James F. Mercer papers: Finding Aid mssMercer
Finding aid prepared by Brooke M. Black. Updated in December 2022.
The Huntington Library
© June 2018
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Business Number: (626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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.
Access
Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader
Services.
Publication Rights
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.
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.
Biographical Note
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.
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.
Arrangement
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
Box 1, Folder 1
Mercer, James Francis, -1756. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1736, Sep. 17
Scope and Contents
Bergen, Belgium.
Box 1, Folder 2
Mercer, James Francis, -1756. Letter to Jean Lindsey Mercer
1742, Mar. 7
Scope and Contents
Kingston, Jamaica.
Box 1, Folder 3
Mercer, James Francis, -1756. Letter to Jean Lindsey Mercer
1742, Aug 9
Scope and Contents
Kingston, Jamaica.
Box 1, Folder 4
Mercer, James Francis, -1756. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1749, Oct. 12
Scope and Contents
London, England. Torn; fragile.
Box 1, Folder 5
Mercer, James Francis, -1756. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1751, Apr. 16
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 1, Folder 6
Mercer, James Francis, -1756. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1752, Jan. 16
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 1, Folder 7
Mercer, James Francis, -1756. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1752, Jan. 25
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 1, Folder 8
Mercer, James Francis, -1756. Letter to [William Mercer, 1717-1786]
1752, [Nov. 30]
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 1, Folder 9
Mercer, James Francis, -1756. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1752, Dec. 30
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 1, Folder 10
Mercer, James Francis, -1756. Letter to [William Mercer, 1717-1786]
1753, Mar. 10
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 1, Folder 11
Mercer, James Francis, -1756. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1753, Apr. 10
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 1, Folder 12
Mercer, James Francis, -1756. Letter to [William Mercer, 1717-1786]
1753, Apr. 26
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 1, Folder 13
Mercer, James Francis, -1756. Letter to [William Mercer, 1717-1786]
1754, Apr. 23
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 1, Folder 14
Mercer, James Francis, -1756. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
[1754, Apr.]
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 1, Folder 15
Mercer, James Francis, -1756. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1754, May 7
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 1, Folder 16
Mercer, James Francis, -1756. Letter to [William Mercer, 1717-1786]
1754, June 4
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 1, Folder 17
Mercer, James Francis, -1756. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1754, Aug. 12
Scope and Contents
Paris, France.
Box 1, Folder 18
Grahame, James, -1760. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1754, Aug. 20
Scope and Contents
London, England. Damaged.
Box 1, Folder 19
Grahame, James, -1760. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1754, Sep. 7
Scope and Contents
London, England. Damaged.
Box 1, Folder 20
Mercer, James Francis, -1756. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1754, Oct. 10
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 1, Folder 21
Mercer, James Francis, -1756. Letter to [William Mercer, 1717-1786]
1754, Oct. 12
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 1, Folder 22
Mercer, James Francis, -1756. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1754, Oct. 29
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 1, Folder 23
Mercer, James Francis, -1756. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1754, Nov. 2
Scope and Contents
[London, England.]
Box 1, Folder 24
Mercer, James Francis, -1756. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1754, Nov. 5
Scope and Contents
[London, England.]
Box 1, Folder 25
Mercer, James Francis, -1756. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1754, Nov. 9
Scope and Contents
Portsmouth, England. Damaged.
Box 1, Folder 26
Grahame, James, -1760. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1754, Nov 12
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 1, Folder 27
Grahame, James, -1760. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1754, Nov. 19
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 1, Folder 28
Mercer, James Francis, -1756. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1755, Jan. 10
Scope and Contents
York, Va.
Box 1, Folder 29
Mercer, James Francis, -1756. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1755, Feb. 18
Scope and Contents
Boston, Mass.
Box 1, Folder 30
Grahame, James, -1760. Letter to [William Mercer, 1717-1786]
1755, Mar. 10
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 1, Folder 31
Grahame, James, -1760. Letter to [William Mercer, 1717-1786]
1755, Mar. 25
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 1, Folder 32
Grahame, James, -1760. Letter to [William Mercer, 1717-1786]
1755, Apr. 29
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 1, Folder 33
Grahame, James, -1760. Letter to [William Mercer, 1717-1786]
1755, May 15
Scope and Contents
London, England. With stub.
