If you’ve been following along, by now you can see that our eighth, ninth and tenth great ancestors played a fundamental role in the development of our first colonies in the United States. Some came from Royalty if the lines are followed back far enough, and yet they were men and women of strength and perseverance, to flee the persecution in their homelands, and to suffer the religious wars of the time. This group of friends worked together and shared each others hardships and trials and together not only built a legacy for their descendants, built homes and businesses from little and became the leaders of the communities and states. These are the men and women from which our DNA has been pasted down for generations, and of that we have much to be proud of. The importance of family values in their daily living is proved to us time and time again as we learn more and more about their lives.
They, being fishermen, farmers, religious advocates, politicians, having little of the means needed to do such, they still persevered.
One can only imagine, the fatigue and desperation they felt at times. The put their heads together and they pooled their resources and trudged on. Which reminds me of Grandpa Blum’s theology “ALWAYS FORWARD”. They leaned on each other for answers and though there were disagreements that arose among st them, when push came to shove they stood strong together and stood for what they believed.
Their children grew up in tight knit communities, living, playing, celebrating and worshiping and eventually marrying and prospering.
When new opportunities arose such as the settling of new territories, they moved together. Eventually they migrated from coast to coast leaving behind them a trail of prosperity for all of us to follow.
Together they buried their babies, and loved ones, and endured hardships that we have never had to know. They truly showed us the value of family, community and friendship.
At one time it was said that of the five thousand inhabitants of Nantucket, all of them were cousins.
The more searching and information I gain in my research it is reasonable to assume that we are kin to ALL of Smyth Co., West Virginia, Guilford Co., North Carolina, St. Clair., Missouri, and Atchinson Co., Missouri. Heck, I’m starting to think all of Missouri is our KIN! Along the way they dropped off KIN in Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, and from there every which way to the west coast.
Our ancestors being the first to homestead, clear the land, and plow the ground all a crossed this great country. 
Somewhere, I read that 60% of our ancestors became farmers. Many well to do and prestigious men took to farming. Much of that of course was out of necessity. It was popular for them to gather as much land as possible. Many of them owning thousands of acres at the end of their lives.
Aside from that they built schools, railroads, roads, and cities for those that laid down roots. It’s hard to fathom the strength it took these individuals, both emotionally and physically, to leave behind what they had built..and many times their family and friends…and wander out into the wilderness to break new ground.
Providing for their families was always the highest on the list of priorities and to leave them with something better first and foremost. There were times when doing just that was next to impossible, yet they struggled forward. Among them were warriors, doctors, lawyers, politicians, plantation owners, slave owner, carpenters merchants, brewers, etc. Trades were past down to new generations as well as large acreages of land..eventually divided into parcels to be left to their heirs.
It’s from all of these we must succumb…as we have so very much reason to hold our head high when we proclaim our Heritage.
I am proud to state…
“I AM A PIERCE”
Happy Hunting!
The Pierce Family Historian
As always, thanks for stopping by and if you like what your reading, let me know by leaving a message in the comments. If there is anything about the family that you would like to know about, let me know that also. I love being able to share with you.
