Joseph Merriam

• BIRTH 1600 Tonbridge, Tonbridge and Malling Borough, Kent, England
• DEATH 1 Jan 1641 (aged 40–41) Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA
• BURIAL Old Hill Burying Ground, Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA
• MEMORIAL ID 33312744

Joseph was probably born in Tudeley in the County of Kent in England, around 1600. His parents were William Merriam and Sarah Burgess. He married Sarah Goldstone about 1623, probably in Tudeley. He followed his father in the business of being a clothier, and obviously was successful. He formed a partnership to charter a ship and take freight and passengers to New England. Joseph, Sarah and their five children also sailed on that ship, the "Castle" of London, which arrived in Charlestown in July 1638.

They settled in Concord, joined the church, and Joseph was admitted as a freeman. Joseph's life in New England was very brief, however, for he died on January 1, 1641. His will, which was written on December 29, 1640, shows his thoughtful, businesslike mind. His oldest son had not yet reached legal age, so he charged his brother and two of the leading citizens of the town with carrying out his plans for his family. He is buried in the Old Hill Burying Ground in Concord. His widow later married Joseph Wheeler of Concord. She died in Concord in 1671.

"The 29th the 10th month of the year of our Lord 1640", Joseph Miriam of Concord being "weake of bodie, but blessed be God of good memory" wrote his will. He gave his wife, Sarah, his entire estate for the raising of their children until the sons are 21 and until the daughters are 21 or at their marriage. When the oldest child is 21, the wife was to receive one-third, and if she married, the same. Sarah was an executor along with Thomas Flint, Simon Willard & Robert Miriam. He died November 1, 1640 (Concord Births, Marriages, & Deaths, p. 2).

Parents
William Merriam 1564–1635
Sarah Burgess Merriam 1570–1640

Spouse
Sarah Goldstone Wheeler 1602–1671 (m. 1623)

Siblings
George Meriam 1602–1675
Robert Merriam 1609–1681

Children
William Meriam 1624–1689
Sarah Merriam Wheeler 1627–1677
Joseph Meriam 1630–1677
Elizabeth Merriam Hinchman 1632–1704
John Meriam 1641–1724

References

[1] http://www.merriamfamilytree.org/search.php mylastname=merriam&myfirstname=joseph&mybool=AND&search=Search

[2a] https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/33312744/joseph-merriam

[2b] http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=33312744 Maintained by: Ken Smith Originally Created by: Nareen, et al Record added: Jan 27, 2009

[3a] http://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Merriam-30 WikiTree Genealogy] - SmartCopy: Jan 16 2017, 1:52:24 UTC

[3b] http://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Meriam-5 WikiTree Genealogy] - SmartCopy: Jan 21 2017, 3:41:06 UTC

[4] https://www.myheritage.com/research/record-1-126288771-2-18395/jose... MyHeritage Family Trees] - SmartCopy: Jun 2 2022, 9:47:44 UTC

GEDCOM Note

[5] <p>Ancestral File Number:<AFN> HNXQ-T4</p><p><p></p></p><p><p>Ancestral File Number:<AFN> LQJS-QV</p></p><p><p></p></p><p><p>Ancestral File Number:<AFN> 4JFK-89</p></p><p><p></p></p><p>Ancestral File Number:<AFN> W1XG-QL</p>