2499.Dea. John Pearson. Born ca 1609/10 in England. John was baptized 17 Feb 1609/10. John died in Rowley, MA on 22 Dec 1693.85 Occupation: Carpenter.
John was in Rowley, MA, as early as 1643. He then set up the earliest fulling mill in America. He was the freeman of 1647, representative 1678 and several years later, especially after the overthrow of Andros and the anxious ones before his command. Deacon 24 Oct. 1686 In the Colonial record the name of the representative is more commonly given Peirson, but the descendants have spelled the name with a.25
John was ordained deacon of the Rowley church 24 Oct 1686.
From the Thurston Genealogies:
Dea. John Pearson came from England to Ipswich, then to Rowley in 1643, bringing with him machinery for a fulling-mill, which was the first in this country. Supposing America had no wood that would stand water, he brought cedar posts also. Some of thiese posts were taken up about 1800 and found in a good state of preservation. He leased a grist-mill to P. Nelson, which his son John subsequently bought. He was sent to the general court in 1678 and seven times after; was also selectman. In 1660 his tax was £1 5s. 7d. and in 1691 it was £7 15s., the highest but one in Rowley.