John Mercer Patton (August 10, 1797 – October 29, 1858) was a nineteenth century politician and lawyer from Virginia.
Born in Fredericksburg, Virginia, Patton attended Princeton University and graduated from the medical department at the University of Pennsylvania in 1818. He studied law and was admitted to the bar, commencing practice in Fredericksburg. Patton was elected a Jacksonian and Democrat to the United States House of Representatives originally to fill a vacancy in 1830, serving until 1838. There, he served as chairman of the Committee on Territories from 1835 to 1839. He became senior councilor of Virginia and had served as Acting Governor of Virginia after the resignation of Governor Thomas W. Gilmer in 1841. Afterwards, he moved to Richmond, Virginia and continued to practice law until his death there on October 29, 1858. He was interred at Shockoe Hill Cemetery.
Patton was the great grandfather of WWII general George S. Patton Jr.
| United States House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Philip P. Barbour |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 11th congressional district December 6, 1830 – March 3, 1833 |
Succeeded by Andrew Stevenson |
| Preceded by Joseph Chinn |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 13th congressional district March 4, 1833 – April 7, 1838 (obsolete district) |
Succeeded by Linn Banks |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by Thomas W. Gilmer Governor |
Acting Governor of Virginia March 20, 1841 – March 31, 1841 |
Succeeded by John Rutherfoord Acting Governor |
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