|
Marriner Wood Merrill
Marriner Wood Merrill was born in Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada, September 25, 1832. He lived there on a small farm until he was 18 when he sailed to Boston to look for work. While in Boston, his father, Nathan, drowned in the Bay of Fundy while going to his marsh lot. Marriner returned home to help on the farm. Elder John Skerry of Halifax preached the gospel in Sackville, which Marriner heard and accepted. He was baptized April 3, 1852.
His mother was baptized by Elder John Herret in 1834-35 and was quite zealous for many years, teaching Marriner somewhat of the teachings of the church. His father was an unbeliever and hindered the spiritual progress of the family.
Following his baptism, he made plans to immigrate to Zion, and in April of 1853, he left his home in the company of the William Atkinson family. They arrived in Keokuk, Iowa, May 9, where they formed a small train of 8 wagons and traveled to Council Bluffs. Leaving there on July 1, they followed the route of so many others, arriving in Salt Lake City, September 11, 1853. He married Sarah Ann Atkinson on November 10, 1853. They settled in Bountiful.
Marriner found 100 acres of land which was claimed by a Brother Hogan who already had considerable land. He refused to sell the land the matter eventually ended up in Brigham Young's hands. He sided with Marriner and Brother Hogan gave up the land. Marriner then gave 33 acres to his father-in-law and 33 acres to an old Danish brother. Marriner said when Brigham Young heard what he had done, "He blessed me and promised me that I should prosper and be blessed of the Lord, which has been verified."
The grasshoppers came in 1855 and ate much of the grain. Marriner worked in the canyon getting lumber to trade for flour. Not finding any purchasers, he finally took the lumber to Brother Daniel Wells, then Superintendent of Public Works. Remarkably, he obtained 500 pounds of flour which he took home and shared with many in need. Before the next crop came in, they were in dire need again. One day a poor Danish or Swedish brother came along and asked for some bread to eat. Sarah Ann gave him some bread from their meager supply and some milk. He blessed it in his tongue. Marriner was home at the time and felt a spirit of peace in their home, and their flour never ran out. Marriner had many such experiences during his lifetime.
The family eventually ended up in Richmond, Utah. Marriner had eight wives (with a home for each) and 46 children. One home, the South farm at Caine's Corner, had a secret hide-away under the stairs where Marriner would hide from the "Feds" when they came looking. There was also an organ that he brought from St. Louis in the home. This home was severely damaged in the earthquake in the 1960's and has been torn down.
Marriner served for some time as a stake president, temple president and apostle. He organized a co-op in Richmond and supervised the building of the railroad through the valley. One interesting fact about his nature is that he decided what profession each of his boys would enter, sometimes in spite of their wishes.
His daughter said of him, "Father was always kind and affectionate, yet when he spoke, his word was regarded as law by his family, and his children did not question his wisdom or authority. He was a wonderful provider and the families had plenty, but he insisted we not be wasteful. His wife, Sophia, speaks of him as being very considerate and kind to the poor, giving them work that they might be able to support themselves. |