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Association to Commemorate the Chinese Serving in the American Civil War, Part 16
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A research essay on Joseph Pierce ------ by Irving Moy
(Picture on the left: Joseph L. Pierce. The picture was published in History of the Fourteenth
Regiment, Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, by Charles D. Page, 1906. The picture later appeared in
"The Faces of Gettysburg", on soldiers serving in the Gettysburg Campaign.
Picture in the middle. The picture of Joseph L. Pierce in Union uniform. Courtesy of the owner
of the picture, Michael J. McAfee, Senior Editor of the Military Images magazine and Curator of
the Museum of United States Military Academy, and courtesy of Philip Katcher, Senior Book Review
Editor of the Military Images magazine.
Picture on the right: Joseph L. Pierce. Copy of the original picture of Joseph L. Pierce
in Oval picture frame, published in History of the Fourteenth Regiment, Connecticut Volunteer
Infantry, by Charles D. Page, (Boston, 1906.), on the Chapter named "The March from Falmouth
to Gettysburg" page 131. Courtesy of Mr. D. Scott Hartwig, Supervisory Park Historian of
Gettysburg National Military Park, National Park Service.)
Engagements of the Fourteenth Regiment C.V. Infantry
Antietam, MD September 17, 1862
Fredericksburg, VA December 13, 1862
Chancellorsville, VA May 1, 2, 3, 1863
Gettysburg, PA July 2, 3, 1863
Falling Waters, VA October 14, 1863
Bristoe Station, VA October 14, 1863
Blackburn's Ford, VA October 17, 1863
Mine Run, VA November 29, 1863
Morton's Ford, VA February 6, 1864
Wilderness, VA May 5, 6, 1864
Laurel Hill, VA May 10, 1864
Spottsylvania, VA May 12, 13, 14, 18, 22, 1864
North Anna River, VA May 24, 26, 1864
Potopotomy, VA May 31, 1864
Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864
Cold Harbor, June 6, 1864
Petersburg, VA June 11 to July 6, 1864
Deep Bottom, VA August 15, 16, 1864
Ream's Station, VA August 25, 1864
Boydton Plank Road, VA October 27, 1864
Hatcher's Run, VA February 5, 1865
Hatcher's Run, VA March 25, 1865
High Bridge, Farmville, VA and Surrender of Lee's Army April 9, 1865
Joseph A. Pierce: A Chronology of the Life of a Chinese Yankee and his Family
(Irving Moy's notes. Pierce's middle initial is indicated as "A." in the Meriden City directories beginning in 1870-1871 until the year of his death in 1916. Then, the initial under his picture showed the letter "L." there is no indication of what "A." stands for, but the author would suspect it stands for Amos after the sea captain, Amos Peck, who helped to raise Pierce.)
1842 born on November 10th in Canton, China
1843
1844
1845
1846
1847
1848
1849
1850
1851
1852 sold by his father for six dollars at the age of ten to Amos Peck, a New England sea
captain, who was the son of Norris Peck of Berlin, in turn, a descendent of Deacon Paul Peck,
one of the original local proprietors of Hartford, who came overland from Cambridge, Massachusetts
to Hartford with the pioneer English Hooker party in 1636. He was given the nickname "Joe" by the
ship's crew during the two month voyage to the United states.
Sea Captain Amos Peck Homestead on 1827 Chamberlain highway, Berlin, Connecticut. Joseph Pierce lived here with the Peck Family after arriving in 1853 from China until 1862 when he enlisted on July 26th to serve with the 14th CT Volunteer Infantry to fight for the Union during the Civil War
1853 upon arrival in Hartford, Connecticut to live at the Peck Homestead (1827 Chamberlain
Highway) in Berlin, given the surname "Pierce" after Franklin Pierce, who became the 14th
President of the United States in March 1853.
1854
1855 Peck, a bachelor, left him to be reared by his mother, as he started on another sea
voyage in the China trade. Though technically a "slave," Joseph was treated as part of the Peck
family.
