Merriman Surname

Thomas Merriman was born circa 1510 in England, probably Oxfordshire. He died before July 22, 1559 in Witney, Oxfordshire, England.

Thomas was a weaver. His will was proven on May 22, 1552. His wife Joan survived him.

They had the following children:

1	Gregory Merriman
2	Joan Merriman was born circa 1532.
3	Alice Merriman was born circa 1534.
4	John Merriman was born circa 1536.
5	James Merriman was born circa 1538.
6	Marie Merriman was born circa 1540.

Gregory Merriman was born circa 1530 in Witney, Oxfordshire, England. He died in 1596 in Witney, Oxfordshire, England ²⁹.

Father: Thomas Merriman
Mother: Joan

Gregory was a weaver like his father. He lived in Witney.

They had the following children:

1	Elizabeth Merriman
2	George Merriman
3	Anna Merriman was born about January 23, 1560/61.
4	William Merriman was born circa 1564.
5	John Merriman was born circa 1567.
6	Henry Merriman was born about June 4, 1570.

George Merriman was born circa 1559 in Witney, Oxfordshire, England. He died in 1655 in London, Middlesex, England ²⁹.

Father: Gregory Merriman
Mother: Mary Ring

George moved away from the small town of Witney and he went to London. He was there married in about 1610, although the name of his wife is not known (one source says her name was Anna West). George was a cooper and was apparently in his 90's when he died.

They had the following children:

1	John Merriman was born circa 1611.
2	Nathaniel Merriman
3	Elizabeth Merriman was born circa 1615.
4	John Merriman was born circa 1617.

Nathaniel Merriman was born circa 1614 in London, Middlesex, England ³¹. He died on February 13, 1693/4 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut ³¹.

Father: George Merriman
Mother: unknown

Nathaniel became a Puritan as a young man and quickly decided to emigrate to America. At the age of 19, he joined the Puritan party which boarded the ship “Whale” and arrived in Boston, Mass., on May 26, 1632. Nathaniel soon afterwards went to Connecticut, where he was a soldier in the Pequot War of 1637. Nathaniel was accepted as planter by the town of New Haven, Conn., in 1640, where he settled.

Nathaniel moved with his family to Wallingford, CT in 1670. He was chosen in 1675 as Captain of troops during King Philip’s War, an Indian war. Nathaniel was a planter and also a selectman, town clerk and deputy for Wallingford, Conn.

Joan's maiden name is often cited as Lines, although there is no proof of her pre-marriage identity.

1	Nathaniel Merriman was born circa 1647 in New Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut. He died on December 19, 1675 in Rhode Island 31.
2	John Merriman was born circa 1649 in New Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut. He died on September 26, 1651 in New Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut 31.
3	Hannah Merriman was born on May 16, 1651 in New Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut 31. She married first John Ives on November 12, 1668 in New Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut 31. She married second Joseph Benham on August 17, 1682 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 31.
4	Grace Merriman was born circa 1654 in New Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut.
5	Abigail Merriman was born on April 18, 1654 in New Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut 31. She married John Hitchcock on January 18, 1669/70 in New Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut 31.
6	Sarah Merriman was born circa 1655 in New Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut.
7	Elizabeth Merriman was born circa 1657 in New Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut. She died before 1669 in New Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut.
8	Mary Merriman was born on June 12, 1657 in New Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut 31. She married Thomas Curtis on June 9, 1674 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 31.
9	John Merriman was born on February 28, 1659/60 in New Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut 31. He died in 1741 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 31. He married first Hannah Lines on March 28, 1683 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 31. He married second Elizabeth Peck on November 20, 1690 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 31. He married third Hannah Dewey circa 1710. He married fourth Elizabeth Brown after 1720.
10	Samuel Merriman was born on September 29, 1662 in New Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut 31. He died on September 25, 1694 31. He married Anna Street.
11	Caleb Merriman
12	infant twins Merriman were born and died in 1667 in New Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut 31.
13	Elizabeth Merriman was born on September 14, 1669 in New Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut 31. She died on February 2, 1749/50 in Cheshire, New Haven Co., Connecticut 31. She married first Ebenezer Lewis on December 2, 1685 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 31. She married second William Frederick after 1685.

Caleb Merriman was born in May 1665 in New Haven, New Haven County, Connecticut ³¹. He died on July 19, 1703 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut ^29,31.

Father: Nathaniel Merriman
Mother: Joan

He was baptized on June 25, 1665 in New Haven. Caleb had the military title of "Corporal" and probably served in King William's War. Could he have died as a result of Queen Anne's War?

Mary was the daughter of Eliasaph Preston and Mary Wilcoxson.

1	Moses Merriman was born on October 31, 1691 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 31. He died on February 4, 1743/4 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 31. He married Martha Beach on February 6, 1712/3 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 31.
2	Elizabeth Merriman was born on May 4, 1693 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 31. She died December 24, 1775 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 31. She married Henry Turhand on November 4, 1712 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 31. She married Joseph Royce after 1712.
3	Eliasaph Merriman
4	Hannah Merriman was born on September 10, 1697 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 31. She died on September 27, 1738 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 31. She married John Andrews on July 19, 1714 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 31.
5	Phebe Merriman was born on September 11, 1699 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 31. He died in December 1772 31. She married Waitstill Munson on December 10, 1719 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 31.
6	Lydia Merriman was born on September 8, 1701 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 31. She died in 1701-1702 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut.
7	Lydia Merriman was born on November 12, 1702 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 31. She died on December 25, 1785 in Cheshire, New Haven Co., Connecticut 31. She married Ephraim Cook.

Eliasaph Merriman was born on May 20, 1695 in Wallingford, New Haven County, Connecticut ^29,30,31. He died on August 19, 1758 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut ^29,30,31.

Father: Caleb Merriman
Mother: Mary Preston

Eliasaph died on August 19, 1758 in Wallingford, New Haven County, CT, just a few days after his youngest daughter was struck by lightning. His widow Abigail died in 1774. Eliasaph served in the military company in Wallingford, he was an ensign in 1735, a lieutenant in 1740 and captain in 1743.

Abigail was the daughter of Benjamin Hull and Elizabeth Andrews.

1	Eunice Merriman was born on October 7, 1720 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 30. She died on January 12, 1720/1 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 30.
2	Eunice Merriman was born on December 24, 1721 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 30. She married Samuel Doolittle on December 9, 1747 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 30. She married Ephraim Preston on March 25, 1754 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut.
3	Sarah Merriman was born on November 18, 1723 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 30. She married Nathaniel Jones on June 8, 1743 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 30.
4	Caleb Merriman was born on September 3, 1725 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 30. He died on August 6, 1797 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut. He married Margaret Robinson on May 12, 1747 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut.
5	Titus Merriman was born on August 28, 1727 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 30. He died on December 24, 1808 in Meridan, Connecticut. He married Dinah Andrews on February 20, 1748/9 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut.
6	Amasa Merriman was born on June 17, 1729 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 30. He died in 1794. He married Sarah Ives on September 26, 1750 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut. He married second Tabitha Sexton on February 18, 1778.
7	Enoch Merriman was born on May 1, 1731 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 30. He died on June 14, 1731 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 30.
8	Elizabeth Merriman was born on July 27, 1732 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 30. She died after 1787. She married Reuben Preston on May 25, 1756 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 30.
9	Esther Merriman was born on December 2, 1734 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 30. She died on May 25, 1787 30. She married Ephraim Preston on April 5, 1762 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 30.
10	Eliasaph Merriman
11	Enoch Merriman was born on May 26, 1739 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 30. He died circa 1739 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut.
12	Ebenezer Merriman was born on May 26, 1739 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 30. He died circa 1739 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut.
13	Turhand Merriman was born on May 24, 1741 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 30. He died circa 1741 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut.
14	Charles Merriman was born on September 2, 1744 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 30. He died circa 1744 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut.
15	Abigail Merriman was born on June 17, 1749 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 30. She died on August 4, 1758 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 30.

