Thomas Demeritt
REVISED 5 September 2008
Any help in regards to Thomas Demeritt
would be greatly appreciated!!
Send E-mail to ancestry@eagleswind.com
A better intro is being worked
on!!
I was rather shocked to find that a painter, Joseph H. Davis,
in the early 1800s painted several Demeritts.
http://collections.currier.org/Obj66$1052
“The members of the Demeritt family, Van Dame's contemporaries in nearby
Farmington, New Hampshire, were painted the previous year, when, as the inscription
at the bottom of Davis's portrait of them indicates, Mark (1792-1875) was
forty-three; his wife, Abigail (1799-1881), thirty-six; and daughter Lois
Susan, a newborn. In 1835 and 1836, Davis would paint other Demeritts-Isaac
T., age twenty-four; John F., age thirty-two, and his younger brother Samuel
H., age twenty-five, of Barrington, New Hampshire; and Thomas, age sixty-seven,
and Sally, age fifty-seven, of Northwood, New Hampshire.”
I'm particularly interested in the names that follow Isaac's.
I had thought that they might have been related. I know now that it is very
unlikely that John F and Samuel M were brothers to Isaac T. I do however think
there's a relationship between John, Samuel and the couple Thomas and Sally..
Three New England Watercolor Painters
states all the information that follows:
“John Franklin Demeritt was a schoolteacher in Barrington, New Hampshire.
… See cat. no. 24 for a portrait of John’s brother Samuel by Joseph
H. Davis and cat. no. 12 for Samuel’s portrait by J. A. Davis.”
Page 28
“From Samuel M. Demeritt to his great-granddaughters,
the Misses Durgin….Samuel Mitchell Demeritt, brother of John F. Demeritt,
was born in 1811.” Page 49
“Samuel Mitchell Demeritt, born in Barrington, New Hampshire,
was the younger brother of John F. Demeritt. According to Mrs. Little’s
article, “He evidently suffers from shortening of one leg…….”
Page 58
I’m NOT convinced that ALL the information in the three
quotes is reliable.
1880 US Census lists a Samuel M. Demeritt 69 years old, single,
retired school teacher living in Rochester, NH.
According to Robert Seyward Early
Marriages of Strafford County, NH Heritage Books, John Franklin
Demeritt b. 26 Feb 1804 was a son of Andrew. If this fact
is true, and if Three New England Watercolor Painters is reliable, then Samuel
Mitchell Demeritt – b. 1811 would have been Andrew's
son as well.
Three New England Watercolor Painters
states that John Demeritt was ancestor to the Durgin family. I found a Catherine
Demeritt on rootsweb.com that was married to David Durgin. I'm still researching
to see if John had any children or g.c. who married a Durgin. Her parents
were Andrew and Suzanna Demeritt.
In regards to Joseph H. Davis’
painting of Thomas and Sally Demeritt:
I've checked the probate records and found that after the death of Thomas his
wife Sally signed everything over to their daughter Olive M. Demeritt. NO OTHER
children where mentioned in the document.
In A
Guide the History and Old Dwelling Places of Northwood, NH “....Jonathan
Jenness who deeded his homestead in 1829 to sons-in-law Thomas Demeritt....
was married to Jonathan's daughter Sally Jenness. The Demeritt family occupied
the “house or store” until 1880 when Olive Demeritt sold it....”
In the 1820 US Census for Northwood it
shows Thomas Demeritt living right next door to his father-in-law Jonathan Jenness.
Notice that Thomas has 3 boys and 2 girls.
I found one source page 150 (I didn't write
the name down - shame on me!!) which give the following obituary:
DEATHS - In Northwood, June 11th (1835), John
J. Demeritt, Esq., aged 29, the two last years a member of the Legislature.
He was the only remaining son of Thomas Demeritt, Esq., being the third who
has departed this life within the short period of three years. Jonathan,
Sept. 8, 1832; aged 23, George W. March 10th, 1824 aged 22.
UPDATE
I was visiting the New Hampshire Historical Society and found
two significant letters.
LETTER ONE - cover and
body
LETTER TWO - page 1
and page 2 The letter was folded like a book so it
is read 1 and 4 - 2 and 3 I've put numbers at the top of each page in a circle.
Keep in mind my theory on Eli and ? Marshall's children is a guess. The only
thing that is not a guess is the names of Eli's children.
http://nhfamilies.com/aqwg1711.htm#42456
This is my theory: Children of Eli Demeritt and ? Marshell:
Eli Demeritt Other
then a mention in leter I've got nothing!
Andrew Demeritt married to Suzzanah Hill
John Franklin Demeritt married to Eliza (Strafford records “Andrew’s
son)
Samuel Mitchell Demeritt married to Martha Ann Dennett (Watercolor book states
he was John F brother)
Catherine Demeritt married David Durgin. (rootsweb.com – still trying
to contact source)
Thomas Demeritt married to Sally Jenness
John J b 1806 d 1835
Jonathan b 1809 d 1832
George b 1812 d 1832
Olive b 1807 d ?
(Daughter ?) one more unaccounted for in census
Margaret Demeritt unmar. living in Dover, NH
Moses Demeritt I'm suspicious of
one born 1780 - 1794 married to Betsey Locke .
John Demeritt I've got nothing!
Daniel Demeritt I've got nothing!
Elizabeth Demeritt I've got nothing!
Facts drawn from the first letter dated April 4, 1846:
- Thomas had a sister named Margaret Demeritt
- Mrs. Demeritt and Olive in household – note: sons are all passed away
Franklin and “his mother, wife, and the rest of the family…”
I’m 90% certain that this is in reference to John Franklin, Andrews
son. I’ll explain later. Andrew died in 1844 – Suzzanah in 1848.
Letter in 1846 – so mother only one left – good.
- Probably safe to assume that John (New Orleans) has, in some way, a relationship
to the family.
- Eli was a common Demeritt name so suggesting that he was Thomas’ and
Catherine’s brother does have potential validity.
I have found no record of John Franklin and Eliza ever having children.
The letter doesn’t disqualify John Franklin as having a son John. But
Eliza could not have been the mother. They were married 19 Feb 1845. Assuming
that John (New Orleans) was born around 1820 that would put John F. age about
16-20.
That said – I found another letter. It is from Samuel Mitchell Demeritt
addressed to his “sister” – very likely Cathrine.
Facts drawn from the second letter dated Oct. 26 1861:
“…love to Franklin and family…” sound familiar?
Again, John Franklin was his brother.
“….also to Aunt Hannah and Aunt Ann…” Nice!!! Most
likely David's sisters as shown living with him in the 1850 census for Strafford,
NH
“…love also particularly to Darius and Melvin…”
I have confirmed that Catherine and David Durgin had a son named Darius and
a son David M. (Melvin?)
Mentions a John, Louise and Hattie – unclear if there’s any relationship.
Mentions “E.F.D” at the end of the letter in the military. I have
two far fetched poss. But nothing concrete.
Contact Information
Mistakes and errors WILL be found. Please contact me with any corrections
or additions.
Send E-mail to ancestry@eagleswind.com
