Ann Jane Mercer

MERCER, Ann Jane, philanthropist, b. in Philadelphia, Pa., in October, 1817; d. there, 5 April, 1886. She was the daughter of John Hamilton, of Philadelphia, and married John C. Mercer, a merchant in that city. After the death of her husband she established in his memory the Mercer memorial home, at Atlantic City, N. J., for the relief of invalid women, and by her will she founded the John C. Mercer home for disabled clergymen of the Presbyterian faith. For this purpose she gave her furnished country-seat, "The Mount," in Montgomery county, Pa., and $100,000 with which to support it. Her will provides that no clergyman that uses tobacco in any form shall be admitted to the home.

Source: Appletons' Cyclopaedia of American Biography, vol. 4. James Grant Wilson and John Fiske, eds., New York: D. Appleton & Company, 1888, p. 300.

Submitted by Nancy.