Eliasaph Merriman Jr. was born on November 9, 1736 in Wallingford, New Haven County, Connecticut ³¹. He died on May 1, 1815 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut ³¹. He is buried in the Center Street Cemetery, Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut.

Father: Eliasaph Merriman
Mother: Abigail Hull

He spent his entire life in Wallingford. Eliasaph was a farmer. He wrote his will on April 28, 1803 and wrote a codicil to the will on October 3, 1812. He died on May 1 (or 15), 1815.

Jerusha was the daughter of Phillip Mattoon and Mary Humiston.

1	Amos Merriman
2	Abigail Merriman was born on July 6, 1764 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 30,31. She died on March 19, 1843 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 31. She is buried in the Center Street Cemetery, Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut. She married Willoughby Williams circa 1782 in Connecticut. (He was born on November 5, 1758 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut and died on December 30, 1837 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut. He is buried in the Center Street Cemetery, Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut) They had the following children: Sally Williams (1783-1848) md. John Street Philo Williams (c. 1786-1805) Lodema Williams (c. 1793-1875) md. Ira Munson Harry Williams (c. 1798-1860) md. Rebecca Todd Julius Williams (1801-1881) md. Betsy Todd Abigail Williams (1807-1885) md. John H. Johnson Lucinda Williams (c. 1814-1898) md. Jesse Tuttle
3	Eunice Merriman was born on May 11, 1766 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 30,31. She died in 1846 in Knox Co., Illinois. She married Timothy Culver circa 1797 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut. (He was born on February 14, 1775 in Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont and died before October 5, 1824 in Carlisle, Lorain Co., Ohio.) They had the following children: Lodema Culver (1798-1882) md. Henry R. Ferris Fidelia Culver (1801-???) Aurelia Culver (1803-1887) md. Erastus Roice Amanda Culver (1806-???) md. John Higby Joshua Noble Culver (1808-1883) md. Caroline Chloe Tillotson Some sources indicate that Eunice was also married to a John Skarat. It seems that is actually referring to a different Eunice Merriman who married John SCARITT in 1792 and who died in 1835 in Connecticut.
4	Eliakim Merriman was born on July 2, 1769 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 30,31. He died on August 15, 1780 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 30,31. He is buried in the Center Street Cemetery, Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut.
5	Polly Merriman was born on September 10, 1773 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 30,31. She died sometime between 1840-1850 in Randolph, Portage Co., Ohio. She was married to William Churchill circa 1794 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut. (He was born circa 1766 in Litchfield, Litchfield Co., Connecticut and died sometime between 1840-1850 in Randolph, Portage Co., Ohio.) They had the following children: Stephen Major Churchill (1796-1879) md. Maria Beach Diademia Churchill (c. 1798-aft. 1830) md. 1st. David Birge md. 2nd. Gurdon Hilliard Polly Churchill (c. 1800-???) Julianna Churchill (c. 1802-c. 1836) md. James Algernon Derthick Charlotte M. Churchill (c. 1806-c. 1844) md. John McGowan Esther Churchill (c. 1808-c. 1840) md. Isaac Harget Philo W. Churchill (c. 1808-1860) md. Electa A. Merriman Emily Churchill (c. 1811-1860's) md. Truman Case Clarissa Case (c. 1813-1893) md. 1st. Silas Hibbard Case md. 2nd. Almon B. Carlton Lyman Churchill (c. 1814-1840's) md. Emily Adams
6	Reuben Merriman was born on September 9, 1775 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 30,31. He died on June 18, 1790 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 30,31. He is buried in the Center Street Cemetery, Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut.
7	Asaph Merriman was born on July 1, 1778 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 30,31. He died on September 13, 1830 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 31. He married Eunice Andrews circa 1799 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut. (She was born on January 14, 1779 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut and died after 1820.) They had the following children: Margery Merriman (1800-1858) md. Enos Whitney Andrew Merriman (1802-1882) md. 1st Eliza Peck md. 2nd. Orpha Bishop Silas Merriman (1806-1813) Julia Merriman (1809-1870's) md. Everett Whitney Charles Merriman (1811-1881) md. 1st. Edith Bishop md. 2nd. Lucinda Wells Sarah Merriman (1812-1895) md. Cornwell Sage
8	Eliakim Merriman was born on October 7, 1780 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 30,31. He died on December 16, 1860 in Randolph, Portage Co., Ohio 38. He married Hannah Russell on June 16, 1806 in Randolph, Portage Co., Ohio. (She was born circa 1782 in Connecticut and died in 1866 in Randolph, Portage Co., Ohio.) They had the following children: Eliasaph Russell Merriman (1807-1879) md. Julianna Hall Hezekiah Otis Merriman (1808-aft. 1870) md. Phebe Hart Lydia Marietta Merriman (1810-1851) md. Jason Loomis Electa A. Merriman (1812-1853) md. Philo W. Churchill Lorna Merriman (1814-1847) md. Cyrus H. Streeter Perlina Merriman (1816-1819) Ogden Hamer Merriman (1817-???) md. Mary A. Doolittle Harlow Merriman (1820-1895) md. Nancy To see a transcription of Eliakim's family bible, click here.	Kim Kester at Kims175@aol.com is a researcher/descendant of this line.
9	Esther Merriman was born circa 1782 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut. She died on September 14, 1834 in Randolph, Portage Co., Ohio. She is buried in the Old Sand Cemetery, Randolph, Portage Co., Ohio. She married Isaac Merriman on January 20, 1803 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut 30,31. (He was born circa 1784 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut and died on June 18, 1842 in Randolph, Portage Co., Ohio. He is buried in the Old Sand Cemetery, Randolph, Portage Co., Ohio.) They had the following children: Jerusha Merriman (1803-1872) md. Jonah Hine Delight Merriman (c. 1807-1881) md. Austin Collins Levi Merriman (1811-1884) md. Jane A. Humphrey Alvira D. Merriman (c. 1814-1860's) md. William P. Means Nancy Merriman (1817-1888) md. Robert Alexander Lavinia Merriman (1820-1843) md. Joseph C. Brainerd

Amos Merriman was born on December 1, 1762 in Wallingford, New Haven County, Connecticut ^29,30,31. He died in 1829 in Big Eagle Pct., Scott Co., Kentucky ²⁹.

Father: Eliasaph Merriman
Mother: Jerusha Mattoon

Amos was raised in Wallingford, CT; the oldest of nine children. He may have been the Amos Merriman who had service in the Revolutionary War in 1779 out of Cheshire, Connecticut. There was also an Amos Merriman who served in Massachusetts in 1780. (The DAR has accepted this Amos as a Revolutionary War veteran). Our Amos was married in the early or mid 1780's, but the location of that event is unknown. Amos and his wife Abigail settled in Cheshire before 1786, which is not far from Wallingford. In about 1795, they moved to Stratfield (now within the city of Bridgeport), in Fairfield County, Connecticut. At about that same time, Amos is said to have joined the Baptist church (he was probably a Congregationalist before this).

In about 1810, Amos' son Reuben went on a trip to Kentucky and returned to Connecticut within a year or two to persuade his family to move there. In about 1813, Amos moved to Scott County, Kentucky with his wife, sons, daughter, and daughter-in-law. They settled in Big Eagle Precinct and engaged in milling and coopering off of Big Eagle Creek. Amos died in Scott County, Kentucky in 1829. Soon after, his entire family left Kentucky and moved to Illinois.

