Jacob C. Pierce has eluded me for years. Part of the problem is that his father was also Jacob Pierce and his sister Sarah married a Jacob Pierce. I really wish they had been a little more creative in their names. 🙂
All I really have on him is the following information:
1850: Jacob C. Pirce is living in Punxsutawney, Jefferson county, PA with his wife D.A. He’s 30 yrs old, a boat builder, and owns $500 worth of real estate.
1860: Jacob C. Pearce is still in Punxsutawney. His wife is Dorcas Ann, born in Kentucky. He is a carpenter with real estate worth $300. His children are listed as John, Frances, and Effie J. (my husband’s line).
1870: Jacob Pearce is living in Rayne Twp, Indiana county, PA. (it’s not far from Punxsutawney). He is now a farmer. His wife Dorcas is still alive and he still has the same 3 children, although their names are listed differently: John W, Sarah, and Jane.
The only other info I have on him is from a local history that states that he was married to Dorcas Patton and lists his siblings, parents, and grandparents.
The problem that I’m having is that he seems to have disappeared after the 1870 census. I don’t know if he moved or died or what. I can’t find his wife after that either. Their daughter got married in 1874 in Indiana County (according to a certificate held within the family).
So, where should I begin?
It looks like my kids will get to visit the Groundhog museum in Punxsutawney when we stop for some research. 🙂 I’m sure they’ll be excited about that.
So, here are some things I’m hoping to search for while I’m in Indiana and Jefferson counties:
- Check the tombstone census to see if his gravestone is listed somewhere.
- Check land records in Indiana and Jefferson counties.
- Check probate records in both counties.
- Check for his daughter’s official marriage record – maybe he will be listed?
- Check to see if he served in the Civil War. He would have been in his early 40s at the time.
- See if there is a marriage record for him and Dorcas Ann Patton in Jefferson county. I am unsure where and when he got married, but it’s a good place to start.
Any other ideas?
