Willis Perry Merrill
Willis Perry Merrill(8), Noel(7), Cyrenus(6), Aaron(5), Cyprian(4), John(3), John(2), Nathaniel(1), was born in Westport, New York October 5 1835 and died September 7, 1899, in Woodfords, California, was the eldest of the six children of Noel Merrill and Parmelia Cole of Westport, New York. Noel Merrill was a descendent of Nathaniel Merrill, who along with his brother John, immigrated to New England in 1635 and settled in Newbury, Massachusetts. Parmelia Cole was a descendent of James Cole of Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts, and has lineage to the Royal Families of the British Isles and Europe.
Willis P. Merrill came to the gold fields of California from Vermont in early 1853 and settled in Dogtown, which is now Marysville, California. Willis did very little mining, instead he found more of a fortune in carrying supplies to the various camps and settlements from the navigation head of the Yuba River in Northern California, through the Mother Lode and eventually into Nevada.
When Willis came to California he brought his trade with him. Descending from a family of weavers and tanners, Willis brought with him, by ship around the horn, a woolen mill given to him by his uncle, Prosper Merrill(7), Cyrenus(6), Aaron(5), Cyprian(4), John(3), John(2), Nathaniel(1), of Vermont. Coming to California with Willis, via the Isthmus of Panama, was a companion that is speculated by some Merrill Family researchers to be Hiram Seeley Cole, Willis's uncle. However, buried at the Woodfords Pioneer Cemetery is the grave of a James Havrey Cole, 1834-1924, who would have been about the same age as Willis. It has not been ascertained if he is from the same Cole family or not.
Very soon after he arrived he sold his interest in the mill and began crossing the mountains with pack mules. Upon one return trip from the Mother Lode to Nevada he took a different route that took him through Woodfords, formerly Carey's Mill, California. Woodfords is located just west of the California-Nevada border, south of Lake Tahoe at the intersection of Carson Pass and Ebbetts Pass. Willis noticed on passing through that the Woodfords area reminded him of his beloved Vermont.
Woodfords was established as an outpost called Brannon Springs in 1847. It was named after Samuel Brannon, an early Morman settler. During 1849 a heavy influx of people settled in the area,one settler being a Daniel Woodfords. Up until 1851 the entire area was know as Brannon Springs until a sawmill was erected by a man named Carey. Soon after Carey erected his mill Brannon springs became became known as Carey's Mill. Meanwhile, at the upper section of town Daniel Woodfords had erected a Hotel and named it "The Sign of the Elephant." Soon after the hotel was erected the upper end of Carey's Mill became known as Woodfords. It wasn't much latter that the whole area became known as Woodfords.
In 1854-5 Willis Merrill returned to Woodfords and opened a trading post that later became a Wells Fargo Office and, for a short time, a Pony Express Stop before it was routed over Kingsbury Grade. After opening the trading post in Woodfords he opened trading posts in Gold Hill and Sheridan, Nevada, on the road to Genoa. Gradually he relinquished all but Woodfords post. He bought property there and conducted a General Store and Hotel. He also farmed land in the area for many years.
In 1867 he married Henries Kittridge from Moniter, Nevada. From this marriage he had four children, Willis Newton Merrill(9), 1869- 1941, Edith May Merrill, 1871-1918, Franklin C. Merrill, 1874-1876, and Ruby Helen Merrill, 1878-ABT 1946. They were later divorced and she moved to San Francisco. According to one grandson, Willis took Henrietta to San Francisco and abandoned her there. However, according to another grandson she left on her own accord. Because of the hush-hush of divorce in those days, no one will really ever know. Willis did visit Henrietta in San Francisco when she became sick but no reconciliation was ever made.
Willis's second wife, Mary Pamelia O'Neil, 1857-1937, met Willis when she was visiting friends at Grover Hot Springs, by Markleville, not far from Woodfords. Learning that he needed a housekeeper for himself and his children, she took the job at Woodfords and 1884 they were married. From this marriage came two children, Grant Perry Merrill(9), 1885-1969, and Bernice Pamelia Merrill, 1887-1968. After Willis's death in 1899, Mary Merrill continued to run the store with help from her son's Willis and Grant. Both Willis and Mary are buried at the Woodford's Pioneer Cemetery.
