James Franklin Mercer
James Franklin (Frank) Mercer, son of John Christopher Mercer and his wife Nancy Celeta Deen, was born 02 Mar 1891, Baxley, Appling CO, GA, died 14 Jul 1967, Gilmer’s Nursing Home, St Augustine, St Johns CO, FL, married 19 May 1912, Martha Ray, dau of Elias Still Ray, Jr and Margaret R (Maggie) Richardson, born 10 May 1897, Ludowici, Long CO, GA, died 07 Oct 1977, Bunnell General Hospital, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL. They are both bur Espanola Cemetery, Espanola, Flagler CO, FL.
The family is listed on page 4 of the 1920 census of Flagler County, residing in Bunnell, with his occupation given as "Salesman - Retail Store," with her mother, Maggie Watkins, who had married for a second time, residing in the household. The family moved to this area by 1913 and he was employed in the turpentine and saw mill industries and resided at St. Joe Still, Dinner Island Still, Favorita and at a large sawmill near Pellicer Creek.
He worked for Flagler County using prison crews for road work. He served on the Flagler County Board of County Commissioners in 1926 and his name is on the cornerstone of the Court House. He was Tax Collector of Flagler County from 1932 until he retired in 1962. Franklin was a member of Bunnell Lodge No 200, F & AM.
His Mother died in 1915 and after his father's death in 1920, three of his sisters resided with them at sometime. The youngest, Carrie Mae Mercer made her home with the family until her marriage to Thomas Larimore King.
Pauline Mercer resided with them before her marriage to Joseph Leaston Pellicer.
Susan Elizabeth Mercer Clements came to reside with them in 1924. His brother Eddie Lee Mercer was here in the 1920 census, and is listed on page 12 as a guard at the prison camp. He returned to Appling County.
Martha was a "real daughter" of the General Joseph Eggleston Johnston Chapter #2317, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL joining on 28 Dec 1969 with eligibility based on the service record of Elias Still Ray, Company G, Haygood's Regt, SC Inf. She was also a 50-year member of the Order of Eastern Star.
The family were members of the First United Methodist Church of Beunnell. They were the parents of eight children;
1. Emma Mae Mercer, born 11 Apr 1913, St Johns now Flagler CO, FL, died 06 Nov 1975, Gilmer’s Nursing Home, St Augustine, St Johns CO, FL, married 22 Nov 1937, Catholic Cathedral, St Augustine, St Johns CO, FL, Otis Alphonso Masters, born 30 Oct 1906 and died 28 Sept 1960 in St Augustine. Both are buried in San Lorenzo Catholic Cemetery in St Augustine.
In Dec 1937, Otis worked for the Florida Power and Light Company and in the 1945 Florida State Census, his occupation was listed as embalmer.
In Jan 1936, Emma was placed on duty in Flagler County by the State Board of Health as county nurse. Previous to coming to Flagler, she had held public nursing positions in Volusia and Highlands counties.
In Dec 1937, she was the night supervisor at Flagler Hospital in St Augustine, FL, a position she had held for about two months. She started working at Flagler in 1935 and in 1948 she began work at Gilmer’s Nursing Home in St Augustine. Issue;
(1) Marie Masters, born 12 May 1944, married Joe Millitello of Aransas Pass, San Patricio CO, TX
2. Johnnie Franklin (Johnnie) Mercer, born 02 Apr 1914, Bunnell, St Johns now Flagler CO, FL, died 31 Oct 1977, VA Hospital, Charleston, Charleston CO, SC, married 23 Dec 1934, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL, Carolyn Grimes, dau of Morris Leon Grimes and Bertha Mabel Martin, born 08 Jun 1918, Elkton, St Johns CO, FL, died Jul 1986, Holly Hill, Orangeburg CO, SC. Both buried Espanola Cemetery, Espanola, Flagler CO, FL.
He served in U S Armed Services in WW II with overseas duty in France, Belgium, Germany, Czechoslovakia and Austrian border. Issue;
(1) Richard Norman (Dickie) Mercer, born 05 Jun 1936
(2) Paul Franklin Mercer, born 07 Oct 1941, Mary Lawson Sanatorium, Palatka, Putnam CO, FL, died 26 Sep 1999, Franklin, Macon CO, SC, married Ann Martin. Issue;
A. Marcie Jo Mercer, born 27 Oct 1964, Holly Hill General Hospital, Holly Hill, Volusia CO, FL
B. Courtney Denine Mercer, born 30 Jun 1968
3. Nancy Florena Mercer, born 17 Oct 1915, Flagler CO, FL, died 01 Sep 2002, Orange Park, Clay CO, FL, married 17 Feb 1933, St Augustine, St Johns CO, FL by Judge Baker to Karl Williams (Bud) Lord Jr, son of Karl Williams Lord and Grace Pratt Spaulding, born 29 Mar 1914, Chula, Amelia CO, VA, died 06 Feb 1951, Miami, Dade CO, FL, buried Espanola Cemetery, Espanola, Flagler CO, FL (Div).
