Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1859-05-13
From the Vermont Watchman.
DEATH OF HON. +. F. MERRILL.

At ten o'clock, on Monday last, this COM
munity was shocked by the announcement OF
the death of one of its best and most useful
citizens-the Hon. FERRAND FAssETT MER-
RILL. lie had been unwell for time, but
not so much so as to interrupt his usual avo-
cations. Indeed, on Monday morning, he
felt better than he had done for some time,
and went to his Office to enter upon the du-
tics of the day, with new hopes, inspired by
an arrangement with gentleman who was,
on that day, to unite with him in profession
al business. MIR. Merrill was there seized
with severe pain in the region Of the heart,
and Immediately walked to his house and
summoned physicians. DR.. Richardson was
quickly at hand, and was in the act OF ad-
ministering relief, when Mr.. Merrill fell into
his arms and in an instant died.
He Was the oldest son Of the late Hon. Tim
othy Merrill, and born in Montpelier on the
Gath day of October, 1914. At a very early
age ho established firm religious character
that was maintained through life, and with
this swere united manliness beyond his years,
and a modesty rare in persons of equal ac-
c,mplishments. He was prudent, nay eau
tious almost to fault, az respected others,
but not for himself. He was also made ia
miliar in boyhood with public duties, as an
assistant to his father in his professional
business, and as Clerk OF the House of Rep
resentatives and Secretary Of State. Thus was
he prepared, before the ordinary time, for the
responsibilities Of active life, and Providence
had ordained for him an early entrance upon
them. He was Immediately the successor Of
his father in the family, in his profession, and
in all his high places. At the age OF %, the
burden of his fathers business fell upon him
being the Oldest son; at "a, he was elected
Clerk Of the House Of Representatives,, to
which Office he received eleven successive
elections, until the year ls4o. when he wa,
elected Secretary Of State; and that Office he
held until 1853. In these Offices, and as
Register Of Probate, States Attorney and
Representative of the town, there has hardly
b,en year from his youth that he has moi
been engaged in public service and we need
not say that no man ever performed the du
ties assigned to him more successfully or sa-
tisfactoriiy. His qualifications for of6cia
life were admirable, his character unspotted
and the confidence awarded to him perfect
His reputation as lawyer was high, anC
he had qualities so well fitting him for tn,
bench that he was marked for high position
there, TO which, or to other most honorable
and responsible stations, he well might hav
attained, had life been spared. To his family
in which he was faultless, to the church, O
which he was an efficient of6cer,- the sab
bath school, Of which he was superintendent
Ito the Union School, in which he wa
J earnestly engaged,-to the town, to whicl
he might deservedly be ranked as "father
! guide and friend, and to the County an
State, his death is a great loss. A goo
! man has fallen, and we know not where :
} look for one to 6ll his place as worthily a
! he filed 1t.
) An examination of the body indicated n
: signs Of disease, except a suffusion of bloc
| upon the brain and erySipelas In ous hant