Henry Merritt, (Jr.)

brief biography

Came to America perhaps as early as 1626, and with others called "Men of Kent" founded the town of Scituate, MA, though he was not a freeman until 1638. There is a deed in the Colony records dated 1628 from Henry Merritt to Nathaniel Tilden, of which the following is a copy:

To all Christian people to whom these p r nt c, shall come greeting. Know you that I, Henry Merritt of Scituate in America Planter have in consideracan of twenty shillings before hand payd by Nathaniel Tilden of Scituate Planter in consideration thereof, I, the aforesaid henry merritt have given, bargained, and sold unto the aforesaid Nathaniel Tilden and his heirs forever, all that land which I had of goodman Byrd, lying within the fence at the North End of the third cliff unto the land of the aforesaid Nathaniel Tilden.

In Witness Whereof, I, the aforesaid Henry Merritt have hereunto set my hand and seal. Dated this the tenth of April 1628.

Henry Merritt's house lot in 1633 was at the corner where Greenfield lane and the "driftway" united; we believe it is now (1916) known as Merritt's corner. He had shares in the New Harbour marshes, and was also one of the Conihasset partners. That he was a man of substance and one of the leading citizens of the town, there is no doubt. His wife, called "Goodwife Merritt," joined the church in 1637, and there is no other record of her. Henry died in 1653 and his son John administered on his estate.

He is referred to as an American Planter. He may have come to America as early as 1626.

links

• http://www.scituatehistoricalsociety.org/families/MerrittHenry.htm
• http://aleph0.clarku.edu/~djoyce/gen/report/rr01/rr01_209.html#P3467