History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. II, Part 149

Author: L.H. Everts & Co
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia : Louis H. Everts
Number of Pages: 896

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1754 .- John Hitchcock, Jr., James Warriner, Jr., Daniel Warner.

1755 .- Moses Bnrt, Isaac Brewer, James Warriner, Jr. 1756 .- Daniel Cadwell, James Warriner, Daniel Warner.

1757 .- Moses Bort, Daniel Cadwell, Daniel Warner. 1758 .- Moses Burt, Daniel Cadwell, James Warriner. 1759-61 .- Daniel Cadwell, James Warriner, Jr., Daniel Warner. 1762 .- Ezra Barker, Daniel Cadwell, Daniel Warner. 1763 .- Ezra Barker, Phineas Newton, Daniel Warner.

1764-67 .- Thomas Merrick, Nathaniel Warriner, Stephen Stebbins.

1768 .- Nathaniel Warriner, Thomas Merrick, John Bliss.

1769 .- Daniel Cadwell, James Warriner, Nathaniel Warriner, Wm. King, John Bliss.

1770 .- Nathaniel Warriner, John Bliss, Wm. King, Caleb Stebbins, James War- riner.

1771-75 .- Nathaniel and James Warriner, John Bliss.

1776-77 .- James Warriner, John Hitchcock, John Bliss.

1778 .- James Warriner, John Hitchcock, John Bliss, Daniel Caldwell, Eleazer Smith.

1779 .- John Hitchcock, John Bliss, Eleazer Smith.

1780 .- John Hitchcock, John Bliss, James Warriner.

1781 .- John Hitchcock, James Warriner, Abner Chapin.

1782 .- David Burt, Zebulon aud Abner Chapin.

1783-84 .- James Warriner, Phineas Stebbins, John Stearns.

1785 .- John Stearns, Phineas Stebbins, Gideon Burt.

1786 .- Gideon and David Burt, Phineas Stebbins.

1787-88 .- Gideon Burt, Phineas and Noah Stebbins.

1789 .- Oliver Bliss, Robert Sessions, Phineas Stebbins.

1790-91 .- Jamies Shaw, Robert Sessions, Gideon Burt. 1792 .- Gideon Burt, James Shaw, Noah Stebbins. 1793 .- Robert Sessions, James Shaw, Gideon Burt.

1794 .- John Hitchcock, James Shaw, Robert Sessions.

1795,-James Shaw, Phineas Stebbins, Robert Sessions. 1796-97 .- James Shaw, Gideon Burt, Robert Sessions. 1798 .- Phineas Stebbins, Joseph Lathrop, Robert Sessions. 1799,-Gideon Burt, James Shaw, Steward Beebo.

1800 .- Levi Bliss, Steward Beebe, Win. Brewer.

1801 .- Timothy Burr, Levi Bliss, Steward Beebe. 1802 .- Levi Bliss, Steward Beebe, Robert Sessions. 1803 .- Win. Brewer, Robert Sessions, Steward Beebe.

1804 .- Wm. Rindge, Robert Sessions, Steward Beebe.

1805 .- Win. Brewer, Wm. Rindge, Joel Lyman.

1806 .- Wm. Rindge, Joel Lyman, Solomon Wright. 1807 .- Joel Lyman, Augustus Sisson, Solomon Wright. 1808 .- Robert Sessions, Wm. Rindge, Augustus Sissou.

1809 .- Robert Sessions, Wm. Rindge, Wm. Clark. 1810 .- Augustus Sisson, Walter Stebbins, Nathan Alden.

1811 .- Abel Bliss, Augustus Sisson, Nathan Allen. 1812 .- Joseph Lathrop, Wm. Clark, Moses Burt. 1813-16 .- Joseph Lathrop, Moses Burt, Daniel Shaw. 1817-18,-Daniel Isham, Moses Burt, Chester Sexton.

1819 .- Abel Bliss, Jr., Enoch Crocker, Wu. Wood. 1820-22 .- Abel Bliss, Jr., Wm. Wood, Enoch Crocker. 1823 .- Wm. Wood, Enoch Crocker, Wm. Clark. 1824 .- Abraham Avery, Dudley B. Post, Nathan Alden. 1825 .- Abrabam Avery, Dudley B. Post, Thomas Glover. 1826 .- David Stebbins, Noah Merrick, John McCray, Jr. 1827-28 .- David Stebbins, Jonathan Ely, John McCray. 1829,-Calvin Stebbins, Comfort Chaffee, Daniel Isham. 1830 .- Calvin Stebbins, John Carpenter, Jacob B. Merrick. 1831 .- John Carpenter, Joseph Morris, Abraham Avery. 1832 .- John Carpenter, Luther Brewer, Beriah Smith. 1833 .- Lutber Brower, Beriah Smith, Pliny Merrick. 1834 .- Stephen Stebbins, Nathaniel Pease, Seth Knowlton.

