William Merrell 1730ish-1782ish

Born about 1730 in Hopewell to Penelope Stout and William Merrell
Married Mary Cornell 16 September 1750 in Hopewell
William-Benjamin-Eli-Charles-Charles William-Fenly-Clifford
Died in about 1782 or 1783 in North Carolina

This website writes about William:

William Merrill was extremely active , along with other Merrills, in persecuting the pacifists and Tories, and entering upon and taking away their lands. William was the first Coroner of Randolph County, in March 1779, when the county was organized. In March 1780, he was qualified as a Justice of the Peace in Randolph County. At the December 1781 Term of Court, the Estate of William Merrill was probated, and his son, Benjamin, named administrator, bonded by Edward Sharp and Thomas Dougan. This was the first session of the Court following Cornwallis' invasion of North Carolina and the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, 20 miles distance from the Uwharrie. Inasmuch as William Merrill was a Militia Captain, and both of the bondsmen for his Estate were field officers in North Carolina Militia, historians have surmised that he was killed either in guerrilla action or was among those nameless North Carolina Militia killed at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse (March 1781). Whatever, William Merrill is regarded as a patriot, descendants being certifiable for the DAR.

Family tradition says that William was carried off my the British and presumably hanged near the end of the Revolutionary War, but he also might have been killed in battle or guerilla action during the war.

William was born in Hopewell and he and Mary moved in North Carolina in the 1750s with other relatives.