John Merrifield (1759 - aft. 1836)

Born Oct 1759 in Winchester, Frederick, Virginia

Ancestors

Died after Jan 1836 after age 76 in Macoupin, Illinois, United States

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Biography

John Merrifield left Frederick Co., VA, probably with his parents, [1.] and was living in Westmoreland/Fayette Co., PA by about 1773. [2.] In his Revolutionary War pension application (R7119), during sworn testimony on 17 Jun 1833 in open Court in Macoupin Co., Illinois, he testified that he was born in Winchester Town, Frederick Co., Virginia in 1759 and that he would be 74 in Oct 1833. He was presently living in Carlinville, Macoupin Co., IL. In 1776 when he first entered into service during the Revolutionary War he was living near Beason Town (Beesontown, Westmoreland Co., PA, now Uniontown, Fayette Co., PA) within about 18 miles of Redstone Old Fort (now Brownsville, Fayette Co., PA).

He first served under Capt. William Parsons for a period of twelve months and was stationed at Pricketts Fort part of the time. He was stationed at Pittsburg, PA about three weeks then marched back to Pricketts Fort and he "saw said Prickett after he had been killed by the Indians." He afterwards served under Capt. Kincade and was stationed at Powels/Powers Fort in Virginia for twelve months. He next served for six months under John Thomas and afterward six months under James Booth. Thomas and Booth were both killed by the Indians. Thomas was killed near Powels/Powers Fort and Booth was killed near Joe Coons Fort in Virginia.

His claim was rejected. A letter included in his pension file from the War Department Pension Office, dated 20 Feb 1834 states: "Sir the claim of John Merefield has been Examined and the papers herewith enclosed. It is well known that the service in which the claimant was engaged was only for a few days or months at a time and unless his statements shall be more in accordance with the history of the war on the frontier the claim cannot be admitted."

He was again testifying in court on 1 Dec 1834. The tours of service were the same as given in his previous testimony in June 1833, however, on this occasion the period of time he stated he spent in each tour was only six months and not twelve. Again, he was denied a pension. [3.]

In 1781 John was issued a land certificate entitling him to 400 acres on Otter Creek, a branch of Tygart's Valley River, that included his settlement made in 1774. [4.] That he made a settlement in 1774 is surprising as he was only about 15 years old at that time. Even more surprising, his brother Richard had made an improvement on Lost Run in 1766 when he was apparently only 13 years old (if his reported year of birth is accurate, see notes for Richard). Could both John and Richard have gone out with their older brothers while they were making improvements in order to obtain grants and then obtain the land certificates in 1781 when they were adults?

John left Fayette Co., Pennsylvania and was living in Nelson Co., Kentucky by early 1785. He and his brothers Alexander and Thomas, and their brother-in-law George Tucker, are found that year in the tithables list of Nelson County. [5.] John and Alexander were living together in the household of George Tucker in 1785 but had moved out and were each living in their own household by 1787. [6.] Both John and Alexander are then found in the Jefferson Co., KY tax list for 1789.

27 Oct 1788, Nelson Co., KY. ---John Merrifield and Priscilla Davis are married. [7.]

1789 Jefferson Co., KY Tax List, District of Coleman Daniel, Brashear's Creek 12 July ---Moses Boon, 1 white male above 21, 1 white male above 16 and under 21: Moses Boon, 1 Horse 25 July ---Jonathan Boon, 1 white male above 21, 1 white male above 16 and under 21: Isaah Boon, 2 Horses 19 Sep ---Samuel Boon, 1 white male above 21, 1 white male above 16 and under 21: John Boon, 2 Horses 12 Sep ---Alexander Merifield, 1 white male above 21, 2 Horses. ---John Merifield, 1 white male above 21, 1 Horse. <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS3J-6QR2-R?i=14&cat=156004>, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS3J-6QRJ-P?i=17&cat=156004>, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS3J-6QRK-C?i=15&cat=156004>.

