James F. Mercer papers

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1 No online items James F. Mercer papers Finding aid prepared by Brooke M. Black. The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens Manuscripts Department The Huntington Library 1151 Oxford Road San Marino, California Phone: (626) URL: June 2018 The Huntington Library. All rights reserved. James F. Mercer papers mssmercer 1

2 Descriptive Summary Title: James F. Mercer papers Inclusive Dates: Bulk Dates: Collection Number: mssmercer Creator OR Collector: Mercer, James Francis, Extent: 3 boxes Repository: The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens. Manuscripts Department 1151 Oxford Road San Marino, California Phone: (626) reference@huntington.org URL: 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 materials 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, 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, N.Y.). 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. Arrangement The collection is arranged chronologically. It is housed in three boxes. Scope and Content A collection of over 120 letters, manuscripts, and documents (previously bound in three-quarter calf and paper-covered boards by "Seton Bookbinder Edinburgh" (Robert Seton III, )). The collection includes James F. Mercer's letters written during his travels in Europe, Jamaica, and North America ( ). This includes five letters by Mercer from Fort Oswego ( ). 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, [Albany: Weed, Parsons & Co., 1849], with Mercer escutcheon pasted on the front inner cover. Personal Names James F. Mercer papers mssmercer 2

3 Craven, Charles Grahame, James, Lewis, Francis, Mercer, James Francis, Mercer, William, Robertson, James, Sayre, Stephen, Shirley, William, Subjects Families -- Scotland -- History -- 18th century Girls -- Education -- Great Britain Scots -- America -- History Scots -- Great Britain -- Colonies -- History Seven Years' War, Geographic Areas Flanders (Belgium) -- Description and travel Fort Oswego (Oswego, N.Y.) -- Capture, 1756 France -- Foreign relations -- Great Britain Great Britain -- History -- George II, Sources Great Britain -- History, Military -- 18th century Great Britain -- Colonies -- History -- 18th century Great Britain -- Foreign relations Great Britain -- Foreign relations -- France Perth (Scotland) -- History -- 18th century -- Sources United States -- History -- French and Indian War, Genre 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 Box Folder 1 Mercer, James Francis, Letter to William Mercer, (1736, Sep. 17) Bergen, Belgium. Folder 2 Mercer, James Francis, Letter to Jean Lindsey Mercer (1742, Mar. 7) Kingston, Jamaica. Folder 3 Mercer, James Francis, Letter to Jean Lindsey Mercer (1742, Aug 9) Kingston, Jamaica. Folder 4 Mercer, James Francis, Letter to William Mercer, (1749, Oct. 12) Torn; fragile. Folder 5 Mercer, James Francis, Letter to William Mercer, (1751, Apr. 16) James F. Mercer papers mssmercer 3

4 Folder 6 Mercer, James Francis, Letter to William Mercer, (1752, Jan. 16) Folder 7 Mercer, James Francis, Letter to William Mercer, (1752, Jan. 25) Folder 8 Mercer, James Francis, Letter to [William Mercer, ] (1752, [Nov. 30]) Folder 9 Mercer, James Francis, Letter to William Mercer, (1752, Dec. 30) Folder 10 Mercer, James Francis, Letter to [William Mercer, ] (1753, Mar. 10) Folder 11 Mercer, James Francis, Letter to William Mercer, (1753, Apr. 10) Folder 12 Mercer, James Francis, Letter to [William Mercer, ] (1753, Apr. 26) Folder 13 Mercer, James Francis, Letter to [William Mercer, ] (1754, Apr. 23) Folder 14 Mercer, James Francis, Letter to William Mercer, [1754, Apr.] Folder 15 Mercer, James Francis, Letter to William Mercer, (1754, May 7) Folder 16 Mercer, James Francis, Letter to [William Mercer, ] (1754, June 4) Folder 17 Mercer, James Francis, Letter to William Mercer, (1754, Aug. 12) Paris, France. Folder 18 Grahame, James, Letter to William Mercer, (1754, Aug. 20) Damaged. Folder 19 Grahame, James, Letter to William Mercer, (1754, Sep. 7) Damaged. Folder 20 Mercer, James Francis, Letter to William Mercer, (1754, Oct. 10) Folder 21 Mercer, James Francis, Letter to [William Mercer, ] (1754, Oct. 12) Folder 22 Mercer, James Francis, Letter to William Mercer, (1754, Oct. 29) James F. Mercer papers mssmercer 4

