There is a Canadian woman named Sonia Merry who is of the Merry name in Arlingham/Longhope. I believe she comes from John Merry's brother in Arlingham.

1851
Joseph Merry abt 1814 Arlingham, Gloucestershire, England Head Longhope Gloucestershire
Charlotte Merry abt 1809 Longhope, Gloucestershire, England Wife Longhope Gloucestershire
Eliza Merry abt 1849 Longhope, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Longhope Gloucestershire
John Merry abt 1843 Balsall; Heath Son Longhope Gloucestershire
Joseph Merry abt 1847 Longhope, Gloucestershire, England Son Longhope

I believe I've rec'd the above info from Gill Wise and Slow Hands.

My next question, who were Joseph Merry's parents?

a candidate http://www.forum.forest-of-dean.net/index.php?id=19692

JOSEPH MERRY
----------------------------------------------------------------
Event(s):
Birth:
Christening: 02 JUN 1812 Arlingham, Gloucester, England

Death:
Burial:

-------------------------------------
Parents:
Father: JOHN MERRY
Mother: MARY
--------------------------------------------------------
Messages:
Extracted birth or christening record for the locality listed in the record.
The source records are usually arranged chronologically by the birth or christening date.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Source Information:
Batch No.: Dates: Source Call No.: Type: Printout Call No.: Type:
C026571 1724 - 1812 0417107 Film 6911632 Film
Sheet: 00

--
Ἀριστοτέλης A Gloster & Hereford Boy in the Forest of Dean ><((((*>

This is from the Latter Day Saints Family Search records.
Joseph Merry of 1812 is still alive in 1881 and is living in East Dean.
Looks like confirmation to me.
Census of England 1881 Public Records Office

Joseph MERRY Household
Male

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Other Information:
Birth Year <1812>
Birthplace Arlingham, Gloucester, England
Age 69
Occupation Labourer
Marital Status W <Widowed>
Head of Household Joseph MERRY
Relation Head
Disability

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Source Information:
Census Place Westbury On Severn - East Dean, Gloucester, England
Family History Library Film 1341609
Public Records Office Reference RG11
Piece / Folio 2524 / 19
Page Number 12

John Merry's wife may be Mary Andrews, married 1835.
John's parents may be John Merry and Hannah Higgins. Married 1764.
This is info given to me by Sonia K.
Source unknown.
Have lost connection with Sonia.

Hi John
I believe Joseph's wife Charlotte's
maiden name was Blewit.
John Lumb.

Hi,
Did you find any further info of this... Who Joseph Merry's (of born 1812) parents were? and any further back than that....? I see there is a post they could be John and Hannah (Higgins)... but cant find anymore info.
It appears we are following the same line now.
thanks
joanne

Sonia Merry reached me a few years back and sent a tree.
Computer crash has lost my info.
I'd asked Sonia how she came by her info - she explained she'd lived in Bristol and done leg work to various churches and archives.
I have some time to pick up the thread from here.
I'll also attempt to contact Sonia and see if she can relate her sources.
Sonia's in Ottawa (Canada) I'm an 1 1/2 away in Kingston.
I'll search web and find a trail.

Regards

John Merry

John

I have Joseph Merry 1812 in my tree as his daughter Eliza Merry 1849 married James Yemm 1848 and their daughter Ada Charlotte Yemm 1879 married my 5th cousin 3 times removed William James Cowmeadow 1877.

I posted an image of the gravestone for William James Cowmeadow and Ada Charotte as it illustrates the information trail that can evolve from one image :

The description of the trail :
http://www.forum.forest-of-dean.net/index.php?id=33445

The Gravestone image :

http://www.forest-of-dean.net/gallery/gravestones_2/

Jim Ashton

Thanks Jim
I'll check out these links.

John Merry