Sons and Daughter of Willis Perry Merrill Willis Newton Merrill, Grant Perry Merrill and Bernice Pamelia Merrill
Willis Perry Merrill
Woodfords Hotel
Descendants of Willis Perry *Merrill
Generation No. 1
1. WILLIS PERRY13 *MERRILL (NOEL12, CYRENUS BISSELL11, AARON10, CYPRIAN9, JOHN8, JOHN7, NATHANIEL6, NATHANIEL5, JOHN4 *MERRELL , THE YOUNGER, JOHN3 *MERYELL, JOHN2, THOMAS1) was born October 5, 1835 in Westport, Essex, NY, and died September 7, 1899 in Woodfords, Alpine, Ca. He married (1) HENRIETTA KITTREDGE November 19, 1867 in Woodfords, Alpine, Ca, daughter of GEORGE KITTREDGE and MARIA KITTREDGE. He married (2) MARY PAMELIA O'NEIL 1884 in Apline, Woodfords, Ca., daughter of FELIX O'NEIL and PAMELIA RIDGEWAY.
Notes for WILLIS PERRY *MERRILL: Arrived in San Francisco on the ship "Julia Ann" on August 13, 1852 from New York City. In Looking at the passnger list there was an S. Merrill on the same ship. There was also a P. Grant on the ship with him. This could be where he got the name for his third Son.
Marriage Notes for WILLIS *MERRILL and HENRIETTA KITTREDGE: Henrietta Kittridge commitred adultry with C. H. Little on Oct. 22 1880 and 12 Nov. 1880. On August 11, 1881 she abandoned her husband and children.
Children of WILLIS *MERRILL and HENRIETTA KITTREDGE are: 2. i. WILLIS NEWTON14 *MERRILL, b. May 5, 1869, Woodfords, Alpine, Ca; d. September 20, 1941, Lodi, San Joaquin, Ca.. 3. ii. EDITH MAY MERRILL, b. August 1871, Woodfords, Alpine, Ca; d. 1918, Westport, Essex, NY. iii. FRANKLIN COLE MERRILL, b. September 20, 1874, Woodfords, Alpine, Ca; d. October 6, 1876, Woodfords, Alpine, Ca. 4. iv. RUBY HELEN MERRILL, b. February 14, 1878, Woodfords, Alpine, Ca; d. Unknown, Gardnerville, Douglas, Nev..
Children of WILLIS *MERRILL and MARY O'NEIL are: 5. v. GRANT PERRY14 MERRILL, b. May 3, 1885, Woodfords, Alpine, Ca; d. January 18, 1969, Carson City, Nevada. 6. vi. BERNICE PAMELIA MERRILL, b. May 28, 1887, Douglas, Gardnerville, Nev; d. August 28, 1968, Carson City, Nevada.
Generation No. 2
2. WILLIS NEWTON14 *MERRILL (WILLIS PERRY13, NOEL12, CYRENUS BISSELL11, AARON10, CYPRIAN9, JOHN8, JOHN7, NATHANIEL6, NATHANIEL5, JOHN4 *MERRELL , THE YOUNGER, JOHN3 *MERYELL, JOHN2, THOMAS1) was born May 5, 1869 in Woodfords, Alpine, Ca, and died September 20, 1941 in Lodi, San Joaquin, Ca.. He married JESSIE BELLA WILKERSON January 11, 1899 in Colusa, Colusa, Ca, daughter of ROBERT WILKERSON and CHARLOTTE BEIL.
Children of WILLIS *MERRILL and JESSIE WILKERSON are: 7. i. ROY WILLIS15 MERRILL, b. January 6, 1899, Gardnerville, Douglas, Nv.; d. September 7, 1957, Hayward, Ca. ii. VERLA JESSIE MERRILL, b. December 3, 1901, Genoa, Nevada. 8. iii. RITA GERALDINE MERRILL, b. September 3, 1905, Reno, Nevada; d. October 7, 1988, Stockton, San Joaquin, Ca. 9. iv. SHIRLEY NEVADA MERRILL, b. October 27, 1907, Reno, Nv.. 10. v. MILDRED CHARLOTTE MERRILL, b. June 12, 1910, Reno, Nv.. 11. vi. WINIFRED IRENE MERRILL, b. October 10, 1916, Lodi, San Joaquin, Ca.. 12. vii. HAROLD LAVERNE *MERRILL, b. May 8, 1919, Lodi, San Joaquin, Ca.. 13. viii. HARRIET ELAINE MERRILL, b. November 3, 1921, Lodi, San Joaquin, Ca..
