made the move in the spring of 1868.
"Farming was a new occupation Robert had to learn and this with the earnings from his trade, he made a good living. His health began to fail but he kept going at light work in his garden and his trade. He died October 18, 1885, in Paradise.
"When we think of the hardships and sacrifice our noble pioneers endured we wonder, but we look at the vast number of posterity left, we know their mission was for a purpose. Their seed is rooted in the west and will live on forever. So we can say thanks to our forefathers who had the courage and made the effort and we can live a little easier in the heritage they left us."
From
THE HERALD JOURNAL
Logan, Cache County, Utah
Monday February 26, 1968
Wow Kathy! I have Pierce/Pearces in my family too. And they lived in Paradise Valley in Nevada! Amazing. You've totally inspired me to start a blog like this too!! Thanks! :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm thrilled you want to do this too! It's been such fun. And I've heard from several distant relatives, which is such fun. You don't suppose we're related somehow, do you?
ReplyDeleteMy name is Adrian Pearce. The family on the web site is part of my family on either Thomas or Charle's Pearce I forgotten which one of the brother name as I lost the information. which moved from Porlock England to Scotland and in 1951 my Grandfather Charle's Pearce with his family moved to Melbourne Victoria Australia.
ReplyDeleteWow, Arian! So do you live in Australia? I think that would make yours the first international comment on this blog. :-) Nice to meet a new cousin! My sister served a Greek-speaking mission in Melbourne many years ago.
ReplyDeleteYes I do live in Melbourne Victoria Australia and I have made contact with other relations in U.S, Wales, England also i have a cousin still living in Glasgow Scotland. if you want more information please let me know and perhas we can talk to each other on the phone or email just let me know Adrian Pearce. I have talked to other relation's from Wale's, Scotland and U.S.A. All the best for now and God Bless you and your family.
ReplyDeleteDo you know these people as I am sure you are related more closer them them I am their name's are Karen Rust (Pearce) before she was married and Sandra Thalman (Pearce) they are sister's and their where born in Paradise Utah and his surname is Pearce and there family line is from the same line as you are?. If you are I can give there contact detail's if you want me too throught face book? they have family in most part'e of U.S.A. Please let me know thank you Adrian Pearce
ReplyDeleteDo you know these people as I am sure you are related more closer them them I am their name's are Karen Rust (Pearce) before she was married and Sandra Thalman (Pearce) they are sister's and their where born in Paradise Utah and his surname is Pearce and there family line is from the same line as you are?. If you are I can give there contact detail's if you want me too throught face book? they have family in most part'e of U.S.A. Please let me know thank you Adrian Pearce
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry, I don't know Karen or Sandra. I think there are lots and lots of Pearces around in Utah!
ReplyDeleteMy paternal grandmother was Blanche Pierce (Pearce). I have in interesting biography written from those early settlement times.
ReplyDeleteI have Pierce (Pearce) relatives from Paradise Utah. I also have in interesting biography written from those times. Contact me if you are interested!
ReplyDeleteHi, Denise! I would love to see the biography from the early Pearces. You can send it to me at kdfarrier @ gmail.com. Thanks! I love reading the old stories.
ReplyDeleteMy name is Clark T. Clements. I'm related to Everett Pearce and AmosPearce both of Paradise, Utah, and Donna Mae Pearce. Amos was my Grandfather, and Donna was my Mother. My Mother married William Phillip Clements Sr.
ReplyDeleteHello, Clark! Welcome to the Pearce cousinhood.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kathy.
DeleteYou're welcome, C.T.
ReplyDeleteGreetings Kathy. It has been a while since I last visited. I hope all is well with our kin. Please give all my regards, and stay safe.
ReplyDelete