o4**t* 27, REUNION OF DESCENDANTS OF NATHANIEL MERRIMAN AT WALLINGFORD, CONN. JUNE 4, 1913 WITH A MERRIMAN GENEALOGY FOR FIVE GENERATIONS NEW HAVEN, CONN. DONALD L. JACOBUS 26 COURT STREET 1914 PREFACE Nathaniel Merriman was born in England in 1613, came to Boston in 1632, served in the Pequot war of 1637, arrived in New Haven about 1640 where he resided until 1670, then became one of the principal founders of Wallingford where he died in 1694. An increasing interest in the life and work of Nathaniel Merriman having recently been manifested by some of his descendants, it seemed appropriate to hold a Reunion in the three-hundredth year after his birth. Accordingly a committee consisting of Mansfield Merriman of New York, George M. Curtis of Meriden, Conn., Roger B. Merriman of Cambridge, Mass., Donald L. Jacobus of New Haven, Conn., with the undersigned as chairman, issued circulars and prepared a program for the Reunion which was duly held at Wallingford, Conn., on June 4, 1913. Parts I and II of this volume, containing the proceedings of that Reunion, the papers there read, and other matter regarding the history of the Merriman family, have been compiled by Mansfield Merriman, the secretary of the general committee of five, who has read all the proofs and prepared the index. Part III, compiled by Donald L. Jacobus, is a Merriman genealogy for the first five generations commencing with Nathaniel, and it also gives the names and years of birth 3 4 PREFACE of those of the sixth generation as far as now known. It is hoped to extend this genealogy to later generations at some future time. All descendants who can collect matter for its improvement and extension are earnestly requested to do so during 1914 and to have the same ready to record on blanks which will be sent to them in 1915. As this volume can reach but comparatively few of the family, it is hoped that all who see it will give this notice 'as wide a circula- tion as possible. GEORGE B. MERRIMAN, Chairman of General Committee. WASHINGTON, D. C., Dec., 1913. CONTENTS PAGE FRONTISPIECE: HALF-TONE OF PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN JUNE 4, 1913 PREFACE BY GEORGE B. MERRIMAN 3 PART I. THE REUNION NAMES OF THOSE WHO REPLIED TO CIRCULARS 9 ATTENDANCE AT THE REUNION 14 PROCEEDINGS OF THE REUNION 17 ADDRESS OF WELCOME, BY MRS. WILLIAM H. GODDARD 29 ANCESTRY AND PARENTAGE OF NATHANIEL MERRIMAN, BY GEORGE B. MERRIMAN 32 THE PURITAN PLOUGH COMPANY, AND NATHANIEL MERRIMAN IN NEW ENGLAND, 1630-1640, BY ROGER B. MERRIMAN 38 NATHANIEL MERRIMAN IN NEW HAVEN, 1640-1670, BY Miss ALICE M. MERRIMAN 47 THE CHILDREN OF NATHANIEL MERRIMAN 57 THE FOUNDERS OF WALLINGFORD, A POEM, BY DONALD L. JACOBUS 60 NATHANIEL MERRIMAN IN WALLINGFORD, 1670-1694, BY MANS- FIELD MERRIMAN 64 KING PHILIP'S WAR AND THE SERVICES RENDERED THEREIN BY NATHANIEL MERRIMAN AND His ELDEST SON, BY GEORGE M. CURTIS 70 THE WILL AND ESTATE OF NATHANIEL MERRIMAN 77 LETTERS FROM DESCENDENTS WHO COULD NOT ATTEND THE REUNION 83 PART II. ALLIED PAPERS WALLINGFORD TOWN MEETINGS, 1670-1692 95 THE MERRIMAN AND MUNSON FAMILIES, BY REV. MYRON A. MUNSON 104 GENEALOGICAL SEARCHES IN ENGLAND IN 1913, BY MANSFIELD MERRIMAN 107 5 6 CONTENTS PART III. GENEALOGY PAGE GENEALOGY OF THE MERRIMAN FAMILY FOR FIVE GENERATIONS COMMENCING WITH CAPT. NATHANIEL, BY DONALD L. JACOBUS 137 NATHANIEL MERRIMAN, FOUNDER 137 THE SECOND GENERATION 139 THE THIRD GENERATION 147 THE FOURTH AND FIFTH GENERATIONS 154 APPENDIX AND INDEX THE HISTORICAL YEAR AND THE LEGAL YEAR 173 INDEX OF AMERICAN MERRIMANS 175 UNSOLVED PROBLEMS 187 PART I THE REUNION PRELIMINARY CIRCULARS AND PROGRAMS In March, 1913, a circular was sent to about 240 persons who were supposed to be descendants of Nathaniel Merri- man, and from them 68 replies were received, many of which gave the names of other descendants. In May 1913 a program of the Reunion to be held on June 4 was sent to 325 persons from whom 154 replies were received. The following list gives the names of descendants or members of their families who replied to one or both circulars. Some who were unable to attend sent letters of greeting which will be found on pages 83-91. Edward M. Merriman, Con way, Arkansas. Alvin F. Merriman, Oakland, California. Mrs. John Hamilton, Alvinston, Ontario, Canada. Vinton R. Merriman, Belleville, Ontario, Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Lockwood, Brighton, Ontario, Canada. Miss Hattie R. Stephens, Coburg, Ontario, Canada. George Isaiah Merriman, Colborne, Ontario, Canada. John M. Black, Montreal, Canada. Mrs. Kate G. Crowle, Toronto, Canada. Mrs. Eben White, Longmont, Colorado. Miss Susan E. Merriam, Branford, Connecticut. E. R. Sutliff, Bridgeport, Connecticut. Carleton W. Buell, Bristol, Connecticut. George Merriman, Bristol, Connecticut. George M. Merriman, Bristol, Connecticut. Edward W. Merriman, Bristol, Connecticut. Dana Sibley Merriman, Bristol, Connecticut. Henry Merriman, Bristol, Connecticut. 9 10 MERRIMAN REUNION George Ransom Johnson, Cheshire, Connecticut. John J. Merriman, Hartford, Connecticut. Mrs. George W. Griffith, Lime Rock, Connecticut. Arthur H. Merriman, Marion, Connecticut. Mrs. Harriet Merriman Billard, Meriden, Connecticut. Miss Mary A. Butler, Meriden, Connecticut. George M. Curtis, Meriden, Connecticut. Mrs. Charles H. Fales, Meriden, Connecticut. Mrs. Seth J. Hall, Meriden, Connecticut. Miss Mary Elizabeth Merriman, Meriden, Connecticut. Claude V. Sutliffe, Meriden, Connecticut. Miss Ella I. Smith, Meriden, Connecticut. Mrs. Caroline Merriman Goodyear, Naugatuck, Connecticut. Mrs. George W. Fisk, Newington, Connecticut. Mrs. Celia Adelaide Shepard, New Britain, Connecticut. Donald L. Jacobus, New Haven, Connecticut. Mrs. George Bushnell Martin, New Haven, Connecticut. Miss Alice M. Merriman, New Haven, Connecticut. H. Merriman Steele, New Haven, Connecticut. Mrs. W. P. Tuttle, New Haven, Connecticut. Mrs. Jane Lewis Bull, Plainville, Connecticut. Joseph R. Merriman, Plainville, Connecticut. Mrs. Mary Ann Andrews, Plantsville, Connecticut. Henry J. Merriman, Southington, Connecticut. Mrs. Theodore H. McKenzie, Southington, Connecticut. Samuel H. McKenzie, Southington, Connecticut. Mrs. Elijah Rogers, Southington, Connecticut. Mrs. Josiah H. Merriman, Southington, Connecticut. Mrs. Jackson Martin, Southington, Connecticut. Mrs. Helen Frost Beckley, Southington, Connecticut. Reuben T. Frost, Southington, Connecticut. Frederick A. Sutliffe, Southington, Connecticut. Mrs. Sylvia Ann Savage, Southington, Connecticut. J. H. Pratt, Southington, Connecticut. Mrs. Oliver Woodruff, Southington, Connecticut. Walter H. Neal, Southington, Connecticut. Mrs. Jennie Merriman Buell, Terryville, Connecticut. Mrs. Charles W. Wolcott, Terryville, Connecticut. Mrs. Harriet M. Hayes, Torrington, Connecticut. PRELIMINARY CIRCULARS 11 Mrs. O. P. Merriman, Wallingford, Connecticut. Mrs. William H. Goddard, Wallingford, Connecticut. Mrs. Edward M. Johnson, Wallingford, Connecticut. Mrs. Agnes E. Hall, Wallingford, Connecticut. Mrs. S. M. Backes, Wallingford, Connecticut. Mrs. Julia R. Barnes, Wallingford, Connecticut. Mrs. Sally Andrews Powers, Wallingford, Connecticut. William A. MacKenzie, Wallingford, Connecticut. Miss Emily E. Merriman, Waterbury, Connecticut. Miss Helen C. Merriman, Waterbury, Connecticut. Miss Kate A. Prichard, Waterbury, Connecticut. Thurston Cables Merriman, Waterbury, Connecticut. Miss Adelaide Frost, Waterbury, Connecticut. Harry Morton Merriman, Watertown, Connecticut. Mrs. Buell Hemingway, Watertown, Connecticut. Edward D. Merriman, Westport, Connecticut. Mary E. Merriman, Westville, Connecticut. Mrs. Carrie Frost King, Windsor, Connecticut. George B. Merriman, Washington, District of Columbia. F. K. Merriman, Washington, District of Columbia. Charles N. Merriman, Orlando, Florida. Mrs. Eleanor Francis Evans, Zephyrhills, Florida. Irving W. Hart, Bois6, Idaho. Mrs. Laura Allen, Belvidere, Illinois. Mrs. Lydia C. Poyer, Belvidere, Illinois. Mrs. Mattie Merriman Nourse, Chicago, Illinois. Miss Josephine A. Merriman, Chicago, Illinois. Mrs. Caroline Merriman Tomlinson, Chicago, Illinois. Charles M. Newton, Chicago, Illinois. Lucius H. Merriman, Clinton, Illinois. Mrs. Clinton Judd, Dixon, Illinois. Frank C. Catterlin, Heyworth, Illinois. Mrs. Samuel Earngey, Rockford, Illinois. Isaiah Merriman Clark, Elkhart, Indiana. Frank B. Merriman, Marion, Indiana. Miss Gertrude Merriman, Terre Haute, Indiana. Arthur H. Bennett, Topeka, Kansas. George B. Merriman, Ottowa, Kansas. James Leigh Merriman, Bolton, Massachusetts. 12 MERRIMAN REUNION Miss L. Beatrice Merriman, Boston, Massachusetts. Roger B. Merriman, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Frank W. Merriman, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Mrs. Ella Bull Lewis, Chicopee, Massachusetts. Mrs. Amelia Frost Ives, Dedham, Massachusetts. Mrs. Jennie Snow Shattuck, Hinsdale, Massachusetts. Elliot A. Clark, Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Mrs. Titus M. Merriman, Revere, Massachusetts. Earl C. Merriman, Shirley, Massachusetts. Mrs. Gabriel Campbell, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Joel Chauncey Merriman, Deckerville, Michigan. George Porter McMahon, Detroit, Michigan. Miss Louise B. Merriman, Grass Lake, Michigan. Mrs. Harriet Merriman Lawrence, Grass Lake, Michigan. George W. Merriman, Hartford, Michigan. Miss Belle Merriman, Jackson, Michigan. Willis G. Merriman, Lowell, Michigan. Charles F. Merriman, Manchester, Michigan. George F. Macklam, Manistee, Michigan. George Elliott Merriman, Napoleon, Michigan. Mrs. Emma G. Merriman Blanchard, St. Paul, Minnesota. Mrs. Agnes Merriman Woods, St. Paul, Minnesota. Mrs. Florence Merriman Young, St. Paul, Minnesota. Mrs. Clara Merriman Bell, Mina, Nevada. Mrs. Julia Merriman Humphrey, Englewood, New Jersey. Thaddeus Merriman, Essex Fells, New Jersey. Rev. Samuel Sears Merriman, Trenton, New Jersey. Porter Lee Merriman, Albany, New York. M. L. Merriman, Hornell, New York. Mrs. Sara Merriman Hart, New York City, New York. Dr. H. Hemingway Merriman, New York City, New York. Mrs. Lucy Merriman Farmer, New York City, New York. William E. Reed, New York City, New York. Mansfield Merriman, New York City, New York. Norman Nathaniel Merriman, New York City, New York. Dr. Willis E. Merriman, Poughkeepsie, New York. Charles C. Merriman, Sodus, New York. Leonard J. Merriman, Wilmington, North Carolina. H. O. Merriman, Cleveland, Ohio. PRELIMINARY CIRCULARS 13 Asa G. Judd, Warren, Ohio. George Merriman, Muskogee, Oklahoma. Mrs. Auguste C. Merriman Quigley, Bellefont, Pennsylvania. Dr. George C. Merriman, Lake Como, Pennsylvania. Mrs Helen Merriman Lynch, Olyphant, Pennsylvania. E. L. Merriman, Scranton, Pennsylvania. C. LaRue Munson, Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Richard Mansfield Merriman, San Juan, Porto Rico. Charles H. Merriman, Providence, Rhode Island. Harold T. Merriman, Providence, Rhode Island. Clara L. Cranston, Providence, Rhode Island. S. B. Van Nostrand, Chattanooga, Tennessee. Mrs. Maude Merriman Huffman, Lebanon, Tennessee. Eli T. Merriman, Corpus Christi, Texas. Homer Arden Judd, Fort Worth, Texas. Jefferson Davis Merriman, Laredo, Texas. Maurice H. Merriman, Seattle, Washington. Mrs. Mina Clark Albright, Tacoma, Washington. Miss Alice P. Merriman, Madison, Wisconsin. ATTENDANCE AT THE REUNION The following list gives names and addresses of 124 descendants of Nathaniel Merriman and members of the families of descendants, who were present at the Reunion on June 4, 1913. Since some failed to register, this list is not complete. Judging by the well-filled hall, which had a seating capacity of 150, the total number of persons who were present at the Reunion was about 140. Miss Susan E. Merriam, Branford, Connecticut. Henry Merriman, Bristol, Connecticut. George Macy Merriman, Bristol, Connecticut. Miss Frances A. Merriman, Bristol, Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Edward W. Merriman, Bristol, Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. George Merriman, Bristol, Connecticut. George M. Merriman, Bristol, Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Ford, Bristol, Connecticut. Mrs. Anna Q. Perkins, Bristol, Connecticut. Paul G. Ford, Bristol, Connecticut. George Ransom Johnson, Cheshire, Connecticut. Joseph R. Johnson, Cheshire, Connecticut. Mrs. Paul Klingke, Cheshire, Connecticut. Miss Gertrude Klingke, Cheshire, Connecticut. Mrs. Sarah Merriman Treadway, Litchfield, Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Arthur H. Merriman and five sons, Marion, Connecticut. Edson Merriman, Marion, Connecticut. Mrs. Harriet Merriman Billard, Meriden, Connecticut. Miss Mary A. Butler, Meriden, Connecticut. Mrs. Seth J. Hall, Meriden, Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Merriman, Meriden, Connecticut. 14 ATTENDANCE AT THE REUNION 15 Mr. and Mrs. George M. Curtis, Meriden, Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Church, Meriden, Connecticut. Mrs. Eli Ives Merriman, Meriden, Connecticut. Miss Mary Elizabeth Merriman, Meriden, Connecticut. Mrs. Hattie Merriman Pierce, Meriden, Connecticut. Mrs. Joel Ives, Meriden, Connecticut. Mrs. John C. Pitel, Meriden, Connecticut. Miss Ella I. Smith, Meriden, Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Robbins, Meriden, Connecticut. Mrs. Caroline Merriman Goodyear, Naugatuck, Connecticut. Miss Esther Merriman Goodyear, Naugatuck, Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Carlisle H. Baldwin, New Britain, Connecticut. Mrs. Emily A. Merriman, New Britain, Connecticut. Miss Alice M. Merriman, New Haven, Connecticut. D. P. Atwood, New Haven, Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. George B. Martin, New Haven, Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Ernest A. Merriman, New Haven, Connecticut. Frederick Carter Upson, New Haven, Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Buell, Plymouth, Connecticut. Mrs. Fred Buell, Plymouth, Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Henry J. Merriman, Southington, Connecticut. Floyd Merriman, Southington, Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Davis, Southington, Connecticut. Miss Leona Davis, Southington, Connecticut. Frederick A. Sutliffe, Southington, Connecticut. Mrs. Josiah H. Merriman, Southington, Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel H. McKenzie, Southington, Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Theodore H. McKenzie, Southington, Connecticut. Miss Fannie L. McKenzie, Southington, Connecticut. Miss Eunice McKenzie, Southington, Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Elijah Rogers, Southington, Connecticut. Mrs. Jackson Martin, Southington, Connecticut. Mrs. Ella Finch Brooks, Southington, Connecticut. Miss Arabella Brooks, Southington, Connecticut. Mrs. Charles W. Wolcott, Terryville, Connecticut. Miss Marion A. Wolcott, Terryville, Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Buell, Terryville, Connecticut. Mrs. William H. Goddard, Wallingford, Connecticut. Miss Bessie C. Barnes, Wallingford, Connecticut. 16 MERRIMAN REUNION Mrs. Emily J. Francis, Wallingford, Connecticut. Mrs. S. M. Backes, Wallingford, Connecticut. Mrs. L. A. Francis, Wallingford, Connecticut. Mrs. Agnes E. Hall, Wallingford, Connecticut. Miss Julia M. Hall, Wallingford, Connecticut. Mrs. Julia R. Barnes, Wallingford, Connecticut. Robbins A. Hall, Wallingford, Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. William A. MacKenzie, Wallingford, Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Edward M. Johnson, Wallingford, Connecticut. Mrs. Benjamin R. Townsend, Wallingford, Connecticut. Mrs. Sally Andrews Powers, Wallingford, Connecticut. Miss Ruth Powers, Wallingford, Connecticut. Miss C. R. Hill, Waterbury, Connecticut. William B. Merriman, Waterbury, Connecticut. Miss Kate A. Prichard, Waterbury, Connecticut. Misses Adelaide L. and Minnie C. Frost, Waterbury, Connecticut Mr. and Mrs. Buell Hemingway, Watertown, Connecticut. Mrs. E. R. Hallenbeck, Yalesville, Connecticut. George B. Merriman, Washington, District of Columbia. James Leigh Merriman, Bolton, Massachusetts. Roger B. Merriman, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Frank W. Merriman, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Mrs. Elisha J. Neale, Lowell, Massachusetts. Earl C. Merriman, Shirley, Massachusetts. Mrs. F. E. Merriman, Shirley, Massachusetts. Mrs. Ellen M. Russell, Westfield, Massachusetts. Rev. Samuel Sears Merriman, Trenton, New Jersey. Thaddeus Merriman, Essex Fells, New Jersey. Porter Lee Merriman, Albany, New York. Mrs. Clara M. Page, Bronxville, New York. M. L. Merriman, Hornell, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Mansfield Merriman, New York City, New York. Miss Elsie Merriman, New York City, New York. Mrs. F. Malcolm Farmer, New York City, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Leonard J. Merriman, Wilmington, North Carolina.. Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Merriman, Scranton, Pennsylvania. Charles H. Merriman, Providence, Rhode Island. Harold T. Merriman, Providence, Rhode Island. Mrs. Eva Merriman Addis, Brattleboro, Vermont PROCEEDINGS OF THE REUNION Before ten o'clock on the morning of Wednesday, June 4, 1913, many descendants of Nathaniel Merriman appeared in Main Street, Wallingford, and wended their way to the Public Library where the Reunion was to be held. The day was bright and clear, and all comers were correspondingly cheerful. On entering the door of the library building, they were met by a reception committee of ladies, all descendants of Nathaniel Merriman, who extended kind words of welcome to each; this committee consisted of Mrs. William H. Goddard, Mrs. Perley Powers, Mrs. S. M. Backes, all of Wallingford, and Mrs. Eva Merriman Addis, of Brattleboro, Vt. Ascending the stairs to the meeting hall, a committee composed of William A. MacKenzie, of Wallingford, and Porter Lee Merriman of Albany, N. Y., attended to the registration of names and addresses, and to the distribu- tion of tickets for the luncheon. Entering the hall it was seen to be very prettily decorated with laurel, ferns, daisies, and American flags; the young ladies who had so well arranged these decorations were the Misses Ruth Powers, Bessie Barnes and Julia Hall, of Wallingford, all descendants of Capt. Nathaniel. The general committee which had prepared the program of the meeting consisted of Prof. George B. Merriman of 17 18 MERRIMAN REUNION Washington, D. C., Mansfield Merriman of New York, George M. Curtis of Meriden, Conn., Prof. Roger B. Merri- man of Cambridge, Mass., and Donald L. Jacobus of New Haven, Conn. The Local Committee which had arranged the details regarding the place of meeting and the midday luncheon consisted of George M. Curtis of Meriden, Conn., Mrs. William H. Goddard, and William A. MacKenzie of Wallingford. The names and addresses of those who were present at the Reunion will be found in the list on pages 14-16. The meeting was called to order at 10.30 A.M, by Prof. George B. Merriman of Washington, D.C., the Chairman of the General Committee. In the absence of a clergyman he opened the exercises with a brief prayer, the audience standing. An address of welcome to Wallingford was then given by Mrs. William H. Goddard whose grandfather was a Merriman descended from Nathaniel through his son John. This address will be found below on pages 29-31. The acting Chairman then briefly addressed the audi- ence as follows: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: This meeting has been called not only to commemorate the three-hundredth anniversary of our ancestor's birth, but also to stimulate a greater interest in the life and character of that worthy ancestor, Nathaniel Merriman. And we cherish the hope that it may serve to draw out from their hiding places any old letters or manuscripts that have any connection with PROCEEDINGS 19 Nathaniel, or any of his family, whether such hiding place be in the household garret or in the archives of town or state. Already one such manuscript has recently come to the knowledge of the committee, and it is not improbable that there are others that should be brought to light. Look through your ancestral trunks, or your files of old papers that have been laid away perhaps for generations, and see if you cannot make an important discovery. Now, friends, remember this is the day to extend our acquaintance. As we are all cousins, it is not necessary to observe strict formality. Introduce yourselves to each other and let your good will, your kinship and sympathy be cordially manifest. The opportunity is brief; please make the most of it. He then announced that the General Committee had appointed Porter Lee Merriman, of Albany, N. Y., to act as the Secretary of the meeting. He also requested that the other members of the General Committee would act in his place as Chairman of the meeting during the day. In accordance with this request Mansfield Merriman of New York and George M. Curtis of Meriden presided dur- ing the morning session, while Roger B. Merriman of Cam- bridge, Mass, and Mansfield Merriman presided during the afternoon. " The Ancestry and Parentage of Nathaniel Merriman and his probable manner of life in boyhood and youth," was the title of the first paper, which was read by its author Prof. George B. Merriman of Washington, D. C. This paper is given on pages 32-37. The paper was discussed by George M. Curtis of Meriden and Mansfield Merriman of New York. Rev. Samuel Sears Merriman of Trenton, N. J., said that the grandfather 20 MERRIMAN REUNION of his father, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War wrote an autobiographical sketch in which he claimed descent from George Merriman " an artizen of London." This manuscript is now in the possession of some member of the family and efforts will be made to locate it. This is the only known verification of the statement in the will of George Merriman, made in 1655, that his son Nathaniel was then a resident of New England. During the discussion of this paper reference was made to the date of birth of Nathaniel Merriman. The only known record regarding this is that in the Wallingford books where is found " Capt. Nathaniel Merriman dececed in the 8ost year of his age ffebruary 13 1693/4." In a copy of these records made by the town clerk John A. Martin about twenty years ago there is found 86th instead of 8ost, and it appears that the original record, when hastily observed, might be supposed to read 86, although a careful study of it indicates beyond doubt that it was intended for 80. The suffix " st " remains to be explained, and it might be thought that the recorder intended to write 81, since a small stroke appears above the o. In view of all the facts it appears most probable that Nathaniel Merriman was born in the year 1613, and hence this Reunion may be appropriately called a tricentennial. There are absolutely no known facts to support the statement made by John Merriman Adams about twenty years ago that the date of Capt. Nathaniel's birth was June 2 and that the place of his birth was Tenterden in Kent, England. " The Puritan Plough Company of 1630, the voyage of Nathaniel Merriman to Boston in 1632, and his probable whereabouts in New England prior to 1640," was the title of the second paper which was read by its author Prof. PROCEEDINGS 21 Roger B. Merriman of Cambridge, Mass. This paper will be found on pages 38-46. Regarding the services of Nathaniel Merriman in the Pequot war, it was stated by Mansfield Merriman of New York, that James Shepard of New Britain, Conn., had made special searches to determine the residence of Nathaniel in New England prior to his arrival in New Haven in 1641, but without success. It may be possible that he remained in Massachusetts until the outbreak of the Pequot war, or he might have come to Windsor, Wethersfield, or Hart- ford with the settlers of 1636. If he resided in Connecticut after the Pequot war, the town of his residence is unknown prior to his arrival in New Haven. It is greatly to be hoped that there may yet be discovered some old letter or record which will lead to a knowledge of his whereabouts during the years 1632-1640. Wherever he was located we may be sure that he was actively engaged in clearing land, pro- tecting his family from the Indians, and cooperating with others in the development of the new country. " Nathaniel Merriman in New Haven, 1640-1670," was the title of the third paper which was read by its author Miss Alice M. Merriman of New Haven, Conn. This paper is given in full on pages 47-56. In the discussion which followed Prof. Roger B. Merriman of Cambridge, Mass., M. L. Merriman of Hornell, N. Y., and others participated. Regarding the signatures on the New Haven planters agreement of June 4, 1639, mention was made of the one supposed to be Richard Merriman by Hoadley, the editor of the Records of the Colony of New Haven. Prof. Roger B. Merriman stated that he had carefully examined the photographs of this signature and was con- 22 MERRIMAN REUNION fident, from his acquaintance with seventeenth century handwriting, that the name was not Merriman. The author stated that since writing her paper she had seen the original manuscript giving the signatures and fully agreed with that conclusion. Three children of Nathaniel were baptized on 27 June 1661. This indicates that Nathaniel and his wife were probably not members of the church prior to that date. The seating list of the meeting-house for 20 Feb. 1661 mentions Sister Merriman, the prefix " Sister " indicating that she was then a member. A list of the members of the first church in New Haven, compiled by Henry White about 1850, contains the names of Nathaniel Merriman and Joan (Nathaniel) Merriman as members in 1661; the date of death of Nathaniel is given as 1694 but that of Joan is not stated. It does not seem to follow from this compilation that the name of the Sister Merriman who is mentioned in the seating list was really Joan; this name might have been obtained by White from some later record which showed Nathaniel and Joan to be then husband and wife. The fact that no daughter or granddaughter of Nathaniel was named Joan may perhaps warrant the inference that she was not the mother of his children. "The Children of Nathaniel Merriman" was the next topic. The Chairman made a brief statement regarding each child, asked those to rise who were descended from it, and then requested one of their number to make remarks. The proceedings under this topic are given on pages 57-59. It was found that 14 of those present were descended from Hannah, 14 from Abigail, 27 from Mary, 48 from John, 5 from Samuel, 28 from Caleb, and 3 from Elizabeth. The chairman reported that the records thus far avail- PROCEEDINGS 23 able indicated that Nathaniel Merriman had 63 grand- children, and that the number of his great-grandchildren was at least 346 of whom 57 were through Hannah, 73 through Abigail, 87 through Mary, 40 through John, 20 through Samuel, 39 through Caleb, and 30 through Elizabeth. He estimated that the number of Nathaniel's descendants in this year 1913 was about 40,000 of whom only about 2000 bear the name of Merriman. "The Founders of Wallingford" a poem by Donald Lines Jacobus of New Haven, Conn., tenth in descent from Nathaniel through his daughter Abigail, was then very effectively read by Miss Fannie McKenzie of South- ington, Conn. This poem is given on pages 60-63. A recess was taken from 12.45 to 2.30 to afford time for luncheon and social intercourse. Most of those present immediately assembled on the steps of St. George's Inn, next door to the library, where the photograph was taken of which a copy appears at the front of th's volume. An enjoyable luncheon was served at one o'clock in the dining rooms of St. George's Inn, at which 112 descendants sat down, while about 20 others took the mid-day meal with relatives in Wallingford. This period was especially enjoyable on account of the opportunity afforded for making acquaintances and for social intercourse. During the recess there was opportunity for descendants to visit the northwest corner of Main and Ward Streets where the house of Nathaniel Merriman once stood, and also the cemetery where his remains undoubtedly lie, although the place is unmarked. In the southeast corner 24 MERRIMAN REUNION of this old cemetery there are nine gravestones of Merrimans descended from his son John and near the central part are six stones of Merrimans descended from his son Samuel. There are no stones which mark the resting places of any of the children of Nathaniel Merriman. Some descendants also visited the town hall to see the old record book of 1670-1692 which is mostly devoted to minutes of town meetings. In this book there are 54 pages in the handwriting of Nathaniel Merriman, who was the first town clerk of Wallingford. At 2.40 p.m. the meeting was reconvened in the hall of the Public Library. "Nathaniel Merriman in Wallingford, 1670-1694" was the title of a paper which was then read by its author Mans- field Merriman of New York. This paper is given in full on pages 64-69. Remarks were made by several descendants in which surprise was expressed at the civil and military activity shown by Capt. Nathaniel after the age of sixty in his career at Wallingford. Joan, the widow of Nathaniel, survived him by fifteen years and died Dec. 8, 1709, aged 82 years. Thaddeus Merriman of Essex Fells, N. J., made remarks regarding the longevity of early settlers in colonial days. While this in part was to be attributed to their active life in the open air, yet their simple food was doubtless also a con- trolling factor. In those good old times the valuable part of grain was not removed and thrown away, as in these degenerate days, but their brown bread contained all the health-giving ingredients. Rev. John Merriman, a grand- PROCEEDINGS 26 son of Nathaniel, reached the age of 93, while John Moss, one of the founders of Wallingford, died at the great age of 103. "King Philip's war of 1675 and the services rendered therein by Nathaniel Merriman and his eldest son" was the title of the next paper which was read by i^s author George M. Curtis of Meriden, Conn. This paper is given on pages 70-76. Remarks were made by several descendants on the military activities of Nathaniel. His service in the Pequot war and in the New Haven train band had given him an experience which highly qualified him to be the head of the Wallingford company and to be appointed as a Captain to raise a troop of dragoons for King Philip's war. In the year 1644 the Court of the Colony of New Haven ordered "that every one of the trayned band bring their arms to the meeting on every Lord's day." At sunset every day a drum was beat, and an hour later the night guard was ready with arms complete. When a fire was discovered they cried "fire! fire!"; when Indians were seen they cried "arm! arm!" The question as to whether Nathaniel, Jr. left a widow and children to mourn his death in King Philip's war must now be decided in the negative. In 1677 a town meeting gave authority to Capt. Nathaniel to sell the land which had belonged to his son, and this could not have been done had there been other heirs. "The Will and Estate of Nathaniel Merriman" was the next topic which was discussed by two lawyers, Porter Lee Merriman, of Albany, N. Y., and E. A. Merriman of Meriden, Conn., extracts from both will and inventory 26 MERRIMAN REUNION being read. It was the opinion of these speakers that the will, which was undoubtedly written by Nathaniel Merriman himself, showed much legal knowledge on the part of a layman. The will is given on pages 77-81 and the inventory on pages 81-82. What became of the military books which, according to the will, were equally divided among his sons John, Samuel, and Caleb? It may be possible that one or more of these are still extant stored in some garret among ancient papers. It is not known whether these were printed books on military tactics, or whether they were manuscript books written from time to time by Capt. Nathaniel himself; if the latter be the case their discovery at the present day would be most important in throwing further light on the history of his life. "Reading of Letters from Descendants who were unable to be present" was the next exercise. These letters, or abstracts of them, were read by Mansfield Merriman to whom they had been addressed as Secretary of the General Committee. They will be found on pages 83-91. These letters came from nineteen different states, Michigan tak- ing the lead with six. A telegram was received from Can- ada and another from Texas. "The Collection of the Genealogical Records of the Merriman family" was the last topic on the program. This took the form of a discussion in which Leonard J. Merriman of Wilmington, N. C., M. L. Merriman of Hornell, N. Y., James Leigh Merriman of Bolton, Mass., and others participated. It was shown in this discussion that there are certainly three and probably four branches of the English Merrimans PROCEEDINGS 27 in this country: (i) the descendants of Nathaniel Merriman who arrived in Boston in 1632, (2) the descendants of Walter Merryman who left Ireland and settled in Maine about 1700, (3) the descendants of William Merriman and his brother who came to Baltimore about 1740, and (4) the descendants of people named Merrimon who settled- in the southern states somewhat later. In all these branches the name is now quite generally spelled Merriman. A genealogy of the descendants of Walter Merryman by C. N. Sinnett was published in 1905. The third branch, which now numbers many people in Indiana and Ohio has for several years held biennial reunions. It was agreed by all present that measures ought to be taken to collect the records of the descendants of Nathaniel Merriman, and the General Committee was requested to endeavor that this be done as far as possible. Business matters now received attention by the meeting. The Secretary of the General Committee reported that the expenses for printing and postage in calling this meeting had been $42.50. On motion a collection was then taken which amounted to $67.50 As the hall of the Public Library had been given free of charge for this meeting, a vote of thanks was then passed to the directors for their courtesy, and it was also resolved to make a donation of $20.00 to be used by the library in the purchase of books. Votes of thanks were also passed to the local committee which had arranged the luncheon, to the young ladies who had decorated the hall, and to the committee of ladies which had so cordially received the descendants upon arrival. 