1. DE MERLE1 was born WFT Est. 1591-1620 in Province of Auvergne, France, and died WFT Est. 1645-1705.
Notes for DE MERLE:
CAPTAIN BENJAMIN MERRILL and the Merrill Family of North Carolina
by: William Ernest Merrill, M.S.
Excerpts and lineages taken from this book printed in 1935.
Those who have made an extensive study of the English and French histories, genealogies and works of heraldry tell us that the Merrill Family of England was descended from the French Huguenot family De Merle of the Province of Auvergne in central France. This family migrated from this mountainous section of France after the bloody events of St. Bartholomew’s Day in Paris in 1572. The tragedy of St. Bartholomew’s Day marked the culmination of the great struggle between Catholics and Protestants which devastated France in the latter half of the sixteenth century. During the reign of Francis I and his three successors the Huguenot (French Protestant) character was formed and the nation gradually separated into two parties so fanatically hostile that the extermination of the weaker seemed the only possible means of reestablishing the unity of France. The Massacre of St. Bartholomew’s Day is one of those historic crimes which defeated its own purpose by reacting against perpetrators and advancing the cause of those who suffered. One eminent author stated that the evidence presented in the old Coat of Arms, taken along with all the other facts, was conclusive that the Merrill family of England was of French Huguenot origin.
The Coat of Arms as used today is described as, “Arms, Argent, a bar azure between 3 peacock’s heads, proper. Crest, a peacock’s head erased proper.”
About a hundred years passed from the time the Merrill family came to England and the time its descendents appeared in America.
Richard and his wife Sarah Wells Merrill of the little country town of Warwickshire, on a rocky hill on the right bank of the Avon, left their English home and sailed for America and settled in Northfield, Staten Island, New York, about the year 1675. They had five sons, William, who went out west; Richard, who became a member of the Colonial Assembly and Judge of the County Court; Thomas, Philip and John.
Children of DE MERLE are:
2. i. RICHARD2 MERRILL, b. 1642, Warwickshire, England; d. 19 May 1727, Northfield, Staten Island, New York.
3. ii. WILLIAM MERRILL, SR., b. Abt. 1650, England; d. 05 Feb 1724, Hopewell, Hunterdon County, New Jersey.
2. RICHARD2 MERRILL (DE MERLE1) was born 1642 in Warwickshire, England, and died 19 May 1727 in Northfield, Staten Island, New York. He married SUSANNA WELLS Abt. 1675 in Warwickshire, England, daughter of PHILIP WELLES and ELIZABETH. She was born 1649 in Warwickshire, England, and died 21 Oct 1727 in Staten Island , Richmond Co., New York.
Notes for RICHARD MERRILL:
Excerpts from the book: CAPTAIN BENJAMIN MERRILL and the Merrill Family of North Carolina
by: William Ernest Merrill, M.S.
written 1935
Richard Merrill came across from England about 1675 to make a home in the New World. Richard and his wife Susanna Wells Merrill of the little country town of Warwickshire, on a rocky hill on the right bank of the Avon, left their English home and sailed for America and settled in Northfield, Staten Island, New Yourk, about the year 1675. They had five sons, William, who went out west: Richard, who became a member of the Colonial Assembly and Judge of the County Court: Thomas, Philip and John.
Richard and Susanna Wells Merrill left England after September 1679. They came from the village of Temple Tysoe (now lower Tysoe) in Warwickshire, nine miles southeast of Stratford - on -Avon, and not in fact on either bank of the Avon river. Four of their children were born in England and baptised in the Tysoe Parish church:
William, son of Richard and Susanna Merrill, baptised April 13, 1668.
Mary, daughter of Richard and Susanna Merrill, baptised May 6, 1673.
Anne, daughter of Richard and Susanna Merrill, baptised January 32, 1675.
Phillip, son of richard and Susanna Merrill, baptised September 17, 1679
Richard Merrill, Jr. was born on Staten Island, July 6, 1682. John Merrill was born about 1685 and Thomas about 1689, by the census of 1706. Of the daughters of Richard and Susanna, Mary and Anne are not found in Staten Island records. If they survived childhood, their married names are not known. Elizabeth Merrill married Charles McLean in 1715 and lived on Staten Island until her death in 1746.
A hearth tax was levied in England by Charles II beginning in 1661. The first surviving tax book for Tysoe, 1661, is badly faded with many names obscured. In 1663 “Widow Wells” paid tax for one hearth in Temple Tysoe. The next surviving book, for 1670, does not list Widow Wells, but shows Richard Merrill paying tax on a dwelling with one hearth in Temple, Tysoe adjacent to the properties of Richard Chandler and Widow Galloway. He is taxed on this house through at least 1674, some of the later lists are not legible. John Wells, who inherited half of the property, may have died young or left Tysoe. He is not found in church or tax records after 1661.
More About RICHARD MERRILL:
Burial: 20 May 1727, Northfield, Staten Island, New York
Notes for SUSANNA WELLS:
More About RICHARD MERRILL and SUSANNA WELLS:
Marriage: Abt. 1675, Warwickshire, England
Children of RICHARD MERRILL and SUSANNA WELLS are:
i. SUSANNA3 MERRILL.
ii. MARY MERRILL, b. Bef. 1673.
iii. ANNE MERRILL, b. Bef. 1675.
4. iv. PHILLIP MERRILL, b. 1678; d. 18 Apr 1739.
5. v. ELIZABETH MERRILL, b. 1679; d. 1746.
6. vi. RICHARD MERRILL II, b. 06 Jul 1682, Staten Island , Richmond Co., New York; d. 06 Sep 1760, St. Mary’s County, Maryland or Hopewell, New Jersey.
7. vii. JOHN MERRILL, b. Abt. 1685, Staten Island, New York; d. 04 Nov 1743, Staten Island, New York.
8. viii. THOMAS MERRILL, b. Abt. 1688, Staten Island, New York; d. Bef. 02 Apr 1773, Staten Island, New York.
ix. CHARITY MERRILL, b. 1692.
3. WILLIAM2 MERRILL, SR. (DE MERLE1) was born Abt. 1650 in England, and died 05 Feb 1724 in Hopewell, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. He married (1) ANN ANGEL in St. Mary’s Co., Maryland. She was born 1680 in Monmouth,New Jersey. He married (2) GRACE Bef. 1687. She was born Abt. 1660, and died Aft. May 1734 in New Jersey.
Notes for WILLIAM MERRILL, SR.:
WILLIAM MERRILL, Sr.
The first probable record of him in America is a notice of jury service on Staten Island in July 1681. Laid out for William Merrell by Phillip Wells, Surveyor, 81 acres woodland and eight acres meadow, lying on the west end of Staten Island.
He received the patent from the Governor for this land April 1, 1686, but he may never have occupied it. On April 2, 1687, “ William Merrill, yeoman, and Grace his wife” of Staten Island sell to John Reay, “pipemaker of the City of New York” all of the patent.” This is the first record found of Grace Merrill. It is not known whether she came over with William or whether they were married on Staten Island.
Later the same year, on November 24, 1687, “William Merrill of Staten Island” bought from Richard Stout, Jr. and his wife Frances of Monmouth County, New Jersey, 120 acres in Middletown, New Jersey.” Thus begins the close association between the Merrill and the Stout families which continues for many generations. William and Grace Merrill lived in Middletown until 1704, when they joined a group of families led by Jonathan Stout and moved to Hopewell, then on the frontier of settlement in West New Jersey. There is no surviving record of a land purchase by William Merrill in Hopewell, but he was a landowner and juror in 1705, and a town constable in 1709.” A record of 1719 confirms that this is William Merrill of Staten Island when a process was served “against William Merrill Jr. and Grace Merrill wife of William Merrill Sr. “in a lawsuit for debt.
William the eldest son of Richard and Sarah Merrill, started on a western journey. Going west in those days did not mean what it does today; a journey of a few miles was a great undertaking. We are able to trace his course down through Monmounth, New Jersey. He owned land in Middletown in December 1693. It is evident that he did not remain there, for “on Dec. 2, 1715, James Hubbard recorded the cattle ear mark formerly used by William Merrill.” It was only a short time until William’s name appeared on the tax lists at Hopewell.
In 1722 the tax lists of Hopewell showed that he and his sons, William, Jr., and Benjamin were assessed for taxes. In fact, William, Sr., was assessed for 300 acres of land, 24 cattle and horses, et cetera. William, Sr. lived only a few years after his arrival in Hopewell; his will was proved on February 23, 1724 in Hopewell. In this will he mentioned his sons William, Benjamin, and Joseph, and his loving wife Grace. Benjamin and Joseph received the estate of their father. It appears that William, Jr., had already been given his endowment.
William Merrill “of Hopwell in ye county of Hunterdon in New Jersey in America” made his will on February 3, 1723/24. He leaves to wife Grace, “all moveable estate, including 40 cattle, two negro men, 16 horses and all my sheep.” After her death these to go to “all my children by an equal division. All his land “being about 350 acres to be equally divided between my two sons Benjamin and Joseph. The will is signed, in an uncertain hand, “William Merrel.” Grace Merrill qualified as executor on May 6, 1724. It might be noted that ownership of slaves in Hopewell was rare.
William Merrill’s will documents sons William, Jr., Benjamin and Joseph Merrill. There appears to have been a son Richard Merrill also. “There were probably daughters, and one may be Alice, the wife of Thomas Curtis. WILLIAM MERRILL
WILLIAM MERRILL, the eldest son of Richard and Sarah Merrill, started on a western journey. Going west in those days did not mean what it does today: a journey of a few miles was a great undertaking. We are able to trace his course down through Monmouth, New Jersey. He owned land in Middletown in December 1693. It is evident that he did not remain there, for on December 2, 1715, James Hubbard recorded the cattle ear mark formerly used by William Merrill. It was only a short time until William’s name appeared on the tax lists at Hopewell.
In 1722 the tax lists of Hopewell showed that he and his sons, William, Jr., and Benjamin were assessed for taxes. In fact, William, Sr., was assessed for 300 acres of land, 24 cattle and horses, et cetera. William, Sr. lived only a few years after his arrival in Hopewell. In this Will he mentioned his sons William, Benjamin, and Joseph, and his loving wife, Grace. Benjamin and Joseph received the estate of their father. It appears that William, Fr. had already been given his endowment.
William, Jr. was married in 1729 to Mrs. Penelope Stout Jewell, widow of Thomas Jewell. William, Jr. and Penelope had three sons and one daughter. After a careful consideration of all the available records together with the family traditions and stories, we concluded that Captain Benjamin and William Merrill of Rowan County, North Carolina, were two of the three sons of William Merrill, Jr., of Hopewell, and that Thomas was the other. William, Jr. of Hopewell, died in 1740.
William Merrill left Staten Island about 1695, under circumstances which suggest ill feeling between father and son. In 1693 he and his brother philip had petitioned for the land they were farming, but a patent was never granted to them. His cattle mark was recorded in 1693 and 1694.
The first surviving records of William and Ann Angel Merrill in Maryland date from 1708/09. William died about 1714, and by August 1715, Ann Merrill had married John Carmichael. Little is known of the Merrill children beyond their names, sons Philip and Luke Merrill, daughters Mary Vinnoy, Catherine, Magdalen, Susanna and Elinor Merrill. Few early St. Mary’s County records have survived. Philip and Luke Merrill were living in 1744 when they received a bequest from their half-brother John Carmichael. In a census of the able-bodied men aged 18-50 available for militia service, tentatively dated 1777, the only Merrill listed in the county is Joshua Merrill.
More About WILLIAM MERRILL, SR.:
Burial: Feb 1724, Hopewell, Hunterdon County, New Jersey
Notes for ANN ANGEL:
James Angel age 49 or thereabouts (deposes) that Phillip, Luke and Mare are the reputed children of William Merrill, formerly of New York and late of St. Mary’s County, dec’d.
Deposith saith that the said William was married to the deponent’s sister... he was at the wedding, and has heard him say that he came from New York... and that he had money and also land there and that the money was left him by account amounting seven hundred pounds and that his father kep him out of it, and this deponent saith that the said William kept sue his father and mother at New York.
John Carmichael aged 51 or thereabouts (deposes) that William, Luke and Mary are the children of William Merrill, and that the deponent married the widow of said William.
More About WILLIAM MERRILL and ANN ANGEL:
Marriage: St. Mary’s Co., Maryland
More About GRACE:
Burial: Aft. May 1734, New Jersey
More About WILLIAM MERRILL and GRACE:
Marriage: Bef. 1687
Children of WILLIAM MERRILL and ANN ANGEL are:
9. i. WILLIAM3 MERRILL, JR., b. Abt. 1680, Hopewell, Hunterdon County, New Jersey; d. 25 Jun 1740, Burlington, Hunterdon County, New Jersey.
ii. BENJAMIN MERRILL, b. Abt. 1702, Hopewell Twp. Mercer County, New Jersey.
10. iii. JOSEPH MERRILL, b. Abt. 1704, Hopewell Twp. Mercer County, New Jersey.
11. iv. ANN MERRILL, b. 1707; d. 1801.
v. MARGARET MERRILL, b. Abt. 11 Jun 1712.
Children of WILLIAM MERRILL and GRACE are:
vi. BENJAMIN3 MERRILL, m. MARY WATERS.
vii. JOSEPH MERRILL.
viii. MARGARET MERRILL.
ix. RICHARD MERRILL, m. ELSIE DORLANDT; b. 10 May 1677, Brooklyn, Kings Co., New York; d. 20 Feb 1761.
12. x. ALICE MERRILL.
4. PHILLIP3 MERRILL (RICHARD2, DE MERLE1) was born 1678, and died 18 Apr 1739. He married ELISE (ELIZABETH) BEKKER.
Children of PHILLIP MERRILL and ELISE BEKKER are:
i. CATHERINE4 MERRILL, b. 04 Jul 1725.
ii. SUSANNA MERRILL, b. 04 Jul 1725.
iii. PHILIP MERRILL, b. 24 Feb 1727.
iv. NICHOLAS MERRILL, b. 10 Nov 1728.
v. MARY MERRILL, b. 17 Jan 1730; m. NATHANIEL LOCKERMANS.
vi. ELIZABETH MERRILL, b. 08 Apr 1733.
vii. NELTJE (CORNELIA) MERRILL, b. 09 Mar 1735.
5. ELIZABETH3 MERRILL (RICHARD2, DE MERLE1) was born 1679, and died 1746. She married CHARLES MCCLEAN.
Child of ELIZABETH MERRILL and CHARLES MCCLEAN is:
13. i. MARY4 MCCLEAN, b. 01 Jan 1720.
6. RICHARD3 MERRILL II (RICHARD2, DE MERLE1) was born 06 Jul 1682 in Staten Island , Richmond Co., New York, and died 06 Sep 1760 in St. Mary’s County, Maryland or Hopewell, New Jersey. He married ELSIE DORLANDT 13 Feb 1701 in Staten Island, New York. She was born 10 May 1677 in Brooklyn, Kings Co., New York, and died 20 Feb 1761.
More About RICHARD MERRILL II:
Burial: Sep 1760, St. Mary’s County, Maryland or Hopewell, New Jersey
More About RICHARD MERRILL and ELSIE DORLANDT:
Marriage: 13 Feb 1701, Staten Island, New York
Children of RICHARD MERRILL and ELSIE DORLANDT are:
i. ELISE4 MERRILL, b. 01 Apr 1708, Richmond, New York; m. MATHEW DECKER.
ii. RICHARD MERRILL, b. 22 Sep 1709, Richmond, New York; d. Bef. 1715, Richmond, New York.
14. iii. RICHARD MERRILL III, b. 31 Jan 1715, Richmond, New York; d. 19 Dec 1797, Piscataway, New Jersey.
iv. LAMBERT MERRILL, b. 01 Jan 1721.
v. SUSANNAH MERRILL, b. 13 Sep 1724.
7. JOHN3 MERRILL (RICHARD2, DE MERLE1) was born Abt. 1685 in Staten Island, New York, and died 04 Nov 1743 in Staten Island, New York. He married CHARITY GERTRUDE SYMONSON Abt. 1712 in Staten Island, New York. She was born 11 Oct 1682 in Staten Island, New York, and died Abt. 1757 in Staten Island, New York.
Notes for JOHN MERRILL:
John Merrill was born on Staten Island, and the date of his birth was gathered from the 1706 Staten Island census. John often used the first name of Jan in records, and his wife Charity also used the first name of Gertrude. Some historians have thought that he married two different women with these names, but in fact he only married once to a woman who had both first names. John Merrill’s will was written on 25 July 1730, and it was proved on 4 November 1743 on Staten Island. We first see John on the 1706 Staten Island census as being 21 years old. In 1711 he was a known Indian fighter serving in the North Company of Staten Island. He was a farmer, and planter on Staten Island. On 06 March, 1724 he had a cattle mark registered on Staten Island, and this record lists him as a farmer. This catter mark entered as follows:
“pietre Staets his mark with a crop on the left ear and a slitt under the same now this sixth day of march 1724 Recorded by John Mareill” (Richmond County Records p. 31)
On 25 July, 1730 he created his will, as stated above, which left his wife Charity, and son John, his lands, mill, and tenants. This will as stated was proved on 4 ovember 1743 (New York Historical Society Volume 111, page 391, Liber 15, page 45). The executors were his brother Richard Merrill and his brother-in-law Aerte Simonson, and witness were Jan Rol, Jacob Bennet, and Richard Merrill. His wife Charity Simonse was also a witness, along with Rem Simonsen to the will of Otto Van Tyle of Staten Island on 3 December, 1757. On 24 December 1694 a Peter Starses registered his cattle mark in Staten Island, and later on his name was crossed out on his cattle and replaced with “John Merills” which was placed over Peter Sarses and all is crossed out.
More About JOHN MERRILL:
Burial: Nov 1743, Staten Island, New York
More About CHARITY GERTRUDE SYMONSON:
Burial: Abt. 1757, Staten Island, New York
More About JOHN MERRILL and CHARITY SYMONSON:
Marriage: Abt. 1712, Staten Island, New York
Children of JOHN MERRILL and CHARITY SYMONSON are:
i. SUSANNAH4 MERRILL, b. Abt. 1713.
15. ii. CATHERINE MERRILL, b. Abt. 1717, Staten Island, New York; d. Staten Island, New York.
16. iii. JOHN MERRILL, JR., b. Abt. 1718.
iv. CHARLOTTE MERRILL, b. Abt. 1722.
v. GEERTRYDT MERRILL, b. 17 Sep 1726.
vi. ANNE MERRILL, b. Abt. 1727.
vii. IYON MERRILL, b. Staten Island, New York; m. SARAH EGBERTS; b. Staten Island, New York.
8. THOMAS3 MERRILL (RICHARD2, DE MERLE1) was born Abt. 1688 in Staten Island, New York, and died Bef. 02 Apr 1773 in Staten Island, New York. He married JENNE GEWEN. She was born Abt. 1684.
Notes for THOMAS MERRILL:
Thomas was born in Staten Island, and his age was configured using the 1706 Staten Island Census. He maried but the name of is wife is not known. All the known family historians of his line have not found the name of his wife either, even though at times some figure it was Gowin, but this woman was the wife of his son Richard. Thomas was a known Indian fighter from Stten Island. He was a Lt., in the North Militia company from 1711-1715, probably going on many journeys to upstate New York. He was still serving off and on in this company as a Lt., until 1739, where he was listed as still lining on Staten Island. Thomas was a farmer when he was not an Indian fighter. Thomas died by 1773 for his will was proved, and written on 12 January 1773 (New York Historical Society publications, volume VIII, liber 28, page 418). The executors of his will on 2 April 1773 were his sons John and Thomas Merrill. Witness to the will were Samuel de Hart, Tyon Merrill, and Aaron Van Dame. All the children were mentioned in this document. Thomas was mentioned in some Staten Island deeds on 1 October 1746, 3 October 1746, 23 May 1749 and on 14 May 1750. On 4 October 1762 he recorded a Staten Island mortgage with Joseph Ridgeway and Henry Holland (Richmond A 56 -59). 1 July 1770 he deed some of his property to his son Richard.
More About THOMAS MERRILL:
Burial: Apr 1773, Staten Island, New York
Children of THOMAS MERRILL and JENNE GEWEN are:
i. RICHARD4 MERRILL, b. Abt. 1707, Staten Island, New York; d. Aft. 1773, Staten Island, New York.
More About RICHARD MERRILL:
Burial: Aft. 1773, Staten Island, New York
ii. SUSANNA MERRILL, b. Abt. 1715.
iii. SARAH MERRILL, b. Abt. 1718.
iv. JOHN MERRILL, b. Abt. 1722.
v. MERCY MERRILL, b. Abt. 1725.
17. vi. THOMAS MERRILL, JR., b. 19 Apr 1732; d. 12 May 1798.
9. WILLIAM3 MERRILL, JR. (WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born Abt. 1680 in Hopewell, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, and died 25 Jun 1740 in Burlington, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. He married (1) ANNE PARKE Abt. 1697 in New Jersey. She was born Abt. 1677 in Northumberland, and died Bef. 1729 in New Jersey. He married (2) PENELOPE STOUT 1729 in Hopewell, Mercer County, New Jersey, daughter of JAMES STOUT and ELIZABETH. She was born 20 May 1700 in Hopewell Twp. Mercer County, New Jersey, and died 11 Jul 1776 in Hopewell Twp. Mercer County, New Jersey.
Notes for WILLIAM MERRILL, JR.:
William Merril, was according to Ege, was a cooper by trade, and he was also a farmer at Hopewell. Taxed in 1722 in Hunterdon, New Jersey, 20 cattle and horses, 7 sheep, 130 acres land.
Court record on 19 August 1740 Hunterdon, New Jersey, Estate of Wm Merrill of Hunterdon Co; died intestate. ‘Pennelie Merrill, having been advised by her brother Benjamin Stout that ‘ Mr. Ffenix Leyal atturney att Law liveing at Amboy’ desired her to take inventory of the estate of Wm Merrill deceased, declined and relinquished her right to administrate.’ 4 Nov 1740; bond of Jennet Parker of the city of Perth Amboy, widow, as administrator. Fenwick Lyell of same, Esq., surety.
New Jersey records refer to a William Merrell killed by lightning at Burlington, New Jersey.
A habeas corpus being (held) before the Chief Justice at his chamber in Burlington, ordered to be filed (that) the said William Merrell was the 25th of June ... Killed with lightning at Sherif Hunlake’s door at Burlington.
Died intestate, a letter in the New Jersey archives from his widow:
I am informed by my brother Benj’n Stout that you desire me to take an inventory of ye estate of Will’m Merrill deceased - which I do refuse to do or concern myself about that Estate which will only be a profitless trouble for me which I am not able to undergo.
William Merrill, Jr.
William Merrill Jr. was born perhaps 1680 and died accidentally 25 June, 1740:
An habeas corpus being (held) before the Chief Justice at his chamber in Burlington ... ordered to be filed (that) the said William Merrell was the 25th of June ... killed with lightning at Sheriff Hunlake’s door at Burlington.
abt. 1680 William Merrill Jr, arrived on Staten Island, probably with a brother or cousin Richard.
1681: Notice served for jury service on Staten Island for a William Merrill.
1683: survey by Philip Wells for William Merrell for 81 acres woodland and eight acres meadow, lying on the west end of Staten Island, received patent in 1686.
1687: Land deed transfer to John Reay, pipemaker from New York, on the Arthur Kill across from Perth
Amboy. Mentions wife Grace for first time.
1704: Moved from Middleton to Hopewell with group of families led by Jonathan Stout. At the time this
was the western frontier of settlement. It is referenced to this move “he went west” that is often
confused with his probable nephew William Merrill, son of Richard Merrill.
1705: Land owner and juror in Hopewell.
1716: Hopewell town constable.
1722: Tax list of Hopewell, NJ lists him and sons, all married, Benjamin and William Jr. William Sr. was taxed for 24 Cattle and horses, 20 sheep, two servants, and 300 acres.
More About WILLIAM MERRILL, JR.:
Burial: Jun 1740, Burlingtonl, Hunterdon County, New Jersey
More About ANNE PARKE:
Burial: Bef. 1729, New Jersey
More About WILLIAM MERRILL and ANNE PARKE:
Marriage: Abt. 1697, New Jersey
Notes for PENELOPE STOUT:
Mrs. Penelope Stout Jewell, was a widow of Thomas Jewell. This was his second marriage. Penelope was a granddaughter of Richard and Penelope Van Princess Stout, who were among the first and most distinguished settlers of the Hopewell district. After the death of William, Jr., she refused to trouble herself with the small estate of her husband because it “will be profitless trouble for me which I am not able to undergo.” Soon after his death she married Isaac Herrin and lived until July 11, 1776, when she died “in good old age.” The text of her funeral sermon was taken from John xiv: 19.
More About PENELOPE STOUT:
Burial: Jul 1776, Hopewell Twp. Mercer County, New Jersey
More About WILLIAM MERRILL and PENELOPE STOUT:
Marriage: 1729, Hopewell, Mercer County, New Jersey
Child of WILLIAM MERRILL and ANNE PARKE is:
i. MARGARET4 MERRILL, b. Bef. 11 Jun 1712, Hopewell, Hunterdon County, New Jersey.
Children of WILLIAM MERRILL and PENELOPE STOUT are:
18. ii. WILLIAM4 MERRILL III, b. 1729, Hopewell Twp. Mercer County, New Jersey; d. Aft. 06 Nov 1783, Rowan Co., or Randolph Co., North Carolina.
19. iii. CAPTAIN BENJAMIN MERRILL, b. Abt. 1730, Hopewell, Hunterdon/ Mercer, New Jersey; d. 19 Jun 1771, Hanged Guilford Co. Courthouse yard, North Carolina.
20. iv. THOMAS MERRILL, b. 19 Apr 1732, Hopewell, Hunterdon County, New Jersey; d. 12 May 1798, Montgomery County, New York.
v. PENELOPE MERRILL, b. Abt. 1734; m. (1) THOMAS ANDERSON; m. (2) RALPH HART.
vi. ANNE MERRILL, b. 1735; m. JOHN STOUT.
21. vii. RACHEL MERRILL, b. 1715, Hopewell, Hunterdon County, New Jersey; d. 03 May 1795, Wertsville, Hunterdon County, New Jersey.
10. JOSEPH3 MERRILL (WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born Abt. 1704 in Hopewell Twp. Mercer County, New Jersey. He married LEAH.
Child of JOSEPH MERRILL and LEAH is:
22. i. SAMUEL4 MERRILL, b. 1758.
11. ANN3 MERRILL (WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 1707, and died 1801. She married DAVID STOUT, JR. Abt. 1725 in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, son of CAPTAIN STOUT and ELIZABETH GARRISON. He was born 1695 in Hopewell, Hunterdon, New Jersey, and died 1776 in Wertsville, New Jersey.
Notes for DAVID STOUT, JR.:
I now bring forward David the third son of David. He was born in the year 1695. He married Anne, the daughter of William Merrill, and had by her only three children, viz: Nehemiah, Nathaniel and Rebecca. Nehemiah married Rachel Stout, the history of whose family I have given under the head of John Stout, the son of Joseph. Nathaniel married Charity Stout and Sarah Stout, daughters of Zebulon Stout, the son of Jonathan, the history of whose family I have given. Rebecca married Isaac Eaton, a Baptist minister, who was pastor of the church of Hopewell more than twenty years and was truly a great man.
