Thomas Merritt
Thomas Merritt was born in Illogan on the 26th October 1863, the son of a copper and tin miner, Thomas Merritt and his wife, Mary Jane. He was christened on 31st July 1865 at Broad Lane Primitive Methodist Chapel (opened in 1859 on the site of what later became Broad Lane Methodist Chapel).
Young Thomas was a frail lad; he attended school until he was eleven but when his father died, he began working underground at Carn Brea Mine. Perhaps because of his health, he later moved to work above ground, at Tolvaddon Tin Streams.
Having been exposed to the great Methodist hymns of the era since childhood, his love of music grew and he began some basic training, and to study music seriously.
He was aged 18 when his health forced him to cease mining and with only minimal formal tuition, he began his musical career. He became a music teacher, conductor, organist and composer. Many carols (curls) and other forms of music flowed from his pencil including the 1902 Coronation March, commissioned to celebrate Edward VII’s accession to the throne.
In the late 1880s, Thomas was appointed organist and choirmaster of the United Methodist Free Church in Illogan Highway, a post he held for many years.
Thomas Merritt died on the 17th April 1908, aged just 46 years, and was buried in Illogan Churchyard.
He was a simple tin miner who dedicated his adult life to writing hymns and other religious music. His work must have inspired others and many benefited from his tuition and encouragement. One of his friends, the Reverend Harry Oxland, Rector of Illogan and conductor of the Illogan Reed and Brass Band, held him in high esteem and was honoured when Thomas dedicated one of his cantatas to him.