THE NEW ENGLAND HISTORICAL & GENEALOGICAL REGISTER, PUBLISHED QUARTERLY, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE NEW ENGLAND HISTORIC-GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY. FOR THE YEAR 1867. VOLUME XXI.

passed from his high position to a state of dependence, in which he lived about ten years. He died in March, 1818.

Of JOSEPH PEARCE (No. 42) I only learn that he was born in Gloucester, Mass. in 1747, and removed to New Gloucester, Maine, where he died in 1837.

To the History of Gloucester, Mass., by Mr. Babson, I am mainly indebted for what has been written concerning Mr. David Pearce (No. 41).

Mr. Babson thus speaks of Col. William, a younger brother of David Pearce :

"Another distinguished citizen of this family was William, born in 1751. Left an orphan at an early age, he was provided for in the family of a maternal uncle, with whom he remained, receiving only such advantages of education as were common at that time, till he was old enough to commence a sea-faring life. Good traits were early discovered in him, and such were his habits of enterprise, sagacity and prudence, that when quite young he was employed by David Pearce his brother in the management of his extensive business operations. At the age of 21 he was placed in command of a vessel in the West India trade, which he pursued with success, and in a few years acquired a sufficient property to be able to establish himself as a merchant. During the Revolutionary War he participated in the risks and profits of privateering. He was the builder and owner of a privateer called the "Friendship," a brig that captured, near the West Indies, a vessel of 130 tons with a cargo of rum. Also the schooner Speedwell,' that took nothing.

"When peace took place, he engaged in extensive commercial pursuits, which largely increased his property and elevated him in the principal business marts of the world, to rank with the most eminent merchants of New England.

"His generosity was proverbial, and as one of his many liberal acts may be cited the gift of fifteen hundred dollars towards the erection of a meeting house in Gloucester in 1805. At the reorganization of the militia of the State, soon after the close of the war of the Revolution, he was honored with the commission of Colonel of the 3d Essex Regiment, and on the 3d of November, 1788, brought out his command for exercise and review, no muster of the militia of that regiment having taken place till then for more than twenty years. The regiment went through with their exercises to general satisfaction, and the evening was closed with convivial cheer, good fellowship, and a seasonable return home, after drinking several patriotic sentiments with a discharge of a fieldpiece by the Gloucester Artillery to each toast."

Colonel WILLIAM PEARCE (NO. 43) was twice married, and had several children, among whom were:

(116) William, born in 1777, spent a few years in a sea-faring life, and was then admitted a partner in his father's business, from which he retired upon his appointment to the office of Collector of the Customs for the Port of Gloucester. He was a Representative to the General Court in 1806 and 1807. He died Dec. 14, 1841, then holding the office of President of the Gloucester Bank. (History of Gloucester.)

(117) George W., born in 177-. Held the office of Collector of Customs for the Port of Gloucester, and represented the town in General Court in 1841. (History of Gloucester.)

(118) a daughter, married William W. Parrott, of Portsmouth, N. H., who removed to Gloucester and became a partner in the firm, was for many years a leading citizen of the town, its single Representative in the General Court seven years, and afterwards a Senator. (History of Gloucester.)

A prominent and distinguishing trait of character in the Pearce family is casually exposed to view by Mr. Babson in his description of the tumultuous proceedings occasioned by the violent party spirit that prevailed in the county after the embargo of President Jefferson in 1806. At a town meeting in Gloucester, the two political parties struggled for the mastery through the day, and amid darkness until half past ten at night, and the floor of the church wherein the meeting was held he describes as presenting a scene of wild confusion and discord worthy of Pandemonium itself. The leaders of each party entertained their friends with unbounded hospitality, and each had its own place of refreshment for general resort. But he adds "the Democrats not unreasonably expected success, as they had the influence of the Pearce family."

Young ducks do not take to water more naturally than the Peirce family throughout the country to democratic principles. Indomitable perseverance is also a trait that marks their character in every department of life, and has generally crowned their efforts with ultimate success, though attained after repeated and sometimes very mortifying failure.

This writer regrets that he has not been able to give the names of all the children of Mr. David and Colonel William Pearce, together with the dates of their births and marriages, and would esteem it a favor to be informed before the issue of the next chapter in this genealogy, that those omitted may occupy their proper numerical position. Nor does he pretend to say that all has been written concerning other members of the Peirce family that would be both agreeable and instructive to hear, and which it cost him years of toil to collect.

Although this completes the 3d chapter, we have only arrived at the 118th name of a thousand or more that have been collected; but the writer has not felt at liberty to be more particular, lest his account should be deemed of an unpardonable length, even in view of the large number of the Peirce family who have subscribed for the present volume of the New England Historical and Genealogical Register.

A VALUABLE LIBRARY.-The Force Library, for the purchase of which an appropriation of $100,000 has just been recommended in the U. S. House of Representatives, is by far the most valuable collection of books and manuscripts relating to American History ever brought together by one person. In this collection are 40,000 historical pamphlets, of which over 8,000 were printed prior to 1800, and the maps, atlases, plans and diagrams to a great extent cannot be duplicated. A tantalizing treat for autograph hunters are forty-eight volumes of rare autograph letters, and three hundred and ten folio manuscript volumes of collections. The whole library will doubtless soon be added to the Congressional Library.—Ex.

BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS, FROM THE RECORDS OF THE ANCIENT TOWN OF DARTMOUTH, MASS. [Transcribed by JAMES B. CONGDON, Esq., of New Bedford, for the Register.]

"July y 20th, 1708. Then Joyned in maryedg Leiu'. nathaniel Soul and meribah Gifforord Into the true bonds of matre mony as Lawfull Lawfull man and wife witnes my hand the day above written.