More About DAVID STOUT, JR.:
Burial: 1776, Wertsville, New Jersey
More About DAVID STOUT and ANN MERRILL:
Marriage: Abt. 1725, Hunterdon County, New Jersey
Children of ANN MERRILL and DAVID STOUT are:
i. NEHEMIAH4 STOUT.
ii. REBECCA STOUT, b. 1726; d. 1772.
iii. NATHANIEL STOUT, SR., b. 06 Apr 1736, Amwell, Hunterdon, New Jersey; d. 29 Apr 1798, Hopewell, Hunterdon County, New Jersey; m. (1) SARAH STOUT; b. Abt. 1744; d. 1829; m. (2) CHARITY STOUT, Middletown ,Monmouth County, New Jersey; b. Abt. 1743.
More About NATHANIEL STOUT, SR.:
Burial: Apr 1798, Hopewell, Hunterdon County, New Jersey
More About NATHANIEL STOUT and CHARITY STOUT:
Marriage: Middletown ,Monmouth County, New Jersey
iv. JOHN DAVID STOUT, b. 28 Jan 1733, Amwell, Hunterdon, New Jersey; d. 08 Feb 1827, South Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey.
More About JOHN DAVID STOUT:
Burial: Feb 1827, South Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey
12. ALICE3 MERRILL (WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) She married THOMAS CURTIS. He was born 1685, and died 28 Apr 1749.
Notes for THOMAS CURTIS:
Alice, the wife of Thomas Curtis was remembered by descendants as Alice Merrill, and the association between the two families in Hopewell suggest that she was an older daughter of William Merrill. Thomas Curtis was born in 1685 and died at age 64 on 28 April 1749. Both Thomas and Alice were founding members of the Baptist Church in Hopewell in 1715, and he served on a jury with William Merrill Sr. in 1721, and was a town officer with Benjamin Merrill in 1728. The Curtis family moved to Baptistown in Kingwood Township about 1738, where Thomas became the founding pastor of the Kingwood Baptist Church, and is buried in the churchyard. He was survived by his wife Alice, sons Thomas and Benjamin and daughters Mary, Ann and Jane, the wife of John Alderson.
Children of ALICE MERRILL and THOMAS CURTIS are:
i. THOMAS4 CURTIS.
ii. BENJAMIN CURTIS.
iii. MARY CURTIS.
iv. ANN CURTIS.
v. JANE CURTIS, m. JOHN ALDERSON.
13. MARY4 MCCLEAN (ELIZABETH3 MERRILL, RICHARD2, DE MERLE1) was born 01 Jan 1720. She married SIMON VAN NAME. He was born 11 Aug 1718.
Child of MARY MCCLEAN and SIMON VAN NAME is:
i. MARY5 VAN NAME, b. 1744; m. PETER PERRINE.
14. RICHARD4 MERRILL III (RICHARD3, RICHARD2, DE MERLE1) was born 31 Jan 1715 in Richmond, New York, and died 19 Dec 1797 in Piscataway, New Jersey. He married EVE BENNETT 10 Sep 1737. She was born 21 Jan 1714 in Bergen, New Jersey, and died 16 May 1798.
More About RICHARD MERRILL III:
Burial: Dec 1797, Piscataway, New Jersey
More About RICHARD MERRILL and EVE BENNETT:
Marriage: 10 Sep 1737
Children of RICHARD MERRILL and EVE BENNETT are:
i. ANNA (ANNANJE)5 MERRILL, b. 19 Apr 1743, New York; m. WILLIAM MANNING; b. 08 Jun 1740, New York.
23. ii. LAMBERT MERRILL, b. 03 Oct 1741, Middlesex county, New Jersey; d. 03 Dec 1775, Richmond County, New York.
iii. RICHARD MERRIL IV, b. 01 Oct 1744, New York; d. 16 Feb 1813; m. (1) ELIZABETH JOHNSON; d. 1812; m. (2) MRS. SARAH MARTIN DRAKE; b. 16 Dec 1750, New York.
iv. JOHN MERRILL, b. 29 Apr 1748, New York; m. ELIZABETH COLE; b. 27 Apr 1747, New York.
v. ELSIE MERRILL, b. 12 Nov 1751, New York; m. ISAAC MANNING; b. 14 Jul 1742, New York.
15. CATHERINE4 MERRILL (JOHN3, RICHARD2, DE MERLE1) was born Abt. 1717 in Staten Island, New York, and died in Staten Island, New York. She married (1) MATTIAS SWAIM, son of JOHANNES SWAIM and MARTHA PRALL. He was born Abt. 1715, and died Abt. 1781. She married (2) MATHIAS SWAIM 1736 in Staten Island, New York. He was born Abt. 1717 in Staten Island, New York, and died Bef. 1781 in Staten Island, New York.
More About CATHERINE MERRILL:
Burial: Staten Island, New York
Notes for MATHIAS SWAIM:
Mathias Swaim was baptized in 1715 at the same time as his sister, Martha, no sponsors shown. It has been said that they were twins, but no such indication was made in the baptismal record to that effect.
Ties was a weaver in Richmond on Arent Prall’s patent (his maternal grandfather), which was close to the patent of Barent Tysen, his eldest and only brother. He was married to Catherine Merrill in 1736, daughter of John Merrill and his wife Gertrude Simonson. His will, the abstract appearing in New York Wills, pgs 45 and 46, Abstracts of Wills, Liber 34, is as follows:
Page 119 -- In the name of God Amen, I Mathias Swame, of Staten Island. I leave to my sons, John, Simon, Matise and Benjamin all the piece of meadow called the Bock Meadow to be equally divided, situate on Carl’s Neck. The remainder of my lands and meadows shall be sold, and all my moveable estate, at the discretion of executors. After debts and funeral expenses are paid the remainder of the estate is to be equally divided amongst five sons: one share to be equally divided between my grandchildren, heirs of my daughter Hester, deceased. If either of these children should die before they come of age, the survivor is to have their share; if both should die before they come of age then that one part is to be divided equally amongst my five sons. I make my sons Simon Swame and Matise Swame executors.
Dated December 20, 1780. (Before signing and sealing I order that my son John should have 50 pounds over and above the other legatees.)
Witnesses,
Abraham Egberts, Cordwainer
Israel Britten
Richard Conners
Proved March 12, 1781
More About MATHIAS SWAIM:
Burial: Staten Island, New York
More About MATHIAS SWAIM and CATHERINE MERRILL:
Marriage: 1736, Staten Island, New York
Children of CATHERINE MERRILL and MATHIAS SWAIM are:
i. GERTRUDE5 SWAIM, b. 18 Sep 1737, Staten Island, New York; m. CHRISTIAN FROOME, 1757.
Notes for GERTRUDE SWAIM:
Baptism September 18,1737, in the Dutch Reformed Church and sponsors were John Merrill Jr. and Geetryd Symons. Nickname was Hester.
More About CHRISTIAN FROOME and GERTRUDE SWAIM:
Marriage: 1757
ii. JOHANNES SWAIM, b. 18 Mar 1739, Staten Island, New York; m. CORNELIA VEGHTE, 21 Jan 1771, Staten Island, New York.
Notes for JOHANNES SWAIM:
Johannes Swaim was baptised 18 March 1738/39 in the Dutch Reformed Church and was sponsored by Jacob Reseau and Susanna Merril.
More About JOHANNES SWAIM and CORNELIA VEGHTE:
Marriage: 21 Jan 1771, Staten Island, New York
iii. SIMON SWAIM, b. Abt. 1740; d. 1816; m. DOROTHY.
Notes for SIMON SWAIM:
Simon Swaim is listed as a Merchant in 1794 deed and as a farmer in an 1814 deed.
Simon signed the Oathof Allegiance in 1776 (British). He was a member of Billopp’s Corps, formed in 1776, prior to the British coming to Staten Island, but the Corps was loyal to England in the Revolutionary War. He was the only Swaim in the Corps and he doesn’t appear to have “fled to Canada” after the war as some of the other sympathizers did. He was a “loan officer” with his son-in-law, Joseph Perine in 1792. In 1792 he was Road Commissioner for Southfield.
iv. MATTHIAS SWAIM, JR., b. 1743, Richmond, Staten Island, New York; d. 1783, Richmond, Staten Island, New York; m. MARY GRANDINE, 07 Oct 1768, Richmond, Staten Island, New York; b. Abt. 1747, Richmond, Staten Island, New York; d. 1779, Richmond, Staten Island, New York.
Notes for MATTHIAS SWAIM, JR.:
Matthias, Jr. died in 1783, his will being dated 2 October 1782 and was proved 20 September 1783.
“In the name of God Amen I Matthius Swain of Staten Island in the County of Richmond and Provance of New York this Segond day of October in ye year of our Lord Christ one thousand seven hundred and eighty two do make this my last Will and Testament in manor and form following - Imprimis my Will is that my just debts and funeral charges shall be paid out of my personal estate. Item my Will is that my Executors hereafter named shall seel all my land and meadow except the nine acors of Salt meadow front ye land of Justis Bedell and the land that I have of Proalls patent and all my personal estate Item I give and bequeath unto my loveing Sons, Mathius Swain and his heirs and asigns ye ladn & meadow that I have excepted from being sold and if my sons should dey without Ishshu I will that ye land and meadow Given him shall be equally divided betwixt my Surviving children, Item I give and bequeath my loveing dautors Cattren Mary and Elizabeth all my personale Estate or the money for which it shall be sold with the money that shall aris by ye sail of ye Land and Meadow that is to be sold equel to be devided betwixt them and they to receive there money each of them as they shall come of age and Leastly I hereby nominate constitute and apoint my loving brother Simon Swaim Isreal BEdell of ye Sitty of New York Execcutors of this my last will and Testament ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last Well and Testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto seet my hand and Seal ye day and year first above written. Mathias Swam (LS)
signed Sealed published pronounced and declared by the said Mathias Swain as and for his last Will and Testament in presence of ye Subscribors
Joseph Wood,
John Van Pelt
Jacob Rezeau
The will was probated on 20 December 1783 when Joseph Wood, yeoman and John Van Pelt appeared before Judge Thomas Tredwell of the Court of Probate of New York.
More About MATTHIAS SWAIM, JR.:
Burial: 1783, Richmond, Staten Island, New York
More About MARY GRANDINE:
Burial: 1779, Richmond, Staten Island, New York
More About MATTHIAS SWAIM and MARY GRANDINE:
Marriage: 07 Oct 1768, Richmond, Staten Island, New York
v. MARTINUS SWAIM, b. 06 May 1745, Staten Island, New York; d. 03 May 1837; m. (1) HELEN LANA SIMONSON; m. (2) ESTHER CHRISTOPHER.
Notes for MARTINUS SWAIM:
Martinus Swaim was Baptized 6 May 1745 at the Dutch Refomed Church, son of Ties Swaim and Catherine Merrill. He was married in 1768 (New York Marriages) to Helen (Lana) Simonson, daughter of Johannes Simonson and his wife Diana Van Lecuwen. Helen was also known as “Lana” , the Dutch equivalent of Helen.
Martinus was a Cordwainer by occupation, cordoval leather, shoes. Also Yeoman—freeman and farmer.
24. vi. BENJAMIN SWAIM, b. 16 Sep 1746; d. 09 Apr 1811, Staten Island, New York.
vii. CATHERINE SWAIM, b. 03 May 1749.
viii. ISAAC SWAIM, b. 1751; d. 1777; m. GETTY CHARITY KRUSER.
ix. SUSANNAH SWAIM, b. 1753.
16. JOHN4 MERRILL, JR. (JOHN3, RICHARD2, DE MERLE1) was born Abt. 1718. He married SARAH.
Children of JOHN MERRILL and SARAH are:
i. JOHN5 MERRILL, m. JANE JONES.
25. ii. ABRAHAM MERRILL, b. 07 Jan 1769; d. May 1813.
26. iii. ISAAC MERRILL, b. 06 Aug 1786, New York; d. 09 Feb 1833.
17. THOMAS4 MERRILL, JR. (THOMAS3, RICHARD2, DE MERLE1) was born 19 Apr 1732, and died 12 May 1798. He married EVA JONES.
Children of THOMAS MERRILL and EVA JONES are:
i. JOHN5 MERRILL.
ii. THOMAS MERRILL III, b. Bef. 26 Aug 1759.
iii. MATTHEW MERRILL.
iv. ANNEATYE (ANNA) MERRILL, b. Bef. 31 Oct 1756.
18. WILLIAM4 MERRILL III (WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 1729 in Hopewell Twp. Mercer County, New Jersey, and died Aft. 06 Nov 1783 in Rowan Co., or Randolph Co., North Carolina. He married MARY CORNELL 1750 in New Jersey, daughter of WILLIAM CORNELL. She was born 1724 in Hopewell Twp. Mercer County, New Jersey, and died 15 Aug 1813 in Randolph, North Carolina.
Notes for WILLIAM MERRILL III:
William Merrill III, was killed by Tory raiders 1782-1783 in Rowan North Carolina.
More About WILLIAM MERRILL III:
Burial: Aft. 06 Nov 1783, Rowan Co., or Randolph Co., North Carolina
More About MARY CORNELL:
Burial: Aug 1813, Randolph, North Carolina
More About WILLIAM MERRILL and MARY CORNELL:
Marriage: 1750, New Jersey
Children of WILLIAM MERRILL and MARY CORNELL are:
27. i. BENJAMIN5 MERRILL, b. 02 Dec 1752, Hopewell, Hunterdon County, New Jersey; d. 10 May 1836, Rowan County, North Carolina.
28. ii. RACHEL MERRILL, b. 1754, Rowan, North Carolina; d. Bet. 1834 - 1840, Randolph, North Carolina.
29. iii. DANIEL T. MERRILL, b. 07 May 1755, Hopewell Twp. Mercer County, New Jersey; d. 11 Mar 1844, Randolph, North Carolina.
30. iv. JOHN MERRILL, b. 24 Jul 1757, Hopewell Twp. Mercer County, New Jersey; d. 1833, Buncombe, North Carolina.
19. CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4 MERRILL (WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born Abt. 1730 in Hopewell, Hunterdon/ Mercer, New Jersey, and died 19 Jun 1771 in Hanged Guilford Co. Courthouse yard, North Carolina. He married JEMIMA SMITH 11 Dec 1747 in Hopewell , Mercer County, New Jersey, daughter of ANDREW SMITH and ANN MERSHON. She was born 1728 in Hopewell Twp. Mercer County, New Jersey, and died 07 May 1803 in Rowan Co., North Carolina.
Notes for CAPTAIN BENJAMIN MERRILL:
CAPTAIN BENJAMIN MERRILL
Researched by Dorris McKinney
Captain Benjamin Merrill was my gggggg Grandfather. My descendency is through his son Charles, and his son Benjamin, and his daughter Rutha Emaline, and her daughter Beverly, her daughter Emma Elizabeth and her daughter Ola Mae.
1759 Rowan County Militia List-------From the Military Collection of the Treasurers and comptroller’s Papers at the North Carolina Archives is a list of Rowan County men who fought to defend the area against Indian attack, lists Benjaim Merrill.
He is also shown on the Rowan County, North Carolina Tax List for 1759.
In 1767 North Carolina Regulators established at Maddocks Mill near Hillsborough on 4 April.
From North Carolina Colonial Records, Vol. 8, pages 642-643
Benjamin Merrill came from New Jersey prior to 1756 and settled in the Jersey Settlement near Salisbury. North Carolina. He was a Captain of the Rowan County Militia prior to the movement of the Regulators. Captain Merrill was one of the unfortunate victims of Tryon’s brutal tyranny. He was on his way to join the regulators at Alamance, with a company of over three hundred men, when he intercepted General H. Waddell and forced to flee to Salisbury, after taking most of Waddell’s men as prisoners. He and his men were within a day’s march of Alamance when the roar of the battle met them, and after hearing of the victory of the Governor’s army, he disbanded his men and returned home. He regretted that he was not present at the battle so he could fight with his fellow patriots. Some accounts give him credit for being in the actual battle.
Tradition says that Benjamin was a gunsmith and that a small creek, at the foot of the hill near where his residence stood, afforded the power necessary to operate the simple machinery used in boring out the barrels. In the evening he would arrange a barrel for boring, start his crude machinery and leave it running all night. By morning the barrel was ready for the next step in its manufacture.
He was a young married man when he started to North Carolina. He had married Jemima Smith, the daughter of Andrew Smith of Hopewell, New Jersey, and their second son, John was born at Hopewell on December 11, 1750. It is evident that the dangerous and weary trip to North Carolina came in the five years between 1761 and 1756.
The people of North Carolina had been sorely tried by 10 long years of weary struggle against the unjust rule of England. Their money was wrung from them by a horde of greedy officers of the law as well as by the Governor himself. When they could no longer endure their great wrongs they rose up against them, though the struggle cost them tears and blood. Men of Orange County, North Carolina met at Maddock’s Mill, near Hillsborough, 4 April 1767 an formed a body called Regulators, an assoc. for regulaing public grievances and abuse of power. The reason for this gathering was the continued abuses of Governor Tyron’s officials, who required $15 for a marriage license when the legal rate was $1, and so on, at a time when cash was very acarce. Protests to the Governor had been ineffective. The officials in the western areas had too little supervision, From 1767
Governor Tryon not only permitted but instigated his officers to heap taxes upon the people when money was exceedingly scarce in the colony. This scarcity was due to the continuous seizure of the gold by the mother country, and by the rapacious colonial officers. As one instance of this oppression, we find that fifteen dollars was required for a marriage license although the fee allowed by law was one dollar. When the people complained to the governor, he treated their complaints with contemt and scorn.
At last the men of Orange County declared they would no longer submit to this robbery. They resolved to find out whether their taxes were legal and to pay only such as the law required. They met at Maddock’s Mill near Hillsborough, on the 4 of April, 1767, and formed themselves into a body called Regulators, an association for regulating public grievances and abuse of power. From this time on there was constant friction between the Governor’s officials and the Regulators. With little excuse or none, Tryon threw their leaders into prison, while the Regulators in turn lost no chance of annoying his hated office
He was taken prisoner by Colonel Fanning and his men, and brought to Tryon’s Jersey Settlement Camp on June 1, 1771. After being put in chains with the other prisoners and dragged through the country to Hillsborough, he, on June 19, 1771, paid forfeit with his life. “The Supreme Court of Oyer and Terminer, for the Tryal of the Regulators in the Back Country. Began at Hillsborough on the 30 of May, and continued to the 20th of this Instant --- (June 1771): during which, twelve were tryed and condemned for High Treason. The Governor was pleased to suspend the Execution of Six, till his Majesty’s Pleasure be known: the other six were executed on Wednesday the 19th of June at Hillsborough. Among the last, the most distinguished was Benjamin Merrill, who had been a Captain of Militia in Rowan County. When the Chief Justice passed Sentence he concluded in the following manner: ‘I must now close my afflicing Duty, by pronouncing upon you the awful Sentence of the Law; which is, that you, Benjamin Merrill, be carried to the place from whence you came, that you be drawn from thence to the Place of Execution, where you are to be hanged by the Neck; that you be cut down while yet alive, that your Bowels be taken out and burn before your Face, that your head be cut off, your Body divided in Four Quarters, and this be at his Majesty’s disposa; and the Lord have Mercy on your Soul’.”
In this crucial situation he gave his friends satisfactory eficence that he was prepared to die, for he not only professed faith in Christ, his hope of Heaven, and his willingness to go, but sang a Psalm very devoutly, and died like a Christian soldier. On being permitted to speak just before the execution, he said that fifteen years previously he had been converted, but had back-slidden, yet now felt that he was freely forgiven and that he would not change places with anyone on the grounds, in concluding he referred to his wife and eight children. It is said that one of Tryon’s soldiers was heard to declare that if all men went to the gallows with a character such as Captain Merrill’s “hanging would be an honorable death.” Captain Merrill was a man held in general esteem for his honesty, integrity, and piety.
His speech at the gallows was as follows:
I stand here exposed to the world as a criminal. My life will soon be a change. God is my comforter and supporter. I am condemned to die for opposing Government. All you that are present take warning by my miserable end when I shall be hung up as a spectacle before you. My first seducers were Hunter and Gelaspie. They had often solicited me, telling that a settlement only was contended for with regard to public officers who they said had oppressed the people: and that unless these measures were taken there would be no remedy or redress hereafter. Thus they pressed me on by assuring me the disputes (as they called them) then existing might be settled without shedding of blood. I considered this unhappy affair and thought possibly the contentions in the country might be brought to some determination without injury to any, and in this mind I joined the Regulation. After I had entered under the banner of the Regulators, I was ever pressed to be made a leading man among them. Was one of the number who opposed Colonel Waddell with his troops; information prevailing that the Governor was on his march to lay waste the country and destroy inst inhabitants, which I now find to be false, and propagated to screen old offenders from justice. As to my private life, I do not know of any particular charge against me. I received, by the grace of God, a change fifteen years ago; but, have since that time, been a backslider; yet Providence, which is my chief security, has been pleased to give me comfort, under these evils, in my last hour; and although’ the halter is now round my neck, believe me, I would not change stations with any man on the ground. All you, who think you stand, take heed lest he fall. I would be glad to say a few words more to you before I die. In a few moments I shall leave a widow and ten children; I entreat that no reflection may be cast upon them on my account; and if possible shall deem it as a bounty, should you, gentlemen petition the Governor and council, that some part of my estate may be spared for the widow and fatherless; it will be an act of charity, for I have forfeited the whole, by the laws of God and man.
There is evidence that Gov. Tryon honored the latter request. There is evidence that Capt. Merrill was of such high moral character that he expressed a sorrow and conflict of conscience over the fact that he had committed treason to the King that were demanded by his principles and expressed sorrow as he swung free of the gallows into eternity prior to his disembowelment. In 1776 of the 47 articles of the Constitution of the state of North Carolina, member of the newly independent American nation, 13 articles embodied the principles first put forward by the Regulators under Capt. Merrill’s influence. Many historians believe that the Battle of Alamance was a turning point in American History and there was a time when it was considered as important as any one other event leading up to the American Revolution. However, it lost that designation and was ignored after the Civil War when the American history books became largely written and published in the northeast and the contributions to American freedom and the revolution were suppressed.
Gov. Tyron’s letter to Jemima and children:
I, William Tryon, Governor and Captain-General of the province of North Carolina, to Jemima Merrill and her Children: You are commanded to hold and possess the land and tenements, goods and chattels, of the late Benjamin Merrill, hung for high treason, till his Majesty’s pleasure shall be known; and all his tax collectors and receivers shall take notice thereof.
Done at Hillsboro, June 1771
William Tryon
Col Rec., Vol 8, p 650 pp 160 - 1 and Vol 9, 34, 65, 33
The Merrill Family of North Carolina
1935
More About CAPTAIN BENJAMIN MERRILL:
Burial: Jun 1771, Hillsborough, Orange County, North Carolina
Notes for JEMIMA SMITH:
Benjamin’s estate was restored to his wife, the sheet which recorded this read as follows, it was lost about 1872.
To Jemima Merrill and her children
I, William, Tryon, Governor and Captain-General of the province of North Carolina, to Jemima Merrill and her children: You are commanded to hold and possess the land and tenements, goods and chattels, of the late Benjamin Merrill, hung for high treason, till his Majesty’s pleasure shall be known; and all his tax collectors and receivers shall take notice thereof.
Done at Hillsboro, June 1771. William Tryon. Col. Rec., Vol 8 p650, pp 160-1 and Vol 9, 34, 65, 33
After Benjamin’s execution the widow Jemima remained on the old homestead, a valuable and well-cultivated farm. Miss S. Turner told Rev. H. Sheets that she recalled hearing her aunt, Mary Workman, tell of callin in to visit the widow while on her way to meeting at Jersey Church. Her aunt told her that the widow was blind. Whether the blindness was caused by some natural effect or from excessive grief at the sad and untimely death of her husband was not known.
It is said that she never recovered from the shock and tht she suffered great mental distress and spent much of her time in walking to pass off the melancholia which clung to her and darkened her days with grief and bitterness. Regardless of all this we know that she returned to the old homestead and lived there with her children for several years. During this time she remained faithful to her church and on one particular occasion in Nov 1771, she and the children attended Soelle’s services in the River Settlement. Soelle said, “She cannot forget the fate of her husband.”
In 1775, Jemima married Harmon Butner who came to live with her and the Merrill children on the Merrill plantation...Jemima Merrill Butner lived about 30 years after the death of Captain Merrill.
Rowan County, North Carolina Will Abstract N.C. 929.3 8ROL Dallas, Library
Will of Jemima Butner
Dated 7 May 1801
C:321. JEMIMA BUTNER. May 7, 1801. no prb. date. Sons: Samuel Meril (eldest), John Meril, Charles Meril, William Meril, Jonathon Meril, Elijah Meril, Daus: Nancy Ellien, Exrs: sons Andrew & Johathon Meril Wit: Thomas Durham, Azariah Merrell.
In the name of God Amen! I Jemima Butner of the County of Rawan and State of N. Carolina being in perfect mind and memory, but weakly in body and calling to mind my mortality think proper to make and ordain this as my last will and test: knowing that it is appointed unto men once to die, do this proper to confirm my intention by these presents, and in the first place I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God, and my body to be decently buried, at the discretion of my executors, and as touches such worldly estate, as it had pleased God to bless me with, I dispose, devise and give in manner and form following, that is, I give and bequeath to my eldest son Samuel Meril 14 pounds which I paid for the improvement whereon Meril now lives also 27 pounds, which I paid in taking up a judgment that was against him, also my sorrel horse, also and equal part of all my moveable property with the rest of my sons; my negroes except
I give and bequeath to my daughter Nancy my negro woman Slager, which is to be valued, and John, William and Charles Meril is to have an equal part of the value of said Negroe in money; also I give one half of my wering cloaths to my daughter Nancy; I give and bequeath to my daughter Ellien one negro girl named Rose, which is also to be valued and the above John, Wm and Chas Meril is to have an equal part of her value in money, I also give to my daughter Ellien the other half of my wearing cloaths. I give and bequeath to my sonA ndrew Meril my Negroe boy named James, which is also to be valued and the above John Meril, Wm and Chas Meril to have an equal part of the value in money, also I give to my son Andrew an equal part of my moveable property, that I do not mention in my will. I give to my son Jonathan Meril my Negro boy named David and he is to pay to my son Chas Meril 10 pounds current money 2 yrs after my decease I give also to my son Jonathan Meril and equal part with the rest of my sons of my moveable property, which is not here mentioned or given. I give to my son Elijah Meril and equal part of my moveable property which is not mentioned or given in this will - Lastly I also appoint constitute and ordain, my son Andrew A Meril and Jonathan Meril whole and sole executors of this my last will and test: I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 7th day of May, 1801.
Jemima Butner
Signed, and sealed and declared in the presence of (her mark and seal]
Thomas Durham
Azariah Merrell
from Andrew Smith’s Will, proved 1794. Liber 34, Folio 114. Dept. of State Hopewell, NJ
There have been various names given to the wife of Captain Merrill. My grandfather wrote in his notes that her name was Mary Smith, others contended that she was Jemima Stout of Stoutsburg, New Jersey; others gave her the name of Sarah. Now we know that she was none other than Jemima Smith of Hopewell, New Jersey. This fact is self-evident if we consider the records. Andrew Smith of Hopewell made his will October 17, 1784, and bequeathed to his daughter Jemima “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 giver 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, and Elijah, and Jonathan Merrill, Anna McCleary, and Penelope Merill to all and each of them Severally fifty pounds.