5 Folder 23 Mercer, James Francis, Letter to William Mercer, (1754, Nov. 2) [] Folder 24 Mercer, James Francis, Letter to William Mercer, (1754, Nov. 5) [] Folder 25 Mercer, James Francis, Letter to William Mercer, (1754, Nov. 9) Portsmouth, England. Damaged. Folder 26 Grahame, James, Letter to William Mercer, (1754, Nov 12) Folder 27 Grahame, James, Letter to William Mercer, (1754, Nov. 19) Folder 28 Mercer, James Francis, Letter to William Mercer, (1755, Jan. 10) York, Va. Folder 29 Mercer, James Francis, Letter to William Mercer, (1755, Feb. 18) Boston, Mass. Folder 30 Grahame, James, Letter to [William Mercer, ] (1755, Mar. 10) Folder 31 Grahame, James, Letter to [William Mercer, ] (1755, Mar. 25) Folder 32 Grahame, James, Letter to [William Mercer, ] (1755, Apr. 29) Folder 33 Grahame, James, Letter to [William Mercer, ] (1755, May 15) With stub. Folder 34 Mercer, James Francis, Letter to James Grahame, (1755, June 9) New York, N.Y. Damaged. Folder 35 Mercer, James Francis, Letter to William Mercer, (1755, June 9) New York, N.Y. With stub. Folder 36 Grahame, James, Letter to William Mercer, (1755, July 22) Folder 37 Mercer, James Francis, Letter to William Mercer, (1755, Aug. 20) Oneida, N.Y. Damaged. Folder 38 Mercer, James Francis, Letter to William Mercer, (1755, Sep. 10) Oswego, N.Y. Folder 39 Kotson (?), M (?) Letter to William Mercer, (1755, Sep. 22) Folder 40 Grahame, James, Letter to William Mercer, (1755, Nov. 15) James F. Mercer papers mssmercer 5

6 Folder 41 Grahame, James, Letter to William Mercer, (1755, Dec. 20) With stub. Folder 42 Grahame, James, Letter to [James Francis Mercer, -1756] (1756, Jan. 13) Folder 43 Mercer, James Francis, Letter to William Mercer, (1756, Jan. 24) Oswego, N.Y. Folder 44 Grahame, James, Letter to [William Mercer, ] (1756, Feb. 14) Folder 45 Mercer, James Francis, Letter to James Grahame, (1756, Feb. 24) Oswego, N.Y. Folder 46 Mercer, James Francis, Letter to William Mercer, (1756, Mar. 14) Oswego, N.Y. Damaged. Folder 47 Grahame, James, Letter to [William Mercer, ] (1756, Mar. 16) Folder 48 Grahame, James, Letter to William Mercer, (1756, Apr. 29) Folder 49 Grahame, James, Letter to William Mercer, (1756, May 13) Folder 50 Grahame, James, Letter to [William Mercer, ] (1756, May 26) On verso: accounts. Folder 51 Mercer, James Francis, Letter to William Mercer, (1756, July 8) [Oswego, N.Y.] Damaged. Folder 52 Grahame, James, Letter to [William Mercer, ] (1756, Sep. 7) Folder 53 [Unknown author]. Document re: James Francis Mercer's leaving all of his effects to James Robinson, his servant (1756, Sep. 27). Québec, Québec. Signed by five witnesses. Folder 54 Robertson, James, Letter to [William Mercer, ] (1756, Sep. 30) Albany, N.Y. Folder 55 Grahame, James, Letter to [William Mercer, ] (1756, Nov. 9) With stub. Folder 56 Grahame, James, Letter to [William Mercer, ] (1756, Nov. 13) With note. Folder 57 Austin, Joseph. Letter to Colin Drummond (1756, Nov. 17) Plymouth, England. Folder 58 Drummond, Colin. Letter to William Mercer, (1756, Nov. 19) Megginch Castle, Perthshire, England. James F. Mercer papers mssmercer 6

7 Folder 59 Robertson, James, Letter to William Mercer, (1756, Nov. 26) Totnes, England. Folder 60 Drummond, Colin. Letter to William Mercer, [1756, Nov.] Folder 61 Grahame, James, Letter to William Mercer, (1756, Dec. 14) Folder 62 [Austin, Joseph]. Letter to Colin Drummond [1756] Damaged. Folder 63 [Austin, Joseph]. Document re: effects left at New York by James Francis Mercer [1756] With stub. On verso: note. Folder 64 Grahame, James, Account of the Capture of Oswego, 14 August 1756: manuscript [after 1756] Box and undated Folder 1 Grahame, James, Letter to [William Mercer, ] (1757, Jan. 15) Folder 2 Lewis, Francis, Letter to G. Graham (1757, Feb. 22) Folder 3 Grahame, James, Letter to [William Mercer, ] (1757, Feb. 26) With cover sheet with note Folder 4 Grahame, James, Letter to [William Mercer, ] (1757, Apr. 9) Folder 5 Grahame, James, Letter to William Mercer, (1757, July 9) Folder 6 Grahame, James, Letter to [William Mercer, ] (1757, Aug. 25) Folder 7 Grahame, James, Letter to [William Mercer, ] (1757, Dec. 20) Folder 8 Grahame, James, Letter to [William Mercer, ] (1758, Mar. 18) Folder 9 Grahame, James, Letter to [William Mercer, ] (1758, May 23) Folder 10 Grahame, James, Letter to [William Mercer, ] (1758, July 27) Folder 11 Grahame, James, Letter to [William Mercer, ] (1758, Aug. 15) Attached: accounts. Folder 12 Grahame, James, Letter to William Mercer, (1758, Sep. 5) James F. Mercer papers mssmercer 7