3. EDITH MAY14 MERRILL (WILLIS PERRY13 *MERRILL, NOEL12, CYRENUS BISSELL11, AARON10, CYPRIAN9, JOHN8, JOHN7, NATHANIEL6, NATHANIEL5, JOHN4 *MERRELL , THE YOUNGER, JOHN3 *MERYELL, JOHN2, THOMAS1) was born August 1871 in Woodfords, Alpine, Ca, and died 1918 in Westport, Essex, NY. She married FRED T. HOWARD May 1891 in Westport, Essex, NY.
Children of EDITH MERRILL and FRED HOWARD are: i. CARL PERRY15 HOWARD, b. February 23, 1893, Westport, Essex, NY; d. April 21, 1952, Westport, Essex, NY. ii. RUBY HOWARD, b. November 19, 1894, Westport, Essex, NY; d. March 8, 1973, Westport, Essex, NY. iii. HOSEA DOUGLAS HOWARD, b. September 1897, Westport, Essex, NY; d. Unknown.
4. RUBY HELEN14 MERRILL (WILLIS PERRY13 *MERRILL, NOEL12, CYRENUS BISSELL11, AARON10, CYPRIAN9, JOHN8, JOHN7, NATHANIEL6, NATHANIEL5, JOHN4 *MERRELL , THE YOUNGER, JOHN3 *MERYELL, JOHN2, THOMAS1) was born February 14, 1878 in Woodfords, Alpine, Ca, and died Unknown in Gardnerville, Douglas, Nev.. She married (1) WILLIAM G. RICHFORD June 2, 1901 in Markleville, Alpine, Ca.. She married (2) GEORGE HAYES 1904.
Notes for RUBY HELEN MERRILL: Douglas county records
Children of RUBY MERRILL and GEORGE HAYES are: i. HELEN15 HAYES, b. February 7, 1905; d. November 1986; m. MARVIN LURHS, Abt. 1925. ii. GEORGE HAYES , JR, b. Abt. 1910; d. Unknown.
Notes for GEORGE HAYES , JR: Boxer Irish Johnny Taylor in the 1950's
5. GRANT PERRY14 MERRILL (WILLIS PERRY13 *MERRILL, NOEL12, CYRENUS BISSELL11, AARON10, CYPRIAN9, JOHN8, JOHN7, NATHANIEL6, NATHANIEL5, JOHN4 *MERRELL , THE YOUNGER, JOHN3 *MERYELL, JOHN2, THOMAS1) was born May 3, 1885 in Woodfords, Alpine, Ca, and died January 18, 1969 in Carson City, Nevada. He married ANGIE TIBBETTS STACY September 30, 1919 in Woodfords, Alpine, Ca, daughter of ..... STACY and ..... TIBBETT.
Children of GRANT MERRILL and ANGIE STACY are: 14. i. AUSTIN HARWOOD15 MERRILL, b. August 12, 1921, Woodfords, Alpine, Ca. 15. ii. STUART PERRY MERRILL, b. January 29, 1923, Douglas, Gardnerville, Nev.. 16. iii. ROBERT WINSTON MERRILL, b. March 12, 1925, Douglas, Gardnerville, Nev.; d. April 8, 1996, Woodside, San Mateo, Ca.
6. BERNICE PAMELIA14 MERRILL (WILLIS PERRY13 *MERRILL, NOEL12, CYRENUS BISSELL11, AARON10, CYPRIAN9, JOHN8, JOHN7, NATHANIEL6, NATHANIEL5, JOHN4 *MERRELL , THE YOUNGER, JOHN3 *MERYELL, JOHN2, THOMAS1) was born May 28, 1887 in Douglas, Gardnerville, Nev, and died August 28, 1968 in Carson City, Nevada. She married GEORGE FERRIS DANGBERG 1914 in Alpine, Woodsford, Ca..
