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The following is taken Verbatim from the book "Family History of the Merriman Family." All comments written after this point are taken from the book and are NOT mine.
This copy was found at:
The Society of Genealogists.
37 Harrington Gardens.
London, SW7 4JX

Last updated July 18, 1999.

Pedigree of the Family of Merriman.

Page 1.-----------------------------------------------------------------------

OF THE NAME.

Ex. Patronymica Britannica, by M.A., Lower Brit. Mus. 2098,c.:-

   "Merriman-The phrase mery men, applied to adherents or soldiers, may be merely expressive of their hilarity in the service of their chief.- A. Sax. mirige, cheerful."-Jamieson. "An old term used by a chief in addressing his soldiers: 'My merry men.'"-Ibid. But a correspondent tells me that, from time immemorial, at Marlborough, the Merrimans have occasionally written themselves Marmion, and this is probably the true source of the surname."

   "Marmion, Marmiun.-A great feudal family sprung from Robert de Marmion, lord of Fontenay in Normandy, who came hither at the Conquest, and received from the Conqueror the Castle and Barony of Tamworth, co. Warwick........"

   I have only once come across the name spelt "Marmian," and that is in connection with the presentation of the living of St. Mary's of Adree by the Crown to John Marmian (?Mariman), 5 and 6 Philip and Mary.

   I have however, discovered the name spelt in the following ways:-

   It has also been suggested that the name is derived from the Meermans or Mermans of Holland and Flanders, or it may have taken its rise from a person residing near some of the Merés, or having some duty to perform in those districts.

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EARLIEST FAMILY MSS.

   The Earliest Manuscript in the Family was written by Nathaniel Merriman (No. 43), and the established Pedigree of the late Dr. Samuel Merriman commences with it.

    The following is from J.J. M's. book, page 47, and is copied from the above Manuscript:-

"Pedigree of Mr. Merriman"
"Oxfordshire."

"First I am informed lived ther."
"He had three sons-one went into the North, one to London, one to Newberry."
"He at Newberry two sons."
"My grandfather two sons and three daughters, one maryed to Bayley, one to Barksdale, one to Long," etc., etc.
[The Manuscript gives in two columns the children of Thomas, of Newbury, and of John, the captain. These are copied verbatim.]

"Uncle"

             "Thomas"...................

"Children.....Thomas 4 sons 3 daughters"

             "Mary"

             "Sarah 2 sons 1 daughter"

             "Emline to Heath some children"

             "Joseph 3 sons 3 daughters"

             "Benjamin 3 sons 3 daughters"

             "John noe child            "



             "Thomas 1 son 3 daughters"

             "Joseph 3 sons 3 daughters"

             "Benj. 3 sons 3 daughters"



............."John father"

             "John 1 son 2 years old."

             "Thomas 3 sons 1 daughter."

             "Mary 1 son                "

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             "Henry 1 son 3 daughters"
             "William lost beyond sea."
             "Cicilly ffaling out of a wagon dyed"
             "John 1 son"
             "Sarah 1 son 2 daughters"
             "Ann 2 sons 4 daughters."
             "Joseph noe child."
             "Benjamin 1 son."
             "Nathaniel 5 sons 7 daughters"

             "Nathaniel have had 3 sons 3 daughters"
             "Benj. 2 sons"
             "Matt. Morgan 1 son 2 daughters"
             "Elliz. Potticary ab 10 children."
             "Sarah Spackman ab 10 children"
             "Pat not maryed."

    "The following Account of the Family of the Merrimans was copied from a paper in the possession of William Hawkes Merriman, of Bristol (son of Nathaniel Merriman, No. 71, by his second wife, Sarah Hawkes, No. 70a), and, it is believed, was obtained by the late Mr. Benjamin Merriman, of Marlbourough."-(Ex. J.J. M's book page 93):---

    "Mr. Nathaniel Merriman, of Marlborough, Wilts., the first of that name in this* town, traced back his ancestors into Oxfordshire, from which County three brothers of the name went, one into the North of England, one to London, and the other to Newbury in Berks. He who settled at Newbury had two sons, one of whom, it is probably, died unmarried; the other had two sons and three daughters. The sons were names Thomas and John; the three daughters were married, one to Mr Nathaniel Bayley, grocer in Marlborough; he was eminent in his day, and a man of fortune; he built for his own use, after the fire of Marlbro' in the year 1653, the large house+ in the High Street, wherein for more than 120 years the grocery business has been carried on. One other daughter was married to Mr. Barksdale, of Newbury. The other daughter to Long, of...

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    "Thomas, who resided at Newbury, had three sons, names Thomas, Joseph and Benjamin, each of whom left many sons and daughters.

    "John, the other son, engaged in the Parliament's Cause against Charles the First, and became a captain in Oliver Cromwell's army. He is mentioned in Oldmixon's history, and it has been reported in the family that the King made him some presents as marks of esteem for the humanity and good behaviour of the captain towards him. This Captain John Merriman had twelve children, of whom five sons married and had issue, vis.:--Thomas, Henry, John, Benjamin and Nathaniel. Nathaniel, the youngest of the above mentioned twelve children, came to marlborough, to his uncle, the above mentioned Mr. Nathaniel Bayley, about the year 1670, being then about 10 years of age; he succeeded the said Mr. Bayley in the grocery business in the same house, which business he afterwards resigned to his eldest son, and set up in the brewing and malting branch about the year 1720. He died January, 1743, about the 82nd year of his age. He had issue five sons and seven daughters, of whom five lived to have children viz.:-

"1st.--Mary, who was married to Dr Morgan,* and left one son, named Nathaniel, in 1776, at Jamaica.

