Theophilus Merriman. The False Pedigree and Information about Nathaniel Merriman

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: [unknown]
Surname/tag: Merriman

In 1894, J.M. (John Merriman) Adams published a book entitled A History of the Adams and Evarts Families published in Chatham, N.Y. and printed at The Courier Printing House. Beginning on page 72 Adams gave the following incorrect information concerning Nathaniel Merriman and his forbears.

Generation 1. *Theophilus Merriman, born in Wiltshire, England, 1533. Theophilus had a brother Samuel who was deaf and dumb, but who died young. Among other children Theophilus had a son Theophilus.

Notes: Interesting choice of names for the father and grandfather. Nathaniel's son Samuel had sons Nathaniel, Samuel and Theophilus. However, it is just as likely that Theophilus was named after Theophilus Eaton.

Generation 2. *Theophilus Merriman, born in Maidstone, Kent, 1573-1580, lived in Canterbury and married Hannah _____. Theophilus had Nathaniel, Caleb, and Moses.

Generation 3. *Nathaniel Merriman, was born in Tenderden, Kent, England. 2 June 1613; died in Wallingford, Conn., 23 Feb 1693; settled in New Haven, Conn., 1663; original settler of Wallingford, Conn 1670; Captain of troops 1675; Deputy 1669-1685; **Married (1) Abigail Olney in England 1649. Abigail's father William fled England to save his life from religious persecution. He was an early settler of Killingworth. His wife died in Kent, England, and he lived to be over 90. **Married (2) Jane Lines, 1680, in Hadley, Massachusetts.

List of Children given by Adams:

1. John d. 26 Sep 1651
2. Hannah b. 16 May 1651; m. Boltwood
3. Abigail b. 18 Apr 1654; m. John White
4. Mamre b. 12 July 1657; m. Samuel Munson
5. John b. 28 Feb 1659; m. (1) Hannah Lines
6. Samuel b. 29 Sep 1662 m. Anna Fields
7. Caleb b. May 1665; m. Mary Preston
8. Moses b. 1667; m. Judith Beach
9. Elizabeth b. 14 Sep 1669; m. Dec 1695
10. Anna d. young

Adams says to See History of Northfield, Mass.^[1] p. 495 which has this list.

1. John d. 26 Sep 1651
2. Hannah b. 16 May 1651
3. Abigail b. 18 Apr 1654
4. Mamre b. 12 July 1657; m. Samuel Munson
5. John b. 28 Feb 1659; m. (1) Hannah Lines & (2) Mary Doolittle
6. Samuel b. 29 Sep 1662 m. Anna
7. Caleb b. May 1665; m. Mary Preston
8. Moses b. 1667
9. Elizabeth b. 14 Sep 1669; m. Dec 1695 Ebenezer Lewis

These lists explain the errors made by Davis in the History of Wallingford, namely

• Mamre m. Samuel Munson
• John m. 2nd Mary Doolittle
• Moses - who was in reality unnamed "sonnes"

Sources

1. ↑ Temple, J. H. and Sheldon, George. A history of the town of Northfield, Massachusetts : for 150 years, with an account of the prior occupation of the territory by the Squakheags : and with family genealogies. Albany, N.Y. : J. Munsell, 1875