28 MERRIMAN REUNION At 4.30 p.m. the meeting adjourned, all present joining hands and singing "Auld Lang Syne." FINANCIAL ACCOUNT OF THE REUNION Expenses: 1913 March, Circulars printed $8.75 May, Printing 450 programs 17 . 75 325 postal cards 3 . 25 Printing postal cards 6.25 Postage on programs and cards 6 . 50 June 4, Secretary's cards and stationery o. 75 Donation to Wallingford Library 20 . oo $63.25 Receipts: June 4, Collection at Reunion 67 . 50 Balance on hand $425 ADDRESS OF WELCOME BY MRS. WILLIAM H. GODDARD Seventh in Descent from Nathaniel through his son John Kinsmen and Friends: There is a quotation which runs something like this: "There may be and there often is a regard for ancestry which nourishes a weak pride, but there is also a moral and philosophical respect for our ancestors which elevates the character and improves the heart." And I am convinced that we are gathered here to-day moved only by the highest motives, that we may together review and somewhat appreciate the sterling character and achievements of our common ancestor, Nathaniel Merriman. And I deem it a high privilege to welcome you to this historic old town of Wallingford, founded by your forbears and mine. It is fitting that we should to-day pause in our eager and busy lives that we may call to mind their brave deeds, their unflinching courage in the face of mani- fold dangers and the high hearted way in which even the common duties of life were discharged by them. This is one of those anniversaries only possible in a few towns of our country. The earliest date in our town records reminds us of the fact that this pioneer band of valient and stout-hearted men and women settled here in November, 1669. Besides Wallingford with its wealth of years the United States 29 30 MERRIMAN REUNION seems only the creature of yesterday. Wallingford had been settled more than one hundred years when the scattered commonwealths on the Atlantic coast were organized into the central government which we now call the United States. As we sit here together and talk of the days that were, may goodly fellowship abound. May you realize fully what depth of meaning there may be in the words, "The Return of the Native." May it not require much imagina- tion to see the lofty elms of our streets reaching out to you leafy arms in token of welcome and greeting. And surely even the whispering breezes will salute you in friendly fashion as they pass. One of the words which we have been seeing in print more and more frequently in recent years is the word "Eugenics." Some of us it has sent to the dictionary before this. The science of being well born is assuming great importance to-day and thus it is seemly that we are met here to-day to honor the memory of our common ancestor Nathaniel Merriman. It reminds us of our old world origin, and it is a matter of moment to us all that this ancestor 300 years back is well authenticated in Connecticut history as associated with other brave men in defense of his country, and that he was at all times an enterprising man of affairs in the community where he lived and died. So that when we speak of this man Nathaniel Merriman we refer to no mythological personage, but of one who helped to blaze the way in a new, crude, bleak land, one with red blood in his veins, who did all things well and made good. All honor to his memory. Now although in a gathering of this kind it is permitted to refer to our Puritan ancestry, and the rich inheritance which has come to us as descendants of these God fearing PROCEEDINGS 31 men, yet there are some diverse opinions even about this matter, and I consider it a scandalous reflection upon the men of these early days to say as some have done, that not the least of the trials and hardships borne by our grandmothers was due to the fact that they had to endure the Puritan fathers. But I must admit that the summary way in which Nathaniel Merriman in his will disposes of the feather bed would not be at all satisfactory to the modern woman. Very likely the wife had raised the geese, plucked and prepared the feathers and made the bed, and yet apparently it was not hers to dispose of. But doubtless this matter will be fully explained later in the day. Now in these days of "Eugenics" the statistician is busy with many matters not formerly thought of importance, and I am told that one of these august personages has declared that all of his researches have revealed only three instances where two red haired people have married each other. Now it has been said of one of my own forbears on the Merriman side that the only fact of which we are sure is that the lady had red hair. Perhaps now we may add to this, that presumably she did not marry a husband with the same auburn tinted hair as herself. Kinsmen and Merriman descendants: your pilgrimage to our town of Wallingford, is a notable event in our lives. We hope that your sojourn with us may be profitable to you as it will be pleasant and stimulating for us. The doors of our hearts and homes are open to you. And in closing allow me to slightly paraphrase Shakespeare's well known lines, "Come kinsmen all, sit by my side and let the world slip, we shall ne'er be younger." THE ANCESTRY AND PARENTAGE OF NATHANIEL MERRIMAN BY GEORGE B. MERRIMAN Sixth in Descent from Nathaniel through his son Caleb The Merrimans of London and their kindred scattered through several counties of England are descended from two brothers who lived in Newberry, Berks county. Both died in 1640, and both left wills. Their father, tradition says, lived in Oxford, and was one of three brothers, one of whom went to the north, one remained in the old home, and the third came to London. This last one, for aught we know to the contrary, may have been Nathaniel's grandfather. I do not think, however, even if he was, that his name was Theophilus; though he may have been a contemporary of that Theophilus who, Mr. Adams says in his history, was the grandfather of Nathaniel. Some of the Merrimans in England have been knighted, some have been made bishops; one as early as 1569, some have become generals, and one is the Premier of Cape Colony. He is the son of a bishop. And I found that as far back as 1423, a John or Jehan, Meriman was one of the Archers in the service of King Henry VI.* When I was in England in the autumn of 1911, I believed * I have just learned from a London correspondent that he has found mention of the name made in 1377 at Banstead in Surrey. 32 ANCESTRY OF NATHANIEL MERRIMAN 33 that if Theophilus was not the name of Nathaniel's father it must have been the name of his grandfather, and J directed my search accordingly. While I had seen a statement that George was the name of Nathaniel's father I did not know upon what authority it was based. It was while looking up records in the British Museum that I found there an American book, published in Boston, which I had not seen before. It was Waters' Genealogical Glean- ings in England. This mentions the will of George Merriman of London, made in 1655, in which the first bequest was one to "my son Nathaniel now resident in New England." This shows clearly who was Nathaniel's father. But the will, which I read later at the Somerset house, where such records are kept, gives no clue to the birth or parentage of George himself.* It is a common thing in English wills to make a gift, sometimes very small, to each member of the family, and thus we frequently obtain considerable information from an examination of old wills. We have an illustration of this in George's will, who left a bequest not only to Nathaniel, but to each of his other two chil- dren, Elizabeth and John, and also a conditional one of three pounds to his apprentice. From the fact that his wife's name is not mentioned we may be quite sure that "The will was executed 31 Oct. 1655 and probated 19 May 1656. After the usual preliminaries, it reads as follows: " I do give unto my son Nathaniel Merriman, now resident in New England, the sum of ten pounds of lawful English money, and unto my daughter Elizabeth Norman whom I have already advanced in marriage with Master John Norman, I give twenty shillings to buy her a ring in remembrance of my love. To my servant Henry Allison three pounds on this condition that he serve out the remainder of his time of apprenticeship with my son John Merriman. The residue to son John whom I do hereby make and ordain full and sole executor." 34 MERRIMAN REUNION she was not then living. If George's father left a will, it undoubtedly mentions his name, but it seems probable that he did not make one, though so far as I know, a thorough search has not yet been made. It is possible that a record of George's birth or baptism and also that of Nathaniel's may be found in one of the Parish Registers of London, but as not all are published, and even those published are not all indexed, it would be no small undertaking to look them through. As George was a cooper, I found that the Cooper Company, an old guild of London, have his name on their register, but nothing more, not even the parish or precinct in which he lived. And London had no directory in those days. While in London I wrote to a number of Merrimans in the city inquiring if they knew of any record of a Theoph- ilus Merriman of Wiltshire, born about 1533, or could put me on track of any information about him. They all directed me to one source, Mr. G. F. M. Merriman, an architect, of London, who had made a special study of the family genealogy. Upon meeting him by appointment I found that he had ten or more MS volumes of notes and references, including a list of all the Merriman wills as far back as 1383. But none by Theophilus of the i6th century, and none so far as he knew, by any immediate ancestor of George. Data so far back as that were not plentiful, and facts to show any connecting links between them and our ancestor George were wanting. The earliest ancestors of which he had any distinct record, were contemporaries of George the father of Nathaniel. It was his suggestion that the traditional brother who came from Oxford to London in the i6th century, might have been the father of George. The location and period of time fit well, as George was born not far from 1580, but ANCESTRY OF NATHANIEL MERRIMAN 35 all else at present is mere conjecture. As history records the Merriman name at least two hundred years earlier than this, the connection with the more ancient line must be sought by some other means or perhaps through some other branch. Burke's Visitation of Arms, vol. 2, p. 34, gives the armorial bearings of the late Sir Samuel Merriman, M.D. which were duly registered to all the descendants of his grand- father, Nathaniel Merriman not our Nathaniel, mark you, but the one born 1780, in Marlborough, Wiltshire, and whose three sone were Benjamin, Samuel and Nathaniel. It seems that Nathaniel Merriman has been not an uncommon name in England as well as in America. This Nathaniel of Marlborough was of the Oxford branch with those in London to whom I have referred. Undoubtedly there are other branches of the family in Great Britain and Ireland which would require to be traced much further back before finding the common stock in which all unite, or what is perhaps possible, they may not all have a common origin. There are several Merriman lines in this country which have different American origins. One of these who generally spell their name with a "y" and first settled in Maryland about 1650, came from the county of Hereford in England, and received their first title deeds from Lord Baltimore. Another branch who claim a different origin first settled in or near Baltimore about 1750, a full century later. Still another line is descended from a Walter Merryman who was kidnapped at an Irish port and brought to Boston in 1700 and afterwards settled in Harpswell, Maine. Some of his descendants claim that Walter's ancestors were Scotch, others say they were English. The members of this line originally spelled their name with a "y" but with many 36 MERRIMAN REUNION of them now the "y" has become changed to an "i." Another variation in the spelling of the family name, which I have seen in some old English records, is the change of the first vowel to an "a" Marriman. It is probable that Nathaniel was born in London. At that time a boy in the middle class of life was quite fortunate if he were taught the bare rudiments of an education. We know that Nathaniel had this much, which he probably gained in a private or perhaps a parish school. But he learned far more in the school of experience as did all of his peers at that time. Books were scarce then and seldom owned except by those in good circumstances. In some of the parish churches there was a Bible chained to the pulpit which was read daily to all who would come and listen. The King James version was just beginning to take the place of the older translations, and those who came listened eagerly. No doubt Nathaniel with his parents heard it read on Sundays, and perhaps occasionally on week days. The sports and diversions in which Nathaniel engaged when a boy, were mostly such as boys always enjoy even to this day. And one which he witnessed with lively interest was the novel Punch and Judy show which had been introduced in the streets of London only a few years previously. But we may safely assume that as soon as Nathaniel was old enough, he was put to work in his father's cooper shop and learned something of that useful trade. He did not aspire, however, to follow his father's occupation for a livelihood. He was content to leave that for his younger brother John, while he, preferring a free country life, decided before he became of age, to seek his fortune in the ANCESTRY OF NATHANIEL MERRIMAN 37 new world. If 1613 was the year of Nathaniel's birth he was only nineteen when he bade farewell to parents, home and friends, and set out on a two months' voyage for a far distant and little known country. How he served and wrought and succeeded, will be told you by those who follow. THE PURITAN PLOUGH COMPANY OF 1630, THE VOYAGE OF NATHANIEL MERRIMAN TO BOSTON IN 1632, AND HIS PROBABLE WHEREABOUTS IN NEW ENGLAND PRIOR TO 1640 BY ROGER B. MERRIMAN Eighth in Descent from Nathaniel through his son Caleb The story of the events that led our common ancestor to leave his native land and emigrate to New England is inseparably bound up with the history of that some- what mysterious and eminently unsuccessful venture, the Puritan Plough Company, or Company of Husbandmen of 1630.* Of its origin and distinguishing features we know nothing, though it is easy to surmise much. The word "husbandmen" may well have been scriptural in its allusion; certainly what we know of the members of the organization would indicate that they were rather artisans and trades- men than agriculturalists. With all due allowances for the literary and orthographical vagaries of the period, the spelling and style of the two letters written by members of the organization, which we now possess, indicate that the " husbandmen" were for the most part plain people, * Cf. V. C. Sanborn in the Genealogist XIX, 270-84; and M. H. S. Collections, Set. Iv. Vol. vii, pp. 88-96. 38 THE PURITAN PLOUGH COMPANY 39 and not exceptionally well educated.* Most interesting of all is the question of their religious affiliations and pre- dilections. Stephen Bachiler, their chosen pastor, was a sturdy Puritan and friend of Winthrop; and yet we learn that within four months of his arrival at Boston he was "required to forbear exercising his gifts as a pastor or teacher publicly in our patent, unless it be to those that he brought with him, for his contempt of authority, and till some scandals be removed," and this prohibition was not revoked till five months later. f His kinsman Richard Dummer, wealthy and obviously one of the most prominent men of the company, was a noted friend and adherent of the Antinomian leader Wheelwright, who was banished from Massachusetts, because of his unorthodox opinions in November, 1637.! Winthrop, moreover, speaks of at least a part of the members of the Plough Company as "Fam- ilists" obviously a term of no eulogistic flavor. It may not have implied everything that membership in the German sect generally known as the "Family of Love" would connote; but it obviously indicated a more considerable measure of religious irregularity than was pleasing to the Puritans of Massachusetts Bay. The members of the Plough Company applied to the Council of Plymouth for a grant of land in New England; and on June 26, 1630, received from Sir Ferdinando Gorges, who represented it, a patent to an extensive piece of ter- ritory lying at the mouth of the River Sagadahoc, and com- * M.H.S. Collections, Ser. IV, Vol. vii, 91 ff. t Records of Mass. Col. (Oct. 3, 1632, and Mar. 4, 1632/3) Vol. i, pp. 100 and 103. J J. A. Doyle, English Colonies in America I, 132, 136. Winthrop Hist, of N. E. (ed. Savage, 1853) I, 69 (Under date of 6 July 1631). 40 MERRIMAN REUNION prising roughly what is now the Southern portion of the state of Maine.* A preliminary expedition, of ten members of the Company, of whom the most prominent was a certain Mr. John Crisp, f was sent out in the Spring of 1631, to inspect the new grant, in a ship called "the Plough;" apparently they were dissatisfied with what they saw, and finally brought up at Boston, July 6, 1631. These facts are recorded in Winthrop's History of New England (under date of July 6, 1631) in the following words: "A small ship of 60 tons arrived at Natascott, Mr. Graves, Master. She brought ten passengers from London. They came with a patent to Sagadahoc, but, not liking the place, they came hither. Their ship drew ten feet, and went up to Watertown, but she ran on ground twice by the way. These were the company called the husbandmen, and their ship called the 'Plough'."! Under date of August 19 following, Winthrop tells us that "The Plough returned to Charlestown after she had been on her way to the Christopher Islands (St. Kitts in the West Indies) about three weeks, and was so broke she could not return home." Whether or not the ten members of the Plough Company had gone with her on this last voyage, does not appear. Whatever the case it is certain that they were left stranded in Boston, without resources, in August, 1631. The following record of the Massachusetts Court of Assistants under date of Oct. 18, 1631, would seem to indicate that the first body of emigrants by the "Plough" were in con- siderable financial straits. "It is ordered that there shall be taken out of the estate of Mr. Crisp and his company, the sum of 12, i sh. and 5 d., and delivered to John * Genealogist, XIX, 272. t M.H.S. Collections, Ser. 4, Vol. VII, p. 91. t Winthrop, i , 69. Ibid, 1, 1 2. THE PURITAN PLOUGH COMPANY 41 Kirman, as his proper goods; and after, the whole estate to be inventoried, whereof the said John Kirman is to have an 8th part." * Whether or not the majority of the members of com- pany of husbandmen who had remained behind in England had heard of the hard fate of their brethren of the ship " Plough," we cannot tell; at any rate they were determined to persist in their enterprise and sent over other mem- bers of their company in the spring and summer of 1632. The ship " Whale " which, according to Winthrop, arrived in Boston May 26, bringing about 30 passengers and 70 cows, carried five members of the Plough Company, and also the wife and daughter of John Smith, who had been one of Crisp's party of the year before. Of these five mem- bers the principal person was unquestionably Richard Dummer (it is a significant fact that of all the " Plough " people in that ship's company, he alone has a " Mr." pre- fixed to his name) ; while the last was our common ancestor, Nathaniel Merriman, at that time a youth of about 19. He came, so it would seem, not on his own resources, but " upon the adventure of Peter Wooster being now made up to ten pounds." It is gratifying to note that the ship " Whale " which brought him, and sailed from Hampton April 8, 1632, made what would then have been regarded as a " good passage " (one day less than seven weeks). The " William and Frances," which brought another party of the Plough Company under the leadership of Bachiler, sailed from London March 9 and did not reach Boston till June 5-f The miseries of the members of the company in New England seem to have been enhanced rather than diminished * Records of Mass. Col., Vol. I, p. 92. t Winthrop, I, 92, 93. Mass. H. S. Coll., 4, Ser., vii, 92. 42 MERRIMAN REUNION after the arrival of the " Whale " and the " William and Frances." No effort, apparently, was made to colonize or develop the land at Sagadahoc; the members of the company remained for the time being in or near Boston. Financially things went from bad to worse. Dummer apparently insisted on seizing and retaining in his own hands most of the funds of the company; so that Crisp, the members of whose original expedition suffered most severely from his acquisitiveness, went back to England in the summer of 1632 to complain of him.* The records of the Court of Assistants contain several orders for the inventorying and preservation of the goods of the company, for the paying of just debts out of the estate, for the binding over of some of its members " to keep the peace and not depart out of this patent without leave," and for the apprenticing of one of the youngest of its number for a period of five years, in return for board and lodging and 10 sh.f Clearly, by 1635, the Company was in a condition of insolvency, and its individual members, in so far as they were not dispersed, remained a not entirely welcome burden on the Massachusetts community. Religious differences with the Puritans of the Bay doubtless also contributed greatly to increase the hardness of their lot. If we may judge from the experiences of Dummer, who was " dis- armed " on 20 Nov. 1637 by order of the Court of Assist- ants, for his heretical opinions, J from the temporary inhibi- tion of Bachiler in 1632-3, and from the statement of Winthrop that some of those who came over were " f ami- lists," we may infer that most of them took the Antinomian side of the great controversy of 1636-7, and doubtless * M.H.S. Coll., ibid, 94-6. t Records of Col. of Mass., I, 96, 98, 143. t Mass. Colony Records, I, 211-12. THE PURITAN PLOUGH COMPANY 43 suffered as a result. But neither the subsequent history of the members of the company (with the exception of our common ancestor) nor the fate of the Plough Patent, and the territory which it granted to the patentees, concerns us further here.* Our task is rather, to bridge the gap in the life of Nathaniel Merriman, intervening between his arrival in Boston on the ship " Whale," May 26, 1632, and his arrival in the colony of New Haven, sometime certainly not later than 17 March 1641.! During that long interval we know but one fact about him namely that he fought in the Pequot war (this information is derived from a grant of land made in 1698 to his son John in recognition of his father's services). J The rest can be no more at best than the balancing of different hypotheses against one another. First comes the question as to his participation in the Pequot war, fought against the Indians of the Connecticut River valley, in the spring of 1637, largely by men who had emigrated from Massachusetts in the spring of 1636 and established the settlements of Hartford, Windsor, and Wethersfield, though they were aided by a detachment of " 20 lusty men " sent out directly from Massachusetts early in 1637 to reinforce the garrison at Saybrook. Did Nathaniel Merriman participate in the war as one of the Connecticut men; or was he one of the smaller band of 20 * The patent was sold in 1643 to a Parliamentary soldier by name Alexander Rigby; the name of the territory was changed to the "Province of Lygonia"; Rigby's deputy George Cleave attempted to develop it, but litigation as to boundaries arose, and the Plough patent finally disappears from history with the merging of Maine in Massachusetts in 1691. Cf. Sanborn in Genealogist, xix, 280-1, and Doyle i, 302 ff. t Records, Colony, New Haven, I, 50- t Records, Colony, Conn., IV, 276. Doyle 1, 159, 170. 44 MERRIMAN REUNION from Massachusetts?* It is impossible to give a definite answer to this question; but there is much to be said in favor of the hypothesis that he was one of the 20 who came out direct from Massachusetts. In the first place it is clear that no trustworthy documentary evidence has yet been found assigning him to any of the Connecticut townsjf and the fact that of the 36 Pequot soldiers who subsequently received land grants from the government of Connecticut, he and one other are the only ones not known to have been resident in that colony in 1637,! may be used as a point for one side as well as for the other. It is certainly quite as reasonable to argue that his name would have appeared on the official records if he really was in residence there, as it is to assume that if 34 of the 36 Pequot grantees were resident in Connecticut in 1637, the other two must have been likewise. Moreover a young man of 24, presumably at that time unmarried, would have been just the sort of a person likely to be despatched with the " 20 lusty men " from Massachusetts. And, finally, if he had been regularly established as a resident of Connecticut at the time of the Pequot war, why should he not have stayed there, instead of moving on to New Haven (a separate colony) where we know he appeared before March 17, 1641? *It is of course just possible that Nathaniel Merriman was one of the body of 100 men tardily sent out by Massachusetts in late June 1637, to help put the finishing touches on the work which John Mason had practically completed the month before; but this seems very unlikely, because the difficulty of the final operations of the war would scarcely have seemed great enough to justify the subsequent grant of land to Nathaniel Merriman's son. t Stiles, Hist, of Ancient Wethersfield, I, 72n seems entirely justified in his strictures upon the Memorial History of the County of Hartford, Vol. I, p. 50. | J. Shepard, John Hall of Wallingford, p. 5. THE PURITAN PLOUGH COMPANY 45 And this leads us to the second question: How and why did he migrate to New Haven? It is of course possible, if he was really a resident of Connecticut in 1637, that he simply moved there, soon after the colony was established by the " Fundamental Agreement " of June 4, 1639. But on the other hand it should be remembered that New Haven was settled, through, if not from, Massachusetts,* where John Davenport and Theophilus Eaton landed in the " Hector " June 26, 1637, to find the colony in the very agony of the Antinomian contest, and not yet relieved from the terror of the Pequot war.f In addition to the settlers they brought with them, it is clear that when they finally departed for New Haven in March 1638 they took a number of Massachusetts men along also.J There is good reason for thinking that our common ancestor was one of these. In the first place we may well believe that one who like himself, had been closely associated with Antinomians found Massachusetts an undesirable place of residence after the close of the famous controversy. On the other hand the government of New Haven, though citizenship was conditional on church membership, promised a considerably larger measure of liberty to dissenters than did the rule of the Puritans of the Bay. There is much to be said for the theory that our ancestor migrated from Boston to New Haven with John Davenport and Theo- philus Eaton in March 1638. And I attribute the appear- ance of his name, in his own handwriting, affixed to the " fundamental agreement " of the New Haven colonists, the forty-second of forty-eight names which follow the names of the 63 settlers whose names are written in the * Doyle, 1, 191. flbid, 192, Winthrop, I, 271-12. % Winthrop, I, 311-12. Doyle, I, 193, ff. 46 MERRIMAN REUNION same hand as the agreement, not to late arrival, but to the fact that he was not at that time probably reckoned as a church member by the leaders of the New Haven Colony, and consequently was not in the enjoyment of full rights of citizenship. I must reiterate, in conclusion, that much of this is neces- sarily supposition, and not proven fact. But I can honestly say that I have not definitely accepted any statement which cannot be verified in contemporaneous records. NATHANIEL MERRIMAN IN NEW HAVEN 1640 TO 1670 BY Miss ALICE M. MERRIMAN Seventh in Descent from Nathaniel through his son John In attempting a sketch of our ancestor during his life in New Haven from 1640 to 1670, it may not be inappro- priate to picture briefly the conditions under which he was led to settle here, since such a setting can perhaps give us a glimpse of the character of the man. Religious unrest had been working for a long time in England, and many, rich as well as poor, were ready to join Rev. John Davenport, ex-vicar of St. Stephen's churph, Coleman Street, London, when he left home and country and arrived in Boston in June, 1637. To be sure we hear most of the prominent ones, Theophilus Eaton, afterwards governor of New Haven Colony, and others of his station; and while it is known that our ancestor did not come with this company, yet he must have left England only a few years in advance; nevertheless at a date near enough for him to have been influenced by the same religious ideas and the same determination to come to a new country, wherein those ideas and convictions might have full sway. Davenport's immediate companions came, as we know, not only from London but from the near-by diocese of Canterbury. It would seem, however, that our forefather must have been a resident of London, from the will which 47 48 MERRIMAN REUNION appears indisputably to have been made by his father George Merriman, a citizen and cooper of London, on October 31, 1655. Since the man in whose honor we are assembled was the only Nathaniel Merriman living in New England in 1655, we can scarcely doubt that he was the son referred to in that will; hence it is not impossible that he may, in early life, have been one of Davenport's London parishioners. This fact as well as his experience in the Pequot war, and consequent acquaintance with this part of the country, may very easily have led to his decision to join those who had begun the formation of a colony at Quinnipiac. We may picture to ourselves briefly the settlement in 1640 in that year first called New Haven when our ancestor perhaps arrived here. East and West Creeks, streams long since forgotten, were then navigable, and over the former, at high tide, vessels could be floated, in the bed of the present railroad or old canal, as far as Chapel Street.