HARRISON PEARCE
1. Vital Statistics
a. Born December 17, 1818, Jackson County, Georgia.
i. Biography of Henrietta Pearce Hall.
ii. Article in Nevadan by Maryellen Sadovich newspaper dated 9/14/1986 which states just the year as 1818 given by May Adams of Santa Monica - Harrison's grand daughter - and quotes his daughter Mary Abigail Pearce Thomas (who died in 1950)
iii. Payson Ward Records LDS FHL Microfilm #0026401
iv. LDS Records - IGI
v. Information on Harrison Pearce Family From a Book Belonging to Nancy Barron.
b. Marriages. He was a polygamist as follows:
i. Henrietta Cromeans on July 5, 1836 in Itawamba County, Mississippi
(1) Will and Ida Pearce by Finley C. Pearce.
(2) The Biography by Henrietta Pearce Hall states that is unknown when and where exactly Henrietta and Harrison married
(3) LDS Church records list the marriage as being in St. George, but obviously this can't be the case.
(4) St. George Cemetery, St. George, Washington Co., UT - [NOTE: Henrietta has an unmarked grave]
ii. Ann Meredith August 3, 1856, Spanish Fork, Utah Co., Utah
iii. Magdalena Schneider October 3, 1863, St. George, Washington, Utah.
(1) LDS Records
(2) St. George Cemetery, St. George, Washington Co., Utah - there is a recent headstone for her and one for Harrison - see below
c. Divorces:
i. Ann Meredith left Harrison and remarried. LDS Records
d. Death: May 28, 1889, St. George, Washington Co., UT
i. Tombstone of Harrison Pearce which is new and matches Magdalena Schneider's. His tombstone lists all three of his wives and notes he was a pioneer in Southern Utah.
ii. The Nevadan article states he died on May 29, 1887.
iii. Died of Brights Disease. Information on Harrison Pearce Family From a Book Belonging to Nancy Barron.
(1) Inflammation of the structures in the kidney that produce urine. In acute cases, there is severe inflammation, renal insufficiency, swelling, increased blood pressure and severe back pain. Recovery is usually complete but minor infections may do further damage. In its chronic form (chronic glomerulonephritis), the kidney is reduced mostly to scar tissue and cannot filter the body's toxins leading to uremia. Britannica Micropaedia Vol. 2 (1985 Ed.)
iv. Information on Harrison Pearce, etc. states that he died in 1888.
e. Children:
i. With Henrietta Cromeans:
(1) John David Lafayette Pearce. b. 5 Apr 1837 Fulton, Itawamba MS m. 2 Apr 1857 Payson, UT to Martha Elmina Pace daughter of James Pace and Lucinda Gibson Strickland. d. 7 Feb 1909 Washington, Washington UT
(2) James Pearce b. 6 Mar 1839 Fulton Itawamba Co., MS m. 6 Mar 1867 St. George, Washington, UT to Mary Jane Meeks, d. 17 Feb. 1922 Taylor, Navajo, AZ
(3) Amelia Pearce b. 15 May 1841 Fulton Itawamba Co MS d. 6 Nov 1855 probably in Payson.
(4) Nancy Clark Pearce b. 12 Dec 1842 Franklin GA; d. 12 Jun 1852 while family was crossing the plains.
(5) Thomas Jefferson Pearce b. 22 Feb 1845 Fulton, Itawamba, MS; m. 28 Dec 1867 to Angenette Electa Hendrix; died 1 Apr 1811 St. George, Washington, UT.
(6) Harrison Pearce b. 24 Mar 1849 Pisgah, Harrison, IA d. 12 Dec. 1854 probably in Payson, Utah, UT
(7) Henrietta Pearce b. 15 Jun 1852 Council Bluffs, Kanesville, IA, m 26 Feb. 1871 - to one of three husbands? - Albert Minnerly, Thomas John Hall, Elijah Minnerly Streers.
ii. With Ann Meredith:
(1) Joseph Harrison Pearce b. 13 Aug 1857 d. 5 April 1862.
(2) Harriet Ann Pearce b. 21 Jul 1859 Washington, Washington, UT; d. 15 Jan 19940 Taylor, Bonneville, Idaho
iii. With Magdalena Schneider
(1) Magdalena Elizabeth Pearce b. 26 Jan 1867 St. George, Washington, UT d. 29 Jan 1871 - not listed as buried in St. George.
