Richard Valentine Pearson (1836 - 1923)

Born 19 Oct 1836 in North Carolina, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Louvinia Evaline (Rice) Pearson — married 31 Jan 1865 in Yalobusha, Mississippi, United States

Died 24 Aug 1923 at age 86 in Grenada, Mississippi, United States

Biography

Richard Valentine (or Volentine) was born in 1836. He was the son of Isaac Pearson and Sarah Bailey. ^[1] In 1860, Richard is recorded on the federal census in Yalobusha. He is single and living on his own.^[2] Richard married Louvinia E. Rice, 1865, Yalobusha County, Mississippi. ^[3] About the time of his marriage, Richard moved from the country into Water Valley where he became city marshall. ^[4] Richard was elected Sherriff in 1872. ^[4] In 1876, Richard ran for the office of Sherriff as an independant after being challenged by Tom Garner for the nomination by the Democratic party. ^[4] In 1880, Richard was involved in an incident where he allegedly shot and killed Thomas Spearman (see reports below). Spearman is describe as a "negro Republican leader." ^[4] He won the election and there is no suggestion that Richard was criminally charged in connection with Thomas Spearman's death.^[4] In 1900, Richard and Louvinia are recorded on the federal census in Shelby County, Tennessee. ^[5] In 1908, one of their daughters was married in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Richard passed away in 1923. Where he died is unclear, though he was buried at Oak Hill Cemetery, Water Valley, Mississippi. ^[6]

from the Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug 1880

Memphis, Tenn., Aug. 22.—From passengers who arrived this morning the foliowing particulars are gained of a riot which occurred yesterday at Coffeeville, Miss., the county seat of Yallabusha County, sixteen miles north of Grenada, on ‘the St. Louis, Chicago & New Orleans Railroad. A special election is to be held next Tuesday to fill the vacancy of Sheriff, over which there was a contest at the last general election. The Democrats and Greenbackers have a ticket in the field. Saturday both parties held a ratitication meeting at Coffeeville. Each raised a pole. The Democrats had a brass band from Grenada. After the pole-raising they marched through the streets. While passing a Corner a difficulty occurred between a negro named Spearman, who was in the Democratic procession, and R. V. Pearson, Greenback candidate for Sheriff, which resulted in Pearson shooting Spearman, kill him instantly. This was the signal for a general mélée, and a volley of shots was open upon Pearson, who was shot three times, from the effect of which he died last night. Two white men, Kelley and Reddick, friends of Pearson, were wounded. For a time perfect pandemonium reigned. The excitement ran so high that the Walthall Grays, a military company at Grenada, was telegraphed tor, but afterwards the order was countermanded. Last nignt Coffeeville was quiet.

A special from Coffeeville, Miss., to the Western Associated Press give the following account of the difficulty there yesterday:

COFFEEVILLE, Miss, Aug. 22.~—Yeséerday (Saturday, 2lst) was the day set apart at Coffeeville for the grand ratification meeting and filag-raising by the Democratic party of Yallabusha. Early in the morning crowds poured into town from a parts of the country. The Democratic Club expected to have their speaking in the Court House, and the first bad feeling was caused by Greenbackers taking charge of the Court-House and holding speaking there. To prevent any trouble, the Democrats returned to the woods near the place, although it had been announced and was understood that their speaking would be held at the Court House. Col. W. H. Fitzgerald, of Grenada. aud Capt. Walter M. Jackson, of Water Valley, addressed the Democratic clubs in the woods. S. L. Harrison held forth to the Greenbackers at the Court House. The speaking of both parties terminated about 3 o clock. The Democratic clubs then marched through the town, headed by the Grenada brass band, and were met on Depot street by the Greenbackers, when, for some reason, R. V. Pearson, Greenback candidate for Sheriff, struck Thomas Spearman, a colored man, who was marching in the front ranks of the Democrats. This caused the men marching in the front rank to take part in the affray, and for a while the wildest excitement prevailed. The negroes fied like scared sheep in all directions in less time than it takes to tell it. Every storehouse in town was closed, and the streets swarming with armed men. Pearson was shot three times, one ball in the shoulder and two in the legs. After falling he was carried into an adjacent store and given medical attention. His wounds are not necessarily fatal. Thomas Spearman, the negro, was shot in the neck by Pearson. His whereabouts are not known. R. B. Reddick was painfully wounded in the thigh, and R. C. Kelly only slightly. Gov. Stone and Secretary-of-State Henry C. Myers were in town today. Gov. Stone complimented Capt. R. H. Wyatt, commanding the Coffeeville Guards, and Mayor Ross on their action in the matter. The Democrats will hold another meeting here tomorrow, and the election for Sherriff will take place Tuesday.

Sources

1. ↑ "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4LJ-T73 : 9 February 2020), Richard ? Pearson in household of J O Pearson, Yalobusha county, Yalobusha, Mississippi, United States; citing family 164, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
2. ↑ "United States Census, 1860", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M6G6-HHB : Thu Oct 05 07:55:38 UTC 2023), Entry for R V Pearson, 1860.
3. ↑ "Mississippi Marriages, 1800-1911", , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2D3-YTP : 14 February 2020), R. V. Pearson, 1865.
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4} Mississippi Historical Society Vol. XII; Mississippi. History Commission. Report; Ed. Riley, Franklin Lafayette, 1868-1929. University, MS: Mississippi Historical Society, 1912. Pages 228, 245, 257-58, 270, 272.
5. ↑ "United States Census, 1900", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MSZH-F43 : Fri Oct 06 02:32:31 UTC 2023), Entry for Rich* Pearson and Luvenia Pearson, 1900.
6. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/144863751/r-v-pearson: accessed 15 July 2023), memorial page for R V Pearson (19 Oct 1836–24 Aug 1923), Find a Grave Memorial ID 144863751, citing Oak Hill Cemetery, Water Valley, Yalobusha County, Mississippi, USA; Maintained by Mimosa (contributor 46875181).