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==Military Career==

==Military Career==

In 1776 he entered the Third Virginia regiment as lieutenant, and was made captain June 27, 1777. He served as aide to General Charles Lee until the [[Battle of Monmouth]], New Jersey, and his sympathy with that officer in his disgrace led him to resign. But returning to his own State, he raised and equipped, at his own expense, a troop of horse, of which he was commissioned LieutenantColonel. He joined General Robert Lawson's brigade and served with it at Guilford, North Carolina, and elsewhere until its disbandment. He then attached his command to the forces of General LaFayette, with whom he remained until the surrender following the [[Battle of Yorktown]]. He afterwards studied law with [[Thomas Jefferson]].

In 1776 he entered the Third Virginia regiment as lieutenant, and was made captain June 27, 1777. He served as aide to General Charles Lee until the [[Battle of Monmouth]], New Jersey, and his sympathy with that officer in his disgrace led him to resign. But returning to his own State, he raised and equipped, at his own expense, a troop of horse, of which he was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel. He joined General Robert Lawson's brigade and served with it at Guilford, North Carolina, and elsewhere until its disbandment. He then attached his command to the forces of [[General LaFayette]], with whom he remained until the surrender following the [[Battle of Yorktown]]. He afterwards studied law with [[Thomas Jefferson]].

==Political Career==

==Political Career==

==Death and Legacy==

==Death and Legacy==

Governor Mercer died August 30, 1821, at Philadelphia, Pa., whither he had gone to consult a physician as to his health.

Governor Mercer died August 30, 1821, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, whither he had gone to consult a physician as to his health.

His son, Colonel John Mercer, married Mary Swann, and his son, Richard Sprigg Mercer, married Miss E. Coxe, both connections of Governor Thomas Swann and Lieutenant-Governor C. C. Cox, elected under the Constitution of 1864. The latter would have succeeded Governor Swann, who was elected to the United States Senate, had he accepted. He was the only Lieutenant-Governor of Maryland

His son, Colonel John Mercer, married Mary Swann, and his son, Richard Sprigg Mercer, married Miss E. Coxe, both connections of Governor Thomas Swann and Lieutenant-Governor C. C. Cox, elected under the Constitution of 1864. The latter would have succeeded Governor Swann, who was elected to the United States Senate, had he accepted. He was the only Lieutenant-Governor of Maryland