• Born: 1829, Portland ME
• Died: 25 Oct 1909, Portland ME

  General notes:

Silversmith and jeweler

  Events in his life were:

• Alternate Mark.

• He worked in 1845-1851 as a silversmith and jeweler in Portland ME with the firm of J. APPLETON JR & Co, becoming a partner in 1850 and succeeding to the business the following year.

• He appeared on the census in 1850 in Portland ME. Listed as a jeweler.

• He worked in 1852-1895 as a silversmith and jeweler in Portland ME

• Partnership: Henry Clay Quinby, circa 1856, in Portland ME. As MERRILL & QUINBY, with a shop at 131 Middle Street.

• Advertised: The Maine Register, and Business Directory, in 1856. For MERRILL & QUINBY

• Example: Receipt, on 17 Nov 1858, in Winterthur Library.

• Advertised: Maine Business Directory, in 1859.

• He appeared on the census in 1860 in Portland ME. Listed as a jeweler.

• He appeared on the census in 1880 in Portland ME. Listed as a jeweler.

• Patent: 21,017, on 25 Aug 1891. JONATHAN AMBROSE MERRILL AND ALBION KEITH, OF PORTLAND, MAINE.
  
  DESIGN FOR A SPOON, &c.
  
  SPECIFICATION forming part of Design No. 21,017, dated August 25, 1891.
  Application filed March 5, 1891, Serial No, 383,940, Term of patent 7 years.
  
  To all whom it may concern:
  Be it known that we, JONATHAN AMBROSE MERRILL and ALBION KEITH, citizens of the United States, residing at Portland, in the county of Cumberland and State of Maine, have invented and produced a new and useful Design for a Spoon; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part thereof.
  The drawing shows the handle in top plan. The leading feature of our design consists in a bust of the poet Henry W. Longfellow stamped, engraved, or molded, or etched upon the handle. The bust is applied to the upper part or end of the handle and is in profile, as shown in the drawing.
  A is the handle, and a the stem of the handle. The upper part of the handle b is of an oval or circular form. Below the oval b the handle contracts in width till it meets the stem a, the sides of which consist of waving lines broken at intervals, as shown in the drawing. The oval portion b of the handle is surrounded, except at the lower part, with a wreath or garland of leaves c, which inclose a portrait bust d of the poet Longfellow in profile. Beneath the bust are waving lines or scroll-work e, between which and the stem a are the letters "H W L" in monogram. At either end of the stem is a leaf f, the stem of the leaf being upward. Between these leaves upon the stem a is the word "Portland," the letters being one above the other and reading downward toward the bowl, tines, or blade of the utensil with which the handle is used. The design is intended for the handles of spoons, forks, knives, &c., of gold, silver, platinum, composition, or other similar material.
  What we claim is—
  The design for a handle for a spoon, knife, or fork, as herein shown and described. In testimony that we claim the foregoing as our invention we have hereunto set our hands this 2d day of March, A. D. 1891.
  
  Jonathan Ambrose Merrill
  Albion Keith
  
  In presence of—
  Geo. E. Bird
  Willard F. Keith