From The Settlement of Prince Edward County by Nick and Helma Mika. Transcribed here by Linda Herman

Pioneers of Prince Edward County 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

JOHN PEARSALL

From Long Island, New York. 

John Pearsall left Long Island, New York with his wife, Hannah Abrams, and their six young children, to settle on one hundred acres in Sophiasburgh. The family, of Dutch descent, made the journey in a covered wagon. They then crossed the Bay of Quinte by ferry.

John and Hannah Pearsall had eleven children, five after the arrival in Prince Edward County. The children's names were William, Rebecca, Oliver, Alfred, Mary, Smith, Thomas, Julia, Dorland, Phoebe and Laura

William and his wife, Bridget Finnigan, became the parents of ten children but the family moved to the United States.

Rebecca, the second child born to John and Hannah Pearsall, married James Bishop and settled in Sophiasburgh. Their nine children were Mary, John, Lucinda, Richard, Catharine, Mahala, Martha, Alzina, and Franklin.

Oliver Pearsall married Lucretia Huff , of Huff's Island. They first settled in Sophiasburgh, but later moved to Hallowell. Their eight children, David, Hannah, Polly A. (or Phila A.), Smith, Sidney, Firman, Philip and Matilda, all settled within Prince Edward County.

The fourth child born to John and Hannah Pearsall was Alfred. He and his wife, Caroline Fieldhouse, moved to Lindsay where they raised their eight children.

Mary, the fifth of John and Hannah Pearsall's offspring, was married twice. Her first husband was Robert Norton, and her second was Thomas Highstead. Mary, who lived in Hillier, was the mother of six children: Smith, Mary, Robert, John, Martha, and Matilda.

Smith Pearsall, the son of John and Hannah, married Martha McTaggart and settled in Sophiasbrugh. Their seven children were Robert, Susan, Alwilda, John D., Sarah E., Smith E. and Martha J.

Thomas Pearsall and his wife, Janette Miller, also settled in Sophiasburgh and raised six children: Georgina, James A., Emma J., Thomas, Philip E., and Ella. Only Philip, who married Beech Roblin, remained in Prince Edward County, to raise his family.

Julia Pearsall, who first married Robert Norton and then George Paine, raised her seven children outside the Bay of Quinte area.

Dorland Pearsall married Margaret Miller and moved to London, Ontario where the couple raised their three sons and two daughters.

Phoebe Pearsall married Daniel Sills. They eventually moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where they raised their six children.

The youngest child born to John and Hannah Pearsall was Laura. She and her husband, Henry MacCoot, started their family of four children in London, Ontario.

The pioneer, John Pearsall, died in 1876, at the age of ninety-two. He was buried in Bethel Cemetery.

Benjamin Pearsall came to Prince Edward County shortly after his brother John's arrival. Benjamin and his wife Mary Norton, also settled in Sophiasburgh. Benjamin died in 1872 and Mary in 1881. They were also buried in Bethel Cemetery.