8 and undated Folder 13 Grahame, James, Letter to [William Mercer, ] (1759, Jan. 2) Attached: notes re: Sir William Douglas and family. Folder 14 Douglass, Andrew. Letter to William Mercer, (1760, June 3) Folder 15 Shyne (?), Robert. Letter to William Mercer, (1760, June 12) Folder 16 Douglass, Andrew. Letter to William Mercer, (1760, June 17) Attached: accounts and letter by George Mercer Henderson (?) to "My dear Sir," 1864, July 7. Folder 17 Douglass, Andrew. Letter to William Mercer, (1760, June 18) Folder 18 Douglass, Andrew. Letter to William Mercer, (1760, June 28) Attached: accounts. Folder 19 Douglass, Andrew. Letter to William Mercer, (1760, July 10) Folder 20 Douglass, Andrew. Letter to William Mercer, (1760, July 17) Attached: accounts. Folder 21 Douglass, Andrew. Letter to [William Mercer, ] (1760, Dec. 20) Torn. Folder 22 Douglass, Andrew. Letter to [William Mercer, ] [1760] Folder 23 Douglass, Andrew. Letter to William Mercer, (1761, Aug. 27) Damaged; with repairs. Folder 24 Douglass, Andrew. Letter to [William Mercer, ] (1762, May 25) Following the above is a copy of a letter to Andrew Douglass re: James Francis Mercer, and copy of reply of William Mercer, Folder 25 Craven, Charles. Letter to William Mercer, (1762, Nov. 2) Damaged. Folder 26 Craven, Charles. Letter to Andrew Douglass (1762, Nov. 16) Folder 27 Douglass, Andrew. Letter to [William Mercer, ] (1762, Nov. 23) Folder 28 Sayre, Stephen, Letter to Andrew Douglass (1762, Dec. 14) Attached: letter by Stephen Sayre, to Andrew Douglass, Mar. 7. Included: copy of a paragraphy from a letter by Francis Lewis, to Stephen Sayre, Folder 29 Sayre, Stephen, Letter to Andrew Douglass [approximately 1762] Damaged. James F. Mercer papers mssmercer 8

9 and undated Folder 30 [Unknown author]. Document re: James Francis Mercer, and Charles Craven [1762] Folder 31 Sayre, Stephen, Letter to Andrew Douglass (1763, July 12) Damaged. Folder 32 Douglass, Andrew. Letter to William Mercer, (1763, July 26) Attached: letter, with accounts, by Robert Olyphant to Andrew Douglass, 1763, June 14. Folder 33 Douglass, Andrew. Letter to [William Mercer, ] (1763, July 28) Attached: receipt and account for James Francis Mercer, -1756, 1762, Dec. 2 Folder 34 Douglass, Andrew. Letter to [William Mercer, ] (1763, Aug.) Attached: letter to Andrew Douglass, 1763, Aug. 13) Folder 35 Harrison, Humphrey. Letter to William Mercer, (1763, Oct. 26) Dunkeld, Scotland. Folder 36 Murray, John. Letter to William Mercer, (1763, Oct. 29) Edinburgh, Scotland. Folder 37 Douglass, Andrew. Letter to [William Mercer, ] (1763, Nov. 5) Folder 38 Murray, John. Letter to [William Mercer, ] (1763, Nov. 10) Folder 39 Murray, John. Letter to William Mercer, (1763, Nov. 22) Folder 40 Murray, John. Letter to [William Mercer, ] (1763, Dec. 15) Folder 41 Murray, John. Letter to [William Mercer, ] (1763, Dec. 31) Dunkeld, Scotland. Folder 42 [Unknown author]. Accounts of James Francis Mercer, [after 1763] Folder 43 Powell, Matt. Letter to William Mercer, (1766, Jan. 7) Attached: letter by Andrew Douglass, 1766, Jan. 2. Folder 44 Douglass, Andrew. Letter to William Mercer, (1766, June 20) Damaged. Folder 45 Gheene (?), John Canni. Letter to Graeme Mercer (1867, Nov. 1) Crieff, Scotland. Folder 46 [Unknown author]. Notes on Mercer family [approximately 1872] On verso: printed item: "Royal Masonic Institution for Boys," 1872, Apr. Folder 47 [Unknown author]. Index of Letters [undated] Not a complete list of letters. James F. Mercer papers mssmercer 9

10 and undated Folder 48 [Unknown author]. Index of Letters [undated] Not a complete list of letters. Folder 49 [Unknown author]. Notes on Mercer family [undated] Folder 50 [Unknown author]. Fragment re: Oswego [undated] 1 fragment. On verso: printed item. Folder 51 [Unknown author]. Loose fragment re: Hector Monro [undated] 1 fragment. Folder 52 Front flyleaves [undated] Folder 53 Back flyleaves, supports, threads and endbands [undated] Box 3 Papers relating to the first settlement and capture of Fort Oswego, Albany: Weed, Parsons & Co., Bound volume with Mercer escutcheon pasted on the front inner cover. James F. Mercer papers mssmercer 10