General Notes

1761: From Capt. Benjamin Merrill and the Merrill Family of NorthCarolina by William
Earnest Merrill:

Charles, the fifth son of Capt. Benjamin and Jemima Smith Merrillwas born in
November 1761, served in Salisbury District Militia during theRevolution &
received his pay in a land grant on March 24, 1784. He was not inRowan when
the 1790 census was taken. It is thought that he went to SouthCarolina.

Pendleton County, South Carolina, where Charles was thought to haveeventually gone and where Abel Merrell was thought to be born in 1793was formed from Indian Lands in 1789 in the northeast corner of SouthCarolina.  In 1826, Pendleton County was abolished and divided intoAnderson and Pickens County.  Pickens was divided into Pickens andOconee County in 1868.

1777: 7 May  Jacob Wiseman and Robert Moore were asked to arbitrate amatter over the estate of Benjamin Merrill between Harmon Butner andthe Merrill children, Samuel, John, Andrew, William, Benjamin,Penelope, Boyd McCreary and Anna who have interests of Charles, Elijahand Jonathan.  Butner was ordered May 9, 1777 to appear in court withCharles, Elijah and Jonathan, orphans of Benjamin Merrill "to be dealtwith as the law required."  At the next court, Charles, age 15, was tobe bound to his brother John who was to teach him the art of being amaster blacksmith and to receive a set of tools when he came of age"besides what the law required." Elijah was bound to his oldestbrother Samuel to learn the weaver's trade. Samuel was to give him aloom and tackle. Jonathan was bound to his brother-in-law, BoydMcCreary.

1790: Charles, Benjamin, William were in Laurens County, SouthCarolina in 1790 with 2 males under 16 and 2 females. In 1800 he wasin Mudlick Creek, Pendleton District, South Carolina, age (26-45),with 2 males 2 females (under 10); 1 male (10-16) and 1 female(16-26).

1794: Charles Merrill's grandfather Andrew Smith's will was proved(Liber 35, Folio 114,
Dept. State, Hopewell, New Jersey.

One Spanish Pestole to her forever, if it should so happen thatmy Daughter
Jemima Should become poor and Needy in this life I do Require myExers to give
her Reasonable Relief out of my estate. I also give and devise tomy Daughter
Jemima's children that she bear to Benjamin Merrill to Wit:Samuel, John,
Andrew, William, Charles, Elijah, and Jonathan Merrill, AnnaMcCleary, and
Penelope Merrill to all and each of them severally fifty pounds.

1800:  US Census, Pendleton District, South Carolina (speculatedmembers of family): Charles Merrell Household consisted of 1 male26-45 (1755-1774) (Charles b. 1761); 1 male 10-16 (1784-1790) (Williamb. abt 1785); 1 male 0-10 (1790-1800) (Benjamin b. 1791); 1 male 0-10(1790-1800) (Abel b. 1793); 1 female 16-26 (1774-1784)(Elizabeth-dates must be incorrect); 2 female 0-10 (1790-1800)

1801:  Charles is mentioned in his mother's (Jemima Smith MerrellButner) will dated 7 May
1801. He is to receive shares in money of value of three slaves,Hagar, Rose, James, David.

1803:  Jemimah Smith Merrell Butner's will probated in 1803 mentionssons Samuel, the
eldest, Andrew, Jonathan, Charles and Elijah. Daughters Nancy andElline.

1843:  According to some descendants, widow Elizabeth was still livingin Marshall County, Alabama.  In the 1840s, Charles Merrill's widow,Elizabeth, filed a Revolutionary War pension claim based on Charles'alleged service. At the time she was in Marshall County, Alabama andstated that Charles had died in 1822.  A witness stated that Charleswas a son of Benjamin Merrill who was hanged by the British. Thepension was denied.

From William F. Furr
bfurr1@@charter.net
75 Oldfield Circle
Montgomery, AL 36117