Guide to the Merritt Family Papers,
1841-1893.

Collection Number: 39J

Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Cornell University Library

Contact Information:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
2B Carl A. Kroch Library
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
(607) 255-3530
Fax: (607) 255-9524
rareref@cornell.edu
http://rmc.library.cornell.edu
Compiled by:
Ayla Cline
Date completed:
June 2012
EAD encoding:
RMC Staff, June 2012
Date modified:
RMC Staff, July 2012

© 2012 Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library

DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY

Title:
Merritt family papers, 1841-1893.
Collection Number:
39J
Creator:
Quantity:
94 letters (approximately 0.6 cubic feet).
Forms of Material:
Correspondence
Repository:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library
Abstract:
Letters and ledgers from various members of the Merritt family.
Language:
Collection material in English

COLLECTION DESCRIPTION

Letters from various members of the Merritt family, describing life along the Saint Lawrence River and in Saint Lawrence County and their pioneering travel west to Iowa, Wisconsin, Kansas, and Nebraska; much local color. Also several financial ledgers, account and day books, and some various publications.
SUBJECTS

Names:
Merritt family.
Merritt family.

Places:
Saint Lawrence River.
Saint Lawrence County (N.Y.)
Middle West -- Description and travel.

INFORMATION FOR USERS

Cite As:
Merritt family papers, #39J. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
CONTAINER LIST

