Merrill was born in Farmington in the Connecticut Colony to James and Jerusha Seymour Merrill. He completed his preparatory studies in Farmington, and moved to Bennington, Vermont in 1791 where he was an apprentice to a printer.[2] He was an editor or publisher of several newspapers, including the "Vermont Gazette" and the "Tablet of the Times" in Bennington, and the "Berkshire Gazette" in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.[3]
When Merrill received promotion to lieutenant colonel in the 26th Infantry, his replacement as major in the 11th was Zachary Taylor, who was promoted from captain in the 7th Infantry.[8]
Post-war life
Merrill became Register of Probate for Bennington County in 1815 and served as Clerk of the Courts in 1816.[9]
Merrill was elected as a Democratic-Republican candidate to the Fifteenth Congress, serving from March 4, 1817 until March 3, 1819.[10] He presented credentials as a Member-elect to the Sixteenth Congress and served from March 4, 1819 until January 12, 1820, when he was succeeded by Rollin C. Mallary, who successfully contested the election.[11][12]
Later life
Merrill lost elections for Congress in 1822, 1826, 1827, 1830, 1832, and 1833, evidence that Vermont was trending away from Democrats and towards, in succession, the Anti-Masons, Whigs and Republicans.[13]
In 1822 Merrill served as a delegate to the State constitutional convention.[14]
He was Bennington County's State's Attorney from 1823 to 1825,[17] a member of the Governor's Council from 1824 until 1827, and a member of the first Vermont State Senate after the body was created in 1836.[18]
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