"2nd.--Elizabeth, who was married to Potticary, of whose children remained, in 1776: Elizabeth, CAtharine and Christopher, and their children.

"3rd.--Sarah, who was married to Mr. Thos. Spackman, of whose children remained, in 1776: Benjamin, Mary, Martha, Samuel and Nathaniel, and the children of the three sons.

"4th.--Nathaniel, who married Mrs Elizabeth Hawkes, of whose children remained in, 1776: Benjamin and Nathaniel, and the children of Nathaniel."

"Here ends the list on the aforesaid paper.--W. H. M."

    "N.B.-Arms-In a field vest a crescent argent, between three black birds, close, proper. Crest-A warrior's arm grasping a short sword.-W.H.M."

=====================================

*Dr. Morgan was the celebrated Deistical writer.-W.H.M.

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PEDIGREE.--Sheet 1.

   Jehan Merriman, "archier,"--(No. 1 in Pedigree)--is mentioned in the muster roll of the English garrison of Monterean in 1423. To William Meryman (No 2), the King's Chief Cook, "a corrody in the Monastery of Chichester," was granted in 1518, and he seems to have attended King Henry VIII to the Field of the Cloth of Gold as an officer of the "Kechyn." Sir John Maryman was Vicar of Wotton-under-Edge, and was buried at Kensington, 1547. Thomas Myriman was buried at Ogborne in 1542. John Maryman was Rector of Clonfeakle, co. Armagh, in 1551, and became Bishop of Down and Connor in 1568. Gregorie Myrrima--(No. 3)--is mentioned below. Randall Meryman, archer lived at Marlborough and held a house there from the Corporation in 1572 at a rent of 10s. John Meryman, probably son of Randall, is also mentioned in the Town Records of Marlborough in 1580. In 1586 a Mr. Meryman, with other persons, was authorised to "haunt in Sussex in the old Papists' houses there." George Merryman--(no. 5)--lived at Thurbaston Longforde, co. Derby; his will was proved P.C.C. 1571. The Will of Peter Merriman--(No. 9) yeoman, of the Parish of Great Saint Bartholomew, London, was proved in 1597.

   Note by John Johnes Merriman, extracted from his MSS. book on the Family (page 47):--

   "I think that John Gregory and Randall were sons of William, the king's Chief Cook, whose position secured him a Corrody in 1518, and a visit to 'The Field of Gold Cloth' in 1520:--that being much about the Court, which was in 1536 at Wolfhall for the King's marriage with Lady Jane Seymore he may have led his brother Thomas (buried at Ogbourne 1542) to the neighbourhood of Marlborough, and his other brother John to Kensington (buried here in 1547), for Elizabeth, afterwards Queen, was now 14 years of age and is reported to have lived at 'Chelsea Place' and bathed in King henry VIII Conduit within His Majesty's forcing grounds on the W. side of Palace Green Kensington;" and that his influence secured his son John 1st 3 Crown Livings, 2nd the Chaplaincy to Queen Elizabeth, and 3rdly the Bishopric of Down and Connor. To the same influence possibly may be traced the promotion and advancement of Captn. Nicholas Merriman in Ireland, and also the power "to haunt" (whatever that is) to 'Mr. Merriman' in Sussex."

[Further particulars of the above-mentioned persons contained in MSS., Book 1, are not here printed, for the reason that there is no evidence in support of the suggested relationships, and because subsequent research by G.F.M.M. enabled him to construct a pedigree much more likely to be accurate. Full details are contained in his MSS., Books 3 and 7, from which the following extracts are taken.]

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Thome Mirrima De Wyttneye

Thomas Myrrima or Merryman, Weaver, probably born before 1500, Marrid Johanne or Jone, who was Executrix of his Will, and by her had issue--

[? "Mr. Merriman of Oxfordshire."]

"Testametor Thome Mirrima.
Pashe De Wyttneye.

   In the name of God amen. The XXIIII daye of Noveber ano dmi 1558 I Thomas Myrrima sicke of bodie but hole and pfett of myd do make my last will in maner and forme folweng first I bequethe my soule to god and my bodie to be buried in the churche yard of Wyttney I give and bequief to Johanne my wyfe the Lease and racke of my house wherein I dwell to her dweringe the terme of years ex in the same Lease specifiede. If hit may please god to cotnue her lyffe so longe in this pnte worlde I will that my sonne Gregorie shall have holde occupie and enjoye quietly all that my house wheerat Peter Norigge my sonne in lawe nowe dwellythe with the garding grownde to the sayd house belonginge. Also the shoppe wherein where his ii loomes standithe wth fre libertie to set adore into the sayd shoppe as may be most covenient for the sayd Gregorie for his easement towardes the house wh I have apointed him to Inhabytt in Biy this my last will and testamet. Also I will the sayd Gregorie shall have the comodite of halfe my orcherd and those behinde my house dweringe the terme of yeres specified wthin my Lease. The sayd Gregorie my sonne payeing the one halfe peart of the hole rent dweringe(sic) and thisse rent equally wth my wyffe dwerings the terme aforessyde and at suche time as hit owght of right to be paide and that the sayd Gregorie my sonne shall have fre passedge at all times throught my orcheoard close unto the ryver unto my close ende wthout any Disturbance provided allways and hit is my newow will and mynd that Gregorii my sonne aforesayde shall quietly have and enjoye his chaber wth all other suche necessarie romes as he hathe bynne used to have syne the time of his marriage untill this put and shall quietly enjoye theym untill suche time as Peter Nyrgg my sonne in lawe abovesayd my have lawfull maeinge to provide him another house to inhabyte.