(2) Mary Abigail Pearce b. 5 Oct 1870 St. George, Washington, UT d. 19 Feb. 1965 Santa Monica, Los Angeles, CA
(3) Fredrick Pearce b. 22 Jul, 1873 St. George Washington, UT d. 18 Apr. 1875
(4) Mabel Lucy Pearce b. 12 Jul 1875 St. George, Washington, UT d. 10 Mar 1952, Henderson, Clark, NV
(5) Emily Minerva Pearce b. 12 Apr 1880 St. George, Washington, UT d. 3 July 1901 St. George, Washington, UT
2. Physical Appearance:
a. 6' 4"; 190 lbs.; chest size 42"; brown eyes; brown hair. Information on Harrison Pearce Family from a Book Belonging to Nancy Barron
b. He had a beard in the photograph.
3. Residences
a. Born in Jackson Co., GA Biography
b. Moved to Marion Co. AL in 1821 - where his father died 12 Dec 1827. Biography
c. At some point thereafter, he moved to Mississippi where he apparently lived in Fulton, Itawamba, MS. Biography
d. LDS records list Nancy as being born in Franklin, GA; biography states Franklin MS in 1842
e. Left MS for Nauvoo, IL 1 Feb. 1846 and arrived 22 Mar. 1846 per Biography
f. After one week, went to Des Moines, IA Biography
g. In Apr (apparently 1846 still) moved "upon the Fox River near where Bro. John Price had rented a farm" as discussed in Biography
h. At some point thereafter on to Mt. Pisgah for three years. Biography
i. They to Council Bluffs, IA where they spent three years. Biography
j. Arrived Salt Lake City, Sept. 1852 in the James Snow Company and sent to Payson. Biography
k. In 1857, called to the Cotton Mission traveling in the Robert Covington party Biography, The Red Hills of November and I was called to Dixie.
i. Adair Co. left from Payson for Southern Utah; Covington left from Salt Lake City Under Dixie Sun page:117
l. In 1859, moved to Tonaquint. Red Hills" at 256
i. Encyclopedic History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints states that Tonaquint is in Washington County at the junction of the Santa Clara River and the Rio Virgin, about eight miles southeast of the Santa Clara fort. It existed until 1861, when St. George was founded. James Pearce was the president of Tonaquint Branch when St. George was first settled.
ii. Tonaquint was near the mouth of the Santa Clara Creek and was destroyed by the flood of 1862. Under Dixie Sun:126
iii. Some settlers were discouraged with Washington and moved to Pine Valley and Tonaquint a year after Washington's founding Under Dixie Sun: 236
m. In 1863, helped create a settlement on Beaver Dam Wash. They left here after the floods in 1867. Biography
n. In approximately 1864 helped establish Littlefield, Mohave County, Arizona. Nevadan Article
i. Littlefield was first settled by Mormons in 1864 and destroyed by Flood in 1867. It was later rebuilt in 1877. Mohave County, Arizona USGenWeb Homepage and History
o. In 1870, "began farming operations at Bloomington." Under Dixie Sun:40
i. However; Bloomington settlement created in 1879 Under Dixie Sun:117
ii. In I was called to Dixie at page 286, Larsen states: "On the North bank of the Virgin, northwest and opposite Price City, was a little settlement called Bloomington about five miles southwest of St. George. It had its beginnings in 1870 when William Carpenter, David H. Cannon, and Harrison Pearce and his son, John D.L. Pearce, made a small ditch, led the water to a small piece of land, and attempted to raise a crop. The effort resulted in little success, and Cannon and the Pearces sold their interests to Carpenter, who did some successful farming there in 1871."
p. In 1876, moved to Arizona to establish and build Pearce's Ferry.
i. Nevadan Article.
ii. See Letter at end of outline.
q. In 1882, he requested and received permission to retire from the ferry, and he moved back to St. George where he remained until his death in 1889. Nevadan, Tombstone
4. Occupations/Civic Positions:
a. Carpenter
The Tabernacle in St. George, Utah has scraps of wood on which Harrison wrote ditties while building the Tabernacle. The scraps are signed "Harrison Pearce - 1874". They are on display for all visitors.(1)
Harrison Pearce
i. 1870 Census for St. George, Utah at page 402 lists Harrison's occupation as carpenter.
ii. The 1880 Census for St. George, Utah at page 352 lists his occupation as carpenter.