* Ahead lay a plain extending inland about two miles, at which distance stood basaltic rocks colored with iron, and so prominent in the landscape that the Dutch had called the place Rodenbergh or Red Mount. On the west of this plain were broad salt meadows, bordering what is now called West River, and extending inland almost to West Rock ; on the east side were still more exten- sive salt meadows spread out on either side of the Quin- nipiac, or East River, and also on both sides of a stream flowing into it a short distance above its outlet, the present Mill River. The meadows on the Quinnipiac extended much further to the north than those on West River. These salt meadows, extensive and rich in provender, had doubt- * Atwater's Hist, of New Haven Colony, p. 70. NATHANIEL MERRIMAN IN NEW HAVEN 49 less greatly influenced the company in selecting this place for their settlement. The first business of the planters had been to lay out the town in nine squares, the central one having been reserved as the market-place. The remaining eight squares had been divided into house-lots and assigned to the planters severally, in proportion to the size of the family and also to the amount which each planter had invested in the enterprise, the future citizens having apparently grouped themselves according to personal acquaintance and friendship in the mother country. In January, 1640, arrangements were made for the division of the " neck," that is, the land between Mill and Quinnipiac Rivers, the salt meadows, as well as the upland of the center. Every " free planter " had some land in the " neck," some in the meadows, and some in the upland, taxes being fixed at the following rates: all the upland in the first division, with all the meadows in the plantation, was taxed at 4d. per acre yearly; all the land in the second division, that is, the farm land, at 2d.* To encourage colonization, thirty-two of the company were gratuitously supplied with house-lots, these planters having no rights of commonage and being drawn by lot. This division evidently took place in 1641, since in March of that year we find our ancestor mentioned as third in order " as their lotts were drawne,"f and he received a small lot on what is now East Water Street. We may perhaps imagine his marriage at about this time, although no specific record of it has thus far been discovered. Besides his home on East Water Street, we may also locate his farm in Fair Haven, since in 1648 " Nathaniel Meriman et al. desire to have their land on ye east sid, betwixt the red * Atwater's Hist of New Haven Colony, p. 107. f New Haven Colony Records, I, p. 50. 50 MERRIMAN REUNION rocke & Mr. Davenports farme," and on November 2oth of that year the Court ordered that this land should be assigned to him.* The following year (March 10, 1649) he and four others asked that they might have " some land and meddowe to sett vp farmes one the east side, next the sea, beyond the Cove River, "f This must have been in the vicinity of Morris Cove. The farmers already settled near by objected and a committee was appointed to investi- gate. Two months later, t the petitioners asked the Court for a decision on this matter, but it seems to have been left unsettled; however, at about this time he received certain " meddow " and farm land, which he was to divide with Mathias Hitchcock and Isaac Whitehead. Although a church service was strictly observed from the first, it was not until June 4, 1639, that a meeting was held " to consult about settling civil government according to God, and about the nomination of persons that might be found, by consent of all, fittest in all respects for the founda- tion work of a church."|| At this meeting it was voted that the right of suffrage should be conferred on church members only.^f There are sixty- three signers for this " founda- mentall agreement," and in the last paragraph it is stated that all who are subsequently received as planters shall also subscribe to the same conditions. Below the names of the original signers, appear, in two columns, forty-eight others, which were doubtless placed there later on; and here appears for the first time the name of Nath. Merriman, also that of Richard Merriman.** This is the only case * New Haven Colony Records, I, p. 415. t Ibid, I, p. 446. $ Ibid, I, p. 459. Ibid, I, p. 94. || Atwater's Hist, of New Haven Colony, p. 95. 1 New Haven Colony Records, I, p. 17. ** Photographic reproduction in The Munson Record, I, p. 60. NATHANIEL MERRIMAN IN NEW HAVEN 51 in which the name of Richard Merriman occurs in the colonial history of New England, which gives rise to the query whether the name, being somewhat illegible in the original, may not really be that of someone else. In 1644, we read that Nathaniel Merriman received the oath of fidelity at the General Court held at New Haven on the ist day of July.* This General Court was the controlling body of the new settlement, and the fact that our ancestor was made thus early one of its members proves him to have been a citizen " in good and regular standing," in both church and state, as well as a man of usefulness in the community. Further extracts from the Records confirm the latter idea. On May 25th, 1646, we read that " Natha: Merry man " and others were freed from attending the Court to help Mr. Malbon get goods ashore, f Also on the nth of June, 1649: " Mr. Evanc desired lib- bertie for Thomas Moris & Nathaniell Merriman to depart ye court, to goe to doe a little worke to a vessell wch laye loaden & was ready to goe awaye, and they had libbertie."J On November 2Qth, 1649, also, Nathaniel Merriman and William Russell are chosen as assessors "in ye room of Thomas Munson & Francis Browne. " We may judge somewhat of Nathaniel's social position by these references, as well as from allusions to himself and his wife as regards their seats in church. A young man was given no prefix to his name until he became a master workman; then, if he were an artisan or a husbandman, as we have seen was the case with our worthy forebear, he might be addressed by the honorary title of Goodman and his wife might be called Goodwife or Goody. A man who employed laborers but did not work with them was * New Haven Colony Records, I, p. 138. t Ibid, I, p. 242. } Ibid, I, p. 460. Ibid, I, p. 502. 52 MERRIMAN REUNION distinguished by the title of Mr. This latter term of respect was given to elders, magistrates, teachers, merchants, and men of wealth, whether engaged in merchandise or living in retirement from trade. Social rank was strik- ingly manifested in the " seating of the meeting-house." The Governor and Deputy-Governor were given the front form entire; others occupied places behind them according to social standing. In this way we can see a gradual rise in our forefather's position: at the first seating his name does not appear at all; but as time goes on, and there follow a second and a third seating, he is given first a place at the side, and then is advanced to a seat, with six others, in the middle " alley " or aisle; while his wife, known first as Goodwife Merriman, is assigned seat No. 6 " in the side seats all along," together with " Goodwife Barnes, Jno. Benham's wife and Edwa. Camp's wife." This was on February nth, 1655; at the next seating, on February 2oth, 1 66 1, we find " Sister Merriman " assigned seat No. 8 " in the long seats for women," with Goodwife Mansfield, Goodwife Hitchcock, Goodwife Harrison, Sister Barnes, and John Johnson's w r ife.* Doubtless the young people sat in the gallery, as only the heads of families are mentioned in the seating. In 1653, Nathaniel sold his home on East Water Street to " ffrancis Browne " " and all his lands wch belonged to him on ye east side against Dragon point, "f At this time, he undoubtedly went to live on his farm. Six years later, in 1659, a land-question of unusual interest and importance arose within the limits of the town, which was not settled until after the Revolution. It was a serious * Atwater's Hist, of New Haven Colony, Appendix IV, p. 546, ff. t New Haven Proprietors' Manuscript Record, II, p. 140. NATHANIEL MERRIMAN IN NEW HAVEN 53 difference of opinion between the dwellers in the New Haven town-plot and the inhabitants of the outlying farms who wished to establish villages of their own. Attendance at church was of course rigorously demanded of all; but at so great a distance as Fair Haven or East Haven, it proved a very difficult matter. Hence the farmers asked the privilege of establishing subordinate villages, having their own churches and constables, so as to have the essentials of religious and civic government close at hand. To this the dwellers of the town strenuously objected on account of the loss to them in " rates " or taxes. A town meeting was called at which the boundaries of the proposed villages of Fair and East Haven were described, and the conditions set forth that the villagers should pay rates as did other plantations; also that every landholder in the village should pay rates in the village, even if not a resident. Mr. Daven- port was by far the largest landholder in Fair Haven, but he spoke at length in favor of the petitioners, making the point that they should " prevent sin in the farmes " and that the " saboth " ought to be sanctified, but with the farmers living at such a distance, it could not be kept as a day of rest. A further suggestion was that the children were debarred from school privileges. The " city fathers " opposed the measures of the farmers, as has happened sometimes since; and here our ancestor took part in the contention, bringing upon himself the criticism from Levermore of being " the spiteful man." It seems to me, however, that this censure is a bit hard on him, since there was certainly perfect fairness in his point of view; and from some characteristics that I have hap- pened to observe in a few of his descendants, I can venture to say that his complete conviction of right, combined with his vehemence of manner, may have furnished the 54 MERRIMAN REUNION ground for this statement. His part in the controversy is thus described :* " He threw a firebrand into the midst by saying that at the first there were many of them looked upon as men to live by their labor. They had small lots given them, but when ' the Towne for their support gave them these lots, it was upon condition that they should inhabit them. And now the Towne would call them off their farmes.' He was answered that then the farmers came to town with their families on the last day of the week, and ' stayed till after the Saboth,' and that ' the farmes were given them that corn and cattell might be raised; yet now they need corne from the towne.' " Our historian leaves us in the dark as to the outcome of this special meeting; but since the question was not decided until more than a hundred years later, of course we must conclude that it amounted to little else than an expression of opinion evidently a decided one. It may quite possibly be that the annoyance thus experienced had its bearing on his subsequent removal to help found the town of Wallingford, although ten years later he was still a " freeman in the town of New Haven," and, again, after settling in Wallingford, it is recorded that he continued to be one of the proprietors of New Haven, f However, in 1669, thirty-eight men, of whom Nathaniel's name is fourth on the list, signed an agreement to found the village ofWallingford4 During his residence in New Haven, he held various public positions. The close proximity of the Indians made military protection necessary from the first, and " every * Levermore's Republic of New Haven, p. no. f Savage's Genealogical Dictionary, III, p. 200. I Davis, Hist, of Wallingford, p. 78. NATHANIEL MERRIMAN IN NEW HAVEN 55 male from sixteen to sixty years of age " was pressed into service. In 1642 the total number thus subject to military duty was 217, as there were thirty-one watches of seven men each. The company was divided into four squadrons, each commanded by a sergeant.. The squadrons were trained in succession, one on each Saturday, with a " general training " every fifth week on Monday for the whole company. We find that, having formerly been a sergeant to the artillery company, on May Qth, 1662, he was chosen ensign.* In 1665 he was confirmed as the first sergeant of the train band f (that is, military company), and in January, 1666, he was chosen to serve on the jury. J Two or three months later we note a real estate trans- action, in that he bought of Isaac Whitehead " all his part of land given by the town;" and he also sold to John Moss " half the foremen tioned land and meadow excepting the homestead." To go back a few years, we find that in 1660, when there arose a general question as to the boundaries between New Haven and Connecticut colonies, which later assumed very important proportions, it is stated that Nathaniel Merriman and others " with the help of Montowese, an Indian, ye late proprietor, shall set out the bounds with lasting markes, * * of a pcell of land towards Con- necticote." || In the "Century of Meriden," the early part of which is written by George M. Curtis, one of his descendants, we find this picture: " As soon as spring has really come, we may in fancy see these men, clad in leathern * New Haven Proprietors Manuscript Records, III, p. 40. t Public Records Colony of Connecticut, II, p. 112. J New Haven Proprietors Manuscript Records, III, p. 79. Ibid, p. &2.^ || New Haven Colony Records, II, p. 409, footnote. 56 MERRIMAN REUNION doublet and breeches, accompanied by the dusky warrior Montowese, striding along the road leading to ' Connecti- cote,' crossing the bridge lately built over the Quinnipiac, and setting their faces towards the north. * * First, we note the sturdy form of Nathaniel Merriman, a veteran of the Pequot war of 1636, and destined later, as captain of dragoons, and accompanied by his son Nathaniel, Jr., to play his part in the great swamp fort fight of King Philip's war." * As regards Nathaniel Merriman's children born in New Haven, records seem to differ somewhat. On the New Haven Register of Vital Statistics, they are given as follows: Births: Hanah dau. of Nathaniell, May 16, 1651. Abigail dau. of Nathaniell, Apr. 18, 1654. Mary dau. of Nathaniel, July 12, 1657. John son of Nathaniell, Feb. last, 1659. Samuell son of Nathaniell, Sept. 29, 1662. Caleb son of Nathaniell, May, 1665. Sons of Nathaniell [among records of 1667]. Elizabeth dau. of Nathaniell, Sept. 14, 1669. Death: John son of Nathaniell, Sept. 26, 1651. Of these we find baptisms as follows: John, Abigail, and Mary, all on June 27, 1661; Caleb, June 25, 1665.! * Gillespie and Curtis: A Century of Meriden, p. n. fFrom the First Church Records, transcribed by Henry White in 1855, and published in the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, IX, pp. 357-364. THE CHILDREN OF NATHANIEL MERRIMAN The Chairman reported that 325 programs of the meeting and 325 return postal cards had been sent out, and that 142 of the cards had been received in reply. The last line of the postal card was " I am descended from Nathaniel through his child - ." This last line was filled out as follows: 5 persons were not decended from Nathaniel, 25 did not know through which child they were descended, 14 claimed descent through Hannah, 15 through Abigail, 20 through Mary, 39 through John, 9 through Samuel, 28 through Caleb, and 3 through Elizabeth. Among the 137 descendants who replied there were 19 cases of double or triple descent through two or three of Nathaniel's children. The Chairman then stated that the eldest child of Nathaniel Merriman, also named Nathaniel, was probably born about 1648. At the age of about 27 he went forth in King Philip's war and gave his life in defense of the Colonies in the great swamp fort fight in Rhode Island on December 19, 1675. The second child, who was named John, died in infancy in 1651. The names of the other children who left issue were then called in the order of their birth with a brief statement regarding their date of birth, age at marriage, name of husband or wife, and number of children. As the name of each was called the chairman requested those descended 57 58 MERRIMAN REUNION from that child to rise and then asked one of their number to make remarks. Hannah, the third child, was born in 1651. At the age of 175 she married John Ives and had five children: John, Hannah, Joseph, Gideon, and Nathaniel. After the death of John Ives, she married Joseph Benham by whom she had three children: Mary, Joseph, and Abigail. Fourteen persons arose who were descended from Hannah, and remarks were made by Frederick A. Sutliffe of South- ington, Conn. Abigail, the fourth child, was born in 1654. At the age of 165 she married John Hitchcock and had eleven children: a daughter, Samuel, Abigail, Mary, Nathaniel, Margery, John, Mathias, Hannah, Damaris, and Benjamin. Fourteen descendants of Abigail arose. Remarks were made by George R. Johnson of Cheshire, Conn. Mary, the fifth child, was born in 1657. At the age of 17 she married Thomas Curtis and had twelve children: Mary, Nathaniel, Samuel, Elizabeth, Hannah, Thomas, Sarah, Abigail, Joseph, Jemima, Rebecca, and John. Twenty-seven descendants of Mary arose. Remarks were made by George M. Curtis of Meriden, Conn. John, the sixth child, was born in 1660. At the age of 23 he married Hannah Lines by whom he had three children : Esther, Abigail, and George. At the age of 30 he married, for his second wife, Elizabeth Peck by whom he had seven children: John, Israel, Sarah, Elizabeth, Mary, Caleb, and Susannah. Forty-eight descendants of John arose. Remarks were CHILDREN OF NATHANIEL MERRIMAN 59 made by Mrs. Jennie Merriman Buell of Terryville, Conn., whose father Ebenezer Merriman was fifth in descent from John. Samuel, the seventh child, was born in 1662. At the age of 24 he married Anna Street, daughter of Rev. Samuel Street of Wallingford, by whom he had four children: Nathaniel, Nathaniel, Theophilus, and Samuel. Seven descendants of Samuel arose. Remarks were made by James Lehigh Merriman of Bolton, Mass. Caleb, the eighth child was born in 1665. At the age of 25 he married Mary Preston by whom he had eight children: Moses, Elizabeth, Eliasaph, Phebe, Hannah, Lydia, and Lydia. Twenty-eight descendants of Caleb arose. Remarks were made by Henry J. Merriman of Southington, Conn., who said that while he was sixth in descent from Nathaniel through his son John, he was also proud of being seventh in descent, on his mother's side, from Caleb. The ninth birth was that of twin sons which occurred in 1667. No names are given to them in the New Haven record, and it is hence probable that they died soon after birth. The youngest child was Elizabeth who was born in 1669. At the age of i6 years she married Ebenezer Lewis and had ten children: Elizabeth, Barnabas, Hannah, Benjamin, Malachi, Agape, and Ebenezer. Three descendants of Elizabeth Lewis arose. Remarks were made by Miss Kate A. Prichard of Waterbury, Conn., and Miss Susan E. Merriam of Branford, Conn. THE FOUNDERS OF WALLINGFORD WRITTEN FOR THE MERRIMAN TRICENTENNIAL REUNION BY DONALD LINES JACOBUS Tenth in Descent from Nathaniel through his daughter Abigail Where once the mighty breakers roared, The sealess sand-dunes naked lie; Beyond, a sweep of hills and sky That guard the gates of Wallingford. Two centuries have taken flight And now a third is on the wing, Since that first balmy day of Spring When pioneers gazed on the site And chose to make the wilderness Their home. What transformation then Took place in forest, field and fen; What days of toil and weariness These people knew and yet endured, That here a pleasant town should rise Beauteous under smiling skies, Of peace and plenty well assured. THE FOUNDERS OF WALLINGFORD 61 The plough prevails where fails the sword. Man's toil beneath a blazing sun, And work of woman, bravely done, 'Twas these that builded Wallingford. II And who were they, whose work achieved The conquest of the wilderness? What features and what mode of dress Were theirs, and what the lives they lived? Far down the dim receding aisles Of years long past we gaze in vain. The scene is hazy, nothing plain; Vaguely before our vision files A line of rugged men, some old, Some young; dauntless in spirit, all; Their names alone we may recall, And in few words their tale is told. Yet here was many an august name That in old England stood for worth, And many a name of humbler birth That since that day has risen to fame. Among them Street, whose family gave A line of pastors to the land; Curtis and Yale were of the band, Keen-eyed Brockett and Munson brave. And here was Hall, one of whose stock Set hand to the great Declaration That made America a nation; Moss, whom a hundred years of shock 62 MERRIMAN REUNION And turmoil could not quite subdue; Preston and Ives and Royce and Beach. Their names ring out like mighty speech; Men may be false, but names ring true. And as the roll of names we scan, Far down the moldy, wrinkled page, Faded by time and eaten with age, We meet the name of Merriman. A staunch old warrior, stern of brow, He was not deaf when duty spoke, But stooped his shoulder to the yoke And to the furrow kept the plough. Ill These were the men who ventured forth From fireside ease; with wife and child They sought the yet unpeopled wild And set their village in the north. We cannot praise them nor condemn, Their faults and virtues are effaced; Yet in their history may be traced Enough to make us honor them. In council slow, in judgment sure, They faltered not, nor turned aside; In faith they owned a perfect guide, And what they builded shall endure. We are their children; the same blood Courses these veins; their names we bear; Then let it be our foremost care To guard our birthright as we should. THE FOUNDERS OF WALLINGFORD 63 An age of doubt succeeds the age Of faith; men grow indifferent To great ideals of government, Oblivious of their heritage. They wander restless to and fro, Desert the tried for something strange; They hail as progress, wanton change; Recklessly to the ground they throw The trusty bulwarks of the past, And deem things good because they are new: Our fathers sought for what was true, And, having found it, held it fast. In council slow, in judgment sure, We too must learn to know the beauty That strews the simple path of duty; Thus shall we build what may endure. And when men clamor, Alter this! And in their ignorance cry, Reform! Then shall we bow before the storm And closer cling to that which is. But when new problems need our skill And all the world seems fogged in night, We first shall ponder what is right, Then mould the world to serve our will. So haply, when the plough or sword Falls from our hands, and we are laid In the cold ground, it shall be said, " They built a statelier Wallingford." NATHANIEL MERRIMAN IN WALLINGFORD 1670-1694 BY MANSFIELD MERRIMAN Sixth in Descent from Nathaniel through his son John, seventh through his daughter Mary, and seventh through his son Caleb In the year 1670 a man fifty-seven years old, with his wife and five children, came to Wallingford and built a log house at the northwest corner of the present Main and Ward Streets. From early youth his life had been laborious and he had occupied a subordinate position in the com- munity where he had previously lived. Yet in the new and growing village of Wallingford he soon became a prominent leader in civil and military affairs. His great work was done here after he had passed the age of sixty. To-day we, his descendants, meet to pay due honor to his memory. Nathaniel Merriman had fought in the Pequot war in early manhood. At New Haven he had been private, sergeant, and ensign in the train band or military company. At Wallingford the first care of every settler was to protect his home against the Indians, and a train band was soon organized, of which Nathaniel Merriman was appointed lieutenant in 1672 by the General Court of Connecticut. This train band was too small to have a captain and hence Lieut. Merriman was its head. How efficient were his 64 NATHANIEL MERRIMAN IN WALLINGFORD 65 labors appears from the fact that, although a constant guard had to be kept and although houses had to be fortified, no actual struggle with the Indians ever occurred in this town. The dark days of danger were in the years 1675 and 1676 and he then rendered special service in King Philip's war. Until the year 1692 he was the efficient head of the Walling- ford train band. Then at the age of seventy-eight he laid down his military work.* During these years he was in constant cooperation with the authorities of the Colony of Connecticut in military affairs. He was also the deputy or representative of Wal- lingford to the General Court at Hartford for nine sessions, f The journey from Wallingford to Hartford then occupied an entire day and was doubtless often made on foot, the party being always armed to protect themselves against the Indians. In those years also he rendered service to the County of New Haven by acting as a juror in its courts, as a commissioner in establishing the boundaries of towns and in the erection of bridges. Real estate which he con- tinued to hold at New Haven also claimed some attention, so that his journeys there were doubtless frequent. Thus his personality was well known throughout the colony of Connecticut. His first formal service in civil affairs to the town of Wallingford was in 1672 when he was appointed Secretary of the Committee to distribute land among the planters. Soon after he was chosen town clerk, and reelected annually to that office for nine years. In 1675 he was appointed * See my pamphlet " Nathaniel Merriman, one of the Founders of Wallingford in the State of Connecticut " (New York, March, 1913), for references to the authorities where these historical facts are first stated. t See Records of the Colony of Connecticut. 66 MERRIMAN REUNION one of a committee to establish a church, but as no church buildin was erected the Sabbath services were often held at his 1 ouse. He was one of a committee to erect a mill for grinding corn, he was named as a trustee in deeds of land to the town of Wallingford by the Indians.* During one year he was a magistrate of the town, empowered to settle disputes and join young couples in matrimony. His influ- ence in every direction appears to have been that of a leader and wise counsellor. What manner of man was this, who after the age of sixty, developed such executive capacity and became such a trusted leader? Was he of stalwart form, as some have supposed? Was he of cheery temperament, or was his cast of mind stern and forbidding? Was he of deep religious convictions, or was his church activity merely a matter of duty? These queries cannot now be answered, but from what is recorded and what is not recorded some inferences may be drawn. He was prompt and thorough in the per- formance of all his duties. His records as town clerk are kept neatly and accurately. Not once in all his military career is there a mention of the slightest deviation from appointed duty. Not once is he noted as absent from an appointed meeting. Once when unwell he appeared at the General Court in Hartford as the Wallingford deputy and was excused from attendance on that account. He was an observer of law and precedent. In 1675 when he was town clerk he did not record the death of his son in the swamp fort fight in Rhode Island, and the only reason we can imagine for this omission is that he thought it improper to record a death which did not occur in the town of Wallingford. * See Davis' History of Wallingford regarding the above statements; also the paper on pages 95-103. NATHANIEL MERRIMAN IN WALLINGFORD 67 He had a high sense of justice and fairness as is clearly shown by his will. He had a modesty and a shrinking from notoriety, as is clearly shown from the circumstance that, although the title Captain was generally applied to him after King Philip's war, he himself used only the prefix Lieutenant, for the Wallingford train band was then too small to have a head with the official title of Captain. Through all his life he was a hard worker. After the age of sixty he labored hard as a farmer at Wallingford for the support of his family, yet he also found time to work for the church, the town, the county, and the colony. All his work seems to have been well done. Such was the man whose memory this day we delight to honor. The children of Nathaniel Merriman ranged in age from one to twenty years when he came to Wallingford in 1670. The eldest son was assigned a lot adjoining that of his father, but it is not known whether or not he had married and built a house upon it before he went forth to King Philip's war in 1675. The two eldest daughters married in New Haven, but came with their families to Wallingford a few years after its foundation. As the younger children grew up, they married and settled near by. Thus, sur- rounded by the families of seven of his children, Nathaniel Merriman was a patriarch to whom all looked up with reverence. At the time of his death in 1694 thirty-eight grandchildren and several great-grandchildren had been born. Joan, who was the wife of Nathaniel Merriman when he wrote his will in 1692, survived him by fifteen years. Her maiden surname is unknown and it is thought that she was a second wife and not the mother of his children. But through all the years at Wallingford, she had the care of those children among discomforts and trials of which w e 68 MERRIMAN REUNION at the present day can scarcely form a conception. To her also let all honor be due. In the office of the town clerk at Wallingford there is an old book, 8 by 12 inches in size and bound in home-made leather, which contains 127 numbered pages and a fly leaf. Pages 1-17 of this book give the records of the New Haven Committee, the agreement of the Wallingford planters with their autographic signatures, resolutions of the General Court of Connecticut regarding the village, and the action of the Wallingford committee in assigning house lots. On May 27, 1672 this committee resigned its trust to the inhabitants and Nathaniel Merriman was appointed Secre- tary or town clerk. Pages 18 to 72 of this old book are in his handwriting, the matter consisting of minutes of town meetings, business with adjoining towns, ear marks of cattle and records of births, marriages, and deaths. The writing is neat and for the most part readily legible, although the edges of many leaves are torn and stained. A recent examination of this old book has brought to light several facts not hitherto mentioned in print.* For many years he was one of the appraisers appointed by the town to make lists of property. For ten years he was one of the " townsmen," or selectmen, which managed the business of the village, and during five of these years he was the first selectman who probably then, as now, did most of the work. He was at the head of the committee to erect and repair the mill. He served as one of the auditors to examine the yearly accounts. He was chairman of the committee which in 1691 was appointed to " seat the meeting-house." Some light upon his character is shown by this old book in the records of his dissenting votes cast in the town meet- * See the paper on pages 95-103. NATHANIEL MERRIMAN IN WALLINGFORD 69 ings. One year a motion was passed to allow a certain way of rating property, there being four dissenting votes recorded, the name of Nathaniel Merriman standing first. Another year a motion was passed that every man in town should work for Rev. Mr. Street " to suit his need and having two days notice "; to this there were five dissenters whose names are recorded, that of Nathaniel Merriman being given first. These facts show that when he was positive that he was right, he did not hesitate boldly to proclaim his views even though he was in a hopeless minority. A strong character like this could not fail to leave its impress upon those who followed him. As one evidence of the respect shown for his memory, it may be noted that five of his grandchildren were named Nathaniel. Even in families but indirectly connected with his own, children were named after him.* For many years after his death, stories of his strong personality, of his services in the Indian wars, and of his public career were undoubtedly often told by Wallingford firesides. He lived respected, he died regretted, and the memory of his work still survives. Such was the man whom we this day are proud to call our com- mon ancestor. * For instance, Merriman Munson, Merriman Cook, and Merriman Hotchkiss. KING PHILIP'S WAR OF 1675 AND THE SERVICES RENDERED THEREIN BY NATHANIEL MERRI- MAN AND HIS ELDEST SON BY GEORGE M. CURTIS Seventh in Descent from Nathaniel through his daughter Mary When Wallingford was settled in 1670, forty-eight men ' comprised all the male adults. Five years later this number may have been increased by perhaps ten. As quite a num- ber of these men were young, and had been recently mar- ried, it is probable that the total population of the town did not exceed three hundred and fifty souls. Perhaps there were fifty houses in the settlement, all facing on what is now the main street, and extending over a distance of a mile. New Haven was the nearest town, twelve miles to the south. In what is now Meriden, there were only two houses, while some ten miles north of these, in the southern part of Wethersfield, was the fortified house of Sergt. Richard Beckley, in a locality still known as Beckley's Quarters, in the present town of Berlin. It may be readily seen that the situation of Wallingford was an exposed and isolated one, and that a journey to Hartford or New Haven over an Indian trail through the surrounding primeval forests was fraught with danger and peril. 