01/16/98
Q. Paul Maynard wrote: I am researching descendants of Magliore Maynard [1839-1880], whose granddaughter Gertrude L Maynard m. a Paul V Merrill of Dover-Foxcroft ME on 1927 Jan. 1. Any info on family appreciated.

A. We believe we have information on your Paul V Merrill, but we don't have any information on their descendants. The ME vital records on file in Augusta give the birth of Paul Vivian Merrill, 1902 Sept 4 in Dover ME, to Charles A and Marion A Annis. He is the right age and in the right place to have married Gertrude L Maynard, 1927 Jan 1. Paul's lineage is Paul V(10), Charles A(9), Charles Lowe(8), True(7), Samuel(6,5,4), Moses(3), Daniel(2), Nathaniel(1).

06/09/97
Q. Beverly McNally was looking for parents of Darius Merrill who m. Asenath Holt, 1841 June 20 in Woburn MA.

A. Your Darius (8) was born in June of 1819 in Salem NH to John C. (7) and Elizabeth (Wheeler) Merrill. Asenath was born in Reading MA and died 1871 Apr. 14 age 53-1 of pneumonia in Lynn MA. Darius m. 2nd, 1888 Feb. 23 Sophia A. (Potter) Smith in Lynn. Darius d. 1898 June 14 in Lynn of general paralysis.

Now for Darius lineage. He was the son of John C(7) [b.1788 Apr. 24 Salem, NH] and Sarah WHEELER [d.1892 Oct. 31 Salem NH age 95-0-21] daughter of James and Hannah A (Reed) Wheeler. He was a farmer and we found him in the Salem census of 1820, '30, '40 and '60. He was in Manchester in 1850. According to a correspondent they had 10 children of which we can identify 7.

John C(7) was the son of Joseph(6) [1750 Oct. 1-1825 Dec. 29 b & d Salem, NH] and Anna OBER [1750-1841 Apr. 13] m 1774 Apr. 12 in Salem. They lived Salem and had 10 children, 6 boys and 4 girls.

Joseph(6) was the son of Nathaniel(5) [1727 Jan. or June 25 Newbury, MA-1791 Dec. 21 Salem, NH] and Sarah PEASLEY [no dates] m 1749 Nov. 16. They lived in that part of Methuen, MA which became Salem NH when the present state boundries were set in 1741. They had seven children, 4 boys, 3 girls. Nathaniel is in the DAR Patriots Index. Nathaniel m 2nd Judith______.

Nathaniel(5) was the son of Peter(4) [1695/6 Mar. 10 Newbury-d. between 1744 and 1756 Methuen MA] and Sarah HAZELTINE [1697/8 Jan. 15] daughter of Nathaniel and Ruth(PLUMMER) Hazeltine, m 1717 Sept. 25. They had 9 children, 6 boys 3 girls.

Peter(4) was the son of Peter(3) [1667 Aug. 20, Newbury-1696/7 Mar. 20, Newbury] and Mary BROWN [no dates] daughter of Isaac and Rebecca (?) Brown. They lived in Newbury and Haverhill, MA. They had 3 children. After Peter's death Mary m 2nd 1700 Dec. 26 John Sawyer.

Peter(3) was the son of Nathaniel(2) [bapt 1634 May 25 Lawford, Essex Co., England -1682/3 Jan 1 Newbury] and Joanna NINIAN [d 1717/8 Feb 8 age ca90] m 1661 Oct. 15. They lived in Newbury and had 7 children, 3 boys and 4 girls.

Nathaniel(2) was son of Nathaniel(1) [bapt 1601 May 4 Wherstead, Suffolk Co., England -1654/5 Mar 16 Newbury, MA] and Susanna [d 1672/3 Jan 15] Nathaniel and Susanna's first four children were baptized in Lawford, Essex
Co. (adjacent to Suffolk Co.) and they came to America after daughter, Susan, was bapt there 1638 Dec 12. Nathaniel's brother John had come earlier and had already procured a house lot for Nathaniel in Newbury, MA 1638 July 23. Nathaniel's widow Susanna m 2nd Stephen Jordan.

02/01/98
Q. Bob Merrill wrote: I am descended from Benjamin Merrill and Dorcas (__?__). Benjamin was b. 1795 Feb. 22 and is believed to have migrated to GA and was in Hopkins Co TX as of the mid to late 1840's. He was the son of Benjamin and Penelope Merrill. Known children were Eli R, Amanda and Lucinda, all supposedly b. GA.

