Davidson and Mary

You experienced a great loss and you’re still so young with so much life ahead of you. You often wonder how you can make it through the rest of your life without the parent who is no longer here. I see you struggling.

–Scarymommy.com

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Davidson and Mary both died in their early forties, leaving their children to forge ahead without them, and as you'll see they were survivors and made a pretty good life for themselves.

Mary Frazer was born on 30 May 1835 to John Michael and Injuber Stidham Frazer, one of nine children. Her father was a farmer, and on her mother’s side, the Stidham family goes all the way back to William the Conqueror, considered the first King of England, with many other noble people along the way. Both families lived in New Castle County Delaware for several generations.

Mary Frazer Pearce

Mary's Grandfather, James Frazer, was born in Northern Ireland, and was the first in his family to come to America, shortly after the Revolutionary War had ended. His son John (Mary's father) bought a farm in 1836 just north of Glasgow Delaware. He was said to be small in stature, quite talkative, with a keen sense of humor and wit. He was also a very devout Scotch-Irish Presbyterian, and raised his family in the strictest conceptions. To them cards were instruments of the devil; any music other than hymns was sacrilegious; and dancing, worst of all, an abomination before the Lord.

The house Mary grew up in, on the farm near Glasgow Delaware

This desk belonged to John Frazer, Mary's father, as it looked in the home of his Great Grandson, William Ferris Cann

Davidson David Pearce, Jr., also known as “D.D.” was born on 16 July 1831, in Maryland, most certainly Cecil County where his parents were living. His parents were Davidson David, Sr., and Rebecca Brevard Pearce. His maternal grandfather was Joshua Brevard, who fought in the Revolutionary War. DD was the last one born, five having come before him, although two of those only lived for about three years each.

Not much is known about Davidson nor Mary’s childhood. They were married in 1855 and by the 1860 Census their three children had been born, Rebecca Lawrence (my great grandmother), Adelaide, and John Frazer Pearce. Davidson’s job was listed as Merchant. By 1870 he had become a fireman on a steamboat, which was someone who built the fire, not put it out. I would love to know more about his experiences in that job.

Davidson's father, Davidson David Pearce, Sr

Image from http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~rgoodwin

William Ferris Cann wrote about his mother's family and here's what he had to say about his maternal grandfather, Davidson Jr: "Actually, very little is known about him. According to his daughter, Rebecca Pearce (Cann), he was a very handsome man; stood six feet, three inches in his stocking feet; regular features and always well dressed. Exactly what his business was or what he did for a living was unknown. Whatever it was it kept him away from home much of the time. He died while he was on a trip to New Orleans, and was buried there. His wife, Mary Frazer, died of tuberculosis, and was buried in Glasgow Presbyterian Churchyard."

So DD dies in 1872, mysteriously while on a business trip of some sort. Try as I might, I cannot find anything on his death or where he might be buried. Then Mary dies of tuberculosis less than four years later, on 6 March 1876. The three children are 19, 17 and 16 years old, but the tragedy is not over. Adelaide, the youngest, dies two years later. I can only imagine the feeling of despair for the brother and sister left behind.

The Morning Herald Wilmington 8 Mar 1876

Rebecca Lawrence Pearce

Their Children

Rebecca Lawrence Pearce, my great grandmother, was born on 9 May 1856 in Maryland, but she spent her early years with her parents and siblings living in Wilmington Delaware. After her parents died she lived with her Maternal grandparents in Pencader Delaware until she married her husband, Richard Thompson Cann Jr. on the first of December, 1880. Together they had six children, John Pearce Cann 1881-1965, Lee Garrett Cann 1884-1913, Rebecca Louise Cann 1886-1887, Richard Thompson Cann III 1888-1942, Lawrence Brevard Cann 1890-1990 (2 weeks shy of 100 years old), and William Ferris Cann 1893-1975 (my grandfather).

More from William Ferris Cann. Read what he wrote about his mother.

Rebecca Lawrence Pearce (Cann)

Portrait of Rebecca Pearce Cann

Cann Richard Rebecca John Pearce Lee Garret Dick Lawrence Brevard William Ferris

Parents Richard and Rebecca. Children youngest to oldest, William, Lawrence, Richard, Lee and John

Adelaide Pearce was born on 16 March, 1958, and died on 13 December, 1878, at the age of 20. Not much is known about her life, but she never married nor had any children.

John Frazer Pearce

John Frazer Pearce was born 25 February, 1860, in Maryland. His early years were spent with his family in Wilmington Delaware. After his parents died he headed West. On 22 September, 1885, he married Eva Marie Lockwood, and they had one daughter, Rebecca Brevard Pearce. John died in 1937.

My grandfather loved to write about his family and perhaps his favorite was his uncle, John Frazer Pearce. John, having no family left except his sister Rebecca, moved out west and lived like tomorrow wasn’t promised. My grandfather did a great job of illustrating the exciting life that was John. Read more here.