70 KING PHILIP'S WAR 71 The Indian war of 1675-6, commonly known as King Philip's, actually broke out on June 20, 1675, in an attack on Swansea, a town located just west of Fall River, Mass. As towns were sacked and burned, and the inhabitants butchered, the alarm soon became general throughout New England, for it was apparent that the Indians were embarked in a war of extermination. The Indians of Connecticut were restless also during the whole period, as may be seen by an examination of the Colonial Records. The first evidence in Wallingford of the general panic throughout New England appears on the town records in a series of votes passed August 27th. There were other votes of like nature adopted on later dates. Those of August 27, 1675, are as follows: " In respect to the present danger of the Indians it was ordered that y e inhabitants secure themselves and the principall of theyre goods by fortifying about two houses w ch houses are to be Mr. Samuel Streets and Leutenant Merrimans & that this work of fortifying be set upon the 28th of August by y e whole town and followed until it be effected & whosoever fails, to pay a fine of 5 shillings." " Also that every man bring his armes & ammunition compleate upon the Saboth day y* he may be able in a fitt posture to do service if need require." " That y e select guard serve as sentinells on y e Sabath and y e rest of the town ward 4 men every Sabbath and 2 every weeke day & be warned by order from y e Constable by y e watch and called & y* they begin to ward when the watch breaks up and hold on till y e watch be sett again: y* they begin and end at y e dawning and shutting in of y e day: and y 1 both watch and ward come to y e constable and y* theire arms may be viewed if they be according to law: this until further order, provided notwithstanding 72 MERRIMAN liEUNION y e select guard is not hereby freed from warding on y e weeke days: it is alsoe ordered y* y e drum beat at y e setting and breaking up of y e watch." On Sept. 23, 1675, "It was ordered y 4 y e day workers for y e cutting of brush be performed y e next Monday & Tuesday being y e 2;th & 28th instants & y e Drum to beat in y e morning & y e persons to work meet at Eleazur Peck's house & so distribute 4 parts to work at y e view part of y e town & y e other 3 persons towards y e lower end of the town & that is about y e South." On Sept. 28, 1675, " It was ordered & agreed hoping it may be no offence to y e Honorable Council that as in other towns they have abated of y e number appointed for ward- ing considering y e necessities of occasions and inability to to hold to ward on 4 qurts of y e towne every day; we also have presumed to make some abatement of y e present until more danger appears or our superiors see cause to reduce us to our former injunction." On Oct. 5, 1675, "It was ordered y* those persons y* live at that end of y e towne where Mr. Moss liveth viz Mr Moss Mr Brocket Sergt Doolittle John Beach Sr Eliasaph Preston Wm Ebnatha, if they see cause to fortify any of their houses which they can agree upon for their safety in their time of danger what their first charge is shall be defrayed out of y e town treasury: alsoe y* any that are willing to be assistant to make flankers at Lieut. Merriman's barne shall have due recompence out of y e town treasury." " Dec. 4 1675 y e towne consented to be at y e charge of fortifying one house at y e lower end of y e towne where Serg* Doolittle liveth." " Mar 4 1675/6 these persons were allowed to belong to y e lower garrison Mr Moss Eliasaph Preston Wm Ebnatha KING PHILIP'S WAR 73 John Peck Jeremiah How Saml Brockett Jabez Brockett Insign Doolittle John Beach." " Mar 4 1675/6 Mr Moss Lieut Merriman & Benj. Lewis chosen a committee to see to the fortifications y* they may be made sufficient according to y e true intent of y e councils order Mar 3 1675/6." It is interesting to note that the two houses selected to be fortified against an attack by the Indians were those of the Rev. Mr. Street and Lieutenant Nathaniel Merriman; perhaps because they were the largest in the village, and located at about the center. The senior ranking military officer of Wallingford at that time was Nathaniel Merriman, who was appointed Lieu- tenant of the Train Band in 1672. The Colonial Records of the period are silent about any other military officer in Wallingford, except that in October, 1675, Samuel Munson was appointed Ensign. So far as the records disclose, there were no other officers of the Train Band. At a meeting of the Governor and Council held November, 1675, Lieut. Nathaniel Merriman was appointed Captain of Dragoons for New Haven County; each county was to furnish sixty Dragoons for the Narragansett campaign. They are supposed to have been equipped with horses, long arms and ammunition. Just what were the services of Lieutenant Nathaniel in the various expeditions of the Connecticut troops, we do not know, but we are certainly led by subsequent events to believe that they were important. He may have been with Major Treat in the expeditions for the relief of Deerfield, Hadley and Springfield, and he was probably engaged in the Naragansett campaign, in which three hundred Connecticut troops participated, and of whom eighty were killed. 74 MERRIMAN REUNION We do know that his son, Nathaniel Merriman, was killed at the Great Swamp Fort fight on December 19, 1675. One likes to believe that Lieutenant Nathaniel, remember- ing the death of his son, was one of those grim and wrathful Puritans who swung their heavy cutlasses and thought of Saul and Agag, and spared not. While the results of this Great Swamp Fort fight were disastrous to the Indians, it rendered them but little less troublesome, and we know that Connecticut was harassed by marauding and skulking bands of Indians who were threatening various points of the Colony, and who even went so far as to burn the town of Simsbury. At the meeting of the Council in Hartford, March 3, 1675/6, the following minute was adopted: " Upon the receipt of a letter from L nt Merriman and Ensign Munson, of Wallingford, concerning their garrison houses and watches and wardes (the Council) do recommend it to the people there to watch and guard their garrisons, etc., and also to desire two of the Assis*^ of New Haven to com upon the place and to assist them in the setleing of their affayres for the best good." There is on file on the manuscript War Records in the State Library at Hartford, the following letter from John Moss Senior and Nathaniel Merriman, dated the 3oth of March, 1676: Honored Sirs these few lines are to certifie you . . . that last night Good- man Coles house was burnt and this morning came wume Thorns and severall Indeans with him a pass from S Major treat which indeans we did suspect to have burnt it but they say they lay at Serj Beckles, and came out of Wethersfield Sun 2 hours high and it was dark before they come to Serj Becklies. But while the indeans now here at Wallingford their KING PHILIP'S WAR 75 came some souldiers downe and they say that these indeans came out of Wethersfield about sun half an hour high and Dum Thorn sayeth that Mr. Chester and Wethersfield Miller saw them when they came by the mill. And these indeans say that they saw a great many traks and some of them went toward Matabesut mountains, and others toward the hanging hills as they did judge near a 100. These things being considered we doe judge the enemie is near us and therefore doe desire that you would speedyly consider our condition and send us some help. And soe being in hast wee rest desiring your prayers that the lord would guid you and us to do that which may most please him, we rest, Your Humble Servants John Moss senior ffrom Wallingford Nathaniel Merriman the 3oth of the ist mo 1676. The farm of Goodman Cole was in the present township of Meriden, and his house stood at what is now the south- west corner of Colony Street and Kensington Avenue. Mr. Cole had bought the farm from its first owner in 1673. There were only two houses in the whole township of Meriden at this time. The other was the old stone farm, or fort, lying about two miles north of the house of Mr. Cole. One can readily see that the situations were exposed and solitary. By subsequent records we find that there is no doubt that the house of Mr. Cole was burned by Indians, for in the examination of Menowniett, held August, 1676, it was discovered that it was the Indian Cohas who had burned Goodman Cole's house. Cohas (or Cohause) was finally captured between Milford and New Haven, and taken before the Council. He confessed that he had killed a Mr. Kirby, of Middletown, on the -road to Wethersfield, and that he had burned Goodman Cole's house. He was executed by an Indian. 76 MERRIMAN REUNION Whether the destruction of Mr. Cole's house caused his death, we are not sure, but we do know that Nathaniel Merriman filed the inventory of Henry Cole, deceased, of Wallingford, in the Probate Court of New Haven on May 12, 1676, only a short time after the destruction of the house. Apparently most of his household stuff was destroyed in the fire. Nathaniel Merriman 's services in King Philip's war were recognized as important by his fellow townsmen, for on January 26, 1684/5, the following vote was passed: " The town showing their respect to those that were employed in the countrys service in the war do grant unto Lieut Merriman 10 acres and to the brothers of Nathaniel Merriman that was slain at the fort fight 10 acres: as to the rest of them 5 acres apiece which they are to take up together in some place viewed by the townsmen that may not be prejudicial to the town." By subsequent votes we learn that the following is the roll of honor of Wallingford men in King Philip's war: LIEUTENANT NATHANIEL MERRIMAN, * NATHANIEL MERRIMAN, JR. JOHN Moss, JR., JABEZ BROCKET, SAMUEL BROCKET, JOSEPH BENHAM, JR., JOHN DOOLITTLE, ROGER TYLER. THE WILL AND ESTATE OF NATHANIEL MERRIMAN The last will and testament of Nathaniel Merriman is recorded in the Probate Court of New Haven, Vol. II, pp. 146-149. The inventory of his estate follows immediately after the will. In the following copy the antique spelling of words has not been followed, except in proper names, and modern punctuation has generally been introduced. Nathaniell Merriman his last will & testament made June 6, 1692. I Nath 11 Merriman being stricken in years, not knowing the time of my dissolution, & desirous to settle things respecting that little outward estate God hath bestowed upon me, upon my surviving relations so as may prevent strife & contention between them when I shall have departed this life, hoping therefore that what shall be hereafter written may effect the same. In the name of God, Amen. I Nath 11 Merriman of Wallingford, being in perfect sense & competent measure of health, do by these presents publish & declare that what shall be hereafter written is my last will and testament. Of which my will and testament I do by these appoint, constitute & ordain my beloved wife Joane Merriman and my youngest son Caleb Merriman to be the joint executors. And so whensoever it shall please Almighty God to take me away out of this world by death, I do wil- lingly commit my body to the earth from whence it was taken & my spirit to God that gave it me. 77 78 MERRIMAN REUNION And after all my due & just debts & decent burial are discharged, I give to my beloved wife during the time of her natural life in this world the full right, use & improve- ment of the one-half part of my dwelling house & barn & the half part of my home lot whether pasture or other land, & of the orchard. Moreover as aforesaid & in like manner I give to my beloved wife one-third part of all other lands lying in the first division so called, whether corn land, meadow land, or woodland, or pasture land, fenced or unfenced, except such parcels as are already disposed of to my other two sons John or Samuell, or shall be hereafter disposed of by sale or gift before my death. As also one-third part of the meadow in New Haven bounds, except as aforesaid what I have made over to my two sons John & Samuell or shall be disposed of by gift or sale before my death. Also one-third part of what land I have in the great common field which was granted to me by the town upon the account of second division land. Item. I give & bequeath to my son Caleb Merriman the other half part of my house & barne, homelot, orchard, pasture, or corn land. Also the other two-thirds part of all first division lands, corn land, meadow, pasture or wood- land, and two-third? parts of the meadow in New Haven bounds & of all land in the common field which was granted by the town on account of second division land, except as aforesaid what is or hereafter shall be disposed of by gift or sale before my death, & immediately after my death my said son Caleb to take full possession of as his own to use & improve, enjoy, or otherwise dispose of, as he shall see cause, saving my wife's right to any part of the crop which may at the present be upon the ground. And at the decease of my beloved wife then the other third part of all lands as aforesaid & the other half part of house, barn, CAPT. NATHANIEL'S WILL AND ESTATE 79 homelot, with all appurtenances as aforesaid to return to my said son Caleb. And so the whole of all my housing & lands as aforesaid to be and remain to him as his own proper right and inheritance forever, only if my servant William Hanrey continue to serve out his time agreed upon, then the agreement on my part to be performed by the executors. Moreover I give and bequeath to my said son Caleb the whole of all my second division land & in any other divisions that shall of right belong to me according to bounds & quantity entered in the town records, he my said son paying to my daughter Mary Curtis the full & just sum of five pounds as a legacy at or before the end of twelve months after my decease and probation of this my will. As for my other two sons John & Samuell Merriman, they having already received their portions in housing, lands, cattle and other estate, my will is that each of them have twenty shillings paid to them by the Executors as a legacy at or before the end of twelve months after my decease & probation of my will. Moreover my will is that what swine or sheep my son Caleb shall breed up as his own during the time we live and carry on together, those swine or sheep being put to those that are reputed mine, at my decease the whole being equally divided, that my beloved wife shall have one half and my son Caleb the other half. As for horned or neat cattle, or horse kind, my son Caleb his share being already delivered to him, my will is that of the principal & of the increase what is remaining at my decease be all his portion of such cattle or horse kind, & all the rest of such cattle or horse kind either in hand, or running in the woods, that are properly mine at my decease, my will is that my beloved wife shall have one- third part, & the other two-thirds parts to be divided equally amongst my surviving daughters. 80 MERRIMAN REUNION Moreover I give to my son Caleb all manner of tools or instruments used about husbandry or carpenters works, as cart wheels, plans, plow irons, chains, hoops, boxes, axes, hatchets, hoes, & all such like things, except one ax and hoe for the use of my servant Wm Henry, or any other man servant that my wife may have occasion to keep for her use. Item, I give to my son Caleb my military books, my cutlash & sash, my best gun & all other accoutrements belonging to military affairs, except complete arms & amunition according to law for any one man servant that my wife may have occasion to keep. Moreover I give to my beloved wife the bed, bolster & pillows, with a pair of the best sheets, the best rug & blanket, the curtains & vallanse, together with the bedstead, all which we have usually reposed in during the time of our living together. After which it is my will that all manner of my household stuff, as beds, bedding, bedsteads, linen, woolen, pewter, brass, iron, wooden, earthen, & whatsoever comes under the denomination of household stuff, excepting the great table and the stillyards, be divided, the one half to be to my beloved wife, the other half amongst my sur- viving daughters, & as for all my wearing aparell it is my will that it be equally divided amongst my surviving sons. To which & to all the premises set to my hand & seal this We whose names are under written do testify that on the Nath 11 Merriman of Wallingford desired us to attest to the above & on the other side witness that it was his last will and testament. Before the premises were signed & sealed the town began to speak of appropriating all the Plains, which if it come to pass, whatsoever part or parts falleth to my lot, it is my will that my beloved wife shall enjoy the one-third part of CAPT. NATHANIEL'S WILL AND ESTATE 81 it during the time of her natural life, & at her decease to return to my son Caleb to be to him as all the rest before mentioned. To which all the premises I said Nath 11 Merriman have set my hand & seal September gth, 1692. NATHANIELL MERRIMAN his seal [s] We whose names are under written testify that upon the ninth of September in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred ninety-two the before written Nath 11 Merriman showed us this writing & told us it was his last will & testament & signed & sealed it in our presence & desired us to witness to it. EBENEZER CLARK 1 _. I Sworn in Court JOSEPH HOULL J Febr 8, 169! Lt. Nath 11 Merriman declared to us by good deliberation & consideration that his military books & his fan to fan corn & his carpenter tools should be divided among his three sons & they shall have an equal share in them. Witness EBENEZER CLARK ) _. LL _ ,\ Sworn in Court. SAM STREET Jun r J An Inventory of the estate of Lef* Nath u Merriman of Wallingford who departed this life the i3th Febr. 169^ Ib. s. d. Impr. The home lot, orchard & pasture, house & barn 145. oo. oo It. A river lot 18 acres 54/6. 26 acres of land in the common field with the crop upon the ground 54/6. 23. 6d 108 . 02 . 06 It. 57 acres of first division land 28/6. 105; meadow at New Haven 40*6 68. 10. oo 82 MERRIMAN REUNION lb. s. d. It. 237 acres of second division land 60/6. 2 oxen 10/6. 3 cows gib. 5$ 79 . 05 . oo It. i Bull 3/6. i small heifer ilb los. 23 swine 12/6 los. 8 sheep 4/6 21 . oo . oo It. Carpenter's tools 3/6 55. Plows, chains, irons, axes, hoes, trowel, shovel, 6/6 gs. . . . g. 14 . 04 It. Cart wheels, yokes, geers, with the irons belonging to them 3 . 17. oo It. Indian corn in the barn 6/6. Hay & oats in the barn 3/6 105 9 . 10. oo It. Forks, a flail 45 6d. Brake & hatchet 35. 6d . oo. 08. oo It. 2 sythes, a ring & robe los. A staff \vith an iron head 35 oo . 13 . oo It. A quarter part of a cider mill 135. The half of a grindstone 6s oo . 19 . oo It. Indian corn, rye & oats in house 2/6 155 6d His wearing clothes 12/6 165 6d 15 . 12 . oo It. In money 01 . 16 . 05 It. A saddle 145. 4 bells 165. A little bag, 2 awls, a few hobrats is 6d 01 . 19 . 06 It. Hogs fat & tallow 195 6d. 17 lb of flax 1 7$. Cider and tobacco ilb 75 03 . 02 . 06 It. Hops, salt & tow ilb 6s 6d. Sole leather, Indian corn i lb 45 02 . 10. 06 It. 4 lb of yarn 105. 2 guns with all the military accoutrements 8/6 105 09 . oo. oo It. All those things that may go under the de- nomination of household stuff 81 . 03 . 10 557- 15- 7 dr. 4. o. o This Inventory taken and appraisement made March 6th, 169^. LETTERS FROM DESCENDANTS WHO WERE UNABLE TO ATTEND THE REUNION Time did not permit the reading of the letters in full and accordingly the following abstracts or extracts were presented by the Secretary of the General Committee. Louise B. Merriman, Grass Lake, Mich. " I am sorry not to be able to be with you to celebrate the advent of the Merrimans into this country, but hope that some of our western people will be there and bring us a report." Belle Merriman, Jackson, Mich. " I cannot go back in my ancestry further than my great-grandfather and think that his name was Caleb." George Merriman, Muskogee, Okla. " I am the son of Eli T. Merriman who was born near Bristol, Conn., in 1815, and I have three brothers in Texas. I hope that you will have a good time and that in the near future we may meet in the West. The latch key to my home is on the outside if any of our relations ever come to Muskogee. Please send me a copy of the Proceedings of the Reunion. Mrs. Florence Merriman Young, St. Paul, Mich., regrets that she cannot be present with her three sons. Her grand- father was Benoni Merriman, one of the early settlers of Michigan. She would like to purchase genealogical records of the Merriman family and also a report of the Reunion. 83 84 MERRIMAN REUNION Charles F. Merriman, Manchester, Mich., is also a grand- son of Benoni. He is sorry that he cannot attend and would like to receive an account of the Reunion. His father George O. Merriman was born in New York State, Oct. 21, 1827. Mrs. Maude Merriman Huffman, Regent of the D. A. R. Chapter at Lebanon, Tenn., has been collecting data regarding the Merriman family and sends a table of her lineage from Capt. Nathaniel through his son Caleb. Willis G. Merriman, Lowell, Michigan. " I am not sure that I can attend the Reunion but I send one dollar to pay for my luncheon ticket. I do not know which child of Nathaniel I am descended from, but my grandfathers name was Joel." Mrs. Harriet M. Hayes, Torrington, Conn. " I am the only living child of George Merriman of Litchfield who died in 1893 at the age of 94 years. Any items regarding my branch of the family that will aid future genealogical research will be gladly furnished. I have just passed my seventy- seventh birthday and have a good share of the health and strength for which the Merriman family are noted." Richard M. Merriman, San Juan, Porto Rico. " I am very sorry that I cannot join the distinguished assembly on June 4 to do honor to our common ancester. If Pro- ceedings of the Reunion are to be issued I should like very much to have a copy. Miss L. Beatrice Merriman, Boston, Mass., sends her genealogical record and is very sorry that she cannot attend the Reunion. She is a descendant of Amasa Merriman who was born in Meriden in 1767. LETTERS FROM DESCENDANTS 85 Mrs. Titus Mooney Merriman, Revere, Mass. " How I wish I could attend the Merriman tricentennial Reunion, but age (86 years) prevents. My husband, who was a Baptist minister, died a year ago at the age of 90. He descended through Caleb, Eliasaph, Titus, Amasa, and Joseph. I pray that you may have a happy time at Wallingford. The Merrimans have a good name and I trust that it will never be tarnished. I hope to see a report of the gathering." Mrs. Clara Merriman Bell, Mina, Nevada, is sorry that she cannot attend, but she will be very glad to copy for our historian the information which she has gathered in twelve years' research. Amelia Frost Ives, Dedham, Mass., does not know how she is descended from Nathaniel, but says that her grand- mother's name was Philendia Merriman. Mrs. Julia Merriman Humphrey, Englewood, N. J., is 84 years old and cannot attend but sends wishes for a very pleasant Reunion. Her father was John Merriman and his father was James. Mrs. Clinton Judd, Dixon, Illinois, will gladly furnish any possible assistance in compiling a genealogy and regrets that distance prevents her attendance. John J. Merriman, Hartford, Conn., does not know how he is descended from Capt. Nathaniel, but would like to get a list of his branch. Mrs. William D. Evans, Zephyrhills, Florida. " Many thanks for your kind invitation. Oh! how I would enjoy coming, but cannot this time. Best wishes to all who can be there and hopes for many happy meetings of the descend- 86 MERRIMAN REUNION ants of our forefathers. Perhaps you know more about our California cousins than I do, as cousin Clara Bell may have told you all about them when she was east several years ago as the delegate from the Peoria Chapter of the D. A. R." Joel Chauncey Merriman, Deckerville, Michigan. " I cannot attend, but it is a matter in which I am deeply interested. If you decide to publish a book I would like to subscribe." C. La Rue Munson, Williamsport, Pa. " I am exceed- ingly disappointed at my inability to attend the Merriman Reunion, but am obliged to be then on the Pacific coast on urgent business. I am descended from both Abigail and Mary, daughters of Capt. Nathaniel, and am twice descended through Mary. At one time I worked out that I was five times descended from Nathaniel but I can- not at this moment remember just how, but think it was through Hannah and Caleb. I shall be glad to be a sub- scriber to the Merriman book if one is published." George B. Merriman, Ottawa, Kansas. " Am sorry that I cannot meet you on June 4, and moreover know very little about my ancestors. My grandfather was Benoni Merriman who came to Michigan from New York about 1839. I enclose $1.00 and would like a report of the meet- ing. I hope you will have a pleasant and profitable Reunion." Mrs. Fannie S. Earngey, Rockford, Illinois, says " I am specially anxious to be present as Wallingford was my birth- place, but cannot see my way to do so. To the tribe of Nathaniel I send greetings." She encloses her genealogical record in full detail. LETTERS FROM DESCENDANTS 87 Jefferson Davis Merriman, Laredo, Texas. " I am exceedingly sorry that I will not be able to be there for the Reunion with my family and brothers. I was born in 1862, was married in 1889, and have three daughters and one son, all of whom are still young, healthy, good looking, and single, but have many sweethearts. Kindly send me copies of your proceedings at Wallingford." Miss Gertrude B. Merriman, Terre Haute, Ind., regrets that she cannot be present. Her grandfather William Merriman who was born April 28, 1800 near New Haven, Conn., came to Indiana when sixteen years old. Tradi- tions indicate that his family in Connecticut was well-to-do and that his mother had red hair. She is very desirous of knowing how he was descended from Capt. Nathaniel. Miss Alice P. Merriman, Madison, Wisconsin, is very sorry that she cannot attend the Reunion to assist in doing honor to the memory of that grand man Nathaniel. She says that Mrs. Lucius Fairchild of Madison, the widow of a former governor of Michigan, is descended from Capt. Nathaniel. Edward M. Merriman, Conway, Ark. " I had looked forward to this occasion with no ordinary degree of pleasure, and had so fondly anticipated being among and with you all, but alas I am reminded that man proposes and God disposes. I trust that the Reunion will be largely attended and be productive of much interest and pleasure to the Merriman tribe and hope that you will honor me with a report of the meeting if one should be published." Mrs. .George W. Fisk, Newington, Conn." My father was F. B. Merriman of Waterbury, Conn., a direct descend- ant of Capt. Nathaniel. I should like very much to attend 88 MERRIMAN REUNION the reunion but shall probably not be able; however, I want to know as much as possible about it, and should be glad to obtain reports." Maurice H. Merriman, Seattle, Wash., is 87 years old but writes with a firm hand. " While few, if any, of the family have attained to the standard, so called, of great men, yet I have never known one who has brought discredit on the name." Dr. Alvin F. Merriman, Oakland, California. " I exceed- ingly regret that I cannot attend owing to professional duties here. I do not know from which son of Nathaniel we were descended, but my father was cousin and playmate of the late Rev. Daniel Merriman. I hope that all will enjoy the Reunion." Arthur H. Bennett, Topeka, Kansas, and Mrs. Lydia C. Poyer, Belvidere, Illinois, are decended from Abel Merriman and Elizabeth Merriman who were married in 1756. They know that Elizabeth was a great granddaughter of Capt. Nathaniel, but do not know the line of descent of Abel. They give detailed information of their branch of the family, hope that a Merriman Genealogy may be compiled, and send best wishes for the success of the Reunion. The following lines are printed on the back of Mr. Bennett's business card: If I knew you and you knew me, If both of us could clearly see, And with an inner sight divine The meaning of your heart and mine, I'm sure that we would differ less And clasp our hands in friendliness: Our thoughts would pleasantly agree If I knew you and you knew me. LETTERS FROM DESCENDANTS 89 Mrs. Jane S. Lewis Bull, Plainville, Conn. " No doubt all professions are represented at the Reunion today, law, science, the ministry, as well as he or she who works with the hand, all alike worthy of their hire. I would like to look into your faces, to hear your voices, to shake you by the hand, but through the infirmities of age (being nearly fourscore) I am detained from coming. . . . During the three hundred years since the birth of our common ancestor what wonders have been wrought. The human mind cannot grasp the vastness of the result reaching for- ward through the endless life, the discipline of failures, the glory of achievement. To the boy and girl here today listening to the account of lives of great and glorious results I would say, look up, and onward, and outward! The Light of Earth is in the heavens above. The Light of Life has been also lifted up. Life is eternal, love is eternal. So live that you may attain." Mrs. Sara Merriman Hart, New York City. " Nathaniel Merriman was without doubt one of the historical heroes among the fathers of our Republic; one of those many- sided men whose versatility and achievements along diverse lines were so marvelous, that the interpretation of their life and thought must always be suggestive and helpful to the serious student of human nature and especially to those who bear the same name; and while his guiding thought and secret motive force we may not discover, yet the qualities he displayed evoke admiration and esteem; thus it is eminently fitting that his name be kept in remembrance and duly honored by descendants. I may not be with you on this occasion, but will observe the day appointed." Charles N. Merriman, Orlando, Florida. " In my 86th 90 MERRIMAN REUNION year I came to this state and planted my first citrus trees, for I must do here just what Nathaniel and the rest of the fighters of ye olden tyme did. I am built the same way, made of the same stern stuff, ready to fight at the drop of the hat. When the first railroad rail was laid I was a New York State kid; I was electric then and now at 88 I've enough left in my storage battery to last me another score or two of years. In spirit I am with you at Walling- ford on June 4." M. L. Merriman, Hornell, N. Y., who was present at the Reunion, had previously written a letter giving interesting information. " My line is descended through Samuel, son of Nathaniel, born 1662 ; his son Theophilus who removed to Northfield, Mass., and was there killed and scalped by Greylock and a small party of Indians in 1723; his son Samuel, born 1723, Sergeant in the French and Indian War and Captain in the Revolution; his son Samuel, born 1749, who was a minute-man of the Revolution, made a voyage to the West Indies, removed to Berkshire, Mass., and to Cooperstown, Otsego Co., N. Y., in 1793; his son Samuel, born 1782, who removed to Allegheny Co., N. Y.; and his son, my father, Seth Hamilton Merriman, who was born in 1824 and is still living. The traditions of our branch of the family have been well preserved and I have many details concerning its history in New York State. I sup- pose you know about the Virginia Merriman branch (some- times spelled Merrimon) which has extended north and west. There is a Merriman's brook in Northfield, Mass., a town Merriman in North Carolina, a Merriman post office in Northern Nebraska, also Merriman in Michigan." Telegram from E. T. Merriman, Corpus Christi, Texas. " Congratulations and best wishes for successful Reunion LETTERS FROM DESCENDANTS 91 from a son of Eli Todd Merriman who was born in Bristol, Conn., in eighteen hundred and fifteen and was a graduate of Yale." Telegram from John M. Black, Montreal, Canada. " Canadian descendants of Nathaniel Merriman send greetings to American kith and kin and extend best wishes for a successful celebration this tricentennial day." PART II ALLIED PAPERS WALLINGFORD TOWN MEETINGS, 1670-1692 The following brief notes from the first record book of Wallingford show the activities of Nathaniel Merriman and his sons in the development of the town. N. M. is here used to designate Nathaniel Merriman, Sr., N. M. Jr. for his eldest son, J. M. for his son John, and S. M. for his son Samuel. The notes are here given in the same order as the records appear in the book. 31. n. 69 (meaning probably 31 Jan 1670). The compact of the Wallingford planters is given, N. M. being third on the list. No date (probably in 1670). Record of the Wallingford house lots is given. To N. M. is assigned the first lot on the east side and the first lot on the west side of the long highway. The second lot on the west side is assigned to N. M. Jr. A record of lots near Blew hill is given, N. M. having 12 acres. 