Long, Pierse, 1739-1789

LONG, Pierse, a Delegate from New Hampshire; born in Portsmouth, N.H., in 1739; completed preparatory studies; engaged in the shipping business; delegate to the Provincial Congress of New Hampshire in 1775; served in the Revolutionary War as colonel of the First New Hampshire Regiment; brevetted a brigadier general; Member of the Continental Congress 1785-1786; state councilor 1786-1789; delegate to the state constitutional convention which ratified the Federal Constitution June 21, 1788; appointed by President Washington customs collector for the port of Portsmouth, N.H., in January 1789, but owing to ill health was unable to assume the duties of the office; died in Portsmouth, N.H., on April 13, 1789; interment in the Proprietors' Burying Ground.

<ul><b>RACES</b>
<li>12/15/1788 NH At-Large - Initial Election Lost 4.50% (-11.45%)</li>
<li>12/31/1785 NH Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1784 NH Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1783 NH Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
</ul>

<p>Pierse Long (1739 – April 13, 1789) was an American merchant from Portsmouth, New Hampshire. He served as a colonel of the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War and served as a New Hampshire delegate to the Confederation Congress in 1785 and 1786.</p>

<p>Pierse was the son of an Irish immigrant (also Pierse) who had originally traded with Portsmouth merchants from Ireland. Around 1730, he moved to Portsmouth to open a store. In Portsmouth, Pierse Sr. married and had two daughters and a son, Pierse, who was born in 1739. He died only a year or two later. Young Pierse received a limited education, then was apprenticed to another merchant, Robert Trail.</p>

<p>After his apprenticeship, Pierse became a merchant in his own right, exporting timber to the West Indies and importing goods from England and Ireland. He prospered in business and became active in the militia and in civic affairs.</p>