Person Page - 258

     Mary Bowdoin was born in 1682 at France. She was the daughter of Pierre "Peter" Claude Baudouin and Elizabeth Fixe. Mary Bowdoin married Stephen Beautineau on 22 Aug 1708 at Boston, Massachusetts. Mary Bowdoin died in 1747 at Boston, Suffolk Co, Massachusetts.

     Mary Bowdoin was born c 1710 at Northampton Co, Virginia. She was the daughter of John Bowdoin I and Susannah (Unknown).

     MAJ Peter Bowdoin was born in 1706 at Northampton Co, Virginia. He was the son of John Bowdoin I and Susannah (Unknown). MAJ Peter Bowdoin married Adah Harmanson, daughter of John Harmanson and Susanna Kendall, c 1726 at Northampton Co, Virginia. MAJ Peter Bowdoin married Susanna Preeson on 13 May 1733 at Northampton Co, Virginia. MAJ Peter Bowdoin died b 14 Jan 1746 at Northampton Co, Virginia.

      Maj Peter Bowdoin, gentleman, was on the list of tithables at Northampton Co, VA, between 1722 and 1744. Peter's mother Susannah was shown on the tithable from 1720 until 1730 and Peter was first listed in 1722. He had evidently turned 16 in 1722 (b.c. 1706), which matches his birth year according to a later deposition when he gave his age. He was either listed with his mother Susan Bowdoin or as the head of household from 1722 until the list ended in 1744. He was shown as either Peter Bowdoin, Pr. Bowdoion, Major Peter Bowdoin or simply Major Bowdoin. His tithables ranged from six in 1722 to thirty-two in 1744. He actually created the list for his precinct from 1737 to 1743.


Peter made a will on 12 October 1745 at Northampton Co, VA. To my son John the 740 A. whereon I now dwell with the mill, 345 A. with a mill purchased by my honored father John Bowdoin dec'd from James Ansel, Thomas Shepherd, and (blank) Eustice, and also 650 A. of Rack Island. To son John my part of 300 A. bought of Francis Costen and Margaret Tenant, and if the heir in reversion inclines to sell then William Burton, William Tazewell and Edward Robins, Gentlemen, to purchase it out of my son John's estate. To son John £100 and ns. Worster, Jack, Adam, James, Pompey, Congo, Henry, Daniel, Jemmy, Sarah, Pegg, little Sarah, Judith, Kate, Moll, Dinah and Jacob, silver hilted sword, large silver tankard that was mended in New York, my Serutoir, my large church Bible mounted with silver, and silver sugar box. To my son Preeson my 190 A. on King's Creek by me purchased of Sarah Waterson, Luke Smaw and Abigail his wife, and Comfort Waterson, 200 A. purchased of said Comfort Waterson whereon Mark Beckit now dwells, 260 A. by me purchased from William Thompson, Edward Mills and Agnes his wife, and Gilbert Moore, and 650 A. of Racoon Island. To son Preeson ns. little Jos, York, Peter, Sampson Jr., Lucy, Kasiah, Amy, Tabitha, Jemima, Rose, Catherine, new Sarah, Jerom and Nel, silver tankard with a nob that was Brown Preeson's, silver porringer, silver shoe, knee and stock buckles, silver watch, silver soop spoon, large church Bible, gold shirt buttons, one gold ring hand and heart, and gold ring inscribed "MC". To my dau. Elizabeth Bowdoin ns. great Joseph, Aneas, Quamino, Rachel, Prisilla, Bridget, Patience, Grace, silver teapot, and £100. To my dau. Mary Bowdoin slaves Luke, Sampson, Yammon, Cubbo, Nanny, Aroday, and Esther, my silver tankard with a nob, and £100. Whereas Mr. Joachim Michael and myself have sometime since built a mill between us on the Meeting House Branch and the record being only in my name, I hereby confirm 1/2 to the said Michael. To Hungars Parish £25 if neither the present nor future Church Wardens take the advantage of the law of my mulatto man Isaac Darling, who I hereby put at liberty, but if these terms unacceptable to Parish then said £25 to Isaac Darling. My estate not to be held liable by my children John, Elizabeth and Mary for their items which came out of their grandfather and grandmother John and Susannah Harmanson's dec'd estates. My sons John and Preeson to be kept at grammar school as William Tazewell and Edward Robins, Gent., will approve until 14, and then John to be sent to Boston for apprenticeship with some merchant there. And Preeson to be sent to Philadelphia to be apprentice to William Allen, Esq. or Mr. Andrew Hamilton, merchant. To my dau. Elizabeth the profits of my sons' estates to support them at school until they are 21. My brick house being built at King's Creek to be completed. To my niece Betty Custis all her mother's clothes which I bought, and if she wishes to live with my dau. then for Betty to have liberty of a room at either of my houses. To Mr. James Gibson my best wig. To Mr. William Paden the 2 years I have of his time. To my aunt Mrs. Margaret Ellegood the tuition of my dau. Mary until 21. My land at Nasswadox and 1/2 my mill there to be sold. As it has been reported that Levin Teagle of Accomack Co. has apply'd himself to my dau. Elizabeth in order to make her his wife - if my dau. Elizabeth should ever marry said Teagle then she to receive only one shilling. My dau. Elizabeth extrx. Witt: George Lynch, Thomas Hunt, James Gibson, Andrew Gilchrist. Codicil - 3 Nov. 1745 To son Preeson £80. Witt: Patrick Stewart, James Gibson, Andrew Gilchrist.

Moody Miles detailed sources:

[S940] John Frederick Dorman, Adventurers of Purse and Person, Virginia, 1607-1624/5, p. 128 (Savage Family).
[S497] James Handley Marshall, Northampton Co, VA, Abstracts of Wills & Administrations, 1632-1802, p. 268 (will of John Harmanson, planter, wife Isbell), p. 318 (will of Peter Bowdoin, Gent), p. 210 (will of John Bowden, merchant, wife Susannah), p. 268 (will of John Harmanson, planter, wife Isbell), p. 302 (will of Susannah Harmanson).
[S623] M.D. & Jean M. Mihalyka William R.M. Houston, Colonial Residents of Virginia's Eastern Shore (Whose Ages Were Proved Before Court Officials of Accomack and Northampton Counties), p. 12.
[S572] Ralph T. Whitelaw, Virginia's Eastern Shore (A History of Northampton and Accomack Counties), p. 132 (tract N25).
[S859] John B. Bell, Northampton Co, VA, Tithables, 1720-1769, various pages.
[S622] Jean M. Mihalyka, Northampton Co, VA, Marriages, 1660/1-1854 (Recorded in Bonds, Licenses, Minister Returns, and other sources).
[S724] Robert Irving Upshur & Thomas Teackel Upshur IV, Upshur Family in Virginia, 2nd Edition, p. 57.

     Adah Harmanson was born in 1706 at Northampton Co, Virginia. She was the daughter of John Harmanson and Susanna Kendall. Adah Harmanson married MAJ Peter Bowdoin, son of John Bowdoin I and Susannah (Unknown), c 1726 at Northampton Co, Virginia. Adah Harmanson died b 13 May 1733 at Northampton Co, Virginia.

     Joane Andrews was born c 1635 at Northampton Co, Virginia. She married Thomas Harmanson I (Burgess) c 1655.

     Susanna Preeson was born c 1700 at Northampton Co, Virginia. She married MAJ Peter Bowdoin, son of John Bowdoin I and Susannah (Unknown), on 13 May 1733 at Northampton Co, Virginia.

     Comfort Moore was born c 1691 at Northampton Co, Virginia. She married William Satchell, son of John "Jno" Satchell I and Alice (Unknown), c 1710 at Northampton Co, Virginia. Comfort Moore died b 22 Aug 1715 at Northampton Co, Virginia.

     Johanna "Hanner" Satchell was born c 1728 at Northampton Co, Virginia. She was the daughter of William Satchell and Susanna Bowdoin ?

     Comfort Satchell was born c 1722 at Northampton Co, Virginia. She was the daughter of William Satchell and Susanna Bowdoin ?

     Stephen Beautineau was born a 1687 at France. He married Mary Bowdoin, daughter of Pierre "Peter" Claude Baudouin and Elizabeth Fixe, on 22 Aug 1708 at Boston, Massachusetts.

      Stephen Beautineau / Boutineau immigrated from France to the New World with Pierre Claude Baudoun and later married Pierre's daughter.

     James Bowdoin II was born on 7 Aug 1726. He was the son of James Bowdoin I. James Bowdoin II died on 6 Nov 1790 at age 64.

      James Bowdoin II was an American political and intellectual leader from Boston, Massachusetts, during the American Revolution. He served in both branches of the Massachusetts General Court from the 1750s to the 1770s. Although he was initially supportive of the royal governors, he opposed British colonial policy and eventually became an influential advocate of independence. He authored a highly political report on the 1770 Boston Massacre that has been described by historian Francis Walett as one of the most influential pieces of writing that shaped public opinion in the colonies.

From 1775 to 1777 James served as president of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress' executive council, the de facto head of the Massachusetts government. He was elected president of the constitutional convention that drafted the state's constitution in 1779, and ran unsuccessfully for governor in 1780, losing to John Hancock. In 1785, following Hancock's resignation, he was elected governor. During his two years in office poor economic conditions and harsh fiscal policy laid down by his government led to the uprising known as Shays' Rebellion. Bowdoin personally funded militia forces that were instrumental in putting down the uprising. His high-handed treatment of the rebels may have contributed to his loss of the 1787 election, in which the populist Hancock was returned to office.

In addition to his political activities, James was active in scientific pursuits, collaborating with Benjamin Franklin in his pioneering research on electricity. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of London, and was a founder and first president of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, to whom he bequeathed his library. Bowdoin College in Maine was named in his honor after a bequest by his son James III.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Bowdoin, 2015.

     John Scarburgh was born c 1700 at Accomack Co, Virginia. He was the son of CPT Charles Scarburgh and Edith Bayly. John Scarburgh married Tabitha Custis, daughter of Thomas Custis and Elizabeth Custis, c 1724. John Scarburgh died in Nov 1743. His estate was probated on 29 Nov 1743 at Accomack Co, Virginia.

      John Scarburgh made a will on 12 July 1743 at Accomack Co, VA. To son Charles (under age) land and plantation where I now live containing 975 acres and also my plantation called Hog Neck containing 500 acres. To daughter Bradhurst Scarburgh land at Pocomoke containing 400 acres. To daughter Elizabeth Scarburgh plantation at Assawoman containing 200 acres. To daughter Tabitha Scarburgh. To daughter Sarah Scarburgh. Wife Tabitha. Col. Henry Scarburgh, Edmund Bayly and John Selby in Maryland executors. Wittnesses: William Bagg, Richard Bonnywell and Robert Cole.

     CPT Charles Scarburgh was born c 1677 at Accomack Co, Virginia. He married Edith Bayly c 1700. CPT Charles Scarburgh died b 22 Dec 1724 at Accomack Co, Virginia. His estate was probated on 5 Jan 1725 at Accomack Co, Virginia.

     Edith Bayly was born c 1682 at Accomack Co, Virginia. She married CPT Charles Scarburgh c 1700.

     Bennett Scarburgh was born c 1704 at Accomack Co, Virginia. He was the son of CPT Charles Scarburgh and Edith Bayly. Bennett Scarburgh died b 1739.

     Katherine Sparrow was born on 4 Feb 1714 at Anne Arundel Co, Maryland. She married Edmund Custis, son of Thomas Custis and Elizabeth Custis, c 1732.

     Edmond Allen was born c 1690 at Accomack Co, Virginia. He married Ann Kendall, daughter of CPT William Kendall II (the elder) and Anne Mason, c 1735. His estate was probated on 26 Jan 1768 at Accomack Co, Virginia.

     Robinson Custis was born c 1722 at Accomack Co, Virginia. He was the son of CPT Henry Custis I and Ann Kendall. Robinson Custis died b 13 Mar 1749 at Northampton Co, Virginia.

     (possible 1st wife of Wm Satchell ) (Unknown) was born a 1630. She married William Satchell c 1650.

     Richard Beedle was born c 1625.

     Mary Beedle was born in 1649 at Northampton Co, Virginia. She was the daughter of Richard Beedle and Anne "Nan" (Unknown). Mary Beedle married John Cole a 18 Dec 1663 at Northampton Co, Virginia.

     John Cole was born b 1635. He married Mary Beedle, daughter of Richard Beedle and Anne "Nan" (Unknown), a 18 Dec 1663 at Northampton Co, Virginia.

     John Inglis was born on 13 Aug 1587 at Dunfermline, Fife Co, Scotland. He was the son of Andrew Inglis and Majory "Maige" Mitchell.

     John Inglis (2nd son John) was born on 26 Jul 1601 at Dunfermline, Fife Co, Scotland. He was the son of Andrew Inglis and Majory "Maige" Mitchell.

     Janet Inglis was born on 13 Sep 1590 at Dunfermline, Fife Co, Scotland. She was the daughter of Andrew Inglis and Majory "Maige" Mitchell.

     James Inglis was born on 11 Oct 1579 at Dunfermline, Fife Co, Scotland. He was the son of Andrew Inglis and Majory "Maige" Mitchell.

     Ellen Inglis was born on 17 Mar 1577 at Dunfermline, Fife Co, Scotland. She was the daughter of Andrew Inglis and Majory "Maige" Mitchell.

     ENS Simon Pearson I was born b 18 Jan 1738. He was the son of Dr / Capt Thomas Pearson I and Anne Amelia Markham. ENS Simon Pearson I married Milcah "Milky" Trammell, daughter of John Trammell II and Susanna Harle, in 1758. ENS Simon Pearson I died a 24 Mar 1798 at Fairfax Co, Virginia. His estate was probated on 16 Apr 1798 at Fairfax Co, Virginia.

      Simon Pearson was a colorful character in the upper class ruling gentry of Fairfax Co, VA. It is difficult to do justice to the life and loves of Simon. Generally this researcher likes to unfold an ancestor's biography chronologically, but in the case of Simon who garnered considerable legal issues, his story is better suited to discussion according to his land ownership, debts, civic actions and family relationships. An extensive amount of research was undertaken on Simon to prove our ancestor John was his son and also because Simon was interesting.

Simon was the namesake grandson of well-connected and respected Capt. Simon Pearson, and the Pearsons were intermarried with many of the well-to-do families in Alexandria City and Fairfax County, VA. When Simon reached the age of majority, he undertook a prodigious four years of receiving numerous debt lawsuits and charges of adultery and paternity. Key factors keeping Simon out of further trouble were his wealth, upper class social standing and likely support from his well-known stepfather Charles Broadwater. Broadwater served the Fairfax Co court as a sitting justice from the before the first debt or morality case was brought against Simon until after Simon's death. Broadwater had a 42 percent attendance rate at court as a justice, attended court for 4 years as sheriff and most of the other justices were Broadwater's friends or family, all of which likely benefited Simon in court.

Although there are innumerable court records which tell a clear story about Simon, if the Fairfax Co court books were not missing or destroyed for 1756-1768, 1774-1783, 1792-1796 court orders and for 1766-1770, 1774-1783, 1788-1791 court minutes, leaving a complete gap of coverage from 1774-1783, a more complete understanding of Simon's public life would be available.

Simon's birth date was estimated based on his first land deed as a 21-year-old adult. Upon his father's death Simon Pearson was made a ward of his uncle William Henry Terrett, bonded by Gerard Alexander on 18 Feb 1745 in Fairfax Co, VA. Terrett provided the court regular accounts of Simon's estate on 31 Mar 1750, 31 Mar 1752, 20 Aug 1752, 21 Feb 1754, 19 Nov 1754, 21 Oct 1755, 17 Nov 1756 and 17 Aug 1757. Of note on the day of Terrett's final account posting with the court, the Grand Jury dismissed a suit against an unknown Catherine Pearson who had been involved in 1754 and 1757 court actions.

Under Terrett's guardianship, in 1745 Simon studied under the instruction of the Wren family likely at the home of Thomas Wren who leased land from Simon (through his guardian) and lived close to the Pearsons and Broadwaters. By 1746 Simon was“sent to Davis and Dlye (sic) for schooling;" several Davises and one Daly lived in the neighborhood, suggesting a pattern – common at the time – of Simon and Thomas receiving their education through neighbor families. In 1747 Simon’s uncle Terrett ensured Simon's education came from the parish schoolmaster John Drucker, but when Drucker died at the end of year all records of Simon’s schooling ended.

A 1749 Fairfax Co government record for a Simon Pearson cannot be linked to Simon who was born in 1738. In 1749 a Simon Pearson was on the Fairfax Co, VA list of tithables with one white age 22 or above and five blacks; this person would have to have been born in 1727 or earlier to be on the tax list. Simon's grandfather Capt Simon Pearson was deceased and his grandson Simon born circa 1738 was too young to be on the tax list, so Capt Simon Pearson's brothers Robert or Francis possibly had a son and/or grandson named Simon who was on this 1749 tax list. This also makes it possible that some of the land deeds or court actions apportioned to our Simon Pearson born in 1738 were those of a different Simon; however, at no time were the names associated with the many, many court actions for Simon born in 1738 differentiated by the addition of word senior, junior, elder, younger or any geographical notation. Note this 1749 tithable record is a transcription of the original in the Library of Congress and could contain a date error, but it is unlikely the unique name Simon would have been miswritten. The Fairfax Co personal property tax list begins in 1782 and from then through 1798, the only year when there were two Simon Pearsons listed was in 1789, when our Simon born in 1738 and his namesake son were living together. Fairfax Co does not have a tithable/tax list for the years 1759 to 1781. On the Fairfax Co extant rent rolls for the years 1761, 1764, 1770, 1772 and 1774 only one Simon Pearson is listed; the quit rents recorded on these rent rolls were similar to land taxes, so a man had to own land to be included. Thus there are no other extant Fairfax Co records to help discern who the Simon Pearson waswho was on the 1749 record.

Thus Simon Pearson was the name of at least four men in four generations in Fairfax County: Simon's son, Simon himself, Simon's grandfather and another Simon -- possibly a son of one of Simon's great uncles. Simon Pearson is not a unique name within the family, having been given to both sons and daughters -- in the form of Simonetta -- from the northeast states through to the Carolinas. Thus there is a possibility some activities apportioned to our Simon born circa 1738 may be actions of his cousins, but not in the case of the charges involving women and children which were clearly his. Usually if such were the case the court would ensure each man was clearly designated by using senior, junior, elder or younger to differentiate between them. However, the character of unpaid debts and issues with women appears to have a strong thread to bind the continuous string of court appearances, broken up from time to time by civic jury duty, to our ancestor Simon.

On 16 May 1753 Benjamin Sebastian senior, gentleman, requested the court take witnesses' depositions regarding land boundaries between his land and the land of the heirs of Thomas Pearson, Simon's father. As a result, Garrard Tramel's statement was taken and recorded on 19 Feb 1754. Two of Simon's step-siblings later married Benjamin's children, and Simon later married Gerrard Trammell's niece.

Simon's stepfather Charles Broadwater served as county sheriff in 1751-1753 and 1755 - 1757. On 21 Jan 1756 three days after Simon's eighteenth birthday, Broadwater arranged to have Simon appointed under-sheriff -- assisting Broadwater as the sheriff and carrying out the sheriff’s duties when Broadwater away. Simon was very young and irresponsible to be able to assume this position, but Broadwater may have been looking for suitable pursuits to establish Simon's sense of civic responsibility. Sir William Blackstone’s Commentaries on the Laws of England published in London in 1807 in the chapter “Of Subordinate Magistrates” describes the offices of sheriff and undersheriff, but never mentions age requirements (http://tinyurl.com/jyocd5r). The Seventeenth-Century Sheriff: a Comparative Study of the Sheriff in England and the Chesapeake Colonies 1607-1689 by Cyrus Karraker also does not mention any age requirements for the office, but does state the sheriff and undersheriff had to be men of property, and Simon had inherited property.

