So I was flipping through a book.... Flag Seal?

I just did a quick search on the name M.C. Pierson. Surprise, surprise, I found one in Louisiana in the right timeframe. It was a Mary Catherine Pierson/ Mary C. Pierson of LA. Her name is in a Collection of papers at Tulane University, New Orleans, LA dating from 1803 to 1906 with the predominent dates 1840 to the 1894. The listed contents of the collection pertaining to Pierson appear to be letters to and from Mary C. Pierson with her brothers in the war with written correspondance to their father Wm. Pierson. In at least one instance she is referred to as M.C. Pierson. Some of the documents are signed by her; however, no images of the documents or letters are shown. Sooooo can't tell if the MC Piersons are one and the same. The surname Pierson is not an unusual southern surname. I personally know at least 5 Tennessee Piersons. Pierson was DH paternal grandmother's maiden name.

Scroll about 1/4th of the way down to
"Sub-Series Pierson Family papers"

A little of the intro to this family section:
"The William H. Pierson family lived in Mount Lebanon, Bienville Parish, Louisiana. Four of William H. Pierson's sons served in the Confederate Army - David, Ruben Allen, James F., and Henry L. This section contains the Civil War letters of David, Ruben Allen, and James, written mostly to their father and to their sister Mary Catherine Pierson."

Under this family section there are 2 boxes: Box 22 (1848-1862) with 130 folders and Box 23 (1862-1891) with 101 folders. Box 23, Folder 95 refers to her as Mrs. M.C Pierson.

http://specialcollections.tulane.edu/archon/?p=collections/findingaid&id=788

--- Susan

 

Wow that is so interesting! Thank you so much for the info! I wonder if it was a book she kept with her almost always as it's so small. It's looked as though it's lived a long life haha. If this is her, it would make sense why the seal/stamp was in the back. Used as a bookmark or something possibly. This is so lovely, thank you so much! I may try to email the school to see if they have pdf. or a photo of the documents somewhere.

 

I'm not sure what that word is. Grange may be correct.... not sure!

 

Just sent a email to Tulane, hopefully they will be able to send a photo of the signature!

 

Good luck on getting a sig. from Tulane. They may come through for you, but may take a few weeks. I also have no idea on Grange, but it looks more like "range" to me. That year 1848 has a dash after it like 1848 to another year that has been left off, 1848-18 something.

I found a little more on this Pierson family, the grave site of her father. Willian Henry Pierson (1808 SC - 1887 LA) had 11 children. His first wife was Mary Collins, mother of 10, died in 1848. His 2nd wife was Nancy Collins, a sister of his 1st wife. She was the mother of 1 child. Nowwww the M.C. Pierson in your book may have been the mother, 1st wife??? She died in 1848. Possibly someone was passing a book of hers on to a friend of the 1st wife noting the year she died???

It was a common practice back when for women not closely related to call each other Mrs. So and So rather than using given names. This practice was still in use when my grandmother married. Soon after my grandparents were married, 1908, they bought a home in a neighboring town. The woman, same age as my grandmother, who lived across the street called my grandmother by her given name from the 1st day they met. My grandmother said it was a surprise at first, but soon enjoyed it, "refreshing to hear my given name used" by someone other than family. Everyone else in town called her Mrs.

http://membersa.heritagesports.com/...Sst=20&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GRid=17676401&df=all&

-- Susan

 

Makes total sense! Tulane has a "scan program" where they provide a scam for 1$ per page. I've sent a request so we will see what it turns up. Hoping to at least verify the "Pierson" portion of the signature.

Not sure how long it will take to get the scan, but will definitely let everyone know when it does arrive (via email).

Thank you again for all of the info! Really appreciate the help!