On May 12, 1786, Silas Peirson, among the sixth generation of Peirsons in America and a pioneer of Wayne County, N.Y., on Lake Ontario, was born in Southampton.

A family history, "The Peirson Family in Wayne County, New York," written by his descendant, Silas Spencer Peirson, expounds on his life as the patriarch of the Peirson tribe.

While in his teens, Peirson was bound out to learn the carpenter's trade. He started west the day after he turned 21 years old. In 1807, he reached Ontario County, N.Y., an almost unbroken wilderness at the time. Ontario County would later be divided into several counties, including Peirson's Wayne County.

According to a deed dated June 6, 1815, he bought 18.5 acres from the Duke of Cumberland, Viscount Newark and others for $314. "After clearing a small plot and erecting a small frame house, he returned to Southampton and married Hannah DeLong and brought her to his new home in the west," the family history reads. The couple had one child, Polly, 1809-1826. Hannah did not survive childbirth. Peirson later married Mary Culver, and the couple had 10 children. Silas and Mary were charter members of the Presbyterian Church of East Palmyra.

Peirson was elected Arcadia Town supervisor and fought in the War of 1812, serving as a captain of cavalry, ensign and leuitenent.

He died Jan. 28, 1857.