| Notes |
- ID: I555542676
Name: Stephen MERRICK
Given Name: Stephen
Surname: Merrick
Sex: M
Birth: 02 Feb 1759 in Vermont
Census: 1820 Census Aurora, Dearborn, Indiana
Census: 1830 Census Manchester, Dearborn, Indiana
Census: 1840 Census Manchester, Dearborn, Indiana
Death: 08 Jul 1841 in Dearborn, Indiana
Event: Albany County, NY Militia Twelfth Regiment Military Service American Revolution, New York
Gene Brownlow - July 2026
It is documented that Stephen Hedger Merrick was born in Vermont, specifically in the DAR application from Matilda (Merrick) Goodrich where she states Stephen's birth date was 2 Feb 1759.
In reseaching the family i founf that all the children were born in Pawlings NY, the first bing Able Merrick, b1751, The Mary Polly b1753, Then Stephen Hedger b1759 (Vermont), Lydia 1760, The William b1763(Springfield Mass), then Hannah 1765, then Phebe 1768, then Benjamin 1770, then Ebenezer b1772. The last 3 children show to be born in Balden Spa NY.
It is hard to understand how inthe middle of all his children being born in Pawling, Oblong, NY that Stephen and William could be born in other locations.
I have also found that Stephen's father, William was born in Cacaan, Connecticut. Later several of his siblings are shown to have been born in Pawling, Oblong, New York up to 1736 which indicates he own land there. I found that Oblong is a strech of land that is 2 miles wild and is along the border between New York and Connecticut. That is less than 10 miles from Canaan, Connecticut.
Davies Memoir
I also found that John Davies lived in Davies Hollow which is about 15 miles south of Canaan, Connecticut. John gave 16 acres to his son Walter Davies, who is Jemima Davies father. I beleive because of the close proximity of the two familes it is very possible that Stephen Hedger Merrick knew the Walter Davies family and therefore may have know Jemima before he moved to Merrickville, Canada.
Information shared with me by Bob Gedlinske bpske@att.net:
Marriage 1 Elizabeth Brown b: 09 Sep 1888 in Mount Eve, New York
Married: 4 Nov 1775
Children
Stephen MERRICK b: in NY?
Isaac MERRICK
Gene Brownlow - Nov 2025
Stephen married Elizabeth Brown 4 Nov 1775. They had two sons,
Isaac born 1781 and Stephen born 1786. Both boys were born in Stillwater, New York, which is about 60 miles north of Canaan, Conecticut.
Note:
New York MILITIA
The militia normally provided support in skirmishes and battles in their area and controlled areas that would of otherwise have fallen to the British. They could be called upon at any time, for any length of time, but could be required to serve only three months out of state.
Any able-bodied man had to serve when "warned" unless he was incapacitated. If incapacitated he had to contribute toward furnishing and equipping another man.
12th Regiment (Half Moon and Ballston Districts) -- Colonel Jacobus Van Schoonhoven
1st Company - Captain Cluet
2nd Company - Captain Visscher
3rd Company - Captain Vincent
4th Company - Captain Losee
5th Company - Captain Collins
6th Company - Captain White
NEW YORK MILITIA - 12TH REGIMENT.
HALF-MOON AND BALLSTON DISTRICTS.
Commissions issued Oct. 20,1775.
FIELD AND STAFF.
Jacobus Van Schoonhoven, colonel.
James Gordon, lieutenant-colonel.
Ezekiel Taylor. 1st major.
Andrew Mitchell. 2d major.
David Rumsey, adjutant.
Simeon Fort, quartermaster.
Company Officers.
1st. Company. - Guardus Clute, capt.; Albert Van De Werker, 1st lieut.; Robert Rowland, 2d lieut.; John Van De Werker, ensign.
2d Company. - Nanning N. Visscher, capt.; John Van Vranken, 1st lieut.; Nicholas Van Vranken, 2d lieut.; Maas Van Vranken, ensign.
3d Company. - Jeremiah Vincent, capt.; Joseph Pinkney, 1st lieut.; Peter Ferguson, 2d lieut.; Elias Van Steenburgh, ensign.
4th Company. - Joshua Losee, capt.; Thomas Hicks, 1st lieut.; Cornelius Villing, 2d lieut.; Oliver Wait, ensign.
5th Company. - Tyrannus Collins, capt.; Wm. McCrea 1st lieut.; Benjamin Wood, 2d lieut.; David Clark, ensign.
