Hi, I just joined this list. Our Merritts are from Putnam Co., NY and vicinity (Dutchess Co., NY, Fairfield Co., CT). G-grandparents (in-law): Genevieve V. Merritt (6/15/1866, Brewster - 10/31/1955, Danbury) & Frank Sherwood; married in Patterson, NY Genevieve was also married later to Horatio McCann & William A. Birdsall. Genevieve's parents were James H. Merritt (2/2/1843 - 6/13/1878) - I think - and Anna Elizabeth Cottrell (12/24/1844, Patterson - aft 1899). I suspect James Merritt was a son of Cornbury Merritt (b. 1812 per 1850 census of Patterson) and Hanah (b. 1807). There was another James Merritt, only 2 years older, who was a son of Joseph Merritt, and was living right next door to the mother of the above Anna Cottrell in the 1860 Patterson census. I don't know of a relationship between Joseph and Cornbury, but there has to be a pretty close one. The name Cornbury (Cornby, Craneberry, etc) is unusual, and seems likely to derive from Tamer Cornbury, supposedly wife of William Merritt (1712, Westchester - 1807 Dutchess). Other Merritts in the Patterson vicinity at the time include Gilbert, Elisha, Amos, Caleb and Henry, along with various Williams. Is anyone else researching these families? Thank you. Glen Shelton River Ridge, Louisiana