Butler, Pierce, of South Carolina 5

Pierce Butler was the third son of Sir Richard Butler, the fifth Baronet of Cloughgrenan and a member of the Irish Parliament. Traditionally British aristocrats directed younger sons into the military or the church, and Butler's father was no exception. In the honored fashion of the times, he bought his son a commission in the 22d Regiment of Foot. He later transferred to the 29th Regiment of Foot and a detachment of this regiment fired the volley resulting in the Boston Massacre! He married the daughter of a wealthy South Carolina planter and left the army. When the Revolution started, he threw in his lot with the Americans. He was active in the defense of and the war in South Carolina during the War. (South Carolina probably had more battles and skirmishes in the Revolutionary War than all the remaining provinces combined!)