In 1757 Simon joined the Fairfax Co militia. When Simon was 20, he took his oath in accordance with his commission as an ensign in the Fairfax Co militia on 22 Aug 1758. Simon reportedly served under Capt Brian Fairfax in the militia during the French and Indian War. In Virginia’s Colonial Soldiers by Lloyd DeWitt Bockstruck which lists colonial soldiers with their age at enlistment, most men were between the ages of 21 and 40; although there were a few 16 and 17 year olds, 18 to 20 year olds were more common.

When his guardian William Terrett died in 1758 Simon was placed under the guardianship of his stepfather Charles Broadwater on 18 May 1758, suggesting Simon was underage when he married Milcah "Milkey" Trammell late that year. "Charles Broadwater, Gent., is appointed Guardian of Simon Pearson who with Daniel McCarty, Gent., acknowledged a bond for the same which is ordered to be recorded.” On 19 Jan 1759 Simon living in Fairfax Co gave his brother Thomas Pearson 500 acres land; to own land Thomas would need to be age 21 but perhaps Thomas' guardian took over managing the land because incongruently on 22 Aug 1759 Thomas Pearson also chose Charles Broadwater as his guardian, indicating Thomas was under age 21. No other guardianships were established thus indicating Simon's siblings were adults or married at the time of their father's death.

DEBT ISSUES

After Simon reached age 21 and no longer had a guardian, he quickly got in trouble for unpaid debts and morally offensive issues and spent a large portion of his time responding to lawsuits of such number that he attended the monthly court sessions almost every month as a defendant over the next four years. His court attendance was so pervasive that Going Lanphier our 6th great grandfather on an unrelated family line was twice on Simon's juries and Sandford Remy, our 8th great-grand uncle, participated with Simon in jury duty and road surveys. Simon's stepfather, a rich man with an excellent reputation, also frequently brought lawsuits to court, so Simon may not have gotten the financial guidance he needed. Despite his continuous debt issues, Simon remained out of jail the majority of the time because of his wealth as a large landowner and his social standing as a nephew of the gentile Wests, Alexanders and Chapmans; step-son of the Broadwaters; and perhaps even as a stepbrother of the Rev Benjamin Sebastian II whose father of the same name was a gentleman and one of two prominent lawyers in the county. Also this researcher perceived the upper class Broadwaters were typically involved in legal disputes, and for Simon growing up in that environment this propensity for being involved in court cases may have seemed expected and acceptable, whereas our ancestor above noted, Going Lanphier, a tradesman aligned with the middle class, was more frequently in court for jury duty as opposed to lawsuits.

Simon was in continuous legal trouble in court for debt and other issues starting as soon as his guardianship ended; from about age 22 – 26 Simon was sued or on trial in court 66 known times with other court dates implied by court decisions but not documented by the court the following month. After age 26 Simon appeared to have learned how to better manage his finances, and although his was in court for debt more than our other ancestors by far, it was 20 documented times during the next 34 years. Fairfax Co, VA Order Books are missing for 1756 -1768, 1774-1783 and 1792-1799 and Minute Books are gone for 1766-1770, 1774-1783 and 1788-1791; this leaves and almost decade-long gap as to what occurred during 1774-1783. Were these other court records extant, Simon would likely have some more documented legal issues. Simon had well-documented debt disputes with people named Ashford, Carter, Gore, Hurst, Hicks, Irmill, Keitley, Ladd, Radcliff and Turner; the exact terms and duration of these disputes are summarized below followed by some of his other debt issues. As Simon's debt issues progressed, to cover portions of the debts the court had the sheriff seize and sometimes sell Simon's seized property to include a grindstone, pot hooks, bridle and 30-gallon cask.

Simon failed to appear in court on 19 Jul 1757: "Mess’rs Kirkpatrick & Watson against Sylvester Adams – on attachment – Simon Pearson being sumoned a (sic) garnishee & failing to appear it is ordered that an attachment be issued against him returnable to the next Court." Of note, Gabriel Adams was Simon's great uncle. While this first legal charge against Simon could be against that of a relative of Simon's, which would explain while his guardian was not in court, being irresponsible about debts and court appearances fits with our Simon's character, so this is likely his first known offense.

On 16 Jul 1760 Sylvester Adams testified against Simon in Elliot vs Pearson and again in Dec 1760 in Milkey Pearson vs Simon Pearson. However by 17 Apr 1769 Silvester testified on Simon's behalf in Lee vs Pearson, attending court for five days and the court ordered Simon pay him 125 pounds tobacco.

Further on 18 Jun 1761 in Robert Adam (sic) versus Daniel Lawrence, who did not appear, the court decided Adam could recover £18.12.0 with 5% interest per annum from 24 May 1758 until the same was paid plus costs from Lawrence and Simon Pearson, who served as his security.

On 19 Feb 1760 both John Ashford and John Ratcliffe brought suits against Simon; Benjamin Sebastian senior represented Simon in both suits. On 21 Apr 1761 Simon Pearson deeded Benjamin Sebastian land which may have been to pay Simon's legal fees because after that numerous suits languishing in court against Simon moved ahead. On 21 May 1761 the Ashford suit continued with the decision to depose John Peter Sarter. This was followed by the both the Ratcliffe and Ashford suits moving ahead in court in Jun 1761; on 18 Jun 1761 Simon plead he did not owe Ratcliffe any money or tobacco and he was not guilty as charged by Ashford.

The Ashford and Ratcliffe suits came to trial on 19 Sep 1761. In the matter of Ratcliffe, the jury found Simon owed the debt, damages and costs: "...find the Defendant doth owe to John £6 and assess damages by reason of detaining the debt besides his costs to one penny." Interestingly, the jury included Gowen Lamphire (Going Lanphier), our 6th great grandfather on a line unrelated to the Pearsons, and Going definitely seemed like a person who would only award a one-cent penalty.

Simon also lost the Ashford suit for trespass, assault and battery the same day 19 Sep 1761: "...find the Defendant ... did make an assault and him did beat wound and evil intreat in manner and form as the Plaintiff complained and assess the damages of the Plaintiff by reason of the premisses to 40 Shillings ... and also his costs." In addition Simon had to pay William Speake 175 pounds tobacco for attending court for seven days to testify on his behalf. It is unknown if Going Lanphier also served on this jury. Simon clearly was a peaceful man with only this one known assault conviction at about age 23. Simon owned land adjacent or close to land of Ashford who sold his tract to George Washington in 1761, two years before Simon also sold his land to Washington; thus this assault could have resulted from the debt suit which was in court, a land boundary issue and/or a dispute over Ashford's sale to Washington.

At the next court on 20 Aug 1760 the petition of Robert Carter, esquire, against Simon was continued; it is unknown when this action started or what the issue was. This suit turned into a long running suit being continued by the court on 19 Mar 1761 and on 19 Jun 1761, until on 23 Jul 1761 Simon failed to appear in court and Carter was awarded 530 pounds tobacco and his costs. Interestingly Catherine Dorsey, the wife of Greenberry Dorsey who had given evidence in the charge of fornication against Simon and Elizabeth Connelly, was Robert Carter's witness and was paid 165 pounds tobacco. In the 1760s Robert Carter owned land in Loudoun Co, VA where the Dorseys lived as did a Thomas Pearson who had only himself as a tithable.

On 2 May 1762 Joshua Gore apparently began a suit against Simon in court. On 16 Feb 1763 Joshua Gore junior brought a suit against Simon who received the court's permission to try mediation. On 20 May 1763 Simon pleaded payment which Gore joined and the trial was referred to the next court. On 22 Jun 1763 Simon further delayed and was granted time to discuss the issue until the next court. On 21 Jul 1763 the issue was waived and the court found for the plaintiff for 12 pounds plus interest from 2 May 1762 after Simon failed to file a timely answer to the complaint. On 17 Apr 1764 Simon objected to Gore's suit.

On 18 Jun 1760 in an attempt to settle the suit of Sarah Hicks against Simon, Gerard Bolling serving as Simon's security proposed mediation and the plaintiff requested a deposition be taken from John Dalton. Further on 18 Jun 1761 the legal suits by Sarah Hicks, Benjamin Ladd and Charles Turner against Simon were set for the next court. On 20 Oct 1761 Sarah won her case again Simon: “Sarah Hicks against Simon Pearson – trespass upon the case – this day came the parties by their attorneys. Jury: Andrew Lush, Gowen Lampshire, John Muir, James McCleod, Francis Summers, John Lain … find the Defendant did assume upon himself in manner & form as the Plaintiff complained and assess the damages of the Plaintiff by reason of the not performing of the promise and assumption to £21.9.5½ and thereupon the Plaintiff here in Court remits to the Defendant £1.9.5½ part of the damages. Plaintiff to recover against Defendant £20 and also her costs.” Of note, Gowen Lampshire (Going Lanphier), our 6th great grandfather on a line unrelated to the Pearsons, was again on Simon's jury panel only a month after the first such time. Sarah was back in court on 17 Feb 1762 and after the sheriff said he could not find Simon, the court ordered an attachment be issued against his estate. Sarah returned to court 18 Jun 1762 as the executrix of William Hicks with her attorney George Johnston for debt; Simon did not appear and Sarah was awarded 50 pounds and her costs. “The Sheriff having returned that he hath attached of the Defendants estate one bridle ordered that he sell the same according to law and render the money arising thereby to the Plaintiff towards satisfaction of her debt & costs aforesaid.

On 17 Feb 1762 in James Hunter & Company vs Simon, the Sheriff reported the Defendant was not to be found and it was ordered that an attachment be issued against his estate returnable to the next Court. On 18 Mar 1762 the Hunter case was called again with George Johnston their attorney against Simon Pearson for debt. Simon confessed and the court ordered the plaintiffs were to recover £143.15.9 with 5% lawful interest per annum from 3 Oct 1761 until the same was paid and also their costs. The Sheriff noted he attached from the Defendant's estate a pair of pot hooks and was ordered to sell the same and render the money arising to the plaintiffs towards satisfaction of their debt and costs aforesaid.

Paul Irmill petitioned the court to recover expenses of £2.2.7 and also his costs from Simon on 22 Jun 1758. On 23 May 1760 Simon testified for Vitus Hartway in his suit against Paul Irmill, the latter having sued Simon less than two years before over a debt; Simon's bond was considered insufficient evidence and the case was dismissed. Irmill versus Pearson was continued on 19 May 1764 and then dismissed on 23 Aug 1764.

William Keitly's suit against Simon may have begun on Christmas Day 1760 and in fact Keitly may have had two suit against Simon underway given the sequence of court orders. On 15 Sep 1761 the court ordered Simon to give special (bail) before appearing in court for William Keitly's suit against him. On 18 Mar 1763 the court decided Simon did not owe anything to Keitly. On 18 Mar 1763 in an action brought by William Keitly the Defendant pleaded he owed nothing and the trial was set for the next court. On 20 May 1763 in Keitly vs Pearson, the issue was waved and judgment by default for for £42.17.6 with interest from 25 Dec 1760 was decided against Simon.

On 16 July 1760 Simon failed to appear in court and after the sheriff verified he left a copy of a writ at Simon's home, an attachment was issued against Simon's estate in the action between Benjamin Ladd and Simon. On 21 Aug 1760 in two court cases brought against Simon by Charles Turner and Benjamin Ladd respectively, Simon's lawyer George Johnston got the court to agree to attempts at mediation. Further on 18 Jun 1761 the legal suits by Benjamin Ladd and Charles Turner against Simon were set for the next court. On 19 Sep 1761 Ladd's debt suit against Simon was agreed. In the Turner case, on 18 Jun 1762 judgment was granted for the plaintiff after Simon failed to file a timely answer to the complaint and the court ordered that a writ of inquiry be executed at the next Court to enable the plaintiff to recover damages. Charles' suit was back in court on 19 Aug 1762 by Francis Dade, his attorney; the plaintiff was given damages £10.0.3 and costs for Simon “not performing a certain promise.”

The McCarty suit against Simon likely began on 10 Aug 1761. On 17 Feb 1762 in Daniel McCarty vs Simon Pearson, the Sheriff having said Simon was not to be found an attachment was ordered against his estate returnable to the next court. On 18 Mar 1762 Simon did not appear in the case and the court ordered the defendant pay £34.6.10 with lawful interest from 10 Aug 1761 until the day paid and also his costs. The Sheriff having noted he attached from the Defendant's estate one grind stone was ordered to sell the same. A Daniel McCarty served as security for the family when Simon's stepfather was appointed his guardian, so McCarty was likely a family friend.

Other charges against Simon which apparently settled more quickly or may have lingered in lost court order or minute books included:
--20 Nov 1759 judgment against Simon as security for the defendant in Adam vs Lawrence.
--21 Feb 1760 Simon Pearson, William Leak and Francis Dade acknowledged debts to King George in court, Simon owing £12.10.0 sterling; possibly Simon paid his debt that day because he was not told to return to court for this issue.
--16 July 1760 Simon failed to appear in court in three cases against him, including that of John Elliot. Elliot was awarded Simon's 35 shillings debt and lawyer's fees.
--19 Sep 1761 in John West junior vs John Hurst junior, West's attorney Hugh West came to court and Hurst did not show, leaving Simon as the defendant's garnishee responsible for paying the defendant's judgment in cash that day. This is likely the same John Hurst who is both Simon's neighbor and the man went into court with Simon to establish a separation agreement with his wife Milcah. On 16 Mar 1763 John West junior esquire vs Simon; plaintiff to recover £1.14.0 and 139 lbs. of tobacco & 15 Shillings or 150 lbs. of tobacco and also his costs. This John West may have been one of Simon's cousins.
--17 Feb 1762 in Anthony McKettrick / McKittrick & Co against Simon failed to appear and a warrant was issued against him returnable to the next court. On 18 Mar 1762 and 16 Jun 1762 Simon also failed to appear and the court ordered a warrants issued. On 21 Jul 1762 the suit was dismissed.
--19 Feb 1762 Robert Dreghorn & Company were ordered to recover £4.1.3½ and their costs against Simon who failed to appear.
--16 Jun 1762 Stuart and Company vs Simon Pearson who failed to appear and a warrant was issued for his arrest. On 17 Aug 1762 John Stuart & Co by George Johnston their attorney; Simon failed to appear and the plaintiff was awarded £14 with lawful interest.
--21 Jul 1762 Richard Pearis against Simon Pearson who failed to appear; the court ordered an attachment be issued against his estate. The suit for debt continued on 16 Feb 1763 with Simon again failing to appear. The court awarded the defendant £9 and his costs and the sheriff was ordered to sell the 30-gallon cask he had taken from the defendant and sell the same towards satisfaction of the debt and costs.
--18 Mar 1763 Charles Alexander vs Simon Pearson trial referred to the next court; Alexander may have been one of Simon's cousins. On 20 May 1763 Charles Alexander vs Simon Pearson; trespass on the case.
--22 Jun 1763 George Johnston against Thomas Graffort; judgment was granted the plaintiff and against Simon Pearson as Graffort's security. Graffort was likely Simon's mistress' father or brother.
--21 Dec 1763 Wilson and Company vs Pearson; an attachment ordered against the defendant. On 19 Jan 1764 judgment against Pearson for £13.4.11 and the attachment was ordered to be sold to defray the award. On the motion of a Robert Willson and Company vs John Rhodes on 19 Mar 1765 the court awarded £13.3.8 & 236 pounds tobacco & 15 being the amount of an execution returned by him against Simon Pearson. This may mean Simon owed this amount to Rhodes and it was awarded to the company.
--23 Mar 1764 In Copithorn vs Johnson the court ruled against the defendant and Simon Pearson.
--15 Jan 1765 Remy vs Pearson and Trammell; the court ordered an attachment of assets. Remy is likely this researcher's 8th or 7th great grand uncle (two men with same name) Sandford Remy suing Simon Pearson and Simon's relative by marriage. On 22 Mar 1769 the suit of Sandford Ramey with lawyer Francis Dade against Simon Pearson and Gerrard Trammell and their attorney William Ellzey for debt went to trial. The defendants were found not guilty and recovered their costs. Simon's uncle by marriage was a Gerrard Trammell born in 1702, so this Gerrard was likely a cousin of Simon's. Simon's brother-in-law was Thomas Ellzey, so William Ellzey may have also been related by marriage to Simon.
--21 Mar 1769 An account and receipt, possibly related to Simon's debts, between Simon Pearson and Charles Broadwater, his stepfather and former guardian, was proved by Simon's brother Thomas Pearson and was recorded. The same day Thomas Pearson relinquished all claim and demands he had against Charles Broadwater, his former guardian.
–23 Mar 1769 Philip Ludwell Lee esquire vs Simon Pearson went to trial with Sandford Ramey on the jury. After the verdict was reached Lee never returned to court and the case was dismissed with an order that Simon receive 5 shillings plus his costs. Thomas Craufurd (likely his mistress' father Thomas Graffort rather than his namesake stepbrother) was Simon's witness, and Simon was ordered to pay him 175 pounds for tobacco for attending court for seven days. On 17 Apr 1769 Philip Ludwell Lee esquire vs Simon Pearson was in court again with Silvester Adams, who had been a witness against Simon in dis-similar suits, as Lee's witness.
--19 Jul 1769 James Lawrie vs Simon Pearson but plaintiff did not appear so Simon was awarded 5 shillings and his costs.
--21 Mar 1770 William Payne, gentleman, vs Simon Pearson case went to trial; because of Simon's failure to perform as promised the court awarded the plaintiff 2,801 pounds of tobacco and £1.13.4 damages plus his costs. 19 Nov 1770 in William Payne vs Simon Pearson, Charles Broadwater & Philip Adams on a representative bond, the defendants failed to appear. The court awarded Payne 3,325 pounds of tobacco and £2.10.8 with interest from 25 Jul 1770 until paid and also his costs.
--20 Aug 1771 Peter Gullatt vs Simon Pearson; Gullat to recover £2.12.0 with costs.
--17 Mar 1772 Michael Gretter vs Simon Pearson; Gretter to recover £2.10.4½ with costs.
--18 May 1773 George Kilgore vs Simon Pearson; Kilgore to recover £3.18.5 with costs.
--23 Jul 1773 James Muir & Company with William Ellzey their attorney vs Simon Pearson went to trial, and plaintiffs were to recover £37.13.0 damages and also their costs.
--20 Sep 1781 John Fowler with lawyer Charles Simms vs Simon Pearson for debt. Clearly court records before this point were missing as Simon did not come to court because he was in the custody of Sheriff Martin Cockburn. The court ordered Fowler recover his debt but not how much the debt was. Four years later in 1785 Simon's mistress Peletiah Graffort and her son John Pearson sold John Fowler the land Simon had given them in 1779. Fowler may not have been the easiest neighbor; on 18 Jul 1797 the court ordered Simon Pearson was to be paid by Minor, another neighbor, for attending court for 5 days in Minor vs Fowler.
--by 1784 Simon's namesake son had likely reached age 21 so some of the court actions after 1783 may have been for Simon junior, but given the propensity of Simon senior to frequently be in court for debt up until this point in time, likely all the negative actions continue to be for Simon senior.
--17 May 1785 William Hepburn with his lawyer William Ellzey vs Simon Pearson with Charles Simms as his attorney for a debt suit. Simon concurred with the suit and the court ordered Simon pay £9.3.6 with legal interest from 14 Nov 1774 until the same is paid and also his costs. On 25 Nov 1797 Hepburn's executors were in court against Pearson and a payment was judged.
--20 May 1785 Thomas Kirkpatrick vs Simon Pearson; the suit abated apparently because the plaintiff died.
--21 Jun 1785 Thomas Dailey vs Simon Pearson; plaintiff ordered to recover 42 shillings with costs. Then on 20 Mar 1786 Dailey returned with Charles Simms as his lawyer against Simon Pearson and Robert Powell and requested a replevy bond, used by the court to protect against the loss of property wrongfully taken and needing to be returned to the petitioner. The Court decided the defendants had legal notice of this motion, and judgment was granted against Simon for £3.16.4½ with legal interest from 19 Mar 1785 until paid and also for Dailey's costs.
--22 Aug 1786 Archibald Johnston, executor of George Johnson, vs Simon Pearson; suit was dismissed.
--On 18 May 1786 the suits of Sarah Gordon vs Simon Pearson and Francis Gordon vs Thomas Pearson for assault and battery were discontinued; no other information is available to show if this suit was related to debts.
--25 Nov 1791 Joseph VanMeter vs William Cunningham for debt; plaintiff to recover against defendant and Simon Pearson his common bail £31 current money of Virginia and his costs.
--23 Aug 1797 Moxley paid Simon for attending court one day as a witness in Coleman vs Moxley which was tried 20 Jun 1797 in a land boundary dispute.
--21 Feb 1798 Carrington vs Pearson; Jacob Reintzell provided bail; the court ordered Pearson's attached effects released. Either this is against the estate of Simon Pearson or is against a different man because Simon was deceased.

