John Merrick (MP)

Sir John Merrick (1584–1659) was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1640 to 1648. He fought in the Parliamentary army in the English Civil War.

Merrick was the son of Sir Francis Merrick. He was knighted in 1625.^[1] In April 1640, he was elected Member of Parliament for Newcastle under Lyme in the Short Parliament. He was re-elected MP for Newcastle under Lyme for the Long Parliament in November 1640.^[2] On the outbreak of the Civil War Merrick was appointed Sergeant-Major-General in the Parliamentary Army commanded by the Earl of Essex. He commanded an infantry regiment Sir John Merrick's Foot, which took part in the Battle of Edgehill. After the Battle of Stratton, Merrick was appointed general of the Artillery, leading them at the Battles of Gloucester and Newbury.^[1]

Merrick died at the age of 75 and was portrayed in Bush church wearing black armour.^[1]

Merrick married firstly Alice Fitton of Gawsworth and had a son and two daughters. He married secondly a widow Jane Wyche, who bore him no children.^[1]

References

1. BBC - Parliamentary Generals in the 1640s - Sir John Merrick
2. Willis, Browne (1750). Notitia Parliamentaria, Part II: A Series or Lists of the Representatives in the several Parliaments held from the Reformation 1541, to the Restoration 1660 ... London. pp. 229–239.