He was named in his father’s will. In 1818, William Pearce began buying property that originally had been part of Mountjoy including what was referred to as Lot #7 (though containing 182 acres). This same lot was mentioned in a settlement agreement between the heirs of Josiah Sparks Pearce, including James T and Maggie Curry providing a three-generation link.

He can be accounted for in his father’s household in 1820 and 1830 and is with his mother in 1840 and 1850.

1860-1880. He is head of household. In 1860 and 1870 is daughter called Ruth in one place and Maggie in another is present. In 1880, she still lives with her father -- she is listed as Maggie Curry and James I (sic) is there too.

We learn a little about Josiah from the biography of his son, Thomas E Pearce, given in “Genealogical and Biographical Record of Baltimore City and County”. “Josiah S and Elizabeth A (Wright) were natives of Baltimore and Harford County, respectively. Josiah S was a lawyer. His father, William, was born in Baltimore County where in later years he became an extensive land-owner and farmed 400 acres on My Lady’s Manor.”

On 29 Mar 1890, the children and heirs of Josiah Pearce, who died intestate, deeded their respective interest in a tract of land, part of “Mount Joy”, to Thomas E Pearce, also an heir. The grantors were: John Pearce (and wife Hannah), Joseph Pearce (and wife Fannie), Maggie R Curry (and husband James T), Silas W Pearce, Cassie Norris (and husband Edward W), Bettie Anstine (and husband John C) and Ellen Davis (and husband Harman). There is some reference made that this had been designated Lot 7 and had something to do with land deeded to William Pearce by Jonathan Plowman.

Margaret and John T are buried with Elizabeth Ann, their daughter, and her husband Josiah Pearce. Her father John T had a previous wife but all the evidence proves that it was Margaret who was the mother of Elizabeth Ann.

She is presumably with her father in 1830 and 1840 — the problem is the name John Wright leads to too many people, so before 1850 (when all persons were named and exact ages given) there is no way to confirm it is the right one. In 1850, her father has died and she can be found living with her widowed mother. Then in 1860 and 1870, she is with her husband.

Her tombstone in West Liberty, which I have seen, says she died 13 Feb 1872 and was age 42y 4m 20d — implying 23 Sep 1829 as her birth date. She lies next to her husband and her parents.

That she was the wife of Josiah Sparks Pearce is given in a lot of places, but no one had a marriage date -- but I found it on an LDS film with minister’s returns of Baltimore County marriages.

John Wright wrote his will many years before he died and only mentioned three children by name: Elizabeth Ann, Cassandra and Henry S. But he had two others, born after he wrote his will: Emery P and John W.