6th Company. - Stephen White, capt.; Thomas Brown, 1st lieut.; Epenetus White, 2d lieut.; Nathan Raymond, ensign.
Col. Jacobus Van Schoonhoven, who commanded the 12th NY Regiment, Albany Company is listed as taking part in the Battles of Saratoga. I'm assuming at this point that Stephen's company was there. The leadership and probably the rank and file were drawn from the Balls Town (Balston) and Half Moon, NY area Saratoga County.
Service: NEW YORK Rank: PRIVATE Birth: 2-2-1759 NEW HAMPSHIRE Death: 7-8-1841 DEARBORN CO INDIANA Service Description: 1) COL JACOBUS VAN SCHOONHOVEN
2) 12TH REGT, ALBANY CO, MIL.
Gene Brownlow
I also find it very interesting that Stephen's brother William moved and founded the town of Merrickville, Canada. Stephen's 2nd marriage produced a child, Dorchester, born 1802, Canada. Perhaps Stephen migrated at one point to Merrickville to work with his successful brother, William, in his mills. In the Loyalist of Ontario, Canada I found a listing that Jemima Davies married a Merrick in early 1800. Jemima Davies is the daughter of Walter Davies of Davies Hollow, Connecticut.
In the 1790 US Census, Ballstown, Albany, IN William (who I am proposing is Stephen's father) and William's brothers Charles and Thomas are all shown.
DAR Record Copy
Matilda Mirick Goodrich
National Number:99722
Chapter and State: Deborah Sampson, MA
Date admitted to membership:3-5-1913
DAR Record Copy
Elsie Grise Pippenger (this is the granddaughter of Stephen Hedger Merrick
National Number:296924
Chapter and State: Schuyler Colfax, IN
Date admitted to memjbership:10-27-1936
Centennial History of the Village of Ballston Spa including the towns of Ballson and Milton
by Edward F. Grose
The Ballston Journal
C.H.Grose,Prop.
1907
lists Stephen as participant in Rev. War
Gene Brownlow
I found land purchase/lease document for MERRICK, STEPHEN in LUNENBURG, Ontario, Canada in 1791.
Marriage 2 Jemima (Davies) Hall b: 4 Sep 1786
Children
Dorchester Hedger MERRICK b: 19 Mar1802 in Upper Canada
Note: Current information shows the Stephen Merrick was born in Vermont but some of his siblings are shown to be born in Oblong New York. This location is a strip of land 2 miles wide and six mile long between New York and Connecticut. His second wife, Jemima's family lived in Connecticut and her grand father gave her dad, Walter Davies, 16 acers of land in Davies Hollow. Her grandfather is burried in Davies Hollow Burying groung. Davies Hollow is just south of Canaan, Connecticut so it is very likely that Stephen knew the Davies family when he was younger,, then met up with them in Canada in the late 1790's and early 1800's.
Gene Brownlow
I have court documents showing Jemima Davies died sometime after 1801 when Dorchester Merrick was born. I have a map showing the acres of land given to her by her father and on that map it shows her name and Dorchester Merrick, her son. The court document state that her father Walter is trying to get the land for her son and only heir, Dorchester, after her death. Once he gets the land he does not give it to Dorchester.
I believe Stephen and Dorchester move back to New York where Stephen marries Isabel McAdams. They then move to Indiana.
The have several mor children and at some point after 1818 Dorchester moves to Rabbit Hash, Kentucky and marries and starts his family.
Stephen Merrick and Isabel Adams witnessed the sale of Lot #25, Road Township in the Town of Cazenovia, Madison, NY on 09Nov1808 of a lot owned by William Merrick. This lot was purchased by William on 04 Apr 1804.
This places both Stephen and Isabel in Cazenovia PRIOR to their marriage.
Marriage 3 Isabel Adams, b: 4 Sep 1786 New York
Married: Mar 1811
Children
James E. MERRICK b: 26 MAR 1813 in NY
Malinda MERRICK b: 06 June 1816 in NY
Harriet MERRICK b: 1819 in Dearborn, IN
Hiram MERRICK b: Oct 1822 in Dearborn, IN
Matilda Eliza MERRICK b: 01Mar1830 in Dearborn, IN
Dearborn County, Indiana Historical Society
Grantee Deed-Book A, pg.134 Stephen bought lots 21-22-36 in Aurora on 14 Apr 1825;
Grantor Deed Book L. pg.248 Stephen and Isabel Merrick sold lots 21-22-36 in Aurora on 23 DEC1833.No other deeds in his name.
