Pierce, Thomas

Notes:

Will of Benjamin Pierce.-
In the name of God Amen. This fourth day of November Anno Domini, One
Thousand Seven hundred and twenty nine. In the the third year of his
Majesties Reign, &c.
I Benjamin Pierce of Scituate in ye County of Plymouth in New England,
Gent. being of sound mind, and memory (Blessed be God for it) Do make
and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form
following, viz.
First of all I commend my soul to God that gave it and my body to
decent Burial at the Discretion of my executor hereafter named.
And as touching my worldly Estate which God hath allowed me.
All my just debts and funeral charges being first and fully paid. I
give devise and dispose of ye same in manner and form following viz.
Imprimis. I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Elizabeth Pierce
all that estate or goods which she brought to me in marriage which
shall remain att my Decease. I also give to my wife thirty pounds in
Bills of Credit or in Goods equivalent thereto in value, as by
covenant agreed upon before marriage. I also give her a cow and its
keeping winter and summer to be done and performed by my son Elisha
one of my Executors. I also give unto my wife five pounds in Bills of
Credit or other pay equivalent to be paid to her yearly and ever year
during her natual life after my decease to be paid by ye aforesaid
Executor.
Now in case she quits all claim to the thirty pounds above mentioned I
give her for her use as long as she shall remain my widow ye
particulars hereafter mentioned viz. I give her use of that room in my
house wherein we now dwell together with all the furniture thereunto
belonging - Except ye Trundle bed my Chest - the Doggs of Iron ye fire
shovels and tongs and my small box - I also give her convenient cellar
room likewise all the meat and corn and such like provisions as shall
be in store for the subsistence of my Family att my Decease, also five
bushels of Indian corn and two bushels of Rye to be paid to her
yearly, and five cords of good burning solid wood for Fuel to be
brought to her door every year so long as she continues to dwell in
the Room afore allowed her. I also give her out of my orchard as many
apples as she shall need in the summer and about six bushels for
winter. I also give her one hundred weight of good Pork and a quarter
of Beef yearly and a convenient horse to ride to meeting on, all which
are to be paid and performed by my son Elisha, one of the Executors.
Furthermore I give my wife freely my little Irish spinning wheel to
dispose of as she pleaseth.
Item. I give to my son Benjamin all that Estate of Housings and Lands
whereon he now dwells and the meadows thereunto belonging which said
Estate I have already given him by Deed, as also one lot of land
containing ten acres called meeting House which I took up in said
Benjas Right provided the said Benja does pay or cause to be paid out
of the sixty pounds in the aforesaid deed conditioned to be paid by
him the sum of twenty-five pounds in manner and form following viz.
Fifteen pounds to my son Ebenezer within one year after my decease.
Five pounds to my son Jeremiah within two years after my Decease, and
five pounds to my Daughter Jerusha Bailey within three years after my
Decease all which payments to be made in Bills of Credit or Goods
equal in value.
Item. I give to my son Ebenezer one hundred and ten pounds in specie
as aforesaid over and avoe what Estate I have already given him.
Fifteen Pounds to be paid by Benjamin as aforesaid and the remainder
being ninety five Pounds to be paid by my son Elisha one of my
executors in four several yearly puportional payments after my
decease.
I give to my son Ebenezer all my wearing clothes.
Item. I give to my son Caleb Peirce over and above what I have already
given him fifty Pounds to be paid to him by son Thomas. Thirty Pounds
to be paid in a year after my decease and the other twenty in two
years.
Item. I give to son Thomas all my lands lying on each side of the way
where his house stands also three acres and a quarter of salt meadow
lying near ye widow Lincoln also two acres more of salt meadow lying
on the southerly side of farm neck so called which I bought Will and
Jonathan Peirce. He yealding and paying the Fifty Pounds aforesaid to
my son Caleb, and Thirty Pounds to my daughter Jerusha Bailey. Mind ye
50 pounds are to be paid in three several yearly proportional payments
and ye Thirty to be paid thus Fifteen within a year and ye other
Fifteen at ye end of two years after my decease. Mind I give all ye
land and meadow mentioned in ye article to my son Thomas his heirs
executors and assigns forever.
Item. I give to my son Jeremiah two thirds of ye lands I have not
already disposed of lying in ye beech woods joining to ye patent line
at a place known by ye name of Mt. Hope, also ye other two acres Will
and John Peirce which salt meadow mind I give it to him his heirs and
assigns forever. Morever I give to my son Jeremiah Twenty Pounds to be
paid in four yearly proportional payments by my son Elisha one of my
Executors.
Item. I give to my son Elisha all my Estate of Housings and Lands and
meadows and all my other estates both real and personal of every sort
and kind whatsoever and wheresoever lying either in Scituate or
elsewhere that is not otherwise hereby devised and disposed of. He the
said Elisha paying and performing all ye several duties, services and
legacies above and beneath required of him. Mind I give them to him
his heirs, executors and assigns forever.
Item. I give to my Daughter Jerusha Bailey Ninety Five Pounds besides
what I formerly gave her. Thirty pounds to be paid by Thomas and five
by Benjamin as above mentioned and the other sixty to be paid by my
Son Elisha in four yearly proportionate payments after my Decease.
Item. I give to my grandson Benjamin Pierce ye eldest son of my son
Ebenezer ten pounds to be paid in Bills of Credit or Goods equal in
value by my son Elisha aforesaid when he shall be arrived to ye age of
twenty and one years. But in case ye said Benjamin should die before
that time then the said ten pounds to be paid in equal proportion
among his Bretheren and Sisters.
Item. I give to my Grandsons Benjamin and Ebenezer Bailey a certain
firelock they now have in custody or the value of it in Bills of
Credit to be paid by my son Elisha if he should see fit to take the
firelock to himself.
Item. I give to my Grandson Benjamin Pierce son of my son Benjamin a
certain firelock which his father hath in custody.
Lastly. I do hereby nominate and appoint my two Sons Thomas and Elisha
Pierce to be ye sole executors to this my last will and testament.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal the day and
year first above written.
Benjamin Peirce (Seal)
Signed sealed pronounced and declared by said Benjamin Peirce to be
his last will and testment in presence of us. Witness
EPHRAIM LITTLE
NATHANIEL ELLS, JR.
KEZIA PENY.
October ye 13th 1730.
The avoe named Ephraim Little, Nathaniel Ells Jr. and Kezia Peny made
oaths that they saw the above named Benjamin Peirce sign seal and
declare the above and within written to be his last will and testament
and that they are the same time in ye presence of ye said testator set
to their hands and witnesses and that according to ye best of there
observation he was of a sound and disposing mind and memory before
Isaac Winslow Judge of Probate.