Research to date has not been able to determine the identity of Abigail before her marriage to Amos Merriman. Apparently their marriage (c. 1783-1785) was not recorded in any town in New Haven County. The only clue is from one Merriman family history which indicate that her maiden name may have been Williams. The only known feasible Abigail Williams in the general geographic area appears to have been Abigail Williams, the daughter of Willoughby Williams Sr. and Abigail Alling. This Abigail was born on October 3, some year in the 1760's (the last digit is missing from the original record) in Wallingford, Connecticut. To add to this possibility, Amos Merriman's sister Abigail Merriman was married to Willoughby Williams Jr. (brother of the above Abigail Williams of Wallingford). A double marriage between two sets of siblings from the same town would have been entirely possible. Of course, the pre-existing Williams-Merriman marriage may have been the basis for the confusion of our Abigail's maiden name. Willoughby Williams Jr. and Abigail Merriman's marriage (in about 1782) was also not recorded in New Haven County, something which is not unusual.

Published histories and vital records from Wallingford do not give any indication of what happened to Abigail Williams (daughter of Willoughby Williams Sr.) Several online sources though do posit that this same Abigail Williams actually married a man named John Luddington, and that they had one child: Ama/Anna, born in 1783. Subsequent history from Ama's descendants indicates that she was apparently orphaned as a small child and was sent to live with her paternal relatives in New York State. Although her father was probably dead, it is entirely plausible that her mother may have still been alive. Parental rights were not on the side of the mother during this time period. The child's best interests at heart, it would probably have been viewed as more stable living in the home of pre-existing family on the male-line, rather than with a young widow.

It is possible that Abigail Williams was married to both John Ludington and Amos Merriman, but we will probably never know for sure. To add to this, a brief history of Willoughby Williams Sr. indicates that "his daughters went West and all trace of them was lost." Willoughby had three daughters: Rebecca, Abigail and Mary. Rebecca married and stayed in Wallingford and died. Given that the history claims that more than one daughter moved west, it is safe to assume (assuming accuracy of the record) that Abigail did indeed move "west" and did not die in the 1780's in Connecticut as suggested by Ludington genealogy.

More research on this subject is obviously needed. Perhaps some kind of probate or land record for the Williams family of Wallingford may indicate a connection between Amos Merriman and Abigail Williams.

1	Polly Merriman was born on September 9, 1786 in Cheshire, New Haven Co., Connecticut 28. History has no record of what happened to Polly, and it is assumed that she died young, unmarried. She is most likely the female of her age group enumerated with her family in the 1800 census (when she would have been 13 or 14) and may have been enumerated with her family in the 1810 census. If she did marry and live to adulthood, the marriage was apparently never recorded.
2	Lyman Merriman was born in April 1789 in Cheshire, New Haven Co., Connecticut 28. He died on May 18, 1789 in Cheshire, New Haven Co., Connecticut 28.
3	Reuben Merriman
4	Lyman Merriman was born on August 21, 1792 in Cheshire, New Haven Co., Connecticut 28. He died in March 1865 in Williams Twp., Sangamon Co., Illinois 15. He married Sarah R. Howard in 1812 in Scott Co., Kentucky 15. (She was born circa 1795 in Scott Co., Kentucky and died on September 20, 1869 in Williams Twp., Sangamon Co., Illinois 15.) He had the following children: Madison Maurice Merriman (1817-1905) md. Elizabeth Parker Fletcher Sarah Jane Merriman (1819-1903) md. William Yocum Alvira T. Merriman (1828-1851) md. Francis M. Young Cordelia L. Merriman (1828-1901) md. Benjamin F. Fletcher Mary Ann Merriman (c. 1833-1867) md. Hiram Jackson Young	Sharon Ellis at sharonellis@yahoo.com is a researcher/descendant of this line.
5	Abigail Merriman was born on May 20, 1795 in Cheshire, New Haven Co., Connecticut 28. She probably died young. She probably died before 1800, when there is no female of her age group in the census of that year. But then there is a female of her age group in the 1810 census. History has no record of what happened to her, it is assumed she died young and unmarried. If she did marry, it was after the family moved to Kentucky. Scott County marriages prior to 1837 were apparently destroyed by fire.
6	Laura Merriman was born circa 1805 in Stratfield, Fairfield Co., Connecticut. She died circa 1830 in Beardstown, Morgan (now Cass) Co., Illinois. She married Francis Arenz on December 1, 1829 in Sangamon Co., Illinois 18. (He was born on October 31, 1800 in Blackenburg, Germany 37 and died on April 2, 1856 in Cass Co., Illinois 36,37. He is buried in the Arenzville Cemetery, Cass Co., Illinois.) They had no surviving children. After her death, Francis married Louisa Boss and raised a large family of children.

Reuben Merriman was born on September 6, 1790 in Cheshire, New Haven County, Connecticut ^15,28. He died on February 28, 1842 in Williams Twp., Sangamon Co., Illinois ¹⁵.

Father: Amos Merriman
Mother: Abigail

In about 1795, when he was about 4 years old, Reuben moved with his family to what is now Bridgeport, in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Reuben was raised as a Baptist and also trained in the vocation of a cooper (and miller) like his father. Upon entering adulthood, he decided to go west. In about 1810, he traveled to Kentucky and decided that he wanted to settle there permanently. He returned to Connecticut where he married Betsy Bennett in 1812. Soon after, Reuben, his wife, parents, brother and sister, left Connecticut and moved to Scott County, Kentucky. They settled off of Big Eagle Creek in that county and began to engage in milling and coopering off of that creek.

In 1829, Reuben's father died, an event that may have hastened the family's move from Kentucky. In that same year, Reuben and all of his family left Kentucky. They settled in Williams Township in Sangamon County, Illinois in the fall of 1829. They were members the Bethel Baptist Church. Apparently, both Reuben and his wife were afflicted with something called Winter Fever and died from this disease within a day of each other. The burial place of Reuben and Betsy (as well as sons George and Robert) has not yet been found. They may have been buried in the Stewart Cemetery in Williams Township (where there are no tombstones for them) or perhaps in the Bice/Johnson Cemetery in the same township (which has not yet been checked for their burials). They could have been buried in a cemetery not in Williams Township or Sangamon County.

At the time of his death, Reuben apparently owned 810 acres of land (another source says 830 acres) in various parts of Williams Township. In June 1842, seven months after his death, his three oldest children; Lucinda, Lavinia, and George, jointly sued their younger brothers, John, William, Robert and Francis (all minors). The case was represented by Abraham Lincoln (future U.S. President). The Merriman were not suing each other or feuding in the sense we would think of today. The case was merely an aim by the children to achieve an equitable division of Reuben's estate. As a result of the case, Reuben's land was ordered sold and his minor children were put under guardianship. The only part of the land that apparently stayed in the family were 320 acres that were purchased by his son George. I believe that this portion of his land was where their house was located and where the family lived. This was in the central part of Williams Township, about halfway between Williamsville and Barclay. It was along Wolf Creek. The exact location of the farmhouse was on the north side of Wolf Creek Road where it intersects with Kodiak Road (current aerial photographs reveal existing structures at this exact location).

