William Ward Meriam

Rev. William Ward Meriam and his wife went to Bulgaria in 1861 as Missionaries. In July 1862 they had gone to a Church meeting in Constantinople and were returning home with their one year old daughter. They were accosted by robbers, he was shot and then mutilated him in front of his wife and child. It took 3 days to get assistance for his wife and daughter, who stayed by his side. Mrs. Meriam died 2 weeks later after going into premature labor with twins who died. Their daughter Mary was brought home to her uncle about 2 years later. Susan Dimond Meriam's headstone is next to her husband's but no picture was provided.