In comparison to the large numbers of debt suits brought against him, Simon only brought eight known cases to court and only clearly prevailed in one case.
--17 Feb 1763 Simon brought a suit against David Anderson and came to an agreement in court.
--15 May 1764 Pearson vs Hurst was decided on 19 Sep 1764 with Hurst not guilty. By 17 July 1765 Simon was back in court against his neighbor Hurst and a survey was ordered. On 22 Aug 1765 the suit was continued for the survey to be done. This was evidently a boundary dispute, perhaps as a result of the deed Pearson gave Hurst in 1761.
--17 Apr 1764 in Pearson vs Jones a rule was to be issued at the next court for security costs or the case dismissed. 19 Aug 1765 Pearson vs Jones was declared a non-suit.
--20 Sep 1768 Simon Pearson vs James Robertson abated by the Robertson's death.
--22 Aug 1770 Simon Pearson vs John Watson abated by Watson's death.
--22 May 1772 Simon Pearson vs William Payne went to trial, and Silvester Adams attended court 16 days as Simon's witness for which he was to be paid 400 pounds tobacco. Payne was found not guilty and was to recover his costs.
--16 Sep 1783 Simon Pearson vs Ann Hennenger administrix of Frederick Hennenger; Simon to recover 62 pounds tobacco and 40 shillings with costs from the estate or from the administrix.
--Simon's longest running suit(s) were against Benjamin Sebastian, a lawyer. On 22 Feb 1764 in Pearson vs Sebastian the defendant was given time to answer. The case continued on 19 May 1764 and 19 Sep 1764. On 10 Oct 1764 on the motion of the complaint for an injunction to stay, want on hearing the motion was dismissed, with Simon ordered to pay costs. On 20 Jun 1765 in the case of Pearson vs Sebastian the court agreed for a deposition to be taken from “Thomas Pearson shipwright who is going to leave the Colony.” The suit was dismissed on 19 Aug 1765 with Simon ordered to pay the costs, but the same day a second suit by Simon against Sebastian was continued. On 20 May 1766 Simon's suit against Sebastian was countered with a motion for the same order. On 17 Dec 1770 Simon's suit abated by the defendant's death. Two of Simon's stepsiblings later married Sebastian's children.


LAND OWNERSHIP

Despite the unpaid debts, the fines and the attachments of personal property, Simon was an upper class, rich landowner. He had 40 legal actions selling, gifting or leasing land included in the Fairfax Co, VA Deed Book index, and given his vast tracts of land, there were possibly other unrecorded leases. At this time all of these deeds are presumed to be the deeds of Simon born ~1738 even though it is known other Pearson families lived in the county and that in 1749 and 1784 two other adult Simon Pearsons lived in Fairfax Co. Of the Pearson family deeds in the deed index book, 21 of the original deeds are destroyed, including 15 deeds of Simon's, thus those deeds can only be acknowledged without further details.

Historically the Pearson family acquired vast quantities of land long before Simon was born. His grandfather Thomas Pearson (~1660-~1707) owned 600 acres on the south side of Four Mile Run, then in Fairfax Co, and was also quarter-owner of a 4,639 acre tract on the south side of Great Hunting Creek granted by the Northern Virginia Proprietary in 1706 to himself, John West, and Thomas and William Harrison. In the next generation, Thomas' son Capt Simon Pearson (~1688-1733) added immense tracts – the extent of which is unknown, subsequently deeding specific smaller tracts to his three daughters and the majority to his son Dr. Thomas Pearson (~1712-1743) who added at least 1,000 acres before his untimely death. Thus, when Dr. Thomas Pearson's son and heir-at-law Simon Pearson (~1738-1798) achieved the age of majority, he became a large landowner through inheritance of land. With about 3,000 acres, Simon was the tenth largest Fairfax Co landowner; he had four large tracts of land near present-day Bailey's Crossroads – all part of his great-grandfather's original patent – and another large tract near Mount Vernon. Simon gave one of the Bailey's Crossroads tracts next to where he lived to his brother Thomas. Simon's inherited land funded his gentile lifestyle.

When Simon inherited his land, his original known land boundary partners and neighbors included the Trammells, Broadwaters, Gunnells, Sebastians and Ashfords. Simon apparently never bought land; he appears to have viewed his patrimony as something to be enjoyed, not expanded. He leased and sold land to make money, and thus he acquired his new neighbors: Hurst, Bowling, Williams, Wren, Davis, Duling, Little and Whitinge. These two lists of names include many of the men who ultimately filed debt charges against Simon. Many of the known leases were done during Simon's early to mid twenties when he was often in court for debt, and at least two of the deeds during that period may have directly related to settling his debts. Simon likely reached the age of majority in late 1758 and began conducting his own financial affairs.

After his late 1758 marriage to Milcah Trammell, Simon built a two-story wooden home on the Middle Turnpike on his plantation on present-day Leesburg Pike at Bailey's Crossroads in Fairfax Co, VA. Based on the 1760 Fairfax Co interpretative historical map showing Simon's inherited land holdings and the location descriptions of his 1779 and 1786 land deed gifts to his long-time mistress Peletiah Graffort, Simon's home was most likely on the western side of present-day Leesburg Pike which was the location of other items referred to in the deeds: lands of Wren and Broadwater and key was being on the North Run of Holmes Run. His home was reportedly across the road from the Graffort Ordinary, owned by Peletiah's family. Historical descriptions of Fall Church place his mansion on present-day Costner Drive near Annandale Road.

The following describes Simon's known sales and leases.

On 19 Jan 1759 Simon living in Fairfax Co gave his underage brother Thomas Pearson of the same county for love and affection and for his “better support, maintenance and livelihood” 500 prime acres with buildings on Four Mile Run in Truro Parish, Fairfax Co, VA adjacent to Simon's land. The acreage was where tenant Philip Saunders lived. Simon also gave Thomas two slaves named Harry and Fedro in the possession of their stepfather Charles Broadwater. Thomas was to “... enjoy the said land and slaves aforementioned free clear and discharged of and from all rights titles troubles charges incumbrances whatsoever....” The witnesses were Nich. Minor, Richard Sanford and J. L. Boggess. Other than the land Simon gave him, Thomas was not shown to own any other land in Fairfax Co in 1760, so if he inherited land it was not in that county. Simon's gift also enabled the two brothers to live close to each other. Thomas and his wife Ann and Simon sold this land in 1789 to George Minor.

One of the next actions Simon took was to set up an overseer and sharecropping arrangement for any part of Simon's tenant-occupied Fairfax Co lands, including the plantation where he lived. On 18 Sep 1760 Simon signed an Articles of Agreement and bond with John Hurst giving him unbridled control of his lands not leased to others. Hurst was to farm the lands; share the crops; take care of the horses, cattle and sheep under his charge; and the houses, plantations and orchards under his management. Simon provided four black slaves – Charles, Sarah, Con (?), and elderly Killemare (?) in return for 3.5 annual shares of corn, tobacco, wheat and other things to be or raised by the slaves. Simon had the prerogative of putting additional slaves under Hurst's oversight for an additional ½ to 1 share of the crops, depending on the slave's capability, up until Christmas day before the next year's crops were planted. If a slave died and the crop was at hand, Simon was to immediately provide a replacement or deduct a reasonable portion of his share. Simon's responsibilities under the agreement included: annually providing the slaves “good and sufficient working tools, victuals and lodging, paying their levies and other incident taxes.” Simon was to continually provide one good plough horse and every other thing necessary for the slaves and plantations. Simon was to build and keep in repair good tobacco houses, corn houses and quarters for the slaves meddle with the slaves or the lands and plantations Hurst thought expedient to work, clear or till. The slaves and the lands were absolutely under the sole care, management and direction of Hurst. Simon was to annually provide his share of hogsheads and tools for rolling the tobacco. For managing the plantation and the workers Hurst was to receive a half share of crops and half of the “cyder and brandy made” … and provisions. Hurst promised to raise good crops, find a good plough horse, take care of his own workers' needs and pay his portion of expenses including hogsheads, inspecting, carting and rolling. The agreement was for renewable increments of 10 years each as long as Hurst thought necessary or until Simon's death. Hurst included a clause that if Simon tried to break the agreement then Hurst was to receive half the lands he had cleared as his own!

The Pearson – Hurst Agreement was followed by the 18 Sep 1760 bond wherein Simon was “held and firmly bound” unto Hurst for 500 pounds current money to perform his responsibilities under the agreement. If Simon performed the bond was to be void. Simon signed the agreement and bond and Hurst placed his mark. The witnesses were G. Johnston, likely the Fairfax Co lawyer, and William MacKay junior, gentleman, who on 17 and 19 Mar 1761 respectively proved the agreement and bond by oath; the documents were recorded on 19 Mar 1761. The relationship between John Hurst and Simon soon soured because they were in litigation in court for the next two years, whether over this arrangement, regarding land Simon had deeded to Hurst or some other issue.

On 15 Sep 1761 "John Hurst came into Court and undertook for Simon to pay the condemnation of the Court if he should be cast in this suit or deliver up his body on execution and then the Defendant by George Johnston his attorney prays leave to imparle untill the next Court which is granted him." This was interpreted by this researcher as a court order to pay the fee or go to jail, but Simon's lawyer was trying mediation. On 16 Jun 1762 the court gave Simon until the next court to answer the complaintant's bill. On 18 Mar 1763 John Hurst brought a petition against Simon into court and the defendant was given until the next court to answer the complaint. On 23 Mar 1764 Simon was again given time by the court to provide an answer. Meanwhile in 1764 and 1765 Simon started his own lawsuits against John, one likely over a land boundary dispute. On 19 Aug 1765 Hurst was back in court with a suit against Simon and the court ordered an attachment against Simon's property because of his lack of answer in the case. Doubtless likely there were other suits but the records are missing. Finally on 17 Mar 1790 the suit of John Hurst against Simon was dismissed because of Hurst's death. The above suits could relate to Hurst providing bond for Simon to pay his marital separation allotment, property boundaries, or from leasing or buying land from Simon.

On 21 Oct 1760 Simon and Milkey Pearson sold 78 acres to Fairfax Co lawyer Benjamin Sebastian for 15 pounds VA money. The tract was between Pimmits Run and the North Branch of Great Hunting Creek, “... by a small tract of land containing 45 acres formerly taken up by William Harle ….” The deed was witnessed by John Muir, James McLeod, Jonathan Davis and William Sewell. This land was part of Simon's great-grandfather's original patent, was adjacent to land Simon retained, and was apparently sold for below the going rate for land; thus perhaps Simon was selling low to Sebastian in exchange for legal services on his myriad of court debt issues. Milcah Pearson's mother was Susanna Harle, so William Harle may have been a relative of hers.

On 18 Nov 1760 Simon acknowledged a lease for lives (for the lifetime of) and bond to Gerrard Bowling. Gerrard was serving during this period as Simon's security in the Sarah Hick's lawsuit.

Other leases and bonds Simon had included:
--1760 Lease to Sylvester Adams; Adams was a witness against Simon twice that year in court.
--1760 Bond to Nicholas Grimes Jr; this bond was in the deed book.
--1760 Bond to John Hunter; a John Hunter witnessed Simon's will
--1760 Lease to Jarrett (likely Gerrard) Bowling
--1761 Lease to John Williams
--1761 Lease to Thomas Wren

On 17 Feb 1761 Simon deeded land to John Hurst with John Carlyle and John Dalton as witnesses.

On 21 Apr 1761 Simon Pearson conveyed land to Benjamin Sebastian, an active Fairfax Co lawyer and one whom Simon used to represent him from time to time, with John Muir, William Sewell and James McCleod as witnesses. This deed may have been to pay Simon's legal fees by deeding land to his lawyer because after that deed was recorded numerous suits languishing in court against Simon moved ahead. Two of Benjamin's children married Simon's step-siblings a decade later.

On 19 May 1762 the Grand Jury recorded the names of men who had not provided a list of their lands in 1761 to the Fairfax Co Clerk for taxes. Simon Pearson was on the list. However, this does not appear to have been a very serious offense because he had good company: famous Lee, Carter and Fitzhugh men; men from the well-to-do West, Alexander and Fairfax families; and finally Simon's own brothers-in-law John and Sampson Trammell. In Fairfax Co men were often one to seven years behind on their taxes. On 18 May 1763 Simon was again on the list of men who had not listed the lands they owned for the purpose of taxes.

Simon leased William Triplett land again on 16 Feb 1762 and it was proved by the oaths of Thomas Shaw, John Minor and John West junior. This may be the land Simon sold to Triplett shortly after this point in time.

Other deeds included 16 Feb 1762 Lease to John Williams; 1762 Lease and power of attorney to Charles Broadwater, his stepfather; 16 Mar 1762 a lease recorded between Simon Pearson and Thomas Wren, proved by the oaths of William and James Wren, two of the witnesses; 17 Mar 1763 Simon acknowledged and recorded a lease to his stepfather Charles Broadwater; and 1763 Lease to George Johnson who may have been the George Johnston who was an active Fairfax Co lawyer and one whom Simon used to represent him from time to time.

Simon owned land immediately to the north and west of two adjoining tracts owned by John and George Ashford. In 1761 and 1762 George Washington bought the two Ashford tracts, thus the Ashford tracks may have adjoined land Simon sold to Washington the following year. On 14 Feb 1763 Simon living in Fairfax Co sold 178 acres to Washington for £191.7; the land became a portion of Mount Vernon plantation. The 178 acres was part of a larger entailed tract, and Pearson broke the entail and sold different parts of the land to Washington, George Johnston and William Triplett. Simon Pearson and his wife Milcah were living apart by this time and thus Washington received £60 as security against Simon's wife Milcah's claim of dower on 16 Feb 1763. On 18 Jun 1765 Simon and Milkey, his wife, gave Washington a deed of release of her dower. On 18 Jun 1765 Washington paid about 70% of the £60 security to "Mrs. Pearson for her Right of Dower;" at Simon's request the other portion was paid to Mr. Broadwater, likely Simon's stepfather Charles Broadwater. Interestingly, on the same Washington ledger page with the dower payments was a payment for wood working services to our sixth great grandfather from a different family line, Going Lanphier, who served on some juries in Simon's subsequent court trials.

The Fairfax Co deed index notes an undescribed legal transaction with Simon giving Fairfax Co lawyer George Johnston something -- whether this was a bond, deed, lease, etc is unknown -- in 1763; this was still during the years of Simon's youthful indiscretions and numerous unpaid debts so this is possibly a process for paying his lawyer.

On 22 Feb 1764 Simon acknowledged and recorded a lease to his stepfather Charles Broadwater proved by his brother Thomas Pearson, Jno Seale and Edward Blackburn.

On 21 Aug 1764 Simon recorded a lease for life to William Gunnell which was proved by the oath of his neighbor Joseph Moxley and certified by David Thomas. Simon recorded a second lease to Gunnell on 20 Nov 1764 which was proved by the oath of Christopher Neale. William Gunnel owned land next to the plantation where Simon lived.

In 1785 George Washington deeded Simon's 178 acres, the two tracts from John and George Ashford and a small piece of wasteland to his cousin and former plantation manager Lund Washington; this comprised Lund Washington’s farm Hayfield. When Lund's wife Elizabeth Foote Washington had Lund's land resurveyed in 1798 after her husband's death, Simon's portion was described as being on the “... northwest side of the road leading from Alexandria to Colchester, VA.”

Other sales and leases from this period included:
--1775 Lease to Charles Little who subsequently bought Simon's plantation where he lived
--1775 Lease to Thomas Grafford, his mistress' father or brother
--1777 Deed of re-lease to Thomas Grafford, his mistress' father or brother
--1779 Deed to Edward Dulin with his wife Milcah; original missing
--1779 Re-lease to Edward Dulin with wife Milcah; original missing
--1780 Lease to Thomas Davis
--1784 Deed to Carlyle Fairfax Whiting
--before 1786 Deed to Charles Little for John Carlyle heirs
--1788 two deeds to Charles Broadwater, most likely his stepfather but possibly his stepbrother
--1789 Deed to Edward Dulin(g)
--between 1786 and 1796 Deed to Carlyle Fairfax Whitinge
--1795 Simon's wife Milcah was privately examined three times to ensure she was willing to release her dower as a result of land Simon sold over a period of years

Among the key deeds genealogically were 1779 and 1786 gifts of land to Simon's long-time mistress Peletiah Graffort and their son John Pearson, and when Peletiah and John began selling the land Simon was included in the deeds to ensure validity of the original deed of gift to Peletiah and John and to ensure Simon released any further claim he had to the land.

Perhaps the cause for Simon to deed the first land on 10 Aug 1779 was his legal heir John T. Pearson, son of Milcah, was about to reach the age of majority, and Simon and Peletiah wanted to ensure an inheritance for their eldest son John before the stepbrother of the same name became age 21. Both of these tracts of land are described as being on the main road to the Falls Church. The 1779 deed was where Simon owned land by the Wrens on the east-west road which ran from the Falls Church to Awbury’s Ferry (present-day Rosslyn.) The second tract deeded in 1786 was east of the first and was where Simon lived on the north-south road (present-day Leesburg Pike) adjacent to the Hurst land.

Simon deeded the first gift to in 1779 and it was later sold to the Fowlers. Simon first divided a tract of land and sold part to Edward Duling and on 10 Aug 1779 Simon gave the other portion where Thomas Dayly lived to Peletiah Grafford for life and thereafter to her son John Pearson; this particular deed was destroyed but is preserved in the deed book index listing and in descending deeds conveying the same land. This may have been the Dayly family where Simon has school lessons in 1746. This was prime land just west of the Falls Church. Six years later on 26 Nov 1785, about the time his son John Pearson was going to marry, Simon acknowledged the land belonged to Pelletiah and John and for 5 pounds Virginia currency signed a quit claim deed. The same 26 Nov 1785 deed conveyed 150 acres and all houses, buildings, gardens, etc for 150 pounds Virginia money from Pelletiah Grafford and John Pearson to John Fowler, all signers living in Fairfax Co. In 1779 this land was bounded by the main road leading to the Falls Church (possibly present-day Arlington Boulevard), and by the lands of Col James Wren and Edward Duling. Peletiah signed with her mark and John and Simon Pearson signed their names. The 1779 deed was witnessed multiple times by Charles Little junior, Keith, and Tho. Pearson, most likely Simon's brother. John's wife Sarah was not a party to this deed, however on 1 Jun 1827 when the Fowler heirs were reselling the said land to Daniel F. Dulaney, William Pearson serving as attorney in fact for his mother Sarah Pearson, relinquished her dower right to Dulaney for $1; whether Sarah was actually married and entitled to the dower or Dulaney was taking protective measures is not known, but she was noted in the family bible as marrying after the land was sold to the Fowlers.

