Sample of a Northampton County Family Genealogy

My Merrill Family, according to a Biographical Record of Richard N. Merrill , came from French descent and were early settlers of New Jersey. His father Richard, came to Lower Mt. Bethel Township, Northampton County, PA and died there in 1850.

Richard Merrill (1767- 1850)
Scotch-Irish Cemetery, Martins Creek, PA

 Richard was first married to Mary Fitz Randolph and had six children. After Mary died, he married Mary Bitters nee Nye/Neigh. Mary had been married to Arnold Bitters and together they had four children. Richard Merrill and Mary Nye had only one child that reached adulthood, Richard Nye Merrill.

Mary Nye (1772-1848)
Scotch-Irish Cemetery, Martins Creek, PA

                                                              
 Honorable Richard Nye Merrill was born in 1817 in Lower Mt. Bethel Township. In 1838 he married Jane Shull/Scholl, daughter of Philip Shull of Martins Creek, a local mill owner.
                                             

Richard Nye Merrill (1817-1907)

In 1855 Richard Nye was elected Treasurer of Northampton County and served two terms. Previous to this in 1853 he was elected Justice of the Peace of Lower Mt. Bethel Township and again in 1858. In 1861 he was chosen Associate Judge of Northampton County for a term of five years. He continued as Justice of the Peace up to 1893 having been honored to have this position for more than forty years, the longest period that any Justice of the Peace had held. Along with these positions, he was also an auctioneer.  (My mother has possession of Richard Nye's old seal press from when he was JOTP.)

Jane Shull/Scholl (1819-1882)

Richard Nye and Jane Shull had eleven children. Of these children there was John C. Merrill, District Attorney of Northampton County; Irwin Merrill, Justice of the Peace for Bangor, PA; Rev. Dr. Philip S. Merrill, who under his supervison the White Temple in Miami Fla. was constructed. Jane, Laura and Richard moved to Philadelphia, Elizabeth ended up in Seattle, WA, Margaret drowned in the Raritan Canal from "insanity", Sallie (Sarah) married a local doctor and Mary, the only child who did not marry,  devoted herself to the church.
The eleveth child was my ancestor, Oscar Merrill.

Oscar Merrill ( 1848 - 1920)

Both Oscar and his wife Emma Gordon were "deaf mutes". They were not born this way but due to high temperatures at a young age, both lost their ability to hear and ultimately to speak. Emma was born in Milford, PA to Jervis and Eliza Gordon. Jervis was a mill owner and well off enough to send Emma to the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf in Philadelphia. That is where she met Oscar who was also lucky to be able to attend this school.

Emma Gordon (1850-1932)

Oscar and Emma after getting married in 1875 at Milford, PA, lived with Oscar's father, Richard Nye and mother Jane at Mt. Pleasant in Lower Mt. Bethel Township. Even though Oscar went to the school in Philadelphia for tailoring, his occupation was farming.

Emma and Oscar Merrill

Oscar and Emma had one child, Gertrude Merrill, my Great Grandmother.

Gertrude Merrill (1875-1960)

William Dillman (1874-1959)

Gertrude Merrill and William Dillman lived fairly close to each other and married in 1901. They lived their entire married lifes in Mt. Pleasant, Lower Mt. Bethel Township, PA.
They had nine children that all lived to adulthood. My Grandmother (Nana) was Anna Gordon Dillman.



