Loenza Kingsbury, granddaughter of noted Mormon pioneer Stillman Pond and mother of future Apostle Joseph F. Merrill, in 1867. Marriner eventually married eight wives and had 46 children. During the time of the polygamy raids in Utah Territory, Merrill lived in his bedroom on the second floor in the west tower of the Logan Temple; for weeks at a time, he would not leave the temple. He was arrested for unlawful cohabitation on 10 January 1889, but was released within two days without being convicted. Merrill married his eighth wife, Swedish immigrant Hilda Maria Erickson, after the 1890 Manifesto announced the discontinuation of plural marriage. He is alleged also to have advocated for and performed post-Manifesto plural marriages. Merrill was summoned twice as a witness before the United States Congress during the Smoot investigation, but declined, citing poor health. He received the last subpoena just days before his death. Later, Merrill's son Charles gave testimony before the Congressional hearing. On 6 February 1906, Merrill died in his home in Richmond from Bright's disease. He is buried in Richmond. At a family reunion in 1935, his descendants numbered 797, of which 291 were grandchildren, 429 great-grandchildren and 31 great-great grandchildren. Many of his descendants still live in the Cache Valley. Notes External links Grampa Bill's G.A. Pages: Marriner W. Merrill 1832 births 1906 deaths American general authorities (LDS Church) Apostles (LDS Church) Canadian general authorities (LDS Church) Converts to Mormonism Deaths from nephritis Members of the Utah Territorial Legislature 19th-century American politicians Mormon pioneers People from Richmond, Utah People from Cache County, Utah People from Sackville, New Brunswick Temple presidents and matrons (LDS Church) British general authorities (LDS Church) Pre-Confederation Canadian emigrants to the United States Colony of New Brunswick people Latter Day Saints from Utah