James Pierson

The Pierson family’s history traces back to Richard Pierson, born in Alderney, England, in 1516. The first Pierson known to immigrate to America was Henry Pierson, born in 1618, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts, in the late 1630s.

Henry Pierson married Mary Cooper in 1648 in Southampton, Long Island. After Henry’s death in 1680, Mary married Reverend Seth Fletcher, minister of the Presbyterian Church in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Together with her children from her first marriage, including Benjamin Pierson, they moved to Elizabeth. Benjamin later acquired large tracts of land known as the West Fields of Elizabeth, which are now part of Westfield.

Following is a simplified family tree showing the direct lineage:

Richard Pierson (b. 1516, Alderney, England)
Henry Pierson (b. 1618, immigrated to Boston, MA)
Benjamin Pierson (b. 1654)
Henry Pierson (b. 1690)
Henry Pierson Jr. (b. 1714)
Squire Pierson (b. 1767)
Squire Pierson (b. 1796)
James Topping Pierson (b. 1835)
Arthur N. Pierson (b. 1867)

Both James Topping Pierson and his father Squire were original trustees of Fairview Cemetery. Squire, who lived on Gallows Hill Road, owned 10 acres, and John Miller owned 6.5 acres. Together, their land became part of the original 16 acres sold to the newly formed Fairview Cemetery Association in 1868. Squire Pierson died in 1878.

James Topping Pierson married Catherine Clark in 1864, and they had two children, Arthur and James. James Topping Pierson died in December 1909 and established the family plot at Fairview Cemetery, where he and his descendants are buried.

James Topping Pierson served as an Elder of the Presbyterian Church of Westfield for 33 years. Upon his death, the Board of Elders issued a proclamation honoring his service:

“We place on record this expression of our appreciation of his consistent Christianity as a man and citizen and of his services to church and town, both of which his example stood for progress and purity. Looking back upon his 51 years of membership in the church and his 33 years in the eldership, we bear in mind especially his wisdom and counsel, his strength of conviction, his faith in God, and his unostentatious generosity.”

His son Edgar, born in 1867, played a large role in the development of Westfield. He was a former Westfield town Counselman, State Senator, Assemblyman, and Union County treasurer. He was part of a commission which created the Port Authority of NY/NJ. He was also instrumental in the development of Mindowaskin Park and the development of the traffic circle on South Avenue. The Pierson family played a significant role in the establishment and growth of Westfield, New Jersey. Their legacy continues through their contributions to local institutions and the land that became Fairview Cemetery.