Cromwell Pearce

Background

Pearce was born on the farm in Willistown where the Paoli Massacre took place in 1777.

Career

He lived in West Chester. He had a limited childhood education due to the Revolutionary War. President John Adams appointed Pearce first lieutenant of the 10th Regiment United States Light Infantry on April 17, 1799.

Pearce became lieutenant-colonel of the 85th regiment state militia on August 18, 1806.

Pearce was appointed by President James Madison and the United States Senate as a colonel of infantry on July 23, 1812. He commanded the 16th Regiment.

In the Pennsylvania militia, Pearce previously was replaced by James Steele. Cromwell Pearce (along with Thomas Sargeant of Harrisburg, Rees Hill of Greene County, and Samuel McKean of Bradford County) was appointed as an aide de camp to the commander in chief of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Pearce became a Presidential elector in 1824.

Pearce was elected sheriff in 1816 and served for one term. He remained in that position until 1839. He resigned due to a hearing problem.

Politics

He held a number of party meetings, open to the public, at his home.

Membership

Pearce was a member of the Democratic Republican party.

Connections

associate:

John Andrew Schulze