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| Land Transactions Notes for James (Spouse 1) | ||||||||||||||||
| 20 Apr 1838: Unconditional First Class Headright Certificate #573 for one League and one Labor of land was issed to James PEARCE by the Red River County Board of Land Commissioners. First Class Headrights were granted to settlers by the Republic of Texas who could prove they resided in Texas prior to 2 Mar 1836.245, 246 Jackson Co., Texas, Deed Record, Vol. C, 1846-1849, p. 54, State of Texas, to heirs of James PIERCE, Decd. [not named], patent Vol. 5, No. 40?, a Labor of land in Jackson Co. on Mustang Creek, a branch of the Rio Navidad abt. 20 mi. from Texana, adj.: B. B. PIERCE signed: J. Pinckney HENDERSON, Governor Thos. Wm. WARD, Commissioner Genl. Lanf Off. issued 20 May 1846 recorded: 6 Jul 1846.247 | ||||||||||||||||
| Records | ||||||||||||||||
| Jackson Co., Texas, Deed Record, Vol. C, 1846-1849, p. 54, State of Texas, to heirs of James PIERCE, Decd. [not named], patent Vol. 5, No. 40?, a Labor of land in Jackson Co. on Mustang Creek, a branch of the Rio Navidad abt. 20 mi. from Texana, adj.: B. B. PIERCE signed: J. Pinckney HENDERSON, Governor Thos. Wm. WARD, Commissioner Genl. Lanf Off. issued 20 May 1846 recorded: 6 Jul 1846.248 Jackson Co., Texas, Deed Record, Vol. E, 1852-1859, p. 56, Republic of Texas to Heirs of James PEARCE, Dec'd, Patent Vol. 4, No. 47, 1 League on Carancahua Creek abt 12 mi from Texana, adj.: Francis KELLER, J. H. BELL, J. MORGAN and R. R. ROYAL signed: Anson JONES, President, Republic of Texas Thom. W. WARD, Commissioner recorded: 15 Jan 1854.249 Jackson Co., Texas, Deed Record, Vol. E, 1849-1859, p. 58, Heirs of James PEARCE [B. B. PEARCE, Jackson Co.; Thomas B. PEARCE, Jackson Co.; James L. MOSS, Robertson Co.; Jane MOSS, his wife, Robertson Co.] to Lafayette WARD, Jackson Co., one League more or less in Jackson Co. on Carancahua Creek abt. 12 mi from Texana, adj.: Francis KELLER, J. H. BELL, J. Morgan, R. R. ROYAL, in consideration of $3000 signed: B. B. PEARCE Thos. B. PEARCE James L. MOSS Jane MOSS Louise PEARCE In presence of unnamed witnesses signed 16 Jan 1854 Certificates follow further identifying Jane MOSS as the wife of James L. MOSS and their county of residence as Robertson. A certificate releasing Louisa PEARCE's dower rights follows identifying her as the wife of Benjamin B. PEARCE. Louisa PEARCE was examined by George R. BILLIPS 9 May 1854. | ||||||||||||||||
| Misc. Notes | ||||||||||||||||
| James Pearce settled on section seven [Saline Township, Madison Co., Illinois] as early as 1817. His cabin stood near a spring. He was named "Salty Pearce" by his neighbors to distinguish him from another James Pearce who lived in the settlement. The name Salty was an allusion to the fact that he was a laborer in the Biggs salt works. About 1826 he sold out and located in the southern part of the state, on the Big Muddy, where he lived for some time. The family were afterwards all murdered by the Indians, with the exeption of three, a married daughter and two sons. The daughter had moved south. A grown up son had gone to Texas, to put in a crop and build a cabin for the family who were to follow. As the family were making the trip, in the summer or fall, the Indians surprised them and murdered the entire party, with the exception of a young son. He slipped away during the massacre, but was captured again by the Indians. The boy, it is said, with true pioneer pluck, when his pursuers came upon him, showed a determination not to be captured. His bravery saved his life. He was taken into captivity, and after many years of diligent search by his brother, was found among the northwest Indians. He had lost his knowledge of the English language and declined to return to civilization with his brother, who had paid a ransom of one thousand dollars. He had to be taken away by force.242 Major General Thomas Jefferson RUSK wrote: "They [the Caddo Indians] make every year a trip from the prairies of Texas, where they have settled, to Shreveport. to receive their annuity, which they lay out for arms and ammunition to war upon our citizens and supply our enemies with and in no single instance have they ever passed between Shreveport and the prairies without committing some depredations upon the lives or property of the people of Texas; and not more than three weeks before I took them to Shreveport, they attacked the house of Mr. Marlin, killed several persons, killed a Mr. Pierce and his family, and took a little child prisoner with them, within forty miles of Shreveport."238 Served as a Private in the Republic of Texas Militia in Captain William BECKNELL's Co. of Mounted Volunteer Rangers called the Red River Blues. Mustered into service 14 Jul 1836 at James CLARK's Sulfur Fork Prarie. Apparently served two months and 16 days of the three month enlistment since the Company was mustered out 14 days early. In 1838 the Company served its final 14 days, but James PEARCE was not among those who served. Perhaps he was already on his way to Jackson County a trip on which he lost his life.243, 244 William was born in Ohio and came at an early age to Madison Co. Ill., and settled on a farm in Saline twp. where he lived until his death in 1864. His real estate value was $3500.00. When he came to Saline twp. there was an unbroken prairie extending in all directions except for some timberland along Sugar Creek and the east fork of Silver Creek, which was thickly timbered. James Pearce, a cousin, had first settled in Leef twp., having come from Kentucky. His wife had died 27 Aug. 1862 and he remarried, but a short time after his second marriage he was killed while reaping grain. The horses became frightened and ran away, throwing him before the sickle, which cut off ad arm and inflicted other injuries from which he died in about a week. on 8 July 1864.239 This James PEARCE is likely the other James PEARCE said to have been in Madison County before 1820 or so. | ||||||||||||||||