   iiItem. If Jone my wiffe fortune to deparet out of this pnt lyffe before the end and terme of yeares wthin my lease specified be expryed then my will is that all the residue of my yeres of my hole howse with thorcharde gardey grounde and close shall remayne holy to Gregorii my sonne Dweringe the terme aforesayde Itm Whereas I geve and bequieffe to my sayd wyfe after my

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decease ii Lomes my will is that after my-decease(sic) her decease my sayd Gregorii shall have one of the sayd Loomes as his owne for...conditey that he shall paye unto Thoms Yate Of Wyttne XXI.

   Item I geve to John my sonne my best cote my best hose and my best dublett. I geve to James my sonne my sryse coate and a platter I gave to Harrie my sonne (sic) Horne my srigse gowne I geve to Jone Norigg my daughter Marrie the one halfe of my house holde stuffe downe rigth with my wyffe. The rest of my godes not bequeathed I give and bequethe to Jone my wyfe whome I costitute and make my execturixe willeing and charging her to setthis my last wyll pforyd acording to the same and her owne cosaence and the wealth of my soule wytnes Thome Luchsyppe Alys Marlmie Nicholas Hill and Alic Lryse the wrytter hereof."

__________________

GREGORII MERRYMAN DE WITNEY.

Eldest son of Thomas. Was himself a Weaver at Witney. Married Mariae, daughter of William Ruige, Yeoman of Hayley and Witney, by whom he had several children, including---

Anne, baptised at Witney, 23rd Jany., 1561.
Henry, baptised at Witney, 4th June, 1570.
George, apprentised in 1598 to Raphaell Warter, Cooper of London.

From Chancery Proceedings (now in the Record Office, London) the following is proved:--

• 1.--Gregory Merriman, weaver of Witney, was son of Thomas Merriman, of Witney.
• 2.--He was married before 1596 to Mary, sister of William Ruige, Yeoman, of Witney.

Brief Summary of Chancery Proceedings.

Complaint dated 7 May 1596.

About 40 years ago(1560 Pts: was seized of two mess: or tens: and a close in Witney which he mortgaged to his brother in law William Ruige for 40 markes paying interest of 18 sillings yearly.
Pts: says this property was settled on his wife for life.
He claims possession of property at any time on paying off the mortage.

Reply dated 8 May 1596.

Deft: states that he purchased the ppty: from the Pts: for good consideration about 2 July 1557-8 and that Pts: refers to other ppty:

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which was only leasehold and belonged to one, Richard Newman, who about 1550 demised it to Thomas Merriman father of the Pts: for a term of 21 yearsaat a yearly rent of 18 shillings.

About September 1593 Deft: required possession of one of his houses (then occupied by the Pts:) and allowed the Pts: to occupy one other of Defts: houses in Hayley at the pleasure of the Deft:

Deft: and his son Leonard Ruige then leased the house (formerly in the Occ: of Pts) to Robert Stevens of Abingdon Berks.

[N.B.--The Leasehold premises referred to are probably those left to Gregory Merriman under the will of his father.--G.F.M.M.]

1596.--"Gregorii Merryman de Witney. Admon. granted to Marice Merriman relict."

              £4. 14s. 5d.

(A. Bd. Inv: 4 Octl, 1596. Series I. Vol. 13, 177.)

___________________

GEORGE MERRYMAN.

Sonne of Gregory Merryman of Whytney in the County of Oxon Weav. He was apprenticed to Raphaell Warter and became a Cooper of London.

[? "The son who went to London."]

Ex. from Records of the Coopers' Company, London:--
"Court day on Thirsday the XIXth day of June 1606.....This day Raphell Warter brought into this Court one George Merryman the sonne of Gregory Merryman of Whytney in the County of Oxon Weav. and presented him heare has desired this Company to take notice of an Indenture of Apprenticeg dated the XViijth day of ffebruary 1598 whereby the said George was bound unto him for Ix yeares from the day of the date of the said indenture."

[N.B.--If George M. was 10 years old at the date of the Indenture he was born 1587-8.]
"4th Oct, 1610.--Recd of George Merryman for his publey (?) by Taxhall (? Raphaell) Warter iii iiii."
"27th July 1633 (/) Recd of George Merryman for prenticing John Rowan for eight yearts........XXd."
"16th Noe: 1638. Recd of George Merryman for prenticing William Myles for eight years.........XXd."
"5 Feb. 1655. John Merriman had turned over to him Henry Allison......Formerly apprentice of George Merriman."
[N.B.--This date means 1656, and shows that Goerge Merriman died before 5 Feb. in that year.]

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Ex. "Genealogical Gleanings in England," by Henry F. Waters,VVol 2, p. 1445 (B. M. 2100, c.):--

George Merriman, Citizen and Freeman of Coopers' Company, London. His Will dated 31 Oct, 1655, Proved P.C.C., 19 May, 1656 (Berkley 175).
"I do give unto my son Nathaniell Merriman, now resident in New England, the sum of ten pounds of Lawful English money; and unto my daughter Elizabeth Norman, whom I have already advanced in marriage with Master John Norman, I give twenty shillings to buy her a ring in remembrance of my love. My servant Henry Allison to serve out the remainder of his time of apprenticeship with my son John Merriman. The residue to son John whom I do hereby make and ordain full and sole executor, etc."

