William was living in Hennepin, Marshall Co, IL when he joined the Union Army on 27 Aug 1862.
William entered the Union Army as a Corporal and was a Sergeant when discharged 6 Jun 1865. He was a member of the 86th Illinois Infantry. He initially was in Company C where all the men from Marshall county were assigned. Later William was transferred to Company B.
A search of Census records for Marshall Co, only showed one William Merrill. In 1860 he was 18 years of age b. in IL, living in John Merrill's (age 41, b. NC) household.
This fits because the Forbes and Sawyer families came from Currituck County, NC to Marshall County, IL in 1831.
==============================
The following additions were provided by Baxter Fite
"William Merrill was born on ___________ __, 18__ (c. 1841/42) at ___________, Illinois, the son of John Merrill and his first wife, __________ (__________) Merrill.
John was born c. 1818/19in North Carolina and came with his family to Illinois sometime before 1842. John's first wife died sometime before 1854 and possibly before 1850. John was married 2nd to Eliza ___________. This could be Eliza Jane Fountain. On December 3, 1847, there is a record of a John U. Merrill being married to Eliza Jane Fountain in Warren County. Illinois.
At the time of the 1860 census of Illinois, John ad Eliza Merrill are found residing in Hopewell Township in Marshall County, Illinois. William, the oldest son, is living with his father and step mother. Also in the household are three younger children, at least three of whom are probably children of the 2nd marriage to Eliza. They are Martha, age 10; Charles, age 6; Maria, age 4; and Thomas Jefferson, age 1. Also living in the household is a John Dixon, age 16, who is helping on the farm. Sometime before August of 1862, William Merrill moved up to Hennepin, Illinois in Putnam County, where he may be hired out and helping on another farm.
On August 11, 1862, William Merrill came to Henry, Illinois where he volunteered to serve in a company which was being raised in the Henry, Illinois area of Marshall County, by a man by the name of Elias C. Brearly. Men not only came in from all over Marshall County, but also came in from Putnam, Bureau and Stark Counties to join this company. At the time he volunteered, William gave his age as 20 and his place of residence as Hennepin, Putnam County, Illinois. A few days later, when Brearly had about 100 volunteers, he led the Marshall County area volunteers into Peoria where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park. On August 27, 1862, Brearly and 88 of his volunteers were mustered into service as Co. B of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Brearly was elected Captain of Co. B. William Merrill was elected by the men of Co. B to serve as their 5th Corporal.
On September 7, 1862, the men of the 86th Illinois marched out the gates of Camp Lyon, through the streets of Peoria, with much fanfare, and boarded a train bound for Camp Joe Holt, Jeffersonville, Indiana. Three weeks later, the men of the 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Col. Daniel McCook's Brigade, in pursuit of Confederate troops. On Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those troops in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, the 86th Illinois suffering their first casualties. There would be many more to come. After the Battle of Perryville, the Confederate troops withdrew from Kentucky and the men of McCook's Brigade marched on to Nashville, Tennessee where they would go into winter camp.
Between December 23, 1862 and January 28, 1863, Captain Elias C. Brearly and 2nd Lt. Nelson McVicker, of Co. B, resigned from the service, possibly because of illnesses. Also during this time period, 4th Sergeant John F. Renoad, of Co. B, was discharged from the service because of illness. After each of these vacancies occurred, the men of Co. B elected their replacements. Two Sergeants were elected to fill the Captain and Lieutenant positions, which left three openings among the Sergeant. The men elected three Corporals to fill these positions, though it is not known in which order they were promoted to Sergeant. The three Corporal were Alfred J. Diehl, Thomas F. Kingsley and William Merrill. So by the 1st day of February of 1863, Corporal William Merrill was Sergeant William Merrill.