Date
Description
Container
Family Letters
September 18, 1841
Recipient: Darwin H. Merritt
Box 1 Folder 1
Address: East Pierrepont, St. Lawrence County, NY
Sender: E. A. Merritt
Letter #1
November 5, 1841
Recipient: Parker D. Merritt
Box 1 Folder 1
Address: West Stockholm, St. Lawrence County, NY
Sender: H. H. Merritt
Letter #2
January 31, 1844
Recipient: Noadiah Merritt
Box 1 Folder 1
Address: Pierrepont, St. Lawrence County, NY
Sender: Emily, Ellen, Parker N. Merritt
Letter #3
November 14, 1845
Recipient: Noadiah Merritt
Box 1 Folder 1
Address: Pierrepont, St. Lawrence County, NY
Sender: Emily, Ellen, Parker N. Merritt
Letter #4
November 15, 1845
Recipient: Edwin A. Merritt
Box 1 Folder 1
Address: Sudbury, Vermont
Sender: Darwin H. Merritt
Letter #5
January 27, 1847
Recipient: Noadiah Merritt
Box 1 Folder 1
Address: Pierrepont, St. Lawrence County, NY
Sender: Parker N. Merritt
Letter #6
May 5, 1846
Recipient: William B. Harris
Box 1 Folder 1
Address: Liverpool, Onandaga County, NY
Sender: Cyrus Burnap
Letter #7
Letter seems to be a business transaction. Negative references are made to a Mr. Miller and Mr. Hoffman. Cyrus writes with concern about a money exchange, and the sale of logs.
July 5, 1846
Recipient: Darwin H. Merritt
Box 1 Folder 1
Address: East Pierrepont, St. Lawrence County, NY
Sender: Harrison Y. Willson
Letter #8
July 19, 1846
Recipient: Darwin H. Merritt
Box 1 Folder 1
Address: East Pierrepont, St. Lawrence County, NY
Sender: Edwin Merritt
Letter #9
February 20, 1847
Recipient: Noadiah Merritt
Box 1 Folder 2
Address: Pierrepont, St. Lawrence County, NY
Sender: Parker N. Merritt
Letter #1
March 10, 1847
Recipient: Darwin H. Merritt
Box 1 Folder 2
Address: East Pierrepont, St. Lawrence County, NY
Sender: H. H. Merritt
Letter #2
May 21, 1847
Recipient: Unknown
Box 1 Folder 2
Sender: Ester-Ann Merritt
Letter #3
May 30, 1847
Recipient: Noadiah Merritt
Box 1 Folder 2
Address: Pierrepont, St. Lawrence County, NY
Sender: Ellen Merritt, Parker Noadiah Merritt
Letter #4
August 21, 1847
Recipient: Darwin Merritt
Box 1 Folder 2
Address: East Pierrepont, St. Lawrence County, NY
Sender: H. H. Merritt
Letter #5
September 8, 1847
Recipient: Noadiah Merritt
Box 1 Folder 2
Address: Pierrepont, St. Lawrence County, NY
Sender: Lucy C. Merritt
Letter #6
June 9, 1848
Recipient: Unknown
Box 1 Folder 2
Letter #7
July 4, 1948
Recipient: Darwin Merritt
Box 1 Folder 2
Address: Pierrepont, St. Lawrence County, NY
Sender: E. A. Merritt
Letter #8
August 13, 1848
Recipient: Noadiah Merritt
Box 1 Folder 2
Address: Pierrepont, St. Lawrence County, NY
Sender: C. A. Merritt
Letter #9
February 8, 1849
Recipient: Darwin Merritt
Box 1 Folder 2
Address: East Pierrepont, St. Lawrence County, NY
Sender: H. H. Merritt
Letter #10
March 9, 1850
Recipient: Unknown
Box 1 Folder 2
Sender: Ellen
Letter #11
March 15, 1850
Recipient: Mr. Merritt
Box 1 Folder 2
Sender: Thomas N. Porter
Letter #12
March 25, 1850
Recipient: Thomas N. Porter
Box 1 Folder 2
Address: Burlington, VT.
Sender: Noadiah Merritt
Letter #13
Mr. Merritt addresses a grievance brought up in a previous letter from Mr. Porter. Accusations of property damage are brought up. Mr. Merritt closes by quoting several lines from the Bible: "Do unto others as ye would that they should do unto you." ; "Let him that is without sin cast the first stone." ; "Judge not lest ye be judged."
May 1850
Recipient: William W. Merritt
Box 1 Folder 2
Address: Albany, NY
Sender: Anson Tolman
Letter #14
December 14, 1850
Recipient: William Merritt
Box 1 Folder 2
Address: Russell, NY
Sender: Darwin H. Merritt
Letter #15
1851
Recipient: W. Merritt
Box 1 Folder 3
Sender: E. Merritt
Letter #1
February 9, 1852
Recipient: Unknown
Box 1 Folder 3
Sender: Noadiah Merritt, Relief Merritt
Letter #2
November 6, 1852
Recipient: William Merritt
Box 1 Folder 3
Address: Russell, NY
Sender: Ake Y.
Letter #3
December 26, 1852
Recipient: Unknown
Box 1 Folder 3
Sender: P. Y. Merritt
Letter #4
December 8, 1852