2 Oct 1790, Jefferson Co., Kentucky. ---"Sir be so kind as to stop the sute I have against Bazil Williams for we have setled the same and I will be down next weak and setle the Cost and in so doing you will much oblidge your friend October 2 1790 John merifield to mr. Thuston" (Jeff. Co., KY Court, Old Circuit Common Law, case no. 2318, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-V386-MCS3?i=2382&cat=1204020>)

2 Feb 1791, Jefferson Co., Kentucky. ---[John] Merifield vs. [Bazil] Williams, dism'd. agreed ---[Elizabeth] Butler vs. [Alexander] Merifield. Same for Costs (Jeff. Co., KY Crt. Ord. Bk.3, p.24. <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4Y-X1J6?i=164&cat=128127>)

3 May 1791, Jefferson Co., Kentucky. ---John Merifield is appointed Constable of this County and sworn. (Jeff. Co., KY Crt. Ord. Bk.3, p.36. <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4Y-X1GK?cat=128127>, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS3J-PSX9-Y?i=116&cat=421450>)

27 Mar 1793, Jefferson Co., Kentucky. Sir take notice that on Saturday the 30th of this Instant at the house of Thomas Shannon Esqr. I shall proceed between the hours of Eight in the morning and Three in the afternoon to take the Deposition of John Merifield in a suit now depending in the Court of Quarter Cessions in the County of Jefferson Wherein you are complainant and myself as administrator to the Estate of Daniel Gwinn Dec'd is defendant your mo. Obt Ser. Mr. Samuel Boone Thomas J. Gwinn March 27 1793

(reverse side of doc.) Shelby S ct. personally appear'd before me Daniel McCleland one of the Justices of the Peace for sd. County. Thos Hughs and made oath that he Delivered a True Copy of the within to Sam'l Boone on the 27th day of March 1793 [signed] Dan'l McCleland

30 Mar 1793, Jefferson Co., Kentucky. Deposition of John Merrifield Taken at the house of Thos. Shannon, Esqr. Depending in the Court of Quarter Sessions for the County of Jefferson wherein Samuel Boone is Compaient & Thomas J Gwinn adm'tor of David Gwinn Decd Defen't This Deponent being first Sworn . . ., Deposeth & saith that some time in the Month of May or June [1787] this Depo't hapened in Company with Squire Boone & David Gwinn at Wells Station, when the said Gwinn asked the said Boone for Seven pounds, which he the said Gwinn said was due him, for Sheriff fees, and which Boone acknowledged to be just, but told him the sd Gwinn that he had not the money. Mr. David Gwinn then observed that he would take a horse, Boone answered and said that if he could get one to sute him he would, sd Gwinn Reple'd that if he could get a Black Horse that Samuel Boone had, he would take him as he would sute him to Sheriff or [?], Boone ask'd him what he would given for the said Black Horse, provided he got him. Gwinn told him he would allow Twelve pounds for the Horse. Squire Boone then got the said horse of Samuel Boone for Mr David Gwinn, but Gwinn agreed to lend the horse to Squire Boone to help him move his goods to Landing Below the Falls of Ohio provided said Boone would return him at a certain day, and agreeable to the time which they then fixt on, the horse was returned and delivered to Mr David Gwinn and farther this Dep't saith [signed] John Merrifield Sworn to before us Thos Shannon Danl McCleland</nowiki>

Question by the Plaintiff, did you Know when the above transaction took place, answer It was in the year 1787 in the month of May or June Did you Know it of your own Knowledge or by heresay, answer I Know it of my own Knowledge for I seed it & heard it Question by the Plaintiff how much did you offer Mr. Samuel Boone for the stud Horse answer (nothing) but I proposed to give __ __ sixty or seventy pound for said horse in trade and farther he saith Not [signed] John Merrifield N. B. Mr Slater Being Present who Being present who sd that he was Mr. Boones aturney at law when we took this Depesition. Thos Shannon Danl McCleland (Samuel Boone vs. Thos. J. Gwinn Admr of David Gwinn decd., Squire Boone witness for Samuel Boone. Deposition of John Merrifield. Jeff. Co., KY Court, Old Circuit Common Law, case no. 2549, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-V38D-CBDW?i=631&cat=1204020>)

