William Merriam, Jr^[1]

1564 - 1635  (71 years)

• Name	William Merriam  [2, 3]
  Suffix	Jr
  Birth	1564	Goudhurst, Kent, England   [4, 5]
  Gender	Male
  Residence	1564	Goudhurst, Kent, England   [4]
  	Relation to Head: Son
  Baptism	11 May 1564	Goudhurst, Kent, England   [4, 6]
  Death	23 Sep 1635	Hadlow, Kent, England   [5, 6]
  Burial	Hadlow, Kent, England   [5]
  Person ID	I29885	Master
  Last Modified	18 Apr 2018

  
  

  Father	William Merriam, Sr,   b. 1525, Goudhurst, Kent, England d. 27 Jan 1565, Goudhurst, Kent, England (Age 40 years)
  Mother	Alice Apse   d. 1580
  Family ID	F7418	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Sarah Burgess,   b. 1570, Goudhurst, Kent, England d. 1640, Hadlow, Kent, England (Age 70 years)
  Children	+ 1. Joseph Merriam,   b. 1600, Tonbridge, Kent, England d. 1 Jan 1641, Concord, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA (Age 41 years) + 2. George Merriam,   b. 1603, Tudeley, Kent, England d. 29 Dec 1675, Concord, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA (Age 72 years)  [Father: natural]   3. Robert Merriam,   b. 1613, , , , England d. 15 Dec 1681, Concord, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA (Age 68 years)  [Father: natural]
  Family ID	F7415	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	18 Feb 2018

  
  

• Event Map

  Birth - 1564 - Goudhurst, Kent, England Residence - Relation to Head: Son - 1564 - Goudhurst, Kent, England Baptism - 11 May 1564 - Goudhurst, Kent, England Death - 23 Sep 1635 - Hadlow, Kent, England Burial - - Hadlow, Kent, England  = Link to Google Earth

  
  

