James Country Mercantile was founded by Del and Jean Warren in 1985. The original emphasis was the Fur Trade era, with Del taking a baker tent to rendezvous all over the Midwest — not only to sell his plunder, but to exercise his considerable gunsmithing skills. A small mail order division was established to serve customers unable to attend field events.

Starting in 1989, Del and Jean began their journey into the Civil War era. Growth was rapid and soon reached the point where a bigger sutlery tent was needed and help became necessary for the mail order side.

In March of 1996, a retail store was opened at 111 N. Main St. in Liberty, just one block west of the scene of the nation's first daylight civilian bank robbery. The staff was expanded with the addition of Michael Gooch, local reenactor and noted expert on the Border Wars. A second sutlery tent was added to expand service in the field. An international search yielded new and better products, and a network of seamstresses was created to manufacture uniforms and clothing.

Incorporation and a name change followed, and now James Country Mercantile is one of the largest sutleries in existence, offering a full line of historically accurate goods, custom sewing, research, consultation, and associated services.

Jean Warren, proprietor of James Country Mercantile, has made several reproduction quilts — also referred to as "soldier comforts" — deemed accurate enough for educational display. One quilt is on display at the Andersonville Prison Museum. Another is on display in the cabin at the James Farm Home and Museum.

These reproductions reflect the same commitment to historical accuracy that guides everything we do at James Country Mercantile.