Child of BERNICE MERRILL and GEORGE DANGBERG is: 17. i. GEORGE FERRIS15 DANGBERG , JR, b. May 2, 1917, San Francisco, Ca; d. October 22, 1988, Palm Desert.
Generation No. 3
7. ROY WILLIS15 MERRILL (WILLIS NEWTON14 *MERRILL, WILLIS PERRY13, NOEL12, CYRENUS BISSELL11, AARON10, CYPRIAN9, JOHN8, JOHN7, NATHANIEL6, NATHANIEL5, JOHN4 *MERRELL , THE YOUNGER, JOHN3 *MERYELL, JOHN2, THOMAS1) was born January 6, 1899 in Gardnerville, Douglas, Nv., and died September 7, 1957 in Hayward, Ca. He married (1) RUTH LEE CLAIR Abt. 1926. He married (2) EVA GOBARD August 25, 1934 in Yuma, Arizona.
Notes for ROY WILLIS MERRILL: Roy worked mainly in the Produce industry. He was killed in a car accident on the way to see Robert Donhue. Robert was his attorney.
Child of ROY MERRILL and RUTH CLAIR is: i. EDWARD ROY16 MERRILL, b. August 29, 1927, Sacramento, Sacramento, Ca.; m. DONNA RARIDAN, February 11, 1951, Lodi, Ca..
Notes for EDWARD ROY MERRILL: The name Bill came from the Name little Will, named after his grandfather Willis Newton. Willis Newton adopted Edward when he was about 2 years old.
Child of ROY MERRILL and EVA GOBARD is: ii. RON16 MERRILL, b. October 23, 1936, Brawley, Ca; m. HAZEL CLARK, May 1976, Reno, Nev.
8. RITA GERALDINE15 MERRILL (WILLIS NEWTON14 *MERRILL, WILLIS PERRY13, NOEL12, CYRENUS BISSELL11, AARON10, CYPRIAN9, JOHN8, JOHN7, NATHANIEL6, NATHANIEL5, JOHN4 *MERRELL , THE YOUNGER, JOHN3 *MERYELL, JOHN2, THOMAS1) was born September 3, 1905 in Reno, Nevada, and died October 7, 1988 in Stockton, San Joaquin, Ca. She married MELBOURNE WRIGHT 1936.
Children of RITA MERRILL and MELBOURNE WRIGHT are: i. SUSANNE16 WRIGHT, b. October 1, 1938, Alameda, Berekly, Ca; m. (1) ....... WRIGHT, Abt. 1956; m. (2) JAMES HERNANDEZ, January 2, 1964, Carson City, Nev. ii. MERRILL WRIGHT, b. October 9, 1941; m. JUDY (.....) WRIGHT, July 20, 1963, Inglewood, Ca..
9. SHIRLEY NEVADA15 MERRILL (WILLIS NEWTON14 *MERRILL, WILLIS PERRY13, NOEL12, CYRENUS BISSELL11, AARON10, CYPRIAN9, JOHN8, JOHN7, NATHANIEL6, NATHANIEL5, JOHN4 *MERRELL , THE YOUNGER, JOHN3 *MERYELL, JOHN2, THOMAS1) was born October 27, 1907 in Reno, Nv.. She married (1) WILLIAM MYRON CHAMBERS September 1, 1939 in Tonopah, Nv., son of BYRON CHAMBERS and FLORENCE DUNLAP. She married (2) NORMAN JAMESON 1942. She married (3) HAROLD SPENCER GRIFFITH 1947. She married (4) RAY WARREN 1965.
Child of SHIRLEY MERRILL and WILLIAM CHAMBERS is: i. WILLIAM BYRON16 CHAMBERS , JR, b. February 27, 1940, San Francisco, San Francisco, Ca; m. CAROL TAKEUCHI, June 9, 1973, Sacramento, Sacramento, Ca..
