This book "covers the approximate period 850 AD to 1850 AD, …though some data earlier than 850 and later than 1850 is presented." Three distinct spellings of the name Pierson (Pierson/Pearson/Peirson), all derived from "the surname's place-name origin about 1100 AD in Yorkshire, England, at the vill of Pericne alias Persene," are included. Two major sources used in compiling this work are books written by Lizzie B. Pierson and George Rogers Howell, originally published in the 19th century. These two books consist almost entirely of primary sources gleaned from personal interviews, family records, bible records, wills, probate records, burial records and other official state records. All information included, from these as well as other sources, has been examined for accuracy; errors, where found, have been corrected. Among the topics investigated are the English ancestry of six American immigrants of the 1600s, with "family inter-relationships provided." These six individuals are Rev. Abraham Pierson, Bartholomew Pierson, Henry Peirson, John Pearson of Lynn, Stephen Pierson and Thomas Pierson Sr., who variously settled in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts. Although Deacon John Pearson and Samuel Peirson have been investigated, "their English ancestors were not discovered"; however, the results of the research are included in Appendix B. Another major topic addressed is 34 Pearson/Peirson/Pierson coats of arms which are provided for England, Scotland and the Netherlands. Ten Pierson legends have also been examined, discussed, and in most cases verified. One example of such deals with the origins of the Pierson name. It has been determined that "the Pierson line descended from Vikings" and the name originated "in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England." Two legends indicate that three of the earliest immigrants (Henry Peirson, Rev. Abraham Pierson and Bartholomew Pierson) arrived in America as passengers on the (2nd) Mayflower. Various other legends deal with topics such as family inter-relationships and details of their immigration. Separate from these legends is a chapter dedicated to "Pearson/Peirson/Pierson men in the Revolutionary War." Sources are cited alongside the data, making both more accessible to researchers. A number of theories which cannot be verified are presented, along with the rationale to explain them, so that the readers can arrive at their own conclusions. An everyname index and detailed table of contents make this well organized text a convenient as well as a reliable research tool. Richard E. Pierson and Jennifer Pierson (1997), 2007, 8.5" x 11", paper, index, 340 pp.ISBN: 9780788407420 101-P0742
