Omar Bennett
William Leigh Pierce, born in 1753 in York County, Virginia, was a Founding Father of the United States, a military officer, a member of the Continental Congress, a merchant, and a planter and slave owner. He represented Georgia at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and agreed with the final document. However, Pierce did not sign the Constitution, as he left the convention early to attend to personal business, which was a duel with a merchant named John Auldjo.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | William Leigh Pierce |
| Birth Year | 1753 |
| Death Year | 1789 |
| Birth Place | York County, Virginia |
| Parents | Matthew and Elizabeth Pierce |
| Known For | Founding Father of the United States, military officer during the Revolutionary War, member of the Continental Congress, merchant, planter, and slave owner |
| Role in the Constitution | Delegate representing Georgia at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 |
| Signature on the Constitution | Did not sign the Constitution due to unforeseen circumstances |
| Notes | Approved of the final version of the Constitution |
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What You'll Learn
- William Leigh Pierce was a Founding Father of the US, a military officer, member of Congress, merchant, and planter and slave owner
- Pierce represented Georgia at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 but left before signing the US Constitution
- He left the convention to attend to a piece of business so necessary that it became unavoidable, which was a duel with merchant John Auldjo
- Pierce agreed with the final Constitution and approved of a federal government with three branches
- He also agreed with Mr. Maddison's opinion that the national Legislature's members should be chosen by the people
William Leigh Pierce was a Founding Father of the US, a military officer, member of Congress, merchant, and planter and slave owner
William Leigh Pierce, born in York County, Virginia, around 1753, was a Founding Father of the United States. He was the third and youngest son of Elizabeth and Matthew Pierce. Although frequently referred to by the middle name "Leigh", he signed his name as "William Pierce Jr." to distinguish himself from his uncle, who had the same name. Pierce studied art briefly in Maryland under Charles Willson Peale and returned to Williamsburg, Virginia, in the summer of 1775 to practice his new skills.
As an officer in the Revolutionary War (1775-1783), Pierce participated in the fighting at Hampton, Virginia, in autumn 1775, siding with the patriots. The following year, he was commissioned as a captain in the First Continental Regiment of Artillery. He later resigned his command due to poor health and became an aide-de-camp to General Sullivan and, later, Major General Nathanael Greene. For his conduct at the Battle of Eutaw Springs, Congress presented him with a ceremonial sword.
In 1783, Pierce established a business in Savannah with two fellow officers. However, he soon sold his share of the business and, in 1786, he was elected to represent Chatham County in the Georgia House of Representatives. He was then elected to the Continental Congress and became a delegate to the Constitutional Convention. Although Pierce approved of the resulting Constitution, he did not sign it as he left the convention early to attend to a personal matter.
Returning to Georgia, Pierce continued to serve in the state legislature. He died at his plantation in Savannah, Georgia, on December 10, 1789, at the age of 49, leaving behind significant debts.
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Pierce represented Georgia at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 but left before signing the US Constitution
William Leigh Pierce, born in 1753 in York County, Virginia, was a Founding Father of the United States, a military officer during the Revolutionary War, a member of the Continental Congress, a merchant, and a planter and slave owner.
In 1786, Pierce was elected to represent Chatham County in Georgia's General Assembly. The state legislature then elected him to the Confederation Congress and as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1787, where he represented Georgia. Pierce attended the convention and spoke on a number of points. He also recorded a series of "Character Sketches", providing a narrative on the personalities of the convention's delegates.
Pierce agreed with the end result of the proceedings and approved of the Constitution. However, he did not sign the document, as he left the convention at the end of June before it was signed. The reason for his early departure was a duel with merchant John Auldjo, following a dispute over "mercantile dealings."
Upon his return to Georgia, Pierce continued to serve in the state legislature. In 1789, he received a respectable number of votes for governor but died that same year on December 10 at his plantation after a lingering illness.
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He left the convention to attend to a piece of business so necessary that it became unavoidable, which was a duel with merchant John Auldjo
William Leigh Pierce, born in York County, Virginia, in 1753, was a Founding Father of the United States, a military officer during the Revolutionary War, a member of the Continental Congress, a merchant, and a planter and slave owner.
Pierce was a delegate representing Georgia at the Constitutional Convention of 1787. He agreed with the end result of the proceedings and approved of the resulting Constitution. However, he did not sign the U.S. Constitution as he left the convention at the end of June 1787, citing a pressing matter that demanded his attention. This matter was a duel with merchant John Auldjo, sparked by a disagreement over mishandled "mercantile dealings." Alexander Hamilton, acting as Auldjo's second, intervened and prevented the duel from taking place.
