Amasa Pierce

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ChartsAncestors of William Jerome Pierce
Samuel Pierce to William Jerome Pierce
William the Lion, King of Scotland, to William Jerome Pierce
James Madison - William Jerome Pierce
Rutherford Birchard Hayes - William Jerome Pierce
James Abram Garfield - William Jerome Pierce
(Stephen) Grover Cleveland - William Jerome Pierce
George H. W. & George W. Bush - William Jerome Pierce
Barack Obama - William Jerome Pierce
Amasa Pierce, son of Samuel Pierce and Mary Stewart, was born at Fitchburg, Worcester Co., Massachusetts, 9 December 1771.1,2 He died 13 August 1846,3,4 and was buried at Somerset Cemetery, Somerset, Niagara Co., New York.4

Amasa married Polly Winslow, daughter of Kenelm Winslow and Damaris Wilder, at Halifax, Windham Co., Vermont, 12 November 1801.5

Amasa's life unfolds through a long series of land, census, and vital records that show an early New England family gradually moving west in the 19th century. The saga continues through his son, Lewis, and two suceeding generations, ending in California.

Fitchburg, Worcester Co., Massachusetts

9 Dec 1771 "Amasa Parce third Son of Samuel Parce & mary his wife born at Fitchburg December the 9 1771 Thos Cowdin Town Clerk" Proceedings of the Fitchburg Historical Society. Fitchburg, Mass:1897. p. 274 (FHL #974.43/F1 N2d Vol 2).

Halifax, Windham Co., Vermont

26 Apr 1798 presents father's will for probate which names and appoints him executor. Posted $1000 bond. Probate Book 2, p. 132 (FHL #29138).

1800 Enumerated as head of household, including 4 males, ages 16-26, one female age 16-26, one female over 45.

12 Nov 1801 married to Polly Winslow by Jesse Edson. Recorded 7 Apr 1802 Book 2A, p. 44 (FHL # 0028362).

7 Sep 1803 sells to Daniel Pierce of Whitingham for $1000 two-thirds of the land his father Samuel bought 2 Oct 1797 and willed to him; the remaining third, and his share of it, belonging to the widow and specifically excluded from this conveyance. Recorded 7 Sep 1803, Book 3, p. 359 (FHL #0028364).

7 Sep 1803 makes a mortgage to Daniel Pierce for the $1000 purchase price on the above land, Daniel noting the the land was willed by his father to Amasa. (Recorded 7 Sep 1803, Book 3, p. 360 (FHL #28364).

There must have been some problems between Daniel, Amasa, and their mother because in 1805 the widow's dower portion was partitioned off to her, and specific rights and priviledges were spelled out (See the notes under Samuel Pierce).

27 May 1806, the mortgage of 7 Sep 1803 is satisfied (written perpendicular and on the same page as the mortgage deed). Recorded 27 May 1806, Book 3, p. 360 (FHL #0028364).

27 May 1806, Amasa buys back from Daniel Pierce for $150 the same parcel involved in the 7 Sep 1803 transaction. (Recorded 27 May 1806, Book 4, p. 195 (FHL #0028365).

30 Jan 1808 with his mother Mary sells to Adam Denison for $1500 the 125 acres left to them by their father and husband, the deceased Samuel Pearce. Recorded 30 Jan 1808, Book 4, pp. 318-9 (FHL #0028365).

30 Jan 1808 makes a mortgage with Adam Denison for $1000 on the above land. Recorded 30 Jan 1808, Book 4, pp. 320-1 (FHL #0028365).

23 Nov 1808 having completed all required duties as executor of father's will, he is discharged and released from all further duties.

26 Jan 1816 of Truxton, Cortland Co., discharges Adam Denison of Halifax for satisfying the mortgage of 30 Jan 1808. 11 Mar 1817 appeared in Cortland Co. Court to acknowledge the release. Recorded 16 Nov 1818, Book 6, p. 184 (FHL #0028366).

Cortland Co., New York

1810 Census. Not located in Census indexes for New York, NH, VT, or Connecticut. Probably in Cortland Co. by this time as the 1810 Census for that county is missing.

11 Apr 1812 of Truxton, Cortland Co., New York bought from Benjamin McAllester 45 acres of Lot 15 in Truxton with boundaries "beginning at the NW corner of the lot and running east 18 chains thence South 25 chains thence west 18 chains thence north 25 chains to the place of beginning." Recorded 31 Aug 1812, Book B, pp. 628-9. (Copy courtesy of Cortland Co. Clerk).