 Four Generations of the Merrill Family of Northampton County PA and Beyond

---

1-William Merrill b. 1740, d. 1787
 +Margareth 
|--2-Richard Merrill b. 28 Jun 1767, Warren County NJ, d. 3 Feb 1850, bur. 
|    Scotch-Irish Presbyterian Cemetery, Martins Creek, PA
    +Mary Fitz Randolph b. 3 Oct 1769, Tomkinsville, Staten Island, NY, c. 13 
     Apr 1806, German Evangelical Lutheran Church, Easton PA, d. 11 Mar 1812, 
     Easton, PA
   |--3-Sarah Merrill b. 19 Jul 1791, c. 13 Apr 1806, German Evangelical 
   |    Lutheran Church, Easton PA
   |--3-Susan Merrill b. 19 Jun 1792, c. 13 Apr 1806, German Evangelical 
   |    Lutheran Church, Easton PA
   |--3-Elisabeth Merrill b. 30 Nov 1794, c. 13 Apr 1806, German Evangelical 
   |    Lutheran Church, Easton PA
   |   +James Schooley 
   |  |--4-Margaret Schooley d. 26 Feb 1882, Easton, PA
   |      +John H. Reichard 
   |     |--5-Elizabeth Merrill b. @1827, d. 7 Oct 1898, Philadelphia, PA
   |--3-Margaretha Merrill b. 3 Jan 1797, c. 13 Apr 1806, German Evangelical 
   |    Lutheran Church, Easton PA
   |--3-John Merrill b. 14 Jul 1799, c. 13 Apr 1806, German Evangelical 
   |    Lutheran Church, Easton PA
   |   +Margaret Schooley 
   |  |--4-Elizabeth Merrill b. @1827, d. 7 Oct 1898, Philadelphia, PA
   |      +Lorenzo Dupont Taggart b. @1816, d. 7 Mar 1898, Philadelphia, PA
   |     |--5-William Taggart b. @1847
   |     |--5-Frank M. Taggart b. 11 Mar 1852, PA, d. 2 Dec 1916, St. Joseph's 
   |     |    Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, bur. Hillside Cemetery
   |     |--5-Mary Taggart b. 1854, PA, d. 14 Mar 1917, Philladelphia, PA, bur. 
   |     |    Leverington
   |     |--5-Edward Merrill Taggart b. @1865
   |--3-William R. Merrill b. 9 Oct 1806, c. 29 Mar 1808, German Evangelical 
   |    Lutheran Church, Easton PA, d. 19 Dec 1889, Ulster, Bradford County, 
   |    PA, bur. Ulster Cemetery
       +Sarah Ann Wallace b. 17 Sep 1807, d. 3 Feb 1889, Ulster Bradford 
        County, PA, bur. Ulster Cemetery
      |--4-Richard Merrill b. 15 Sep 1829
      |--4-Henry Weaver Merrill b. 21 Sep 1830, Nanicoke, PA, d. 9 Mar 1912, 
      |    Easton, PA, bur. Easton Heights Cemetery
      |   +Elizabeth D. Elmendorf b. @1835, New York, d. 1874
      |  |--5-William J. Merrill b. 7 Sep 1859, Elmira, NY, d. 15 Apr 1943, 
      |  |    Yonkers, NY, bur. Easton Heights Cemetery
      |  |--5-Katherine G. Merrill b. 8 May 1862, d. 5 May 1926, Allentown, PA, 
      |  |    bur. Easton Heights Cemetery
      |   +Mary R. Failing b. 10 Apr 1945, Germany, d. 12 Mar 1935, Easton, PA, 
      |    bur. Easton Heights Cemetery
      |--4-Susan Merrill b. 28 Dec 1835
      |--4-Sevena Merrill b. 26 Sep 1837
      |--4-Eleanor Jane Merrill b. 30 Nov 1839, Martins Creek, PA, d. 30 Nov 
      |    1914, Bradford County, PA, bur. Ulster Cemetery
      |   +Orrin Orlando Merrill b. 7 Mar 1836, Bradford County, PA, d. 26 Sep 
      |    1923, Ulster Bradford County, PA, bur. Ulster Cemetery
      |  |--5-John Martin Merrill b. 30 Nov 1838, Martins Creek, PA, d. 9 Mar 
