George Ritchie Mercer & Elizabeth Linfoot Mercer Oliphint

George Ritchie Mercer was born on November 18, 1810 in Edinborough, Midlothian, Scotland to George Mercer and Janet Ritchie Wilson.

Elizabeth Linfoot was born on November 25, 1816 in LeedsYork, Yorkshire, England to William Linfoot and Elizabeth Benson. Upon the death of her father ca. 1828/1829, the mother moved her family to Montreal, Canada. The other children were William P., John, Thomas, Hannah, Rosetta, George, and Christopher.

George and Elizabeth were married in Montreal, Canada. Attracted by the generous colonization laws of Texas,  soon after their marriage they emigrated to Texas in 1835, at that time a part of Mexico. 

Move to Texas

En route their ship encountered a severe storm and was almost lost at sea, but managed to beach near Yucatan. Their trip took seventeen weeks. The water supply aboard the ship was exhausted and the passengers survived on the juice of rotting lemons.  On foot, and with much hardship, the passengers finally reached Brownsville. On the way, friendly Mexicans had given them sheepskins to help clothe them, their original clothing being in tatters. From Brownsville the group reached Galveston, and eventually many of them proceeded up the Trinity River to the town of Cincinnati in what is now northeast Walker County.

On October 4, 1835, a labor (177 acres) at Cincinnati and a league of land (4,428 acres) on the West Fork of the San Jacinto Rover were granted to George R. Mercer and his wife, Elizabeth Linfoot Mercer. The George Mercer Survey is easy to locate on county maps and the land is located in what is now Walker County, near Huntsville, Texas.

Even today, these lands are like an oasis in the midst of the forests, with green, rolling hills stretching into the distance. They had other lands, including those received as a result of Mercer's service with the Texas Army and in the Battle of San Jacinto.

Indians

They had many interesting experiences with the Indians. Once when Mr. Mercer had gone by ox cart to Houston for supplies, Elizabeth was sitting in the doorway of their cabin late on evening. She saw two Indians lurking behind the trees a short distance away. One was an old man, the other a tall young brave. She tried to remain calm, however, and waited for their next move. They did not bother her but all the while talking rapidly to each other, they walked into the house, cut down some smoked meat hanging from the rafters, and left. As soon as they were gone, Elizabeth went out the back door and ran two miles to her nearest neighbor.

When her husband returned several days later, the Indians again came to the cabin. Mr. Mercer could understand their language. They told him they knew his wife had been drigtened, but they did not want to hurt her. They merely needed food and knew he would have given it to them had he been there so they felt free to take it.

Battle of San Jacinto

George (age 26) was in the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836. He served in the 2nd Regiment Volunteers 1st Infantry Company

Children

Elizabeth and George Mercer had two sons: George H. and Matheson, called Matt. Elizabeth and her Mercer sons lived and worked in Cincinnati and George occupied the land on West San Jacinto, five miles west of Huntsville. Later, the family was united on West San Jacinto. George H. Mercer married Mary Kearse. Mattheson Mercer married Annie Scott. Both of these brothers fought in the Civil War

Cenotaph in Auburn Cemetery, Ellis Co., Texas

Yellow Fever

Mr. Mercer went to Galveston to work and at the age of 32 he fell sick to yellow fever. He died on October 6, 1842 in Galveston, Texas. It is said he is buried somewhere in Galveston, though his grave is unknown. There is a cenotaph in the Auburn Cemetery (in Ellis Co.) where his son is buried.

John William Oliphint

Elizabeth Linfoot Mercer and John Oliphint

Elizabeth Linfoot Mercer and John Oliphint

Elizabeth Mercer met John William Oliphint and married him about 1840/1843. They had eight children listed as follows: William A., Elisabeth, Etta, Allie,  Emma, Thomas Clifford, Anthony Bolyn, Boley, and John William.

Civil War

"During the Civil War, in which both of the Mercer boys and William A. Oliphint served for the Confederacy, J. W. was detailed from the regular Confederate Army to look after soldiers' families in the area. The Oliphint home served as a distribution center for supplies destined for these families and the broad front porch was stacked high with provisions. Wearing apparel cut out and made locally was sent from this point to the military.

Throughout the years the Oliphant home was known for the Southern hospitality dispensed there. Circuit riders and other travelers could count on a welcome and a night's rest there. After the war, sick and weary homeward-bound soldiers passing by the door could count on food, rest, and medical care from the Olphinats. Their children would remember such scenes many years later. As the chidlren matured, their parents deeded a tract to each. These days it appears that all ownership has passed from family hands.

The Oliphant family attended Martha's Chapel Methodist Church, located a short distance from the northeast boundary of Mercer's grant" (by Pat Louis Weekley, F11 and F12, Walker County History).

Elizabeth died on 11 Jul 1881 in Huntsville, Walker Co., Texas and is buried in Martha Chapel Cemetery, Walker Co., Texas.

Tombstone of Elizabeth Linfoot Mercer Oliphint

Information from Walker County History (Marjorie Oliphint Trantham, F652; Helen Oliphint Spencer, F710) and http://genforum.genealogy.com/mercer/messages/3288.html