| 1830 United States Census | ||||||||||||||||
| Quincy, Adams Co., Illinois James PEARCE 1 white male under 5 1 white male 5 to 10 1 white male 10 to 15 1 white male 15 to 20 1 white male 40 to 50 1 white female under 5 1 white female 15 to 20 1 white female 40 to 50250 | ||||||||||||||||
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| LETTER FROM A. M. M. UPSHAW TO MIRABEAU B. LAMAR Chickasaw Agency Near Ft. Towson June 18th 1840 To His Excellency Honl M. B. Lamar President of the Republic of Texas Sir I have the honor to inform you that one of the principle men of the Chickasaw went last winter on a trading expedition to the Comanche, where he saw several white prisoners, all of which he was anxious to get, that he might return them to their Country, On account of his funds being low, before he saw them he was only able to get one, he is a boy about ten years old whose name Thomas Pearce his fathers name was James Pearce, his Father Mother one Brother and Sister was killed by the Caddo Indians while moving from near a Mr. Scotts Store to the Interior of Texas. He hid himself under the waggon but he was soon found he received a slight wound on his head, but they determined not to kill him, he says that he has a brother in Texas by the name of Benjamin Pearce, and a Sister whose name is June he thinks they are both married, he is very anxious to return to his country and his relations. I have sent for him and will take him to my house. The name of the Chickasaw that got him from the Comanche is Ishteukah-Tubby. Since he has had him he has been very well treated and appears to be very gratefull for the kindness that he has received when he found he was naked and poor. Ishteukah-Tubby wishes to know if he would go among the Comanche and get all the prisoners that they have belonging to the Republic of Texas, what would he get for it, he says the prisoners are women and boys all of which are in a reached [ wretched? ] condition. You will please address me as soon as you receive this. With sentiments of the highest regard and esteem I have the honor to be Yr. mo. ob. st. A. M. M. Upshaw U. S. Agent of the Chickasaw My address Col. A. M. M. Upshaw, U. S. Agent of the Chickasaw Fort Towson Arks237 | ||||||||||||||||
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| LETTER FROM HENRY BROWN TO MIRABEAU B. LAMAR Gonzales, September 28th 1840 General Lamar, Sir, By the last mail I received the Austin City Gazette containing the letter of Mr. A. M. M. Upshaw, U. S. agent of the Chickasaw Indians, containing an account of the purchase by a Chickasaw of Thomas Pearce, a white prisoner among the Comanche. Having accidentally met with an uncle of this boy last fall I heard him relate the circumstances of the massacre of James Pearce's family, and will simply inform you where the boy's relations are. His brother, Benjamin Pearce, and his sister Jane, who is married to Mr. Jas. L. Moss, and Mr. Jesse Pearce, his uncle, live in Jackson county, 15 miles above Texana, in the neighborhood of the "La Baca post office." Any information which may be desired concerning them may be obtained by addressing Mr. S. Addison White at said P. O. I am your obedient servant JOHN HENRY BROWN of Jackson county Texas [Endorsed] Gonzales Sept 30th Gen. M. B. Lamar City of Austin Texas John Henry Brown Sept 28th 1840237 | ||||||||||||||||
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| LETTER FROM JAMES MOSS TO JOSEPH WAPLES Texana Sept the 29th 1840 Honbl Joseph Waples Dear Sir, Yours of the 16th came to hand bringing the cheering inteligence of my wifes Brother having been purchased in by the Indian agent of the U. S. at Fort Towson—my Brother-inlaw Benjamin Pearce left here some time about the last of June to go to Fort Towson having heard that there was a boy of that name brought in there But we have heard nothing since from either them and had dispared of the news. But I think it is likely Benjamin has reached them ere this time and got his Brother But less he fail I should be glad you would be so kind as to write to William Bryan the consul at New Orleans that the relations of the boy are living in Jackson County near Texana and would be glad of any information that may be had relative to the boy until such times as they may be able to possess themselves of him—allow me to assure you of the gratitude I feel towards you and his excelancy the president for your kindness and trouble you have taken in this matter. Yours with the Highest Regard James Moss [Endorsed] James Moss 29th Sept 1840 La Baca. P. O. Oct. 9th 1840 Honbl Joseph Waples Sec of St Austin237 | ||||||||||||||||
| Residences | ||||||||||||||||
| 1817: Settled in Saline Township, Madison Co., Illinois abt 1826: Moved to southern Illinois on the Big Muddy 1830: Quincy, Adams Co., Illinois?251,252 Dec 1835: Arrived in Red River Co., Texas253, 254 | ||||||||||||||||
| Last Modified 23 May 2001 | Created 10 Mar 2005 by Reunion for Macintosh |