Cromwell Pearce

Cromwell Pearce (August 13, 1772 – April 2, 1852) was a colonel in the U.S. army during the War of 1812, served as sheriff of Chester County, Pennsylvania, and later as an associate judge in the county. He lived in West Chester.

Early life Pearce was born in a farm in Willistown where the Paoli Massacre took place in 1777. He had a limited childhood education due to the Revolutionary War. He commanded the 16th Regiment. In the Pennsylvania militia, Pearce had been replaced by James Steele.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.

Political activity Pearce was a member of the Democratic Republican party. He held a number of party meetings, open to the public, at his home.

Pearce became a Presidential elector in 1824. On January 24, 1805, the petition was declined.