Pearson, Dorothy, of Ullock in Dean (-1695)
Summary
Dorothy Pearson was the daughter of William and Isabel Pearson of Bridgend in Ullock.
Like her brother Christopher she was a Quaker. She may have been convinced, and persuaded him, or the other way round - their father was dead before 1650, and their mother isn't mentioned in the Pardshaw burials, so it doesn't look as though they were brought up as Quakers. However, the Dickinsons at Lowmoor were, and may have been an influence. Dorothy seems quite devoted - her will is very plain speaking.
She died unmarried in 1695, having spent probably her whole adult life sharing the family home, Bridgend, with her brother and his wife and children.
The only strange thing about her will is the prominence of Matthew Dickinson, who she made her executor.
I've tried to explain this in an article named 'The Lowmoor Web'.
Dorothy had money that she invested in people close to her. The chief beneficiary was Matthew Dickinson, her eventual executor, then her sister Isabel. It's interesting that John Bowman gets into this top group - he was her direct neighbour, and the size of the loan might suggest a family relationship. That's an area for future research.
My feel, and this may be too romantic on my part, is that she had a bit of a thing for Matthew, impossible in reality because of their religions. I like to think this, on her behalf, because 'Quaker spinster' sounds so dull and inhibited
PEARSON, Dorothy, Ullock, Dean, Cumberland, 1695 | |
| |
| In the Eleventh Day of the Second Month Commonly called April: In the yeare of our Lord one thousand six hundred ninty five & in the seaventh year of the reign of William the third king over England, I Doraty Peirson of Ullock in the parish of Dean and County of Cumberland spinster being sick in body but of good and perfect memory (Praised be God for it) I do therefore make my Last Will and testament revoking all other wills by me formerly made, First I commend my soule into the hands of Almighty God and my body to be buryed at that Decent Buryall place at Eaglsfeild. And as for my worldly Goods I do Dispose theirof as followeth: |
Imprimis | I give and bequeath unto my Cousin Mary Peirson four pounds of Lawfull money and my best rayment of Cloaths and a Back-boord and one Hok and spoon and one box standing in the upper room above stairs |
Item | I give unto my cousin Thomas Oyes ten shillings when he doth accomplish the age of twenty one years |
Item | I give unto my sister Isabell Oyes foure shillings |
Item | I give unto Richard Oyes two shillings |
Item | I give unto William Oyes two |
Item | I give unto Elizabeh Brag teo shillings |
Item | I give unto my brother Christopher Peirson foure pounds of money and one Bourner and one Chaire and a funnil standing in the firehouse and as much flannell as will serve to wind my deade body with |
Item | I give unto the above named Christopher Peirson my brother all such victualls as in in the house towards my funerall, it being my will and minde that he shall be at the charge with my funerall |
Item | I give unto Isabell Hayston one coat |
Item | I give unto Jannet Hayston six pence |
Item | I give unto Martha Fearon one shilling |
Item | I give unto Jannet Freear one shilling |
Item | I give unto Mary Dickinson of Moss=gill six pence |
Item | I give unto James Richardson six pence |
Item | I give unto Mary Dixon six |
Item | I give unto Ann Walker six pence |
Item | And all the rest of my Goods Chattels money and other things not herein before bequeathed after my Debts and Legacis discharged, I do give and bequeath unto Mathew Dickinson whome I do make my whole & sole executor of this my Last will & testament hereby revocking all other wills and testaments by me heretofore made; |
| In Wittness whereof I the sd [said] Doraty Peirson hath hereunto this my present last will and testament set my hand and seal the day and yeare above written. |
| Dorathy Peirson her mrk and seall |
Witness hereof John Bowman jur Christopher Wilson jur |
|