      |  |    1888
      |--4-Margaret Merrill b. 8 Feb 1841
      |--4-Moses Wallace Merrill b. 7 Jun 1844, Ulster Bradford County, PA, d. 
      |    18 Sep 1895, bur. Ulster Cemetery
      |   +Frances Tompkins 
      |  |--5-Mabel Merrill 
      |  |--5-Lizzie Merrill 
      |  |--5-Annie Victoria Merrill b. 1865, d. 1886, bur. Ulster Cemetery
      |--4-Martin Luther Merrill b. 7 Jan 1847, Ulster Bradford County, PA, d. 
      |    1925
      |   +Emma Park b. 29 Jul 1931, Litchfield Township, PA, d. 28 May 1931, 
      |    bur. Ulster Cemetery
      |  |--5-Richard Nye Merrill b. 17 Oct 1869, Bradford County, PA, d. 1 Jun 
      |  |    1943, bur. Ulster Cemetery
      |  |--5-Harlan Bruce Merrill b. 22 Jul 1872, Ulster Bradford County, PA, 
      |  |    d. 3 Apr 1961, Sayre, Bradford County, PA, bur. Ulster Cemetery
      |  |--5-Paul V. Merrill b. 1875, d. 1950
      |--4-Maryann Merrill 
      |--4-William Campbell Merrill b. 14 Dec 1851, Ulster Bradford County, PA, 
      |    d. 25 Dec 1935, Ulster Bradford County, PA, bur. Ulster Cemetery
          +Anna A. Hartshorn b. 12 Jan 1862, New York, d. 26 Dec 1932, Ulster 
           Bradford County, PA, bur. Ulster Cemetery
         |--5-Harry E. Merrill b. 1880, d. 9 Aug 1902
         |--5-Richard Joseph Merrill b. 14 Oct 1887
         |--5-Sarah Eleanor Merrill b. 15 Apr 1890, d. 1967
         |--5-Lois Blanche Merrill b. 11 Jan 1892
         |--5-Clara Adele Merrill b. 9 Oct 1893
         |--5-Julia Winifred Merrill b. 8 Jul 1898
         |--5-Mary Rosena Merrill b. 21 Sep 1900, d. 1991
         |--5-Bernice Leah Merrill b. 2 Mar 1903, d. 26 Dec 1933, bur. Tioga 
         |    Point Cemetery, Athens, PA
    +Mary Nye (Neigh) b. 7 Nov 1772, d. 3 Mar 1848, bur. Scotch-Irish 
     Presbyterian Cemetery, Martins Creek, PA
   |--3-Richard Nye Merrill b. 15 Aug 1817, d. 15 Mar 1907, Merrill Homestead, 
   |    Middaugh, bur. 19 Mar 1907, Church Hill Cemetery, Martins Creek, PA
       +Jane Shull b. 13 Mar 1819, d. 13 Oct 1882, Mt. Pleasant, PA 
        (Northampton County), bur. Church Hill Cemetery, Martins Creek, PA
      |--4-Margaret Shull Merrill b. 10 Jan 1839, d. 10 Oct 1870, Drown in 
      |    Raritan Canal NJ, bur. Church Hill Cemetery, Martins Creek, PA
      |   +John J. Miller b. 30 Jul 1834, d. 11 Mar 1898, Lebanon, PA
      |  |--5-Ambrose Philip Miller b. 22 Aug 1862, c. Richmond Methodist 
      |  |    Church, d. 28 Nov 1925, Garrett, Indiana
      |  |--5-Lewis Erwin Miller b. 19 Dec 1864, Mt. Pleasant, PA, d. 31 Oct 
      |  |    1944, Sturgis, Michigan
      |  |--5-Richard Nye Miller b. 6 Nov 1866, d. 3 Jul 1918, Garrett, Indiana
      |  |--5-Mary Jane Miller b. 30 Aug 1868, Belvidere, NJ, d. 29 Jan 1921, 
      |  |    bur. Easton Heights Cemetery
      |--4-Mary Merrill b. 25 Oct 1840, d. 22 Jan 1904
      |--4-John Calvin Merrill b. 15 Feb 1843, d. 13 Jan 1898, bur. Easton 
      |    Heights Cemetery
      |   +Sarah Flick b. 25 Jan 1849, Verona, Wisconsin, d. 27 Apr 1939, bur. 
      |    Easton Heights Cemetery
