link This book summaries the previous treatments by George Edward Merchant and includes entries from various histories and primary sources. He includes 430 pages including descendants. Jabez Merchant received a grant of land in Lobster Cove in 1723 of half an acre. Ebenezer Marchant arrived in Cape Ann in 1719. Jabez Marchant was married there on Jan. 12, 1720/21. They are thought to be brothers and children of Abishai Merchant and Mary Taylor born probably in Yarmouhth, MA. [I would like to see evidence supporting this]. Jabez is said to have died 1773 (see below) in Gloucester. [Note He certainly was dead by 1778 when Gloucester vital records 3:212 states "Mary Merchant, wid. Jabesh, consumption, Mar. 12, 1778, a. 80 y. C.R."] She died at the house of their son Daniel Marchant. [It is possibly that he is the Jabez Merchant who was buried in Redcliffe, Bristol, England on 2 May 1773. James Babson brother of his wife's previous husband John Babson died there in 1736/7 [Essex Antiquarian 5:2] Bristol did a lot of trade with Cape Ann.] The author presumes the death date derives from the fact that an order was drawn on the town treasurer April 12,1773,'to pay unto Samuel Griffin Jr. or doer the sum of ten shillings for making a coffin for Jabez Merchant deceased (3-278). At the time of his marriage, he is called a cordwainer. He rec'd more land grants in 1742 and 1743. In 1757 he was paid to take care of the third parish meeting house. His tax was abated in 1758. Salem Records 112;223 "Jabez Merchant of Gloucester, 'Cordwainer' for 53-12-8 conveys to Ambrose Griffin etc. Feb. 6, 1764" Granters wife 'Mary' On March 31,1768 - Salem Records 123:148 - "Jabez Merchant of Gloucester, cordwainer, conveys to Daniel Merchant, mariner, for 24 pounds lawful money, his house and land etc. the whole of said land being about half an acre, be the same more or less." Grantors wife 'Mary'. Deed signed Marchant. Third Parish Records, "March 23, 1769 , Thomas Sewel treas, Jabez Merchant advance of six shillings allowed by William Norwood, David Lane, Thomas Lane,Committe for said Parish." On March 26,1770 he is found on the list of the poor. Jan. 10, 1771 (3-229) an order was drawn for 3-11-6 in favor of Andrew Harraden "for supplying Jabez Merchant the year past to this instant." Again on Sept. 3, 177 1 an order was drawn (3-241) to pay Samuel Griffin 1-19-3 "advanced Jabez Merchant and wife, between the fifth and 25th day of March last." March 25,1772 (3-253) it was voted "Jabez Merchant to be supplied by Thomas Griffin." April 21,177 2 (3-255) an order was drawn to pay Samuel 4-10-4 "whereof 33 shillings and five pence is for sundry supplies for Jabez Merchant." On July 6,1772 (3-257) an order was drawn to pay "Capt.Cornelious Fellow 10-7-11 for sundry supplies for Jabez Merchant." and on Sept 25, 1772, Thomas Griffin (3-261) received 6-7-4 for supplies furnished the same. That seems to be the last record showing he was alive. An order was drawn on the town treasurer April 12,1773 "to pay unto Samuel Griffin Jr. or doer the sum of ten shillings for making a coffin for Jabez Merchant deceased. "(3-278) The last mention of him is in a later order, after his death, when on Feb. 23 ,1774 (3-364) Ambrose Frison was paid 1-1-8 "for digging two graves for poor persons deceased, and six foot of wood for Jabez Merchant."