1835-36 .- Stephen Stebbins, Walter Stebbins, Pliny Merrick. 1837 .- Stephen Stebbins, John McCray, Jonathan Burr. 1838 .- Stephen Stebbins, Wm. V. Sessions, Jesse W. Rice. 1839 .- Stephen Stebbins, John Carpenter, Timothy Brewer. 1840 .- Abraham Avery, Jesse W. Wright, Aaron Warner.

1841 .- Abraham Avery, Samuel B. Stebbins, Jonathan Burr. 1812-43,-Samuel Beebe, Luther B. Bliss, Roderick Merrick. 1844 .- Philip P. Potter, Aaron Goodwell, John Smith. 1845,-Wm. V. Sessions. John B. Morris, Jonathan Burr. 1846 .- John McCray, Shubal Pease, Peter Knowlton. 1847 .- John G. Perrin, Pliny Merrick, Shubal Pease. 1848-49 .- Samuel Beebe, Luther B. Bliss, Seth Knowlton. 1850 .- John G. Perrin, Pliny Merrick, Hiram Hendrick. 1851 .- Samuel Beebe, Joel M. Lyman, Robert A. Sessions. 1852 .- Samuel Beebe, Robert A. Sessions, John M. Merrick. 1853 .- Philip l'. Potter, Aaron Goodwell, James M. Brewer. 1854 .- John W. Langdon, Porter Crass, II. B. Brewer. 1855 .- Joseph MeGregory, Sullivan U. Staunton, Eleazer Scripter. 1856 .- Eleazer Scripter, S. U. Stanuton, Benjamin Butler.

1857 .- John Baldwin, Samuel Warner, Henry Burt.

1858 .- John Baldwin, Henry Burt, Samuel Beebe. 1859 .- Samuel Beebe, John Baldwin, Wm. P. Chaffee. 1860 .- Samuel Beebe, Philip P. Potter, Wm. P. Chaffee. 1861 .- Philip P. Porter, Wm. V. Sessions, Horace Clark. 1862,-Horace Clark, Marcus Beebe, Hiram Ilendrick.

1863 .- Ilorace Clark, Porter Cross, Walter Hitchcock. 1864 .- John Baldwin, Horace Clark, Sumner Smith. 1865-66 .- John Baldwin, Sumner Smith, Wm. B. Sessions. 1867 .- Francis J. Warner, Abner C. Burley, Wm. II. Lyman. 1868 .- Francis J. Warner, Wm. H. Lyman, John W. Langdon. 1869 .- Porter Cross, John W. Langdon, Lyman V. Kellogg. 1870 .- John Ormisby, Wm. R. Sessions, Francis E. Clark. 1871-72 .- Wm. R. Sessions, Tra G. Potter, Francis E. Clark. 1873 .- Francis E. Clark, Wm. R. Sessions, Albert Bedurtha. 1874 .- F. E. Clark, Wm. Il. Warren, Albert Bedurtha. 1875 .- M. F. Beebe, S. U. Staunton, Erasmus B. Gates.

1876 .- Marcus F. Beebe, Francis E. Clark, Albert Bedurtha. 1877 .- F. E. Clark, Wm. R. Sessions, F. W. Dickinson. 1878 .- F. E. Clark, Ira G. Potter, M. F. Beebe.

* Committee of the precinct to 1764.