A few days before he wrote his will, on 23 Jan 1786 Simon deeded a 161–acre tract of land with buildings and improvement on the main road leading to the Falls Church to his longtime companion Peletiah Graffort for life and, in remainder, to John Pearson, undoubtedly his natural son; “... for the affectionate love that he bears to the said Peletiah Grafford and John Pearson her son he had given and confirmed...all that land lying and being in the aforesaid County on North Run being that Tract whereon the said Simon Pearson now lives and being that part not heretofore disposessed of.” This land was most likely where Simon built his marital home at present-day Bailey's Crossroads on the other side of the road from Peletiah's father's family and their ordinary. The land was bounded by North Run (of Holmes Run); land Simon had sold to Charles Little for the use of the John Carlyle heirs; near an old barn built by John Hurst -- possibly when Hurst was leasing Simon's land; to where the line crossed the main road (present-day Leesburg Pike) leading from Leesburg to Alexandria above the Falls Church; and along the land of (his stepfather Charles) Broadwater, etc. The deed was signed by Simon and witnessed by his stepfather Charles Broadwater, John Hunter, who witnessed Simon's will, Thomas Sinclair, John Courts, Robert Powell, William Payne, John West and Thomas Pearson, his brother. Most documents were only witnessed by three people, so Simon and/or Peletiah likely thought one of the many plaintiffs Simon was facing in court for debt, Simon's wife Milcah, or even his brother Thomas who contested some of Simon's land sales after Simon's death might oppose the deed. This was the year his son John married, but from the deed there is no indication he was married at that time. The deed was finally recorded on 18 Jun 1787.

Peletiah and John divided the 161 acres and on 10 Oct 1793 Simon, Pelitiah and John sold 78 acres to Charles Little. The 15 Mar 1796 deed reiterated that in 1786 Simon had gifted the land on the North Branch of Holmes Run part of a tract “... granted by the Proprietors of the Northern Neck of Virginia unto Simon Pearson the (grand)father (sic) of him the said Simon Pearson to whom by the death of his father it descended ....” In addition to the above description, the land was described in 1793 as bounded by land sold by Simon to Carlyle Fairfax Whitinge. The 1796 deed reiterated that on 10 Oct 1793 Peletiah Graffort and Simon and John Pearson had sold Charles Little 78 acres of the above land described as bounded by the “... drain to the Falls Church spring, south of the road (present-day Leesburg Pike) from the old courthouse to Alexandria … to that part of the land Simon had sold to Charles Broadwater on the north side of the road and across the road, etc. Clearly the road from Alexandria to Leesburg bisected Simon's original patent. Because Back Lick Run and Holmes Run join together, this tract could be the same land where in 1760 Simon requested the court's approval to turn the road that ran through his plantation from Back Lick Run to the Falls Church, but on present-day maps it is difficult to determine where the two streams join.

The sale of the above 78 acres to Charles Little left Peletiah and John with a residual 83 acres bounded by a corner of the patents of Harrison and Bates and bordering the property of Little and Whitinge. This 83 acres was divided in concept only and on some date after 10 Oct 1793 Thomas Darne paid John Pearson acting alone 25 pounds Virginia money to be able to purchase one moiety (about half) of the residual 83 acres “the reversion of and in the other moiety thereof immediately expectant upon the death of her the said Peletiah Grafford;” this was interpreted by this researcher as cash given John to ensure John and his wife Sarah would sell Darne about half of the 83 acres after Peletiah's death; three years later Darne decided to give up this right to buy the land.

In the same complex deed, on 15 Mar 1796 Peletiah Grafford, John Pearson and John's wife Sarah sold Charles Little for just over 83 pounds Virginia money the residue of the tract with all houses, buildings, water ways, etc. The price of one pound per acre was analogous with the rate Peletiah and John received in their 1793 land sale, thus this researcher interpreted this sale to mean Charles Little bought the entire residual 83 acres in Mar 1796 and thus by that date Little had acquired the entire 161 acre tract. Thus Peletiah and Simon moved out of their home where they had lived together for 35 years from at least Nov 1761 together. It is not yet known where they moved.

In turn under the same 1796 deed Charles Little also paid Thomas Darne and his wife Verlinda 25 pounds Virginia money to ensure the Darnes released to Little the right to buy the moiety which had been held in reserve for their purchase. Little also paid Simon a dollar for a quit claim agreement.

The 15 Mar 1796 deed was signed by Simon Pearson, Peletiah Grafford, John Pearson and John's wife Sarah placed her mark, and Thomas Darne and his wife Verlinda placed her mark. The witnesses were George Minor junior, Carlyle F. Whiting, Charles Little junior, and Lewis Pearson (an unknown relative surmized by this researcher to possibly be a son but not Simon's grandson Lewis Pearson, son of William.) On 18 July 1797 the deed from Pelitiah Graffort, John Pearson and Sarah his wife, Simon Pearson, and Thomas Darne and Valinda his wife to Charles Little was further proved by the oath of George Minor junior.

On 10 Apr 1789 Simon Pearson and his brother Thomas Pearson and his wife Ann, all of Fairfax Co, sold George Minor of Fairfax Co a tract of land on Four Mile Run bounded by (the land of) Pearson and Gunnell on the west side of Four Mile Run … and extending to a branch of Pimmits Run .., containing 652 acres. This Fairfax Co land was originally acquired under a 4 Mar 1730 patent from the Proprietors Office granted to James Going and Capt Simon Pearson, who was the grandfather of Thomas and Simon. Capt Simon Pearson bequeathed the land to his son Thomas, from whom his son Simon became heir at law. Thus this was the 500 acres or a portion of it that Thomas' brother Simon gave him in 1759. The witnesses to the 1789 deed were Charles Broadwater (Simon's and Thomas' stepfather), Charles Little and John West.

On 30 May 1794 William Thornton Alexander conveyed 12 acres near Alexandria town and 4 Alexandria lots to Stephen Cook from the 1784 Alexander plat including a lot which began on the north side of King Street to the east side of Washington Street -- where the two main Old Town Alexandria streets intersect in modern times -- to the west side of the lot which was conveyed to Mr. Pearson in 1779 and south along Pearson's line to the beginning; it would have been typical for Simon Pearson to own a lot in the city center. In 1779 Simon was gifting his second son John Fairfax Co, VA land, the descriptions of which did not include land in Alexandria. Alexander subsequently had difficulty collecting rents and Simon Pearson witnessed a 1 Apr 1795 power of attorney in Alexandria, VA Court by William Thornton Alexander of King George Co giving JohnTaliaferro II, an Alexandria attorney, the right to appoint substitutes to collect rents. On 12 Jul 1796 Simon, John Holmes and George Swann witnessed a document whereby Alexander leased Joseph Fuller a lot at St. Asaph and Prince Streets in Alexandria; this second location was not close to the Pearson lot.


FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Instead of bettering his life with the many opportunities available to him as an upper class gentleman, Simon did not pursue public office or other community options.

The Pearson and Trammell families had a long history together before Simon Pearson and Milcah Trammell married. Their grandfathers owned adjacent land in the 1720s in Stafford Co, VA. Simon's marriage to Milcah ended in estrangement and separation within a year. On 15 May 1759 Simon was accused in court of “living in fornication” which likely involved his neighbor Peletiah Graffort; Peletiah became Simon's long-term partner for the next 39-years, excluding some diversions with at least one other woman during their relationship. Together Simon and Peletiah had a family of at least four children.

On 20-21 Jun 1759 Simon had a whirlwind week in court serving on 11 juries and deeding land to his brother before he faced his wife Milcah in her separation lawsuit the following month. Wrapping up his week, on 22 Jun 1759 Simon was accused in court of cohabitation with Peletiah Grafford.

Milcah moved quickly to bolster her marital situation. On 17 Jul 1759 Milcah faced Simon in Fairfax Co Chancery Court in Alexandria, VA. "Milkey Pearson against Simon Pearson – in chancery – on the complainant's motion time is allowed till the next Court to file a bill." Milcah was given time to write and present her bill of complaint. Simon's stepfather Charles Broadwater was one of the Justices on every case that day except Milcah’s case for which it is probable he recused himself.

The following year in 1760 Milkey and her infant John T. Pearson were placed under the guardianship of Milkey's brother John Trammell and were living with him on the road to Difficult Run in Fairfax Co, VA.

On 19 Jun 1760 Simon requested additional time from the court to answer Milkey's bill of complaint against him and the court agreed he could have until the next court. On 16 Jul 1760 Simon failed to answer Milkey's bill and an attachment was issued against his property. At that point as a temporary measure, Milkey was awarded 12 pounds support per year with the first payment due within 20 days.

On 21 Nov 1760 in chancery court an attachment was to be issued, likely for non-payment of support. In Dec 1760 Simon again failed to answer Milkey's bill of complaint and another attachment was issued against his property, returnable to the next court. On a separate motion, Milkey went to court that week claiming Simon owed her 12 pounds. Silvester Adams declared Milkey had demanded the annual 12 pound payment from Simon in Nov 1760 on the first day of the last court pursuant to a decree; Adams testified against Simon in the John Elliot case four months earlier. During Miley's case Simon acknowledged a bond for the support due, but some of this court record wording is destroyed. Interestingly, none of Milkey's known immediate family -- siblings or in-laws -- appeared to be witnesses for her in court during her numerous appearances; so as researcher Catherine Aselford noted, Milcah faced her court battles alone at age 25, which says a lot about her character.

On 19 Feb 1761 the suit between Simon and Milcah was "agreed," meaning Simon and Milcah agreed to her permanent annual support allowance. To ensure her support was paid as agreed, a financial arrangement was established among Simon, Milcah and Milcah's brother John Trammell with John Hurst providing security. A trust to John Trammell was established, likely in 1761. In a 1 Apr 1761 bond, agreement and deed between Simon Pearson of Fairfax and John Hurst, Simon's overseer, for fifty pounds of tobacco, Hurst stood as security for Simon Pearson in a bond for payment of 2,000 pounds tobacco per year to John Trammell, Milcah's brother, for maintenance of Milkey Pearson, wife of Simon, during the separation of Simon and Milkey; the witnesses were G. Johnson (Fairfax Co lawyer), Nathan Huges, Gerrard Bowling (Simon's tenant.) The bond with Hurst may be connected to Simon deeding John Hurst land on 16 Feb 1761.

After the court decisions were recorded Simon gave away all his household goods; possibly his mistress Peletiah Graffort did not want his wife Milcah's things in their home. On 15 Sep 1761 Simon recorded a deed to Belinda Graffort of the same county for love, good will and affection “... my goods and chattles now being in my present dwelling house ..., viz two feather beds and furniture, one roan horse .., one sorrell horse , one grey mare and colt .., one woman's saddle and bridle, 4 sheep, one cow and calf, 5 dishes, 13 plates, 12 earthen plates, one cubbord, 2 tables, 3 pots, 1 chest, 1 tea kettle, 1 pail, 2 piggins (small wooden pails), 1 frying pan, one coffee pott, 3 chairs, 1 candleboard (board used to hold a candlestick), a set of smiths tools and anvil, a pair of bellows, hammers, file and all necessarys belonging to a set, of which these presents I have delivered her the said Belinda Graffort an inventory signed with my own hand ….” this 26th of Aug 1761. For Belinda to have a home for all these items to be delivered to she would have been born in 1743 or earlier; thus this researcher believes Belinda may have been Peletiah's sister or other close relative but not Peletiah's daughter. Further the Juliathy Graffort presented in court 15 May 1769 for having an illegitimate child within the past year is also presumed to be a sister or other close relative of Peletiah's, but not her daughter.

Despite their life-long legal separation and a continuous stream of allegations of immoral behavior against Simon during the first decade of that separation, Milcah and Simon had a long-term history of supporting each other on financial legal requirements. When Simon sold land, Milcah apparently signed all the dower requests that she was asked to. For his part, Simon went to court with Milcah in Loudoun Co, VA to try to obtain her inheritance from her brothers off and on for decades until his death.

Simon did not likely always pay his wife Milcah's support or pay on time especially after his son John reached the age of majority circa 1780. On 23 Aug 1783 the debt suit of John Trammell, using William Ellzey as his lawyer, against his brother-in-law Simon Pearson and John Hurst went to trial. The “... damages the Plaintiff sustained by occasion of the Defendant not performing of the condition of the writing obligatory assisted by the Plaintiff … by that occasion to £93.15.0 besides his costs. Plaintiff (Trammell) to recover against Defendant his debt amounting to £1,000 and his costs. But this judgment (cost excepted) to be discharged by payment of £93.15.0.” This court order did not resolve the dispute. On 22 Mar 1787 John Trammell's executors, Sarah and Lindsay Delashmete with their lawyer William Ellzey, brought a suit against Simon Pearson and John Hurst who were represented by attorney Charles Simms; the plaintiffs required Pearson and Hurst to show why the judgment should not be enforced. Pearson and Hurst agreed with the plaintiffs and the court awarded an increased amount of £93.15.0, 267 pounds of tobacco, 15 Shillings and also their costs. This court action also did not resolve the issue because Sarah Delashmete was back in court as the executor of John Trammell against Simon Pearson and John Hurst on 24 Jun 1790 with a pleading Simon show why the previous judgment should not be enforced; the suit was again agreed. Although this debt could have been for any purpose, the £1,000 debt was exactly half a year's support for his wife Milcah and John Hurst was his security on that maintenance support. Because Milcah and Simon's son was over age 21 by this time, the continuing payment may further indicate they did not divorce.

Having been awarded 2,000 pounds tobacco per year for separate maintenance and the social status Milcah likely believed she achieved by marrying Simon were likely reasons Milcah never sought a final divorce. No evidence of a divorce has been identified -- only evidence of the permanent maintenance support followed by Milcah continuing to function legally as a wife. She waived her dower rights in 1765 and 1795; deeded and leased land to Edward Dulin with Simon in 1779; and continuously sued as Simon's wife in Loudoun Co, VA court from 1760 – 1767 and again from at least 1784 – 1798 when her husband died. Furthermore, Simon was repeatedly accused in Fairfax Co court of adultery instead of fornication through at least 1768 or 1769. In Sep 1797 George Washington wrote, "Whether as Simon was lawfully married, and never legally divorced ...” Twenty-eight years after their marital separation bond agreement was finalized Milcah was reported on the 1789 Fairfax Co, VA tax list as a “widow” with one horse living close to her living husband Simon who was on the same list; she was likely trying to ensure she received a tax break as a widow.

Before and during the court negotiations with Milcah and through the following decade, young Simon continued to be accused numerous times in Fairfax Co court of various moral offenses such as fornication and/or adultery. The first step in morally offensive issues was for the church to accuse the person of wrong-doing in court; the church did not want the expense of supporting a bastard child and they wanted to maintain social order. If an illegitimate child was born a fine was imposed on the woman or she was whipped if she could not pay. The women with whom Simon associated were ordered to pay the fine.

--1758 Simon Pearson married Milcah Trammell
--1758 Simon and Milcah had son named John T. Pearson. “Simon Pearson to pd Mary Trammell for laying yr Wife” probably “laying in” or delivering Milcah’s child. Mary Trammell was Milcah’s aunt. (1st known child of Simon by Milcah; only legitimate child)
--15 May 1759 (name illegible – thought to be Peletiah Graffort) was "presented for living in fornication" with (name illegible) Pearson by the Truro parish vestry.
--22 Jun 1759 Both Simon and Peletiah Graffort were presented to the Grand Jury for unlawful behavior. The deputy attorney prosecuting the cases was Simon's relative Hugh West; Simon's presentment was granted and Peletiah's was delayed until the next court.
--22 Jun 1759 Milkey Pearson sued Simon Pearson in Chancery.
--21 Nov 1759 Simon and Elizabeth Connelly were presented "for cohabiting together unlawfully by the information of Greenberry Dorsey and Catharine Dorsey within one month last past" and ordered to appear at the next court to answer the charges. Greenberry and Catharine Dorsey were residing in Loudoun Co in 1761 when they went to court in an unrelated complaint against Simon; but in 1760 the Dorseys are shown with land adjoining that of Simon's easternmost Fairfax Co tract. Whether Connelly was Elizabeth's maiden or married name is unknown; if Elizabeth Connelly was the same person as Elizabeth Connell, mother of Ann Tillet, Elizabeth Connelly may have been the widowed daughter of William and Ann Champneys and thus much older than Simon.
--Nov 1759 - May 1760 Peletiah Graffort and Simon have a child – possibly son John Pearson (2nd known child of Simon; mother Peletiah)
--19 Dec 1759 Simon faced a Grand Jury concerning his relationship with Elizabeth Connelly.
--19 Feb 1760 Presentment to the Grand Jury of Simon Pearson and Elizabeth Connelly continued; it was requested evidence be presented at the next court.
--22 May 1760 Simon's mistress Peletiah Graffort was called into court: "... Graffort of Truro parish for having a base born child within six months prior ... upon the information of George Thrift" and Sarah Smith. This is likely son John Pearson (2nd known child of Simon)
--19 Sep 1761 Elizabeth Connelly grand jury presentment continued; Connelly's court issue likely was in regard to Simon because his case was in court the same day.
--19 Sep 1761 Hugh West, Deputy Attorney of our Sovereign Lord the King, against Simon Pearson; the Defendant objected to the proceedings and the trial was referred until the next court.
--18 Nov 1761 The court recorded “...Elizabeth Connelly of Truro parish for having a base (born) child within twelve months last past to the knowledge of two of us.” Given that Elizabeth and Simon were both prosecuted on 19 Sep 1761, this child is also likely Simon's child. (likely 3rd child of Simon; mother Elizabeth)
--18 Nov 1761 Simon of Truro Parish was presented for "living (in) adultery with Peletiah Graffort within six months past to the knowledge of two of us."
--18 Nov 1761 Pelitiah Graffort of Truro Parish was presented “for living in fornication with Simon Pearson within six months last past to the knowledge of two of us.”
--18 Jun 1762 the Grand Jury dismissed the suit against Elizabeth Connelly. Apparently no fine was made for the 1761 birth, however it appears two fines were levied in 1763 so the church may have caught up later.
--18 Jun 1762 Simon Pearson was given time to consider his response by the Grand Jury.
--18 Jun 1762 Pelitiah Graffort requested the Grand Jury have the complaint read to her and time to consider her response.
--18 Jun 1762 in a second case this same date Peletiah Graffort failed to appear before the Grand Jury and the Truro Parish church wardens were ordered to recover for the use of the parish 500 pounds of tobacco and cask and costs from the defendant. Peletiah likely had another baby in 1762, two years after the birth of her first child. (likely 4th child born in 1762; mother Peletiah)
--17 Nov 1762 Pelitiah Graffort of Truro Parish presented “for having a base born child within 12 months last past to the knowledge of two of us.” Peletiah would first be given the opportunity to face the court before a judgment and award were made, so this cannot be the same child for which a fine was awarded on 18 Jun 1762 and is likely one of the sons under age 22 living at home in 1782.. ( 4th child of Simon; mother Peletiah)
--17 Nov 1762 Simon Pearson of Truro Parish was presented “for living in adultery with Peletiah Graffort within six months last past to the knowledge of two of us.”
--17 Nov 1762 Peletiah Graffort of Truro Parish was presented “for living in adultery with Simon Pearson within six months last past to the knowledge of two of us.”
--22 Jul 1763 Elizabeth Connelly failed to appear before the Grand Jury and the Church wardens of Truro Parish were to recover against her their costs. In the same court order the same decision was made in a second suit against Elizabeth, so it appears Elizabeth may have been fined for having two illegitimate children. Of note, Simon was not called to court on this date; whether this child from the Connelly suit was Simon's is unknown. (possible 5th child of Simon)
--22 Jul 1763 Peletiah Graffort failed to appear before the Grand Jury and the Church wardens of Truro Parish were to recover against her 50 shillings or 500 pounds of tobacco with cask plus costs. This is likely for the birth noted in court in Nov 1762 (4th child noted above of Simon) and was possibly the son under age 22 living at home in 1783.
--16 Aug 1763 the court rendered a judgment for costs against Elizabeth Connelly; it is unclear whether this was a third suit by the county.
--21 Aug 1765 Fairfax Co dismissed two suits against Simon and on presentment of Peletiah Grafford the Church wardens of Truro Parish were to recover against her for use of the parish 50 shillings or 500 pounds of tobacco plus costs. Because it had been two years since the previous such award order Peletiah likely had another child. (6th child of Simon)
--1766 – 1767 no extant court records; Peletiah likely had another child in 1766 (likely 7th child of Simon; mother Peletiah).
--18 Aug 1768 the Grand Jury dismissed a suit against Simon.
--18 Aug 1768 Peletiah Graffort was presented to the grand jury and the court ordered the church wardens of Truro Parish to recover against her for use of the parish 50 shillings or 500 pounds of tobacco plus costs. Because two years passed since the previous likely birth, Peletiah likely had another child in 1768. (8th child of Simon, who would likely be Simon junior)
--23 Nov 1768 Simon Pearson was presented to the court for living in adultery with Peletiah Grafford within six months last past in this present year 1768 contrary to act of assembly in that case made & provided to the knowledge of two of us.
--23 Nov 1768 Peletiah Grafford was presented to the court for committing fornication with Simon Pearson within six months last past in this present year 1768 contrary to act of assembly in that case made & provided to the knowledge of two of us.
--18 and 19 Jul 1769 the Grand Jury called three cases against Simon and two against Peletiah Crauford/Grafford which were dismissed.
--19 Dec 1769 Fairfax Co called Simon and Peletiah Grafford to court. The Grand Jury dismissed the presentment against Peletiah Grafford and dismissed two presentments against Simon Pearson. Because no fine was awarded in this case, this researche surmized the child was deceased but then an award was made at the next court.
--1769 Truro Parish Church Wardens filed a suit and were awarded an attachment (reason unapparent)
--1772 Although the court cases for bastardy and fornication apparently stopped in 1769, Peletiah possibly had another child in 1770 and likely had another son who became age 22 in 1793 and was living in the household for the following 2 years as well. This son is thought to be Lewis Pearson. Clarification of Peletiah's age would provide more information in regard to whether she was possibly still having children. (9th child surmized; 10th child child of Simon, would likely be Lewis)

Although the church likely tried to keep an accurate count of Simon and Peletiah's growing family, in 1782 there were nine other whites in their household, in 1785 seven others, and in 1790 seven others in the household, by which time several of the older sons had clearly left home in 1784, 1785 and 1790. Biologically Peletiah could have had seven children between late 1759 and 1772 so all of the whites in the home may have been their children as opposed to any other relatives or servants.

