Hugh Mercer (sketched by John Trumbull).

Hugh Mercer (January 17, 1726 – January 12, 1777) was a physician, a brigadier general in the Continental Army and a close friend to George Washington. Mercer died as a result of his wounds received at the Battle of Princeton and became a fallen hero and rallying symbol of the American Revolution. Hugh Weedon Mercer (November 27, 1808 – June 9, 1877) was an officer in the United States Army and then a Confederate general during the American Civil War. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (450x692, 102 KB)Source: Public domain image. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (450x692, 102 KB)Source: Public domain image. ... This article is about the American painter. ... is the 17th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events George Friderich Handel becomes a British subject. ... is the 12th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1777 (MDCCLXXVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 11-day slower Julian calendar). ... For other uses, see Doctor. ... A Brigadier General, or one-star general, is the lowest rank of general officer in the United States and some other countries, ranking just above Colonel and just below Major General. ... Illustration depicting uniforms and weapons used during the 1779 to 1783 period of the American Revolution by showing four soldiers standing in an informal group General George Washington, was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army on June 15, 1775. ... George Washington (February 22, 1732 – December 14, 1799)[1] led Americas Continental Army to victory over Britain in the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), and in 1789 was elected the first President of the United States of America. ... Combatants United States Kingdom of Great Britain Commanders George Washington, Hugh Mercer†, John Haslet† Charles Mawhood Strength 4,600 1,200 (Rearguard of main force) Casualties 46 killed c. ... John Trumbulls Declaration of Independence, showing the five-man committee in charge of drafting the Declaration in 1776 as it presents its work to the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia The American Revolution refers to the period during the last half of the 18th century in which the Thirteen...

Early life and career

Mercer was born near Rosehearty, at the manse of Pitsligo Kirk, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, to Presbyterian Minister, Reverend William Mercer of Pitsligo Parish Church and Ann Monro. At 15, he attended the University of Aberdeen, Marischal College, studying medicine and graduated a Doctor. He was assistant surgeon in the army of Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1745, and was present at the Battle of Culloden when Charles' Army was crushed on April 16, 1746, and any survivors were hunted down and killed. As a fugitive in his own homeland in 1747, Mercer fled Scotland after months in hiding. He bought his way onto a ship and moved to America, settling near what is now Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, and practiced medicine for eight years. Rosehearty(Rizarty in the local dialect) is located on the Moray Firth coast, 4 miles west of the town Fraserburgh, in the historical county of Aberdeenshire in Scotland. ... Logo of Aberdeenshire Council Aberdeenshire (Siorrachd Obar Dheathain in Gaelic) is one of the 32 unitary council areas in Scotland. ... This article is about the country. ... The University of Aberdeen was founded in 1495, in Aberdeen, Scotland. ... “Surgeon” redirects here. ... For the U.S. politician, see Charles E. Stuart Bonnie Prince Charlie Charles Edward Louis Philip Casimir Stuart (December 31, 1720 – January 31, 1788), was the exiled claimant to the thrones of Ireland, commonly known as Bonnie Prince Charlie. Charles was the son of James Francis Edward Stuart, the... Combatants British Army Jacobites Commanders William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland Charles Edward Stuart, the Young Pretender Strength 8,000 ca. ... is the 106th day of the year (107th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... // Events Catharine de Ricci (born 1522) canonized. ... This article is about the country. ... Mercersburg is a borough located in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, 73 miles (117 km) southwest of Harrisburg. ...

In 1755, when General Edward Braddock's army was cut down by the French and Indians, Mercer was shocked by the same butchery he remembered at Culloden. He came to the aid of the wounded and eventually took up arms in support of the army that a few years back was hunting him, this time as a soldier, not a surgeon. By 1756 he was commissioned a captain in a Pennsylvania regiment, and accompanied Lt. Col. John Armstrong's expedition on the raid of the Indian village of Kittanning in September 1756. During the attack, Mercer was badly wounded and separated from his unit. He trekked 100 miles through the woods for fourteen days, injured and with no supplies, until he found his way back to Fort Shirley, where he was recognized and promoted. He rose to the rank of colonel and commanded garrisons. It was during these trying times that Mercer developed a life-long and warm friendship with another colonel, George Washington. After befriending several Virginia men, Mercer moved to Fredericksburg, Virginia in 1760 to begin his medical practice anew at the conclusion of the war. General Edward Braddock General Edward Braddock (1695? – July 13, 1755) was a British soldier and commander-in-chief for North America during the actions at the start of the French and Indian War. ... Captain is a rank or title with various meanings. ... British regiment A regiment is a military unit, consisting of a variable number of battalions - commanded by a colonel. ... In the U.S. Army, Air Force and Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a commissioned officer superior to a major and inferior to a colonel. ... John Armstrong (1717-1795) was an American civil engineer and soldier who served as a major general in the Revolutionary War. ... Kittanning was an 18th century Native American village in the Ohio Country, located on the Allegheny River at present-day Kittanning, Pennsylvania. ... For other uses, see Colonel (disambiguation). ... Location in Virginia Coordinates: Country United States State Virginia County Independent City* Founded 1728 Incorporated 1781 Government  - Mayor Thomas Tomzak Area  - City  10. ...

