From: Jackie Downen
Date: Sunday, August 25, 2002 4:04 PM EST
Subject: GOLDRUSH MOST WANTED
Hi, I would like to know if anyone out there has ever heard of WILLIAM PEARCE,
he was born abt. 1818 and worked the Almaden mines? He lived in Los Gatos, and
had a cattle ranch. He and some of his brothers came to California in the mid to
late 1870's? His brother, who was younger, was HENRY PEARCE, born abt. January
1834. Henry married Clara HOURCADE, she was from the Pyrenees, in the south of
France. Henry did a lot of mining as well, and received a land grant in Baja,
that touches the tip of the Sea of Cortez from El Triumfo, Baja, the largest
Rancho at that given time.
Henry Pearce, was my great-grandfather.
I have often wondered if he worked the Alamaden mines with his older brother
William, before leaving for lower California. One day a horrible accident
happened - on Henry Pearces Rancho, in Baja. There were five laborers in the
mine shaft working when suddenly a fire broke out. Henry happen to have his
brother 'James Pearce' from San Jose, Ca. down there helping him while his
family stayed in San Jose, he had three children. James and another person
immediately were lowered into the mine shaft half way down when the fire
suddenly shifted and all the men were burnt alive. They pulled up James and the
other helper and they were lost as well.
Does anyone know of James Pearces children/grandchildren/great-grandchildren? I
would love to get in touch with them. James and his wife Catherine Benny (?) not
certain of her last name.. they lived on ninth street at that time, 1880, July,
I believe it was- the 'San Jose Mercury' newspaper... carried this story at the
time. They were referred to as "Cousin Jacks"
Also I would like to visit the Almaden museum in northern Calif. they say
William Pearce's picture is still on the wall. They came to this country from
Cornwall, England and most were baptized in Crowan Parish. Would enjoy hearing
from you.
Jackie Downen
Goldrush Most Wanted | California Genealogy | Free Genealogy