Pearson, Elizabeth, of Bridgend in Ullock in Dean (1618-1678)
Summary
Elizabeth was probably the daughter of John Crosby of Lowmoor in Ullock, and baptised in 1618. This is explained in the article The Lowmoor Web.
She married William Pearson of Ullock (1605-pre-1650) or an unknown brother.
She was definitely the mother of Christopher Pearson of Ullock (died 1711).
All that we know about her for sure is from her probate in 1678, which doesn't give any clue as to where she came from.
[Note: some internet 'pedigrees' give her as Elizabeth Wilson from Crosthwaite. This is probably a muddle between Ullock in Dean and Ullock in Crosthwaite - two entirely different places. When we add such common names as Pearson and Wilson, confusion reigns]
Children
She had four children: Christopher (died 1711), Isabel, Elsabeth and Dorothy (died 1695). These would have been born during a hiatus in the Dean register and before the Society of Friends started, hence there is no record of the births.
Religion
She doesn't specify in her will where her body was to be buried (a common feature at this time among Quakers); but there is no mention of her in the Pardshaw burial register - so the assumption must be that she was buried in the parish churchyard.
At least two of her children (Christopher and Dorothy) were Quaker. Christopher married in 1670, so most likely was born between 1635 and 1645. He might have been a young teenager when George Fox preached in Dean, perhaps old enough to make an independent decision and to influence his sister (or maybe she was older than him, and the reverse). Perhaps that was why their mother left her burial place undefined in her will, leaving it to a family decision.
PEARSON, Elizabeth of Bridgend in Ullock in Dean, 1678 | |
| |
In the name of God, Amen; Thirteenth Day of October, Anno Domini 1698. | I Elizabeth Peirson of Ullocke bridgend within the parishe of Deane, and county of Cumberland widowe: sicke in bodie but whole in mynd and memory,thanks be to the Lord for the same, doe make and ordain this my present testament containinge herein my last will, in manner & forme followinge |
First, | I commend my soule into the hands of Almight God my maker and to Jesus Christ my only Savioure and Redeemer hopeinge through his merrits to have free pardon of all my sins. And for my worldly goods I doe dispose of them as followeth. |
First | I give unto Mary, Sara, and John, children of Christopher Peirson everyone a sheepe. |
Item | I give unto my sonne Christopher Peirson one great barrell. And to Ellinor his wife my best undercoat. |
Item | I give unto my daughter Isabell Oyes a newe cloake. |
Item | I give unto Richard Oyes my sonne in lawe, his wife and children, five shillings, equally to be divided amongst them. |
Item | I give unto Dorathy Peirson my daughter three pound. |
| The rest of all my goods and chattles, both moveable and unmoveable, I give and bequeath unto Elsabeth and Dorathy Peirson my daughters, whome I make joint executrixes of this my will. |
| Witnesses hereof Henry Bowman and John Bowman. |
| Elsabeth [splodge] Peirson her hand [splodge] mark |