peirce was the son of henry peirse mp of bedale, yorkshire and his wife anne johnson. his father died in 1759 and he inherited the bedale hall estate. he was educated at eton college from 1764 to 1770 and was admitted at pembroke college, cambridge on 3 july 1771, aged 17. he undertook a grand tour which included rome, naples, venice and paris. while in rome in 1775 his portrait was painted by pompeo batoni. he married hon. charlotte grace monson, daughter of john monson, 3rd baron monson on 16 august 1777. bedale hall underwent some transformation under pierce, and about 1777 he enlarged the house by incorporating into it an old inn, so that the house became attached to the town houses on the west side of the market place. more significantly at some time a new stable wing was added to the house and a racing stud was established which became very successful.