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Note: s a "William" or "Ellis" Pearce. It also seems likely they were related to the Jonathan Pearce who died in the Battle of Minisink in 1779. However, it does not appear that either brother named their first or second born male, "Jonathan." William Willis named his sixth son "Jonathan." William Willis named his first son after himself, his second, James (might reference Mary Shepard's brother or another relative), his third Colville (from the Shepard family), his fourth "Ellis," his fifth "Alva" or "Alfred," his sixth "Jonathan" and his seventh, "Eli Kelsey." Brother Jonathan, who had at least one grandson named "Jonathan," named his sons Willis L., Joseph, and "Sally" (Willett). This suggests the two brothers' father had "Willis" in his name, or William. An Ellis Pierce signed the Feb. 1, 1799 petition to name what became Benton, NY (where the brothers first bought land) "Wilton." This Ellis Pierce relocated further west and does not appear old enough to have been their father. Jonathan purchased in plot from Shepard and Shaw who developed Benton, NY. A Lewis Shaw was married to Phebe Willis, daughter of William Willis. Need research on whether Phebe had a sister who may have married a William Ellis Pearce. Colville Pearce named a daughter "Phebe;" however, the mother of the four Pearce brothers (father John Pearce) of Scotch Plains, NJ was Phoebe Squier; her prominent ancestor was Ellis Squier. Colville may have resided on land owned by Michael Pearce, one of the four brothers when he first arrived in in Madison Twp., Hamilton Co., OH (CT tract land) and she may have been a great-aunt. These names are entwined in these two families. Reportedly a William Pearce married Abigail Youngs in Long Island, NY in 1761; this is a highly attractive couple for this set of parents; however, the name Abigail is never used in this line and there is no record Abigail Youngs Pearce came to Orange Co., NY or Sussex Co., NJ, though the Youngs did come to Newton, Sussex Co. A William Pearce of Wantage area did move to Newton in late 1700s; seemed to have lost a wife named "Sarah." In the Youngs' family history it was noted this William Pearce's grandfather spelled his name "Perse." Abigail is not found in this Pearce line; and it was indicated that Abigail died in LI or CT. This is a very likely William Pearce for this line.
Note: It has been suggested that William Willis Pearce and his brother Jonathan Pearce's father wa
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