Thomas Hamilton (Ham) Merimee
Thomas Hamilton, (Ham) Merimee (1908-1982) married Hilda Kemper (1919-1979)
Ham's great, great, great grandparents
Clement Gardiner, born 1748, MD, died 1817, Nelson co, KY; married Henrietta Boone born 1750.
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Ham's great, great grandparents
Joseph Ignatius Gardiner, born ca 1772, Prince George's co, MD, died 1810 , near Fairfield, KY;
Married 1st wife, 1795 , Winifred Hamilton, died 1801, Fairfield, KY.
Married 2nd wife, 1801, Catherine Elder, born 1776, Frederick co, MD, died 1866, Fairfield, KY.
6 children
↓
1. Joseph Ignatius Gardiner, Jr., born ca 1807, Fairfield, KY.
2. Harriet Gardiner, born 1796, Prince George's co, MD, died 1826, Vincennes, IN; a nun as Sister Harriet.
3. Charlotte Gardiner, born 1797, Prince George's co, MD, died 1878, Nazareth, KY; a nun as Sister Clare.
4. Lucretia Gardiner, born 1799; married 1820, Nelson co, KY, John Hayden/Hagan.
5. Elizabeth Gardiner, born 1800, Fairfield, KY, died 1878, Nazareth, KY; a nun as Sister, later Mother, Frances.
6. Maria E. Gardiner, born 1803, Fairfield, KY, died 1853, Bardstown, KY; married 1825, Bardstown, KY, Dr. Thomas Merimee (born 1802, Bardstown, KY, died there, 1878). < Ham's great grandparents
↓
Ham's grandparents
Frederick B. Merimee, born 1826, Bardstown, KY, died 1880, Louisville, KY;
Married 1st wife in 1851, KY, Martha Ann Carter (born 1828, died 1852);
Married 2nd, wife, Eliza Ann Hamilton (born 1830 , Washington co, KY).
2 sons plus 3 daughters > Cissely 1854-died young, Marie Eliza 1856-1927, Elizabeth 1862-?. <Ham's aunts
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Ham's uncle
1. Thomas Hamilton Merimee, born 1854 June 15, Lebanon, KY, died 1928 Sept 10, Louisville, KY, unmarried.
Ham's parents
2. Leonard Spalding Merimee, born 1859 Lebanon, KY, died 1917, Lakeland KY (mental hospital ?); married 1904, Louisville, to Bertha Elma MacNeal (McNeal) born 1883, Louisville, KY, died there, 1944. They are buried in at St Louis Cemetery, Louisville. ( Bertha's parents were William W. MacNeal (McNeal)and Dora Briel MacNeal, Ham' s Maternal grandparents.)
When they married in 1904, she was 20, he was 44. She had 9 children in 12 years and was a widow for 27 years. Some children spent time in orphanage.
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9 children
- Frederick W. 1904 - 1954 unmarried
- Leonard Spalding, 1906 - 1963 married Louise J. Rush, 1909 - ? 2 children, Donald, Jane Ann
- William M. born 1907 - 1977 married Christina Homm, 1912 - 1993, 3 children, Thomas J, Frances, Martha Ann. See below for Dr. Tom info and science papers.
- Thomas Hamilton, (Ham) 1908 - 1982 married Hilda Kemper. 2 children, Elaine, Edward
- Oscar Joseph, 1909 - 1947 Lexington, KY, unmarried, buried Zachary Taylor Cemetery
- Julia M. 1911 - 1993 married Ed Cleare no children
- Robert V. 1913 - 1933 unmarried
- Chester M. 1914 - 1991 unmarried
- Therese M. 1917 - 2000 Sisters of Charity of Nazareth
Clement Gardiner, born 1748, MD, died 1817, Nelson co, KY; married Henrietta Boone born 1750.
↓
Ham's great, great grandparents
Joseph Ignatius Gardiner, born ca 1772, Prince George's co, MD, died 1810 , near Fairfield, KY;
Married 1st wife, 1795 , Winifred Hamilton, died 1801, Fairfield, KY.
