Born in Leicester, Merrick was educated at St Margaret's Charity School, then worked making stockings.
Around this time, he became involved in a co-operative which Thomas Cook established to sell food, in Humberstone Gate.
[2][3] In 1871, Merrick was elected to the Leicester School Board, as a Liberal-Labour candidate, with the backing of the new Democratic Association.
He remained supportive of the Liberal Party, and at the 1885 UK general election he nominated Alexander McArthur for the Leicester constituency.
He also supported the Nine Hour Movement, and as a Congregationalist, he opposed the opening of the city's museum and library on Sundays.