Matthew Pearson was the husband of Hannah Elizabeth Gough. Hannah and Matthew married in Robblesfield church in May 1800. Hannah's parents died of smallpox in 1801 and Lucy Briggs (later their sister-in-law) was accused of starving them. Lucy died in 1802 after drinking a herbal tea made by Hannah, and Hannah was accused of murder. Hannah also discovered she was pregnant, giving birth to their son Jeremiah Pearson before being hanged for her crimes.