Married 2nd wife, 1801, Catherine Elder, born 1776, Frederick co, MD, died 1866, Fairfield, KY.
6 children
↓
1. Joseph Ignatius Gardiner, Jr., born ca 1807, Fairfield, KY.
2. Harriet Gardiner, born 1796, Prince George's co, MD, died 1826, Vincennes, IN; a nun as Sister Harriet.
3. Charlotte Gardiner, born 1797, Prince George's co, MD, died 1878, Nazareth, KY; a nun as Sister Clare.
4. Lucretia Gardiner, born 1799; married 1820, Nelson co, KY, John Hayden/Hagan.
5. Elizabeth Gardiner, born 1800, Fairfield, KY, died 1878, Nazareth, KY; a nun as Sister, later Mother, Frances.
6. Maria E. Gardiner, born 1803, Fairfield, KY, died 1853, Bardstown, KY; married 1825, Bardstown, KY, Dr. Thomas Merimee (born 1802, Bardstown, KY, died there, 1878). < Ham's great grandparents
↓
Ham's grandparents
Frederick B. Merimee, born 1826, Bardstown, KY, died 1880, Louisville, KY;
Married 1st wife in 1851, KY, Martha Ann Carter (born 1828, died 1852);
Married 2nd, wife, Eliza Ann Hamilton (born 1830 , Washington co, KY).
2 sons plus 3 daughters > Cissely 1854-died young, Marie Eliza 1856-1927, Elizabeth 1862-?. <Ham's aunts
↓
Ham's uncle
1. Thomas Hamilton Merimee, born 1854 June 15, Lebanon, KY, died 1928 Sept 10, Louisville, KY, unmarried.
Ham's parents
2. Leonard Spalding Merimee, born 1859 Lebanon, KY, died 1917, Lakeland KY (mental hospital ?); married 1904, Louisville, to Bertha Elma MacNeal (McNeal) born 1883, Louisville, KY, died there, 1944. They are buried in at St Louis Cemetery, Louisville. ( Bertha's parents were William W. MacNeal (McNeal)and Dora Briel MacNeal, Ham' s Maternal grandparents.)
When they married in 1904, she was 20, he was 44. She had 9 children in 12 years and was a widow for 27 years. Some children spent time in orphanage.
↓
9 children
- Frederick W. 1904 - 1954 unmarried
- Leonard Spalding, 1906 - 1963 married Louise J. Rush, 1909 - ? 2 children, Donald, Jane Ann
- William M. born 1907 - 1977 married Christina Homm, 1912 - 1993, 3 children, Thomas J, Frances, Martha Ann. See below for Dr. Tom info and science papers.
- Thomas Hamilton, (Ham) 1908 - 1982 married Hilda Kemper. 2 children, Elaine, Edward
- Oscar Joseph, 1909 - 1947 Lexington, KY, unmarried, buried Zachary Taylor Cemetery
- Julia M. 1911 - 1993 married Ed Cleare no children
- Robert V. 1913 - 1933 unmarried
- Chester M. 1914 - 1991 unmarried
- Therese M. 1917 - 2000 Sisters of Charity of Nazareth
The links below are for the Kentucky Irish American, a popular newspaper in the beginning of the 1900s. They reference Ham's father, Leonard S. Merimee (1859-1927), uncle Thomas Hamilton Merimee (1854-1928), and aunt Marie (1856-1927).
It seems that Leonard, Thomas Hamilton and Maria were fairly well known. The names in the articles are hi-lighted in red. You can enlarge the document and scroll with a mouse.
I used a short description for the links.
Each normal URL would be something like this >>> (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86069180/1902-03-15/ed-1/seq-7/#date1=1789&index=1&date2=1922&searchType=advanced&language=&sequence=0&lccn=sn86069180&words=Merimee&proxdistance=5&state=Kentucky&rows=20&ortext=merimee&proxtext=&phrasetext=&andtext=&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1)
It seems that Leonard, Thomas Hamilton and Maria were fairly well known. The names in the articles are hi-lighted in red. You can enlarge the document and scroll with a mouse.
