Napoleon's embargo of British trade with the continent of Europe caused a depression in the print works of Lancashire.

[5] Messrs. Fort recognised the value that Mercer brought to the company and made him a partner in 1825 to secure his continued services.

In 1840, the Church of All Saints, Clayton-le-Moors was consecrated, a result of Mercer's sense of responsibility for providing facilities for public worship in the village.

[11] The company helped Mercer to form a lending library and a few years later built a house for a public reading room.

[14] Mercer had a high opinion of Oakenshaw workers saying "as regards good practical men, no district could excel Lancashire".