The Old Homestead

Contact me at bebowers@hotmail.com

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- Romans 5:8

Peirsol - Ohio data


Following is information about some of the early residents of Ohio who had the name Piersol and its variant spellings.
Entries are arranged by first name without regard to the spelling of the last name. The entries under each name are sorted by date. Note that several names are shared by two or more people and I have not tried to sort them out yet.
I have begun this compilation because a tremendous amount of confusion surrounds the Pennsylvania branch of the Pearsall family. Their origin and relationships are in dispute and "The History and Genealogy of the Pearsall Family in England and America," by Clarence Pearsall, provides inadequate information to back up its assertions concerning this branch of the family. While I am still digging for some of the sources that Mr. Pearsall cited, I have found most of them and several additional sources.
If you have any sources to add to this list, please let me know.

Brian Bowers

Updated: August 2005


BENJAMIN – other than Monroe County
+ Benjamin Pearseall is listed as the head of a household in Liberty Township, Fairfield County, Ohio in the 1830 Census. His household contained 1 male 0-5, 1 male 5-10, 1 male 10-15, 1 males 15-20, 1 male 40-50, 1 female 0-5, 2 females 5-10, 1 female 10-15 and 1 female 30-40.
+ Benjamin Pearsall is listed in the 1850 Census in Canal Winchester, Fairfield County, Ohio. He is listed as a 30-year-old boatman, born in Pennsylvania. His property was valued at $200. His household contained: Sarah, age 26, born in Pennsylvania; Lucinda, 9, born in Ohio; and Melissa, 1, born in Ohio. [It seems likely that this Benjamin was the son of the man listed above in the 1830 Census of Fairfield County.]
+ Benjamin Pearsall is listed in the 1860 Census in Winchester, Fairfield County, Ohio. His is listed as a 44-year-old boatman, born in Ohio. His personal property was valued at $50. His household contained: Sarah, 38, who was born in Pennsylvania; Malessa, 12, born in Ohio; Frances, 6, born in Ohio; Jemima, 3, born in Indiana; and Jemima Leathers, 31, who sews and was born in Pennsylvania.

JEREMIAH – might be the son of William of Fayette County, Pa.
+ Jeremiah Paisell, Stark County, Ohio, 1810 tax list – "Early Ohio Records," compiled by Esther W. Powell, page 369.
+ Jeremiah Piersol, Stark County, Ohio, 1816 tax list – "Early Ohio Records," compiled by Esther W. Powell, page 371.

JOB – c1789-1867, probably son of Benjamin Pearsall
+ Jobe Persall, 1820 U.S. Census of Ohio Township, Monroe County, Ohio – Males: 2 0-10/1 26-45 Femles: 1 0-10/ 1 10-16/ 1 26-45 / 1 person employed in agriculture. He is listed beside Benjamin Pearseall. Males: 1 10-16/ 1 45+ Females: 1 16-26 / 1 person employed in agriculture.
+ Job Piercole served as administrator of the estate of Benjamin Piercole, deceased, in October 1823 in Marion County, Ohio. – "Monroe County, Ohio Records," Vol. VIII, by Catharine F. Fedorchak and Wilma S. Davis, page 88.
+ Job Persall – the cemetery at Mt. Union U.B. Church of Ohio Township shows he died Feb. 9, 1867, aged 78. His wife was probably the "Kizia Pearsall, wife of Job" who died in 1840 and is buried at the Possum Creek Cemetery below Clarington (Vol. III, p. 73 and Vol. IV, p. 88) Also probably son of Revolutionary Soldier Benjamain Pearsall. See Vol. I, page 63a for his pension application. – From notes to 1820 Census as recorded in "Monroe County, Ohio, Records," Vol. X, by Catharine F. Fedorchak and Joseph Bachman, page 65.
+ Jobe Pearsall is listed as the head of a household in Ohio Township, Monroe County, Ohio, in the 1850 Census. He was a 62-year-old farmer who was born in Pennsylvania. Others in the household were Nathan, age 30, no occupation, born in Ohio, and Jesse, age 19, farmer, born in Ohio. Neither Jobe, nor Nathan, could read or write.
+ Job Persall died Feb. 9, 1867, at age 78. He’s buried at Mount Union United Brethren Church in Ohio Township, Monroe County, Ohio – "Monroe County, Ohio, Genealogical Records," Vol. IV, by Catharine F. Fedorchak, page 88.
+ Job Pearsall’s will appears in Monroe County, Ohio, Will Book 1, page 55. To Nathan Pearsall the farm in Ohio Township on which we now live, and also all personal property. Written: Sept. 28, 1865. Probate: Feb. 26, 1867. – "Monroe County, Ohio, Records," Vol., XIII, by Catharine F. Fedorchak and Wilma S. Davis, page 88.

