Joshua Merrill, Lowell, Massachusetts

Joshua Lowell (1802-1899) was born in Milford, New Hampshire. He taught school in Lowell between 1827 and 1845. He left teaching to become a bookseller and publisher in Lowell. He was a partner in several firms including Merrill and Heywood (1844-1849), Merrill and Straw (1851-1853), Merrill and Sergeant (1858-1868) and Joshua Merrill and Son in the 1870’s into the 1890’s).

The exact dates of these publisher firms are unknown but there was a time in the 1850’s when Joshua Merrill was in business for himself as J. Merrill or Joshua Merrill.

Portrait of Joshua Merrill

These latter houses published Merrill's only series for youngsters: Cousin Grace’s Pretty Story Books. It appears though that Merrill published three different series with the same name. The three series have twelve mostly different titles, were published either by J. Merrill or Joshua Merrill and have different formats.

Cousin Grace's Pretty Story Books - A

Published by Joshua Merrill. Most likely published in the early 1850's.
Wraps. 4.5" x 3.25"
Numerous line draw illustrations. Eight pages not including the covers.

Cousin Grace's Pretty Story Books - B

Published by J. Merrill most likely in the early 1850's. Wraps.

Cousin Grace's Pretty Story Books - C

These volumes were printed in about 1856

Published by J. Merrill
Wraps. 4" x 6"