William Pierce | |
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Member of the Virginia Governor's Council | |
In office `1632-43 | |
Member of the House of Burgesses for James City, Colony of Virginia | |
In office 1624-1625 | |
Preceded by | William Powell |
Succeeded by | Humphrey Rashell |
Personal details | |
Born | ca. 1598 Essex England |
Died | before 1647 Colony of Virginia |
Spouse | Joan |
Children | Joan Peirce Rolfe |
Relatives | Elizabeth (granddaughter) |
Occupation | merchant, soldier, planter, politician |
William Peirce (b. c. 1585 to d. 1645-1647), emigrated with his family to the new Colony of Virginia, where he became a valued soldier, as well as a planter, merchant and politician. Although Peirce fought in several skirmishes with Native Americans and served in both houses of the Virginia General Assembly as well as helped topple governor John Harvey, today he may best be known as one of the first slave owners in the colony.[1][2][3]