When Mercer arrived in Fredericksburg, it was a thriving Scottish community that must have been a happy sanctuary for a Scotsman who could never again see his homeland. He became a noted member and businessman in town, buying land and involving himself in local trade. He became a member of the Fredericksburg Masonic Lodge in 1767, and sat as its Master a few years later. (Two members of this same lodge, Washington and James Monroe, would later become American Presidents, and at least eight members were generals of the American Revolution (Washington, Mercer, George Weedon, William Woodford, Fielding Lewis, Thomas Posey, Gustavus Wallace, and the Marquis de Lafayette (honorary in 1824) – far more than any other group, institution or organization save the pre-Revolution British Army. This lodge is still in existence today.) In most areas of the world Masons gather together in Masonic Lodges to work the three degrees of Freemasonry: 1° = Entered Apprentice 2° = Fellow Craft 3° = Master Mason Blue Lodge is used to specify the basic Masonic Lodge granting the first three degrees and to differentiate it from other Masonic... For other persons named James Monroe, see James Monroe (disambiguation). ... George Weedon (1734-1793) was an American soldier during the Revolutionary War from Fredericksburg, Virginia. ... William Woodford was born in Caroline County, Virginia in 1734. ... Fielding Lewis was married to Elizabeth Betty Washington, the sister of the American President and Revolutionary War General George Washington. ... Marie-Joseph-Paul-Roch-Yves-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de La Fayette (September 6, 1757 – May 20, 1834), was a French aristocrat most famous for his participation in the American Revolutionary War and early French Revolution. ...

Soon after this, Mercer opened a physician’s apothecary and practice. Hugh Mercer's apothecary in Fredericksburg, Virginia is now a museum. George Washington's mother, Mary Washington, became one of Mercer's patients, and Mercer prospered as a respected doctor in the area. Mercer married Isabella Gordon and fathered five children: Ann Mercer Patton, John Mercer, William Mercer, George Weedon Mercer, and Hugh Tennant Mercer. In 1774, George Washington sold Ferry Farm, his childhood home, to Mercer, who wanted to make this prize the land that he and his family would settle for the remainder of his days. Interior of an apothecarys shop. ... Hugh Mercer was a doctor who fled Scotland after the Battle of Culloden. ... Ferry Farm is the name of the farm and home at which George Washington spent much of his childhood. ...

During 1775, Mercer was a member of the Fredericksburg Committee of Safety, and on April 25 he was one of the members of the Independent Company of the Town of Fredericksburg who sent a letter of concern to then-Colonel George Washington when the British removed gunpowder from the magazine at Williamsburg. In an August vote, Mercer was excluded from the elected leadership of the new regiments formed by the Virginia Convention because he was a "northern Briton," but on September 12 he was elected Colonel of the Minute Men of Spotsylvania, King George, Stafford, and Caroline Counties. is the 115th day of the year (116th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 255th day of the year (256th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

On November 17 Mercer was one of 21 members chosen for the Committee of Safety of Spotsylvania County. On January 11, 1776, Mercer was appointed Colonel to what soon became the 3rd Virginia Regiment of the Virginia Line, and the next day George Weedon was appointed Lieutenant Colonel. Future president James Monroe and future Chief Justice of the United States John Marshall also served as officers under his command. In June 1776 Mercer received a letter from the Continental Congress, signed by John Hancock, appointing him Brigadier-General in the Armies of the United Colonies and requesting him to report to headquarters in New York immediately. Mercer soon left Fredericksburg to join the Continental Army. 17 November is also the name of a Marxist group in Greece, coinciding with the anniversary of the Athens Polytechnic uprising. ... is the 11th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see 1776 (disambiguation). ... // Summary The 3rd Virginia Regiment was raised on December 28, 1775 at Alexandria, Virginia for service with the Continental Army. ... The Virginia Line was a formation within the Continental Army, comprised of infantry regiments from the state of Virginia. ... Federal courts Supreme Court Circuit Courts of Appeal District Courts Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Atlas  Politics Portal      The Chief Justice of the United States is the head of the judicial branch... For other persons named John Marshall, see John Marshall (disambiguation). ... Illustration depicting uniforms and weapons used during the 1779 to 1783 period of the American Revolution by showing four soldiers standing in an informal group General George Washington, was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army on June 15, 1775. ...

