Notes for ANTHONY PIERCE: The origins of the Pierce family of Southern New Jersey predates the War of Independence. The family originates from a pair of brothers, Richard and Anthony Pierce, who supposedly came to the area in the mid 1700s from the West Indies. It has been rumored that Anthony Pierce was a shipping merchant and that he and his brother, Richard, made frequent stops in the West Indies to pick up spices, miscellaneous cargo, and slaves for the developing colonies; Their cargo to the colonies also included mail order brides. One version of the family history states that it was through one of these mail order passages from the West Indies that the two brothers came to meet and later marry the two Dutch sisters, Hannah and Marie Van Aca. The men who originally contracted to marry the sisters were not at the dock when their ship arrived to pay their passage. Rather than see the sisters indentured for 7 years to pay for their fare, as was customary at that time, the two brothers offered to marry them; Anthony marrying Marie and Richard, Hannah. From their union come the majority of the Pierces of Cumberland and Salem Counties of New Jersey. It is also believed that Anthony and Richard's ancestors were from England and the family, at some time, purchased lands in the West Indies in hopes of making their fortunes there. The two brothers, Anthony and Richard, were men of some means as both owned substantial lands in Southern New Jersey in the mid to late 1700s. Anthony Pierce is my 1st documented Pierce ancestor in what would become known as the United States. Anthony and Marie had 9 known children: John; Mennon; Elizabeth (md 1796 Josiah Hicks); Anthony (md Sarah Jones); Benjamin (md Ruth from Germany); Hannah (md 1790 Reuben Cuff); Wanaca (md 1797 Mary Murray, daughter of Othniel Murray and Katherine); Jessie (md 1797 Catherine Storms); and Richard (md Tabitha). I descend from Anthony's son, Wanaca. Anthony Pierce was listed as living in Deerfield Township, Cumberland County, New Jersey in the 1773 and 1774 Tax lists (page # 001 and #057 respectively.) He died sometime around 1774-1775 in Fairfield Township, Cumberland County, New Jersey and is burried at the Old Stone Church Cemetery of the Fairfield Presbyterian Church in Fairton, New Jersey. Anthony's brother, Richard is listed in the 1779 September Tax List for Fairfield Township, Cumberland County, New Jersey (page #002). Richard died in 1792, but his place of burrial remains unknown. More About ANTHONY PIERCE: Burial: Old Stone Church, Fairfield Presbyterian, Fairton, New Jersey Occupation: Shipping Merchant? More About ANTHONY PIERCE and MARIE VAN ACA: Marriage: Abt. 1750, Deerfield Twp., Cumberland Co., New Jersey
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