| Nathaniel Merrill Jr. migrated to New England during the Puritan Great Migration (1621-1640). (See The Directory, by R. C. Anderson, p. 226) Join: Puritan Great Migration Project Discuss: pgm |
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Nathaniel Merrill, the son of Nathaniel Merrill and Mary Blacksoll (named as his parents on baptism record), was baptized in Wherstead, Suffolk, England May 3, 1601 [1][2] and died in Newbury, Massachusetts March 16, 1654/5.[3] He married Susanna Wolterton about 1630, probably in England. He arrived in Newbury, Massachusetts by 1638.[4] Per an unnamed reference, it is said that he came to New England with his brother John, but it's possible that John came first.[citation needed]
The "Merrill Memorial" states that Nathaniel and John settled in Newbury in 1635 after having moved from Ipswich and that Nathaniel became one of the proprietors in 1638.[5] However, this is all conjecture as there is no evidence that Nathaniel arrived in America before 1639 or lived anywhere other than Newbury. John, however, did arrive earlier and had been living in Newbury for some time prior to Nathaniel's arrival. He was granted a lot on the Neck on the south bank of the Parker River in Dec. 1646: "the necke men have consented to hold to the removeing of the towne, and accordingly have received satisfaction at the new towne in land, for their land on the necke, and therefore have yelded up their land in the necke to the Towne."[6] Consequently, the town was moved to the shore of the Merrimack River.
Nathaniel and Susanna were probably married in England. Although their son John was the executor of the estate of Gregory Wolterton of Hartford, Connecticut, Susanna was probably not his sister due to the large difference in age. Donald Lines Jacobus was of the opinion that Susanna was probably the daughter of Susanna, first wife of Gregory Wolterton.[7]
The "Merrill Memorial" states that John and Nathaniel bore the arms "Argent, a bar Azure, between three peacocks' heads erased Proper."[5] However, no evidence is found for their right to these arms.
This person is an ancestor of President Franklin Pierce 14th US President
Witnes by these psents that I Nathaniell Merrill of Newbury in the Countie of Essex being sicke of body but through gods mercy of perfect memory I do here make my last will and testament, I first bequeath my soule into the hands of my blessed Redeemer with an assured hope of a joyful resurection, and my body when it shall please the Lord to take me out of this fraile life to bee buryed in the burying place in Newbury, and for my worldly goods I give and dispose as followeth.
Impr I give and bequeath unto Susanna my wife five akers of plowable land lying next my brother Johns land and halfe the marsh dureing her naturall life and a cow and three heifers and all my household goods, And out of this estat so given to my wife I give and bequeath unto my daughter Susanna five pounds when she shalbe at the age of twenty years
then I give and bequeath unto my Son Nathaniell (whom I appoint as my true and lawfull heire) all my land and freehold after my wives decease, and all the working tooles & Implements of husbandry and all the cattell and stocke besids And out of this stocke I appoint that my Son Nathaniell shall pay theise legacyes as followeth, that is
I give unto my son John when he shalbee of the age of two and twenty yeers the summe of five pounds,
And also I give and bequeath unto my son Abraham also at the age of two and twenty years five pound and
And also I give and bequeath unto my son Daniell also at the age of one and twenty years five pound and
I give and bequeath to my Son Abell five pounds also at the age of one and twenty years,
And I appoint my Son Nathaniell to be my sole executor and all my debts & funerall rites being discharged I appoint him to have all the rest of my goods & chattels undisposed and I desire my brother John Merill and Anthony Somerby to be the overseers of this my last will & testament.
In witnesse whereof I have set my hand march the eight in the yeare one thousand six hundred fifty foure
The marke
NM
of Nathaniell Merrill
but if gods pvidence should by losses & crosses upon ye estate more than ordinary: then porportionobly to be abated in the legacyes.
Wittnes Richard Knight
Anthony Somerby
John Merrell
Pved in court held at ypswich the 27 of (1) 55 by the oath of John merrill & Anthony Sumerby
p me Robt. Lord cleric
An Inventory of the lands goods and Chattells of Nathaniell merrill of Newbury who deceased march 16 1654/55
Impr ten akers of vpland and thre akers of marsh
with the preuiledge of afrehold or Comonage
vallued at…………………………………….....................20- 0-0
It one cow and acalfe...........................................4-15-0
It three heifers of three yeare old and 2 calues
vallued at.............................................................12-10-0
It two steers of two yeare old & two heifers vallued
at ...........................................................................11- 0-0
It three yearelings vallued at................................4- 0-0
It one old cart & wheels and sled and an old
harcw.......................................................................1- 0-0
It 2 spades a mattock a beetle 4 wedges a crosscut
saw & a hand saw & 4 axes and 4 hooes wth
other small tooles………………………………,,,,,,,,,,,,...2- 0-0
It 3 old tubs a fanne [a tool for winnowing grain] an
Iron staple & ring & 2 prongs [hay forks] &
shouell...................................................................0-10-0
It his weareing apparel.........................................2- 0-0
It ten bushells of malt & barly 5 bushells of wheate
& nine bushels of rye & about 35 bushells of Indian
corne…….………………………………………………........10-16-0
It two muskets and 2 swords with match & powder &
other appurtenances therto belonging..............2-0-0
It in oats & pease..................................................0-10-0
It sixe small swine..................................................3- 0-0
It 2 flock beds [beds filled with wool waste] & bolsters
& 2 small feather pillows & two couerlets & old
blankets & 2 paire of sheets old..........................4- 0-0
It 2 old Ketles 2 skillets & a smal braspot &
Iron pot..................................................................1-10-
It an old warming pan fireshouell gridIron tongs &
other small Iron things & a spit..........................0-12-0
It 4 small pewter dishes & askimmer dishes &
spoones.................................................................0-12-0
It a truckle bedsted [trundle bed] 2 buckets and a
pre of cottrells [hooks used to hang pots over the
fire] & other small things.....................................0-10-0
It a small cart rope & halfe bushell & a pecke...0- 5-0
It a small cubbord & 2 chests..............................0-16-0
It one drinke vessels 2 wheels one powdring tub:
[tub to corne meat] ten milke trayes & 3 cheesfats
[cheese presses] & other lumber.........................2- 0-0
....................................................................Sum is 84- 6-0
his debts for Rent due to mr Cutting..................5- 0-0
and besids in small debts.....................................2- 0-0
A true Inuentory taken march 23th 1654:55 by us
Daniell P Thurstons marke
Richard Knight Nicholaus Woodman[8]
Nathaniel was survived by his wife Susanna, brother John, and children Susanna, Nathaniel, John, Daniel, Abraham and Abel. Nathaniel's will dated 8 March 1654[54-55] names his wife Susanna as heir, assigns Nathaniel as executor and bequeaths five pounds to his other five living children.[9]
Known children of Nathaniel and his wife:[10]
Disputed child No reliable sources have been found for Thomas Merrill (1646-1711) as a son of Nathaniel. He is not mentioned in any reliable sources, nor was he mentioned in his father's will. He is likely incorrectly assigned to this family and has been detached.
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M > Merrill > Nathaniel Merrill Jr.
Categories: Massachusetts Bay Colony, Immigrants from England | Wherstead, Suffolk | Newbury, Massachusetts | First Settlers of Newbury | Puritan Great Migration
He will be detached as Nathaniel's son.
Carl