Johnny Mercer

Birth Name: John Herndon Mercer

Date of Birth: November 18, 1909

Place of Birth: Savannah, Chatham, Georgia, U.S.

Date of Death: June 25, 1976

Place of Death: Los Angeles, California, U.S.

Ethnicity: Scottish, English, one quarter Croatian, as well as Scots-Irish/Northern Irish and French

Johnny Mercer was an American songwriter, lyricist, and singer. He was active mainly in popular music and became known for writing lyrics that combined everyday language with traditional American songwriting. He also worked as a performer and record executive during his career. He co-founded Capitol Records. His songs included “Autumn Leaves,” “Days of Wine and Roses,” “Hooray for Hollywood,” “I’m an Old Cowhand,” and “Moon River.”

Johnny was the son of Lillian/Lillie Elizabeth (Ciucevich) and George Anderson Mercer, who was an attorney and real estate developer. He was married to chorus girl and seamstress Ginger Meltzer. The couple had a daughter, Amanda, who was adopted. Amanda married pianist Bob Corwin, who was Johnny’s accompanist.

Johnny’s paternal grandfather was George Anderson Mercer (the son of Hugh Weedon Mercer and Mary Stiles Anderson). George was born in Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia, and was a lawyer, author, and politician, who served in the Georgia legislature, and was a U.S. district judge for the southern district of Georgia. Johnny’s great-grandfather Hugh was born in Fredericksburg, City of Fredericksburg, Virginia, and was a Civil War Confederate Brigadier General. He was the son of Col. Hugh Tennant Weedon Mercer, whose parents were Scottish; and of Louisa Griffin. Hugh’s father, Johnny’s great-great-great-grandfather, Hugh Mercer, was born in Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, and was a Continental Brigadier General in the U.S. Revolutionary War. Hugh’s father was a Presbyterian minister. Louisa’s father, Johnny’s great-great-great-grandfather Cyrus Griffin, was a lawyer and politician, who was a member of the Virginia State House of Delegates, President of the Confederation Congress, from January 22, 1788 to November 2, 1788, and Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Virginia, from November 28, 1789 to December 14, 1810. Louisa’s mother, Lady Christina Stuart Griffin, was born in Traquair, Scottish Borders, Scotland. Through his Mercer line, Johnny was a fourth cousin of General George S. Patton.

Johnny’s great-grandmother Mary Anderson was born in Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia, the daughter of George Anderson and Elizabeth Clifford Wayne, whose father was from Yorkshire, England.

Johnny’s paternal grandmother was Ann Maury “Nannie” Herndon (the daughter of Dr. Brodie Strachan Herndon, Sr. and Lucy Ellen Hansbough/Hansbrough). Ann was born in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. Brodie was born in Fredericksburg, City of Fredericksburg, Virginia, the son of Dabney Herndon and Elizabeth Hull. Johnny’s great-grandmother Lucy was born in Culpeper, Culpeper County, Virginia, the daughter of Joseph Sumner Hansbrough and Sarah Myers.

Johnny’s maternal grandfather was named John Joseph Ciucevich. John was born in Lastovo, Općina Lastovo, Dubrovacko-Neretvanska, Croatia.

Johnny’s maternal grandmother was named Julia Ann Merritt (the daughter of Frank Merritt and Harriet).

Sources: Genealogies of Johnny Mercer – https://gw.geneanet.org
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