Joseph Merrick

Joseph Merrick (1818-1849) and his father, Richard (1790-1841), were the first native missionaries to work with the BMS, being set apart during a special service in February 1839 at the Baptist church in Jericho, Jamaica. Both father and son desired to go with John Clarke to West Africa, but the death of Richard precluded that event. Nevertheless, Joseph Merrick sailed for England in August 1842 to make preparations for the new work in Fernando Po. From August 1842 through May 1843, Merrick traveled across England promoting the West African mission. On 14 June 1843, he and his wife, along with Dr. Prince and his wife, joined Alexander Fuller on a ship bound for Fernando Po, arriving there on 6 September 1843. Merrick began his work in Bimbia, establishing a printing press in Jubilee Town in 1845, from whence he published portions of the Bible in several native dialects. Poor health forced his return to England in October 1849. Unfortunately, he died on board ship on 22 October 1849. See John Clarke, Memorials of the Baptist Missionaries in Jamaica (London: Yates and Alexander, 1869), 204-210; David Killingray, “Black Baptists in Britain 1640-1950,” Baptist Quarterly 40 (2003), 69-89.