1820 Enumerated in US census for Truxton, Cortland, New York, p. 509. Males: 2 0-10, 1 10-16, 1 16-26, 1 over 45; Females: 1 0-10, 2 10-16, 1 16-26, 1 26-45, 1 over 45. 2 were engaged in agriculture.

1825 Enumerated in New York state census for Truxton, Cortland Co. 5 males, 4 females, 1 qualified to vote, 1 married female under 45, 2 unmarried females 16-45, 1 unmarried female under 16, 1 male death in the preceeding year.

19 Jan 1828 buys from the executors and heirs of John Lawrence for $129.34 and all taxes and assesments levied since 20 Oct 1810 49 75/100 acres in Lot 14 in Solon township, town of Truxton the boundary "beginning at the NE corner of said lot running thence South on the East line of said lot 21 chains 18 links thence West 23 chains 48 links thence North 21 chains 18 links to the North line of said lot thence East along the North line of said lot to the place of beginning 21 chains 48 links." Recorded 24 Aug 1842, Book 6, pp. 335-7 (FHL #0843716).

1830 Enumerated in US census for Truxton, Cortland Co., New York, p. 54. Males: 1 10-15, 1 15-20, 1 20-30, 1 50-60; Females: 3 15-20, 1 20-30, 1 50-60.

1835 Enumerated in New York State Census as having 4 males (including himself), 3 females, 2 persons eligible to vote, 1 married female between ages 16-45, and one female who married in the previous year. He owned 50 improved acres, 29 beef cattle, 2 horses, 18 sheep, and 8 hogs. The household had made 15 yards of fulled cloth and 5 yards of flannel or wool in the previous year.

1840 Enumerated in US census for Truxton, Cortland Co., New York, p. 97. Males: 1 10-15, 2 20-30, 1 60-70; Females: 1 20-30, 1 50-60, 1 60-70. 1 in Agriculture, 1 in manufacturing & trades.

26 Mar 1841 a deed between John Stewart and Ruba his wife to Johan Griffeth conveys 100 rods described as part of lot 14 bounded by a line beginning 22 chains 36 links west of the SE corner of lot #4 running south six chains 22 links thence west one chain 3 links thence north six chains 22 links thence east 1 chain 3 links back to the beginning "subject to the provisions and limitations contained in a deed from Amasa Pierce to John Stewart." The indexes for Cortland Co. deeds do not reference this transaction for either party as grantee or grantor. Recorded Book 5, p. 37 (FHL #0843716).

1 Apr 1842 He and Polly his wife sell to Samuel Harris (all of Truxton) for $1,456.50 two parcels totaling 79 1/4 acres described as:

#1: the land he bought 19 Jan 1828 "excepting and reserving 1/2 acre previously deeded to John Stewart lying in the NW corner of the lot, and 15 acres in the SW corner of the lot beginning in the SW corner and running east to the edge of the cleared land thence north far enough so that a line parallel with the first line will contain 15 acres." Note: Whereabouts of the deed to John Stewart is presently unknown. Queries to Cortland Co. and index searches at the FHL have failed to find this deed.

#2: the land he bought 11 Aug 1812. Recorded 24 Aug 1842, Book 6, pp. 342-3 (FHL #0843716).

2 Apr 1842 buys from Samuel Harris and his wife Mary for $415.50 13 85/100 acres on Lots 5 & 6 of Truxton the boundary "beginning at the SE corner of Adam Sawings land and running south 57 degrees west 4 chains 78 links thence south 1 chain 5 links thence south 75 degrees west 4 chains 57 links thence south 47 degrees west 5 chains 36 links thence south 7 chains 4 links thence east 9 chains thence north 21 degrees east 1 chain 60 links thence north 31 degrees east 8 chinas 25 links thence north 5 degrees east 2 chains 50 links thence north 19 degrees west 4 chains 25 links back to the beginning. Recorded 24 Aug 1842, Book 6, p. 341 (FHL #0843716).

2 Apr 1842 Samuel Harris assigns to Amasa Pierce his interest in a Mortgage on 100 acres of Lot 6 in Truxton bounded by a line beginning at the NW corner of said lot running south 31 chains 62 links thence east 31 chains 32 links thence north 31 chains 62 links thence west 31 chains 62 links back to the beginning. Recorded 11 Apr 1842, Mortgage Book L, p. 71 (FHL #0843775). This mortgage is recorded discharged 12 Feb 1848, Discharge Book 6, p. 41.

