Merritt, George, 1807-1873

George Merritt (August 14, 1807 – October 5, 1873) was born in White Creek, New York. Merritt moved to New York City in 1822 and was a dry goods merchant until 1853, residing six years in Georgia. He was Owner and President of the New England Car Spring Co. from 1853 to 1868. Merritt held a patent for a railroad car spring. In 1864 Merritt bought Knoll, the former country estate of William S. Paulding, Jr. and hired architect Alexander Jackson Davis to expand the estate, doubling the house's size in the gothic revival style between 1864 and 1865, renaming it "Lyndenhurst" for the estate's linden trees. After his death, his widow, Julia sold the Irvington house to financier Jay Gould.