They had the following children:

1	Lucinda Merriman was born on February 12, 1813 in Big Eagle Pct., Scott Co., Kentucky 14. She died on March 7, 1890 in Manzanita Pct. (now Central Point), Jackson Co., Oregon 14. She is buried in the Jacksonville Cemetery, Jacksonville, Jackson Co., Oregon. She married Isaac Constant on February 14, 1833 in Sangamon Co., Illinois 18. (He was born on April 5, 1809 in Clark Co., Kentucky 14 and died on January 31, 1890 in Manzanita Pct. (now Central Point), Jackson Co., Oregon 14 He is buried in the Jacksonville Cemetery, Jacksonville, Jackson Co., Oregon.) They had the following children: Lavinia Jane Constant (1834-1931) md. Jesse Robinson William Thomas Constant (1836-1868) md. Jessie Bledsoe Elizabeth Merriman Constant (1839-1900) md. William Thacker Leever Julia Ann Constant (1841-1936) md. William Addison Owen Josephine Constant (1843-1846) Margery Edmondson Constant (1848-1931) md. Constantine Magruder Henry Francis Constant (1846-1846) Eliza Alice Constant (1851-1866) Lucinda's husband went on a wagon train expedition by himself to Oregon in the late 1840's. He returned home to Illinois in 1850, and he and Lucinda soon decided to move the entire family to Oregon. In 1852, Lucinda and her family traversed the Oregon Trail and settled in Jackson County, Oregon in the fall of 1852. They claimed a large farm several miles northeast of Jacksonville, Oregon. The town of Central Point eventually sprang up around there home, and their original Donation Land Claim comprises most of the original town.	Kevin Biersdorff at biersdorff@hotmail.com is a researcher/descendant of this line.
2	Lavinia Jane Merriman was born on April 2, 1817 in Big Eagle Pct., Scott Co., Kentucky 15. She died on September 22, 1901 in Williams Twp., Sangamon Co., Illinois. She is buried in the Stewart Cemetery, Williams Twp., Sangamon Co., Illinois. She married William T. Jones on April 12, 1840 in Sangamon Co., Illinois 18. (He was born on May 8, 1817 in Bourbon Co., Kentucky 15 and died on April 13, 1879 in Sangamon Co., Illinois. He is buried in the Stewart Cemetery, Williams Twp., Sangamon Co., Illinois.) They had the following children: Henrietta B. Jones (1841-1900) md. Thomas M. Helm George B. Jones (1843-1888) md. Frances Watson Ellis Lavinia and her family lived in the northwest corner of Williams Township, close to the farm of her brother John and also bordering land that her parents had at one time owned.
3	George Bennett Merriman was born on September 8, 1818 in Big Eagle Pct., Scott Co., Kentucky 15. He died in 1881 in Sangamon Co., Illinois. He married Maria Louise Dawson on January 7, 1844 in Sangamon Co., Illinois 18. (She was born on July 22, 1822 in Bracken Co., Kentucky 15 and died on July 8, 1908 in Williams Twp., Sangamon Co., Illinois 39.) He had the following children: John W. Merriman (1844-1919) md. Maria Jane Britton Reuben Amos Merriman (1848-1920's) md. 1st. Martha J. Johnson md. 2nd. Matilda W. Bader Henry Clay Merriman (1850-1850's) Belbert Merriman (1852-1922) md. William Stewart Hunter Lucy Jane Merriman (1854-1939) md. Abner Canfield Hunter Bertha Ellen Merriman (1859-aft. 1920) md. 1st. James Henry Crouch md. 2nd. John T. Berry George A. Merriman (1861-1929) md. 1st. Mary E. Thompson md. 2nd. Effie McKinsey George and his family lived off of Wolf Creek in the southeast part of Williams Township, between Williamsville and Barclay. George owned 665 acres in Williams Township in 1874 (another source also states that at one time he owned 1,100 acres). Their house and place of residence was on the north side of Wolf Creek Road where it intersects with Kodiak Road (current aerial photographs reveal a building site on this exact location). In 1914, George's heirs (George and Lucy) still owned 220 acres of this land. The land probably stayed in the family until shortly after the death of his son George Jr. in 1929. (Note: of the above 665 acres, 240 were purchased by his father Reuben Merriman in 1835. This may have been the site where Reuben and Betsy Merriman's home was.)
4	John S. Merriman was born on November 29, 1821 in Big Eagle Pct., Scott Co., Kentucky 15. He died on May 24, 1885 in Fancy Creek Twp., Sangamon Co., Illinois. He is buried in the Stewart Cemetery, Williams Twp., Sangamon Co., Illinois. He married Mary J. Dawson on November 7, 1848 in Sangamon Co., Illinois 18. (She was born on December 27, 1831 in Sangamon Co., Illinois 15 and died on August 15, 1900 in Fancy Creek Twp., Sangamon Co., Illinois. She is buried in the Stewart Cemetery, Williams Twp., Sangamon Co., Illinois.) They had the following children: Mary Florence Merriman (1849-1874) Ann Eliza Merriman (1851-1876) Martha V. Merriman (1854-1878) Charles B. Merriman (c. 1856-1892) md. Emma Taylor Lelia L. Merriman (1858-1881) Clay Sherman Merriman (1861-aft. 1930) md. Mattie Jessie Barnes Cora E. Merriman (1863-1879) Abraham Lincoln Merriman (1865-1885) Noah W. Merriman (1867-1878) infant Merriman (c. 1869-c. 1869) John and his family lived on a farm three miles west of Williamsville in the northeast corner of Fancy Creek Township. They owned 160 acres there in 1874. According to current and contemporary maps, their farmhouse was at the exact location called "Van Wood." Current aerial photographs reveal a building site at the location, on the north side of Dinius Road, perhaps a half-mile east of Constant Road.
5	William Harrison Merriman
6	Thomas Dudley Merriman was born and died circa 1827 in Big Eagle Pct., Scott Co., Kentucky. No known source indicates anything about Thomas besides his name. It is only assumed he was born and died about 1827 because one family chart lists his name between his brothers William and the twins (Robert and Francis).
7	Robert F. Merriman was born on September 5, 1830 in Williams Twp., Sangamon Co., Illinois 15. He died between 1900-1910 in Williamsville, Sangamon Co., Illinois. He married Elizabeth Thompson on September 18, 1862 in Williams Twp., Sangamon Co., Illinois 18. She was born on January 28, 1840 in Wayne Co., Ohio 15 and died between 1880-1900 in Williams Twp., Sangamon Co., Illinois.) They had one child: William Franklin Merriman (1863-1934) md. Caroline R. Mathus Robert owned 240 acres in Williams Township in 1874 (next to the farms of brothers George and Francis, along Wolf Creek). In 1894, he still owned 160 acres of the above farm, but it had all been sold by 1914. His house/residence was along the north side of Wolf Creek Road about halfway between intersecting streets (Kodiak Road and Prairie School Road). Current aerial photographs reveal a building site at the exact location. Robert apparently moved to the village of Williamsville shortly before his death.
8	Francis A. Merriman was born on September 5, 1830 in Williams Twp., Sangamon Co., Illinois 15. He died after 1910, perhaps in Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan He married first Emma Bishop on October 7, 1858 in McLean Co., Illinois 18. (She was born on December 12, 1838 in Clark Co., Ohio 15 and died on May 9, 1866 in Williams Twp., Sangamon Co., Illinois 15.) They had the following children: Edward Francis Merriman (c. 1860-1930) md. Caroline Brown Mary L. Merriman (1862-aft. 1920) md. Charles E. West Myrtilla Merriman (c. 1864-c. 1864) Byron Merriman (1866-1867) Rose Merriman (1866-c. 1866) He married second Chloe Sparklin on November 25, 1868 in Sangamon Co., Illinois 18. (She was born in July 1838 in Indiana 7 and died on February 12, 1901 in Goshen, Elkhart Co., Indiana 35. They had no children. In 1874, Francis owned 198 acres of land next to his brothers George and Robert. Between 1876 and 1880 he sold his farm and moved to Elkhart County, Indiana (native county of his wife Chloe). After the death of Chloe in 1901, he apparently moved to Detroit, Michigan to live with daughter Mary. He was living there in 1910. He probably died at the home of his daughter Mary, who in 1920 was living in Highland Park, Michigan.