1856 The mother taught him how to read and cipher, and he played and went to school.
1857
1858 future wife, Martha A. Morgan, born on august 12th in Portland, Connecticut
1859
1860 in the same country school in Berlin with Amos Peck's younger brothers and sisters.
1861 Amos peck returned home after each voyage and continued his sea trade until he died on February 12, 1882 at age 57 at Santa Barbara, California on the eve of another voyage.
1862 as the war began, Joseph Pierce still lived at the Peck Homestead, working as a farmer.
Enlisted on July 26th at the age of twenty-one in New Britain, Connecticut, as a private in a
volunteer regiment of Connecticut for three years or the duration of the war.
Mustered into the Fourteenth Regiment Connecticut Volunteers Infantry, Company F on August
23rd Regiment with two other regiments formed the Second Brigade of the Third Division, Second
Army Corps, Army of the Potomac.
Left the state on the 25th, arriving in Washington, DC on the 28th. Sick in Convalescent Camp,
Alexandria, Virginia in September and October. From November until April 1863, on detached service
in the Hospital Division of Eastern Troops as a cook in Convalescent Camp.
1863 on April 28th the regiment moved with the army on the Chancellorsville campaign.
Present for duty with his regiment in May.
Engaged on May 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the Battle of Chancellorsville. At night on the 2nd sent
with the brigade to the right to check the enemy and hold the ground after the rout of the
Eleventh Corps.
On June 14th started on the Gettysburg campaign. Engaged on July 2nd and 3rd in the Battle of
Gettysburg, positioned at the center of the Second Corps behind a portion of the stone wall to the
right of the clump of trees that was the point of impact of "Pickett's Charge." At the aftermath
of this battle, the regiment captured about two hundred prisoners and the colors of five
Confederate units.
Engaged in skirmishes on October 14th at Falling Waters and Bristoe Station and Blackburn's
Ford on the 17th.
1864 engaged on February 6th in the battle of Morton's Ford.
Army reorganized in March with the regiment becoming part of the Third Brigade, Second
Division, Second Army Corps, Army of the Potomac.
On detached service at US Draft Rendezvous, New Haven, Connecticut by General Order No. 40,
dated headquarters, Second Corps, Army of the Potomac, February 9, 1864.
On recruiting service from March through October.
Transferred back to his regiment by General Order No. 198, dated Headquarters, US Draft
Rendezvous, New Haven, Connecticut, October 20, 1864.
Rejoined the regiment at seige operations in Petersburg, Virginia.
Regiment engaged in a battle at Hatcher's Run (Boydton Plank Road) from October 25th to the
29th.
In early November on duty Fort McGilvery, moving on the 29th further to the left to relieve a
part of the Ninth Corps and on December 6th, still further on to relieve a portion of the Fifth
Corps. From December 13th, encamped near Fort Clark for a period of rest.
1865 ordered out on February 5th to engage in another action at Hatcher's Run, remaining in
the field until the 10th, when the regiment went into camp several miles to the left of its
recent camp.
Engaged on March 25th in a demonstration at the left of the Second Corps line at Hatcher's
Run, as a diversion at the time of the rebel attack on Fort Steadman, capturing about seventy
prisoners.
On March 28th left the entrenchments on the final movement of the Army of the Potomac to end
the war, engaging in actions at High Bridge on April 7th and Farmville on the 9th.
Surrender of Lee's Army at Appomattox Court House on April 9th.
Guarded captured stores from April 14th to May 2nd at Burksville, then began homeward march
with the Fourteenth Regiment, leading the Second Corps as it passed through Richmond on May 6th
and going into camp on the 15th near Alexandra.
Participated on the 23rd in the "Grand Review" of the armies in Washington, DC.
Mustered out of the United States Army on May 31st at Baileys Cross Roads, VA.
Regiment began journey back to Connecticut on June 1st, arriving in Hartford on the 3rd to a
grand ovation. Mustered out of State service on June 10th.
1866 lived in New Britain from 1865 to 1868, moving to Meriden sometime in 1868?