1009

HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

TOWN CLERKS .*

1741-55, David Merrick ; 1756-63, Isaac Brewer: 1763-73, Ezra Barker; 1773- 78, James Warriner; 1779-80, Noah Warriner; 1781->5, James Warriner; 17:5- 86, Pliny Merrick ; 1786-90, Samuel F. Merrick ; 1791-92, John Buckland ; 1793, Daniel Dana; 1793-1:05, Robert Sessions; 1805-10, Philip Morgan; 1>10-11, Augustus Sisson ; 1811-12, Abel Bliss; 1:12-14, Philip Morgan; 1-14-20, Mozes Burt; 1820-24, Calvin Stebbins; 1824-25, Luther Brewer; 182G, Wm. Wood; 1827, Luther Brewer; 1823, John McCray; 1829-36, Sylvanus Stebbins; 1837-38, Luther Brewer; 1839, Luther B. Bliss; 1:40-41, John M. Merrick ; 1842, John McCray ; 1:46-47, Roderick S. Merrick ; 1848-49, Solomon C. Spel- man ; 1850, Jesse W. Rice; 1851-52, Luther B. Bliss ; 1853-54, Horace MI. Ses- sions; 1855, Roderick But; 1:56, Ralph Glover; 1857-58, William P. Spelman ; 1859-60, II. Bridgman Brewer; 1861, Howard Staunton : 1862, James Staunton; 1863-64, John M. Merrick; 1865-66, Gilbert Rockwood; 1867-68, Francis E. Clark; 1860-70, Sullivan U. Staunton; 1871, Robert R. Wright, Jr .; 1872, Chauncey C. Peck ; 1873-74, Wm. P. Spelman ; 1875-79, Erasmus B. Gates.

REPRESENTATIVES.

1773, John Bliss; 1786-88, Phineas Stebbins; 1793-94, John Bli-s; 1706-1803, John Bliss; 1805, Phineas Stebbins ; 1807, William Rindge, Solomon Wright; 1809, William Rindge and Augustus Sisson; 1810, Augustus Sisson, Walter Stebbins; 1811, Walter Stebbins, Abel Bliss, Jr. ; 1813, William Clark, Joseph Lathrop; 1814-15, Robert Sessions, Joseph Lathrop ; 1816, Robert Sessi ms, Muses Burt; 1817, Hobert Sessions, Wm. Wood ; 1820, Abel Bliss ; 1824, Abel Bliss; 1820, Abel Bliss, Dudley B. Post ; 1827, Abel Bliss, Robert Sessions; 1828, Luther Brewer; 1829, Luther Brewer, Jacob B. Merrick ; 1830, Win. S. Burt, Jacob B. Merrick ; 1831, Moses Burt, Win. S. But: 1832, Aluraham Avery, Wm. S. Burt; 1833, Stephen Stebbins; 1834, Abraham Avery, Stephen Stebbins; 1:35-36, Walter Stebbins, Wm. Knight; 1837, Walter Steblins, Wm. Wood; 1835, Jesse W. Rice, Wm. V. Sessions; 1839, Stephen Stellins; 1:40, John Newell; 1:41, Marcus Cady; 1842, John Carpenter; 1>43, Samuel Beck : 1>47, John Smith; 1850, Roderick S. Merrick ; 1851, S. C. Spelman ; 1853, Philip P. Potter ; 1:54, John W. Langdon; 1855, John Baldwin; 1856, John B. Morris.

VILLAGES.

The town of Wilbraham contains but two villages. Of these the larger is

WILBRAHAM,

which is situated in the centre of the town, about two miles from the railroad station, and is chiefly ranged along the prin- cipal road leading from the northern end of the town into Connecticut. The village proper is about a mile in length, and is a quiet, retired place. Two handsome churches-a Congregational and Methodist-and the buildings of the Wes- leyan Academy comprise its most prominent features. The dwellings are comfortable and homelike. The hills to the east form a pleasing background to the village, and afford many pleasant walks to their summit, and through the vales which separate them. The place is well filled during the summer months with those who seek retirement and rest from the more active scenes of life.

. The principal store in the village is kept by George W. Ely, who has been in trade for several years past, and is also the present postmaster. Mowry & Co. also have a store ad- joining the Academy Boarding-house.

Post-Office .- The post-office was established about 1821. William Knight was the first postmaster, and kept the office where Franklin Fisk now lives. Pliny Cadwell succeeded him, and kept it in his store, which stood on the open space at present between the hotel and the church. Clark B. Stebbins was the next postmaster, and kept the office where Ely's store is, and for a time where Firmin's shoe-shop is. Other postmasters have been Roderick Burt, Luther V. Bliss, Lorenzo M. Hancock, Anna E. Hempstead, and the present incumbent, George W. Ely, who was appointed in the spring of 1878.

Hotels .- The village hotel, called the Allis House, was opened in 1870 by William L. Allis and James P. Brown, the latter having previously kept it in a dwelling-house. Mr. Allis subsequently died. Nathan W. Storrs has kept it for about seven years past. It was destroyed by fire June 24, 1877, and rebuilt in January, 1878.

