He completed his preparatory studies in Farmington, and moved to Bennington, Vermont in 1791 where he was an apprentice to a printer.

[8] Merrill became Register of Probate for Bennington County in 1815 and served as Clerk of the Courts in 1816.

[10] He presented credentials as a Member-elect to the Sixteenth Congress and served from March 4, 1819 until January 12, 1820, when he was succeeded by Rollin C. Mallary, who successfully contested the election.

[11][12] Merrill lost elections for Congress in 1822, 1826, 1827, 1830, 1832, and 1833, evidence that Vermont was trending away from Democrats and towards, in succession, the Anti-Masons, Whigs and Republicans.

His nephew Farrand F. Merrill (son of Timothy) served as Secretary of State from 1849 to 1853.