Starting October 7, the San Jacinto Monument's Observation Floor will close for renovation, open on weekends, with discounted museum admission during this time.

Part of an old map of the San Jacinto area from the Texas Revolution

Veteran Bio

Texian Location:  Participant

The Kemp Sketch

(What is this?) | Download the original typescript

MERCER, ELIJAH G. -- Born in Mississippi March 20, 1819, son of Eli and Anna (Thompson) Mercer. In the Headright Certificate issued to him March 15, 1838 for one-third of a league of land by the Board of Land Commissioners for Colorado County it is stated that he came to Texas previous to May 2, 1835. As a matter of fact he came with his parents in 1829. He and his father were members of Captain William J.E. Heard's Company of Citizen Soldiers at San Jacinto and on February 6 1839 Elijah G. was issued Donation Certificate No. 809 for having participated in the battle. On January 26, 1838 he received Bounty Certificate No. 2125 for 320 acres of land for his services from February 29 to May 30, 1836

. Mr. Mercer was married to Jemima A. Heard, sister of Captain William J. E. Heard, February 1, 1842. Mr. Mercer died at Thornton County, March 11, 1856. Mrs. Mercer was born May 2, 1820 and died at Chapel Hill, Texas, December 31, 1856.

Children of Mr. and Mrs. Elijah G. Mercer were: Sidney, born December 24, 1842; Josephine, born November 4, 1844; Henry, born February 16, 1847; Paul B., born March 17, 1851; and Thaddeus Elijah Mercer, born September 30, 1855. Josephine was married to a Mr. Jones. Thaddeus S. was married to Elizabeth Menefee, son of John S. Menefee, a San Jacinto veteran. The dates of the births and deaths of the members of the families of Elijah G. and Eli Mercer were taken from the family Bible of the Mercer-Menefee family in possession in 1934 of Mrs. Frances R. Betts, granddaughter of John S. Menefee and Elijah G. Mercer.

Written by Louis W. Kemp, between 1930 and 1952. Please note that typographical and factual errors have not been corrected from the original sketches. The biographies have been scanned from the original typescripts, a process that sometimes allows for mistakes in the new text. Researchers should verify the accuracy of the texts' contents through other sources before quoting in publications. Additional information on the veteran may be available in the Herzstein Library.


Battle Statistics

  • Died in Battle: No
  • Rank: Second Corporal
  • Company: Capt. William J. E. Heard

Personal Statistics

  • Date of Birth: 1819 Mar 20
  • Birthplace: Mississippi
  • Origin: Mississippi
  • Came to Texas: 1829
  • Date of Death: 1856 Mar 11
  • Bounty Certificate: 2125
  • Donation Certificate: 809
  • Wife: Jemima A. Heard
  • Children: Sidney Mercer; Josephine Mercer Jones; Henry Mercer; Paul B. Mercer; Thaddeus Elijah Mercer
  • Family at San Jacinto: Father Eli Mercer at San Jacinto