Benjamin married Adams, Martha on 5 Feb 1678 in Scituate, Plymouth Co., MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

As is indicated by all of the information printed below, It suggested
but not certain that Michael Pierce is related to the other Pierce
Ship captains.
Michael PIERCE - d. Mar. 26, 1676, Pawtucket, RI. No evidence has been
found to indicate that Michael PIERCE was related to Ship Master
William PIERCE or to John PIERCE of Dorchester and Boston. Michael
settled first at Hingham, MA, then moved to Scituate, MA. Commissioned
a captain by the Colony Court in 1669. Ambushed and killed with
company by Canonchet at Attleboro Gore during King Philip's war. Will
dated Jan. 15, 1675, proved Jul. 22, 1676, names wife Anna, children
Benjamin, John, Ephraim, Abigail HOLBROOK, Mary HOLBROOK, Elizabeth,
Sarah, Annah, Abiah, Ruth and Persis, grandchildren Elizabeth and
Abigail HOLBROOK, 'father EAMES,' and 'brothers' Mark JENNES and
Charles STOCKBRIDGE. Married second in 1663 Anna (JAMES) Allen.
Will of Capt. Michael Pierce - January 15, 1675
I, Michael Pierce of Scituate, in the government of New Plymouth in
America, being now by the appointment of God going out to war, against
the Indians, doe make this my last will and testament: First I do
committ myself and wayes unto the Eternal God; nextly concerning that
estate which God has blessed me with, I thus dispose. First I give
unto my beloved wife Annah Pierce, during her life, the westward end
of my now dwelling house in Scituate aforesaid which I last built to
dwell in, and the bed in it, with what appertenances to it, to use and
dispose of, as she shall see cause, and the one half of my other
household stuff for her use during her life, and then to be disposed
of to my children as she shall see cause. Also my will is that for my
wifes yearly maintenance, that my son Benjamin Pierce shall pay unto
her twelve pounds per year, one half in money and the other half in
provisions, and also sufficient
firewood for her use in the house during her life; and I give unto my
son Benjamin aforesaid my now dwelling house and barn in Scituate
afroesaid, and all the land which I have in Scituate excepting that I
bought of Benjamin Bates of Hingham, and that which I bought of
William James of Scituate and
excepting the abovesaid westerly end of my abovesaid house, during my
wife's life as abovesaid, out of which abovesaid Estate in house and
lands given to my son Benjamin, he shall pay unto my aforesaid wife
for her maintenance twelve pounds a year, as abovesaid during her
life, and sufficient firewood
also as abovesaid. And I give unto my son John Pierce all my lands in
Hingham, in the Massachusetts, and my land in Scituate which I bought
of William James, of Scituate, paying out of it to my son Ephraim's
two children Eserikum Pierce and Ephraim Pierce, to each of them
fifteen pounds at the age of twenty and one years; provided that
neither my son Ephraim aforesaid, nor either of his after him, or any
by or under him, shall go about to molest my said John of or upon the
attempt of the three or four acres of meadow land in Hingham aforesaid
which my father gave unto my said son Ephraim which is not yet so
fully confirmed to me as by my son Ephraim's promise it should have
been. Also I give unto my aforesaid son Benjamin all my movable estate
in cattle and boats, and household goods, and such like, excepting
that which I have disposed of to my wife as abovesaid, out of which
said movable estate my said son Benjamin shall pay these legacies
which I give to my children as followeth:
first I give unto my son Ephraim Pierce, five pounds.
2 I give unto my daughter, Abigail Holbrook five pounds.
3 I give unto my daughter, Elizabeth Pierce 30 pounds.
4 I give unto my daughter, Sarah Pierce 30 pounds.
5 I give unto my daughter, Anna Pierce, fifty pounds.
6 I give unto my daughter, Mary Holbrook, 20 pounds.
7 I give unto my daughter, Abiah Pierce, thirty pounds.
8 I give unto my daughter, Ruth Pierce, thirty pounds.
9 I give unto my daughter, Persis Pierce, 50 pounds.
