Hi Lori -
I typed in Roger Pearce, Bromham, Wiltshire a few weeks back and up came your message. I am descended from Roger Pearce/Ann Hopkins, also from Bromham, Devizes (Wiltshire). Your thoughts about Joseph and Roger being possible brothers has crossed my mind as well, but in my research I have discovered that William Pearce (wife Betty Atwood) is Rogers father and they did not have a Joseph:
Their children are as follows: Robert b. 1793 and d. 1794, Mary b. 1793?, Betty b. 1794, Ann b. 1797
Roger Pearce is married to Ann Hopkins and they have 6 children, the first son being Thomas Pearce who came to Canada and is my great-great grandfather, a cordwainer. The Pearces were all shoemakers. We were in Bromham this fall at St. Nicholas Parish where Roger Pearce is buried. I talked to Dennis Powney who looks after the geneology of the Parish and he explained that a cordwainer works with a special fine leather from Cordova, Spain and the shoemaker would have special orders from clients as well as looking after the needs of the local citizens.
In the 1850 census Thomas Pearce (m.Caroline Poole), he is 31 and she 26 along with their children Elizabeth 8 months, and Thomas 2, are living with Caroline Fennell, age 8 and listed as "cousin". And this is where you and I have a connection!!! This is the first I have heard that there were other Pearces in Canada before my Thomas arrived with his family.
I am curious about Trish using the term "next door" when writing about the 1841 census and Elizabeth Pearce, 84. How can she be sure of that fact?
What a help Trish has been in sorting through all the information.
I would love to hear from you, perhaps we can learn more from each other, there are so many questions to ask!!!
Penny