Descendants of Charles Merrill
Generation No. 2
CHARLES MERRILL (CAPTAIN BENJAMIN MERRILL and JEMIMA SMITH) was born Nov 1761 in Jersey Settlement, Rowan County, NC, and died 14 Oct 1822 in Pendleton County, SC. He married ELIZABETH 23 May 1785 in South Carolina or North Carolina. She was born Abt. 1762, and died 1843 in Marshall County, Alabama.
Notes for CHARLES MERRILL:
1761: From Capt. Benjamin Merrill and the Merrill Family of North Carolina by William Earnest Merrill:
Charles, the fifth son of Capt. Benjamin and Jemima Smith Merrill was born in November 1761, served in Salisbury District Militia during the Revolution & received his pay in a land grant on March 24, 1784. He was not in Rowan when the 1790 census was taken. It is thought that he went to South Carolina.
Pendleton Co, SC, where Charles was thought to have eventually gone and where Abel Merrell was thought to be born in 1793 was formed from Indian Lands in 1789 in the NE corner of SC. In 1826, Pendleton Co was abolished and divided into Anderson and Pickens Co. Pickens was divided into Pickens and Oconee Co in 1868.
1777: 7 May Jacob Wiseman and Robert Moore were asked to arbitrate a matter over the estate of Benjamin Merrill between Harmon Butner and the Merrill children, Samuel, John, Andrew, William, Benjamin, Penelope, Boyd McCreary and Anna who have interests of Charles, Elijah and Jonathan. Butner was ordered May 9, 1777 to appear in court with Charles, Elijah and Jonathan, orphans of Benjamin Merrill "to be dealt with as the law required." At the next court, Charles, age 15, was to be bound to his brother John who was to teach him the art of being a master blacksmith and to receive a set of tools when he came of age "besides what the law required." Elijah was bound to his oldest brother Samuel to learn the weaver's trade. Samuel was to give him a loom and tackle. Jonathan was bound to his brother-in-law, Boyd McCreary.
1790: Charles, Benjamin, William were in Laurens Co., SC in 1790 with 2 males under 16 and 2 females. In 1800 he was in Mudlick Creek, Pendleton Dist, SC, age (26-45), with 2 males 2 females (under 10); 1 male
(10-16) and 1 female(16-26).
1794: Charles Merrill's grandfather Andrew Smith's will was proved (Liber 35, Folio 114, Dept. State, Hopewell,NJ.
One Spanish Pestole to her forever, if it should so happen that my Daughter Jemima Should become poor and Needy in this life I do Require my Exers to give her Reasonable Relief out of my estate. I also give and devise to my Daughter Jemima's children that she bear to Benjamin Merrill to Wit: Samuel, John, Andrew, William, Charles, Elijah, and Jonathan Merrill, Anna McCleary, and Penelope Merrill to all and each of them severally fifty pounds.
1800: US Census, Pendleton District, SC (speculated members of family): Charles Merrell Household consisted of 1 male 26-45 (1755-1774) (Charles b. 1761); 1 male 10-16 (1784-1790) (William b. abt 1785); 1 male 0-10 (1790-1800) (Benjamin b. 1791); 1 male 0-10 (1790-1800) (Abel b. 1793); 1 female 16-26 (1774-1784) (Elizabeth-dates must be incorrect); 2 female 0-10 (1790-1800)
1801: Charles is mentioned in his mother's (Jemima Smith Merrell Butner) will dated 7 May 1801. He is to receive shares in money of value of three slaves, Slager (Hagar?), Rose, James, David.
1843: According to descendants, widow Elizabeth lived with son Benjamin and family in Marshall Co, AL until her death. In the 1840s, Charles Merrill's widow, Elizabeth, filed a Revolutionary War pension claim based on Charles' alleged service. At the time she was in MarshallCo, AL and stated that Charles had died in 1822. A witness stated that Charles was a son of Benjamin Merrill who was hanged by the British. The pension was denied.
Application for Pension from the National Archives. State of Alabama. Marshall County On the 25th day of September 1843 personally appeared before the subscriber and acting Justice of the peace in and for the county and state aforementioned Elizabeth Merrill wife and relict of Charles Merrill deceased who first being duly sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the Acts of Congress passed 4th day of July 1838 and the 23rd August 1842 granting pensions to Widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War---That she is the widow of Charles Merrill who was a soldier of the Revolutionary War but how long he served, she is not able to declare She only knows of one person in this county who was known to the service and marriage of her husband (viz) Peter Headrick who lives 200 miles off She also declares that she was married to the said Charles Merrill on the 23 day of May Seventeen hundred and eighty five That her husband died on or about 14 Oct. 1822 that she was not married to him prior to his Commission of Service. but the marriage took place previous to the first of January Seventeen hundred and ninety five (viz) at the time above Stated She further declares that she is still a Widow---She hereby relinquishes any claim which was to a pension annuity except to present what her entitlements is with any Pension within the acuity in any state in the Union. Sworn to and subscribed on this day and year above written before. Jessee Tipton Justice of the Peace In agitation to the above she also declares that she is befallen health from age and is sickly of attending in court of Recorder as is required if well. Elizabeth Merrill (MARK)
We Isaac Moore and William S. Sibley residing in the county and state aforesaid hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Elizabeth Merrill who has subscribed and Sworn to the above declaration that we believe her to be (blank) years of age and that She is represented and believed in the neighborhood where she resides to be the Widow and relict of Charles Merrill decd a Revolutionary Soldier as She declares and that we concur in that opinion. Isaac Moore William A. Sibley Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me Jessee Tipton A Justice of the peace from the county and State aforesaid. Washington T. May Judge of the county and state aforesaid do herby declare my opinion officiating the making of the claim of Elizabeth Merrill
