Lt. William Merrick was born 15 September 1603 in St. David's, Pembrokeshire, Wales to John Meyrick (1579-1650) and Dorothy Bishop (1570-1650) and died 6 March 1689 Eastham, Barnstable County, Massachusetts of unspecified causes. He married Rebecca Tracy (1622-1686) 1641 in Eastham, Barnstable County, Massachusetts.
Biography
Early Life
Not much is known on the early life of William Merrick, the oldest of the four sons of John Meyrick (1579-1650) known to have immigrated in 1636 to Charlestown, Boston on the James.
Plymouth Colony Militia
He served actively on the militia for Plymouth Colony under Captain Myles Standish and is mentioned in colonial records first as Ensign and later as Lieutenant. This six years of activity, prevented him from getting married until 1641-42. which marks the end of his military service.
Colonial Farmer
William held property in both Eastham, Massachusetts and Duxbury, Massachusetts. His major residence being in Eastham where several children were born. He was also one of the original proprietors of Bridgewater, Massachusetts.
Duxbury Properties
Yes he is listed as a citizen of Duxbury in 1636 and allotted five acres of land "Next the Glade at Powder Point." In 1637 he was allotted another 20 acres at Great Head.
Bridgewater Proprietor
- Appointed surveyor of highways in 1646
- Appointed constable in 1647.
Paige History
Paige, in his history of Hardwick, says:
"William Merrick, the father, was a lieutenant, residing in Eastham. In his will, dated 03 Dec 1686, and proved 06 Mar 1689, he is described as about 86 years of age, by which it would seem that he was about forty-three years old when the first of his ten children was born, and he might seem to be the grandfather of this family rather than the father, were it not that he names his wife Rebecca and his children, Stephen and William, in his will."
Children
| Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
| William Merrick (1643-1732) | 15 September 1643 Harwich, Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States | 30 October 1732 Eastham, Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States | Abigail Hopkins (1644-1691) |
| Stephen Merrick (1646-1705) | |||
| Rebecca Merrick (1648-1668) | |||
| Mary Merrick (1650-1692) | 4 November 1650 Eastham, Barnstable County, Massachusetts | 15 April 1692 Brewster, Barnstable County, Massachusetts | Stephen Hopkins (1642-1718) |
| Ruth Merrick (1652-1680) | |||
| Sarah Merrick (1654-1696) | 1 August 1654 Eastham, Barnstable County, Massachusetts | 21 April 1696 Eastham, Barnstable County, Massachusetts | John Freeman (1651-1721) |
| John Merrick (1657-1706) | 16 January 1657 Eastham, Barnstable County, Massachusetts | 11 July 1706 Newton, Middlesex County, Massachusetts | Elizabeth Trowbridge (1660-1734) |
| Isaac Merrick (1661-) | |||
| Benjamin Merrick (1664-1753) | |||
Siblings
| Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
| William Merrick (1603-1689) | 15 September 1603 St. David's, Pembrokeshire, Wales | 6 March 1689 Eastham, Barnstable County, Massachusetts | Rebecca Tracy (1622-1686) |
| Sarah Merrick (1608-1687) | 1608 St. David's, Pembrokeshire, Wales | 1687 Newbury, Essex County, Massachusetts | John Atkinson (1636-1715) |
| James Merrick (1612-1708) | 1612 St. David's, Pembrokeshire, Wales | 2 April 1708 Newbury, Essex County, Massachusetts | Margaret Merrick (1616-1708) |
| John Merrick (1614-1679) | 1614 St. David, Pembrokeshire, Wales | 15 February 1679 Charlestown, Suffolk County, Massachusetts | Elizabeth Hopestill Wyborne (1619-1676) |
| Thomas Merrick (1620-1704) | 1620 St. Davids, Pembrokeshire, Wales | 7 September 1704 Springfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts | Sarah Stebbins (1623-1649) Elizabeth Tilley (1630-1684) |
References
- Genealogical and Family History of the State of New Hampshire - Vol 2 - by Stearns, Whitcher and Parker. pg 889-892
- Descendants of John Meyrick (1579-1650)