WILLIAM MERRILL was born about 1729 in Hopewell Township, Hunterdon (now Mercer) County, New Jersey, the son of WILLIAM MERRILL and PENELOPE (STOUT) JEWELL. Prior to December 2, 1752, he married MARY CORNELL (b. about 1724, d. August 15, 1813), daughter of WILLIAM CORNELL of Pennington, Hunterdon (Mercer) County, New Jersey. In 1757, William Merrill and his wife left Hopewell, New Jersey and settled in Rowan County (present day Randolph County, North Carolina), where he acquired land along the Uwharrie River. In 1779, William Merrill was assessed for taxes on 345 acres of land (100 acres of which were improved), four negroes, nine horses, twenty-two cattle, and 230 Pounds in bonds and stock.

          William Merrill was deceased prior to March 20, 1782, for on that date his son BENJAMIN MERRILL posted bond qualifying as his administrator. On February 24, 1783, BENJAMIN MERRILL deeded his father?s 245 acre plantation in Randolph County, North Carolina to his brother JOHN MERRILL. Orson Merrill of Portage, Utah in his 1886 ?Personal Notes? relates the following tradition: ?The old gentleman was carried away by the British soldiers. Two of his boys, Benjamin and John, were out hunting and saw the soldiers with a light and heard their father?s voice, but they were afraid to shoot for fear they would hit their father. He was never heard of afterwards and it is supposed he was hanged. The soldiers were raiding through the country and they came to their house while the boys were away, and helped themselves to what they wanted. Their mother told them what she thought of them and they split her tongue.?

          Mary (Cornell) Merrill lived for many years after her husband?s death on the family plantation in Randolph County, North Carolina. She died on August 15, 1813 at the age of 89 years, and is buried in the Merrell family cemetery on Old Mountain Road in Randolph County, North Carolina, southeast of the city of Thomasville. Mary (Cornell) Merrill's grave marker was photographed by descendant C. Phelps Merrell in 1984, but is now missing. Known Issue:

BENJAMIN MERRILL, b. December 2, 1752 Hopewell, Hunterdon (Mercer) County, New Jersey, d. May 10, 1836 Buncombe County, North Carolina; md. February 4, 1778 Rowan County, North Carolina, PENELOPE MERRILL, b. about 1760, d. about 1830, daughter of BENJAMIN MERRILL and JEMIMA SMITH. Benjamin Merrill and his wife were first cousins. Benjamin Merrill performed service in the militia during the Revolutionary War (Pension Application #S8891). [For details of his service, see sketch]. He and his wife migrated in 1798 to Buncombe County, North Carolina, settling on Cane Creek in the vicinity of Fairview, North Carolina. Benjamin Merrill devised his will in Buncombe County, North Carolina on January 25, 1825 (Probated July 5, 1836). Benjamin and Penelope Merrill are probably buried in the Merrill-Patton family cemetery, Fairview, North Carolina.

RACHEL MERRILL, b. about 1750-1755 Hopewell, Hunterdon (Mercer) County, New Jersey, d. between 1834-1840 Randolph County, North Carolina; md. about 1771 Guilford (Randolph) County, North Carolina, ANDREW FOUTS, SR., b. March 9, 1750/51 Frederick (Carroll) County, Maryland, d. September, 1834 Tabernacle Township, Randolph County, North Carolina [Randolph County, North Carolina will devised April 11, 1834, Proven November Term, 1834], son of MICHAEL FOUTS, SR. and CATHERINE VARNER. An Inventory and Account of Sales were taken of Andrew Fouts' estate by his executor, Zaza C. Merrill, on November 29, 1834 in Randolph County, North Carolina.

DANIEL MERRILL, b. May 17, 1755 Hopewell, Hunterdon (Mercer) County, New Jersey, d. March 11, 1844 Randolph County, North Carolina, md. July 16, 1783 Randolph County, North Carolina, ELIZABETH LYTLE, b. 1763 Pennsylvania, d. 1810 Randolph County, North Carolina, daughter of HENRY LYTLE and MARGARET HARMON; 2md. June 20, 1816 Randolph County, North Carolina, RACHEL WARD, b. about 1773, d. August, 1817 Randolph County, North Carolina; 3md. January 6, 1818 Guilford County, North Carolina, MARGARET (WARRICK) THOMAS, b. November 9, 1770 Caswell County, North Carolina, d. April 23, 1837, daughter of ANDREW WARRICK and widow of ROBERT THOMAS; 4md. December 21, 1837 Randolph County, North Carolina, HANNAH BISHOP, d. before September 10, 1845 Randolph County, North Carolina. Daniel Merrill performed service in the militia during the Revolutionary War (Pension Application #S7222). He enlisted on July 22, 1776 as a private in Captain Thomas Flack?s company and was discharged in October, 1776. He also volunteered about September 15, 1780, serving as a private in Captain John Johnson?s company. Following the battle of Guilford Courthouse, Merrill served on various tours under Captain John Knight against the Tories, and was once taken prisoner. During his confinement, he received a head wound inflicted by a broadsword, from which he did not recover until after the war had concluded. Daniel Merrill continued to reside on the home plantation of his father William Merrill. He and at least two of his wives are buried in the Merrill family cemetery, Mountain Road, Randolph County, North Carolina. His third wife, Margaret (Warrick) Thomas Merrill is buried at Fair Grove Methodist Church Cemetery in Davidson County, North Carolina. For images of Daniel Merrill's family bible record, click here.

JOHN MERRILL, b. July 24, 1757 Hopewell, Hunterdon (Mercer) County, New Jersey, d. between April 12, 1833-January, 1834 Buncombe County, North Carolina; md. CATHERINE RHODES, b. October 20, 1760. John Merrill performed service in the militia during the Revolutionary War (Pension Application #S7220). In 1778, he enlisted and served in Captain Enoch Davis? Company, and fought at the Battle of Brier Creek in Georgia. He was discharged April 10, 1779 after a service of five months. In 1781, he enlisted again in Captain Thomas Dougan's Company, and was wounded on his head by a sword in an engagement in Guilford County on March 15, 1781 [pension incorrectly states April 15, 1781]. He was discharged on July 30, 1781 after five months service, and afterwards served in scouting parties against the Tories. In 1798, he and his family, along with Benjamin and Penelope Merrill, Boyd and Nancy McCrary, and others migrated to Buncombe County, North Carolina, settling on Cane Creek near present day Fairview, North Carolina. John Merrill devised his will in Buncombe County, North Carolina on April 12, 1833 (Probated January 11, 1834). He and his wife are buried in the Merrill-Patton family cemetery, Fairview, North Carolina. A monument to John Merrill was erected by his descendants at Bearwallow Baptist Church near Gerton, Henderson County, North Carolina.