Edwin Atkins Merritt (February 26, 1828 – December 26, 1916) was an American politician, civil service reformer and diplomat. He served as a Union Army officer in the American Civil War, and was a brigadier general in the New York Militia. In addition, he served in the New York State Assembly, and held the appointive post of Collector of the Port of New York.

Edward Atkins Merritt
U.S. Consul General, London, England
In office
1881–1885
Preceded byAdam Badeau
Succeeded byThomas M. Waller
Collector of the Port of New York
In office
1878–1881
Preceded byChester A. Arthur
Succeeded byWilliam H. Robertson
Surveyor of the Port of New York
In office
1877–1878
Preceded byGeorge H. Sharpe
Succeeded byCharles K. Graham
Naval Officer for the Port of New York
In office
1869–1870
Preceded byJohn Adams Dix
Succeeded byMoses H. Grinnell
Member of the New York State Assembly from the St. Lawrence County, 2nd District
In office
1860–1861
Preceded byWilliam Briggs
Succeeded byJames Redington
Clerk of the St. Lawrence County Board of Supervisors
In office
1857–1861
Preceded byMartin Thatcher
Succeeded byStillman Foote
Town Supervisor of Pierrepont, New York
In office
1854–1857
Preceded byPeter F. Ryerson
Succeeded byBenjamin F. Hamilton
Personal details
Born(1828-02-26)February 26, 1828
Sudbury, Vermont, US
DiedDecember 26, 1916(1916-12-26) (aged 88)
Potsdam, New York, US
Resting placePierrepont Hill Cemetery, Pierrepont, New York
Political partyRepublican
SpouseEliza Rich (m. 1858)
RelationsEdwin Albert Merritt (son)
OccupationTeacher
Surveyor
Engineer
Public official
Military service
Branch/serviceUnion Army
New York Militia
Years of service1861–1864 (Army)
1865-1869 (Militia)
RankCaptain (Army)
Brigadier general (Militia)
Battles/warsAmerican Civil War

Life

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Edwin A. Merritt was born in Sudbury, Vermont, on February 26, 1828, the son of Nodiah Merritt and Relief (Parker) Merritt. He was raised and educated in Essex County, New York, and attended St. Lawrence Academy to receive his teaching qualification. In addition to teaching, Merritt also worked as a surveyor and engineer.

From 1854 to 1857, Merritt was Town Supervisor of Pierrepont, New York. From 1857 to 1861 he was Clerk of the St. Lawrence County Board of Supervisors. He was a member of the New York State Assembly (St. Lawrence Co., 2nd D.) in 1860 and 1861.

During the American Civil War he served in the Union Army as quartermaster of the 60th New York Volunteer Infantry with the rank of captain, and took part in campaigns in Virginia, Maryland and Tennessee. He was later stationed in Washington, D.C., and assigned to supply reinforcements departing for the front lines. In January 1865 he was appointed Quartermaster General of the New York Militia with the rank of brigadier general, a position he held until 1869.

In April 1865, Merritt was New York's official representative at the second inauguration of Abraham Lincoln. He was a delegate to the 1867 state constitutional convention, and from 1869 to 1870 he was U.S. Naval Officer for the Port of New York, one of the three political appointees (collector, surveyor, and naval officer) who collected customs duties and fined importers who attempted to evade payment.

In 1871, he declined appointment as U.S. Minister to Brazil. In 1875 he ran on the Republican ticket for New York State Treasurer, but was defeated by Democrat Charles N. Ross. In 1877, Merritt was appointed Surveyor of the Port of New York, and in 1878 he was selected to serve as Collector, succeeding Chester A. Arthur. He served until 1881, when he was appointed U.S. Consul General in London, where he served until 1885.

Long interested in higher education, Merritt was a trustee of St. Lawrence University and Clarkson University, and was active in the creation of what is now the State University of New York at Potsdam. Merritt died in Potsdam, New York, on December 26, 1916. He was buried at Pierrepont Hill Cemetery in Pierrepont.

Family

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In 1858, Merritt married Eliza Rich of Pierrepont. Their son Edwin Albert Merritt was a Congressman from New York.

References

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  • "General Edwin A. Merritt" (PDF). New York Times. December 27, 1916. Retrieved November 21, 2010.
  • "Index to Politicians: Merritt". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved November 21, 2010.
Government offices
Preceded by Collector of the Port of New York
1878–1881
Succeeded by