[1] Magdalene's siblings included, James, Andrew, Eleanor, Myndert, Vanderzee, Julia, Norman, Hester, Angelica, Ada, Harlan, Clinton, and Mary.

[3] Merritt's poems appeared in the Springfield Republican, The American Agriculturist, Christian Work, Evangelist,[4] and the Locomotive Engineers Journal.

[6][7][8] A poetry collection, Songs of the Helderberg, was issued in 1893, under her maiden name,[3] and included her portrait on the frontispiece.

A review of the collection by the Locomotive Engineers Journal (1893) mentioned,— "She generally choses simple themes, making them attractive with truth and deep feeling.

"[5] She married Aaron Merritt of Voorheesville, locomotive engineer on the West Shore Railroad;[1] they had no children.