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"The
picture of John Merrifield (seen on this
site's homepage), pioneer settler of Oak
Cliff was taken from a tintype in possession
of his grandson in Fort Worth Merrifield settled
in what is now Western Oak Cliff in the late
1840's. He was one of the first settlers to
cross the Trinity River and built a home in
what is now Oak Cliff. The old log house he
built still stands on Hampton Road.
Removing the grass from an overturned monument,
one discovers the name: "John Merrifield,
born December 29, 1792; died July 21,
1873. Also, "Elizabeth, wife of John Merrifield,
born October 30, 1802; died September 16,
1889."
This
pioneer, the grandfather of present Merrifields,
came to Texas in 1853 from Bloomfield, Kentucky.
He lived on Hampton Road and dropped dead
at the age of 83 in front of the old cottage.
The
study Texas spirit and the genial hospitality
of the earlier days is shown by present-day
Merrifields, among whom are T.A. Merrifield,
420 Hampton Road; his brother, William J.
Merrifield, 925 Sunset. Willialm J.
Merrifield has a son, J.J. Merrifield, now
residing in Fort Worth; another son, C.B.
Merrifield, deceased, and a sister, Mrs. Lizzie
Merrifield Freeman (see photo on previous
page).
According
to William J. Merrifield (see photo on
previous page), at the time his grandfather,
John, lived on Hampton
Road, the locality not far from the old graveyard
was known as the French Colony. He said that
the settlers in those days farmed and raised
chickens for a livelihood. They also attended
dances or balls in the evenings which were
given at different places in the neighborhood.
Another form of amusement at that time was
a "social. In these early activities and amusements,
the pioneer Merrifields played an active part.
"
[Note
to the above: Elizabeth Merrifield died in
1869. C.B. Merrifield was not the son of William
J. Merrifield but his brother.]
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