MERRILL, Thomas Abbot, clergyman, born in Andover, Massachusetts, 18 January, 1780; died in Middlebury, Vermont, 25 April, 1855. He was graduated at Dartmouth in 1801, taught for two years in Hanover, New Hampshire, and in August, 1803, was chosen tutor in Dartmouth. The following year he accepted the senior tutorship in Middlebury college. As he had meantime studied theology, he was licensed to preach in January, and ordained in December, 1805, having received a call to fill the vacant pulpit of the Congregational church at Middlebury, where he remained till 1842. He took an active part in the organization of the Vermont domestic missionary society, of which he was chosen secretary, holding the office until 1821, when he declined a re-election. He was also a founder of the Vermont peace society in 1837, and president of the Peace convention in 1853. He was nine times moderator of the Congregational general convention, and in 1810 was appointed register of that body. After he left his pastorate he served two years as treasurer of Middlebury college, and supplied the pulpit of the church at Weybridge until 1854. In 1837 he received the degree of D. D. from Middleburv. He published "An Election Sermon" (1806); "A Sermon before the Domestic Missionary Society" (1833); and "A History of Middlebury, Vermont" (1841).