Mercer of Norfolk County, Virginia

CHRISTOPHER MERCER was christened 7/8/1612 at St. Albins Abbey, Hertford, England and m. Mary Simson, the daughter of Thomas and Sarah Simson on 11/3/1644 at Stepney Parish, London, England. He migrated to Lower Norfolk, Virginia, where his estate was listed in 1711. His son:

THOMAS MERCER of Lower Norfolk Co., VA married 1671 Kathren Bigge (or Biggs), the daughter of John Bigge and wife, Joan Norsworthy. His LWT was dated 1718 Lower Norfolk Co., VA. His son:

JOSEPH MERCER was b. 1680 Norfolk, VA and died 5/1735 Norfolk, VA. He m. Amy Ives. His son:

JAMES MERCER was b. 1713 in Norfolk, Virginia, and removed to Currituck Co., North Carolina about 1767. He was listed on the 1755 Currituck Co., North Carolina Tax Digest, along with Jeremiah and Thomas Mercer. James removed to Wilkes Co., Georgia by 1777 where he was found listed receiving 150 acres on first branch that makes into Harden's Creek (where he is camped)the "ceded lands" in 1777, having a wife, two sons and five daughters, from 13 years old to 3 months old.

James Mercer m. first, Ann Jones (ca1723-ca1748) of Princess Anne, Vireginia, daughter of John Jones and Ann Spann, losing her early, thus left to raise their three children. He m. 2d, Sarah Simmons of Currituck, North Carolina and by her had seven children. He was a devotee to the High Church, and was violent opposted to all other religious denominations, especially Baptists.

"...but being a man of vigorous and discriminating mind, and thinking for himself, when he came by conversion under the influence of vital, experimental piety, he was naturally led into that course of investigation which gradually carried him beyond the circle of educational prejudice and ecclesiastical tradition, and established him in a faith and practice more in harmony with the simplicity of the gospel. He soon began to question the validity of sprinkling as Scripture baptism, and in accordance with the rubric of the Episcopal Church, which ejoined immersion, except when the health of the child might seem to require a milder mode, he had two of his children dipped.

The first was Jesse, who was immersed in a barrel of water at the clergyman's house....At last he gained consent to attend a Baptist meeting, and listened to a discourse from one of their ministers.

His prejudices began to yield, and he was inclined to cherish more kind and charitable feelings towards the people he had so long despised.....

"About this time he removed with his family to Georgia and settled in Wilkes Co. Having at length become thoroughly convinced of the propriety of believers' baptism, he was baptised in the year 1775 by Alexander Scott, and became a member of the Kiokee Church...Very soon he was licensed by his church to preach, and at once commenced a career of ministerial labor and usefulness characterized by much zeal and ability. The name of Silas Mercer will ever occupy an honored place in the records of American Baptists."

Sunday meetings were frequently held in the log-cabin home of James Mercer and his wife, and his grandson, Jesse Mercer, remembered this as a time when he felt the spirit of the Lord.

Issue of James Mercer, and his first wife, Jane Jones:

I. Lydia Mercer, daughter of James Mercer.

II. Rhoda Mercer, daughter of James Mercer.

Issue of James Mercer and his second wife, Sarah Simmons:

IV. Jacob Mercer, son of James Mercer and Sarah, b. ca 1739.

V. Thomas Mercer, son of James Mercer and Sarah, b. ca 1741.

VI. Sarah Mercer, daughter of James Mercer and Sarah, b. ca 1743.

VII. Chloe Mercer, daughter of James Mercer and Sarah, b. ca 1745.

VIII. Mary Mercer, daughter of James Mercer and Sarah.

III. Silas Mercer, son of James Mercer, b. 1745 near Currituck Bay, North Carolina, died 1796 Wilkes Co., Ga. m. (1) Dorcas Green, b. 12/18/1743 in Stafford Co., Va., Overwharton Parish. She died 9/7/1819 Wilkes Co., GA), the daughter of William Green, Sr. and Ann Robinson. Ann Robinson m. 12/18.1743 William Green in Overwharton Parish. Silas Mercer m. (2) Ann Thompson, daughter of Samuel Thompson of Wilkes Co., 5/15/1828. His mother died when he was an infant.

