Capt. Nelson Merrell builds town and historic home
Capt. Nelson Merrell builds town and historic home
Written by Jim Dawson Wednesday, 07 February 2007
Nelson Merrell was born in 1810 in Connecticut. Not much is known about him until in 1837 when, at the age of 27, he purchased land in the Republic of Texas.
By 1839, Merrell was elected captain by members of the company of rangers he had raised to protect the new settlement of Austin and retained this title throughout his lifetime.
Captain Merrell married Rachael McKennan in Austin in 1840 and built their first log home near Kenney’s Fort sometime in 1841 (February 2006 history, www.impactnews.com). In late 1846, the Merrells moved to the area, which still bears his name, Merrelltown, in the Wells Branch area. Merrell was the postmaster and operator of a store that not only served the needs of the community, but also was the stagecoach stop and post office. He deeded land to the trustees for a church, school and cemetery. By 1859, Merrelltown was one of the principal towns in Travis County, and included churches, a school and a hotel.
In Austin, Merrell assisted with the construction of Congress Avenue and served as Travis County Commissioner from 1852 to 1859.
In the early 1870s, the Merrells returned to Williamson County to live on land they had purchased earlier. Antria Smith, a 37-year-old stonemason born in France, was contracted to build a two-story house on the plantation-style property for a total cost of $1,600.
The main house had six rooms, two upstairs and down, and a single-level wing also containing two rooms. A double porch ran the length of the front of the house.
A cupola was built on top of the house, which would be accessed by a spiral iron staircase imported from London. From here, Merrell could view the workers in the field using his brass telescope.
Because of the placement of the windows, doors, and 18-inch solid rock walls, the house provided comfort even during the hottest summer temperatures. The kitchen and dining room wing was attached to the back of the house. A large fireplace on the north end of the kitchen provided the cooking area for the family.
Members of the Merrell family lived in the house until the mid-1960s. Merrell’s great-great granddaughter, who is still a Round Rock resident, remembers living in the house as a child.
Today the house, located at 1516 E. Palm Valley Blvd. (Hwy. 79), is listed in The National Register of Historic Places in Texas, and was purchased by James and Susan Halbert in 1998. A Moment In Time, portrait design studio owned by Jennifer Turner, now offices in the building.
Captain Merrell and most of his family, including two wives and children, are buried in the Merrelltown Cemetery, located on FM 1325 between Merrilltown Road and Shoreline Drive.
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