Box 1, Folder 34
Mercer, James Francis, -1756. Letter to James Grahame, -1760
1755, June 9
Scope and Contents
New York, N.Y. Damaged.
Box 1, Folder 35
Mercer, James Francis, -1756. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1755, June 9
Scope and Contents
New York, N.Y. With stub.
Box 1, Folder 36
Grahame, James, -1760. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1755, July 22
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 1, Folder 37
Mercer, James Francis, -1756. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1755, Aug. 20
Scope and Contents
Oneida, N.Y. Damaged.
Box 1, Folder 38
Mercer, James Francis, -1756. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1755, Sep. 10
Scope and Contents
Oswego, N.Y.
Box 1, Folder 39
Kotson (?), M (?) Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1755, Sep. 22
Box 1, Folder 40
Grahame, James, -1760. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1755, Nov. 15
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 1, Folder 41
Grahame, James, -1760. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1755, Dec. 20
Scope and Contents
London, England. With stub.
Box 1, Folder 42
Grahame, James, -1760. Letter to [James Francis Mercer, -1756]
1756, Jan. 13
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 1, Folder 43
Mercer, James Francis, -1756. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1756, Jan. 24
Scope and Contents
Oswego, N.Y.
Box 1, Folder 44
Grahame, James, -1760. Letter to [William Mercer, 1717-1786]
1756, Feb. 14
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 1, Folder 45
Mercer, James Francis, -1756. Letter to James Grahame, -1760
1756, Feb. 24
Scope and Contents
Oswego, N.Y.
Box 1, Folder 46
Mercer, James Francis, -1756. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1756, Mar. 14
Scope and Contents
Oswego, N.Y. Damaged.
Box 1, Folder 47
Grahame, James, -1760. Letter to [William Mercer, 1717-1786]
1756, Mar. 16
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 1, Folder 48
Grahame, James, -1760. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1756, Apr. 29
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 1, Folder 49
Grahame, James, -1760. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1756, May 13
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 1, Folder 50
Grahame, James, -1760. Letter to [William Mercer, 1717-1786]
1756, May 26
Scope and Contents
London, England. On verso: accounts.
Box 1, Folder 51
Mercer, James Francis, -1756. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1756, July 8
Scope and Contents
[Oswego, N.Y.] Damaged.
Box 1, Folder 52
Grahame, James, -1760. Letter to [William Mercer, 1717-1786]
1756, Sep. 7
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 1, Folder 53
[Unknown author]. Document re: James Francis Mercer's leaving all of his effects to James Robinson, his servant
1756, Sep. 27).
Scope and Contents
Québec, Québec. Signed by five witnesses.
Box 1, Folder 54
Robertson, James, 1717-1788. Letter to [William Mercer, 1717-1786]
1756, Sep. 30
Scope and Contents
Albany, N.Y.
Box 1, Folder 55
Grahame, James, -1760. Letter to [William Mercer, 1717-1786]
1756, Nov. 9
Scope and Contents
London, England. With stub.
Box 1, Folder 56
Grahame, James, -1760. Letter to [William Mercer, 1717-1786]
1756, Nov. 13
Scope and Contents
London, England. With note.
Box 1, Folder 57
Austin, Joseph. Letter to Colin Drummond
1756, Nov. 17
Scope and Contents
Plymouth, England.
Box 1, Folder 58
Drummond, Colin. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1756, Nov. 19
Scope and Contents
Megginch Castle, Perthshire, England.
Box 1, Folder 59
Robertson, James, 1717-1788. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1756, Nov. 26
Scope and Contents
Totnes, England.
Box 1, Folder 60
Drummond, Colin. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
[1756, Nov.]
Box 1, Folder 61
Grahame, James, -1760. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1756, Dec. 14
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 1, Folder 62
[Austin, Joseph]. Letter to Colin Drummond
[1756]
Scope and Contents
Damaged.