Silas was a Chaplain for the North Carolina Troops during American Revolution.

The first record in Wilkes Co. was in 1777 when Silas Mercer, from North Carolina, having a wife, one son and one daughter, aged from 4 to 2 years old and 3 indentured children, received from the "ceded lands" in Wilkes Co., being 100 acres on a Little Spring branch about a mile below his father's land at a place called "Indian Ladder".

A deed of Silas Mercer and his wife, Dorcas of Halifax Co., North Carolina to Dempsey Battle of Edgecombe Co., North Carolina, 750 acres on a branch of Shoulderbone Creek, being an original Grant to said Mercer in July of 1784.

Silas Mercer deeded to the heirs of John Mulkey, decd, viz, Nancy, John, Elizabeth, Mary and James, 250 acres on Hardins Creek, 12/6/1785.

William Greene of Wilkes Co., Ga. Deeded to Silas Mercer of Wilkes Co., Ga. For $20.00, 287-1/2 acres of land in Washington Co. on Little Beaverdam fork of Richland Creek, boarding the Academy line. 12/6/1785.

12/1787, a Warrant for 200 acres was given to the heirs of John Mulkey, decd, adj. Silas Mercer, etc., in lieu of an old warrant and survey of their deceased father.

Silas Mercer and wife, Dorcas, deed to Samuel Walker, 200 acres on Legets branch of Fishing Creek agreeable to a land grant in 1784 to said Mercer. 2/10/1789.

James Burke of Burke Co., Ga. gave Power of Attorney to Silas Mercer of Wilkes Co. "so far as concerns a bounty of 700 acres allowed me for service in Third Company of Troops", 2/11/1790. On the same day he agreed to sell this land to Silas Mercer as soon as clear titles could be made.

Deed of Silas Mercer and his wife, Dorcas, of Wilkes Co., Ga. to Elisha Battle of Edgecombe Co., North Carolina, 300 acres on Fishing Creek of the Oconee River near Washingtn Co., being the original Land Grant dated 1785 to said Mercer. 4/9/1791.

Rev. Silas Mercer labored in The Sardis Church (originally called Hutton's Fork), which was constituted by him in 1785. It was then located in Wilkes Co. (now Taliaferro Co.)

In 1785, he also constituted The Bethesda Church , also Powell's Creek Church, in Powellton, Hancock Co., Ga., which was constituted in July of 1786 with twenty-six ministers. By February 1797, his son, Jesse Mercer, assumed the church as its pastor.

Silas Mercer, James Mercer, James Mercer and Jacob Mercer were listed on the 1793 Wilkes Co., Ga. Tax Digest, Turner's District.

Silas Mercer died in 1796, as we find appraisers appointed on 9/13/1796, in Wilkes Co., Ga., said appraisers being Thomas Grant, Thompson Bird, James Patterson and Phillip Wilhite.

The Southern Centinel and Universal Gazette dated 8/18/1796, published his death...."Rev. Silas Mercer, minister of the Baptist Church on Little River, Wilkes Co., died 8/1/1796".

He was buried at Ficklen, Georgia, between Sharon and Washington, and it is believed that this is near the spot where he originally settled. It is near Phillips Mill Church and not very far from Bethesda, where both Silas and Jesse's homes were located -- on the north prong of Little River.

Jesse Mercer, his son, was appointed administrator. 2/23/1801 a bond for 287-1/2 acres of land in Greene Co. on Richland Creek, originally the land grant to William Green, Sr., Jesse Mercer, admr of Estate of Silas Mercer. Thomas Cartwright asked for good titles.