John is found in the tax lists of Harrison Co., KY in 1794 and 1795. [8.] (Harrison Co. was formed on 21 Dec 1793 from Bourbon and Scott counties). In 1795, in Harrison County, he brought suit against Robert Forbes for Tresspass, Assault and Battery. That same year he was sued by John Robinson assignee of William Rankin for debt. [9.] (Harrison Co., KY Crt. Ord. Bk. A, pp. 15, 22, 23, 43, 56, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PK-XS96?i=16&cat=437570>)

On 5 Mar 1795 John Merrifield of Harrison Co. KY sold his slave woman named "Abigal" for 55 pounds to George Frazier of Harrison County. [10.]

In his pension application John stated he lived in Kentucky about forty years, mostly in the counties of Christian and Logan.

He is next found in the tax records of Christian Co., KY from 1799 through 1802. [11.]

John's wife Priscilla became a Shaker and they separated and apparently were divorced. Priscilla is listed in 1805 and 1806. [12.] This would suggest John and Priscilla probably separated sometime between 1802 and 1805. In 1802 John was taxed on 400 acres on Elk Fork. In 1805 "Prescilla Merryfield" was taxed on 206 acres on Spring Creek, first entered and surveyed by J. (John) Merryfield. In 1806 she was taxed on 400 acres on West Fork of Spring Cr., first entered by K. (Keziah) Davis and another 300 acre tract on the same creek.

It appears John may have left Kentucky about 1802, the same year Thomas Merrifield (Jr.?) left Nelson Co., KY. No record has been found of John in Kentucky between the years 1802 and 1816. He may have been living in Tennessee at least some of the time during that period. On 20 Dec 1806 in Logan Co., KY, A. Stewart gave power of Attorney to Armistead Morehead to sell tracts of land including 400 acres in the name of John Merryfield. [13.] This record suggests John may have been out of the state in 1806. No records have been found of John in Tennessee, however, court records show that Thomas Merrifield (apparently Jr., John’s nephew) was living in Williamson Co., TN from as early as 1805 and as late as 1807. [14.] [15.] Thomas Merrifield (Jr.) married Mariah Seahorn there on 23 Aug 1806. [16.] Alexander Merrifield was a defendant in a case during the May term, 1806, of the Chancery Court in the District of West Tennessee. [17.] John’s nephew Samuel Merrifield (son of Richard Merrifield and Phoebe Tucker) was also in Williamson Co., TN from about 1804 through 1807. [18.] [19.] (Samuel is missing from the Monongalia Co., VA Tax lists from 1803 until 1809).

John Merrifield is again tax listed in Christian Co., KY in 1816 and 1819 (no list for 1818). Both years he was listed with 1 male above 21, 2 Horses, no land listed. [20.]

Trigg County was formed in 1820 and John is then found there from 1820 through 1823. He is found in the 1820 US census and is listed in the tax records there in 1820 and 1822. [21.] [22.] In 1820 he was tax listed with 1 male above 21, 4 Horses. In 1822 he was listed with 1 male above 21, 2 Horses.

Monday, 21 Oct 1822, Trigg Co., KY, Court ---John Merrifield vs. William Armstrong, on Appeal ---Ordered that John Merrifield pay James Brownfield $1.00 for 2 days attendance at this & the last term as a witness for him. Monday, 21 Apr 1823 ---John Merrifield, ear mark filed. [23.]

John and Priscilla's daughter Rebecca and son John also joined the Shaker movement while son Davis married and had a family. Caroline Merrifield, listed in the Shaker Journals as a member on 29 Apr 1827, is probably a dau. of John and Priscilla. (Linda Lewis-Weissinger's 'mumzie2005' database at www.wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com, No longer available).

