I have a copy of the 1830 & 1840 Lawrence Co. AR Census, reproduced from Microfilm and many tax record books. There is no James Merritt (or other Merritt) found in the 1830 Lawrence County AR Census. The 1840 lists a Silas Merritt in Lebanon Twp, Lawrence Co. AR Male betw 20-30, female betw 20-30 and one child under 5.  This is the only Merritt listed for 1940. In the 1840 Randolph Co. AR, Dumand/Demand (Demun) Twp. census there is a James Merrell listed.  One male under 5, one male 5-10, one male 20-30; one female uner 5, one female 5-10 and one female 20-30. A James Merrl is in the Demun Twp. 1840 Randolph Co. AR Personal Property tax record and there is a James Merrel shown in the 1841 Randolph Co. AR Personal Property Tax records in Demun Twp. He is also shown as James Merrel in the 1842 Demun Personal Property Tax List. This person is listed as a slave holder and owning horses and mares. Is it possible the name was misspelled? There is a James Marridery in 1833 in Cache & Languil Twp. Tax role listing for Lawrence Co. There is James Merriday on the 1834 Territorial and County Tax role in Cache & Languil Townships listing for Lawrence Co, also. There is a note saying the name is spelled differently in different years. Good Luck, Gava

Gava, Thanks for the help. The correct spelling of the name is MARIOTT but may also be spelled MERIT.. Trying to find a needle in a haystack! Thanks for the help! Lanita I'm always late. My ancestors arrived on the JUNE flower.