Marke of George Merriman.

From this it appears that George Merriman had at least three children living in 1655, viz,:--

1.--Elizabeth, m. John Norman.

2.--John Merriman, who carried on his father's business of Cooper, in London, and was sole executor of his Father's Will and took over his father's apprentice, Henry Allison.

3.--Nathaniell Merriman, who removed to America about 1632 and settled in the Colony of New Haven, later taking a prominent part in the development of what is now the State of Connecticut.
His Signature appears among the Planters in the New Haven Colony to the fundamental agreement dated 4 June, 1639.
He left several sons and was the founder of the American branch of the Merriman Family. He died at Wallington, Conn., on 13th FEb., 1693-4, and his Will, dated 6th June, 1692, was proved in New Haven Probate Court.

Information in regard to the American branch is to be found in--
(1)Adams' History of the Adams, Evarts and Merrimans.
(2)American Ancestory, Vol. IX.
See also pages 12-14.

___________________

JOHN MERRYMAN

Son of Thomas de Wyttney and mentioned in his Will.
[?"The son who went to the North."]

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JAMYS MERRYMAN

Mentioned in his father's Will of 1558. He certainly had two children vis.-- Thomas, who was baptised at Witney on 21st January, 1571, and Mariery, baptised there 25th January, 1579, and probably others, including Henry, mentioned below. There is no record of his Will or Burial.

[?"The son who went to Newbury." If so, he would be the father
of Henry and Thomas, Nos. 10 and 11 in the Pedigree.]

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NOTES ON THE ABOVE PEDIGREE.

1.-This Pedigree is compiled from notes obtained to date from Wills, Admons, Parish Registers, and the Coopers' Company Records, etc, and bears out the Pedigree written by Nathaniel Merriman, of Marlborough (1660-1742), with the one exception that the "the son who went to London" would appear to have been a "grandson" of the original "Mr. Merriman, of Oxfordshire."

   As this Mss, Pedigree was written from information probably obtained from a verbal source and put to paper many years afterwards, this error might have easily been made, more especially as it does not refer to a direct ancestor of the writer of the MSS, who, it will be noted, died 1742, or 183 years after the death of "Mr. Merriman, of Oxfordshire."

2.-It is most probable that direct proof as to the son who went from Oxforshire to Newbury is non-existent.

   The old Registers are very incomplete, especially in respect of Baptisms and Burials, and entries were often forgotten to be made.

   As he was not the eldest son and had no real or leasehold estate left him under his father's Will, it would be difficult to trace him or his movements from one town to another.

3.--The issues of Nathaniel, of "New England," and of Thomas and John, of Newbury, given above, show that they were co-temporaries, and the Pedigree as worked out, shows that they were all three great-grand-children of Thomas Merriman, weaver, of Witney.

4.--Thomas Merriman lived in Oxfordshire, and had three sons, and was a weaver.

   The early Merrimans of Newbury were concerned with the weaving trade for several generations.

   These facts, taken in conjunction with the MSS. Pedigree by Nathaniel Merriman, seem to prove conclusively that Thomas Merriman, of Witney, was the earliest ancestor referred to in the said Pedigree.

5.--Proof is required as to whether John or James moved from Witney to Newbury, and was the ancestor of the Marlborough branch of the Family.

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(note by R.Merriman...Two pages are missing from this section...)

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came to America in 1632. The evidence now at hand shows that both American and English branches probably descended from the Thomas Merriman of County Oxford, who died in 1559.

"The family descended neither from the titled nobility nor from the landed gentry. There are traces of Merrimans in other parts of Britain prior to 1600, and our English genealogist has a list of about twenty localities where they resided. The most prominent name is that of John Merriman, who was appointed chaplain to Queen Elizabeth in 1558, and who, about 1570, was consecrated Bishop of the Diocese of Down and Conner in Ireland."

   Susequently the entry and the records of the Coopers' Company, noted on page 8, confirmed the supposition that George Merriman, the father of Nathaniel of New England, was descended from Thome Mirrima de Wyttneye through his eldest son Gregorii, and seemingly established the connection between the American Branch of the family and the branches with which this publication is concerned, the former apparently being the senior branch.

===================================

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Married, firstly, Ammis or Amicis Russel at Newbury on 15 September 1604.
He married, secondly, Katherine, widow of ...Pinfall, at Newbury, 7 August, 1625. She was buried at Newbury, 8 November, 1658. She was sole executrix of Henry Merriman's Will, and had at least one daughter, Dorothy, by her first husband.

The Will of Henry Merryman (No.10.), of Newburie, Countie of Berkes, Broadweaver, is dated 29 December, 16 Charles I(1640).

Original, Arch., Berks., 1642, at Somerset House.
Item. To the parish church of Newberie Twelve pounde.
Item. To the poore people there Twelve pounde.
Mentions Katherine, my beeloved wife, nyneteene pounde, etc.
Mentions money due to him from Richard Bachilor, my master.
Mentions sonne Henry Merryman, who is now travelled abroad.
Mentions sonne William Merryman.
Mentions sonne John Merryman.
Mentions sonne Thomas Merryman.
Mentions Dorothy Pinfall, my wife's daughter.
Mentions money due to him from Mr. Pettie, of Sherborne.
Mentions money due to him from Symon Goddall, of Newberie.
Appoints his wife Katherine sole executrix.
"I intreate my Lovinge Friends Thomas Merryman the younger and John Lord[?] to be overseers."

