Individual Details

Benjamin Merrill, son of William Merrill & Penelope Stout was born about 1731 in Hopewell, then Hunterdon County, NJ. Hopewell is now part of Mercer Co but that county was not formed until 1838 and Benjamin's family left New Jersey in the 1750's. He was part of a community that suffered property and title disputes in New Jersey and left to form the Jersey Settlement in Rowan Co NC.

Benjamin Merrill's first record in Rowan Co NC is cited as in Court Book 2, p.107.
24 Jan 1756. Summon issue to Michael Myers, Dan'l Little, Benj Merril & Michael Arrand to shew reason for not going out against the Owens who it was thought committed several misdemeanors.

He is found on a 1759 Tax List for Rowan Co along with William Merrill, Edward Hughes, and Peter Peirson.

Rowan Co NC DB 4, p.363.
9 Sep 1760. George Smith sold 1042 acres to Benj Merrell. North side of the Yadkin River in St. Luke's Parish.

Rowan Co NC Deed Abstracts, vol II 1762-1772
Books 5-7
Jo White Linn, 1972
p.15 Book 5, p.170
8 Dec 1762 McCulloh to Benjamin Merrell 320 A in Tract #9
Wit: Robt Rainey, Alex. Ford, John Rainey
Book 5, p.171
8 Dec 1762 McCulloh to Mrs Benjamin Merrell 543A in Tract #9
Wit: Robt Rainey, Alex Ford [Since married women could not hold title to land except under unusual circumstances, I suspect this deed was read incorrectly - both tracts sold to Benjamin.]


Capt Benjamin Merril was hung, then drawn and quartered by Gov. Tryon, for his part in the Battle of Alamance. His lands were conficated but later restored to the widow.

Abstracts of Minutes of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions, Rowan Co 1775-1789, Vol. III
Jo White Linn 1982
p.27 5 Nov 1777
Inventory of estate of Benj Merrill returned by admrs. Samuel, John, Andrew, & Benjamin Merrill, Boyd McCreery & John Blaylock summoned to appear at next court to give acct of Estate in their hands.


Post to states that Benjamin was born about 1731, son of William Murrell and Penelope (Stout) Jewell. Benjamin and Jemima moved to Rowan Co NC in the 1740's and helped organize the Jersey Settlement Baptist Church. The family is said to have viewed his hanging - four of his sons served in the Revolution.

Date: Fri, 3 Aug 2007
To: khaden@comcast.net
From: "john v. burns"
Source: LEWTER@rootsweb.com
Capt. Benjamin Merrill, born 1731 in Hunterdon Co., NJ; died 19 June 1771 in Hillsboro, NC.
Children of Capt. Benjamin Merrill are:
i. Anna Merrill, died in Mo; married Boyd McCrary.
ii. Smith Merrill
iii. Samuel Merrill, born 1748 in NJ; died 1803; married Susannah in Rowan Co., NC.
iv. John Merrill, born 11 December 1750 in Hopewell, NJ; died 20 October 1838 in Monroe, Franklin Co., Miss; married Mary Catherine Wiseman 21 January 1773 in Rowan Co., NC; born 1751 in Oley, Berks Co., Pa.; died 1819 in Franklin, Ga..
88 v. Andrew Merrill, born 1751 in Hunterdon, NJ; died 29 May 1853 in Ky; married Rachel Wiseman 1770 in Rowan Co., NC.
vi. William Merrill, born 1754; married Salley Haden 13 April 1778; born 1758 in Goochland, Va..
vii. Penelope Merrill, born 1761; died 1830; married Benjamin Merrill 02 February 1778 in Rowan Co., NC; born 02 December 1752 in Hopewell, Hunterdon Co., NJ; died 10 May 1836.
viii. Charles Merrill, born November 1761; died Abt. 1822; married Elizabeth 23 May 1783 in NC; died Aft. 25 September 1843 in Marshall Co., Ala..
ix. Elijah Merrill, born 1763.
x. Jonathan Merrill, born 1767 in Rowan Co., NC; married Nancy Elliott 25 September 1787 in Rowan Co., NC.


Rowan Co NC Will Abstracts, Vol. 1 1753-1805 Books A-F
Jo White Linn, 1970
Vol II 1805-1850 Books G-K
1971
p.32
B: 179 Mary Wiseman, 28 Dec 1790, prb 1791 Sons: James & William
Dau: Mary Merrell, Rachel Merrell. Dau-in-law Ann Wiseman, Lyde Wiseman [James's Wife]. Grandaus: Elizabeth Merrell, Jane Wiseman. Exr: son James, son-in-law Andrew Marrell. Wit: Jacob Wiseman, Mary Patterson

Birth	Abt 1730	Hopewell, Hunterdon County, New Jersey
Marriage	Abt 1747	New Jersey - Jemima Smith
Death	19 Jun 1771	Hillsborough, Orange County, North Carolina

Spouse	Jemima Smith ( - 1803)
Child	Samuel Merrill (1748 - 1803)
Child	John Merrill (1750 - 1838)
Child	Andrew Merrill (1752 - 1829)
Child	Anna Merrill (1754 - 1828)
Child	William Merrill (1754 - )
Child	Nancy Merrill (1756 - 1837)
Child	Penelope Merrill (1759 - 1830)
Child	Charles Merrill (1761 - 1822)
Child	Elijah Merrill (1763 - )
Child	Jonathan Merrill (1767 - )

Father	William Merrill (1680 - 1740)
Mother	Penelope Stout ( - 1776)