After his departure from the convention, Pierce returned to Georgia and continued his service in the state legislature. In 1789, he garnered a significant number of votes for governor. Unfortunately, he passed away at his plantation on December 10, 1789, leaving substantial debts.
Pierce's notes from the Constitutional Convention were published posthumously in the Savannah Georgian in 1828. These notes included insightful character sketches of the delegates, particularly those who were lesser-known, providing valuable insights into the individuals who shaped the Constitution.
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Pierce agreed with the final Constitution and approved of a federal government with three branches
William Leigh Pierce was a Founding Father of the United States, a military officer during the Revolutionary War, a member of the Continental Congress, a merchant, and a planter and slave owner. He was a delegate representing Georgia at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, where he played an active role in the discussions and debates. Although Pierce agreed with the final Constitution, he did not sign the document as he had to leave the convention early.
Pierce approved of the idea of a federal government with three branches. On May 30, 1787, Governor Randolph proposed the principles of a federal government, suggesting a national government consisting of three branches. This proposal was agreed upon by the delegates, including Pierce, setting the framework for the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the US government.
The legislative branch, according to Pierce and others, should consist of two parts. The first branch of the legislature, they resolved, ought to be elected by the people of the several states. This idea was supported by Mr. Mason, who argued that having the legislature appointed by the people would make the representation actual and inspire confidence in the government. Mr. Wilson concurred, stating that all governments ought to rest on the great foundation of the people.
The discussions also touched on the role of the judiciary and its relationship with the law. Mr. King expressed the opinion that the judiciary should not have the power to veto a law as it would give them control over the legislature. Dr. Franklin agreed, mentioning the influence of the British King and the potential for abuse of power. Mr. Maddison shared this concern, stating that no man should have the daring to place a veto on a law passed by the legislature.
While Pierce agreed with the overall direction and principles of the Constitution, he had to leave the convention before its conclusion due to personal business. His departure was related to a dispute with a merchant, John Auldjo, which almost led to a duel. Despite not signing the Constitution, Pierce's contributions to the debates and his approval of the final document reflect his support for a federal government with three branches.
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He also agreed with Mr. Maddison's opinion that the national Legislature's members should be chosen by the people
William Leigh Pierce was a Founding Father of the United States, a military officer during the Revolutionary War, a member of the Continental Congress, a merchant, and a planter and slave owner. He was born in York County, Virginia, in 1753, and was the third and youngest son of Matthew and Elizabeth Pierce.
Pierce represented Georgia at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 as a delegate. He agreed with the end result of the proceedings but did not sign the U.S. Constitution, as he left the convention at the end of June to attend to a personal matter—a duel with a merchant, John Auldjo, after a dispute over business.
Pierce agreed with Mr. Maddison's opinion that the members of the first branch of the national Legislature ought to be chosen by the people. Maddison gave two reasons for his opinion: firstly, that it would inspire confidence, and secondly, that it would induce the Government to sympathize with the people. This view was also supported by Mr. Wilson, who thought that one branch of the Legislature ought to be drawn from the people, because all Government ought to rest on the great foundation of the people.
However, some delegates disagreed with this opinion. Mr. Gerry, for example, believed that the representation would not be as good if the people chose the members, as opposed to the State Legislatures. Mr. Sherman also thought that the State Legislatures were better qualified to elect the members than the people.
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Frequently asked questions
No, William Leigh Pierce did not sign the Constitution.
William Leigh Pierce left the Constitutional Convention at the end of June before the Constitution was signed because he had to return to Georgia to attend to "a piece of business so necessary that it became unavoidable." This business was a duel with merchant John Auldjo, after tempers had flared over mishandled "mercantile dealings."
Yes, William Leigh Pierce approved of the Constitution and wished to see it established on a broad basis. However, he did not get to sign it because he had to leave the convention early.
After leaving the Constitutional Convention, William Leigh Pierce continued to serve in the Georgia state legislature. In 1789, he received a respectable number of votes for governor.
William Leigh Pierce is known for his notes on the Constitutional Convention, which included "Character Sketches" providing valuable insights into the personalities of the convention's delegates. He was also a Founding Father of the United States, a military officer during the Revolutionary War, a member of the Continental Congress, a merchant, and a planter and slave owner.