(1) Patricia Ann Lord, born 15 Sep 1933, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL. (adopted by her step-father and her name changed to Lyons) married 16 Feb 1952, Jacksonville, Duval CO, FL, Alvin Folly (Al) Marshall, Jr. son of Alvin Folly Marshall and Frances Brit Marks, born 20 Mar 1933, Gainesville, Alachua CO, FL.
Al served with the USMC in Korea and Vietnam. In Vietnam he flew the McDonnell-Douglas F4B Phantom jet fighter. His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross and 39 Air Medals. Issue;
A. Donna Lea Marshall, born 14 Dec 1958, Gardner, Johnson CO, KS, married 21 Dec 1977, Havelock, Craven CO, NC, Robert Alfred Barrera Jr, born 06 Sep 1956, Kingsville, Kleberg CO, TX. Issue;
a. Derrick Eugene Barrera, born 20 Mar 1979, Wichita, Sedgwick CO, KS, married 28 Jun 2000, Mercy Hospital Chapel Merced, Merced CO, CA, Kimberly Ann Abney, dau of FNU Abney and FNU Penrod, born 05 Mar 1979, Merced, Merced CO, CA, divorced 11 Jun 2012, Clay CO, FLIssue;
(a) Kaydee LeAnn Barrera, born 17 Jan 2006, Mobile, Mobile CO, AL
Derrick Eugene Barrera married 15 Apr 2015, Clay CO, FL, Lacy J. Kelso, dau of Steven W. Kelso and Linda R. Casanova, born 18 Jul 1987, Amarillo, Porter CO, TX.
b. Simonie Grace Barrera, born 15 Jul 1981, Wichita, Sedgwick CO, KS, married 04 Mar 2000, Atwater, Merced CO, CA, Stephen Jacob Silva, son of Stephen Silva and Maria Soares, born 04 Mar 1981, Merced, Merced CO, CA, divorced 15 Jun 2005, Merced CO, CA. Issue;
(a) Alayna Corrine Silva, born 29 Jun 2000, Merced, Merced CO, CA
Simonie Grace Barrera married 07 Sep 2019, Mobile CO, AL, Eric C. Hanson, son of Edward G. Hansen and Rose Laltrello, born 04 Aug 1975, Elkins Park, Montgomery CO, PA.
B. Rebecca Ann Marshall, born 16 Jul 1960, Gardner, Johnson CO, KS, married 04 Nov 1978, Havelock, Craven CO, NC, Mark Hebert Warner, born 28 May 1957, Miami, Dade CO, FL. Issue;
a. Nathan DeSha Warner, born 10 Jul 1980, Base Hospital, NAS, Jacksonville, Duval CO, FL
b. Aaron Marshall Warner, born 08 Dec 1981, Gretna, New Orleans Parish, LA
C. Gregory Leland Marshal, born 14 Jan 1968, Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, Craven CO, NC, married 24 Jul 1993, Orange Park, Clay CO, FL, April Darlene Estes, dau of James Estes and Geraldine Brock, born 03 Apr 1963, Gainesville, Alachua CO, FL. Issue;
a. Sunny Ranee Marshall, born 17 May 1994, Jacksonville, Duval CO, FL
April Estes was first married to FNU Wilber. They had a son, Dusty Wilber, born 27 Aug 1989
(2) Lynn Alan Lord, born 08 Sept 1934, (adopted by his step-father and his name changed to Lyons), died 27 Aug 2007, Orange Park, Clay CO, FL, married Janet Smith dau of Arthur Baylus Smith and Lucille Crawford, born about 1937. Issue;
A. Lynn Alyn Lyons Jr
B. Lisa Ann Lyons, born 10 Mar 1961, Jacksonville, Duval CO, FL, died 15 May 1983, Jacksonville, Duval CO, FL, buried Jacksonville Memorial Gardens, Orange Park, Clay CO, FL
C. Dana Jean Lyons
Nancy Mercer Lord married 2nd, 17 Nov 1942 Leland Mayo Lyons, born 18 Jul 1917, died 19 Apr 1992, St Vincent’s Hospital, Jacksonville, Duval CO, FL. Both are buried Jacksonville Memorial Gardens, Orange Park, Clay CO, FL
He retired as a Sgt/Major from the USMC after 22 years service. Issue;
(3) Nancy Lea Lyons, born 15 Mar 1944, Flagler Hospital, St Augustine, St Johns CO, FL, died 17 Sep 1989, Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach, City, VA, married 28 Jul 1962, Lakeshore Presbyterian Church, Jacksonville, Duval CO, FL, Earl Eugene Holsinger.