A. In 1820 your Benjamin was in Gwinnet Co. GA age[16-26]; wife[26-45]; with 1 female [under 10]. In 1830 he was in Carroll Co. GA age[30-40]; wife[40-50]; 2f [under 5]; 2m,1f[5-10]; 1f[10-15]. We did not find him in GA in 1840 so he may have already moved to TX which did not take a federal census until 1850. In 1850 he was in Hopkins Co. TX: Benjamin,55, b. NC; Dorcas, 56, b. NC; Amanda, 23, b. GA; Lucinda, 17, b.GA. From these census data Benjamin and Dorcas had at least five daughters and two sons. Benjamin died late in 1852 in Hopkins Co TX. Quit claim deeds filed 1853-55 list Dorcas, Eli R, Mary, Amanda, Lucinda, and Emeline as Benjamin's surviving heirs. This means one son and one daughter must have died young. Daughter Mary m. 1849 June 24 James W Fields. Amanda m. 1851 Nov 27 James G Morris. Lucinda m. 1853 Jan 20 William D Clifton. Emeline m 1st Frank Smith and 2nd Thomas Frank Garrett. In 1860 Dorcas, 60, b.SC?, was living in Greenville, Hunt Co TX with daughter Emeline, 32, and Thomas Garrett. According to CAPTAIN BENJAMIN MERRILL by William Ernest Merrill, Benjamin went to Lamar District TX(which includes Hopkins Co) where
he was Dist. Surveyor. The 1850 census lists him as a farmer.

03/19/98
Q. Kenneth E Merrill wrote from Newmarket, Ontario, Canada seeking info on his
grandfather Eli Harry Merrill who was b. in New Hartford CT about 1885.

A. Your grandfather Eli Harry(9) according to LDS family group sheets copied in SLC, was born 1884 Feb. 14 in Turtle Lake, Barron Co., WI, son of Riley(8) and Filinda Jane Wadsworth. Riley(8) was indeed born in New Hartford, CT, 1853 Aug. 3 to Ira(7) and Emeline Merrill. Ira(7)'s lineage is Eli(6), Ichabod(5), Noah(4), Isaac(3), John(2), Nathaniel(1).

10/13/97
Q. Richard Lyman Merrill was looking for a connection to William Merrill who m. Elizabeth Emery about 1845. Children were Louisa m. Albert Gould; Herbert m. Etta Lake; Frederick Twombly m. Dora Belle Sawyer; Lillian; Faustina m. George Stetson and _?_ MacPherson; Ellen m. Frank Morrill; Edith m. Clarence Dudley. It seems most of these were from the Pownal ME area.

A. William Henry(8) MERRILL [b. 1834 Mar. 28 in New Gloucester, ME (NG); died 1908 Jan. 10 Pownal, ME] married 1857 Mar. 24 Elizabeth S. EMERY daughter of John and Betsey (Johnson) Emery.

William H(8) was the son of Hiram(7) [1806 Dec. 8 NG - 1856 Aug. 11 Grass Valley, CA] and Rachael Campbell of Poland ME [1805 Mar. 1-1856 Oct. 24] m. 1829 Dec. 10.

Hiram(7) was the son of Amos(6) [1768 Oct. _ NG-1842 Aug. 17 in NG ae 73] and Mary TWOMBLY [d. 1850 Mar. 20 in NG ae83] m.int. 1801 Dec. 12 NG.

Amos(6) was the son of Nathan(5) [1742 July 8 Newbury MA-1818 Oct 6 NG] and Deborah WEBBER of Falmouth [no dates but she died before 1775] m. 1768 Jan. 14 in Falmouth. Nathan m. 2 nd (int. 1775 Jan. 21 NG) Rachel Campbell.

Nathan(5) was the son of James(4) [1707/8 Jan. 5 Newbury - 1790 June 8 in NG] and Hannah BAILEY of Newbury [b. 1717 June 5 Newbury] m. 1733 Oct. 1 in Newbury, MA

James(4) was the son of Nathan(3) [1676 Apr. 3 Newbury MA-1742 Newbury MA] and Hannah KENT [b. 1679 Sept. 10] daughter of John and Sarah (Woodman) Kent, m. 1699 Sept. 6 in Newbury, MA. Nathan m. 2nd 1831 Aug. 18 Elizabeth (Jackman) Willet.

