Jesse Mercer

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Jesse Mercer

Jesse Mercer, born in North Carolina Dec. 16, 1769, was the son of Rev. Silas Mercer, a Baptist preacher who moved to Wilkes County, Georgia in the early 1770's and founded several pioneer churches. Jesse Mercer was baptized by his father at the age of 18, and the youth at once started holding prayer meetings in the log home of his grandmother. He married Sabrina Chivers of the Phillips' Mill community in Wilkes County when 19, and was ordained for the ministry at 20. Sardis Church, originally called Hutton's Fork, was Mr. Mercer's first charge. In 1796 he succeeded his father as pastor of the Phillips' Mill Church, which he served for 39 years, baptizing 230 persons. He also served as pastor of Bethesda Church (1796-1827); Powell's Creek Church, in Hancock County, Georgia (1797-1825); and the Baptist Church at Eatonton, Putnam County, Georgia (1820-26).

Mr. Mercer's first wife died Sept. 23, 1826 and in his loneliness he moved to the city of Washington, Georgia in Wilkes County. In December, 1827, he married Mrs. Nancy Simons, a wealthy widow, who joined him in large gifts to Mercer Institute. Mr. Mercer provided a founding endowment for the Mercer Institute and who served as the first chairman of the school's board of trustees. The Institute later became known as Mercer University.

Early in life Mr. Mercer had published a popular song book under the title "Mercer's Cluster." In later years he published the Christian Index and a Temperance paper in Washington, Georgia. In 1828 he became the first pastor of the Washington Baptist Church in Washington, Georgia, which he served until his death in 1841.