Inscription
Formed by Virginia Act in 1785, before Kentucky became a state. Included most of present Anderson and Boyle, part of Franklin, Casey, Garrard counties. First permanent English settlement west of the Alleghenies, founded as Harrodstown by James Harrod, 1774. Harrodsburg seat of government of Kentucky County, 1776; Lincoln County, 1780; Mercer County, 1785. Over.
[Reverse]
County Named - For Gen. Hugh Mercer, ca. 1725-77. A native of Scotland, he came to America about 1746. Officer in French and Indian War, 1755-59. Served with Washington. Was the commandant at Fort Pitt. Hero in Revolution. Instrumental in success at Trenton, 1776, and Princeton, 1777, where he was bayonetted to death by Hessians. He owned 13,000 acres in Ky. District. Over.
Location
Sources
More markers in Mercer
Rev. John Rice (1760-1843)
Harrodsburg, KY
REV. JOHN RICE (1760-1843) - A Va.
Greenville Springs
Harrodsburg, KY
Last remnant of medicinal springs prevalent in Mercer County during 1800s.
Colonel George Morgan Chinn, USMC
Main St., KY
This Mercer County native was one of nation's leading authorities on automatic weapons.
James Harrod
Harrodsburg, KY
Born in Pa., this explorer and military leader came here in 1774.
Gabriel Slaughter, 1767-1830
Harrodsburg, KY
Called "lieutenant governor and acting governor," Gabriel Slaughter directed the Commonwealth, 1816-20, after death of Gov. Madison.
