John Merriam (1671 - 1754)

Born 25 Apr 1671 in Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts

Ancestors

Husband of Rebecca (Sharp) Merriam — married 23 May 1694 in Lynn, Essex, Massachusetts Bay

Descendants

Died 11 Oct 1754 at age 83 in Wallingford, New Haven County, Connecticut

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Biography

John Merriam was in 1671, the son of William^[1] and Elizabeth (Breed) Merriam.

He married Rebecca Sharp 1694 in Lynn, Essex, MA.^[2]

He lived in Lynn a score or more years after marriage, carrying on a farm.

In 1713, he was employed by the town to teach a "Grammar School," i.e. one in which Latin was taught as well as the higher branches of study in English, and 10 lbs. "allowed" for his services, besides the sum of "2 pence per week for such as are taught to read, 3 pence per week for them that are sent to write and cipher, and 6 pence per wk. for them that are sent to learn Latin, to be paid by the parents and masters that send their children or servants as aforesaid." The position was a testimony to his education and capability.

Aug. 25, 1710, he sold land adjoining that of his brother Joseph in Lynn, being his homestead, and also a tract adjoining land of his brother William. Not far from this date he removed to Wallingford, Conn. (afterward Meriden), where he spent the rest of his days.

He purchased of John Prout, Nov. 3, 1716, for 305 lbs., 300 acres of land in Wallingford, commonly called and known by the name of the Counay Farm, lying and being in the Wilderness at a place commonly called "Pilgrim's Harbor," also 5 1/2 acres of Hoop land near said farm. He resided in that part of Wallingford afterward incorporated as Meriden.

His wife was received to the (Congregational) church, Sept. 27, 1730.

Children of John and Rebecca Sharp Merriam include:

1. Baby Boy Merriam was born in Lynn, Essex, MA Mar 25, 1695 and died the same day.
2. Capt Nathaniel Merriam was born in Lynn, Essex, MA., Mar 26, 1696. Nathaniel died 1774 in Wallingford, New Haven, CT, at 78 years of age. He married Elizabeth Hull Nov 12, 1723 in Wallingford, New Haven, CT. Elizabeth was born Apr 8, 1698 in Wallingford, New Haven, CT. Elizabeth was the daughter of Benjamin Hull and Elizabeth Andrews. Elizabeth died Jun 11, 1767 in Wallingford, New Haven, CT, at 69 years of age.
3. John Merriam was born in Lynn, Essex, MA., Oct 26, 1697. John died May 26, 1772 in Wallingford, New Haven, CT, at 74 years of age. He married Mary Merriman Apr 21, 1725 in Wallingford, New Haven, CT. Mary was born Mar 15, 1705 in Wallingford, New Haven, CT. Mary was the daughter of John Merriman and Elizabeth Peck. Mary died May 23, 1732 in Wallingford, New Haven, CT, at 27 years of age.
4. William Merriam was born in Lynn, Essex, MA Apr 9, 1700. William died Oct 4, 1751 in Wallingford, New Haven, CT, at 51 years of age. He married Ruth Hart Mar 24, 1726 in Wallingford, New Haven, CT. Ruth was born Aug 13, 1704 in Wallingford, New Haven, CT. Ruth was the daughter of Hawkins Hart and Sarah Royce. Ruth died Nov 4, 1784 in Wallingford, New Haven, CT, at 80 years of age.
5. Rebecca Merriam was born in Lynn, Essex, MA Mar 26, 1702. Rebecca died Apr 25, 1727 in Wallingford, New Haven, CT, at 25 years of age. She married Benjamin Ives Jan 17, 1723 in Wallingford, New Haven, CT. Benjamin was born about 1700.
6. Sergeant Joseph Merriam was born Mar 29, 1704.
7. Ruth Merriam was born in Cheshire, New Haven, CT Feb 12, 1706. Ruth died Jul 4, 1776 in Cheshire, New Haven, CT, at 70 years of age. She married twice. She married Josiah Robinson 29 Mar 29, 1725 in Wallingford, New Haven, CT. Josiah was born about 1705. She married Caleb Hull Feb 2, 1768 in Wallingford, New Haven, CT. Caleb was born Feb 4, 1695/1696 in Derby, New Haven, CT. Caleb was the son of Joseph Hull and Mary Nichols. Caleb died Sep 8, 1789 in Cheshire, New Haven, CT, at 93 years of age.
8. Abigail Merriam was born in Lynn, Essex, MA Aug 14, 1708. Abigail died Apr 6, 1799 in Wallingford, New Haven, CT, at 90 years of age. She married Thomas Dutton May 6, 1729 in Wallingford, New Haven, CT. Thomas was born about 1705.
9. Susanna Merriam was born in Lynn, Essex, MA Nov 10, 1710. Susanna died 23 Feb 23, 1736 at 25 years of age. She married Hawkins Hart Nov 30, 1731 in Wallingford, New Haven, CT. Hawkins was born about 1700.

He died Oct. 11, 1754.

• Biography from Find A Grave Memorial^[3]

Sources

1. ↑ "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VQXG-JM9 : 15 January 2020) John Merriam Birth Date 25 Apr 1671 Birthplace Lynn, Essex, Massachusetts, Father's Name William Merriam. Note: the location is also indexed as Salem.
2. ↑ "Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q29G-GHL4 : 19 May 2022) John Merriam Spouse's Name Rebecka Sharp Marriage Date 23 May 1694 Marriage Place Salem, Essex, Massachusetts
3. ↑ Find Grave Memorial

• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 20 April 2020), memorial page for John Merriam (25 Apr 1671–11 Oct 1754), Find a Grave Memorial no. 112368114, citing Broad Street Cemetery, Meriden, New Haven County, Connecticut, USA ; Maintained by Thomas (contributor 47966515) .
• Donald Lines Jacobus, Families of Ancient New Haven ([CD]Baltimore, Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1981[originally]Rome, N.Y. and New Haven, Conn., 1922-1932), vol 3, p 589.
• MERRIAM GENEALOGY IN ENGLAND AND AMERICA by Pope. John Merriam, person 11, pages 50-51. https://archive.org/details/merriamgenealogy00pope/page/50/mode/2up