(Note: bds=boards; h=home; b=business)
1867 1868 no listing bds E.N. Peck's, E. Main c Elm? 1869 no listing bds E.N. Peck's, E. Main c Elm? 1870-71 Pierce, Joseph A. engraver bds E.N. Peck's. Akron n Main (Ephraim N. Peck, carpenter) 1872 Pierce, Joseph A. engraver bds East Main 1873 Pierce, Joseph A. engraver rooms Byxbee House 1874-75 Pierce, Joseph A. engraver rooms Byxbee House 1876 listed as living in Meriden when he was married in 1876 Byxbee House/ 31 Columbia? 1877 no listing Byxbee House/ 31 Columbia? 1878 Pierce, Joseph A. no listing h 31 Columbia 1879 Pierce, Joseph A. no listing h 31 Columbia daughter, Lulu Edna, born on April 24th 1880 Pierce, Joseph A. engraver h 198 Cook Av 1881 Pierce, Joseph A. engraver h Grant n Olive daughter, Edna Bertha, born on January 22nd, (the infant, Edna Bertha, was stillborn) 1882 Pierce, Joseph A. engraver h Grant n Olive son, Franklin Norris, born on May 13th 1883 Pierce, Joseph A. engraver h Grant n Olive Future daughter-in-law, Bessie May Wadsworth, born on February 19th in Meriden 1884 Pierce, Joseph A. engraver h Grant n Olive son, Howard Benjamin, born on January 2nd 1885 Pierce, Joseph A. engraver Meriden Silver Plate Co h Meriden n Cooper
17 Meridian Street, Meriden, Connecticut. Joseph Pierce lived here from 1886 until 1916, a period of 30 years. He died in this house on January 3, 1916, as did his daughter on February 17, 1895 and his wife on March 10, 1926. The last Pierce to have lived here was Pierce's youngest son, Howard Benjamin Pierce, who moved in in 1938. The Pierce had lived in this house for 52 years.
1886 Pierce, Joseph A. engraver MSP Co h 17 Meridian 1887 Pierce, Joseph A. engraver MSP Co h 17 Meridian 1888 Pierce, Joseph A. engraver Meriden Britannia Co h 17 Meridian 1889 Pierce, Joseph A. engraver MB & Co h 17 Meridian 1890 Pierce, Joseph A. engraver MB & Co h 17 Meridian
Joseph and Martha received as probationary members on March 27th and 30th, respectively, by Rev. D. Griffin at Trinity Methodist Episcopal. Martha had previously been received elsewhere by the Salvation Army.
1891 Pierce, Joseph A. engraver MB & Co h 17 Meridian 1892 Pierce, Joseph A. engraver MB & Co h 17 Meridian baptised and received as a full member on November 6th by Rev. E. Warriner
Lulu Edna received as a probationary member and baptised on November 6th and 7th, respectively, by Rev. E. Warriner.
1893 Pierce, Joseph A. engraver MB & Co h 17 Meridian
Lulu Edna received as a full member on June 4th by Rev. E. Warriner. In November Joseph was listed as attending Bible School in Class 2 taught by Horace R. Clark. Martha was in Class 7 taught by L.W. McElroy. Both classes meeting on Tuesday evening. Lulu was in class 3 taught by Leslie Clapp, meeting on Sunday afternoon.
1894 Pierce, Joseph A. engraver MB & Co h 17 Meridian 1895 Pierce, Joseph A. engraver MB & Co h 17 Meridian
Lulu Edna, died February 17th at age 15 in her Meriden home, buries in Walnut Grove Cemetery, Section D, Lot 10, Tier C, Meriden, CT.
