Person:Nicholas Pearsall (1)

TAG: 18:162

The next alleged son of Thomas and Mary (Brent) Pearsall to be considered is Nicholas Parcell of Flushing, New York. The criticisms which have been made of the connections of his supposed brother Thomas hold true in that nothing definite has been established as to the whereabouts of Nicholas Parcell before his appearance in Flushing. Unhappily, the Town Records of Flushing have been destroyed, and this long before moden antiquarians had opportunity to rescue any facts of value. Henry D. Waller published a History of the Town of Flushing, Long Island, in 1899. On p.66 it is stated that Nicholas Parcell offered his services in 1667 to the Governor, among others; and in the Appendix a list of the signers of the remonstrance against Quakers on 27 December, 1657 included the name of “Nick Colas Parsell.” (cf. also The Documentary History of the State of New York, vol 14, p. 598).

We have quoted the statement made in The History and Genealogy of the Pearsall Family to the effect that when Thomas Pearsall had died, Nicholas, his “brother” took care of the three young children; and it has been emphasized also that no New York record, English or Dutch, yields an award, assignment or other documentary evidence to support such a statement. ....

Nicholas Parcell made his will 10 March 1689/90; it was proved 21 May 1691 by the executor, William Fowler, and recorded at p. 327, vol 65 of New York Wills. He left a life estate in land and personal effects to his wife Sarah, with remainder to John Thorne, son of his daughter Mary Thorne, and to Robert Embree, son of his daughter Sarah. Records in the office of the Secretary of State at Albany, New York show that John Thorne took out a license to marry Mary “Passill,” 9 March 1664. Nicholas Parcell’s will was also recorded in Book A of Newtown Town Records, p. 54. He may have been a brother of the senior John Parsell of Newtown.

1.   The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record. (New York, New York: New York Genealogical and Biographical Society)
   July 1962, Vol 093, No 3, pg 158.
2. ↑ ^2.0 2.1 The American Genealogist (TAG). (Donald Lines Jacobus, et.al.)
   18:162.