4. Zeno Christopher Mercer, born 06 Jun 1918, Flagler CO, FL, died 19 Oct 2007, Daytona Beach, Volusia CO, FL, married 25 Dec 1941, Flagler CO, FL, Nellie Lee Newman, dau of Arthur M Newman and Nellie (Bobbie) LNU, born 16 Dec 1918, FL, died 28 Sep 1965, Halifax Hospital, Daytona Beach, Volusia CO, FL, buried Cedar Hill Cemetery, Daytona Beach, Volusia CO, FL.
M/Sgt Mercer served in U. S. Army in the European Theater during WW II. He was a self-employed marine mechanic and a member of the First Baptist Church of Daytona Beach. Issue;
(1) Zeno Christopher Mercer II, born 08 Feb 1948, Halifax Hospital, Daytona Beach, Volusia CO, FL, married 24 Aug 1968, Jeannie Whittinton. Issue;
A. Amanda Nell Mercer
(2) Judith Mary Mercer, born 04 Oct 1950
Zeno Christopher Mercer married 2nd, Mar 1967, Volusia CO, FL, Margaret Louise (Maggie) Capps, born 31 Jul 1921, Orlando, Orange CO, FL, died 15 Sep 2008, Oak Tree Health Center, Port Orange, Volusia CO, FL
5. Mercer infant born and died 06 May 1924, Flagler CO, FL, buried Espanola Cemetery, Espanola, Flagler CO, FL.
6. Ray Laurence Mercer, born 20 Feb 1926, Favoretta, Flagler CO, FL, died 07 Dec 2019, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL, married 08 Jun 1947, Methodist Church, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL, Wanda Lee Whitaker, dau of Louie McClellan Whitaker and Ethel Lee Cook, born 20 Sept 1926, St Johns Park, Flagler CO FL died 30 Jul 2012, Florida Hospital Flagler, Palm Coast, Flagler CO, FL. Both Ray and Wanda are buried Espanola Cemetery, Espanola, Flagler CO, FL.
T/5 Mercer served in U.S. Army during WW II with overseas duty in France and Germany. Among the awards and decorations he received were the Silver Star, the nations third highest military award, for valor in the face of th enemy and Bronze Star He received his BS degree in education from the University of Florida on 23 Jul 1949 and a master’s degree in education from that same institution in Aug1952.
Ray taught school in Flagler CO and served as postmaster in Bunnell from1955 until 1988. He also taught Sunday School, sat on the board of trustees and was the organist for the First United Methodist Church in Bunnell.
Wanda graduated from Bunnell High School, attended Florida State College for Women in Tallahassee for two years and in Apr 1947 became a member of the faculty at Bunnell High School. She received a BA degree in education from the University of Florida in Aug 1962. Issue;
(1) Rebecca Lynn (Becky) Mercer, born 28 Dec 1953, Halifax Hospital, Daytona Beach, Volusia CO, FL, died 22 Oct 2017, married 12 Jan 1973, United Methodist Church, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL, Steven Stanley Harper, son of Keith Harper and Joan Annabell Gearhart, born 10 Sep 1953 (Div-25 Jul 1996).
Becky was employed by the Flagler CO School District. Issue;
A. Jessica Rae Harper, born 11 Nov 1976, Halifax Hospital, Daytona Beach, Volusia CO, FL, married 23 Aug 2003, Chapel of the Garden, Port Orange, Volusia CO, FL, Timothy R (Tim) Johnson II, son of Timothy R Johnson and Karen LNU.
She was a graduate of the University of Central Florida. Timothy served in the USAF. Issue
a. Cohen Ross Johnson, born 10 May 2005, Halifax Hospital, Daytona Beach, Volusia CO, FL
B. Erin Harper
(2) Louie Whitaker Mercer, born 28 May 1958, Halifax Hospital, Daytona Beach, Volusia CO, FL, married 10 Jun 1978, United Methodist Church, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL, Deborah Suzanne Herr, dau of Orin Kermit(OK) Herr and Willa Mae (Debbie) Roman, born 15 Oct 1958, Halifax Hospital, Daytona Beach, Volusia CO, FL.