During the next two and a half years, Corporal William Merrill served faithfully in Co. B as the men of the 86th served in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama. South Carolina and North Carolina. During this time, Corporal Merrill was witness to and a participant in numerous battles and skirmishes, some of the bloodiest fighting in the Western Theatre of the war, including the Battles of Chicakamauga, Georgia; Resaca, Georgia; Rome, Georgia; Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia, Peach Tree Creek, Georgia, Jonesboro, Georgia, Averasboro, North Carolina and Bentonville, North Carolina and marched with General Sherman to the Sea.
After the war came to a close, the men of McCook's Brigade marched on to Washington City (now D.C.) where on May 24, 1865, they marched down Pennsylvania Avenue on the 2nd day of the Grand Review with the rest of Sherman's Army. On June 6th 1865, Sergeant William Merrill and the surviving member of the 86th Illinois were mustered out of service. Shortly afterward they were boarded a train bound for Chicago, where they received their final pay and discharge. By the end of June of 1865, they were back home and working their way back into their civilian lives.
At the time of the 1870 census of Marshall County, Elizabeth Merrill is found as held of a household in Henry Township. One more daughter, Mary, who was born c. 1862, appears to have been born to Elizabeth and John. John may have died sometime between 1862 and 1870 there in Marshall County or they may be divorced as there is a John U. Merrill, age 51, living alone in Saratoga Township in Marshall County. The children in Elizabeth's household are now listed as Martha, age 20; Charles, age 16; Maria, age 14; Jefferson, age 10; and Mary, age 8. William is not found in Marshall County at this time and it is not known where he was living.
At the time of the 1880 census, Elizabeth Merrill is still found residing in Henry, Marshall County, Illinois, with children Thomas, age 20; and Mary, age 18. She is listed as a Widow at this time, so John is obviously deceased before 1880. It is still not known where William is living at this time. There is a card for C.S. William Merrill, possibly Color Sergeant or Commisary Sergeant, that states that his Mother began collecting a pension on March 14, 1889. So, from this we now know that Sergeant William Merrill died sometime before March 14, 1889, though it is not known at this time where he died.
The earthly remains of Sergeant William Merrill were laid to rest in the Sawyer Cemetery in Marshall County, Illinois.
by Baxter B. Fite III
You may contact Baxter at [email protected].)"
William entered the Union Army as a Corporal and was a Sergeant when discharged 6 Jun 1865. He was a member of the 86th Illinois Infantry. He initially was in Company C where all the men from Marshall county were assigned. Later William was transferred to Company B.
A search of Census records for Marshall Co, only showed one William Merrill. In 1860 he was 18 years of age b. in IL, living in John Merrill's (age 41, b. NC) household.
This fits because the Forbes and Sawyer families came from Currituck County, NC to Marshall County, IL in 1831.
==============================
The following additions were provided by Baxter Fite
"William Merrill was born on ___________ __, 18__ (c. 1841/42) at ___________, Illinois, the son of John Merrill and his first wife, __________ (__________) Merrill.
John was born c. 1818/19in North Carolina and came with his family to Illinois sometime before 1842. John's first wife died sometime before 1854 and possibly before 1850. John was married 2nd to Eliza ___________. This could be Eliza Jane Fountain. On December 3, 1847, there is a record of a John U. Merrill being married to Eliza Jane Fountain in Warren County. Illinois.
At the time of the 1860 census of Illinois, John ad Eliza Merrill are found residing in Hopewell Township in Marshall County, Illinois. William, the oldest son, is living with his father and step mother. Also in the household are three younger children, at least three of whom are probably children of the 2nd marriage to Eliza. They are Martha, age 10; Charles, age 6; Maria, age 4; and Thomas Jefferson, age 1. Also living in the household is a John Dixon, age 16, who is helping on the farm. Sometime before August of 1862, William Merrill moved up to Hennepin, Illinois in Putnam County, where he may be hired out and helping on another farm.
