Jesse H. Pearce was born about 1843 in Georgia. Both his parents had been born in Georgia. Jesse was the son of John and Elizabeth Pearce who lived at Holly Creek.

The 1850 Census listed the family as: John Pearce, age 38; Elizabeth Pearce, age 34; Mary E. Pearce, age 15; James J. Pearce, age 13; William T. Pearce, age 10; Melissa A. Pearce, age 8; Jesse H. Pearce, age 7; and Jacob A. Pearce, age 4. All of the children had been born in Georgia.

The 1860 Census listed the family with three additional children: Henry J. Pearce, age 8; Sarah A. Pearce, age 5; and Frances V. Pearce, age 2.

Military records indicate that Jessie H. Pearce, Private, enlisted on September 3, 1861, in Company D, 22nd Ga. Brigade, Wrights. This unit participated in military engagements at Malvern Hill, Virginia, July 1, 1862; Manassas (2nd Bull Run), Virginia, August 18-30, 1862; Sharpsburg (also called Antietam), Maryland, September 17, 1862; Fredericksburg, Virginia, December 11-15, 1863; Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 1-4, 1863; Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 1-3, 1863; Falling Waters, Maryland, July 14, 1863; Manassas, Virginia, July 23, 1863; Spotsylvania, Virginia, May 12, 1864; Jerrico Ford, Virginia, May 26, 1864; and the siege of Richmond, 1864.

He was killed in fighting at Crater, near Petersburg, Virginia, July 30, 1864.

Murray County Families