Box 1, Folder 63
[Austin, Joseph]. Document re: effects left at New York by James Francis Mercer
[1756]
Scope and Contents
With stub. On verso: note.
Box 1, Folder 64
Grahame, James, -1760. Account of the Capture of Oswego, 14 August 1756: manuscript
[after 1756]
Box 2, Folder 1
Grahame, James, -1760. Letter to [William Mercer, 1717-1786]
1757, Jan. 15
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 2, Folder 2
Lewis, Francis, 1713-1802. Letter to G. Graham
1757, Feb. 22
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 2, Folder 3
Grahame, James, -1760. Letter to [William Mercer, 1717-1786]
1757, Feb. 26
Scope and Contents
London, England. With cover sheet with note
Box 2, Folder 4
Grahame, James, -1760. Letter to [William Mercer, 1717-1786]
1757, Apr. 9
Box 2, Folder 5
Grahame, James, -1760. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1757, July 9
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 2, Folder 6
Grahame, James, -1760. Letter to [William Mercer, 1717-1786]
1757, Aug. 25
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 2, Folder 7
Grahame, James, -1760. Letter to [William Mercer, 1717-1786]
1757, Dec. 20
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 2, Folder 8
Grahame, James, -1760. Letter to [William Mercer, 1717-1786]
1758, Mar. 18
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 2, Folder 9
Grahame, James, -1760. Letter to [William Mercer, 1717-1786]
1758, May 23
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 2, Folder 10
Grahame, James, -1760. Letter to [William Mercer, 1717-1786]
1758, July 27
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 2, Folder 11
Grahame, James, -1760. Letter to [William Mercer, 1717-1786]
1758, Aug. 15
Scope and Contents
London, England. Attached: accounts.
Box 2, Folder 12
Grahame, James, -1760. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1758, Sep. 5
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 2, Folder 13
Grahame, James, -1760. Letter to [William Mercer, 1717-1786]
1759, Jan. 2
Scope and Contents
London, England. Attached: notes re: Sir William Douglas and family.
Box 2, Folder 14
Douglass, Andrew. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1760, June 3
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 2, Folder 15
Shyne (?), Robert. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1760, June 12
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 2, Folder 16
Douglass, Andrew. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1760, June 17
Scope and Contents
London, England. Attached: accounts and letter by George Mercer Henderson (?) to "My dear Sir," 1864, July 7.
Box 2, Folder 17
Douglass, Andrew. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1760, June 18
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 2, Folder 18
Douglass, Andrew. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1760, June 28
Scope and Contents
London, England. Attached: accounts.
Box 2, Folder 19
Douglass, Andrew. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1760, July 10
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 2, Folder 20
Douglass, Andrew. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1760, July 17
Scope and Contents
London, England. Attached: accounts.
Box 2, Folder 21
Douglass, Andrew. Letter to [William Mercer, 1717-1786]
1760, Dec. 20
Scope and Contents
London, England. Torn.
Box 2, Folder 22
Douglass, Andrew. Letter to [William Mercer, 1717-1786]
[1760]
Box 2, Folder 23
Douglass, Andrew. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1761, Aug. 27
Scope and Contents
London, England. Damaged; with repairs.
Box 2, Folder 24
Douglass, Andrew. Letter to [William Mercer, 1717-1786]
1762, May 25
Scope and Contents
London, England. Following the above is a copy of a letter to Andrew Douglass re: James Francis Mercer, -1756 and copy of
reply of William Mercer, 1717-1786.
Box 2, Folder 25
Craven, Charles. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1762, Nov. 2
Scope and Contents
London, England. Damaged.
