Dates
-
Existence: October 12, 1862
-
December 22, 1925
Biographical / Historical
Joseph Hansell Merrill served as one of the founding Trustees of South Georgia State Normal College in Valdosta GA. 1922, the school became Georgia State Woman's College. 1950 the school became Valdosta State College. 1993 the school became Valdosta State University
Joseph Hansell Merrill served as the President of the Georgia Bar Assoction in 1909.
Law partner to Charles Paine Hansell. Possible 2nd cousin of Charles Paine Hansell through great grandfather Augustine Harris.
Biography from The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography Volume XVII (pages 14-15):
MERRILL, Joseph Hansell, lawyer, was born at Thomasville, Ga., October 12, 1862, son of Joseph Styles and Anne (Hall) Merrill. His earliest paternal American ancestor was Nathaniel Merrill, who came from England in 1633 and settled at Ipswich, Mass. His wife was Joanna Kinney, and from them the line of descent is traced through their son Abel and his wife Priscilla Chase; their son Abel and his wife Abigail M. Stevens; their son Abel and his first wife Ruth Kellog; their son Stevens and his wife Mary Noyes; their son Joseph and his wife Sarah Capp, to their son Lemuel Merrill and his wife Eliza Barker, who were the grandparents of Joseph Hansell Merrill. Joseph Styles Merrill, father of our subject and a graduate of Oglethorpe University, was farmer, merchant, and ordinary of Thomas county, Ga. Joseph Hansell Merrill received his preliminary education at Fletcher Institute, Thomasville, where he won a scholarship to the State University. He was graduated at the University of Georgia with distinction in 1880. He studied law at Thomasville under Arthur Patten; was admitted to the bar of Georgia in 1884, and in that year began the practice of his profession at Thomasville as a partner of his preceptor under the firm style of Patten & Merrill, which relation continued three years. During 1887-99 he was the partner of Chas. P. Hansell, under the firm style of Hansell & Merrill. From 1899 to 1915 he practised alone. Since 1915 he has been of the firm of Merrill & Grantham, with Charles Pinckney Grantham. He represents various corporations including railroad companies, and other business interests, largely by yearly contracts, and is rated an authority on land titles, devoting much of his time to this work as a specialty. He was referee in bankruptcy during 1904-08, and judge of the superior courts of the Southern circuit of Georgia in 1910. Of thirteen cases tried by him taken to the Supreme court, eleven were affirmed; two reversed. He has never sought political office, and only accepted the offices above mentioned at the earnest request of the appointing power. His service on the bench elicited much favorable comment from the press. He was called an ideal presiding officer, whose rulings were characterized by sound legal knowledge and understanding, and excellent judgment. Aside from his professional activities he is president of the Thomasville Real Estate & Improvement Co.; vice-president and attorney Citizens Banking & Trust Co., and a director in various other commercial, industrial or financial institutions. He is one of the three Georgia members of the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws, 1912-19; member of its executive and legislative committees, and is frequently called on to preside over its deliberations in committee of the whole, and he is Georgia member of the general council American Bar Association; past president (1908-09) Georgia State Bar Association, and president of Thomas County Bar Association, past president Thomasville Public Library Association, and Thomasville Young Men’s Christian Association. Politically he is a Democrat, and he is a communicant of the Episcopal church, and has taught a Bible class for thirty years. He was a speaker in various drives for war work during 1917-18 in Georgia and Florida, and he was alumnus orator at the University of Georgia commencement in 1902. A paper by him for the Georgia Bar Association in 1901, “The Book in the Lawyer’s Library,” was widely published and attracted much favorable comment from members of the bar throughout the country. He finds his chief recreation in golf and horseback riding. He was married (1) at Thomasville, Ga., Dec. 30, 1885, to Mattie C., daughter of John G. Pittman, a real estate operator of Thomasville; She died in 1888, and he was married (2) at Thomasville, Nov. 12, 1890, to Blanche, daughter of Hiram R. Tarwater, a merchant of Louisville, Ky. He has one surviving child of the second marriage; Katherine, now Mrs. John Pasco, Monticello, Fla.
Found in 24 Collections and/or Records:
File
Collection number: 1
Scope and Contents
Made available in DSpace on 2024-08-20T19:07:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1
ca003-002_1978-32_0001-0020.pdf: 6465159 bytes, checksum: B5CA3CDC6AC3A24D307B231C7CC20916 (MD5)
Previous issue date: 1800
Dates:
1862 - 1928
File
Collection number: 2
Scope and Contents
1. ca003_001_f002_1978.32.0021_land-notes_c1800-1900 - Brief Description: A series of pages with handwriting that lists and describes transactions of lots between several people, one of the lists being written on the back of a law office's paper. Some of the pages have a watermark reading "Cotton States Bond" or "Long Fibre Bond". - Names: F. Williams; Juo Dobson; W. M. F. Vaughn; Patrick Vaughn; James Vaughn; Jac Harrison; D. F. Harrison; Jas. Vaughn; David Vaughn; Mary Vaugh; Alex Vaughn;...
