John Mercer (colonial lawyer)


John Mercer was a colonial American lawyer, land speculator, and author.
Born in Dublin, Ireland, he came to Virginia in 1720 where he built the colonial estate Marlborough. He was a leading Virginia attorney and lawyer to George Washington, as well as a colonial prosecutor for the King's court of Virginia.
He authored "Dinwiddianae", plus "Abridgement of the Public Acts", "First Code of Virginia
Laws", and "Abridgment of Virginia Laws". Mercer was also a founding member, secretary and general counsel of the Ohio Company of Virginia, a land speculating company that had George Washington as a member. His private library consisted of between 1500 and 1800 volumes. Did legal work for George Washington land deals as a down payment as a partner, died owing Washington the balance of partnership. His heirs deeded 790 acres to Washington in payment.

Family

Married Ann Mason on June 10, 1725. Married again, after the death of his first wife, to Ann Roy, on November 10, 1750. He had several children, many of which died during childhood. Three sons lived to become prominent in Eighteenth Century America:
A fourth son, John Fenton Mercer, was commissioned a captain in 1755 under George Washington, commander of the Virginia Regiment and was killed on April 18, 1756, at the "Battle of the Great Cacapon River" or "Mercer's Massacre." All four of John Mercer's sons attended the College of Willilam and Mary
Uncle to George Mason, became Mason's legal guardian, along with Mason's mother. Mason studied in Mercer's private library. The Mercer Library at the Prince William Campus of George Mason University is named in his honor.
Grandfather of General George Mercer Brooke. Also grandfather of Charles Fenton Mercer.