Some Merrifield researchers state that John married a second time and had additional children. The number and ages of household members listed in John Merrifield’s household in the 1820 Census (Trigg Co., KY, see above) would seem to support the existence of a second family. Listed in his household are 1 male under 10, 1 male 45 or above (John), 3 fem. under 10, 1 fem. 26-44 (possible second wife).

Based on statements made in his pension file it is likely he made his move to Illinois shortly after 1823.

Many Merrifield researchers state that John died about 1836 in Macoupin Co., IL, however, no Merrifields were found in the probate records of that county. [24.]

No biography yet.^[1] Can you add information or sources?

Sources

• 1.Virginia, Frederick Co., Deed Bk. 10, p. 242. Recorded 4 Apr 1765. Samuel Merryfield and Mary Maryfield to son Samuel Maryfield, 200 of 251 acres on one of the drains of Opeckon, granted to Samuel Maryfield on 20 May 1762. Other children named are Richard Maryfield, Thomas Maryfield, John Maryfield, Alexander Maryfield, Dinah Maryfield, Elizabeth Maryfield, Mary Maryfield and Rachel Maryfield, all minors at the time. (Fam. Hist. Library Microfilm no.31372. <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKH-HWVK-T?i=414&cat=408287>)

• 2. Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania, U.S., Tax and Exoneration, 1768-1801 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Springhill Twp., Bedford Co., 1773. Digital image (accessed 2 Apr 2022): <https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/1410174:2497?ssrc=pt&tid=78547162&pid=34386652196>. Samuel Merrifield listed as Inmate (renter).

• 3. U.S., Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files, 1800-1900. Ancestry.com, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010, Provo, UT, USA. <https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/1995/images/MIUSA1775D_136292-00722?pId=41404>

• 4. Haymond, Henry, History of Harrison County, West Virginia, Acme Publishing Company, Morgantown, W. V. p.49. Land certificate issued for 400 acres on Otter Creek, a branch of Tygart's Valley River, to include his settlement made in 1774.

• 5. “The Nelson County Pioneer” (Nelson County Hist. Soc.), Vol. 1, No. 1, Summer 1977, p. 7. NELSON COUNTY TITHABLES – 1785, A List of Tithables Taken by Isaac Cox “on all the waters of Long Lick Creek and all the southern branches below to the mouth of Cox’s Creek. And all the northern branches of Buffalo Creek to the mouth of Chaplin Fork.”

• 6. Kentucky, Nelson Co. Court, List of Tithables 1785, 1787, 1788-1791, 1795, (Fam. Hist. Library Microfilm no. 9670. <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSLZ-94GS?i=32&cat=417360>).

• 7. "Kentucky, County Marriages, 1797-1954," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:2:9MHL-Y3JF : 9 March 2021), Entry for John Merryfield and Pricilla Davis, 27 Oct 1788; citing Marriage, Nelson, Kentucky, United States, various county clerks and county courts, Kentucky; FHL microfilm 9,666. Bond dated 27 Oct 1788, bondsman George Tucker. Consent given by Priscilla’s father Annaniah Davis. Marriage Register: <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q28D-6CFJ>.

• 8. Kentucky, Harrison Co. Tax Assessor, Tax books 1794-1797, 1799-1808, (Fam. Hist. Library microfilm 7834449. <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS3J-K946-9?i=7&cat=155644>, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS3J-K94D-M?i=28&cat=155644>)

• 9. Kentucky, Harrison Co., Court Order Bk. A, pp. 15, 22, 23, 43, 56, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PK-XS96?i=16&cat=437570>.

• 10. Kentucky, Harrison Co., Deed Bk. 1, p. 50. <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4L-1S69-G?i=30&cat=431273>.

• 11. Kentucky, Christian Co., Tax Assessor, Tax books 1797-1816, Fam. Hist. Library microfilm 7834413. <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS3J-F9ZH-Q?i=45&cat=155098>, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS3J-F9Z4-4?i=64&cat=155098>, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS3J-F9Z9-R?i=100&cat=155098>, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS3J-F9H2-M?i=134&cat=155098>.