1896 Pierce, Joseph A. engraver MB & Co h 17 Meridian 1897 Pierce, Joseph A. engraver MB & Co h 17 Meridian 1898 Pierce, Joseph A. engraver MB & Co h 17 Meridian 1899 Pierce, Joseph A. engraver MB & Co h 17 Meridian 1900 Pierce, Joseph A. engraver MB & Co h 17 Meridian 1901 Pierce, Joseph A. engraver MB & Co h 17 Meridian 1902 Pierce, Joseph A. engraver MB & Co h 17 Meridian 1903 Pierce, Joseph A. engraver MB & Co h 17 Meridian Pierce, Frank N. emp MB & Co bds 17 Meridian 1904 Pierce, Joseph A. engraver MB & Co h 17 Meridian Pierce, Frank N. emp MB & Co bds 17 Meridian 1905 Pierce, Joseph A. engraver MB & Co h 17 Meridian Pierce, Frank N. emp MB & Co bds 17 Meridian Pierce, Howard B. emp Parker Bros bds 17 Meridian 1906 Pierce, Joseph A. engraver MB & Co h 17 Meridian Pierce, Frank N. emp MB & Co h 372 Pratt Grandson, Franklin Wadsworth, born on August 21st Pierce, Howard B. emp Parker Bros bds 17 Meridian 1907 Pierce, Joseph A. engraver MB & Co h 17 Meridian Pierce, Frank N. emp MB & Co bds 17 Meridian Pierce, Howard B. emp Parker Bros bds 17 Meridian 1908 Pierce, Joseph A. engraver h 17 Meridian Pierce, Frank N. emp GR & G Co bds 17 Meridian Pierce, Howard B. emp Parker Bros bds 17 Meridian 1909 Pierce, Joseph A. engraver h 17 Meridian Pierce, Frank N. emp GR & G Co h 34 Queen Pierce, Howard B. emp bds 17 Meridian 1910 Pierce, Joseph A. engraver h 17 Meridian Pierce, Frank N. emp GR & G Co h 34 Queen Pierce, Howard B. emp MB & Co bds 17 Meridian 1911 Pierce, Joseph A. engraver h 17 Meridian Pierce, Frank N. emp GR & G Co h 34 Queen Pierce, Howard B. emp MB & Co bds 17 Meridian 1912 Pierce, Joseph A. engraver h 17 Meridian Pierce, Frank N. emp GR & G Co h 34 Queen Pierce, Howard B. emp MB & Co bds 17 Meridian 1913 Pierce, Joseph A. engraver h 17 Meridian Pierce, Frank N. oxy-acetylene welding b 132 Hanover & tire repair h 34 Queen Pierce, Howard B. emp MB & Co bds 17 Meridian 1914 Pierce, Joseph A. engraver h 17 Meridian Pierce, Frank N. oxy-acetylene welding b 132 Hanover & tire repair h 34 Queen Pierce, Howard B. emp MB & Co bds 17 Meridian 1915 Pierce, Joseph A. engraver (retired) h 17 Meridian Pierce, Frank N. oxy-acetylene welding b 132 Hanover & tire repair h 34 Queen Pierce, Howard B. emp MB & Co bds 17 Meridian
1916 Joseph A. Pierce died on January 3rd at age 73 in his Meriden home, buried in Section D, Lot 9, Tier 0, in Walnut Grove Cemetery, Meriden, CT
Joseph Pierce Gravesite, Section D, Lot 9, Tier 0, in Walnut Grove Cemetery, Meriden, CT.
