Archives of Maryland
(Biographical Series)

John Francis Mercer (1759-1821)
MSA SC 3520-904

Governor of Maryland, 1801-1803 (anti-Federalist, 1788-1791, Democratic-Republican, 1791-1812; Federalist,
1812-1821)

Born:  May 17, 1759, at "Marlborough Point, " Stafford County, Virginia1
Father:  John Mercer2
Mother:  Ann (Roy) Mercer3
Marriage:  February 3, 1785 to Sophia Sprigg4
Children:  John, Richard, Margaret5
Education:
            graduated, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia, 1775
            studied law with Thomas Jefferson, 1779 and at the College of William and Mary, 1782-17836
Religious affiliation:  Anglican7
Military service:
            1st Lieutenant, Third Virginia Regiment, commissioned February 26, 1776
            Captain, commissioned September 1777
            Major, aide-de-camp to General Charles Lee, commissioned June 8, 1778, resigned July 2, 1779
            Lieutenant Colonel, Virginia Militia, 1780-17818
Positions held:
            Delegate, Continental Congress, Virginia, 1782-1785
            Delegate, Federal Constitutional Convention, 1787
            U.S. House of Representatives, 3rd District, 2nd and 3rd Congresses, 1792-1794 (resigned)
            Maryland House of Delegates, 1788, 1791-1792, 1800-1801 (resigned), 1803-1805
            Delegate, Constitution Ratification Convention, Anne Arundel County, 1788
            Common Councilman, Annapolis, 1792
            Maryland Senate elector, Anne Arundel County, 1801
            Governor of Maryland, 1801-18039
Died:  August 30, 1821 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania10
Burial:  St. Peter's churchyard, Philadelphia11

Notes on sources

Extended biography

Return to John Francis Mercer's introductory page


This web site is presented for reference purposes under the doctrine of fair use. When this material is used, in whole or in part, proper citation and credit must be attributed to the Maryland State Archives. PLEASE NOTE: The site may contain material from other sources which may be under copyright. Rights assessment, and full originating source citation, is the responsibility of the user.

Tell Us What You Think About the Maryland State Archives Website!
© Copyright January 11, 2005Maryland State Archives