(1)  John Peirce, born about 1588 in England, died 2 September 1661 in Watertown, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts; married Elizabeth, born about 1589 in England, died 12 March 1667/1668 probably Watertown.  It is thought by some that she may have been Elizabeth Pitt, daughter of William and Agnes Pitt of Bristol, England.
        John Peirce was a weaver in Norwich, Norfolk, England before his emigration. He was among the passengers on either the John & Dorothy of Ipswich with William Andrews the Master or the Rose of Yarmouth with William Andrews, Jr. the Master. These two vessels sailed from Ipswich, England and arrived in Boston 8 June 1637.  Listed as passengers were "John Pers", aged 49, weaver of Norwich, wife Elizabeth, aged 36, children John, Barbre, Elizabeth, and Judith, and a servant, John Gednay, aged 19. It is apparent that the wife's age at time of embarkation was incorrect since she died in Watertown, Massachusetts in 1667, aged "abought 79". Also, the eldest child was born about 1609, which would be impossible for a woman born merely eight years before. It is more likely she was 48, rather than 36, at the time of sailing.
        Watertown inventories of lands show that John Peirce held lands that were granted in 1633 or 1634. It can thus be inferred that he must have come to New England no later than 1634, and probably in 1633. However he was absent for some of the land grants in 1636 and early 1637 and then appears on the above described passenger list with his wife and younger children. Two or three of his older children appear to have made the trip to New England some years before, probably with their father on his earlier voyage.  The Mayor's Court Books for Norwich, Norfolk 1634-1646, fo. 137 indicate that John was in New England (or on his way back to old England) on 3 December 1636 when, "This day the wife of John Perse came, in the absence of her husband, who is now in New England, and desired to have a keeper chosen to succeed in that place at Christmas next, and this Court with one consent did choose Nicholas Rix of St. Edmund's to perform that place, if he before Christmas next shall enter such surety as John Perse did formerly enter."
        In the first inventory of grants and possessions of Watertown, taken in 1639, John Peirce had a homestall of twelve acres bounded north by the highway, south by Richard Beech, east by Bartholemew Person, and west by William Parker; and a farm of 78 acres of upland in the third division.  The third inventory of about 1646 had the farm replaced by two acres of meadow and three acres of plowland.
        John Peirce became a freeman in March 1637/1638 and took the oath of fidelity in 1652. On 10 May 1642 he was granted lot no. 2 of 72 acres in Watertown. He is said to have been an original proprietor of Lancaster, but he never lived there. It appears John was in a band of some sort, probably a military company, for  on 24 October 1654, Hugh Mason "payd to Sarint Brite 2s 6d towards his Losse when he was Clark of the band also I paid to John Perse Dromer 3:6"; however, this could be his son John.
        The couple's daughter, Elizabeth Ball, had become insane prior to 1661, and the care of her children was given to the grandparents, John and Elizabeth Peirce, by their son-in-law, John Ball.  Watertown records state that the children were to be put out as apprentices in the trade of weaving.
        In his will, dated 4 March 1657/1658, John mentioned that he was a weaver. He left his estate to his wife Elizabeth and mentioned his eldest son Anthony and other children who were not named. The will was witnessed by Edward Ting and Peter Jett and was proved 1 October 1661.  Inventory of the estate of "John Perse of Water-Towne deceased the second day of the seaventh mo. 1661" (2 September 1661) was taken on 30 September 1661 by Richard Beers, John Sherman, and John Wincoll. The estate was valued at 271.07.00.  Watertown records list his date of death as 19 August 1661.
        Elizabeth Peirce made her will on 15 March 1666/1667. She mentioned her sons Robert, John, and Anthony; daughters Ester Morse and Mary Coldham, plus grandchildren Mary and Ester Ball, John and Mary Peirce of son Anthony, Judith Sawin, Ester Morse, daughter of Joseph Morse, and Judah Peirce, daughter of Robert. The will was witnessed by Jospeh and Mary Taynter and was proved 2 April 1667.  The inventory of the estate, taken 25 March 1667 by Joseph Taynter and Samuel Stearns, amounted to 124.08.00.