A petition of Rev. Jesse Mercer, admr of Rev. Silas Mercer, decd, to sell 320 acres of land "being the whole of the real estate of said deceased". (1802)

Jesse Mercer, admr, Estate of Silas Mercer, record in his annual return, "Cash arising from the sale of a paper on the estate., viz, solder's bounty, $218.75". Also, paid his mother's dower. 5/23/1812. Heirs of Silas Mercer were named in the estate proceedings.

Issue of Silas Mercer and wife, Dorcas:

A. Jesse Mercer, son of Silas Mercer, was b. 12/16/1769 in Halifax Co., North Carolina. in 1745, d. 9/6/1841 at the house of brother James Carter in Indian Springs, Ga. m. (1) Sabrina Chivers (1769-9/23/1826) on 1/1788. The notice of the death of Sabrina appeared in the Georgia Journal dated 10/10/1826. "Mrs. Sabrina Mercer, wife of Jesse Mercer, 55 years, died 9/13/1826 in Andersonville, South Carolina at the house of Mr. J. Harrison of billious fever. Her body was removed during the construction of Hartwell Dam by the Corps of Engineers and reinterred in Penfield Cemetery, Greene Co., Ga., at the request of the Georgia Baptist Association. Sabrina Chivers was the aunt of Robert Chivers, who was father of the famous Georgia poet, Thomas Holley Chivers.

Jesse m. (2) Nancy Simons (d. 5/1841) on 12/11/1827 Wilkes Co., Ga., buried Washington Baptist Church, Wilkes Co. Jesse Mercer came to Georgia at the age of four years, about 12/4/1773, with one sister, two years of age, and five other (indentured) children. From the records of the Phillips' Mill Church, he was made a candidate for baptism on 7/7/1787, and was subsequently baptised by his father, Rev. Silas Mercer. Before he was twenty years old, he was ordained a minister by Phillips' Church.

"Mr. Mercer was not, in the strictest sense, an educated man. At the time of his marriage his education was comparatively limited, but, in his great anxiety to increase his scanty store of knowledge, he sold his little farm and moved with his wife into a little house on Fishing Creek, near a respectable school, under the charge of Rev. Mr. Springer, a Presbyterian minster of considerable learning and talent. Here he contined for two years, in the meantime filling his engagements with the Hutton's Fork (now Sardis) Church in Wilkes Co. After attending the school of Mr. Springer for two years, he returned to his father's, and continued another year in the study of the lanaguages under Mr. Armor.

"After all, Mr. Mercer never attained a very profound knowledge of the ancient languages, though his knowledge was sufficient to enable him to examine difficult passages. ...

"The Sardis church (originally called Hutton's Fork), gathered by the labors of Silas Mercer, was the first church over which Jesse Mercer was caled to preside as pastor....Shortly after the death of his father, he was called to take his place in that pulpit, which he accepted and entered on the work some time in 1796. This church he served regularly for thirty-nine years...During his connection with the church he baptized into its fellowship something like two hundred and thirty persons."

Jesse Mercer also preached at the Bethesda Church from 1796 until 1827, where his membership resided from 1807 to 1816.

On February 4, 1797, Jesse Mercer assumed charge of Powell's Creek Church in Powellton, Hancock Co., Ga., and remained its minister until 1825. About February of 1818, he removed his family from Greene Co. to Powellton, where he resided for seven or eight year.

From 1820 to 1826 he was pastor of a church in Eatonton, Putnam Co., Ga.

After attending the General Convention in 1826, upon passing through the upper part of South Carolina, his wife was brought low by disease, and died 9/23/1826, at Andersonville, Pendleton District. He then returned to Wilkes Co. To reside.

In December of 1827 he became pastor of a church in Washington, Ga.

In 1833 Jesse Mercer purchased "The Christian Index", published in Philadelphia by Dr. Brantly, and moved it to Washington Co. By 1840, the newspaper was tendered by the Baptist State Convention, and removed to Penfield, Ga.

