The Mercer family was probably from Norfolk Co. Va- to Pitt Co. N.C. and Edgecombe Co. N.C. There was a Nathaniel and Jesse Mercer in Darlington Co. S.C, Jesse being son of Thomas Mercer Pitt Co. Thomas received land grant in Cheraws Dist. SC in 1785 and received pay from SC for service in Militia during Rev. War. Levi Mercer was of the group who lived Currituck Co. N.C. @1770 and left to settle in Wilkes Co. Ga. They were originally from Scotland.
Jacob Mercer's memory at 81, the time of his sworn statement for a pension, was not as precise as that of some of the other veterans.
Also, in his later years he signed his name with an X, possibly due to infirmities.
Wilkes County, Georgia where he was living was ravished by the British and Loyalists. The most important engagement was the Battle of Kettle Creek. Mrs. T M. Green (Wilkes Co., Chapter DAR) “states with no uncertainty that James and Jacob Mercer fought at Kettle Creek.” However, other documents do not include their names.
Jacob Mercer S. S. for Pension, Coweta County, September 4, 1834 (age 81). ( abstract)
•Entered service September, 1777 (age 24) in Wilkes County under Colonel Dooley, Captain Heard, General Elijah Clarke, building forts 12 to 14, from the Ogeechee River to the Savannah River; discharged, March 1778.
•Drafted 4/2/1778 in Wilkes County under above officers, marched to Burke County jail; discharged June, 1778.
•Drafted 3/20/1779; marched to Augusta, Georgia — Colonel Steven Heard̓s Regiment — company of Captain Richard Heard.
•Discharged June, 1779.
•Drafted 7/1/1779, served under above officers, marched to Savannah; was in the Siege of Savannah under General Lincoln; discharged October, 1779.
•Served two additional years under different detachments and at different periods of time, but cannot remember.
State of Georgia
Coweta County
On this the 4th day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four — personally appeared in open court before Jno D. Quinton, G. D. Greer and William Spratling judge of the Inferior Court of said state of county now setting Jacob Mercer, a resident of said state and county age (81) eighty one years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in orderto obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June the 7th 1832 — That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated — That he was living in the frontiers of Georgia in Wilkes County and was called out into service for a term of six months to defend and protect frontier and to build a line of forts. That he entered the service in September 1777 in the company of Captain Heard, the regiment was commanded by Col. Dooley, the whole under the command of Gen̓l Elijah Clark and served until March 1778 and was discharged, we built in that time a line of forts from the Ogeechee to the Savannah River twelve or fourteen forts — On the 2nd of April 1778 he was again drafted for a tour of two months, the company was commanded by Capt Richard Heard, the regiment by Capt Dooley — the whole rendezvoused at Heards fort Wilkes County Georgia — from which place we were marched down to Burke County jail and there served out our tour of two months and was discharged.
On the 20th March 1779 he again entered the service was drafted for three months and was marched to Augusta, Georgia and there served out his tour of three months and was discharged in June of the same year, the company was commanded by Capt Richard Heard, the regiment by Col Stephen Heard On the first of July 1779 he was again drafted for about three months, the company was commanded by Capt Richard Heard, the regiment by Col Stephen Heard, he was marched to Savannah, Georgia was at the siege and battle with the combined forces of France and America, while at Savannah was under the command of Gen̓l Lincoln he served out his tour of three months and was discharged in October of the same year — This served in different detachments and at different periods more than two years, during the Revolutionary War, but by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot now recollect the time he entered — the time he left the service other than the tours before mentioned — that he has no documentary evidence and that knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service but Thomas Leverette whose affidavit is here unto annexed and he hereby relinquished every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed before us this day and year aforesaid.
Jacob Mercer
Jno. D. Winton
G.D. Greer
William. Spratling
Answers to Questions from the War Department:
1.I was born on the 12th day of April 1753 — in Currituck County North Carolina.
2.My age was recorded in the family Bible, but I do not know where it
is.
3.I was living in Wilkes County, Georgia at the commencement of the Revolutionary War, and have been living in the frontiers of said state ever since, and now a resident of Coweta County
4.I was drafted.
5.I have seen Gen̓l Lincoln, and served with Continental troops, but I do not now recollect the number of the regiments — or their officers names.
6.I received a discharge by Col.. Heard but I have lost or mislaid it.
WILL OF CHRISTOPHER MERCER
In The name of God, Amen
Imprimus - I surrender my soul unto Almighty God the Giver and faithful Creator of my body I committ to the ground in faith and full assurance through Christ Jesus of a glorious resurrection.
Thirdly - I will and give unto my sonne Thomas Mercer, Three hundred pounds of Muscovado Sugar or Forty Shillings Sterling money for his portion when he shall come to his Island to receive the same. And unto my sonne Joseph Mercer I will and bequeath three hundred pounds of like sugar or Forty Shillings Sterling money for his portion when he shall come to this Island to receive same, the which two said portions I give unto my two said sonnes to be their portions in full to each of them and each of them and both to be barred from all further claimes by any pretence whatsoever unto the prevised and prebequested Estate.
Lastly - I nominate and make well beloved wife Elizabeth my sole Executrix to receive my credits, to pay my debts to see my body in case of my mortality to be buried. To pay my Legacies and after all these are done and executed, the remainder of my Estate it real or personal to be and remain to and with her or her assigns forever. In witness of this my last will and Testament the same I doe declare and publish in the presence of Henry Hunt, Thomas Hart and Thomas Cardew and hereunto put my hand and seal the day and year aforesaid.
X The Mark of Christopher Mercer
Henry Hunt
Thomas Cardew
Tho. Hart
By the Deputy Governor - Personally appeared before me this 18 th day of April 1671, Henry Hunt, Thomas Cardew and Thomas Hart, being sworne on the Evangelist of God and say that they did see the above named Christopher Merser signe seale and publish the within and above Will to be his last will and Testament as it is written and that their several names and handwritings are subscribed as above for proof thereof. Given under my hand the day and year above written.
WILLIAM FRANCIS MERCER (Son of Levi Thomas Mercer)
Born : Feb 17, 1828 in Newton Co, Ga Married : Sep 30, 1849 in ,Jasper Co., GA. Died : Apr 12, 1863 Killed in Battle at Resaca Military : Confederate Army, 42nd Ga Infantry, Newton Co HarperGuards, Prvt in Brothers Compay , Killed in Battle at Resaca Apr 12, 1863
