Francis Peirson | |
---|---|
![]() Major Peirson
|
|
Born | January 1757 London, England |
Died | 6 January 1781 (age 24) Jersey |
Allegiance |
![]() |
Service/branch |
![]() |
Years of service | 1772 - 1781 |
Rank | Major |
Commands held | Garrison of Jersey |
Battles/wars |
American War of Independence Battle of Jersey † |
Major Francis Peirson (January 1757 – 6 January 1781) was a British Army officer who served. during the American Revolutionary War. He was killed in the Battle of Jersey, one of the last battles on British soil.
Educated at Warrington Academy, Peirson joined the British Army in 1772. In 1779 he was appointed to the 95th Regiment of Foot which was deployed to Jersey the following year.
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. 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.