From 1795 until the session of 1816, Jesse Mercer officiated as the clerk of the Georgia Association; he was moderator of the Georgia Baptist Station Convention, 1839-1841.

"He gave, also, much of his influence, and contributed liberally of his means, to sustain a Baptist college in the District of Columbia. The Mercer University, from its beginning to the close of his life, he devoted his best energies, giving large sums of money to its endowment while he lived, and making it the principal legatee of his estate.....

"The personal appearaance of Mr. Mercer was well calculated to arrest the attention of the beholder, and fix a lasting impression on his mind. No one that ever saw him would be likely to forget him. In height he rose somewhat above the ordinary standard; in his young days he was spare, but in his advanced years when in health, he was moderately corpulent. Time had gradually removed the greater portion of his hair, leaving at last but a few thin, straight locks on the sides and back of his head, which still retained their original dark brown color. His extreme baldness revealed to all the exact size and confirmation of the citadel of his noble mind. This conformation was very remarkable. The horizontal length of his head, from his eye-brows back, was very great, while his forehead seemed to rise upward with a gently receding slope even to the very crown, exhibiting a most striking development of which phrenologgists term the organs of benevolence, veneration and firmness. His eye, which was of a hazel color, and rather small, and deeply sunk, was clear and sparkling, and beamed with a sweet, mingled expression of affection and intellience. What he appeared to be, he really was."

At the time of his death, 9/6/1841 at Indian Springs, in the home of brother James Carter, he threw his arms around the neck of his nephew, who was present, and drawing him close to his lips, said, "I have no fears."

Jesse Mercer was buried in the churchyard near where the Mercer Chapel now stands, and remained there until after 1848, when the Georgia Baptist Convention set apart a burial site for the Penfield Community in Greene Co., and reinterred it, locating it on the highest spot in the cemetery. This displeased the Washington Church, as they wanted his remains buried beside his last wife, and it caused some contention for years to come.

On 1/22/1847, David E. Butler, executor of Jesse Mercer, decd, William F. Baker, the other executor, having removed to Mississippi), deeded to Jacob Printup, lot southeast of Crawfordville known as the brick house and lot formerly owned by Hermon Mercer adjoining John Rhodes, 146 acres. Taliaferro Deed Book D, page 185.

On 3/1/1847, David E. Butler, executor of Jesse Mercer, decd, deed to Gilbert Kent, a 3-acre lot in Crawfordville, on east by Town, south by Augusta Road, east by Washington Road, north by Bartholomew Lot, now John Janes lot, and west by Thompson's lot, which said lot was deeded by Hermon Mercer to Jesse Mercer 12/1/1838. Taliaferro Deed Book D, page 209.

Issue of Jesse Mercer:

1. Miriam Mercer b. ca 1798, died 9 months later, 1799, in Virginia.

2. Miriam Mercer b. ca 1803, d. 1814 Greene Co., Ga., buried Bethesda Cemetery, reinterred Penfield Cemetery in Greene Co. On 11/5/1943.

B. Anna Mercer, daughter of Silas Mercer, b. 12/10/1774 m. in Ga. William Robertson (b. 1/6/1771) on 6/28/1792. She was christened at Phillips Mill Church in 1789, and d. 1852 in Lincoln, TN. Issue: Gilbert Robertson, b. 8/15/1794 m. Matilda Andrews (b. 1801) in Ga. in 1817. Issue: a. Silas Mercer Robertson 12/13/1833-10/18/1910 m. Prudence Ann b. 6/29/1837 on 8/1865 in Tennessee. Issue: i. Vincent Franklin Robertson b. 5/27/1867 Lincoln Co., Tennessee m. Addie Lorena Cunningham b. 9/19/1885 on 12/18/1912 in Sevier Co., Tennessee; ii. Thomas William Robertson b. 3/6/1874; iii. Ezekiel Wagner Robertson b. 10/9/1877; and b. Winnie Ann Thornton Robertson 12/6/1835-7/39/1896.