On August 11, 1862, William Merrill came to Henry, Illinois where he volunteered to serve in a company which was being raised in the Henry, Illinois area of Marshall County, by a man by the name of Elias C. Brearly. Men not only came in from all over Marshall County, but also came in from Putnam, Bureau and Stark Counties to join this company. At the time he volunteered, William gave his age as 20 and his place of residence as Hennepin, Putnam County, Illinois. A few days later, when Brearly had about 100 volunteers, he led the Marshall County area volunteers into Peoria where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park. On August 27, 1862, Brearly and 88 of his volunteers were mustered into service as Co. B of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Brearly was elected Captain of Co. B. William Merrill was elected by the men of Co. B to serve as their 5th Corporal.
On September 7, 1862, the men of the 86th Illinois marched out the gates of Camp Lyon, through the streets of Peoria, with much fanfare, and boarded a train bound for Camp Joe Holt, Jeffersonville, Indiana. Three weeks later, the men of the 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Col. Daniel McCook's Brigade, in pursuit of Confederate troops. On Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those troops in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, the 86th Illinois suffering their first casualties. There would be many more to come. After the Battle of Perryville, the Confederate troops withdrew from Kentucky and the men of McCook's Brigade marched on to Nashville, Tennessee where they would go into winter camp.
Between December 23, 1862 and January 28, 1863, Captain Elias C. Brearly and 2nd Lt. Nelson McVicker, of Co. B, resigned from the service, possibly because of illnesses. Also during this time period, 4th Sergeant John F. Renoad, of Co. B, was discharged from the service because of illness. After each of these vacancies occurred, the men of Co. B elected their replacements. Two Sergeants were elected to fill the Captain and Lieutenant positions, which left three openings among the Sergeant. The men elected three Corporals to fill these positions, though it is not known in which order they were promoted to Sergeant. The three Corporal were Alfred J. Diehl, Thomas F. Kingsley and William Merrill. So by the 1st day of February of 1863, Corporal William Merrill was Sergeant William Merrill.
During the next two and a half years, Corporal William Merrill served faithfully in Co. B as the men of the 86th served in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama. South Carolina and North Carolina. During this time, Corporal Merrill was witness to and a participant in numerous battles and skirmishes, some of the bloodiest fighting in the Western Theatre of the war, including the Battles of Chicakamauga, Georgia; Resaca, Georgia; Rome, Georgia; Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia, Peach Tree Creek, Georgia, Jonesboro, Georgia, Averasboro, North Carolina and Bentonville, North Carolina and marched with General Sherman to the Sea.
After the war came to a close, the men of McCook's Brigade marched on to Washington City (now D.C.) where on May 24, 1865, they marched down Pennsylvania Avenue on the 2nd day of the Grand Review with the rest of Sherman's Army. On June 6th 1865, Sergeant William Merrill and the surviving member of the 86th Illinois were mustered out of service. Shortly afterward they were boarded a train bound for Chicago, where they received their final pay and discharge. By the end of June of 1865, they were back home and working their way back into their civilian lives.
At the time of the 1870 census of Marshall County, Elizabeth Merrill is found as held of a household in Henry Township. One more daughter, Mary, who was born c. 1862, appears to have been born to Elizabeth and John. John may have died sometime between 1862 and 1870 there in Marshall County or they may be divorced as there is a John U. Merrill, age 51, living alone in Saratoga Township in Marshall County. The children in Elizabeth's household are now listed as Martha, age 20; Charles, age 16; Maria, age 14; Jefferson, age 10; and Mary, age 8. William is not found in Marshall County at this time and it is not known where he was living.
At the time of the 1880 census, Elizabeth Merrill is still found residing in Henry, Marshall County, Illinois, with children Thomas, age 20; and Mary, age 18. She is listed as a Widow at this time, so John is obviously deceased before 1880. It is still not known where William is living at this time. There is a card for C.S. William Merrill, possibly Color Sergeant or Commisary Sergeant, that states that his Mother began collecting a pension on March 14, 1889. So, from this we now know that Sergeant William Merrill died sometime before March 14, 1889, though it is not known at this time where he died.
The earthly remains of Sergeant William Merrill were laid to rest in the Sawyer Cemetery in Marshall County, Illinois.
by Baxter B. Fite III
You may contact Baxter at [email protected].)"