Pierce, Frank N. welding & vulcanizing b 132 Hanover h 34 Queen Pierce, Howard B. emp N.E.W. Co bds 17 Meridian 1917 Pierce, Frank N. welding & vulcanizing b 132 Hanover h 34 Queen Pierce, Howard B. emp N.E.W. Co bds 17 Meridian Pierce, Martha A. wid Joseph A. h 17 Meridian 1918 Pierce, Frank N. welding & vulcanizing b 132 Hanover h 34 Queen Pierce, Howard B. emp CPFA Mg Co bds 17 Meridian Pierce, Martha A. wid Joseph A. h 17 Meridian 1919 Pierce, Frank N. welding & vulcanizing b 132 Hanover h 34 Queen Pierce, Howard B. emp Handel Co. Inc. bds 17 Meridian Pierce, Martha A. wid Joseph A. h 17 Meridian 1920- Pierce, Franklin N. welding & vulcanizing b 132 Hanover 1921 h 91 Broad Pierce, Howard B. emp Handel Co. Inc. bds 17 Meridian Pierce, Martha A. wid Joseph A. h 17 Meridian 1922 Pierce, Franklin N. mech h 96 Broad
son, Franklin W., received as a probationary member on April 6th by Rev. K. Kingston at Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church
Pierce, Howard B. emp Handel Co. Inc. bds 17 Meridian Pierce, Martha A. wid Joseph A. h 17 Meridian 1923 Pierce, Frank N. no listing res East Haddam, CT Pierce, Howard B. emp Handel Co. Inc. bds 17 Meridian Pierce, Martha A. wid Joseph A. h 17 Meridian 1924 Pierce, Frank N. no listing res East Haddam, CT? Pierce, Howard B. emp Handel Co. Inc. bds 17 Meridian Pierce, Martha A. wid Joseph A. h 17 Meridian 1925 Pierce, Frank N. no listing res East Haddam, CT Pierce, Howard B. emp Handel Co. Inc. bds 17 Meridian Pierce, Martha A. wid Joseph A. h 17 Meridian
1926 Martha A. Pierce died on March 10th at age 67 in her Meriden home, buried in Walnut Grove Cemetery, Section D, Lot 10, Tier 0, Meriden, Connecticut
Pierce, Frank N. no listing, East Haddam, CT res. From MAP death certificate Pierce, Howard B. emp Handel Co. Inc. res 17 Meridian 1927 Pierce, Frank N. no listing res East Haddam, CT? Pierce, Howard B. emp Handel Co. Inc. res 17 Meridian 1928 Pierce, Frank N. (Bessie M.) mech. h 34 Clinton Pierce, Howard B. emp Handel Co. Inc. res 17 Meridian 1929 Pierce, Frank N. (Bessie M.) auto mech. h 34 Clinton Pierce, Howard B. emp Handel Co. Inc. res 17 Meridian 1930 Pierce, Frank N. (Bessie M.) auto mech. h 34 Clinton Pierce, Howard B. emp Handel Co. Inc. res 17 Meridian 1931 Pierce, Frank N. (Bessie M.) h 34 Clinton Pierce, Howard B. emp 381 E. Main h 17 Meridian 1932 Pierce, Frank N. (Bessie M.) auto repair h 34 Clinton Pierce, Howard B. emp 381 E. Main h 17 Meridian 1933 Pierce, Frank N. (Bessie M.) h 34 Clinton Pierce, Howard B. emp 381 E. Main h 17 Meridian 1934 Pierce, Frank N. (Bessie M.) auto mech. h 34 Clinton Pierce, Howard B. emp Handel Co. Inc. h 17 Meridian 1935 Pierce, Frank N. (Bessie M.) auto repair h Church oppo Pleasant (W) Pierce, Howard B. emp 381 E. Main h 17 Meridian 1936 Pierce, Frank N. (Bessie M.) auto repair h Church oppo Pleasant Pierce, Howard B. h 17 Meridian 1937 Pierce, Frank N. (Bessie M.) mech. Meriden h 23 Main (WH) Pierce, Howard B. sprayer B & H Mfg. Co. h 17 Meridian 1938 Pierce, Frank N. (Bessie M.) mech. Meriden h 23 Main (WH) Pierce, Howard B. sprayer ND Div. h 37 Spring (M) 1939 Pierce, Frank N. (Bessie M.) mech. Meriden h 23 Main Pierce, Howard B. sprayer ND Div. h 37 Spring 1940 Pierce, Frank N. (Bessie M.) mech. Meriden h 23 Main Pierce, Howard B. emp WPA h 37 Spring 1941 Pierce, Frank N. (Bessie M.) mech. Meriden h 23 Main Pierce, Howard B. emp CP Co. h 37 Spring 1942 Pierce, Frank N. (Bessie M.) auto repair b rear 135 Colony h 23 Main Pierce, Howard B. emp CP Co. h 36 Hillside Av 1943 Pierce, Frank N. (Bessie M.) auto repair b rear 135 Colony h 23 Main Pierce, Howard B. emp CP Co. h 36 Hillside Av 1944 Pierce, Frank N. (Bessie M.) auto repair b rear 135 Colony h 23 Main Pierce, Howard B. emp CP Co. h 36 Hillside Av 1945 Pierce, Frank N. (Bessie M.) auto repair b rear 135 Colony h 23 Main Pierce, Howard B. emp CP Co. h 36 Hillside Av 1946 Pierce, Frank N. (Bessie M.) auto repair b rear 135 Colony h 23 Main Pierce, Howard B. emp CP Co. h 36 Hillside Av 1947 Pierce, Frank N. (Bessie M.) emp mech b 141 Colony h 23 Main Pierce, Howard B. emp CP Co. h 36 Hillside Av 1948 Pierce, Frank N. (Bessie M.) emp mech b 141 Colony h 23 Main Pierce, Howard B. emp CP Co. h 36 Hillside Av
1949 Bessie May Pierce died on October 27th at age 66 in New Haven, Connecticut, buried in Section 19, Lot 19, Tier B, in walnut Grove cemetery, Meriden, CT.