Also I give unto my grandchild Elizabeth Holbrook five pounds to be
paid her by my son Benjamin aforesaid at her day of marriage or 21
yers old.
Also I give unto my grandchild Abigail Holbrook five pounds, to be
paid her
by my son John Pierce aforesaid at her day of marriage, or twenty-one
years of
age.
Also my will is, that if it should please God that my beloved wife
aforesaid should be afflicted with lameness or sickness so that the
abovesaid
12 income be not sufficient to maintain her in comfortable manner,
that then
what shall be meet by my overseers to be added for her comfortable
maintenance
shall be equally payed her yearly by my son Benjamin Pierce and my son
John of
that estate which I have given them as aforesaid.
Also I make my abovesaid wife my executrix and my son Benjamin Pierce
abovesaid my executor of my last will and testament, and also I the
abovesaid
Michael Pierce my truly and will beloved friends Cornett Robert
Statson and
Isaac __________ and my brother Mark Jennes and my brother Charles
Stockbridge
overseers or witnesses of this my abovesaid last will and testament.
In
witness wereof I set my hand and seal this fifteenth of January 1675.
Witnesses: Benjamin Woodworth Michael Pierce
Charles Stockbridge
Above information from files of Stephen M. Lawson
From Robin Dane Pierce:
Michael PIERCE - b. 1615 in England ; d. Mar. 25,1676, Cedar Falls,
RI. Little is known about his ancestors. He was commissioned a Captain
by the Colony Court in 1669. On Sunday March 26, 1676, while leading a
company of about 65 Englishmen and 20 friendly Indians, he and his
company were ambushed by a band of Narragansett Indians led by chief
sachem Canonchet at Attleboro Gore on the banks of the Blackstone near
present day Central Falls, RI. Nine of his men were captured and taken
to a spot in Cumberland, RI, now called Nine Men's Misery, and
tortured to death. Arriving too late, a relief force found and buried
the bodies of the nine. A few days later, Canonchet was captured and
executed. Capt. Pierce's will, dated Jan 15,1675, was proved Jul. 22,
1676. Will can be viewed at web site of Stephen M. Lawson
From Michael Pierce (mpierce282@ibm.net):
The actual birthdate of Michael Pierce, usually found as Captain
Michael Pierce, is not known, although it is generally given as about
1615. This is based upon his first wife's birthdate and the age of his
children. He first shows up in the records of Hingham, MA in the
1640's. He later moved to Scituate. There is still a street there
called "Capt Pierce Rd." He was active in the affairs of the town, as
his name appears in a few official records. He was killed at Central
Falls, RI on March 26, 1676, as was most of his command. There are two
plaques in Central Falls which commerate this fight; one is in the
park at Pierce Park and Riverwalk.
As far as the line being traced back 24 genrations, some genealogists
have taken the line that far, however, I have been unable to
substantiate it. There have been at least three names given for his
father, but none of these have been proved either. It is said he had
brothers Richard, John, and William. Again, there is no absolute proof
of this.
His son Ephraim later lived in Providence, RI, and Swansea and
Rehoboth, MA. My line is Michael, Ephraim, Mial, Job, Job Jr.,
Benonia, Hiram, Benonia, Frank, and Lawrence.
I have some information on some other branches of the family, as well
as information on some of the related families. Several of these lines
go back to England in the 1500's. If you are interested, or if you
have additional information for me, please let me know.
More About Michael J. Pierce:
Fact 1: 1676, Killed by Indians

Michael married Ames, Persis in 1644 in Scituate, Plymouth Co., MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

James married Vassall, Frances. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Possibly married (Pierce Or America), Unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Anthony married Pearce, Margery. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]