Pane-Joyce Genealogy
Henry Merritt.
Henry died in Scituate, MA on 30 Nov 1653.110 Religion: Henry and his wife joined the Scituate Chruch Apr 1737.
From Deane’s History of Scituate:53
Henry Merritt was one of the earliest settlers of Scituate, though not a freeman until 1638. There is a deed in the Colony records, dated 1628, from Henry Meritt to Nathaniel Tilden, conveying planting lands on the third cliff. He was doubtless amongst the first settlers as early as 1626. His house lot in 1633, was at the corner where Greenfield lane and ‘the drift way’ united: we believe it is now [1831] known as Merritt’s corner. He had large shares in the New Harbour marshes. He was also one of the Conihassett partners.
From the Revised Merritt Records by Douglas Merritt, page 12:111
Henry Merritt is supposed to have come from Tenterden, Kent, England. Probably one of hte first settlers of Scituate, having gone there from Plymouth in 1626. He took the oath of fidelity, not the freeman’s oath, implying that his land was purchased, not allotted. On April 10, 1628, he sold to Nathaniel Tilden for 20 shillings the land “inside the fence at the north end of the third cliff,” which he had bought from Goodman Byrd; recorded 20 April, 1644 (Plymouth, Colonial Records). His house and lot was at the corner of Greenfield Lane and the Drift way in 1633. Freeman 1638. He had large shares in the New Harbor marshes and was one of the Conihasset partners, having bought one thirtieth of Timothy Hatherly’s land 1 Dec, 1646. Constable 7 June, 1642. Surveyor 7 March, 1643-4. Owned land next to Joseph Tilden’s in 1649. Commissioner of Excise in 1650, called Senior. Inventory, 24 Jan., 1653, amount £121 16s. 3d., of things jointly purchased by Henry Merritt, deceased, and his brother John Merritt; which remain undivided. His wife called Goodwife Merritt joined the church 1637. (Plymouth Reg. Wills, Vol. i, p. 123). Name spelled Meriet in Plymouth Record, 1 Feb., 1638, and Merriott.