Who is Elijah Pierson from The Kingdom of Matthias and what is their importance?

Elijah Pierson grew up in rural New Jersey in a strict Calvinist tradition. His ancestors had helped to establish New Jersey. Like many young men of his generation, he moved to New York to seek his fortune as a merchant. He found himself on Pearl Street, and with many years of hard work, he became a successful trader and was well-respected in the community.