The American Revolution

Before the New York Campaign, Washington ordered two forts built to repel the British Navy. On the New York side of the Hudson River, Fort Washington was constructed, and Mercer himself oversaw the building of the earthen fortification on the New Jersey side, named Fort Lee. Though bravely defended, the British captured Fort Washington on November 16, 1776, and the Americans abandoned Fort Lee four days later. The retreat to New Jersey became known as “the Crisis of the Revolution", because the enlistments of most of Washington's beaten and down-trodden soldiers ended on New Year's Day 1777. The Royal Navy is the navy of the United Kingdom. ... The Hudson River, called Muh-he-kun-ne-tuk in Mahican or as the Lenape Native Americans called it in Unami, Muhheakantuck, is a river that runs through the eastern portion of New York State and, along its southern terminus, demarcates the border between the states of New York and... Fort Washington (New York) was a fortified position near the north end of Manhattan Island and was located at the highest point on the island. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... Fort Lee is the name of two places in the United States of America: Fort Lee, New Jersey Fort Lee, Virginia This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... is the 320th day of the year (321st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see 1776 (disambiguation). ... This article is about the date January 1 in the Gregorian calendar. ...

There are rumors that Mercer exclusively originated Washington's daring plan to cross the Delaware River and surprise the Hessians at the Battle of Trenton on December 26, 1776, and he was certainly a major contributor to its execution. Because of the win at Trenton (and a small monetary bonus), Washington's men agreed to a ten-day extension to their enlistment. When Washington decided to face off with Cornwallis during the Second Battle of Trenton on January 2, 1777, Mercer was given a major role in the defense of the city. Washington Crossing the Delaware, by Emanuel Leutze, 1851, Metropolitan Museum Washingtons crossing of the Delaware, occurring on December 25, 1776 during the American Revolutionary War, was the first move in a surprise attack against the Hessian forces at Trenton, New Jersey in the Battle of Trenton. ... For the Delaware River in Kansas, see Delaware River (Kansas) The Delaware River is a river on the Atlantic coast of the United States. ... The term Hessian refers to the inhabitants of the German state of Hesse. ... Combatants Continental Army a Hessian Brigade Commanders George Washington Johann Rall† Strength 2,400 1,400 Casualties 2 dead,On the march 2 wounded 23 dead, 92 wounded, 913 captured The Battle of Trenton was a battle which took place on December 26, 1776, during the American Revolutionary War after... is the 360th day of the year (361st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see 1776 (disambiguation). ... The Second Battle of Trenton took place on January 2, 1777 during the American Revolutionary War. ... is the 2nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1777 (MDCCLXXVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 11-day slower Julian calendar). ...

Trumbull's depiction of the Battle of Princeton in 1777, in which Mercer was killed. George Washington is the figure on the horse.

The next day, January 3, Washington's army was en route to Princeton, New Jersey. While leading a vanguard of 350 soldiers, Mercer's brigade encountered two British regiments and a mounted unit. A fight broke out at an orchard grove and Mercer’s horse was shot from under him. Getting to his feet, he was quickly surrounded by British troops who mistook him for George Washington and ordered him to surrender. Outnumbered, he drew his saber and began an unequal contest. He was finally beaten to the ground by musket butts and bayonet thrusts. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 527 pixelsFull resolution‎ (1,536 × 1,011 pixels, file size: 337 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) The battle of Princeton 1777. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 527 pixelsFull resolution‎ (1,536 × 1,011 pixels, file size: 337 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) The battle of Princeton 1777. ... Combatants United States Kingdom of Great Britain Commanders George Washington, Hugh Mercer†, John Haslet† Charles Mawhood Strength 4,600 1,200 (Rearguard of main force) Casualties 46 killed c. ... George Washington (February 22, 1732 – December 14, 1799)[1] led Americas Continental Army to victory over Britain in the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), and in 1789 was elected the first President of the United States of America. ... Nassau Street, Princetons main street. ...

When he learned of the British attack and saw some of Mercer's men in retreat, Washington himself entered the fray. Washington rallied Mercer's men and pushed back the British regiments, but Mercer had been left on the field to die with multiple bayonet wounds to his body and blows to his head. (Legend has it that a beaten Mercer, with a bayonet still impaled in him, did not want to leave his men and the battle and was given a place to rest on a white oak tree's trunk, while those who remained with him stood their ground. The tree became known as “the Mercer Oak” and is the key element of the seal of Mercer County, New Jersey.) {{Infobox U.S. CoiirjhtfnEGEYWnfv state = New Jersey | seal = Mc-m f seal. ...

