Changes

'''John Francis Mercer''' (May 17, 1759 - August 30, 1821) was a soldier, Governor of Maryland, and a delegate to the [[Constitutional Convention]] representing the state of [[Maryland]].<ref>[http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/biographies/john-francis-mercer/ A Biography of John Francis Mercer 1759-1821]</ref>

'''John Francis Mercer''' (May 17, 1759 - August 30, 1821) was a soldier, Governor of Maryland, and a delegate to the [[Constitutional Convention]] representing the state of [[Maryland]].<ref>[http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/biographies/john-francis-mercer/ A Biography of John Francis Mercer 1759-1821]</ref>

==Early Life==

==Early life==

John Francis Mercer was born at "Marlboro," Stafford County, Virginia, May 17, 1759, and was graduated from William and Mary College, Virginia, in 1775.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=vgINAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA250 The founders of Anne Arundel and Howard Counties, Maryland: A genealogical and biographical review from wills, deeds and church records]</ref>

John Francis Mercer was born at "Marlboro," Stafford County, Virginia, May 17, 1759, and was graduated from William and Mary College, Virginia, in 1775.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=vgINAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA250 The founders of Anne Arundel and Howard Counties, Maryland: A genealogical and biographical review from wills, deeds and church records]</ref>

==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 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]].

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==

From 1782 to 1785 he was one of the Virginia delegates to the Continental Congress. He married February 3, 1785, Sophia, daughter of Richard Sprigg, of "Cedar Park," West River, Maryland, whose wife was Margaret Caile, daughter of John and Rebecca (Ennalls) Caile, of England.

From 1782 to 1785 he was one of the Virginia delegates to the Continental Congress. He married February 3, 1785, Sophia, daughter of Richard Sprigg, of "Cedar Park," West River, Maryland, whose wife was Margaret Caile, daughter of John and Rebecca (Ennalls) Caile, of England.

<references />

<references />

{{Template:Constitutional Convention}}

{{Constitutional Convention}}

[[Category:Founding Fathers]]

[[Category:Founding Fathers]]