10. MILDRED CHARLOTTE15 MERRILL (WILLIS NEWTON14 *MERRILL, WILLIS PERRY13, NOEL12, CYRENUS BISSELL11, AARON10, CYPRIAN9, JOHN8, JOHN7, NATHANIEL6, NATHANIEL5, JOHN4 *MERRELL , THE YOUNGER, JOHN3 *MERYELL, JOHN2, THOMAS1) was born June 12, 1910 in Reno, Nv.. She married (1) ROBERT DONAHUE 1930 in Lodi, Ca. She married (2) RALPH HEWITT Abt. 1980.
Children of MILDRED MERRILL and ROBERT DONAHUE are: i. CAROL16 DONAHUE, b. 1936; Adopted child. ii. PATRICIA DONAHUE, b. October 14, 1941; Adopted child. iii. MARY JESSIE DONAHUE, b. January 19, 1950, San Francisco, Ca; m. STANLEY ROSE, August 26, 1972, Menlo Park, Ca..
11. WINIFRED IRENE15 MERRILL (WILLIS NEWTON14 *MERRILL, WILLIS PERRY13, NOEL12, CYRENUS BISSELL11, AARON10, CYPRIAN9, JOHN8, JOHN7, NATHANIEL6, NATHANIEL5, JOHN4 *MERRELL , THE YOUNGER, JOHN3 *MERYELL, JOHN2, THOMAS1) was born October 10, 1916 in Lodi, San Joaquin, Ca.. She married CHARLES EDWARD SMITH 1936.
Children of WINIFRED MERRILL and CHARLES SMITH are: i. LYNN16 SMITH, b. July 8, 1943, Modesto, Ca.; m. GERALD HOLLEY, Abt. 1987. ii. DAVID WALTER SMITH, b. February 11, 1947, Visalia, Ca.; m. PAULA WILLIAMS, August 2, 1969, Visalia, Ca..
12. HAROLD LAVERNE15 *MERRILL (WILLIS NEWTON14, WILLIS PERRY13, NOEL12, CYRENUS BISSELL11, AARON10, CYPRIAN9, JOHN8, JOHN7, NATHANIEL6, NATHANIEL5, JOHN4 *MERRELL , THE YOUNGER, JOHN3 *MERYELL, JOHN2, THOMAS1) was born May 8, 1919 in Lodi, San Joaquin, Ca.. He married ISABELLA FRANCES *MAINLAND May 30, 1940 in Lodi, San Joaquin, Ca., daughter of JOHN *MAINLAND and RACHAEL *DUNN.
Children of HAROLD *MERRILL and ISABELLA *MAINLAND are: i. JOANNE GAIL16 MERRILL, b. March 12, 1943, Lodi, San Joaquin, Ca.; m. DAVID ARNOLD HILDENBRAND, February 22, 1964, Lodi, Ca.. ii. SUSAN KAY MERRILL, b. July 21, 1946, Lodi, San Joaquin, Ca.; m. MICHEAL YOUDALL, March 3, 1972, Lodi, San Joaquin, Ca.. iii. JOHN HAROLD *MERRILL, b. August 30, 1947, Lodi, San Joaquin, Ca.; m. KATHERINE ANNE BISHOP, July 31, 1971, Lodi, San Joaquin, Ca..
13. HARRIET ELAINE15 MERRILL (WILLIS NEWTON14 *MERRILL, WILLIS PERRY13, NOEL12, CYRENUS BISSELL11, AARON10, CYPRIAN9, JOHN8, JOHN7, NATHANIEL6, NATHANIEL5, JOHN4 *MERRELL , THE YOUNGER, JOHN3 *MERYELL, JOHN2, THOMAS1) was born November 3, 1921 in Lodi, San Joaquin, Ca.. She married EDWARD WHIPPLE MOSHER August 26, 1945 in San Mateo, San Mateo, Ca.
Children of HARRIET MERRILL and EDWARD MOSHER are: i. CLAUDIA JANE16 MOSHER, b. August 26, 1947, Lodi, San Joaquin, Ca.; m. CRAIG BROADLEY, June 24, 1967, Los Angeles, Ca. ii. PAMELIA ALAINE MOSHER, b. September 20, 1948, Stockton, San Joaquin, Ca. iii. DEBORAH SUE MOSHER, b. May 30, 1951, Sacramento, Sacramento, Ca; m. WILLIAM SCOTT SIMMONS, 1975, Oahu, Honolula, Hawaii. iv. ROXANNE HARRIET MOSHER, b. June 22, 1955, Sacramento, Sacramento, Ca.
