As a fitting preview of The Merrill Story we are going to place this startling story just before it in this half page:
MERRILL
A New England family, Merrill, also spell their name Merle and Merrells. They were once domiciled in the Province of Aisne, France before 1600, where they perpetuated their name by founding the village of Merle. The French interpretation of Merle is “blackbird.” The family was knighted in both France and later in England (We have a copy of the design of the crest and coat-of-arms).
Nathanielle Merrill came Newbury, Mass., in 1638. He was born in Wiltshire, England in 1610 and was a brother of John Merrill of Newbury.
John was an original settler in Newbury where he was made a freeman in 1640. In the early days, those owing the government money were considered serfs until they paid their debts, then they were acclaimed freemen.
Jeremiah was settler, dating about 1650. He was one of the builders of Boston as were his brothers.
Thomas Merrill was at Hartford, Ct., about 1645.
Dr. Frederick James Hamilton Merrill of Columbia University, N.Y.C., National Geologist and Director of New York State Museum, was descended from Nathanielle.
Newbury is in the extreme northeastern corner of Massachusetts, within 3 miles of the Atlantic Ocean and situated on the Boston and Maine railroad. Ipswich, Rowley, Essex and other English names appear as close neighboring towns with Newbury, so we wonder if my ancestors of American colonial times had hands in building many of them.
Grace Edith Merrill