William was living in Hennepin, Marshall Co, IL when he joined the Union Army on 27 Aug 1862.
William entered the Union Army as a Corporal and was a Sergeant when discharged 6 Jun 1865. He was a member of the 86th Illinois Infantry. He initially was in Company C where all the men from Marshall county were assigned. Later William was transferred to Company B.
A search of Census records for Marshall Co, only showed one William Merrill. In 1860 he was 18 years of age b. in IL, living in John Merrill's (age 41, b. NC) household.
This fits because the Forbes and Sawyer families came from Currituck County, NC to Marshall County, IL in 1831.
==============================
The following additions were provided by Baxter Fite
"William Merrill was born on ___________ __, 18__ (c. 1841/42) at ___________, Illinois, the son of John Merrill and his first wife, __________ (__________) Merrill.
John was born c. 1818/19in North Carolina and came with his family to Illinois sometime before 1842. John's first wife died sometime before 1854 and possibly before 1850. John was married 2nd to Eliza ___________. This could be Eliza Jane Fountain. On December 3, 1847, there is a record of a John U. Merrill being married to Eliza Jane Fountain in Warren County. Illinois.
At the time of the 1860 census of Illinois, John ad Eliza Merrill are found residing in Hopewell Township in Marshall County, Illinois. William, the oldest son, is living with his father and step mother. Also in the household are three younger children, at least three of whom are probably children of the 2nd marriage to Eliza. They are Martha, age 10; Charles, age 6; Maria, age 4; and Thomas Jefferson, age 1. Also living in the household is a John Dixon, age 16, who is helping on the farm. Sometime before August of 1862, William Merrill moved up to Hennepin, Illinois in Putnam County, where he may be hired out and helping on another farm.
On August 11, 1862, William Merrill came to Henry, Illinois where he volunteered to serve in a company which was being raised in the Henry, Illinois area of Marshall County, by a man by the name of Elias C. Brearly. Men not only came in from all over Marshall County, but also came in from Putnam, Bureau and Stark Counties to join this company. At the time he volunteered, William gave his age as 20 and his place of residence as Hennepin, Putnam County, Illinois. A few days later, when Brearly had about 100 volunteers, he led the Marshall County area volunteers into Peoria where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park. On August 27, 1862, Brearly and 88 of his volunteers were mustered into service as Co. B of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Brearly was elected Captain of Co. B. William Merrill was elected by the men of Co. B to serve as their 5th Corporal.
On September 7, 1862, the men of the 86th Illinois marched out the gates of Camp Lyon, through the streets of Peoria, with much fanfare, and boarded a train bound for Camp Joe Holt, Jeffersonville, Indiana. Three weeks later, the men of the 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Col. Daniel McCook's Brigade, in pursuit of Confederate troops. On Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those troops in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, the 86th Illinois suffering their first casualties. There would be many more to come. After the Battle of Perryville, the Confederate troops withdrew from Kentucky and the men of McCook's Brigade marched on to Nashville, Tennessee where they would go into winter camp.
Between December 23, 1862 and January 28, 1863, Captain Elias C. Brearly and 2nd Lt. Nelson McVicker, of Co. B, resigned from the service, possibly because of illnesses. Also during this time period, 4th Sergeant John F. Renoad, of Co. B, was discharged from the service because of illness. After each of these vacancies occurred, the men of Co. B elected their replacements. Two Sergeants were elected to fill the Captain and Lieutenant positions, which left three openings among the Sergeant. The men elected three Corporals to fill these positions, though it is not known in which order they were promoted to Sergeant. The three Corporal were Alfred J. Diehl, Thomas F. Kingsley and William Merrill. So by the 1st day of February of 1863, Corporal William Merrill was Sergeant William Merrill.