• Notes

  Merriam Genealogy by Charles Henry Pope 1906 "The Testimony of Jeremiah Shepard Aged 42 who Testifyeth and saith that being present with William Meriam Sr. at his last sickness, his last will and mind with reference to the disposall of his outward estate was That his wife Sarah should out of his estate have maintained for her 2 cowes & a beast to ride upon, a bed and furniture. In the Leantoo wherin he then lay, and alsoe a Bras ketle with the use of sd Room during her life; and what he had allready conveyed to his children should be confirmed to ym; his eldest son Joseph to enjoy what lands he had bequeathed to him and his two sons William and John should have the remainder of the Lands equally divided between them." The Merriam name goes back to 1295 in England. Laurence Meryham is recorded to have paid taxes to Edward I at Isenhurst, which is north os Sussix in the year 1295 AD. There are wills recorded for Merriams in England going back to 1455. The will of William Mirriam, of Hadlow, co. Kent, clothier dated September 8, 1635, is the first provable direct line to the present Merriam family.Our ancestors would have been called Yeomen of Kent. Yeomen were usually freeholders and men of substance. The Merriam name was spelled many ways: Meryham, Merryham, Meriham, and Mirriam. The name is derived from the Saxon words Merry and Ham, and would interpret to mean Merry Home. The Merriam families lived in Goudhurst, Hosmonden, Boughton, Monchelsea, Mardstone, Yolding, and Cranbrook, all of which are found in Mid-Kent, and are most numerously mentioned in the Weald of Kent, south of Mid-Kent and formerly running into Sussex, where the first Merriam reference is found in 1295. The English history of our Merriam family is somewhat sketchy, but it is known that William Merriam, Meryam, Myriam (all three spellings are used in his papers) was a clothier. "Clothiers were generally men who comprehended the entire process of manufacturing cloth and who were cloth merchants; so the trade or business implied a person oflarge brain and strong grasp of details and good sagacity", according to information collected by Mr. C.E. Gildersom-Dickinson who researched the wills and parish lsits and continued the research begun by Charles Pierce Merriam. The author goes on to say that the clothier business was very profitable and "that clothiers were very often more wealthy than the gentry, as well as more intelligent and virtuous". William Merriam's wife's first name was Sara. Her maiden name probably was Burgess. His son, George, sold land before coming to America. Journey to AmericaThe first Merriams to come to this country were Robert, George, and Joseph Merriam, sons of William Merriam of Hadlow in Kent. Joseph and Robert emigrated to this country in 1638 and settled in Concord MA. Joseph Merriam being a man of some wealth joined with others to charter a vessel and took freight and passengers to help pay the expenses of the voyeage. So it is that the brothers and families arrived aboard the ship, Castle of London, in July of 1638 at the port of Charleston in New England. Joseph, whose occupation is listed as "planter" made his home in Concord. He was admitted to the freemanship or citizenship of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay on March 14, 1638-39, the first month that he would have been eligible to do so after his arrival (9 months after arrival). Josephy died January 1, 1640-1. George become a citizen of Concord June 2, 1641, and would have had to arrive in New England 9 months before and may have been here sooner and simply did not join the church for a while. Church membership was a prerequisite to freemanship. However since he was not an overseer of Joseph's estate it would appear that he was not on the plantation in 1640 when Joseph made his will. Marriage 1 Sara (Burgess?)Children Joseph Merriam b: 1600 in in England Susan Merriam Margaret Merriam George Merriam b: 1603 Joane Merriam Sara Merriam Robert Merriam b: 1613 Birth: 1564 Goudhurst Kent, England Death: Sep. 23, 1635 Hadlow Kent, England William was the only son of William Merriam and Alice Apse to reach maturity. He was born just before May 11, 1564, when he was baptized in Goudhurst, Kent. He became a prosperous cloth merchant with a shop on Barne Street in Hadlow, Kent. He probably became a clothier because either his father or his step-father was in that business. He first appears in the "Kentish Lay Subsidy Rolls" or tax lists, in 1598, living in Tudeley. William also owned land or buildings in several nearby villages. He married Sarah Burgess, daughter of James Burgess of Tudeley, probably in Tudely, but the record of their marriage has not been found. James Burgess of Tudeley, Kent, mentioned in his will of 1590 his "son-in-law William Meryam." William was living in Hadlow, about four miles northeast of Tonbridge, in 1635, when he made