Pierce, Abigail

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]

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

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