Date Original
1838-1865
Description
This collection contains correspondence, receipts, financial papers, contracts, reports, and memoranda of Thomas D. Merrick, pertaining to his business as a Little Rock merchant, to his activities in the Masonic lodge, and to the education of his children.
Biographical/Historical Note
Thomas D. Merrick was born on May 23, 1814, in Hampden County, Massachusetts. He co-owned a business named Allen and Merrick in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1838, and moved to Louisville, Kentucky, the following year. On January 17, 1841, he married Anna M. Adams of Kentucky at the Christ Episcopal Church in Little Rock, Arkansas. They had seven children: George, Annie, Ellie, Mollie, Lillian, Dwight, and Thomas. Thomas died at age ten. Merrick became a prominent member of the Little Rock business community, as a merchant and cotton broker. In 1855, Merrick entered into a business partnership with John Wassell, after which their business flourished. Merrick was also involved in city politics, serving on the board of aldermen, as fire chief for a number of years, and as mayor from 1854 to 1855. He was involved in Freemasonry, holding the position of Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Arkansas in 1845. He saw active service during the Civil War. On February 6, 1861, Merrick delivered an ultimatum to Captain James Totten of the United States Arsenal at Little Rock, demanding the surrender of the federal troops. Merrick also raised a regiment of Confederate Arkansas Militia, holding the rank of Colonel of Infantry at Camp Conway, near Springfield, Arkansas. Merrick died in his home in Little Rock on March 18, 1866.
Physical Description
Document, 8.5" x 11"
Geographical Area
Little Rock, Pulaski County (Ark.); Arkansas; Indiana
Language
English
Identifier
MS.000087
Resource Type
Text
Collection
Thomas D. Merrick papers, MS.000087
Publisher
Arkansas State Archives
Contributing Entity
Arkansas State Archives
Recommended Citation
Thomas D. Merrick papers, Arkansas State Archives, Little Rock, Arkansas.
Rights
Use and reproduction of images held by the Arkansas State Archives without prior written permission is prohibited. For information on reproducing images held by the Arkansas State Archives, please call 501-682-6900 or email at state.archives@arkansas.gov.
Disciplines
United States History
