This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Nash, Pierson Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.newyork.counties.columbia/4727.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: I'm afraid I don't have any answers for you, just more questions. I've been curious about Dennison Nash's connection to the Pierson family of Hillsdale, NY for some time. In 1860 the Dennison Nash household of Binghamton, NY included Sarah Pierson, age 53. This seems to be the same Sarah included as Sara A. Pearson (sic), age 43, on the Hillsdale census of 1850 in the household of her brother David G. Pearson (sic), b. 1827. In the 1840 census, Dennison Nash and Sarah's father, David Pierson (b. 1785)were listed next to eachother on the Hillsdale census, perhaps indicating that they were neighbors. I had concluded that Sarah Pierson had moved to Broome Co. to live with her former nieghbors (the Nash's) by 1860 after the death of her own father. Now I wonder if perhaps Sarah Pierson was Laura E. Nash's sister. Perhaps Sarah moved to Binghamton in the 1850s to care for her nieces and nephews after the death of Laura. David Pierson's Hillsdale household lists a daughter around Laura's age in the 1820 and 1830 census. This is of course all speculation, but might be an interesting lead to follow up if you're interested in Laura's background. I also noticed that Dennison's daughters are named Sarah and Charlotte. If Laura was indeed a Pierson, perhaps she named her daughters after her sister (Sarah) and mother (Charlotte Pierson, nee Francis, originally of Pittsfield, MA). Best of luck, sorry I couldn't be of more help.