religious and reform world. Early in man-
hood Mr. Covel became a member of the Cen-
tral Congregational Church and also the Sun-
day school, and so long as he remained a resi-
dent of Fall River he maintained an active in-
terest in the affairs of that church, also its
Pleasant street mission. He was the treasurer
-of the society of the church, from 187'1 to
1878, was the superintendent of the mission
school from 1881 to 1887, and was the first
president of the Young People's Society of
Christian Endeavor formed in 1883, serving
several years in succession. He was full of
the courtesies which harmonize with the char-
acter of an interested church worker, and
helped to win many to church attendance.
Pastors found him one of the best of helpers in
this respect. On settling in Boston Mr. Covel
joined the Old South Church (Congrega-
tional), and there, too, he was active and help-
ful. He held official relations with this
society, of which he remained a uiember until
his death, being superintendent of the Sunday
School from 1890 to 1894, head usher for
twelve years, and seventeen years a deacon. He
_ was very much interested in Christian work for
young men, and was conspicuous in his efforts
to sustain Y. M. C. A. efforts in Boston, being
for three years, 1893 to 1895, the president of
the Boston Young Men's Christian Associa-
tion. Mr. Covel died at his residence in Bos-
ton, April 13, 1907, and he was buried in Oak
Grove cemetery, at Fall River.

On May 19, 1869, Mr. Covel was married in
Fall River to Sarah Walker Borden, born May
13, 1844, daughter of Col. Richard and Abby
Walker (Durfee) Borden, and the following
children were born to them : Richard Borden
(deceased), Abbie Walker, Borden, Gertrude
Elliott, Florence and Helen.



(VIII) Benjamin, F. Covel, son of Ben-
jamin and Angeline (Baker) Covel, was born
in Fall River Aug. 7, 1844, on the site of the
office of the Durfee mill, where his father built
his first home on coming to Fall River. He
attended the public schools of his native city,
spending one year only in the liigu school.
After Jeaving school he worked at carpentering
with his father for a time, and then entered
the grocery store of his brother, Alphonso S.,
where he was employed for two or three years.
In 1865 lie began to learn the machinist's trade
with the firm of GifEord & Houghton, with
whom he served an apprenticeship of three
years, after which he worked one year as jour-
neyman machinist. In 1870 he started in bus-
iness for himself at his present site, on Osborn
street, the firm being known then as now as the
Covel Machine Company, this name having
been continued as the business and legal title
of the firm for over forty years, Mr. Covel dur-
ing all this time being sole owner. During
twenty of these years Mr. Covel has made
the 10th of each month his regular monthly
pay day, and with one exception has not missed
paying at that time except when the 10th came
on Sunday, when he paid on the following day,
the exception being in 1884, when his bank
could not get the vault open; but Mr. Covel
paid the next day. When he started in bus-
iness he gave employment to only seven or
eight men ; his plant now requires twenty-five
men the year round. Mr. Covel has been a
conservative, careful and successful business
man, and has used no borrowed capital to run
or to expand his business.

Fraternally Mr. Covel is a member of King
Philip Lodge, A. F. & A. M. ; Fall River Chap-
ter, R. A. M. ; Fall River Council, R. & S. M. ;
and Godfrey de Bouillon Commandery, K. T.
He is also a member of Mount Hope Lodge,
I. 0. 0. F. In politics he is independent on
local issues, but is a Republican on national
questions.

Mr. Covel married (first) June 10, 1873,
Mary Almy, daughter of Charles Almy. She
died Dec. 30, 1879. On Aug. 25, 1898, he
married (second) Susan M. Osborn, daughter
of Wilson Osborn. By the first marriage there
was one daughter, Ina F., born June 7, 1874.

