EARLS FAMILY CHRONICLES
© Christopher Earls Brennen
Datafile 10A - Mercer Records
HEARTH MONEY ROLLS AND OTHER LISTS
- A 1664 Hearth Money Roll or list of protestant householders lists a Robert Mercer as a householder in Ballygargan, parish of Seagoe, County Armagh.
- A 1740 Hearth Money Roll or list of protestant householders in the town of Lurgan includes a William Mercer.
- The list of voters or freeholders at a 1753 election in County Armagh includes the following individuals along with the value of their freehold and their townland: Thomas Mercer (ten pounds, Clenmartin), William Mercer (ten pounds, Corcrin) and John Mercer (ten pounds, Lisdromgullion, Newry).
- At the 1742 Lent Assizes in County Armagh, Elizabeth Mercer was convicted of a felony and sentenced to be deported.
PARISH RECORDS
- A list of parishioners and their acreage for about 1760 in the parish of Hillsborough, County Down includes Michael Mercer of Taughblane with 16? acres.
- Among the signers of the vestry minutes for the parish of Hillsborough in 1777 is Henry Mercer. In 1831, Bernard Mercer. In 1843, William Mercer. In 1846, John Mercer.
DEEDS
- Richard Mercer is mentioned in an abstract of title to lands dated 1739 [PRONI D1046/?/2]. A Richard Mercer is also mentioned in a deed which refers to the cost of purchase of lands dated 1854 [PRONI D1046/1].
- A deed of partition dated 1789 [PRONI D556/22] between Jacob, Elizabeth and Jane Turner of Turner Hill, Lurgan, refers to land held by James Douglas or Darby Haney which is under lease to William Mercer of Castle Street, Lurgan.
QUAKER RECORDS
The Quaker records for the community in Lurgan contain a large number of references to Mercers. In particular the Quaker marriage records each contain a long list of witnesses often including a Mercer. Aaron Mercer appears during the period 1715-80. Another record dated 1725 mentions that Aaron Mercer, son of Richard, has gone to London. Ann Mercer appears as a witness during 1732-56 and Moses Mercer, the father of Richard Mercer, appears frequently and for a long time after 1732. Nicholas Mercer appears during 1731-60, Sarah Mercer appears three times after 1715 and Ruth Mercer also appears.
TITHE APPLOTMENTS
The 1834 tithe applotments for the parish of Tartaraghan (PRONI FIN 5A/255/1), County Armagh include the names of Arthur Mercer Snr. with 16 acres and Arthur Mercer Jnr. with 2 acres in the townland of Derrykeevan.
Hillsborough, County Down, tithe applotments [FIN 5A/152] include Robert Mercer and Bernard Mercer in the townland of Taughblane.
1851 CENSUS
From the fragments of the 1851 census which survived the 1922 Dublin fire, the following information has been extracted. Locations are identified by county, barony, parish and townland or street. Included are all those present in the house on the night of the census; also listed after A: are those who were absent and after D: those who had died during the preceding ten years.
Name: Age: Position: Status, Trade: Birth Liter -place: -acy: Townland of Montaighs, Parish of Aghagallon: James Mercer 78 Head Widower, damask weaver Co.Ant RW Thomas Mercer 34 Son Married, damask weaver Co.Ant RW Elizabeth Mercer 21 D-in-law Married, housekeeper Co.Ant RO John Mercer 26 Son Unmarried, damask weaver Co.Ant RW Alexander Quinn 19 Unmarried, damask weaver Co.Arm RO George Turkington 23 Unmarried, damask weaver Co.Dow RO Robert Bashford 41 Married, damask weaver Lisburn RO Henry McIver 28 Unmarried, damask weaver Lisburn RO John Hamill 14 Unmarried, servant Armagh Maria Topley 26 Unmarried, winder Armagh Rose Downs 14 Unmarried, visitor Armagh
GRIFFITH VALUATION
The Griffith Valuation includes the following entries for the Parish of Magheralin. In the townland of Ballymacmaine, John Mercer is listed as holding 12 acres and 5 perches of land worth 12 pounds and five shillings and a house worth one pound and ten shillings. In the townland of Ballymagin, Thomas Mercer is listed as holding 13 acres and one rood of land worth 14 pounds and ten shillings and a house worth one pound and ten shillings.
