Over the last five years plus I have found that I am researching two different lines of Peirce names... both Paternal and Maternal. It has helped having my sister focus on the maternal. I am still hunting out.. the Paternal.. I am not searching for -- Ephriam Pearce (Pierce / Peirce) who died in 1829 Ralls County MO. wife was Mariah (Maria). Children James Samuel (1826), Parthena and Lucretia. Both girls married Mills. James married Mary Elizabeth Fagan in 1857 The will I located showed the name Earl Pierce in Quincy - - in regards to money ... It appears that the county pulled together and donated funds to help this mother of three young children and built a small home and helped them over the following years. I have not been able to find information on Ephriam and I am unable to locate a death date for Mariah (Maria). Anyone with ideas? I found some information on marriage licenses, the will, the 1850 census -- I am still trying to locate more information to make connections. Lorrie