I am the Gr-Gr-Gr-Grandaughter of Jacques Josepn Pie, b 1792, who came to the USA from Courfaivre, Canton de Berne, Switzerland in early 1846 and settled in Crawford Co, PA, just outside the town of Meadville. Joseph Pee, as his surname was later spelled and pronounced, came after his wife, Marie Citherlet Pie died in 1838 and brought his children and a son-in-law, Joseph Ferlin. Children were: Marie Ann [Mary Ann] Pie Ferlin, Eleanor, Francois Joseph, Augustus Joseph [Justin Joseph], Blashan [Henri Joseph Blair or Blair J.], Martine Jean [Martin Joseph].
A History of Clearfield Co, PA has a brief biography of Justin J. Pie which states that the family came up out of Italy in the 13th Century. While this is not verified, one alternate spelling of the surname, PIC, might indicate some truth to this possibility. Other spellings of the surname are PEE, PEES, PEASE.
While I have not heard of any portions of the family coming through Canada, it is very possible especially if they came through the French speaking areas of Canada. Courfaivre, Switzerland is along the French border about 40 miles from Basel and probably less than 10 miles from the town of Delemont for which a new Canton was formed. There were often border changes and Courfaivre and it's surrounding area were sometimes part of France before the final settlement as part of Switzerland. Courfaivre is a small, rural, farming community which appears to have been somewhat larger in earlier days.
I have information on the descendants of this family as well as a small amount of info regarding the ancestors of Jacques Joseph Pie. I would like to exchange and share any information that might be mutually beneficial or of some help to others with connections to this family.
Karen
kahlgren@aol.com