(VIII) TH0M.4S D. Covel, son of Benjamin
and Angeline (Baker) Covel, was born June
21, 1850. In 1873 he engaged in the hardware
business with Arnold B. Sanford, under the
firm name of Sanford & Covel, as it was until
1884, when Mr. Osborn bought out Mr. San-
ford's interest and the name became Covel &
Osborn, so continuing until 1898, when the



SOUTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS



1099



4)usmess was incorporated as tlie Covel & Os-
iorn Company, Mr. Covel becoming treasurer.
He was for a number of years president and
director of the National Union Bank, and
when it was consolidated with the Massasoit
National Bank and Pocasset National Bank,
forming the Massasoit-Pocasset National
Bank, he became a director and later vice
president of the latter institution, and is a
member of the discount committee. He is a
trustee and member of the board of investment
■of the Union Savings Bank, a director and vice
president of the Davis Mills, a director of the
Arkwright Mills, and a director and member
■of the security committee of the Troy Cooper-
ative Bank. He is a member of King Philip
Lodge, A. F. & A. M.; Fall Eiver Chapter,
E. A. M.; Fall River Council, R. & S. M. ;
•Godfrey de Bouillon Commandery, Knights
Tempkir, and the Mystic Shrine.

On Oct. 31, 1876, Mr. Covel was married
to Betsey Paine Gray, daughter o.f Franklin
and Irene (Gardner) Gray, of Fall River.



Baker. Mrs. Angeline (Baker) Covel was
a lineal descendant of (I) Francis Baker, who
was born in England in 1611. His last resi-
dence in his native land was at Great St.
Albans, Hertfordshire, and in 1635 he came
over in the ship "Planter," locating at Yar-
mouth, Mass. He married Isabel Taming, of
Yarmouth, and died in 1696, the last of the
first comers. His children were : Nathaniel,
John, Samuel, Daniel, William and Thomas.

(II) Daniel Baker, son of Francis, married
May 27, 1674, Elizabeth Chase, daughter of
William Chase (2), the latter born in Yar-
mouth, Mass., in 1622. To this union were
born the following children : Daniel, born
1675; Samuel, 1676; Elizabeth, 1696; Han-
nah ; Thankful, 1698 ; and Tabitha, 1700.

(III) Samuel Baker, son of Daniel, born
in 1676, married Patience, and their children
were: Shubal, born March 24, 1710; Susan-
nah, June 22, 1711; Hezekiah, Aug. 4, 1715;
Tabitha, March 8, 1718; Desire, Feb. 5, 1720;
Elizabeth, Sept. 9, 1725; and Samuel, June 4,
1732.

(IV) Shubal Baker, son of Samuel, born
March 24, 1710, married in 1733 Lydia
Stuart. Their children were: Svlvanus, born
March 10, 1734; Azubah, May 17, 1737; Tem-
perance, June 24,. 1739; Shubal, Nov. 11,
1741; Elizabeth, Jan. 2, 1744; Lydia, Oct. 13,
1746; Ruth, June 25, 1749; and Patience,
July 19. 1752.

(V) Shubal Baker (2), son of Shubal, born
Nov. 11, 1741, married Nov. 15, 1764, Rebecca



Chase, born Aug. 24, 1747, daughter of Rich-
ard and Thankful Chase. To this union were
born: Hapsabeth (or Hepsibah?), born Oct.
15, 1765, married March 23, 1786, Zenos
Chase; Archelus, born Nov. 26, 1767, married
in 1789 Mehitable Chase; Rebecca, born Dec.
19, 1770, married Dec. 11, 1788, David
Howes; Shubal, born July 10, 1772, married
Jan. 10, 1793, Mercy Smalley; Ezra, born

Sept. 5, 1775, was married March 13, , to

Susanna Gage; Michael, born Nov. 6, 1776,
died April 7, 1796; Ensign, born July 3, 1779,
married Dec. 27, 1800, Sally Nickerson; Tem-
perance, born Oct. 15, 1781, married Dec. 4,
1800, Henry Kelly; Abigail, born Nov. 22^
1783, married April 20, 1807, Edward Sears;
Sylvanus, born Aug. 24, 1786, married March
1. 18 — , Bethiah Crowell ; and Halsey, born
Feb. 27, 1789, married Nov. 28, 1811, Mercy
Allen.