More About JEMIMA SMITH:
Burial: May 1803, Rowan Co., North Carolina
More About CAPTAIN MERRILL and JEMIMA SMITH:
Marriage: 11 Dec 1747, Hopewell , Mercer County, New Jersey
Children of CAPTAIN MERRILL and JEMIMA SMITH are:
31. i. SAMUEL5 MERRILL, b. 1748, Rowan County, North Carolina; d. 1803, Rowan County, North Carolina.
32. ii. JOHN MERRILL, b. 11 Dec 1750, Jersey Settlement, Rowan County, North Carolina; d. 16 Oct 1838, Monroe County, Missouri/ Mississippi.
33. iii. ANDREW MERRILL, b. 1752, Jersey Settlement, Rowan co., North Carolina; d. Bet. 1826 - 1829, Giles County, Tennessee.
34. iv. WILLIAM MERRILL, b. 1754, Jersey Settlement, Rowan co., North Carolina; d. 28 Jul 1803, Alabama.
35. v. NANCY MERRILL, b. 1756, Jersey Settlement, Rowan County, North Carolina; d. 28 Jun 1837.
36. vi. NANCY ANNA MERRILL, b. 1754, Rowan County, North Carolina; d. Bef. 07 Mar 1828, Howard County, Missouri.
37. vii. PENELOPE (ELLIEN) MERRILL, b. 1759, Jersey Settlement, Rowan Co., North Carolina; d. 1830, Rowan County, North Carolina.
38. viii. CHARLES MERRILL, b. Nov 1761, Jersey Settlement, Rowan Co., North Carolina; d. 14 Oct 1822, Pendleton Co., South Carolina.
ix. ELIJAH MERRILL, b. 1763, Jersey Settlement, Rowan Co., North Carolina.
Notes for ELIJAH MERRILL:
Elijah, the sixth son of Captain Benjamin and Jemima Merrill, was born in 1763. He was married when the 1790 census was taken, but had no children. He gota a land grant in 1792 for 640 acres on Garron Creek next to Christian Sears. Most of this land was sold during 1794.
39. x. JOHATHAN MERRILL, b. 1767, Jersey Settlement, Rowan Co., North Carolina; d. Bef. 03 Mar 1849, Lincoln Co., Tennessee.
20. THOMAS4 MERRILL (WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 19 Apr 1732 in Hopewell, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, and died 12 May 1798 in Montgomery County, New York. He married DOROTHY MORGAN Abt. 1755.
More About THOMAS MERRILL:
Burial: May 1798, Montgomery County, New York
More About THOMAS MERRILL and DOROTHY MORGAN:
Marriage: Abt. 1755
Child of THOMAS MERRILL and DOROTHY MORGAN is:
40. i. ISAAC5 MERRILL.
21. RACHEL4 MERRILL (WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 1715 in Hopewell, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, and died 03 May 1795 in Wertsville, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. She married REVEREND JOHN STOUT 1734, son of JAMES STOUT and CATHERINE SIMPSON. He was born 1713 in Amwell, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, and died 07 Jun 1790 in Amwell, Hunterdon County, New Jersey.
More About RACHEL MERRILL:
Burial: May 1795, Wertsville, Hunterdon County, New Jersey
More About REVEREND JOHN STOUT:
Burial: Jun 1790, Amwell, Hunterdon County, New Jersey
More About REVEREND STOUT and RACHEL MERRILL:
Marriage: 1734
Children of RACHEL MERRILL and REVEREND STOUT are:
41. i. ABRAHAM5 STOUT, b. 26 Jul 1735, Bound Brook, Somerset, New Jersey; d. 1777, Hopewell, Hunterdon, New Jersey.
ii. CATHERINE STOUT, b. 16 Aug 1737; m. JAMES STOUT, 27 Feb 1755, Hunterdon County, New Jersey; b. 16 Dec 1732, New Jersey; d. 04 May 1810.
More About JAMES STOUT:
Burial: May 1810
More About JAMES STOUT and CATHERINE STOUT:
Marriage: 27 Feb 1755, Hunterdon County, New Jersey
42. iii. ANNE STOUT, b. 1739; d. 1810.
iv. AMOS STOUT, b. 1741.
v. AARON STOUT, b. Abt. 1742.
vi. WILLIAM STOUT, b. Abt. 1745.
43. vii. CAPTAIN NATHAN STOUT, b. 31 Jan 1747.
44. viii. MOSES STOUT, b. 24 Jun 1750.
ix. LEVI STOUT, b. Abt. 1753.
45. x. RACHEL STOUT, b. 1755.
22. SAMUEL4 MERRILL (JOSEPH3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 1758. He married CATHERINE BEAM.
Child of SAMUEL MERRILL and CATHERINE BEAM is:
i. CHARLES5 MERRILL, b. Abt. 1794, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
23. LAMBERT5 MERRILL (RICHARD4, RICHARD3, RICHARD2, DE MERLE1) was born 03 Oct 1741 in Middlesex county, New Jersey, and died 03 Dec 1775 in Richmond County, New York. He married TABITHA DURHAM 29 Nov 1763 in New York. She was born 03 Sep 1747 in New Jersey, and died 28 Jan 1778 in Richmond County, New York.
More About LAMBERT MERRILL:
Burial: Dec 1775, Richmond County, New York
More About TABITHA DURHAM:
Burial: Jan 1778, Richmond County, New York
More About LAMBERT MERRILL and TABITHA DURHAM:
Marriage: 29 Nov 1763, New York
Children of LAMBERT MERRILL and TABITHA DURHAM are:
i. RICHARD6 MERRILL, b. 09 Jul 1765, Staten Island, New York; m. MARTHA HOOPER; b. 07 Apr 1763, New York.
ii. ELSIE MERRILL, b. 04 Nov 1768, Staten Island, New York; m. JOHN HILLYER; b. 26 Jul 1763, New York.
iii. TABITHA MERRILL, b. 18 Feb 1770, Bull’s Head, Staten Island, New York; m. CAPT. JOHN W. BLAKE; b. 23 Sep 1763, Staten Island, New York.
iv. ABRAHAM MERRILL, b. 01 Aug 1771, Bull’s Head, Staten Island, New York; m. MARY LOVE/ LAKE; b. 09 Feb 1775, New York.
46. v. JONATHAN MERRILL, b. 24 May 1774, Bull’s Head, Staten Island, New York.
24. BENJAMIN5 SWAIM (CATHERINE4 MERRILL, JOHN3, RICHARD2, DE MERLE1) was born 16 Sep 1746, and died 09 Apr 1811 in Staten Island, New York. He married (1) MARY MCCLEAN. He married (2) MARTHA MARSHALL 1770 in New York City, New York. She died 16 Jul 1814 in Staten Island, New York.
Notes for BENJAMIN SWAIM:
Benjamin Swaim was baptised September 16 September 1746 at the Dutch Reformed Church, and his sponsor was Elizabeth Sweem. He is buried at St. Andrew’s Cemetery, Staten Island.
Benjamin Swaim was a Weaver - listed as such in a 1785 deed and he was further andlater listed as a farmer.
Benjamiin’s will, File #144, Liber A p 414, dated 26 July 1810, and probated 20 April 1811, Witnesses: Thomas B. Slaght, Nocholas Crocheron and Richard Jackson:
BENJAMIN SWAIM, Westfield, to my wife Martha Swaim, as much household furniture as she may choose, etc. To my daughters Martha and Fanny #36. To my son Benjamin, $40, to my son Marshall 2 ½ acres of land by road leading from Woodrow to Old Blazing Star Ferry, S by Said Marchall Swaim’s land, by John Latourette, dec. also a tract by land of John Staght’s 7 ½ acres; to Benjamin 23 ¼ acres on same road by Marshall’s Land; also tract below road by John Stillwell;s. I give the pews in Northside and Richmond churches to all my children. My sons shall pay off the bond to my father-in-law, John Marshall. Remainder to my daughters.
Executors 00 sons, Marshall and Benjamin and Capt. Nicholas Bargher.
More About BENJAMIN SWAIM:
Burial: Apr 1811, Staten Island, New York
More About MARTHA MARSHALL:
Burial: Jul 1814, Staten Island, New York
More About BENJAMIN SWAIM and MARTHA MARSHALL:
Marriage: 1770, New York City, New York
Children of BENJAMIN SWAIM and MARTHA MARSHALL are:
i. BENJAMIN6 SWAIM, JR..
ii. MARTHA SWAIM, m. ISAAC COLE.
iii. FRANCES SWAIM, m. HENRY BUTLER.
iv. SUSANNAH SWAIM, m. JOHN MARSHALL.
v. MARGARET SWAIM, m. JOHN SIMONSON.
25. ABRAHAM5 MERRILL (JOHN4, JOHN3, RICHARD2, DE MERLE1) was born 07 Jan 1769, and died May 1813. He married ANNIE MERRILL. She was born 20 Feb 1774.
Children of ABRAHAM MERRILL and ANNIE MERRILL are:
i. HANNAH MARIA6 MERRILL, m. PETER BRAISTED.
ii. WILLIAM MERRILL, m. CHARLOTTE ANNIE LETTS.
47. iii. ABRAHAM MERRILL, JR., b. 21 Aug 1794, Staten Island, New York; d. 18 Oct 1862.
48. iv. CORNELIUS M. MERRILL, b. 24 Sep 1799, Staten Island, New York.
26. ISAAC5 MERRILL (JOHN4, JOHN3, RICHARD2, DE MERLE1) was born 06 Aug 1786 in New York, and died 09 Feb 1833. He married MARY MERRILL, daughter of JONATHAN MERRILL and MRS. WHEELER. She was born 17 Oct 1787 in New York.
Children of ISAAC MERRILL and MARY MERRILL are:
i. ISAAC L.6 MERRILL, m. ANN AMELIA CLARK.
ii. JACOB MERRILL, m. CHARITY MERRILL.
iii. ELIZABETH MERRILL.
27. BENJAMIN5 MERRILL (WILLIAM4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 02 Dec 1752 in Hopewell, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, and died 10 May 1836 in Rowan County, North Carolina. He married PENELOPE (ELLIEN) MERRILL 04 Feb 1778 in Rowan County, North Carolina, daughter of CAPTAIN MERRILL and JEMIMA SMITH. She was born 1759 in Jersey Settlement, Rowan Co., North Carolina, and died 1830 in Rowan County, North Carolina.
Notes for BENJAMIN MERRILL:
Benjamin Merrill was born in Hopewell, grew up on his father’s plantation which was close to that of Captain Benjamin Merrill. Of his childhood we know very little, but at the age of 24 he enlisted in the army and served throughout the Revolution.
enlisted abt 1 Mar 1776 while residing in Guilford Co., NC; served abt 6 wks as a private in Capt. John Collier’s NC co
moved to Yourk district SC; enlisted there Aug 1776 served as a private in Capt John Anderson’s co, Thos Neel’s reg of SC Troops
on 19 Sep 1776 engaged in a battle with the Indians at the head of the TN river; discharged Oct 1776, having served about 2 mos
enlisted Feb 1779, served as a private in Capt. Wm McCulloch’s Co, Col Neel’s SC Reg; was in the battle of Brier Creek
Enlisted Mar 1780, served as a private in Capt Moffet’s co., Col Wm Bratton’s SC Reg discharged late May 1780 served 2 mos
Enlisted Sept 1780, etc.
In Nov 1780 he moved to Randolph Co NC and in 1798 to Cane Creek, Buncombe Co NC, where he was residing when he was allowed pension on his application executed 14 Oct 1833. It is not stated that this soldier was ever married. Contrary to the above record we do know that Benjamin was married on 4 Feb 1778 to his cousin Penelpe Merrill, the dau of Capt Benj and Jemima Merrill. She was born prior to her family’s arrival in Rowan or soon thereafter.
They settled on the edge of Rowan Co and remained there until 1798, at which time they sold their property and began a westward journey into the Blue Ridge mtsn. In 1799 just 14 yrs after the first settlement in Buncombe Co, Benj and Penelope and their family of 12 children came to Cane Creek and started a settlement there. They were joined by his brother John and his family, Anna and Boyd McCrary and their family. They all acquired land on Cane Creek not far below Fairview and started a colony of Merrills and their kindred. Within a few years Benj and Penelope’s family had increased to 15 children.
Abstract of Rev War Pension Files. S8891. Benj Merrell, NC & SC Line.
Soldier was b 2 Dec 1752 in Hunterdon Co NJ & he lived in Guilford Co NC at enlistment, & later moved to York District SC & also served there. In Nov 1780 he moved to Randolph Co NC & in 1798 he moved to Buncombe Co NC where he applied 14 Oct 1833.
In 1833 soldier’s brother John Merrell made an affidavit in Buncombe Co NC
The Merrills were very anti-British. Benjamin joined the fight for American independence, enlisting on about March 1, 1776, as a private in Captain John Collier’s North Carolina Company. He srved for about six weeks, and then moved to York District, South Carolina, where he enlisted in August of 1776. He served as a private in Captain John Anderson’s company of South Carolina troops and in a regiment commanded by Thomas Neel. On September 19, 1776, Merrill fought in a battle with the Cherokee at the head of the Tennessee River. He was discharged the following month, and then went back to North Carolina, where he soon married.
Benjamin reenlisted in February 1779 as a private in Captain William McCulloch’s company of Colonel Neel’s South Carolina regiment, and he was at the Battle of Brier Creek. In March of 1780, he enlisted yet again, this time as a private in Captain Moffett’s company of Colonel William Bratton’s regiment. He was discharged in May 1780, but in September of that year he enlisted one more time, in Captaim McCormury’s Company. After srving six weeks, Merrill moved to Randolph County, North Carolina, in November.
On February 4, 1778, Benjamin married his first cousin Penelope (Eileen) Merrill. Her parents, Capt. Benjamin and Jemima Smith Merrill, had moved to North Carolina from Hopewell, New Jersey, around 1756, and Penelope was born either just before or just after they moved. Her father purchased 1042 acres in Rowan (now Davidson0 County on the north side of the Yadkin River in 1760. He was a farmer and became a prosperous man. He became a Captain in the Rowan County militia and a leader of the Regulators. This was a group of North Carolina men who were opposed to the unjust rule of the British and their greedy, lying, thief of a governor, William Tryon. Penelope’s fther was one of a group of men Governor Tryon rounded up to be tried at Hillsborough in Orange County. Tryon’s judge sentenced Merrill to death, ordring him “to be hanged by the neck that you be cut down while yet alive, that your bowels be taken out and burn before your face, that your head be cut off, your body divided into four quarters, and be at his Majesty’s disposal.” This execution occured June 17, 1771, and Merrill’s wife and all his children, including Penelope were required to watch it.
In late 1782 or early 1783, the British raided the home of Benjamin Merrill’s parents while Ben and his brother John were out hunting. The British split the tongue of his Mother, Mary (Cornell) with a knife and carried off his aged father, William, and presumably killed him, since he was never seen or heard of again. Thus the fathers of both Benjamin and his wife were murdered by the British.
Benjamin and Penelope lived on their farm on the Rowan-Randolph County until 1798. Many of their neighbors had been moving to Fairview since the early 1790’s, and the Merrills joined in the migration in 1798, along with Benjamin’s brother John and his wife, Catherine and Penelope’s sister Anna and her husband, Boyd McCrary.
More About BENJAMIN MERRILL:
Burial: May 1836, Rowan County, North Carolina
More About PENELOPE (ELLIEN) MERRILL:
Burial: 1830, Rowan County, North Carolina
More About BENJAMIN MERRILL and PENELOPE MERRILL:
Marriage: 04 Feb 1778, Rowan County, North Carolina
Children of BENJAMIN MERRILL and PENELOPE MERRILL are:
i. NANCY6 MERRILL, b. 23 May 1779, Randolph County, North Carolina; m. CRUMM.
49. ii. WILLIAM MERRILL, b. 06 Mar 1781, Randolph County, North Carolina; d. 1858.
iii. JAIN MERRILL, b. 01 Nov 1782, Randolph County, North Carolina; m. DAVID MORROW.
iv. NIMROD MERRILL, b. 14 Jun 1784, Randolph County, North Carolina; d. Rusk, Texas.
More About NIMROD MERRILL:
Burial: Rusk, Texas
v. PENELOPE MERRILL, b. 17 Jan 1786, Randolph County, North Carolina; m. PETER SHEPPARD.
50. vi. ELI MERRILL, b. 29 Oct 1787, Randolph County, North Carolina; d. 26 Dec 1849, Dallas County, Texas.
vii. MARY MERRILL, b. 03 Jul 1789, Randolph County, North Carolina.
viii. JEMIMA MERRILL, b. 04 Aug 1791, Randolph County, North Carolina; m. WILLIAM KINCAID.
ix. ELIZABETH MERRILL, b. 03 Jun 1793, Randolph County, North Carolina.
51. x. BENJAMIN MERRILL, JR., b. 22 Feb 1795, Randolph County, North Carolina; d. Lamar district, Texas.
52. xi. CHARITY MERRILL, b. 20 May 1797, Randolph County, North Carolina.
xii. RACHEL MERRILL, b. 11 Dec 1798, Buncombe County, North Carolina; d. Abt. 1864, Crab Creek, Henderson County, North Carolina; m. ALEXANDER MCCALL.
More About RACHEL MERRILL:
Burial: Abt. 1864, Crab Creek, Henderson County, North Carolina
53. xiii. DAVID MERRILL, b. 26 May 1801, Buncombe County, North Carolina; d. 13 Mar 1833.
54. xiv. JONATHAN MERRILL, b. 26 May 1801, Buncombe County, North Carolina; d. 13 May 1874.
55. xv. LEVI MERRILL, b. 08 Oct 1803, Buncombe County, North Carolina.
28. RACHEL5 MERRILL (WILLIAM4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 1754 in Rowan, North Carolina, and died Bet. 1834 - 1840 in Randolph, North Carolina. She married ANDREW FOUTS, SR. 1774 in Guilford, North Caolina. He was born 06 Apr 1751 in Pipe Creek, Frederick, Maryland, and died 1834 in Tabernacle Twp., Randolph County, North Carolina.
More About RACHEL MERRILL:
Burial: Randolph, North Carolina
More About ANDREW FOUTS, SR.:
Burial: 1834, Tabernacle Twp., Randolph County, North Carolina
More About ANDREW FOUTS and RACHEL MERRILL:
Marriage: 1774, Guilford, North Caolina
Children of RACHEL MERRILL and ANDREW FOUTS are:
i. MARY6 FOUTS, b. 1776.
ii. SUSANNA FOUTS, b. 1778; m. ISAAC MORGAN.
iii. DAVID FOUTS, b. 13 Apr 1780, Randolph, North Carolina; m. (1) MARTHA PARR, 21 Mar 1799; m. (2) LAVINIA TATLOCK, Aft. 1800.
More About DAVID FOUTS and MARTHA PARR:
Marriage: 21 Mar 1799
More About DAVID FOUTS and LAVINIA TATLOCK:
Marriage: Aft. 1800
iv. ANDREW FOUTS, b. 1782.
v. NOAH FOUTS, b. 25 Jul 1785, Randolph, North Carolina; d. 09 Apr 1866, Shelby, Indiana; m. JANE WRIGHT.
More About NOAH FOUTS:
Burial: Apr 1866, Shelby, Indiana
vi. CATHERINE FOUTS, b. 1791, Randolph County, North Carolina; d. 1852, Lawrence, Indiana; m. JOHN ALLEN.
More About CATHERINE FOUTS:
Burial: 1852, Lawrence, Indiana
vii. PENELOPE FOUTS, b. 1798, Randolph County, North Carolina; d. Nov 1842, Randolph County, North Carolina.
More About PENELOPE FOUTS:
Burial: Nov 1842, Randolph County, North Carolina
viii. WILLIAM FOUTS, b. 1802, Randolph County, North Carolina.
29. DANIEL T.5 MERRILL (WILLIAM4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 07 May 1755 in Hopewell Twp. Mercer County, New Jersey, and died 11 Mar 1844 in Randolph, North Carolina. He married (1) ELIZABETH LYTLE 16 Jul 1783 in Randolph County, North Carolina, daughter of HENRY LYTLE and MARGARET HARMON. She was born 1763 in North Carolina, and died 1810 in Randolph, North Carolina. He married (2) RACHEL WARD 20 Jun 1816 in Randolph County, North Carolina. She died Aug 1817. He married (3) MARGARET WARWICK 05 Jan 1818. She was born 10 Nov 1770, and died 23 Apr 1837. He married (4) HANNAH BISHOP 21 Dec 1837 in Randolph County, North Carolina.
More About DANIEL T. MERRILL:
Burial: Mar 1844, Randolph, North Carolina
More About ELIZABETH LYTLE:
Burial: 1810, Randolph, North Carolina
More About DANIEL MERRILL and ELIZABETH LYTLE:
Marriage: 16 Jul 1783, Randolph County, North Carolina
More About DANIEL MERRILL and RACHEL WARD:
Marriage: 20 Jun 1816, Randolph County, North Carolina
More About DANIEL MERRILL and MARGARET WARWICK:
Marriage: 05 Jan 1818
More About DANIEL MERRILL and HANNAH BISHOP:
Marriage: 21 Dec 1837, Randolph County, North Carolina
Children of DANIEL MERRILL and ELIZABETH LYTLE are:
56. i. LYTLE6 MERRILL, b. 25 May 1784; d. 18 Apr 1834, Davidson County, North Carolina.
ii. MARY MERRILL, b. 31 Jan 1786.
iii. MARTHA MERRILL, b. 10 Aug 1789.
iv. ROSANA MERRILL, b. 09 Jul 1793.
57. v. ZAZA C. MERRILL, b. 23 May 1795, Randolph County, North Carolina; d. 18 Aug 1839, Osage County, Missouro.
58. vi. JESSE MERRILL, b. 04 May 1797; d. 29 Sep 1866.
30. JOHN5 MERRILL (WILLIAM4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 24 Jul 1757 in Hopewell Twp. Mercer County, New Jersey, and died 1833 in Buncombe, North Carolina. He married CATHERINE RHODES 1780 in Buncombe County,. She was born 20 Oct 1760.
More About JOHN MERRILL:
Burial: 1833, Buncombe, North Carolina
More About JOHN MERRILL and CATHERINE RHODES:
Marriage: 1780, Buncombe County,
Children of JOHN MERRILL and CATHERINE RHODES are:
i. SARAH6 MERRILL, b. 05 Sep 1784; m. JOSEPH GARREN.
59. ii. WILLIAM MERRILL, b. 14 Oct 1785, Buncombe County, North Carolina; d. 1809, Buncombe County, North Carolina.
60. iii. JACOB MERRILL, b. 14 Oct 1785, Buncombe County, North Carolina.
iv. ANDREW MERRILL, b. 02 Jun 1788.
v. SUSANNAH MERRILL, b. 29 Oct 1791; m. OWEN.
61. vi. JOHN MERRILL, b. 17 Mar 1793; d. 09 Dec 1876.
vii. MARY MERRILL, b. 06 Feb 1796; m. JIMMY MAXWELL.
viii. ELIZABETH MERRILL, b. 11 Mar 1798; m. RICHARD ROBERTS.
ix. CATHERINE MERRILL, b. 09 Nov 1800; m. A. EDDNEY.
x. NANCY MERRILL, b. 29 Apr 1802; m. MATHEW PATTON.
xi. JOSEPH MERRILL, b. 06 Jan 1807; m. BYERS.
31. SAMUEL5 MERRILL (CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 1748 in Rowan County, North Carolina, and died 1803 in Rowan County, North Carolina. He married SUSANNAH Abt. 1774 in Rowan County, North Carolina.
Notes for SAMUEL MERRILL:
Samuel, the eldest son of Benjamin and Jemima Merrill, was born in New Jersey about 1748. He was still a child when his parents started to the south. He was brought up on his Father’s plantation in the Jersey Settlement and after his father’s death he received the plantation. It is presumed that he carried on the agricultural pursuits of his father, and at the same time practiced the art of weaving in which he was a master. He lived until about 1803. In his will (Will book G. page 5. Rowan County) which was probated in 1803 he mentioned his wife Sussanah, sons, Benjamin Smith, and Azaariah, and daughters Jemima Yarborough and Sarah. From old Bible records we find that there was another daughter named Betty. All of his official papers were signed Samuel
In the Revolutionary Army accounts of North Carolina, Sam Merrill is listed in the Salisbury District as being on of those who turned in his service certificate amounty to 7-19-11 and dated Sept. 13, 1782, on account of special certificate paid into the comptroller’s office by John Armstrong. He received this pay in land on April 22, 1784. In the accounts of the United States with North Carolina during the time between June and September, 1781, Samuel Merrill is paid for provisions he furnished the army. These two accounts clearly show his actions during the trying period of the Revolution.
Practically all the Merrills in Rowan and closely adjoing counties are descendents of Samuel through his son Azariah, who married Miss Abigail Frost and lived on the old Captain Merrill Home place.
More About SAMUEL MERRILL:
Burial: 1803, Rowan Co., or Randolph Co., North Carolina
More About SAMUEL MERRILL and SUSANNAH:
Marriage: Abt. 1774, Rowan County, North Carolina
Children of SAMUEL MERRILL and SUSANNAH are:
i. BENJAMIN SMITH6 MERRILL, b. 10 Sep 1774; d. Sep 1849, Jennings Co., Indiana.
ii. BETTY MERRILL, b. 02 May 1776.
62. iii. AZARIAH MERRILL, b. 20 May 1777, Rowan Co., or Randolph Co., North Carolina; d. 25 Jan 1844, Rowan , North Carolina.
63. iv. JEMIMA MERRILL, b. 06 Oct 1782, Davidson County, North Carolina.
v. SARAH (SALLY) MERRILL, b. 15 Jul 1784; d. 16 Sep 1846, Washington County, Indiana; m. JOHN GOSS, 21 Jan 1804, Rowan, North Carolina.
More About SARAH (SALLY) MERRILL:
Burial: Sep 1846, Washington County, Indiana
More About JOHN GOSS and SARAH MERRILL:
Marriage: 21 Jan 1804, Rowan, North Carolina
32. JOHN5 MERRILL (CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 11 Dec 1750 in Jersey Settlement, Rowan County, North Carolina, and died 16 Oct 1838 in Monroe County, Missouri/ Mississippi. He married MARY WISEMAN 20 Jan 1773 in Rowan County, North Carolina. She was born Abt. 1750, and died Abt. 1818 in Franklin County, Georgia.
Notes for JOHN MERRILL:
An account of John, the second son of Captain Benjamin and Jemima Merrill, will be found in the chapter on “The Merrills of Georgia.’
He was a Lt. in the Revolutionary War. He was a blacksmith and farmer. He resided in Wilkes and Hancock County, Georgia.
He served several years in the Revolution and was a Lieutenant in a light horse company after 1780. He was in Georgia by 1787, where bounty land for Revolutionary service was available in Wilkes County, then lived for a while in Hancock County and in Franklin County, Georgia, where his wife died about 1818. He went with son James to Monroe County, Mississippi in 1819.
In 1828 John Merrill applied for Revolutionary War pension.
More About JOHN MERRILL:
Burial: Oct 1838, Monroe County,Missouri/ Mississippi
More About MARY WISEMAN:
Burial: Abt. 1818, Franklin County, Georgia
More About JOHN MERRILL and MARY WISEMAN:
Marriage: 20 Jan 1773, Rowan County, North Carolina
Children of JOHN MERRILL and MARY WISEMAN are:
i. THOMAS6 MERRILL.