They both graduated from Flagler Palm Coast High School in 1976 and enrolled in the Daytona Beach Community College. He majored in criminal justice and she majored in music (Div-12 Jul 1985)
Louie married 2nd 11 Jun 1988, Volusia CO, FL, Unknown
Deborah married 2nd 27 Sep 1986, Volusia CO, FL, FNU Phillips
(3) Martha Amelia Mercer, born 11 Nov 1960, Halifax Hospital, Daytona Beach, Volusia CO, FL, married 29 Nov 1980, United Methodist Church, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL, Curtis Leroy Smith Jr
(4) John Franklin (Frank) Mercer, born 31 Oct 1961, Halifax Hospital, Daytona Beach, Volusia CO, FL, married 24 Aug 1985, Flagler CO, FL, Elizabeth Sarah Hutto (Div-07 Dec 1988)
Elizabeth married 2nd 30 Jun 1989, Volusia CO, FL, Charles Sherman Gardner
Frank married 2nd, 14 Mar 1992, United Methodist Church, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL, Lynne Walker, dau of Ramon Walker, born about 1960, Daytona Beach, Volusia CO, FL. Issue;
A. John Matthew Mercer
7. Claude Lamar Mercer, born 15 May 1927, FL, married 26 Nov 1959,United Methodist Church, Bunnell, Flagler CO FL, Joann Porch.
He served in the US Navy during WW II. They resided in Franklin, Macon CO, NC. Issue;
(1) Bernard Alexander Mercer, born 27 Nov 1960, Flagler Clinic and Hospital, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL
(2) Rose Ann Mercer, born 01 Jul 1972, Orlando, Orange CO, FL, married Paul Allow
8. Robert Gayle Mercer, born 27 Mar 1933, married 04 Aug 1956, First Methodist Church, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL, Frances Louise McMillan, dau of Lucis W (Mac) McMillan and Ethel Grace LNU, born 12 Aug 1940.
Robert attended the University of Florida then enlisted in the USMC in Feb 1953. He completed USMC boot camp at Parris Island in May 1953 as a PFC and was sent to Navy JAX for a 8 week course in aviation Machinist school. He was promoted to Cpl in Feb 1954 while serving with the Marine Aviation detachment at the Naval Air Technical Training Center in Jacksonville, serving as a pay roll clerk.
He served six months as Flagler County Tax Collector when his father retired. Issue;
(1) Robert Gayle Mercer Jr, born 02 Feb 1958, Halifax Hospital, Daytona Beach, Volusia CO, FL
(2) Melinda Gaye Mercer, born 18 Mar 1959, Halifax Hospital, Daytona Beach, Volusia CO, FL
(3) Marlyn Kaye Mercer, born 17 May 1960, Halifax Hospital, Daytona Beach, Volusia CO, FL
(4) James Walton Mercer, born 04 Jul 1964, Palatka, Putnam CO, FL
.
Source: The First Families of Flagler by Mary Ketus Deen Holland who cites as her sources, Census, Published Articles and Carrie King Alford.
Additional sources used by the compiler were: 1900 United States Federal Census, Baxley, Militia District 1563, Appling CO, GA; 1900 United States Federal Census, Militia District 1543, Liberty CO, GA; 1920 United States Federal Census, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL; 1920 United States Federal Census, St Augustine Ward 1, St Johns CO, FL; 1930 United States Federal Census, Daytona Beach, Dist 26, Volusia CO, FL; 1935 Florida State Census, Precinct 1; Flagler CO, FL; 1945 Florida State Census, Precinct 14, St Johns CO; email from Donna Lee Marshall Barrera, 18 Mar 2020
California Birth Index, 1905-1995; Florida Marriage Collection, 1927-2001; Florida Divorce Index, 1927-2001; World War I Civilian Draft Registrations; World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918; U.S. WW II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946;
Florida Death Index, 1877-1998; North Carolina Death Collection, 1908-2004; Social Security Death Index; Family Group Sheet, Patricia Ann Lord Lyons, 31 Oct 2001;
The Daytona Beach News-Journal, 17 Sep 2008; The Flagler-Palm Coast News Tribune: 09 Nov 1977, 10 May 2003 and the
The Flagler Tribune, Bunnell, Florida: 23 Feb 1933, 02 Dec 1937, 28 Sep 1939, 09 Oct 1941, 16 Mar 1944, 08 Feb 1951, 31 Dec 1953, 06 Feb 1958, 23 Oct 1958, 03 Dec 1959; 19 May 1960, 21 Jul 1960, 06 Oct 1960; 17 Nov 1960, 02 Nov 1961, 02 Aug 1962,16 Jul 1964, 29 Oct 1964, 20 Jul 1967, 04 Jul 1968, 06 Jul 1972, 11 Jan 1973, 13 Nov 1975, 18 Nov 1976, 13 Oct 1977, 15 Jun 1978 and 16 Oct 1980.
Please send questions, corrections or additions to Sisco Deen, P.O. Box 637, Flagler Beach, FL 32136 or email him at Sisco_Deen@hotmail.com.