NORTH WILBRAHAM

has grown up around the railroad station in the northern ex- tremity of the town. The houses here are of modern style.

Trade is brisk, the people are alert and active, and several manufacturing enterprises of importance are carried on in the village.

The principal store in the place is kept by Erasmus B. Gates, who also deals in coal, bay, straw, and other commod- ities. Ile is also clerk of the town and postmaster of North Wilbraham. The other general store is kept by W. E. Stone & Co.

Post-Office .- A post-office was established at North Wil- brabam about 1846 or 1847, and Warren Collins, the first agent of the railroad, and in recognition of whose early activity in building up the village it is often called " Collins' Depot," was the first postmaster. lle continued 'n that office until April, 1878, when Mr. Gates was appointed. The office previously existed at the North village, -sometimes called "Sodom." Jacob B. Merrick was among the postmasters at " Sodom."

Grace Chapel, a neat place of worship, used by the members of different churches in union, occupies a pleasant site in the village.

BUTLERVILLE is a small settlement about a mile east of North Wilbraham, and the site of an important manufactur- ing enterprise. It was formerly called the North village.

GLENDALE, or EAST WILBRAHAM, is the name given to the collection of houses along the "east road" and at the " four corners," in the east part of the town.

SCHOOLS.

As early as 1737 the town of Springfield appropriated £3 for the support of a school in the "outward commons on the east side." The same amount was appropriated the following year. In 1739 the sum was increased to £4, and in 1740, £2 more were added. Various other sums were appropriated to the precinct prior to the incorporation of the town, the whole amount appropriated up to 1755 being £155 13s. and Gd., averaging £10 7s. and Gd. a year. Before 1754 a school- house was built nearly opposite to where the present Congre- gational Church stands. Ten school districts existed in 1775.

At the close of the Revolution there were but two school- houses in the town,-the one just referred to, and another east, on the middle road on the mountain. Commencing with 1791, the town appropriated £100 for three years, to be divided among the districts in proportion to what they paid into the treasury. This was principally designed for the erection of school-houses in these districts. After this date the appro- priations for school-purposes were more liberal and uniform than they had been in the past. Deacon Nathaniel Warriner died in 1780, and left a legacy of £100, one-half for the bene- fit of the ministry, and one-half for the benefit of schools. This generous bequest proved of great assistance to the schools, and to this day constitutes the principal item in the school fund.

There are at present but seven school districts in the town, and the sum last appropriated for their support was $1800. The average number of scholars in attendance is about 160.

Among the early schoolmasters may be mentioned Ezra Barker, for many years clerk of town and church, and gen- erally called " Master Barker," Moses Enos, Gorham Steb- bins, Anson L. Brewer, Ralph Glover, and " Elder" Bennett. Some of the "school-marms" have been Mary Newell, Miss Tenant, and Laura Merrick, afterward the wife of Dr. Brewer.

Besides the public schools there have always existed private schools in town, where higher instruction was given. These were usually taught by the ministers, among others, by Mr. Witter, of the North Parish, Mr. Warren, of the South Parish, Mr. Brown, and Elder Bennett.

WESLEYAN ACADEMY.+

Wilbraham is more widely known than most country towns in the Connecticut Valley. It is largely indebted for this to

+ By Rev. N. Fellows, .A.M.

* Precinct clerk to 1763.

127

1010

HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

the location of the Wesleyan Academy within its limits. This school is the child of the New England Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Its foundation and steady growth are chiefly due to the zeal, foresight, and self-denying labors of her ministry and membership. This school was first opened at Newmarket, N. Il. The Conference then comprised within its boundaries all New England, except a small portion included in the New York Conference. The citizens of New- market furnished the land on which to erect an academy build- ing, and made other donations in labor and money, on condi- tion that the preachers should give bonds to provide competent instructors for five years. John Brodhead, George Pickering, Philip Munger, Charles Virgin, and Caleb Dustin, all mem- bers of the Conference, gave the required bonds. Its act of incorporation was passed by the Legislature of New Hamp- shire, June 23, 1818. The land was donated. a convenient building, two stories high, erected, a few books, maps, charts, cte., obtained, and the school opened. Rev. Martin Ruter, D.D., afterward noted for his piety, learning, and devotion to the cause of education, was the first principal.

