Person Page 356

Thomas O. Pearson was born on 18 May 1835 in Port Burwell, Elgin, London District, Ontario, Canada.^1,3 He and Cerinda Dennis were married on 5 March 1856 in Aylmer, Malahide, Elgin, Ontario, Canada, McKnights Hotel.^1,2 He died on 7 October 1911, at age 76, in Bayham Township, Elgin, Ontario, Canada.¹ He was buried in Richmond West Cemetery, Bayham, Elgin, Ontario, Canada.¹

Thomas O. Pearson was a Farmer. THE DEATH OF THOMAS PEARSON

Highly Respected and Life Long Resident of Bayham Passed Away in the 77th Year of His Age

Port Burwell, Oct 18.- Last week there passed away peacefully at his home here in Port Burwell, Thomas Pearson, yeoman well respected by all, a strong Conservative and a life long resident of the township of Bayham . His father the late Joseph Pearson left Yorkshire England in the year 1833 . Thomas was born at Port Burwell in the year 1834. All his life time had been spent on the farm, with the exception of a few years in which he lived retired in Port Burwell . He was a member of the Church of England, a man well liked by all. His word was as good as his bond. He was a man of great kindness and affectionate to his family. His one regret was that he could not cast a vote for David Marsha ll on Sept 21, but he was overjoyed at the great conservative victory.

There remains to mourn his loss, one sister, Mrs. Sarah Hartley, aged 84; his wife and 12 children; Jacob Pearson, and Mrs. Homer Learn of Port Burwell; Christopher, Daniel, John and Mrs. Cerinda Mitts, of Corinth. Joseph and Henry of Bayham, Thomas of Niagara Falls, Richard of St. Thomas, Mrs. Hanna Parker of Ohio and Mrs. Jas. Temple of Tillsonburg.

The remains were laid to rest in the Richmond Cemetery. The funeral, which was one of the largest ever held in Bayham was conducted by Rev. J. H. Clarke.

WILL OF THOMAS PEARSON

Thomas Pearson #5751 Folio 13

Canada Province of Ontario

In His Majesty’s Surrogate Court of the County of Elgin

Be it known that on the Seventeenth day of November in the year of our Lord, one thousand, nine hundred and eleven the last will and testament of Thomas Pearson late of the Township of Bayham in the County of Elgin and province of Ontario, Farmer, deceased who died on or about the twelfth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand, nine hundred and eleven, at the village of Port Burwell in the County of Elgin and who at the time of his death had a final place of abode at Port Burwell in the said County of Elgin was proved and registered in the said surrogate court a true copy of which said last "Will and testament" is herunder written and that the administration of all and singular the property of this said deceased and any way concerning his will was granted by the aforesaid court to Cerinda Pearson of the village of Port Burwell, in the County of Elgin, widow executrix named in the said will she having been first sworn well and faithfully to administer the same by paying the final debts of the deceased and the legacies contained in his will so far as she is thereunto bound by law and by distributing the residue (if any) of the property according to law and to exhibit under oath a true and perfect inventory of all and singular the said property and to render a just and true account of her executrixship when thereunto lawfully required.

signed: David McLaws Registrar of the Surrogate Court of t he county of Elgin

This is the last will and testament of me Thomas Pearson of the Township of Bayham in the County of Elgin and the Province of Ontario, Farmer.

I devise and bequeath to my beloved wife Cerinda Pearson all the real and personal estate and effects of every kind and whersoever situate of which I shall die in any were possessed or entitled to absolutely, to have and to hold to her and her heirs, executors and administrators to her and their use and behoof forever.

And I hereby appoint my said wife sole executrix of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former and other wills, codicils or testamentary writings heretofore by me at any time made.

In witness wherof I the testator have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty third day of November in the year of our Lord One thousand, nine hundred and eighty seven.

signed: Thomas Pearson

Signed, published and declared by the testator as and for h is last will and testament in the presence of us who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other , have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses. signed : J----- Bradley of Aylmer signed: W.A. Glover of Aylmer

. A Pearson Family reunion was held in 1921 and recorded in the St. Thomas Times Journal. The date of the reunion was June 23 1921.
REUNION OF PEARSON FAMILY IN CORINTH Interesting Gathering When Descendants Of Four Brothers Join In Celebration. Nearly one hundred years ago there settled in Elgin County near what is now the village of Corinth a family by the name of Pearson, composed of Father, Mother and four boys. The four boys, Joe, John, Thomas and Christopher, grew to manhood married and settled on farms around Corinth, with the exception of John, who made his home in Dorchester Township near Avon and Thursday the descendants of these four brothers gathered at the home of Daniel Pearson on the ninth concession of Bayham, close to the village of Corinth, in their second annual reunion. The beautiful lawn surrounding the cosy farm home of Mr. and Mrs. Pearson made a splendid gathering place for the hundred or more who came from Snover, Cairo, Brown City and Detroit in the state of Michigan and London, St. thomas, Nilestown, Putnam, Harrietsville, Belmont, Springfield, Tillsonburg. Aylmer and around Corinth.
A most suptuous outdoor banquet was prepared under the large maple trees whose branches served as a canopy, protecting the banquetters from the rays of the sun, and many were the fond reminiscences discussed and enjoyed together with the tasty eatables of every description. After luncheon a program of music, sports and baseball was indulged in, everybody enjoying themselves, from the oldest to the youngest. Before departing a short business session was held and officers for the next reunion were elected. Mr. Ellis Pearson, of Brown City, Michigan the oldest man on the grounds, was elected honorary president; Earl Pearson of Nilestown, president; L. O. Pearson of St. Thomas, vice president. and Mrs. Henry Pearson of Corinth, secretary treasurer. Next years picnic will be held on the last Wednesday in June at the home of Henry Pearson, Corinth.
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PEARSON REUNION July 25 1929
Pleasant sunshiny weather helped to make the tenth annual reuinion of the Pearson clan a grand success, being held at the home of Daniel Pearson, 9th concession of Bayham on Wednesday July 10th. A bountiful dinner was served by the ladies of the clan, after which the election of officers took place. Daniel Crossett of Brownsville was elected Pres.; Robert Laur, Belmont, vice president and Ada Pearson Corinth, sec. Treas. A delightful program of singing, readings and music was enjoyed by all. Two baseball teams captained by Ted Smith of Port Huron and George Thomson, Aylmer competed for high score, which Ted Smith's team won. The next reunion will be held at the home of Henry Pearson, Corinth, on the second Wednesday in July 1930.

Reta Neff was born on 21 March 1930 in Corinth, Ontario, Canada. She died on 21 March 1930, at age 0, in Corinth, Ontario, Canada. She was buried in Richmond West Cemetery, Bayham, Elgin, Ontario, Canada.