William Pierce
Born: 1740 at York County, Virginia
Died: December 10, 1789 at Savannah, Georgia
Spouse: Charlotte Fenwick (m. 1783 – 1789)
Children: He had 2 children
Offices held:
Member of the United States Constitutional Convention (1787)
Facts about William Pierce
Pierce died in Savannah at age 49 leaving tremendous debts. A decline in the European rice market adversely affected his business. Soon after he returned to Savannah he went bankrupt, having “”neither the skill of an experienced merchant nor any reserve capital.””
At the Constitutional Convention Pierce did not play a large role, but he exerted some influence and participated in three debates. He first organized an import-export company, Pierce, White, and Call, in 1783, but it dissolved less than a year later. He made a new start with his wife’s dowry and formed William Pierce & Company.
In 1786 he was a member of the Georgia House of Representatives. He served as a trustee of the Chatham County Academy.
Pierce’s notes on the proceedings of the convention were published in the Savannah Georgian in 1828. In them he wrote incisive character sketches that are especially valuable for the information they provide about the lesser-known delegates.
William Pierce Childhood
Little is known about Pierce’s early life or background. He was born in York County, Virginia in 1753. He served in the Continental Army through most of the War of Independence.
He was commissioned a captain in the 1st Continental Artillery Regiment on November 30, 1776. Due to failing health, he left the artillery to serve as an aide-de-camp to General John Sullivan during Sullivan’s expedition against the Iroquois in 1779.
Where is William Pierce buried?
How did William Pierce die?
He died on December 10, 1789.