Nathan Tom Merriman: The Saddest Burglar Ever

Nathan Tom Merriman was born 18 Jan 1904 in Albuquerque, NM to Lemmie Martha Hudson (1870-1971) and August Simon Merriman (1859-1927).




First sign of trouble

Whittier Reform School (California)
Rec: 30 Oct 1918 Age: 15
Crime: Petty Larceny
He stole 2 suits of clothing and 6 shirts worth $30. NAthan was paroled to his parents on 24 Dec 1920. Returned to Whittier for Forgery on 5 Apr 1922, by 24 Sep 1922 he was A.W.O.L (He ran away) and was returned to Whittier 29 Sep 1922 and then transferred to Preston Reform School on 5 Oct 1922.








This was the first record I found and is why I choose to research his life. He has tears in his eyes. I can feel the pain in him. I wish I knew what was hurting him.

Inmate #39204 San Quentin Prison (California)
Crime: Burglary 2nd Degree
Term: 5-life
Age: 21






He was discharged on 28 Oct 1927 wasn't out long.



Still looks so sad
Inmate #45126 San Quentin Prison (California)
Crime: Burglary 2nd Degree
Rec: 29 Mar 1928
Term: 1-15 years





Discharged on 25 Sep 1932, and again wasn't not out for very long.




He still looks so sad but has a hardness to him now.

Inmate #18799 Folsom Prison (California)
Rec: 18 Nov 1933
Crime: Burglary 2nd Degree
Term: 1-15 Years
Age: 29

His records states he was discharged in 1948 but this isn't correct, he was out before then.






This is the last record I found, they only go up to 1950.




This photo you can actually see the tears especially the profile photo.


Inmate #71504 San Quentin Prison (California)
Rec: 16 April 1944
Crime: Burglary 2nd Degree
Term: Life


I made him a Tree on Ancestry. Nathan had the following siblings and none had any criminal records, in fact all his brothers were in the military.


Edmund Walter Merriman 1902-1969
Florence Ivey Merriman 1905-1992
William Harvey Merriman 1907-1988
Hattie Margaret Merriman 1909-2006
August Simon Merriman Jr. 1912-1999
Lula Martha Merriman 1915-1999

Nathan was married three times

#1 Laura Elizabeth Moore (1906-1994) Married 7 Apr 1951 in Merced, CA. No children found.

#2 Roma L Jones (1912-) Married 9 June 1966 in Los Angeles, CA No children found.

#3 Angelina Cleo Crosby (1915-2004) Married Unknown
They had a daughter Elsie Mae Merriman 1933-1989.


Nathan Tom Merriman died 12 Feb 1986 in Riverside, CA

Why did steal? Why was he so sad? I will never forget you Nathan and you now have a tree so others will find you.





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