During the next two and a half years, Corporal William Merrill served faithfully in Co. B as the men of the 86th served in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama. South Carolina and North Carolina. During this time, Corporal Merrill was witness to and a participant in numerous battles and skirmishes, some of the bloodiest fighting in the Western Theatre of the war, including the Battles of Chicakamauga, Georgia; Resaca, Georgia; Rome, Georgia; Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia, Peach Tree Creek, Georgia, Jonesboro, Georgia, Averasboro, North Carolina and Bentonville, North Carolina and marched with General Sherman to the Sea.
After the war came to a close, the men of McCook's Brigade marched on to Washington City (now D.C.) where on May 24, 1865, they marched down Pennsylvania Avenue on the 2nd day of the Grand Review with the rest of Sherman's Army. On June 6th 1865, Sergeant William Merrill and the surviving member of the 86th Illinois were mustered out of service. Shortly afterward they were boarded a train bound for Chicago, where they received their final pay and discharge. By the end of June of 1865, they were back home and working their way back into their civilian lives.
At the time of the 1870 census of Marshall County, Elizabeth Merrill is found as held of a household in Henry Township. One more daughter, Mary, who was born c. 1862, appears to have been born to Elizabeth and John. John may have died sometime between 1862 and 1870 there in Marshall County or they may be divorced as there is a John U. Merrill, age 51, living alone in Saratoga Township in Marshall County. The children in Elizabeth's household are now listed as Martha, age 20; Charles, age 16; Maria, age 14; Jefferson, age 10; and Mary, age 8. William is not found in Marshall County at this time and it is not known where he was living.
At the time of the 1880 census, Elizabeth Merrill is still found residing in Henry, Marshall County, Illinois, with children Thomas, age 20; and Mary, age 18. She is listed as a Widow at this time, so John is obviously deceased before 1880. It is still not known where William is living at this time. There is a card for C.S. William Merrill, possibly Color Sergeant or Commisary Sergeant, that states that his Mother began collecting a pension on March 14, 1889. So, from this we now know that Sergeant William Merrill died sometime before March 14, 1889, though it is not known at this time where he died.
The earthly remains of Sergeant William Merrill were laid to rest in the Sawyer Cemetery in Marshall County, Illinois.
by Baxter B. Fite III
You may contact Baxter at [email protected].)"
William entered the Union Army as a Corporal and was a Sergeant when discharged 6 Jun 1865. He was a member of the 86th Illinois Infantry. He initially was in Company C where all the men from Marshall county were assigned. Later William was transferred to Company B.
A search of Census records for Marshall Co, only showed one William Merrill. In 1860 he was 18 years of age b. in IL, living in John Merrill's (age 41, b. NC) household.
This fits because the Forbes and Sawyer families came from Currituck County, NC to Marshall County, IL in 1831.
==============================
The following additions were provided by Baxter Fite
"William Merrill was born on ___________ __, 18__ (c. 1841/42) at ___________, Illinois, the son of John Merrill and his first wife, __________ (__________) Merrill.
John was born c. 1818/19in North Carolina and came with his family to Illinois sometime before 1842. John's first wife died sometime before 1854 and possibly before 1850. John was married 2nd to Eliza ___________. This could be Eliza Jane Fountain. On December 3, 1847, there is a record of a John U. Merrill being married to Eliza Jane Fountain in Warren County. Illinois.
At the time of the 1860 census of Illinois, John ad Eliza Merrill are found residing in Hopewell Township in Marshall County, Illinois. William, the oldest son, is living with his father and step mother. Also in the household are three younger children, at least three of whom are probably children of the 2nd marriage to Eliza. They are Martha, age 10; Charles, age 6; Maria, age 4; and Thomas Jefferson, age 1. Also living in the household is a John Dixon, age 16, who is helping on the farm. Sometime before August of 1862, William Merrill moved up to Hennepin, Illinois in Putnam County, where he may be hired out and helping on another farm.