14. AUSTIN HARWOOD15 MERRILL (GRANT PERRY14, WILLIS PERRY13 *MERRILL, NOEL12, CYRENUS BISSELL11, AARON10, CYPRIAN9, JOHN8, JOHN7, NATHANIEL6, NATHANIEL5, JOHN4 *MERRELL , THE YOUNGER, JOHN3 *MERYELL, JOHN2, THOMAS1) was born August 12, 1921 in Woodfords, Alpine, Ca. He married MARIAN LASSEN December 4, 1948 in Alameda, Berkely, Ca.
Notes for AUSTIN HARWOOD MERRILL:
Children of AUSTIN MERRILL and MARIAN LASSEN are: i. MARK16 MERRILL, b. March 26, 1951, Berkerly, Ca; m. (1) NANCY FOLKMAN, 1972; m. (2) NANCY HANSEN, 1979. ii. GREG MERRILL, b. December 30, 1953, Whittier, Ca; m. BONNIE LAHTI, May 25, 1993. iii. LINDA MERRILL, b. June 22, 1955, Whittier, ca..
15. STUART PERRY15 MERRILL (GRANT PERRY14, WILLIS PERRY13 *MERRILL, NOEL12, CYRENUS BISSELL11, AARON10, CYPRIAN9, JOHN8, JOHN7, NATHANIEL6, NATHANIEL5, JOHN4 *MERRELL , THE YOUNGER, JOHN3 *MERYELL, JOHN2, THOMAS1) was born January 29, 1923 in Douglas, Gardnerville, Nev.. He married EILEEN MAY HUNTER September 11, 1948 in Lodi, San Joaquin, Ca..
Children of STUART MERRILL and EILEEN HUNTER are: i. ERIC STUART16 MERRILL, b. August 3, 1952, Carson City, Nevada; m. MICHELE MAGUIRE, May 27, 1989, San Francisco, Ca.. ii. CATHY LEE MERRILL, b. July 12, 1954, Carson City, Nevada; m. STEVE GOODMAN, September 29, 1990, Orinda, Ca.
16. ROBERT WINSTON15 MERRILL (GRANT PERRY14, WILLIS PERRY13 *MERRILL, NOEL12, CYRENUS BISSELL11, AARON10, CYPRIAN9, JOHN8, JOHN7, NATHANIEL6, NATHANIEL5, JOHN4 *MERRELL , THE YOUNGER, JOHN3 *MERYELL, JOHN2, THOMAS1) was born March 12, 1925 in Douglas, Gardnerville, Nev., and died April 8, 1996 in Woodside, San Mateo, Ca. He married JUNE SHIRLEY FRICK July 21, 1956 in San Francisco, San Francisco, Ca.
Children of ROBERT MERRILL and JUNE FRICK are: i. SANDRA16 MERRILL, b. October 1, 1959, San Francisco, San Francisco, Ca; m. HOMER RICHARDS, April 21, 1990, North Canton, Ohio. ii. WARREN MERRILL, b. December 5, 1960, San Francisco, San Francisco, Ca; m. LAURIE NAUGHTON, July 26, 1986, Palo Alto, Ca. iii. BARBARA MERRILL, b. July 24, 1963, San Francisco, San Francisco, Ca; m. GEORGE MOORE, August 10, 1991, San Francisco, San Francisco, Ca.
17. GEORGE FERRIS15 DANGBERG , JR (BERNICE PAMELIA14 MERRILL, WILLIS PERRY13 *MERRILL, NOEL12, CYRENUS BISSELL11, AARON10, CYPRIAN9, JOHN8, JOHN7, NATHANIEL6, NATHANIEL5, JOHN4 *MERRELL , THE YOUNGER, JOHN3 *MERYELL, JOHN2, THOMAS1) was born May 2, 1917 in San Francisco, Ca, and died October 22, 1988 in Palm Desert. He married ALICE INDIANO December 26, 1940 in Carson City.
Child of GEORGE DANGBERG and ALICE INDIANO is: i. DENISE16 DANGBERG, b. October 5, 1941.