-The Pierce Family-
The Pierce Family's ties to the Bird Family comes through M. Canzada Pierce, the daughter of John Calvin Pierce and Lydia Caroline Harvey. As mentioned in early chapters, Canzada, also known as "Cannie", married John William Bird, the oldest son of George Marshall Bird and Martha S. Clark.
John Calvin Pierce was born January 18, 1827, in South Carolina. Some sources believe that John was the son of John and Darcus Pierce. The Pierce's came to George early in John's life, probably in the 1830's; and it was here that John married Lydia Caroline Harvey on February 5, 1854. Lydia was born January 2, 1833, and is believed by some to have been half Cherokee Indian.
John and Lydia had eleven known children - Sylvania P.C. (1854), M.D.P. (1856), Calvin Berry (1857), George Washington (1859), Mary Elizabeth (1862), William Brice (1866), Frances Cordelia (1868), M. Canzada (1870), John Virgil (1873), S.C. (1875), and James Edward (1878).
In the 1870 Federal Census of the United States for Walker County, Georgia, the Frick's Gap Division, the family is found under the head of household "John C. Pearce", a forty-four year old farmer, who was born in South Carolina. Also listed are thirty-seven year old Lydia, fifteen year old Sylvania P., twelve year old Berry C., ten year old George W., eight year old Mary E., three year old William B., and one year old Frances C. Darcus Pearce, John's mother, is listed living under his household as a seventy-six year old South Carolina native, as well as a Cynthia Pearce, who is listed as being forty-eight years old and "idiotic". She is apparently as sister of John Calvin's. The last name in the household is Margaret Harvey, and eight-seven year old Virginia native. This is the mother of Lydia Caroline Harvey Pierce.
In the 1880 Federal Census of the United States for Walker County, Georgia, the Pierce's are found enumerated in the Cedar Grove district. Listed is "J.C. Pierce", a fifty-three year old white, male farmer, who was born in South Carolina, as were both of his parents. Next is "Lydia C.", a forty-six year old white, female house keeper, who was born in Tennessee - her father being born in North Carolina, and mother in Virginia. The listed children are "Barry C., Mary, William, Cordelia, Cansadia, John V., and James E."
The next family in the Cedar Grove district was that of James Franklin Adams, husband of Sylvania Pierce, daughter of John Calvin and Lydia Carolina Pierce. James is listed as a twenty-eight year old white male, who was born in Georgia - his father having been born in North Carolina, and mother also in Georgia. Also listed are the twenty-five year old wife, Sylvania, and three children, "Braziel, Lucian, and Leela."
In the 1900 Federal Census of the United States for Walker County, Georgia, the Pond Springs Division, which was enumerated on June 11, 1900, we find seventy-six year John C. Pierce. He listed his birth as taking place in January 1827, in South Carolina, where both of his parents were born, and that he had been married for forty-six years. Below John is sixty-seven year old "Liddie". Her birth is listed as having taken place in January of 1833 in Tennessee. This time, she lists her parents' nativity as Tennessee, which conflicts with the information she gave in 1880. Also enumerated in John's household is "Francis Clark", whom we know as Cordie. She is listed as a thirty-two year old widow. Her children listed are Robert C., George C., and William C - eight, five, and two years old. Their birth place, as well as their father and mother's, is listed as Georgia.
Living next to John is the family of his youngest son, Jim, listed as "James E. Pierce", a twenty-seven year old Georgian, who had been married for three years to "Mattie E. Pierce", a seventeen year old Alabamian, whose parents were both born in Alabama. Below Mattie is their son, Charles L. Pierce, who was born in April of 1900 in Georgia.
Lydia Caroline Harvey Pierce died August 25, 1900, in Walker County, Georgia. The following is her obituary as it appeared in the Walker County Messenger on September 6:
"In memory of Mrs. Lydia Caroline Pierce who departed this life August 25 at one o'clock a.m. The deceased was born in the year of our Lord 1832, was married to John Pierce in February 1854. She professed conversion at the age of 16 and lived a consistent Christian until her death. She was the mother of 12 children, 6 boys and 6 girls, five of whom had crossed the river and were ready to welcome mother home. There is the aged husband, seven children, and 24 grandchildren and a large number of friends left to mourn her loss. As a wife, there was none better. She had lived with her husband near a half century and had gone through the hardships and trials of the Civil War, yet her husband says she never spoke a rough or harsh word to him in her life. As a mother, she was kind, tender and loving, always trying to impress upon her children the great need of seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. As a neighbor, to know her meant to love her. As a sufferer, there was none more patient. Her health gave way eighteen years ago and she has suffered very much, yet was just as patient as could be, and as she neared the end of her suffering, she would reach forth her bony hand and grasp the hand of husband and children and say in a faint voice, "meet me in heaven." When the end came, she closed her eyes and without a struggle or moving of a limb or muscle, she went to sleep in Jesus. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. Not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let it be afraid. I would say to the bereaved ones, weep not for mother. She has gone to rest, but strive to obey her request and meet her in heaven. It was by the grace of God she was what she was and Christ says my grace is sufficient for thee. The remains of Sister Pierce were laid to rest in the Cove Church Cemetery last Saturday evening August 25, 1800. Funeral was conducted in an imperfect way by the writer assisted by Brother Trotter."
