Christy and Bagshaw info - Nice surprise!

This week has gone by so incredibly fast. Vacations always do.... I started reading The English American and it's a good read so far. I really have to recommend this one to my friend Barb in Pennsylvania.

Other nice things that happened was the unexpected arrival of family documents from the Archives in Media. That really surprised me. Although it isn't Pierce information, it is related to the Christy side of my family, it was a great surprise! I have a newly found Christy cousin in South Carolina who will get a copy of the arrest data.

Someone one said well behaved ancestors don't make history and I am thankful for some of the wild ones in the family tree. They get documented and lead you on to lots of other info.

Also I received a much welcomed email to an inquiry on the Bagshaws. We know Annie Pierce worked for William Bagshaw at his shop on Edgemont Avenue. Poor William was caught up in the arrest of Annie's mother in September 1899. More than likely he was a witness to the "affray and disturbance of the peace" between Edna Pierce and her accuser. But who knows. The connection between the two families had to been more than employer for one of the Pierce daughters. William must have been a close family friend or Mary wouldn't have named two sons after him.

Other than some genealogy I have been playing Guild Wars until I dream about it. Better take a break!! Doug grilled tuna last night and we paired it with an Alice White Cabernet Sauvignon. He's off riding right now. Tristan is supposed to return tonight for the car and leave his bike. And of course, it's hot. So mostly we stay in except to walk the shibas.

Thomas F Pierce

1850 CENSUS Delaware Co., Pa.
Marcus Hook Borough

Edward Pierce 45 occ: Waterman born PA
Jane 38
Mary 15 at school
Emma 14
James 12
Thomas 10


Thomas is also enumerated on the 1860 census. At age 19, he was recorded in the household of Martha Kerlin. Occupation is Apprentice plasterer/ born PA.


August 30, 1861
Delaware County Republican
Death Notice

Death of a Returned Volunteer - Thomas F. Peirce, a member of the Union Blues, died in this borough on Tuesday morning last of typhoid fever. He was a young man of irreproachable character, and a good soldier, always prompt to obey the commands of his commanding officers. On hearing of his demise, his companions in arms assembled in public meeting at the town hall in this borough, at which a committe was appointed consisting of Lieut. J.G. Stacey, Sergeants William B. Stevenson and William Eves, Corporal Chas. Story and Private Reece L. Weaver, who offered the following preamble and resolutions, which were unanimously adopted by the Company presnt. The funeral of the deceased took place on Thursday afternoon. The hearse was draped in mourning and over it and the coffin was placed the American flag. The Union Blues, accompanied by the Chester Brass Band, escorted the remains of their comrade to the grave, and interred them with the honors of war. It was the first military funeral in our midst for several years, and the slow measured tread of the soldiers, as they marched with reverse arms, the band playing a dirge for the dead, amde the occasion solemn and imposing.

Buried Chester Rural Cemetery, Section N, Lot 117, grave 4

Anna Pierce Cairns

While I was supposed to finishing up the newspaper transcripts some new information came my way about Anna Cairns and Margaret Worrilow. A huge shout out to Chris T. from Essington and Barb S. from Aston for helping me with a mystery!
In the Pierce grave lots in Chester Rural Cemetery there are a few names that I couldn't link to the family. Had to be family somehow or they wouldn't be buried with James and Edna Pierce - but what is the relationship?? Well I put those questions on the back burner while I typed up the facts I had on hand. Thank you ladies for solving the mystery. ;o)

Section M, Lot 112 has James Pierce, Margaret Worrilow, Laura Slawter, James Pierce, Jack Cairns and Edna Pierce.
The James in grave 1 hanged himself in 1900; he is the son of James and Edna Pierce. This lot was purchased by the father when his son committed suicide. Laura Slawter turns out to be James Sr's daughter (she married George Slawter). That left me wondering who was Margaret and Jack. Turns out Jack is the young son of Anna and John Cairns. Jack died January 29, 1923. The photo is of Anna taken somewhere in Chester. Possibly outside her home. It was provided to me by cousin Terry and cropped and cleaned up by cousin Char. Thank you ladies!
Margaret is James Jr's widow. Evidently she remarried a man named Worrilow and the Pierce's had her buried with them. Barbara kindly supplied me with the obituary and that was a real treat! I will have to update later.