(VI) Halsey Baker, son of Shubal (2), born
Feb. 27, 1789, married Nov. 28, 1811, Mercy
Allen, born May 25, 1792, daughter of Seth
Allen, granddaughter of John Allen (bom
1729, died April 29, 1811, married July 25,
1750, Hannah Paine, born 1732, died April
25, 1808), and great-granddaughter of Wil-
liam and Susannah Allen. To Halsey Baker
and wife were born: Rebecca, Sept. 6, 1812;
Ann, Jan. 14, 1814; Joseph, Oct. 26, 1815;
Bethany. Oct. 5, 1817 (died Nov. 14, 1830) ;
Susan, Jan. 26, 1819; Angeline, Jan. 3, 1821
(married Benjamin Covel) ; Lydia Ann, June
3, 1823 (died Nov. 20, 1830) ; David Gage,
June 24, 1825; Mary Jane. March 23, 1828;
Edwin W., Dec. 25, "1829; Lydia Maria, and
George F.

PEARSE. The Pearse family is both an-
cient and historic in the annals of England,
the lineage of Richard Pearse, the immigrant
ancestor of the New England family, being
traced to the time of Alfred. In later times
were Peter Percy, standard bearer of Richard
III. at the battle of Bosworth Field (1485),
and Richard Percy, the founder of Pearce
Hall.

For nearly two and a half centuries the
Pearse family has been identified with the
political, judicial, legislative, social and busi-
ness life of Rhode Island and southeastern
Massachusetts. During both the Colonial and
Revolutionary periods the name constantly
recurs either in legislative or military affairs.
Capt. Nathaniel Pearse commanded an ar-
tillery company at the burning of Bristol by
the British during the Revolutionary war; and
covering the period from 1757 to 1849 different



1100



SOUTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS



members of the family represented Bristol in
the State Legislature. Hon. Dutee J. Pearse,
iu the early part of the last century, served
as a member of Congress from Rhode Island
for more than a decade.

This article is to deal with the ancestry and
biography of William George Pearse and Wil-
liam Henry Pearse, of Swansea, Mass., father
and son, both prominent in the social and
business affairs of that town and of Fall River.

(I) Richard Pearse (name changed from
Percy in this generation), born in England in
1.590, married in England, his wife's name be-
ing Martha, and was a resident of Bristol,
"England. He was a son of Richard, who
resided on the homestead of his father, grand-
son of Richard Percy, the founder of Pearce
Hall, in York, England, where he lived and
died ; and great-grandson of Peter Percy,
standard bearer to Richard III. in 1485.
Richard Pearse came to America in the ship
"Lyon" from Bristol, England, his brother
Capt. William Pearse being master of the ship.
His children were : Richard, John, Samuel,
Hannah, Martha, Sarah, William and Mary.
Capt. William Pearse, of the ship "Lyon," was
a distinguished shipmaster. He was killed by
the Spaniards at Providence, in the Bahama
Islands, 16-11. He is credited with being the
author of the first almanac (1639) published
in North America.

(II) Richard Pearse (3), son of Richard the
immigrant, born in 1615, in England, married
in 16i3, in Portsmouth, R. I., Susannah
Wright, born in 1620. He was at Portsmouth
as early as 1654, and was admitted a free-
man of the Colony from that place. He died
in 1678, in Portsmouth, and his wife was dead
at that date. His children were: Richard,
born Oct. 3, 1643; Martha, Sept. 13, 1645;
John, Sept. 8, 1647; Giles, July 22, 1651;
Susanna, Nov. 23, 1652; Mary, May 6, 1654;
Jeremiah, Nov. 7, 1656; Isaac, December,
1658; George, July 10, 1663; and Samuel,
Dec. 23, 1664.

(III) Richard Pearse (3), son of Richard
(2), born Oct. 3, 1643, in Portsmouth, R. I.,
was a freeman of the Colony of Portsmouth
in May, 1663. He removed to Bristol, R. I.,
probably soon after his father's death, and
there both he and his wife E.xperience died,
his death occurring Julv 19, 1720. Their
children, born in Bristol, were: Jonathan,
Richard, Abigail, Mary, Jeremiah, Annie, Ben-
jamin and William.