1671, April 6. Land near Wharton's brook granted to N. M. 1671, Sept. 25. N. M. and three others engage to procure and deliver 1500 good merchantable pipe staves by the last of October next. 1671, Oct. 30. Granted to N. M. the eleventh lot on the river marked with the letter A. * These notes were made in October, 1913. 95 96 ALLIED PAPERS 1672, May 27. The Committee appointed by the New Haven authorities resigned their trust to the hands of the inhabitants. The agreement of 1670 is reaffirmed, there being 25 autographic signatures, of which that of N. M. is the third and that of N. M. Jr. is the four- teenth. A committee of five was appointed for approv- ing planters, the name of N. M. being fourth. N. M. chosen secretary for the year ensuing. 1672, July 29. A committee of nine appointed to distribute lands, on which the name of N. M. stands fourth. 1672, Nov. 22. John Moss and N. M. appointed to treat with Branford regarding boundaries. 1672, May 9. The General Court of the Colony confirmed N. M. as Lieutenant of the train band at Wallingford. 1672, Jan. 3. The Committee on planters reported that there should be three classes. In the first class there are six names, that of N. M. being third. In the second class there are 25 names, that of N. M. Jr., being thirteenth. 1672, Jan. 31. An abatement of five shillings allowed N. M. on rates. 1673, April 25. Ear marks of the cattle of planters are given. N. M. comes first on the list, his mark being a swallow tail on both ears. 1672, April 3. Mr. Moss, Mr. Brockett, and N. M. are to see that Rev. Mr. Street's goods are carted from New Haven. 1673, April 29. N. M. chosen town clerk for the year ensuing and forty shillings are allowed him. WALLINGFORD TOWN MEETINGS 97 1673, June 17. Overseers appointed to call out men to work on Mr. Street's house, N. M. being third on list. 1673, Sept. 23. Committee of three appointed to judge of Mr. Street's damage in his corn, N. M. being second. 1673, Jan. 3. N. M. chosen to keep an ordinary, and he promised to try it for one year if each planter would furnish twenty fence rails and four posts ready mortised. 1673, Feb. 24. N. M. is second on a committee of five to treat about a mill. Land granted to N. M. 1674, April 6. N. M. on a committee to settle bounds between Wallingford and Branford. 1674, April 2. N. M. chosen town clerk for the year ensuing. A guard of eight men appointed for the Sabbath, N. M. Jr. being fifth on the list. 1674, 5th, 4mo. N. M. and N. M. Jr. shall each have two acres of land added to the lower end of their lots next the plain, as others before. 1674, Dec. 30. N. M's pasture at Wharton brook extended 30 rods. 1674, Jan. 6. This grant modified. 1674, 1 2th, i2mo. Six acres granted to N. M. 1675, 1 5th, 2mo. A committee of 13 appointed to establish and manage a Church of Christ, N. M. being second on the list. N. M. chosen recorder for year ensuing. 1675, Aug. 27. The houses of Rev. Mr. Street and N. M. ordered to be fortified. 98 ALLIED PAPERS 1675, Sept. 27. Men requested to build flankers at N. M's barn. 1675, Feb. n. The town agreed to work for Rev. Mr. Street to suit his need, each man being called in his turn and having two days notice. Five names are recorded as dissenting from this vote, that of N. M. standing first. 1675/76, March 14. N. M. on Committee to see that the fortifications be made sufficient. 1676, Apr. 21. N. M. chosen first selectman for year ensuing. 1676, Dec. 27. Three listers [appraisers] chosen, N. M. being second. 1677, April 24. Five selectmen chosen, N. M. being the second. N. M. chosen recorder for year ensuing. 1677, Feb. 23. N. M. granted liberty to sell the land which had belonged to N. M. Jr. 1678, Apr. 23. N. M. chosen recorder for year ensuing, second selectman, as a lister, and as deputy to the General Court of May next. 1678, Sept. 30. Isaac Bradley received on the land which formerly belonged to N. M. Jr. and which N. M. sold to him. 1678, Nov. 5. N. M. chairman of committee to repair mill dam. 1678, Dec. 26. The selectmen to provide a schoolmaster. 1679, Apr. 29. N. M. chosen recorder for year ensuing, also as first selectman and as first lister. WALLINGFORD TOWN MEETINGS 99 1679, Nov. 17. N. M. granted four acres of land. N. M. appointed on committee to treat with workmen to rebuild the bridge at the Pines, also to speak with the selectmen of New Haven regarding that bridge. 1679, Dec. 2. J. M. received as a planter of the lower rank, and a river lot of 8 acres granted to him. Land granted to N. M. 1679, Jan. 8. J. M. granted a house lot of four acres, and also ten acres at Wharton's brook. 1679, Jan. 19. N. M. on committee to audit town accounts, also on a committee to treat with New Haven about the bridge at the Pines. This committee reported on 2 Sept. 1680. 1679, Feb. 14. N. M. and Abraham Doolittle released from liability regarding this bridge over their proportion as inhabitants. 1679, Feb. 1 6. N. M. granted land. Rates laid to procure glass for the meeting-house, these to be paid in good winter wheat at 53 per bushel and in Indian corn at 2s 6d per bushel, this to be delivered at N. M's house on Monday, March 8. 1680, Apr. 27. N. M. chosen first selectman, recorder for year ensuing, and deputy for next General Court. J. M. gave up the land assigned to him. 1680, Aug. 30. A committee of seven appointed to take charge of the mill, N. M. being first on the list. 1681, April 6. N. M. chosen first selectman and recorder for year ensuing, also as deputy to the General Court. 100 ALLIED PAPERS 1681, June 13. Committee of five appointed to purchase land of the Indians, N. M. being third on the list. N. M. chosen deputy for General Court in October. 1681, Oct. 14. N. M. and Abraham Uoolittle to sign, on behalf of the town, the agreement between the town and the miller. 1681, Dec. 17. J. M. granted twenty-one acres of land. 1681, Feb. 13. J. M. granted twelve acres of land. 1682, March 14. The town voted to allow the way of rating and town's rates according to law. Names of four dissenters are given, that of N. M. being first. 1682, Sept. ii. N. M. chairman of committee to take charge of the town's stock of ammunition. 1682, Dec. 6. N. M. allowed one pound for hire of land. 1682, Dec. 15. John Moss, Jr., and S. M. bought of town a stray horse which was taken up. N. M. has land exchanged. 1683, Apr. 16. N. M. chosen second selectman and de- puty to General Court. J. M. chosen a fence viewer. 1683, Apr. 25. N. M. chosen on committee to decide on land for Philip Conners. 1683, Apr. 28. N. M. chosen lister No. i. 1683, Oct. 8. S. M. admitted planter. J. M. granted ten acres. 1683, Dec. 6. S. M. granted ten acres. 1683, Jan. 22. J. M. admitted on the land that was James Heaton's, also granted three acres of other land. WALLINGFORD TOWN MEETINGS 101 1683, March 10. N. M. chairman of committee to see that contract with the miller be performed. N. M's land extended. 1683/4, Mar. 24. N. M. chosen first selectman. 1684, July 28. N. M. chosen lister No. i. J. M. allowed land. 1684. Jan. 26. N. M. granted ten acres on account of service in the Indian war; also the brothers of N. M. Jr., who was slain in the fort fight, granted ten acres. 1685, Mar. 31. N. M. chosen first selectman. S. M. granted two acres. 1685, Apr. 20. N. M. chosen as deputy to General Court, and also as town lister No. i. 1685, June 1 8. N. M. chairman of committee to treat with Indians. 1685/6, Mar. 15. N. M. on committee to look into the allot- ments of Macey Moss. 1686, Mar. 30. N. M. chosen as third selectman. 1686, April 26. N. M. chosen on committee to patent the lands of the town. Similar vote on 12 May. 1686, Sept. 27. N. M. on a committee regarding the mill. 1686, Jan. 6. N. M. chairman of committee to cast up the land in the second division. 1686, Jan. 20. Town voted to pay to Deacon Preston 16 shillings in the rate for his labor in teaching the school in 1686. N. M. dissented from this vote. S. M. allowed to exchange land. 102 ALLIED PAPERS 1686, Feb. 14. J. M. granted two shillings for use of his broad axe at the new mill. N. M. granted eight acres of his soldier land joining to a swamp at Muddy river. 1686/7, Mar. 9. N. M. allowed to fence only four of his six acres in the field. J. M. to fence only one acre. 1687, Mar. 27. N. M. chosen second selectman. 1686, Dec. 27. Lots cast for the second land division. N. M. drew No. 17 and given 261 acres, J. M. drew No. 28 and given 171 acres, S. M. drew No. 26 and given 80 acres. 1687, Nov. 17. N. M. granted four acres for his service in the war, also eight acres in another location. 1688, May 21. N. M. chosen commissioner [magistrate] for the year ensuing. 1689, first Monday in May. N. M. chosen first selectman, and J. M. one of the surveyors of highways. 1689, Oct. 22. J. M. chosen an auditor of accounts. 1689/90, Feb. 19. Lots cast for the parcels at Falls Plain; N. M. drew No. 24, J. M. drew No. 50, S. M. drew No. 53. A fence to be built around common field and across the river; N. M. to build 26 rods, J. M. 20 rods and S. M. 3 rods. Fence to be built on west side of river; N. M. to build 20 rods, J. M. 28 rods, and S. M. 22 rods. 1690, Nov. 4. N. M. allowed to take up 100 acres of his second part of second division where it may suit him and 14 acres near New Haven bounds. WALLINGFORD TOWN MEETINGS 103 1691, Sept. 29. Committee of six chosen to seat persons in the meeting house, N. M. being first on the list. 1692, Mar. 15. J. M. chosen as fifth selectman and on committee to lay out highways. Caleb M. appointed a fence viewer. 1692, Apr. 26. S. M. granted an acre of swamp land. 1692, Sept. 19. J. M. chosen town treasurer for year ensu- ing. S. M. owes the town five shillings for four rods of fence. THE MUNSON AND MERRIMAN FAMILIES BY REV. MYRON A. MUNSON The Munsons have held two General Reunions, the first in 1887, when 500 kinsmen were convened; and the second nine years later, in 1896, which assembled 200 of our race. New Haven was the scene of both of these festivals. After the delightful, the inexpressibly precious experiences of those celebrations, together with the radiant memories which they have transmitted, it is my high privilege to congratulate the large and meritorious Family of Nathaniel Merriman upon the merry convention of his descendants, a good percentage of the " 40,000." The Merrimans and the Munsons were much associated in the earlier generations. The pioneers Nathaniel and Thomas were fellow-citizens in New Haven. They were neighbors, residing in the same section of the town. Then, so early as 1649, they were connected in public service, Merriman being chosen a member of the rating committee " in y e roome " of Munson, as the latter was to be absent from town. The first jury-trial in New-Haven occurred Oct. 3, 1665; Thomas Munson was foreman. The third jury-court was held in January 1666; three of the six citizens who com- posed the jury were L l . Thomas Munson, Nath: Merriman, and John Moose. Of the New-Haveners who in 1670 removed twelve miles 104 MUNSON AND MERRIMAN FAMILIES 105 north-northeastward into the wilderness to become the founders of Wallingford, the most prominent were Parson Streete and four citizens of New-Haven of the first genera- tion, one of whom was Nathaniel Merriman. It is apropos to the tenor of my train of remark, to add that associated with Mr. Merriman in this important enterprise was Samuel Munson, only son of Pioneer Munson. The settlement was first called " New-Haven Village." Its site was an admirably shaped elevation extending from south to north a mile or two, and situated a mile eastward of the Quinnipiac; a record describes it as " cituated upon the hill on the East side of y e great plaine comonly caled New haven plaine." Main street of to-day was called The Long High-Way. On the west side of this, between the streets now known as Center and Ward, five lots were laid out, each of six acres, and having a frontage of 320 feet; the first was appropriated to the " Ministry," now occupied by the Congregational Church and the Bank; the second, unappropriated; the third was Ensign Munson's homelot; the fourth was Nathaniel Merriman Jr.'s lot, and next south was Nathaniel Merriman Sen.'s, while directly across The Long High- Way was another lot belonging to Merriman, Sen. It thus appears that in the beginnings of the new plantation, your ancestors and mine were next-door neighbors. In reference to the relations of our Families through intermarriage, I limit myself to one instance, a composite one. Town-Clerk Samuel 3 Munson was the son of Ensign Samuel, 2 the Founder. Caleb 2 Merriman was the son of Nathaniel, 1 Sen. Caleb's widow, Mary (Preston) became the second wife of Town-Clerk Samuel. 3 At the time of this marriage, Samuel already had eight children, one of 106 ALLIED PAPERS whom was Waitstill; 4 Mary had a daughter Phebe; when the widow Mary Merriman became the stepmother of Wait- still, he was ten years of age and her daughter Phebe was eight and one-half years old; this Munson boy and this Merriman girl, eleven years and nine months later, were united in marriage. Consequent upon these events, when Waitstill died 124 years ago, at the age of ninety -one, the descendants of Waitstill and Phebe were, already, 12 children, 50 grandchildren, 155 great-grandchildren, and nine great-great-grandchildren. Thus did this Merriman and this Munson respect the primeval injunction, "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the Earth." Suffer me to refer to one other public service, interesting and honorable, in which the Merriman and Munson Families were associated: Dr. Davis states that for ten years the inhabitants met for worship on the Sabbath in the houses of Lieut. N. Merriman and Ensign Munson. That the Wallingford public was somewhat appreciative of this generous hospitality, is the testimony of a record dated Sept. 10, 1677: "Voted, that Ensign Munson shall have fourty shillings allowed him for meeting in his house this yeare." These ancestors of ours did not live in an era of luxury, but they lived if I may quote an old English poet " In an age When men were men, and not ashamed of Heaven." GENEALOGICAL SEARCHES IN ENGLAND BY MANSFIELD MERRIMAN In 1894 John Merriman Adams published the statements that Nathaniel Merriman was born at Tenterden in Kent on June 2, 1613, that his father Theophilus was born at Maidstone in Kent in 1573, and that his grandfather The- ophilus was born in Wiltshire in 1533. These statements are understood to have been found by an uncle of Adams in a visit to England. That the father of Nathaniel Merriman was George, a citizen and cooper of London, was proved in 1899 when Waters published the will of George Merriman, and this is verified by a biographical sketch written soon after the revolutionary war by Samuel Merriman, one of the descendants of Nathaniel. It seemed well, however, that further searches in England should be made, and hence the author spent several weeks there in the summer of 1913. The objects of his searches were to discover the record of the birth of Nathaniel Merriman, the name of the father of George, and records regarding men named Theophilus Merriman. The following pages give the facts and con- clusions derived from these searches. i. ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH, COLEMAN ST., LONDON. This church is located about 300 yards from the Guild- hall of the city of London. From 1624 to 1633 Rev. John Davenport was its vicar, and a tablet in the church, erected by one of his descendants in 1910, says that some of his 107 108 ALLIED PAPERS parishioners accompanied him to New Haven in 1638. It may be, as has been suggested by Miss Alice M. Merri- man, that our ancestor Capt. Nathaniel, or his father George Merriman, was connected with this parish. I found that the registers are complete back to 1538, the year in which they were begun in England. The records are on large sheets of parchment, which are bound in heavy leather and boards, and are most excellently preserved. Looking first at the register of burials for 1655 and 1656, the name of George Merriman could not be found. But in 1656 occurs the entry " John Maryram the sonne of John Maryram buried the 20th of May 1656 of a consump- tion." Also under the following year: " Joseph Hilton a servant of Mr. Maryrand buried the first of April 1657 of a fronenyr." There is a bare possibility that this name may have been intended for Meryman. Turning next to the register of baptisms, I satisfied myself that the names Nathaniel and Merriman did not occur between 1605 and 1615, nor was there seen any name similar to Merriman or Meryman. The register of mar- riages was examined for the same years with similar result. I therefore conclude that our ancestors George and Nathaniel were probably not connected with this parish. In the search I also remembered the fact that some of Rev. John Daven- port's parishioners of St. Stephen's church accompanied him to New Haven, as the tablet states, and kept a watch for names of New Haven planters. Harriman was the only name seen, and in the following entry: " John Harriman and Jone Parlor widdow married 9 ffebruary 1608." A Harriman, I recall, was a magistrate of the New Haven colony, and in 1639 was one of those who selected the com- mittee for the government of the intended settlement at Wallingford. SEARCHES IN ENGLAND 109 2. THE WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF COOPERS. On calling at the building of this company near the Guildhall, the genial clerk, Mr. Boyer, regretted that he could furnish no information additional to that given to Prof. George B. Merriman in 1911. He remembered well the call of the Professor and his subsequent letters, but 1656 was a long time ago, and the obstacles to further examination were almost insurmountable. He regarded it as proved that George Merriman was a member of the Company in 1656, that he had paid his quarterage, and that he was a housekeeper and hence a freeman of the city. But to get further facts, if such are on record, would require written application which would be carefully considered by the Court of the Company. The Cooper Company at present appears to be largely a social organization, altho it has some indirect connec- tion with the city government. In the Guildhall I saw posted more than fifty lists of members of the old livery companies, Bakers, Bankers, Coopers, Carpenters, etc., who were entitled to vote at a coming city election. About 150 names were on the list of the Cooper Company, with residences widely scattered. 3. ST. SEPULCHRE, LONDON. Just at the junction of Holborn viaduct and Newgate, on the north side of the thorofare, stands the church of St. Sepulchre where lie the remains of the gallant Capt. John Smith, sometime governor of Virginia. To the parish of this church once belonged John Norman, the elder, prob- ably a relative of that John Norman who married Elizabeth the daughter of George Merriman. His will, proved n June 1649, directs that his body " be intered on the southside of St. Sepulchure." Even at this day a small grass plot is 110 ALLIED PAPERS seen on that south side with remnants of a few old stones and almost illegible inscriptions on the buttresses of the church. At the time of my visit, the church was closed and under repair, but at a later time it may be worth while to revisit it, altho its registers go back only to the year 1662. 4. HOZIER LANE, LONDON. About 400 yards north of St. Sepulchure in Hozier Lane, where John Norman, the elder, resided, as we learn from his will. His brother James was a cooper, who by will directed all his property to be divided among his brothers and sisters. Hozier Lane is a narrow business street about 200 yards long. Walking through it, we found leather and plumbing to predominate in the signs, and strange to say, also the office of the Electrical Review, while no traces of the cooperage business were visible. Indeed, as I was told at Cooper Hall, the cooperage trade is almost a lost art, for barrels are now made in factories by machinery. In the ancient days, however, it was an important business, and a cooper who made wine barrels looked down almost with pity upon one who made beer kegs. 5. CHURCH OF ST. BARTHOLOMEW THE GREAT, LONDON. Very near Hozier Lane is this ancient church, noted for its quaint interior arrangement and its interesting crypt. To this parish belonged Peter Meryman, yeoman, whose will of 1598 devises all his property to his mother. Maybe he was a relative of George Merriman, our ancestor. The registers, which date from 1616, may at some future time be well worth inspecting. We attended morning service in this interesting church, where there was good music and a rambling sermon from the text " two mites make one farthing." SEARCHES IN ENGLAND 111 6. ST. OLAVE, SOUTHWARK, LONDON. To this parish belonged Thomas Meriam, whose family came from Cranbrook in Kent, Alexander Merriam, a citizen of London, and John Merriman. The dates of their wills lie between 1644 and 1648. The grandfather of Thomas Meriam (or Meriham as it is also spelled) was named George and lived in Cranbrook. John Merriman's will gives no information as to his descent or former residence. That these three men were in the same parish, leads to the supposition that they were relatives, despite the different spellings of names, and if so a possible con- nection is discovered between Kent and London. St. Olave's church is almost at the south end of London Bridge not far from the church of St. Saviour where lie the remains of a brother of Shakespeare and where John Harvard was baptized. Near by also stood the Globe Theatre where Shakespeare's company played. The registers of St. Olave go back only to 1685, and it is unlikely that they would furnish information regarding Merrimans. The caretaker deplored the aches and pains of her husband and regretted the spiritual decay of the church. At Sunday services there are usually present the canon, the organist, six choir boys, and only one worshipper. The church wardens come to attend vestry meetings at stated times, but are never present at services. At the side of the church, surrounded by buildings, is a small open court paved with grave stones and called the churchyard. Fortunately the key was lost and so we could only view the horrible place through a crack in the door. 7. SOMERSET HOUSE, LONDON. On the north bank of the Thames, near Waterloo bridge, stands the imposing Somerset House where 1600 employes 112 ALLIED PAPERS are engaged in keeping public accounts, chief among which are the registry of wills and vital statistics. Here are stored all the wills which have been proved since 1382 in the Pre- rogative Court of Canterbury. The original wills are kept in a fire proof room, while copies of them are recorded in huge volumes on parchment. A large number of these wills have been examined by G. F. M. Merriman, the accom- plished genealogist of the Merriman family in England, but none of them throw any light upon the ancestry of our Capt. Nathaniel except the will of his father George which was proved in 1656. This will was the first that I examined. At the beginning it states that the testator was on 31 Oct 1655 " weak in body but strong in mind," at the end it is signed " by Mark." At first I thought that his weakness of body might be the reason why he signed by mark, but later I found that the expression " weak in body, etc." was very commonly used, it being a conventional way of beginning a will. Otherwise my examination leads to no information additional to that given in the copy of the will already published.* Eight other records were examined by me without finding any facts regarding George Merriman or his children: 1598. Peter Meryman, yeoman, Great Saint Bartholomew, London (24 Lewyn). 1646. Thomas Meriam, of parish St. Olave, Southwark, mariner. His grandfather George of Cranbrook, Kent, entailed 100 pounds to him, which he devises to his mother Joyce. (54 Twiss) 1647. Alexander Merriam, of parish St. Olave, Southwark, citizen of London. Had property in Maidstone, Kent. (55 Fines) 1647. James Norman, citizen and cooper of London. Will made 19 Apr 1640 on ship Ulysses bound from Bantam to Lon- * See foot-note on page 33. SEARCHES IN ENGLAND 113 don. Devises his property on ship to his brother John Norman to be divided among his brothers and sisters. (182 Fines) 1649. John Norman (the elder) of Hozier Lane, parish St. Sepulchure, London. Administration to his widow Margaret. " My body to be interred on south side of St. Sepulchure ... I give to my son John Smith 2 shillings." (100 Fairfax) 1650. John Norman of parish Cliffe, Kent. Signed by mark. (157 Pembroke) 1653. Thomas Merriman, parish Stroud, Kent. 1653. Miles Merriman. The last two are brief notes of administration, the parties having no wills. While some of the records in these two cases are in Latin, 1 feel confident that they contain no information relative to George Merriman, our ancestor. They were, however, examined in some haste as I obtained the books about 2.30 p.m. and was obliged to stop at 3.00 p.m. when the office closed. There are no printed indexes to the Somerset wills later than 1649. Annual manuscript indexes are, however, available for consultation under restrictions. 8. THE BRITISH MUSEUM. The library of the British Museum has a vast number of manuscripts in addition to its 2,000,000 printed books. I spent some time in going over the catalogues of these manuscripts, with a view to finding traces of Merrimans in Kent and Gloucestershire. One of these manuscripts (Add. 33914) gives extracts of the old parish register of Ashford, Kent, from 1570 to 1627, but the name Merriman, or any variation of it, does not occur, the nearest approach being Edward Merwing who was buried 21 Dec. 1588. Among the printed books are a few that I had not seen in New York. One of them refers to three wills proved in the consistory court of the Bishop of Gloucestershire: 1613, 114 ALLIED PAPERS Richard Merriman, Stow; 1601, Dorothy Merryman, Charlton Kings; 1639, Thomas Merriman, Twining. Additional manuscripts 5478-5539 contain pedigrees of Kentish families and visitations of Kent in 1574 and 1619, but I did not examine them, assuming that they have been mostly printed by the Harlein Society or in the Index Library. Mss. 33,907-33,913 are seven volumes of extracts from parish registers of Kent, alphabetically arranged; under M I find Maynard at Hadlow, Mary at Birling, Merriam at Harrietsham, and Merrill at Tenterden, but otherwise nothing. In all these searches I have not seen the name Theophilus. 9. THE COLLEGE OF ARMS. Two blocks west of St. Pauls Cathedral stands a large building known as The College of Arms or popularly as the Herald's College. Here are stored the records relating to Arms and Heraldry, together with copies of parish registers and much other genealogical matter. To the officer in charge, officially known as " Rouge Croix," I present myself and ask for information regarding George Merriman, a citizen of London in 1655, and arrange to receive his report four days later. The report, consisting of five foolscap pages, is delivered in due time on the payment of two guineas. Its conclusions are negative. It gives sixteen marriages of Merrimans and Merrymans from 1563 to 1691 and three burials; these are from printed registers and some of them I already had. It reports the Chester manuscripts of extracts from about a hundred parish regis- ters duly examined, that the complete registers of 35 parishes in London and Kent are examined, among these being Ten- terden, and no trace found of the name Merriman or Merry- man in any parish. Also that no arms had been granted. SEARCHES IN ENGLAND 115 These searches, extending from the earliest dates down to 1700, are duly certified to give negative results by Arthur Cochrane, Rouge Croix of the Herald's College, London, E. C. The report refers only to the records within the walls of the College of Arms. Unfortunately the report bears evidence of haste in preparation, and one of the lads who was engaged on the work seemed too young to be reliable. Examination of books and manuscripts in this office is difficult, and a fee of five shillings is required for each volume. 10. AN ENGLISH GENEALOGIST. One block from the College of Arms, in the narrow Knight- rider Street, is a plain brick building bearing the sign " Faculty office of the Archbishop of Canterbury for mar- riage licenses." Here may be procured licenses, which authorize ministers to unite in matrimony parties who desire to dispense with the publication of the banns. For many centuries this business has been carried on at this location and probably with good financial returns to the archbishop. In a room on the third floor of this building is the office of George Frederick Maskelyne Merriman, Architect and Surveyor. For many years his spare time has been devoted to the collection of facts regarding the English Merrimans, the results of which he has recorded in ten manuscript volumes. Wills, deeds, and parish registers have been searched by him and an extensive correspondence carried on with his kinsmen. I was most cordially received by him and he kindly gave me full access to his records and made many valuable suggestions regarding my best methods of search. 116 ALLIED PAPERS 11. EARLY ENGLISH MERRIMANS. Mr. G. F. M. Merriman traces his lineage with certainty back to Thomas Merriman and Alice his wife, the will of the latter being dated 1648. The father of Thomas was probably named John who lived at Newbury in County Berks. John had two brothers, one named Gregory who died at Whitney in County Oxford in 1596 and one probably named James, who according to tradition went to London. The father of the three brothers was Thomas Merriman of Whitney who died in 1559. The researches of Mr. G. F. M. Merriman have given him full records of the English line which descended from Thomas and Alice Merriman of Newbury. The brother who went to London was probably the father or grandfather of George Merriman whose son Nathaniel came to America in 1632. The evidence now at hand shows that both American and English branches probably descended from the Thomas Merriman of County Oxford who died in 1559. The family descended neither from the titled nobility nor from the landed gentry. There are traces of Merri- mans in other parts of Britain prior to 1600 and our English genealogist has a list of about twenty localities where they resided. The most prominent name is that of John Merri- man who was appointed chaplain to Queen Elizabeth in 1558 and who about 1570 was consecrated bishop of the diocese of Down and Conner in Ireland. 12. THE PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE. A vast building, extending from Fetter Lane to Chancery Lane, houses manuscript records of Britain for a thousand years, especially those relating to deeds, taxes, military and naval affairs, and colonial matters. In its " round room " are indexes to much of this manuscript material, SEARCHES IN ENGLAND 117 the number of these being so large that it would take me a week to examine them with respect to the name Merriman. But a catalogue of Ancient Deeds in five large volumes shows no trace of the name prior to 1500. I found, how- ever, that the names Marmion, Marmium, Marmyon, Marmyun, Marmioun and Marmyoun occurred twenty- two times, ten of these being in County Oxford, two in Gloucestershire, one in Wilts, and others in nine different counties. Some of these man were Esqr., one a Knight, one the Mayor of Marleburgh, while Lady Alice Marmyon was a prioress in 1358. It may be indeed that the Merri- mans of County Oxford, from whom sprang the Merrimans of Newbury and Marlborough, were descendants of these Marmiouns or Marmyons, for during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries the spelling of names was of slight impor- tance. These old deeds are in the Latin language but the synop- ses given in the Catalogue are in English. " Feet of Fines" are another kind of deeds, of which this office contains vast numbers, together with writs, tax rolls, returns of the clergy, and records of law suits. But tomorrow, 6 August, we go to Kent to spend a week in searches there. 