JOHN LEYBOURNE MERCER.
Hugh Mercer, of Scotland, came to America in colonial days. He entered
the Continental army in the war for Independence, received rank
of general, and was killed in that war, battle of Princeton, New Jersey.
His son, Colonel Hugh Mercer, was the father of John C. Mercer, who
was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and died in March, 1884, aged
seventy-two years. John C. Mercer married Mary Waller, who survives
him, living now in North Carolina. Their son, John Leybourne Mercer,
was born in Williamsburg, Virginia, August 2, 1849. He went to
school to various teachers in Williamsburg about five years, then attended
William and Mary College two sessions. After that clerked in
mercantile establishments until 1868, when he was appointed to his
present position, which he has held ever since, except for two years from
March, 1882 to March, 1884. He is clerk and steward of the Eastern
Lunatic Asylum, Williamsburg.
He married at Williamsburg, March 31, 1875, Jean Sinclair Bright.
They have two daughters, Jean C., Mary W., and one son, T. Hugh
Mercer. Mrs. Mercer was born in Williamsburg, and is a daughter of
Samuel F. and Elizabeth Bright. Her father died in 1868, her mother
in 1872.
Mr. Mercer had two brothers in the Confederate States army, Thomas
Hugh Mercer, first lieutenant in artillery, severely wounded at Seven
Pines, and C. W. Mercer, a private in Col. Mosby's command, captured
and held prisoner at Fort Delaware fourteen months.
Mr. Mercer is a member of Williamsburg Lodge, No. 6, A. F. & A. M.
