My Genealogy Hound

Thomas M. Pierce, railroad agent, postmaster and farmer at Pierce’s Station, Tennessee, was born in Southampton County, Va., April 14, 1810, and he is the eldest of twelve children born to the marriage of Rice B. Pierce and Elizabeth Cook, both of whom were born in the same State and County as our subject. They were married in their native State, and Mr. Pierce was chairman of the county court for over forty years. He represented his county in the State Legislature two terms, and was captain in the war of 1812, stationed near Norfolk, Va. He died at the homestead in North Carolina at the advanced age of nearly ninety years. His wife was born in 1791, and also died at the homestead at the age of sixty-five years. Our subject received a liberal education; at the age of twenty years became salesman for Kyle & Caperton, at Petersburg, Va., remaining with them two years, and then began business on his own account at Halifax, N. C. He was married in Lewisburg, N. C., May 24, 1834, to Margaret J. Blacknall, daughter of William Blacknall, farmer, a native of North Carolina, and of English descent. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce became the parents of seven children, five of whom are living: Harriett E. (Gibbs), T. Deveraux, Henry H., Rice A. and George J. Those deceased are William B. and an infant son. Mr. Pierce is a conservative Democrat and owns 100 acres of land, on which is erected a beautiful and commodious residence. His youngest son owns a fine farm of 300 acres adjoining the homestead.