John Demeritt    (1813-1883)

John Demeritt was born in Ossipee, NH July 21, 1813; died at Effingham Falls, June 7, 1883, and was the son of John and Betsey (Leavitt) Demeritt, and the eldest of eight children. While he was quite small his father moved into Effingham, and settled in the vicinity of Effingham Falls.

The only educational advantages that he enjoyed were a few short terms of the district school, which he attended before he was sixteen. His father was drowned while driving logs on Pine river. only a short distance from the place where his brother Daniel drowned four years previous. This brought the care of his Mother, brothers,   and sisters on him.  He kept the family united until all were grown to manhood. They lived and worked together and had all matters of business in common.

From 1838 until his death Mr. Demeritt was engaged in trading and lumbering. For seventeen years he was associated with Josiah Thurston, of Freedom, NH. He was a firm friend of the colored man, and many a one has been assisted by him on his way to Canada, through the medium of the underground railroad.

Mr. Demeritt married Huldah L., daughter of Dearborn and Sarah (Leavitt) Davis, born September 30, 1811, and died January 22, 1875. They had five children: Albronia, John L., Sarah A., Mary E., Lucy C. Of these children only  John survived.

Mr. Demeritt was a kind and obliging neighbor, equally firm in his friendships. He did not value money except for its use, and any worthy person or object found him ready to lend a helping hand. He always had the welfare of his town and neighbors at heart and could work as hard for them as himself.

History of Carroll County New Hampshire 1889
by Georgia Drew Merrill