John Mercer was born in Great Harwood on 21st February 1791. His father had a spinning mill at Dean, but later found work handloom weaving. 

The young John started work as a bobbin winder at the age of nine, later also becoming a handloom weaver. 

His father died in 1802, and the family were left very poor. John moved about round various relatives as circumstances varied. His mother later married a Thomas Mercer and had a further child.

Ordnance Survey map from 1848 showing area of Great Harwood where Mercer lived

Copy from baptismal register of Great Harwood showing John's baptism

(click the image to enlarge)

(Courtesy of Lancashire Record Office and Rev Janet Heil, Vicar of St Bartholomew's Great Harwood)