Baptist History, Heritage & Distinctives – Daniel Merrill from Protestant to Baptist – PART ONE

Thomas E Kresal Admin · 1 hr May 4, 2020

Baptist History, Heritage & Distinctives – Daniel Merrill from Protestant to Baptist – PART ONE

Daniel Merrill, the son of Thomas and Sarah Merrill, was born March 18, 1765 in Rowley Massachusetts. He was converted at the age of thirteen and early received impressions that he should become a minister of the Gospel. In January of 1781, Merrill became a soldier in the War for American Independence and served until the close of the conflict in 1783. He subsequently gave his attention to preparing for the noble cause to which he would devote the remainder of his life. He spent over six years studying for the ministry and graduate from Dartmouth College in 1789.

In 1791, Merrill received a license to preach and his first attempt at delivering a message was in the town of Sedgwick. The sermon had a profound effect upon the people. Not only did an immediate revival commence but it endeared the hearts of the people to the young preacher. Merrill travelled as an itinerant for the next eighteen months until finally being ordained as pastor of the Congregational church in Sedgwick in 1790. He was the first settled minister in the town. The first meetinghouse for the church and a house for the Merrill family were erected soon afterwards.

Thomas E. Kresal from: http://www.eggemogginbaptist.org/history/daniel-merrill/