1. Sophronia I. Merrit

Daughter of unknown father and mother. She was born the 4 april 1841 in West Warren, Worcester, Massachusetts. Sophronia I. is deceased in East Haven, New Haven, Connecticut the 14 october 1917 aged of 76 years old. She was buried in East Lawn Cemetery, East Haven, New Haven, Connecticut the wednesday 17 october 1917.

a. Sophronia I. is married aged of 20 years old the wednesday 8 may 1861 in Springfield, Hampden, Massachusetts with Chester Hunt Backus aged of 28 years old, son of Henry Backus and Susan Denison Sawyer. He was born the thursday 20 december 1832 in Windham, Windham, Connecticut. Chester Hunt is deceased in Newark, Essex, New Jersey the tuesday 17 january 1905 aged of 72 years old. He was buried in East Lawn Cemetery, East Haven, New Haven, Connecticut the friday 20 january 1905.

Three children were born from this union (one boy and two girls).

• a.i. Harley Chester Backus. He was born the saturday 18 april 1863 in New Haven, New Haven, Connecticut. Harley Chester is deceased in Tarpon Springs, Pinellas, Florida the friday 10 april 1942 aged of 78 years old. He was buried in East Lawn Cemetery, East Haven, New Haven, Connecticut the monday 13 april 1942.
• a.ii. Belle Frances Backus. She was born the thursday 31 may 1866 in New Haven, New Haven, Connecticut. Belle Frances is deceased the friday 30 november 1951 aged of 85 years old. She was buried in East Lawn Cemetery, East Haven, New Haven, Connecticut the friday 30 november 1951.
• a.iii. May Josephine Backus. She was born the saturday 30 november 1867 in New Haven, New Haven, Connecticut. May Josephine is deceased the monday 30 november 1942 aged of 75 years old. She was buried in East Lawn Cemetery, East Haven, New Haven, Connecticut the monday 30 november 1942.