10th Generation: William Harrison Merriman was born on March 4, 1825 at Big Eagle Pct., Scott County, Kentucky 14,15,25. He died on September 16, 1877 in Manzanita Pct. (now Medford), Jackson County, Oregon 14,16,25. He is buried in the Jacksonville Cemetery, Jacksonville, Jackson Co., Oregon. Father: Reuben Merriman Mother: Betsy Bennett In 1829, when he was just four years old, William moved with his family to Sangamon County, Illinois. William was raised as a farmer and also learned the blacksmith trade. After the sudden death of his parents in 1842, 16-year old William was put under the guardianship of his uncle Lyman Merriman. In July of 1842, William apparently joined with his oldest brother George in purchasing part of the land from their parents' estate. William probably spent the rest of his unmarried youth living with his brother George in the central portion of Williams Township, off Wolf Creek. In 1847, 22-year old William married Mary Lewis and they began to raise a family. The young couple moved to the nearby city of Springfield where they were living in 1850. In Springfield, William worked as a carpenter. In 1850, William's brother-in-law Isaac Constant returned to Illinois from an expedition to Oregon and began inspiring his relatives and neighbors to move to out west. In the spring of 1852, William, with his wife, two children, sister Lucinda, and her family, left Illinois aboard a wagon train bound for the Oregon Territory. During the trip on the Oregon Trail, both William's wife Mary and his infant son Joseph died and were buried by the trail's side. (A detailed recollection of this 7-month journey as told by William's niece Lavinia Constant Robinson can be found online here.) William and the wagon train arrived in what is now Jackson County, Oregon in September of 1852. William's sister Lucinda and her family stayed in Jackson County, Oregon, but William decided to go north to Douglas County, Oregon. William left his daughter Auletta in the care of his sister Lucinda Constant. In Douglas County, William began courting a young widow named Artinecia Chapman, whom he had known while living in Illinois. They were married in 1853. After this, they settled a Donation Land Claim of 320 acres next to her parents near what is now the city of Riddle, Douglas County, Oregon. During the 1850's, tensions between the white settlers and the Indians in the area culminated into a war. During times of peace, William's family and the Riddles were friendly towards the Indians and William was called "Shindonah" (which means "long nose"). The Rogue River Indian War ended 1856, after which most of the Indians in the area were murdered and the survivors were sent to Reservations many miles away. After this, William and his wife decided to move. In 1857, they purchased a ranch of 120 acres in Manzanita Precinct, in Jackson County, Oregon. They purchased their farm from Jesse Robinson, husband of William's niece Lavinia Constant. William spent the rest of his life on the Merriman ranch in Jackson County, Oregon (today, the land is within the city limits of both Medford and Central Point, Oregon). On the family ranch, William also ran a blacksmith business and helped to raise a family of seventeen children. William was a member of the Baptist religion and in politics, was a member of the Republican party. It is said that William was "one of the most estimable citizens of the communities he lived in." In the late 1870's, William contracted some kind of serious illness or disease. He wrote his will on August 15, 1877, leaving his estate to his wife and after her death to his son Isaac (why he specifically left out his other two sons and his nine daughters is unknown). William died at his home at 8 o'clock p.m. on September 16, 1877, at the age of 52. William married first Mary Ann Lewis on September 30, 1847 in Sangamon Co., Illinois 18. She was born on April 19, 1824 in New Jersey 32. She died in April 1852 on the Oregon Trail, probably in Kansas. Mary was the daughter of Joseph Kinnan Lewis and Letitia Sutton. She was reported as being very sick when the wagon train left Springfield, Illinois in the "early days of April" in 1852. She is said to have died at the first stop after leaving Independence, Missouri, which would have been somewhere in Kansas. They had to send back to Independence for a casket to bury her in.

1

Auletta (Lettie) Lavinia Merriman was born on August 4, 1848 in Springfield, Sangamon Co., Illinois 19,25. She died on August 7, 1936 in Medford, Jackson Co., Oregon 19. She is buried in the Jacksonville Cemetery, Jacksonville, Jackson Co., Oregon. She married first John E. Buzan on August 25, 1867 in Manzanita Pct. (now Medford), Jackson Co., Oregon 3. (He was born on June 15, 1837 in France 14 and died on June 18, 1870 in Manzanita Pct., Jackson Co., Oregon 14. He is buried in the Jacksonville Cemetery, Jacksonville, Jackson Co., Oregon.) They had the following children: Margery C. Buzan (1868-1940) md. 1st. Charles Henry Hoagland md. 2nd. Nathan Otterbein Addie Kittie Buzan (1869-1961) md. 1st. Charles G. Rippey md. 2nd. Ezra Morton Wilson She married second John E. Harvey on June 17, 1873 in Manzanita Pct. (now Medford), Jackson Co., Oregon 3. (He was born in December 1831 in Lincolnshire, England 7 and died on August 29, 1903 in Gold Hill, Jackson Co., Oregon 14. He is buried in the Jacksonville Cemetery, Jacksonville, Jackson Co., Oregon.) They had the following children: John Albert Harvey (1875-1967) md. Edith Gregory William Harrison Harvey (1877-1919) md. Margaret A.

2

Joseph W. Merriman was born probably in late 1851 or early 1852, in Springfield, Sangamon Co., Illinois. He died circa August 1852 at Goose Lake in California. The date of Joseph's birth is not known. All we know is that he was born after October 1850 (enumeration of the 1850 census) and before March 1852 (when his family left on the Oregon Trail). By the fall of 1852 he was still young enough to be nursing and was still referred to as an infant. After his mother's untimely death in April of 1852, he was kept alive by being fed cow's milk. Unfortunately, when the train camped at Goose Lake in northern California in the fall of 1852, the cow providing the milk apparently ate some wild parsnips (poisonous), which caused Joseph to go into convulsions for several hours, and then die. He was probably buried near Goose Lake.