Dates:
Majority of material found within 1894-1925
File
Collection number: 3
Scope and Contents
1. ca003_001_f003_1978.32.0031_attorney-letters_1926 - Brief Description: A series of letters written by Frank Goseer to an attorney, Mr. Louis Moore discussing the fact his family is making a deed for land and trading it with someone else. He writes on the behalf of his father, even apologizing for him. - Names: Mr. Louis Moore; J. B. Rountree; John Goseer; Frank Goseer; W. M. Edwards - Places: Albany (Ga.); Thomasville (Ga.); Thomas Co. (Ga.); Brooks Co. (Ga.) - Dates: 8/25/1926;...
Dates:
Majority of material found within 1889-1926
File
Collection number: 4
Scope and Contents
1. ca003_001_f004_1978.32.0036_records_c1870 - Brief Description: Multiple pages of handwritten note, names, and records of financial transactions. This seems to be paperwork of records about Milton C. Smith to Honor A. H. Hansell who was the judge of the Superior Court in Thomas County. There are many sections of things the orator should focus on or go over within the case. The major part of the document is signed off by J. L. Senard and J. R. Alexander, attorneys on the case. - Notes: The...
Dates:
Majority of material found within 1861-1907
File
Collection number: 5
Scope and Contents
1. ca003_001_f005_1978.32.0042_formal-transaction-forms_c1870-1910 - Brief Description: Multiple pages of small forms varying from execution papers to telegram forms. They are kept together as they contain either details of a financial or property transaction. - Notes: Some pages like the telegram form and ripped ledger page are less detailed and might not completely relate to the financial or property transactions noted.2....
Dates:
Majority of material found within 1869-1925
File
Collection number: 6
Scope and Contents
1. ca003_001_f006_1978.32.0051_insurance-notes_c1850-1900 - Brief Description: Slips of paper with headers of the Home Insurance Company in New York. There are locations and amounts listed along with some names. - Notes: There are no specified dates, so a general window was put.2. ca003_001_f006_1978.32.0052_insurance-notes_c1850-1900 - Brief Description: A slip of paper with the header of the North British & Mercantile Insurance Company of London and Edinburgh. There are...
Dates:
1862 - 1928
File
Collection number: 7
Scope and Contents
1. ca003_001_f007_1978.32.0061_notes_c1880-1883 - Brief Description: A small group of notes on the backs of pieces of paper. The notes contain names and dates. They are very shorthand so it is difficult to know what the purpose of the notes are.2. ca003_001_f007_1978.32.0062_insurance-notes_c1890 - Brief Description: A series of notes written on small slips of paper with the Home Insurance Company of New York title in the header. Additionally, there is a piece of a page with the...
Dates:
Issued: 2024
File
Collection number: 8
Scope and Contents
1. ca003_001_f008_1978.32.0072_notice-note_1921 - Brief Description: A small piece of paper indicating of a 30 days notice to W. H. Platt and Gaudy Realty Co. The note was written on the back of form to Dr. Jaes W. Groover, clerk of the Thomas County Superior Court.2. ca003_001_f008_1978.32.0073_lot-notes_c1860-1880 - Brief Description: Some miscellaneous lot notes on the inside of a ripped envelope. There are names, locations, and land sizes. These may be notes of a transaction....
Dates:
Majority of material found within 1898-1926
File
Collection number: 9
Scope and Contents
Merrill Papers, Documents 1978.32.0086-1978.32-0091. Community Archives: Thomasville His/ory Center – Merrill Papers. Series 2, Box 1978-32. Folder 9. Items 86-91.1. Typed Letter from Louis Moore to Horace Field regarding the reciept and review of title abstract documents and deeds.2. Several pages of handwritten title abstracts and notes.3. Handwritten title abstract(s) on Office of Clerk of Superior Court Thomas County Georgia paper. Oscar Groover,...
Dates:
Majority of material found within 1853-1927
File
Collection number: 10
Scope and Contents
Merrill Papers, Documents 1978.32.0092-1978.32-0102. Community Archives: Thomasville History Center – Merrill Papers. Series 2, Box 1978-32. Folder 10. Items 92-102. Valdosta State University Archives and Special Collections. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10428/72711. Abstract of Title for 1159 acres of land in 18th district of Thomas County. Paper is issues by F.E. Burke, Successor at First National Bank, Americus, GA. Document made for Henry M. Sapp. Page 3 of PDF...
Dates:
Majority of material found within 1829-1932
File
Collection number: 12
Scope and Contents
Merrill Papers, Documents 1978.32.0106-1978.32-0113. Community Archives: Thomasville History Center – Merrill Papers. Series 2, Box 1978-32. Folder 12. Items 106-113. Valdosta State University Archives and Special Collections.1. Typed document that appears to be related to land transactions. Multiple entries indicate that it is from the Dower Estate of Mrs. Charlotte Dixon. Names: Mary E. and James E. Dyson, Haywood B. Ainsworth, John B.F. Dixon, W.M. Linson, H.B. Ainsworth,...
