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JOHN FRANCIS MERCER 1792 Autograph Letter Signed as US Congress Representative

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:280.00 USD Estimated At:400.00 - 600.00 USD
JOHN FRANCIS MERCER 1792 Autograph Letter Signed as US Congress Representative
Autographs
1792 “John F. Mercer” Autograph Letter Signed as U.S. Representative to Congress from Maryland
JOHN FRANCIS MERCER (1759-1821). American Revolutionary War Officer who served as Lieutenant in the Third Virginia Regiment; promoted to Captain in 1777, and was Aide-de-camp to General Charles Lee in 1778 and 1779; Lieutenant Colonel of Virginia Cavalry; Delegate from Virginia to the Continental Congress 1783-1784; Governor of Maryland (1801-03).
August 31, 1792-Dated, Autograph Letter Signed, “John F. Mercer” as U.S. Representative to Congress from Maryland, 1 page, measuring 9” x 7” at Strawberry Hill (Likely Creagerstown, Maryland - Strawberry Hill is a Georgian style farmhouse near Thurmont, Maryland, built in 1783), with Integral Postal Cover, Choice Very Fine. John Francis Mercer as Aide-de-camp to General Charles Lee, resigned after Lee's court martial, reentered the Virginia militia and served briefly under Lafayette in Virginia, and was at the Battle of Yorktown.

This Letter to a “A. S. Ennals Esq.” in Baltimore, regarding some hearths of "Dark Country Marble" which Mercer wanted to purchase. Docket on the reverse reads: “ Colo. Mercer - Augst 31, 179- Hearth Stone.” Inlaid to an outer paper border for display and reinforcement. Period notation to the right, written in deep brown as an apparent tribute and keepsake regarding Mercer. It reads: “Col. Mercer was an officer of the Army with Monroe was at the Seige of York - He was afterwards Memb. of Congress & Governor of Maryland - The letter is addressed to the sender.”
John Francis Mercer, (brother of James Mercer), a Delegate from Virginia and a Representative from Maryland; born at “Marlborough,” Stafford County, Va., on May 17, 1759; after receiving his education at home from private teachers was graduated from the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Va., in 1775; studied law; was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Williamsburg, Va., in 1781; during the Revolutionary War served as lieutenant in the Third Virginia Regiment; promoted to captain in 1777, and was aide-de-camp to Gen. Charles Lee in 1778 and 1779; lieutenant colonel of Virginia Cavalry; Delegate from Virginia to the Continental Congress 1783-1784; moved to West River, Anne Arundel County, Md.; delegate from Maryland to the Federal Convention in Philadelphia in 1787 but withdrew before signing the Constitution; delegate to the state convention which ratified the Federal Constitution in 1788; member of the state house of delegates in 1788, 1789, 1791, and 1792; elected as an Anti-Administration candidate to the Second Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of William Pinkney; reelected as an Anti-Administration candidate to the Third Congress and served from February 5, 1792, until his resignation April 13, 1794; again a member of the state house of delegates in 1800 and 1803-1806; governor of Maryland 1801-1803; retired to his estate “Cedar Park,” West River, Md.; died in Philadelphia, Pa., August 30, 1821; remains deposited in a vault at St. Peter’s Church, Philadelphia, Pa.; subsequently interred in a private cemetery at “Cedar Park,” West River, Anne Arundel County, Md.