(TV) William Pearse, son of Richard (3),
was born Sept. 18, 1716, and married, April
22, 1742, Lvdia Brown. They resided in Bris-



tol, R. I., and in 1753 he purchased from Jacob
Lawton the property known as the Bristol
ferry. There was an old fort located not far
from the home at Bristol, it being this fort
which prevented the British from passing on
their way to burn Fall River and other places
during tlie Revolutionary war. The Colonists
made it so uncomfortable for them, indeed,
that they were obliged to abandon their fleet
and man their barsres. thinking to pass safely,
Imgging the south shore, but nearly all the
boats were sunk and the attempt had to be
abandoned. At this time, during the war, the
Pearse home stood a short distance to the north-
east of the present house, and in that house
two sentries were killed by a cannon ball fired
from the British fort upon the other side of
the river, or bay, about one mile distant. The
inmates of the house were repeatedly warned
of the danger, but did not heed. The ball
first struck the water, then a sharp rock at
the foot of the house, then a partition, and
passing through the body of one man lodged
in the body of the other, killing both. Mr.
Pearse's son, George, related that one day the
cannon balls were flying so fast that the family
was sent to Bristol for safety, and that while
he was going over the top of Ferry hill on
horseback, behind his mother, a cannon ball
passed between the horse's legs. People have
since frequently plowed up grape shot, eight
and twelve pounders, and at one time the half
of a twenty-fouT-pound shot. The embankment
of the fort is plainly to be seen, as well as
the powder magazine. At one time the British
had entire possession of the island of Rhode
Island, having a fort at the north end of the
ferry. In the Old Colony records the name
of William Pearse appears as assisting about
the fort and victualling the soldiers. During
the war of 1813 a man, it is said, was dragged
from the ferry house, cropped and branded.
Members of this Pearse family have been war-
dens of St. Michael's Church, Bristol, for sixty
years. The children of William and Lydia
(Brown) Pearse were: Sarah, born Dec. 31,
1743; George, Sept. 15, 1744; Susannah, Aug.
31, 1746; Elizabeth, June 20, 1748; William,
and Lydia.

(V) George Pearse, son of William, born
Sept. 15, 1744, resided at Bristol, R. I. His
wife's name was Hannah, and their children
were: William, born March 2, 1766; George,
April 28, 1768: Mary, June 4, 1770; and
Hannah, Dec. 33, 1773.

(VI) William Pearse, son of George, was
born March 3, 1766, in Bristol. He married
Elizabeth Gifford, born Feb. 27, 1769, and (sec-



SOUTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS



1101



ond) Ruth Lake, who survived him and died
in May, 1861. They were residents of Bristol,
E. I. Mr. Pearse died June 19, 1834. His
first wife, who died Jan. 25, 1826, was the
mother of all his children: George, born Nov.
14, 1787; Hannah, Oct. 4, 1790; Polly, July
29, 1794; William, March 8, 1798; Hannah
(2), Aug. 8, 1800.

(VII) Hon. George Pearse. son of William,
was born Nov. 14, 1787. On Sept. 12, 1812,
he married Elizabeth T. Childs, born March
31, 1792. Mr. Pearse died at the home of his
son, William H. Pearse, in Swansea, Mass.,
May 12, 1862, in his seventy-fifth year. His
remains rest in Juniper Hill cemetery at Bris-
tol, R. I. The following obituary notice ap-
peared in the Bristol Phoenix, May 17, 1862:

We are again called upon to announce the death
of another aged and valuable citizen, Hon. George
Pearse, who died at the residence of his son. William
Henry Pearse. in Swansea, Mass., on Monday last
(May 12, 1862), in the seventy- fifth year of his age.
Mr. Pearse was known to the public as the proprietor
of the Bristol Ferry (from the mainland to the island
of Rhode Island) for nearly thirty years past, having
succeeded his father, the late William Pearse, Esq.,
in that place.

He took a prominent place in the affairs of the
town and State, and was for many years a very
useful member of the Town Council and also repre-
sented the town in both branches of the State Legis-
lature. He was a leading member of the Episcopal
Church, having become a communicant at an early
age, and ever continued to adorn his profession by a
well ordered life and godly conversation. His seat
was seldom vacant in the sanctuary, and his voice
was often heard in prayer and exhortation in the
conference room. Mr. Pearse in consequence of failing
health, disposed of his interest in the ferry estate
about three years since (18.59), subsequently residing
with his children in different parts of the state.

