Matthew F. Merritt Explained

Matthew Franklin Merritt
Office:	Member of the Connecticut Senate from the 12th District
Term Start:	1859
Term End:	1860
Predecessor:	Julius Curtis
Successor:	Julius Curtis
Birth Date:	2 March 1815
Birth Place:	Flushing, Queens, New York, U.S.
Death Place:	Stamford, Connecticut, U.S.
Restingplace:	Woodland Cemetery, Stamford, Connecticut
Residence:	Stamford, Connecticut
Occupation:	Ship chief
Spouse:	Mariah Shaw
Children:	4, including Schuyler

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

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]}

Notes and 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. Book: Wilson . Lynn Winfield . History of Fairfield County, Connecticut, 1639-1928 . 1929 . 52, 55. S.J. Clarke . 17 April 2019 . en.
3. https://archive.org/details/rollstateoffice00assegoog Roll of state officers and members of General Assembly of Connecticut, from 1776 to 1881
4. Book: of 1871 . Yale University Class . History of Yale Class of 1873 . 1901 . 17 April 2019 . en.
5. Book: Descendants of Robert Lockwood: Colonial and Revolutionary History of the Lockwood Family in America, from A.D. 1630 . 1889 . Printed privately by the family . 464 . 17 April 2019 . en.
6. News: Times. Special To The New York. SCHUYLER MERRITT DEAD IN STAMFORD Banker, 99, Oldest Graduate of Yale, Parkway Creator Was in Congress Nine Terms. 2 May 2017. The New York Times. 2 April 1953.
7. Web site: MERRITT, Schuyler - Biographical Information. bioguide.congress.gov. Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. 2 May 2017.
8. News: Matthew F. Merritt . 17 April 2019 . . May 12, 1896 . en.
9. News: Times. Special To The New York. MERRITT RITES HELD; Former Associates at Service for Connecticut Leader. 2 May 2017. The New York Times. 5 April 1953.
10. News: Times. Special To The New York. Merritt's Will Up for Probate. 2 May 2017. The New York Times. 15 April 1953.