Given the court documents, his social relationships and the census data, Simon could have had up to eleven children: Milcah's child John in 1758, Peletiah's child John born in 1760, Elizabeth Connelly's child born ~1760-61, Peletiah's child born in 1762, possibly Elizabeth's child born in 1763, and Peletiah's likely children born in 1764, 1766, 1768, 1770 and 1772.

In the 1769 suit when the Truro Parish Church Wardens filed and were awarded an attachment, possibly the church was ensuring Simon would take financial responsibility for another of his illegitimate children or there is also a possibility the church was binding an orphan to Simon, however the latter action would likely have been called an indenture and a bond would have been held, not attachment of his personal property. Although there were several specific cases charging Simon and Peletiah in 1769 the cases were dismissed, so it is unknown whether they had additional children and the children died or if the court gave up further pursuing Simon and Peletiah's long-term relationship.

On 17 Dec 1770, effective Feb 1771 the Truro Parish church wardens bound four-year-old Thomas Pearson (an unknown person) to George Nichols who was to teach him to read and write and the shoemaker trade; it is unknown if this child Thomas, born circa Feb 1766, was related to either Simon, his brother Thomas Pearson or any of Simon's cousins. Nine-year-old Jessee Pearson, the son of Delia and Samuel Pearson deceased, was to be bound out in 1773 and four-year-old Thomas could be another son of Delia's.

Simon was reported in Follin family history to have married Sarah Follin (born ~1777) -- daughter of Simon's neighbor William Follin and a woman at least 30 years junior to Simon -- and had a son William Pearson. However it is highly unlikely our ancestor Simon married this Sarah because Simon and Milcah Trammell never divorced, Simon was living with Peletiah Graffort, Sarah Folin became of marriageable age when Simon was 57 years old, a marriage record for Simon and Sarah was not found, and dispositions for Sarah were not added to Simon's will. Simon's namesake son Simon junior is presumed to have married and had a son with Sarah.


COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITIES

Simon did community service work serving on juries for his peers, occasionally serving as a court witness for which he was paid, and participating in road survey requirements. Common law suggests Simon had all the duties and privileges associated with adulthood beginning at age 21. “Qualifications, Competency and Oath of Grand Jurors” in Michie’s Jurisprudence of Virginia and West Virginia suggests men had to be age 21 for jury duty, but it was long after 1759 that the law actually specified men had to be 21. On 20 - 21 Jun 1759 at age 21 Simon served on jury duty in the ten trials of Daniel Carroll vs Paul Noland; Benjamin Grayson executors vs Moxley and Williams; Dozer vs Hardy; Sebastian vs Sniggers; Smith vs Clifton; Champe vs Lee, McLeod vs Roberts; Symmer vs Willet; Ramsey vs Dixon; and Ellzey vs Brown. Of note, Simon's stepfather was a sitting justice in many trials, including on 20 Jun 1759.

Later on 22 Aug 1759 Simon served on juries again in Dreghorn vs Gelding and Plummer against Rozer. On 21 Feb 1760 Simon was back on jury duty in Ramsay and Dixon against Francis Hague. That same day Simon Pearson, William Leak and Francis Dade acknowledged debts to King George in court, Simon owing £12.10.0 sterling. There is a possibility Simon paid his debt that day because he was not told to return to court for this issue. On 23 May 1760 the court ordered Simon be paid 650 pounds tobacco for attending court 30 days on behalf of Patrick Rowan. On 16 through 20 Sep 1760 Simon served on jury duty in John Douglas against John Gladin, James Deal vs Burr Hollis, unnamed male vs female, Bridget Castello vs Francis and Eleanor Flax, Benjamin Grayson estate vs Benjamin Sebastian, and Charles Jones against Robert Middleton and Mark Mankin. Simon served on jury duty on 20 - 21 Aug 1783 in Benjamin Moody vs Thomas Beach; “... for certain exciting reasons … the Justices (had) … Simon Pearson ... withdrawn from the panel and the rest of the Jury are altogether discharged from giving any verdict of and concerning the premisses and the suit is continued.” On 17 Nov 1783 Simon was serving again on the Grand Jury.

Between 1782 and 1795 Simon appeared on the Fairfax Co tithable list. In 1789 there were two adult male Pearsons living in Simon's household – listed as S. Pearson and S. Pearson jr, thus from that date on any jury duty or other court actions could be records of a Simon Pearson junior although no court records have been found that distinguish between the two men by using junior or senior. This was the only year there were two S. Pearsons in the household; however after Simon's death in 1797 a Simon Pearson, possibly a grandson, is on the tithable list again from 1812 through 1818. In 1793 in Simon's household a male C. L. Pearson who was at least age 21 was living, a L. Pearson in 1794 and a Lewis Pearson in 1795. Lewis Pearson was the witness for the 15 Mar 1796 deed from Simon Pearson, Peletiah Grafford, John Pearson and his wife Sarah to Thomas and Verlinda Darne and to Charles Little. Thus it is presumed Lewis Pearson is a third son of Simon and Peletiah, and Lewis achieved the age of majority in 1793.

On 17 Aug 1790 a Simon Pearson was on a jury for Bushrod Washington, deputy attorney for the Commonwealth, vs Robert Sim by Charles Simms his attorney; the Simon on this jury could be Simon's namesake son. The same day a Simon Pearson was on the jury for Thomas Trammell vs Gerrard Trammell, executor of Gerrard Trammell during which Thomas was trying to recover personal property. On 21 Jun 1791 Simon Pearson served on three juries with Bushrod Washington, Deputy Attorney for the Commonwealth, prosecuting against William Ward who was found innocent; against McKnight during which the justices withdrew Lund Washington from the jury and the jury was dismissed; and against Michael Gretter during which the jury was apparently again dismissed.

Fairfax County Road Orders also provide insight to Simon's life and responsibilities and also into which men were likely Simon's neighbors. In Dec 1760 on the motion of Simon Pearson it was ordered that William Payne Junr, Sanford Ramy (possibly this researcher's 8th great uncle) and Joseph Moxley view the road from the Back Lick Run to the Falls Church which goes through his plantation and report on oath to the next Court whether the same may be conveniently turned. They reported back to court, and it was ordered on 17 Feb 1761 that Simon could turn the said road round the corner of Edmund Butler's fence the way it was marked to the church through his old field. On the 15 Feb 1773 motion of Joseph Thompson the court ordered William Adams, Simon Pearson, John Hurst and John Bolling or any three of them to examine whether it was necessary for Thompson to have a road from his plantation to the county road and report on oath to the next Court. On 17 Oct 1790 the court appointed Simon Pearson, James Robertson and Thomas Darne to examine a way to build a road from the Falls Church to the Little Falls of the Potomac River and report the possible conveniences and inconveniences. Of note, Simon also had land deeds with Hurst and Darne, so Simon likely sold land to neighbors.

In other community civic actions on 18 Dec 1764 Simon Pearson, John Hurst, Joseph Moxley and Thomas Grafford (either the father or brother of Simon's mistress Peletiah Graffort) were appointed by the court to appraise the estate of Jane North which was under the administration of Gerard Rolling; this may be Jarrett Bowling to whom Simon leased land in 1760. Appraisers were often chosen from among neighbors, so North, Hurst, Moxley and Grafford were likely Simon's neighbors: Graffort's inn was across the road from Simon's plantation, and Joseph Moxley and Sandford Remy were among those previously ordered by the court to investigate realigning a road through Simon's plantation. On 22 Sep 1789 the court ordered Simon Pearson, William Follin, James Wren and George Minor to inventory and appraise the negroes and personal estate of John Earnshaw.

Enumeration of taxable household members or tithables were done road by road and noted in the county road orders. On 22 Sep 1789 on the roads from the forks of the road near the Old Farm to Difficult (Run) included Milkey Pearson, estranged wife of Simon. The tithables on the road from the white oak at the Widow Tucker's to the Falls Church included Simon Pearson, John Pearson (Simon's son), Thomas Grafford's place (Graffort, the deceased father of Simon's mistress) and Thomas Pearson's (possibly Simon's brother.) The original tax list shows Simon was listed on 31 Mar 1789 on the 1789 Fairfax Co tax list as having two white men in the household; both of these tithables are noted as S. Pearson with one designated with junior after the name; thus this researcher believes Simon had a son Simon junior. In addition in Simon's household there were two blacks above age 16 and Simon owned 4 horses. On the same tax list other Pearsons included Milkey on 11 Mar noted as a widow with one horse; Thomas on 16 Mar with 1 tithable, 4 blacks above age 16 and 2 blacks above age 12, and 4 horses; Thomas junior on 29 May with 1 tithable and 1 horse; and John on 10 Apr with 1 tithable and 1 horse.

Simon was on the Fairfax Co Rent Rolls for 1764, 1770 and 1772 and in the Continental Census for 1782. Simon was on the 1 Dec 1768 Fairfax Co, VA poll sheet wherein he was noted as voting for George Washington and John West. On 20 Jan 1769 Simon was in circuit court presenting an estate account, the details of which have not yet been researched. The court appointed Charles Little, Roger West sec'y (security.) Thomas Lindsay, Opie Lindsay, Simon Pearson & Jere. Williams Apprs. (appraisers.) Richard Simpson, Charles Thrift and Edward Ford are appointed to divide the estate.

The 1782 Virginia Census showed Simon Pearson of Fairfax Co with 11 whites and 4 blacks in his household next door to the ordinary of his mistress' father Thomas Graffort. The 1785 Virginia Census showed Simon living with 9 whites in his dwelling and one other building on his property. Possible household members during the early 1780s would have included Simon and his mistress Peletiah Graffort and their children including John, Simon and Lewis.

Listings for Simon's household on the personal property list for 1782 – 1795 are below followed by an explanation of the coding:
1782: Pearson, Simon 1-4-5-9
1783: Pearson, Simon 1-2-3-0-0 (W > 21; W 16-20; BL > 16; B < 16; livestock) (Simon and two sons 16 - 21)
1784: Pearson, Simon 1-1-3-0-0 (Simon and one son age 16 – 21)
1785: Pearson, Simon 1-0-2-0-0
1786: Pearson, Simon 1-0-2-0-0
1787: Pearson, Simon 0-0-2-0-3-5 (unknown if the lack of any white man over age 22 was a recording or transcription error; horses and cattle broken out in the last 2 columns)
1788: Pearson, Simon 1-2-0-4 (W; BL > 16; B < 16; livestock)
1789: Pearson, Simon & Pearson, S. Junr. 2-2-0-4 (Simon and likely Simon jr age 22)
1790: Pearson, Simon 1-2-0-2
1791: Pearson, Simon 1-2-0-3
1792: Pearson, Simon 1-2-0-1
1793: Pearson, Simon & Pearson, C. L. 2-2-0-3 (Simon and likely Lewis age 22)
1794: Pearson, Simon & Pearson, L. 2-2-0-3 (Simon and likely Lewis)
1795: Pearson, Simon & Pearson, Lewis 2-2-0-3 (Simon and Lewis)
If there were four numbers, they represent white tithables; blacks over 16 years; blacks over 12 years and under 16 years; horses (or horses, mares, colts & mules). If there were five numbers, they generally represent free males over 21 years; free males over 16 years and under 21 years; slaves over 16 years; slaves under 16 years; exempts – w(hite) or b(lack). The year 1787 included white males above 21 years; white males above 16 years and under 21 years; blacks above 16 years; blacks under 16 years; horses, mares, colts & mules; and cattle.

In 1790 Simon, who would have been about age 52, was listed on the federal census with nine whites living in his home and one outbuilding. His estranged wife Milcah was not on the 1790 list indicating she may have moved to Maryland where her brother resided.

Simon bequeathed all his property to his brother Thomas in his 26 Jan 1786 will which was witnessed by Charles Broadwater, likely his stepfather; John Hunter; Thomas Sinclair and John Courts. Why Simon did not leave his assets to his children and long-time mistress is a mystery.

The Fairfax Co Commissioners met at Winter Hill 2 Oct 1797 and allotted hands and recommended Overseers to work the public Roads in the following manner: From the county line on the Turnpike road leading from Newgate to Alexandria as far as the Ox Road we allot the male tithables belonging and residing on, or that may hereafter reside on the plantations of the persons following: from the Courthouse Run to the Falls Church we allot (among others) Charles Broadwaters Quarter (Simon's stepfather or stepbrother) Gerrard Tramell, John Pearson (Simon's son), Thomas Trammell, Simon Pearsons old place (indicating Simon was deceased.) This order was recorded on 16 Oct 1797.

An exact death date for Simon has not yet been identified but evidently occurred in the spring of 1797. The above 2 Oct 1797 road order implies Simon moved out of his home but it does not specify he is deceased. Correspondence in Sep 1797 from George Washington stated “... the death of Simon Pearson, which only happened last Spring ...." A court case noted as Hurst executors vs Pearson executors discontinued in court on 20 Jun 1797, so this was likely in regard to Simon. On 23 Aug 1797 the court ordered Simon Pearson and Milcah Pearson to be paid for attending court for one day to testify, likely in one of the Coleman vs Pearson suits; because Simon was deceased before then this was either payment to be made to his estate for previously testifying in this long-running suit or his namesake son attended court as a witness. Simon's will was presented in court and proved on 16 Apr 1798 by Charles Broadwater (Simon's stepfather) and John Hunter. The Apr 1798 recording of the will could indicate probate was somewhat delayed given Simon's tangled finances.

Simon's brother Thomas undertook to find legal fault with some of Simon's land sales and attempted to recover the property. On 20 Oct 1795 Bushrod Washington reported to his uncle George Washington, "...a Man of the name of Pearson who I found at Mr Marshalls office. He was consulting Mr Marshall respecting some very extensive claims upon the town of Alexandria & its vicinity in which he wished also to employ me. I refused to engage in it, Knowing that many of my friends in that place would be involved in the dispute."

After his brother's death, Thomas Pearson filed suit using Col Simms as his lawyer in 1797 to recover the 178 acres Simon sold George Washington in 1763. Notes from the Sep-Oct 1797 correspondence to and from George Washington on this issue include the following: "Thomas Pearson, heir in tail to Simon Pearson his brother, has brought suit in the Court of this County for the lands which the latter sold to Willm Triplett, George Johnson & myself, five & thirty years ago. ...sold (in 1763), and many years too before the death of Simon Pearson, which only happened last Spring...." "Whether as Simon was lawfully married, and never legally divorced, the Childn by that Woman though begotten (no matter by whom) in the state of Separation from him, is not a bar to the claim of Thomas?" "You told me on Saturday that Simon Pearson left no legitimate children, and that his Brother Thomas was the lawful heir...."

Detailed sources:

In 2018 Fairfax County, Virginia changed the URLs for historic indexes and records online. Thus URLs below may not be functional but provide the correct type, date and books for searching online. The oldest deed index is at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/circuit/sites/circuit/files/assets/documents/pdf/hrc/deed-book-index-1742-1866-l-r.pdf.