64. ii. JOHN MERRILL, JR., b. 1774; d. 13 Apr 1846, Kentucky.
iii. JEMIMA MERRILL, b. 1775; m. ENOS MERSHON, 1795, Sparta, Georgia.
More About ENOS MERSHON and JEMIMA MERRILL:
Marriage: 1795, Sparta, Georgia
iv. JAMES MERRILL, b. 1778.
v. GEORGE MERRILL, b. 1782.
vi. RACHEL MERRILL, b. 1786.
vii. ELIZABETH MERRILL, b. 1787; m. JAMES S. LYNER, 28 Jul 1806.
More About JAMES LYNER and ELIZABETH MERRILL:
Marriage: 28 Jul 1806
65. viii. BENJAMIN SMITH MERRILL, b. 18 Apr 1792, Georgia; d. 25 Sep 1853, Carroll County, Mississippi.
33. ANDREW5 MERRILL (CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 1752 in Jersey Settlement, Rowan co., North Carolina, and died Bet. 1826 - 1829 in Giles County, Tennessee. He married (1) NANCY. He married (2) RACHEL WISEMAN 21 Jan 1773. She was born Abt. 1744 in Berks County, Pennsylvania, and died Aft. 1790.
Notes for ANDREW MERRILL:
An account of Andrew, the third son of Captain Benjamin and Jemima Merrill will be found in the chapters on “The Merrills of Mississippi.” and the “The Merrills of Madison Co.
More About ANDREW MERRILL:
Burial: Bet. 1826 - 1829, Giles County, Tennessee
More About ANDREW MERRILL and RACHEL WISEMAN:
Marriage: 21 Jan 1773
Children of ANDREW MERRILL and RACHEL WISEMAN are:
i. JOHN6 MERRILL.
ii. MINSY MERRILL, m. WILLIAM JONES, 1805, Rowan County, North Carolina.
More About WILLIAM JONES and MINSY MERRILL:
Marriage: 1805, Rowan County, North Carolina
iii. NANCY MERRILL, m. DANIEL GARRETT, 27 Feb 1802.
More About DANIEL GARRETT and NANCY MERRILL:
Marriage: 27 Feb 1802
iv. RACHEL MERRILL.
v. WILLIAM MERRILL.
66. vi. BENJAMIN WISEMAN MERRILL, b. Abt. 1775, Rowan County, North Carolina; d. 1829, Lincoln County, Tennessee.
67. vii. ABNER MERRILL, b. 1778.
68. viii. ELIZABETH MERRILL, b. Abt. 1780.
69. ix. ANDREW MERRILL, JR., b. 1785.
34. WILLIAM5 MERRILL (CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 1754 in Jersey Settlement, Rowan co., North Carolina, and died 28 Jul 1803 in Alabama. He married SALLY HADEN 30 Apr 1778 in Goochland Co., Virginia. She was born Abt. 1754, and died Aft. 1830 in Carroll, Tennessee.
Notes for WILLIAM MERRILL:
From the book: Captain Benjamin Merrill and the Merrill Family of North Carolina
by William Ernest Merrill, M.S.
William, the fourth son of Captain Benjamin and Jemima Merrill, married Miss Sally Haden, daughter of William Haden. On July 28, 1803, William Merrill and wife Sally and his son, Timothy Merrill, let John Burkhart, all of Rowan County, have eighty-seven acres on Swearing Creek, next to Benjamin Merrill and John Clafer. Timothy married Elizabeth Bradshaw, daughter of Robert Bradshaw. We have been unable to find any of the descendants of Wlliam and Sally Merrill.
William Merrill served as a drummer under Captain David Smith and Col. Griffith rutherford in the First Regiment of rowan Militia between August, 1775, and the spring of 1776.
More About WILLIAM MERRILL:
Burial: Jul 1803, Alabama
More About WILLIAM MERRILL and SALLY HADEN:
Marriage: 30 Apr 1778, Goochland Co., Virginia
Children of WILLIAM MERRILL and SALLY HADEN are:
70. i. TIMOTHY6 MERRILL, b. 21 Apr 1778.
ii. PEGGY HADEN MERRILL, b. 04 Feb 1780.
iii. BETSY SMITH MERRILL, b. 26 Sep 1782.
iv. DOUGLAS MERRILL, b. 12 Nov 1787.
35. NANCY5 MERRILL (CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 1756 in Jersey Settlement, Rowan County, North Carolina, and died 28 Jun 1837. She married (1) CAPT. JOSEPH CLARK. He was born Abt. 1756 in Randolph County, North Carolina, and died Abt. 1792. She married (2) BENJAMIN MENDENHALL. He was born 01 Jan 1765 in Guilford County, North Carolina.
Children of NANCY MERRILL and CAPT. CLARK are:
i. HANNAH6 CLARK, b. 04 Sep 1779, Randolph County, North Carolina; m. JAMES ELDER; b. 04 Mar 1766, Randolph County, North Carolina.
ii. NANCY CLARK, b. 26 Oct 1788, Randolph County, North Carolina; m. SOLOMON BLAIR.
iii. DAUGHTER CLARK, b. Abt. 1790.
iv. JANE CLARK, b. Abt. 1792, Randolph County, North Carolina; m. JOHN BROWN.
Children of NANCY MERRILL and BENJAMIN MENDENHALL are:
v. CHARITY6 MENDENHALL, b. 01 Jan 1794; m. WILLIAM GRAY.
vi. RACHEL MENDENHALL, b. Abt. 1798, Randolph County, North Carolina; m. JOHN JOHNSON.
vii. MARGARET MENDENHALL, b. 05 Oct 1800, Randolph County, North Carolina; m. JAMES LEACH; b. 05 Feb 1798, Trinity, Randolph County, North Carolina.
viii. ALFRED MENDENHALL, b. 19 Jul 1804; m. MARTHA HAYWORTH.
36. NANCY ANNA5 MERRILL (CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 1754 in Rowan County, North Carolina, and died Bef. 07 Mar 1828 in Howard County, Missouri. She married BOYD MCCRARY 1780 in Rowan County, North Carolina, son of HUGH MCCRARY and SUSANNAH WHITAKER. He was born Abt. 1754 in Rowan Co., North Carolina, and died 14 Oct 1819 in Buncombe County, North Carolina.
Notes for NANCY ANNA MERRILL:
Nancy Anna Merrill’s parents Capt. Benjamin and Jemima Smith Merrill moved from New Jersey to Rowan County, North Carolina just before she was born. Nancy (Merrill) McCrary died prior to March 7, 1828 in Howard County, Missouri, for on that date her son Benjamin McCrary was appointed as administrator of her estate, with Elijah McCrary and William Cornett serving as his securities. A certified copy of Boyd McCrary’s will and probate was prepared by the Buncombe County, North Carolina Clerk of Court on November 8, 1832, and recorded in Howard County, Missouri on July 13, 1833, many years after his death, as a result of a court case between James McCrary and Benjamin McCrary concerning a slave issue.
More About NANCY ANNA MERRILL:
Burial: 1833, Howard County, Missouri
Notes for BOYD MCCRARY:
BOYD McCRARY
Boyd McCrary was born about 1750-1755 probably in Rowan (now Davidson) County, North Carolina, the son of Hugh McCrary and Susannah Whitaker. Prior to May 9, 1777, he married Anna Nancy MERRILL, daughter of Captain BENJAMIN MERRILL and wife Jemima Smith. On February 5, 1778, he was appointed guardianof his brothr-in-law JONATHAN MERRILL. In his father’s will dated February 14, 1785 he received 249 acres of land on which he was then living. He was also appointed executor of the will, along with his brother John McCrary. About 1798 McCrary and his wife, along with brother-in-law BENJAMIN MERRILL and his wife Penelope, migrated from Rowan County, North Carolina to Buncombe County, North Carolina, settling on Cane Creek in the vicinity of present day Fairview, North Carolina. On September 17, 1799, Boyd McCrary obtained 320 acres from William Wilson on Cane Creek in Buncombe County, North Carolina (Buncombe Co. Deed Book 5, p. 43). McCrary was evidently still holding lands in Rowan County after his migration, for on February 12, 1800, he acquired 59 acres on Swearing Creek from John McCrary (Rowan Co. Deed Book 17, p 378). He resold the land on February 13, 1800 to Jacob Wagoner of Rowan County (Rowan Co. Deed Book 18, p. 246). On January 14, 1805, the heirs of Hugh and Susannah McCrary brought a suit against Boyd and John McCrary, executors of the estate. The case contains several answers filed by Boyd McCrary during the August Term of Court in 1805.
Boyd McCrary devised his will in Buncombe County, North Carolina on October 18, 1815, appointing his wife Nancy and his son James McCrary as his executors. The will was witnessed by John Whitaker, ANDREW MERRILL, BENJAMIN MERRILL, and Joseph Henry. In September, 1818, he conveyed 170 acres in Buncombe County, North Carolina to his son James McCrary, the tract being a part of the land originally purchased in 1799, (Buncombe County Deed Book 12, p. 144). Boyd McCrary apparently died prior to March 32, 1819 in Buncombe County, North Carolina, for on that date his will was probated. Boyd McCrary may possibly be buried in an unmarked grave in Cane Creek Cemetery, Fairview, North Carolina. Following Boyd’s death, his widow Nancy along with various children migrated to Howard and Davies County, Missouri. This may have occurred about 1823, for on August 12, 1823, Benjamin and Elijah McCrary of Howard County, Missouri sold land in Buncombe County to James and John McCrary (Buncombe Co., Deed Book 6, p. 24).
More About BOYD MCCRARY and NANCY MERRILL:
Marriage: 1780, Rowan County, North Carolina
Children of NANCY MERRILL and BOYD MCCRARY are:
71. i. WILLIAM6 MCCRARY, b. Abt. 1775, Rowan County, North Carolina; d. Bef. 18 Oct 1815, Rowan Co., North Carolina.
72. ii. HUGH MCCRARY, b. Abt. 1777, Rowan County, North Carolina.
iii. ELEANOR MCCRARY, b. Abt. 1779, Rowan Co., or Randolph Co., North Carolina; m. JOHN MACKEY, 20 Mar 1795, Rowan County, North Carolina; b. Abt. 1779.
More About JOHN MACKEY and ELEANOR MCCRARY:
Marriage: 20 Mar 1795, Rowan County, North Carolina
iv. PHOBE MCCRARY, b. Abt. 1780, Rowan County, North Carolina; m. (1) THOMAS BURTON; b. Abt. 1771; m. (2) ZEBULON BREVARD, JR..
v. ELIJAH MCCRARY, b. 1783, Rowan County, North Carolina; d. 22 Dec 1863, Honey Grove, Fannin County, Texas Bourland Cemetery; m. (1) ELIZABETH KIMZEY; m. (2) ELIZABETH YATES; m. (3) EMANDY WILSON, 07 Jun 1846, Andrews County, Missouri.
More About ELIJAH MCCRARY and EMANDY WILSON:
Marriage: 07 Jun 1846, Andrews County, Missouri
vi. BENJAMIN MCCRARY, b. 12 Nov 1785, Rowan County, North Carolina; d. 30 Sep 1878, Howard County, Missouri; m. (1) MARY COLEMAN; b. 08 Mar 1788; d. 15 Nov 1838; m. (2) EMANDY WILSON; b. 26 Mar 1814, Randolph County, Missouri; d. 26 May 1889, Osage Mission, Kansas.
73. vii. JOSEPH JOEL MCCRARY, b. 1787, Rowan County, North Carolina.
74. viii. JAMES BOYD MCCRARY, b. 09 Mar 1793, Rowan County, North Carolina; d. 22 Aug 1835, Davies County, Missouri McCrary Cemetery.
75. ix. JOHN MCCRARY, b. 09 Mar 1793, Rowan County, North Carolina; d. Gentry County, Missouri Carter Cemetery.
x. SUSANNA MCCRARY, b. 1795, Howard County, Missouri.
76. xi. NANCY MCCRARY, b. 1792, Buncombe County, North Carolina; d. Abt. 1837, Merrellsville, Marion County, Missouri.
37. PENELOPE (ELLIEN)5 MERRILL (CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 1759 in Jersey Settlement, Rowan Co., North Carolina, and died 1830 in Rowan County, North Carolina. She married BENJAMIN MERRILL 04 Feb 1778 in Rowan County, North Carolina, son of WILLIAM MERRILL and MARY CORNELL. He was born 02 Dec 1752 in Hopewell, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, and died 10 May 1836 in Rowan County, North Carolina.
More About PENELOPE (ELLIEN) MERRILL:
Burial: 1830, Rowan County, North Carolina
Notes for BENJAMIN MERRILL:
Benjamin Merrill was born in Hopewell, grew up on his father’s plantation which was close to that of Captain Benjamin Merrill. Of his childhood we know very little, but at the age of 24 he enlisted in the army and served throughout the Revolution.
enlisted abt 1 Mar 1776 while residing in Guilford Co., NC; served abt 6 wks as a private in Capt. John Collier’s NC co
moved to Yourk district SC; enlisted there Aug 1776 served as a private in Capt John Anderson’s co, Thos Neel’s reg of SC Troops
on 19 Sep 1776 engaged in a battle with the Indians at the head of the TN river; discharged Oct 1776, having served about 2 mos
enlisted Feb 1779, served as a private in Capt. Wm McCulloch’s Co, Col Neel’s SC Reg; was in the battle of Brier Creek
Enlisted Mar 1780, served as a private in Capt Moffet’s co., Col Wm Bratton’s SC Reg discharged late May 1780 served 2 mos
Enlisted Sept 1780, etc.
In Nov 1780 he moved to Randolph Co NC and in 1798 to Cane Creek, Buncombe Co NC, where he was residing when he was allowed pension on his application executed 14 Oct 1833. It is not stated that this soldier was ever married. Contrary to the above record we do know that Benjamin was married on 4 Feb 1778 to his cousin Penelpe Merrill, the dau of Capt Benj and Jemima Merrill. She was born prior to her family’s arrival in Rowan or soon thereafter.
They settled on the edge of Rowan Co and remained there until 1798, at which time they sold their property and began a westward journey into the Blue Ridge mtsn. In 1799 just 14 yrs after the first settlement in Buncombe Co, Benj and Penelope and their family of 12 children came to Cane Creek and started a settlement there. They were joined by his brother John and his family, Anna and Boyd McCrary and their family. They all acquired land on Cane Creek not far below Fairview and started a colony of Merrills and their kindred. Within a few years Benj and Penelope’s family had increased to 15 children.
Abstract of Rev War Pension Files. S8891. Benj Merrell, NC & SC Line.
Soldier was b 2 Dec 1752 in Hunterdon Co NJ & he lived in Guilford Co NC at enlistment, & later moved to York District SC & also served there. In Nov 1780 he moved to Randolph Co NC & in 1798 he moved to Buncombe Co NC where he applied 14 Oct 1833.
In 1833 soldier’s brother John Merrell made an affidavit in Buncombe Co NC
The Merrills were very anti-British. Benjamin joined the fight for American independence, enlisting on about March 1, 1776, as a private in Captain John Collier’s North Carolina Company. He srved for about six weeks, and then moved to York District, South Carolina, where he enlisted in August of 1776. He served as a private in Captain John Anderson’s company of South Carolina troops and in a regiment commanded by Thomas Neel. On September 19, 1776, Merrill fought in a battle with the Cherokee at the head of the Tennessee River. He was discharged the following month, and then went back to North Carolina, where he soon married.
Benjamin reenlisted in February 1779 as a private in Captain William McCulloch’s company of Colonel Neel’s South Carolina regiment, and he was at the Battle of Brier Creek. In March of 1780, he enlisted yet again, this time as a private in Captain Moffett’s company of Colonel William Bratton’s regiment. He was discharged in May 1780, but in September of that year he enlisted one more time, in Captaim McCormury’s Company. After srving six weeks, Merrill moved to Randolph County, North Carolina, in November.
On February 4, 1778, Benjamin married his first cousin Penelope (Eileen) Merrill. Her parents, Capt. Benjamin and Jemima Smith Merrill, had moved to North Carolina from Hopewell, New Jersey, around 1756, and Penelope was born either just before or just after they moved. Her father purchased 1042 acres in Rowan (now Davidson0 County on the north side of the Yadkin River in 1760. He was a farmer and became a prosperous man. He became a Captain in the Rowan County militia and a leader of the Regulators. This was a group of North Carolina men who were opposed to the unjust rule of the British and their greedy, lying, thief of a governor, William Tryon. Penelope’s fther was one of a group of men Governor Tryon rounded up to be tried at Hillsborough in Orange County. Tryon’s judge sentenced Merrill to death, ordring him “to be hanged by the neck that you be cut down while yet alive, that your bowels be taken out and burn before your face, that your head be cut off, your body divided into four quarters, and be at his Majesty’s disposal.” This execution occured June 17, 1771, and Merrill’s wife and all his children, including Penelope were required to watch it.
In late 1782 or early 1783, the British raided the home of Benjamin Merrill’s parents while Ben and his brother John were out hunting. The British split the tongue of his Mother, Mary (Cornell) with a knife and carried off his aged father, William, and presumably killed him, since he was never seen or heard of again. Thus the fathers of both Benjamin and his wife were murdered by the British.
Benjamin and Penelope lived on their farm on the Rowan-Randolph County until 1798. Many of their neighbors had been moving to Fairview since the early 1790’s, and the Merrills joined in the migration in 1798, along with Benjamin’s brother John and his wife, Catherine and Penelope’s sister Anna and her husband, Boyd McCrary.
More About BENJAMIN MERRILL:
Burial: May 1836, Rowan County, North Carolina
More About BENJAMIN MERRILL and PENELOPE MERRILL:
Marriage: 04 Feb 1778, Rowan County, North Carolina
Children are listed above under (27) Benjamin Merrill.
38. CHARLES5 MERRILL (CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born Nov 1761 in Jersey Settlement, Rowan Co., North Carolina, and died 14 Oct 1822 in Pendleton Co., South Carolina. He married ELIZABETH 23 May 1783 in Rowan County, North Carolina. She died Aft. 25 Sep 1843 in Marshall Co., Alabama.
Notes for CHARLES MERRILL:
Charles, the fifth son of Captain Benjamin Merrill and Jemima Merrill, was born in November, 1761. He served in the Salisbury District Militia during the Revolution and received pay in a land grant on March 24, 1784. He was not in Rowan County when the 1790 census was taken. It is thought that he went to South Carolina.
Rejected Pension NC R7126
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.
From Dallas, TX Library Mrs. Gandrud V.139 Marshall Co., Alabama
Microfilm #M805 roll 582
Selected Records from Revolutionary War Pension & Bounty Land Warrent Application Files
(From National Archives).
On May 9, 1777, the court ordered Harmon Butner to bring Charles, Elijah and Jonathan, orphans of Benjamin Merrill, into court to be dealt with as the law require. At the next court Charles was bound to his brother John, who was to teach him the art of being a master of the blacksmith trade and when he became of age he was to receive a set of tools, besides what the law required. He was fifteen at the time he was bound to his brother. He served in the Salisbury District Militia during the Revolution and rec’s his pay in a land grant on 24 Mar 1784. He was not in Rowan when the 1790 census was taken. It is thought that he went to Souch Carolina.
Rowan Co. Court Book 4 : 143. 6 Bef 1778. Charles Merrill, orphan of Benj Merrill dec’s, being of lawful age came into court and chose Sam’l Merrill his guardian, who gave Joshiah Rounseval & Henry Strange his security in the sum of L200. Elijah Merrill, orphan of Benj Merrill..ditto..
Pendleton County, South Carolina was formed from Indian Lands in 1789 in the northeast corner of South Carolina. In 1826, Pendleton County was abolished and divided into Anderson and Pickens county. Pickens was divided into Pickens and Oconee County in 1868.
7 May 1777, Jacob Weseman and Robert Moore were asked to arbitrate a matter over the estate of Benjamin Merrill, father of Charles, between his stepfather Harmon Butner and the Merrill children, Samuel, John, Andrew, William, Benjamin, Penelope, Boyd McCreary and Anna who have interest of Charles, Elijah and Johathan. Butner was ordered May 9, 1777 to appear in court with Charles, Elijah and Jonathan, orphans of Captain 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.
Charles, Benjamin, William were in Laurens County, South Carolina in 1790 with 2 males under 16 and 2 females. In 1800 he was in Mudlick Creek, Pendleton District, South Carolina, age 39, with 2 males 2 females (under 10), 1 male (10-16) and 1 females (16-26).
In 1794 Charles Merrill’s grandfather Andrew Smith’s will was proved (Liber 35, Folio 114, Dept. State, Hopewell, New Jersey as follows:
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.
Charles is listed in US Federal Census, Pendleton district, South Carolina 1800.
Charles is mentioned in his mother’s (Jemima Smith Merrill Butner) will dated 7 May 1801
Jemimah Smith Merrell Butner’s will probated in 1803, mentions sons Samuel, the eldest, Andrew, Jonathan, Charles and Elija, daughters Nancy and Elline.
Notes for ELIZABETH:
ELIZABETH MERRILL
Elizabeth ? Merrill was living with her son Benjamin and his wife Margaret in Marshall County, Alabama at the time of her death.
Researched by Don Kirk of Dallas, Texas and Dorris McKinney
Census Alabama 1830 Madison County, Alabama, Enumerated 26 November 1830
Application for Pension from 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.
I 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
I 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 lining 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—
Sworn to and Subscribed before me R. E. Sawyer Justice of the Peace John Cunningham
peace in for the county and State aforesaid this 22nd November 1843 E. Sawer Justice of the peace
Mrs. Gundrud V. 137 Marshall Co., Alabama R 7125 From 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 Merrill 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.
Dallas, Texas Library Micro film #M805 roll 58 Selected Records from Revolutionary War Pension Warrant application Files From National Archives
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
More About ELIZABETH:
Burial: Marshall Co., Alabama
More About CHARLES MERRILL and ELIZABETH:
Marriage: 23 May 1783, Rowan County, North Carolina
Children of CHARLES MERRILL and ELIZABETH are:
i. JAMES6 MERRILL.
ii. JOHN MERRILL.
iii. PETER MERRILL.
iv. WILLIAM MERRILL, b. Abt. 1785.
77. v. BENJAMIN MERRILL, b. 1791, South Carolina; d. 1853, Marshall County, Alabama.
78. vi. ABEL MERRILL, b. 1798, South Carolina; d. 1866, Jasper Co., Misissippi.
39. JOHATHAN5 MERRILL (CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 1767 in Jersey Settlement, Rowan Co., North Carolina, and died Bef. 03 Mar 1849 in Lincoln Co., Tennessee. He married NANCY ELLIOT 25 Sep 1787 in Rowan Co., NC. She was born Sep 1772 in Potts Creek Section, Rowan County, North Carolina, and died Aft. 1840 in Lincoln co., Tennessee.
Notes for JOHATHAN MERRILL:
Jonathan, the youngest son of Captain Benjamin and Jemima Merrill, married on September 25, 1787, Nanct Elliot of the Potts Creek section of Rowan County and settled in this section. They had one son and one daughter when the 1790 census was taken. he was “Captian Merrill” and tax collector for his section from 1809 through 1813. He owned much land and was evidently a man of considerable wealth.
February 1778, Boyd McCreary was appointed guardian of Jonathan Merrill, orphan of Benjamin Merrill, and gave security of 200 pounds.
Boyd was Jonathan’s brother-in-law; some genealogies say John was bound to Boyd in 1777, at age 12 or younger.
He was Capt Merrill, and tax collector for his section from 1809 through 1813. He owned much land and was evidently a man of considerable wealth.
Source: Rowan County Will Book D; Jonathan Merrill was a witness 3 December 1814 to George Reed’s will, and in 1818 was executor of Barnit Cooper’s estate.
Federal Census 1840 Lincoln County, Tennessee
Jno Merrill Sr. with wife, both in their 70’s
More About JOHATHAN MERRILL:
Burial: Mar 1849, Lincoln co., Tennessee
More About NANCY ELLIOT:
Burial: Aft. 1840, Lincoln co., Tennessee
More About JOHATHAN MERRILL and NANCY ELLIOT:
Marriage: 25 Sep 1787, Rowan Co., NC
Children of JOHATHAN MERRILL and NANCY ELLIOT are:
79. i. AMOS6 MERRILL, SR., b. 1788, Rowan County, North Carolina; d. 1869, Shelby Co., Alabama.
ii. ELEANOR (NELLY) MERRILL, b. 01 Nov 1790; d. 03 Mar 1891, Bedford,Moore county, Tennessee; m. JAMES ISAAC WISEMAN, 02 Feb 1808, Rowan County, North Carolina.
More About ELEANOR (NELLY) MERRILL:
Burial: Mar 1891, Bedford, Moore County, Tennessee Gowen Cemetery
More About JAMES WISEMAN and ELEANOR MERRILL:
Marriage: 02 Feb 1808, Rowan County, North Carolina
iii. WILLIAM (ROWAN) MERRILL, b. 03 Aug 1792, Rowan County, North Carolina; d. 1880, Howard County, Arkansas; m. LUCY SMITH, 17 Oct 1814, Rowan County, North Carolina.
More About WILLIAM (ROWAN) MERRILL:
Burial: 1880, Howard County, Arkansas
More About WILLIAM MERRILL and LUCY SMITH:
Marriage: 17 Oct 1814, Rowan County, North Carolina
iv. JONATHAN MERRILL, JR., b. Abt. 1794, Rowan County, North Carolina; m. POLLY COOPER, 24 May 1817, Rowan County, North Carolina.
More About JONATHAN MERRILL and POLLY COOPER:
Marriage: 24 May 1817, Rowan County, North Carolina
v. JANE MERRILL, b. Abt. 1796, Rowan County, North Carolina; d. Bef. 1851; m. CORNELIUS SMITH, 04 Jun 1810, Rowan County, North Carolina.
More About CORNELIUS SMITH and JANE MERRILL:
Marriage: 04 Jun 1810, Rowan County, North Carolina
vi. NANCY MERRILL, b. Abt. 1798, Rowan County, North Carolina; d. Abt. 1840, Lincoln County, Tennessee; m. STERLING H. ABBOTT, 07 Sep 1816, Rowan County, North Carolina; b. Abt. 1796, Rowan County, North Carolina.
More About NANCY MERRILL:
Burial: Abt. 1840, Lincoln County, Tennessee
More About STERLING ABBOTT and NANCY MERRILL:
Marriage: 07 Sep 1816, Rowan County, North Carolina
80. vii. BENJAMIN MERRILL, b. 18 Jan 1802, Rowan County, North Carolina; d. 29 Jan 1855, Texas.
81. viii. JEMIMA MERRILL, b. 08 Apr 1804, Rowan County, North Carolina; d. 09 Nov 1881, Moore County, Tennessee.
ix. MOSES MERRILL, b. 1805.
82. x. MARY MERRILL, b. Abt. 1806, Rowan County, North Carolina.
xi. CYNTHIA MERRILL, b. Abt. 1808, Rowan County, North Carolina; m. BENNET C. RANEY, Tennessee; b. Abt. 1807, South Carolina.
More About BENNET RANEY and CYNTHIA MERRILL:
Marriage: Tennessee
xii. SUSAN MERRILL, b. Abt. 1812, Rowan County, North Carolina; m. THOMAS A. RANEY, Lincoln County, Tennessee.