Dates:
November 9, 1879; 1903
File
Collection number: 13
Scope and Contents
Merrill Papers, Documents 1978.32.0114-1978.32-0116. Community Archives: Thomasville History Center – Merrill Papers. Series 2, Box 1978-32. Folder 13. Items 114-116. Valdosta State University Archives and Special Collections.1. Claim Affidavit for Colquitt County Georgia regarding lots 336 and 348. Handwriting mostly illegible. Signed by J.P. Williams 2. Blank Replevy Bond form with sideways handwritte notes mostly illegible.3. Claim Affidavit for...
Dates:
Majority of material found within 1868-1932
File
Collection number: 14
Scope and Contents
Merrill Papers, Documents 1978.32.0117-1978.32-0125. Community Archives: Thomasville History Center – Merrill Papers. Series 2, Box 1978-32. Folder 14. Items 117-125. Valdosta State University Archives and Special Collections.1. Handwritten documentation regarding the open sale of lots of land. Typed transcription of this document starts on page 8 of PDF.2. Handwritten Abstract of Title that accompanies the case from the handwritten documentation from note 1....
Dates:
Majority of material found within 1882-1932
File
Collection number: 15
Scope and Contents
Merrill Papers, Documents 1978.32.0126-1978.32-0131. Community Archives: Thomasville History Center – Merrill Papers. Series 2, Box 1978-32. Folder 15. Items 126-131. Valdosta State University Archives and Special Collections. https://hdl.handle.net/10428/72851. County Court FI FA. State of Georgia official document to the sheriff to recover judgement. Names: J.D. Carroll, James Mckinnon guardian of J.D. Carroll (illegible hyphenated name) Dates 3/13/18992....
Dates:
Majority of material found within 1888-1930
File
Collection number: 16
Scope and Contents
Merrill Papers, Documents 1978.32.0132-1978.32-0143. Community Archives: Thomasville History Center – Merrill Papers. Series 2, Box 1978-32. Folder 16. Items 132-143. Valdosta State University Archives and Special Collections.1. Drawing of plot of land. Names: Lula Clark. Dates: 11/12/1910. Notes continue sideways on Dr. Oscar Groover Clerk Superior Court Thomas County letterhead2. Several pages of handwritten notes about deed and land transactions. Some pages...
Dates:
Issued: 2024
File
Collection number: 17
Scope and Contents
Merrill Papers, Documents 1978.32.0144-1978.32-0155. Community Archives: Thomasville History Center – Merrill Papers. Series 2, Box 1978-32. Folder 17. Items 144-155. Valdosta State University Archives and Special Collections.1. Multiple pages of handwritten notes containing names and dates. Written on letterhead for Office of MacIntyre & MacIntyre Attorneys At Law. 2. Multiple slips of paper with handwritten notes. Includes names and dates. difficult to read....
Dates:
Issued: 2024
File
Collection number: 18
Scope and Contents
Merrill Papers, Documents 1978.32.0156-1978.32-0162. Community Archives: Thomasville History Center – Merrill Papers. Series 2, Box 1978-32. Folder 18. Items 156-162. Valdosta State University Archives and Special Collections.1. Handwritten notes of land transaction. Names: Cook to C.P. McRae. Dated 10/23/1899, 4/28/19132. Several pages of handwritten notes on land transactions. Names: Clement (illegible), John and Elizabeth (last name illegible), John T....
Dates:
Issued: 2024
File
Collection number: 19
Scope and Contents
Merrill Papers, Documents 1978.32.0163-1978.32-0168. Community Archives: Thomasville History Center – Merrill Papers. Series 2, Box 1978-32. Folder 19. Items 163-168. Valdosta State University Archives and Special Collections.1. The Phoenix Insurance Company of Hartford Connecticut policy pamphlet documents for Joshua Corroll (Carroll). Policy number 250 expiration dated December 1901. Policy documents show effective date of 12/20/1900.2. Citizens and Southern...
Dates:
Majority of material found within 1891-1925
File
Collection number: 20
Scope and Contents
Merrill Papers, Documents 1978.32.0169-1978.32-0181. Community Archives: Thomasville History Center – Merrill Papers. Series 2, Box 1978-32. Folder 20. Items 169-181. Valdosta State University Archives and Special Collections.1. Handwritten letter of indenture between William W. Oliver and the State of Georgia (Screven County) dated 1/3/1825. Likely a land transaction. Lot number 251 in the 23rd district of Early County. Describes a balance of $237.50 that must be paid prior to...
Dates:
Issued: 2024
File
Collection number: 30
Scope and Contents
. Merrill Papers, Documents 1978.32.0316-1978.32-0319. Community Archives: Thomasville History Center – Merrill Papers. Series 2, Box 1978-32. Folder 30. Items 316-319. Valdosta State University Archives and Special Collections.1. Portion of a Title Abstract starting with item 4. Names: Henry R. Milton, Chas. E. Groover, Malachi Groover, T. McAuley, Richard Ramsey, B.F. Linton, Wm. P. Clower, J.M. Raysor, R. Ramsey, David S. Brandon, E.R. Young, R.H. Harris, W.J. MacIntyre,...
Dates:
Issued: 2024