Capt. Merchant was the oldest son and second child of George and Lucy (Norwood) Merchant. He was born on Aug. 3, 1828. He and Mary Douglass, daughter of Robert and Mary (Parsons) Douglass, were married on March 5, 1851. George first went to sea at age 12 and continued to be involved in the trades related to fishing for the remainder of his life. A good part of his work life was spent as a seine repairer, and this business was located in one of the buildings at the end of the Shute & Merchant wharf. [He was the first cousin of William T. Merchant and Abbie (Merchant) Shute.]

VALUABLE INVENTION -- NOV. 11, 1883: George Merchant, Jr. was granted a patent for a new and improved block for use in place of the old metal rings on purse seines for the purpose of drawing the bottom of the seines together after being thrown around a school of fish. Those who have them on trial in practical use the past season pronounce them to be a great improvement over the old method, being much quicker, and easier to handle, thus making the chances for catching the fish much greater. We understand that the charges for the use will be but a small sum over the actual cost of the block. Mr. Merchant not being one of those who are inclined to "bleed" a brother fisherman, and therefore we would advise all interested to investigate in time for next season's work.

In notes made by his son George E. Merchant, George Jr. was knocked overboard in 1849 while working on the vessel Capital while the vessel was in the harbor. He was setting on a load of sails when the load slid overboard on top of him. He saved himself by diving and good swimming.

From the House of Jabez -- Chronicles of the Merchant-Marchant Family by Frank R. Merchant

photo courtesy of the Cape Ann Museum