John Mercer

Who was John Mercer?

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", "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.