More About THOMAS RANEY and SUSAN MERRILL:
Marriage: Lincoln County, Tennessee
xiii. PARTHENIA MERRILL, b. Abt. 1814, Rowan County, North Carolina; m. JAMES SMITH; b. 24 Mar 1814; d. 09 Apr 1873.
xiv. MOLLY MERRILL, b. Abt. 1815.
40. ISAAC5 MERRILL (THOMAS4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) He married JANE SKILLMAN.
Child of ISAAC MERRILL and JANE SKILLMAN is:
i. THEODOCIA6 MERRILL.
41. ABRAHAM5 STOUT (RACHEL4 MERRILL, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 26 Jul 1735 in Bound Brook, Somerset, New Jersey, and died 1777 in Hopewell, Hunterdon, New Jersey. He married (1) ELIZABETH HOUGHTON, daughter of THOMAS HOUGHTON. He married (2) ALICE HOUGHTON. He married (3) ANNE STOUT 26 Oct 1775 in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, daughter of JOHN STOUT and MARGARET TAYLOR. She was born 26 Oct 1755 in Hamilton Square, New Jersey.
Notes for ABRAHAM STOUT:
From: “The History of the Stout Family” by Nathan Stout, 1823
Abraham was born in the year 1735. He was married when about twenty-one to Elizabeth Houghton, daughter of Thomas Houghton, by whom he had five children, three sons and two daughters, viz: Solomon, Joab, Ely, Mary and Rachel. He then lost his first wife, and married her sister Alice, by whom he had one son, whom he called John. His second wife died also, after which he married Anne Stout, the daughter of Benjamin Stout, by whom he had one daughter, and in the forty-second year of his age he died also.
From: Pioneers of Old Hopewell by Ralph Ege published by the Hopewell Museum, Hopewell, NJ
Captain Nathan and Moses were officers of distinction, and their older brother Abraham might also have been as prominent had he not been stricken with a fatal illness in the early part of the struggle. Abraham and his son Solomon fought side by side at the battle of White Plains, and they were doubtless both at the battle of Long Island a month previous. At the battle of White Plains October 28, 1776, Solomon was killed by a canon ball, and his father returned home and died soon after at the age of 42. Abraham was a brother-in-law of Captain, afterwards Colonel Joab Houghton, and Abraham and his son were no doubt in Capt. Houghtons’s company in both of the above engagements.
The residence of Abraham Stout was two miles west of the Borough of Hopewell, and stood directly on the Hopewell and Amwell line, now the middle of the old turnpike, a few yards in front of the present residence of Daniel Northrup. The early history of this farm has been given in previous articles, and it was the home of four generations of this Stout family within a period of one hundred and forty years, viz: 1. Abraham, died in 1777; 2. Joab Houghton, died in 1845; 3 Benjamin Bryant, died in 1880; 4. William Schenck Stout. the last of his generation, died in 1904.
More About ABRAHAM STOUT:
Burial: 1777, Hopewell, Hunterdon, New Jersey
More About ABRAHAM STOUT and ANNE STOUT:
Marriage: 26 Oct 1775, Hunterdon County, New Jersey
Children of ABRAHAM STOUT and ELIZABETH HOUGHTON are:
i. SOLOMON6 STOUT.
ii. JOAB STOUT.
iii. RACHEL STOUT.
83. iv. MARY STOUT, b. 30 May 1762, Hopewell, Hunterdon County, New Jersey.
Child of ABRAHAM STOUT and ALICE HOUGHTON is:
v. JOHN6 STOUT.
Child of ABRAHAM STOUT and ANNE STOUT is:
vi. SARAH6 STOUT, b. 1777.
42. ANNE5 STOUT (RACHEL4 MERRILL, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 1739, and died 1810. She married JOHN MANNERS, JR., son of JOHN MANNERS and REBECCA STOUT. He was born 27 Mar 1728 in Amwell, Hunterdon, New Jersey, and died 25 Jun 1806 in Amwell, Hunterdon, New Jersey.
More About JOHN MANNERS, JR.:
Burial: Jun 1806, Amwell, Hunterdon, New Jersey
Children of ANNE STOUT and JOHN MANNERS are:
i. MOSES6 MANNERS.
ii. ABRAHAM MANNERS, b. 1770.
iii. RACHEL MANNERS, b. 1772.
iv. DAVID MANNERS, b. 15 Jun 1777.
43. CAPTAIN NATHAN5 STOUT (RACHEL4 MERRILL, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 31 Jan 1747. He married ESTHER KETCHAM, daughter of JONATHAN KETCHAM.
Children of CAPTAIN STOUT and ESTHER KETCHAM are:
84. i. WILLIAM6 STOUT.
ii. JOHN STOUT, m. (1) HANNAH PRICE; m. (2) ANNE HOLMES.
iii. LEVI STOUT, m. MARY BISHOP.
85. iv. ZEPHENIAH STOUT.
86. v. ROBERT STOUT.
87. vi. MARY STOUT.
vii. SARAH STOUT.
viii. RACHEL STOUT.
88. ix. CATHERINE STOUT.
89. x. RHODA STOUT.
44. MOSES5 STOUT (RACHEL4 MERRILL, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 24 Jun 1750. He married ABIGAIL HART 17 Mar 1773 in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, daughter of JOHN HART and MARY HUNT.
More About MOSES STOUT and ABIGAIL HART:
Marriage: 17 Mar 1773, Hunterdon County, New Jersey
Children of MOSES STOUT and ABIGAIL HART are:
i. JOHN6 STOUT.
ii. ASHER STOUT.
iii. EDWARD STOUT, m. CATHERINE BREES.
90. iv. SIMPSON STOUT.
v. SCUDDER STOUT.
vi. PAMELIA STOUT.
vii. RACHEL STOUT, m. ABRAHAM QUICK.
viii. THEDOSIA STOUT, m. JOHN SCHENCK.
ix. DEBORAH STOUT, m. JOHN HART.
x. SARAH STOUT, m. SIDNEY PRALL.
45. RACHEL5 STOUT (RACHEL4 MERRILL, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 1755. She married ISAAC PRALL.
Children of RACHEL STOUT and ISAAC PRALL are:
i. JOHN6 PRALL.
ii. ZAREUR PRALL.
46. JONATHAN6 MERRILL (LAMBERT5, RICHARD4, RICHARD3, RICHARD2, DE MERLE1) was born 24 May 1774 in Bull’s Head, Staten Island, New York. He married MRS. COMFORT STYLE WHEELER. She was born in New York.
Children of JONATHAN MERRILL and MRS. WHEELER are:
91. i. MARY7 MERRILL, b. 17 Oct 1787, New York.
ii. FLAVIUS JOSEPH STYLES MERRILL, b. 03 Jul 1785; m. ELIZABETH LOW; b. 12 Nov 1785, New York.
47. ABRAHAM6 MERRILL, JR. (ABRAHAM5, JOHN4, JOHN3, RICHARD2, DE MERLE1) was born 21 Aug 1794 in Staten Island, New York, and died 18 Oct 1862. He married ELIZABETH LEE 01 May 1813 in Newburgh, New York. She was born in Fort Lee, New Jersey.
More About ABRAHAM MERRILL and ELIZABETH LEE:
Marriage: 01 May 1813, Newburgh, New York
Children of ABRAHAM MERRILL and ELIZABETH LEE are:
i. ANN7 MERRILL.
ii. ELIZABETH MERRILL.
iii. CHARLOTTE MERRILL.
iv. ABRAHAM MERRILL III.
v. LAVINIA MERRILL.
vi. MARY ELIZABETH MERRILL.
vii. JOHN MERRILL.
viii. JOSEPH CLARK MERRILL, b. 07 Oct 1835.
ix. LEONARD A. MERRILL, b. 10 Oct 1838.
48. CORNELIUS M.6 MERRILL (ABRAHAM5, JOHN4, JOHN3, RICHARD2, DE MERLE1) was born 24 Sep 1799 in Staten Island, New York. He married (1) MARY. He married (2) JOHANNA MASON. She was born 25 Jun 1809. He married (3) ELIZABETH TOTTENVILLE.
Child of CORNELIUS MERRILL and JOHANNA MASON is:
92. i. CORNELIUS C.7 MERRILL, b. 25 Jan 1829, Staten Island, New York; d. 12 May 1892.
49. WILLIAM6 MERRILL (BENJAMIN5, WILLIAM4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 06 Mar 1781 in Randolph County, North Carolina, and died 1858. He married ELIZABETH ASHWORTH. She was born 07 Sep 1785, and died May 1853.
More About WILLIAM MERRILL:
Burial: 1858
More About ELIZABETH ASHWORTH:
Burial: May 1853
Children of WILLIAM MERRILL and ELIZABETH ASHWORTH are:
i. JESSE7 MERRILL, b. 27 Jun 1804; d. 1833; m. SUSAN HUGGINS.
ii. NANCY MERRILL, b. 06 Aug 1805; d. Dec 1843; m. STEPHEN SHIPMAN; b. Abt. 1804.
iii. NELLIE MERRILL, b. 01 Nov 1806; m. SAMUEL ALLISON.
iv. MARY MERRILL, b. 07 Jan 1808; m. DAVID BARNETT.
v. ELIZABETH MERRILL, b. 09 Apr 1809; m. JOSEPH SHIPMAN; b. 03 Nov 1804; d. 13 Apr 1890, North Carolina.
vi. MARGARET MERRILL, b. 16 Jun 1811; m. JESSE ASHWORTH.
vii. SARAH MERRILL, b. 27 Aug 1813; m. PORTER KILPATRICK.
viii. RACHEL MERRILL, b. 15 Sep 1815; m. CHARLES JUSTIS.
ix. MARTHA MERRILL, b. 15 Sep 1815; m. CHARLES PEARSON.
x. JOHN MERRILL, b. 28 Nov 1819; m. MARY CANTRELL.
xi. WILLIAM MERRILL, b. 28 Nov 1819; m. SUE HOLLINGSWORTH.
xii. JOSEPH MERRILL, b. 21 Jun 1822; m. SALLIE OWENS.
xiii. BENJAMIN MERRILL, b. 06 Apr 1824; d. 17 May 1909; m. CLARISSA SHUFORD.
xiv. JAMES RILEY MERRILL, b. 11 Apr 1827; d. 1866.
50. ELI6 MERRILL (BENJAMIN5, WILLIAM4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 29 Oct 1787 in Randolph County, North Carolina, and died 26 Dec 1849 in Dallas County, Texas. He married (1) MARY A. MCKAY. She was born 08 Feb 1815 in Missouri, and died 30 Dec 1897 in Dallas County, Texas. He married (2) NANCY MCCRARY Aft. 1809, daughter of BOYD MCCRARY and NANCY MERRILL. She was born 1792 in Buncombe County, North Carolina, and died Abt. 1837 in Merrellsville, Marion County, Missouri.
More About ELI MERRILL:
Burial: Dec 1849, Dallas County, Texas
More About MARY A. MCKAY:
Burial: Dec 1897, Dallas County, Texas Merrell Cemetery
More About ELI MERRILL and NANCY MCCRARY:
Marriage: Aft. 1809
Children of ELI MERRILL and MARY MCKAY are:
i. OLIVIA7 MERRILL, b. 01 Oct 1838; m. W. D. WEBB.
ii. JULIA ANN MERRILL, b. 02 Jul 1840, Dallas County, Texas; d. 02 Oct 1916, Dallas County, Texas; m. JOHN W. WRIGHT, Dallas County, Texas; b. 1831; d. 1895, Dallas County, Texas.
More About JULIA ANN MERRILL:
Burial: Oct 1916, Dallas County, Texas Merrill Cemetery
More About JOHN W. WRIGHT:
Burial: 1895, Dallas County, Texas
More About JOHN WRIGHT and JULIA MERRILL:
Marriage: Dallas County, Texas
iii. GEORGE CORNELIUS (NELIUS) MERRILL, b. 09 Jun 1842, Marion County, Missouri; d. 1918, Dallas, Dallas County, Texas.
More About GEORGE CORNELIUS (NELIUS) MERRILL:
Burial: 1918, Dallas, Dallas County, Texas Merrill Cemetary
iv. MARGARET ELLEN MERRILL, b. 10 Nov 1844, Dallas County, Texas; d. 28 Nov 1883, Dallas County, Texas; m. MARTIN DICKERSON.
More About MARGARET ELLEN MERRILL:
Burial: Nov 1883, Dallas County, Texas
93. v. JOHN MERRILL, b. 30 Mar 1847, Dallas County, Texas; d. 29 Aug 1931, Dallas, Dallas County, Texas.
vi. THOMAS MERRILL, b. 23 Sep 1849, Dallas County, Texas; d. 24 Dec 1884, Rio Grande Valley, Texas; m. SUSSIE BURCH; b. 15 Sep 1844, Hot Springs, Arkansas; d. 24 Dec 1884, Rio Grande Valley, Texas.
Notes for THOMAS MERRILL:
Thomas Merrill was born in 1849. He maried Susan Burch. They had a ranch on the Rio Grande in Texas. On December 24, 1884, they were attacked by a group of Mexican cattle herders who chopped them to death with axes and took everything they had of value. Tom’s brother George Cornelius “Nelius” Merrill stopped by their ranch for a visit a day or two later and found their mutilated bodies. Nelius never got over the sight of horror that met his eyes that day. He spent the rest of his life trying to catch the Mexicans who had killed his brother and sister-in-law.
More About THOMAS MERRILL:
Burial: Dec 1884, Rio Grande Valley, Texas Merrell Cemetery
More About SUSSIE BURCH:
Burial: Dec 1884, Rio Grande Valley, Texas Merrell Cemetery
Children of ELI MERRILL and NANCY MCCRARY are:
94. vii. CHARLES7 MERRILL, b. 13 Apr 1811, Fairview, Buncombe County, North Carolina; d. 13 Jul 1852, Elk Horn, Douglas County, Nebraska.
viii. WILLIAM MERRILL, b. Abt. 1812, Fairview, Buncombe County, North Carolina; d. Missouri.
More About WILLIAM MERRILL:
Burial: Missouri
95. ix. ELI MERRILL, JR., b. Abt. 1814, Fairview, Buncombe County, North Carolina; d. 1854.
x. JONATHAN MERRILL, b. Abt. 1815, Fairview, Buncombe County, North Carolina.
xi. NANCY MERRILL, b. Abt. 1816, Fairview, Buncombe County, North Carolina; m. (1) C. CONLEY; m. (2) MR. HORTON.
xii. ELIZABETH MERRILL, b. Abt. 1817, Horse Shoe, Buncombe County, North Carolina.
xiii. PHOEBON MERRILL, b. Abt. 1818, Horse Shoe, Buncombe County, North Carolina.
xiv. BENJAMIN MERRILL, b. 1820, Horse Shoe, Buncombe County, North Carolina; d. Dallas County, Texas; m. (1) SARAH ANN MANNING, Dallas County, Texas; m. (2) MARGARET FLEMMING, Missouri.
Notes for BENJAMIN MERRILL:
Benjamin Merrill was a candidate for Probate Judge and Chief Justice of Dallas County. He served as the Dallas County Tax Collector during the Civil War.
More About BENJAMIN MERRILL:
Burial: Dallas County, Texas
More About BENJAMIN MERRILL and SARAH MANNING:
Marriage: Dallas County, Texas
More About BENJAMIN MERRILL and MARGARET FLEMMING:
Marriage: Missouri
51. BENJAMIN6 MERRILL, JR. (BENJAMIN5, WILLIAM4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 22 Feb 1795 in Randolph County, North Carolina, and died in Lamar district, Texas. He married DORCAS. She was born 1795 in North Carolina.
More About BENJAMIN MERRILL, JR.:
Burial: Lamar district, Texas
Children of BENJAMIN MERRILL and DORCAS are:
i. ELI R.7 MERRILL, b. 08 Jun 1823.
96. ii. EMELINE MERRILL, b. Abt. 1825.
iii. AMANDA J. MERRILL, b. Abt. 1827; d. Abt. 1856; m. (1) JAMES G. MORRIS, 27 Nov 1851, Hopkins County, Texas; m. (2) JOHN H. SHENNAULT, 30 Oct 1873, Marshall County, Alabama.
More About JAMES MORRIS and AMANDA MERRILL:
Marriage: 27 Nov 1851, Hopkins County, Texas
More About JOHN SHENNAULT and AMANDA MERRILL:
Marriage: 30 Oct 1873, Marshall County, Alabama
iv. MARY MERRILL, b. Abt. 1829; m. JAMES W. FIELDS.
v. LUCINDA MERRILL, b. Abt. 1833; m. WILLIAM CLIFTON.
52. CHARITY6 MERRILL (BENJAMIN5, WILLIAM4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 20 May 1797 in Randolph County, North Carolina. She married BOYD MCCRARY Abt. 1821, son of HUGH MCCRARY and ELIZABETH BURTON. He was born Abt. 1798 in Rowan Co., or Randolph Co., North Carolina, and died Bet. 1830 - 1849 in Monroe County, Tennessee.
More About BOYD MCCRARY and CHARITY MERRILL:
Marriage: Abt. 1821
Children of CHARITY MERRILL and BOYD MCCRARY are:
97. i. ALEXANDER7 MCCRARY, b. 1822, Buncombe County, North Carolina; d. 1867.
ii. ELIZA MCCRARY, b. Abt. 1824.
iii. COLUMBUS MCCRARY, b. 18 Feb 1825.
iv. CINDY MCCRARY, b. Abt. 1827.
v. ALFRED MCCRARY, b. Abt. 1829.
vi. ADOLPHUS MCCRARY, b. 29 Mar 1830.
vii. JACKSON MCCRARY, b. Abt. 1832.
viii. AMANDA MCCRARY, b. Abt. 1834; m. WILLIAM JONES.
ix. MARIAH ELLEN MCCRARY, b. 28 Apr 1836.
x. WILLIAM ERNEST MCCRARY, b. 07 Mar 1838.
xi. SARAH ANN MCCRARY, b. 15 Sep 1840.
53. DAVID6 MERRILL (BENJAMIN5, WILLIAM4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 26 May 1801 in Buncombe County, North Carolina, and died 13 Mar 1833. He married (1) KATHERINE GARRISON. She was born Abt. 1797, and died 13 Mar 1833. He married (2) ELIZABETH GARRISON. She was born Abt. 1799, and died Abt. 1834 in Buncombe County, North Carolina.
Children of DAVID MERRILL and KATHERINE GARRISON are:
i. ROBERT FRANKLIN7 MERRILL.
ii. ADOLPHUS MERRILL.
iii. CATHERINE MERRILL, m. HAMILTON JONES.
iv. MATLIDA MERRILL.
Children of DAVID MERRILL and ELIZABETH GARRISON are:
v. JANE7 MERRILL.
vi. ALEXANDER MERRILL.
vii. PERRY MERRILL.
<----here---->
54. JONATHAN6 MERRILL (BENJAMIN5, WILLIAM4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 26 May 1801 in Buncombe County, North Carolina, and died 13 May 1874. He married HARRIETT L. MURRY. She was born 05 Nov 1807, and died 26 Jul 1898.
Children of JONATHAN MERRILL and HARRIETT MURRY are:
i. BILL7 MERRILL.
ii. EMALINE MERRILL, m. BILL RICKMAN.
iii. BEN MERRILL.
iv. TOM MERRILL.
v. HENRY MERRILL.
vi. SALLIE MERRILL.
vii. MARY (POLLY) MERRILL.
viii. SAM MERRILL, b. 06 Oct 1845.
55. LEVI6 MERRILL (BENJAMIN5, WILLIAM4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 08 Oct 1803 in Buncombe County, North Carolina. He married (1) SYNTHA COOPER. She was born 22 Jul 1804. He married (2) MARGARET P. MURRY Abt. 1837.
More About LEVI MERRILL and MARGARET MURRY:
Marriage: Abt. 1837
Children of LEVI MERRILL and SYNTHA COOPER are:
i. FRANKLIN7 MERRILL, b. 09 Jul 1827.
ii. SOPHRONIA MERRILL, b. 25 Aug 1828.
iii. AMANDA MERRILL, b. 22 Jun 1830.
iv. JASPER MERRILL, b. 10 Feb 1832; d. 05 Jun 1833.
v. CAROLYN MERRILL, b. 14 Feb 1837.
Children of LEVI MERRILL and MARGARET MURRY are:
vi. MARTHA MATILDA7 MERRILL, b. 01 Apr 1838; m. FIDELLI LANE.
vii. JULIA ANN MERRILL, b. 16 Sep 1839; m. R. LEDBETTER.
viii. NANCY EMALINE MERRILL, b. 25 Oct 1841; d. 09 Jun 1874.
ix. SILAS NEWTON MERRILL, b. 27 Jan 1843.
x. MARY JAIN MERRILL, b. 16 Sep 1844.
xi. MARY EMILY PERMELIA MERRILL, b. 18 Mar 1847.
xii. ELBERT LAFAYETTE MERRILL, b. 06 Feb 1849.
xiii. JULIUS ALEXANDER MERRILL, b. 23 Nov 1850; d. 10 Jan 1935.
56. LYTLE6 MERRILL (DANIEL T.5, WILLIAM4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 25 May 1784, and died 18 Apr 1834 in Davidson County , North Carolina. He married (1) RACHEL WARD. He married (2) MARGARET THOMAS. He married (3) HANNAH BISHOP. He married (4) MARY (POLLY) JONES 29 Mar 1808 in Randolph County, North Carolina. She died in Davidson County, North Carolina.
More About LYTLE MERRILL:
Burial: Apr 1834, Davidson County, North Carolina
More About MARY (POLLY) JONES:
Burial: Davidson County, North Carolina
More About LYTLE MERRILL and MARY JONES:
Marriage: 29 Mar 1808, Randolph County, North Carolina
Children of LYTLE MERRILL and MARY JONES are:
i. DAVID7 MERRILL, b. 1809.
ii. ALFRED MERRILL, m. MARGARET KNOY.
57. ZAZA C.6 MERRILL (DANIEL T.5, WILLIAM4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 23 May 1795 in Randolph County, North Carolina, and died 18 Aug 1839 in Osage County, Missouro. He married REBECCA ELLIOTT 31 Dec 1816 in Randolph County, North Carolina. She died 1880 in Missouri.
More About ZAZA C. MERRILL:
Burial: Aug 1839, Osage County, Missouro
More About REBECCA ELLIOTT:
Burial: 1880, Missouri
More About ZAZA MERRILL and REBECCA ELLIOTT:
Marriage: 31 Dec 1816, Randolph County, North Carolina
Children of ZAZA MERRILL and REBECCA ELLIOTT are:
i. DAN7 MERRILL, m. MARY ANN MATHEWS.
ii. MARGARET MERRILL, m. JOHN LOFTON.
iii. ELIZA MERRILL.
iv. LYTLE MERRILL.
v. JESSE MERRILL.
vi. WILLIAM MERRILL.
vii. ALFRED MERRILL, m. MARGARET CANO.
viii. CLEMENTINE MERRILL, b. 08 Nov.
ix. JOHN MERRILL, b. 17 Jul 1832.
x. ELIZABETH MERRILL, b. 15 Sep 1834.
xi. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN MERRILL, b. 07 Oct 1836.
58. JESSE6 MERRILL (DANIEL T.5, WILLIAM4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 04 May 1797, and died 29 Sep 1866. He married MARTHA PUGH May 1821. She was born 25 Nov 1798, and died 31 Mar 1881.
More About JESSE MERRILL and MARTHA PUGH:
Marriage: May 1821
Children of JESSE MERRILL and MARTHA PUGH are:
i. MARY7 MERRILL, d. 07 May 1884; m. CARROLL BAILEY.
ii. MALISSIA MERRILL, m. REV. RUEBEN SWAIM.
iii. ELMA MERRILL, m. WILLIS H. CAROTHERS.
iv. ELIZABETH MERRILL, b. 04 Dec 1819; m. HANKS NEVIL HILLYER.
v. JANE MERRILL, b. 29 Dec 1822; m. (1) HENRY BURROW; m. (2) ROBERT YOUNG.
vi. LOUISE MERRILL, b. 03 Mar 1823; d. 20 May 1891; m. WINSLOW SIDNEY ALEXANDER.
vii. GEORGE A. MERRILL, b. 23 May 1835.
59. WILLIAM6 MERRILL (JOHN5, WILLIAM4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 14 Oct 1785 in Buncombe County, North Carolina, and died 1809 in Buncombe County, North Carolina. He married NANCY MCCRARY, daughter of BOYD MCCRARY and NANCY MERRILL. She was born 1792 in Buncombe County, North Carolina, and died Abt. 1837 in Merrellsville, Marion County, Missouri.
More About WILLIAM MERRILL:
Burial: 1809, Buncombe County, North Carolina
Child of WILLIAM MERRILL and NANCY MCCRARY is:
i. ABNER7 MERRILL.
60. JACOB6 MERRILL (JOHN5, WILLIAM4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 14 Oct 1785 in Buncombe County, North Carolina. He married JENNIE MCCARSON.
Children of JACOB MERRILL and JENNIE MCCARSON are:
i. ABNER7 MERRILL.
ii. MARY (POLLY) MERRILL.
iii. BETSEY MERRILL.
iv. JOHN MCCARSON (BUNK) MERRILL, b. 01 Aug 1816.
v. SAM MERRILL, b. 28 Oct 1818.
vi. LYTLE MERRILL, b. Abt. 1822.
vii. DAVE MERRILL, b. 06 Mar 1826.
61. JOHN6 MERRILL (JOHN5, WILLIAM4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 17 Mar 1793, and died 09 Dec 1876. He married ELIZABETH GARREN. She was born 10 Jan 1794, and died 21 Dec 1868.
Children of JOHN MERRILL and ELIZABETH GARREN are:
i. ALEXANDER7 MERRILL, b. 29 Aug 1817.
ii. MARY MERRILL, b. 30 Mar 1821; d. 08 Aug 1904; m. JOHNSON ASHWORTH; b. 11 May 1818.
iii. SUSANNAH MERRILL, b. 23 Sep 1828; d. 20 Mar 1910; m. HENRY GRANT.
62. AZARIAH6 MERRILL (SAMUEL5, CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 20 May 1777 in Rowan Co., or Randolph Co., North Carolina, and died 25 Jan 1844 in Rowan , North Carolina. He married (1) JEMIMA BLALOCK Abt. 1798. He married (2) ABIGAIL FROST 07 Mar 1808. She was born 18 May 1781, and died 04 Jun 1844.
More About AZARIAH MERRILL:
Burial: Jan 1844, Rowan Co., or Randolph Co., North Carolina
More About AZARIAH MERRILL and JEMIMA BLALOCK:
Marriage: Abt. 1798
More About AZARIAH MERRILL and ABIGAIL FROST:
Marriage: 07 Mar 1808
Child of AZARIAH MERRILL and JEMIMA BLALOCK is:
i. ELIZABETH7 MERRILL, b. 16 Apr 1799; d. 14 Apr 1857; m. GODFREY WINKLER.
Children of AZARIAH MERRILL and ABIGAIL FROST are:
ii. SARAH MERRILL7 MERRILL, b. 30 Dec 1806; d. 07 Nov 1807.
iii. SAMUEL MERRILL, b. 31 Dec 1807.
iv. ELIZABETH FROST MERRILL, b. 14 Aug 1809; m. JASPER JAMES CLARK, 27 Mar 1829, Davidson County, Tennessee.