DIRECTORIES
- The 1856 Slater's Directory lists Capt. Henry Mercer of Laurel Vale, gentleman, Duke Mercer, butcher, Main Street, and Henry Mercer, spirit and porter dealer, Main Street, in the town of Lurgan.
- The 1863-64 Belfast and Ulster Directory lists Henry Mercer of Laurel Vale, gentleman, in the town of Lurgan.
- The 1880 Belfast and Ulster Directory lists James Mercer, woollendraper, and Hugh George Mercer, draper, in the town of Dromore, County Down.
GRAVESTONE INSCRIPTIONS
In the Hillsborough Parish Church graveyard:
MERCER. [M.D., VI, 475]. Underneath lieth the bodey of Joseph Mercer who died April the 13th 1823 aged 22 years.
MERCER. [White limestone in a surround with a draped urn, in a low-railed enclosure]. The family burying place of Samuel Mercer, Belfast, in memory of his sons. William died 28th June 1865 aged 2 years and 10 months. Also his eldest son Samuel Shaw died 24th April 1893 aged 32 years. Also his son William died 3rd Dec. 1903 aged 32 years. Also his wife Mary died 5th Aug. 1907 aged 74 years. Also the above named Samuel Mercer died 8th Feb. 1908 aged 77 years. Erected 1872.
MERCER. Erected to the memory of John Mercer, Carnrea, who fell asleep in Jesus 13th April 1876 aged 23 years. Also Watson Mercer aged 5 years. Also Thomas Dawson Mercer aged 6 years. Also their dear mother Margaret who died 16th October 1897 aged 70 years. Also his sister Margaret who died 14th June 1902. Also his sister Mary M. Bell who died 5th Oct. 1902. Also their dear father Watson Mercer who died 6th Dec. 1906. Also his sister Elizabeth J. Mercer who died 11th Aug. 1913.
MERCER. Erected by Joseph Mercer of Blaris in memory of his beloved father Michael Mercer who departed this life 3rd Feb. 1881 aged 80 years. Also of his brother George Mercer who departed this life 14th May 1880 aged 40 years. Dawson N. Mercer departed this life 15th May 1913 aged 67 years.
MERCER. [Polished granite pillar in a low-railed enclosure]. Erected by William J. Mercer, Parkview, in memory of his daughter Ellen Jane who died 8th Feb. 1898 aged 16 years. The above named William J. Mercer who died 13th May 1916 aged 72 years.
WARD. On the surround of a WARD gravestone: John Mercer died 4th Dec. 1891 aged 45 years. Mary Mercer died 26th July 1940 aged 86 years.
DEATHS
The first part of this section is a listing of some Mercer deaths. In the case of registered deaths, the year with the volume and page number of the registration are also shown. An asterisk indicates a case in which the full record has been consulted and details included in the second part of this section.