On Wednesday afternoon last the funeral services
of the deceased were held at St. Michael's Church,
Rev. Mr. Stone conducting the exercises.

The following preamble and resolutions were
unanimously adopted at a meeting of the war-
dens and vestrv of St. Michael's Church, Mav
14. 1862:

It having pleased Almighty God in His wise Pro-
vidence to take from us to his reward in Heaven, Mr.
George Pearse, who for eighteen years filled the office
of Warden in St. Michael's Church, we, the Wardens
and Vestry of said Church, unanimously adopt the
following resolutions as expressions of our appreci-
ation of his -worth and respect for his memory:

Resolved, That we recognize in this event the hand
of Our Father in Heaven, and bow in humble submis-
sion to His holy will.

Resolved, That we bear testimony to the strong
affection for the Church manifested by our deceased
brother, the fidelity with which he discharged the
various trusts committed to him, and the humble
piety for which he was so distinguished.

Resolved, That we tender to the family of the
deceased our heart-felt sympathy in their season of



sorrow, and commend them to that God, who alone
can sustain and comfort them.

Resolved, That as a token of respect we attend
the funeral of our departed brother, and walk in
procession to the grave.

Resolved, That these resolutions be communicated
to the family of our deceased brother and published
in the Bristol Phoenix and Christian Witness.

Mrs. Elizabeth Tripp (Childs) Pearse died
Dec. 16, 1854, at her home at Bristol Ferry,
R. T., and on this occasion Rev. George W.
Hathaway, in the Christian Witness, said:

The memory of the deceased will be affectionately
cherished by a large circle of friends who sympathize
with the bereaved husband and family in their af-
fliction. Mrs. Pearse had been for about forty years
a worthy communicant of the Protestant Episcopal
Church, having been baptized and confirmed by the
late Venerable Bishop Griswold, the then beloved rec-
tor of St. Michael's Church, Bristol. She has ever
since adorned her profession by a consistent and
exemplary Christian life, abounding in those meek
and quiet virtues, which, though less observed, con-
tribute so much to the honor of the Gospel and the
happiness of social life. She was an affectionate
and beloved wife and mother, an amiable, confiding
and faithful friend, charitable to the poor and liberal
in every good work. Her decline was gradual and
lingering, but she was patient and unmurmuring.
Although aware of her situation, death had for her no
terrors. She said but little on the subject of a sepa-
ration, being apparently sustained by a tender regard
for the feelings of her afflicted family. Unaffected
by disease, her death seemed the result of a premature
decay of the physical system, and at last exhausted
nature ceased to act, she breathed her life out as
she had always lived, quietly and peacefully falling
asleep in Jesus. "Blessed are the dead who die in
the Lord ; even so, saith the Spirit, for they rest
from their labors."

The children bom to George and Elizabeth
Tripp (Childs) Pearse were: William H., bom
June 15, 1813, married Rosanna M. Gardner;
Elizabeth A., born March 19, 1815, married
William Augustus Richmond; Mary, bom April
10, 1819, married Dr. Charles Gardner; Joseph
C. was born Aug. 19, 1820 ; Hannah, bom June
23. 1821. married (first) Albert C. Robinson
and (second) William Kenyon, of Wakefield;
George G. was bom Jan. 25, 1824; Frances C,
born April 6, 1826, married Charles C. Chase;
and Rebecca C, born June 26, 1832, married
(first) Daniel Gorham and (second) Elisha
Watson.

(VlII) William H. Pearse, son of George,
was born at Bristol Ferry, R. I., June 15, 1813,
and in 1816 came with his parents to the
farm in Swansea. Mass., which was deeded to
his grandfather William Pearse by Alexander
Gardner, of Swansea. In 1836 he returned
to Bristol Ferry to run the ferry and take
charge of the farm. In 1851, on account of
his health, he removed to Cumberland, R. I.,



