West Virginia, known as "The Mountain State," was the western part of the Commonwealth of Virginia until June 20, 1863. It was settled by Germans and Scotch-Irish and became a line of defense between the English and French during the French and Indian War, 1754-1763. Mercer County was formed in 1837 from Giles and Tazewell and was named for General Hugh Mercer, who was mortally wounded at Princeton in 1777. The county, a gateway to the South, is rich in fine farms and mineral deposits.