--Glenn Pearson's research, 2015, Rowen Co, NC, glennpearson at outlook.com.
--Catherine Aselford's research, 2015, cathaselford at comcast.net.
--Elaine McHale-McRey's research, Fairfax Co, VA historian, 2015, elaine.mcrey at fairfaxcounty.gov.
--Patricia Duncan, Fairfax Co, VA 1749-1808 Minute and Court Orders Abstracts, Heritage Books, 5810 Ruatan St, Berwyn Heights, MD, 20740, softcopy, 2013 (source for Simon Pearson court records below using the page numbers from the abstracts, not the original)
--Eula K. Woodward, Abstracts of Wills, Fairfax Co, VA, Liber A, B, Wills p. 133 and p 144 (18 Feb 1745 guardianship bond for minor Simon Pearson, William Henry Terrett guardian and Garrard Alexander surety).
--Fairfax Co, VA 1749 Tax List (Simon Pearson titheable; possible uncle)
--Index to Fairfax Co, VA Deeds, http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/courts/circuit/pdf/deed-book-index-1742-1797pdf (42 Simon Pearson land deeds, leases, bonds, agreements, deposition listed separately herein with some marked destroyed)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1749-1754 Order Book, 31 Mar 1750, p. 68; 31 Mar 1752, p. 108; 20 Aug 1752, p. 135; Fairfax Co, VA 1754-1756 Order Book Part 1, 21 Feb 1754, p. 15, 17 Sep 1754, p. 57; Fairfax Co, VA 1754-1756 Order Book, Part 2, 21 Oct 1755, p. 52, 17 Nov 1756, p. 16; Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 1, 17 Aug 1757, p. 69; (guardianship accounts for Simon Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1749-1754 Order Book, 31 Mar 1752, p. 109 (Solomon Littleton bound to William Connelly)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1749-1754 Order Book, 16 May 1753, p. 179 (Benjamin Sebastian and Thomas Pearson land boundaries)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1754-1756 Order Book Part 2, 21 Jan 1756, p. 62 (Simon appointed deputy sheriff)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1745-1763 Minute Book, Part 1, 19 Jul 1757, p. 61 (Kirkpatrick and Watson vs Adams)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1758 Index to Missing Deed Book H. (Simon Pearson paid for wife's childbirth delivery services)
--Lloyd DeWitt Bockstruck, Virginia's Colonial Soldiers, Genealogical Publishing Co, Baltimore, MD, 1988, p. 14 and French and Indian War 1754 - 1773, p. 93 (22 Mar 1758, Simon Pearson, Ens.)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 1, 18 May 1758, p. 112 (Broadwater appointed guardian for Simon Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 1, 22 Jun 1758, p. 120; 1763-1765 Minute Book, 19 May 1764, p. 57 and 23 Aug 1764, p. 67 (Irmill vs Simon Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 1, 15 May 1759, p. 159 (Simon Pearson fornication charge; likely Peletiah Graffort)
--Fairfax Co, VA Deed Book D1, 19 Jun 1759, page 606-607; in possession V. Winslett (Simon Pearson land & slaves gift to Thomas Pearson) and Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 1, 19 Jun 1759, p. 169 (Simon Pearson to Thomas Pearson deed)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 1, 20 Jun 1759, p. 172 and 21 Jun 1759, p. 174-176 (Simon Pearson on two-day jury duty)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 1, 22 Jun 1759, p. 180 (Simon Pearson and Peletiah Graffort presented to Grand Jury)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 1, 17 Jul 1759, p. 182 (Milcah Pearson vs Simon Pearson in court)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 1, 22 Aug 1759, p. 189 (Simon Pearson's militia commission)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 1, 22 Aug 1759, p. 191 (Thomas Pearson's guardian Charles Broadwater)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book Part 1, 22 Aug 1759. p. 188 (Simon Pearson jury duty in Dreghorn vs Gelding and Davis vs Mortimore)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 1, 18 Sep 1759, p. 192 (Simon Pearson jury duty in Plummer vs Rozer)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 1, 20 Nov 1759, p. 198 (Simon Pearson security judgement)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 1, 21 Nov 1759, p. 200 (Simon Pearson and Elizabeth Connelly for cohabitation)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 1, 19 Feb 1760, p. 205-206 (Simon Pearson and Elizabeth Connelly for cohabitation) and (Simon Pearson recorded a lease)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 1, 19 Feb 1760, p. 205 and Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 2, 21 May 1761, p. 48; 19 Sep 1761, p. 73 (John Ashford vs Simon Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 1, 19 Feb 1760, p. 205; Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 2, 18 Jun 1761, p. 56; 19 Sep 1761, p. 73 (John Ratcliffe vs Simon Pearson; Going Lanphier on jury)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 1, 21 Feb 1760, p. 210 (Simon Pearson jury duty in Ramsay and Dixon vs Hague) and (Simon Pearson's debt to the Crown)
--Loudoun Co, VA Chancery case 1370, index #1767-004, 15 May 1760 - 9 Jun 1767, Library of Virginia online, 10 pgs (Simon and Milkey Pearson vs executors of John Trammell II)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 1, 22 May 1760, p. 221 (Peletiah Graffort: birth of Simon's 2nd son John)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 1, 23 May 1760, p. 223-224 (Simon Pearson testified against Paul Irmill) and (Simon Pearson attended court 30 days on behalf of Patrick Rowan)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 1, 18 Jun 1760, p. 228; Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 2, 20 Oct 1761, p. 77 (Sarah Hicks vs Simon Pearson; Going Lanphier on jury)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 2, 19 Jun 1760, p. 2 (Milkey Pearson vs Simon Pearson; Milkey presented her bill of complaint)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 2, 16 Jul 1760, p. 6-8 (John Elliot vs Simon Pearson) and (Benjamin Ladd versus Simon Pearson) and (Milkey Pearson vs Simon Pearson - temporary support awarded)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 2, 20 Aug 1760, p. 12; 19 Mar 1761 p. 42; 19 Jun 1761, p. 60; 23 Jul 1761, p. 64; 23 Jul 1761, p. 64 (Robert Carter vs Simon Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 2, 21 Aug 1760, p. 14 (Charles Turner vs Simon Pearson) and (Benjamin Ladd vs Simon Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 2, 16-20 Sep 1760, p. 16-20 (Simon Pearson on jury duty in Bridget Castello vs Francis Flax )
—Fairfax Co, VA Deed Book D1, Articles of Agreement and Bond, 18 Sep 1760 – 17 Mar 1761, p. 849 – 853 (Simon Pearson to John Hurst)
—Fairfax Co, VA Deed Book D1, 1 Oct 1760, p. 853-854 (Simon and Milkey Pearson to Benjamin Sebastian)
--Fairfax Co,VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 2, 18 Nov 1760, p. 25 (Simon Pearson's lease to Gerrard Bowling)
--Fairfax Co,VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 2, Dec 1760, p. 31-32 (Milkey Pearson vs Simon Pearson, another attachment to his estate) and (Milkey Pearson vs Simon Pearson, non-payment of annual support)
--Fairfax Co, VA Minute Book 1756-1763, Part 2, (day unknown) Dec 1760, p. 32 and 17 Feb 1761, p. 33 (motion for turning road through Simon Pearson's plantation approved)
--Fairfax Co,VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 2, 17 Feb 1761, p. 33 and 19 Mar 1761 p. 42 (Simon Pearson deed to John Hurst)
--Fairfax Co,VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 2, 17 Mar 1761, p. 37 (Milkey Pearson and Simon Pearson suit agreed)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 2, 19 Mar 1761, p. 42 (Simon Pearson & John Hurst Agreement & Bond;court recording of documents agreed on 18 Sep 1760 to oversee land)
--Fairfax Co,VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 2, 21 Apr 1761, p. 43 (Simon Pearson deed to Benjamin Sebastian)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 2, 18 Jun 1761, p. 56-58 (individual suits against Simon Pearson: Robert Adam, John Ratcliffe, John Ashford, Sarah Hicks, Benjamin Ladd and Charles Turner; 19 Sep 1761, p. 73 (Ratcliffe vs Pearson) and (Ashford vs Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA Deed Book 1, Gift, given 26 Aug 1761/recorded 15 Sep 1761, p. 906-907; in possession of V. Winslett (Simon Pearson to Belinda / Bellinda / Belindah Grafford; household goods)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 2, 15 Sep 1761, p. 66 (Simon Pearson deed to Belinda Graffort)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 2, 15 Sep 1761, p. 70 (William Keitly vs Simon Pearson) and (John Hurst vs Simon Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 2, 19 Sep 1761, p. 74 (John West jr vs John Hurst jr; Simon Pearson garnishee)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 2, 19 Sep 1761, p. 75 (Fairfax Co vs Simon Pearson), (Fairfax Co vs Elizabeth Connelly) and (Benjamin Ladd vs Simon Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 2, 18 Nov 1761, p. 80 Fairfax Co vs Elizabeth Connelly), (Fairfax Co vs Simon Pearson) and (Fairfax Co vs Pelietiah Graffort)
--Fairfax Co, VA Deed Book N1, Trust, likely 1761 but no date listed on index and document destroyed, p. 291 (Simon Pearson to John Trammell)
--Fairfax Co, VA, 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 2, 16 Feb 1762, p. 82 (Simon Pearson lease to John Williams)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book Part 2, 16 Feb 1762, p. 82 (Simon Pearson lease to William Triplett)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 2, 17 Feb 1762. p. 85 (Daniel McCarty vs Simon Pearson), (Sarah Hicks vs Simon Pearson), (James Hunter vs Simon Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 2, 17 Feb 1762. p. 86 ( Anthony McKittrick vs Simon Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 2, 19 Feb 1762, p. 89 (Robert Dreghorn & Company vs Simon Pearson
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 2, 16 Mar 1762, p. 90
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 2, 18 Mar 1762, p. 92 (Daniel McCarty vs Simon Pearson), (Anthony McKetrick vs Simon Pearson) and (James Hunter vs Simon Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA Deed Book D, p. 807-11, p. 137, 1 Apr 1762, 4 Feb 1761 (Simon Pearson – John Hurst deed)
--Fairfax Co, VA Deed Book D1, Articles of Agreement and Bond, 18 Sep 1760 – 17 Mar 1761, p. 849 – 853 (Simon Pearson to John Hurst)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 2, 19 May 1762, p. 98 (1762 Overdue Tax List – Pearson and Trammell)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 2, 16 Jun 1762, p. 102-104 (Stuart and Company vs Simon Pearson), (John Hurst vs Simon Pearson) and (McKittrick & Company vs Simon Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 2, 18 Jun 1762, p. 109. (Charles Turner vs Simon Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 2, 18 Jun 1762, p. 110 (Sarah Hicks executor of William Hicks vs Simon Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 2, 18 Jun 1762, p. 111 (Fairfax Co vs Elizabeth Connelly dismissed), (Fairfax Co vs Peletiah Graffort), (Fairfax Co vs Simon Pearson) and (Fairfax Co vs Peletiah Graffort)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 2, 21 Jul 1762, p. 116 (Richard Pearis vs Simon Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 2, 21 Jul 1762, p. 117 (Anthony McKettrick & Co vs Simon Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book Part 2, 17 Aug 1762, p. 120 (John Stuart and Company vs Simon Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 2, 19 Aug 1762, p. 126 (Charles Turner vs Simon Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 2, 17 Nov 1762, p. 133 (Fairfax Co vs Peletiah Graffort), (Fairfax Co vs Simon Pearson) and (Fairfax Co vs Peletiah Graffort)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 2, 16 Feb 1763, p. 143 (Richard Pearis vs Simon Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 2, 16 Feb 1763, p. 139 (Joshua Gore, jr, vs Simon Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 2, 17 Feb 1763, p. 145 (Simon Pearson vs David Anderson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book Part 2, 16 Mar 1763, p. 149 (John West junior vs Simon Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 2, 17 Mar 1763, p. 151 (Simon Pearson lease to Charles Broadwater)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1763-1765 Minute Book, 17 and 18 Mar 1763. p. 5-6 (Alexander vs Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 2, 18 Mar 1763, p. 157 (Charles Alexander vs Simon Pearson), (William Keitly vs Simon Pearson) and (John Hurst vs Simon Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1763-1765 Minute Book, 18 Mar 1763, p. 6 (John Hurst vs Simon Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 2, 20 May 1763, p. 172 (Charles Alexander vs Simon Pearson), (William Keitly vs Simon Pearson) and (Joshua Gore vs Simon Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book Part 2, 18 May 1763, p. 166 (1763 Overdue Tax List – Simon Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1763-1765 Minute Book, 20 May 1763, p. 13 and 20 May 1763, p. 12 (Alexander vs Simon Pearson) and (Keitly vs Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 2, 22 Jun 1763, p. 180 (George Johnston vs Thomas Graffort; Simon Pearson security)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 2, 22 June 1763, p. 179 (Joshua Gore vs Simon Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1763-1765 Minute Book, 22 Jun 1763, p. 15 (Joshua Gore vs Simon Pearson) and
--Fairfax Co, VA 1763-1765 Minute Book, 22 Jun 1763, p. 16 (Joshua Gore vs Simon Pearson) and (Pearson vs Jones)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1763-1765 Minute Book, 21 Jul 1763, p. 20 (Pearson vs Jones), (Fairfax Co vs Thomas Pearson), (Joshua Gore vs Simon Pearson), (Fairfax Co vs Elizabeth Connelly) and (Fairfax Co vs Peletiah Graffort)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1763-1765 Minute Book, 22 Jul 1763, p. 191 ( (Fairfax Co vs Elizabeth Connelly) and (Fairfax Co vs Peletiah Graffort)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book, Part 2, 22 Jul 1763, p. 191 (Fairfax Co vs Peletiah Graffort)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1763-1765 Minute Book, 16 Aug 1763, p. 22 (Fairfax Co vs Elizabeth Connelly)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1763-1765 Minute Book, 21 Dec 1763, p. 30 (Wilson and Co vs Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1763-1765 Minute Book, 19 Jan 1764, p. 35 (Wilson and Company vs Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1763-1765 Minute Book, 22 Feb 1764. p. 38 (Simon Pearson deed to Charles Broadwater) and (Pearson vs Sebastian)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1763-1765 Minute Book, 23 Mar 1764, p. 46 (Hurst vs Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1763-1765 Minute Book, 23 Mar 1764, p. 47 (Copithorn vs Johnson and Simon Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1763- 1765 Minute Book, 17 Apr 1764, p. 48 (Gore vs Pearson), (Pearson vs Jones) and (Pearson vs Hurst)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1763-1765 Minute Book, 15 May 1764, p. 50 (Pearson vs Hurst)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1763-1765 Minute Book, 19 May 1764, p. 57 (Pearson vs Sebastian)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1763-1765 Minute Book, 21 Aug 1764, p. 64 (Simon Pearson lease to William Gunnell)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1763-1765 Minute Book, 19 Sep 1764, p. 73 (Pearson vs Hurst)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1763-1765 Minute Book, 10 Oct 1764, p. 76 (Pearson vs Sebastian)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1763-1765 Minute Book, 20 Nov 1764, p. 76 (Simon Pearson lease to William Gunnell)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1763-1765 Minute Book, 18 Dec 1764, p. 78 (North appraisal – Simon Pearson and Thomas Grafford)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1763-1765 Minute Book, 15 Jan 1765, p. 79 (Remy vs Pearson and Trammell)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1763-1765 Minute Book, 19 Mar 1765, p. 87 (Willson and Co vs John Rhodes; Simon Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA Order Book, 1765-1766, 18 Jun 1765, p. 8 (Milkey and Simon Pearson deed of release of dower to George Washington)
--1765-1765 Minute Book, 20 Jun 1765, p. 7 (Pearson vs Sebastian; Thomas Pearson)
--1765-1765 Minute Book, 19 Aug 1765, p. 14 (Pearson vs Sebastian)
--Cash Accounts, June 1765, Founders Online, National Archives, http://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/02-07-02-0236;
http://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/06-01-02-0326; http://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/06-01-02-0351 and associated linked pages; last update: 2015-06-29. Source: The Papers of George Washington, Colonial Series, vol. 7, 1 Jan 1761–15 Jun 1767, editors W. W. Abbot and Dorothy Twohig, Charlottesville, University Press of Virginia, 1990, p. 372–373 and linked pages and detailed footnotes. (Washington's 1797 correspondence regarding a land purchase from Simon and Milcah Pearson; also University of Virginia analysis that John Pearson was Simon Pearson's son; also lists ancestor Going Lanphier)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1765-1766 Minute Book, 17 Jul 1765, p. 11 (Pearson vs Hurst)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1765-1766 Minute Book, 19 Aug 1765, p. 14 - 16 (Pearson vs Sebastian), (Hurst vs Pearson), (Pearson vs Jones) and (second suit of Pearson vs Sebastian)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1765-1766 Minute Book, 21 Aug 1765, p. 10 (Fairfax Co vs Simon Pearson twice) and (Fairfax Co vs Peletiah Grafford )
--Fairfax Co, VA 1765-1766 Minute Book, 22 Aug 1765, p. 22 (Pearson vs Hurst)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1765-1766 Minute Book, 20 May 1766, p. 35 (Pearson vs Sebastian)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1768-1770 Minute Book, 18 Aug 1768, p. 10 (Fairfax Co vs Simon Pearson ) and (Fairfax Co vs Peletiah Grafford )
--Fairfax Co, VA 1768-1770 Minute Book, 20 Sep 1768, p. 13 (Simon Pearson vs James Robertson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1768-1770 Minute Book, 23 Nov 1768, p. 22 (Fairfax Co vs Simon Pearson ) and (Fairfax Co vs Peletiah Grafford )
--Loudoun Co, VA 1768 Tax list, p. 433, http://www.binnsgenealogy.com/VirginiaTaxListCensuses/VaColonialTitheLists/Loudoun/1768Tith/05c2.jpg (Dorsey Greenberry)
--Fairfax Co, VA poll sheet, 1 Dec 1768, http://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/02-08-02-0115 (Simon Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA Will Book H, Part 1, 20 Jan 1769, p. 144 (Simon Pearson presented estate account)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1768-1770 Minute Book, 21 Mar 1769, p. 30 (Simon Pearson and Charles Broadwater account; Thomas Pearson and Charles Broadwater account)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1768-1770 Minute Book, 22 Mar 1769, p. 32 (Sandford Ramey vs Simon Pearson & Gerrard Trammell)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1768-1770 Minute Book, 23 Mar 1769, p. 36 (Philip Ludwell Lee vs Simon Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1768-1770 Minute Book, 24 Mar 1769, p. 37 (Philip Ludwell Lee vs Simon Pearson; Thomas Craufurd (likely Graffort) witness)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1768-1770 Minute Book, 17 Apr1769, p. 38 (Philip Ludwell Lee vs Simon Pearson; Silvester Adams witness)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1768-1770 Minute Book, 15 May 1769, p. 41 (Fairfax Co vs Juliathy Grafford)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1768-1770 Order Book, 18 Jul 1769, p. 64 (Simon Pearson and Peletiah Grafford dismissed; five cases total)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1768-1770 Minute Book, 19 Jul 1769, p. 69 (Simon Pearson and Peletiah Grafford suit dismissed)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1768-1770 Minute Book, 19 Jul 1769, p. 69 (James Lawrie vs Simon Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1768-1770 Minute Book, 19 Dec 1769, p. 92 (Fairfax Co vs Simon Pearson, Cecelia Trigg, Simon Pearson – again, and Peletiah Grafford)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1770-1772 Minute Book, 21 Mar 1770, p. 112 (William Payne vs Simon Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1770-1772 Minute Book, 22 Aug 1770, p. 21 (Simon Pearson vs John Watson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1770-1772 Minute Book, 19 Nov 1770, p. 42-43 (William Payne vs Simon Pearson; Charles Broadwater & Philip Adams bond)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1770-1772 Minute Book, 17 Dec 1770, p. 51 (Simon Pearson vs Benjamin Sebastian)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1770-1772 Minute Book, 17 Dec 1770, p. 51 (Thomas Pearson bound to George Nichols)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1770-1772 Minute Book, 20 Aug 1771, p. 78 (Peter Gillatt vs Simon Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1772 -1774 Order Book, 17 March 1772, p, 2 (Michaek Gretter vs Simon Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA Order Book 1772-1774, 15 Feb 1773, p. 53 & p. 168 (Simon Pearson examine Joseph Thompson's road)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1772-1774 Minute Book, 18 May 1773. p. 63 (George Kilgore vs Simon Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1772-1774 Minute Book, 23 Jul 1773. p. 82 (James Muir & Company vs Simon Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA Deed Book N1, 10 Aug 1779, p. 214, deed destroyed but listed in deed index (Simon Pearson deed to Petetiah Grafford and John Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1783-1788 Minute Book, 20-21 Aug 1783, p. 10 (Bejamin Moody vs Thomas Beach; Simon Pearson on jury)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1783-1788 Minute Book, 23 Aug 1783, p. 14-15 (John Trammell vs Simon Pearson and John Hurst)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1783-1788 Minute Book, 16 Sep 1783, p. 16 (Simon Pearson vs estate of Frederick Hennenger)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1783-1788 Order Book, 17 Nov 1783. p. 19 (Simon Pearson on grand jury)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1783-1785 Minute Book, 20 Sep 1781, p. 33 (John Fowler vs Simon Pearson)
--Loudoun Co, VA Chancery case M2891, index #1790-001, ~1784 - 1798, Library of Virginia online, p. 36 - 62, (Simon and Milkey Pearson, William & Susannah Starkes, Ezekiel & Elizabeth Hickman, and William Trammell vs executors of John Trammell II)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1783-1788 Order Book, 17 May 1785, p. 50 (William Hepburn vs Simon Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1783-1788 Minute Book, 20 May 1785, p. 55 (Thomas Kirkpatrick vs Simon Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1783-1788 Minute Book, 21 Jun 1785, p. 57 (Thomas Dailey vs Simon Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA Deed Book Q1, 26 Nov 1785, incorporates the destroyed 10 Aug 1779 Pearson-Graffort deed, p. 166-169; in possession of V. Winslett (Simon Pearson, Petetiah Grafford and John Pearson deed to John Fowler; Thomas Pearson witness); and Deed Book unknown, 1 Jun 1827, incorporates destroyed Pearson 10 Aug 1779 deed, p. 214 – 215, (Fowler heirs to Daniel Dulaney) and Deed Book X2, 1 Jun 1827, incorporates destroyed 10 Aug 1779 deed and 1 Jun 1827 Fowler-Delaney deed, p. 251-252 (Sarah Pearson and William Pearson release dower to Daniel Dulaney)
--Fairfax Co, VA Deed Book Q1, 23 Jan 1786, p. 390-391; in possession of V. Winslett. (Simon Pearson to Petetiah Grafford and John Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1783-1788 Order Book, 20 Mar 1786, p. 71 (Thomas Dayley vs Simon Pearson & Robert Powell)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1783-1788 Order Book, 18 May 1786, p. 83 (Sarah Gordon vs Simon Pearson) and (Francis Gordon vs Thomas Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1783-1788 Order Book, 22 Aug 1786, p. 95 (Archibald Johnson vs Simon Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1783-1788 Order Book, 22 Mar 1787, p. 129 (Sarah & Lindsay Delashmete executors of John Trammell vs Simon Pearson & John Hurst)
--Fairfax Co, VA Deed Book R1, Deed, 10 Apr 1789, p. 481-485; in possession of V. Winslett (Thomas, Ann and Simon Pearson to George Minor)
--Fairfax Co Order Book 1789-91, Part 1, 22 Sep 1789, p. 26 (Tax List including Milkey, Simon, John and Thomas Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1788-1792 Order Book, Part 1, 22 Sep 1789. p. 70 (Simon Pearson, William Follin, George Minor and James Wren appraise John Earnshaw estate)
--Fairfax Co Order Book 1789-1791 p. 41, http://www.binnsgenealogy.com/VirginiaTaxListCensuses/Fairfax/1789PersonalB/12.jpg (Tax List including the following Pearsons: Simon, S(imon) junior, Thomas, Thomas junior, John and Milley, widow )
--Fairfax Co, VA 1788-1792 Order Book, Part 2, 17 Mar 1790, p. 7 (John Hurst vs Simon Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1788-1792 Order Book, Part 2, 24 Jun 1790, p. 20 (Sarah Delashmete executrix estate of John Trammell vs Simon Pearson & John Hurst)
–Fairfax Co, VA 1788-1792 Order Book, Part 2, 17 Aug 1790, p. 25-26 (Commonwealth vs Robert Sim; Simon Pearson or Simon Pearson junior on jury)
–Fairfax Co, VA 1788-1792 Order Book, Part 2, 17 Aug 1790, p. 26 (Thomas Trammell vs Gerrard Trammell executor of Gerrard Trammel; Simon Pearson or Simon Pearson junior on jury)
--Fairfax Co Order Book 1788-92, Part 2, 17 Oct 1790, p. 356 (p. 33) (Simon Pearson possible road from the Falls Church to Potomack Little Falls)
--Heads of Families at the First Census of the United States Taken in the Year, US Bureau of the Census, 1790 (Simon Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1788-1792 Order Book, Part 2, 21 Jun 1791, p. 59 (Commonwealth vs William Ward and Commonweath vs McKnight; Simon Pearson on jury)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1788-1792 Order Book, Part 2, 25 Nov 1791, p. 75 (Joseph VanMeter vs William Cunningham; Simon Pearson security)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1791-1793 Minute Book, 17 Sep 1792, p. 50 (George Minor estate administration; Simon Pearson appraiser)
--Fairfax Co, VA Deed Book Y1, 1795, p. 82, 89, 170; in possession of V. Winslett (Milkey / Meliah Pearson three dower releases for land sales to Charles Broadwater, 1779 sale to Edward Dulin, 1789 sale to George Minor)
--Fairfax Co, VA Deed Book Z1, 15 Mar 1796, p. 435-442; in possession of V. Winslett (Peletiah Graffort, John Pearson, Sarah Pearson, Simon Pearson to Thomas and Verlinda Darne and to Charles Little; witness Lewis Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA, 1797-1798 Minute Book, 20 Jun 1797, p. 10 (Hurst executors vs Pearson executors; do not know who this is)
--Fairfax Co, VA, 1797-1798 Minute Book, 18 Jul 1797, p. 20 (Minor vs Fowler; Simon Pearson witness)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1797-1798 Minute Book, 23 Aug 1797, p. 24 (Milky Pearson and Simon Pearson paid for attending court for a day)
--Fairfax Co, VA Will Book A, No 1, p. 144; Book G, 1794–1799, p. 356 (will of Simon Pearson)
--Fairfax Co, VA Deed Book 1796-1797, Z1, 15 Mar 1796, p. 435-442; in possession of V. Winslett. ( Peletiah Graffort, John Pearson, Sarah Pearson, Simon Pearson to Thomas and Verlinda Darne and to Charles Little; witness Lewis Pearson) and Fairfax Co, VA 1797-1798 Minute Book, 18 Jul 1797, p. 18 ( Pelitiah Graffort, John Pearson and Sarah his wife, Simon Pearson, Thomas Darne and Valinda his wife, to Charles Little; George Minor proved)
--Fairfax Co Minute Book 1797-1798, 23 Aug 1797, p. 24 (Simon Pearson witness in Coleman vs Moxley)
--Fairfax Co Minute Book 1797-1798, 16 Oct 1797, p. 112 (p. 33) (Simon Pearson noted in allotment of hands to maintain roads)
--Fairfax Co Minute Book 1797-1798, 25 Nov 1797, p. 43 (Hepburn's executors vs Pearson)
--Fairfax Co Minute Book 1797-1798, 21 Feb 1798, p. 55 (Carrington vs (estate of?) Pearson; Jacob Reintzell bail)
–Fairfax Co, VA Record of Surveys, 1742–1856, p. 77, undated 1798 document prepared before 13 Apr 1798: “Survey and Division of That Part of Pearson’s Tract Pattened by Wm Williams laying on the No. Wt side of the road leading from Alexandria to Colchester” (Survey of Simon Pearson's land sold to G. Washington for Elizabeth Foote Washington and Maj. William Johnston, an Alexandria lawyer)
--Fairfax Co 1797-1798 Minute Book, 16 Apr 1798, p. 63 (Simon Pearson probate by Charles Broadwater and James Hunter)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1807-1808 Minute Book, 19 Mar 1807 p. 19 and 21 Sep 1807, p, 66-67 (Pearson Tract divided between Thomas West and Charles Little)
--Fairfax Co, VA Deed Book X2, 1 Jun 1827, p. 251-252; in possession of V. Winslett (Sarah Pearson and William Pearson release dower to Daniel Dulaney)
--Beth Mitchell, Donald Sweig, An Interpretive Historical Map of Fairfax County, Virginia in 1760, Fairfax Co, VA Office of Comprehensive Planning, 1987, out of print, https://www.arcgis.com/sharing/rest/content/items/cca6b4a3ef644dbfa89e16b6feb515fe/data or at http://jay.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341caff553ef01a51095ccb3970c-pi. (Map of Simon Pearson and Thomas Pearson's lands; also Pearson Island of Thomas Pearson b~1660)
--Patricia B. Duncan, Index to Fairfax County, Virginia personal property tax lists, 1782-1850, multimedia CD, 2012.
--Nan Netherton, Donald Sweig, et al, Fairfax County, Virginia - A History, 1978, p. 74.
--Charles Stetson, Four Mile Run Land Grants, Mimeoform Press, Washington DC, 1935.
--Gabriel Edmonston, A Genealogical History of the Follin Family in America, Judd and Detweiler, Washington DC, 1911, p. 19.
--Melvin Lee Steadman, Falls Church: Fence and Fireside, Falls Church Library, 1964
--Murtie J. Clark, Colonial Soldiers of the South - 1732-1774, Baltimore, MD, Genealogical Publishing Co., 1999, p. 584 (Simon Pearson listed).
--T. Michael Miller, Murder and Mayhem: Criminal Conduct in Old Alexandria, Virginia 1749-1900, Heritage Books, Bowie, MD 1988, p. v1 (fornication and adultry charges)
--Sidney Methiot Culbertson, Hunter Family of Virginia and Connections, embracing portions of Families of Alexander, Pearson, Chapman, Travers, Tyler, West, Gray, Smith and Safford of Virginia; and Maclay, Colhoun and Culbertson of Pennsylvania; Denver, CO, 1934, https://archive.org/details/hunterfamilyofvi00culb (Note the early history of the Pearson and Bland family has subsequently been proved incorrect by Glenn Pearson using English wills in 2015.)
--Beth Mitchell, Fairfax Co Road Orders 1749-1800, Fairfax Co History Commission, Charlottesville, VA, Jun 2003, http://www.virginia1774.org/Fairfax%20County%20Road%20Orders%201749-1800.txt.

