Career
Perchard worked as a merchant on his native island of Guernsey and the other Channel Islands. Perchard grew wealthy from privateering in the English channel after the British government declared reprisals against the allies of the nascent United States of America. Perchard and his fellow privateers targeted ships from the French West Indies, with Perchard personally making almost £10,000 from his privateering activities.
He was created an alderman in the City of London"s Candlewick ward on April 12, 1798 as a goldsmith.
He was subsequently elected one of the Sheriffs of the City of London in 1793. Perchard was a liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths.
The election was held for the office of Lord Mayor on October 9, 1804. Perchard was one of three candidates, the others being his fellow Aldermen, James Shaw and Charles Flower.
In his acceptance speech Perchard described himself as being "late of life" but said that "we cease to live when we cease to be of any use to the public".
In his professional life, Perchard was a goldsmith. The prisoner reformer James Neild wrote to Perchard about the poor conditions at the debtors" prison in Southwark during Perchard"s time as Lord Mayor but received no reply from him.