© All rights reserved. © Glasgow Institute of Architects 

Larger versions of these images are located at the foot of the page.

Basic Biographical Details

Name: John Mercer
Designation: Architect, Engineer
Born: 1842
Died: 3 September 1893
Bio Notes: John Mercer was born in 1842, the son of John Mercer, an engine driver, and his wife Wilhilminie [sic] and was originally trained as a civil engineer with the Glasgow & South Western Railway. He is described in 1861 as an 'assistant civil engineer'. He commenced practice as both civil engineer and architect in Ayr in 1872 and was Burgh Surveyor of Ayr from 1879 until 1889 when he was succeeded in the post by his chief assistant John Eaglesham.

Mercer married twice, his first wife Jane Buist, mother of his architect son Andrew Lamb Mercer, having died on 20 February 1885. His other son John Buist Mercer had died aged six on 10 May 1882. Mercer himself died on 3 September 1893, leaving moveable estate of £2,268 18s. He was buried in Ayr Cemetery.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this architect, engineer:
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 4Ayr, Ayrshire, ScotlandPrivate   
Item 2 of 4Mercers Lane, Peebles Street, Newton-upon-Ayr, Ayrshire, ScotlandPrivateBefore 1861After 1871Parental home
Item 3 of 429, Barns Street, Ayr, Ayrshire, ScotlandPrivate(?)1881After 1891 
Item 4 of 4Sandgate Street, Ayr, Ayrshire, ScotlandPrivate/business(?)1888  

Employment and Training

Employees or Pupils

The following individuals were employed or trained by this architect, engineer (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate fromDate toPositionNotes
Item 1 of 4John Eaglesham1 November 1871c. 1876Apprentice 
Item 2 of 4John Eagleshamc. 1876Before 1881Chief Assistant 
Item 3 of 4James Kennedy HunterAugust 1880May 1883Apprentice 
Item 4 of 4John Arthur18821889Apprentice 

Buildings and Designs

This architect, engineer was involved with the following buildings or structures from the date specified (click on an item to view details):
 Date startedBuilding nameTown, district or villageIslandCity or countyCountryNotes
Item 1 of 131873Board School and adjacent housesTarbolton AyrshireScotland 
Item 2 of 131873Wallacetown Board SchoolAyr AyrshireScotland 
Item 3 of 131874School, Green StreetAyr AyrshireScotland 
Item 4 of 131877School and schoolmaster's houseStraiton AyrshireScotland 
Item 5 of 131879UP ChurchPrestwick AyrshireScotland 
Item 6 of 131880Corner tenement, High StreetAyr AyrshireScotland 
Item 7 of 13188388-98 High StreetAyr AyrshireScotland 
Item 8 of 131885162-170 High StreetAyr AyrshireScotland 
Item 9 of 131886Wallace TowerAyr AyrshireScotlandShops in extension (Wallace Tower Halls)
Item 10 of 13After 1887Mission HallAyr AyrshireScotlandCompleted the job
Item 11 of 131890Coachworks, 6 Cathcart StreetAyr AyrshireScotland 
Item 12 of 131892St Nicholas Golf Course clubhousePrestwick AyrshireScotland 
Item 13 of 131977St Margaret's RC ChurchAyr AyrshireScotlandExecutant architect for Goldie & Child. Addition of short transepts with round windows

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this architect, engineer:
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 3Close, Robert1992Ayrshire and Arran, an Illustrated Architectural Guide Edinburgh: RIASpp10 etc
Item 2 of 3Luxton, Donald (ed.)2003Building the West: the early architects of British Columbia Vancouver: Talon Booksp311
Item 3 of 3Scotlands People Website Wills & Testaments  Ayr Sheriff Court Inventories SC6/44/56

Images

© All rights reserved. © Glasgow Institute of Architects 

© All rights reserved. © Glasgow Institute of Architects