The mark of the X said Henry Merryman

Witnesses: William Barksdale.
John Edmondes.

Inventory taken last day of Aprill, 1642, by Gilbert Wallis John Hore and Thomas Merryman, the total being £30:9s.6d.

He is mentioned in his brother, Thomas Merryman's, Will (No.11), and made one of his overseers.

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This Thomas is the second son of the Merriman(7) who settled at Newbury, who, in his turn, was one of the three sons of "Mr. Merriman, of Oxfordshire"(3).

His issue was:--

Ex. Newbury Registers:-
"1609. Thomas Meryman and Alis Russel were maryed the 15th of Januamy."
"1640. Thom. Merimã 8 Dec." buried.
The Will of Thomas Merryman (No.11), of Newberie, in the Countie of Berks., Innholder, is dated the &quotffower and Tweentieth day November 16 Charles I" (1640).
Original, Arch., Berks., 1640, at Somerset house.
He leaves to sonne Thomas Merryman, £40, and also, after death of lovinge wife Alice, the hoale of all my land....lyeinge and beeinge in Greeneham, in the psh. of Thacham, in the Countie of Berks.
Item. Unto my sonne John Merryman, 20s.
Mentions daü Alice and daü Dorothy.
To daü Dorothy Merryman, £40, to be paid unto her att or upon her day of marriage.
Ditto to daü Mary Merryman, £40, to be paid ditto.
Mentions his ffyve grandchildren.
Appoints wife Alice sole extrix.
"Intreate my lovinge Brother Henry Merryman and Bryan Mascolls to be overseers."
The mark of the X said Thomas Merry-man.

Witnesses: William Barksdale.
The X marke of Henry Merryman.
Thomas Barksdale

Inventory of goods...of Thomas Merryman, late of Newberie, in the co. Berks., Innholder, taken and praised 15 Dec., 1640, by Bryant Mascoll and William Neslon[?], the total being £405; 9s. 4d.

[N.B.-A very interesting inventory.]

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Eldest son of Thomas Merriman, No. 11.

   He lived at Newbury. He married Emlin Seeley (No. 14) on the 16 June, 1642. His issue was:-

These continued the Newbury line.

   The Will of "Thomas Merriman, of Newbury, Clothier" was dated 5 January, 1664, and it was proved 25 February, 1664-65. (Reg. P.C.C., "16 Hyde.")

   He desires to be buried in the Parish Church of Newbury; devises to his son Thomas, then a minor, three tenements at Merryhill, in Thatcham Parish, after the decease of his wife, Emlin Merriman. He gives also legacies to his sons Joseph, John and Benjamin, all minors, and to his daughter Mary. He mentions his brother, probably his wife's brother, John Seeley, Junior, and his kinsman Edward Barksdale.

_____________________

Eldest daughter of THOMAS MERRIMAN, No. 11.

   She was born at Newbury in 1622, and was baptised on 14 April. She married Nathaniel Bayley, of Marlborough, co. Wilts., who died in November, 1698.

Ex. "from a paper in the possession of William Hawkes Merriman, of Bristol, and it is believed, was obtained by the late Mr. Benjamin Merriman, or Malborough":-

   ".....the three daughters were married 1 to Mr. Nathaniel Bayley Grocer in Malborough, he was eminent in his day and a man of fortune, he built for his own use, after the fire of Malboro' in the year 1653 the large house in the High Street wherein for more than 120 years the Grocery Business has been carried on."

   In Cromwell's Charter for Malboro' he is described as "Assistant Justice," 1657, and in 1662 he was Majorof Malboro', but in the third year after King Charles II's return he, with the other Cromwelliams, was turned out.

   In the great fire, 1653, Waylen gives "John and Nathaniel Bayly, grocers-£1,650."

Page 18.-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Second daughter of THOMAS MERRIMAN, No. 11.

   She married Thomas Barksdale, of Newbury, by whom she had issue:-

All of whom are mentioned in their grandmother's Will, "126 Essex."

_____________________

Third and youngest daughter of THOMAS MERRIMAN, No. 11.

   She was born in 1625, and baptised on the 5 June, 1625. She married Mr Long.

_____________________

Second son of THOMAS MERRIMAN, No. 11.

   First entry in Record at Herald's College, 1893:-

"John Merriman, a Major in Colonel Riches Regiment of Horse in the Parliamentary Army (son of Thomas Merriman, of Newbury, co. Berks.) Baptised there 1 May 1618. Matriculated at Oxford University 2 May 1634, B.A. 20 June 1636. Died before 1 January 1678."

"He married Mary Gough (No. 22) in 1639.

He died about the year 1670. His issue was:-

   He is mentioned in the Wills of his Father and Mother.

Ex. "Newbury Parish Church Registers."-Baptisms:-

   "1618. John Meryman the sonne of Thomas Meryman was baptised the first of Maye. Suerties were John Marttine, John Huttchine and Alise Busshnell."

   He was a Captain of Horse in the Parliamentary Army, and "in a Commission subsequently (1659) granted to him by the Rump Parliament, he is described as Major in Col. Riche's regiment of Horse"-Ex.Commons' Journal, 13 July, 1659.

