Born the youngest child of Franklin Pierce and Jane Means Appleton on April 13,1841 in Concord NH. After the deaths of the two elder brothers Bennie, (as he was called) had, as a mother, a devoted parent who always did her best to discourage her husband's interest in politics, desiring a quiet family life. In 1852, when the Democrats made Pierce their candidate for President, Jane Pierce fainted. In a note written by Bennie to her he said " I hope he won't be elected for I should not like to be in Washington and I know you would not either." Pierce accepted the nomination and was elected. Two months before the inauguation the family was traveling by railroad between Andover and Lawrence when the train derailed and slid over an enbankment near Andover. No one but Bennie was injured; but the death of Bennie, who was decapitated, was devastating to the family. The inauguration took place on March 4 but without an inaugural ball and without Mrs. Pierce in attendance. Bennie's death, combined with the deaths of her prior two children, was something that Mrs Pierce never recovered from.

Benjamin "Bennie" Pierce (April 13, 1841 – January 16, 1853) died at the age of 11 in a tragic railway accident in Andover, Massachusetts which his parents witnessed, 1 month before the inauguration of his father.