Mercer, Margaret
- Amrita Myers
Extract
Mercer, Margaret (01 July 1791–17 September 1846), antislavery reformer and educator, was born in Annapolis, Maryland, the daughter of John Francis Mercer, a politician, and Sophia Sprigg. Margaret, a quiet, frail child, spent most of her childhood in Annapolis, where her father held a variety of public offices, including service as governor for one term. Her family also spent time at their ancestral country home, “Cedar Park.” Intelligent and scholarly, Margaret completed a postsecondary education under the supervision of her father, a man known for his liberal views. Following in his footsteps, Margaret devoted herself to her church and donated time and money to local Sunday schools, which provided elementary education as well as religious instruction to the poor....