13. PARISH REGISTER TRANSCRIPTS AT CANTERBURY. Prior to the early part of the nineteenth century there were, in the Diocese of Canterbury, two ecclesiastical courts, the Consistory Court and the Archdeaconry Court (C.C. and A.C. for short.) In each parish of that Diocese (which included that part of Kent east of a north and south line drawn just west of Maidstone) two transcripts of the register were annually made and forwarded to the ecclesiastical courts; the transcript for the C.C. gave the records for one year from Lady Day in March, that for the A.C. gave them 118 ALLIED PAPERS for one year from Michaelmas in September. Unfortunately there are gaps in these transcripts, some years being missing and others badly mutilated, yet the major part are in a fair state of preservation. The first transcripts examined by me were of Tenterden parish, where Adams has stated that Nathaniel Merriman was born 2 June 1613. The C.C. transcript for 1613 was missing, but the A.C. was there and it did not contain the name Merriman. In 1614, however, I found in the list of baptisms under Jan 16 the record " Nathaneel son of Thomas Maro." Examination of many years failed to discover the name Merriman, or anything like it. The Maidstone transcripts begin 1576 for C.C. and I could find none for A.C.; 1577 was missing, also 1579, '80, '81, '84, '85, '87, '88, '89, '90. Looking over the others for the birth of Theophilus Merriman (claimed by Adams) I could find no trace of it. On 14 Sept 1595 Margaret, daughter of John Norman, was baptized. On April 1623 I found the record that Henry Merriman and Sara Allen were married; this we have already in the published Maid- stone marriages which has the words " of Ashford " after the name of Heniy Merriman. Turning next to the Ashford transcripts I found only the record that John Maf rimer was buried 22 Dec 1603. Cranbrook, where lived George Meriam who willed 100 to his grandson Thomas (see abovee Set. 7) was next examined. Many times occur the names Merriam, Meriam, Merryam, but no trace of Merriman. George, who made the will, was buried 18 Nov 1634. Henry Merryam, as one of the wardens of the parish, certified for many years to the correctness of the transcripts. These transcripts are stored in the Christchurchgate of Canterbury Cathedral, but are now in charge of the SEARCHES IN ENGLAND 119 town clerk Henry Fielding, No. 15 Burgate Street, who grants permission for their examination on payment of the usual fees, and who also is prepared to make searches. For some parishes these transcripts go back to 1540, and there are none of a date later than 1812. 14. WILLS OF THE OLD CANTERBURY COURTS. Both ecclesiastical courts had jurisdiction over estates, but the will of a testator was proved in only one court. Why the Diocesan C.C. or A.C., rather than the Preroga- tive Court in London, should be selected for the probate of an estate, I do not know. Wills of this C.C. go back to 1362 and those of A.C. to 1449, and both originals and recorded copies may be examined, the latter being usually preferable on account of the more legible writing. Examining the indexes of the C.C. court from 1580 to 1640 I found no Merrimans, but many Merrihams and Merriams. In the A.C. court, however, I found wills of three Merrimans, as follows: Roger Meryman of Appledore; will made 20 May 1593 and proved 7 Nov 1595, makes bequests to his son William, to his daughters Susanna, Anna, Ursula, and Mary, and to his wife Mary who is made executrix. (Book 50, p. 400.) Elizabeth Merriman of Ewell, will made 13 March 1608 and proved 27 March 1609, makes bequests to the poor, to her sister Ellin and to Richard Tritton who is executor (Book 56, p. 288). John Merriman, of Harrietsham, will with no date but proved 21 June 1631, makes bequests to his daughter Elizabeth, to his mother, and to his wife; mention is made of goods which be- longed to a former wife; signed by mark. (Book 68, p. 72). These records of wills are now in charge of the Probate Registry of the High Court of Justice in Castle Street, Canterbury. The official who attended me and who was very expert in reading the old writing was Ernst Mowbry, 120 ALLIED PAPERS and he is willing to make further searches. The old wills are in bundles which lie unprotected from dust on wooden shelves in a small building in the yard of the Office of the Court. Unfortunately I left the search of wills until the last and did not have time to revisit the transcripts of parish registers and search those of Appledore, Ewell, and Harriet- sham. But this can be done later by correspondence with Mr. Fielding, the town clerk of Canterbury. 15. TENTERDEN RECORDS. St. Mildred's church in Tenterden has its parish register complete back to 1550, but the records prior to about 1650 are copies of older ones. Adams says that Nathaniel Merri- man was born in Tenterden 2 June 1613. Notwithstanding that the college of Arms reported that the Tenterden register does not contain the name Merriman and notwithstanding that I could not find it in the Canterbury transcript, it seemed best to visit the town to make sure and also to verify the Canterbury entry regarding Nathaniel Maro. This appears in the Tenterden register of 1614 as " Nathaniel Merre sonn of Thomas Merre was bapt ye xvi day of Janr." Examination of other years failed to disclose the name Merriman. Only twice did I see the name Theophilus, namely in 1610 and 1612 when children of Theophilus Tirke were baptized. If a Nathaniel Merriman was born in Tenterden, there is no record of his baptism in the parish, unless it be that the word " Merre " in the record of 16 Jan 1614 is a contraction for Merriman. Copyists some- times make errors and I have found two in the Canterbury transcripts; unfortunately the Tenterden record of 1614 is itself a copy. SEARCHES IN ENGLAND 121 1 6. THE MERRIAM FAMILY. C. H. Pope in his Genealogy of the Merriam family gives many records from the County of Kent, especially from Hadlow, Cranbrook and Canterbury. Emigrating to Massachusetts in 1638 the family became a large one in America, one branch settling in Meriden, Conn. It is interesting to note that John Merriam married Mary Merri- man, a granddaughter of our ancestor Capt. Nathaniel. In Connecticut the two names were generally kept quite distinct, altho a few instances of confusion exist. Pope in his book makes no allusion to Merrimans in Kent, and probably there the names were rarely confounded. Cranbrook is one of the towns where the Merriam families flourished. One afternoon, while stopping at Tenterden, we drove to Cranbrook over undulating hills and past large fields of hops. The churchyard contained no stones with the word Merriam thereon, but there were few dates later than 1800 that were legible. Gravestones in Kent seem to deteriorate much more rapidly than in Connecticut, and many inscriptions of 1850 can scarcely be read. As there is no evidence that any Merriman ever resided at Cranbrook I did not deem it worth while to exam- ine the parish register, especially as the Canterbury tran- script has been seen. 17. MAIDSTONE, KENT. On the bank of the Medway, surrounded by beautiful gardens, lies that great pile of buildings known as All Saints College and Church of Maidstone. Examining the parish register of baptisms from 1570 to 1595 I was unable to discover the name of Merriman, altho several Meryhams and Meriams were seen. If, as Adams asserts, a child name Theophilus Merriman was born in Maidstone between 122 ALLIED PAPERS these years, the record of his baptism could not be found in the register of All Saints. Nor did I see any name resem- bling Merriman, except that of Margaret Meneman who, was christened 6 Nov 1570; probably however, this was meant for Newman, a name that occurs several times later. The entire register prior to 1600 is in the same hand- writing, showing that it is a copy of former records. The verger of All Saints, who is prepared to make further searches, is S. Shaw, Kenwrst, King Edward Road, Maidstone. 18. THE ROCHESTER DIOCESAN RECORDS. The western part of Kent county is in the diocese of Rochester. In ancient times there was at Rochester a Con- sistory Court and an Archdeacons Court, each of which had jurisdiction over estates and in each of which wills were proved and recorded. On inquiry at the Diocesan Registry Office I found that no records regarding wills were there, all having been transferred to Somerset House in London several years ago. Transcripts of parish registers were also annually made to these courts but none earlier than 1700 are now extant, they having been destroyed by the vicissitudes of war and fire. The present register office is in charge of Arnold, Day and Tuff, and located in a small building near the cathe- dral door. To show that the world is very small, I may note that the official who attended to my inquiries is acquainted with our kinsman Prof. Roger B. Merriman of Harvard. He told me that a book on the Rochester Paro- chial Registers, by W. E. Buckland, had been published in 1912. 19. STROOD IN KENT. Strood is a suburb of Rochester. Recalling that Thomas SEARCHES IN ENGLAND 123 Merriman, who died intestate in 1653 was of that parish, I went there but did not succeed in examining the register. I found, however, an antiquarian named Henry Smetham at 99 High Street, who has searched all- the ancient records and has written a History of Strood. He told me that the register of the parish church goes back to 1567. He also mentioned that there was another parish called Strood or Stroud near Ashford in Kent County. I recall, however, that when at Canterbury I could find no transcripts of the register of a parish of this name. One week in Kent has furnished no information regard- ing Theophilus or George Merriman, yet the time spent has been well worth while, for we now see where the records are, and are in a position to have further searches made. We return to London with only a faint hope that some fact may be yet discovered there. 20. IMPERFECTIONS OF LONDON RECORDS. George Merriman, father of Nathaniel, was undoubt- edly over sixty years of age at the time of his death in 1655 or 1656. Records prior to that date are imperfect owing to the great fire of 1666 when many of the London churches were destroyed, only 22 out of 108 escaping injury. Had the baptisms of George and Nathaniel been recorded in parish registers they might have been destroyed in that fire. The records of the freeman of the city prior to 1786 are also very imperfect owing to a fire which occurred that year in the Guildhall. A partial list of those admitted freemen between the years 1524 and 1553 has, however, been pre- served, and it was published by the London and Middlesex Archaeological Society, edited by Charles Welch, in 1908. A list of the members of the guild companies for 1537 is 124 ALLIED PAPERS also given in Thomas Allen's History of London (1828), there being 63 names under the Cooper Company. These dates are too early to give records of George Merriman, and no name resembling Merriman or Norman is found in the lists. During the Cromwellian period, 1650-1660, a destruc- tion or suppression of parish registers occurred in some parts of England. The dissenting movement, which began shortly before 1600, also caused an imperfection in the regular parish registers. It is however, highly probable that the baptism and marriage of George Merriman were duly recorded, but perhaps no record of the baptism of Nathaniel was ever made in a register of the established church on account of the change of religious opinion by his father. 21. OTHER WILLS IN LONDON. Returning from Kent on August 13, I found that G. F. M. Merriman had looked up several wills in the Archdeaconry and Consistory Courts of London. One of these was the will of Robert Merriman, a citizen and brewer of London, proved in 1636. As the trades of brewer and cooper are connected ones, it might be conjectured that Robert was an uncle or brother of our ancestor George, but the will gives no evidence thereof, the only names mentioned being those of his wife and brother. Going again to Somerset House I consulted the index to the wills of Rochester Diocese but found only one that could be of our name. In 1591 a will was made at Yaldinge in Kent by a man styled " Thomas Coveney als Myrryman " which devised property to his son Robert and his grandson William. While this is indexed under Myrryman there is a cross reference to Coveney. I understand that the SEARCHES IN ENGLAND 125 " als " is an abbreviation for alias; if so we here see the name Merriman " in the making," the man Coveney being per- haps of a disposition so jo.vial that he had long been known as Merryman. I now recall that the Rouge Croix of the College of Arms suggested that the name might have originated independently in different parts of England during the fifteenth century or earlier. An instance of later change is that of the Irish poet Brian Merriman (1757-1808) whose true name was probably MacConmara, and who was a good fiddler and true merry man. Also I inquired at Somerset House regarding the Glou- cestershire wills, of which mention is made in Sect. 8 above, and found that they are either at Bristol or Gloucester. At Somerset House, however, are the records of several courts in which wills of London Merrimans may have been proved. G. F. M. Merriman gives the following lists of such courts: Essex and Herts Commissary, Westminster Peculiar, Middlesex Archdeacon's Court, London Com- missary, London Consistory, London Archdeacons, Lon- don Dean and Chapter, and London St. Katharine by Tower Peculiar. 22. BEVERSTON, GLOUCESTERSHIRE. In American Ancestry, vol. 9, is a statement that The- ophilus Merriman, the supposed father of Nathaniel, was born in Beverston. This place is not far from County Oxford in which the Merriman family is supposed to have originated. We have the report of the Rouge Croix of the College of Arms, that his extracts from the Beverston registers do not contain the name Merriman. Also we have a letter from the vicar of Beverston parish, written to Prof. George B. Merriman on 5 Sept 1912, saying that he has examined the baptismal register from 1570 to 1604 126 ALLIED PAPERS and that it does not contain the name Merriman or anything like it. Accordingly it does not seem necessary to go to Beverston to make further inquiries. 23. LAST DAY OF LONDON SEARCH; A DISCOVERY. August 1 6 was assigned as the last day of my London work. I went again to the Cooper Company to make further inquiries, but the clerk Mr. Boyer was absent and hence no progress could be made. I went also to the Public Record Office and to the British Museum to connect some scattered points. On glancing at Water's Genealogical Gleanings in England, I found a statement which afforded me some consolation. It seems that James Savage, the distinguished genealogical authority of New York, was so desirous of finding informa- tion regarding the parentage of the founder of Harvard College that he made a trip to England for that special purpose, but without success, and he said that he would gladly have given five hundred dollars for five lines of any information relating to the birth of John Harvard. Forty years later Waters came to England, found the wills of John Harvard's father and uncles, the record of his baptism and much other information. If I have failed in this search for records regarding George and Nathaniel Merriman, perhaps later some one may follow who will succeed. When the right clue is found the rest will not be difficult. At present it seems to me that there are no indications at all of clues in the directions of Kent. Thus musing, I took from the shelves several volumes of the " Calendar of State Papers, Domestic Series, of the Reigns of Elizabeth and James I." These volumes are undoubtedly in the Public Library of New York, but I had SEARCHES IN ENGLAND 127 never consulted them. In the volume designated as " Addenda, 1580-1625," I found on page 373 a reference to George Merryman. It seems that on 10 July 1595 a lease was made by the " Governors of Little St. Bartholomew's Hospital, West Smithfield, to Wm. Burcher of London, of a tenement in the occupation of George Merryman, in West Smithfield, between the messuage of Burcher on the south and the tenement of Nicholas Burton on the north, for 21 years; rental 3/ a year; fine45/." Here is most probably a direct reference to our ancestor, showing the location of his home in 1595. It seems to lead to the conclusion that George Merryman was at least 21 years old in 1595 and hence that he was more than 82 years old when he died in 1655 or 1656. 24. WEST SMITHFIELD, LONDON. St. Bartholomew's Hospital and the churches of St. Bartholomew the Great and St. Bartholomew the Less border on the square of West Smithfield, where once martyrs were burned. Nearby is Hozier Lane where John Norman lived (see Sec. 4 above). Considering the lease of 1595, it seemed to me that since George Merriman was a tenant of St. Bartholomew's Hospital, he might also be connected with the church of St. Bartholomew the Less which is now within the hospital precincts. Accordingly I went there at once and consulted its registers which date from 1545. The list of baptisms contains no Merriman name between the years 1570 and 1580 nor between the years 1607 and 1615, the list of marriages has none in the years 1590-1600, and the list of burials none in 1655 or 1656. However I saw the entries "13 Sept 1612 Mary daughter of Nathaniel Hall gent was baptised " and also "19 Sept 1613 Martha daughter of Nathaniel Hall gent was baptised." Perhaps this 128 ALLIED PAPERS " gent " might have been the father of John Hall, one of the founders of Wallingford, from whom I am also descended. Going next to the church of St. Bartholomew the Great (see Sect. 5 above) I found that it has no registers earlier than 1616 and that no record of George Merriman occurs in the years 1655 or 1656. This church has an index to its registers for the years 1616-1647, an d glancing over the M's I saw no name like Merriman. A name in the burial list, however, attracted my attention; it was that of " Lady Elizabeth Mansfield." Perhaps here again is one of my ancestors. Leaving London on 20 August I have confidence that a clue has at last been found which may lead to important discoveries; when we return a month later, the trail shall be resumed. Regarding the Theophilus story mentioned at the beginning of these notes, not a trace of that name in connec- tion with the Merriman family has been found. It seems very probable that the story was invented by a fake geneal- ogist of London in reply to inquiries made by Adams or his uncle. At any rate it is very certain that descendants of Nathaniel who have adopted that myth as a fact should be put on their guard against giving it further credence. George, a citizen and cooper of London, was undoubtedly Nathaniel's father, and I hope that further search may bring to light a record of the name of his grandfather. 25. THE FOOTSTOOL. Returning to London on Sept 17, I found a letter from Thomas Hayes, Clerk to the Governors of St. Bartholo- mew's Hospital, kindly inviting me to call upon him. Doing so I found that he had discovered two records regarding SEARCHES IN ENGLAND 129 George Merry man. The first on 19 Jan 1593 (that is, 1594) said that an application had been made by him " for a lease of the house wherein he dwellethe sometyme in the tenure of Singleton "; then follow the conditions under which he may have a lease. The second, dated 13 April 1594, says that he this day " made further seute for a lease of the Tenement wherein he dwelleth in West Smithfield "; then follow conditions for such a lease. It appears that George Merryman did not accept these conditions, for on 10 July 1595 the tenement was leased for 21 years to Wm. Burcher (see Calendar of State Papers, Domestic Series, 1580-1625, page 373.) On the back of the lease is the endorsement (evidently by Burcher) " my lease of the tenement called the Foolstool." This name leads to the surmise that the tenement was used as a coffee-house or inn. Examining several books q give names of the inns and coffee-houses of that period, which I fail, however, to find the name Footstool. 26. MERRIMANS IN THE COOPER COMPANY. Having obtained permission of the Court of the Wor- shipful Company of Coopers to examine its records, I find George Merryman mentioned six times, William Merryman five times, and John Merriman three times. All three were certainly freemen of the Cooper Company. George Merryman is mentioned twice as having paid 20 pence for apprentices which were assigned to him: 27 July 1635 John Roman was assigned to him as apprentice for eight years; 16 Nov 1638 Willaim Myles for eight years; On 4 Oct 1610 he paid 33 4d for " his hubley by Taxhall worter." In 1656 and 1658 there are notes regard- ing his arrearages of dues, it being evidently not known that he had died; one of these is crossed off with red ink. 130 ALLIED PAPERS An important record is 5 Feb 1656 when " John Merriman had turned over to him Henry Allison . . . formerly apprentice of George Merriman." This shows that George Merriman died before 5 Feb 1656. William Merryman is mentioned as paying 20 pence each for apprentices for seven and eight years on i Jan 1633, 4 May 1638, 21 April 1640, 23 July 1640, and once as having paid 33 4d through Robert Nobolot. John Meriman had an apprentice assigned to him for 7 years on 5 Feb 1655 (1656), after he had succeeded to his father's business, and also he is mentioned in a ledger of accounts. " London Citizens in 1651 " by J. C. and W. Whitebrook is the title of a small book published in 1909. It has a " List of the Livery " of 22 Companies. Under the Cooper Company are 49 names, among which are John Norman and Alexander Norman, but no Merrimans. Hence George Merriman and William Merriman were not liverymen of the Company, but only freemen. The minute book of the Cooper Company for the years 1597 to 1608 could not be found in September 1913. My examination included the years 1592-1596 and 1609-1656. The clerk kindly promises to make further searches. It is highly probable that the name of the father of George Merriman can be found somewhere in these records. The usual form for the record of an apprenticeship was the following: " Reed of Thomas Jones for prenticing Alexander Hall, son of William Hall of Stratford, county of Warwick, husbandman, for eight years . . . xxd " Hence if George Merryman was admitted to the Cooper Company by virtue of an apprenticeship, the name, residence, and occupation of his father will be found recorded. A boy was usually apprenticed about the age of ten, so that if George Merry- SEARCHES IN ENGLAND 131 man was 82 at the time of his death, the date of his appren- ticeship might have been about 1584, and the date of his obtaining freedom about 1592. It has been shown above, however, that a man named George Merryman, was a house- keeper, and hence probably a freeman, in the year 1594. There were two other ways of becoming a member of a Livery Company, namely by Patrimony and by Redemption. By Patrimony, a man might claim admission because his father was a member when he was born. By Redemption he paid a considerable sum of money in lieu of either appren- ticeship or Patrimony. These three methods of becoming a member prevail at the present day, altho of course the apprenticeship is a fictitious one. In either of the three methods the assent of the Court is required and a record is made. The membership of the Cooper Company in the i6th Century, and now, consists of three classes, apprentices, freemen, and liverymen. Only the third class can wear a certain kind of decoration and be eligible for office. The freemen have no vote and rarely attend meetings, but pay small yearly dues, and can employ apprentices with the permission of the Court. It has been shown that George Merryman was a freeman but that probably he was never a liveryman of the Cooper Company. 27. NATHANIEL MERRIMAN'S GRANDFATHER. Now, November 1913, six weeks after arrival in New York, I am able to give definite information regarding the grandfather of Nathaniel and the first connection of George Merriman with the Cooper Company. It will be remem- bered that my search in September, at the hall of the Worshipful Company of Coopers, did not cover the minutes of its court for 1597-1608, as these could not then 132 ALLIED PAPERS be found. An examination of those minutes has since been kindly made by the Clerk, Edward Lawrance Boyer, Esq., who reports under date of 24 October 1913, that he has found an entry which is the earliest record of the name of George Merriman. This entry is in the minutes of a Court " held on Thirdsay the xixth day of June 1606 " and is as follows: "This day Raphaell Waiter brought into this Court one George Merryman the sonne of Gregory Meryman of Whytney in the county of Oxon Weav and psented him heare has desired this Company to take notice of an Indenture of Appnticep dated the xviijth day of ffebruary 1598 whereby the said George was bound unto him for ix yeares from the day of the date of said Indenture and submitted himself to the censure of the table for binding him forth of his howse who in regard of his posstye and subission forgave his fyne and tooke onely of hym in the respect of the pntemt . . . xx d." It is my understanding that, in accordance with the usual practise in those days, this George was about ten years old in 1598, whereas the George who occupied the tenement in West Smithrleld must have probably been at least 21 years old in 1595. It seems evident, however, that the George to whom the above minute relates was that George whose name appears later on the books of the Cooper Company and whose will of 1655 mentions his son Nathaniel as being then in New England. If these Georges were different men there is nothing further known regarding the elder one. But there is a possibility that the records may refer to one and the same man, for the above minute indicates that there was some irregularity regarding the apprentiship. Raphael Warter, it seems, did not report the apprentiship until nearly eight years after the indenture of 1598 (1599), but had bound George " forth of his howse." Perhaps, therefore, George SEARCHES IN ENGLAND 133 was older than ten years in 1599, old enough perhaps to have charge of the tenement in West Smithfield in 1595. Further research may possibly find records which will give fuller details in this case and also facts regarding the William Merryman who was also a freeman of the Cooper Company. From all the evidence now in hand I conclude that Gregory Merryman, a weaver, who died at Whytney (now Witney) in the county of Oxford about 1596 was the father of George Merriman, the citizen and cooper of London who died in 1655, and hence the grandfather of Nathaniel Merriman who was the first of the Merriman name in America. The following table shows the connection between the English and American branches of Merrimans: Thomas Merriman ' weaver, of County Oxford died 1 559 Greg weaver, of died 1596 ory = Maria [?Ja Witney mes] [?Jo of Co. hn] Newbury Berks Geo cooper, of died rge Thomas London of 1655 died 1640 = Alice He Newbury of died nry Newbu 1640 Natha of Wai born died niel lingford 1613 1694 Eliz abeth Jo Thorn tin of N died as Jo ewbury 1662 hn* d thr aug ee liters * This John was a captain in the commonwealth army in 1651. He is supposed to have married a daughter of Goffe, the regicide. The Merrimans of Marl borough are descended from his children. PART III GENEALOGY 135 A MERRIMAN GENEALOGY FOR FIVE GENERA- TIONS COMMENCING WITH NATHANIEL BY DONALD LINES JACOBUS, M.A. Tenth in Descent from Nathaniel through his daughter Abigail FIRST GENERATION i. NATHANIEL 1 MERRIMAN was born in England about 1613, came to Boston in 1632, served in the Pequot war of 1637, lived in New Haven from 1640 to 1670, then became one of the principal founders of Wallingford, Conn, where he died 13 Feb 169!.* He was Ensign of the military com- pany in New Haven, lieutenant of that in Wallingford, and was appointed a Captain to raise troops for King Philips War of 1675. He was town clerk of Wallingford for eight years, selectman for five years, and was nine times a deputy from Wallingford to the General Court of the Colony of * Refer to other pages of this volume for fuller details: Ancestry and parentage, pages 32-36, 107-133. Voyage to America, pages 37, 41-43, 47- Service in Pequot war, pages 43, 44, 64, 70-76. Life at New Haven, pages 45-56, 64. Life at Wallingford, pages 64-69, 73, 95-103. Service in King Philip's war, pages 65-67, 70-76. Will and estate, pages 31, 77-82. Children and grandchildren, pages 56, 57-59, 139-146. 137 138 MERRIMAN GENEALOGY Connecticut. He married Joan , who was born about 1628 and died in Wallingford 8 Dec 1709. Lieut. Nathaniel Merriman, in his will of 6 June 1692, mentions his wife Joane; sons John, Samuel, and Caleb; daughter Mary Curtis; and surviving daughters (New Haven Probate, vol. 2, p. 146). Children, all born in New Haven: NATHANIEL*, born about 1647 (continued below, No. a) JOHN, born about 1649, died 26 Sept 1651. HANNAH, born 16 May 1651. (No. 3) ABIGAIL, born 18 April 1654. (No. 4) MARY, born 12 July 1657. (No. 5) JOHN, born 29 Feb 1659/60. (No. 6) SAMUEL, born 29 Sept 1662. (No. 7) CALEB, born May 1665. (No. 8) TWIN SONS, born 1667, died young. ELIZABETH, born 14 Sept 1669. (No. 9) SECOND GENERATION 2. NATHANIEL 2 MERRiMAN, son of Nathaniel 1 (see No. i), was born, probably at New Haven, about 1647. He was made a freeman of New Haven in Oct 1669 and had land assigned to him the following year at Wallingford. He was killed in King Philip's war 19 Dec 1675 in the attack on the Indian fort in Rhode Island. On 26 June 1685 the town of Wallingford voted ten acres of land to his brothers. He left no issue. On i April 1688 Nathanael Merriman sold to James Heaton " with the full and free consent of my sons John Samuell and Caleb all the accomo- dations of land that was reputed to be my son Nathaniel Merriman now deceased his accomodations of land being within the bounds of Wallingford " (New Haven Deeds, vol. i, p. 787). 3. HANNAH 2 MERRIMAN, daughter of Nathaniel 1 (No. i) was born at New Haven 16 May 1651; married first, at New Haven 12 Nov 1668 JOHN IVES, son of William and Hannah Ives, who was baptized at New Haven 29 Dec 1644 and died at Wallingford in 1682; married second, at Wallingford 17 Aug 1682 JOSEPH BENHAM, son of Joseph and Winifred Benham, who was born at New Haven 25 May 1659 and died at Wallingford in 1702. All children except the first were born at Wallingford. Children by first husband: JOHN J IVES, born 14 Nov 1660, died at Wallingford 15 April 1747; married 6 Dec. 1693 Mary Gillette. 140 MERRIMAN GENEALOGY HANNAH IVES, born 1672; married 3 March 1692 Samuel Cook. JOSEPH IVES, born 14 Oct 1674, died at Cheshire 18 May 1755; married n May 1697 Esther Benedict who was born about 1679 and died i Jan. 1752. NATHANIEL IVES, born 30 May 1677, died 6 Nov 1711; mar- ried 5 April 1699 Mary Cook; she married (2) 29 March 1722 Jonathan Penfield. GIDEON IVES, born about 1680; married Mary Royce who died 15 Oct 1745; he was an Ensign. Children by second husband: MARY BENHAM, born 18 May 1683, married Thomas Yale. JOSEPH BENHAM, born 15 Dec 1685, married (i) Hope Cook; married (2) Mary Curtis. ABIGAIL BENHAM, born 14 April 1688, married Samuel Durham of Guilford. 4. ABIGAIL 2 MERRIMAN, daughter of Nathaniel l (No. i), was born at New Haven 18 April 1654, died at Walling- ford; married at New Haven 18 Jan 1670 JOHN HITCHCOCK, son of Matthias and Elizabeth Hitchcock of New Haven, who died at Wallingford 6 July 1716. He married for his second wife Mary (Thompson) Lines, widow of Samuel Lines, and she married third, 18 April 1717 Samuel Clark. Children: probably all born in Wallingford: ; A DAUGHTER*, born i Oct 1671, died young. SAMUEL HITCHCOCK, born 1672, died young. ABIGAIL HITCHCOCK, born 10 April 1674, died 9 Jan 1726; married, 14 Dec 1693, Jacob Johnson, who was born 25 Sept 1674 and died 26 July 1749. MARY HITCHCOCK, born 10 Dec 1676; married Benjamin Beach of Hanover, N. J. NATHANIEL HITCHCOCK, born 18 April 1679, died 12 May 1710; married 5 April 1704 Sarah Lewis Jennings; she married (2) 12 July 1711 John Johnson. SECOND GENERATION 141 MARGERY HITCHCOCK, born g Sept 1681, died before 1764; married (i) 10 March 1700 Joseph Munson who was born 6 Nov 1677 and died 30 April 1725; she married (2) before 1728, Stephen Peck. ELIZABETH HITCHCOCK, born 8 April 1684, died young. JOHN HITCHCOCK, born 18 Oct 1685, died 22 May 1760; mar- ried (i) 21 Nov 1712 Marlow Munson who was born 15 Feb 1694, died i July 1739; he married (2) 29 Nov 1739 Elizabeth Chatterton who died 4 May 1788. MATTHIAS HITCHCOCK, born 26 May 1688, died about 1763; married (i) 27 Dec 1710 Thankful Andrews; married (2) Deborah (Barnes)Tuttle widow of Josiah Tuttle, who was born i Feb 1698; married (3) 10 Jan 1754 widow Sarah Hough. HANNAH HITCHCOCK, born 9 Jan 1691, died young. DAMARIS HITCHCOCK, born n July 1693, died 10 Nov 1731; married 22 April 1717 Sylvanus Clark who was born i Feb 1692, died 1741. BENJAMIN HITCHCOCK, born 24 March 1696, died 12 Feb 1767; married i Oct 1718 Elizabeth Ives who died 8 Aug 1762. 5. MARY 2 MERRIMAN, daughter of Nathaniel l (No. i), was born at New Haven 12 July 1657, baptized there 27 June 1661; married at Wallingford 9 June 1674 THOMAS CURTIS, son of John and Elizabeth (Welles) Curtis, who was born at Stratford, Conn, 14 Jan 1648. Children, all born in Wallingford,: MARY S CURTIS, born 13 Oct 1675, married John Crain. NATHANIEL CURTIS, born 14 May 1677; married (i) Sarah Hall who died 13 Dec 1700; (2) Sarah How 9 July 1702; who died 4 Jan. 1740; (3) Mrs. Phebe Palmer u Oct 1641 who died 5 Jan 1763. He died 4 March 1763. SAMUEL CURTIS, born 3 Feb 1678; married Elizabeth Fredericks 3 Jan 1705. ELIZABETH CURTIS, born n Sept 1680, married Nathaniel Hall ii May 1699, died 30 Sept 1735. 