Subject: Re: Merrill family MERRILLS from Tn, Va
Date: Wed, April 7, 2004 12:57 am

Question: Wanda White wrote:

I'm looking for the parents of Grace Lee MERRILL, born 2-21-1902 in Inman, Va., Wise Co to Joseph and Emma MERRILL. Joseph was born in Dayton, TN , Rhea Co . Emma was born in Reliance, Tn , Polk Co. She had a sister, Dora. I don't know her maiden name. Any help would be greatly appreciated

Answer: Wanda:

We think we probably found your Grace Lee's father Joseph in the 1880 census in Rhea Co TN, listed as J D, age 2, living with his grandparents. The record is pasted below.

Census Place:    District 8, Rhea, Tennessee
    Source:    FHL Film 1255275  National Archives Film T9-1275     Page 266B    
    Relation    Sex    Marr    Race    Age    Birthplace
J. J. MERILL    Self    M    M    W    49    MI    Occ:    Shoe Maker    Fa: VT    Mo: VT
S. MERILL    Wife    F    M    W    50    TN    Occ:    Keeping House    Fa: TN    Mo: TN
Alice MERILL    SisterL    F    M    W    25    TN    Occ:    At Home    Fa: TN    Mo: TN
Nettie MERILL    GDau    F    S    W    4    TN    Occ:    At Home    Fa: TN    Mo: TN
J. D. MERILL    GSon    M    S    W    2    TN    Occ:    At Home    Fa: MI    Mo: TN

We think the listing for Alice is in error and that she is the daughter in law of  J J and S [not sister in law] and the mother of the two children. We do not know who the children's father is.  We are pretty sure that J J and S are the Joel, 39, b. MI and  Sarah H, 42, b. TN  found in Rhea Co TN in the 1870 census.  Their son, who we believe to be the father of your Joseph, is not with them in 1870.  We did not find this family in 1860 in TN or elsewhere.

 In 1850, there is a Joel, 18, b. MA[?], in Jackson, Jackson, MI, single, living with 4 other bricklayers [perhaps working a summer job?].  We don't know if this the same Joel found later in TN.  The only other Merrills in Jackson MI in 1850 are James, 46, b. NH and Elizabeth, 27, b. NY [apparently a 2nd wife]; Catherine, 19, b. VT, and two young children b. MI.  The bp listed here do not match the bp given for Joel and his parents in the 1880 census, but there is a VT connection. We don't know if this James is Joel's father or not. We have not identified this James and do not know his lineage.

We hope this data will help some. Sorry we could not be more definitive.

Howard and Jean Merrill