Recipient: William Merritt
Box 1 Folder 3
Address: Russell, NY
Sender: Aikin Foster
Letter #5
January 1, 1853
Recipient: William Merritt
Box 1 Folder 4
Address: Normal School, Albany, NY
Sender: Ellen
Letter #1
January 1, 1853
Recipient: William Merritt
Box 1 Folder 4
Sender: Darwin H. Merritt
Letter #2
March 23, 1853
Recipient: William Merritt
Box 1 Folder 4
Address: Normal School, Albany, NY
Sender: Leonard
Letter #3
Leonard writes William about money that he, Mr. Merritt, owes to "the division." The amount totals one dollar and ninety-five cents.
January 26, 1853
Recipient: Unknown
Box 1 Folder 4
Letter #4
April 10, 1853
Recipient: William W. Merritt
Box 1 Folder 4
Address: Normal School, Albany, NY
Sender: Sylvester Little
Letter #5
April 10, 1853
Recipient: William W. Merritt
Box 1 Folder 4
Sender: G. J. McIntyre
Letter #6
April 14, 1853
Recipient: William W. Merritt
Box 1 Folder 4
Address: Crary's Mills, St. Lawrence County, NY
Sender: Darwin H. Merritt
Letter #7
April 10, 1853
Recipient: William W. Merritt
Box 1 Folder 4
Sender: Ellen
Letter #8
April 24, 1853
Recipient: William W. Merritt
Box 1 Folder 4
Sender: Anson Tolman
Letter #9
April 25, 1853
Recipient: William W. Merritt
Box 1 Folder 4
Address: Albany, NY
Sender: G. J. McIntyre
Letter #10
May 19, 1853
Recipient: William W. Merritt
Box 1 Folder 4
Sender: Nell
Letter #11
June 10, 1853
Recipient: William W. Merritt
Box 1 Folder 4
Address: Russell, NY
Sender: G.Y. Merritt
Letter #12
June 15, 1853
Recipient: William W. Merritt
Box 1 Folder 4
Sender: Ake
Letter #13
June 26, 1853
Recipient: William W. Merritt
Box 1 Folder 4
Address: Albany, NY
Sender: G. J. McIntyre
Letter #14
September 5, 1853
Recipient: William W. Merritt
Box 1 Folder 4
Address: Russell, NY
Sender: R. Delamater
Letter #15
November 19, 1853
Recipient: Unknown
Box 1 Folder 4
Sender: L. F. Merritt
Letter #16
December 25, 1853
Recipient: Unknown
Box 1 Folder 4
Sender: L. F. Merritt
Letter #17
January 17, 1854
Recipient: Parker N. Merritt
Box 1 Folder 5
Address: Sudbury, NY
Sender: Emily Merritt
Letter #1
January 12, 1853
Recipient: Darwin H. Merritt
Box 1 Folder 5
Address: Crary's Mills, St. Lawrence County, NY
Letter #2
October 1854
Recipient: Relief Merritt
Box 1 Folder 5
Sender: Marshal Merritt
Letter #3
October 7, 1854
Recipient: Darwin H. Merritt
Box 1 Folder 5
Sender: William W. Merritt
Letter #4
October 22, 1854
Recipient: William W. Merritt
Box 1 Folder 5
Sender: G. Y. Merritt
Letter #5
NA
Recipient: Unknown
Box 1 Folder 5
Sender: William W. Merritt
Letter #6
Recipient: Unknown
Box 1 Folder 6
Sender: E. A. Merritt
Letter #1
Recipient: Unknown
Box 1 Folder 6
Sender: Julius F. Merritt
Letter #2
November 9th
Recipient: Unknown
Box 1 Folder 6
Sender: Julius F. Merritt
Letter #3
October 17, 1857
Recipient: Unknown
Box 1 Folder 6
Sender: Aikin Foster
Letter #4
July 20, 1858
Recipient: Darwin H. Merritt
Box 1 Folder 6
Address: Crary's Mills, St. Lawrence County, NY
Sender: John
Letter #5
September 28, 1859
Recipient: Darwin H. Merritt
Box 1 Folder 6
Sender: Ellen
Letter #6
Recipient: Julius F. Merritt
Box 1 Folder 6
Address: Albany, NY
Sender: Emily
Letter #7
November 6th
Recipient: Unknown
Box 1 Folder 6
Sender: Ellen
Letter #8
Recipient: Darwin H. Merritt
Box 1 Folder 6
Sender: Nell
Letter #9
Recipient: Unknown
Box 1 Folder 6
Sender: Henry. W. Merritt
Letter #10
appears to be a letter written by a young child. H. H. Merritt writes on the back that it is Henry's first letter.
Recipient: William W. Merritt
Box 1 Folder 6
Sender: A. H. C.
Letter #11
Recipient: William W. Merritt
Box 1 Folder 6
Address: Crary's Mills, St. Lawrence County, NY
Letter #12
June 1853
Recipient: Julius F. Merritt
Box 1 Folder 6
Sender: H. S. Merritt
Letter #13
Recipient: Unknown
Box 1 Folder 6
Letter #14
What seems to be a poem
Recipient: Unknown
Box 1 Folder 6
Letter #15
Recipient: Unknown
Box 1 Folder 6
Sender: Emily Barnard
Letter #16
Recipient: Darwin H. Merritt
Box 1 Folder 6
Sender: Eliza B. Merritt
Letter #17
March 27th