Page 19.-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Ex. from Notes by Samuel Merriman M.D. :-

"...Where he was educated, whether he exercised any occupation before he took up arms, or at what time he entered the ARmy is not known, but it seems likely that he was determined in the choice of his Profession by circumstances incidental with the two Battles fought near his native town in 1643 and 1644 between the King's forces and those of the Earl of Essex; or perhaps by the frequent frays and skirmishes in Oxfordshire, Berks., Wilts., &c., at an earlier period; to the fortifying by the orders of Parliament the Town of Marlboro' with which Newbury was often much connected, and by the attack upon that town by Lord Digby in December 1642 when it was carried by assault with great slaughter, and many houses were burnt down. At whatever period he entered the Army he had attained the rank of Captain before he had completed his 30th year, and on the 9th & 10th of April 1648 he distinguished himself under General Lord Fairfax in suppressing the very formidable insurrection of the 'London Apprentices.' In this encounter he was wounded by a piece of Artillery known by the name of 'a Drake,' and his Leiutenant was still more dangerously wounded by the same shot."

   See also Extracts from Whitelock's Memorials, 1680, pp. 298-299 reInsurrection.

Ex. from Whitelock's Memorials:-

   .....they fired their Drake, hurt Captain Merriman in the shoulder, and his Leiutenant in the belly, and killed a woman. This small party of the Army behaved themselves against a great multitude of men with much gallantry and resolution, and it was no small happiness to the Parliament that this insurrection was quieted etc."

   John Merriman had custody of King Charles I at Carisbrooke, where his mild conduct towards his Royal Prisoner drew forth the grateful feelings of the monarch.

Ex. Historical Collections. The Fourth and Last Part: Volume the Second.

   By John Rushworth, late of Lincoln's Inn. MDCCI:-
   [(Vol. 7)p. 1350.]
   "Monday. December 4. 1648.

   This Day the House of Commons according to former Order took into further debate his Majestie's Concessions, whether satisfactory or not about which they spent all Friday and Saturday last week, and not one Vote past, and the Question in no way likely to be decided this day.

   "Being upon this debate, a Letter came to the Speaker from the Officers deputed by Col. Hammond to take charge of his Majesty in the Isle of Wight, That his Majesty was removed thence to Hurst-Castle by order of the

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General and Council of the Army. for better satisfaction take the Letter it self:-

"Letter from Col Hammond's officers, of removing the King
to Hurst Castle.

'Right Honourable,
   'Yesterday, there came into the Isle some officers of the Army, viz.:-Liet. Col. Cobbett, and Capt. Merryman, with Instructions from the General and Council of War directed to themselves and the Commander in chief here, forthwith to secure the Person of the King in Carisbrook Castle..........

Carisbrook-Castle 1 Decem. 1648.

Your humber Servants signed by Major Rolph Capt. Boreman and Capt. Hawes.

Postscript
'Since the writing hereof, we have intelligence that his Majesty is safely arrived at Hurst-Castle.'

"The House disowns any consent in seizing the King."

For other accounts of John Merriman, see the following:-
   The True Secret History of the Lives and Reigns of all the Kings and Queens of England. By a Person of Honour. London, for D. Brown. 1725. Vol. II, p. 41.
   Grove's Antiquities of England and Wales. Carisbrooke Castle, 1 December, 1648.
   Rushworth's Collection, Vol. VII, p. 1351.
   Colonel Tomlinson's on The Trial of the Regicides. Trial of Colonel Hacker, 15 October, 1660.
   Also see "Notes by Samuel Merriman, 2nd M.D.," and "Notes by T. Baverstock Merriman" in the "Pedigree of the Family of Merriman," MSS. of John Jones Merriman.
Ex. Alumni Oxonienses (Members of University of Oxford), 1500-1714.
   By Joseph Foster. 1892. (Brit. Mus. 2102,a.) Vol III, p. 1003:-
   "Merryman, John, s. Thomas, of Newbury, Berks. pleb. Trinity Coll. matric. 2 May 1634 aged 16. B.A. 20 June 1636."
Ex. "Harleian Society's Publications," Vol. LVII. 1908:-
   Rylands' His. of Berks. 1532-1666, II. (2099, d. Brit. Mus.),p.3. Amoung the disclaimers at the Visitation made in the years 1665-1666:
"John Merriman, of Newbery."
Ex. Ibid., p. 30:-
   List of Berks. Householders, as arranged for the Visitation of 1665- 1666, summoned to appear:
"Faire cross hundred. Newberry Towne."
"John Merryman Geñ Disclaimed."

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   Supposed to have been a daughter of Colonel William Gough, who was one of King Charles' judges. See History of Marlboro', by James Waylen, p. 508:-
   "He (captain John Merriman) married, as is generally reputed, Mary, daughter of the renowned Colonel Goffe, the regicide, and by her had thirteen children."
   But Mr. Waylen gives no authority for this, though T. Baverstock Merriman thinks: "At least there is great probability in the truth of this version."
   This Colonel Goffe was one of Cromwell's "Major-Generals," and one of the Judges of Charles I, his signature, firmly and beautifully written, is attached to the famous death warrant.
   In "Cromwell's Charter," 2 May, 1657, amongst the Aldermen of Marlborough is William Gough or Goffe.
   Mary Merriman died before 1 January, 1678, evidenced by the Indenture of Apprenticeship of her youngest son, Nathaniel, which commences:-
   "This Indenture witnesseth that Nathaniell Merryman sonne of Mary Merryman late of Newberry in the County of Berks, Widdow, deceased......"
Gough Wills, reg. Arch., Berks., in Sommerset House:-
&quote;1630. Thomas Gough"-

_____________________

Ninth and youngest son of JOHN MERRIMAN, No. 21.