JOHN – b. 1782, son of William Piersol of Fayette County, Pa.
+ From biographical item on the Piersol family of Fayette County, Pa.: "Children of William and Grace (Cope) Piersol: 1. John, born July 4, 1782; married Anne Morrison, of Fayette county, and moved to Stark county, Ohio, thence to Trumbull county, Ohio; six children." – "Genealogical and Personal History of Fayette County, Pennsylvania," by Lewis Historical Pub. Co., 1912, page 835.
+ John Piersol is listed as the head of a household in Trumbull County, Ohio, in 1820. The household contained 2 males under 10, 1 male age 10-16, 1 male age 26-46, 2 females under 10, 1 female age 10-16 and 1 female age 26-46. – "Federal Census Records for Trumbull County, Ohio, 1820," copied by Doris W. Strong, page 64.
+ John Pearsoll appears in the 1850 Census in Salem Township, Mercer County, Pa. John is listed as a 67-year-old farmer who was born in Pennsylvania. His household contained: Anne, age 64, born in Pennsylvania; Mary, age 28, born in Ohio; Wm., age 24, a farmer born in Ohio; and Nancy, born 20, born in Ohio.
+ John Pearsoll appears in the 1860 Census living in the household of William G. Penrose in Perry Township, Mercer County, Pa. He is listed as a 78-year-old farmer who was born in Pennsylvania.
+ From a history of Jackson Township, Trumbull County, Ohio: "About the same date [1818] John Pearsall settle don and three-fourth miles east of the center. He moved to another farm in this township, then to Milton, and finally to Pennsylvania," page 149.
"Among the earliest Methodists who worshiped in this township were John Pearsall and wife," page 152.
"John Pearsall, an early settler in the eastern part of the township, was chased one night by a pack of wolves. He was unarmed at the time, but by seizing a heavy club and making good use of it he was enabled to reach home safely," page 153.
"It is generally agreed that Andrew Gault was the first justice [of the peace for Jackson Township], and John Pearsall, the second," page 154. – "History of Trumbull and Mahoning Counties, Ohio," by H.Z. Williams & Bro., 1882.
+ "John Pearsall, one of the early settlers in the eastern part of the township was chased by a pack of these varmints [wolves] one night. They always seemed to be up to their deviltry in the silent watches of the night when honest folks were in bed. At the time Mr. Pearsall was unarmed, but he procured a club and waded in on the pack and used it to such advantage that he was enabled to reach home without injury." – History of Jackson Township, Mahoning County, Ohio, from Mahoning Dispatch, July 1, 1932, at
http://ftp.RootsWeb.com/pub/usgenweb/oh/oh-footsteps/2000/june/v00-184.txt

JOHN – b. 1812, son of Jacob Piersol (b. 1784)
+ "John Peirsal, farmer, P.O. Watkins, an old pioneer of Mill Creek Township, was born in Chester County, Penn., March 21, 1812. He is a son of Jacob and Mary (Boyer) Peirsal, natives of Chester and Dauphin Counties, Penn., respectively. Mr. Peirsal was born March 18, 1784, and his wife April 15, 1784. They were married in Pennsylvania, and reared most of their family there. Of their children, the following are living: Silas, Richard. John, the subject of this notice, Elizabeth, widow of John Haney, and Mary A., widow of John Poe. Mr. and Mrs. Peirsal died in the same year, and at about the same age. John, our subject, when seventeen years of age, took up blacksmithing in Waynesburg, Penn., and served an apprenticeship of four years. He followed his trade principally till April 1839, when be came to Mill Creek Township." – "The History of Union County, Ohio," by W.H. Beers & Co., Chicago, 1883, page 351. John Pearsol appears in the 1850 Census for Mill Creek Township, Union County, Ohio. John is listed as a 38-year-old farmer who was born in Pennsylvania. His property was valued at $3,000. His wife was Catharine, 37, and his children were: Christiann, 15; Silas, 14, Elijah W., also 14; Evan 12; Mary, 10; George 8; Margaret, 6; John, 4; Catharine, 3; and Samuel 11 months. Since the parents and all of the children until Mary were born in Pennsylvania, it appears that the family moved to Ohio between 1838 and 1840.
+ John Piersol appears in the 1860 Census in Millcreek Township, Union County, Ohio. His is listed as a 48-year-old farmer who was born in Pennsylvania. He owned real estate valued at $12,890 and personal property valued at $1,904. His household contained: Catharine, 46; Evans, 21; Mary, 20; Margaret, 15; Geo., 17; John, 14; Catharine, 12; Enoc, 8; Enic, 4, a girl; and Robt., 1. Evans was born in Pennsylvania but all of the younger children were born in Ohio.
+ John Piersol appears in the 1880 Census in Millcreek Township, Union County, Ohio. He is listed as a 68-year-old farmer who was born in Pennsylvania. His household contained: Cate, daughter, age 34, born in Ohio; Jacob, son, age 21, born in Ohio; and Mary, granddaughter, age 11, born in Ohio.

SAMUEL
+ Samuel Piersoll is listed as the head of a household in Liberty District of Trumbull County, Ohio, in the 1850 Census. He was a 32-year-old farmer who was born in Pennsylvania. Others in the household were: Eliza, age 32; Morison, 7; Cornelius, 5; and Mary A., 2, all born in Ohio.

THOMAS
[This Thomas might be from New York State. The only Thomas appearing in Pennsylvania records during this time was too young to own property in 1807.]
+ Thomas Pearsall is listed in tax records for Trumbull County, Ohio, in 1806, 6th Collection District. Trumbull County is on the Pennsylvania border. "Index to Ohio Tax Lists 1800-1810," edited by Ronald V. Jackson, Gary R. Teeples and David Schaefermayer, page 315.
+ Thomas Pearsall is listed in tax records for Franklin County, Ohio, in 1807, 6th Collection District. Franklin County is in the center of the state. "Index to Ohio Tax Lists 1800-1810," edited by Ronald V. Jackson, Gary R. Teeples and David Schaefermayer, page 315.