Timothy Merrill

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Timothy Merrill (March 16, 1781 – July 27, 1836) was an American lawyer and politician who served as Secretary of State of Vermont.

Biography[]

Timothy Merrill was born in Farmington, Connecticut on March 16, 1781, the son of James Merrill and Jerusha Seymour.[1] He attended schools in Farmington. He later studied law in Bennington, Vermontwith his brother Orsamus Cook Merrill, and was admitted to the bar.[2] He then moved to Rutland, where he practiced with Robert Temple.[2] In 1809, Merrill moved to Montpelier, where he continued to practice law.[2]

In 1811 and 1812, Merrill was elected to the Vermont House of Representatives.[2] In the same year he was also appointed state's attorney for the newly formed Jefferson County, which was later renamed Washington County.[2] He was reelected in 1812, and again from 1822 to 1829.[3] In 1815, he was appointed engrossing clerk of the Vermont House.[2] In 1822, he was appointed clerk of the House of Representatives, and he served until 1831.[2]

Merrill joined the Anti-Masonic Party when it was formed.[4] In 1831 he was elected Secretary of State, and he served in this position until his death.[2] He died in Montpelier on July 27, 1836.[2]

Family[]

Merrill was married to Clara Fassett.[2] The couple had five children, including: Farrand, who served as his father's deputy, and later served as Secretary of State himself; Edwin, who served as Montpelier's postmaster before moving to Winchendon, Massachusetts; Clara, who died in 1842; and Timothy, who practiced law and served as Washington County's judge of probate.[2] One son died in infancy.[2]

References[]

  1. ^ Thompson, Daniel P. (1860). History of the Town of Montpelier. Montpelier, VT: E. P. Walton. pp. 211-213.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Thompson, Daniel P. (7 April 1860). History of the Town of Montpelier. p. 211 – via Internet Archive.
  3. ^ Hemenway, Abby Maria (1882). The History of the Town of Montpelier, Including that of the Town of East Montpelier. Montpelier, VT: A. M. Hemenway. p. 274.
  4. ^ Adams, John Q. (1875). Letters and Addresses on Freemasonry by John Quincy Adams. Dayton, OH: United Brethren Publishing Company. p. 253.
Political offices
Preceded by Secretary of State of Vermont
1831–1836 		Succeeded by
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