She was born in Barnstable Massachusetts on September 25th, 1728. She grew up in a family of 12 other children.
Her father was an energetic man who played a merchant, local judge, and attorney.
Her mother, however, was quite more on the opposing side. For she was a dour, reserved, and depressed person. This isn’t all of the surprise, though, for only 7 of her 12 children survived. Educational opportunities were poor for Mercy, but her father believed that men and women should