When he was discovered, Mercer was carried to the field hospital in the Thomas Clarke House (now a museum) at the eastern end of the battlefield. In spite of medical efforts by Benjamin Rush, Mercer was mortally wounded and died nine agonizing days later on January 12, 1777. Dr. Benjamin Rush, painted by Charles Willson Peale, c. ... is the 12th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1777 (MDCCLXXVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 11-day slower Julian calendar). ...

Mercer Memorial and Thomas Clarke House, Princeton, NJ

Because of Mercer’s courage and sacrifice, Washington was able to proceed into Princeton and defeat the British forces there. He then moved and quartered his forces to Morristown in victory. Because of those victories, Washington's army reenlisted, the French finally approved arms and supplies to the Americans and a stunned Cornwallis pulled his forces back to New York to reassess the surprising American successes. The "crisis" had ended, America had the means to fight, and British public support for the war slowly began to wane. ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (1117x838, 590 KB) Memorial to Mercer, Princeton Battlefield, and Thomas Clarke House File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (1117x838, 590 KB) Memorial to Mercer, Princeton Battlefield, and Thomas Clarke House File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...

Family lineage and heritage

Succeeding generations of Mercer's family have distinguished themselves. Famous direct descendants of Hugh Mercer were Waller T. Patton and his brothers George Smith Patton and John Mercer Patton, who in turn were ancestors of General George S. Patton, Jr. Other direct descendants include Confederate General Hugh Weedon Mercer and songwriter Johnny Mercer. Waller Tazewell Patton (July 15, 1835 – July 21, 1863), was a professor, attorney, and an officer of the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. ... John Mercer Patton (August 10, 1797 – October 29, 1858) was a U.S. Representative from the state of Virginia. ... General George Smith Patton Jr. ... Hugh Weedon Mercer (November 27, 1808 – June 9, 1877) was an officer in the United States Army and then a Confederate general during the American Civil War. ... John Herndon Johnny Mercer (November 18, 1909 – June 25, 1976) was a popular American songwriter and singer. ...

General Hugh Mercer Memorial Statue, Fredericksburg, VA

In Fredericksburg, Virginia, the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities maintains a renovated version of Mercer's apothecary shop to this day at 1020 Caroline Street. A statue erected by Congress to honor Mercer stands outside Kenmore Mansion, and the Mercer Counties of New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, West Virginia and Illinois are named for him. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (450x692, 102 KB)Source: Public domain image. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (450x692, 102 KB)Source: Public domain image. ... Location in Virginia Coordinates: Country United States State Virginia County Independent City* Founded 1728 Incorporated 1781 Government  - Mayor Thomas Tomzak Area  - City  10. ... Founded in 1889, the Richmond, Virginia-based Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities was the United States first statewide historic preservation group. ... {{Infobox U.S. CoiirjhtfnEGEYWnfv state = New Jersey | seal = Mc-m f seal. ... Mercer County is a county located in the state of Ohio. ... Mercer County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. ... Mercer County is a county located in the state of Kentucky. ... The Mercer County Courthouse in Princeton in 2007 Mercer County is a county located in the U.S. state of West Virginia. ... Mercer County is a county located in the state of Illinois. ...

In film

In the 2000 television film The Crossing, a dramatization of Washington's crossing of the Delaware and the battle of Trenton, Mercer is played by Roger Rees. The Crossing (film) was an A&E movie starring Jeff Daniels. ... Roger Rees Roger Rees (born on May 4, 1944) is a British-American actor. ...

Namesakes

• Mercer County, New Jersey where Trenton is located, was named after Hugh Mercer.
• Mercer County, Pennsylvania
• Mercer County, Ohio
• Mercer County, Kentucky
• Mercer County, Illinois
• Mercer County, West Virginia
• The town of Mercerville, New Jersey
• The Mercer Oak

{{Infobox U.S. CoiirjhtfnEGEYWnfv state = New Jersey | seal = Mc-m f seal. ... Mercer County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. ... Mercer County is a county located in the state of Ohio. ... Mercer County is a county located in the state of Kentucky. ... Mercer County is a county located in the state of Illinois. ... The Mercer County Courthouse in Princeton in 2007 Mercer County is a county located in the U.S. state of West Virginia. ... Map of Mercerville-Hamilton Square CDP in Mercer County Mercerville-Hamilton Square is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Hamilton Township, in Mercer County, New Jersey, USA. As of the United States 2000 Census, the CDP population was 26,419. ... The Mercer Oak was a large white oak tree that stood in Princeton Battlefield Park in Princeton Township, New Jersey. ...

References

This article does not cite any references or sources. (October 2006) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

Image File history File links Question_book-3. ...

External links

• Hugh Mercer at Virtual American Biographies
• Hugh Mercer: An Unexpected Life
• Hugh Mercer Apothecary
• History Point: Central Rappahannock Regional Library
• Fredericksburg Masonic Lodge #4
• Find A Grave - Hugh Mercer