Nathan(3) was the son of Abel(2) [1643/4 Feb. 20 Newbury - 1689 Oct. 28 Newbury] and Priscilla CHASE [b.1648/9 Mar. 14] daughter of Aquilla and Ann (Wheeler) Chase of Newbury, m. 1670/1 Feb. 10 in Newbury, MA.

Abel(2) was the son of immigrant Nathaniel(1) [bapt 1601 May 4 Wherstead, Suffolk, England - 1654/5 Mar. 16 Newbury, MA] and Susanna [d. 1672/3 Jan. 15] .

09/03/97
Q. Warren Howard Merrill wrote seeking info on his Grandfather, Bernard Leroy Merrill, b. 1869 Mar. 3 in Dorchester [no record]; d. 1925 July 4 [no record]; son of John S Merrill and Emma Sophia Streeter.

A. We have a copy of part of a manuscript by your cousin Vina Merrill Henry written in 1972. The part we have extends the information in Musgroves "History of Bristol, NH " giving the descendents of John and Rhoda (Cilly) Merrill. You and your children are included but without vital statistics. Bernard Leroy(9) lineage is as follows: John Samuel(8), John(7,6), Jonathan(5), John(4,3), Nathaniel(2,1).

02/26/28
Q. Marcia Miller-Caddell was looking for info about her grgr grandfather, Silas R Merrill. He was b. NY, moved to Winnebago Co WI in 1854, and m. Ann Cleaveland in 1855.

A. According to "The Genealogy of Cleaveland Families", by Cleaveland, 1899, your Silas R (b. 1828 Feb. 16 in Cuba, NY), married three times; first, 1855 Feb. 15 to Ann Amanda Cleaveland; second, 1864 Oct. 19 to Adah Angeline Cleaveland [Amy's sister?]; and third [no data given]. There were four boys to the first marriage and no issue to the second.

The "Merrill Genealogy" by Mary Thrasher, 1907, describes the descendants of Barzilla Merrill [1764 Nov. 17-1850 April 14] and his wife Electa (Wilmot). Their fifth child Silas [1797 Nov. 27 b. Fabius, NY d. Cuba, NY 1827 Dec. 28] m. 1818 Oct. 26, Lucinda Morey [1800 Oct. 26 - 1879 Mar. 6], daughter of Samuel and Mary (Freeman) Morey. Their son Silas is your Silas R.

The lineage of Barzilla(i)(6) is given in A MERRILL MEMORIAL by Samuel Merrill, 1927, as David(5) [1738 Mar. 30 - 1821 Dec. 1] and Esther Howe; Nathaniel(4) [1702 July 15 - 1772 Oct. 28] and Esther Warner; John(3) [1669 Apr. 7 - 1748 May] and Sarah Marsh; John(2) [1635 Mar. 13 - 1712 July 18] and Sarah Watson; Nathaniel(1) [1601 May 4 - 1654/5 Mar. 16] and Susanna ___?___.

03/08/98
Q. Marvella Merrell Muzik wrote: My father was Richard Hammond Merrell, b. 1918 June 23 in Springfield MA. His father was Raymond b. ca 1900, his grandfather was Wilson, b 1865. The family has been in Tioga Co PA since the early 1800's. We are trying to connect to the Merrill families in MA.

A. We do not have your Richard Hammond, Raymond or Wilson Merrell in our files of over 40,000 Merrill/Merrell males either "lineage known" or "lineage uknown".

You mention that the family has been in Tioga Co., PA since the early 1800's. That would seem to suggest that your Merrells are descended from James who first appears there in the 1830 census in Liberty Twp. There are two adult males in that census (one 20-30 the other 50-60) and we do not know who is the head of household. We know from later census that the younger one's name is James but the older one may also be James. The younger one's wife is 30-40 and they have four sons (2 [under 5] and 2 [5-10]).

In 1840 James is still in Liberty Twp [30-40] with wife[40-50]; 1 m, 2 f [under 5]; 1 m, 1 f [5-10]; 1 m [10-15]; 2 m [15-20].