b. Wheelwright
i. Information on Harrison Pearce Family From a Book Belonging to Nancy Barron.
ii. "A man whose occupation is to make or repair wheels and wheeled vehicles." Webster's Third New International Dictionary
c. Farmer
i. 1860 Census for Payson, Utah Co., Utah at page 256 lists his occupation as Farmer [with wife Henrietta]
ii. 1860 Census for Washington, Washington Co., UT at page 150 lists his occupation as Farmer [with wife Ann]
iii. Began farming in Bloomington in 1870 (town not founded under 1879) and stayed until about 1871 with J.D.L. Under Dixie Sun:40
d. Teacher
i. Article in the Nevadan refers to him as a "trained teacher," but it doesn't say where he got his training.
ii. Biography by Henrietta Pearce Hall states that he taught while living in Mt. Pisgah in approximately 1846.
iii. In I Was Called To Dixie, Karl Larsen speculates at page 545, that Harrison may have been one of the first teachers at Washington and states he was probably well equipped to do so.
iv. In The Red Hills of November, Karl Larsen, at page 253, states that at a meeting held March 7, 1859 not only was Harrison appointed Sheriff, but also one appointed to the School Board with Jacob Hamblin, William H. Crawford and George Spencer to examine teachers.
e. Sheriff
i. As mentioned above, on March 7, 1859 Harrison was appointed Sheriff of Washington.
ii. Appendix B Sheriffs of Washington County: (3) Mar. 1859 to Aug. 1859 Harrison Pearce A History of Washington County from Isolation to Destination Douglas D. Alder, Karl F. Brooks.
f. Treasurer
i. At Page 254 of The Red Hills of November, Larsen states that Waldo Littlefield declined being Treasurer; therefore, Harrison was appointed in March, 1859 until the next election was held
g. First Postmaster of Washington
i. The Red Hills of November page 256 states he was appointed in the spring of 1859 but shortly moved to Tonaquint, and therefore, someone else took over as postmaster. Larsen was citing from Manuscript History of St. George Stake
ii. At page 129 of The Red Hills Of November, Larsen states that it was Utah Territory's Delegate in Congress, George A. Smith, who nominated Harrison for Postmaster. Larsen was citing the James G. Bleak Annals of the Southern Utah Mission.
h. Ferry Operator
i. Lee's Ferry by P.T. Reilly
ii. An unknown source, perhaps a Master Thesis or portion of a book, which I got a copy from Lydia Cox, at page 385 states Harrison was called "to establish a ferry on the Colorado River" citing a letter from Harrison to John Taylor 10 Dec 1882 noting the letter to be on file with the Church Historian's office.
iii. Owned and operated Pearce's Ferry from 1876 to 1882. The ferry was located "two miles upstream from the mouth of Grand Wash, at the entrance to Grand Canyon." Nevadan article
iv. Jacob Hamblin was advised to assist in locating a wagon road to Pearce's Ferry. Jacob Hamblin Peacemaker at page 392-393 The letter from Brigham Young and others to Hamblin is dated either 1 Dec 1876 or 15 Dec 1876, and apparently Pearce's Ferry was already in existence at that time.
v. Hamblin and company helped Harrison make a skiff which they used to convey Hamblin's luggage, but not animals over the Colorado- Jacob Hamblin Peacemaker page 394
vi. The Unknown source cites the Hunt/Bushman/Tanner party used the Ferry in 1877 but found no roads and not enough water for the people or animals and not enough grasses for the herds to graze. At page 391 of Jacob Hamblin Peacemaker, "They did not recommend the route and gave the lie to Jacob Hamblin's report of 'one patch of grass all the way.'" This Unknown source says there is no record of further Mormons in 1877 using Pearce's Ferry, and it actually has directions which include Pearce's Ferry as written by David P. Kimball and reported in the Deseret News on 24 Mar 1880 as follows for Pearce's Ferry:
"St. George, Utah to Mesa City, Maricopa Co., Arizona Miles
From St. George to Mocase Springs 12
To Wolf Hole Springs 11
" Kane Springs14
" Black Willow Springs, (carry water) 28
"Tahshair Springs, (via Mesa) 10
" Colorado River (Pierce [sic] Ferry) 12..."
i. Musician - Clarinetist
i. Though he may never have earned money from it, there are many references to Harrison's musical abilities.
