Francis Watson Pearson (1819 - 1880)

Born 31 Jul 1819 in Northumberland, England, United Kingdom

Husband of Mary Ann (Blackett) Pearson — married 10 Jul 1842 in Horton, Northumberland, England, United Kingdom

Descendants

Died 5 Mar 1880 at age 60 in Greenough, Western Australia, Australia

Biography

Francis was born in 1819 in Haydon Bridge, Northumberland. He was the son of George and Elizabeth Watson^[1].^[2] and Elizabeth^[3].

In the 1841 census Francis (age 20) was in Dent'S Hole, All Saints, Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, England^[3].

Francis married Mary Ann Blackett on 10 July 1842 in Horton, Northumberland, England.^[4].

FRANCIS WATSON PEARSON was engaged in 1851 to come to Western Australia to erect smelting works at Geraldine on the Murchison River. Francis and his wife Mary Ann, embarked on a huge journey, establishing many great locations still standing today^[5].

He arrived on 19. 10.1851 per Morning Star with wife & 5 chd. m. 10.7.1841 (Eng) Mary Ann BLACKETT b . 1813 d. 15.1.1902, dtr. of Robert. Chd. Isabella Jane b . 1843 d . 1940, Charles b. 1845 d . 1914, Robert Blackett b. 1847 d. 1891 , E1izabeth b. 1848, Catberine b. 1851 d. 1934, Mary Jane b. 1854 d. 1889 , Frances Hannah b . 1857. Went to Geraldine lead mine at Hurchison to erect tbe smelter. Had a store at Lynton & was later an Innkeeper at "Hampton House" Gr eenough. Farmer, storekeeper, wheelwright & victualler. Bt. 137ac/1862~ Employed 65 T/L men on occasions 1862-1879 at Dongara . His widow carried on farming & employed a TIL man 1880. Lit. C/ E.

Francis's child Frances Pearson was baptised on 22 October 1862 in Greenough, Western Australia, Australia.^[6]

Victorian Express (Geraldton, WA : 1878 - 1894), Wednesday 10 March 1880, page 2 PEARSON—:— At Perth, on March 4, Francis William Pearson, of the Gree-nough, aged 60. Universally regretted.

Inquirer and Commercial News (Perth, WA : 1855 - 1901), Wednesday 10 March 1880, page 3 INTERCOLONIAL TELEGRAMS. Death of Mr. Pearson. — We regret to announce the death, on Friday last, of Mr. F. W. Pearson, a very old and highly esteemed settler at the Greenough Flats. Mr. Pearson had come to Perth to obtain medical advice, suffering from a diseased foot; but the malady was of such a character that amputation was not deemed practicable with safety, and he ultimately succumbed.

Inquirer and Commercial News (Perth, WA : 1855 - 1901), Wednesday 17 March 1880, page 2 DEATH. PEARSON.—At Perth, March 4, after a very painful illness, Mr. Francis Watson Pearson, of the Greenougb Flats, formerly of Newcastle-on-Tyne ; aged 60 years. A colonist of thirty years. Deeply regretted. The deceased arrived in the colony in the barque Morning Star, in the year 1851, as Manager of the smelting works of the Geraldine Mining Company.—West Australian, and Herald, copy.

Victorian Express (Geraldton, WA : 1878 - 1894), Wednesday 17 March 1880, page 3 LOCAL NEWS. Obituary Notice : — The remains of the late Mr. F. W. Pearson have been conveyed from Fremantle per steamer Otway, and will be consigned to their last resting place in the Greenough Cemetery, tomorrow, Thursday, afternoon. We understand that the cortege will move from the Bootenal, at three o'clock.

Inquirer and Commercial News (Perth, WA : 1855 - 1901), Wednesday 24 March 1880, page 2 GERALDTON, March 19. Yesterday we witnessed a mournful procession, a large number of the principal townspeople taking part, in the conveyance of the remains of the late Mr. F. W. Pearson to the cemetery on the Greenough Flats, where the deceased gentleman was widely known and very generally esteemed and respected. Mr. Pearson was among the oldest of our settlers. He arrived at Port Gregory about thirty years ago, under the auspices of the old Geraldine Mining Company, specially entrusted with the erection of the smelting works at the mine - a mission which it is well known he fulfilled to the satisfaction of all concerned. Some years afterwards, on the opening up of the Greenough Flats for agricultural purposes, he settled with his family in that neighbourhood, and soon by patient industry and determination he became one of the most successful husbandmen the Flats have ever had the honor to claim as a settler.

