Henry Fletcher Merwin, civil war veteran and farmer, served as First Selectman of Woodbridge, CT from 1880 to 1883 before relocating with his family to Beaver City, Nebraska (where he served as mayor). - pg 20, Woodbridge History
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From the Table Rock (Nebraska) Historical Society:
According to military records, Henry F. Merwin was a member of Company A of the 10th Connecticut Infantry, going in as a private and coming out a corporal. A February 17, 1927 obituary in the Table Rock Argus, a village where Mr. Merwin had lived relates a battle story: “On December 14, 1862, at Kingston, S.C., a division of union soldiers was exposed to a withering cross-fire from the Confederates. Some were retreating but the 10th Connecticut stood fast and held their ground. “Three men in Corporal Merwin’s squad had fallen wounded when he was struck by a rebel bullet. "When he had left for the front his stepmother had given him a miniature bible, which he carried under his belt buckle. He had just reached to his belt for another cartridge when a rifle ball struck his hand, cutting off two fingers, and then struck his belt buckle, penetrated the little bible, and glanced off through his clothing without entering his body. To the little bible he carried, Mr. Merwin always attributed the saving of his life. “However, the battle of Kingston did not finish for Corporal Merwin until he finished the final roll call from the Supreme Commander, on February 6, 1927. Handicapped through life by the mangled hand, he suffered intensely his last years from a catarrh [infection] that developed around the old wound, causing pain which he bore stoically. “When his wound had sufficiently healed he was detailed to recruiting service and sent to New Haven, CT, where he met Lucie Blakeslee, and this meeting resulted in their marriage on March 20, 1864. "Two children, Fletcher and Mary were born to them. Mary preceded her father a few weeks to the other world. The son is editor of the Beaver City Tribune. "The bride of those stirring war days survives her husband,” The Merwins had moved to Table Rock in 1882. The obituary does not say when they left but does speak well of them: “During their residence in Table Rock the Merwin family made many friends among the citizens of the little city and some of these friendships have continued through all the intervening years. Mr. Merwin was a fine type of citizen, brave in support of his country, loyal to his friends, faithful in all the duties of husband and father, and earnest and true in his religious obligations.



Henry Fletcher Merwin
BIRTH
18 Jan 1838
Woodbridge, New Haven County, Connecticut, USA
DEATH
6 Feb 1927 (aged 89)
Beaver City, Furnas County, Nebraska, USA
BURIAL
Mount Hope Cemetery
Beaver City, Furnas County, Nebraska, USA Add to Map
MEMORIAL ID
14788457 · View Source
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PHOTOS 6

FLOWERS 3



Family Members
Spouse

Lucy Blakeslee Merwin
1838–1930



Children

John Howard Merwin
1865–1877




Fletcher Newton Merwin
1869–1942