Arent Schyler de Peister

Arent Schyler de Peister (or de Peyster) was born In New York City on 27 June 1736, the son of Pierre Guillaume de Peister and his wife Cornelia Schyler. Arent was commissioned into the British Army in 1755, joining the 50th Regiment and then the 51st. He served in the Seven Years War in America but was captured by the French and shipped back to France. He was later exchanged and joined the 8th Regiment campaigning in Germany. When the 8th went to Canada his North American experience proved invaluable. He was rapidly promoted and appointed commandant of Fort Michilimackinac, Michigan.
In the War of American Independence in 1775 he recruited Native Americans from the Great Lakes region to fight for the British under John Burgoyne. He was promoted to major and captured Detroit. He commanded the 8th Regiment from 1783 and continued to persuade Native Americans to switch sides and fight against the Colonists. In 1784 he commanded Fort Niagara but in 1785 he returned to England with the regiment and was promoted to colonel on 12 Oct 1793. However, he became ill and had to retire in 1794. He had been married to Rebecca Blair in 1757 and they retired to Dumfries, living at Mavis Grove. But when a French invasion threatened Britain in 1795 he commanded the Dumfries Volunteers which had Robert Burns in its ranks. He was badly injured in an accident in Dumfries and died on 22 Nov 1822. There was a fine funeral in his honour and he was buried in St Michael’s Churchyard. Rebecca died in 1827. There were no children.
The portrait shows de Peister in the uniform of the King’s Regiment c1780. He is wearing a belt plate featuring the Hanoverian Horse. He holds a tricorn hat in his left hand. The coat is scarlet with blue lapels and cuffs, decorated with gilt buttons and gold lace button loops. The epaulettes on each shoulder have a star badge denoting the rank of major.

Regimental Details | Commanding Officers