142 MERRIMAN GENEALOGY HANNAH CURTIS, born 3 Dec. 1682, died 12 Oct 1703. THOMAS CURTIS, born 26 Aug 1685, married Mary . SARAH CURTIS, born i Oct. 1687, married Joseph Parker 17 June 1705. ABIGAIL CURTIS, born 3 Nov 1689, married Joseph Holt 8 June 1709, died 12 Jan 1730. JOSEPH CURTIS, born i Oct 1691, married Martha Collins 14 Mar 1712, died Jan 1756. JEMIMA CURTIS, born 15 Jan 1694, married Nathaniel Beach 29 Sept 1712. REBECCA CURTIS, born 21 Aug 1697, married (i) Lambert Johnson i March 1716, (2) William Munson. JOHN CURTIS, born 18 Sept 1699, married Jemima Abernathy 17 June 1723, died 4 April 1775. 6. JOHN 2 MERRIMAN, son of Nathaniel l (No. i), was born at New Haven 29 Feb 1659/60, died at Wallingford 1741; married first, at Wallingford 28 March 1683 Hannah Lines, daughter of Ralph and Alice Lines, who was born at New Haven 21 Nov 1665, died at Wallingford about 1688; married second, at Wallingford 20 Nov 1690 Elizabeth Peck, daughter of John and Mary (Moss) Peck, who was born 29 Dec 1673, died at Wallingford after 1709; married third^ after 1720, Elizabeth (Brown) Street widow of Samue/ X^treet, Jr, and who had previously been widow of Michael Todd. / It has been stated that Mary Doolittle was the second / wife of John Merriman, but this is erroneous, for the Wall- I ingford records show his marriage to Elizabeth Peck (Land Book, vol. i, p. 161). Moreover, Caleb his youngest son, deeded land in the right of his "grandfather peck" which fell to him from his mother " Elisabeth Merriman " (Wallingford Deeds vol. 8, p. 481). Capt. John Merriman, in will of 15 May 1740, proved 7 Feb 1741, mentioned sons Israel, John, SECOND GENERATION 143 and George; Daniell, son of his son George; daughter Elisa- beth sometime wife of Gershom Todd of New Haven; children of daughter Sarah deceased, sometime wife of Moses Atwater; children of daughter Mary deceased that was wife of John Merriam; children of daughter Susannah wife of Ezekiel Tuttle; and son Caleb. (New Haven Pro- bate, vol. 6, p. 386). John Merriman was captain of the Wallingford train band and, for fourteen years, deputy to the General Court of the Colony of Connecticut. Children by first wife, all born in Wallingford: ESTHER, S born 24 Jan 1684, probably died young. ABIGAIL, born i Feb 1685, probably died young. GEORGE, born 14 July 1688. (See below No. 10) Children by second wife, all born in Wallingford: JOHN, 3 born 16 Oct 1691. (No. n) ISRAEL, born 23 Jan 1694. (No. 12) SARAH, born 17 Feb 1702, died before 1734; married 28 Dec 1722 Moses Atwater who was born 17 July 1696. ELIZABETH, born 2 July 1703; married Gershom Todd who was born 12 Oct 1695 and died Nov 1748. MARY, born 15 Mar 1705, died before 1740; married 21 April 1725 John Merriam. CALEB, born 24 April 1 707. (No. 13) SUSANNAH, born 20 July 1709, died before 1760; married, at New Haven 21 April 1729 Ezekiel Tuttle. 7. SAMUEL 2 MERRIMAN, son of Nathaniel 1 (No. i), was born at New Haven 29 Sept. 1662, died at Wallingford 25 Sept 1694; married Anna Street,* daughter of Rev. * She is believed to have been a Street for the following reasons: (i) Samuel Merriman's brother John married the widow of 144 MERRIMAN GENEALOGY Samuel and Anna (Miles) Street, who was born at New Haven 17 Aug 1665, died at Wallingford 1705; she married second, Bartholomew Grossman. On 6 Feb 1716 Nathaniel, Theophilus, and Samuel Merriman, legatees of the estate of Samuel Merriman, and his widow Anna, made an agree- ment for its distribution (New Haven Probate, vol. 4, p. 377). Children, all born in Wallingford: NATHANIEL, 3 born 27 May 1687, died young. NATHANIEL, born 16 March 1690. (No. 14) THEOPHILUS, born 28 April 1693. (No. 15) SAMUEL, born 19 Dec 1694. (No. 16) 8. CALEB 2 MERRIMAN, son of Nathaniel 1 (No. i), was born at New Haven May 1665, died at Wallingford 19 July 1703; married 9 July 1690 Mary Preston, daughter of Dea. Eliasaph and Mary (Wilcoxen) Preston, who was born at Stratford, Conn. 12 April 1674, and died at Walling- ford 28 Nov 1755; she married second, at Wallingford 18 March 1708 Samuel Munson. Administration on the estate of Caleb Merriman was granted to the widow Mary 9 Sept 1703 (New Haven Probate, vol. 2, p. 313). On 4 Anna Street's brother Samuel. (2). Samuel, 3 son of Samuel and Anna Merriman, named children Nicholas, Katharine and Miles, and these names could only have come into the family if his mother was Anna Street; for her grandfather and a brother were named Nicholas, her mother was a Miles, her maternal grandmother was Katharine Miles, and she had a sister named Katharine. (3) Theophilus, son of Samuel and Anna Merriman, deeded land called " Maddeling's acres "; - this must refer to land deeded by " Maudlin," widow of a Goodman Samuel Street to Rev. Samuel Street, Anna's father. It is difficult to understand how Theophilus obtained title to this land save by inheritance from his mother Anna. SECOND GENERATION 145 Feb 1740 Lent Munson in behalf of his father Ensign Samll Munson, in right of wife Mary, administratrix of the estate of Caleb Merriman, showed a division of the estate between John Andrews and wife Hannah of Hartford, Eliasaph Merriman, Moses Merriman, Henry Turhand and wife Elizabeth, Waitstill Munson and wife Phebe, and Ephraim Cook and wife Lydia (New Haven Probate, vol. 6, p. 291). Children, all born at Wallingford: MosES, 3 born 31 Oct 1691. (No. 17) ELIZABETH, born 4 May 1693; married (i) at Wallingford 7 Nov 1712 Henry Turhand who was born at Guilford; (2) she married Joseph Royce. ELIASAPH, born 20 May 1695. (No. 18) HANNAH, born 10 Sept 1697, died 28 Sept 1738; married at Wallingford 19 July 1714 John Andrews. PHEBE, born n Sept 1699, died Dec 1772; married at Wal- lingford 10 Dec 1719 Waitstill Munson who was born at Walling- ford 12 Dec 1697 and died there 6 March 1789. LYDIA, born 8 Sept 1701, died young. LYDIA born 12 Nov 1702, died after 1777; married Ephraim Cook. 9. ELIZABETH 2 MERRIMAN, daughter of Nathaniel 1 (No. i), was born at New Haven 14 Sept 1669; married at Wallingford 2 Dec 1685 EBENEZER LEWIS who died in 1709. He was a blacksmith and lived in the eastern part of Wall- ingford. Children, all born in Wallingford: HEZEKIAH 3 LEWIS, born 12 Oct 1686, died 1711; married Elizabeth ; she married (2) William Frederick. MARY LEWIS, (birth not recorded); married 10 Aug 1710 Abraham Doolittle. 146 MERRIMAN GENEALOGY CALEB LEWIS, born 15 Oct 1691; married 25 Nov 1713 Sarah Cook. FELIX LEWIS, born 25 Oct 1693; married Thomas Andrews. ELIZABETH LEWIS, born 15 Oct 1695; married Ephraim Bid- well of Glastonbury. BARNABAS LEWIS, born 4 Nov 1697, died i Oct 1729; married Elizabeth , who married (2) 4 Mar 1730 Daniel Merwin. HANNAH LEWIS, born 10 Oct 1699; married 8 Feb 1721 Capt Samuel Cook who was born 5 March 1695 and died at New Haven 7 Nov 1745. BENJAMIN LEWIS, born 21 Sept 1701; married 3 Nov 1724 Esther Matthews. MALACHI LEWIS, born 4 Oct 1703, settled in Middletown. AGAPE LEWIS, born 10 Jan 1705; married about 1727 Jonathan Munger of Guilford, Conn. THIRD GENERATION 10. GEORGE 3 MERRIMAN, son of John 2 (No. 6), was born at Wallingford 14 July 1688, died there 1736; married there 8 Jan 1713 Susannah Abernathy, daughter of William and Sarah (Doolittle) Abernathy, who was born at Walling- ford 1 8 July 1689. Administration on the estate of George Merriman deceased was granted 6 Dec 1736 to the widow Susannah. In 1738 the widow was appointed guardian to the minor children Daniel and Molly, while the daughter Susannah chose John Merriman, Jr, as guardian. Later Daniel chose Samuel Thorpe, Jr, as guardian (New Haven Probate Records, vol. 6, pp. 200, 244, 368). Children, all born in Wallingford: NATHAN/ born 30 Nov 1713, died young. HANNAH, born about 1715 (not recorded), died 19 Oct 1751; married 15 May 1734 Samuel Thorp, Jr., who was born 24 Mar 1707. NATHAN, born 16 July 1717. (No. 19) Lois, born 10 November 1720. SUSANNAH, born 13 Sept 1723, died 1820; married at Walling- ford 31 Dec 1739 Benjamin Thorp who was born 30 Sept 1716; she married (2) Ezra Tuttle who was born about 1720 and died ii June 1793; she married (3) at North Haven 27 March 1799 Oliver Blakeslee who was born 15 Aug 1741. DANIEL, born 22 Feb 1727, living in 1751, but left no issue. MOLLY, born 6 Jan 1730; m arried Abner Thorp who was born 14 Oct 1725. 147 148 MERRIMAN GENEALOGY n. JOHN 3 MERRIMAN, son of John 2 (No. 6), was born at Wallingford 16 Oct 1691, died at Southington 17 Feb 1784; married at Wallingford 24 Feb 1726 Jemima Wilcox, daughter of Obadiah and Silence (Mansfield) Wilcoxen, who was born at Guilford 30 Oct 1699 and died at Southing- ton ii Oct 1764. He was an anti-pedo Baptist minister at Wallingford and after 1750 at Southington (see Timlow's Sketches of Southington). Children, all born in Wallingford: JOHN, 4 born 12 Sept 1728. (No. 20) THANKFUL, born 2 August 1731. SILAS, born 3 Jan 1734. (No. 21) EBER, born 26 Feb 1736. (No. 22) 12. ISRAEL 3 MERRIMAN, son of John 2 (No. 6), was born at Wallingford 23 Jan 1694; married 23 June 1714 Comfort Benham, daughter of John and Comfort (Mansfield) Ben- ham, who was born at New Haven 15 Aug 1692. On 6 April 1734 Israel sold his entire estate in Wallingford to John Merriman, Jr. and Caleb Merriman (Wallingford Deeds, vol. 7, p. 358). He removed to Harwinton, Conn., where he was selectman in 1637 (see Chipman's History of Harwinton). He died after 1753. Children, all born in Wallingford: JOSEPH, 4 born 28 August 1716. (No. 23) COMFORT, born 3 October, 1720. JELIN, born 16 February 1724. ELIZABETH, born n March 1727. SARAH, born 16 December 1729. ISRAEL, born 30 November 1732. (No. 24) THIRD GENERATION 149 13. CALEB 3 MERRIMAN, son of John 2 (No. 6), was born at Wallingford 24 April 1707, died there 2 June 1770; married there 31 Aug 1732 Ruth Sedgwick, daughter of Samuel and Ruth (Peck) Sedgwick, who was born at Hartford 21 Jan 1711 and died at Wallingford in 1799. Caleb Merri- man, in his will of 8 May 1770, proved June 1770, mentions his wife Ruth; his brothers George, Israel, and John; his son Caleb; his daughters Sarah wife of Titus Cook, Mary wife of Jeremiah Hulls, Elizabeth wife of Abel Merriman, and Ruth wife of Hezekiah Johnson (New Haven Probate Records, vol. n, p. 88). Ruth Merriman in will of 22 April 1797, proved 25 March 1799, called herself " old," and mentions son Caleb, and the daughters of her daughters Sarah Cook, Mary Hull, Elizabeth Merriman, and Ruth Johnson (New Haven Probate, vol. 4, p. 335). The tombstone of Caleb Merriman reads: " Under this Monument lieth inter'd the Remains of Caleb Merriman Esq r Deacon of ye ist Consociated Church of Christ in Wallingford who died of the Small Pox the I2th Day of June A D 1770. In him the Widow lost a kind husband, the children a tender Father, the Church a liberal Benefactor, the Poor and Distressed a pittifull and ready Friend." Children, all born in Wallingford: SARAH,* born 25 May 1733; married at Wallingford 18 Jan 1753 Titus Cook. MARY, born about 1735 (not recorded), died 22 Aug 1774; married at Wallingford 18 Jan 1753 Jeremiah Hulls who was born 5 Jan 1729, died 24 Aug 1790. GEORGE, born about 1737 (not recorded), died 26 April 1757. ELIZABETH, born 24 Nov 1739, died before 1797; married at Wallingford 9 March 1756 Abel Merriman son of Nathaniel 3 (14). RUTH, born 31 Oct'or i Nov 1741, died at Hamden, 12 Dec 1819; married at Wallingford Nov 1758 Capt Hezekiah Johnson 150 MERRIMAN GENEALOGY who was born at Wallingford 12 March 1732, died at Hamden 21 Feb 1810. JERUSHA (birth not recorded), died 5 July 1751. ABIGAIL (birth not recorded), died 3 April 1761. ANNE, born 29 April 1749, died 4 July 1751. CALEB, born 26 Feb 1751, died 9 Oct 1751. CALEB, born 30 Sept 1754. (No. 25) 14. NATHANIEL 3 MERRIMAN, son of Samuel 2 (No. 7), was born at Wallingford 16 March 1690; died there 9 June 1767; married Mehitable Hall, daughter of David and Sarah (Rockwell) Hall, who was born at Wallingford 15 Aug 1691, died 1772. The will of Nathaniel Merriman, dated 30 Oct 1765, proved Aug 1767, mentions the children of his eldest son Samuel deceased; his second son David; the children of daughter Thankfull Roys deceased; Phineas and Nathaniel, sons to his son Nathaniel deceased; son The- ophilus; son Abel; and wife Mehitabel (New Haven Probate, vol. 10, p. 434). Administration on the estate of Mehitabel Merriman deceased was granted to her son Theophilus 23 March 1772 (Ibid, vol. n, p. 231). Children, all born in Wallingford : SAMUEL, 4 born 3 May 1712. (No. 26) DAVID, born n Feb 1715. (No. 27) THANKFUL, born 31 May 1717, died at Waterbury 9 Oct 1749; married 15 Nov 1743 Phinehas Royce of Waterbury who died ii May 1787. NATHANIEL, born 31 May 1720. (No. 28) THEOPHILUS (birth not recorded). (No. 29) ABEL (birth not recorded). (No. 30) 15. THEOPHILUS 3 MERRIMAN, son of Samuel 2 (No. 7), was born at Wallingford 28 April 1693, removed to North- field, Mass, about 1718, where he was killed by Indians (w* THIRD GENERATION 151 21 Aug 1723; married at Wallingford 9 Sept 1714 Mary Tune, who married secondly, Benjamin Miller and died 6 Jan 1782 aged 84. Children: ANNA,* born at Wallingford i Sept 1715, died 7 July 1778; married (i) 1733 Ephraim Chamberlain who died before 1750; married (2) about 1750 Benjamin Royce of Wallingford. THEOPHILUS, born at Wallingford 28 Aug 1717, died at North- field 25 Sept 1792; was deaf and dumb. SARAH, born at Northfield n Aug 1719; died 21 Aug 1719. SARAH, born at Northfield 5 Dec 1720, died before 1755; married about 1739 Thomas Taylor who was born 26 Nov 1717 and died 24 March 1778. SAMUEL, born at Northfield 13 Feb 1722/3. (No. 31) 16. SAMUEL 3 MERRIMAN, son of Samuel 2 (No. 7), was born at Wallingford 19 Dec 1694, died at Wallingford between 1779 and 1783; married at W 7 allingford 9 Nov 1727 Sarah Welcher, daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Abernathy) Welcher, who was born at Wallingford 16 May 1707 an^ died after 1768. It would seem that none of their sons lived, for on 24 June 1783 Katharine and Sarah Merriman and William Jones and his wife Eunice agreed by three deeds to a division of the land of their father Samuel Merri- man deceased (Wallingford Deeds, vol. 23, pp. 147 et seq). Samuel was living 15 May 1772 when he deeded land to Jeremiah Hulls (Wallingford Deeds, vol. 18, p. 455). On 2 April 1779 Samuel Merriman and wife Sarah deeded land to Jeremiah Hulls (Ibid, vol. 21, p. 456). Samuel Merriman and wife Sarah joined other Abernathy heirs 15 June 1768 in disposing of land laid out to Abraham Doolittle which had descended to them from their grandmother (Ibid, vol. 17, p. 441). 152 MERRIMAN GENEALOGY Children, all born in Wallingford: SAMUEL,* born 24 August 1728. NICHOLAS (birth not recorded), died 17 Feb 1737. ANNA (birth not recorded), died 10 March 1737. SAMUEL, born 14 Oct 1734, died 28 Feb 1737. KATHARINE, born 28 Dec 1736; living unmarried in 1783.^ SARAH, born 28 Jan 1742; living unmarried in 1783. MILES, born n June 1744. STEPHEN, born 25 May 1747. HANNAH, born i December 1750. EUNICE, born 21 Aug 1753; married William Jones. 17. MOSES 3 MERRIMAN, son of Caleb 2 (No. 8), was born at Wallingford 31 Oct 1691, died there 4 Feb 174!; married there 6 Feb 1713 Martha Beach, daughter of Azariah and Martha Beach, who was born about 1690. In will of ii Jan 1744, proved 30 April 1744, Moses Merriman referred to his father Caleb deceased and mentioned his wife Martha; sons Jehiel, Benjamin, Moses, and Lent; daughter Phebe wife of Moses Munson; daughters Martha and Mary Merri- man. Ephraim Cook was allowed guardian to Moses, son of Sergt. Moses Merriman, and later to the son Lent (New Haven Probate, vol. 6, pp. 582, 619; vol. 7, p. 68). Children, all born in Wallingford: JEHIEL, 4 born 28 Oct 1713. (No. 32) ESTHER, born n Nov 1716, died 3 April 1734. PHEBE, born 27 March 1720; married (i) 18 July 1739 Moses Munson who died in 1750; married (2) 9 April 1752 Josiah Bartholomew of Branford, Conn. BENJAMIN, born 21 Jan 1722. (No. 33) MARTHA, born 30 Dec 1723; unmarried in 1768 (Wallingford Deeds, Vol. 17, p. 408); married 16 Nov 1775 Daniel Doolittlc who was born at Middletown 3 Feb 1 706. THIRD GENERATION 153 MARY, born 26 Feb 1726; married at Wallingford 7 Jan 1745/6 Joseph Royce. MOSES, born 14 Feb 1728. (No. 34) LENT, born 25 May 1731. (No. 35) 18. ELiASAPH 3 MERRIMAN, son of Caleb 2 (No. 8), was born at Wallingford 20 May 1695, died there 19 Aug 1758; married there 10 Dec 1719 Abigail Hulls, daughter of Dr. Benjamin and Elizabeth (Andrews) Hulls, who was born at Wallingford 14 Feb 1704 and died there 20 Jan 1774. He was ensign of the military company in Wallingford in 1735, lieutenant in 1740, and captain in 1743. Children, all born in Wallingford: EUNICE/ born 7 Oct 1720, died 12 Jan 1721. EUNICE, born 24 Dec 1721; married (i) at Wallingford 9 Dec 1747 Samuel Doolittle who was born 9 Dec 1721, died 14 May 1749; married (2) at Wallingford 25 March 1754 Capt. Ephraim Preston who was born 8 Sept 1709, died 8 April 1778. SARAH, born 18 Nov 1723; married at Wallingford 8 June 1743 Nathaniel Jones who was born in 1717. CALEB, born 3 Sept 1725. (No. 36) TITUS, born 28 August 1727. (No. 37) AMASA, born 17 June 1729. (No. 38) ENOCH, born i May 1731, died 14 June 1731. ELIZABETH, born 27 July 1732, was living at Barkhamsted 1787 (Wallingford Deeds, vol. 24, p. 295); married at Wallingford 25 May 1756 Reuben Preston who was born 27 May 1736, died 5 Aug 1765. ESTHER, born 2 Dec 1734, died 25 May 1787; married at Wallingford 5 April 1762 Ephraim Preston Jr. who was born 6 Aug 1734, died 21 April 1786. ELIASAPH, born 2 Nov 1736. (No. 39) ENOCH and EBENEZER, twins, born 26 May 1739, died young. TURHAND, born 24 May 1741, died young. CHARLES, born 2 Sept 1744, died young. ABIGAIL, born 17 June 1749, killed by lightning 4 Aug. 1758. FOURTH AND FIFTH GENERATIONS Descendants of the Fifth Generation are given in the smaller type. Under each of these are noted the names and years of birth of the Merrimans of the Sixth Generation, as far as they are now known. 19. NATHAN 4 MERRIMAN, son of George 3 (No. 10) born at Wallingford 16 July 1717, died there in 1755; married there 3 Aug 1741 Sarah Bartholomew, daughter of John. In Jan 1756 administration on the estate of Nathan Merriman deceased was granted to the widow Sarah who was chosen guardian by Lois and appointed guardian to the minor children George, Joel, Titus, Susanna, and Ichabod. On 27 April 1759 Abel Cooke was chosen guardian by George (New Haven Probate, vol. 8, pp. 487, 509; vol. 9, p. 245). George and Joel evidently died while quite young in the French wars, while Lois and Susanna must have died unmar- ried as the following deed indicates. On 31 Jan 1783 Titus Merriman of Cornwall and Ichabod Merriman of Torrington deeded all right in that part of the land of George Merriman formerly of Wallingford deceased, which fell to the share of Susannah Merriman late of Wallingford deceased. Titus, Ichabod, and Susannah being grandchildren to the said George Merriman, and the said Titus and Ichabod are the only legal heirs to the said Susannah (Wallingford Deeds, vol. 26, p. 299). Children, all born in Wallingford : Lois, 6 born n June 1742, died before 1783. 154 FOURTH AND FIFTH GENERATIONS 155 GEORGE, born 12 Jan 1743/4, reported dead in the French and Indian wars, 6 Oct 1 759. JOEL, born 16 July 1745, reported dead in the French and Indian wars, 30 Aug 1760. TITUS, born 5 April 1747, removed before 1783 to Cornwall, Conn. SUSANNAH, born 10 Aug 1752, died before 1783. ICHABOD, born 23 Jan 1755; married at Wallingford 12 Dec 1777 Rebecca Tuttle; removed before 1783 to Torrington, Conn. He served in the Revolution in 1776 in Capt Bunnell's Company. Children: George 8 1778 and Samuel 1780. 20. JOHN 4 MERRIMAN, son of John 3 (No. n), was born at Wallingford 12 Sept 1728, removed to Southington, Conn., about 1750, died there 13 April 1801; married Mabel Thorp, daughter of Samuel and Hannah (Thompson) Thorp, who was born at Wallingford 12 Jan 1724. Children, all born in Southington: X^ORMA,N) MANSFIELD/ born 3 May 1752; enlisted in the Revolution in 1780. Children: Mary 6 1778, Patience 1780, Wadsworth 1784, Dervilla 1786, Anna 1788, Jemima 1790. CHAUNCEY, married 13 Feb 1777 Sarah Ives who died aged 65; he enlisted in the Revolution in 1780. Children: Rosanna * 1777, Lowly 1779, Marcus 1782, Sarah 1784, Anson 1786, Roxanna, Leonard 1791, John 1795. JOHN, born 8 Feb 1758, was a minute man in the Revolution, died in 1778 while overheated on a march. JEMIMA, born 30 June 1764; married/Daniel Carter who was born in Branford aerjiiHe !;&&, she raised silk worms and mad a dress therefrom. " - * CALEB, born 8 June 1768, died 14 Oct 1838; married (i) i June 1801 Elizabeth Allen, daughter of Ebenezer and Elizabeth (Pousley) Allen of Middletown, who was born 8 July 1770 and died i Jan 1814; married (2) 10 Oct 1814 Sarah Allen, sister of his first wife. Children: Mansfield 6 1802, William 1805, Ebenezer 1807, Joseph 1809, Joseph 1810. 156 MERRIMAN GENEALOGY 21. SILAS 4 MERRIMAN, son of John 3 (No. n), born at Wallingford 3 Jan 1734, died at New Haven 8 May 1805; married at Wallingford 15 Oct 1760 Hannah Upson who died at New Haven 28 April 1820. On 12 Dec 1766 Silas Merri- man and Daniel Upson of Wallingford bought land in New Haven of James Blackslee of Waterbury (New Haven Deeds, vol. 28, p. 68) and on 8 Oct 1776 James and Anna Blackslee of New Haven deeded land to Silas Merriman of New Haven (Ibid, vol. 36, p. 49). Administration on the estate of Silas Merriman of New Haven was granted to James Merriman 3 June 1805; the estate was divided between the widow, James, Marcus, the heirs of Samuel deceased, and the heirs of Lucy Matthews deceased (New Haven Probate, vol. 24, p. 409; vol. 25, p. 333). In 1820 the estate of Hannah Merriman was distributed to her three children, to Marcus, to the heirs of James, and the heirs of Samuel (Ibid, vol. 31, p. 20). Children, all born in Wallingford: JAMES, 5 born 18 July 1761, died at New Haven 20 June 1813 while a member of the state legislature; married 7 March 1802 Frances Munson who was born 31 Oct 1765 and died 8 Sept 1831. He served in the Revolution in 1780 in Capt. Phineas Bradley's Company, and later held the title of General. Chil- dren: John 6 1806, Lucy, Frances. MARCUS, born 31 Oct 1762, died at New Haven 20 Feb 1850; married (i) 13 Nov 1783 Sally Parmalee who died 16 May 1793 aged 27; their children. Elizabeth 6 1787, Marcus 1792, two infants, Hannah. He married (2), i Dec 1793 Susanna Bonticou, daughter of Timothy and Susan (Gordon) Bonticou who was born in 1775 and died at New Haven n Jan 1807; their children, John, 6 Sally, two infants, Sarah Parmalee 1799. He married (3) 22 Dec 1807 Lydia Wilcox of Killingworth who died at New Haven 5 Feb 1822 aged 55. He married (4) Nov 1822 Betsey (widow of Othniel DeForest of Huntington) who died in FOURTH AND FIFTH GENERATIONS 157 1853. He served in the Revolution in 1780 in Capt Phineas Bradley's Company. LUCY, died before 1806, married Matthews. SILAS, born 12 Feb 1769, died 1789; no issue. SAMUEL, born 9 Sept 1771, died at New Haven 13 Oct 1805; married (i) Mary Fitch, daughter of Nathaniel Fitch; children, Samuel Fitch 1794, and Mary; married (2) Nancy who was living at Windham, Conn., in 1807. 22. EsER 4 MERRIMAN, son of John 3 (No. n), was born at Wallingford 26 Feb 17^6, moved to Southington about 1750, died there */ ficfiZiy, married, first, r Hastings ?* *'/ married, second, Hannah Rogers of Waterford. Children by first wife, all born in Southington: ^**4 PELEG,' born 1 763, dieg^ N^ 1773- & '^ k ^^. /* PEREZ, born 17 Oct 176$; married Lucy Barnes; one child, Almon 6 1807, > * * t w HARMON, born 7 March 1768, died 3 Sept 1836; married 10 Feb 1794 Lovisa Tuttle, daughter of Isaiah and Ruth (Wilson) Tuttle, who was born 25 Oct 1775. Children: Roswell 8 1796, Sarah 1798. EZRA, born 1770, died 7 Nov 1773. STILLMAN, born 6 Jan 1772, died 15 Nov 1808; married 10 Nov 1801 Sarah Hall, daughter of Peter and Lydia (Brown) Hall, who was born 8 Aug 1776, died 23 April 1873. Children, Betsey 6 1802, Lydia 1804, James Stillman 1807. ALBERT, born 6 Sept 1774, died 2 Aug 1827; married 22 Nov 1803 Roxanna Hart of New Britain who died 26 Nov 1859. Children: Amon Hart 6 1804, Lorenzo, Sophronia, Salmon 1809, Eliza, Roxana 1813. DOCTOR, born 8 July 1776, died at Westfield, Mass.; married ii Jan 1803 Sabrina Atkins, daughter of Samuel and Eunice (Wightman) Atkins, who was born at Southington 8 April 1780. Children: Earl Jefferson 6 1803, Sherlett Eunice 1805, Silas Atkins 1807; Sabrina Hastings 1809. 158 MERRIMAN GENEALOGY OLCOTT, born 13 Jan 1779, died 23 Nov 1820; married Sophronia Hitchcock, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Munson) Hitchcock, who was born in Southington 1782 and died there 13 May 1849. Children, Samuel Green 6 1809, Sophronia, Franklin 1813. Children by second wife, all born in Southington : ROGERS/ born 9 Nov 1783. MEHITABEL, born 24 June 1785, died Aug 1855; married Jesse Hall of Wallingford. SARAH, born 1787, died 17 March 1788. ,SEBKTI?A, born 14 Oct 1789, died 2 Aug 1822. HANNAH; married (i) 3 July 1813 Stoddard Neal; married (2) Samuel Bartholomew. JAMES, born 1797, died 17 Jan 1800. 5 BW/t/i- fr-2-23. JOSEPH* MERRIMAN, son of Israel 3 (No. 12), was born in Wallingford 28 Aug 1716, removed with his parents j>7u> /7^o. to Harwinton, Conn., in 1735; married in 1745^ He was quite likely father of Joseph, George, and William mentioned below. i-~. If l+tt*. l7VMjoSEPH, B ^probably son of Joseph, 4 lived at Litchfield, Conn., ^J^- 'was drowned 21 Oct 1775 at Campville near Litchfield; married Rachel Culver, daughter of Zebulon and Eleanor (Taylor) Culver, who was born at Litchfield 16 Dec 1753. Children: Joseph 8 1772, Silas 1 7 74. GEORGE, probably son of Joseph, 4 lived in Harwinton; enlisted in the Revolution in 1780. WILLIAM, perhaps son of Joseph, 4 was a selectman in Har- winton in 1789. REUBEN, died at Litchfield 22 Sept 1865 aged 83; Melia Byington his wife died there 23 June 1856 aged 69. A tradition says that his father was named Samuel who came from Har- winton. 24. ISRAEL* MERRIMAN, son of Israel 3 (No. 12) was born at Wallingford 30 Nov 1732, removed with his parents to FOURTH AND FIFTH GENERATIONS 159 Harwinton, Conn.; enlisted 29 April 1777 for eight months service in the Revolution in Capt. Munson's Company. No further information is now available. 25. CALEB"* MERRIMAN, son of Caleb 3 (No. 13), was born at Wallingford 30 Sept 1754, died there 7 April 1816; married first, 18 Jan 1778 Mary Peck who died 15 Dec 1779; married second, 14 Dec 1780 Amy Lewis; married third, at Walling- ford 20 Oct 1785 Statira Hall, daughter of Benjamin and Susannah Hall, who was born at Wallingford 15 Jan 1759; married fourth, at Cheshire, 5 Feb 1800 Hannah, daughter of Stephen Atwater and widow of - Hall, who was born at Wallingford 27 Nov 1754. Caleb's will was executed 25 March 1815 and proved 19 April 1816 (Wallingford Probate vol. 9, p. 324). Children by second wife, all born in Wallingford: ISAAC LEWIS, 8 born 22 Nov 1781, died before 1810; child, Eunice Atwater 8 1805. CALEB, born about 1783 (not recorded); married (i) 6 Dec 1807 Eunice Hall; children, Amy Lewis 1808, Silas 1811, Ruth Sedgwick 1814, George. He married (2) i Oct 1823 Charity Clark. Child by third wife, born at Wallingford: BENJAMIN HALL, born 21 Aug 1787, died before April 1832; married 26 Dec 1813 Laura Parker who was born about 1795 and died i June 1869. Children: Silas 8 1814, Marcus 1816, Harriet 1818, Laura 1821. 26. SAMUEL* MERRIMAN, son of Nathaniel 3 (No. 14), was born at Wallingford 3 May 1712, died before 1765 when his father by will refers to the children of his son Samuel deceased. He probably married Sarah Clark, daughter of 160 MERRIMAN GENEALOGY Stephen Clark of North Haven, who was born in 1707. Stephen Clark, in his will of 1740, mentioned his daughter Sarah Merriman; he also had a daughter who married a Culver of Wallingford. Children: MARTHA, 6 born at New Haven 23 April 1733, died 10 Nov 1802; married 18 Nov 1773 Ebenezer Mattoon who was born 4 April 1735, died 27 May 1814. SARAH, born at New Haven 29 April 1735; married 9 Sept 1756 Thomas Beach. 27. DAVID 4 MERRIMAN, son of Nathaniel 3 (No. 14), was born at Wallingford n Feb 1715, died there 13 Oct 1771; married Elizabeth Benham, daughter of Joseph and Hope (Cook) Benham, who was born at Wallingford about 1725, died there 24 May 1784. In Oct 1771 administration on the estate of David Merriman deceased was granted to the widow Elisabeth. The final distribution of the estate was between the widow, Thankful wife of Giles Hall, and Elisabeth wife of Hezekiah Hall (New Haven Probate, vol. n, pp. 200, 512). On 25 June 1784 the dower of Elizabeth, widow of Lieut. David Merriman, was divided between her two daughters (Ibid, vol. 14, p. 289; also see Wallingford Probate, vol. 3, p. 128). Children, born in Wallingford: THANKFUL, 5 born 17 March 1744/5, died 14 July 1796; mar- ried at Wallingford 24 Dec 1772 Giles Hall who was born 18 Feb 1733, died 17 March 1789. ELIZABETH, born about 1752, died 21 Nov 1801; married at Wallingford 30 Oct 1769 Hezekiah Hall who was born 13 July 1743, died 7 Sept 1815. FOURTH AND FIFTH GENERATIONS 161 28. NATHANIEL 4 MERRiMAN, son of Nathaniel 3 (No. 14), was born at Wallingford 31 May 1720, died there 10 July 1 765; married there 19 Dec 1743 Prudence Austin, daughter of John and Prudence (Royce) Austin, who was born at Wallingford 10 Nov 1723, died there 1806. In Sept 1765 administration on the estate of Nathaniel Merriman, Jr. was granted to the widow Prudence. Final distribution was not made until 1778, after the death of the son Phinehas, when the estate was set to Nathaniel; Mary the third daughter; Prudence the eldest daughter, wife of Archable Allen; and Mehitabel the second daughter, wife of The- ophilus Page. The dower had been previously set out (New Haven Probate, vol. 10, pp. 289, 515; vol. 12, p. 242). The widow Prudence, in will of i Nov 1805, proved 14 June 1806, mentioned daughters Prudence and Mary, and the children of daughter Mabel deceased (Wallingford Probate, vol. 6, p. 191). On 31 March 1807 Joel Page of Wallingford, Phinehas Page of Hansley, Mass., Levi Page of Cornway, Mass., Nathaniel Page of Meriden, and Archelus and Prudence Allen of Meriden, deeded to Nathaniel Merriman of Wallingford, all rights, as heirs of Nathaniel, Jr. and Phineus Merriman deceased, in the dower of Prudence Merriman deceased (Wallingford Deeds, vol. 32, p. 495). Children: PHINEHAS, B died before 1777. PRUDENCE, married 27 March 1775 Archelaus Ailing. MEHITABEL, married Theophilus Page. MARY, was living unmarried in 1807 when Eliakim Hall was her conservator (Wallingford Deeds, vol. 33, p. 93). NATHANIEL, born about 1760, died at Wallingford 7 July 1808; married there 27 Dec 1781 Lucy Moss, daughter of Jonathan and Esther (Curtis) Moss, who married (2) Joel Peck and died March 1822. His will was signed 7 June 1808 and 162 MERRIMAN GENEALOGY proved 8 Aug 1808. Children: Isaac, 8 Lucy 1786, Nancy 1788, Nathaniel 1792, Edward 1794, Hiram 1799, Henry 1801, Mabel 1 80 3, Artemisia 1807. 29. TnEOPHiLUS 4 MERRIMAN, son of Nathaniel 3 (No. 14), lived at Wallingford where he died in 1807; married 1 6 Oct 1772 Margery Eliot daughter of Abial and Mary (Leete) Eliot, a descendant of Gov. William Leete of Guil- ford, who was born 19 March 1742. On 21 Sept. 1807 administration on the estate of Theophilus was granted to Mary Hunt, next of kin and creditor, the widow refusing to act (Wallingford Probate, vol. 6, p. 132). Children, all born in Wallingford: RUTH, 5 born 18 July 1773; married 24 Nov 1794 Samuel Frost. ELIOT, died 26 Oct 1774. ELIOT HALL, born 8 Jan 1775. MARY; married at North Haven 27 Dec 1798 John Hunt of New Haven. SARAH, born 6 April 1780. 30. ABEL 4 MERRIMAN, son of Nathaniel 3 (No. 14), was born at Wallingford and died at Wells, Vt. ; married at Wallingford 9 March 1756 Elizabeth Merriman (see above under No. 12). About 1771 they removed to Wells, Vt. He was Lieut, in Capt. Daniel Culver's Company in the Revolution, and Capt. in Col. Ebenezer Allen's regiment to Ticonderoga in 1778-81; he was several times town representative from Wells. Abel and Elizabeth were living at Wells in 1787 (Wallingford Deeds, vol. 24, p. 365) and she was not living in 1797 (Ibid, vol. 28, p. 482). Children, probably all born at Wallingford: CALEB, 5 born 22 February 1757, was living at Wells in 1785. GEORGE, born 26 Aug 1759, died at Wallingford 21 May FOURTH AND FIFTH GENERATIONS 163 1836; married there 17 Feb 1780 Katharine Johnson, daughter of Sherborne and Katharine (Hitchcock) Johnson, who was born 18 May 1758, died 8 July 1842. He served in the Revolution in Capt. BunnelPs Company 1776. Children: Martha 8 1781, Mary 1782, Nancy 1787. SAMUEL SEDGWICK, born 2 April 1762, died 19 Sept 1847 at Wells, Vt.; married there Polly Cross, daughter of Joseph, who died 19 Jan 1845. He served in the Revolution in his father's company. Children: Robert, 6 Polly 1795, Betsey 1796, Martha 1797, Hannah 1799, Samuel 1805, Elihu C. 1809. ABEL, was living at Wells in 1797. ABIGAIL, born 12 April 1770; married Timothy Hebard of Onwell, Vt. (Wallingford Deeds, vol. 28, p. 482.) 