-R.P. Tatum
Notice the obituary lists Lydia's year of birth as 1832. This is conflicting to her tombstone and Bible record, which lists her date of birth as January 2, 1833. The obituary also lists Lydia as the mother of twelve children - six boys and six girls; however, the Pierce Family Bible only lists John, Lydia, and eleven children. The children are listed by initials and as follows:
BIRTHS
|
J.C. Pierce (John Calvin Pierce) |
was borne Jan 18th |
|
L.C. Pierce (Lydia Caroline Pierce) |
borne Jan 2nd 1833 |
|
S.P.C. Pierce (Sylvania Pierce ) |
borne Dec 6th 1854 |
|
C.B. Pierce (Calvin Berry Pierce) |
borne Nov 4th 1857 |
|
G.W. Pierce (George Washington Pierce) |
borne March 13th 1859 |
|
M.E. Pierce (Mary Elizabeth Pierce) |
borne May 7th 1862 |
|
W.B. Pierce (William Brice Pierce) |
borne Oct 9th 1866 |
|
F.C.Pierce (Frances Cordelia Pierce) |
borne Jan 20th 1868 |
|
M.C. Pierce (Canzada Pierce) |
borne Oct 3rd, 1870 |
|
J.V. Pierce (John Virgil Pierce) |
borne Feb 15th, 1873 |
|
J.E. Pierce (James Edward Pierce) |
borne Aug 9th, 1878 |
|
M.D.P. Pierce |
borne Apr 5th, 1856 |
|
S.C. Pierce |
borne June 6th, 1875 |
Notice the misspelling of the word "born". Also, notice that John's birth year had been one time listed as 1826, but changed to 1827. And, notice that the last two entries are out of chronological order. The last two entries are apparently children who died sometime during infancy. No one knows the full name or gender of either child. Their names are not listed among the death entries in the same Bible. The only two appear as:
DEATHS
|
S.P.C. Adams (Sylvania Pierce) |
dide March 19, 1895 |
|
M.C. Bird (Canzada Pierce) |
dide March 10, 1895 |
John lived for almost two years after Lydia's death, dying himself on July 20, 1902, in Walker County, Georgia. John's obituary in the Walker County Messenger reads:
"Memorial - To the Worshipful Master, Wardens and Brethren of the A.I. Last Lodge, Number 266, F. & A.M. While the craft was at refreshment, it was past high twelve on Sunday, July 20th, 1902 the pure spirit of our dear beloved brother, J.C. Pierce, took its flight from the tenement of clay to the bright mansions of eternal bliss. The house in which our brother's spirit dwelt is left behind but the (unknown word) has appeared more in the likeness of a king. He has passed to the unseen where we shall see him no more in his earthly apparel. But as a friend and a brother, he made a lasting impression on us, and we should live as to meet him in that bright lodge above. Our brother was born in the year 1827 in North Carolina, and came to Georgia when quite young. He embraced religion and has been a member of the Methodist Church South over 50 years. He has raised a large family and saw them all grown. His wife preceded him to the better land a few years previous to his death. He was a good neighbor, loyal to his church, was charitable to the unfortunate and always ready to help the needy. His last day was his brightest one. He was anxious to go to receive his reward. He long considered the blessedness of a well spent life and had prepared for the separation from the house of clay for a bright mansion above. The square, the compass, the plumb, the level, the lambskin and many other insignia had made a deep moral impression on his life. He was anxious to go to meet with those that had passed over the river. Resolved 1st. That the family and friends of the deceased have our sympathy. We can only point them to imitate the noble example he has set before them. 2nd. That in the death of our brother, the lodge has lost a good and faithful member, the ...a bright light and the... a good citizen. 3rd. That the lodge wear a badge of mourning, and that a blank page be left to mark the death of our brother and that a copy be furnished to the family. We also... that this be published in the Walker County Messenger."
Both John and Lydia were buried in the Cove Methodist Church Cemetery. The share a tall four sided tombstone, with their names inscribed on the respective sides. John's lists "JOHN C. PIERCE_BORN_JAN.18,1826_DIED_JULY20.1902". Lydia's side reads, "LYDIA C. PIERCE_BORN_JAN.2.1833_DIED_AUG.25.1900". The front of the tombstone reads, "Precious ones from us has gone, Voices we loved are stilled, Places are vacant in our home Which never can be filled". Beside the Cemetery is the large, white Cove Methodist Church, where John and Lydia were presumably members.
-Children of John Calvin Pierce & Lydia Caroline Harvey-