Life History

Notes

• Anny Scott's Bible Birth Entries
  [Smeary broad-nib pen makes some entries uncertain]
  James Monroe Merryman   Dec 16th, 1876
  Francis Jane Merryman Dec 2nd, 1846
  Julia Ann Merryman Jan 12th, 1947
  Mary Caroline Merryman Jan 7, 1849
  Martha Merryman  March 7, 1851
  David Merryman  Feb 15, 1853
  John Scott Merryman  June 14, 1855
  Lathan [sic: Lethiann] Amanda Merryman  July 29, 1856
  William Logan [?] Merryman  Oct 6, 1872
  Floradena Iona Merryman  Dec 28, 1874
  Leonara A Merryman and
  Leondus [sic] Ebenezar Merryman  May 21st, 1875
  Caroline Coleatha (Carrie) Merryman  June 27th, 1872
  Daniel W Merryman 22 July 1897
  Lee Roy Merryman  6 Sept 1900
  Theodore R Merryman 4 Feb 1902 (twin died)
  Carl Ocy Merryman  6 Aug 1904
  Amos B Merryman  6 Jan 1907
  Vernon Merryman  27 Jan 1909
  Veta E Merryman  5 April 1913
  Joana Isabella [?] Pearson [?] Dec 2, 1860
  Victoria Elizabeth Pearson [?] Aug 4, 1862
  
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  Indian Territory, Descriptive, Biological and Geneological
  
  JOHN SCOTT MERRYMAN, who follows merchandising in Spiro, was born in Scullyville county, of the Choctaw Nation in 1855.  His Father, William Merryman was a white man, born in Tennessee, and his death occured in the Choctaw nation in *1864, upon his farm located three miles from Spiro.  He emigrated to the territory in 1844 and was therefore one of the earliest settlers.  Throughout his active business career he carried on agricultural pursuits.  His wife, who bore the maiden name of Anna Scott, was a half breed Choctaw, born in Mississippi, and her death occurred on the homestead farm in Scullyville county in 1856 [1866].
  
  Under the parental roof, John S. Merryman of this review, was reared and the public schools of the neighborhood afforded him his educational privileges.  He early became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist, and after completing his education he gave his undivided attention to farming for some time His labors in the fields were then alternated by official service, for he was appointed district revenue collector and served in that position for two years.  Subsequently he became connected with the cattle industry, and in 1899 he established his *store in Spiro where he has since carried on general merchandising with excellent success, his trade constantly growing.  His establishment is considered one of the best general stores in the town, and his business methods are such as to make those who once patronize him his constant Patrons.
  
  Mr. Merryman has been twice married.  He first wed Joanna Pierson, a half breed Choctaw, who was born in Mississippi and came to Skullyville county with her mother at the age of six years.  Her death occurred in 1896, and since that time Mr Merryman has wedded Ellen Bailey, a white woman.  He has eight living children, namely:
  *James F, Edgar Burton, Belva L, John I, Roscoe Conklin, Ophelia, Ivy Myrte, and Erie.
  
  In his political affiliations Mr.  Merryman is a Democrat and keeps well informed on the issues of the day, taking an active interest in local politics.  He belongs to the camp at Spiro of the Woodmen oitne World, in which he holds the position of banker' Well known in the town in which he makes his home as a reliable citizen and a trustworthy business man, he certainly deserves honorable mention in this volume.
  
  Footnotes:
  * The above date of death for William P Merryman is in error.  William died on January 27, 1881, and after his second marriage, and not in 1864 as stated in this book. [Date of death for Anny Scott is also wrong, should be 1866]
  * John S. Merryman's store was located at Main St. & Cheatham St., in old Spiro, OK.   The location of Cheatham St is unknown.  [Info provided by Tom P. Swafford in May of 2001.
  The names of the children in the book are not all correct, and Erie was by his second wife Ellen; where as the rest of the children born to them are not here listed)
  
  --  Gideon, D C, "History of Indian Territory," Indian Territory, Descriptive, Biological and Geneological, New York/Chicago:  The Lewis Pub Co, 1901, pgs 405 and 406;  courtesy of Russell Merryman, who received pages from this book from Barbara West in 1980
  -----------------------
  
  John is listed in the 1903 Choctaw Tribal Citrizens Roll.  For some reason the Ancestry transcription adds a second middle initial P which is not there isn the actual document.
  
  U.S., Native American Citizens and Freedmen of Five Civilized Tribes, 1895-1914
  1903 Choctaw Citizen Rolls, Choctwa Nation, Indian Territory (later Oklahoma), 17 Jan 1903
  John S P Merryman
  Choctaw Daws #8235 Age 47
  Age 47 (B abt 1856), 1/4 blood
  Census Card #2807
  Other individuals named Merryman are also listed
  
  John's memorial on Find a Grave was updated by its tender with information I submitted, and my note on his birth and death situation.
  
  John Scott Merryman
  Birth Jun. 14, 1855
  Death Mar. 22, 1914
  Parents:
  William P Merryman (1821 - 1881)
  Anny Scott Merryman (1821 - 1866)
  Children Ollie Ona Merryman Swafford (1912 - 1996)
  Siblings:
  Julia Ann Beard (1847 - 1912)
  Lethi Ann Amanda Merryman Daggs (1854 - 1886)
  Note: John was born in Skullyville County, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory, which became LeFlore County, Oklahoma. His family lived near Skullyville, where he also is buried
  Burial Skullyville Cemetery, Skullyville, Le Flore County, Oklahoma
  Created by jeff edwards Feb 23, 2008
  --  Find A Grave Memorial #24844722, http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=24844722

Sources

• 1. Skullyville
• 2. Find a Grave Memorial Registry
• 3. Anny Scott's Bible Birth Entries
• 4. History of Indian Territory, by D C Gideon
• 5. 1860 Federal Census, Skullyville County, Choctaw Nation
  • 29 October, P O Skullyville, page 20, Hse #229, Fam #227
• 6. U.S., Native American Citizens and Freedmen of Five Civilized Tribes, 1895-1914