Person:Thomas Merry (7)

Records of Thomas Merry

From the Library of Virginia "Land Ofice Patents & Grants":

• September 28, 1681, Warwick County, VA, 200 acres in the Fish of Denbigh, beginning and extending in Capt. John Langhornes line near Kirbyes pine. Grantee: Thomas Merry.

• October 22, 1682, Warwick County, VA, 186 acres "now in the possession of the said Thomas Merrey and Mr. Richard Hatton, butting southly upon James River. Beginning and extending to Capt. Langhornes corner standing in a swatch by the river side. Grantee: Thomas Merrey

From "Warwick County, Virginia, Colonial Court Records in Transcription" By Richard Dunn, Jones House Association, Inc:

• Thomas Merry witnessed the will of Robert Groves on 11 October 1672. [Page 41].

• August 1685 - Sam Ransha and Thomas Merry witnessed the division of the estate of Mr. George Moory. [Page 267].

• 21 Jan 1690-91: Wm Cole, Esq, Secretary; Maj. Hum Harwood, Capt Richd Whitaker, Cpt. Miles Cary, Sam Ransha, Wm. Cary, Thos. Merry, Eman'l Wills.

• 1 Apr. 1691; Cpt. Rich'd Whitaker, Cpt. Miles Cary, Thos Merry', Sam Ransha, Emanual Wills.

• Judgement being this day past unto Capt. Joseph Jeffrys of the City of London Marriner Against Mr. Thomas Merry, Sheriff of this County for one hundred and Sixth Eight pounds Sterling due p bond under the defts hand dated the 16th day of Aprill 1700 wth Costs by reason of the non appearance of Francis Lewelling of Said County in an Action of debt att the Suit of the Sd. Joseph Jeffrys, on motion of the said Sheriff, an attachment is granted him against the estate of the Said Francis Lewelling for the aforesaid Sum with Costs returnable to the next Court for Judgement.

• Box 1, Folder 5: 1692-1700:

Mr Thomas Merry is desired to finde Plank for the mending the Court house floore and altering the barr and makeing a new Clerks Table, and Samll. Bland haveing undertaken to doe the Sd. work: they are to bring in their Accts. for the Same at the Laying the next Levy. [Page 80].

• Pine [torn]. Said Peter Montague doe by these p[re]sents Deliver up to my ffahter in Law Thomas Merry all my Right & Title & Interest of the said Deed and all therein Contained unto my Said ffahter in Law Renouncing all my Right Title and Interest to this Land. And I the Said Peter Montague and Elizabeth my wife Doe Impower our Brother in Law William Bressie to be our Lawful Attorney to Acknowledge this Writeing in Warwick County Court. In Witness hereof wee have hereunto Set our hands this 24th day of ffeb 1695. Peter Montague, Elizabeth Montague. Test Wm. Bressie, Wm. Montague.

At a Court held for Warwk. County July the 21st [sic] 1696. The above written was psented to the Court by William Bressie & is at his request Committed to Record. Vera Recordat.. Miles Cary Cl. Cur:

Test M[iles] C[Cary]. Cl. Cur. [In margin: Montague.. deed to Merry].

• 21 June 1700 - Mr. Thomas Merry presenting a Commission dated the 6th day of this Instant appointing him... Sheriff of this County.

• 22 July 1700 - William Bressie.. was this day Sworn under Sheriff to Mr. Thomas Merry.

• 21 May 1701 - Mr. Thomas Merry, Sheriff.

• Nov. 1701 - Mr. Tho: Merry late Sheriff

• 8 July 1702 - Thos. Merry, Sheriff

• Decr. 1703 - Executed & [ent'd?] Thos. Merry, Shf.

• Order Book 1713-1714:

being by the sheriff retd summon'd... scyrefacias at the suit of Micajah Perry & Richd. Perry of London merchants Jno. Merry, exr. of the Last Will & Testamt. of Tho. Merry to show cause if any he could why judgmt.... ag. him in this court the 3 day of April, in the year of our Lord Christ 1712 for -0.8:4.

Darby Dunaway ads John Merry exr. of the Last Will & Testament of Thomas Merry scyrefacias. a copy of the scyrefacias was left at the defts house, the deft. failing to appear, ordered on ye motion of the new scyrefacias be issued agt. ye deft retble to ye next court.

Micajah Perry & Richard Perry of London merchants ads John Merry exr. of the Last Will & Testament of Thomas Merry, Scyrefacias, a copy of the cryrefacias left at the defts house. Dismist for want of prosecution.

Information on Thomas Merry

From Genforum.com post:

Thomas Merry was a player in local politics. In 1699, according to a list of "Public Officers in Virginia" published in the Virginia Historical Magazine, Thomas Merry was one of six members of a group called the "Quorum." The others were Humphrey Harwood, Miles Cary, Samuell Ransha, Robert Hubbard, and William Cary (sheriff). Miles Cary was Clerk of the Court, and other court officials were William Rascow, Thomas Charles, Matthew Jones, Miles Wills, Thomas Haynes and John Tignall.

A list of 1702 officers shows that Thomas Merry is sheriff. The burgesses are Miles Cary and William Cary. Justices of the Peace are Humphrey Harwood, Miles Cary, William Cary, Samuel Ranshaw, Robert Hubbard, William Rascow, Thomas Charles, Matthew Jones, Miles Wills, Thomas Haynes and John Tignall.

Finally, a 1714 list shows Thomas Merry as coroner; Justices of the Peace as Miles Wills, Thomas Charles, Matthew Jones, Thomas Haynes, Thomas Cary, and Humphrey Harwood. Members of the Quorum are Francis Jones, William Harwood, Nathaniel Hoggard, William Cole, Thomas Haynes Jr., and Henry Cary Jr. Burgesses are Miles Wills and William Harwood. County Clerk is Miles Cary, Surveyor is William Lowry, and Tobacco Agent is Miles Wills.