Cumberland County, Maine - Henry J. Merrill
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Biography
Henry J. Merrill
Biographical Review
Cumberland County, Maine
Boston
Biographical Review Publishing Company
1896
Page 669-670


Henry J. Merrill, who has been successfully engaged in educational work in
Falmouth during the past twenty years, is a native of Falmouth, born August 20,
1854, son of Jacob Jewett and Emily (Hall) Merrill. He is of English ancestry,
and comes of old Colonial stock. John and Nathaniel Merrill, the first
representatives of the family in America, were early settlers of Newbury, Mass.,
the former being made freeman in 1640. Abel Merrill, born in 1644, son of
Nathaniel, married in 1671 Priscilla Chase, daughter of Aquila Chase. James
Merrill, their youngest son, was born at Newbury on January 27, 1689.

After James Merrill had grown to manhood and taken upon himself the duties of
life, he left his Newbury home and went to Stratham, N.H. and thence to
Falmouth, Me., in 1738 or 1739, being the first of the family to settle in this
section. He was married at Newbury, Mass., November 23, 1714, to Miss Mary
Adams, a daughter of Sargeant Abraham and Mary (Pettingill) Adams, of that
place. Four of their children were born in Newbury, Mass., five at Stratham, N.
H., and two in Falmouth, of whom Silas, the great-grandfather of Henry J., was
the eleventh and youngest. Silas Merrill was twice married, his first wife being
Miss Susannah Knight, by whom he had one child. For his second wife he married
Miss Hannah Matthews. Twelve children were born of this union, of whom Samuel is
the next in line of descent. He learned the trade of a shipwright, and followed
that occupation with success throughout his life. Samuel Merrill married Miss
Lucretia Patrick, of Falmouth, Me.; and five children were born of their union,
all of whom have passed away. In religious views he was a Congregationalist, and
at the formation of the Second Congregational Church of Falmouth he transferred
his membership to it from the First Parish Congregational Church.

Jacob Jewett Merrill was a son of Samuel and Lucretia Merrill. He chose the life
of an agriculturist, and his labors in that field of work were crowned with
success. His marriage with Miss Emily Hall was a congenial and happy one, and of
the five children born to them four are now living. The record is as follows:
Hulda H. and Lucretia (twins); Henry J.; Frederick W. and Julia F. (twins), the
latter now deceased. Their father was not especially interested in public
affairs, but spent his time in looking after his farms, of which he owned three.
The home place is now carried on by his son, Frederick W. Merrill. In political
views Mr. Jacob J. Merrill was a Republican, and be was an active member and
faithful worker in the Second Congregational Church of Falmouth.

Henry J. Merrill acquired his education in the public schools and academy of
Falmouth. After leaving school in 1874 he engaged in teaching, and with the
exception of one season, in 1876, when he taught at the Cape Elizabeth Grammar
School, and another, in 1890, when he was an instructor in the Greely Institute
of Cumberland, Me., he has been a teacher in the Falmouth schools. In December,
1888, he was married to Miss Nellie W. Tewksbury, the only daughter of the late
E. M. Tewksbury, of Falmouth. They have buried their only child.

In political affiliation Mr. Merrill is a Republican. In the winters of 1891-93
he was in the custom service as inspector of English steamers entering the port
of Portland. He served as Selectman in 1881; and from that year until the
present he has been a member of the School Board, and during the greater part of
the time he has served as Supervisor. He is now one of the Board of Selectmen,
and also one of the Assessors. About 1877 Mr. Merrill became a member of the
Ancient Brothers' Lodge, No. 4, of Portland, but afterward left that to become
presiding officer of Presumpscot Lodge, No. 91, of Falmouth. After holding that
office one term, he became installing officer of this district, and served as
such for two years. He is also a member of Machigonne Encampment, No. 1, of
Portland. Mr. Merrill is a communicant of the Congregational church.

as follows : Hulda H. and Lucretia (twins) ; Henry J.; Frederick W. and Julia F.
(twins), the latter now deceased. Their father was not especially interested in
public affairs, but spent his time in looking after his farms, of which he owned
three. The home place is now carried on by his son, Frederick W. Merrill. In
political views Mr. Jacob J. Merrill was a Republican, and be was an active
member and faithful worker in the Second Congregational Church of Falmouth.
Henry J. Merrill acquired his education in the public schools and academy of
Falmouth. After leaving school in 1874 he engaged in teaching, and with the
exception of one season, in 1876, when he taught at the Cape Elizabeth Grammar
School, and another, in 1890, when he was an instructor in the Greely Institute
of Cumberland, Me., he has been a teacher in the Falmouth schools. In December,
1888, he was married. to Miss Nellie W. Tewksbury, the only daughter of the late
E. M. Tewksbury, of Falmouth. They have buried their only child.
In political affiliation Mr. Merrill is a Republican. In the winters of 1891-93
he was in the custom service as inspector of English steamers entering the port
of Portland. He served as Selectman in 1881; and from that year until the
present he has been a member of the School Board, and during the greater part of
the time he has served as Supervisor. He is now one of the Board of Selectmen,
and also one of the Assessors. About 1877 Mr. Merrill became a member of the
Ancient Brothers'  Lodge, No. 4, of Portland, but afterward left that to become
presiding officer of Presumpscot Lodge, No. 91, of Falmouth. After holding that
office one term, he became installing officer of this district, and served as
such for two years. He is also a member of Machigonne Encampment, No. 1, of
Portland. Mr. Merrill is a communicant of the Congregational church.