More About JASPER CLARK and ELIZABETH MERRILL:
Marriage: 27 Mar 1829, Davidson County, Tennessee
v. FROST MERRILL, b. 17 Oct 1811; d. 21 Jun 1853.
vi. AMY MERRILL, b. 28 Aug 1813; d. 02 May 1884; m. JAMES PALMER.
vii. EBENEZAR MERRILL, b. 09 Mar 1816; d. 30 May 1884; m. ANN TURNER.
viii. JONATHAN MERRILL, b. 02 Apr 1818; d. 29 Mar 1902; m. MARY C. WISEMAN.
Notes for JONATHAN MERRILL:
Jonathan, Azariah and Abigail’s fourth son, married and went to Alabama. He had two children by this union. His wife died and he returned to Rowan. A few years later he married Miss Mary C. Wiseman and moved to Madison County, Alabama where they reared a family of eight children. Their son John Franklin, born October 27, 1851, is living with his nephew, Jim Merrill, at Biltmore. Uncle Frank is eighty-four, but quite active.
ix. BENJAMIN SMITH MERRILL, b. 13 Feb 1820.
x. WILSON F. MERRILL, b. 08 Jan 1822.
xi. ICEANN MERRILL, b. 05 May 1824.
63. JEMIMA6 MERRILL (SAMUEL5, CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 06 Oct 1782 in Davidson County, North Carolina. She married THOMAS YARBOROUGH Abt. 1798 in Davidson County, North Carolina.
More About THOMAS YARBOROUGH and JEMIMA MERRILL:
Marriage: Abt. 1798, Davidson County, North Carolina
Children of JEMIMA MERRILL and THOMAS YARBOROUGH are:
i. SUSANNAH7 YARBOROUGH, b. Abt. 1799; m. REINHART RATTS, 20 Aug 1820, Washington County, Indiana.
More About REINHART RATTS and SUSANNAH YARBOROUGH:
Marriage: 20 Aug 1820, Washington County, Indiana
ii. REVEREND ZACHARIAH YARBOROUGH, b. 15 Mar 1801; d. 01 Mar 1844, Denton, Davidson County, North Carolina.
More About REVEREND ZACHARIAH YARBOROUGH:
Burial: Mar 1844, Denton, Davidson County, North Carolina
iii. DAVID YARBOROUGH, b. 26 Nov 1803; m. SARAH MCGUIRE.
iv. SAMUEL YARBOROUGH, b. 11 Dec 1805; m. ELIZABETH (BETSEY) BOWERS.
v. THOMAS YARBOROUGH, JR., b. Abt. 1806; m. SARAH (SALLIE) BURKHARDT.
vi. ELIZABETH YARBOROUGH, b. 05 Mar 1808; d. 11 May 1872; m. ALLISON LEE WATSON.
vii. CHARLES YARBOROUGH, b. 23 Sep 1810; m. SERENA (POLLY) WOMACK, 10 Sep 1833.
More About CHARLES YARBOROUGH and SERENA WOMACK:
Marriage: 10 Sep 1833
viii. JEMIMA YARBOROUGH, b. 10 May 1811; m. PATRICK FOWLER.
ix. REVEREND AARON YARBOROUGH, b. 05 Oct 1813; d. 30 Dec 1897, Davidson County, North Carolina; m. ELIZABETH WOMACK.
More About REVEREND AARON YARBOROUGH:
Burial: Dec 1897, Davidson County, North Carolina
x. MARTHA (PATSY) YARBOROUGH, b. Abt. 1815; m. JOHN MINOR.
xi. RACHEL YARBOROUGH, b. Abt. 1815; m. WILLIS WARD.
xii. MARY (POLLY) YARBOROUGH, b. 28 Dec 1817; m. JOHN W. BRITTINGHAM, 02 Jun 1856.
More About JOHN BRITTINGHAM and MARY YARBOROUGH:
Marriage: 02 Jun 1856
xiii. BARBARA YARBOROUGH, b. Abt. 1823; m. WELTON SKEEN.
xiv. WASHINGTON GREEN YARBOROUGH, b. 02 Aug 1825.
64. JOHN6 MERRILL, JR. (JOHN5, CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 1774, and died 13 Apr 1846 in Kentucky. He married JEMIMA BATTON 13 Dec 1798, daughter of JOSEPH BATTON and ELIZABETH. She was born 07 Apr 1781.
More About JOHN MERRILL, JR.:
Burial: Apr 1846, Kentucky
Notes for JEMIMA BATTON:
Jemima Merrill, 1802 December 18 -1885 October is the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Batton. They wer married. 4 June 1802. Elizabeth was one of triplet daughters of Elizabeth (Little) Batton. Another of the triplets was Jemima Batton who married John Merrill, believed to be Joseph’s brother.
More About JOHN MERRILL and JEMIMA BATTON:
Marriage: 13 Dec 1798
Children of JOHN MERRILL and JEMIMA BATTON are:
i. HENRY7 MERRILL, b. 14 Aug 1800.
ii. ELIZABETH MERRILL, b. 20 Aug 1802.
iii. JOHN MERRILL, b. 22 Mar 1805.
iv. WILLIAM MERRILL, b. 22 Mar 1805.
v. RAWLEIGH MERRILL, b. 12 May 1807.
vi. JOANNA MERRILL, b. 16 Jan 1810; m. HEDGEMAN MERRIFIELD.
vii. EUPHEMIA MERRILL, b. 14 Oct 1812.
viii. JEMIMA MERRILL, b. 06 Aug 1814.
ix. ANDREW MERRILL, b. 27 Mar 1817.
x. CHARLOTTE MERRILL, b. 28 Feb 1819.
xi. STEPHEN MERRILL, b. 07 Jan 1823.
xii. JOHN MERRILL, b. 26 Apr 1826.
65. BENJAMIN SMITH6 MERRILL (JOHN5, CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 18 Apr 1792 in Georgia, and died 25 Sep 1853 in Carroll County, Mississippi. He married MARTHA (PATSY) CHANDLER 18 Feb 1813, daughter of JOSEPH CHANDLER and SARAH FARMER. She was born 04 Sep 1795 in Granville, North Carolina, and died 11 Sep 1879.
More About BENJAMIN SMITH MERRILL:
Burial: Sep 1853, Carroll County, Mississippi
More About BENJAMIN MERRILL and MARTHA CHANDLER:
Marriage: 18 Feb 1813
Children of BENJAMIN MERRILL and MARTHA CHANDLER are:
i. MARY7 MERRILL, b. 28 Nov 1813; m. PHILLIP ALBRITTON, 1830, Franklin County, Georgia.
More About PHILLIP ALBRITTON and MARY MERRILL:
Marriage: 1830, Franklin County, Georgia
ii. WILLIAM WASHINGTON MERRILL, b. 16 Sep 1815.
iii. ANDREW JACKSON MERRILL, b. 15 Dec 1817.
iv. HENRY FARMER MERRILL, b. 30 Jul 1820.
v. SARAH M. MERRILL, b. 16 Jan 1823; m. JOHN SMITH, 06 Oct 1841, Carroll County, Georgia.
More About JOHN SMITH and SARAH MERRILL:
Marriage: 06 Oct 1841, Carroll County, Georgia
vi. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN MERRILL, b. 17 Sep 1825; m. TOWSEY BORDERS, 22 Jan 1846, Carroll County, Georgia.
More About BENJAMIN MERRILL and TOWSEY BORDERS:
Marriage: 22 Jan 1846, Carroll County, Georgia
vii. MARTHA J. MERRILL, b. 17 Oct 1828; m. JOHN W. PONDER, 11 Dec 1845, Carroll County, Georgia.
More About JOHN PONDER and MARTHA MERRILL:
Marriage: 11 Dec 1845, Carroll County, Georgia
viii. ASA CHANDLER MERRILL, b. 04 Aug 1831.
ix. NANCY MERRILL, b. 29 Mar 1834; d. 19 Sep 1872, Lamar County, Alabama; m. VINCENT HOLLEY, 16 Dec 1850, Carroll County, Georgia.
More About NANCY MERRILL:
Burial: Sep 1872, Lamar County, Alabama
More About VINCENT HOLLEY and NANCY MERRILL:
Marriage: 16 Dec 1850, Carroll County, Georgia
x. JOSEPH CHANDLER MERRILL, b. 24 Apr 1837.
66. BENJAMIN WISEMAN6 MERRILL (ANDREW5, CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born Abt. 1775 in Rowan County, North Carolina, and died 1829 in Lincoln County, Tennessee. He married (1) SUSAN. She was born in North Carolina. He married (2) ELIZABETH GARRETT 03 Mar 1795 in Rowan County, North Carolina. She was born 1780 in Rowan County, North Carolina, and died Bef. 1819 in Rowan County, North Carolina.
More About BENJAMIN WISEMAN MERRILL:
Burial: 1829, Lincoln County, Tennessee
More About ELIZABETH GARRETT:
Burial: Rowan County, North Carolina
More About BENJAMIN MERRILL and ELIZABETH GARRETT:
Marriage: 03 Mar 1795, Rowan County, North Carolina
Child of BENJAMIN MERRILL and SUSAN is:
i. NANCY7 MERRILL, b. Abt. 1820, Lincoln County, Tennessee; m. JAMES DARNELL.
Children of BENJAMIN MERRILL and ELIZABETH GARRETT are:
ii. JOHN7 MERRILL.
iii. POLLY MERRILL.
iv. MARGAARET MERRILL, m. JOHN H. REED, 05 Feb 1839, Lincoln County, Tennessee.
More About JOHN REED and MARGAARET MERRILL:
Marriage: 05 Feb 1839, Lincoln County, Tennessee
v. GARRETT MERRILL, b. 1798.
vi. WILLIAM MERRILL, b. 26 Jan 1815.
vii. JACOB MERRILL, b. 1820.
viii. BENJAMIN WISEMAN MERRILL, JR., b. 1822; m. NANCY ELIZABETH HOPWOOD, 11 Oct 1851, Limestone County, Alabama; b. Abt. 1833, Tennessee.
More About BENJAMIN MERRILL and NANCY HOPWOOD:
Marriage: 11 Oct 1851, Limestone County, Alabama
ix. ISELINE J. (SELENA) MERRILL, b. Abt. 1824; m. JACOB BARNES.
67. ABNER6 MERRILL (ANDREW5, CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 1778. He married RITTER JONES 22 Oct 1802 in Rowan County, North Carolina.
More About ABNER MERRILL and RITTER JONES:
Marriage: 22 Oct 1802, Rowan County, North Carolina
Children of ABNER MERRILL and RITTER JONES are:
i. JAMES7 MERRILL.
ii. THOMAS MERRILL.
iii. EMILY MERRILL.
iv. BETSEY MERRILL.
v. PATSY MERRILL.
vi. PLEASANT MERRILL, b. 11 Feb 1807; d. 14 Jan 1896.
Notes for PLEASANT MERRILL:
Pleasant Merrill is listed in the Federal Census enumerated on 26th November 1830 in Madison County, Northern District of Alabama.
68. ELIZABETH6 MERRILL (ANDREW5, CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born Abt. 1780. She married JOHN “JACK” THOMPSON, JR., son of JOHN THOMPSON. He was born Bet. 1770 - 1786.
Notes for JOHN “JACK” THOMPSON, JR.:
Jack Thompson was listed on census 1820 as Creekpath, Alabama. Number in famly 1, Rifles 0, Blankets 1, Boots 0, Value of _
Tobacco 5
Registered of Cherokee to west of Mississippi Record group #75
Children of ELIZABETH MERRILL and JOHN THOMPSON are:
98. i. MARGARET7 THOMPSON, b. Abt. 1812.
99. ii. BETSEY ELIZABETH THOMPSON, b. Abt. 1814.
iii. JOHN THOMPSON, b. Abt. 1816.
100. iv. RICHARD THOMPSON, b. Abt. 1818.
v. JAMES THOMPSON, b. Abt. 1820.
101. vi. JENNIE THOMPSON, b. Abt. 1822.
69. ANDREW6 MERRILL, JR. (ANDREW5, CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 1785. He married PERMELIA TATUM 04 Jun 1810 in Rowan County, North Carolina.
More About ANDREW MERRILL and PERMELIA TATUM:
Marriage: 04 Jun 1810, Rowan County, North Carolina
Children of ANDREW MERRILL and PERMELIA TATUM are:
i. HALEY7 MERRILL.
ii. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN MERRILL.
iii. EVELYN MERRILL.
iv. RACHEL MERRILL.
v. ELIZABETH MERRILL.
vi. PARTHENIA MERRILL.
vii. RANSOM P. MERRILL, b. 26 Jun 1812; d. 13 May 1861, Madison County, Alabama.
More About RANSOM P. MERRILL:
Burial: May 1861, Madison County, Alabama
70. TIMOTHY6 MERRILL (WILLIAM5, CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 21 Apr 1778. He married ELIZABETH BRADSHAW 30 Nov 1801 in Rowan County, North Carolina.
More About TIMOTHY MERRILL and ELIZABETH BRADSHAW:
Marriage: 30 Nov 1801, Rowan County, North Carolina
Child of TIMOTHY MERRILL and ELIZABETH BRADSHAW is:
More About WILEY MERRILL:
Burial: May 1852, Fannin County, Texas
71. WILLIAM6 MCCRARY (NANCY ANNA5 MERRILL, CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born Abt. 1775 in Rowan County, North Carolina, and died Bef. 18 Oct 1815 in Rowan Co., North Carolina. He married MEHILDA DAVIS, daughter of JOSEPH DAVIS and SUSANNAH MCCRARY. She was born 07 Dec 1783 in Rowan Co., North Carolina.
Children of WILLIAM MCCRARY and MEHILDA DAVIS are:
i. HUGH7 MCCRARY.
ii. HANS MCCRARY.
iii. JOHN MCCRARY.
72. HUGH6 MCCRARY (NANCY ANNA5 MERRILL, CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born Abt. 1777 in Rowan County, North Carolina. He married (1) ELIZABETH BURTON. He married (2) CHARITY SLUDER 17 Apr 1795 in Rowan County, North Carolina, daughter of HENRY SLUDER and ELIZABETH.
More About HUGH MCCRARY and CHARITY SLUDER:
Marriage: 17 Apr 1795, Rowan County, North Carolina
Child of HUGH MCCRARY and ELIZABETH BURTON is:
102. i. BOYD7 MCCRARY, b. Abt. 1798, Rowan Co., or Randolph Co., North Carolina; d. Bet. 1830 - 1849, Monroe County, Tennessee.
73. JOSEPH JOEL6 MCCRARY (NANCY ANNA5 MERRILL, CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 1787 in Rowan County, North Carolina.
Child of JOSEPH JOEL MCCRARY is:
103. i. SILAS7 MCCRARY, b. 29 Oct 1806, Fairview, Rowan County, North Carolina; d. 06 Oct 1885, Spring Hill, Bowie County, Texas.
74. JAMES BOYD6 MCCRARY (NANCY ANNA5 MERRILL, CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 09 Mar 1793 in Rowan County, North Carolina, and died 22 Aug 1835 in Davies County, Missouri McCrary Cemetery. He married MARGARET “PEGGY” WHITAKER 1813 in Fairview, Buncombe County, North Carolina, daughter of WILLIAM WHITAKER. She was born 25 Dec 1793 in Rowan Co., North Carolina, and died 1858 in Davies County, Missouri.
More About JAMES MCCRARY and MARGARET WHITAKER:
Marriage: 1813, Fairview, Buncombe County, North Carolina
Children of JAMES MCCRARY and MARGARET WHITAKER are:
i. JOHN7 MCCRARY, b. 10 Aug 1814, Fairview, Buncombe Co., NC.
ii. SILAS BENJAMIN MCCRARY, b. 23 Jul 1815, Fairview, Buncombe Co., NC; d. 1858, Davies County, Missouri.
iii. POLLY MCCRARY, b. 24 Jan 1817, Fairview, Buncombe Co., NC.
iv. WILLIAM MCCRARY, b. 31 Mar 1818, Fairview, Buncombe Co., NC; d. 1858, Davies County, Missouri.
v. EPHAIM MCCRARY, b. 01 Mar 1820, Fairview, Buncombe Co., NC; d. 1858, Davies County, Missouri.
vi. ADOLPHUS MCCRARY, b. 16 Apr 1821, Fairview, Buncombe Co., NC.
vii. CHRISTIE MCCRARY, b. 11 May 1822, Fairview, Buncombe Co., NC.
viii. ALINA NANCY MCCRARY, b. 10 Jun 1823, Fairview, Buncombe Co., NC.
ix. BOYD MCCRARY, b. 09 Nov 1824, Fairview, Buncombe Co., NC.
x. CHARITY MARTHA MCCRARY, b. 22 Aug 1827, Fairview, Buncombe Co., NC.
xi. JAMES CHARLES MCCRARY, b. 22 Mar 1829, Gibson, Tennessee; d. 1858, Davies County, Missouri.
104. xii. FRANCIS “FRANK” MCCRARY, b. 15 Jun 1830, Davies County, Missouri.
xiii. HENRY MCCRARY, b. 05 May 1832, Davies County, Missouri; d. 1858, Davies County, Missouri.
75. JOHN6 MCCRARY (NANCY ANNA5 MERRILL, CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 09 Mar 1793 in Rowan County, North Carolina, and died in Gentry County, Missouri Carter Cemetery. He married SARAH SUMNER. She was born 27 Mar 1798 in North Carolina, and died in Gentry County, Missouri.
Children of JOHN MCCRARY and SARAH SUMNER are:
i. SALINA7 MCCRARY, b. 12 Jul 1820, Fairview, Buncombe Co., NC.
ii. MARTHA MCCRARY, b. 1825, Fairview, Buncombe Co., NC.
iii. BENJAMIN MCCRARY, b. 1826, Fairview, Buncombe Co., NC.
iv. DEMPSEY MCCRARY, b. 13 Jul 1828, Fairview, Buncombe Co., NC.
v. SUSANNAH MCCRARY, b. 1830, Fairview, Buncombe Co., NC.
vi. MARY “POLLY” MCCRARY, b. 18 Feb 1832, Davies County, Missouri.
vii. CHRISTOPER COLUMBUS MCCRARY, b. 03 Dec 1833, Davies County, Missouri.
viii. SARAH MCCRARY, b. 09 Mar 1836, Davies County, Missouri.
ix. NANCY MCCRARY, b. 1837, Davies County, Missouri.
76. NANCY6 MCCRARY (NANCY ANNA5 MERRILL, CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 1792 in Buncombe County, North Carolina, and died Abt. 1837 in Merrellsville, Marion County, Missouri. She married (1) WILLIAM MERRILL, son of JOHN MERRILL and CATHERINE RHODES. He was born 14 Oct 1785 in Buncombe County, North Carolina, and died 1809 in Buncombe County, North Carolina. She married (2) ELI MERRILL Aft. 1809, son of BENJAMIN MERRILL and PENELOPE MERRILL. He was born 29 Oct 1787 in Randolph County, North Carolina, and died 26 Dec 1849 in Dallas County, Texas.
More About WILLIAM MERRILL:
Burial: 1809, Buncombe County, North Carolina
More About ELI MERRILL:
Burial: Dec 1849, Dallas County, Texas
More About ELI MERRILL and NANCY MCCRARY:
Marriage: Aft. 1809
Child is listed above under (59) William Merrill.
Children are listed above under (50) Eli Merrill.
77. BENJAMIN6 MERRILL (CHARLES5, CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 1791 in South Carolina, and died 1853 in Marshall County, Alabama. He married (1) NANCY ( NANNIE) THOMPSON, daughter of JOHN THOMPSON and NANA MERRILL. She was born 1804 in Alabama. He married (2) MARGARET Abt. 1835 in Alabama. She was born 1802 in Alabama, and died in Alabama.
Notes for BENJAMIN MERRILL:
My ggg-grandfather. Researched by Dorris McKinney, Richard Smallwood, Genalogist from Huntsville, Alabama. Land Records Alabama, Congressional Records, NARA, Court Records Marshall County, Alabama, and Patty Woodall.
BENJAMIN MERRILL was a blacksmith and gunsmith. His first wife was a Cherokee lady named Nancy Thompson by whom he had 8 children. He then married Margaret ? and had Rutha Emaline, Beverly, Morgan and Martha Jane.
He acquired 640 acres of Cherokee land through his marriage to Nancy Thompson, which was called the Merrill Reservation. He was listed as being one of the population of Sims settlement and signed the petition to President James Madison from intruders on Chickasaw lands, dated 5 September 1810, Mississippi Territory, Elk River, Sims Settlement. While there was a Sims settlement of about 100 families on Elk River, the settlers who signed the petition had settled on other tributaries of the Tennessee in present-day Limestone County, Alabama, and Giles County, Tennessee—Shoal, creeks. some even appear to have been in Madison County, and of course there were others.
More than 50 of the original 1810 petition signers, 16 of whom had been removed from their homes in 1809, did not abandon their original intention to live in this new land and are listed in the Limestone County census. Some of them had bought land in Madison County before returning to Limestone county. Others seem to have survived all the removals and ultimately secured their place in the new county. When civil government was organized, Benjamin Merrill and Thomas Redus became justices of the peace and James Slaughter became sheriff.
1830 Federal Census Madison County, Alabama
Merrill, Benjamin
Merrill, Elizabeth (Mother)
1840 Federal Census Marshall County, Alabama
1850 Federal Census Marshall County, Alabama
Merrill, Benjamin age 50 Born South Carolina Blacksmith Literate YES
Margaret 44 Alabama Yes
Beverly 14 Alabama
Rutha E. 11 Alabama
Morgan H. 9 Alabama
Martha J. 4 Alabama
1860 Federal Census Marshall County, Alabama
Merrill, Margaret 50
Beverly 26
Morgan H. 17
Martha J. 14
1870 Federal Census Marshall County, Alabama
Merrill, Margaret 61
Beverly 34
Martha J. 23
Moore, Isaac 74
Waters, Mary 30
Alabama Records Marshall County Alabama
Book 5, page 795. 5 March 1855. RUFUS WEST applies for letters of Guardianship for LORENZO POLSTON, NANCY POLSTON, ELIZABETH POLTON, SARAH J. POLSTON, JOSEPH POLSTON and MARGARETT POLSTON. He filed the certificate of ISAAC BRUNSTON, J. P. showing that L. D. POLSTON, NANCY POLSTON and ELIZABETH POLSTON had chosen him to be their guardian. WILLIAM MERRILL and Willis STEPHENS JR. are his sureties, and the statement is made that “all” of the children reside in Marshall Co.
Book 5, page 796 PETITION TO SELL LANDS.................said wards (same names as the six above) are each entitled to one eighth of one seventh of 640 acres known as BENJAMIN MERRILL’S RESERVATION, being the children of.........POLSTON, wife of WILLIAM POLSTON and a daughter of said BENJAMIN MERRILL, dec’d. LORENZO POLSTON resides in Arkansas. (This seems to be a second recording of this petition.)
Book 5, page 302. 28 December 1854. MARGARET MERRELL applied for Letters of Guardianship for BEVERLY MERRELL, MORGAN MERRELL and MARTHA JANE MERRELL, infant heirs of BENJAMIN MERRELL late of said county deceased: RUFUS WEST and WILLIS STPEHENS, sureties. On 4 October 1856 MARGARET MERRELL made another bond with NICHOLAS STEPHENS AND WILLIS STEPHENS, sureties. Page 306 show “MORGAN H. MERRELL and the receipt of BEVERLY MERRELL signed December 10, 1856.
House of Representatives (House Journal 24th. Congress, 1st. Session Dec. 7, 1837 M285 Fiche 1 page 65
“Mr. Chapman presented the memorial of Benjamin Merrill and Nancy, his wife, of the Cherokee Tribe of Indians, within the limits of Alabama, praying for authority to sell their reservation of land.”
From 1-Foreman, Grant, Indian Removal, University of Oklahoma Press, 1932
INDIANS GIVEN LAND TO HOMESTEAD
When the Cherokees ceded their lands in the treaty of 1835, the U.S. Government in turn gave each the option to settle on a 160 acre tract of land of their choice, or move out West to reservations. The Cherokees were given this choice before the white man was allowed to move into the newly ceded territory north of the Tennessee River.
Six Indian families assumed English names and acquired the lands by right of preemption. They were: Wade, who settled the section near present Guntersville Dam; Harrison, whose land was near the Capehart place at Columbus City; Edward Gunter, who settled the Dr. L. D. Lusk farm just north of the present George Houston River Bridge; Merrell, who settled Merrell Mountain across the river from Cottonville; Orr, who settled near the Marshall-Jackson line; and Robinson whose section was near the present Guntersvill Dam. It is interesting to note that one or two full-blooded Indian families remained in Marshall County as late as World War 1. Official TVA maps still list the boundaries which the original six Indian families selected.
NOTE: Benjamin Merrill was not of Indian blood, but his first wife Nancy was a Cherokee. Benjamin was the son of Charles and Elizabeth Merrill, and Charles was the son of Captain Benjamin Merrill hung by the British in 1771.
Research done by Don and Nelda Kirk, Dorris McKinney, Family knowledge, Family bibles, Census Records, National Archive Records, Cherokee Historian. Genealogist Richard Smallwood, Huntsville, Alabama.
U. S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1873
24th Congress
1st Session H. R. 64
December 29, 1835
Read twice, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House Tomorrow
Mr. Bell, From the Committee on Indian Affairs, reported the following bill:
For the relief of Benjamin and Nancy Merrill
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That Benjamin Merrill and Nancy his wife be, and they are hereby authorized to sell the reservation of Six Hundred forty acres of land taken by them under the treaties of 1817 and 1819
between the United States and the Cherokee tribe of Indians and being in the State of Alabama, upon the condition, that the contract for the sale of the same be examined and approved by the district attorney of the United States for the district of North Alabama, and upon the further condition, that they remove to the country assigned to the Cherokee Indians west of the Mississippi River, and that the expenses of such removal be defrayed by themslves.
Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, tht this act shall not be held or construed to guaranty the title which the said Benjamin and Nancy Merrill set up to the tract of land mentioned in the foregoing section.
NO 65 BENJAMIN MERRILL Parch Corn Cove Page 132
1. —Improvements occupied by James Anderson - consisting of one Cabin $20.00
2.—One Smoke House $10.00
3.—One Corn Crib $ 5.00
4. -- One Log body of a house $15.00
5. —One Corn field -- 6 acres replowed—good fence $60.00
6. —One corn field Tennessee Bottom - 4 acres with 4 acres connected partially
cleared $60.00
Improvements at Blue Rock Ferry consisting of:
7.—One Log Cabin $25.00
8.—One old Smith Shop - log- $15.00
9.—One cornfield - Tennessee Bottom 4 acres - good fence $48.00
-----------
TOTAL $258.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
More About BENJAMIN MERRILL:
Burial: 1853, Marshall County, Alabama
Notes for NANCY ( NANNIE) THOMPSON:
Nancy Thompson was Cherokee. This authenticated by Martha Redus, Cherokee Genealogist.
Notes for MARGARET:
Alabama Records Marshall County, 929.3761 A816 V. 167
Book 5, page 302
28 December 1854
MARGARET MERRILL, applied for Letters of Guardianship for BEVERLY MERRILL, MORGAN MERRILL, and MARTHA JANE MERRILL, infant heirs of BENJAMIN MERRILL, late of said county deceased: RUFUS WEST and WILLIS STEPHENS, sureties. On 4 Oct. 1856 MARGARET MERRILL made another bond with NICHOLAS STEPHENS and WILLIS STEPHENS, sureties. Page 306 shows “MORGAN H. MERRILL” and the receipt of BEVERLY MERRILL signed Dec. 10, 1856.