C. Mary Mercer, b. ca 1776, Wilkes Co., Ga., daughter of Silas Mercer, died infancy.

D. Daniel Mercer, son of Silas Mercer, b. 1780 Wilkes Co., Ga., d. 2/26/1830 Henry Co., Ga., m. Sarah Tuggle of Greene Co., (b. ca 1812) died without issue.

Henry Co. Deed Book C/D, page 518: "Greene Co., Daniel Mercer of said county deeds to William Tuggle on 11/12/1825 for $550, in consideration for a negro boy named Miles.

Henry Co. Deed Book F, page 22, Sarah Mercer deeded to Ransom Tuggle on 9/1/1830 for $300.00, 101-1/4 acres in Lot 31 of 11th District.

Henry Co. Deed Book G, page 419, Samuel Wyatt on 1/10/1835 received of John Mercer $500.00 in full payment of a certain negro woman named, Nancy, ca 30 years old.

E. Mourning Mercer, b. ca 1782 Wilkes Co., Ga., daughter of Silas Mercer, died infancy.

F. Hermon Mercer, b. 1784, Wilkes Co., Ga., d. 1/13/1854 Ochusee, Jackson Co., FL, son of Silas Mercer, his name being given from the Biblical "Mount Hermon", m. Elizabeth Andrews 9/3/1802 in Greene Co., Ga. Hermon, being among the first settlers to Taliaferro Co., made the town plan for Crawfordville. His brick mansion was built in the early 1830's, facing the Janes house, and adjoining lot of William Janes (which was on the northeast corner of Broad and Ray, formerly Reynolds Streets). The home was razed in the 1950's

His son, Dr. Leonidas B. Mercer, married Lovicia Janes, daughter of William Janes, Sr. Also, William Janes', son, William, Jr., married Rebecca, a daughter of John Mercer (the half brother of Silas Mercer, Jesse and Hermon's father).

He was among the first five justices in Taliaferro Co., and presided over the first Inferior Court on 5/15/1826; also was first city commissioner. His influence was felt throughout the community of Crawfordville, taking an active part in civil affairs.

On 4/4/1828, Hermon Mercer gave a promissory note to Jesse Mercer in the amount of $3310.00, for 500 acres on Little River, adj. Robert's land, which included the mills formerly belonging to William and Thomas Janes. (Note Satisfied). Taliaferro Deed Book A, page 96.

On 5/8/1836, Hermon Mercer deeded Thomas J. Shackelford, Crawfordville Lot No. 27, containing a near one acre in the Plan of the said Town, adjoining Academy on the north and Davant's Lot, which is now Calloways. Taliaferro Deed Book A, page 233.

On 10/16/1837, Hermon Mercer deeded Thomas Shackelford, Crawfordville Lot No. 29, north of the railroad, north by street and Mrs. Gresham's lot, owned by said Mercer, and west by street and lot belonging to the Estate of William Janes. Taliaferro Deed Book A, page 332. On 1/11/1839, Hermon Mercer deeded to Joel E. Mercer, the west half of Lot No. 22 through which the Georgia Railroad runs, adjoining Thomas Wynn, being 4-1/2acres., as well as the eastern half of Lot No. 28 bounded on the east by Washington Street, being 4 � tenths of an acres. Taliaferro Deed Book B, page 495.

On 12/31/1838, Hermon Mercer deeded to Jesse Mercer of Wilkes Co. That parcel of land whereon "my brick house stands" and other outhouses and the land adjoining, lying southeast of Crawfordville, 150 acres, for $5000. Also, a certain lot, 3 acres, in Crawfordville, south by the Augusta Road, East by Washington Road, North by Bartholomew's lot, and west by Thompson's lot. Taliaferro Deed Book C, page 13-14.

On 8/10/1839, Hermon Mercer deeded to Gutus Lockett, a Crawfordville Lot lying near the Big Spring on the southside of the Georgia Railroad, Mercer's Wood and Iron Shop lot, north by the Georgia Railroad, E by Thompson's land, south by the lot of A. G. Taylor, and west by the street at the east of Crawfordville. Taliaferro Deed Book A, page 299.

