Robert Pigot was born in London, England, in 1720. His two brothers were
George Pigot, 1st Baron Pigot, Governor of
Madras,
India and Admiral
Hugh Pigot, Commander-in-Chief of the
West Indies fleet. He and his brothers shared
Huguenot ancestry through their grandfather Peter Godde, who had come to England in the late seventeenth century. In 1758 Pigot was
major in the
10th Regiment of Foot. In 1764 he was
lieutenant colonel. From 1769 to 1775 he was the commander of the
38th Regiment of Foot. He also served as a
member of parliament for
Wallingford from 1768 to 1772. He was appointed
Warden of the Mint from August, 1771 until his death. On 17 June 1775 he commanded the left flank of the British assault in the
Battle of Bunker Hill. On 9 July he was
colonel in the
55th Regiment of Foot. He was promoted to the permanent grade of colonel for his bravery in the battle of Bunker Hill. He was made a
major general in 1777. Pigot was placed in command in
Rhode Island and made a
lieutenant general in 1782. In the
Battle of Rhode Island he fought with 3,000 men against 5,000 men under General
John Sullivan. He inherited the
baronetcy of his older brother Lord George Pigot (it had been created with
special remainder) and the
Patshull Hall estate in 1777. He also inherited a one-third share of the
Pigot Diamond, which remained in the family until sold in a lottery in 1801. On 8 February he resigned and died 1 August 1796 in
Stafford, England. ==References==