Dinah Marice Day

Diana Day, (b betw 1684 & 1700, of Nicholas [c1620], d. later than 1727).

"Diana Day...married Joshua Merriken on Jun 24, 1718 in Baltimore County, Maryland. (St John's Parish Register) Joshua Merriken, the son of Capt. Hugh and Ann (Bond) Merriken, was born about 1688 in Broad Neck Hundred. When he was aged ten, his father died and he went to England and returned as the ward of his uncle Joshua.

He removed to upper Baltimore County, where in 1719 he was clerk of the parish of St. John's.

Assuming Diana was at least 18 at marriage, she was born not later than 1700. She would not have been born earlier than Sarah, her older sister, so was born not earlier than 1684. According to Newman Joshua Merriken died November 8, 1723 intestate, but his will is listed as written November 6, 1726 and was proved March 8, 1726 (1727?)

As abstracted in Baldwin, it provided for his wife Dianna, executrix, to have half of the land during her lifetime; should her unborn child be a son, he should be named Joshua and possess the aforesaid tract at Diana's decease; she would have half of his personal estate during her widowhood; and should she marry, she would receive a child's portion. To his son Hugh and his heirs would go half the aforesaid land. Should either of the aforesaid sons die without issue, the survivor would inherit the portion of the deceased, neither son having the power to sell or mortgage their portions. To both sons the aforesaid "George's". "To his daughter Ann and her heirs the outward part of Merrikeen's Inheritance. To daughter Mary and her heirs 200 acres of Merrikeen's Outlet at the head of Bush River. To the unborn child (if a girl, to be named Diana) and its heirs Merrikeen's Branches near the land of John Weasly. Testators were Edward Day, Samuel Baker, William Bradford and Alexander Maccomus. His widow filed a return of inventory: old books, two white servants and one black.

"Diana (Day) Merriken then married (2) Benjamin Jones on January 5, 1737. 

His will was written April 22, 1739 and was proved May 22, 1739.

As abstracted in Baldwin, he was a "Planter of St. John's Parish, Baltimore County." His entire estate went to his wife, Diana, the executrix, who was to make over to William Bradford two tracts of land called Turkey Hill and Strawberry Hill. Testators swere William Cooke, Mary Merriken, Thomas Preston, Josseph Allein, and John Cameron. Children of Joshua and Diana (Day) Merriken:

• 1. Mary, b. April 24, 1719 or 1720 (mother married in 1718 and brother born in 1721). Testator to stepfather's will in 1739.(67)
• 2. Hugh, b. Sept 17, 1721, bapt Apr 8 1722 by William Tibbs in Gunpowder Church, St. John's. Living at time of father's will in 1727.(68)
• 3. Ann (b. before 1727, d. May 4 1730)
• 4. Joshua/Diana, b. 1727 after death of father.