his will on September 8. In the will, which was proved on November 27, he refers to himself as aged. His eldest son Joseph, the immigrant, was also a clothier. Since William was well to do and died in Hadlow, there is no reason to think he was not buried in the churchyard of St. Mary's Church in Hadlow on September 23, 1635. William Mirriam of Hadlowe, Kent, clothier, 8 September 1635, proved 27 November 1 1635. To the poor of Hadlowe ten shillings. To my daughter Susan, already preferred, fifty shillings. The like sum to daughter Margaret, likewise preferred. To daughter Joane, already preferred, one shilling. To my daughter Sara forty pounds within three months next after my decease. To wife Sara all the household stuff of mine which is in my now dwelling house situate at Barnestreet in Hadlowe and the five pounds per annum which is to be paid out of my lands in Goodherst, Kent, during her natural life. I give her also three pounds per annum to be paid to her during her natural life out of my tenementi and lands in Yalding, Kent. And she shall have her dwelling and abiding in my dwelling house aforesaid after my decease during the whole term of her natural life, with free access, ingress, egress and recourse to and from the same and into and from the gardens and orchards for herbs, water and for her brewing, baking, washing, drying and the like needful occasions. To my son Joseph Myrriam all such household stull as I shall have at the time of my decease remaining and being in the house wherein he now dwelleth situate in Tewdly, or elsewhere where he shall then dwell, being in his custody or possession. To George Mirriam my son five pounds and to his daughter Mary, my god daughter, five shillings. To William Howe, my grandchild, ten shillings and to every child of his father Thomas Howe which be had by my daughter, his late deceased wife, I will five shillings. To William Mirriam my grandchild, son of the said Joseph my son, five shillings. And touching my lands and tenements I will to Joseph Mirriam my son &c. all my lands and tenements in Yalding charged with the before mentioned annuity of three pounds. To Robert my son the messuage wherein I now dwell, in Hadlowe with the barns, outhhouses, yards, gardens, orchard and all my lands thereto belonging, and all other my lands, tenements &c. in Hadlowe. And I give him all my goods and chattels not formerly bequeathed. And I make him sole executor. Proved by Christopher Crispe, Notary Public, attorney for Robert Mirriam, son and executor. Rochester Wills, Vol. xxii. (1631-1644), vol. 165. Family links: Parents: William Meriam (1525 - 1566) Alice Apse Piper (1535 - 1580) Spouse: Sarah Burgess Merriam (1570 - 1640)* Children: Joseph Merriam (1600 - 1641)* George Meriam (1602 - 1675)* Robert Meriam (1609 - 1681)* WILLIAM MERRIAM'S WILL William MerriamWIFE HYPERLINK "http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~brookefamily/breedelizabeth.htm" Elizabeth Breed Born: Abt 1624 Tudley, Kent, Eng  FATHER HYPERLINK "http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~brookefamily/merriamjoseph.htm" Joseph Merriam MOTHER HYPERLINK "http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~brookefamily/goldstonesarah.htm" Sarah Goldstone Died: 22/May/1698 Lynn, Essex, England Merriam Genealogy by Charles Henry Pope 1906 " The Testimony of Jeremiah Shepard Aged 42 who Testifyeth and saith that being present with William Meriam Sr. at his last sickness, his last will and mind with reference to the disposall of his outward estate was That his wife Sarah should out of his estate have maintained for her 2 cowes & a beast to ride upon, a bed and furniture. In the Leantoo wherin he then lay, and alsoe a Bras ketle with the use of sd Room during her life; and what he had allready conveyed to his children should be confirmed to ym; his eldest son Joseph to enjoy what lands he had bequeathed to him and his two sons William and John should have the remainder of the Lands equally divided between them." Merriam Genealogy by Charles Henry Pope 1906 William, born in England, probably at Tewdley, in the county of Kent, about 1624; came as a boy to Concord, Mass., and entered into the life of the new plantation. Joined the church, and was made a freeman of the colony, May 2, 1649. He was one of the witnesses to the will of Joseph How 24 (2), 1651. The "goodman Merriam," who owned a lot of land in Hampon, N. H., May 2, 1655, may be - we may say must be - this man; but there is no evidence that he resided there. He had already settled at Lynn, where he married first Elizabeth, daughter of Allen Breed. Her father gave them, June 26, 1666, a good portion, 200 acres of farm land, all in Lynn, in the southern part, now called by the ancient name Saugus. He married second, Oct 11, 1676, Anna Jones, who died July 29, 1677. He married third, Sarah------, who survived him. He served as a trooper