John Segrave Merton (abt. 1816 - 1907)

Born about 1816 in England, United Kingdom

Husband of Catherine Sammons — married [date unknown] (to about 1834) in Guernsey, Channel Islands

Husband of Ellen (Grace) Merton — married about 1857 (to 3 Aug 1858) in Williamstown, Victoria, Australia

Descendants

Died 27 May 1907 at about age 91 in South Yarra, Victoria, Australia

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Kaye Mansfield [send private message]

Biography

He arrived in Melbourne on the "Madras" in 1854. ^[1]

He was in Court as defendant in a damages action in 1856 and 1857.^[2]

John married Ann Louise Rouse in Victoria in 1861.^[3][4]

In 1871 there was a Warrant for his arrest in Victoria for defaulting on payments as a contractor. ^[5]

In 1890, arrested for passing bad cheque.^[6][7]

John Merton died in Victoria in 1907 aged 91. Parents shown as Harriet Martin and John Merton.^[8]

He is buried with Laura Merton at Springvale Botanical Cemetery. ^[9]

Research notes

Most probably the son of John and Harriet Martin. No trace of a marriage to Emma Segrave has been found at 23 April 2018. John Merton had been married previously, to at least two other women, and potentially had at least one other female partner who he did not marry.

There appears to be a lot of information around about John Merton. Trove online newspapers will hold some as well - he sued for compensation after an accident, was apparently a Mine promoter and there was also an inquest into the death of one of his wives. A trail of litigation and charges. There is also a physical description of him in the police gazettes.

Sources

1. ↑ Public Records Office of Victoria - Search Terms: REID - Ship: MARTIN LUTHER - Date Arrived: 1851 to 1853

   Family name: MERTON

   Given name: J

   Age: Adult

   Year arrived: 1854

   Month arrived: JAN

   Ship: MADRAS

   Captain: PARFITT WM

2. ↑ 1857 'Advertising', The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), 27 February, p. 3. , viewed 02 Feb 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article7145317

   SATURDAY, 28th FEBRUARY.

   In the County Court of Bourke, Colony of Victoria,

   Fi. Fa.

   Between Edward B. Green, plaintiff, and John Segrave Merton, defendant.

   NOTICE is hereby given, that by virtue of a judgment in the County Court of Bourke, before E. W. Pohlman, Esq., on the fifth day of May, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, wherein the above plaintiff recovered against the above defendant the sum of seventy two pounds and seventeen shillings damages, together with the costs of the said action, in all amounting to eighty-seven pounds and four shillings, I shall (unless this execution be previously satisfied) cause to be sold by public auction, at D'Arcy's Hotel, opposite the New County Court, on Saturday, 28th inst., at eleven o'clock forenoon, all that the rlght or rights, cause or causes of suit or suits or the said John Segrave Merton, of Melbourno, in the colony of Victoria, against Edward Bernard Green, defendant in a certain action now pending in the Supreme Court of the colony of Victoria, being No. 62 of the year 1857.

   Dated this 23rd day of February, 1857.

   ROBERT SMITH, County Court Officer.

3. ↑ Victoria BDM marriages

   Registration number: 3088 / 1861

   Family name: MERTON

   Given name(s): John Segrave

   Spouse's family name: ROUSE

   Spouse's given name(s): Ann Louisa

4. ↑ 1861 'Family Notices', The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), 17 September, p. 4. , viewed 02 Feb 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5704159

   MARRIAGE.

   MERTON—ROUSE.—On the 14th inst., at the Manse, Chalmers' Church, East Melbourne, by the Rev. Dr. Cairns, John Segrave Merton, Esq., late of Twycross House, Oxford, to Anne Louisa, only daughter of Wm. Rouse, Esq., late of Birmingham, England.

5. ↑ Victoria, Australia, Police Gazettes, 1855, 1864-1924

   Name: John S Merton

   Age: 55

   Birth Date: abt 1816

   Year: 1871

   Place: Victoria, Australia

   Reference Description: AU7103-1871 Victoria Police Gazette 1871

   A WARRANT of commitment for two months, in default of distress or payment of £16 18s. 3d., has been issued at Whittlesea, at suit of Gordon and Company, against John S. Merton, an Englishman, a contractor, aged 55 years, short in stature, erect corpulent figure, very florid complexion, white or grey hair and moustache, otherwise clean-shaved, good-looking, respectable appearance, and dress. Has held contracts on the North-Eastern Railway for the supply of sleepers ; is Well known amongst contractors and engineers; and formerly lived on Ballarat.-—10th August 1871.

6. ↑ 1890 'THE LAST MOMENT.', The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), 24 June, p. 1. , viewed 02 Feb 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article242126476

   A man, named John S. Merton, described as a commission acent, was arrested by Constable Smith to-day on a charge of obtaining money and goods by false pretences. On the 1st. inst. the accused visited Pokash's Family Hotel, Spencer street, and obtained four bottles of spirits, valued at 14s, and 16s in money. He gave a cheque for L1 10s in payment. The cheque was afterwards returned from the bank as valueless.

7. ↑ 1890 'The Gippsland Times.', Gippsland Times (Vic. : 1861 - 1954), 18 August, p. 3. (Morning.), viewed 02 Feb 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article65298437

   His Honor Judge Worthington, at the Melbourne General Sessions on Saturday, sentenced John S. Merton, a land boomer and Gippsland coal mine floater, to two months' hard labour for obtaining goods and money by means of a valueless cheque from the wife of the licensee of the Family Hotel, Spencer-street.

8. ↑ Vic BDM

   Family name: MERTON

   Given name(s): Jno

   Event: Death

   Mother's name: Hart

   Mother's family name at birth: MARTIN

   Father's name: Merton Jno

   Place of death: S Y

   Age at Death: 91

   Reg. year: 1907

   Reg. number: 6274/1907

9. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (accessed 20 November 2020), memorial page for John Merton (1816–27 May 1907), Find A Grave: Memorial #196729280, citing Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Springvale, Greater Dandenong City, Victoria, Australia ; Maintained by Linda Pearce (contributor 49080073)