      |  |--5-Grace Helen Merrill b. 17 Apr 1872, d. 29 May 1967, Asbury Park , 
      |  |    NJ, bur. Easton Cemetery
      |  |--5-Rubetta Merrill b. 12 Dec 1878, Easton , PA, d. 16 Mar 1938, 
      |  |    Betts Hospital Easton, PA, bur. Easton Heights Cemetery
      |  |--5-John C. Merrill b. 17 Jul 1888, d. 23 Jan 1954, Easton Hospital, 
      |  |    bur. Easton Heights Cemetery
      |--4-Irwin Merrill b. 10 Mar 1845, d. 27 Mar 1925, Bangor, PA, bur. St. 
      |    John's Cemetery Bangor, PA
      |   +Emma Catharine Holland b. 15 Sep 1857, PA, d. 19 Jun 1916, bur. St. 
      |    John's Cemetery Bangor, PA
      |  |--5-Bertha Melivia Merrill b. 4 Mar 1875, c. First United Methodist 
      |  |    in Bangor, PA, d. 15 Oct 1965, Eastwood Convalescent Home , 
      |  |    Wilson, PA, bur. 18 Oct 1965, St. John's Cemetery Bangor, PA
      |  |--5-Adelbert Erwin Merrill b. 17 May 1883, c. Salem United Methodist 
      |  |    Bangor, PA, d. 4 Jun 1946, Los Angeles, CA
      |  |--5-Harry Holland Merrill b. 14 Dec 1891, c. First United Methodist 
      |  |    in Bangor, PA, d. 7 Jun 1989, Paulsboro, Gloucester, NJ., bur. 
      |  |    Eglington Cemetery, Clarksboro NJ
      |--4-Oscar Merrill b. 1847 or 11 Dec 1848, d. 15 Nov 1920, bur. Church 
      |    Hill Cemetery, Martins Creek, PA
      |   +Emma C. Gordon b. 23 Dec 1850, Tannersville, PA, d. 31 Jul 1932, 
      |    Merrill Homestead, bur. Church Hill Cemetery, Martins Creek, PA
      |  |--5-Gertrude Kirby Merrill b. 8 Nov 1875, Milford, PA, d. 12 Apr 
      |  |    1960, Lower Mt. Bethel, bur. Church Hill Cemetery, Martins Creek, 
      |  |    PA
      |--4-Philip Shull Merrill b. 29 Jan 1850, d. 23 Jul 1927, Rochester, NY, 
      |    bur. 6 Aug 1927, Miami, FL
      |   +Mary Matilda Coburn b. 3 Oct 1847, c. Trinity Episcopal Church, 
      |    Easton PA, d. 8 Oct 1885, Roxbourough, Philadelphia
      |  |--5-Julia Merrill b. 13 Jul 1878, d. Died by 1940
      |  |--5-Richard Nye Merrill b. 24 May 1881, d. 7 Nov 1961, San Diego, CA
      |  |--5-Charles Coburn Merrill b. 14 Nov 1883, Girardville, PA, d. 2 Dec 
      |  |    1971, Whittier Los Angeles, CA, bur. Rose Hills Memorial Park, 
      |  |    Whittier, CA
      |  |--5-Philip Shull Merrill b. 22 Sep 1885, d. 30 Jun 1945, New Jersey, 
      |  |    bur. George Washington Memorial Park, Ridgewood NJ
      |   +Cornelia 
      |--4-Laura Merrill b. 13 Jan 1851 or 1852, d. 11 Jul 1916, Philadelphia, 
      |    bur. Mt. Bethel Presbyterian Cemetery
      |   +Daniel Jacoby b. 11 Dec 1843, d. 30 Nov 1904, bur. Mt. Bethel 
      |    Presbyterian Cemetery
      |  |--5-Harvey Eugene Jacoby b. 16 Dec 1870, d. 3 Dec 1949, Philadelphia, 
      |  |    PA, bur. Mt. Peace Cemetery, Philadelphia
      |  |--5-Archie Erwin Jacoby b. 4 Aug 1872, d. 14 Jan 1895
      |  |--5-Enos Mann Jacoby b. 14 Dec 1874, Pennsylvania, d. 3 May 1942, 
      |  |    Allentown, PA, bur. Mount Bethel Cemetery
      |  |--5-Oscar Merrill Jacoby b. 1887 or 28 Dec 1888, d. 19 Jun 1906, 
