Timothy Merrill

Timothy Merrill was born in Farmington, Connecticut on March 16, 1781, the son of James Merrill and Jerusha Seymour.[1] He attended schools in Farmington. He later studied law in Bennington, Vermontwith his brother Orsamus Cook Merrill, and was admitted to the bar.[2] He then moved to Rutland, where he practiced with Robert Temple.[2] In 1809, Merrill moved to Montpelier, where he continued to practice law.[2]

In 1811 and 1812, Merrill was elected to the Vermont House of Representatives.[2] In the same year he was also appointed state's attorney for the newly formed Jefferson County, which was later renamed Washington County.[2] He was reelected in 1812, and again from 1822 to 1829.[3] In 1815, he was appointed engrossing clerk of the Vermont House.[2] In 1822, he was appointed clerk of the House of Representatives, and he served until 1831.[2]

Merrill joined the Anti-Masonic Party when it was formed.[4] In 1831 he was elected Secretary of State, and he served in this position until his death.[2] He died in Montpelier on July 27, 1836.[2]

Merrill was married to Clara Fassett.[2] The couple had five children, including: Farrand, who served as his father's deputy, and later served as Secretary of State himself; Edwin, who served as Montpelier's postmaster before moving to Winchendon, Massachusetts; Clara, who died in 1842; and Timothy, who practiced law and served as Washington County's judge of probate.[2] One son died in infancy.[2]