in King Philip's War, enrolled Feb. 29, 1675-6, in Capt. George Curwin's company, and received 4-10's for his services. He died in 1689' was buried 22 May, 1689. William is mentioned in the will of his grandfather, HYPERLINK "http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~brookefamily/merriamwilliamsr.htm" William Merriam William Merriam – Christened 11 May 1564 Tudeley, Kent, England Died 27 November 1635 Hadlowe, Kent, England FATHER William Merriam MOTHER Alice Hablett WIFE Sarah Burges , Kent, clothier. Dated 8 Sept, 1635; proved 27 Nov, 1635 " In the name of God Amen the eighth daie of September in the yeare of our Lord Christ one thousand six hundred thirty and five. I William Mirriam of Hadlowe in the County of Kent Clothier being of sound and good memory And in reasonable good health of body but aged. And thereby as well as by daylie examples and the consideracon of mans mortalitye put in mynde of my last end and departure of this world for the setling of that estate wherewith God hath blessed mee doe ordayne and make this my Testament and last Will in manner followinge. First therefore recommending my soule to the gratious acceptance of Almighie God through Jesus Christ my Saviour And my Bodie to the Earth in decent manner to be buried. I will to the poore of Hadlowe Tenn shillings. Item I will to Susan my daughter already preferred fifty shillings. Item I will to my daughter Margarit likewise preferred alredy the like sume of fifty shillings. Item to my daughter Joane already preferred one shillinge Item I will to Sara my daughter the sume of fortie poundes of lawfull English money to be paid unto her within three monethes next after my decease by mine executor here after named. Item I will to Sara my loveinge wife all the household stuffe of myne which is in my nowe dwelling house scituate at Barnestreete in Hadlowe aforesaid. Item I will to the said Sara my wife The Five poundes p Annum which she is to be paid out of my landes in Goodherst in the County of Kent duringe her naturall life. And allsoe I will unto her Three poundes p Annu of lawfull English money to be paid to her during her naturall life (halfe yearely by equall porcons) out of my tenement and lands in Taldinge in the said County. And for defaulte of payment therof to her accordinglie I will that it shall and may be lawfull to and for my said wife and her assignes to enter and distreyne unpon my said tenement and landes or any parte therof. And the distress and distresses to hold and deteyne untill the said Annutiy of three poundes shall be paid unto her from tyme to tyme according to the purport of this my Will And further I will that my said wife shall freely and quietly have her dwelling & abidinge in my dwellinge house aforesaid after my decease during the whole terme of her naturall life with free howse ingresse egresse and recourse to and from the same. And into and from the gardens and orchards for herbs water and for her Bruinge Bakeing washing dryeinge and the like needful occasions Item I will to my sonne Joseph Mirriam all such household stuffe as I shall have at the time of my decease remayning and being in the howse wherein he now dwelleth scituate in Tewdly or elsewhere where he shall then dwell being in his custody or possession. Item I will to George Mirriam my Sonne five poundes and to his daughter HYPERLINK "http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~brookefamily/merriammary.htm" Mary my god-daughter five shillings Item I will to William Howe my grandchild Tenn shillings. And to every childe of his father Thomas Howe which he had by my daughter his late deceased wife I will five shillings. Item I will to HYPERLINK "http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~brookefamily/merriamwilliam.htm" William Mirriam my grandchilde sonne of the said Joseph my sonne five shillings. All which Legacyes before by mee bequeathed (not assigned to anie tyme of payment) I will shalbe paid within one whole next after my decease. And if anie Legtatorie before named shalbe then within age I will my executor shall paie it to the parent of such Legatorye and so shalbe discharged therof. And as touchinge my lands and tenements this is alsoe the last Will of mee the said William Mirriam made and declared the daie and yeare first above written. Item I will to Joseph Mirriam my sonne and to his heires and assignes for ever All my Landes and Tenements lying in Yalding in the said Countie of Kent with theire and every of theire appurtennes charged with the before mentioned Annunitie of three poundes willed to my said wife as aforesaid to be paid unto her Item I will to Roger Mirriam my sonne and to his heires and assignes for ever all that Messuage or Tenement wherein I nowe dwell scituate lying and beinge in Hadlowe aforesaid with the Barnes Outhouses Yardes Gardens orchards And all my Landes thereto belonginge And