Recipient: Unknown
Box 1 Folder 6
Sender: Ellen J. Merritt
Letter #18
July 17th
Recipient: Darwin H. Merritt
Box 1 Folder 6
Address: Crary's Mills, St. Lawrence County, NY
Sender: Emily Barnard
Letter #19
May 14th
Recipient: Ellen Merritt
Box 1 Folder 6
Sender: Frank
Letter #20
March 8, 1859
Recipient: Darwin H. Merritt
Box 1 Folder 6
Address: Crary's Mills, St. Lawrence County, NY
Sender: William W. Merritt
Letter #21
May 12th
Recipient: Unknown
Box 1 Folder 6
Sender: John
Letter #22
November 12th
Recipient: Unknown
Box 1 Folder 6
Sender: Julius F. Merritt
Letter #23
January 24, 1860
Recipient: Unknown
Box 1 Folder 7
Sender: Julius F. Merritt
Letter #1
March 20, 1860
Recipient: Unknown
Box 1 Folder 7
Sender: William W. Merritt
Letter #2
May 10, 1862
Recipient: Mrs. Relief Merritt
Box 1 Folder 7
Address: Crary's Mills, St. Lawrence County, NY
Sender: Ellen J. Merritt
Letter #3
July 1, 1863
Recipient: Darwin H. Merritt
Box 1 Folder 7
Address: Crary's Mills, St. Lawrence County, NY
Sender: E. Merritt
Letter #4
March 4th
Recipient: Darwin H. Merritt
Box 1 Folder 7
Sender: Emily Barnard
Letter #5
July 27, 1865
Recipient: Unknown
Box 1 Folder 7
Sender: Ellen J. Merritt
Letter #6
October 3rd
Recipient: Darwin H. Merritt
Box 1 Folder 7
Sender: Emily Merritt
Letter #7
December 25, 1865
Recipient: Unknown
Box 1 Folder 7
Sender: Julius F. Merritt
Letter #8
September 17th
Recipient: Edwin Merritt
Box 1 Folder 7
Sender: Emily Merritt
Letter #9
May 10, 1867
Recipient: Unknown
Box 1 Folder 7
Letter #10
January 25, 1868
Recipient: Unknown
Box 1 Folder 7
Sender: E. M. Lewis
Letter #11
January 9, 1869
Recipient: Unknown
Box 1 Folder 7
Sender: E. M. Lewis
Letter #12
Recipient: Unknown
Box 1 Folder 7
Sender: Ed Merritt
Letter #13
October 17, 1869
Recipient: Unknown
Box 1 Folder 7
Letter #14
July 14, 1870
Recipient: Darwin H. Merritt
Box 1 Folder 7
Sender: E. Merritt
Letter #15
February 28, 1880
Recipient: Unknown
Box 1 Folder 7
Sender: Jessie Fremont, Jennie Merritt
Letter #16
Letter discussing the New York's prohibition laws and the states seeming support of a "Whiskey President".
November 6, 1879
Recipient: Darwin H. Merritt
Box 1 Folder 7
Sender: E. H. Landon
Letter #17
April 16, 1880
Recipient: Unknown
Box 1 Folder 7
Sender: W. W. Merritt
Letter #18
December 8, 1893
Recipient: Darwin H. Merritt
Box 1 Folder 7
Address: Crary's Mills, St. Lawrence County, NY
Letter #19
A Carte Postale sent from Paris, France. The front translates: "This side is reserved exclusively for the address"
Newspaper Clippings and Publications
May 3, 1850
Speech of Honorable D. Wilmot, of Pennsylvania, in the House of Representatives discussing slavery in the territories
Box 1 Folder 8
Publisher: Congressional Globe Office
June 15, 1865
Article discussing the Northwestern Sanitary Fair (2 pages)
Box 1 Folder 8
Publisher: Danesville Weekly Gazette
1884
Entire page from a newspaper. Various printed advertisements as well as a lengthy article on the report of the New York State Fisheries Commissioners.
Box 1 Folder 8
Publisher: Unknown
Envelope advertises Art Metal Light Weight Safes and a promise of burglary insurance
Box 1 Folder 8
Publisher: Art Metal Construction Co. Jamestown, NY
Postcard to be filled out and sent in to receive free burglary insurance.
Box 1 Folder 8
Publisher: Art Metal Construction Co. Jamestown, NY
Direction booklet for the Yale Combination Lock
Box 1 Folder 8
Publisher: The Yale & Towne Mfg. Co.
Ledgers
January - March 1857
Darwin H. Merritt Day Book: record of financial transactions
Box 2 Volume 1
1867-1870
Record of financial transactions kept by Darwin H. Merritt
Box 2 Volume 2
1859-1866
Darwin H. Merritt Account Book: record of financial transactions
Box 2 Volume 3
January 1, 1881-1890
Record of financial transactions kept by D. H. Merritt, Pierrepont, NY
Box 2 Volume 4
1891-1894
Record of accounts kept by Darwin H. Merritt
Box 2 Volume 5
1818-1839
Record of financial transactions (Very fragile: binding broken)
Box 2 Volume 6