Matthew F. Merritt

Matthew Franklin Merritt (March 2, 1815 – May 10, 1896) was a member of the Connecticut Senate representing the 12th District from 1859 to 1860.

Matthew Franklin Merritt
Member of the Connecticut Senate from the 12th District
In office 1859–1860
Preceded by	Julius Curtis
Succeeded by	Julius Curtis
Personal details
Born	(1815-03-02)March 2, 1815 Flushing, Queens, New York, U.S.
Died	May 10, 1896(1896-05-10) (aged 81) Stamford, Connecticut, U.S.
Resting place	Woodland Cemetery, Stamford, Connecticut
Spouse	Mariah Shaw
Children	4, including Schuyler
Residence	Stamford, Connecticut
Occupation	Ship chief

Early life

He was born on March 2, 1815, in Flushing, Queens.^[1] He was the son of Nehemiah M. Merritt and Phebe (née Thorne) Merritt. His father was a dry goods merchant on Pearl Street in New York City.^[2]

Career

Merritt was a member of the Connecticut Senate from the Connecticut's 12th Senate District.^[3]

Personal life

Merritt was married to Mariah Shaw (1820–1901), the daughter of William Shaw and Clarissa (née Hoyt) Shaw. Together, they were the parents of:^[4]

• Amelia Merritt (1839–1915), who married William Frederick Skelding (1833–1885).^[5]
• Julia Merritt (1841–1908).
• Adeline Gay Merritt (1846–1869).
• Schuyler Merritt (1853–1953),^[6] who also served in the Connecticut General Assembly from Stamford and, later, the U.S. House of Representatives.^[7]

Merritt died on May 10, 1896, in Stamford, Connecticut.^[8] He was buried.^[9][10]

References

1. "Connecticut, Deaths and Burials, 1772-1934," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F78T-DMW : accessed 28 May 2013), Mathew Franklin Merritt, 10 May 1896; citing reference , FHL microfilm 3169.
2. Wilson, Lynn Winfield (1929). History of Fairfield County, Connecticut, 1639-1928. S.J. Clarke. pp. 52, 55. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
3. Roll of state officers and members of General Assembly of Connecticut, from 1776 to 1881
4. of 1871, Yale University Class (1901). History of Yale Class of 1873. Retrieved 17 April 2019.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
5. Descendants of Robert Lockwood: Colonial and Revolutionary History of the Lockwood Family in America, from A.D. 1630. Printed privately by the family. 1889. p. 464. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
6. Times, Special To The New York (2 April 1953). "SCHUYLER MERRITT DEAD IN STAMFORD | Banker, 99, Oldest Graduate of Yale, Parkway Creator Was in Congress Nine Terms". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
7. "MERRITT, Schuyler - Biographical Information". bioguide.congress.gov. Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
8. "Matthew F. Merritt". Hartford Courant. May 12, 1896. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
9. Times, Special To The New York (5 April 1953). "MERRITT RITES HELD; Former Associates at Service for Connecticut Leader". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
10. Times, Special To The New York (15 April 1953). "Merritt's Will Up for Probate". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 May 2017.

Connecticut State Senate
Preceded by Julius Curtis	Member of the Connecticut Senate from the 12th District 1859–1860	Succeeded by Julius Curtis