Background
He was born in 1722 at Dysart, Scotland, United Kingdom, the son of the Rev. David Pitcairn and his wife, Katherine Hamilton.
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John Pitcairn
Edit ProfileEducation
There is no information about his education.
Career
As a young man he sought service in the Royal Marines, being commissioned captain, June 8, 1756, and major, April 19, 1771.
Pitcairn accompanied the marines sent to garrison Boston in 1774. He went with the troops dispatched by Gen. Gage on the night of April 18, 1775, to destroy the rebel stores at Concord. Directed by the commander of the expedition, Lieut. -Col. Francis Smith, to push ahead of the main body in order to seize the bridges at Concord, he was in command of the regulars who came into conflict with the minute-men on Lexington Common. He always maintained that the Americans fired first and denied having ordered his own men to fire. Although his horse was wounded, he himself escaped without injury.
At Concord he labored with Smith to convince the inhabitants that the British meant no injury, but apparently without complete success, since, according to Smith's report, one of the townspeople struck him. There is a persistent tradition - the truth of which is challenged by reliable authority - that he went to Wright's Tavern, and calling for a drink, stirred the brandy in his glass with his finger declaring that he hoped he would stir the Yankee blood so before night.
On the march back to Lexington, his horse, frightened by a sudden volley, threw him off and escaped, obliging him to continue on foot. In the battle of Bunker Hill he was mortally wounded while storming the American redoubt. It is said that the fatal shot was fired by a negro, Peter Salem, who is depicted in Trumbull's picture of the battle, but there have been other claimants.
Achievements
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John Pitcairn was perhaps the only British officer in Boston who commanded the trust and liking of the inhabitants. He was in command of the advance party that marched on Lexington and Concord on 19 April 1775, which began the American War of Independence. Promoted to the rank of Major he served with distinction in famous Battle of Bunker Hill, where he commanded a reserve force of about 300 Royal Marines, but was mortally wounded.
Personality
By his men he was beloved as a father, and among the last acts of his life was the drafting of a letter to Lord Sandwich in behalf of the worthy and unfortunate under his command.
Connections
He married Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Dalrymple, of Arnsfield, Dumfriesshire, and Dreghorn Castle, in Midlothian. Of their children two obtained eminence, Robert as a naval officer and David as a physician.
