General Notes

For the definitive work on the Merrill lines, check out Bob Davidson'sMerrill Research at http://www.patpnyc.com/davidson.shtml

This site provides an extensive, documented source for the earlyMerrills.


1683: Survey for him for 88 acres on west end of Staten Island,received patent in 1686.

1687: Land deed transfer to John Reay on the Arthur Kill across fromPerth Amboy. Mentions
wife Grace for first time.

1687: Bought 120 acres in Middleton, NJ from Richard Stout Jr. and hiswife Frances of
MonmouthCo, NJ.

1704: Moved from Middleton to Hopewell with group of families led byJonathan Stout. At the
time this was the western frontier of settlement. It is reference tothis move "he went west"
that is often confused with his nephew William Merrill, son ofRichard.

1705: Land owner and juror in Hopewell.

1716: Hopewell town constable.

1722: Tax list of Hopewell, NJ lists him and sons Benjamin and WilliamJr. William Sr.
assessed for 300 acres, 24 cattle and horses and other holdings.

1723/24: William Merrell wrote his will a few days before his death.He leaves to wife Grace

"all moveable estate, including 40 cattle, two negro men, 16horses and all my
sheep." After her death all to go to "all my children by an equaldivision.....all the
lands in my possession being about 350 acres to be equallydivided between my
two sons Benjamin and Joseph....if they cannot agree on dividingthen it is my
will that my son William Merrell and Joseph Stout shall dividethe land for them
equally as they can." Crop of winter corn to be equally dividedbetween sons
Benjamin and Joseph. The will was signed in a shaky hand "WilliamMerrel."

This date and his place of birth are not consistent with his being theson of Richard Merrill and Sarah Wells.

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