Henry Pearson (Sr.) Generation 1

Bruce S. Elliott's "Irish Migrants in the Canadas, A New Approach," doesn't mention Henry Pearson, but it does talk about the Beatty group with which he came to Canada from Ireland via New York P.79 "Beginnings of Tipperary Protestant Emigration":

In the autumn of 1818 the British consul at New York, James Buchanan, a native of County Tyrone, met with some fifty heads of families originally from the British Isles to persuade them to move north to Canada. Most of the group were Methodists and many were from Buchanan's home county in northern Ireland, but among those present was Thomas Reed, a former resident of Borrisokane married to a native of Borris-in-Ossory. He had been in the United States since at least 1810. As a result of the meeting, four men, John Beatty, James Beattie, Joseph Graham, and Reed, went to York in October 1818 and secured a promise of a tract of land for their friends from New York and for relatives from Ireland who would immediately join them. The first party from New York arrived at York in April 1819 and was settled in the northern part of Toronto Township. Reed and Graham's party arrived in June and was settled, with the friends from Ireland, in the southeastern quarter of the newly surveyed township of Esquesing [Note 108: J. Richard Houston, "Numbering the Survivors: A History of the Standish Family of Ireland, Ontario, and Alberta," (Toronto 1979), 42-8]. Several of the families that emigrated from the North Tipperary region in 1819 joined the Reeds, including his brother John, William Kent from Youghalarra and his son-in-law Robert Howard of Shinrone and Nenagh, and Samuel Watkins from Birr. Thomas Bridge of Roscrea applied for land in Esquesing for himself and his relative Ralph Smith, but Bridge moved instead to the Tipperary colony in Richmond while Howard and Smith settled in Montreal, where Edward Allen Talbot met the latter and married his daughter in 1821 [Note 109: "Montreal Gasette," 16 May 1821].

Notes from the Pearson family file of the William Perkins Bull fonds (R.P.A. 91.0045). Ont Archives Microfiche MS515 56-57 :

A notation for Henry Pearson at the end of reel 57 reads: Henry Pearson, Yeoman, from list attached to Beatty Petition. See Beatty Folder. The microfiche is MS 515 roll 5 pg 3593.

The Beatty file contains several notes including: "John Beatty came with his two brothers from Ireland to New York city to escape the ill will existing in the old country against the society formed by John Wesley. Beatty wished to settle under the British flag and joined with other Irish immigrants in negotiating for land in Upper Canada. On May 18, 1819, he led a caravan of 27 wagons from New York City to Upper Canada and they settled in Toronto Township.” Additionally there is an interesting anecdote in this file describing how John Beatty made the weary travelers stop to pray on their knees by a river during the course of their journey. Henry Pearson is listed on the petition as a native of Ireland, bachelor, yeoman. This petition also appears in a historical book about Streetsville written by Mary E. Manning called “Street: the man, the family, the village” - published by the Streetsville Historical Society - pgs. 36-37. Other names of settlers on the petition are: William Whalley, John Armstrong, John Wallace, John Neelands, Andrew Neelands, Andrew Scott, Robert Anderson, William Todd Sr, Willaim Todd Jr., Alexander Duncan (a native of Scotland), Robert Nesbit, William Maxwell (native of England), John Thompson, John Rutledge, John Cowin, Martin Switzer and Robert Moore. All were Irish except as noted.

An obituary for the eldest son Henry Jr. in "The Evangelical Witness" states that Henry Sr. was alive at the time of his son's death in 1872 and his age was approx. 80 years which makes his year of birth around 1792. He was "a native of Ireland, and having spent some time in Philadelphia and other parts of the United States, came to Canada and settled on a farm near Brampton." Henry Sr. outlived all of his sons but one, John Pearson. (Pictured above with wife and child)

Henry Pearson (Sr.) married Rebecca Donohoe (also spelled Donoughoo on some records - her father may have been Mathew Donoughoo - he appears on the 1837 Ontario census for Toronto Township on a lot near Henry Pearson Sr. Rebecca was born 1791 in Ireland and died 1885 in Owen Sound, Ont.