Box 2, Folder 26
Craven, Charles. Letter to Andrew Douglass
1762, Nov. 16
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 2, Folder 27
Douglass, Andrew. Letter to [William Mercer, 1717-1786]
1762, Nov. 23
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 2, Folder 28
Sayre, Stephen, 1736-1818. Letter to Andrew Douglass
1762, Dec. 14
Scope and Contents
London, England. Attached: letter by Stephen Sayre, 1736-1818 to Andrew Douglass, Mar. 7. Included: copy of a paragraphy from
a letter by Francis Lewis, 1713-1802 to Stephen Sayre, 1736-1818
Box 2, Folder 29
Sayre, Stephen, 1736-1818. Letter to Andrew Douglass
[approximately 1762]
Scope and Contents
Damaged.
Box 2, Folder 30
[Unknown author]. Document re: James Francis Mercer, -1756 and Charles Craven
[1762]
Box 2, Folder 31
Sayre, Stephen, 1736-1818. Letter to Andrew Douglass
1763, July 12
Scope and Contents
Damaged.
Box 2, Folder 32
Douglass, Andrew. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1763, July 26
Scope and Contents
London, England. Attached: letter, with accounts, by Robert Olyphant to Andrew Douglass, 1763, June 14.
Box 2, Folder 33
Douglass, Andrew. Letter to [William Mercer, 1717-1786]
1763, July 28
Scope and Contents
London, England. Attached: receipt and account for James Francis Mercer, -1756, 1762, Dec. 2
Box 2, Folder 34
Douglass, Andrew. Letter to [William Mercer, 1717-1786]
1763, Aug.
Scope and Contents
Attached: letter to Andrew Douglass, 1763, Aug. 13)
Box 2, Folder 35
Harrison, Humphrey. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1763, Oct. 26
Scope and Contents
Dunkeld, Scotland.
Box 2, Folder 36
Murray, John. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1763, Oct. 29
Scope and Contents
Edinburgh, Scotland.
Box 2, Folder 37
Douglass, Andrew. Letter to [William Mercer, 1717-1786]
1763, Nov. 5
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 2, Folder 38
Murray, John. Letter to [William Mercer, 1717-1786]
1763, Nov. 10
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 2, Folder 39
Murray, John. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1763, Nov. 22
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 2, Folder 40
Murray, John. Letter to [William Mercer, 1717-1786]
1763, Dec. 15
Scope and Contents
London, England.
Box 2, Folder 41
Murray, John. Letter to [William Mercer, 1717-1786]
1763, Dec. 31
Scope and Contents
Dunkeld, Scotland.
Box 2, Folder 42
[Unknown author]. Accounts of James Francis Mercer, -1756
[after 1763]
Box 2, Folder 43
Powell, Matt. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1766, Jan. 7
Scope and Contents
London, England. Attached: letter by Andrew Douglass, 1766, Jan. 2.
Box 2, Folder 44
Douglass, Andrew. Letter to William Mercer, 1717-1786
1766, June 20
Scope and Contents
Damaged.
Box 2, Folder 45
Gheene (?), John Canni. Letter to Graeme Mercer
1867, Nov. 1
Scope and Contents
Crieff, Scotland.
Box 2, Folder 46
[Unknown author]. Notes on Mercer family
[approximately 1872]
Scope and Contents
On verso: printed item: "Royal Masonic Institution for Boys," 1872, Apr.
Box 2, Folder 47
[Unknown author]. Index of Letters
[undated]
Scope and Contents
Not a complete list of letters.
Box 2, Folder 48
[Unknown author]. Index of Letters
[undated]
Scope and Contents
Not a complete list of letters.
Box 2, Folder 49
[Unknown author]. Notes on Mercer family
[undated]
Box 2, Folder 50
[Unknown author]. Fragment re: Oswego
[undated]
Scope and Contents
1 fragment. On verso: printed item.
Box 2, Folder 51
[Unknown author]. Loose fragment re: Hector Monro
[undated]
Scope and Contents
1 fragment.
Box 2, Folder 52
Front flyleaves
[undated]
Box 2, Folder 53
Back flyleaves, supports, threads and endbands
[undated]
Box 3
Papers relating to the first settlement and capture of Fort Oswego, 1727-1756
Scope and Contents
Albany: Weed, Parsons & Co., 1849. Bound volume with Mercer escutcheon pasted on the front inner cover.
