Francis Peirson

Major Francis Peirson (January 1757 – 6 January 1781) was a British Army officer who was serving on Jersey, in the Channel Islands off the coast of France. He was killed in the Battle of Jersey, one of the last battles to take place in the British islands.[1]

Francis Peirson
Major Peirson
BornJanuary 1757
London, England
Died6 January 1781 (age 24)
Jersey
Allegiance Kingdom of Great Britain
Service/branch British Army
Years of service1772 - 1781
RankMajor
Commands held(acting garrison commander) Jersey Garrison
Battles/warsAmerican War of Independence
Battle of Jersey †

Early career

Educated at Warrington Academy, Peirson joined the British Army in 1772.[2] In 1779 he was appointed to the 95th Regiment of Foot which was deployed to Jersey the following year.[2]

Battle of Jersey and death
Further information: Battle of Jersey

Following the capture and imprisonment of Major Moses Corbet, Commander of the Jersey Garrison, by French troops on 6 January 1781, Peirson refused French demands to surrender and took command of the Garrison.[2] Peirson ordered his troops to hold their ground at the center of the island, and he repelled several French attacks on the position. However, he was shot in the heart by a musket ball, and died. During and after his death, the troops under his command were victorious in the Battle of Jersey.[3]

The Death of Major Peirson in the Battle of Jersey, painted by John Singleton Copley.

Places named after Peirson
  • The Peirson pub is where Philippe de Rullecourt, the opposing French General, died.
  • Peirson Place is the short street leading into the Royal Square where Peirson was shot
  • Peirson Road is another street in Saint Helier


The Peirson pub

References
  1. Scottish history errors explained, from The Scotsman, 3 November 2010 (retrieved 7.11.2010).
  2. Francis Peirson at Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
  3. "No. 12153". The London Gazette. 13 January 1781. p. 1.
Government offices
Preceded by
Moses Corbet		 Lieutenant Governor of Jersey
6 January 1781
(for one day)		 Succeeded by
Vacant
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