Pearson, John, of Bridgend in Ullock in Dean (1573-1650)
Background
Son of John Pearson and Agnes Wood. His parents married 07-08-1569, and they were buried together 20-02-1598/9.
John was baptised 20-10-1573. He married 10-08-1599 to Isabel Wood of Calva in Dean, some eight months after the demise of his parents.
Isabel was the daughter of Thomas Wood of Calva (died 1621) and his wife Agnes. Agnes made a bequest to John in her 1638 will, describing him as her son-in-law.
Children
John and Agnes had at least six children: Annas, William (1605-), John (1603-1606), Ellen (1607-1610), Janet (1612-) and Matthew (1615-1619). The dates listed are taken from BMD records.
The mortality rate is quite high: John's parents buried on the same day, three of his children buried as infants.
One can't help wondering whether industrialisation was a cause. We know from the will of John's brother, Christopher, that Ullock had weavers - and the farm directly south of Ullock may have been used for dyeing. The River Marron ran northwards through Ullock and so may have carried pollutants.
His daughter, Annas or Agnes
His daughter Annas/Agnes (probably his oldest child) had an illegitimate son, Henry [Henry Towerson als Pearson], by a Henry Towerson of Ullock; and then married Thomas Marshall of Branthwaite Edge.
His son William
His son William isn't mentioned in his will and was clearly dead by that time. John's grandson Christopher inherited Bridgend, but whether William was the father is impossible to say - it is nevertheless likely as William is the only recorded surviving son of John..
It is quite possible that William was a casualty of the Battle of Marston Moor in 1644.
Churchwarden
It is likely that John was a Churchwarden. This position was usually, though not necessarily, filled by the more powerful yeoman families of the parish.
The Protestation Return for Dean in 1641/2 lists the church officials in the preamble, but their names are not repeated in the body of the list. A John Pearson was named as churchwarden in the preamble, and there are two more of the same name in the body. Why should we think that John Pearson of Ullock was the churchwarden? There are no place identifiers, but the list does seems to be ordered according to place.
The other possible candidates for churchwarden were John Pearson of Whitekeld and John Pearson of Branthwaite. The two John Pearsons (at positions 56 and 61) are listed with other Whitekeld and Branthwaite residents. There isn't a John Pearson among the Ullock group. Hence, the assumption that John Pearson of Ullock was the churchwarden.
The 19th day of January 1649 | |
In the name of God Amen the daie and yeare above written | I John Peirson of Ullocke bridgend in the parishe of Deane weak [sicke crossed out, weake inserted in margin] in bodie but whole in minde and in good and perfect remembrance thanckes be to god for the same doe make this my present testament containinge herein my last will in manner and forme followinge |
first | I comend my soule to Almightie God, and my bodie to bee buried in the parysh churchyard of Deane and for my worldly goods I dispose of them as followeth |
First | I give and bequeath unto my sonne in law Thomas Marshall 12d and to his daughter Margarett 12d. |
Item | I give and bequeath unto Willm Penningtons children each of them 12d |
Item | I give and bequeath unto my Grandchild Chistopher Peirson all my husbandry geare, |
Item | It is my will concerning the great cupboard in the house that whereas I am oweing xxs to the Schoolehouse stocke, that if my grandchildn Christopher Peirson will pay, the said 20s and 20s to my Executors that is 40s in all hee shall have it otherwise he doe give it to my Executors hereafter nominated, and hee to have nothinge to doe with it. |
Item | I do give unto Eliz. Marshall one heffer, that is the horngeld I have butt one, |
Item | for the all the rest of my goods and chattles both moveable and unmoveable I doe give and bequeath unto my Grandchildren Henry Towrson James Peirson and Elizabeth Marshall whom I doe make my joint Executors Witnesses hereof John Wikecliffe [Marshall crossed out], and Henry Bowman [jur inserted above] |
| In witness whereof I the said John Peirson have sette my hand & marke |