1st Name [Age] Surname Area Year Ref. Ch. Isobel [62] Mercer Dromore, Down 1801 [b] Anne [16] Mercer Hillsborough 1825 [a] Margaret [76] Mercer Hillsborough 1831 [a] Catherine [26] Mercer Hillsborough 1832 [a] William [19] Mercer Hillsborough 1836 [a] Samuel [50] Mercer Hillsborough 1836 [a] Michael [63] Mercer Hillsborough 1838 [a] Bernard [81] Mercer Hillsborough 1838 [a] James [28] Mercer Hillsborough 1839 [a] Mary Mercer Hillsborough 1839 [a] Mary [61] Mercer Hillsborough 1841 [a] Mary [80] Mercer Hillsborough 1844 [a] Ellen [34] Mercer Hillsborough 1847 [a] Henry [81] Mercer Hillsborough 1847 [a] Hill [55] Mercer Hillsborough 1851 [a] Alice [60] Mercer Hillsborough 1851 [a] Elizabeth [4] Mercer Hillsborough 1851 [a] Robert [40] Mercer Hillsborough 1854 [a] Bernard [69] Mercer Hillsborough 1862 [a] Michael [75] Mercer Hillsborough 1862 [a] Ellen [63] Mercer Lurgan 1864 1/574 Lennox [77] Mercer Lurgan 1864 16/468 Mary [46] Mercer Hillsborough 1864 [a] Richard [44] Mercer Lurgan 1865 6/518 Alice [97] Mercer Lisburn 1866 16/429 Hugh [75] Mercer Lurgan 1866 1/578 Ann Elizabeth [10] Mercer Lurgan 1867 11/435 John [42] Mercer Lurgan 1867 6/529 Selina Jane [5] Mercer Lurgan 1867 11/435 William John [18] Mercer Lurgan 1867 11/412 Elizabeth [71] Mercer Hillsborough 1867 [a] Anne [70] Mercer Lurgan 1868 6/504 Anne [29] Mercer Lurgan 1868 1/527 Elizabeth [10] Mercer Lurgan 1868 1/541 John [16] Mercer Lurgan 1868 1/522 Selina Jane [5] Mercer Lurgan 1868 1/541 Thomas [70] Mercer Lurgan 1868 11/432 Elizabeth [18] Mercer Hillsborough 1868 [a] Isabella [0] Mercer Hillsborough 1868 [a] Henry [76] Mercer Lurgan 1869 1/619 James [71] Mercer Lisburn 1869 6/516 Stothard [41] Mercer Lurgan 1869 11/451 * James [71] Mercer Hillsborough 1869 [a] Mary [20] Mercer Lurgan 1870 6/534 Elizabeth [70] Mercer Lurgan 1871 6/508 Harriett Emma [6] Mercer Lurgan 1871 1/593 William [21] Mercer Banbridge 1871 11/108 William [57] Mercer Belfast 1871 1/244 * Andrew [29] Mercer Hillsborough 1871 [a] Christina [4] Mercer Hillsborough 1872 [a] Margaret[71] Mercer Lurgan 1872 6/524 William [67] Mercer Lisburn 1872 6/501 Mary Anne[0] Mercer Lurgan 1873 6/532 Richard [58] Mercer Lisburn 1873 1/542 Sharlotte[69] Mercer Lurgan 1873 1/586 Elizabeth [31] Mercer Hillsborough 1873 [a] Richard [27] Mercer Hillsborough 1874 [a] Henry [60] Mercer Lurgan 1874 6/533 John [9] Mercer Lurgan 1875 6/619 Joseph [71] Mercer Lisburn 1875 1/645 Stothard [80] Mercer Lurgan 1875 11/472 * David [4] Mercer Lurgan 1876 1/613 James [64] Mercer Lurgan 1876 16/461 John [23] Mercer Lisburn 1876 6/574 Martha [65] Mercer Lisburn 1876 6/507 Mary [80] Mercer Lisburn 1876 16/442 John [0] Mercer Lurgan 1876 6/574 Mary Anne [45] Mercer Lurgan 1876 11/441 Thomas Henry [0] Mercer Lurgan 1876 1/615 Mary [80] Mercer Hillsborough 1876 [a] William [86] Mercer Hillsborough 1877 [a] Elizabeth [44] Mercer Lurgan 1877 6/630 Isabella [0] Mercer Lurgan 1877 16/494 Joseph [71] Mercer Banbridge 1877 1/173 William [88] Mercer Lisburn 1877 6/571 John [65] Mercer Lisburn 1878(2) 1/540 Mary [70] Mercer Lisburn 1878(3) 1/427 Elizabeth [63] Mercer Lisburn 1879(3) 1/440 Martha [49] Mercer Lurgan 1879(4) 1/583 Mary [80] Mercer Lurgan 1879(4) 1/581 George [42] Mercer Hillsborough 1880 [a] Edward Spotten [2] Mercer Hillsborough 1881 [a] Ann [57] Mercer Hillsborough 1882 [a] Mary [74] Mercer Hillsborough 1883 [a] Moses [43] Mercer Hillsborough 1883 [a] Christopher [31] Mercer Hillsborough 1884 [a] Margaret [73] Mercer Hillsborough 1884 [a] Joseph [43] Mercer Hillsborough 1884 [a] Robert McCalmont [9] Mercer Hillsborough 1885 [a] [a] Records of the parish of Hillsborough, County Down.
