Merkley, Henry

  • From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: See full biography at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Merkley
  • Wiki Biography:
    • Henry Merkley (1756–1836) was a farmer and political figure in Upper Canada. He represented Dundas in the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada from 1808 to 1812.
    • He was born in the Thirteen Colonies, the son of Christopher Merkley, of German descent, and served in the King’s Royal Regiment of New York. After the American Revolution, Merkley came to Montreal and later settled in Williamsburgh Township. He was a Major in the Dundas County Militia during the War of 1812, later reaching the rank of lieutenant-colonel. Merkley was present at the Battle of Crysler’s Farm.
  • Excerpts from: MY U.E.L. ANCESTOR. HENRY MERKLEY (1754-1836) by Audrey Merkley Bailey, UE , Cataraqui Loyalist Town Crier 
    • At the close of hostilities, Henry’s name appears on the Muster Roll, KRRNY, 1st Battalion dated Montreal, 31 December, 1783. On June 20, 1784, he was among those Loyalists who landed on the banks of the St. Lawrence River at New Johnstown (Cornwall). He and his brothers Jacob and Michael were granted lots along the river in what is now the village of Morrisburg (Williamsburg Township, Concession 1, Lots 30 and 32).
    • Henry is listed as a lieutenant in the Dundas Militia in 1803. He served as a field officer during the war of 1812 and fought at the battle of Crysler’s Farm, attaining the rank of Major.
    • Henry represented the County of Dundas in the Fourth Parliament of Upper Canada (1804-12).
    • At the time of the flooding for the St. Lawrence Seaway, many gravestones of the Loyalists, including that of Henry Merkley, were embedded in the wall of the Loyalist Memorial Cemetery at Upper Canada Village.
  • United Empire Loyalist listed in Loyalist Directory: https://uelac.ca/loyalist-directory/detail/?wpda_search_column_id=5795
  • Find A Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/181491006/henry-merkley