The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 39, July 1935 - April, 1936 Page: 291

The Mercer Colony in Texas, 1844-1888

Upon his return to the United States, Mercer wrote his will at
Tallahassee, Florida, in which he bequeathed his entire estate to
his nephew, Theodore S. Garnett of Essex County, Virginia.
"The only regret I have in making this will," said Mercer, "is
that I shall leave so little to one whom I owe so much."62
Mercer left Florida soon to return to the home of his nephew
at Alexandria. Stopping in Washington he spent the last evening
before going to Alexandria with his friend, R. T. Birchett.
Birchett states that Mercer "knew his condition was hopeless and
that his death was certain within a very short time."68 He died
in Howard, near Alexandria, Virginia, May 4, 1858, and was
buried in Union Cemetery, Leesburg, Loudoun County, Virginia.64
Thus were rounded out the years of a man who was "early
taught, by precept and example, the obligation to be useful rather
than distinguished-a maxim of Christian rather than heathen
philosophy.'65
"Last Will and Testament of C. F. Mercer, March 25, 1857. In depo-
sition of Theodore S. Garnett, Sr., May 2, 1880, in the records of the case,
Preston vs. Walsh.
"aBirchett's deposition, in the records of the case, Preston vs. Walsh.
"Wold, Biographical Directory of American Congress, 1774-1927, p. 1035.
"'The Farewell Address of the Honorable C. F. Mercer to His Constit-
uents. Garnett, Biographical Sketch of the Honorable Charles Fenton
Mercer, 22.

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