Born 2 December 1752 in Hopewell, New Jersey, to Mary Cornell and William Merrell
Married Penelope Merrell 4 February 1778 in North Carolina
Benjamin-Eli-Charles-Charles William-Fenly-Clifford
Died 10 May 1836 in North Carolina
Buried in Buncombe
Benjamin was born in Hopewell Township a few years before his parents, Mary and William, moved to North Carolina where William's brother already lived. Benjamin enlisted in the Continental Army about March or 1776 in Guilford County, North Carolina where he served for about six weeks. Then he moved to South Carolina where he enlisted again in August of 1776. He fought in a battle on 19 September 1776 and was discharged in October and returned to North Carolina.
He returned to North Carolina where he married Penelope Merrell in 1778. He reenlisted in South Carolina a year later in 1779 and fought at the Battle of Brier Creek, then enlisted again in March of 1780 for two months. He served one final time at the end of 1780 for six weeks and then moved to Randolph County, North Carolina. I don't know where Penelope lived during this time.
Benjamin and Penelope lived in Rowan County until 1798 when they moved to Cane Creek in Buncombe County, North Carolina. They had many friends and relatives there and Benjamin was prosperous. He owned 2 slaves in 1810 and had over 1300 acres of land. He was active in his church and the community and encouraged his children to work hard.
Benjamin is also the first cousin of his wife, Penelope, and also Nancy (Anna) Merrell. Anna's daughter, Nancy McCrary, married Penelope and Benjamin's son Eli Merrell.
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