The death of Mr. David Pearce was announced in our last issue. It occurred on the 25th of the month at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Ball Athens. He was perhaps the oldest man in this section and lacked but a few months of one hundred two years. What a span. A brief sketch of the good old man appeared in our columns on the occasion of his centennial anniversary and now that he has passed on to rest beneath the shade, we can only reiterate what was then said.
David Pearce was born in Bartley Co., VA, August 10, 1783. His people were among the earliest settlers in East Tennessee, locating in Greene County when then our subject was a mere child. He remained in that county until grown to manhood and in 1808 was married to Sarah Bartlett. Subsequently he moved to White County Middle Tennessee, where he lived nine years. From White County he moved to McMinn County, and April 15, 1820, settled on the farm a mile and a half east of Athens, where he continued to reside until the fall of 1883, when he changed to this place as stated above.
In the leaden ear of death eulogy or censure are alike indifferent, but it is due the memory of our departed friend, and the large relationship he leaves behind him, to say that he was a good, upright man, who squared his actions by the golden rule and met all the duties of life faithfully and conscientiously. His days of probation, covering more than thirty years beyond the allowed period, were characterized by industry and honest, useful effort, and unpretentious as he was in his walk and his habits, he always commanded the respect and enjoyed the confidence of the people of all classes among whom he sojourned.
Mr. Pearce's wife had long preceded him having died in 1856. He was the father of nine children. Had eight brothers and two sisters, all of whom are dead. His remains were interred at the old cemetery in the sixth civil district beside those of his wife, and where repose the dust of his father and mother and of many of the friends and acquaintances of his early manhood -- middle life and old age. Born 8/10/1783; Died 2/25/1885.
