Nathaniel James Merriman (4 April 1809[1] – 15 August 1882[2]) was the third Bishop of Grahamstown[3] from 1871[4] until his death.
He was curate then Vicar of Street, Somerset until he emigrated to South Africa.
He rose to become Archdeacon of Grahamstown[5] then Dean of Cape Town before being elevated the Episcopate.
Conflict arose between Merriman, who was at this time the Bishop of Grahamstown and Frederick Williams, Dean of Grahamstown regarding the status of the Church of the Province of Southern Africa versus the Church of England and the validity of the appointments of bishops.
[6] His son, John X. Merriman, was the last prime minister of the Cape Colony before the formation of the Union of South Africa in 1910.