Author: Pierson, Thomas
Biography:
PIERSON, Thomas (fl 1783-91: Baker et al.)
He was probably born in Stokesley, North Yorkshire, but his parents, date of birth, and baptism are not known. The name is not uncommon and variant spellings complicate matters. He probably received only a very elementary education but his literacy and literary skills enabled him to move from skilled labouring to clerical work. He was a blacksmith, then a watchmaker, before becoming a schoolmaster at Stokesley. Towards the end of his life he held a minor position in the Customs at Stockton-on-Tees, where he died on 20 Aug. 1791 and was buried on 25 Aug. at St. Peter and St. Paul, Stokesley. John Walker Ord’s “Memoir” prefixed to his edition of Roseberry Topping (1847) adds nothing to the account in Biographica Dramatica and gives an incorrect date of death. (David Erskine Baker, Isaac Reed, Stephen Jones, Biographica Dramatica [1812], 1.2. 572; findmypast.co.uk 19 Oct. 2022) AA