On August 11, 1862, William Merrill came to Henry, Illinois where he volunteered to serve in a company which was being raised in the Henry, Illinois area of Marshall County, by a man by the name of Elias C. Brearly. Men not only came in from all over Marshall County, but also came in from Putnam, Bureau and Stark Counties to join this company. At the time he volunteered, William gave his age as 20 and his place of residence as Hennepin, Putnam County, Illinois. A few days later, when Brearly had about 100 volunteers, he led the Marshall County area volunteers into Peoria where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park. On August 27, 1862, Brearly and 88 of his volunteers were mustered into service as Co. B of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Brearly was elected Captain of Co. B. William Merrill was elected by the men of Co. B to serve as their 5th Corporal.
On September 7, 1862, the men of the 86th Illinois marched out the gates of Camp Lyon, through the streets of Peoria, with much fanfare, and boarded a train bound for Camp Joe Holt, Jeffersonville, Indiana. Three weeks later, the men of the 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Col. Daniel McCook's Brigade, in pursuit of Confederate troops. On Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those troops in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, the 86th Illinois suffering their first casualties. There would be many more to come. After the Battle of Perryville, the Confederate troops withdrew from Kentucky and the men of McCook's Brigade marched on to Nashville, Tennessee where they would go into winter camp.
Between December 23, 1862 and January 28, 1863, Captain Elias C. Brearly and 2nd Lt. Nelson McVicker, of Co. B, resigned from the service, possibly because of illnesses. Also during this time period, 4th Sergeant John F. Renoad, of Co. B, was discharged from the service because of illness. After each of these vacancies occurred, the men of Co. B elected their replacements. Two Sergeants were elected to fill the Captain and Lieutenant positions, which left three openings among the Sergeant. The men elected three Corporals to fill these positions, though it is not known in which order they were promoted to Sergeant. The three Corporal were Alfred J. Diehl, Thomas F. Kingsley and William Merrill. So by the 1st day of February of 1863, Corporal William Merrill was Sergeant William Merrill.
During the next two and a half years, Corporal William Merrill served faithfully in Co. B as the men of the 86th served in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama. South Carolina and North Carolina. During this time, Corporal Merrill was witness to and a participant in numerous battles and skirmishes, some of the bloodiest fighting in the Western Theatre of the war, including the Battles of Chicakamauga, Georgia; Resaca, Georgia; Rome, Georgia; Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia, Peach Tree Creek, Georgia, Jonesboro, Georgia, Averasboro, North Carolina and Bentonville, North Carolina and marched with General Sherman to the Sea.
After the war came to a close, the men of McCook's Brigade marched on to Washington City (now D.C.) where on May 24, 1865, they marched down Pennsylvania Avenue on the 2nd day of the Grand Review with the rest of Sherman's Army. On June 6th 1865, Sergeant William Merrill and the surviving member of the 86th Illinois were mustered out of service. Shortly afterward they were boarded a train bound for Chicago, where they received their final pay and discharge. By the end of June of 1865, they were back home and working their way back into their civilian lives.
At the time of the 1870 census of Marshall County, Elizabeth Merrill is found as held of a household in Henry Township. One more daughter, Mary, who was born c. 1862, appears to have been born to Elizabeth and John. John may have died sometime between 1862 and 1870 there in Marshall County or they may be divorced as there is a John U. Merrill, age 51, living alone in Saratoga Township in Marshall County. The children in Elizabeth's household are now listed as Martha, age 20; Charles, age 16; Maria, age 14; Jefferson, age 10; and Mary, age 8. William is not found in Marshall County at this time and it is not known where he was living.
At the time of the 1880 census, Elizabeth Merrill is still found residing in Henry, Marshall County, Illinois, with children Thomas, age 20; and Mary, age 18. She is listed as a Widow at this time, so John is obviously deceased before 1880. It is still not known where William is living at this time. There is a card for C.S. William Merrill, possibly Color Sergeant or Commisary Sergeant, that states that his Mother began collecting a pension on March 14, 1889. So, from this we now know that Sergeant William Merrill died sometime before March 14, 1889, though it is not known at this time where he died.
The earthly remains of Sergeant William Merrill were laid to rest in the Sawyer Cemetery in Marshall County, Illinois.
by Baxter B. Fite III
You may contact Baxter at [email protected].)"
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