James F. Mercer papers, 1735-1872, bulk 1735-1763

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Summary

Creators:
Mercer, James Francis, -1756
Abstract:
The collection consists of over 120 letters, manuscripts and documents related to James F. Mercer and his death at Fort Oswego, New York, in 1756 and the settling of his estate after his death.
Extent:
4.16 Linear Feet (4 boxes)
Language:
The material is in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], James F. Mercer papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

A collection of over 120 letters, manuscripts, and documents (previously bound, original binding is in Box 4)). The collection includes James F. Mercer's letters written during his travels in Europe, Jamaica, and North America (1736-1755). This includes five letters by Mercer from Fort Oswego (1755-1756). The collection also includes approximately 70 letters written in the aftermath of Mercer's death, including correspondence of Mercer's brother, William Mercer, friend James Grahame, and Grahame's 13-page account of the Battle of Oswego. Other authors include: Andrew Douglass, Joseph Austin, Colin Drummond, Charles Craven, Francis Lewis, James Robertson, and Stephen Sayre. Collection includes several documents regarding James F. Mercer's finances and belongings after his death. Also included is a copy of Papers relating to the first settlement and capture of Fort Oswego, 1727-1756 [Albany: Weed, Parsons & Co., 1849], with Mercer escutcheon pasted on the front inner cover.

Biographical / historical:

James F. Mercer was Colonel of William Pepperell's 51st Regiment of Royal Americans, commanding Fort Oswego, Oswego, New York.). On August 11, 1756, French commander Louis-Joseph de Montcalm besieged the fort with 3,000 men, most of whom were Canadian militiamen and Indigenous people warriors. Mercer was killed on August 14 by a French cannonball, and the garrison quickly surrendered after his death. When the soldiers left the fort, the French-allied Indigenous peoples attacked them. The defeat for England became a subject of inquiry conducted by John Campbell, the 4th Earl of Loudoun, who had arrived just three weeks prior to the battle.

Acquisition information:
Purchased by the Library Collectors' Council from William Reese Company, January 20, 2018. The letters were preserved by William Mercer's grandson, son of George Depster Mercer, the Treasurer of Hong Kong, a member of the Asiatic Society, and a minor author. It was then acquired by Eric C. Caren.
Arrangement:

The collection is arranged chronologically.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.

Terms of access:

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], James F. Mercer papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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