204. Nancy A⁵ VAN GUNDY (David Jr⁴, David Sr³, Peter Sr², Male¹) was born in Madison Co, IL June 29, 1822. Nancy died February 27, 1908 in Macon, Macon Co, IL, at 85 years of age. Her body was interred in Macon Cem, Macon Co, IL.

She married Ellery M MERRIS in Scott Co, IL, March 17, 1842. Ellery was born in Springfield, Sangamon Co, IL March 1, 1823. Ellery died February 27, 1906 in Macon, Macon Co, IL, at 82 years of age. His body was interred in Macon, Macon Co, IL. At 19 years of age Ellery became the father of George W MERRIS in Scott Co, IL, near Naples, February 3, 1843. At 21 years of age Ellery became the father of Asa MERRIS in Scott Co, IL, near Naples, June 12, 1844. At 22 years of age Ellery became the father of David MERRIS March 9, 1845. At 22 years of age Ellery became the father of John\Jonah A MERRIS November 30, 1845. At 25 years of age Ellery became the father of Mary Elizabeth "Mollie" MERRIS March 29, 1848. At 26 years of age Ellery became the father of Sarah J MERRIS July 19, 1849. At 28 years of age Ellery became the father of John N MERRIS April 13, 1851. At 29 years of age Ellery became the father of Female MERRIS January 13, 1853. At 30 years of age Ellery became the father of Martha MERRIS February 3, 1854. At 32 years of age Ellery became the father of Male MERRIS January 6, 1856. At 33 years of age Ellery became the father of Franklin MERRIS February 2, 1857. At 35 years of age Ellery became the father of Julia A MERRIS May 12, 1858. At 37 years of age Ellery became the father of Daniel Albert MERRIS March 15, 1860. At 40 years of age Ellery became the father of Ida M MERRIS December 22, 1863. At 42 years of age Ellery became the father of Male MERRIS March 23, 1865. Ellery was well-to-do and influential and helped his children to be the same. He was a farmer/stockman, raising shorthorn cattle, Berkshire hogs, and sheep. He was a Baptist but attended the Presbyterian church due to the lack of Baptist churches in the area. He supported the Prohibition Party and held several local public offices. Residences and events in his life: 1823-1826 Sangamon Co, Springfield, IL 1826-1842/49 Scott Co, near Naples, IL. After his marriage, he bought 40 acres of wild land which is now located within the city limits of Bluffs. 1850 Logan Co, IL. Apparently they moved with the Smallwood family, Nancy's sister. 1854-1857 Griggsville, Pike Co, IL. He bought 100 acres 1 mi W of town for $45, sold it for a profit 3 yrs later at $60. 1857 Lake Fork, Logan Co, IL, where he bought a farm. 1860 Logan Co, IL. In the census, he was a farmer with only $300 in personal property. Possibly he had sold his land in preparation to moving back to Macon Co. 1865-1868 S Macon Twp, Macon Co, IL, where he bought 80 acres. 1868 Macon Co, IL, near Findley Creek, 5 mi E of town. Ellery bought 120 acres, built a house and "highly cultivated" the land. He later traded it with his son for 160 acres in Milam Twp. 1870 Milam Twp, Macon Co, IL. He bought a 2nd farm and lived there awhile, selling it in 1902. He still owned the 160 acres acquired in the trade, renting that property out in 1903 for income. He also owned 40 acres in sect 31 and 80 acres in sect 32. 1887 Macon, Macon Co, IL. Ellery owned 3 lots in town, one with a house which he remodeled and enlarged for his private residence.

At 20 years of age Nancy became the mother of George W MERRIS in Scott Co, IL, near Naples, February 3, 1843. At 21 years of age Nancy became the mother of Asa MERRIS in Scott Co, IL, near Naples, June 12, 1844. At 22 years of age Nancy became the mother of David MERRIS March 9, 1845. At 23 years of age Nancy became the mother of John\Jonah A MERRIS November 30, 1845. At 25 years of age Nancy became the mother of Mary Elizabeth "Mollie" MERRIS March 29, 1848. At 27 years of age Nancy became the mother of Sarah J MERRIS July 19, 1849. At 28 years of age Nancy became the mother of John N MERRIS April 13, 1851. At 30 years of age Nancy became the mother of Female MERRIS January 13, 1853. At 31 years of age Nancy became the mother of Martha MERRIS February 3, 1854. At 33 years of age Nancy became the mother of Male MERRIS January 6, 1856. At 34 years of age Nancy became the mother of Franklin MERRIS February 2, 1857. At 35 years of age Nancy became the mother of Julia A MERRIS May 12, 1858. At 37 years of age Nancy became the mother of Daniel Albert MERRIS March 15, 1860. At 41 years of age Nancy became the mother of Ida M MERRIS December 22, 1863. At 42 years of age Nancy became the mother of Male MERRIS March 23, 1865. In 1906 she was unable to attend her husband's funeral due to paralysis from a stroke she had suffered 2 yrs prior.

Nancy A VAN GUNDY and Ellery M MERRIS had the following children:

+ 329 i. George W⁶ MERRIS was born February 3, 1843.

330 ii. Asa MERRIS was born in Scott Co, IL, near Naples June 12, 1844. Asa died September 20, 1921 in Macon, Macon Co, IL, at home, at 77 years of age. He was a member of the Presbyterian church.

331 iii. David MERRIS was born March 9, 1845. David died March 10, 1845 at less than one year of age.

332 iv. John\Jonah A MERRIS was born November 30, 1845. John\Jonah died February 16, 1918 in Macon Co, IL, at 72 years of age. He married Martha Davis in Macon Co, IL, 1870. Martha was born 1850. Martha died 1920 at 70 years of age. His name was John L in his father's obituary.

333 v. Mary Elizabeth "Mollie" MERRIS was born March 29, 1848. Mary died December 12, 1937 at 89 years of age. She married Peter BLAIR. Peter died before 1906. He was a mechanic and a carpenter.

334 vi. Sarah J MERRIS was born July 19, 1849. Sarah died October 20, 1914 at 65 years of age. She married John ARMSTRONG. He was a farmer and owned 140 acres.Lived Macon Co, IL. Owned 140 acres.

335 vii. John N MERRIS was born April 13, 1851. John died April 25, 1853 at 2 years of age. Residence: Macon Co, IL

336 viii. Female MERRIS was born January 13, 1853. Female died January 13, 1853 at less than one year of age.

337 ix. Martha MERRIS was born February 3, 1854. Martha died January 3, 1936 at 81 years of age. She married John MCCOOL. Residence: Pattensburg, MO.

338 x. Male MERRIS was born January 6, 1856. Male died January 6, 1856 at less than one year of age.

339 xi. Franklin MERRIS was born February 2, 1857. Franklin died July 4, 1857 at less than one year of age.

340 xii. Julia A MERRIS was born May 12, 1858. Julia died December 16, 1941 at 83 years of age. She married Charles RENSHAW. Residence: Hennessy, OK

+ 341 xiii. Daniel Albert MERRIS was born March 15, 1860.

+ 342 xiv. Ida M MERRIS was born December 22, 1863.

343 xv. Male MERRIS was born March 23, 1865. Male died March 23, 1865 at less than one year of age.

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