Present owner: Phillips Academy (10 Sept 1923)
Themes: Architectural, Community development

Merrill House was razed in June 2014 for the construction of a new infirmary building for Phillips Academy.

This property was once owned by Isaac & Lois Blunt. After Isaac Blunt died his widow Lois sold this parcel to her widowed daughter Mary "Polly" Ann (Blunt) Durant. on Feb. 27, 1838. Mary was born Dec. 25, 1792 and married on Feb. 13, 1818 to William Durant b. 1791. William died on March 15, 1821 age 30. Mary paid $70 for the 29 1/2 sq. rods lot that bounded on Salem St. on the north and Highland Rd. on the south. On April 13, 1838 Mary sells the property with buildings to Rev. David Oliphant of Wells, York Co. Maine for $1300. Mary remarried Asom Bullard of Leicester, MA on Dec. 30, 1839.

The Rev. David Oliphant was b. Nov. 9, 1791 in Waterford, Saratoga, NY, son of Duncan & Rachael (Woodruff) Oliphant. David was an Orthodox Congregational Minister who served in several churches in New England. He was living in Keene, NH at the time of his marriage on Sept. 27, 1815 to Mary Pearson b. May 3, 1793 in Andover, MA, daughter of Dr. Abel & Mary Pearson. David & Mary had 6 children all born in Essex Co. MA; David b. 1816, Henry b. 1818, Mary Elisabeth b. 1819 - 1821, James W. b. 1822, and twins Robert W. & Mary P. b. Dec. 29, 1824 in Beverly, MA.
David acquired two additional small parcels of land adjoining his property from Lois Blunt and the Trustees of Phillips Academy. In the 1850 Valuation Schedule David Oliphant of Amherst, NH is assessed Dwelling house and barn $1500. In 1860 1/8 acre, House and barn $900, Personal Estate,money $1500.
Wife Mary Oliphant died on Aug. 22, 1868 and was interred in the Chapel Cemetery of the Andover Theological Seminary, now owned by Phillips Academy. Rev Oliphant then sold the home to Mary C. Pierson on Sept. 19, 1868.

After her death the estate went to three sons, Issac, John O. and Stephen Pierson. Brothers John O. Pierson and Stephen Pierson quit claimed the deed to Isaac and wife Lizzie B. Pierson on Jan. 14, 1876. Isaac Pierson was a Missionary of the American Board of Foreign Missions and was in China at the time the brothers quit claimed the deed equally to Isaac and Lizzie B. Pierson.

The Peirsons were still living in China at the time they sold the property to Susanna W. Smith on Jan. 18, 1882.

Susanna Smith owned the house for 23 years then selling to Lucia W. G. Merrill on Nov. 13, 1905. Sadly Lucia died the following year on Nov. 7, 1906. Her estate went to her daughters Lucia G. Merrill and Sara E. (Merrill) Wilson. Lucia G. Merrill died on Feb. 14, 1915 her sister Sara E. Wilson inherited the property. The 1920 Valuation lists Sarah E. Wilson 4401 Sanson St. Philadelphia, PA,: 17 Salem St. house $2000, 1/4 acre $900 = $2900

The Trustees of Phillips Academy purchased the house on Sept. 10, 1928 and it was then named Merrill House. The home served several functions during Academy use including faculty housing and department offices.