Hi, Jim and Brian, I'm a direct descendant of Abner Pier, the 4th son of Thomas and Rachel. I've been researching this family for years. I have Joseph Pierre's excellent book (Heritage Press) on the Pier family, and have had access to many other books and sources. I don't have time right now (will try to write more this afternoon), but you may have the above Thomas confused with his father, Thomas, b 16 Mar 1688/89 in England, d about 1778. Married (second) a Margaret_____with whom he had 10 children, the third one the Thomas who m. Rachel Tremaine, 12 Dec 1751 in Sheffield, Berks county MA. His will was recorded at Pittsfield, MA. Joe Pierre (his father or other ancestors changed the name) did a terrific job of research, and I used to be in contact with him quite a few years ago. He writes, of the first Thomas, that he came to Lyme CT from points unknown, the surmise being that he came directly from England. His children are recorded in Lyme, CT. Thomas Jr. had 2 marriages. The first produced 2 daughters, then Thomas m Margaret ____. I have lots more which I don't have time to relate now, but Thos Jr's will was filed in Pittsfield MA Jan 6 1779. Then the 3rd Thomas, grandson of the original, the one who m Rachel Tremaine, was b Apr 6 1730 in Litchfield CT. According to Sheffield MA Vital Records, he m Rachel Dec 12 1751. Their children (only the boys recorded) were all b in either Sheffield or later, in Gr. Barrington. Taylor's History of Gr. Barrington has some mention of the Piers worth looking at. This Thomas and sons John, Levi, David, Solomon and Abner, as well as Thomas' brother Oliver served in the Berks regiments during the Revolution. Later, a whole "passel" of the sons moved to Otsego County NY. Cheers! Jean Chapman Snow These Gr Barrington settlers came from Westfield about 1726.

Hi Jean, Thanks for the information of the Pier family. Sounds like you have a bunch of it. Much has been written of your ancestors. I was not so fortunate to have such wonderful knowledge of ANY of my fore-bearers. I am trying to trace back the wife of Giles HALL (1776-1856)who was "said to be" Rachel Pier b.12 Mar 1778, Tinmouth, Rutland County, Vermont. >From the book, "The descendants of Timothy Carpenter of Pittstown, Rensselaer Co., New York" by Charles Lorain Carpenter, 1976. In that book I find a passage on page 20 that states: "Genealogical data regarding the PIER family is recorded here so it may not be lost to posterity. It is copied verbatim from an article prepared by CALVIN A. PIER, son of an OLIVER PIER." It then goes on to give a brief history of the Piers back to Sergt Thomas and Margaret Pier. In the following paragraphs is gives the children of John Pier (b.1752) and Nancy Dewey as; Rachel, Thomas, and Trueman. The second marriage of John Pier was also given (Phebe Stevens) along with the six children from that marriage. I find that Otsego County, NY census - probably the area of Pierstown shows John & Thomas Pier in 1790. In 1800, there is Abner, Thomas, David, Silas, and Solomon. Perhaps/probably, Rachel Pier is embedded in one of those families and available for marriage to my Giles Hall in 1802. I have not found that marriage record yet, nor any evidence to support the theory that Rachel, w/o Giles was the daughter of John Pier b.1752. If you have any data that would assist in my desire to "prove" this relationship, I'd be most interested and appreciative in hearing it. Thanks again for your response. Jim --- On Mon, 4/6/09, Jean Snow <jcs2007@snowstarjean.com> wrote: > From: Jean Snow <jcs2007@snowstarjean.com> > Subject: [MABERKSH] Pier Family > To: maberksh@rootsweb.com > Date: Monday, April 6, 2009, 9:23 AM > Hi, Jim and Brian, > > I'm a direct descendant of Abner Pier, the 4th son of > Thomas and > Rachel. I've been researching this family for years. I > have Joseph > Pierre's excellent book (Heritage Press) on the Pier > family, and have > had access to many other books and sources. > > I don't have time right now (will try to write more > this afternoon), > but you may have the above Thomas confused with his father, > Thomas, b > 16 Mar 1688/89 in England, d about 1778. Married (second) a > > Margaret_____with whom he had 10 children, the third one > the Thomas > who m. Rachel Tremaine, 12 Dec 1751 in Sheffield, Berks > county MA. > His will was recorded at Pittsfield, MA. > > Joe Pierre (his father or other ancestors changed the name) > did a > terrific job of research, and I used to be in contact with > him quite > a few years ago. He writes, of the first Thomas, that he > came to Lyme > CT from points unknown, the surmise being that he came > directly from > England. His children are recorded in Lyme, CT. > > Thomas Jr. had 2 marriages. The first produced 2 daughters, > then > Thomas m Margaret ____. I have lots more which I don't > have time to > relate now, but Thos Jr's will was filed in Pittsfield > MA Jan 6 1779. > > Then the 3rd Thomas, grandson of the original, the one who > m Rachel > Tremaine, was b Apr 6 1730 in Litchfield CT. According to > Sheffield > MA Vital Records, he m Rachel Dec 12 1751. Their children > (only the > boys recorded) were all b in either Sheffield or later, in > Gr. > Barrington. Taylor's History of Gr. Barrington has some > mention of > the Piers worth looking at. > > This Thomas and sons John, Levi, David, Solomon and Abner, > as well as > Thomas' brother Oliver served in the Berks regiments > during the > Revolution. Later, a whole "passel" of the sons > moved to Otsego County NY. > > Cheers! > > Jean Chapman Snow > > > > > These Gr Barrington settlers came from Westfield about > 1726. > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MABERKSH-request@rootsweb.com with the word > 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and > the body of the message