John Mercer Patton

John M. Patton
Portrait of John Mercer Patton
Acting Governor of Virginia
In office March 20, 1841 – March 31, 1841
Preceded by	Thomas W. Gilmer
Succeeded by	John Rutherfoord
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 13th district
In office March 4, 1833 – April 7, 1838
Preceded by	Joseph Chinn
Succeeded by	Linn Banks
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 11th district
In office November 25, 1830 – March 3, 1833
Preceded by	Philip P. Barbour
Succeeded by	Andrew Stevenson
Personal details
Born	John Mercer Patton August 10, 1797 Fredericksburg, Virginia, U.S.
Died	October 29, 1858(1858-10-29) (aged 61) Richmond, Virginia, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Relations	George S. Patton Sr. (son) Waller T. Patton (son) George S. Patton Jr. (greatgrandson)
Parents	Robert Patton and Anne Gordon Mercer
Alma mater	Princeton University University of Pennsylvania

John Mercer Patton (August 10, 1797 – October 29, 1858) was a nineteenth-century politician and lawyer from Virginia. Patton served in the United States House of Representatives representing two different Virginia Districts, and was the acting governor of Virginia for twelve days in 1841.

Patton was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia to Robert Patton (1760-1851), a Scottish immigrant, and Ann Gordon Mercer (1762-1857), daughter of General Hugh Mercer. Patton attended Princeton University and graduated from the medical department at the University of Pennsylvania in 1818. He went on to study law and was admitted to the bar, commencing practice in Fredericksburg.

Patton was elected a Jacksonian and Democrat to the United States House of Representatives originally to fill a vacancy in 1830, serving until 1838. There, he served as chairman of the Committee on Territories from 1835 to 1839. After leaving Congress, Patton was appointed the senior councilor of the Virginia Council of State and therefore the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia. Following the resignation of Governor Thomas W. Gilmer in 1841, Patton served as Acting Governor of Virginia for twelve days, until the end of his term on March 31, 1841.

Patton returned to the private practice of law, including work on a revision of the Code of Virginia. He continued to practice law until his death in Richmond, Virginia on October 29, 1858. He was interred at Shockoe Hill Cemetery.