• 12. Kentucky, Christian Co., Tax Assessor, Tax books 1797-1816, Fam. Hist. Library microfilm 7834413. <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS3J-F9ZM-L?i=329&cat=155098>, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS3J-F9HN-Z?i=374&cat=155098>.

• 13. Murray, Joyce Martin, Logan County, Kentucky Deed Abstracts 1792-1813, Abstracts of Deed Books A1, A, B, C. Wolfe City, Texas : Printed by Henington Pub. Co., c1993. p.59. Deed Book B., 1806-1808, p.10.

• 14. Tennessee, Williamson Co., County Court Minute books, v. 1-2 1800-1815, Fam. Hist. Library microfilm 453331. <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKX-K94L-G?i=90&cat=252250>, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKX-K94L-K?i=86&cat=252250>.

• 15. Tennessee, Williamson County Archives Online Index. <https://archives.williamsoncounty-tn.gov/indexes/search#court_cases-25619>, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKX-K9H3-W?i=127&cat=252250>, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKX-K9HQ-K?i=133&cat=252250>.

• 16. Marriage Bond: "Tennessee, County Marriages, 1790-1950," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:2:Q2NJ-FQSK : 10 March 2021), Entry for Thomas Merrifield and Mariah Seahorn, 02 Aug 1806; citing Williamson, Tennessee, United States, Marriage, p. , Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville and county clerk offices from various counties; FHL microfilm 1,008,000. Marriage Register: <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKH3-H2WZ>.

• 17. Newspaper advertisement: Impartial review and Cumberland Repository, (Nashville, TN) 21 Jun 1806, Vol. 1, No. 28, p.2. <https://www.newspapers.com/image/584934804/?terms=Alexander&match=1>. See also: Eddlemon, Sherida K., Genealogical Abstracts From Tennessee Newspapers 1791-1808, (Bowie, Md. : Heritage Books, 1988.), p. 156.

• 18. Tennessee, Williamson County Archives, Online Index. 1800s Loose Criminal Case Files, Box 23. <https://archives.williamsoncounty-tn.gov/indexes/search#court_cases-43978>, <https://archives.williamsoncounty-tn.gov/indexes/search#court_cases-43977>, <https://archives.williamsoncounty-tn.gov/indexes/search#court_cases-43979>.

• 19. Tennessee, Williamson Co., County Court Minute books, v. 1-2 1800-1815, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKX-K94L-K?i=86&cat=252250>.

• 20. Kentucky, Christian Co. Tax Assessor, Tax books 1797-1816, Fam. Hist. Library microfilm 7834413. <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS3J-F9HY-7?i=1296&cat=155098>, Tax books 1817, 1819-1831, (Fam. Hist. Library microfilm 7834438. <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS3J-63PC-L?i=222&cat=155098>.

• 21. "United States Census, 1820," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHLJ-MLK : accessed 5 April 2022), John Merryfield, Trigg, Kentucky, United States; citing p. , NARA microfilm publication , (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll ; FHL microfilm.

• 22. Kentucky, Trigg Co. Tax Assessor, Tax books 1820-1831, Fam. Hist. Library microfilm 7834512. <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS3J-DQW7-W?i=18&cat=157385>, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS3J-DQWQ-K?i=78&cat=157385>.

• 23. Kentucky, Trigg Co., County Court Orders, Bk. A, 1820-1831, pp. 92, 94, 107. <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKH-WWYV-L?i=84&cat=436918>, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKH-WWBN-Z?i=85&cat=436918>, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKH-WWYG-7?i=92&cat=436918>.

• 24. Illinois, Macoupin Co., County Court, Probate index A 1835-1880, Fam. Hist. Library microfilm 1320087. <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939K-Y83Q-J?mode=g&cat=2790>.

1. ↑ Merrifield-194 was created by Paul Linden through the import of Anna May Hammer Family Tree 062814.ged on Jun 30, 2014. This comment and citation should be deleted after a short biography has been added and primary sources have been cited.