Merriam, Jonathan (Merriman)

Born: 1791-11-05 Massachusetts

Died: 1846-1847 Tazewell County, Illinois

Flourished: 1836-1839 Springfield, Illinois

Alternate name: Merriman

Merriam became a licensed minister in 1820 and attended both the Philadelphia Theological Institution and Columbian College. In 1824, he married Achsah Olin, and the following year, he was ordained a Baptist pastor. Merriam ministered in New England before moving west to Illinois in 1836. He initially settled in Springfield, where he worked for the Baptist church for three years. Merriam was a member of the Sangamon County Temperance Society and he also advocated for common schools and teacher education. After spending a year ministering in Alton, he moved to Tazewell County. Merriam died sometime in late 1846 or early 1847.

History of Tazewell County Illinois (Chicago: Chas. C. Chapman, 1879), 491; Atlas Map of Tazewell County, Illinois (Davenport, IA: Andreas, Lyter, 1873), 47; Sangamo Journal (Springfield, IL), 11 March 1837, 3:2; 3 March 1838, 2:7; 24 March 1838, 3:1-3; Decree, Document ID: 43214; Separate Answer, Document ID: 43208, Phillips et ux. v. Merriam et al., Martha L. Benner and Cullom Davis et al., eds., The Law Practice of Abraham Lincoln: Complete Documentary Edition, 2d edition (Springfield: Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, 2009), http://www.lawpracticeofabrahamlincoln.org/Details.aspx?case=136274.