1102



SOUTHEASTEEN MASSACHUSETTS



and in 1857 returned to the farm in Swansea.
He died May 9, 1892, in Swansea. He was
senior warden of the Episcopal Church at
Swansea. In public affairs he was active and
interested. He served in the town council at
Cumberland, and in 1863 represented Swansea
in the State Legislature. He was a volunteer
in the Dorr war. On Oct. 3, 1836, in the
Christian Church at Swansea Center, he mar-
ried liosanna M. Gardner, daughter of Wil-
liam and Annie L. Gardner, and granddaughter
of Alexander Gardner, of Swansea. Their
children were: Anna Elizabeth, born April
1, 1838, married James G. Darling, and died
at Woonsocket, R. I., April 8, 1895; Lydia
Gardner, born March 4, 1840, married George
C. Gardner, and died in Somerset, March 2,
1904; Isabel Frances, born Dec. 1, 1842, mar-
ried Capt. Aaron H. Wood, and died at Santa
Clara, CaL, Dec. 2, 1903; William George was
born May 21, 1848; Ruth Ellen, born Nov.
1, 1849, is unmarried and resides at Touisset;
Henry Baylies, born Dec. 7, 1858, died May
29, 1875.

Mrs. Rosanna McKoon (Gardner) Pearse
was born Aug. 16, 1817, daughter of (V) Wil-
liam (born Aug. 23, 1786) and Annie L.
(Gardner) Gardner, granddaughter of (IV)
Alexander and Anne (Luther) Gardner. (See
Gardner family elsewhere.)

(VIII) George G. Pearse, son of George,
born Jan. 25, 1824, married Oct. 15, 1849,
Mary N. Robinson, born April 2, 1827, daughter
of Capt. George Charaplin Robinson, of Wake-
field, R. I. Their children were: George R.,
born July 14, 1850; Mary N., born July 7,
1852, now deceased; Jeremiah N., born March
9, 1855, who married June 5, 1901, Jessie
Brown Havens, and resides at Smoky Hill
ranch, Russell Springs, Kans. ; Joseph C., born
July 27, 1857, who married Mary Andrew, and
has a son, Jeremiah Niles, born June 28, 1898;
Mary P., born Jan. 26, 1864, who died Aug.
16, 1874 ; and Elizabeth E., born July 9, 1866,
who married Sept. 15, 1892, Edward D.
Depew. George G. Pearse, the father, was a
member of the State Legislature from South
Kingston in 1865. He was for several years
chairman of the board of assessors, and a mem-
ber of the South Kingston school committee,
and during the first two years of its existence
was a member of the council of the district
of ITarragansett. In 1859 Mr. Pearse was
made a vestryman of the Episcopal Church and
for forty-two years served as warden thereof.

(IX) William George Pearse, son of Wil-
liam H., was born at Bristol Ferry, May 21,
1848, and obtained his early education in the



district schools of the vicinity. He also at-
tended the Bryant & Stratton commercial
school in Providence. When he was quite young-
the family removed to the town of Cumber-
land, where he worked on his father's farm,
until 1857. At that time he located in Swan-
sea, Mass., and formed a partnership with.
Daniel Mason under the firm name of D. Ma-
son & Co., to deal in live stock, principally
horses and cattle. For ten years he continued
in this and minor enterprises, and on Jan. 9,
1877, he engaged in the wholesale fruit and
produce business on Second street, in Fall
River, associating with himself E. 0. Easter-
brooks, under the firm name of Pearse & Easter-
brooks. Three years later they added agricul-
tural implements to theii stock, as well as a
line of hardware, and still later they dropped
the produce business, and added harness and
horse trappings. At this time Mr. Easterbrooks
withdrew and his interest was taken by his-
brother, Charles E. Easterbrooks. Soon after
the latter also retired and Mr. Pearse became
the sole proprietor. In 1897 Mr. Pearse took
his son, William IT., into the firm, the name-
being changed to William G. Pearse & Son. In
August of that same year George Marvel was
also admitted, at which time the firm took the
name of W. 6. Pearse & Co. In 1897-98 Mr,
Pearsc's health required him to take a vaca-
tion, and upon his return to business Mr,
Marvel retired from the firm.

For more than forty years Mr. Pearse has
made his home in Swansea, where he has been
active in social and public life, and he has
enjoyed the confidence and esteem of his towns-
men to a marked degree. In politics Mr. Pearse
is a Republican. For many years he has been
a member of the South Somerset Methodist
Episcopal Church, and taught a class there.