31. SAMUEL 4 MERRIMAN, son of Theophilus 3 (No. 15), was born at Northfield, Mass., 13 Feb 1722/3, died there 22 June 1803; married first, 3 March 1747 Mary Hawks, daughter of Eleazer, who was born at Deerfield, Mass, and died 24 Aug 1759; married second, 21 Dec 1759 Lydia Harwood, daughter of John, who was widow of Asahel Stebbins. Children by first wife: SAMUEL, B born at Northfield n Sept 1749, died at Unadilla, N. Y. in 1825; married (i) at Northfield in 1768 Eunice Hall; children, Sarah ' 1769, Theophilus 1773; married (2) ; children, Sylvanus, 8 Samuel 1782, Zilpha, a daughter. He removed to West Stockbridge, Mass., and about 1804 to Una- dilla, N. Y. He served in the Revolution. SARAH, born i March 1752; married 18 Nov 1772 Elisha Wright of Montagu. ZILPHA, baptised and died n Sept 1753. Children by second wife: LEVI, S born 27 Nov 1760 at Northfield, died there 3 Aug 1829; married Mercy Morgan who died 10 July 1839 aged 72. He 164 MERRIMAN GENEALOGY served in the Revolution. Children: Polly 6 1794, Susanna 1796, Almira 1799, Adeline 1801, Emily 1804, Samuel 1807. LYDIA, born 28 Aug 1762; married 18 May 1785 Medad Alexander. MARY, born 8 April 1764; married 9 Jan 1787 Samuel Mattoon. ELIJAH, born at Northfield n Dec 1765, died 30 March 1834; married i April 1803 Rebecca Clendenen (daughter of Archibald) who died 14 Oct 1839 aged 66. Children: Rebecca 6 1804, Elijah 1806, Lydia 1809. SUSANNA, born 13 April 1768; married 9 Jan 1787 Samuel James of Gill. A SON, born i Oct 1770, died 4 Oct 1770. SYLVANUS, born 28 Feb 1773; a sailor, killed by pirates 4 July 1800. 32. JEHIEL 4 MERRIMAN, son of Moses 3 (No. 17), was born at Wallingford 28 Oct 1713, buried at Cheshire 25 July 1772; married at Wallingford i Aug 1740 Hannah Jones, daughter of Theophilus and Hannah (Mix) Jones, who was born at Wallingford 4 Oct 1720 and buried at Cheshire 26 Aug 1783. Administration on the estate of Jehiel Merriman was granted to the widow Hannah in August 1772 and the estate was distributed 31 May 1773. (New Haven Probate, vol. n, pp. 278, 378). Administra- tion in the estate of Hannah Merriman was granted to son Jehiel 10 Nov 1783 (Wallingford Probate, vol. 3, p. 23). Children, all baptized at Cheshire: HESTER, 5 baptized February 1741/2, living in 1772. DANIEL, baptized Jan 1742/3, died at Dalton, Mass., 19 Feb 1825; married at Wallingford 3 Oct 1764 Damaris Andrews who died at Dalton probably on 6 March 1835. Children born at Wallingford: Chloe 6 1765, Jesse 1767, Nathaniel 1770, Martha 1772. Children born at Dalton: Daniel, 6 Betsy 1780. HANNAH (no record of baptism), living in 1773. FOURTH AND FIFTH GENERATIONS 165 LYDIA, baptized 18 Oct 1747, living in 1773. JEHIEL, baptized Jan 17^ died 12 May 1806; married n June 1788 Eunice Preston, daughter of Ephraim and Eunice (Merriman) Preston, who died in 1836. Child: Elizabeth 1789. THANKFUL, baptized December 1751, living in 1773. PHEBE (no record of baptism), living in 1773. ABIGAIL (no record of baptism), living in 1773. THEOPHILUS, born about 1764, died at Franklin, Pa., 2 March 1832; married 15 Feb 1791 Sarah Lines, daughter of Ralph and Beersheba (Hotchkiss) Lines, who was born 8 March 1768 and died in 1833. Theophilus and his brother-in-law Rufus Lines were pioneers in Susquehanna County, Pa. Children: Titus Lines 6 1792, Julia 1795, Lois 1798, Sally 1805, Alfred 1812. 33. BENJAMIN 4 MERRIMAN, son of Moses 3 (No. 17), was born at Wallingford 21 Jan 1722, died after 1764; married at Wallingford 2 Jan 1744/5 Susannah Crittenden of Dur- ham. On 20 April 1747 he was of Wallingford, but on 19 Feb 1747/8 he was " of Farmington in Southington " (W T all- ingford Deeds, vol. 10, pp. 352, 453). He was still living in Farmington on 28 Feb 1764, when Martha and Lent Merri- man of Wallingford and Benjamin Merriman of Farmington deeded land in Wallingford (Ibid, vol. 15, p. 665). There ha A been found the recordf..o-only one child: AMOS, S born in Wallingford 20 Oct 1745. 34. MOSES 4 MERRIMAN, son of Moses 3 (No. 17), was born at Wallingford 14 Feb 1728, died in the French and Indian war 20 Sept 1758; married about 1752 Joanna Mix, daughter of Daniel and Lydia Mix, who was born at Wal- lingford 13 March 1726; she married, second, 14 March 1761 Jacob Teal. Moses enlisted 6 April 1758 in the 2nd regiment ist company, Capt. Wadsworth commanding, and Avas reported dead the following September. Administra- 166 MERRIMAN GENEALOGY tion on his estate was granted to his widow Joanna in Feb 1759. Probably the only child was: THANKFUL, 6 baptized at Southington 14 July 1754. 35. LENT 4 MERRIMAN, son of Moses 3 (No. 17), was born at Wallingford 25 May 1731, died at Southington 3 Sept 1800; married at Wallingford 30 Jan 1754 Katharine Wright who was buried at Cheshire n Jan 1797. Children, all born in Wallingford : LucY, 6 born 14 Feb 1755; married at Cheshire 5 Dec 1776 Caleb Barnes. JOEL, born n Sept 1756, died at Cheshire 17 April 1811; married 13 Feb 1775 Lue Hitchcock, daughter of Benjamin and Rhoda (Cook) Hitchcock, born 24 March 1755, died 1819. His will was made 15 April 1811 and proved 8 May 1811 (Walling- ford Probate, vol. 7, p. 456). Children baptised at Cheshire: Joel 6 1778, Mary 1781, Ezra 1782. MAMRE, born 30 June 1758; married at Cheshire 3 Feb 1783 Asahel Tillotson. KATHARINE, born 23 May 1760; married at Cheshire 16 March 1780 Amos Bunnell. MOSES, born 30 Oct 1761, died at Hamden before 1815; mar- ried at Fair Haven Nov 1787 Lois Wantwood; he served in the Revolution. Children baptised at Hamden 18 Aug 1795: Betsey, 6 Henry, Harvey, Welthy, Eliza; others baptised, Lewis 1800, Welthy Maria 1802, Marcus 1804. BENJAMIN, born i Nov 1763; married Mary Everton, daughter of William and Isabel (Holbrook) Everton, who was born in East Haven in 1762. He was living in New Haven in 1796 and 1810. Child: William. 6 ESTHER, born 19 January 1766. LENT, born 6 Nov 1768, died at Southington i April 1817. MARTHA, born 5 November 1770. EUNICE, born 23 Feb 1773; married at New Haven 8 Jan 1794 William Trowbridge who was born 23 July 1772 and died Jan. 1818. FOURTH AND FIFTH GENERATIONS 167 36. CALEB* MERRIMAN, son of Eliasaph 3 (No. 18), was born at Wallingford 3 Sept 1725, died there 6 Aug 1797; married at Wallingford 12 May 1747 Margaret Robinson, daughter of Capt. Josiah and Ruth (Merriam) Robinson, who was born at Wallingford 26 June 1729, died there July 1795. The will of Margaret Merriman, made 4 July 1795, was proved 18 Aug 1795 (Wallingford Probate, vol. 4, p. 94). Children, all born in Wallingford: JosiAH, 8 born 25 March 1748; married at Wallingford 8 March 1781 Lydia, daughter of John and Lydia (Ford) Johnson and widow of Robert Simpson. He served in the Revolution, enlist- ing 28 Dec 1776, and was promoted to Corporal 10 July 1778; was a cooper by trade; was living in 1805. Children: Josiah 6 1781, Robert 1784, Horace, 1786, Lydia 1793. REBECCA, born 7 Nov 1750; married Edward Collins. JESSE, born 25 Dec 1752, died young. Q/< CALEB, born 4 April 1754, was living in 1805; married 1 2 Deep 1775 Sarah Rice/'t^hlldren: Enoch 6 1777, Lucy 1778, Levi 1783, Hervey 1787. ENOCH, born 7 Dec 1755, served in the Revolution from i Jan 1777 to 10 May 1782 when he was discharged for disability. abby Bishop (New Haven Deeds, vol. 39, p. 457). HOWELL, died unmarried at Wallingford in 1805. JESSE, born 5 Oct 1759, died at Meriden in 1827; married 15 Jan 1784 Dolly Ives, daughter of Titus and Dorothy (Halsey) Ives, who was born 18 July 1760. Administration on his estate was granted to his son Ho well 14 Dec 1827 (Wallingford Probate, vol. 12, p. 218). He served in the Revolution. Children: Joel 6 1784, Salina 1786, Ira 1789, Ives 1792, Sally 1795, Eunice 1798, Howell 1801, Charles 1807. RUTH, married John Wade. CHRISTOPHER, married at Berlin 26 Nov 1789 Polly Bronson. On 6 Feb 1807 administration on his estate was granted to Oliver Collins of Whitestown, N. Y. He served in the Revolu- tion from 27 July to 6 Dec. 1780. Left issue, not traced. 168 MERRIMAN GENEALOGY 37. TITUS 4 MERRIMAN, son of Eliasaph 3 (No. i8),was born at Wallingford 28 August 1727, died at Meriden about 1806; married at Wallingford 20 Feb 1748/9 Dinah An- drews, daughter of Elisha and Mabel (Andrews) Andrews, who was born 23 March 1729. His will was made 27 April 1798 and proved 19 Jan 1807 (Wallingford Probate, vol. 6, p. 276). Children, all born at Wallingford: ELISHA, B born 21 Sept 1749, died at Meriden in 1814. He married (i) at Wallingford 3 June 1773 Mary Hawley who died 15 Nov 1774; child, Zepheny 6 1774. He married (2) Damaris - who died 7 Aug 1781; children, Mary 6 1777, Zepheny 1780. He married (3) 25 Dec 1782 Chloe Merriman (see No. 32) who was born 13 July 1765; children, Damaris, 6 Chloe, Orrin, Iram 1800. CHARLES, born 31 Oct 1751, died 28 May 1823; married 10 Aug 1775 Rachel Cowles who was born 6 Jan 1757 and died 10 Sept 1826. Children: Betsy 6 1776, Benoni 1778, Rachel 1780, Charles Johnson 1782, Rachel 1784, Titus 1786, Lois 1788, Ebenezer C. 1791, Elisha 1793, Lois 1796, Joel 1799. EUNICE, born about 1754, died n Sept 1756. EUNICE, born n June 1757; married Enos Ives. j. ii , . born 10 May 1 760^6^ 1832; married at Hartford, Conn., Anna Perkins, daughter of ^QQtB; removed to Colborne, Ont., about 1796. Children: Hiram 6 1791, Rebecca 1792, Isaiah 1796, Triphena 1800, Titus 1806, Caroline 1809, James ABIGAIL, born 8 Nov 1762; married at Cheshire 9 Jan 1784 Zenas Mitchel. SALLY, born 21 March 1764; married at Wallingford 24 May 1786 Asahel Yale. TITUS, born 1768, removed to Bristol, Conn., where he died in 1848. Children: Henry, 6 George 1810, Eli Todd 1815, Caroline. ELIZABETH, born 1771; married Aaron Holt. FOURTH AND i IFTH GENERATIONS 169 38. AMASA 4 MERRIMAN, son of Eliasaph 3 (No. 18) was born at Wallingford 17 June 1729; married first, at Wal- lingford 26 Sept 1750 Sarah Ives, daughter of Stephen and Sarah (Hart) Ives, who was born 29 May 1733, died 29 July 1776; married second, 18 Feb 1778 widow Tabitha (Sexton) Adkins. He was in Capt. Hough's company in the alarms at New Haven and Fairfield in July 1779. Children; all born in Wallingford: HANNAH,* born 14 July 1751, died 29 Sept 1751. PHEBE, born 25 Dec 1752, died 20 Oct 1753. MARY, born 19 Nov 1754, died 17 Oct 1755. AMASA, born 10 Oct 1757, died 25 Feb 1758. SARAH, born u May 1759. CHARLES, born 29 Aug 1762, died 26 Aug 1829; married at Waterbury 16 May 1784 Anna Punderson, daughter of David and Thankful (Todd) Punderson, who was born at New Haven 5 Oct 1763 and died at Watertown i April 1844. He served as drum-major in the Revolution; settled at Watertown, Conn. Children: Betsey 8 1786, William Henry 1788, Nancy 1792, Charles P. 1794, Nancy 1796, Charles P. 1798, Anna 1801, Frederick 1803, William Punderson 1805, George F. 1808. PHEBE, born 22 Aug 1765, died 20 Oct 1765. AMASA, born 2 June 1767, died 7 June 1843; went in 1794 as a pioneer to Canada where he settled as a farmer at Hatley, Stanstead County, Que.; married at Guildhall, Vt. 17 March 1792 Ann Hall, daughter of Levi and Luranna Hall, who was born in 1776 at Enfield, Conn. Children: Sally 6 1793, Isaac Hosea 1794, Amasa 1796, Joseph 1798, Harvey 1800, Elizabeth 1802, Nathaniel 1804, Titus 1806, Lewis 1808, Charles P 1810, Sally 1812, Nancy Ann 1815, Ira Mooney 1817. JOSEPH, born 17 January 1769. BENJAMIN, born 17 Oct 1771, died 18 May 1774. 39. ELIASAPH 4 MERRIMAN, son of Eliasaph 3 (No. 18), was born at Wallingford 2 Nov 1736, died there in 1815; 170 MERRIMAN GENEALOGY married there 13 Jan 1762 Jerusha Mattoon. He executed his will 28 April 1803 and a codicil 3 Oct 1812; the will was proved 25 May 1815 (Wallingford Probate, vol. 9, p. 180). Children, all born in Wallingford: AMOS, born i Dec 1762, lived at Cheshire, removed to Scott County, Ky., about 1800, died there; married Abigail who died in Sangamon County, 111. Children born at Cheshire: Polly 6 1786, Lyman 1789, Reuben 1790, Lyman 1792, Abigail 1795- ABIGAIL, born 6 July 1764; married 31 Dec 1787 Titus Preston who was born 27 Nov 1764 and died i May 1842. EUNICE, born n May 1766. ELIAKIM, born 2 July 1769, died 15 Aug 1780. POLLY, born 10 September 1773. REUBEN, born 9 Sept 1775, died 18 June 1790. ASAPH, born i July 1778, died at Wallingford in 1830; married Eunice . Administration on his estate was granted to his son Andrew 17 Sept 1830 (Wallingford Probate, vol. 13, p. 57). He served in the Revolution. Children: Andrew 6 1802, Silas 1806. Julia 1809, Charles 1811, Sarah 1812. ELIAKIM, born 7 October 1780. ESTHER; married 20 Jan 1803 Isaac 6 Merriman (see No. 28). The above genealogy includes 422 persons born with the name Merriman, there being one of the first generation, ii of the second, 21 of the third, 68 of the fourth, 124 of the fifth, and 197 of the sixth generation. It also refers to over 300 persons who were connected with the family by marriage. APPENDIX INDEX 171 THE HISTORICAL YEAR AND THE LEGAL YEAR DURING most of the period covered by the preceding records, there were in use two methods of beginning and ending the year. The historical year began on January i and ended on December 31, while the legal year began on March 25 and ended on March 24. Consequently there is often some uncertainty regarding the year to which a given date belongs when that date lies between January i and March 24 inclusive. When the double notation 1693/4 or 169! was used in a record, there is no uncertainty, for it means that the legal year 1693 had not ended although the historical year 1694 had begun. But when a date like 20 February 1675 is given, it may be uncertain whether it was intended for the legal year 1675 and the historical year 1676, or whether it was meant for the historical year 1675 and the legal year 1674. The historical year was used in the common affairs of life, and all almanacs were based upon it. The writer has examined many almanacs of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, and finds that they all begin with January i and end with December 31, and that they contain no reference whatever to the legal year. New Year's Day was celebrated in England on January i, as we learn from the Diary of 173 174 APPENDIX Samuel Pepys, it being a time when gifts were exchanged and accounts balanced. In New England it was a day of lesser importance, and the Diary of Samuel Sewall makes no reference to it during the seventeenth century. Under date of January i H~&f> however, he mentions that the new century was ushered in by trumpet blasts. The legal year coincided with the fiscal year of the govern- ment of England. In this method of reckoning March was often called the first month, April the second month, and so on, February being the twelfth month. Thus on page 95, the first note from the Wallingford records is dated "31.11.69," this meaning 31 January 1669/70. The legal year was used in state and town records, and slao) generally in church records. Probably nearly all of the dates prior to 1753 given in the preceding pages without double notation, are for the legal year. In 1752 the Gregorian calendar replaced the previous Julian calendar in England and America, and at the same time the legal year was abolished. After 1752, then, dates are always given for the historical year. Almanacs for 1752 contain no days between September 2 and September 14, and hence this year, in England and America, had only 355 days. Some writers inadvisedly extend the Gre- gorian calendar backward to dates preceding 1752, but in this volume all dates are given as they occur on the records. George Washington was born on February n, 1732, of the Julian calendar; in celebrating this day on February 22, we commit serious error. INDEX This Index includes only American Merrimans and persons descended from them or connected with them by marriage. Many English Merri- mans are mentioned on pages 33, 34, 48, 107-133. Abernathy, Jemima, 142 Sarah, 147, 151 Susannah, 147 William, 147 Adams, John Merriman, 20, 32, 107, 121, 128 Addis, Eva Merriman, 16, 17 Adkins, Tabitha, 169 Albright, Mina Clark, 13 Alexander, Lydia, 164 Medad, 164 Allen, Archelaus, 161 Ebenezer, 155 Elizabeth, 155 Laura, n Mehi table, 161 Sarah, 155 Ailing, Archelaus, 161 Prudence, 161 Andrews, Damaris, 164 Dinah, 168 Elisha, 1 68 Elizabeth, 153 Felix, 146 Hannah, 145 Andrews, John, 145 Mabel, 168 Mary Ann, 10 Thomas, 146 Atkins, Eunice, 157 Sabrina, 157 Samuel, 157 Atwater, Hannah, 159 Moses, 143 Sarah, 143 Stephen, 159 Atwood, D. P., 15 Austin, John, 161 Prudence, 161 Backes, S. M. (Mrs.), n, 15, 17 Baldwin, Carlisle H. (Mr. and Mrs.), 15 Barnes, Bessie C., 15, 17 Deborah, 141 Julia R., n, 16 Lucy, 157 Bartholemew, Hannah, 158 John, 154 Josiah, 152 175 176 INDEX Bartholemew, Phebe, 152 Samuel, 158 Sarah, 154 Beach, Azariah, 152 Benjamin, 140 Jemima, 142 Martha, 152 Mary, 140 Nathaniel, 142 Sarah, 160 Thomas, 160 Beckley, Helen Frost, 10 Bell, Clara Merriman, 12, 85, 86 Benham, Abigail, 58, 140 Comfort, 148 Elizabeth, 160 Hope, 140, 1 60 John, 148 Joseph, 58, 139, 140, 160 Mary, 58, 140 Winifred, 139 Benedict, Esther, 140 Bennett, Arthur H., n, 88 Bidwell, Ephraim, 146 Elizabeth, 146 Billard, Harriet Merriman, to, 14 Bishop, Nabby, 167 Black, John M., 9, 91 Blakeslee, Oliver, 147 Susannah, 147 Blanchard, Emma G. M., 12 Bonticou, Susan, 156 Susannah, 156 Timothy, 156 Bronson, Polly, 167 Brooks, Arabella, 15 Ella Finch, 15 Brown, Lydia, 157 Buell, Andrew (Mr. and Mrs.), 15, 58 Buell, Carleton, W., 9 Fred (Mrs.), 15 Jennie Merriman, 10, 58 Oscar (Mr. and Mrs.), 15 Bull, Jane S. Lewis, 10, 89 Bunnell, Amos, 166 Katharine, 166 Butler, Mary A., 10, 14 Campbell, Gabriel (Mrs.), 12 Carter, Daniel, 155 Jemima, 155 Catterlin, Frank C., n Chamberlain, Anna, 151 Ephraim, 151 Chatterton, Elizabeth, 141 Church, W. B. (Mr. and Mrs.), 15 Clark, Charity, 159 Damaris, 141 Elliot A., 12 Isaiah Merriman, n Samuel, 140 Sarah, 159 Stephen, 160 Sylvanus, 141 Clendenen, Archibald, 164 Rebecca, 164 Collins, Edward, 167 Martha, 142 Rebecca, 167 Cook, Ephraim, 145 Hannah, 146 Hope, 140, 1 60 Lydia, 145 Mary, 140 Rhoda, 1 66 Samuel, 140, 146 Sarah, 146, 149 Titus, 149 Cowles, Rachel, 168 INDEX 177 Grain, John, 141 Doolittle, Sarah, 147 Mary, 141 Durham, Abigail, 140 Cranston, Clara L., 13 Samuel, 140 Crittenden, Susannah, 165 Cross, Joseph, 163 Earngey, Frances S., u, 86 Polly, 163 Eliot, Abial, 162 Grossman, Anna, 144 Margery, 162 Bartholomew, 144 Mary, 162 Crowle, Kate G., 9 Evans, Eleanor Frances, 11,85 Culver, Eleanor, 158 Everton, Isabel, 166 Rachel, 158 Mary, 166 Zebulon, 158 William, 166 Curtis, Abigail, 58, 142 Elizabeth, 58, 141 Fairchild, Lucius (Mrs.), 87 Esther, 161 Fales, Charles H. (Mrs.), 10 George M., 3, 10, 15, 18, 19, 25, Farmer, Lucy Merriman, 12, 16 58,70 Fitch, Nathaniel, 157 Hannah, 58, 142 Mary, 157 Jemima, 58, 142 Fisk, George W. (Mrs.), 10, 87 John, 58, 141, .142 Ford, Lydia, 167 Joseph, 58, 142 Paul G., 14 Martha, 142 R. W. (Mr. and Mrs.), 14 Mary, 58, 140, 141 Francis, Emily J., 16 Nathaniel, 58, 141 L. A. (Mrs.), 1 6 Phebe, 141 Frederick, Elizabeth, 145 Rebecca, 58, 142 William, 145 Samuel, 58, 141 Frost, Adelaide L., 16 Sarah, 58, 142 Minnie C., 16 Thomas, 58, 141, 142 Reuben T., 10 Ruth, 162 Davis, Leona, 15 Samuel, 162 William H. (Mr. and Mrs.), 15 De Forest, Betsy, 156 Gillette, Mary, 139 Othniel, 156 Goddard, William H. (Mrs.), Doolittle, Abraham, 145, 151 ii, 15, 17, 18, 29 Daniel, 152 Goodyear, Caroline Merriman, 10, Eunice, 153 15 Martha, 152 Esther M., 15 Mary, 145 Gordon, Susan, 156 Samuel, 153 Griffith, George W. (Mrs.), 10 178 INDEX Hall, Agnes E., n, 16 Ann, 169 Benjamin, 159 David, 150 Elizabeth, 160 Eunice, 159, 163 Giles, 1 60 Hezekiah, 160 Jesse, 158 Julia M., 16, 17 Levi, 169 Luranna, 169 Lydia, 157 Mehitabel, 150 Nathaniel, 141, 158 Peter, 157 Robbins A., 16 Sarah, 141, 150, 157 Seth J. (Mrs.), 10, 14 Statira, 159 Susannah, 159 Thankful, 160 Hallenbeck, E. R. (Mrs.), 16 Halsey, Dorothy, 167 Hamilton, John (Mrs.), 9 Hart, Irving W., n Roxana, 157 Sara Merriman, 12, 89 Sarah, 169 Harwood, Lydia, 163 John, 163 Hawks, Eleazer, 163 Mary, 163 Hawley, Mary, 168 Hayes, Harriet M., 10, 84 Hebard, Abigail, 163 Timothy, 163 Hemingway, Buell (Mr. and Mrs.), n, 16 Hill. C. R. t 16 Hitchcock, Abigail, 58, 140 Benjamin, 58, 141, 166 Damaris, 58, 141 Deborah, 141 Elizabeth, 140, 141 Hannah, 58, 141 John, 58, 140, 141 Katharine, 163 Lue, 1 66 Mary, 58, 140, 158 Margery, 58, 141 Marlow, 141 Matthias, 58, 140, 141 Nathaniel, 58, 140 Rhoda, 1 66 Samuel, 58, 140, 158 Sarah, 141 Sophronia, 158 Thankful, 141 Holbrook, Isabel, 166 Holt, Aaron, 168 Abigail, 142 Elizabeth, 168 Joseph, 142 Hotchkiss, Beersheba, 165 Hough, Sarah, 141 How, Sarah, 141 Hulls, Abigail, 153 Benjamin, 153 Elizabeth, 153 Jeremiah, 149, 151 Mary, 149 Huffman, Maude Merriman, 13, 84 Humphrey, Julia Merriman, 12, 35 Hunt, John, 162 Mary, 162 Ives, Amelia Frost, 12, 85 Dolly, 167 Dorothy, 167 INDEX 179 Ives, Elizabeth, 141 Judd, Clinton (Mrs.), n, 85 Esther, 140 Homer Arden, 13 Gideon, 58, 140 Hannah, 58, 139, 140 King, Carrie Frost, n Joel (Mrs.), 15 Klingke, Gertrude, 14 John, 58, 139 Paul (Mrs.), 14 Joseph, 58, 140 Mary, 139, 140 Lawrence, Harriet Merriman, 12 Nathaniel, 58, 140 Leete, Mary, 162 Sarah, 155, 169 William, 162 Stephen, 169 Lewis, Agape, 59, 146 Titus, 167 Amy, 159 William, 139 Barnabas, 59, 146 Benjamin, 59, 146 Jacobus, Donald, L., r, 3, 10, 18. Caleb, 146 23, 60, 137 Ebenezer, 59, 145 James, Samuel, 164 Elizabeth, 59, 145, 146 Susanna, 164 Ella Bull, 12 Jennings, Sarah Lewis, 140 Esther, 146 Johnson, Abigail, 140 Felix, 146 Edward M. (Mr. and Mrs.), n, Hannah, 59, 146 16 Hezekiah, 145 George Ransom, 10, 14, 58 Jane S., 89 Hezekiah, 149 Malachi, 59, 146 Jacob, 140 Mary, 145 John, 167 Sarah, 140, 146 Joseph R., 14 Lines, Alice, 142 Katharine, 163 Beersheba, 165 Lambert, 142 Hannah, 58, 142 Lydia, 167 Mary, 140 Rebecca, 142 Ralph, 142 Ruth, 149 Rufus, 165 Sherborne, 163 Samuel, 140 Jones, Eunice, 151 Sarah, 165 Hannah, 164 Lockwood (Mr. and Mrs.), 9 Nathaniel, 153 Lynch, Helen Merriman, 13 Sarah, 153 Theophilus, 164 MacKenzie, William A., n, 16, William, 151 17, 18 Judd, Asa G., 13 McKenzie, Eunice, 15 180 INDEX McKenzie, Fannie L., 15, 23 Theodore H. (Mr. and Mrs.), 10, 15 Samuel H., 10, 15 McMahon, George Porter, 12 Macklam, George F., 12 Mansfield, Comfort, 148 Silence, 148 Martin, George B. (Mr. and Mrs.), 10, 15 Jackson (Mrs.), 10, 15 Mattoon, Ebenezer, 160 Jerusha, 170 Martha, 160 Mary, 164 Samuel, 164 Matthews, Esther, 146 Lucy, 156, 157 Merriam, John, 121, 143 Mary, 121, 143 Ruth. 167 Susan E., 9, 14, 59 Merriman, Abel, 88, 149, 150, 162, 163 Abigail 2 , 22, 23, 56, 57, 58, 140 Abigail, 58, 143, 153, 163, 165, 168, 170 Adeline, 164 Agnes, 12 Albert, 157 Alfred, 165 Alice M., 10, 15, 21, 47, 108 Alice P., 13, 87 Almira, 164 Almon, 157 Alvin, F., 9, 88 Amasa, 84, 85, 153, 170 Amon Hart, 157 Amos, 165. 169 Merriman, Amy, 159 Amy Lewis, 159 Andrew, 170 Ann, 169 Anna, 59, 143, 151, 152, 155, 168, 169 Anne, 150 Anson, 155 Artemesia, 162 Arthur H., 10, 14 Asaph, 170 Auguste C., 13 Belle, 12, 83 Benjamin, 152, 165, 166, 169 Benjamin Hall, 159 Benoni, 83, 84, 86, 168 Betsey, 156, 157, 163, 166, 169 Betsy, 164, 1 68 Caleb 2 , 22, 23, 26, 56, 57, 59, 77-81, 84, 85, 86, 103, 105, !3 8 , !39> J 44, 148 Caleb, 58, 83, 142, 143, 149, 150, 152, 153, 155, 159, 162, 167 Caroline, 168 Charles, 153, 167, 168, 169, 170 Charles C., 12 Charles F., 12,84 Charles H., 13, 16 Charles Johnson, 168 Charles N., 11,89 Charles P., 169 Charity, 159 Chauncey, 155 Chloe, 164, 168 Christopher, 167 Clara, 12, 1 6, 85, 86 Comfort, 148 Damaris, 164, 168 Dana Sibley, 9 INDEX 181 Merriman, Daniel, 88, 143, 147, 164 David, 150, 1 60 Dervilla, 155 Dinah, 168 Doctor, 157 Dolly, 167 E. A. (Mr. and Mrs.), 14, 25 E. L. (Mr. and Mrs.), 13, 16 Earl C., 12, 16 Earl Jefferson, 157 Ebenezer, 58, 153, 155 Ebenezer C., 168 Eber, 148, 157 Edson, 14 Edward, 162 Edward D., n Edward M., 9, 87 Edward W., 9, 14 Eli Ives (Mrs.), 15 Eli T., 13, 90 Eli Todd, 83, 91, 168 Eliakim, 170 Eliasaph, 59, 85, 145, 153, 169 Elihu C., 163 Elijah, 164 Eliot, 162 Eliot Hall, 162 Elisha, 1 68 Elsie, 16 Eliza, 157, 166 Elizabeth 2 , 22, 23, 56, 57, 59 Elizabeth, 58, 59, 88, 142, 143, 145, 148, 149, 153, 155, 156, 160, 162, 165, 168, 169 EmmaG., 12 Emily, 164 Emily A., 15 Emily E., n Enoch, 153, 167 Ernest A., 15 Merriman, Esther, 58, 143, 152, 166, 170 Eunice, 151, 152, 153, 159, 163, 165, 166, 167, 168, 170 Eunice Atwater, 159 Eva, 16 Ezra, 157, 166 F. B., 87 F. E. (Mrs.), 16 Florence, 12, 83 Floyd, 15 Frances, 156 Frances A., 14 Frank B., n Frank W., 12, 16 Franklin, 158 FredK., n Frederick, 169 George, 9, 13, 14, 58, 83, 84, 143, 147, 149, 154, 155, 158, 159, 162, 168 George B., 3, n, 16, 17, 18, 19, 86, 106, 109, 125 George C., 13 George Elliot, 12 George F., 169 George Isaiah, 9 George M., 9, 14 George Macy, 14 George N., n, 89 George O., 84 George W., 12 Gertrude B., n, 87 H. O., 12 Hannah 2 , 22, 23, 56, 58, 86, 138, 139, 145 Hannah, 59, 142, 147, 152, 156, 158, 159, 163, 164, 169 Harmon, 157 Harold T., 13, 16 182 INDEX Merriman, Harriet, 10, 12, 14, 84, 159 Harry Morton, 1 1 Harvey, 166, 169 Hattie, 15 Helen, 13 Helen C., n Henry, 9, 14, 162, 166, 168 Henry J., 10, 15, 59 Hervey, 167 Hester, 164 Hiram, 162, 168 Horace, 167 Howell, 167 Ichabod, 154, 155 Ira, 167 Ira Mooney, 169 Iram, 168 Isaac, 162, 170 Isaac Hosea, 169 Isaac Lewis, 159 Isaiah, 168 Israel, 58, 142, 143, 148, 149, 158 Ives, 167 James, 85, 156, 158 James Leigh, u, 16, 26, 59 James Monroe, 168 James Stillman, 157 Jefferson Davis, 13, 87 Jehiel, 152, 164, 165 Jelin, 148 Jemima, 148, 155 Jennie. 10, 58 Jerusha, 150, 170 Jesse, 164, 167 Joan, 22, 24. 67, 77, 137, 138 Joanna, 165 Joel, 154, 155, 166, 167, 168 Joel Chauncey, 12, 86 Merriman, John 2 , 22, 23, 25, 26, 5 6 > 57, S8, 79, 95, 98-103, 138, 139, 142, 143 John, 24, 58, 85, 142, 143, 147, 148, 149, 155, .156 John J., 10, 85 Joseph, 85, 148, 155, 158, 169 Joseph R., 10 Josephine A., n Josiah, 167 Josiah H. (Mrs.), 10, 15 Julia, 12, 85, 165, 170 Katharine, 144, 151, 152, 166 Laura, 159 Lent, 152, 153, 165, 166 Leonard, 155 Leonard J., 12, 16, 26 Levi, 163, 167 Lewis, 166, 169 Lois, 147, 154, 165, 166, 168 Lorena Beatrice, 12, 84 Lorenzo, 157 Lovisa, 157 Lowly, 155 Louise B., 12, 83 Lucius H., ii Lucy, 12, 156, 157, 161, 162, 166, 167 Lue, 1 66 Lydia, 59, 145, 156, 157, 163, 164, 165, 167 Lyman, 170 M. Hemingway, 12 M. LaFrone, 12, 16, 21, 26, 90 Mabel, 155, 162 Mamre, 166 Mansfield, 3, 12, 16, 18, 19, 21, 24, 26, 28, 64, 107, 155 Marcus, 155, 156, 159, 166 Margaret, 167 INDEX 183 Merriman, Martha, 152, 160, 163, 164, 165, 166 Mary 2 , 22, 23, 56, 57, 58, 141 Mary, 58, 59, 105, 121, 143, 144, 149, 151, 152, 153, 155, 157, 159, 161, 162, 163, 164, 166, 168, 169 Mary E., n Mary Elizabeth, 10, 15 Mattie, n Maude, 13, 84 Maurice H., 13, 88 Mehitabel, 150, 158, 161 Melia, 158 Mercy, 163 Miles, 144, 152 Molly, 147 Moses, 59, 145. i5 2 > I S3, 165, 1 66 Nabby, 167 Nancy, 157, 162, 163, 169 Nancy Ann, 169 Nathan, 147, 154 NATHANIEL, 1 I, 3, 5, 30, 62, 133, 137; ancestry, 19, 20, 32-34, 108, 112, 123, 131, 133; birth, 18, 20, 36, 108, 120; boyhood, 36, 106; voy- age to America, 20, 38, 41; in Pequot war, 21, 43; in New Haven, 21, 45-56, 104; in Wallingford, 24, 64-69, 73, 95-103, 105, 106, 139; in King Philip's war, 25, 65, 67, 70- 76; death, 20, 23; wife, 22, 24, 52, 67; children, 22, 24, 56, 67, 138-146; will and estate, 25, 26, 31, 77-82 Nathaniel*, 25, 57, 74, 76, 95- 98, 104, 105, 138, 139 Merriman, Nathaniel, 59, 144, 149, 161, 162, 164, 169 Nicholas, 144, 152 Norman Mansfield, 155 Norman Nathaniel, 12 O. P. (Mrs.), ii Olcott, 158 Orrin, 168 Patience, 155 Peleg, 157 Perez, 157 Phebe, 59, 106, 145, 152, 165, 169 Philendia, 85 Phineas, 150, 161 Polly, 163, 164, 167, 170 Porter Lee, 12, 16, 17, 19, 25 Prudence, 161 Rachel, 158, 168 Rebecca, 164, 167, 168 Reuben, 158, 170 Richard Mansfield, 13, 84 Robert, 163, 167 Roger B,, 3, 12, 16, 18, 19, 21. Rogers, 158 [38, 122 Rosanna, 155 Roswell, 157 Roxanna, 155, 157 Ruth, 149, 162, 167 Ruth Sedgwick, 159 Sabrina, 157 Sabrina Hastings, 157 Salina, 167 Salmon, 157 Sally, 156, 165, 167, 168, 169 Samuel 1 , 22, 23, 24, 26, 56, 57, 59, 79, 90, 95, 100-103, 138, 139. 143 Samuel, 59, 90, 107, 144, 150, 151, 152, 155, 156, 157, 159, 163, 164 184 INDEX Merriman, Samuel Fitch, 157 Samuel Green, 158 Samuel Sears, 12, 16, 19 Samuel Sedgwick, 163 Sara, 12, 89 Sarah, 14, 58, 143, 148, 149, 151, 152, 153, iS4, iSS, iS7, 158, 159, 160, 162, 163, 165, 167, 169, 170 Sarah Parmalee, 156 Sebrina, 158 Seth Hamilton, 90 Sherlett Eunice, 157 Silas, 148, 156, 157, 159, 170 Silas Atkins, 157 Statira, 159 Stephen, 152 Stillman, 157 Sophronia, 157, 158 Susanna, 156, 164 Susannah, 58, 143, 147, 154, iSS, 165 Sylvanus, 163, 164 Tabitha, 169 Thaddeus, 12, 16, 24 Thankful, 148, 150, 160, 165, 1 66 Theophilus, 59, 90, 144, 150, 151, 162, 163, 165 Thurston Cables, n Titus, 85, 153, 154, 155, 168, 169 Titus Lines, 165 Titus Mooney (Mrs.), 12, 85 Triphena, 168 Turhand, 153 Vinton R., 9 Wadsworth, 155 Wealthy, 166 Wealthy Maria, 166 William, 87, 155, 158, 166 Merriman, William B., 16 William Henry, 169 William Punderson, 169 Willis E., 12 Willis G., 12,84 Zepheny, 168 Zilpha, 163 Merwin, Daniel, 146 Elizabeth, 146 Miles, Anna, 144 Miller, Benjamin, 151 Mary, 151 Mix, Daniel, 165 Hannah, 164 Joanna, 165 Lydia, 165 Mitchel, Abigail, 168 Zenas, 168 Morgan, Mercy, 163 Moss, Esther, 161 John, 25 Jonathan, 161 Lucy, 161 Mary, 142 Munger, Agape, 146 Jonathan, 146 Munson, C. La Rue, 12, 86 Frances, 156 Joseph, 141 Lent, 145 Margery, 141 Marlow, 141 Mary, 105, 158 Moses, 152 Phebe, 106, 145, 152 Rebecca, 142 Samuel, 105, 144, 145 Waitstill, 106, 145 William, 142 INDEX 185 Neal, Hannah, 158 Stoddard, 158 Walter H., 10 Neale, Elisha J. (Mrs.), 16 Newton, Charles M., ir Nourse, Mattie Merriman, n Page, Clara Merriman, 16 JoeL 161 Mehitabel, 161 Theophilus, 161 Parker, Laura, 159 Joseph, 142 Sarah, 142 Parmalee, Sally, 156 Peck, Elizabeth, 58, 142 Joel, 161 John, 142 Lucy, 161 Margery, 141 Mary, 142, 159 Ruth, 149 Stephen, 141 Perkins, Anna, 168 Anna Q., 14 Enoch. 168 Pierce, Hattie Merriman, 15 Pitel, JohnC. (Mrs.), 15 Pousley, Elizabeth, 155 Poyer, Lydia C., 11,88 Powers, Sally Andrews, n, 16 Perley (Mrs.), 17 Ruth, 16, 17 Pratt, J. H., 10 Preston, Abigail, 170 Eliasaph, 144 Elizabeth, 153 Ephraim, 153, 165 Esther, 153 Eunice, 153, 165 Preston, Mary, 59, 105, 144 Reuben, 153 Titus, 170 Prichard, Kate A., n, 16, 59 Punderson, Anna, 169 David, 169 Thankful, 169 Quigley, Auguste C. M., 13 Reed, William E., 12 Rice, Sarah, 167 Robbins, C. A. (Mr. and Mrs.), 15 Robinson, Margaret, 167 Josiah, 167 Ruth, 167 Rockwell, Sarah, 150 Rogers, Elijah (Mr. and Mrs.), 10, 15 Hannah, 157 Royce, Anna, 151 Benjamin, 151 Joseph, 145 Mary, 140, 145 Prudence, 161 Thankful, 150 Russell, Ellen M., 16 Savage, Sylvia Ann, 10 Sedgwick, Ruth, 149 Samuel, 149 Sexton, Tabitha, 169 Shattuck, Jennie Snow, 12 Shepard, Celia Adelaide, 10 Simpson, Lydia, 167 Robert. 167 Steele, H. Merriman, 10 Stephens, Hattie R., 9 Smith, Ella I., 10, 15 Stebbins, Asahel, 163 Lydia, 163 186 INDEX Street, Anna, 59, 143, 144 Elizabeth, 142 Katharine, 144 Nicholas, 144 Samuel, 142, 144 Sutliff, E. R., 9 Sutliffe, Claude V., 10 Frederick A., 10, 15, 58 Taylor, Eleanor, 158 Sarah, 151 Thomas, 151 Thompson, Hannah, 155 Mary, 140 Teal, Jacob, 165 Joanna, 165 Thorp, Abner, 147 Benjamin, 147 Hannah, 155 Mabel, 155 Molly, 147 Samuel, 147, 155 Susannah, 147 Tillotson, Asahel, 166 Mamre, 166 Todd, Elizabeth, 143 Gershom, 143 Michael, 142 Thankful, 169 Tomlinson, Caroline Merriman, n Townsend, Benjamin R. (Mrs.), 16 Treadway, Sarah Merriman, 14 Trowbridge, Eunice, 166 William, 166 Tune, Mary, 151 Turhand, Elizabeth, 145 Henry, 145 Tuttle, Deborah, 141 Ezekiel, 143 Ezra, 147 Tuttle, Isaiah, 157 Josiah, 141 Lovisa, 157 Rebecca, 155 Ruth, 157 Susannah, 143 W. P. (Mrs.), 10 Upson, Frederick Carter, 15 Hannah, 156 Van Nostrand, S. B., 13 Wade, John, 167 Ruth, 167 Wantwood, Lois, 166 Welcher, Sarah, 151 Thomas, 151 Welles, Elizabeth, 141 White, Eben (Mrs.), 9 Wightman, Eunice, 157 Wilcox, Jemima, 148 Lydia, 156 Mary, 144 Obadiah, 148 Silence, 148 Wilson, Ruth, 157 Wolcott, Charles W. (Mrs.), 10, 15 Marion A., 15 Woodruff, Oliver (Mrs.), 10 Woods, Agnes Merriman, 12 Wright, Elisha, 163 Katharine, 166 Sarah, 163 Yale, Asahel, 168 Mary, 140 Sally, 168 Thomas, 140 Young, Florence Merriman, 12, 83 UNSOLVED PROBLEMS Did Benjamin Merriman (No. 33, page 165) have a son named Abraham who went to Massachusetts? Who was the Samuel Merriman (page 158) said to have been the father of Reuben of Litchfield, Conn.? A Samuel Merriman is said to have been in Middletown, Conn., in 1751 and two Merriman girls were married there at later dates. Who were they? Benjamin Newbury, a prominent man of Windsor, Conn, died about 1710, and left a widow Hannah. In Colonial Records of Connecticut mention is made in 1716 of Mrs. Hannah Merri- man and in 1723 of Hannah Newbury alias Merriman. Who was her husband? Daniel Dimock and Thankful Merriman were married at Durham, Conn., 27 May 1762. He was born in 1738. Was this Thankful the daughter of John and Jemima Merriman (No. n, page 148)? If so, Daniel Dimock was seven years younger than his wife, a disparity unusual in those days. If not, who was this Thankful? 187 UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL A 000 020 760 5