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.