1	Lucinda Jane Merriman was born on May 22, 1852 in Canyonville Pct. (now Riddle), Douglas Co., Oregon 25. She died on June 9, 1919 in Big Timber, Sweet Grass Co., Montana 20. She is buried in the Mountain View Cemetery, Big Timber, Sweet Grass Co., Montana. She married Thomas Theodore Prather on February 22, 1872 in Manzanita Pct. (now Medford), Jackson Co., Oregon 3. (He was born on December 21, 1843 in Franklin Twp., Clermont Co., Ohio and died on January 16, 1904 in Big Timber, Sweet Grass Co., Montana. He is buried in the Mountain View Cemetery, Big Timber, Sweet Grass Co., Montana.) They had the following children: Kathleen Prather (1873-1905) md. Alfred Joseph Bryant William Thomas Prather (1876-1911) md. Edna Cowles Baker Lucinda was referred to by her brother as "Sister Cin." Thomas served in the Civil War out of Oregon. He was a cattle driver and farmer. Sometime between 1872 and 1880 the family moved to Grant (now Harney) County, Oregon. Sometime between 1880 and 1890, they moved again to Big Timber, Montana, where they remained.
2	George Francis Merriman
3	Laura Alice Merriman was born on July 8, 1857 in Manzanita Pct. (now Medford), Jackson Co., Oregon 5,25. She died on November 24, 1938 in Washington, District of Columbia 5. She is buried in the Eastwood I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Medford, Jackson Co., Oregon. She married Jay Bradley on November 23, 1876 in Manzanita Pct. (now Medford), Jackson Co., Oregon 3. (He was born on January 11, 1852 in Blakesburgh, Wapello Co., Iowa and died on October 25, 1893 in Medford, Jackson Co., Oregon. He is buried in the Eastwood I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Medford, Jackson Co.,Oregon.) They had the following children: Lawson Godfrey Bradley (1879-1943) md. Hermoine Grace DeGood Marie Merriman Bradley (1881-1973) md. Basil Maxwell Manly Otto Franc Bradley (1887-1973) md. Theodora Chase Jay Bradley was a cattle rancher and farmer. After the marriage they first lived at Eagle Point in Jackson County, Oregon. In 1880, they were living in Grant (now Harney) County, Oregon. During the 1880's, they lived for a few years on a ranch in Park County, Wyoming and returned to Jackson County, Oregon by the late 1880's. After the death of Jay in 1893, Laura and her children continued to live in the vicinity of Medford, Oregon. In 1900, she was living with her mother in her house in the city of Medford. At some point in her widowhood, Laura and her children lived in Eugene, Oregon. In 1910, they were living in Boise, Idaho. Sometime between 1910 and 1920, Laura moved to Washington, DC to live with her daughter Marie. She spent the rest of her life there.
4	Marie (Maria) Elizabeth Merriman was born on December 9, 1858 in Manzanita Pct. (now Medford), Jackson Co., Oregon 21,25. She died on July 5, 1943 in Medford, Jackson Co., Oregon 21. She is buried in the Eastwood I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Medford, Jackson Co., Oregon. She married Samuel Louis Bennett on November 23, 1881 in Manzanita Pct. (now Medford), Jackson Co., Oregon 3. (He was born on August 12, 1846 in Bowlingreen, Pike Co., Missouri and died on April 18, 1924 in Medford, Jackson Co., Oregon 11. He is buried in the Eastwood I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Medford, Jackson Co., Oregon.) They had the following children: Laura Merriman Bennett (1883-1963) md. Frank Floyd Loder Artinecia Marie Bennett (1885-1974) md. Hollie Frank Swingle Samuel Louis Bennett (1886-1938) md. Mary Rosa Scoggin After her public school education Marie (Maria) attended school at the Ashland Academy/College in Ashland, Oregon. She afterwards worked as a teacher until her marriage in 1881. Samuel and Marie were farmers on land north of Medford, Oregon. In 1908, they retired and moved to a house in the center of Medford, Oregon. In 1932, Marie moved to Trail, Jackson County, Oregon to live with her daughter.
5	Ann (Anna) Adelaide Merriman was born on March 28, 1860 in Manzanita Pct. (now Medford), Jackson Co., Oregon 22,25. She died on May 16, 1935 in Medford, Jackson Co., Oregon 22. She is buried in the Siskiyou Memorial Park, Medford, Jackson Co., Oregon. She married Joseph Cicero Clark on November 23, 1881 in Manzanita Pct. (now Medford), Jackson Co., Oregon 3. (He was born on September 28, 1858 in Spencer Twp., Ralls Co., Missouri 23 and died after 1902.) They had the following children: John Harrison Clark (1882-1962) md. Edenia Ruby Crilley unknown Clark (born and died before 1900) Claud Emerson Clark (1887-1920) md. Adrienne Martin Artie Bell Clark (1892-1953) md. William Milton Strain Adelia Clark (1895-c. 1912) md. John Carl Wagner Josephine Clark (1897-1986) md. Frank Kenneth Jerome Elizabeth (Beth) Clark (1903-1962) md. Herschel Mansfield Prewitt Joseph and Anna were living in Oregon in 1882 and in Lincoln County, Washington in 1887 and 1889. They were back in Oregon in 1892 and settled in rural Curry County, Oregon by 1897. Sometime between 1900 and 1910, Anna and Joseph were divorced. In 1908, she was living with her children in Myrtle Point, Oregon. She then moved to Medford, Oregon, where she was living in 1910 and 1920. She then went to go live with her daughter Artie near Langlois in Curry County, Oregon, where she was living in 1930. She returned to Medford to visit her daughter Josephine when she died in 1935.
6	Isaac (Ike) Albert Merriman was born on September 11, 1861 in Manzanita Pct. (now Medford), Jackson Co., Oregon 24,25. He died on December 18, 1922 in Medford, Jackson Co., Oregon 24. He is buried in the Jacksonville Cemetery, Jacksonville, Jackson Co., Oregon. He married Emma Leora Bellinger on April 27, 1887 in Jacksonville, Jackson Co., Oregon 3. (She was born on May 10, 1868 in Jacksonville Pct., Jackson Co., Oregon 9 and died on June 15, 1950 in Lakeport, Lake Co., California 9. She is buried in the Jacksonville Cemetery, Jacksonville, Jackson Co., Oregon.) They had the following children: William (Harry) Harrison Merriman (1888-1936) md. Alma Leon Martin Merritt Bellinger Merriman (1894-1949) md. Cora Blanche Harvey Lester A. Merriman (1902-1976) md. Helen Arlene Dittemore Chester Herbert Merriman (1902-1974) md. Beatrice Eloise Lewis
7	Charles (Charlie) Harrison Merriman was born on March 29, 1863 in Manzanita Pct. (now Medford), Jackson Co., Oregon 25. He died on September 19, 1865 in Manzanita Pct. (now Medford), Jackson Co., Oregon 14,25. He is buried in the Jacksonville Cemetery, Jacksonville, Jackson Co., Oregon. He died from blood poisoning.
8	Mary (Mollie) Bell Merriman was born on August 4, 1864 in Manzanita Pct. (now Medford), Jackson Co., Oregon 33. She died on July 23, 1926 in Portland, Multnomah Co., Oregon 33. She is buried in the River View Cemetery, Portland, Multnomah Co., Oregon. She married Joseph Gatch Houston on April 6, 1891 in Portland, Multnomah Co., Oregon 34. (He was born on November 13, 1861 in New Richmond, Clermont Co., Ohio 32 and died on November 24, 1930 in Portland, Multnomah Co., Oregon 11. He is buried in the River View Cemetery, Portland, Multnomah Co., Oregon.) They had the following children: Alice Joyce Houston (1895-1911) Holland Herman Houston (1896-1972) md. Frances Wayne Edward Geary Houston (1898-1974) md. Marian S. Mollie moved by herself to Portland, Oregon in about 1886. She was teaching school there in 1891, shortly before her marriage.
9	Walter Thomas Merriman was born on February 26, 1866 in Manzanita Pct. (now Medford), Jackson Co., Oregon 14,25. He died on May 15, 1866 in Manzanita Pct. (now Medford), Jackson Co., Oregon 14,25. He is buried in the Jacksonville Cemetery, Jacksonville, Jackson Co., Oregon. He died from an abscess of the brain.
10	Isabel (Belle) Merriman was born on June 28, 1867 in Manzanita Pct. (now Medford), Jackson Co., Oregon 25. She died on December 19, 1953 in Portland, Multnomah Co., Oregon 11. She is buried in the Riverside Cemetery, Albany, Linn Co., Oregon. She married Charles K. Fronk on December 30, 1885 in Manzanita Pct. (now Medford), Jackson Co., Oregon 3. (He was born on June 24, 1857 in Yuba City, Yuba Co., California 32 and died on December 15, 1918 32. He is buried in the Riverside Cemetery, Albany, Linn Co., Oregon.) They had the following children: Earl Merriman Fronk (1886-1958) md. Ruby Stella Baker John Kenneth Fronk (1888-1932) md. Salma E. Nelson Fay Fronk (died young) Charles Kennard Fronk (1908-1979) Isabel and her husband first lived in Medford, Oregon after their marriage. Sometime between 1886 and 1892 they moved to Albany, Oregon where they remained until sometime between 1908 and 1910. In 1910, they were living in Portland, Oregon. In 1915, they were in Spokane, Washington. In 1917, they were living in Minneapolis, Minnesota. By 1930, Isabel had moved to Portland, Oregon, where she remained until her death.	Chris Meinicke at meinicke@us.ibm.com is a researcher/descendant of this line.
11	Prudence Merriman was born on November 22, 1868 in Manzanita Pct. (now Medford), Jackson Co., Oregon 14,25. She died on December 30, 1870 in Manzanita Pct. (now Medford), Jackson Co., Oregon 14,25. She is buried in the Jacksonville Cemetery, Jacksonville, Jackson Co., Oregon. Prudence died from "congestion of the stomach."
12	Effie (Bess) Merriman was born on March 25, 1870 in Manzanita Pct. (now Medford), Jackson Co., Oregon 25. She died on February 7, 1960 in Seattle, King Co., Washington 26. She is buried in the Acacia Memorial Park, Seattle, King Co., Washington. She married first John H. Bellinger on September 28, 1887 in Manzanita Pct. (now Medford), Jackson Co., Oregon 3. (He was born on February 4, 1866 in Jackson Co., Oregon 14 and died on December 14, 1918 in Jackson Co., Oregon 14. He is buried in the Jacksonville Cemetery, Jacksonville, Jackson Co., Oregon.) They divorced sometime between 1887-1899. They had no children. She married second Joseph Crosby Hill circa 1899 in Oregon or Washington 7. (He was born on October 16, 1866 in Smithfield, Cache Co., Utah 23 and died on February 28, 1945 in Seattle, King Co., Washington 26. He is buried in the Acacia Memorial Park, Seattle, King Co., Washington.) They had no children.
13	Marjorie Josephine Merriman was born on June 4, 1871 in Manzanita Pct. (now Medford), Jackson Co., Oregon 25,27. She died on January 6, 1940 in Seattle, King Co., Washington 26. She is buried in the Acacia Memorial Park, Seattle, King Co., Washington. She married John Beek on December 21, 1892 in Medford, Jackson Co., Oregon 3. (He was born on May 16, 1866 in Cowlitz Co., Washington 27 and died on January 24, 1953 in Seattle, King Co., Washington 26,27. He is buried in the Acacia Memorial Park, Seattle, King Co., Washington.) They had the following children: Helen Merriman Beek (1904-1975) md. 1st. George Lester Langtry md. last (2nd?) William Lacy Glazier John J. Beek (1906-1992) md. Lena L. Hardaway
14	William (Will) Harrison Merriman was born on July 7, 1872 in Manzanita Pct. (now Medford), Jackson Co., Oregon 9,25. He died on May 28, 1942 in Berkeley, Alameda Co., California 9. He married first Rose M. Luy on July 29, 1894 in Jacksonville, Jackson Co., Oregon 3. (She was born in November 1875 in Jacksonville, Jackson Co., Oregon 7 and died on January 20, 1932 in Alameda Co., California 9.) They had one child: Edith Belle Merriman (1896-1935) md. William Irving Morgan He married second Minnie Mae Stephens, widow of a Mr. Finch, circa 1935 in California. (She was born on December 31, 1899 in Arkansas 9 and died on January 17, 1994 in San Diego Co., California 9.) They had no children.
15	Winnifred (Winnie) Merriman was born on November 30, 1874 in Manzanita Pct. (now Medford), Jackson Co., Oregon 14,25. She died on January 14, 1875 in Manzanita Pct. (now Medford), Jackson Co., Oregon 14,25. She is buried in the Jacksonville Cemetery, Jacksonville, Jackson Co., Oregon. She died from strangulation of the bowels.