[b] Records of the parish of Dromore, County Down.Isobel Mercer of Dromore, aged 62, was buried at Dromore Parish Church on May 6, 1801.
Anne Mercer of Taughblane, aged 16, was buried at Hillsborough Parish Church on Aug.29, 1825.
Margaret Mercer of Hillsborough, a pauper aged 76, was buried at Hillsborough Parish Church on Dec.21, 1831.
Catherine Mercer of Edentrillick, a spinster aged 26, was buried at Hillsborough Parish Church on Apr.26, 1832.
William Mercer of Taughblane, a weaver aged 19, was buried at Hillsborough Parish Church on Nov.27, 1836.
Samuel Mercer of Carnreagh, Blaris, a farmer aged 50, was buried at Hillsborough Parish Church on Dec.2, 1836.
Michael Mercer of Edentrillick, Dromore, a farmer aged 63, was buried at Hillsborough Parish Church on Jan.9, 1838.
Bernard Mercer of Taughblane, a farmer aged 81, was buried at Hillsborough Parish Church on Feb.2, 1838.
James Mercer of Dromore, aged 28, was buried at Hillsborough Parish Church on May 10, 1839.
Mary Mercer of Edentrillick, a housekeeper, was buried at Hillsborough Parish Church on Jul.15, 1839.
Mary Mercer of Taughblane, aged 61, was buried at Hillsborough Parish Church on Jan.19, 1841.
Mary Mercer of Taughblane, aged 80, was buried at Hillsborough Parish Church on Jun.14, 1844.
Ellen Mercer of Lisadian, aged 34, was buried at Hillsborough Parish Church on Apr.5, 1847.
Henry Mercer of Backnamullagh, Dromore, aged 81, was buried at Hillsborough Parish Church on May 19, 1847.
Hill Mercer of Aghandunvarren, aged 55, was buried at Hillsborough Parish Church on May 27, 1851.
Alice Mercer of Dromatihugh, aged 60, was buried at Hillsborough Parish Church on Jun.19, 1851.
Elizabeth Mercer of Hillsborough, aged 4, daughter of John Mercer, was buried at Hillsborough Parish Church on Oct.23, 1851.
Robert Mercer of Aghandunvarren, aged 40, was buried at Hillsborough Parish Church on Nov.22, 1854.
Bernard Mercer of Taughblane, aged 69, was buried at Hillsborough Parish Church on Oct.2, 1862.
Michael Mercer of Taughblane, aged 75, was buried at Hillsborough Parish Church on Nov.14, 1862.
Mary Mercer of Dromatihugh, aged 46, widow of Robert Mercer, was buried at Hillsborough Parish Church on Jan.28, 1864.
Elizabeth Mercer of Taughblane, aged 71, widow of Bernard Mercer, was buried at Hillsborough Parish Church on Jan.10, 1867.
Elizabeth Mercer of Lisadian, aged 18, daughter of Serg. James Mercer, was buried at Hillsborough Parish Church on Jul.21, 1868.
Isabella Mercer of Ballykeel Artifinny, aged 3 months, was buried at Hillsborough Parish Church on Oct.6, 1868.
Stothard Mercer, a married cambrick finisher aged 41, died of disease of the liver in Edenballycoghill, in the district of Lurgan, on Aug.30, 1869. Robert Mercer of Edenballycoghill was present.
James Mercer of Lisadian, aged 71, was buried at Hillsborough Parish Church on Jun.22, 1869.
William Mercer, a married bricklayer aged 57, died of bronchitis at 15 Renwick Court, Belfast, on Dec.27, 1871. Jane Mercer of 15 Renwick Court was present at the death.
Andrew Mercer of Ballykeel Artifinny, aged 29, was buried at Hillsborough Parish Church on Dec.12, 1871.
Christina Mercer of Belfast, aged 4, was buried at Hillsborough Parish Church on May 6, 1872.
Elizabeth Mercer of Ballykeel Artifinny, aged 31, was buried at Hillsborough Parish Church on Aug.12, 1873.