The number of students was never large, and in less than five years the trustees and Conference saw that the location was not favorable for the growth of a well-appointed academy. On the 30th of December, 1823, after more than five years of valuable service, the school at Newmarket was suspended, and its founders and other friends of education in the New Eng- land Conference sought a more central location for future operations. The trustees also voted, " That whenever the New England Conference shall have located and established an academy or seminary of learning within the bounds of the Conference, this board will relinquish all the remaining funds, library, and other movable property, to be appropriated to the support of the institution, under the direction of the trustees."

The following account of its early history is mostly taken from a sketch by the Rev. Miner Raymond, D.D. The eiti- zens of Wilbraham, greatly desiring the location of the school in this town, offered valuable inducements, and the present site was selected. Upon the application of the Rev. John Lindsey to the Legislature of Massachusetts, Amos Binney, Abel Bliss, Abraham Avery, Calvin Brewer, Enoch Mudge, Wilbur Fisk, John Lindsey, Joshua Crowell, and William Rice were created a body corporate, hy the name of the " Trus- tees of the Wesleyan Academy," with the usual corporate powers, and the right of holding property, the annual income of which should not exceed the sum of $10,000. This act was approved by the Governor, Feb. 7, 1824, a few days more than a month after operations were suspended at Newmarket.

The Wesleyan Academy, at Wilbraham and the New- market Wesleyan Academy are one and the same institution, with a change of location and legal authority ; under the patronage of the same ecclesiastical organization, founded by the same men, sustained by the same agencies, organized for the same purpose, and are every way identical (with the ex- ceptions just mentioned). The Wesleyan Academy, therefore, claims the honor of being the oldest literary institution exist- ing under the patronage of the Methodist Episcopal Church in America.

On land donated by the late William Rice, Esq., of Spring- field, known as the "academy lot," with the avails of dona- tions collected by agents who traveled extensively through the Conference, the " Old Academy" building was erected. A farm of 60 acres-one-half of the Warriner homestead- was purchased, and the old farm-house was enlarged and fitted for a boarding-house. The school was opened for the recep- tion of students Nov. 8, 1825. The number of students at its opening was 5; 3 more came in the first day, and before the term ended there were 35. From these small beginnings the institution was at once encouraged by unexpected success, and through its entire subsequent history it has received a very ex- tensive patronage. The principal's house was built in 1827.

To assist indigent students, by making the institution, as far as means would allow, a manual-labor school, a workshop was erected, and incipient arrangements made for an agricultural department. The manual-labor department was soon aban- doned, and this workshop was enlarged and converted into a laboratory, with recitation-rooms, museum, and cabinet for the department of natural science.

In 1838 a separate boarding-house for ladies was erceted on the northwest corner of the academy lot. This was subse- quently removed and made to form a south wing to the old boarding-house. A new dining-hall was added, and the whole thoroughly renewed, furnishing very convenient accommoda- tions for a family of 150 students. In 1851 the seminary building known as " Fisk Ilall" was erected, and in 1854 the old laboratory was removed, and " Binney Hall" erected in its place. The three academy buildings are beautifully located in a group, some 500 feet east of Main Street, on a slight emi- nenee, furnishing an extensive and delightful prospect of the town and surrounding country.

The " Old Academy" building is in good condition, and still furnishes four fine rooms for school purposes,-the studio, a study-room, mathematical recitation-room, and commercial- room. "Fisk Ilall" contains the chapel, capable of seating about 400 persons, two society halls, the museum, and two recitation-rooms. The laboratory, with chemical and philo- sophieal apparatus rooms adjoining, is in " Binney Hall." This building also contains the library, and has recitation- rooms for the teachers of Latin, English literature, and mod- ern languages.

In 1856 the principal's house was removed, and a new one, large and commodious, with modern improvements, was built by the generosity of Isaac Rich, Esq., of Boston. This stands on the west side of the street, directly fronting the avenue of beautiful maple-trees that extends from the street to the acad- emy group of buildings.