     Dr / Capt Thomas Pearson I was born c 1708 at Overwharton Parish, Stafford Co, Virginia. He was the son of CPT Simon Pearson and Hannah Alexander ?? Dr / Capt Thomas Pearson I married Anne Amelia Markham, daughter of COL John Markham and Mary Sedgebrook, c 1728 at Fairfax Co, Virginia. Dr / Capt Thomas Pearson I died in Dec 1743 at Fairfax Co, Virginia. His estate was probated on 18 May 1744.

      Dr Thomas Pearson was a justice of the peace and militia captain. In 1740 Thomas was a resident of Truro Parish and was made a justice of Fairfax Co, VA. Both Thomas married an Ann and his namesake son Thomas likely also married a woman named Ann(e), which enhances the potential for confusing the two men.

Thomas was a large landowner inheriting from his father the residual and vast acreage not bequeathed to his sisters and expanding his holdings with his own purchases. Thomas built a house on a 1,279 acre tract patented by his father Capt Simon Pearson in 1724.

James Gowen (a free black man who was the son of Thomas Gowen), born say 1683, sold 652 acres in Stafford County on Four Mile Run adjoining Thomas Pearson on 4 March 1730 [Stafford Co, VA Deed Book C, pg 118, http://www.freeafricanamericans.com/Gibson_Gowen.htm].

George Pimmet, son of John, sold a 150-acre tract which was located on the north side of Four Mile Run, to William Harper for 8000 pounds of tobacco. John Withers Harper of Prince William Co, VA, planter deeded to Thomas Pearson of Stafford Co, Gentleman ... for 80 pounds sterling ... on north side of 4 Mile Creek ...150 acres ... being part of a tract of 6000 acres granted John Alexander. Deed of lease and release. John Withers (his mark) Harper. Witnesses: Hugh French, John Grant, Thos. Robinson. Received of Thomas Pearson 80 pounds sterling 21 Mar 1732. By 1741 Thomas' sister Constantia and her husband Nathaniel Chapman owned the land and built their home "Summer Hill" above Four Mile Run. Of note, Thomas' grandfather Thomas Pearson originally sold his plantation on the Occaquon River in Stafford Co, VA to a John Harper in 1689.

The Fairfax Co Deed Book index notes an undefined legal transaction, noted as filed under record of surveys, from Thomas Pearson to Abraham Lay in 1737.

Thomas Pearson of Truro Parish, Prince William Co, VA, Gentleman, leased to William Grimes of same on 26 May 1740 ...150 acres for term of natural lives of William Grimes, Nicholas Grimes Jr. and Phillip Grimes. Witnesses: Wm. Henry Terrett, Willm. Godfrey, Nicholis (N) Grimes.

In an indenture made 22 Sep 1740 between Thomas Pearson, gentleman, of one part and John Hurst, Planter, both of Truro Parish in Prince William Co, Thomas leased his plantation on the main Run of Four Mile Creek in Truro Parish, Prince William Co for life to John, his wife Elizabeth and their son John for 500 pounds of tobacco due on every feast of the nativity of our Lord Christ.... John Hurst at his own proper charges shall at all times during the term of three lives well & sufficiently repair & keep the said Plantation ... and lastly, Thomas appointed Gerrard Trammell as his attorney. Witnesses and signatories: Daniel French [influential Truro parishioner close to George Washington], Thomas Pearson, Thomas Elzey, Benjamin Rush, John Hurst. Of note, Thomas' son Simon continued to lease the land to the Hursts, mostly likely to the son.

On 24 Apr 1742 Thomas was granted 1,018 acres near Beaver Dam in Prince William Co, VA as surveyed by Amos Janney. On 3 Aug 1742 George Harrison purchased 208 acres in Prince William Co, VA adjacent to the lands of Thomas Pearson, John Trammell and Thomas Harrison.

Thomas fell ill and lapsed in and out of consciousness for several days. His 4 Dec 1743 will bequeathed: to my daughter Elizabeth Pearson my Negro man named Fawinshire when she shall attain to Lawfull age or be married; to my daughter Marg't Pearson my Negro Man named Cato when she shall attain to Lawfull age or be married; to Hugh West that Tract of Land at Rankin's Point on the opposite side of Loudoun Co, VA that he formerly conveyed to me; And the rest of my Estate to be Equally Divided between my wife and Other children not before mentioned [thought to be sons Simon and Thomas]. Executors: [brothers-in-law] Nath'l Chapman, William Henry Terrett and [cousin] Hugh West. Thos. Pearson (SEAL). Witnesses: Elizabeth Markham, Gerrard T. Trammel, Mary M. Trammel [the Trammells were neighbors.] His two brothers-in-law William Henry Terrett and Nathaniel Chapman qualified as executors. Elizabeth Markham, one of the witnesses, was probably his wife's sister. Although Thomas' residual estate was to be equally divided among his wife and other children not specifically mentioned [apparently his sons Thomas and Simon], no specific land bequest was made and it appears his oldest son Simon inherited the land, subsequently gifting his brother Thomas 500 acres for his support. Thomas did not make a bequest to his step-mother Hannah Ball (Travers) Pearson, although she was alive then, or to his step-siblings, Hannah's children. The bond filed by the executors 18 May 1744 in Fairfax Co is interesting because Lawrence Washington was one of the sureties.

Thomas Pearson’s inventory lists such household goods as five feather beds; money scales; candlesticks; fire tongs; pewter spoons; plates, dishes and basins of earthenware and pewter; chairs; a table; desk; cupboard; trunks; rugs; towels; blankets and linens. In addition to a gun, he had a pair of pistols and a sword – the symbol of his rank as a gentleman -- and a surveyor’s compass – necessary both for keeping track of his own property lines and surveying lands for the county. Thomas had house slaves and indentured servants to care for his home; and his livestock included horses, cows, sheep, pigs and geese.

In 1748 a deposition was taken from the heirs of Thomas Pearson and included Charles and Ann Broadwater and Simon Pearson by his guardian William Henry Terrett.

On the motion of Benjamin Sebastian, Gent, on 16 May 1753 it was ordered a dedimus be issued to take the deposition of witnesses relating to the bounds of land between him and the heirs of Thomas Pearson, dec'd. The 19 Feb 1754 deposition of Garrard Tramel relating to the bounds of land between Benjamin Sebastian and the heirs of Thomas Pearson was returned and ordered to be recorded.

John Dalton brought a suit against Thomas' executors, Nathaniel Chapman and William Henry Terrett on 17 Sep 1754. Dalton's suit continued on 23 May 1757 when William acknowledged Dalton was owed money and tobacco and would be paid when sufficient funds were made available from the estate.

Note Thomas was not the only Thomas Pearson living in the area; in 1729 his father Capt Simon Pearson patented 330 acres in then Stafford Co on Four Mile Run and Great Hunting Creek adjacent to land of a Thomas Pearson.


Detailed sources:
--Virginia Northern Neck Land Grants, Book A, p. 57; Book E, p. 458.
--Stafford Co, VA Will Book Z:403, 11 Feb 1707. (Pimmit to Harper deed) and Prince William Co, VA Deeds B:1 (Harper to Pearson deed).
--June Whitehurst Johnson, Prince William Co, VA Deeds, Liber B; 1732-1735, 20 Mar 1732, p. 1-3 (Harper to Pearson deed).
--June Whitehurst Johnson, Prince William Co, VA Deeds, Liber D; 1738 - 1740, p. 392-394 26 May 26, 1740. (Pearson to Grimes lease).
--Prince William County, Virginia Deeds, Antient Press, Liber E; 1740 - 1741; p 97-102 (Pearson lease to Hurst).
--Northern Neck Grants E, 1736-1742, 3 Aug 1742, p. 474, Reel 291, online Library of Virginia (Harrison grant adjacent Thomas Pearson, John Trammell, Thomas Harrison)
--Fairfax Co, VA Will Book A, No. 1, p. 65 (1743 will of Thomas Pearson).
--Fairfax Co, VA Deed Book B1, 1748, p. 540 (deposition of Thomas Pearson's heirs for or by Lewis Ellzey)
–Beth Mitchell, Donald Sweig, An Interpretive Historical Map of Fairfax County, Virginia in 1760, Fairfax Co, VA Office of Comprehensive Planning, 1987, out of print, http://jay.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341caff553ef01a51095ccb3970c-pi. (Map of Simon Pearson and Thomas Pearson's lands; also Pearson Island of Thomas Pearson b~1660)
--Sidney Methiot Culbertson, The Hunter Family of Virginia and connections: Embracing Portions of Families of Alexander, Pearson, Chapman, Travers, Tyler, West, Gray, Smith and Safford of Virginia, and Maclay, Colhoun and Culbertson of Pennsylvania; Denver, Co, unknown, 1934, p. 133 (Pearson Family).
--Melvin Lee Steadman, Falls Church: Fence and Fireside, Falls Church Library, 1964, p. 275.
--Fairfax Co, VA 1749-1754 Order Book, 16 May 1753, p. 179; Fairfax Co, VA 1754-1756 Order Book Part 1, 19 Feb 1754, abstract p. 10 (Sebastian-Pearson land boundary)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1754-1756 Order Book Part 1, 17 Sep 1754, abstract p. 51; Fairfax Co, VA 1756-1763 Minute Book Part 1, 23 May 1757, abstract p. 43. (Dalton vs estate of Thomas Pearson.)

     CPT Simon Pearson was born c 1688. He was the son of Thomas Pearson and Sarah Alexander ?? CPT Simon Pearson married Hannah Alexander ?? c 1708. CPT Simon Pearson married Hannah Frances Ball, daughter of LTC Joseph Matthaus Ball and Elizabeth Romney, c 1725 at Lancaster Co, Virginia. CPT Simon Pearson died in 1733. His estate was probated on 16 Nov 1733 at Stafford Co, Virginia.

