2900. Benjamin¹¹ Merrill (Nathaniel¹⁰, Nathaniel⁹, Abel⁸, Abel⁷, Nathaniel⁶, Nathaniel⁵ Merrill, John⁴ Merrell, The Younger, John³ Meryell, John², Thomas¹) was born January 24, 1768 in Nottingham West, NH, and died April 24, 1849 in Nottingham West, NH. He married Sarah Plummer Caton July 25, 1820 in Nottingham West, NH. She was born March 11, 1783, and died October 25, 1853. Benjamin was deacon of his church.

"He was a farmer and lived in Nottingham West, and was a deacon of the Congregational Church. His house shown in the accompanying picture, is in the southeast part of Hudson. The farm is east of that of his grandfather, Rev. Nathaniel Merrill and adjoins it. The large tree beyond the house was cut down many years ago. The building is still in excellent condition, and has been equipped with steam heat and running water in recent years. The large window in the second story lights a finished chamber, the two smaller windows on that floor giving additional light and ventilation to an unfinished attic. It is belived that Benjamin Merrill built the house not long before 1800." - A Merrill Memorial, Samuel Merrill, 1928, p578.

"Benjamin was born January 24, 1768. His father dying soon after the loss of his property, when Benjamin was seventeen years old, it was only by his indefatigable industry and energy that his mother was enabled to keep the family together. He worked early and late, and provided a home for his widowed mother during her life. He married, July 25, 1820, Mrs. Sarah Caton, whose maiden-name was Plummer. They commenced house-keeping in the house which he had built in 1810, on the farm in the south part of Hudson, where he ever after resided, and which is now owned by his descendants. Their children were Benjamin A., Ebenezer B. (deceased), James B. and William T.

Benjamin Merrill was prominent in town and church affairs, was at one time a member of the Board of Selectmen, was a deacon in the Presbyterian Church and familiarly known as "Deacon Ben." A man of good judgment, honest in character, faithful in duty, of a kind and social disposition, he possessed many friends, and few, if any, enemies, preferring to bear an injury rather than to resort to any unpleasant measures. He never had a lawsuit, but his services were often sought as referee, and his wise and friendly counsel made him a peace-maker. Politically, he was a Whig. He died April 25, 1849, aged eighty-one years, leaving a record of a life well spent. His wife survived him but a few years, dying October 25, 1853, aged seventy-one years." - History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, 1885, D. Hamilton Hurd, p484.

Census - 1790, 1800, 1810, 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850

Children of Benjamin Merrill and Sarah Caton are:

(a) Otis-Addison¹³ Merrill, was born 22 Aug 1844, in Hudson, NH. At seventeen years of age he enlisted in the 7th New Hampshire Volunteers and served until the close of the Civil War. He was an architect in Lowell, MA for many years, but since 1901 has lived on a farm in Pepperell, MA.

(1) Rev. Boynton¹⁴ Merrill (b. 21 July, 1891), son of Otis-Addision, was associate minister of the Old South Church in Boston from 1921 to 1927. He served as chaplain on the U.S.S. Pennsylvania during the World War I.