Orsamus Cook Merrill | |
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Member of the United States House of Representatives from Vermont's 1st district |
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In office March 4, 1817 – January 12, 1820 |
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Preceded by | Daniel Chipman |
Succeeded by | Rollin Carolas Mallary |
Member of the Vermont House of Representatives | |
In office 1822–1823 1841–1847 |
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Personal details | |
Born |
Farmington, Connecticut, U.S. |
June 18, 1775
Died | April 12, 1865 Bennington, Vermont, U.S. |
(aged 89)
Political party | Democratic-Republican Party |
Profession | Politician, Lawyer, Judge |
Religion | Congregationalist |
Orsamus Cook Merrill (June 18, 1775 – April 12, 1865) was a U.S. Representative from Vermont.
Merrill was born in Farmington, Connecticut to James and Jerusha Seymour Merrill. He completed his preparatory studies in Farmington, and moved to Bennington, Vermont in 1791 where he was an apprentice to a printer. He was an editor or publisher of several newspapers, including the "Vermont Gazette" and the "Tablet of the Times" in Bennington, and the "Berkshire Gazette" in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
He later studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1805, and practiced in Bennington.
From 1809 to 1812 he was Postmaster of Bennington.
In the early 1800s he also served as Engrossing Clerk of the Vermont House of Representatives.
He served in upstate New York and Vermont during the War of 1812 as a Major of the 11th Infantry Regiment, and a Lieutenant Colonel in the 26th Infantry and 11th Infantry.
When Merrill received promotion to lieutenant colonel in the 26th Infantry, his replacement as major in the 11th was Zachary Taylor, who was promoted from captain in the 7th Infantry.