Victorian Express (Geraldton, WA : 1878 - 1894), Wednesday 24 March 1880, page 3 LOCAL NEWS. The Late Mr. F. W. Pearson : — The remains of the late Mr. Francis Watson Pearson, who died at Perth on the 4th inst., after a painful illness, were conveyed to Geraldton per S. S. Otway, where they arrived on the 15th inst. The funeral took place at the Greenough on the following day, the cortege leaving the residence of the deaceased about three o'clock in the afternoon, consisting of the principal mourners, and followed by about three hundred persons in carriages and on horse back. The pall-bearers were Messrs. Geo. King, J. Wilton, J. Perejuan, and F. Waldeck; Mr. W. Trigg, undertaker. The corpse was met at the cemetery by the Rev. B. M. King, who read the funeral service of the Church of England. The deceased, who formerly belonged to Newcastle-on-Tyne, arrived here in this colony by the Morning Star, in 1851, as manager of the smelting works of the the Geraldine Mining Company. He afterwards settled at the Greenough, where he became a large landed proprietor. He leaves a widow and a grown up family. The deceased was of a genial and kind disposition, prompt to render assistance when required, and was universally respected.

Victorian Express (Geraldton, WA : 1878 - 1894), Wednesday 19 May 1880, page 2 MR. J . S. MALE Y has received instructions from the Trustees of the late F. W. Pearson to sell on Thurs day, June 24 next, at 11 am., the whole of the stock in his store, consisting of Drapery, Millinery, Ladies Costumes, Men's Clothing, Superior Pilot Coats, Straw and Felt Hats, Boots, Sheep and Cattle Bells, American Axes, Scythes complete, Hops, Wire and Horse Rails, Braces and Bits, Carpenter's Tools, Clocks, Stationery, Ladies' Saddles, Winnowing Machines, Ploughs, Harrows, etc., etc. TERMS AT TIME OF SALE. Greenough, May 17, 1880. 7.7.80

Victorian Express (Geraldton, WA : 1878 - 1894), Wednesday 21 July 1880, page 1 ALL persons indebted to the estate of the late F. W. Pearson, of the Greenough, are requested to pay the respective amounts due to the undersigned on or before the 30th September, prox., and all claims against said estate must be presented by that date. Mary A. Pearson, Greenough, June 16, 1880.

He passed away in 1880.

Sources

1. ↑ Comment by Lisa Thomson on FaceBook Post by Midwest Adventure Tours. Nov 12, 2018. https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=2095361624113545&set=a.2076371652679209
2. ↑ Rica Erickson. (1987) The Bicentennial Dictionary of Western Australians pre-1829-1888: https://www.friendsofbattyelibrary.org.au/_files/ugd/f5623a_a988822b788446258c25787107a2a8ea.pdf?P
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} 1841 Census: "England and Wales Census, 1841"
   Citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
   FamilySearch (accessed 9 March 2022)
   FindMyPast Image
   Francis Pearson (20) at Dent's Hole in Newcastle Upon Tyne registration district. Born in Northumberland.
4. ↑ Marriage: "England, Northumberland, Parish Registers, 1538-1950"
   FamilySearch Record: QLW7-G7L8 (accessed 29 November 2022)
   FamilySearch Image: 3Q9M-CSF3-FY5P Image number 00151
   Francis Pearson marriage to Mary Ann Blackett on 10 Jul 1842 in Horton, Northumberland, England, United Kingdom.
5. ↑ FaceBook Post by Midwest Adventure Tours. Nov 12, 2018. https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=2095361624113545&set=a.2076371652679209
6. ↑ Child Baptism: "Australia Births and Baptisms, 1792-1981"
   Citing FHL microfilm: 284853; Record number: 8;
   FamilySearch (accessed 9 March 2022)
   Francis Watson Pearson, father of Frances, baptism on 22 Oct 1862 in Greenough, Western Australia, Australia.