Nathaniel, the ninth child of Abraham, settled in Hallsville, now East Manchester, and married (first), Mary Young, daughter of Israel Young, by whom he had five children, the second of whom was Israel, who married Nancy Farmer, and settled on the east bank of the Merrimack, just below the Amoskeag Falls, Captain Israel Merrill, as he was afterwards known, was em ployed by the boating company on the river, and on his own account for many years, and is said to have possessed a more intimate knowledge of the stream, its depths and currents, between Lowell and Concord, than any other man of that period. History has also preserved a record of "A boat race between his boat and another, which continued all the way from Boston to Concord, and that after a very exciting contest, each striving for the advantage, Merrill won by the length of a boat or so." Captain Merrill was pilot of the steamer that made its first trip to Concord, in 1817. He was a man of great muscular strength and wholly without fear, and to the imminent danger of his own life rescued, at different times, several persons from drowning. For the saving of the lives of two men and a boy on one occasion, he was presented with an elegant and costly gold medal suitably inscribed, from the Massachusetts Humane Society, which is still in the possession of his descendants. After boating on the river was given up he purchased a farm on the Merrill road in the Harvey district where he resided until his death, ever manifesting by word and deed a deep interest in the church of which he was a devoted member, and for the general welfare and prosperity of the town.

ancestors.

William Parker Merrill, the immediate subject of this sketch, was the eighth child of Capt. Israel Merrill and was born August 23, 1831. He inherited many of the sterling qualities of his He received his early education in the schools of his native town, counting among his schoolmates such men as the late Governor Weston, Joseph L. Stevens and others who became prominent in after life. He completed his education at Tilton Seminary in 1848 9, where he made the acquaintance of the late John M. Shirley, Esq., of Andover, an acquaintance which ripened into intimate friendship and which terminated only with

the death of the latter some years ago. On the death of his father in 1854, Mr. Merrill succeeded to the possession of the old farm which he carried on until a year or two before his death. He married July 13, 1860, Charlotte Maria Boyce, who died February 1, 1901. He was skillful as a farmer, successful in raising a multiplicity of crops and the growing of a large and excellent variety of fruits. He also found time to give to public affairs, serving on the School Board for several years, and holding other offices. He was a faithful public servant and gave prompt attention to every act of official duty. In politics he was a staunch Democrat, caring little for office, but always zealous for the success of his party, frank and firm in the expression of his opinions. He was an Odd Fellow, a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, and active in the affairs of the Old Residents' Association. He was especially fond of travel and ample means had permitted him to gratify his desires in this direction. He had twice visited Europe, and for some seasons had spent the winter months in Florida and California. It was while on his return from a trip to the Southwest and the Pacific Coast that he was stricken down. He had been for some days suffering from a severe cold with symptoms of pneumonia, and on reaching El Paso, Texas, he was too ill to continue his journey further, and was removed to the hospital in that city, where he died among strangers, March 5, 1902. His remains were brought to his home in this city and buried in the old burialground near his home beside the dear relatives and friends who had preceded him. He was survived by two sons, Shirley Merrill of this city and Oliver Merrill of Londonderry.

His friends will ever recall his love for his native city, his great interest in its cherished institutions. Kind and sympathetic, he had charity for the weaknesses of others, a deep and abiding sympathy for the poor, and tenderness and love for those in affliction.

S. A. O.

ASSOCIATION. 1903.

WILLIAM H. ELLIOTT.

William H. Elliott, son of John S. Elliott, was born in Londonderry, September 5, 1821. Whatever education the good district schools of that town had to give he had received by the time he was nineteen years of age, when he opened a store in Manchester, having previously learned the trade of a watchmaker. To this he added the manufacture of spectacles and the sale of pianos, organs and musical instruments. This was in 1840 and the older residents of the city will remember Mr. Elliott as a leader in these branches of business for many years.

In 1842 he married Serena Cilley of Hopkinton, by whom he had eight children, two of whom survive him, the Rev. Charles F. Elliott of Greeley, Col., and Mrs. Ida F. Smith of South Pines, N. C. Mr. Elliott devoted himself very closely to his business, was a man of fine personal presence and had an impressive way of conducting a trade which arose almost to the dignity of a fine art. Consequently he was successful in building up a large trade and was well known the country round.

Mr. Elliott died August 16, 1902, and the Mirror and American said of him:

"A polished gentleman of the old school, kindly in manner, sympathetic in spirit, always careful of the feelings of others, he applied the golden rule to his business life, and by carefulness and integrity built a business reputation than which there