| Birth: | 1725 | | Death: | Jan. 12, 1777 | 
Revolutionary War Continental Brigadier General. Studied medicine in Scotland. Fought at the Battle of Culloden in Prince Charles Edward's army in 1746. Settled in America after the end of the Scottish conflict. Served as a Captain in the Pennsylvania Regiment during the French and Indian War, participating in Edward Braddock's unsuccessful 1755 expedition. Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, and served in General Forbes Fort Duquesne 1758 expedition. Promoted Colonel and placed in command of Fort Pitt. Later settled in Fredericksburg, Virginia. At the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, he was made Colonel of the 3rd Virginia Infantry, and then was commissioned Brigadier General in the Continental Army. Named by General Washington to command the "flying camp" mobile militia forces. Participated in all the 1776 battles in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Possibly suggested the December 1776 strike against Trenton, New Jersey, in which he participated. Led a brigade from Trenton to Princeton, where he led an attack to counter a British group of reinforcements. He was felled by a blow to the head and several bayonet wounds. He died of his wounds five days later. Originally buried in the Christ Church Burial Ground in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he was re-buried in the newly-opened Laurel Hill Cemetery in 1840. The house where he died now stands on the Princeton Battlefield, and is a National Landmark. A street named for him in Fredericksburg is near the National Civil War Battlefield. (bio by: Russ Dodge)
Family links:
Children:
George Mercer*
Ann Gordon Mercer Patton (1770 - 1832)*
Hugh Mercer (1776 - 1853)*
*Calculated relationship
Cause of death: Killed in action at the Battle of Princeton
Search Amazon for Hugh Mercer | | | Burial:
Laurel Hill Cemetery
Philadelphia
Philadelphia County
Pennsylvania, USA
Plot: Section G, Lot 121 |
Maintained by: Find A Grave
Record added: Jan 01, 2001
Find A Grave Memorial# 2677 |
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