Hermon and his brother, Joshua, were long-time members of the Baptist Church and among the members of Palmyra Church in Lee Co. during the formative years. He helped found the First Baptist Church in Albany.

G. Mount Moriah Mercer, son of Silas Mercer, b. 1781-1822, joined the church at Williams' Creek in 1809, m. Nancy Ann Edge (b. 1798) of Wilkes Co. in 1815 Oglethorpe Co., Ga. Listed on 1820 Taliaferro Co., Ga. Census, and d. Oglethorpe Co., leaving widow and three children. Issue: Jim Mercer, son of Mount Moriah Mercer; Ann Moriah Mercer, daughter of Mount Moriah Mercer; and Elizabeth Mercer, daughter of Mount Moriah Mercer, m. James H. B. Shackelford.

H. Joshua Mercer, son of Silas Mercer, b. 7/20/1788 Wilkes Co., Ga., d. 2/4/1869 Gordon, Henry Co., Alabama. He m. Mary D. Wells. He was also a preacher, was raised his brother, Mount Moriah Mercer's three orphan children. He was a member of the Baptist Church at Palmyra, Lee Co., Ga. From the Minutes of Palmyra Baptist Church, "after prayer by Rev. Joshua Mercer, the committee, agreeable to instruction, reported the following resolution which was unanimously adopted, to-wit: "Resolved that we will call the church Palmyra, in honor of our ancient and beautiful city in Syria built by King Solomon." (2/26/1837)

Issue of James Mercer and his second wife, Sarah Simmons:

IV. Jacob Mercer, son of James Mercer and Sarah, b. ca 1739.

V. Thomas Mercer, son of James Mercer and Sarah, b. ca 1741.

VI. Sarah Mercer, daughter of James Mercer and Sarah, b. ca 1743.

VII. Chloe Mercer, daughter of James Mercer and Sarah, b. ca 1745.

VIII. Mary Mercer, b, 1747, daughter of James Mercer and Sarah.

IX. Vashti Mercer, daughter of James Mercer and Sarah, b. after 1759, d. after 1816 Georgia, m. 1770 Currituck Co., N. C., George Franklin of Currituck Co., N. C., b. 1744, d. 1816 Burke Co., Ga. Issue:

1. James Franklin b. ca 1770.

2. Vashti Mercer Franklin b. ca 1800 Ga., d. 6/11/1839 m. Daniel Harris 12/28/1826 Davisboro, Washington Co., Ga.

3. Samuel Owen Franklin b. 1802 Washington Co., Ga., d. 1867 m. Eliza Floyd.

4. George Franklin.

5. Sarah Franklin b. ca 1806 Ga.

6. Martha Franklin b. ca 1808 Ga.

XI. James Mercer, son of James Mercer and Sarah, b. 1769 Halifax, N. C. m. Elizabeth Williamson 4/11/1807 Wilkes Co., Ga. He d. 12/1850 Coweta Co., Ga. His older brother, Silas Mercer, also receiving the "ceded lands".

XII. John Mercer, Colonel, b. 1778 Wilkes Co., Ga., m. Sarah Chivers. Listed 1850 Lee Co., Ga. Census. The LWT of John Mercer, Lee Co., page 44-47, names sons and daughter. John Mercer was a trustee of Penfield School in Greene Co., which later became Mercer University. He came from Oglethorpe Co. to Lee Co. with his son, Dr. Leonidas B. Mercer, during the 1830's, to settle Crawfordville, and was instrumental in founding the Palmyra Baptist Church.

Issue: 1. Rebecca C. Mercer m. William Janes, Jr. 12/14/1826 Taliaferro Co.

