Mary Pearson Miles
(1792-1877)
from Pearson, Geo. M. (1941),
Benjamin and Esther (Furnas) Pearson: Their Ancestors and Descendants
She was born in South Carolina and died at West Branch, Iowa. She was married to William
Miles in Miami County, Ohio, in 1812. The Miles homestead was in Section 31, Township 7N,
Range 4E. Here her eleven children were born. Her husband died January 1st, 1853 of typhoid
fever. The estate was settled up and distributed among the children who cared for her during the
remaining years of her life. In November, 1853, she was living at West Branch, Iowa, with her
oldest son David Miles. Later David returned to Ohio and she then lived with her son Benjamin
in West Branch. When Benjamin took the management of an Indian school in Lee County,
Iowa, she lived with her daughter, Rebecca Abbott, until her death in 1877. She is the only one
of these children that I remember. Sometime after 1871 my father took his children to see her.
At that time she was living with Samuel and Rebecca Abbott on their farm, which was one mile
south of West Branch. I remember her very well. Her hands trembled some, but her mind was
active and she was interested in father's children. Her grandson, Benjamin Clarkson Miles, who
knew her intimately, told me that she was a lovely woman. She was very helpful and assisted
her children and others to get an education.
Sarah Bailey said:
"I have not written about Aunt Mary Miles. I think she is older than Uncle John, still he is first.
Mary married William Miles. They settled up near Ludlow Creek, had a nice farm. Their sons,
David and Benjamin, lived near by. They sold out and moved to Iowa, except Esther. She
married a Coppock. They lived in a large brick house. Had a nice family. Rebecca (Mary's
daughter) married Samuel Abbott. They had three children. I cannot tell much about them after
they moved to Iowa."