Henri Peire

Henri Peire (1778-1848) was the first sheriff of Escambia County.

Born circa 1778 in St. Dominique, Haiti, Peire was a privateer and merchant mariner who emigrated to the United States in the early 1800s, joining the army and fighting in the War of 1812. He was a major (and later a colonel) in the 44th Infantry and accompanied General Andrew Jackson on his 1817-1818 campaigns through Florida. When Jackson oversaw the transfer of Florida from Spain on July 17, 1821, he appointed Peire as "alguazil," a position analogous to sheriff.

Peire served for only for a few months, moving to New Orleans around October of 1821. He became superintentendent of the New Orleans port and died in December 1848.

References

• John Appleyard. The Peacekeepers: the Story of Escambia County, Florida's 43 Sheriffs. 2007.

Preceded by: N/A

Escambia County Sheriff 1821

Succeeded by: Charles Bradford