Pierce, Frank N. emp mech b 141 Colony h 23 Main Pierce, Howard B. emp CP Co. h 36 Hillside Av 1950 Pierce, Frank N. mech b 141 Colony h 23 Main Pierce, Howard B. h 23 Main 1951 Pierce, Frank N. h 23 Main Pierce, Howard B. h 23 Main
1952 Franklin Norris Pierce died on December 5th at age 70 in his West Haven home, buried in Section 19, Lot 19, Tier B, in Walnut Grove Cemetery, Meriden, CT.
Pierce, Howard B. h 23 Main 1853 Pierce, Howard B. h 23 Main 1854 Pierce, Howard B. h 23 Main 1855 Pierce, Howard B. h 23 Main 1856 Pierce, Howard B. h 23 Main 1857 Pierce, Howard B. h 23 Main 1858 Pierce, Howard B. h 23 Main
1859 Howard Benjamin Pierce died on August 28th at age 75 in Norwich, Connecticut, buried in Section 19, Tier B, in Walnut Grove Cemetery, Meriden, CT.
Postscript: Franklin Wadsworth Pierce, Joseph Pierce's only grandchild, lived in Meriden, East Haddam, Wallingford and West Haven before moving to Bridgeport, where he worked with Sikorsky Aircraft until he died on May 29, 1963 at the age of 56. He was buried in St. Michael's Cemetery in Bridgeport and was survived by a wife, Stella Parauka Pierce; two step-daughters, Mrs. Jean Cuzzi and Mrs. Mary Vargas and three daughters, Mrs. Joyce O'Neil, Mrs. Patricia Haight and Miss Dolores Pierce; three grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Written by Irving Moy
The followings are the more detail information on Joseph Pierce's 5 great granddaughters,
based on the letter written by the great grand step-daughter, Mrs. Jean Cuzzi, in 1998.
Mrs. Jean Pierce Cuzzi, great grand step-daughter; retired and lives in Florida; has 3 sons
and 1 daughter; 7 grandchildren, 4 males and 3 females.
Mary Ann (Mini), great grand step-daughter; lives in Connecticut; divorced; has 1 son and
2 daughters (1 son and 1 daughter live in Florida); 4 grandchildren.
Patricia, great granddaughter; lives in California; divorced; no children.
Joyce, great granddaughter; lives in Connecticut; has a husband and 2 sons; 3 grandsons.
Delores, great granddaughter; lives in California; married; no children.
Some information on Joseph Pierce's grandson, Franklin Wadsworth Pierce (son of Franklin
Norris Pierce), the step-father of Jean and Mini, and the father of Patricia, Joyce and Delores.
Franklin Wadsworth Pierce married Stella Parauka Mastroni.
Worked at an airplane manufacturing Co., later became Sikorski Aircraft, and is now United
Technologies in Stratford.
Hobbies: built model plane not from a kit, but from scratch, balsa wood and tissue paper.
Hobbies: designed and built fantastic kites.
Hobbies: built model railroad
Later in life, Franklin Wadsworth Pierce unfortunately had cancer. He died and was buried
at St. Michael's cemetery in Stratford along side with his wife.
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February 6, 2001