Ex. from Record in Herald's College:-

   "Nathaniel Merriman, of Marlboro' born 1660. Bound Apprentice to Nathaniel Bayly, of Marlborough aforesaid, Grocer, 1 January, 1678. Buried at St Peter's Marlborough co. Wilts. 6 January 1742. Will dated 7 Dec. 1741. Proved 28 February 1742-3. P.C."

   He married Mary Hunt(No. 44) on the 14 June, 1688, at Mildenhall, by whom he had the following issue:-

   He married a second time Ann Hunt (no. 45) on the 21 May, 1730, at Preshute, co. Wilts., by whom he had no children.

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   According to Berry's Berkshire Families (1837) (Brit. Mus. 2101, g, p.58), under the Pedigree of Hawkins, one Joseph Hawkins m. "....dau of ..... Friband, of Marlboro she married 2ndly Hunt Founder of the Arms Houses at West Mills and 3rdly Merriman, of Marlborough Co. Wilts. Brewer."

   See "Merriman 5," p. 22, by G.F.M.M.

   On the death of his father in 1670 he was placed under the care of his Aunt Dorothy (No. 15), he being then only about ten years old
   In 1678 he was apprenticed to his Uncle Bayly (No. 16). he settled in Marlborough from this time, and so commenced the Marlborough Line.
   The original "Indenture of Apprenticeship" is now (1915) in the possession of George Langshaw Merriman (No. 312), of Reigate, who had it left to him, with other papers and five family miniatures, by Miss Ward, of the Isle of Wight.
   He ultimately succeeded Mr. Bayly in the grocery business in the same house, which business he afterwards resigned to his eldest son.
   He then set up in the brewing and malting branch about the year 1720.
   Copy of the Will of Nathaniel Merriman:-
   "I Nathaniel Merriman the elder, of Marlborough Co. Wilts. Maltster to my son Benjamin £100. Forgive my son-inlaw Dr Morgan all money he owes me. to my Godson Nathaniel Merriman £300 when 22 . to my Goddaughter Elizabeth Potticary £5, her Mother's ring to my Goddaughter Catherine Potticary when 21, to my Godson Christopher Potticary when 22, to my son-in-law Thomas Spackman, to my daughter Sarah Spackman, to her children, to my daughter-in-law the wife of Nathaniel, to my daughter-in-law the wife of my son Benjamin ________ pounds.
   "Mr William Hawkes, Mr Edward Grinfield to be Overseers. Residue to my son Nathaniel Merriman, he sole Executor. 7 December 1741."
   "Proved 28 Feb. 1742-3 by M.M., sole executor."
   Reg. P.C.C., "48 Boycott," 1743, at Somerset House.
   The portrait of this Nathaniel Merriman is the earliest in the family.
   At present it is in the possession of Thomas Mark Merriman.
   My father has a photo, of this portrait framed (1900).-G.F.M.M.

   Note as to portrait from J.M.M.'s book, with additions by G.F.M.M. in parenthesis( ):-

   "Dr Samuel William John Merriman (No. 93, d. 1873) possesses a portrait of this Nathaniel Merriman (No. 43) as well as all those who came after him and by his kindness I have thus secured photos from this time onwards.">

N.B.-A minute account of these Portraits is given in the late Dr Samuel Merriman's (No. 80 or 90) Note book, kindly lent to me by Dr S. W. T. Merriman. Dec, 1867.-J.J.M."

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   A Portrait of this Nathaniel Merriman (No. 43.) the first of our name of whom there is any likeness in the family, was purchased by 'Cousin Sam' (Samuel Benjamin Merriman (No. 139), d. 1888) at the sale of Hannah Merriman's (Hannah Eliza Merriman (No. 96), d. 1887) effects at Sandown, Isle of Wight. His son, Mark Merriman, had this picture cleaned, and gave a dinner party at his house, 96, Finchley Road, N., on 25 April, 1893, when Charles, Sep., Will, myself, and others were present, since that, Mark brought me an excellent photo of this, the earliest portrait in the family.-J.J.M."

Ex. Collect. Topograph, and Geneal., Vol. V, pp. 347-350:-

   "1688. Nathaniel Merriman and Mary Hunt June 14. This N. Merriman was youngest son of John Merriman a Captain of Horse in the Parliamentary Army, who had custody of the King at Carisbrooke; a service which he executed with so much consideration for the King's personal comfort that His Majesty gave him several tokens of his favour and regard. Mary Hunt was his first wife and by her he had a large family."
(B. M.2062, b.)

First Wife of NATHANIEL MERRIMAN, No. 43.

Ex.from REcord in Heralds' College :-
    "Mary Hunt, married at Mildenhall, co. Wilts., 14 June 1688, buried at Saint Peter's Marlbourough aforesaid 5 December 1714."
    She was daughter of . . . . Hunt, of Marlborough.
Ex. from Collect. Topograph. and Geneal., Vol. V, pp. 347 - 350 :-
    ". . . . Mary Hunt was his first wife and by her he had a large family."
    Mary Hunt was of Marlborough, and at the time of the great fire there, 1653, one of the greatest sufferers from it was Thomas Hunt, a maltster, possibly her father.
Ex. from the Register at Mildenhall :-
    "Nathaniel Merriman and Mary Hunt, June 14. 1688."

Second wife of NATHANIEL MERRIMAN, No. 43.

Ex. from Record in Heralds College :-
    "Ann, widow of Thomas Hunt, of Newbury aforesaid. Married at Preshute, co. Wilts 21 May 1730."