Their children were:

Henry (Jr) 1821- 1872 - married Elleanor Gundy John Pearson 1828 - 1849 Joseph (buried in Churchville cemetary) 1834-1849 Ephraim K (buried in Churchville) 1832 - 1866 Thomas (buried Churchville) 1843-1843 Matthew (mentioned on land records for family farm) no other dates available - possibly born 1824

Obituary Mar 29, 1921 Owen Sound Times:

"JOHN PEARSON WAS PIONEER OF LAKE SHIPPING" Died on Sunday at age of 92 years - owned many vessels that plied into Owen Sound. Capt. John Pearson, one of the oldest residents of Owen Sound, passed away on Sunday at Dundas where he spent the past year. He was a well known figure in the business life of Owen Sound 70 years ago, and it was largely due to him and to the men like him that even in the early days Owen Sound assumed a real prominence in the commercial shipping world.

Capt. Pearson was born in Toronto Township on Oct. 24, 1828 and died March 27, 1921, at the age of 92 years five months and three days. He came to Owen Sound as a young man of 18, in 1846 and has been a resident here almost ever since. On July 17, 1849 he married Miss Phoebe Catherine Campbell, daughter of the late Capt. Peter Smith Campbell, of Owen Sound, who predeceased him by 20 years. Capt. Campbell was granted a commission as Captain in the 7th Regiment, North York Militia in 1838 during the time of the McKenzie Rebellion and had served previously in the war of 1812 - 14. His commission was signed by Peter Bullack, Adj-General of Militia and a very prominent figure at the time of the rebellion. Capt. McNab and "Uncle" Peter McCallum, carried Brock off the field at Queenston Heights after he had been mortally wounded and between them divided a sash that the great Canadian General had worn at that time. Part of that is still in existence. Capt. Pearson's commission was granted in 1858, as Captain in the "First Battalion Grey Regiment" on April 1st, 1858, and was signed by Sir Edmund Walker Head, Gov. Gen. of Br. North America. He was, up to his death, the oldest living officer of the Grey Regiment.

Capt. Pearson started in the General store business on the corner of 10th St. and 3rd Ave. E (then Division and Scrope Sts.) 63 years ago in the store now occupied by Mr. Arthur Lloyd, and a few years later went into the shipping business on a rather extensive scale. Amongst the schooners that he owned were the Ariel, Neelissa, Phoebe Catherine, Nellie Sherwood and the steamer Kincardine. He had a great deal of money invested in these enterprises, but owing to the loss of several boats his losses were heavy. About 60 years ago he also contracted with the government for the building of the houses on the Cape Croker Indian Reserve for the Indians and most of the houses built then by him are still there.

Many years afterwards, Mr. Pearson bought out the dray business formerly conducted by Harry Durie, and he also operated lumber yards and the grain elevator now used by Mr. Jas Cole as a storehouse on the west bank of the river. The late J. M. Davis was afterwards admitted as a partner and eventually became the owner of the business. Capt. Pearson had a mate's certificate for sailing vessels and steamers on inland waters.

Capt. Pearson served in the town council for years and was deeply interested in everything pertaining to the town's welfare. In religion he was an Anglican and held a number of offices in St. George's Masonic Lodge, Owen Sound, and was probably a charter member.

In latter years, the deceased lived for a time in the North West, making his home at Holland Manitoba, where his son, the late John Pearson, was a prominent merchant. He held a Commercial Travellers' certificate up to a year ago.

The surviving members of the family are: Capt. George Pearson, Mr. D. R. Duncan and Miss Cassie Pearson of Owen Sound and Mrs. Gilhuly of Woodstock. Three sons, Alonzo, John and James, predeceased their father.

During the past year Capt. Pearson was boarding at the Catholic Home at Dundas, and always spoke very highly of the excellent treatment that he received there. Death was due to the infirmities brought on by old age. The remains were brought to Owen Sound last night and the funeral will be held today from the residence of Captain George Pearson, 361 7th St. E., to Greenwood Cemetary. The Rev. Canon Ardill will conduct the services at 2:30, the funeral being at three.

