Richard P. Merrill was born "Richard Best" on February 19, 1844, in Newville, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, the son of Henry & Catherine Best. In 1860, he was a student living in Newville and stood 5' 8" tall with brown hair and brown eyes. Other trades throughout his life included prospector, hotel clerk, and harness maker, to name a few.
A Civil War veteran, he enlisted in Newville August 6, 1862, and mustered into federal service at Harrisburg August 12 with Co. E, 130th Pennsylvania Infantry, at the rank of private. He saw action in the battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville and was honorably discharged with his company May 21, 1863.
He used "Merrill" exclusively after moving to Cambria, California in 1872 (via St. Joseph, Missouri, Montana, and Arizona). His brother, William, never understood why, and none of his friends knew about his pseudonym until after his death. He remained closed-mouthed to everyone about his pre-California history and never joined the local G.A.R. He married his boss's daughter, Mary Ann Lingo, December 29, 1880, in Santa Margarita, San Luis Obispo County, as Richard P. Merrill, and Mary Ann never learned his real name until 23 years into their marriage. Their children were Georgia (b. @1884) and Florence (07/19/86). He broke up his time in California by living one year in the mining camp town of Total Wreck in Pima County, Arizona, working as night watchman for a silver mine. He also served several terms as deputy sheriff of San Luis Obispo County and constable of Cambria.
He was "a great sufferer" with recurring spells of dysentery that contributed to his death in Arroyo Grande.
Name Richard Best
Enlistment Age 18
Birth Date abt 1844
Enlistment Date 6 Aug 1862
Enlistment Place Newville, Pennsylvania
Enlistment Rank Private
Muster Date 12 Aug 1862
Muster Place Pennsylvania
Muster Company E
Muster Regiment 130th Infantry
Muster Regiment Type Infantry
Muster Information Enlisted
Muster Out Date 21 May 1863
Muster Out Place Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Muster Out Information Mustered Out
Side of War Union
Survived War? Yes
Residence Place Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
Title History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-1865; PA State Archives: Civil War Veterans' Card File 1861-1865
Richard P. Merrill was born "Richard Best" on February 19, 1844, in Newville, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, the son of Henry & Catherine Best. In 1860, he was a student living in Newville and stood 5' 8" tall with brown hair and brown eyes. Other trades throughout his life included prospector, hotel clerk, and harness maker, to name a few.
A Civil War veteran, he enlisted in Newville August 6, 1862, and mustered into federal service at Harrisburg August 12 with Co. E, 130th Pennsylvania Infantry, at the rank of private. He saw action in the battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville and was honorably discharged with his company May 21, 1863.
He used "Merrill" exclusively after moving to Cambria, California in 1872 (via St. Joseph, Missouri, Montana, and Arizona). His brother, William, never understood why, and none of his friends knew about his pseudonym until after his death. He remained closed-mouthed to everyone about his pre-California history and never joined the local G.A.R. He married his boss's daughter, Mary Ann Lingo, December 29, 1880, in Santa Margarita, San Luis Obispo County, as Richard P. Merrill, and Mary Ann never learned his real name until 23 years into their marriage. Their children were Georgia (b. @1884) and Florence (07/19/86). He broke up his time in California by living one year in the mining camp town of Total Wreck in Pima County, Arizona, working as night watchman for a silver mine. He also served several terms as deputy sheriff of San Luis Obispo County and constable of Cambria.
He was "a great sufferer" with recurring spells of dysentery that contributed to his death in Arroyo Grande.
Name Richard Best
Enlistment Age 18
Birth Date abt 1844
Enlistment Date 6 Aug 1862
Enlistment Place Newville, Pennsylvania
Enlistment Rank Private
Muster Date 12 Aug 1862
Muster Place Pennsylvania
Muster Company E
Muster Regiment 130th Infantry
Muster Regiment Type Infantry
Muster Information Enlisted
Muster Out Date 21 May 1863
Muster Out Place Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Muster Out Information Mustered Out
Side of War Union
Survived War? Yes
Residence Place Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
Title History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-1865; PA State Archives: Civil War Veterans' Card File 1861-1865
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