Opinions please

[vita]

In 1795 John Pearson was selling 'part of his household furniture; consisting of bedthings and feather beds; linen; drawers; tables and chairs; brass and pewter; brewing copper; tubs and calks;- a road mare in foal, one filley, and a fat hog' in Piddington Northants.
I'd welcome any opinions on why someone might do this, also what it could indicate about his age & social status.
My 3xg great grandfather was a John Pearson of Piddington, but he would have been in his twenties at the time & it doesn't seem to me like the act of a young, unmarried man. I'm wondering if it might have been his father, but I've yet to trace him.

[kiterunner]

If he was short of money, and I agree it sounds like someone older than twenties.

[vita]

Thanks Kite. Yes, that's the obvious reason, but wondered what else might cause him.to downsize like that.
Glad you agree about age.

[Jill]

It sounds like an older person moving from a larger property to a smaller one, or because they are moving in with one of their adult children, much like today.

[vita]

[QUOTE=Jill;420854]It sounds like an older person moving from a larger property to a smaller one, or because they are moving in with one of their adult children, much like today.[/QUOT
?

Thanks,Jill. That's another possibility. Hadn't imagined my Pearsons having that much stuff,but perhaps they were not as poor as I thought.

[Olde Crone]

On the verge of bankruptcy would be my first thought - he isn't selling everything.

OC

[vita]

On the verge of bankruptcy would be my first thought - he isn't selling everything.

OC

Thanks, OC. I'll bet its John's Dad - if anyone can help me trace him, I'd be very grateful. I imagine he would have been born in the 1740s/50s, probably in Piddington or nearby.

[kiterunner]

TNA's catalogue has an entry 16 Jul 1792 "Insured: John Pearson, Piddington, Northamptonshire, baker and shopkeeper" and another one 3 Apr 1790 "Indenture Conveyance (Lease & Release) Edward Smith of Denton, Baker to Robert Pearson of Piddington, Yeoman and his trustee, Jn Jeyes of Northampton, Gent for £27-18-0 Reciting Indenture of 28-12-1754 of messuage in Piddington and new erected messuage", and some more similar entries whch you will see if you search for Pearson Piddington.

[kiterunner]

On Ancestry there is a marriage between John Pearson and Mary Pinner both of Piddington, 4 Feb 1777. And a baptism of John Pearson 12 Jan 1754 (think it should be 1755) at Piddington, son of John and Gimminah Pearson: https://www.ancestry.co.uk/imageviewer/collections/9198/images/101392461_00056?treeid=&personid=&rc=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=UMN94543&_phstart=successSource&pId=2227171

[vita]

On Ancestry there is a marriage between John Pearson and Mary Pinner both of Piddington, 4 Feb 1777. And a baptism of John Pearson 12 Jan 1754 (think it should be 1755) at Piddington, son of John and Gimminah Pearson: https://www.ancestry.co.uk/imageviewer/collections/9198/images/101392461_00056?treeid=&personid=&rc=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=UMN94543&_phstart=successSource&pId=2227171

Thanks, Kite. Didn't get that info when I searched, but don't have Ancestry sub & was Googling 'John Pearson, Piddington.'
1754/5 baptism looks a likely contender for father & possible seller of house contents.
I've found John Pearsons in Piddington right up to the end of the 19th century.