ii. A Choir was created by James Keate in St. George in December, 1861 with Harrison playing the Clarinet as accompanist with William McIntyre on the violin. I was Called to Dixie at page 477.
iii. I Was Called to Dixie at page 405 describes that in 1862 the first dramatic production of the play "The Eaton Boy" was performed with a small orchestra and Harrison was the Clarinetist
iv. Also at page 494 of I Was Called to Dixie, Larsen states that Professor Charles J. Thomas established a brass band and again Harrison was a member playing his clarinet.
v. In my phone call with Maryellen Sadovich, she stated Harrison was a voice teacher as well and that Magdalena sang in an LDS Choir until one day, during rehearsal, she died suddenly. Maryellen stated that Magdalena was a well known singer.
j. Recorder
(1) Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 4, states that "On April 12, 1853 the City Council [of Payson] met and elected the following officers: ...Harrison Pearce, recorder"
k. Military Service:
(1) Captain of Company I, 4th Battalion, Tenth Regiment of Infantry, Nauvoo Legion, Iron Military District, Washington, Washington Co., UT 10 Oct. 1857. States he was mustered into service on June 6, 1857 by William H. Dame. He had "Arms Equipage, Ammunition and co. On Hand; Muskets: 1; lbs of powder: 1/4; lbs of lead:one half lbs.." His sons James and Thomas Jefferson were both privates. This is the only muster listing Harrison, but James and Thomas Jefferson are noted in some latter years. Thomas Jefferson ultimately was a Sergeant and James a 2nd Lt.
(2) Utah Territorial Militia Muster Rolls LDS Microfilm No. 0485554
(3) In The Red Hills of November at pages 27-28, Larsen states that the people of Washington, wanting to show support for Brigham Young in the "Utah War" chose Harrison the Chairman of a Committee which drafted a resolution to that effect.
l. Harrison was on the County Road Commission with Robert D. Covington and Thomas Adair in early to middle 1859. The Red Hills of November page 124 citing Manuscript History of St. George Stake and James G. Bleak Annals of Southern Utah Mission Book A. Also Larsen cites this at page 515 of I Was Called to Dixie
(1) Appendix A Washington County Commissioners: Sep. 1859 to Aug. Dec. 1859 Harrison Pearce A History of Washington County From Isolation to Destination Douglas D. Alder, Karl F. Brooks.
5. Mountain Meadow Massacre
i. In Mormonism Unveiled or the Life and Confessions of John D. Lee, John Doyle Lee states that the militia from various areas including Washington were called in to Mountain Meadows, and this is when Harrison arrived.
ii. Lee also states that James Pearce was there
iii. History of the LDS Church, Vol. 4, Chapter II 102, footnote 18 states that Harrison had a warrant issued for his arrest by Judge Cradlebaugh
(1) James Pace, Harrison's son John D.L.'s father-in-law, served on the Cradlebaugh grand jury that investigated the Mountain Meadows Massacre Biographical Sketch of James Pace
iv. Juanita Brooks states on page 90 of The Mountain Meadows Massacre that Thom Pierce was shot by his father for disobeying the order to kill. That would be Thomas Jefferson Pearce being shot by Harrison. I asked Carl Brooks, Juanita's son, in June, 1999 where she got that information, but he didn't know.
6. Religion
a. Unknown what religion Harrison practiced until 1845.
b. On November 1, 1845 Harrison was baptized into the LDS Church by Robert Dowdle. On November 2, 1845 Henrietta was baptized by B.F. Matthew. Biography.
i. I have found no records of Harrison serving on a mission except that the Nevadan Article states he served on Indian Missions throughout his settling of southern Utah.
ii. Also at page 431 in the "Tributes from Historians" section in Jacob Hamblin Peacemaker there is a strange entry stating that "James and Hamilton Pearce" were missionaries to the Indians - "they are etched deeply and permanently on the record of the pioneers days of Arizona, Utah and Nevada. James and Hamilton Pearce,..." Apparently not too "deeply etched" if the writers can't even get the names correct. That would have to be Harrison.
iii. Harrison was First Counselor for Bishop Covington.
(1) The Red Hills of November at page 16
1. 1. Today I'll close this little place
And throw this in to leave a trace
Of me, the boy that done it.
This is February the twenty six
Few to work - But they all are bricks.
This ends my little sonnet.
--
The neatest place I've seen today
Some little thing to lay away
In memory of this present day
Come now, good fellow, what do you say?
February 28, 1874