The Minor Family of Somerset

1850 U.S. Census, Indiana,Switzerland,Posey
James H. Merit, 30 male Ohio
Huldah Merit 26 female Indiana
Adolphus Merit 3 male Indiana
Catharine M. Merity1 female Indiana
Catharine Thurston 17 female, Indiana
JAMES H. MERIT, farmer, Posey Township, was born in Ballard Coun
ty, Ky., May 20, 1820. He is a sonof Archibald and Mary (HAMILT
ON) Merit, natives of near Cherry Hill in Old Virginia. His fath
er was left an orphan at eighteen months old, and when a small b
oy, was brought by friends down from Virginia to Lawrenceburgh
, Ind., where he was placed in a fort during the Indian trouble
s about 1796. When aboutfifteen years of age he located in Boon
e County, Ky., where he found a homewith a Col. Stevens, with w
hom he resided till his marriage in 1809-10. Soonafter this h
e came into Switzerland County, whre he remained till the fall o
f 1817, when he moved to Ballard County, Ky. Here he resided tw
o years and then returned to this county, where he purchased a f
arm and resided eight years on the hills, then moved to Egypt Bo
ttom, where he died May 20, 1841. His widow survived about fifte
en years and died in Henry, Marshall County, Ill. He served as a so
ldier under Gen. Harrison in 1812, and was always a strong suppo
rter of that statesman and soldier. He was captured by the India
ns when about ten years old while out nutting with other boys ne
ar Lawrenceburgh, but made his escape by the assistance of an ol
d horse which was kept around the fortat that place. His cousin
, John Barton, who was also captured, remained withthe tribe i
n the West, but returned, when grown, to his home, joining the I
ndians six months later and has not since been heard of. Mr. Mer
it reared ten children, five living: Mary, John, Columbus D., Is
aiah, and our subject. James H. grew up in this township on th
e farm, and remained with his parents till maturity. He married
, in 1844, Miss Huldah HUMPHREY, a daughter of Arthurand Cathar
ine (TRIPP) Humphrey, who were also early settlers of this count
y. After his marriage Mr. Merit resided about four years on th
e hills, then purchased 200 acres of his present farm where he s
till resides. In his youngeryears, from twelve up to marriage
, he was engaged in flat-boating on the river for his father wh
o traded considerable in his time. Since his marriage Mr.Meri
t has devoted his attention to farming and stock raising, doin
g quite an extensive business. Has now 550 acres of excellent la
nd, besides 400 acres,which he has turned over to his son, an
d 200 acres to his daughter. He has been quite successful in hi
s business enterprises, and is reckoned among the most substanti
al farmers of the township. He has reared three children: Adolph
us E., Kate (wife of Harvey JACK), Jennie (wife of D.H. STAPP, A
urora). Thefamily is associated with the Presbyterian Church wh
ich was organized in January, 1854, by E.F. Sheldon, in Palmett
o Bottom, the first Church organized in the bottom, and Sheldo
n the first preacher. Mr. Merit now has in his possession the Un
ion flag of the Palmetto SunDay school which was organized in 18
54 and 1855, and he was a chief actor with Osamor GREEN in its o
rganization;he has attended the same nearly ever since, and ha
s been many years superintendent of the school.