From Proud Heritage, Vol. 1 by DCPA, not currently in print.
John “Jack” Merrifield born 1792, fought at the battle of the “Cotton Bales” at New Orleans. He served twice during the War of 1812, once for a friend. He returned to Kentucky and married (his first wife) in 1816 Sally Welsh born 1800 in Kentucky. She was the daughter of John and Sarah Welsh. While still in Kentucky, they had Milton, Fieldon, William, John Welsh, Sarah, Samuel, Jefferson, and Rachel born 1832. In August 1833, John’s wife, Sally and daughter Sarah, age 7, both died in a cholera epidemic.
On 20 April 1834 John “Jack” Merrifield married (his second wife) Miss Mary Elizabeth Foreman, daughter of Thomas and Katherine Foreman. All of their children were born in Kentucky: Thomas Alexander was born and died in June 1835; Susan Amanda born July 1836; twins, Joseph Foreman and Katherine Foreman born April 1840; and Benjamin Franklin born February 1843.
John “Jack” Merrifield’s sons by his front wife Milton, William, Samuel and Jefferson came to Texas “to spy out the land”. In the history of Cedar Hill, Texas it was reported to about 1847. The date of John’s first deed was February, 1851. It was for a half section already improved and subject to foreclosure. The northwest corner of the property is at what is now Hampton and Jefferson in Oak Cliff. A triangular plot 54.9 feet along Hampton and running back 229.6 feet east along Jefferson contains the Merrifield Cemetery. The original property contained Sunset High School and ran south on Hampton to Clarendon. He enlarged the two-room log house (already on the property when he bought) to accommodate his large family. He built a third room and lined the walls with cedar panels from lumber brought in from the Texas coast. It had a large fireplace, and there was a good well just south of the house. The building in later years rang with the laughter of youth; Boy Scouts used it for their boisterous meetings just a few years before it was condemned and torn down.