1850 is the first census in which all members of the household are listed by name, age and birthplace. In 1850 in Liberty Twp., James, a merchant, is listed as age 48, b. NJ, wife, Hannah, 50, and all the children are b. PA. Listed children are Isaac, 22, a lawyer; Eliott, 21, a blacksmith; Harriett, 18; Ellis, 16, a laborer; Mary J, 13; Charlotte, 11; Emily, 9; John N.,6. Also in Liberty Twp is what is probably another son, William 26, a farmer, b. PA; his wife, Elizabeth, 25, b. NY; Amanda, 6; Harriett, 4; Walter, 6 mo, all b. PA. In Morris Twp., Tioga Co. there is possibly another son, Christopher C., a laborer age 25, Elizabeth, 19; Mary A, 2; Harriet, 6 months, all b. PA.

In 1860 in Liberty Twp James is 57; Hannnah, 59; Mary Jane, 23; Charlotte, 21; Emily, 18; John Murry, 16; and Anna, 9. Mary Jane, Charlotte and Emily are teachers in the common school. Also in Liberty are Ellis, 25, farmer; Margaret, 21; Ada, 3 months; Also Isaac, 32, farmer; Mary 26; Isabel, 6; Phoebe, 5; Lory, 4; James, 2; Also William, 39, a farmer; Eliza, 37; Mandy, 16; Harriet, 14; Woltin B., 10; and Mary, 4. In Morris Twp is Elliott, 30, a lumberman; Catharine, 24; May, 7; James, 5; and Hannah, 4.

We do not know which one of James's son's is the father of your Wilson, b. ca. 1865. We have not read the 1870 PA census yet [ Note: Wilson was later found to be the son of Isaac]

The fact that James was b. NJ probably means that you will not connect with the Merrills of MA, but rather are descended from Richard or William, brothers who immigrated from Tysoe, Warwickshire, England to Staten Island NY in 1680. William moved to Hopewell, NJ in 1704, but descendents of both brothers lived in NJ. Documentation in NJ is very difficult, for example, no federal census are available until 1830 and by then James was already in PA.

03/15/98
Q. Jill Olmackwas looking for the parents of her husband's grgr grandfather, Silas Merrill, b. NY 1829 July 11. He was m. to Nancy (__?__). His children were Ada Zelpha; Elam Z; Ida Isalinda; Cora Edna; Elmer Bela; and Nettie. He d. in Sanilac Co MI in 1917.

A. We cannot provide you with a complete lineage of your Silas Merrill, but we think we can push it back a couple of generations. In the 1850 census Silas is in Bolton, Warren Co., NY, age 21, with wife, Nancy A, age 18, married within the year. Also in Bolton in 1850 are four other Merrill families, headed by brothers, Wait, Jesse, John and Caleb, sons of Jesse and Nancy Cheny. Another brother, Daniel, is in nearby Horicon, Warren Co., NY.

We cannot prove that your Silas is the son of Wait, but that is consistant with both the 1830 and 1840 census. In 1830 Wait (20-30) is in Sunderland, Bennington Co., VT with wife (20-30); 2 males (under 5); 1 male (50-60)[his father-in-law?] and 1 female (10-15) [his sister-in-law?]. In 1840 Wait is in Bolton, NY, age (30-40), wife(30-40), 1 male (under 5); a male (5-10), 2 males (10-15) and 1 male (50-60) [his father-in-law?]. In 1850 Wait is in Bolton, age 47, b. NH; wife, Minerva, 43, b. VT; Justin, 23; John, 17; Myron, 13; Fanny, 6 all b. NY and Samuel Whitton, 70, b. NH [Minerva's father?]. Silas fits as Wait's other son who should be 20-25 in 1850. None of the other Merrill families in Bolton had sons in 1840 consistant with Silas' age.

Wait's father, Jesse, is in Dunstable, Hillsboro Co., NH in 1810 age (26-45), wife (26-45) with 4 males, 1 female (under 10). In 1820 they are in Arlington, Bennington Co., VT; Jesse, 45+, wife (26-45), 3 males (under 10), 1 male (10-16). In 1830 Jesse is in Bolton, (50-60); wife (50-60); 1 male (10-15). We did not find Jesse in 1840, but in 1850 his widow Nancy, 72, is living with son Jesse Jr, 37, and family in Bolton. The NH vital records give what we believe is Jesse's marriage "Jesse of Dunbarton m. 1798 Nov. 8, Nancy Cheny in Dunbarton". From the census, Jesse was born 1770-1775.

We do not know who Jesse's parents were. We have no known Jesses born 1770-75. We do have a very tenuous idea who his parents might be. There is an unidentifed John in Dunbarton, NH from at least 1776 to 1810. In 1790 he had with him one other male over 16 and 2 males under 16 and two females. By 1800 he and his wife were both over 45 and all of the children had left. We think Jesse of Dunbarton might be this Johnn's son but we do not have proof.

