The Peirce Family

The Start of the Peirce Legacy

Source: THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF THOMAS S. PEIRCE

Middleborough Historic Museum
Facebook Page: August 11, 2023

Few families in town have left such a lasting legacy as the Peirce family. For several generations, they included prominent local businessmen in Middleborough, and they exerted great influence in local and regional affairs.

PETER H. PEIRCE

Source: THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF THOMAS S. PEIRCE

Middleborough Historic Museum
Facebook Page: August 11, 2023

Peter went on to have part ownership in a large local cotton mill and a shovel works, both of which seized upon the free natural resources of the Nemasket River for their power. He married, and had a large family himself--eight sons and three daughters, though remarkably none of them appear to have left any children behind.

This image of Peter H. Peirce was lost for years, but was rediscovered in 1996. Photo courtesy “Col. Peter H. Peirce (1788-1861): A Plymouth County Life,.’

THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF

THOMAS S. PEIRCE

Source: Middleborough Historic Museum
Facebook Page: August 11, 2023

“So this strange man with the fortune of a King and a good education lived out his solitary life in this country grocery store. He was never melancholy and apparently happy, but whether he was in reality happy or not none will ever know.”

(Quotation from his obituary in the New York Times, September 1901)

A Farewell to Thomas Peirce

Levi L. Peirce & 19th Century Mental Illness

Source: Recollecting Nemasket

Writing About the History of Middleborough & Lakeville, Massachusetts

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Of any historical figure in Middleborough, more consideration has probably been given to Peter H. Peirce than any other save for Peter Oliver and Deborah Sampson. One aspect of Peirce’s history which is largely overlooked, however, is the sad story of his younger son, Levi L. Peirce (1825-54) who suffered from mental illness. Because little is known of Levi Peirce’s circumstances, even George Decas’ authoritative and compelling biography of Peter Peirce - Col. Peter H. Peirce (1788-1861): A Plymouth County Life - barely touches upon the tragedy of his son.