      Capt Simon Pearson of Aquia Creek in Stafford Co, VA was in the Stafford Co militia. Simon owned many tracts of land in Virginia; his nephew George Washington possibly participated in some of Simon's land surveys. Among the patents found thus far are:
--Circa 1707 Simon inherited approximately one-fourth of the 4,639 acre patent granted to his father Thomas and three others on 23 Dec 1706 on the south side of Great Hunting Creek apparently north of Mount Vernon plantation in Fairfax Co, VA. This equates to approximated 1,160 acres.
--On 2 Sep 1709 Simon, residing in Stafford Co, was granted 660 acres on Four Mile Creek in that county.
--On 22 Mar 1714 the 4,639 acre patent was "...divided into eight parts by Richard Watts of Westmoreland County on the twenty Second day of March one thousand seven hundred and fourteen as by the several plats drawn by him may appear both which eighth parts as aforesaid whereof those two tracts...."
--On 10 and 11 Mar 1718 Simon purchased 289 acres from Thomas Harrrison's portion of the 4,639-acre West-Harrison-Pearson patent to which Simon's father had been a quarter party; this land was bequeathed to his daughter Margaret. At this point Simon already had inherited his father's portion of that patent. "Whereas the said Thomas Harrison by Deeds of Lease and Release bearing date respectively the tenth and Eleventh days of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighteen did grant unto Simon Pearson late of the County of Stafford gent Deced (Father of the said Margaret) & to his heirs forever all the title & demand of him the said Thos. Harrison to all that tract or parcels of land containing two hundred Eighty & nine acres & one half of an acre each of them lying and being then in the Parish of Overwharton in the County of Stafford (but since the Division of the said County of Stafford lying in the Parish of Truro in the County of Prince William) being the equal moieties or halves of two eighth parts of a greater tract of land containing four thousand six hundred and thirty nine acres granted to John West, William Harrison, Thomas Pearson & the said Thomas Harrison scituate lying and being on the Main Run of Great Hunting Creek as by patent bearing date the twenty third day of December in the year one thousand seven hundred and Six...."
--In 1724 Simon patented a 1,279 acre tract which his son Thomas inherited and on which he built a home.
--On 16 Jan 1729 John Trammell received a land grant of 248 acres adjacent to the land of Captain Simon Pearson on Holmes Run in Stafford Co.
--Along with John Fitzhugh, on 24 Jan 1726 Simon obtained a 1,409 acre patent in Stafford Co on Horsepen Run of Great Hunting Creek adjacent to Henry Fitzhugh's land called Ravensworth.
--On 9 Oct 1728 John Blake of Stafford Co, VA sold Simon Pearson for £50 a 100-acre plantation "on Ralph's Creek joyning to Broadwater's hole on Potomac River" north of Great Hunting Creek" being the plantation where John Symmers (Summers) formerly dwelled and given the said John Blake by the last will and testament of John West, Gent." This key historical location was to later become the nucleus for Alexandria, VA, thus additional history about this land is included below. Simon's land near the foot of present-day Oronoco Street in Alexandria, VA, included the northern point of land extending into the Potomac River and creating a shallow bay that curved inward to the south and back out again to another point at the foot of present-day Duke Street and the water ran deep at the shore. The point provided deep-water dockage allowing the largest trans-Atlantic ships to navigate and dock. The site was the "last and best Virginia anchorage for ocean vessels before the Potomac Falls." Simon sold this land during his lifetime. This historical land acquisition is discussed in detail below.
--On 17 Feb 1729 Simon obtained two patents from the Northern Neck Proprietors. One patent was 213 acres in Stafford Co on Timber Branch of Great Hunting Creek adjacent to the land of Col Mason taken up by John Simpson; this land was bequeathed to his daughter Margaret.
--On 17 Feb 1729 the second patent granted by the Northern Neck Proprietors to Simon was 330 acres in then Stafford Co on Four Mile Run and Great Hunting Creek adjacent to land of Thomas Pearson, Gabriel Adams [his brother-in-law], and James Robertson located between present-day Bailey's Crossroads and Four Mile Run and in the crossroads area and Glen Forest. This Thomas Pearson is unidentified and may indicate Simon had a brother named Thomas because Simon's father Thomas reportedly died in 1707 and Simon's son Thomas was too young to own land; by 1730 apparently this Thomas was also deceased. In Colonial times, the land was part of Lord Fairfax's original royal grant. This land was bequeathed to his daughter Susanna.
--Other patents of Simon's included one received 18 Feb 1729 for 195 acres in Stafford Co [likely the 195 acres he purchased from James Robertson] adjacent to Parson Breechin, Col George Mason and Thomas Going near the Potomack River; it is unlikely this Going was related to our Going ancestors who were still in Ireland at this time. This land was also bequeathed to his daughter Susanna.
--On 4 Mar 1730 Simon and James Going received a 652-acre land patent from the Northern Neck Proprietors Office on Four Mile Run near Brandymore, adjoining the Chestnut lands of Thomas Pearson, deceased. Although the bulk of this land is now in Arlington Co, VA, the small portion in Franklin Park, McClean, Fairfax Co, VA contains the site of the first house in the area, a log structure built at what is now the corner of Virginia Avenue and North Nottingham Street. George Minor senior bought this land from Pearson’s namesake grandson and added a back wing in the early 1770s (Templeman, 1959). The area is now known as Minor Hill off of Williamsburg Blvd and Sycamore St, Arlington, VA.
--Simon was mentioned in a patent received by his brother-in-law Gabriel Adams on 19 Sep 1730 when Gabriel received 790 acres on Holmes Run and Four Mile Run adjacent the land of Simon Pearson and Stephen Gray.
--On 5 Sep 1731 Simon Pearson and Gabriel Adams both of Prince William Co, VA were granted a patent for 108 acres in Prince William Co adjacent the land of James Robinson, Capt Charles Broadwater and M. Dorrell from the head of a branch of Four Mile Run and going toward Brandmore Castle. Brandymore Castle is located in what is now East Falls Church Park and was first described in 1724 by surveyor Charles Broadwater as "The Rock Stones called Brandymore Castle." Research in 1972 established the natural formation matched the boundary descriptions on the 18th century land grants from Lord Fairfax to William Gunnell, James Going, Simon Pearson, George Harrison, John Caryle and John Dalton and Captain Charles Broadwater. The origin of the name Brandymore is unknown, but this rocky outcrop resembles the collapsed battlements of an old castle with Four Mile Run serving as a moat. Pearson's name on the historic sign for "Brandymore Castle" on the Washington and Old Dominion bike trail between Sycamore and Ohio streets in Arlington, VA.
--On 19 Oct 1731 James Robertson of Parish of Hamilton, planter, deeded to Simon Peirson of Overwharton Parish in County of Stafford, Gent....Robertson grant of the Proprietors of the Northern Neck of Virginia...dated 20 Jan 1724 ... 432 acres on the West side of Long branch [unknown if upper or lower Long Branch] of Four Mile Run....adjoyning another tract....800 a....at corner of Col. Mason.. .north side of Wampokin branch....for 12540 lbs. of Tob.. :432 a. and 195 acres of the 800 acres tract....Deed of lease and release. Wit: Jno. Allen, J. Mercer. Received of Simon Peirson 12,540 pounds Tobacco on 20 Oct 1731. This land was left to his daughter Constantia.
--Before 1734 Simon Pearson, by then living in Prince William Co, VA, joined Gabriel Adams to receive a grant of 708 acres in Prince William Co adjacent James Robinson and Mr. Donnell on a branch of Four Mile Run that goes to Brandymore Castle, near Pimmit's Run and that of Capt Charles Broadwater. A Gabriel Adams was married to Simon's aunt Priscilla Pearson; this could have been that man or his namesake son.

Land not sold or devised to his daughters as noted above was left to his son Thomas.

Simon first wife was possibly Hannah Alexander, although no supporting evidence of this marriage has been found. Simon's four children married into the elite Chapman, Markham, Alexander and West families of Fairfax Co, VA, the latter two which were instrumental in the establishment of Alexandria, VA.

Simon served as executor in 1716/17 with Thomas Harrison for the will of Major John West whose wife was Elizabeth. Maj West was the father-in-law of Simon's daughter Margaret.

The 7 Dec 1731 will of Simon Pearson of the Parish of Overwharton in the County of Stafford, Gent: ... bequeath unto my beloved wife Hannah Pearson the use, labor and occupation of two negro men named Kilmoccoo and Quomenicco and of negro Fanny and her child Conny and of one negro girl named Sarah and of their future increase ... and after her decease I give and bequeath the said negroes ... to my son Thomas. ... to my Daughter Constantia 432 acres of land in Prince William County which I bought of James Robertson ... together with a negro man named Johnson, a negro woman named Vaughan and daughter named Sue ... to my daughter Susanna 195 acres of land in Prince William County which I bought of James Robertson and adjoining to the 432 acres above devised to my daughter Constantia and also 330 acres of land on the south branch of fore miles run and the branches of Great Hunting Creek in Prince William County ... granted me for the same from the proprietors office dated the 17 Feb 1729 together with a negro boy named peter, a negro woman named Sarah, and a negro girl named Winney ... to my Daughter Margaret all that tract of land which I bought of Capt Thomas Harrison on the Branches of Great Hunting Creek in Prince William County aforesaid (this became the subject of an 1741 lawsuit) and also 213 acres of land on the Timber Branch of the aforesaid Great Hunting Creek ... deed granted me for the same from the proprietors Office dated the 17 Feb 1729 together with a negro woman named Kate and her daughter Philis, and a Negro woman named Mollgoll ... to my son Thomas all the rest of my lands and rights and title of lands whatsoever and wheresoever together with a negro man named Joe and his wife Amo, and a negro man named Nimrod, a negro woman named Sidgie, a negro boy named Tom, and a negro man child lately born to Negro Nan, and also two negro men named Killmacco and Quoninicco, a negro woman named jenny and her child Conny, and a negro girl named Sarah after the death of my wife to whom their use labour and occupation is devised... what money I have in England ... to be equally divided between my Daughters Constantia Susanna and Margaret and desire that the shares of my said Daughters Susanna and Margaret be laid out ... to purchase negroes for the said Susanna and Margaret ... to my daughter Constantia two gold rings and one new trunk to my daughter, Susanna one gold ring and one new trunk, to my daughter Margaret one gold ring and one new trunk, and to my son Thomas one new trunk which rings and trunk I sent for to England by Capt. Nichollson ... to my son Thomas all my wearing apparel and unto my very good friend Capt. Thomas Harrison I give and bequeath twenty shillings to buy a mourning ring ... all the rest of my personal estate ... to be equally divided between my wife Hannah my son Thomas and my daughters Constantia Susanna and Margaret but will and desire that the same shall not be appraised ... my son Thomas shall have the care, management and tuition of my daughters Susanna and Margaret and their estates till they shall respectively attain the age of eighteen years or be married ... my dear and welbeloved wife Hannah Pearson my Daughter Constantia Pearson and my son Thomas Pearson Executors and Executrixs .. my good Cap. Thomas Harrison [Thomas Harrison of the Thomas Pearson, et al 1706 patent] to be coadjutor and assistant to them therein and to direct and advise my son Thomas in the management of his own and of his young sisters estate... Simon Pearson (Seal). Witnesses: Alex. Scott, J. Mercer, Philip Pritchet, Robert Ling.

On 27 Dec 1732 Simon witnessed the codicil of the will of John Cooke of the Parish of Over Wharton, Stafford Co, Simon's step-son-in-law, the husband of Elizabeth Travers.

At Stafford County Court on 9 May 1733 the will was presented by Thomas Pearson and Nathaniel Chapman in right of his wife Constantia, and declared by oath of Alexander Scott and John Mercer gentleman who declared they saw Philip Pritchet and Robert Ling sign as witnesses. Thomas Pearson [Simon's son], William Allison and Elizabeth Cooke [Simon's step-daughter] made oath they heard the deceased declare the said will should stand without any other alteration than that his daughter Susanna should have a negro man named Solomon (purchased by him after making his said will) instead of a negro named Sarah devised her by the said will (who died since the making thereof). At Stafford Co Court on 10 Nov 1733 this will was further proved by the oaths of Hannah Pearson, the other executrix.

The 27 Nov 1733 estate inventory for Simon included The Upper Quarter .. in the Store House not Divided .. Cattle at ye Plantation on Potomack Creek .. 6 hogsheads Tobacco on board of Hazard Capt Ed Spoors; since lost 6 hogsheads on board of Camilla Cap. Giles ... Tobacco at ye Quar. in Prince William Co, VA ... Jos. Adams, Merchant in London .. due from Jas. Buchanon, Merchant in London .. Nathl. Chapman. The 27 Nov 1733 Inventory was signed by Nath. Chapman [Simon's son-in-law] and one Jno Geoman.

On 12 May 1736 Thomas Pearson's executor admitted his estate inventory to the Stafford Co Court record.

The lengthy estate account presented in Stafford Co Court on 12 Jun 1739 included: paid Mosely Battaley for a fee against Trammell and paid George Trammell. The Account of the Estate was signed by Nathaniel Chapman, Constantia Chapman and Thomas Pearson, all close relatives of Simon's. Simon's widow Hannah Pearson did not sign either the inventory or the estate account report.

The 1728 Blake-Pearson deed put a key location which was to become Alexandria, VA under Simon's ownership, thus additional history about this 100 acres is included here. Simon's land near the foot of present-day Oronoco Street in Alexandria, VA, included the northern point of land extending into the Potomac River and creating a shallow bay that curved inward to the south and back out again to another point at the foot of present-day Duke Street and the water ran deep at the shore. The point provided deep-water dockage allowing the largest trans-Atlantic ships to navigate and dock. The site was the "last and best Virginia anchorage for ocean vessels before the Potomac Falls." This land was originally part of a 700-acre patent by Margaret Brent on 20 Nov 1662 (Patent Book # 5, p. 240); in 1674 this tract passed to Giles Brent, who sold it to Fitzherbert, who sold it to John Alexander in 1674. On 17 Oct 1686 Robert Alexander sold Ralph Platt 100 acres "part of greater 700 acres purchased by Captain John Alexander of Captain George Brent." Witnesses to the transaction were Robert Brent and John West. (Stafford Co, VA Court 9 Dec 1686) In 1703 the 100 acres escheated, returning to the government for lack of heirs; Major John West applied to the Proprietors Office and the 100 acre tract was granted to him as a Northern Neck Grant. (Northern Neck Land Grant Book 3, p. 15, 16 Feb 1703.) John Summer leased and lived on the land during 1710-1720. Major John West's 16 Nov 1716 will gifted 50 acres "being the plantation where John Symmers now lives" to Benjamin Blake and 50 acres from the same tract to John Blake. (Records of Long Standing, p. 166-169.) Capt. Simon Pearson and Thomas Harrison were executors for Maj West's will, so Simon clearly knew about the 100 acres. (Stafford Co, VA Wills, Administrations, Inventories 1664-1760.) In the 1720s Gabriel Adams and his wife Priscilla Pearson, sister of Simon Pearson, also leased and lived on this land. How John Blake came to own the entire 100 acres is unknown; John Blake sold Simon the full 100 acres "being the plantation where John Symmers formerly dwelled and given the said John Blake by the last will and testament of John West Gent."

Simon built and maintained a warehouse, which became known as Hunting Creek Warehouse, for the transshipment of tobacco. Virginia's Tobacco Inspection Act of 1730 mandated all tobacco grown in the colony must be brought to locally designated public warehouses for inspection before sale; initially the new tobacco warehouse was to be constructed on land on Great Hunting Creek belonging to Elizabeth Semmes (Turley West) Broadwater and her husband Charles Broadwater -- also originally land owned by the West family -- but the location proved too shallow and instead Simon's property one-half mile north was selected. Simon's existing warehouse was most likely inadequate to support the demand once his land was designated as the inspection, packing and transhipping location for the region. During May 1732 in the Virginia House of Burgesses, "...public warehouses were appointed to be built and established at Quantico upon Robert Brent's land, and Great Hunting Creek upon Broadwater's land in Prince William County, under one inspection … but Broadwater's land being found very inconvenient, no house was built there … but a warehouse ... was built upon Simon Pearson's land, upon the upper side of Great Hunting Creek." The warehouse built on Simon Pearson’s land by John Summers (Symmers) and his slaves was likely an added warehouse because it was completed in 1732 after which two tobacco inspectors were appointed. The tobacco warehouse was described as a plain structure, probably about a 50-foot square, hewn, timber-framed building. Simon did not have long to enjoy the wealth his land was to bring because he died young the following year in Nov 1733. During the 1730s Simon's cousin Hugh West acquired his 100-acre plantation, originally part of Hugh's grandfather's 1703 patent, and the warehouse between 1735 and 1738, likely through an estate sale; although it is reported Simon sold the land to West, the transaction was not recorded until years after Simon's reported death. The location became known as Hugh West's Hunting Creek Warehouse and provided the catalyst to establish the location of the future city of Alexandria, VA. In addition to the tobacco warehouse, Hugh developed a Potomac River ferry in May 1740 and an ordinary on the property.


Pippenger's and other detailed sources:
--Virginia Northern Neck Grants, https://www.ancestry.com/media/viewer/viewer/066b27a0-5eab-4dcf-9a87-4e7382624cf7/877725/6933028157 (Simon Pearson 660 acres granted in Stafford Co, VA)
--Virginia Northern Neck Grants C, 1729-1731, 17 Feb 1729, p. 27, folio, reel 290, image Library of Virginia online (Simon Pearson 330 acres granted in Stafford Co, VA adjacent Thomas Pearson)
--Virginia Northern Neck Grants C, 1729-1731, 4 Mar 1730, p. 118, folio, reel 290, image Library of Virginia online (Simon Pearson and James Going granted 652 acres adjacent Thomas Pearson, deceased)
--Virginia Northern Neck Land Grants, Book B, p. 134; Book C, p. 26, 27, 28; Book F, p. 288; Book 3, p. 204.
--Virginia Northern Neck Land Grants 1729, https://www.ancestry.com/media/viewer/viewer/03e25683-1f1b-4e4f-8a58-69080d74ec65/877725/-1976325115 (John Trammell 248 acres adjacent Capt Simon Pearson).
--June Whitehurst Johnson, 1731 - 1732 Prince William Co, VA Deeds, Liber A, p. 105-113 (Robertson to Pierson deed).
--Prince William Co, VA Deeds, Antient Press, Liber E; 1740 - 1741; pp 355-362.
--Beth Mitchell, "Beginning at a White Oak - Patents and Northern Neck Grants of Fairfax County, Virginia," Fairfax, Virginia: Fairfax Co Administrative Services, 1977, p. 191 - 193.
--Stafford Co VA Will Book M: 1729-1748; p. 26, http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=mrmarsha&id=I020444 (Simon Pearson will).
--Stafford Co Deed / Will Book M, p. 101-105; W (1), Vol X, p. 133.
--Stafford Co, VA Will Book M, 1729-1748; Antient Press, p. 210- 214 and p. 271-273, http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=mrmarsha&id=I020444 (Inventory and Account of Simon Pearson's estate).
–Beth Mitchell, Donald Sweig, An Interpretive Historical Map of Fairfax County, Virginia in 1760, Fairfax Co, VA Office of Comprehensive Planning, 1987, out of print, http://jay.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341caff553ef01a51095ccb3970c-pi. (Map of Simon Pearson and Thomas Pearson's lands; also Pearson Island of Thomas Pearson b~1660)
-- Susan Flinner, Bailey's Crossroads History, http://www.gfca.us/baileys.html.
--Ted Pulliam, Historic Alexandria: An Illustrated History, City of Alexandria, Office of Historic Alexandria, Historical Publishing Network, 2011.
--Hening's Statutes of Virginia, Vol. 4, page 331; William Smith, T. Michael Miller, Seaport Saga: Portrait of Old Alexandria, VA, Donning Co, Virginia Beach, VA, 2001, p. 14; Records of Long Standing, p. 67-69; Prince William Co, VA Deed Book C, 1735-1738 (destroyed) but Index C 1735-1738, p. W extant; Prince William Co, VA Deed A, p. 77-78 for William Green Grant to West. (100 acre plantation of Simon Pearson used for tobacco warehouse)
--Jim Bish, Hugh West and the West Family’s Momentous Role in Founding and Developing Alexandria and Fairfax and Loudoun Counties, VA, The Alexandria Chronicle, Alexandria Historical Society, Spring 2010, p. 1-3, https://alexandriahistoricalsociety.wildapricot.org/resources/Documents/The_Chronicle/2010_Sp_Chronicle.pdf.
--Virginia Will Records, Stafford Co, VA Wills, Administrations, Inventories 1664-1760, p. 364 (will of Maj John West)
--Virginia Gleanings in England, p. 357 (will of John Cooke of Stafford Co, VA filed in Ireland in 1735.)