PEASE-L Archives

From: "Rick" <>
Subject: The Three Little Pease sisters of Decatur, IL
Date: Thu, 23 Feb 2006 09:49:07 -0500

Combination of newspapers and census data formed this family. All we have to do is link them

George Pease; b. about 1848 in Illinois; m. Annie; b. about 1856 in Indiana. According to the 1880 census of the 4th ward of Decatur, Macon County, Illinois, both George's and Annie's parents were born in Illinois. George worked in an oil mill. Children listed for George and Annie Pease born in Indiana:



Effie b. 1874 d.

Jessie b. 1876 d.

Bettie b. 1879 d.



From the Decatur, Illinois newspapers of the late 1880s and early 1890s, several articles mentioned a combination singing and oratory group known as the Little Pease sisters. For instance, the Decatur Review of Apr 01, 1885: The three little Pease sisters-Effie, Jessie and Bettie gave a pleasing literary and musical entertainment at the tabernacle last evening. Little Bessie Pease in her lullaby song completely captivated the audience who demanded a repeat. Effie and Jessie displayed rare elocutionary talent for children so tender of years and were repeat ably encored.

There was a chancery notice in the same newspaper Mar 08, 1894 that Anna M. Pease filed for a divorce vs. George T. Pease of Macon County, Illinois.

Apparently George had a brother James Pease. In this edition of the Decatur Daily Republican Sep 07, 1895: Last night at 7:45 at the home of her son James Pease 442 East Main Street in the Oklahoma District, Mrs. Nancy Pease aged 66 years, grandmother of the Pease Sisters came near burning to death. One account is that Mrs. Pease had been out to the chicken house to see that her poultry was safely housed for the night, and had sprinkled gasoline on her clothing with the intention of killing what vermin might have dropped upon her. When she reached the house she turned the chimney of the lantern back presumably to put out the light. Her dress probably flew against the flame. With great presence of mind she flew to the bed and snatching from it a quilt wrapped herself and lay down on the floor. Her cries attracted the attention of neighbors who assisted her. She was taken to the home of her daughter Mrs. Thomas Watkins at the corner of Marion Street and Broadway. Dr. D. N. Mye!
rs was telephoned and his examination showed that Mrs. Pease was badly burned from her feet to her waist, and that both arms were less seriously burned. She was suffering great pain and had to be put under the influence of morphine.

Nancy died from her wounds and her funeral was held Nov 10, 1895. There was a James Pease in the 1880 household 1st ward of Decatur, Macon County, Illinois:

Nancy E. Pease age 51; b. in Illinois as were both of her parents. She is listed as married

James M. Pease son age 21; b. in Missouri; works in bagging factory

Nancy O. Pease daughter; age 17; b. in Texas; works in bagging factory

Frances A. Pease age 15; b. in Arkansas; works in bagging factory

Rick in Taunton, MA

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• The Three Little Pease sisters of Decatur, IL by "Rick" <>