More About MARGARET:
Burial: Alabama
More About BENJAMIN MERRILL and MARGARET:
Marriage: Abt. 1835, Alabama
Children of BENJAMIN MERRILL and NANCY THOMPSON are:
105. i. ELIZA7 MERRILL, b. Abt. 1821.
More About DAVID IVEY and ELIZABETH MERRILL:
Marriage: 09 Aug 1838, Marshall County, Alabama
Notes for WILLIAM MERRILL:
Deed Book E pg 501
Marshall County, Alabama
This Indenture made the twenty second day of December in the year one thousand Eight hundred and fifty six between William Merrell of the county of Marshall and state of Alabama and Nancy Merrell his wife of the first part and Willis Stephens of the same County and State of the second part, Witnesseth that the said parties of the first part for and in consideration of the sum of ninety five dollars lawful money of the United States to them in hand paid before the delivery hereof hath bargained and sold and by these presents doth grant and convey to the said party of the second part his heirs and assigns forever all that certain piece or parcel of land lying and bing in the county of Marshall and State of Alabama and which is known and described as follows to wit; North East ¼ quarter of section No 23 in Township No 6 of range No 23 containing forty acres and eight hundreths and also the South East half of SW ¼ of the SW ¼ in the North West end quarter section No 33 in Townhip No 6 R 23 containing twenty acres and 81/2 hundreths together with all and singular the tenements heredentimints and appertenances and all the Estate title and interest of the said parties of the first part herein and the said parties of the first part doth hereby conveyed and agreeth with the said party of the second part that at the time of delivery hereof the party of the first part is the lawful owners of the premises above granted and sayeth thereof in fee scripto absolute and that they will warrent and defend the above granted premises in the quiet and peaceable possession of the said party of the second part his heirs and assigns forever, In witness where of we have hereunto set our hands and seals the day and year first written.
Test William Merrell SEAL
B. F. West Nancy Merrell her mark
Isaac Brunston
State of Alabama
Marshall County I Isaac Brunston Justice of the Peace hereby certify tht William Merrell and Nancy Merrell whose names is signed to the foregoing conveyence and who is known to me acknowledged before me on this day that being informed of the contents of the conveyance they executed the same voluntarily on the day the above bears date. Given under my hand and Seal this the 22nd December 1856. Isaac Brunston
Justice of the Peace
More About WILLIAM MERRILL and NANCY WALKER:
Marriage: 07 Dec 1844, Marshall County, Alabama
106. v. NANCY MERRILL, b. Abt. 1825, Guntersville, Alabama; d. Aug 1891.
107. vi. MARY ANN MERRILL, b. Abt. 1826.
vii. BENJAMIN MERRILL, b. Abt. 1827.
viii. MARGARET MERRILL, b. Abt. 1835, Alabama; m. JOHN THOMAS BRACKETT.
Children of BENJAMIN MERRILL and MARGARET are:
108. ix. WILLIAM BEVELY7 MERRILL, b. 16 Dec 1836, Alabama.
109. x. RUTHA EMALINE MERRILL, b. 1839, Marshall County, Alabama; d. Alabama.
xi. MORGAN MERRILL, b. 1841.
xii. MARTHA JANE MERRILL, b. 1846; m. WILLIAM R. STEPHENS, 12 Jan 1872, Marshall County, Alabama; b. Abt. 1853, Guntersville, Marshall County, Alabama.
More About WILLIAM STEPHENS and MARTHA MERRILL:
Marriage: 12 Jan 1872, Marshall County, Alabama
78. ABEL6 MERRILL (CHARLES5, CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 1798 in South Carolina, and died 1866 in Jasper Co., Misissippi. He married (1) MS. THOMAS. She died Unknown. He married (2) ELIZA COOLEY Abt. 1820 in Wayne County, Mississippi, daughter of WILLIAM COOOLEY and NANCY BOUNDS. She was born Abt. 1802 in Darlington County, South Carolina, and died 1873 in Jasper Co., Mississippi.
Notes for ABEL MERRILL:
Abel Merrill was in the War of 1812, a veteran from South Carolina.
1816: Abel Merrell had a son Charles Pinkney from his first marriage possibly to a Ms. Thomas
Abel was probably in Mississippi in 1820 where met and married Eliza Cooley. The Cooley family was in Mississippi by 1818 when Eliza was 14.
21 Nov 1833 A Wayne County land transaction refers to Abel Merrell as a resident. Later transactions refer to him as a resident of Jasper and Clarke Counties. All lands were near each other.
In 1837 the house where Abel raised his children was built by son William, son-in-law Ferdinand Pippin, and a slave named Wisdon. Five generations of Merrells lived there through the 1970;s when it was the home of Hendrix Merrill. The lumber to build it came from Eucutta and Heidelburg Mill near Paulding. It was the first frame house in the area. The Merrills had not been long in Mississippi when daughter Mary Elizabeth wed Jesse Touchstone. However, they were there before Choctaws were moved northward. Abel Merrell owned 400 acres in corner of conjunction of Wayne, Clark and Jasper Counties. The Choctaws originally occupied central and south areas of Mississippi North of Wayne County. Between 1820 and 1830, the Choctaws moved mostly to Oklahoma after ceding lands to US. In 1828, Paulding was in Choctaw lands, in 1829 the area north of Wayne County was attached to the county. In 1830, Paulding was in Jones County, by 1833 in Jasper County. Clarke County was formed in 1833 from northern Wayne County.
More About ABEL MERRILL:
Burial: 1866, Jasper Co., Misissippi
More About ELIZA COOLEY:
Burial: 1873, Jasper Co., Misissippi Shady Grove Cemetery
More About ABEL MERRILL and ELIZA COOLEY:
Marriage: Abt. 1820, Wayne County, Mississippi
Child of ABEL MERRILL and MS. THOMAS is:
i. CHARLES PINKNEY7 MERRILL.
Children of ABEL MERRILL and ELIZA COOLEY are:
ii. WILLIAM7 MERRILL, b. 1821, Wayne, Mississippi; d. 1883; m. KEZZIAH G. OVERSTREET.
iii. LAVISEY ANN MERRILL, b. 27 Dec 1824, Wayne, Mississippi; m. FERDINAND PIPPIN.
110. iv. MARY ELIZABETH (POLLY) MERRILL, b. 1826, South Carolina; d. 1894, White County, Arkansas.
v. MARTHA MERRILL, b. 01 Sep 1828, Wayne, Mississippi; m. JOHN THOMAS.
vi. ELIZA JANE MERRILL, b. 22 Oct 1833, Wayne, Mississippi; m. DAVID THATCH.
111. vii. GREEN BERRY MERRILL, b. 21 Oct 1835, Jasper Co., Misissippi; d. 1867.
viii. SUSAN MERRILL, b. 03 Sep 1838, Jasper Co., Misissippi; m. (1) HUGH SATCHER; m. (2) JAMES TRAVIS.
ix. NELSON COOLEY MERRILL, b. 22 Dec 1846, Wayne, Mississippi; m. NANCY A. ARRINGTON.
x. TEMPERENCE MERRILL, b. 1848, Jasper Co., Misissippi; m. THOMAS ARRINGTON.
79. AMOS6 MERRILL, SR. (JOHATHAN5, CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 1788 in Rowan County, North Carolina, and died 1869 in Shelby Co., Alabama. He married FRANCES COATES Abt. 1807 in Rowan Co., NC, daughter of SOLOMON COATES and TEMPERANCE. She was born 1790 in Rowan County, North Carolina, and died in Shelby Co., Alabama.
Notes for AMOS MERRILL, SR.:
Amos Merrill was born 1788 in Rowan County, North Carolina. He was a farmer. He died in 1869 in Shelby County, Alabama, and is buried at Spring Creek Bethlehem Cemetery, in Shelby County, Alabama.
More About AMOS MERRILL, SR.:
Burial: 1869, Shelby Co., Alabama Spring Creek/Bethlehem Cemetery
More About FRANCES COATES:
Burial: Shelby Co., Alabama Spring Creek/Bethlehem Cemetery
More About AMOS MERRILL and FRANCES COATES:
Marriage: Abt. 1807, Rowan Co., NC
Children of AMOS MERRILL and FRANCES COATES are:
i. CYNTHIA7 MERRILL, m. HANSON GREEN, 08 Aug 1844, Shelby County, Alabama.
More About HANSON GREEN and CYNTHIA MERRILL:
Marriage: 08 Aug 1844, Shelby County, Alabama
ii. JOHN MERRILL, m. MALVINA C. HARRIS, 20 Dec 1860, Coosa County, Alabama.
More About JOHN MERRILL and MALVINA HARRIS:
Marriage: 20 Dec 1860, Coosa County, Alabama
iii. LUCY MERRILL.
iv. BENJAMIN MERRILL, b. Abt. 1812, Rowan County, North Carolina; m. MARTHA PAGE, 09 Feb 1829, Bibb County, Alabama.
More About BENJAMIN MERRILL and MARTHA PAGE:
Marriage: 09 Feb 1829, Bibb County, Alabama
112. v. AMOS MERRILL, JR., b. 1813, North Carolina; d. Aft. 1870, Haleyville, Franklin County, Alabama.
113. vi. RICHMOND MERRILL, b. 08 May 1817, Rowan , North Carolina; d. 03 Nov 1863, Shelby Co., Alabama.
vii. CHARLES MERRILL, b. 1819, Rowan , North Carolina; m. EMILY QUINN, 20 Feb 1840, Shelby Co., Alabama.
More About CHARLES MERRILL and EMILY QUINN:
Marriage: 20 Feb 1840, Shelby Co., Alabama
viii. SAMUEL MERRILL, b. 1819, Shelby County, Alabama; d. 19 Aug 1892, Shelby County, Alabama; m. MARY E. (POLLY) WILLIAMS, 03 Aug 1843, Coosa County, Alabama.
More About SAMUEL MERRILL:
Burial: Aug 1892, Shelby County, Alabama
More About SAMUEL MERRILL and MARY WILLIAMS:
Marriage: 03 Aug 1843, Coosa County, Alabama
ix. WILEY B. MERRILL, b. 06 Oct 1821, Tennessee; d. 23 Apr 1876; m. (1) HANNAH FRANCES MASON, 03 Sep 1846, Shelby Co., Alabama; m. (2) MARY E. GARDNER, 05 May 1865, Shelby Co., Alabama.
More About WILEY MERRILL and HANNAH MASON:
Marriage: 03 Sep 1846, Shelby Co., Alabama
More About WILEY MERRILL and MARY GARDNER:
Marriage: 05 May 1865, Shelby Co., Alabama
x. FRANCES (FANNIE) MERRILL, b. 13 Dec 1823; d. 15 Aug 1871; m. SAMUEL JACKSON.
xi. AZARIAH MERRILL, b. 1828; d. 12 May 1855; m. NANCY AUTRY, 25 Oct 1851, Shelby Co., Alabama.
More About AZARIAH MERRILL and NANCY AUTRY:
Marriage: 25 Oct 1851, Shelby Co., Alabama
114. xii. WILLIAM MERRILL, b. Mar 1828, Shelby County, Alabama.
80. BENJAMIN6 MERRILL (JOHATHAN5, CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 18 Jan 1802 in Rowan County, North Carolina, and died 29 Jan 1855 in Texas. He married SARAH DACUS Abt. 1824 in Tennessee. She was born 20 Dec 1804 in Tennessee, and died 18 Mar 1870 in Irene, Hill County, Texas.
More About BENJAMIN MERRILL:
Burial: Jan 1855, Texas
More About SARAH DACUS:
Burial: Mar 1870, Irene, Hill County, Texas
More About BENJAMIN MERRILL and SARAH DACUS:
Marriage: Abt. 1824, Tennessee
Child of BENJAMIN MERRILL and SARAH DACUS is:
i. ALEXANDER7 MERRILL, b. 23 Jun 1832.
81. JEMIMA6 MERRILL (JOHATHAN5, CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 08 Apr 1804 in Rowan County, North Carolina, and died 09 Nov 1881 in Moore County, Tennessee. She married JAMES SIMMONS ERVIN 07 Nov 1825 in Lincoln County, Tennessee. He was born 13 Jun 1804, and died 07 Nov 1881 in Moore County, Tennessee.
More About JEMIMA MERRILL:
Burial: Nov 1881, Moore County, Tennessee
More About JAMES SIMMONS ERVIN:
Burial: Nov 1881, Moore County, Tennessee
More About JAMES ERVIN and JEMIMA MERRILL:
Marriage: 07 Nov 1825, Lincoln County, Tennessee
Children of JEMIMA MERRILL and JAMES ERVIN are:
i. JONATHAN7 ERVIN, b. 23 Jan 1826.
ii. HEZEKIAH ERVIN, b. 29 Sep 1827.
iii. LUCINDA ERVIN, b. 04 Jan 1829.
iv. WILLIAM MARTIN ERVIN, b. 1830.
v. JAMES SIMMONS ERVIN, JR., b. 04 Apr 1832.
vi. THOMAS FRANKLIN ERVIN, b. 22 Aug 1838.
vii. MILTON S. ERVIN, b. 21 Nov 1840.
viii. MARY ANN ERVIN, b. 1842.
ix. SARAH ERVIN, b. 12 Oct 1850.
82. MARY6 MERRILL (JOHATHAN5, CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born Abt. 1806 in Rowan County, North Carolina. She married JOSEPH SMITH in Lincoln County, Tennessee.
More About JOSEPH SMITH and MARY MERRILL:
Marriage: Lincoln County, Tennessee
Children of MARY MERRILL and JOSEPH SMITH are:
i. JAMES7 SMITH, b. Abt. 1827.
ii. JONATHAN SMITH, b. Abt. 1831.
iii. JOSEPH SMITH, JR., b. Abt. 1833.
iv. THOMAS SMITH, b. Abt. 1834.
v. SUSAN SMITH, b. Abt. 1839.
vi. MARTHA J. SMITH, b. Abt. 1841.
vii. MARY P. SMITH, b. Abt. 1844.
viii. CATHERINE SMITH, b. Abt. 1848.
ix. BURGESS SMITH, b. Abt. 1849.
83. MARY6 STOUT (ABRAHAM5, RACHEL4 MERRILL, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 30 May 1762 in Hopewell, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. She married JEDIAH STOUT 31 Mar 1781 in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, son of BENJAMIN STOUT and MARY HIGGINS. He was born 10 Apr 1757.
More About JEDIAH STOUT and MARY STOUT:
Marriage: 31 Mar 1781, Hunterdon County, New Jersey
Children of MARY STOUT and JEDIAH STOUT are:
i. ELIHU7 STOUT, b. 16 Apr 1782.
ii. DAVID STOUT, b. Abt. 1783.
iii. PHILEMON STOUT, b. 15 May 1785.
iv. JOAB STOUT, b. Abt. 1789.
v. ANNE STOUT, b. Abt. 1791.
vi. ELIZA STOUT, b. Abt. 1793.
vii. POLLY STOUT, b. Abt. 1795.
viii. JEDIAH STOUT, b. Abt. 1796.
ix. REBECCA STOUT, b. Abt. 1797.
x. BENJAMIN STOUT, b. Abt. 1799.
xi. RUTH STOUT, b. Abt. 1802; m. WILLIAM R. MERRILL, 30 Nov 1820.
More About WILLIAM MERRILL and RUTH STOUT:
Marriage: 30 Nov 1820
84. WILLIAM6 STOUT (CAPTAIN NATHAN5, RACHEL4 MERRILL, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) He married ELINOR LANE, daughter of HENRY LANE.
Children of WILLIAM STOUT and ELINOR LANE are:
115. i. NATHAN7 STOUT.
ii. HENRY STOUT.
iii. CATHERINE STOUT.
iv. MARY ANN STOUT.
v. CAROLINE STOUT.
85. ZEPHENIAH6 STOUT (CAPTAIN NATHAN5, RACHEL4 MERRILL, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) He married ELINOR LANE, daughter of HENRY LANE.
Child of ZEPHENIAH STOUT and ELINOR LANE is:
i. JOHN7 STOUT.
86. ROBERT6 STOUT (CAPTAIN NATHAN5, RACHEL4 MERRILL, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) He married (1) MARY PRALL, daughter of ARTHUR PRALL. He married (2) ELIZABETH DUFRIESS.
Child of ROBERT STOUT and MARY PRALL is:
Child of ROBERT STOUT and ELIZABETH DUFRIESS is:
87. MARY6 STOUT (CAPTAIN NATHAN5, RACHEL4 MERRILL, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) She married PHILIP HOUSEL.
Child of MARY STOUT and PHILIP HOUSEL is:
i. MARY7 HOUSEL, m. JOHN ALEXANDER.
88. CATHERINE6 STOUT (CAPTAIN NATHAN5, RACHEL4 MERRILL, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) She married WILLIAM GOLDEN, JR., son of WILLIAM GOLDEN, SR..
Children of CATHERINE STOUT and WILLIAM GOLDEN are:
i. ABRAHAM STOUT7 GOLDEN.
ii. WILLIAM GOLDEN.
iii. AMOS GOLDEN.
iv. ESTHER GOLDEN.
v. RACHEL GOLDEN.
89. RHODA6 STOUT (CAPTAIN NATHAN5, RACHEL4 MERRILL, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) She married REUBEN GOLDEN, daughter of JOHN GOLDEN and DELIVERANCE LABAW.
Children of RHODA STOUT and REUBEN GOLDEN are:
i. JOHN7 GOLDEN.
ii. ESTHER GOLDEN.
90. SIMPSON6 STOUT (MOSES5, RACHEL4 MERRILL, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) He married ABIGAIL BRYAN.
Children of SIMPSON STOUT and ABIGAIL BRYAN are:
i. ZEPHENIA S.7 STOUT.
ii. ELIZA A. STOUT.
iii. MARIA STOUT.
iv. SARAH STOUT.
91. MARY7 MERRILL (JONATHAN6, LAMBERT5, RICHARD4, RICHARD3, RICHARD2, DE MERLE1) was born 17 Oct 1787 in New York. She married ISAAC MERRILL, son of JOHN MERRILL and SARAH. He was born 06 Aug 1786 in New York, and died 09 Feb 1833.
Children are listed above under (26) Isaac Merrill.
92. CORNELIUS C.7 MERRILL (CORNELIUS M.6, ABRAHAM5, JOHN4, JOHN3, RICHARD2, DE MERLE1) was born 25 Jan 1829 in Staten Island, New York, and died 12 May 1892. He married MARY ELIZABETH VAN CLIEF 29 Jun 1853 in Staten Island, New York. She was born 24 Sep 1835 in Staten Island, New York, and died 16 Oct 1907.
More About CORNELIUS MERRILL and MARY VAN CLIEF:
Marriage: 29 Jun 1853, Staten Island, New York
Children of CORNELIUS MERRILL and MARY VAN CLIEF are:
i. GEORGE WASHINGTON8 MERRILL, b. 14 Aug 1854.
ii. ISAIAH MASON MERRILL, b. 03 Sep 1856.
iii. TIMOTHY MERRILL, b. 30 Jul 1858.
iv. SARAH ELIZEBETH MERRILL, b. 09 Jul 1861.
v. SAMUEL E. MERRILL, b. 12 Dec 1863.
vi. DAVID HENRY MERRILL, b. 17 Feb 1867.
vii. SARAH CATHERINE MERRILL, b. 29 May 1869.
viii. MARY MARGARETTA MERRILL, b. 13 Feb 1871.
ix. ENOCH MERRILL, b. 05 Oct 1871.
x. JANE ELIZABETH MERRILL, b. 05 Oct 1872.
xi. RACHEL A. MERRILL, b. 18 Feb 1874.
xii. JULIETTE ANDERSON MERRILL, b. 13 Nov 1875.
93. JOHN7 MERRILL (ELI6, BENJAMIN5, WILLIAM4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 30 Mar 1847 in Dallas County, Texas, and died 29 Aug 1931 in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas. He married SUSAN JANE SWETMAN 26 Sep 1872. She was born 02 Feb 1852 in Missouri, and died 02 Dec 1928 in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas.
More About JOHN MERRILL:
Burial: Aug 1931, Dallas, Dallas County, Texas Merrill Cemetary
More About SUSAN JANE SWETMAN:
Burial: Dec 1928, Dallas, Dallas County, Texas Merrill Cemetary
More About JOHN MERRILL and SUSAN SWETMAN:
Marriage: 26 Sep 1872
Children of JOHN MERRILL and SUSAN SWETMAN are:
i. MARY ETHEL8 MERRILL, b. 25 Oct 1873.
ii. MARGARET MAY MERRILL, b. 19 Sep 1875.
iii. JULIA T. MERRILL, b. 29 Aug 1877.
iv. LUCY O. MERRILL, b. 03 Nov 1880.
v. ADA M. MERRILL, b. 06 Jul 1883.
vi. THOMAS C. MERRILL, b. 26 Jan 1886.
vii. JOHN E. MERRILL, b. 03 May 1888.
viii. WALTER E. MERRILL, b. 12 Apr 1891.
ix. WILLIAM DOUGLAS MERRILL, b. 11 May 1896.
94. CHARLES7 MERRILL (ELI6, BENJAMIN5, WILLIAM4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 13 Apr 1811 in Fairview, Buncombe County, North Carolina, and died 13 Jul 1852 in Elk Horn, Douglas County, Nebraska. He married (1) MAHALA KELLEY. She was born Abt. 1811, and died Abt. 1833. He married (2) SARAH FINLEY 12 Oct 1834 in Lewis County, Missouri. She was born 18 Feb 1819 in Grayson County, Kentucky, and died 02 Feb 1901 in Elba, Cassia County, Idaho.
More About CHARLES MERRILL:
Burial: Jul 1852, Elk Horn, Douglas County, Nebraska
More About SARAH FINLEY:
Burial: Feb 1901, Elba, Cassia County, Idaho
More About CHARLES MERRILL and SARAH FINLEY:
Marriage: 12 Oct 1834, Lewis County, Missouri
Children of CHARLES MERRILL and SARAH FINLEY are:
i. FRANCIS MARION8 MERRILL, b. 18 Feb 1837, Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa.
ii. NANCY MERRILL, b. 08 Nov 1838, Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa; m. HOMER COLE; b. 09 Jan 1834, Madison, Geauga County, Iowa.
iii. SOPHIA MERRILL, b. 11 Dec 1839, Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa; m. (1) JUDSON TOLMAN; b. 14 Jul 1826, Hope, Lincoln county, Maine; m. (2) GARRETT HOPKINS WOLVERTON; b. 10 May 1833, Camden, Preble County, Ohio.
iv. ORSON MERRILL, b. 02 Feb 1841, Burlington, Des Moines, Iowa; d. 12 Apr 1907.
v. JOHN FINLEY MERRILL, b. 21 Oct 1843, Lee County, Iowa; d. 19 Sep 1931.
vi. SARAH MERRILL, b. 05 Nov 1845; d. 08 Oct 1847.
vii. JOSEPH MERRILL, b. 22 Sep 1847; d. 18 May 1921, Blackfoot, Bingham County, Idaho.
More About JOSEPH MERRILL:
Burial: May 1921, Blackfoot, Bingham County, Idaho
viii. CHARLES WILLIAM MERRILL, b. 27 Nov 1849.
ix. MARY JANE MERRILL, b. 28 Jan 1852, Council Bluffs, Potawattomie County, Iowa; m. WILLIAM EDWARD COLE; b. 03 Jul 1848, Council Bluffs, Potawattomie County, Iowa.
95. ELI7 MERRILL, JR. (ELI6, BENJAMIN5, WILLIAM4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born Abt. 1814 in Fairview, Buncombe County, North Carolina, and died 1854. He married ELIZABETH COPE 1851. She was born 29 Jun 1833, and died 10 Jul 1863 in Ft. Worth, Texas.
More About ELIZABETH COPE:
Burial: Jul 1863, Ft. Worth, Texas
More About ELI MERRILL and ELIZABETH COPE:
Marriage: 1851
Children of ELI MERRILL and ELIZABETH COPE are:
i. JOHN WILLIAM8 MERRILL, b. 06 Apr 1852.
ii. ABNER ELI MERRILL, b. 09 Apr 1854.
96. EMELINE7 MERRILL (BENJAMIN6, BENJAMIN5, WILLIAM4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born Abt. 1825. She married (1) FRANK SMITH. She married (2) THOMAS GARRETT.
Children of EMELINE MERRILL and FRANK SMITH are:
i. GEORGE8 SMITH, b. Abt. 1843.
ii. MARY SMITH, b. Abt. 1846.
iii. MARTHA SMITH, b. Abt. 1846.
97. ALEXANDER7 MCCRARY (CHARITY6 MERRILL, BENJAMIN5, WILLIAM4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 1822 in Buncombe County, North Carolina, and died 1867. He married CYNTHIA CAPPS. She was born 23 Jun 1822 in Buncombe County, North Carolina.
Children of ALEXANDER MCCRARY and CYNTHIA CAPPS are:
i. SUSANNAH8 MCCRARY, b. Abt. 1844.
ii. ESTHER MCCRARY, b. 14 Aug 1846, Henderson County, North Carolina; m. SOLOMON JONES; b. 10 Apr 1846, Henderson County, North Carolina.
iii. SARAH ELLEN MCCRARY, b. Abt. 1849, Henderson County, North Carolina; m. ENOCH MERRIMON REED.
iv. JOHN MCCRARY, b. Abt. 1851, Henderson County, North Carolina.
v. AMANDA MCCRARY, b. Abt. 1854, Henderson County, North Carolina; m. ROBERT F. HAMILTON.
vi. DANIEL A. MCCRARY, b. 11 Oct 1856, Henderson County, North Carolina; m. LUCINDA MORRIS; b. 28 May.
98. MARGARET7 THOMPSON (ELIZABETH6 MERRILL, ANDREW5, CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born Abt. 1812. She married (1) ELIJAH LYNCH. He was born Abt. 1810. She married (2) HENRY BARKER.
Children of MARGARET THOMPSON and ELIJAH LYNCH are:
i. JOHN8 LYNCH, b. Abt. 1830.
ii. CATHERINE LYNCH, b. Jan 1834; d. 23 Jun 1902.
Child of MARGARET THOMPSON and HENRY BARKER is:
iii. CHARLES8 BARKER, b. Abt. 1834.
99. BETSEY ELIZABETH7 THOMPSON (ELIZABETH6 MERRILL, ANDREW5, CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born Abt. 1814. She married (1) ISAAC WHITNEY. He was born Abt. 1810. She married (2) ROBERT RUNYON. He was born Abt. 1810.
Child of BETSEY THOMPSON and ISAAC WHITNEY is:
i. MARIA8 WHITNEY, b. Abt. 1832.
Children of BETSEY THOMPSON and ROBERT RUNYON are:
ii. JOSEPH8 RUNYON, b. Abt. 1832.
iii. RUTH RUNYON, b. 1834; m. LEMUEL PARRIS; b. Abt. 1830.
iv. SARAH RUNYON, b. Abt. 1836.
v. LAWSON RUNYON, b. Abt. 1838.
100. RICHARD7 THOMPSON (ELIZABETH6 MERRILL, ANDREW5, CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born Abt. 1818. He married (1) CAROLINE SIMPSON. He married (2) ELIZABETH THORNTON, daughter of AMOS THORNTON and ELIZABETH HOLT. She was born 25 Dec 1834.