Page 24.-----------------------------------------------------------------------

    She died in 1738, without issue by Nathaniel Merriman.S.
    "She was widow of Thomas Hunt, of Newbury, who was probably first cousin to Mary Hunt, of Marlboro' " (No. 44.)
Ex. from the Register at Preshute :-
    "Nathaniel Merriman Senex and Ann Hunt, of Newbury 21 May 1730."

Sixth daughter of Nathaniel Merriman, No. 43.

Ex.from Record in Heralds' College :-
    "Sarah, married at Preshute afsd 27 Oct. 1715 to Thomas Spackman, of Bristol. Both living 7 Dec. 1741."
    She is mentioned in her father's Will.
    She had a large issue, of whom Mary and Martha and their children remained in 1776.

Fith daughter of Nathaniel Merriman, No. 43.

Ex. from Record in Herald's College :-
    "Elizabeth, wife of Nathaniel Potticary, of Warminster, co. Wilts.
    She had a large issue, of whom -
        Elizabeth (m . . . .George);
        Catherine (m. Francis Coust);
        and Christopher; and their children; remained in 1776.

    A son, Nathaniel, died young
    Elizabeth and Catherine were goddaughters of their grandfather, Nathaniel and are mentioned in his Will.
    Christopher was godson of his grandfather, and is also mentioned in his Will.
    He married and has issue, inter alios, the Rev. John Potticary, of Blackheath, who married and had issue.
    According to Familie Minorum Gentium, "the Rev John P. was a dissenting minister of Blackheath and m. a dau. of Sturch, d. at Bath and bur. at Bath Easton."

Page 25.-----------------------------------------------------------------------

    He was a native of Wales, and was a M. D.
    He was the celebrated Deistical writer.
    He is mentioned in his father-in-law's Will.
    "1715. Mr Morgan was chosen, and desired to come qualified to administer all ordinances as our pastor. Ordained at Frome 7th Sep. 1716. He administered the Sacrement the first time 4th Nov. 1716."
    The last time his name appears is in 1724.
    He was the author of The Moral Philosopher, &c., see "Pedigree of the Family of Merriman," by J. J. M., p. 78.

Fourth daughter of NATHANIEL MERRIMAN, No. 43.

Ex., from Record in Herald's College :-
    "Mary, wife of Thomas Doctor Morgan."
    She had issure of two daughters and one son, Nathaniel, who settled in Jamaica; he married a Planter's widow and had issue, Thomas, supposed to have died sine prole; educated in England, d. in Jamaica.
    See Familea Minorum Gentium, by Joseph Hunter. Pub. Harleian Soc., 1895. MS. 494.

Third son of NATHANIEL MERRIMAN, No. 43.

Ex. from Record at Heralds' College:-
    "Benjamin Merriman, mentioned in his fathers will 1741, buried at St Peter's, Marlborough afsd 4 Jan 1763."
    He had the following issue:-
                1. Benjamin, No. 72;
                2. Nathaniel, No. 71;
                3. A son who died an infant;
        And 5 daughters who died in infancy:-
            1. Betty, Buried at St. Peter's Marlborough, 29 Dec., 1729.
            2. Charlott buried at St. Peter's Marlborough, 16 Nov., 1730.
            3. Elizabeth buried at St. Peter's Marlborough, 19 OCt., 1734.
            4. Tanner, buried at St. Peter's Marlborough, 15 mar., 1738.
            5. Elizabeth, buried at St. Peter's Marlborough, 22 Jan., 1738.

Page 26.-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Second son of BENJAMIN MERRIMAN, No. 69

    He married Sarah Brown (No. 70) on 21 October, 1766, at St. Mary's Marlborough, by whom he had the following issue:-

    He married, a second time, Sarah Hawkes (No. 70A) on 31 January, 1775, at St. Peter's Marlborough, by whom he had the following issue:-

    Charlotte married Thomas Ley, of Bishop's Stortford, Attorney. SHe died at Star Street, Paddington, 25 August 1849, a widow. Reg. P.C.C., "32 Norfold," 1786.
    Nathaniel Merriman, the younger, of Marboro', cheesefactor. Proved London, 4 January, 1786, on oath of Sarah Merriman, widow. Reg. P.C.C., "32 Norfolk," 1786.
    He leaves to his children, Benjamin, Richard and Sarah, all the plate that belonged to his first wife, the same being marked with a sprig.
    Mentions his son William and leaves him residuary legatee.
    Mentions his wife Sarah and his five younger children, Sarah, William, Mary Anne, Martha and Charlotte.
    He appoints his wife sole executrix.
    Dated 17 October, 1785. Nath Merriman, jun.

Eldest son of NATHANIEL MERRIMAN, No. 43.

Ex. from Record in Heralds' College:-
    "Nathaniel Merriman, of Marlborough aforesaid. Born 1696, Executor to his father's Will 1742-3. Buried at Saint Peter's, Marlborough afsd 11 Oct. 1781."
    He succeeded to his father's business of grocer in 1720. He died 6 October, 1781.
    He married Elizabeth Hawkes on 12 April, 1720, at Preshute, by whom he had the following issue:-

Copy of a note by him:-

"Marlborough June 24. 1776.

    "The written account of the birth of my children was cut out from an outer leaf of my Family Bible, it having been many years ago transcribed by me from an ancient and worn out Bible, and is a true account of their several births.

Nathaniel Merriman.

"Witness to the signing
Benjamin Corp."

To be continued... last updated July 18, 1999.

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