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Mercer (James F.) Papers
mssMercer
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Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: James F. Mercer papers
Creator:
Mercer, James Francis, -1756
Identifier/Call Number: mssMercer
Physical Description:
4.16 Linear Feet
(4 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1735-1872
Date (bulk): 1735-1763
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.
Language of Material: The material is in English.
Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader
Services.
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.
[Identification of item], James F. Mercer papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
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.
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.
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.
The collection is arranged chronologically.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Families -- Scotland -- History -- 18th century
Girls -- Education -- Great Britain
Scots -- America -- History
Scots -- Great Britain -- Colonies -- History
Seven Years' War, 1756-1763
Flanders (Belgium) -- Description and travel
Fort Oswego (Oswego, N.Y.) -- Capture, 1756
France -- Foreign relations -- Great Britain
Great Britain -- History -- George II, 1727-1760 -- Sources
Great Britain -- History, Military -- 18th century
Great Britain -- Colonies -- History -- 18th century
Great Britain -- Foreign relations -- 1727-1760
Great Britain -- Foreign relations -- France
Perth (Scotland) -- History -- 18th century -- Sources
United States -- History -- French and Indian War, 1754-1763
Accounts -- Great Britain -- 18th century
Letters (correspondence) -- Great Britain -- 18th century
Letters (correspondence) -- Great Britain -- 19th century
Letters (correspondence) -- United States -- 18th century
Manuscripts -- Great Britain -- 18th century
Manuscripts -- Great Britain -- 19th century
Craven, Charles
Grahame, James, -1760
Lewis, Francis, 1713-1802
Mercer, James Francis, -1756
Mercer, William, 1717-1786
Robertson, James, 1717-1788
Sayre, Stephen, 1736-1818
Shirley, William, 1694-1771