11th Generation: George Francis Merriman was born on September 16, 1855 in the Cow Creek Valley, Douglas County, Oregon 4,5,6,25. He died on November 6, 1915 in Medford, Jackson Co., Oregon 4,5,6. He is buried in the Eastwood I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Medford, Jackson Co., Oregon. Father: William Harrison Merriman Mother: Artinecia Riddle George spent the first part of his life on his parent's farm near what would become the city of Riddle, in Douglas County, Oregon. In 1857, when he was not quite two years old, the family moved south and purchased a farm in Jackson County, Oregon. George spent the remainder of his childhood and most of his adolescence at this farm, which was located in a rural region called Manzanita Precinct, a few miles northeast of Jacksonville. (Today the land is partially within the city limits of both Medford and Central Point). George must have had a rather difficult childhood, being the fourth in a family of seventeen children. At an early age, it was decided that George would become a blacksmith, like his father and grandfather before him. In about 1870, when George was 15, he began his apprenticeship in his father's blacksmith shop on the ranch in Manzanita Precinct. His apprenticeship lasted for three years, which ended in about 1873. Afterwards he remained on the family farm for one year. In 1874, when George would have been 18 or 19, he moved to Canyon City, in eastern Oregon, where he worked as a blacksmith for two years. He returned to Jackson County in 1876 and opened up his own blacksmith shop in the newly formed town of Central Point. It was during this time period that George developed a relationship with a young woman named Mary Murray, who lived on a farm near his parents. They were soon engaged and were married at her parent's house off of Bear Creek on November 8, 1877. It is unclear where exactly George and Mary lived from 1877-1880. They were somewhere in the vicinity of Central Point, and probably lived either with her parents or his. Unfortunately, while George was just starting his family, his professional pursuits were failing. For whatever the reason, he closed his shop in Central Point in 1878. In that same year, he started working for the Oregon & California Stage Company, where he is said to have been the official horseshoer of the government between Redding, California and Roseburg, Oregon. During this time, he looked all over southern Oregon for a place to move with his wife and child. In early 1880, George and his family moved to the small city of Oakland, in Douglas County, Oregon, where he once again started a blacksmithing business. In 1880, George was elected as a trustee for the city of Oakland. They may have been successful in Oakland, but decided to move away. This may have had something to do with the fact that two of their children (William and Creed) died in Oakland in about 1883-1884. It was also at about the same time that a city called Medford was formed along the railroad in Jackson County, not far from where George and Mary had grown up. George decided to take advantage of the newly formed city and moved there, probably in 1884. George and a man named Mr. Legate opened a blacksmith shop, where they were blacksmiths, horseshoers, machinists and wagon makers. The business was operated successfully and George eventually became the sole owner. While George was a successful businessman, he also turned his interest to politics. He was an avid Republican and was for many years a member of the Medford City Council. In 1892, he ran for Jackson County Sheriff, but was defeated by a small majority. In 1900, George was appointed as Postmaster for the city of Medford, and held that position for many years. George was a member of many civic and fraternal organizations including the Masons, the Knights of Pythias, the Elks, the Independant Order of Odd Fellows, Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Woodmen of the World, and the Native Sons of Oregon. George remained active in civic and business affairs for the remainder of his life. He died suddenly in 1915 after his stomach burst while attending to business in down town Medford. George married Mary Elizabeth Murray on November 8, 1877 in Manzanita Pct. (now Medford), Jackson Co., Oregon 3.

