Kind of a long story, but am going to give you a brief of why I'm looking for A. J. Merrell. I'm researching Liberty Baptist Church est. in 1848 in Phillips County, now Lee County. A minute book from that time was found in the Tri-County Genealogical Society in Marvell, AR. On the inside cover is "A.J. Merrell, Clover Bend, Lawrence County, Ark." I've looked and looked trying to find this guy to determine why his name is on the book but is not mentioned in the minutes. Was able to get some old minutes for the Mt. Vernon Association and found his name as a minister at New Hope in 1854 and/or 1855. One of the pastors at Liberty was P.S.G. Watson who was in Lawrence County before 1853 as he came to Liberty in March 1853. There is a connection I feel between Watson and Merrill in some way. Liberty Baptist was a forerunner of First Baptist Church in Marianna of which I am a member and am writing up the church history. Any help will be appreciated. I can't find any census records for A. J. Merrell except there is one age 17 in the 1850 census living with 3 young persons. Thank you.