I used a short description for the links.
Each normal URL would be something like this >>> (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86069180/1902-03-15/ed-1/seq-7/#date1=1789&index=1&date2=1922&searchType=advanced&language=&sequence=0&lccn=sn86069180&words=Merimee&proxdistance=5&state=Kentucky&rows=20&ortext=merimee&proxtext=&phrasetext=&andtext=&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1)
Maria and TH - Clifton-Crescent Club
Leonard S. - Magistrate. Pres of Superior Filter Works
Len S retires, Justice of the Peace
TH and Maria Washington Birthday, Clifto-Crescent Club
TH- Secretary P. Bannon Pipe Co.
TH get-together, St Francis of Rome
TH and sister Maria
Leonard S - Treasurer, Louisville Fertilizer
Len and Ham, St Francis of Rome picnic
TH - St Francis of Rome
Maria - 1552 Haldeman Ave
TH - Clifton-Crescent Club
Leonard S. - Magistrate. Pres of Superior Filter Works
Len S retires, Justice of the Peace
TH and Maria Washington Birthday, Clifto-Crescent Club
TH- Secretary P. Bannon Pipe Co.
TH get-together, St Francis of Rome
TH and sister Maria
Leonard S - Treasurer, Louisville Fertilizer
Len and Ham, St Francis of Rome picnic
TH - St Francis of Rome
Maria - 1552 Haldeman Ave
TH - Clifton-Crescent Club
Marriage doc for Ham's parents, Leonard and Bertha. Leonard and Bertha's father, Wilson, pay $100 fee for marriage on July 8, 1904.
He was 44, she was 20.
He was 44, she was 20.
Below are census reports for 1910, 1930 and 1940
The first is for 1910 when the Merimees lived on 219 Haldeman, which is off Frankfort Ave, 5 blocks east of Mellwood. They have 5 children 5 and under and her grandmother and brother-in-law are living with them. Leonard was to die in 1917.
The first is for 1910 when the Merimees lived on 219 Haldeman, which is off Frankfort Ave, 5 blocks east of Mellwood. They have 5 children 5 and under and her grandmother and brother-in-law are living with them. Leonard was to die in 1917.
1930 Census - Bertha, a widow and her 9 children (in 12 years) living at 1324 S. Preston, which was next door to a fire house. Robert was to die in 1933 at 20 years of age. I did not discover the cause of death.
1940 census - Bertha and 5 children still living at 1324 Preston. Some children were in orphanage, (more to follow) and Theresa in convent. Bertha to die in 1944. Oscar died in 1947. Len, Julie and Ham married. I remember visiting the home with Ham around 1950. Fred was a watchmaker and did repair work out of the home. After Fred died in 1954, the house was sold sometime later.
Headstone for Ham's father and mother in St Louis Cemetery. Between Baxter and Barrett Ave.
Dr Thomas J Merimee obituary
The CatholiCity Message - Volume II, Number 30 – August 12, 1998
Dear CatholiCity Citizen, A few important items this week.
Thomas Merimee, the father of our operations manager at the Mary Foundation (Bill Merimee), passed away last week. At our request, many of you prayed for him during his last days on earth. Mr. Merimee, a research scientist, received Last Rites within minutes of his death, and recently told his family that he wanted to be known as a man who died as a good, faithful, practicing Roman Catholic. Throughout his adult life, he received Communion daily. He is survived by his wife, Martha, and three sons. Please say a prayer for his soul.
Below are screen shots of summaries of some of Dr. Thomas J. Merimee's scientific papers.
The CatholiCity Message - Volume II, Number 30 – August 12, 1998
Dear CatholiCity Citizen, A few important items this week.
Thomas Merimee, the father of our operations manager at the Mary Foundation (Bill Merimee), passed away last week. At our request, many of you prayed for him during his last days on earth. Mr. Merimee, a research scientist, received Last Rites within minutes of his death, and recently told his family that he wanted to be known as a man who died as a good, faithful, practicing Roman Catholic. Throughout his adult life, he received Communion daily. He is survived by his wife, Martha, and three sons. Please say a prayer for his soul.
