James Merrick (1690 - bef. 1760)

Born 1 Aug 1690 in Talbot County, Maryland, British America

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth Barron — married 10 Dec 1713 in Talbot County, Maryland, British America

Descendants

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Biography

James Merrick was a Maryland colonist.

James Merrick was born on 1 AUG 1690 in Talbot County, Maryland, British America, according to St. Michael's Parish records. ^{[1] [2]}

The marriage of James Merrick and Elizabeth Barron on 10 DEC 1713 is recorded in the records of Old Whitemarsh Church (St. Peter's Parish) in Talbot County, Maryland. ^{[3] [4] [5]}

James Merrick died sometime before 17 MAR 1760, when his will was submitted for probate. The will, written on 9 APR 1756, reads as follows:

"In the name of God Amen I James Merrick of Talbot County and Province of Maryland, House Carpenter, being in perfect health and sound mind thanks being to God thusfore, Recalling to mind the undercertainty of this life, Do make this my last will and testament hereby Revoking and making void all other will or wills by me heretofore made.

"Imprimis, I recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God who gave it to me and my body to the earth from whence it came, to be buried in such Christian like manner as my Executrix hereafter named shall see proper.

"Item, I will all my just Debts to be honestly paid of my Estate,

"Item, I give unto my dear and well beloved Wife Elizabeth Merrick all and singular my Estate both real and personal so long as she remain my widow, but my said Wife if she should marry after my Decease then I will that she have only one third part of my Estate. Item, I give unto my son John Merrick all my lands after my wife decease, and if my wife should marry as afsd, I will that my said son John immediately possess the other two thirds not to her given after such marriage and that he hold the said two thirds unto her decease and then after my wife's decease as afsd, I give to him my said son John Merrick the whole of my land to him and the heirs of his body lawfully begotten ~ forever ~ and for want of such heirs my will is that he should go to among my two daughters [vizt?] Jeane Merrick and Mary Merrick the elder to be preferred before the younger to them and their heirs forever.

"Item, I give to my Grand Daughter Ann Merrick daughter of my dec'd son James Merrick one shilling Sterling money of Great Britain and that she be therewith satisfied for her part of my Estate.

"Item, I give to Grand Daughter Sarah Merrick daughter of the afsd Jas' one shilling sterling money of Great Britain and that she be therewith satisfied.

"Item, I give to my two Grand Children Zadock and Elizabeth Botfield each one shilling Sterling money of Great Britain and that they be therewith satisfied.

"Item, I give to my three daughters vizt Elizabeth Robinson, Jeane Merrick and Mary Merrick all my personal estate not before given after the decease of my wife or marriage as before mentioned, But if the negro man before given to my son Wiliam Merrick should Die before he be possessed thereof.

"Item, I will my son William to have one equal part with my three daughters before mentioned which I give to them and their heirs.

"Item, I give my Pew in the Chaple amongst all my sons and daughters, vizt John and William Merrick, Elizabeth Robinson, Jeane and Mary Merrick to them and the heirs of their bodys lawfully begotten forever.

"Lastly I nominate and appoint my well beloved wife Eliza' Merrick the sole executrix of this my last will and testament, in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this ninth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty six. "

Witnesses were Joseph Barron, Richard Turbutt, Fargus Farrell, Thomas West. ^{[6] [7] [8]}

Research Notes

Marjorie Bushey writes: "James and Elizabeth Barron Merrick set the pattern for their descendants for more than 150 years by confining most of their life and activities to the five precincts as established by the Vestry of Whitemarsh Parish (which then included Easton, their Chapels in Chapel District, and the later parish of St. Johns Hillsborough), the geographic center of which was Trappe. These people were planters or farmers.". She says in 1722, he patented "Hazards Addition" on Kings Creek, and in 1733 owned "Merricks Hazard." She reports James Merrick actually farmed more acreage than any of his ancestors or descendants.

Land 5 MAR 1716 - Talbot County, Maryland, British America. Note: He purchased from James and Mary Powell a 50 acre parcel of land, part of a 120-acre tract known as Powell's Hazard, lying on a branch of King's Creek called Muddy Branch. This was one of three tracts of land later sold as a package in 1783 by William Merrick (orphan of John) to John Merchant, Jr. ^[9]

1722 - Talbot County, Maryland - "Hazards Addition" on Kings Creek patent. ^[8]

1733 - Talbot County, Maryland - "Merricks Hazard" patent. ^[8]

Misc 1739–1740 - Talbot County, Maryland, British America. ^[10]

Occupation

planter - Trappe, Talbot County, MD. ^[8]

Sources

1. ↑ Source: #S183 Book 1, p. 88, St. Michael's Parish, Talbot County.
2. ↑ Source: #S134 Saint Michaels Parish, Talbot Co, MD; Maryland State Archives, accessed through Familysearch.org file #008548050
3. ↑ Source: #S11
4. ↑ Source: #S183 Book 1, p. 66, St. Peter's Parish, Talbot County.
5. ↑ Source: #S134 St. Peter's Parish Register 1681-1744, Talbot Co, MD; MSA SCM-295-1
6. ↑ Source: #S142 Vol. 5, p. 200.
7. ↑ Source: #S97 Maryland Prerogative Court Wills Book 30 BT2 folio 855-856.
8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3} Source: #S11
9. ↑ Source: #S177 Liber RF 12, folio 270; Indenture between James and Mary Powell and James Merrick; 5 March 1716
10. ↑ Source: #S132 Volume 2, pp 87-88, 199-200; Inventories of Daniel Merrick

• Source: S11 Talbot County Merricks, compiled by Marjorie Lloyd Merrick Bushey, 1965.
• Source: S132 Talbot County, MD Inventories; FamilySearch.org
• Source: S134 Church Records
• Source: S142 Christos Christou, Jr. & F. Edward Wright, Colonial Families of the Eastern Shore (Westminster, MD: Family Line Publications, 1998)
• Source: S177 Talbot County, Maryland; digital images, MDLandRec.net.
• Source: S183 F. Edward Wright, Maryland Eastern Shore Vital Records.
• Source: S97 Will, copy