Children of RICHARD THOMPSON and ELIZABETH THORNTON are:
i. SUE ELIZABETH8 THOMPSON, b. Abt. 1849.
ii. MARGARET EMMA THOMPSON, b. 02 Jan 1849, Ft. Gibson, Indian Territory, Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma.
iii. MARY THOMPSON THOMPSON, b. Abt. 1850.
iv. NANCY THOMPSON, b. Abt. 1851.
v. TOOKAH THOMPSON, b. Abt. 1853; m. WILLIAM SMELSER; b. 1860.
Notes for TOOKAH THOMPSON:
1894 - 1896 O.S. payroll: Fort Gibson, page 43
vi. CAROLINE HARRIETE THOMPSON, b. Abt. 1855.
vii. JOHN LANIGAN THOMPSON, b. Abt. 1857.
101. JENNIE7 THOMPSON (ELIZABETH6 MERRILL, ANDREW5, CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born Abt. 1822. She married (1) SAMUEL CROSSLAND, SR.. She married (2) RICHARD SCOTT. He was born Abt. 1820.
Children of JENNIE THOMPSON and SAMUEL CROSSLAND are:
i. MARTHA8 CROSSLAND, b. Abt. 1840.
ii. SAMUEL CROSSLAND, JR., b. Abt. 1842.
Child of JENNIE THOMPSON and RICHARD SCOTT is:
iii. RICHARD J.8 SCOTT, b. 1844.
102. BOYD7 MCCRARY (HUGH6, NANCY ANNA5 MERRILL, CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born Abt. 1798 in Rowan Co., or Randolph Co., North Carolina, and died Bet. 1830 - 1849 in Monroe County, Tennessee. He married CHARITY MERRILL Abt. 1821, daughter of BENJAMIN MERRILL and PENELOPE MERRILL. She was born 20 May 1797 in Randolph County, North Carolina.
More About BOYD MCCRARY and CHARITY MERRILL:
Marriage: Abt. 1821
Children are listed above under (52) Charity Merrill.
103. SILAS7 MCCRARY (JOSEPH JOEL6, NANCY ANNA5 MERRILL, CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 29 Oct 1806 in Fairview, Rowan County, North Carolina, and died 06 Oct 1885 in Spring Hill, Bowie County, Texas. He married MALINDA WHITAKER Abt. 1826, daughter of WILLIAM WHITAKER and SUSANNAH SUMNER. She was born 1807 in Fairview, Rowan County, North Carolina, and died 27 Sep 1852 in Spring Hill, Bowie County, Texas.
More About SILAS MCCRARY:
Burial: Oct 1885, Spring Hill, Bowie County, Texas
More About MALINDA WHITAKER:
Burial: Sep 1852, Spring Hill, Bowie County, Texas
More About SILAS MCCRARY and MALINDA WHITAKER:
Marriage: Abt. 1826
Children of SILAS MCCRARY and MALINDA WHITAKER are:
i. REBECCA8 MCCRARY, b. 1827; m. JOHN MURRAY.
ii. CHARLES MCCRARY, b. 1829.
iii. JOEL MCCRARY, b. 1830.
iv. MARGARET MCCRARY, b. 1833; d. 22 Sep 1842, Fairview, Rowan County, North Carolina.
More About MARGARET MCCRARY:
Burial: Sep 1842, Fairview, Rowan County, North Carolina
v. MARY A. MCCRARY, b. 1834.
vi. DORCUS MCCRARY, b. 1835; m. WILLIAM MONTRAVILLE JONES.
vii. JOHN H. MCCRARY, b. 1836.
viii. WILLIAM MCCRARY, b. 1837; d. 29 Sep 1842, Fairview, Rowan County, North Carolina.
More About WILLIAM MCCRARY:
Burial: Sep 1842, Fairview, Rowan County, North Carolina
ix. JESSE MCCRARY, b. 1840.
x. ALEXANDER MCCRARY, b. 1842.
xi. FRANCIS JEROME MCCRARY, b. 1844.
xii. SUSAN MCCRARY, b. 1850.
104. FRANCIS “FRANK”7 MCCRARY (JAMES BOYD6, NANCY ANNA5 MERRILL, CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 15 Jun 1830 in Davies County, Missouri. He married SOPHRONIA CAROLINA CULVER 31 Jan 1854 in Daviess County, Missouri, daughter of WILLIAM CULVER and SAVANNAH. She was born 1835 in Ohio, and died 1859 in Davies County, Missouri.
More About FRANCIS MCCRARY and SOPHRONIA CULVER:
Marriage: 31 Jan 1854, Daviess County, Missouri
Children of FRANCIS MCCRARY and SOPHRONIA CULVER are:
i. REBECCA CAROLINE8 MCCRARY, b. 25 Nov 1854, Davies County, Missouri; d. 17 Jan 1922, Missouri.
ii. ADOLPHUS MCCRARY, b. 08 Aug 1859, Davies County, Missouri; d. 08 Aug 1863, Davies County, Missouri.
105. ELIZA7 MERRILL (BENJAMIN6, CHARLES5, CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born Abt. 1821. She married WILLIAM POLSTON 23 Mar 1836 in Marshall County, Alabama.
Notes for WILLIAM POLSTON:
1851 census of Cherokees east of Mississippi
Wm. Polston
(lives in Marshall County, Alabama
Eliza Polston Wife
Preston Merrell son of wife
Lorenzo D. Polston son
Nancy A. Polston daughter
Elizabeth Polston daughter
Sarah I. Polston daughter
Josiah Polston son
Margaret Polston daughter
NOTE at bottom of page:
For proof as to the family above I can only refer to papers marked “Rufus West”. The statement is corroborated in a letter from Dr. John L. Yarnell, who informs me that the Wests, Polsons, and Merrills are relitives of his wife and Cherokees.
More About WILLIAM POLSTON and ELIZA MERRILL:
Marriage: 23 Mar 1836, Marshall County, Alabama
Children of ELIZA MERRILL and WILLIAM POLSTON are:
i. PRESTON8 MERRILL.
ii. LORENZO POSTON.
iii. NANCY A. POLSTON, b. 1838.
iv. ELIZABETH POLSTON, b. 1839.
v. SARAH J. POLSTON, b. 1842.
vi. JOSIAH POLSTON, b. 1844.
vii. MARGARET (MARY) POLSTON, b. 1846.
106. NANCY7 MERRILL (BENJAMIN6, CHARLES5, CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born Abt. 1825 in Guntersville, Alabama, and died Aug 1891. She married RUFUS WEST 11 Dec 1843 in Marshall County, Alabama. He was born Abt. 1820 in Alabama, and died Jul 1867.
Notes for NANCY MERRILL:
1852 Chapman Roll, Marshall County, Alabama
Family #8. roll #1717 as Nancy West
More About NANCY MERRILL:
Burial: Aug 1891
Notes for RUFUS WEST:
THE SILER ROLLS 1851 census of Cherokees east of Mississippi
Nancy West
(Rufus West is the head of this family, live in Marshall County, Alabama)
James W. West son
Sarah E. West daughter
Martha A. West daughter
For proof as to the family above I can only refer to papers marked “Rufus West”. The statement is corroborated in a letter from Dr. John L. Yarnell, who informs me that the Wests, Polsons and Merrills are relitives of his wife and Cherokees.
Marshall County, Alabama
Deed Book E Pg 500-501
22 December 1856
This Indenture made the twenty second day of December year one thousand Eight hundred and fifty six Rufus West of the County of Marshall and state of Alabama. Rufus West his wife of the first part and Willis Stephens of Marshall County and State of the second part, witnesseth the parties of the first part for and in consideration of fifty five dollars lawful Money of the United States to me in hand paid before the delivery hereof hath bargained do and by these presents doth grant and comes the party of the second party his heirs and assigns forever after certain piece or parcel of land lying and being in the county and State of Alabama which is known and described as follows to with the South West half of the SW ¼ of SW Section (No.33) in Township No 6 of Range No 23 containing 20 acres and 8 ½ hundreths together with all and singular tentements heredentiments and appertentances and all rent and interes of the said parties of the first part and the said parties of the first part doth hereby covenent and by said party of the second part that at the time of the sale hereof the said parties of the first part is the lawful owner of the premises above granted and seized thereof hold absoluto and that they will warrant and defend granted premises in the quiet deed peacible posession said party of the second part his heirs and assigns forever.
In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hand and seals the day and date first above written.
Rufus (his mark) West SEAL
Nancy West SEAL
Teste
Isaac Brunston
William Merrill
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
State of Alabama I Isaac Brunston Justice of the Peace hereby certify that Rufus West and Nancy his wife whose names is
Marshall County signed to the foregoing conveyance and who is known to me acknowledges before me on this day that being
informed of the contents of the conveyances they Executed the said voluntarily the same above date; Given under my hand and seal this the 22 day of December 1856.
Isaac Brunston Justice of the Peace
The State of Alabama
Marshall County J. M. Gilbreath Judge of Probate of said County hereby certify tht the foregoing certificate of acknowledgement were received in my office for record on the 1st. day of June 1857 and the same day recorded in deed book E page 500. J. M. Gilbreath Judge of Probate
============================================================================================================
More About RUFUS WEST:
Burial: Jul 1867
More About RUFUS WEST and NANCY MERRILL:
Marriage: 11 Dec 1843, Marshall County, Alabama
Children of NANCY MERRILL and RUFUS WEST are:
i. JAMES W.8 WEST, b. 1845.
ii. SARAH E. WEST, b. 02 Sep 1846.
iii. MARY ANN WEST, b. 29 Jan 1848.
Notes for MARY ANN WEST:
THE SILER ROLLS census of Cherokees east of the Mississippi
Martha Merrell 21
(lives in Marshall County)
Sarah E. Merrell daughter
Benjamin Merrell son
ALLOWED
For proof as the the family above I can only refer to papers marked “Rufus West”. The statement is corroborated in a letter from Dr. John L. Yarnell, who informs me that the Wests, Polsons, and Merrills are relitives of his wife and Cherokees.
iv. MORGAN WEST, b. 1855.
v. CHARLES WEST, b. 1863.
107. MARY ANN7 MERRILL (BENJAMIN6, CHARLES5, CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born Abt. 1826. She married JAMES STARNES.
Notes for MARY ANN MERRILL:
Notes for JAMES STARNES:
RG75. Entry 545: 1859, Service in Flordia. 1834-1837 as Cook. Reg.
Children of MARY MERRILL and JAMES STARNES are:
i. JEFFERSON8 STARNES.
ii. JOHN STARNES.
iii. MARGARET STARNES.
iv. LILLIE STARNES.
108. WILLIAM BEVELY7 MERRILL (BENJAMIN6, CHARLES5, CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 16 Dec 1836 in Alabama. He married JULIA A. UPTON Abt. 1874 in Alabama. She was born May 1858 in Alabama, and died Aug 1935 in Madison County, Alabama.
Notes for WILLIAM BEVELY MERRILL:
More About JULIA A. UPTON:
Burial: Aug 1935, Madison County, Alabama
More About WILLIAM MERRILL and JULIA UPTON:
Marriage: Abt. 1874, Alabama
Children of WILLIAM MERRILL and JULIA UPTON are:
i. MARTHA8 MERRILL, b. 1875.
ii. WINNIE LEE MERRILL, b. Feb 1878.
iii. NANCY A. MERRILL, b. Jun 1879.
iv. WILLIAM M. MERRILL, b. 1880.
v. MORGAN MERRILL, b. Feb 1881.
vi. ROBERT BEVERLY MERRILL, b. 16 Dec 1885, Alabama; d. 11 Feb 1941, Madison County, Alabama; m. GRACIE HOLT; b. 10 Oct 1889; d. 15 Apr 1972, New Hope, Alabama.
More About ROBERT BEVERLY MERRILL:
Burial: Feb 1941, Madison County, Alabama
More About GRACIE HOLT:
Burial: Apr 1972, New Hope, Alabama WalkerCemetery
vii. GEORGE C. MERRILL, b. Feb 1886.
viii. MARGARET MERRILL, b. Sep 1887.
ix. JULIA E. MERRILL, b. Sep 1888.
x. SUSIE M. MERRILL, b. Dec 1891.
109. RUTHA EMALINE7 MERRILL (BENJAMIN6, CHARLES5, CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 1839 in Marshall County, Alabama, and died in Alabama. She married WILLIS STEPHENS, JR. 15 Nov 1853 in Marshall County, Alabama, son of WILLIS STEPHENS and CYNTHIA WALKER. He was born 1824 in Marshall County, Alabama, and died in Alabama.
Notes for RUTHA EMALINE MERRILL:
Rutha Emaline Merrill Stephens was my gg grandmother. Her father Benjamin was grandson of the famous Captain Benjamin Merrill, hung by the British in 1771.
More About RUTHA EMALINE MERRILL:
Burial: Alabama
Notes for WILLIS STEPHENS, JR.:
I do hereby certify that on the 23rd day of November past celebrate the sigsto of Matrimony between Willis Stephens and Emeline Merrill at the late residence of the widow Merrill according to the authority of the fore said State given under my hand this 19th Dec 1855.
Isaac Brunston
Justice of the Peace
“Willis Stephens has lost his eyesight from neuralgia of the eye.”
More About WILLIS STEPHENS, JR.:
Burial: Alabama
More About WILLIS STEPHENS and RUTHA MERRILL:
Marriage: 15 Nov 1853, Marshall County, Alabama
Children of RUTHA MERRILL and WILLIS STEPHENS are:
i. JOHN HENRY8 STEPHENS, b. 17 Dec 1855, Huntsville, Marshall Co., Alabama; d. 02 Apr 1912, Bagwell, Red River Co., Texas; m. MARY ISABELLE MORRIS, 20 Sep 1875, Huntsville, Marshall Co., Alabama; b. 20 Mar 1856, Huntsville, Marshall Co., Alabama; d. 13 Dec 1931, Bagwell, Red River Co., Texas.
Notes for JOHN HENRY STEPHENS:
John Henry Stephens moved from Alabama to Bagwell, Red River County, Texas about 1885-86. He was one of the first of our Stephens clan to move to Texas. John Henry was born 14 December 1855 in Alabama. He married Mary I. Morris 20 September 1875 in Alabama. (Her mother was his first half cousin.) He died 2 April 1912 in Red River County, Texas with burial at Old Shamrock Cemetery. He is the son of Willis Stephens, Jr. (1824- ) and Rutha Emeline Merrill Stephens. Willis Stephens Jr. is the son of Willis Stephens, the elder (about 1775-1859) and wife, Cynthia Walker. John Henry is found as a teenager, 14 years old on the following census. They were in house/family #28/28, a next door neighbor to Willis C. Stephens.
1879 census of Marshall County, Alabama, P.O. - Kennemer, T7-R1 3 June 1870
Stephens, Willis 46 M Farmer Born Ala.
Ruthia 32? F Keeping House “
John 14 M Farm Labor “
Margaret 12 F “
Martha 10 F “
Beverly 8 F “
Arena 6 F “
Thomas 4 M “
Mary 1 F “
John Henry Stephens was postmaster at Bagwell from 9 May 1899 until his death in 1912. John Henry Stephens wife was Mary Isabella Morris and was the daughter of his first half cousin, Elizabeth Stephens and Henry Morris. John Henry and Mary Isabella (Belle) had nine children and one adopted son, Joseph. They called him “Black John” because he had a dark complexion.
1910 Federal Census of Red River County, Texas Streets in Bagwell, house 197, Family 1999
John H. Stephens Head 55 Postmaster Born in Alabama
Mary J. Wife 55 “
Charlie Son 30 Wood dealer/shipper “
Pete Son 21 R.F.D. Carrier Texas
Ron Son 14 “
Bonnie daug. 7 “
More About JOHN HENRY STEPHENS:
Burial: 03 Apr 1912, Bagwell, Red River Co., Texas
More About MARY ISABELLE MORRIS:
Burial: 14 Dec 1931, Bagwell, Red River Co., Texas
More About JOHN STEPHENS and MARY MORRIS:
Marriage: 20 Sep 1875, Huntsville, Marshall Co., Alabama
ii. MARGARET CYNTHIA STEPHENS, b. 1859.
iii. MARTHA ANN STEPHENS, b. 14 Feb 1861, Newhope, Marshall Co., Alabama; d. 1944, Amarillo, Potter Co., Texas; m. JAMES ALEXANDER REAVES; b. 11 Jun 1855, Coosa or Talladega, Alabama; d. Amarillo, Potter Co., Texas.
More About MARTHA ANN STEPHENS:
Burial: 1944, Amarillo, Potter Co., Texas
Notes for JAMES ALEXANDER REAVES:
The State of Alabama ] To any Ordained or Licensed Minister of the Gospel, Judge or
Circuit
Jackson County ] or Probate Courts, or Justice of the Peace for said county, Greetings,
You are hereby Authorized to celebrate the Rites of Matrimony between
James A. Reaves and Miss Elizabeth Brown
and this shall be your sufficient authority for so doing.
Given under my hand and seal this 23 day of December A.D. 1875
Nelson Kyle [L.S.]
Judge of Probate
The above named parties were married by me at the residence of J. A. C. Brown on the 26 day of December A.D. 1875
J. N. Sealy
M.G.
fifty Dollar Fine for failing to return this license.
The State of Alabama ]
Jackson County ]
Know all Men by the Presents, That we, James A. Reaves J.A. C. Brown and T. J. Gross are held and hereby bound unto the State of Alabama in the sum of Five Hundred Dollars the which payment, well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, jointly and severally, firmly by these presents.
Sealed with our seals and dated this 23 day of December 1875.
THE CONDITION OF THE ABOVE OBLIGATION IS SUCH, That if there be no legal cause to obstruct the Marriage of
James A. Reaves and Elizabeth L. Brown
to whom a License has this day been granted, then to be void, else to remain in full free and virtue
Attest__________________________ James A. Reaves [L.S.}
Judge of Probate Court Jes. Brown lL.S.]
T. J. Gross
More About JAMES ALEXANDER REAVES:
Burial: Amarillo, Potter Co., Texas
iv. BEVERLY CLEMENTINE STEPHENS, b. 29 Nov 1863, Paint Rock, Marshall Co., Alabama; d. 24 Sep 1947, Socorro, Socorro Co., New Mexico; m. SIDNEY LITTLE REAVES, 03 Jan 1884, Paint Rock, Jackson County, Alabama; b. Aug 1858, Coosa or Talladega, Alabama; d. 20 Sep 1911, Jewell, Eastland Co., Texas.
Notes for BEVERLY CLEMENTINE STEPHENS:
BEVERLY CLEMENTINE STEPHENS, was my greatgrandmother, whom I loved dearly.
She was a very interesting woman to listen to, as she had so many stories of her life to tell. The memory that stands uppermost in my mind, was her love of peppermint candy. She always told me that she would give me a piece of peppermint if I would sleep with her and help keep her warm. She knew I hated peppermint and she always smelled of it. I would sleep with her and listen to her talk about her younger days. Didn’t eat any peppermint though! We always bought it for her in the largest sticks we could find and she would take a knife and break pieces off of it. She always dipped snuff which I also hated, but as I said, I loved her dearly.
Beverly always said that her father was a steam boat captain and that the first twelve years of her life was spent on the steamboat. She said her father’s name was Peter, but it wasn’t. Her father was Willis Stephens Jr. and her mother was Rutha Emaline Merrill of the famous Merrill’s. She grew up on a farm near Paint Rock, Alabama. There was a Peter Stephens, Captain of a steam boat at that time, and maybe he was related and took her for a ride, but we will never know for sure.
She married Sidney Little Reaves and they had two daughters. She didn’t want a lot of children, so she said her birth control method was to use hog lard mixed with salt. The salt dried her ovaries up. Must have worked, as she only had the two girls, Emma Elizabeth (my grandmother) and Eva.
They moved to Texas when Eva was fourteen years of age for her health. Eva had Asthma. She said that they ran a mortuary in Sweetwater, Texas when they moved there. She was teaching daughter Emma the trade when she married my grandfather Will Jones. Soon after the marriage, my grandfather put a stop to that. According to the census report of 1900 they were shown as farmers. So many tales from Beverly, and so many disproved.
She was a Harvey girl, and worked in the Harvey House in Amarillo, Texas. She and Sidney were also Morticians for a while. She always said that when she died, she didn’t want to be buried until the third day so that we could make sure she was dead before burying her. I could sit and listen to her tales for hours on end. At one time I wrote a small book of all her tales for my Junior English Class. Don’t know what became of the book, but wish I had it as I don’t remember all she told me.
Her death certificate shows that she died from Senility and chronic bronchitis. That she was born in Marshall County, Alabama to Peter Stephens and Rutha Emeline Merril. It isn’t true, as her fathers name was Willis Stephens, Jr.
More About BEVERLY CLEMENTINE STEPHENS:
Burial: 28 Sep 1947, Socorro, Socorro Co., New Mexico
Notes for SIDNEY LITTLE REAVES:
SIDNEY REAVES was a farmer. He married Beverly Clementine Stephens 2 January 1884 in Jackson County, Alabama. They had two daughters, Emma Elizabeth and Eva. When Eva was 12 years old, they moved to Texas for her health as she had asthma. They were my great grandparents.
THE STATE OF ALABAMA ]
JACKSON COUNTY ] To any licensed Minister of the Gospel, Judge of the Suprene or Circuit Courts, or Chancellor of said State Judge of Probate or any Justice of the Peace, in said county, GREETING:
YOU ARE HEREBY AUTHORIZED To celebrate the Rites of Matrimony between
Sidney L. Reeves and Beveraly C. Stephens
and this shall be your sufficient authority for so doing
John B. Tally [L.S.] Judge of Probate
The above named parties were married by me at W. C. Stephens on the 2nd day of Jany A.D. 1884.
FIFTY DOLLARS FINE FOR FAILING TO RETURN THIS LICENSE W. G. Petty Justice of the Peace
THE STATE OF ALABAMA, ]
JACKSON COUNTY, ]
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, That we Sidney L. Reeves and James Reeves
are held and firmly bound unto the State of Alabama in the sum of Five Hundred Dollars, to the which payment, well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns, jointly, firmly by these presents.
THE CONDITION OF THE ABOVE OBLIGATION IS SUCH, That if there be no legal cause to obstruct the Marriage of
Sidney L. Reeves and Beveraly C. Stephens to whom a License has this day been granted, then to be void: else to remain in full force and virtue.
WITNESS our hands and seals the day and year above written.
Sidney L. Reeves [L.S.]
ATTEST___________________________________ James Reeves [L.S.}
Judge of Probate
More About SIDNEY LITTLE REAVES:
Burial: 22 Sep 1911, Jewell, Eastland Co., Texas
More About SIDNEY REAVES and BEVERLY STEPHENS:
Marriage: 03 Jan 1884, Paint Rock, Jackson County, Alabama
v. ARENA STEPHENS, b. 1864, Newhope, Marshall Co., Alabama; m. WILLIAM M. CARVER, 02 Jan 1884, Jackson Co, Alabama.
More About WILLIAM CARVER and ARENA STEPHENS:
Marriage: 02 Jan 1884, Jackson Co, Alabama
vi. THOMAS STEPHENS, b. 1866.
vii. MARY J. STEPHENS, b. 1869.
viii. WILLIAM R. STEPHENS, b. 1870; m. ALTA.
ix. M. C. STEPHENS, b. 1878.
110. MARY ELIZABETH (POLLY)7 MERRILL (ABEL6, CHARLES5, CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 1826 in South Carolina, and died 1894 in White County, Arkansas. She married JESSE JACKSON TOUCHSTONE 25 Aug 1843 in Clarke County, Mississippi.
More About MARY ELIZABETH (POLLY) MERRILL:
Burial: 1894, White County, Arkansas
More About JESSE TOUCHSTONE and MARY MERRILL:
Marriage: 25 Aug 1843, Clarke County, Mississippi
Children of MARY MERRILL and JESSE TOUCHSTONE are:
i. MARTHA A.8 TOUCHSTONE.
ii. ELIZABETH DELANEY TOUCHSTONE.
iii. SARAH JANE TOUCHSTONE.
iv. NANCY PRISCILLA TOUCHSTONE.
v. JOHN TOUCHSTONE.
vi. DANIEL DAVIDL TOUCHSTONE.
vii. GREEN BERRY TOUCHSTONE.
viii. GEORGE WASHINGTON TOUCHSTONE.
111. GREEN BERRY7 MERRILL (ABEL6, CHARLES5, CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 21 Oct 1835 in Jasper Co., Misissippi, and died 1867. He married ELIZABETH HOLLEY. She was born 24 Jul 1831 in Covington County, Alabama, and died 11 May 1915 in Blount County, Alabama.
More About ELIZABETH HOLLEY:
Burial: May 1915, Blount County, Alabama
Children of GREEN MERRILL and ELIZABETH HOLLEY are:
i. ELEY8 MERRILL.
ii. JAKE MERRILL.
iii. JULDA MERRILL.
iv. MARTHA MERRILL.
112. AMOS7 MERRILL, JR. (AMOS6, JOHATHAN5, CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 1813 in North Carolina, and died Aft. 1870 in Haleyville, Franklin County, Alabama. He married ELIZABETH ELLIOTT 18 May 1834 in Shelby Co., Alabama. She was born 1816 in Alabama.
More About AMOS MERRILL, JR.:
Burial: Aft. 1870, Haleyville, Franklin County, Alabama
More About AMOS MERRILL and ELIZABETH ELLIOTT:
Marriage: 18 May 1834, Shelby Co., Alabama
Children of AMOS MERRILL and ELIZABETH ELLIOTT are:
i. JONATHAN8 MERRILL, b. 1835.
ii. PARALEE MERRILL, b. 1836.
iii. NANCY MERRILL, b. 1841.
iv. MARTHA MERRILL, b. 1843.
v. ELIZABETH MERRILL, b. 1845.
vi. GREEN MERRILL, b. 1846.
vii. MOBALY MERRILL, b. 1848.
113. RICHMOND7 MERRILL (AMOS6, JOHATHAN5, CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born 08 May 1817 in Rowan , North Carolina, and died 03 Nov 1863 in Shelby Co., Alabama. He married DORCAS E. WILLIAMS 05 Dec 1847 in Shelby Co., Alabama. She was born 19 Jan 1826 in Alabama, and died 04 Nov 1898 in Shelby County, Alabama.
More About RICHMOND MERRILL:
Burial: Nov 1863, Shelby Co., Alabama
More About DORCAS E. WILLIAMS:
Burial: Nov 1898, Shelby County, Alabama
More About RICHMOND MERRILL and DORCAS WILLIAMS:
Marriage: 05 Dec 1847, Shelby Co., Alabama
Children of RICHMOND MERRILL and DORCAS WILLIAMS are:
i. ALFRED H.8 MERRILL, b. 28 Mar 1849.
ii. RACHEL N. MERRILL, b. 06 Mar 1851.
114. WILLIAM7 MERRILL (AMOS6, JOHATHAN5, CAPTAIN BENJAMIN4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) was born Mar 1828 in Shelby County, Alabama. He married PRISCILLA WILLIAMS 15 Mar 1849 in Shelby Co., Alabama. She was born 1832 in Coosa County, Alabama.
More About WILLIAM MERRILL and PRISCILLA WILLIAMS:
Marriage: 15 Mar 1849, Shelby Co., Alabama
Child of WILLIAM MERRILL and PRISCILLA WILLIAMS is:
i. AZARIAH8 MERRILL, b. 1850.
115. NATHAN7 STOUT (WILLIAM6, CAPTAIN NATHAN5, RACHEL4 MERRILL, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, DE MERLE1) He married MARY ANN FISHER.
Child of NATHAN STOUT and MARY FISHER is:
i. SIMPSON8 STOUT.