Below are screen shots of summaries of some of Dr. Thomas J. Merimee's scientific papers.
Click image to begin a manual slide show with captions. Keyboard arrows can be used
July 22, 1985
Indiana Gazette from Indiana, Pennsylvania
Doctors Find Why Pygmies Are Short - BOSTON (AP)
Since Europeans first discovered them in the African jungle, doctors have puzzled over why pygmies are so short. Now they have found the answer in the little people's blood. The discovery, they say, may provide clues to why people are short. The doctors say pygmies stop growing because of a hormonal imbalance. Their bodies produce only small amounts of an obscure substance called insulin-like growth factor I, or JGF-I. They believe this is why the 150,000 pygmies who inhabit the tropical rain forests range in height from four feet to 4-8.
Dr. Thomas J. Merimee, who made the discovery, said he has since found an dentical defect in two short Americans. "1 think it is extremely clear that the defect is simply not going to be localized to one ethnic group," he said. "The real question is how common it is."
Merimee, a researcher at the University of Florida in Gainesville, reported on his findings in today's issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. His research team conducted blood tests on 11 pygmies from the Central African Republic and compared the results with blood from 31 normal-sized people. While the pygmies have the usual amounts of another body chemical called human growth hormone, their blood carries only a third as much IGF-I as the ordinary-sized people, Merimee said. He theorized that IGF-I is the principal regulator of growth, although he said its exact function still is unknown.
Now that scientists are aware of the importance of IGF-I, Merimee said, it may be possible to regulate its production in the body. "What excites me the most is the possibility of turning IGF-I on," he said. "There ought to be a way to do that." He said it may be possible to manufacture IGF-I in the laboratory and administer it to people who cannot produce enough on their own. he said.
Merimee noted that obscure disorders often appear in highly inbred groups of people. "The pygmy and the other tribes in Africa simply did not interbreed, and even today there would be a reluctance for anyone from another tribe to mate with a pygmy," he said. "Most of the marriages have been within a relatively small group, and this has probably gone on since paleolithic times. That's the ideal setup for any kind of gene to mutate and make it.
Indiana Gazette from Indiana, Pennsylvania
Doctors Find Why Pygmies Are Short - BOSTON (AP)
Since Europeans first discovered them in the African jungle, doctors have puzzled over why pygmies are so short. Now they have found the answer in the little people's blood. The discovery, they say, may provide clues to why people are short. The doctors say pygmies stop growing because of a hormonal imbalance. Their bodies produce only small amounts of an obscure substance called insulin-like growth factor I, or JGF-I. They believe this is why the 150,000 pygmies who inhabit the tropical rain forests range in height from four feet to 4-8.
Dr. Thomas J. Merimee, who made the discovery, said he has since found an dentical defect in two short Americans. "1 think it is extremely clear that the defect is simply not going to be localized to one ethnic group," he said. "The real question is how common it is."
Merimee, a researcher at the University of Florida in Gainesville, reported on his findings in today's issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. His research team conducted blood tests on 11 pygmies from the Central African Republic and compared the results with blood from 31 normal-sized people. While the pygmies have the usual amounts of another body chemical called human growth hormone, their blood carries only a third as much IGF-I as the ordinary-sized people, Merimee said. He theorized that IGF-I is the principal regulator of growth, although he said its exact function still is unknown.
Now that scientists are aware of the importance of IGF-I, Merimee said, it may be possible to regulate its production in the body. "What excites me the most is the possibility of turning IGF-I on," he said. "There ought to be a way to do that." He said it may be possible to manufacture IGF-I in the laboratory and administer it to people who cannot produce enough on their own. he said.
Merimee noted that obscure disorders often appear in highly inbred groups of people. "The pygmy and the other tribes in Africa simply did not interbreed, and even today there would be a reluctance for anyone from another tribe to mate with a pygmy," he said. "Most of the marriages have been within a relatively small group, and this has probably gone on since paleolithic times. That's the ideal setup for any kind of gene to mutate and make it.