William Pierce (Georgia politician)
William Leigh Pierce (1753 – December 10, 1789) was a Founding Father of the United States, military officer during the Revolutionary War, member of the Continental Congress, merchant, and planter and slave owner.[3] After months of guarding against British incursions in the Hampton Roads area, the First Regiment of Continental Artillery was ordered to join the Main Army at Valley Forge in the Spring of 1778.[4] After his regiment arrived at Valley Forge, Pierce's battery was then detached to Major General John Sullivan's command in Rhode Island.[5] Suffering from poor health, Pierce voluntarily suspended his company command and accepted a position as an aide-de-camp to General Sullivan in early 1779.[6] Returning to Williamsburg, Virginia on furlough in early 1780, Pierce evidently studied at the College of William & Mary and was accepted as a member of Phi Beta Kappa.