Richard Mercer of Belfast, aged 27, was buried at Hillsborough Parish Church on Mar.10, 1874.
Stothard Mercer, a widowed farmer aged 80, died of general debility at Ballymackeonan near Moira on Aug.30, 1875. John Wilson of Ballymackeonan was present at the death.
Mary Mercer of Taughblane, aged 80, was buried at Hillsborough Parish Church on Dec.16, 1876.
William Mercer of Aughandunvarran, aged 86, was buried at Hillsborough Parish Church on Apr.11, 1877.
George Mercer of Edentrillick, aged 42, was buried at Hillsborough Parish Church on May 16, 1880.
Edward Spotten Mercer of Belfast, aged 2, was buried at Hillsborough Parish Church on May 17, 1881.
Ann Mercer of Belfast, aged 57, was buried at Hillsborough Parish Church on Nov.16, 1882.
Mary Mercer of Moygabbery, aged 74, was buried at Hillsborough Parish Church on Jan.24, 1883.
Moses Mercer of Aughandunvarren, aged 43, was buried at Hillsborough Parish Church on Apr.28, 1883.
Christopher Mercer of Aughandunvarren, aged 31, was buried at Hillsborough Parish Church on Feb.6, 1884.
Margaret Mercer of Aughandunvarren, aged 73, was buried at Hillsborough Parish Church on Feb.24, 1884.
Joseph Mercer of Aughandunvarren, aged 43, was buried at Hillsborough Parish Church on Jul.18, 1884.
Robert McCalmont Mercer of Belfast, aged 9.5, was buried at Hillsborough Parish Church on Nov.23, 1885.
PREROGATIVE WILLS
1st Name: Surname: Address: Year: Bryan Mercer Hillsborough, Co.Down, gent. 1721 Samuel Mercer Ballymullen, Co.Down 1840 John Mercer Ballymullen, Co.Down 1843 Arthur Mercer Unshina, Co.Armagh 1849 Arthur Hill Mercer Ballymullen, Co.Down 1849 Henry Mercer Unshina, Co.Armagh 1851 Henry Mercer Ballymullen + Hill-Hall, Co.Down 1853
CENSUS OF 1901
The 1901 Census contains the following references to Mercer families in Counties Armagh and Down. Abbreviations: Pres = Presbyterian, Meth = Methodist, CofE = Church of Ireland, RW = read and write, RO = read only, NR = neither read nor write, UM = unmarried, MA = married, WI = widow or widower, HD = husband or head, WI = wife, SO = son, DA = daughter, NE = nephew or neice, AU = aunt, UN = uncle, SI = sister, BR = brother, SL = son-in-law, DL = daughter-in-law, GS = grandson, GD = granddaughter, SE = servant, BO = boarder, VI = visitor, CoD = County Down, CoA = County Armagh.
Townland of Ballymacateer, parish of Magheralin: Emma Mercer HD Pres RW 60 NM CoD Millie Mercer NE CofE RW 25 NM CoD Ann Jane Hull SE CofE RO 55 Cook NM CoD Townland of Ballymagin, parish of Magheralin: Thomas Mercer HD CofE RW 68 Farmer NM CoD Wm. John Mercer BR CofE RO 64 Farmer MA CoD Sarah A. Mercer SL CofE RW 40 Farmer's wife MA CoD Townland of Ballymackeownan, parish of Magheralin: William John Mercer HD CofE RW 36 Labourer MA CoD Mary Ann Mercer WI CofE NR 37 MA CoD George Mercer SO CofE RW 16 Labourer NM CoD Mary Elizabeth M. DA CofE RW 13 Scholar NM CoD Sarah Jane Mercer DA CofE RW 10 Scholar NM CoD Charlotte Mercer DA CofE RW 6 Scholar NM CoD John Mercer SO CofE RW 4 Scholar NM CoD Samuel Mercer SO CofE NR 