alsoe all other my Landes Tenemts and Hereditaments with theire and every of theire appurtenncs lying and being in Hadlowe aforesaid. To hold to the said Robert his heirs and Assignes for ever He and they sufferine my wife to have her dwelling and the Easements and comodityes aforesaid to the which Robert my sonne I will and give all my Goods and Chattels not formerly bequeathed. To hold to him his executors and Assignes for ever. And I doe ordeyne & make the said Robert the full and sole Executor of this my Testment & last Will sealed with my Seale Dated the daie and yeare first before written - The marke of the said William Mirriam- Sealed subscribed and declared in the presence of Thomas Humphrey - John Hooper norie pbqe INCLUDEPICTUR E "http://www.merriamfamilypapers.com/img71.gif" \* MERGEFORMATINET The Merriam Coat of arms "Divided into diamond shapes of black and silver; a n ermine upper third" Above the shield and Helmet is the Crest which is " A boar walking, wearing a green collar" There is no motto The name Merriam is now a distinctly American (North American) name. The name has died out in Kent county and England altogether. Early records show John Meryham stonemason in 1455. In the 16th century in Pembrokeshire a manor called Meriham or Myrryam is found near the town of Tenby. William Merryan is mentioned in the will of James Burgess of Tudeley England in 1590. This may be the same William Merriam the father of our ancestors. The discovery of the spelling of the name Merryham, Meriham and Meryham settles the question of its meaning. Both Merry and Ham are Saxon words. They are in Bosworth's "Dictionary of Anglo Saxon Language," London 1808 as follows; Mirige, myrig, adj. Merry, pleasant: hilaris, jucunis. Ham, a home, house, dwelling; domus. Ham, as a termination, in the name of places, denotes a home. dwelling, village. So the meaning of Merryham is "Happy home". The first ancestor to distinguish himself from other Johns of his village became John of the happy home or John Meryham. The editor has found Merriam spelt as Meriam, Miriam, Merium, Merrum. So the next time someone says "How do you spell that", be proud and make sure they get it right. Where did we come from. The first Merriam that we can prove is our ancestor is William Merriam born about 1400 in Kent England. Merriam's name of Meryham can be traced back to 1295 HYPERLINK "http://www.merriamfamilypapers.com/page151.html" in England. In 1500 a descendant of William Merriam another " HYPERLINK "http://www.merriamfamilypapers.com/page18.html" William" had three sons, Joseph, Robert and George who came to the new world ( New England) in 1638 on the ship Castle of London, landing at Port of Charleston. They settled in Lynn Mass. Joseph and his wife Sara Goldstone had children and it is from this couple that all Merriam's in North America are descended. George also had children But the Male line survived only three generations. You can read more about the early Merriams in " Merriam Genealogy in England and America compiled by Charles Henry Pope and John Merriam Kingsbury. It is available at HYPERLINK "http://www.bullbrier.com" Bullbrier Press William is listed in the 1614 Kentish Lay Subsidy Rolls. The Subsidy Rolls were basically a list of taxes levied on the English people. "William Myriam and Sara his wife. One messuage, three stables, one garden, one orchard, two acres of arable land, one acre of meadow and one acre of pasture in Sevenoaks, co. Kent." William lived in Tudeley at least as far back as 1598 on the tax rolls.

  
  

• Sources

  [S761] Yates Publishing, Ancestry Family Trees, (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members.), Ancestry Family Tree. http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=117125034&pid=873 [S32] Yates Publishing, U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900, (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004.), Source number: 400.000; Source type: Electronic Database; Number of Pages: 1; Submitter Code: JKH. [S1133] Ancestry.com, North America, Family Histories, 1500-2000, (Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.), Book Title: Merriam Genealogy in England and America. [S991] Ancestry.com, Kent, England, Tyler Index to Parish Registers, 1538-1874, (Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.), The Tyler Collection, The Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies; Kent, England, Tyler Index to Parish Registers, 1538-1874. [S764] Ancestry.com, UK and Ireland, Find a Grave™ Index, 1300s-Current, (Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.). [S58] Heritage Consulting, Millennium File, (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2003.Original data - Heritage Consulting. The Millennium File. Salt Lake City, UT, USA: Heritage Consulting.Original data: Heritage Consulting. The Millennium File. Salt Lake City, UT, USA: ).