      |  |    Norristown State Hospital, bur. Mount Bethel Pres. Cemetery
      |--4-Richard Clark Merrill b. 11 Sep 1854, d. 10 Aug 1942, bur. Oakland 
      |    Cemetery, Philadelphia
      |   +Emma C. Remmy b. 29 Jan 1857 or Jan. 31, 1859, d. 30 Jan 1905, 
      |    Philadelphia, PA, bur. Oakland Cemetery
      |  |--5-Ida Merrill b. 4 Mar 1887, d. Sep 1977, Philadelphia, PA
      |  |--5-Richard Clinton Merrill b. 31 Oct 1893, d. 31 Dec 1945, 
      |  |    Philadelphia, PA, bur. Oakland Cemetery, Philadelphia
      |--4-Elizabeth Merrill b. 3 Oct 1856, Pennsylvania, c. 18 Apr 1861, 
      |    Richmond Methodist Church, d. 12 May 1941, Tacoma, WA, bur. Mountain 
      |    View Memorial Park
      |   +Stephen Brittain b. 4 Jun 1854, Pennsylvania, d. 27 Mar 1918, bur. 
      |    Church Hill Cemetery
      |  |--5-Oscar Merrill Brittain b. 25 Sep 1875
      |  |--5-Elsie V. Brittain b. 12 Nov 1883, d. 27 Apr 1937, Tacoma, WA
      |--4-Jane Merrill b. 7 Mar 1859, c. 18 Apr 1861, Richmond Methodist 
      |    Church, d. 19 Jul 1937, Philadelphia, bur. West Laural Hill Cemetery
      |   +Howard A. Eilenberger b. 17 or 24 Oct 1855, Upper Mt. Bethel, PA, d. 
      |    17 Aug 1933, Philadelphia, bur. 21 Aug 1933, West Laurel Hill 
      |    Cemetery, Bala Cynwyd, PA
      |  |--5-Emma Remmy Eilenberger b. 21 Mar 1883, Phillipsburg, NJ, d. 30 
      |  |    Jun 1956, Naples, Fla
      |  |--5-Howard Alonzo Eilenberger b. 17 Jan 1886, d. Sep 1969, Lansdowne, 
      |  |    PA, bur. West Laurel Hill Cemetery, Bala Cynwyd, PA
      |  |--5-John Merrill Eilenberger b. 22 Sep 1886, d. 28 Mar 1952, 
      |  |    Allentown Hospital, bur. Cremated
      |--4-Sarah (Sallie) Merrill b. 17 Mar 1861, c. 18 Apr 1861, Richmond 
      |    Methodist Church, d. 8 Apr 1944, bur. Easton Heights Cemetery
          +Dr. William Henry McIlhany b. 14 Oct 1855, Martin's Creek, d. 28 Mar 
           1921, bur. Easton Heights Cemetery
       +Mrs. Sabina Sandt 

This is just a brief genealogy of one of my many families (most from present-day Northampton County, PA) I am very fortunate to work in the Marx Room daily and had/have the chance to use the many records we have here. At least 95% of this genealogy was found in the Marx Local History Room. I used the extensive collection of Church Records, Cemetery Records, Will Abstracts, Obituaries, Marriage and Death Extracts from numerous local newspapers, Easton City Directories, County Histories, Family History Books, all from the Marx Room. 
Ancestry.com was very valuable to me for census, death certificates, and much more. (we offer this for In-House use only) Fold3 opened up a mystery to me because of pension records on an ancestor. Although the Marx Room focuses on present day Northampton County, we have a nice selection of church and cemetery records for Bucks, Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe Counties. We also have some Warren County, NJ records. 
There is always an attendant in the Marx Room to guide you. 
Don't be shy! There are whole past lives waiting for you to find!