Another speculation is that the John of Dunbarton may be John(5) b. 1738/9 Feb. 9 in Plaistow, son of Abraham(4) and Mehitable Stevens, who in A MERRILL MEMORIAL is said to have been taxed in Derryfield (now Manchester) in 1760 and enlisted from Derryfield and served at Ft. William Henry. While Abraham(4) and three of his other sons are in Derryfield in 1790, John(5) is not. Dunbarton is only about 15 miles from Manchester. John(5)'s lineage is Abraham(4), Jonathan(3) and Mary Brown, Abraham(2) and Abigail Webster; immigrant Nathaniel(1) and wife Susanna.

[NOTE: The speculations in the last two paragraphs have since been proven CORRECT]

02/23/98
Q. Greg St. cyr was looking for info on the parents of his grgr grandfather, Charles F Merrill, b. Jan. 1855 in Shapliegh, York, ME.

A. In the 1860 census for Shapleigh, ME we find a Charles F. age 5, who we think is probably your gggf. He is in the family of John C and Josephine (Allen) Merrill. If this is the right Charles F., and he's the only one in Shapleigh, his lineage is John C(7) [1825-1907] and Josephine Allen; Seth(6) [1799-1879] and Betsey Grant; Levi(5) [1748-1818] and Hannah Bean; James(4) [1719-1798] and Mary Osgood;
Thomas(3) [1678/9-1756] and Judith Kent; Abel(2) [1643-1689] and Priscilla Chase; immigrant Nathaniel(1) [1601-1654/5] and wife Susannah ___?__.

The NH vital records give a marriage for Charles F. 1876 Apr. 1 to Nina Pierce of Lebanon, ME in Somersworth, NH. The ME vital records indicate a second marriage 1922 Jan. 26 to Emma (Bean) Peterson in Lebanon, ME. We do not have any information on the children of Charles F.

01/02/98
Q. Chuck Wilmot wrote: My great grandfather Frederick Hibbard, was the son of Aaron Hibbard and Sarah Merrill. Sarah was b. 1772 and d. Feb. 1842, daughter of Nathaniel and Sarah Hazen, but who are Nathaniel's parents?

A. Nathaniel(5) Merrill was born 1747/8 Mar. 2 in Haverhill MA and d. 1825 May 3 in Piermont NH. His Lineage is Joseph(4), Nathaniel(3,2,1). He m. 1771 Oct 10 Sarah Hazen(d/o John and Anna [Swett] Hazen of Haverhill NH). She was b 1753 June 12 and d. 1819 Feb. 7. They had twelve( yes 12) daughters. Their only son Nathaniel d unmarried age 22. Your Sarah was the eldest, b 1772 May 5, d. 1842 Feb. 24, m. 1789 Oct. 14 Aaron Hibbard (1761 Jan. 17 -1835 Feb. 12).

01/24/98
Q. Merrill Wright wrote saying he was a descendant of Davis Merrill [1780-1859] and Asenith Prince. His grgr grandfather was Thomas Merrill, their only son. He wanted info on Thomas' sisters, Elizabeth, Mary, Hannah, and Dorcus.

A. We assume that you know that the lineage of Davis(6) Merrill is Daniel(5), Edmond(4), Daniel(3,2), Nathaniel(1). You asked about the daughters of Davis and Asenath Prince. MARY b 1803,d unmarried 1826 Apr. 26 in Falmouth ME. HANNAH b. 1805 Sept. 16 Hampden, ME, d. 1878 July 12 Hampden, m. 1848 June 6, Capt. Benjamin Bussy of Newbury, ME. LOUISA b. 1808 Nov. 16 Hampden, d. 1896 Dec. 2 Hemlock, MI, m. Alvin Folsom (lived Newbury, ME). DORCUS b. 1812 Jan. 6 Hampden, d. 1903 Jan. 24 Somerville, MA, m. 1836 July 4, William Wiswell (lived Portland ME). ELIZABETH b. 1817 Apr. 30 Carmel ME, m. John E Patten of Hampden (lived Bangor). These data come from Samuel Merrill's handwritten supplement to A MERRILL MEMORIAL which is on file at the NEHGS library in Boston.

Our continued thanks go to Howard and Jean for their invaluable help in answering the queries for The Merrill Newsletter. Lillian Follett-Hall

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