2 NM CoD Hanna Bella Mercer DA CofE NR 2m NM CoD Ellen Mount(?) BO CofE NR 25 Hemsticker NM CoD Townland of Drumnakane, parish of Shankill: Thomas Mercer HD CofE RW 22 Linen weaver NM CoA Elizabeth Mercer SI CofE RW 30 Hemstitcher NM CoA Ellen Mercer SI CofE RW 25 Hemstitcher NM CoA John Mercer NE CofE RW 11 Scholar NM CoA Townland of Ballynary, parish of Tartaraghan: William Mercer HD CofE NR 70 Farm lab. MA CoA Margaret Mercer WI CofE NR 69 Wife MA CoA Townland of Breagh Lower, parish of Tartaraghan: Arthur Mercer HD CofE RW 32 Farmer UM CoA James Mercer BR CofE RW 28 Farmer UM CoA Annie Mercer SI CofE RW 26 UM CoA Sarah Mercer SI CofE RW 22 UM CoA Rachel Mercer SI CofE RW 20 UM CoA Townland of Breagh Lower, parish of Tartaraghan: William Mercer HD CofE RW 30 Grocer,Publican UM CoA Minnie Mercer SI CofE RW 34 UM CoA Eliza Jane Mercer SI CofE RW 24 UM CoA Townland of Ballyknock, parish of Moira: Sarah Mercer HD CofE RW 68 Housekeeper WI CoD Robert Mercer SO CofE RW 40 Farmer UM CoD Lenox Mercer SO CofE RW 38 Farmer UM CoD Charlotte Mercer DA CofE RO 36 Seamstress UM CoD Mary Jane Mercer DA CofE RO 30 Seamstress UM CoD Maria Mercer DA CofE RO 28 Housekeeper UM CoD Townland of Ballyknock, parish of Moira: William Mercer HD CofE RW 31 Farmer MA CoD Abigail Mercer WI CofE RW 29 MA CoA Anne Walsh VI CofE RW 12 Scholar UM CoD Samuel Gregg SE CofE RW 17 Ploughman UM CoD Arthur Crangh SE CofE RW 13 Yard boy UM CoD Townland of Annaghmakeonan, parish of Donacloney: William Mercer HD Pres RW 41 Boot + shoemaker MA CoD Sarah Mercer WI Pres RW 40 MA CoD Townland of Ballygunnaughan, parish of Donacloney: Alexander Mercer HD Pres RW 60 Farmer MA CoD Ellen Mercer WI Pres RW 55 MA CoD Sarah J. Mercer DA Pres RW 25 Factory winder UM CoD John Mercer SO Pres RW 23 Postman UM CoD Margaret Mercer DA Pres RW 22 Linen weaver UM CoD Alexander Mercer SO Pres RW 19 Linen weaver UM CoD Thomas Mercer SO Pres RW 16 Labourer UM CoD James Mercer SO Pres RW 13 Scholar UM CoD Townland of Ballygunnaughan, parish of Donacloney: Mary Anne Mercer HD Pres RW 74 Farmer's wife WI CoD Mary Anne Mercer DA Pres RW 33 Linen weaver MA CoD Mary Anne Mercer GD Pres RW 7 Scholar UM CoD
CENSUS OF 1911
The 1911 Census contains the following references to Mercer families:
House 22 in Ballymakeenan (Magheralin, Down): Wm John Mercer 47 HD CofE CoDow Quarry Labourer RW WI George Mercer 26 SO CofE CoDow Quarry Labourer RW UM Sarah Jane Mercer 21 DA CofE CoDown Stitcher RW UM Charlott Mercer 16 DA CofE CoDow RW UM John Mercer 14 SO CofE CoDow Scholar RW UM Damel Mercer 12 SO CofE CoDow Scholar RW UM Amaralla Mercer 10 DA CofE CoDow Scholar RW UM Ellan Mount 36 BO CofE House 14 in Ballymagin (Magheralin, Down): Thomas Mercer 76 HD CofE CoDow Farmer RW UM Wm John Mercer 74 BR CofE CoDow Farmer RW Married Sarah A Mercer 56 SL CofE CoDow RW Married 20 House 31 in Ballymacateer (Magheralin, Down): Emma Mercer 72 HD Pres CoDow RW UM Lizzie Morrison 28 SE Pres CoArm Domestic Servant RW UM Last updated 9/9/99.
Christopher E. Brennen