On the 4th of January, 1856, the boarding-house took fire, and, with a large portion of its furniture and provisions, was entirely consumed. The ercetion of a new and substantial brick edifice, 242 feet by 38, with a rear part 140 feet by 38, partly three and partly four stories high, was commeneed on the Ist of August following. This structure was completed in 1857, and on the 20th of September, a few weeks after its occupancy by students, it was also consumed by fire. After nearly two years' delay, another building to occupy its place was commenced, and was ready for the reception of students at the opening of the fall term in August, 1861. This noble edifice provides ample accommodations for a family of 250 persons, and it is regarded as a superior structure, unsurpassed by any of its kind in architectural taste, convenience, and general adaptation to the purpose for which it is used. It fronts to the cast, and presents a most beautiful view of the academy buildings, campus, meadow, grove, and mountain. The campus has a frontage on the street of nearly a sixth of a mile. At the southern extremity stands the Methodist Church, a massive structure of red sandstone. Near to this, and in front of the boarding-hall, is an attractive croquet- ground for the young ladies, while farther to the north is located a most excellent ball-ground for the young men. The trustees now hold a farm of nearly 200 acres, suitably divided into meadow-, tillage-, and pasture-lands, which, under the careful management of a skillful farmer, supplies all the milk and vegetables needed by the boarding-house. The value of the real estate and personal property owned by the institution is as follows:

Real estate

$123,550

Libraries ...

6,744

Cabinet and museum.

2,000

Apparatus.

3,511

Musical instruments

3,6×5

School furniture, etc.

2,342

Boarding-ball furniture, etc

9,718

Farm-stock and tools

2,493

Total

$154,043

WESLEYAN ACADEMY, WILBRAHAM, MASS.

FOUNDED 1824.

WESLEYAN ACADEMY BOARDING-HOUSE, WILBRAHAM, MASS.

HON. J. M. MERRICK.

The subject of this brief notice is the sixth generation from Thomas Merrick, who was born in Wales, Great Britain, in the year 1620; emigrated to this country about 1630, and settled at Springfield, Mass., in 1638,

John M. was born in Wilbraham, May 9, 1810, and is the second son of John and Harriet (Brewer) Merrick, and grandson of Lient. Jonathan Merrick and Mary, his wife. This lady was a sister of Timothy Merrick, whose tragic death, at nn curly age, is described in verse in the history of the town of Wilbraham.

John Merrick, the father of our subject, died in August, 1816. In April, 1817, his widow married John Bliss, a native of Wilbraham, and John M. at once took up his nbode with his mother and her hus- band. His carliest years were spent in working upon the farm in the summer months, and in attendance upon the com- bron schoole in the winter-time.

At the age of fourteen he chose Abraham Avery-a tanner and currier by trade, and the maker of the famous "Presbyte- rian Saddle"-for his guardian, and went to live with him, Mr. Merrick, liking the business of Mr. Avery, determined to de- vote his attention to it. To its acquirement ho devoted a large share of his time, mean- while nttendling the Wesleyan Academy for four terms.

After attaining his majority, he spent a few months on his farm (the old homestead of Jonathan Merrick ), and then joined in partnership with Mr. Avery, He con- tinued in the tanning and currying busi- nese for a little more than three years. He then ecttled again upon his farm, where he is still engaged in agricultural pursuits. In the month of March, 1832, Mr. Mer- rick married Mary Jane Thompson, of New llaven, Conn., who is still living, Three children have resulted from the union, ae

follows : Win. M., born March 4, 1833, now residing in the city of Chicago, and chief of the department of designing and draughting for Baker & Co., engravers and publishers: n second son, who died in infancy ; and Harriet Cornelia, born Sept. 15, 1843; April 14, 1861, she married Rev, Win. F. Warren, now president of the Boston University.

Mr. Merrick has filled many positions of trust and responsibility. In 1836 he was elected a member of the Board of Trustees of Wesleyan Academy, and is now the senior member of the Board. Hle was sec- retary of the Board from 1836 to 1842, and again from 1853 to 1858; was treasurer from 1842 to 1861, and steward of the boarding-house connected with that insti- tution from 1850 to 1852, and from 1855 to 1861, Near the close of the Rebellion he held the office of district provost-marshal for nearly two years. He was town-clerk of Wilbraham from 1840 to 1842, and from 1863 to 1865. In 1866 he represented his district in the State Legislature, and has been a justice of the peace for the last thirty years,

In his church affiliatione, Mr. Merrick is a strict and consistent Methodist, having united with that denomination in the year 1826, In 1835 he was elected a member of the Board of Trustees of the church, which position he still holds ; and was clerk and treasurer of the Board for many years. He has also held the office of church stew- ard a large part of the time until the present, He was a member of the building committee to erect the Methodist Episco- pal Church in 1834, and also of that to build Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church, dedicated in 1870,

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History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. II, Part 149

Author: L.H. Everts & Co Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Philadelphia : Louis H. Everts Number of Pages: 896

Author: L.H. Everts & Co
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia : Louis H. Everts
Number of Pages: 896