The above named applicant is the Widow of Charles Merrill died a Revolutionary soldier and who is so reputed in the neighborhood where she lives - And I do further state that Isaac Moore and William S. Sibley are credible presenters and that their Statements entittled to credit. Richard Randles clerk of the county court of Marshall county and State of Alabama do herby certify that Judge Tipton whose name appears to the above declaration is an acting Justice of the Peace and his oath and doings entittled to full facts and credit given under my hand and Seal (having no Seal of office) This the 25th day of September 1843 Testo Richard T. Randles Clerk state do hereby certify that Richard T. Randles whose name appears to the above Certificate as clerk of the county and State aforesaid is clerk of the county court and his oath and doings entittled to full faith and credit as such. Given under my hand and Seal this the 25th day of September 1843 Washington T. May Judge
Affidavit of John Cunningham: John Cunningham of the county of Cherokee and state of Alabama was personally acquainted with Charles Merrill the deceased Husband of the applicant Elizabeth Merrill in the state of North Carolina roan County. That he was always known and reported as a Revolutionary Soldier in the county in which he lived and died - and that Elizabeth Merrill was the lawful Wife of the aforesaid Charles Merrill that She has never married Since the decease of her husband - that she is Still living or was at the time this declatory was made out on the day and date above specified - that She is a very infirm and helpless old Lady and her Statements are entittled to the greatest confidence to pass so far as the recollection of her impaired memory can Swear ---Her marriage took place as Stated above in the declaration I also further declare that Charles Merrill was a Son of Benjamin Merrill who was hung by the British at Hillsboro North Carolina--John Cunningham. Sworn to and Subscribed before me R. E. Sawer Justice of the peace in for the county and State aforesaid this 22nd November 1843.
Rejected Pension North CarolinaR7126. From Records from Revolutionary War Pension & Bounty Land Warrent Application Files, National Archives. Marshall County, Alabama. September 25, 1843. Elizabeth Merrill, wife of Charles Merrill, makes declaration: That she was married to Charles Merrill May 23, 1783, and that he died about 1822. That she knows little of his service and the only man who would know lives 200 miles away. John Cunningham, Cherokee County, Alabama, knew the above applicant and husband in North Carolina in Roan County, and that Charles Merrel was known as a Revolutionary soldier. That Elizabeth Merrell is deserving of credit, is old and unable to appear at court. Furthermore, that Charles Merrel was son of Benjamin Merrell, who was hung by the British at Hillsboro, North Carolina. That Charles and Elizabeth Merrell were married in North Carolina. REJECTED (Above pension documents provided by Dorris McKinney).
1794: Charles Merrill's grandfather Andrew Smith's will was proved (Liber 35, Folio 114, Dept. State, Hopewell,NJ.
One Spanish Pestole to her forever, if it should so happen that my Daughter Jemima Should become poor and Needy in this life I do Require my Exers to give her Reasonable Relief out of my estate. I also give and devise to my Daughter Jemima's children that she bear to Benjamin Merrill to Wit: Samuel, John, Andrew, William, Charles, Elijah, and Jonathan Merrill, Anna McCleary, and Penelope Merrill to all and each of them severally fifty pounds.
1800: US Census, Pendleton District, SC (speculated members of family): Charles Merrell Household consisted of 1 male 26-45 (1755-1774) (Charles b. 1761); 1 male 10-16 (1784-1790) (William b. abt 1785); 1 male 0-10 (1790-1800) (Benjamin b. 1791); 1 male 0-10 (1790-1800) (Abel b. 1793); 1 female 16-26 (1774-1784) (Elizabeth-dates must be incorrect); 2 female 0-10 (1790-1800)
1801: Charles is mentioned in his mother's (Jemima Smith Merrell Butner) will dated 7 May 1801. He is to receive shares in money of value of three slaves, Hagar, Rose, James, David.
1803: Jemimah Smith Merrell Butner's will probated in 1803 mentions sons Samuel, the eldest, Andrew, Jonathan, Charles and Elijah. Daughters Nancy and Elline.
1843: According to some descendants, widow Elizabeth was still living in MarshallCo, AL. In the 1840s, Charles Merrill's widow, Elizabeth, filed a Revolutionary War pension claim based on Charles' alleged service. At the time she was in Marshall Co, AL and stated that Charles had died in 1822. A witness stated that Charles was a son of Benjamin Merrill who was hanged by the British. The pension was denied.
More About CHARLES MERRILL:
Children of CHARLES MERRILL and ELIZABETH are:
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Child |
Name |
Birth Info |
Death Info |
Spouse Name |
Marriage Info |
Spouse birth info |
Spouse death info |
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i. |
JOHN MERRELL |
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ii. |
PETER MERRELL |
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iii. |
Abt. 1783, Pendleton, SC |
Abt. 1866, Jasper, MS |
(1) ?? THOMAS |
1815, South Carolina |
1800, South Carolina |
1820, South Carolina |
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(2) MARY ELIZABETH COOLEY |
Abt. 1820, Wayne County, MS |
03 Jul 1804, Darlington County, SC |
1873, Jasper, Mississippi. |
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iv. |
WILLIAM MERRELL |
Abt. 1785 |
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v. |
Abt. 1791, South Carolina |
Abt. 1854, Marshall, Alabama |
(1) NANNIE NANCY THOMPSON, 1819 |
1804 |
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(2) MARGARET ? |
Bef. 1836 |
Abt. 1806, Tennessee. |
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vi. |
Abt. 1799, South Carolina |
Abt. 1831, Monroe County, GA |
MARIAH BELL |
Abt. 1820 |
Abt. 1806, Montgomery County, GA |
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