Children of John Pearson & Phoebe Catherine Campbell (list of Campbell genealogy available):

Alonzo Joel 1850-1873 Melissa Caroline 1851-1935 Eleanor Louisa 1855-1941 John Joseph 1856-1910 - large list of descendants available George Fred William 1861-1931 - large list of descendants available Catherine Cassilia 1864-1949 James Matthew 1867-1912

Notes from Owen Sound Archives: 1883 - John J Pearson was a 1st Lieutenant of the Owen Sound Fire Brigade. He was present on the Fireman's Excursion trip on the steamer Magnet that was stormstayed and stranded a crowd of excursionists, causing some worry back home as to their fate. John Pearson was one of the signers of a testimonial to Captain A.G. McLeod of the steamer Magnet to thank him. Birth registration for JJ’s eldest son Campbell Pearson - July 31, 1883, John J Pearson lists occupation as Teamster, living Scrope St., Owen Sound, married to Mary Jane Ford, physician in attendance Allan Cameron. An 1892 Rutherford's Directory of Owen Sound lists: Pearson, John - Drayman - 206 Scrope St.

John Joseph Pearson - Transcript of letters in Pearson Homestead File/Holland Manitoba

Holland Oct. 21st 1900 - to Hon J. A. Davidson, Winnipeg: Dear Sir, Your letter of the 8th received and am much obliged of your information as regards of prices on lands. If you would kindly hold section 12 township 9 range 12 for me until I can find the correct marks to know which half I want. It is very hard to find the markings as the fire has run over that country and burnt all the stakes. If their is any person making application to the same land let me know at once. Am obliged. J. J. Pearson

Nov. 12, 1900 - The Provincial Lands Commission, Winnipeg: Dear Sir, Enclosed please find two applications to purchase land. One from J.J. Pearson and one from L. Newby. Together with express money orders for $80.00. We also wish to purchase 80 acres each of the S.E. 1/4 of Sec 12 T 9 R 12. Kindly advise us if this can be arranged. If so please forward two application papers for us to fill out. Am obliged. Yours truly, J. J. Pearson / Lawrence Newby

Holland Nov. 21 1900 - to Hon J. A. Davidson, Winnipeg: Dear Sir, I received your receipt for forty dollars. Much Thanks for holding said lands. I also asked you if you could give Mr. L. Newby and myself eighty acres each of SE 1/4 of 12 Township 9 range 12. If you can send applications if not I will take it myself. The reason we want it is will make us two good farms and we want to be close together as neighbors are scarce in that local. Yours truly, J. J. Pearson

Holland Feb. 1 1901 - to Hon J. A. Davidson, Winnipeg: Dear Sir, Inclosed find twenty dollars $20.00. I would have sent in application before only it is hard to get money. Hopefully I am not to late. Yours truly, J. J. Pearson

Department of Provincial Lands, Manitoba. (Swamp Lands) Application to Purchase

I, J.J. Pearson of the village of Holland in the Province of Manitoba do hereby apply to purchase the W 1/2 of SE quarter section 12 Township 9 Range 12 of the First Meridian, in the Province of Manitoba, containing 80 acres at the rate of $2.50 per acre, subject to the following conditions: To pay the purchase money. $200 as follows: One tenth in cash on the date hereof, the balance in eight equal installments on the First of November in each year, or such other time as the Commissioner may decide, with interest at six per cent, payable with each installment. All taxes, whether municipal or otherwise, imposed upon said lands to be paid by the applicant. In the case of abandonment by the applicant, or cancellation, all moneys paid or improvements made upon said lands are forfeited, and no improvements to be removed until final payment is made. No wood or timber to be cut from said land except what is necessary for fuel and fencing for actual and necessary use thereon, and for buildings to be erected thereon. All valuable stone, coal or other minerals are reserved by the Province.

In case of assignment, such assignment must be in writing, and approved of by the Commissioner. The Commissioner to be at liberty to re-sell if the applicant fails to make his payments when due, or fails in the performance of any of the conditions of his purchase. My name, occupation and Post Office address is as hereunder written. Name of Applicant: John Joseph Pearson Occupation: Butcher Address: Holland, Manitoba - May 2, 1901.

Children of John Joseph Pearson & Mary Jane Ford:

Campbell Pearson 1883 - 1977 Lillian Ford Pearson - born January 30, 1882 Owen Sound Ontario (moved to California) Earl Pickard - Born May 21, 1885 George Henry - 1887-1888 Harold Arthur - 1897-1900 Willard John - born Holland Manitoba, Nov 13, 1899 - moved to the U.S. SSN 544-22-3070 issuing state Oregon circa 1933 died around 1952? Reginald Oldfied - Born Holland Manitoba Nov 20, 1903 - d 1982