BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO

"History of the Upper Ohio Valley" Vol. II, 1890.

Presented by Linda Fluharty from hard copies provided
by Mary Staley & Phyllis Slater.


Pages 596-597.


ROBERT MERRITT was born in March, 1809, in Berkley county, Va. He came
to this country with his parents when but eighteen months old. Was a son
of William and Mary (Long) Merritt, natives of Virginia, who came to
Ohio in 1810, and settled near the farm now occupied by the son's widow,
Mrs. Robert Merritt. Here they lived and died. William Merritt was a
man much respected, and looked up to by his neighbors, and with his
good wife, made excellent neighbors. He died in January, 1835, his
wife following him some five or six years later, in February, 1840.
They were the parents of seven children, all of whom have passed away:
Mary, Robert, Harriet, James, Sarah Ann, Elizabeth, Benjamin Anderson.
Robert came with his parents to Ohio, in 1810, from Maryland, and with
them, settled on the farm near the one now occupied by his widow. His
early life was spent at home on the farm and in acquiring an education
from the common schools. He was married October 18, 1831, to Eveline
Milligan, a daughter of Hugh and Ruth (Brown) Milligan, both natives
of Virginia, the daughter a native of West Virginia, born near Wheeling.
Hugh Milligan came to West Virginia at the age of fifteen or sixteen,
and located near Wheeling, where he spent the remainder of his life.
He was married in 1811, to Miss Ruth Brown, a native of West Virginia,
and by her had nine children, six of whom are still living: Sally A.,
deceased; William, deceased; John, Josiah, Hannah; Peggy Jane, deceased;
Mary, Eliza. Eveline married the subject of this sketch, and with him,
in 1831, removed to the farm of Mr. Merritt's father, where they remained
until 1843, when, having previously completed the present home, he, with
his wife and family, removed to the place now occupied by his survivor.
They are the parents of ten children, seven of whom are still living:
Mary Ann, Eliza R.; James L., deceased; Anna Jane; William, deceased;
Hugh Milligan; Sarah Eveline, deceased; Josiah, Benjamin Anderson, Robert
Mitchell. Mr. Merritt has never paid much attention to political matters,
though at all times a strong democrat. He was a member with his wife of
the Rock Hill Presbyterian church and a strong supporter and worker in
that organization. In his death July 26, 1884, the wife lost a loving
husband, the sons and daughters an indulgent father, and the community,
one of her best citizens. His wife, Mrs. Robert Merritt, still survives
him, and surrounded by her children and grandchildren, lives happily in
the home of her husband. Of the children, all but one are married, Robert
M., who, at present, resides in California. Mrs. Merritt is the mother
of seven children living, twenty-nine grandchildren and eleven great-
grandchildren. Her daughter, Eliza Stroman, wife of Alfred Stroman,
deceased, lived with her on the homestead farm. Mrs. Stroman has had
two children: Willie E., deceased; Anna E. Anna, who in 1888, married
Frank O. Alexander, of Missouri, but a native of this state, now lives
with her mother and grandmother, and is the mother of two children:
John D. and Eveline M.