2. Joel Elreath Mercer.

3. Dr. Leonidas Bennington Mercer, b. 1803 Ga., m. in Taliaferro Co. on 8/23/1826 Lovicia Janes (b. 1811 Va, d. 10/13/1841), daughter of William Janes and Selah Graham, of Crawfordville, Ga. Notice of this marriage appeared in the Georgia Journal. They were married by Hermon Mercer. He m. (2) Mary Ann Hilsman, (b. 1824 Ga.) on 9/20/1842 in Hancock Co., daughter of Bennett Hilsman and Lowella Harvie. Listed 1850 Lee Co., Ga. Census.

Leonidas B. Mercer was active in Palmyra Baptist Church (Lee Co.), beng a deacon there, and appointed in 1837, along with William Janes and Joshua Mercer, to a committee to raise subscriptions for building an academy and house of worship. L. B. Mercer, John Mercer and James B. Mercer were appointed to draft plans for the house.

William Janes deeded L. B. Mercer, his son-in-law, land in Taliaferro Co., 4/7/1827. Taliaferro Deed Book A, page 75.

On 2/2/1830, Archibald Gresham and Leonidas B. Mercer, deacons of Bethal Baptist Church at Crawfordville deed to George Tilley two acres on headwaters of the Ogeechee, formerly owned by Elijah Williams. Taliaferro Deed Book A, page 182.

On 8/6/1836, Leonidas B. Mercer deed land to Mary McCormick. Taliaferro Deed Book A, page 364.

Dr. Mercer, according to a historical marker in Crawfordville, was trustee of Crawfordville Academy (later Alexander Stephens Institute), said to be one of the finest of the early Georgia academies (chartered 1826). Among the first trustees were: Archibald Gresham, Hermon Mercer and Leonidas B. Mercer.

In George White's Historical Collections of Georgia, Dr. Mercer is said to have cleared one of the worst shoals on the Flint River, which helped improve navigation to Albany.

Dr. E. Merton Coulter, in his book, Georgia, A Short History, page 287, he stated that Dr. Mercer was appointed gy Governor Towns in 1849 on a committee to study school plans for the State. And, in the book, College Life in the Old South says that Dr. Mercer was a trustee of the University of Georgia.

Dr. Mercer was a doctor, geologist, naturalist, weather observer, writer, lecturer, farmer, legislator from Lee Co. and Delegate for Ga. From the Second District....Also, President of the Atlanta Fair in 1857.

His LWT recorded in Terrell Co., Ga., Book A, page 11-12, dated 8/15/1860, probated 1/29/1859. Executors: Leonidas Mercer, William Janes, John B. Gilbert. Wits: Jeremiah Hilsman, James Pope, Leemon D. McLendon.

Issue of Dr. Leonidas B. Mercer and Lovica Janes:
a. Selah Ann Rosemon Mercer, daughter of Dr. Leonidas B. Mercer and Lovicia Jane, 7/24/1836-1897, m. Council B. Wooten on 3/10/1859. They were parents of Mrs. W. T. Tift of Albany, W. E. Wooten, and John Wooten.
b. Joel Edward Mercer, b. 1832 Ga.
c. John Thomas Mercer, killed in War Between the States.

Issue of Dr. Leonidas B. Mercer and Mary Ann Hilsman:

d. Mary Gertrude Mercer.
e. Francis Addison Lamar Mercer b. 1/10/1847 m. (1) Dr. James L. D. Perryman of Leary, Ga. and had one child, Lee Perryman. She m. (2) David Buckner Jones and had one child, Erin Mercer Jones who m. David Brady Sherman. They had issue: David Mercer Sherman of Albany, b. 8/6/1906 m. 6/16/1829 Ernestine Ayers Walker, b. 8/3/1909 (had sons, John Mercer Sherman b. 8/20/1945 and David Maurice Sherman b. 7/6/1943), and Dr. Henry Thomas Sherman of Valdosta b. 8/11/1910 m. Ruth Morgan (had children: Henry Thomas Sherman, Erin Mercer Sherman and Mercer Lancaster Sherman).
f. Moriah Twigg Mercer.