6 Apr 1842 Amasa and Polly sell to Daniel Glass for $240 the fifteen acres reserved from parcel #1 in the above mentioned 1 Apr 1842 sale to Samuel Harris described as part of Lot #14 in Truxton bounded by a line beginning at a stake and stones in the SW corner of "Pierce's land" on said lot running east 14 chains 50 links thence north 10 chains 35 links thence west 14 chains 50 links thence south 10 chains 35 links back to the beginning. Recorded 1 Oct 1844, Book 8, pp. 454-5 (FHL #0843717).

1 Jan 1845. Of Somerset, Niagara Co., Amasa and Polly his wife sell to Lewis Pierce of the same place for $415.50 (the same price Amasa paid) the property he bought 2 Apr 1842. Witnessed in Niagara Co. 4 Jan 1845, received and recorded in Cortland Co. 10 Oct 1845, Book 9, p. 526 (FHL #0843718).

14 May 1847, a mortgage was made between Benjamin Rexford of Chenango Co. and John Jacob Astor of New York regarding several parcels of land. Part of this record shows: 2 Apr 1842, Samuel Harris assigned his interest in the Mortgage to Amasa Pierce, and that on 4 May 1845, Amasa Pierce assigned his interest to Lewis Pierce; 4 Jan 1846 Amasa appeared in the Niagara Co. Clerk's office to acknowledge that he executed the assignment. All received and recorded 16 Dec 1847, Mortgage Book O, pp. 318-21 (FHL #0843777). This mortgage was recorded discharged 14 Sep 1852 in Discharge Book C, p. 597 etc.

Niagara Co., New York

1 Jan 1845. Mortgagee for Lewis Pierce for $1,200 to be paid without interest 1 Jan 1852, secured by lot 7, section 3, township 16, range 5. Recorded 4 Jan 1845, Mortgage Book 29, p. 352 (FHL #0878304).

Sep 1851 - Mar 1853. The several "heirs at law and sole representatives of Amasa Pierce, deceased" release Lewis Pierce from the mortgage of 1 Jan 1845: Lyman Pierce, Damaris Angle, Anson Angle, George W. Watson, Polly Watson, Moses Kenny, Francis P. Kenny, John P. Sharpsteen, Catherine E. Sharpsteen. Charles W. Pierce is listed but his release is recorded separately. Widow Polly not listed among the heirs. Mortgage Book 29, p. 353 (FHL #0878304).

30 Aug 1853. Charles W. Pierce of Fremont Co., Iowa, one of the representatives of Amasa Pierce, deceased, releases Lewis Pierce from the Mortgage of 1 Jan 1845. Recorded 1 Aug 1856, Mortgage Book 29, p. 177 (FHL #0878304).5

Family

Polly Winslow b. 12 Sep 1777, d. 23 Jul 1856
Children
  • Charles Wilder Pierce6 b. aft. 1802, d. aft. 1853
  • Polly Pierce3 b. abt. 1806, d. 24 Mar 1882
  • Damaris W. Pierce3 b. abt. May 1806, d. 29 Oct 1861
  • Lyman Pierce3 b. abt. 1809, d. 28 Aug 1878
  • Lewis Pierce+3,7 b. bt 1812 - 1814, d. bef. 12 Mar 1889
  • Frances P. Pierce3 b. 12 Jan 1815
  • Catherine E. Pierce3 b. abt. 1832, d. 10 Aug 1871
This person was last edited on9 Jan 2020

Citations

  1. [S239] Walter A. Davis, compiler, Old Records of the Town of Fitchburg, Mass (Fitchburg, Massachusetts: Fitchburg Historical Society, 1899), 276, further cited as Fitchburg Records.
  2. [S235] Kent Co., Michigan, Kent County, Michigan census, 1884, 1894, Lewis Pierce Household, Dwelling/Family 50, Paris Township (1884), FHL microfilm 984656, further cited as State Census. father was born in Massachusetts.
  3. [S364] Niagara Co., New York, Mortgages, 1813-1850, 29:352-353, FHL microfilm 0878304, further cited as Niagara Co., NY Mortgages.
  4. [S1546] Sandy, Find A Grave memorial #100032663, added 2 Nov 2012, online http://www.findagrave.com, accessed Jan 2020, further cited as Find A Grave.
  5. [S238] Halifax, Vermont, Land Records and Deeds, 1772-1906; Index to Deeds, 1772-1937; With Town and Vital Records, 1772-1865, Book 2A:44, FHL microfilm 28362, further cited as Halifax, VT deeds and vital records.
  6. [S364] Niagara Co., NY Mortgages, 29:177; FHL #0878304.
  7. [S584] New York State Census, 1855, 3rd Election District, Ridgeway, Orleans Co., Lewis Pierce household, dwelling #147, family #156, Polly Pierce is shown as his mother, FHL Film #592746, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.