Gene Brownlow
I found that Stephen and his family were living in Manchester, Dearborn County, Indiana in 1841. They were paupers.
The 1850 Census shows Isabel living with the Horham family. Based on this and the fact the family had a cemetery on their property, I believe Stephen Hedger Merrick was burried there.
the Lat 39°10'57.74"N and Long 84°59'14.85"W
_______________________________________________
Gene Brownlow
______________________________________________
I am trying to get a SAR certification which requires a connection between Stephen Hedger Merrick and his son Dorchester Hedger Merrick. Here is what I have.
1. DAR has documented stating that Stephen had a third wife that is unnamed, by Stephen’s daughter, Matilda Eliza Merrick .
2. DAR has documented that Stephen had a son named Dorchester Merrick by that unnamed wife, by Stephen’s daughter, Matilda Eliza Merrick .
3. I have found proof that Stephen was in Merrickville, Ontario, Canada, in 1797, where his brother owned a mill and founded the town. That proof is;
a. 1797 land documents, which I have, where Stephen Merrick is requesting land.
b. Stephen’s two oldest sons were married, lived and buried there.
4. I have proof that Dorchester’s mother, Jemima, lived in the area, South Crosby, Ontario, Canada, and her father gave her 200 acres of land. That proof is;
a. Court documents, which I have, showing Jemima’s father, Walter Davies, claimed the 200 acres for his grandson and legal heir, Dorchester Hedger Merrick, which was owned by his daughter, that had passed away.
i. These documents also show that Walter Davies states that his daughter married an unnamed Merrick. The date of the document is 1806.
b. Loyalist document, which I have, that shows Jemima Davies married an unnamed Hall and an unnamed Merrick living in South Crosby, Ontario, Canada.
c. A map, which I have, showing the 200 acres with Jemima and Dorchester’s name on it.
5. Dorchester didn’t inherit the land because after Jemima died before 1806, Stephen took his son back to New York where he married Isabel Brown in 1811. Proof is;
a. A land contract, which I have, witnessed by Stephen Merrick where Stephen’s father, William, sold land in 1808.
b. The marriage to Isabel Brown is in the DAR document.
c. Dorchester’s land was in Walter Davies’ will, which I have, and he gave it to his son.
6. After Jemima (Davies,Hall) Merrick died, between 1802 and 1806) Stephen and his son went back to New York. Proof is;
a. A land contract, which I have, witnessed by Stephen Merrick where Stephen’s father, William, sold land in 1808.
7. After his marriage to Isabel in 1811, Stehpen moved his family to Dearborn County, Indiana. I don’t have the exact year, but he was there by the 1820 census. The proof is;
a. 1820 census, which I have.
b. 1830 census, which I have.
c. 1840 census, which I have.
8. Stephen had finical problems from 1837 until his death in 1841. Proof is;
a. Dearborn County Commissioners report from 1837 showing financial support by the county, which I have.
b. Dearborn County Commissioners report from 1838 showing financial support by the county, which I have.
c. Dearborn County Commissioners report from 1838 showing financial support by the county, which I have.
d. Dearborn County Commissioners report from 1838 showing financial support by the county, which I have.
e. Dearborn County Commissioners report from 1840 showing financial support by the county, which I have.
f. Dearborn County Commissioners report from 1840 showing financial support by the county, which I have.
g. Dearborn County Commissioners report from 1841 showing financial support by the county, which I have.
9. Stephen’s son, Dorchester Hedger Merrick, was in Dearborn County, Indiana during that period. Proof is;
a. Dorchester Hedger Merrick married in 1822 in Rabbit Hash, Boone County, Kentucky, which is just across the river from Rising Sun, Dearborn County, Indiana and within 15 miles of where Stephen lived. I have the marriage records.
b. Dorchester received mail in Rising Sun, Dearborn County, Indiana in 1841, because there are two newspaper articles show Mail for DH Merrick, which I have.
10. Dorchester Hedger Merrick was born in Upper Canada, which is how the Ontario, Canada region was referred, Proof is;
a. 1850 Boone County, Kentucky where Dorchester stated he was born in Upper, Canada, in 1802.
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1759 - 1841 (82 years)