1	William (Willie) Harrison Merriman was born in 1878 or 1879 in Manzanita Pct. (now Medford), Jackson Co., Oregon 7. He died sometime between 1880 and 1883 in Oakland, Douglas Co., Oregon.
2	Thomas Theodore Merriman was born on May 2, 1880 in Oakland, Douglas Co., Oregon 8. He died on May 24, 1933 in Medford, Jackson Co., Oregon 8. He is buried in the Siskiyou Memorial Park, Medford, Oregon. He married Nellie Inez Whitmore on November 19, 1899 in Medford, Jackson Co., Oregon 3. (She was born on February 28, 1878 in Iowa 9 and died on November 21, 1967 in Napa, Napa Co., California 9.) They had two children: Myrtle Merritt Merriman (1901-1973) md. Irene Evelyn Jones Thomas Francis Merriman (1909-1967) md. Barbetta Beal Thomas was a blacksmith like his father and took over the family business.	Frank Merriman at merrimanf@psns.navy.mil is a descendant/researcher of this line.
3	Mary "May" Lurene Merriman was born on October 21, 1881 in Oakland, Douglas Co., Oregon 9. She died on September 7, 1959 in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., California 9. She is buried in the Holy Cross Cemetery, San Francisco, California. She married Robert "Bob" Walter Telfer on December 15, 1904 in Medford, Jackson Co., Oregon 3. (He was born on March 7, 1881 in Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii 9 and died on June 12, 1949 in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., California 9.) Prior to her marriage, May worked as a clerk for the Medford Post Office. She and Robert had no children. After their marriage they first lived with her parents in Medford. Sometime between 1910 and 1918, they moved to San Francisco, California, where they remained. In Medford, Robert worked as a Recorder for the city. He later worked as a construction company manager in San Francisco.
4	Creed Merriman was born circa 1883 in Oakland, Douglas Co., Oregon. He died circa 1883-1884 in Oakland, Douglas Co., Oregon.
5	George Wilford Merriman was born on January 7, 1887 in Medford, Jackson Co., Oregon 9. He died on January 27, 1972 in Orange, Orange Co., California 9. He married Florence Nelson on February 14, 1909 in Pocatello, Bannock Co., Idaho 10. (She was born on March 1, 1890 in Idaho 9 and died on August 28, 1979 in Orange, Orange Co., California 9.) They had no children.
6	Blanche Merriman was born on February 18, 1889 in Medford, Jackson Co., Oregon 9. She died on July 1, 1965 in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., California 9. She is buried in the Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, California. She married first to Claude (Shorty) R. Miles on March 12, 1908 in Yreka, Siskiyou Co., California. (He was born on July 23, 1887 in Fort Klamath, Klamath Co., Oregon and died on October 22, 1968 in Medford, Jackson Co., Oregon. He is buried in the Siskiyou Memorial Park, Medford, Oregon.) They divorced on August 21, 1924. They had no children. Blanche married second to Edgar Dixon Gurney in about 1946. (He was born on June 6, 1898 in Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois and died on June 14, 1978 in Josephine Co., Oregon 11. He is buried in the Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, California.) They had no children. After their marriage in 1908, Blanche and Claude lived in Medford, although he was apparently away on business frequently. In 1920, Blanche was working as a clerk in a jewelry store. Sometime between 1924 and 1930, Blanche moved permanently to San Francisco, California. There, she worked as a nurse in a dentist's office.
7	Frank Merriman was born and died in about 1890 in Medford, Jackson Co., Oregon.
8	Mollie L. Merriman was born on March 25, 1892 in Medford, Jackson Co., Oregon 12. She died on December 3, 1934 in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., California 9,12. She married Clarence H. Cady on April 6, 1910 in Medford, Jackson Co., Oregon 3. They divorced on December 31, 1913. They had no children.
9	Vera Vivian Merriman
10	Sharon Chapman Merriman was born on January 29, 1902 in Medford, Jackson Co., Oregon 5. He died on July 4, 1935 in Red Lodge, Carbon Co., Montana 5. He is buried in the Eastwood I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Medford, Jackson Co., Oregon. He married Marietta Edwards on August 3, 1924 in Berkeley, Alameda Co., California 13. (She was born on December 16, 1900 in California 2 and died on May 12, 1999 in Sonora, Tuolumne Co., California 2.) They had one child: Living md. ??? Smith

Vera Vivian Merriman was born on September 30, 1896 in Medford, Jackson County, Oregon ^1,2. She died on June 23, 1974 in Portland, Multnomah Co., Oregon ¹. She is buried in the Lincoln Memorial Park, Portland, Multnomah Co., Oregon.

Father: George Francis Merriman
Mother: Mary Elizabeth Murray

Vera, the sixth of seven surviving children, spent her childhood and adolescence at her parent's house at 520 South Central Avenue in Medford, Oregon. It is unknown if Vera and her family ever attended church or belonged to any specific Christian denomination during this time period. In adulthood, most of them (including Vera) converted to Catholicism. Vera attended Medford High School, where she probably graduated in 1914. After graduating from high school, her parents sent her to college or teaching school in Chicago, Illinois. It is not known which college this was, but she received a teaching certificate probably in 1915 and returned to Medford.

Vera was immediately hired at Medford High School where she taught typewriting and shorthand, beginning in about May of 1915. She worked at the high school for two years until 1917, when she began working as a stenographer for A.E. Reames (a successful Medford lawyer and later U.S. Senator). It was also at about this time that Vera moved out of her mother's house and began living with her sister Blanche (who also lived in a house in Medford). Sometime during the mid 1910's, Vera began a relationship with a Medford businessman named Ben Plymale. They wrote letters to each other during his service in World War I, and probably became engaged soon after he returned home in 1919. They were married in Medford in 1920.

After their marriage, Vera continued working as a secretary, while Ben continued his business pursuits in the clothing business. Within a few years, they purchased a house at 59 North Orange Street in Medford. Vera continued working until probably 1925, when she became pregnant with her first child. Sadly only six weeks after the birth of her daughter Mary Jo, her husband died after complications in surgery. Vera was in a difficult situation and needed a way to care for her children and pay for her house. Because her father had at one time been the Post Master of Medford, she was able to get a job working for the Post Office. She was fortunate because the Stock Market Crash of 1929 and the Great Depression was only months away. Vera never remarried.

Vera continued with steady employment at the Post Office, with several promotions. Eventually, she became an administrative assistant of the Northwest Division Headquarters of the U.S. Post Office in Portland. Because of her job, she was compelled to move away from Medford. In 1941, she and her two children sold their house and moved to Portland, Oregon. Vera spent the remainder of her life in Portland. She died from heart failure while sitting in her rocking chair at home.

For information on their children, see his page.

Sources:

1. Obituary of Vera Plymale, The Oregonian, June 28, 1974
2. Social Security Death Index
3. Marriage records of Jackson Co., Oregon
4. Obituary of George F. Merriman, Medford Mail Tribune, November 8, 1915
5. Tombstone Inscriptions, Eastwood I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Medford, Oregon
6. Death Certificate of George F. Merriman, 1915, Jackson Co., Oregon
7. Assorted US Federal Census records
8. Death certificate of Thomas T. Merriman, 1933, Jackson Co., Oregon
9. California Death Index
10. Western States Marriage Index, http://abish.ricks.edu/fhc/gbsearch.asp
11. Oregon State Death Index
12. Obituary of Mollie L. Merriman, Medford Mail Tribune, December 4, 1934
13. Obituary of Sharon C. Merriman, The Picket-Journal, July 11, 1935
14. Tombstone Inscriptions, Jacksonville Cemetery, Jacksonville, Oregon
15. Powers, John C. Early Settlers of Sangamon County, Illinois. Edwin Wilson & Co., IL, 1876.
16. Death Notice of William H. Merriman, Jacksonville Democratic Times, September 21, 1877
17. Douglas Co., Oregon marriage records
18. Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763-1900, Illinois State Archives
19. Death Certificate of Auletta Harvey, 1936, Jackson Co., Oregon
20. Tombstone Inscriptions, Mountain View Cemetery, Big Timber, Montana
21. Death Certificate of Marie Bennett, 1943, Jackson Co., Oregon
22. Death Certificate of Anna Clark, 1935, Jackson Co., Oregon
23. International Genealogical Index
24. Death Certificate of Isaac A. Merriman, 1922, Jackson Co., Oregon
25. Merriman Family Birth and Death Records, by Marie Merriman Bradley Manly
26. Washington State Death Index
27. Tombstone Inscription, Acacia Memorial Park, Seattle, Washington
28. Vital records of Cheshire, Connecticut
29. Merriman, W.W. The Descendants of Amos Merriman, Genealogical Chart. 1937, Chicago, IL.
30. Jacobus, Donald L. Reunion of Descendants of Nathaniel Merriman at Wallingford, Connecticut. New Haven, CT, 1914.
31. Jacobus, Donald L. Families of Ancient New Haven. 1922-1932.
32. Online gedcom family files
33. Death certificate of Mollie Houston, 1926, Multnomah Co., Oregon
34. Marriage records of Multnomah Co., Oregon
35. Indiana Deaths, 1882-1920. (Ancestry.com)
36. Cemetery index, Arenzville Cemetery, Cass Co., IL
37. Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Kane County. 1904, Munsell Pub. Co., Chicago
38. Family bible of Eliakim Merriman
39. Illinois Death Index, Pre-1916. Illinois State Archives, http://www.sos.state.il.us/GenealogyMWeb/deathsrch.html.

Places in the Unites States named after the Merriman family:

• Merriman Road, Medford, Jackson Co., OR