The History of Cayuga County 1789-1879 page 179
City of Auburn

Ladies' Home, and the Auburn Hospital were but a part of the objects upon which he bestowed liberal proportions of his large estate, furnishing in his beneficence, and in his wise decrimination of objects, an admirable model for the imitation of the opulent.

Mr. Merriman held the positions of teller, cashier, and president of this bank forty-two years, and until ill health compelled him to retire. this was the first bank in Auburn, and it has exerted a vast and beneficial influence upon the material interests of the community, although it was its misfortune, at an early day, to experience much bitter opposition from certain of its shareholders, who contended for its control, and sought to accomplish that purpose by efforts to depress its stock. But, happily, it outlived that antagonism, and although t has passed through many hard struggles and sustained many lsses, it has, upon the whole, been very successful. The total amount of dividends paid to its stockholders to Jyly, 1878, is $1,290,202, which is a little more than ten and a half per cent per annum on the present capital, which was not paid in full till 1835. The change in name occurred Aug. 17th, 1865, when it became a National Bank. The bank first occupied a room in Demaree's tavern which was fitted up for its use, and removed thence to the handsome brick building now occupied, which was erected for its use in 1818. Following is the official report to June 29th, 1878:

RESOURCES.
Loans and Discounts		$442,514.72
Overdrafts		1,875. 57
U. S. Bonds to secure circulation,(par value)		172,000.00
U. S. Bonds on hand, (par value)		30,000.00
Other Stocks, Bonds, and Mortgages,		7,540.00
Due from approved Reserved Agents		31,072.49
Due from other National Banks		4,067.98
Due from State Banks and Bankers		278.94
Real Estate	3,408.15
Furniture and Fixtures	500.00	3908.15
Checks and other cash items, including stamps		490.57
Bills of other Banks		13,455.00
Fractional Currency, (including nickels)		132.50
Silver Coin		1,774.91
Legal Tender Notes		21,750.00
Redemption Fund with U. S. Treasurer, (not more than five per cent. on circulation)		7,740.00
		$738,600.83
LIABILITIES.
Capital Stock paid in		$200,000.00
Surplus Fund		40,000.00
Undivided Profits		49,286.06
Circulating Notes received from Comptroller	$154,800
Less amount on hand with Comptroller for burning-	1,000	153,800.00
Dividends Unpaid		10,111.00
Individual Deposits subject to Check	$178,488.97
Demand Certificates of Deposit	77,380.23	255,869.20
Due to other National Banks		4,208.81
Due to State Banks and Bankers		325.76
Bills Payable		25,000.00
		$738,600.83

THE CAYUGA COUNTY NATIONAL BANK, 43 Genesee St., was incorporated March 14th, 1833, under the safety fund banking law of the State of New York, with a capital of $250,000, which was reduced in October, 1874, to $200,000. As an evidence of the prosperity of the village at that time the abundance of money and the confidence in banking, it may be stated that five times the amount required for the capital of this bank was subscribed, of which each subscriber could hold but his pro rata share. The first Directors were Geo. B. Throop, Nathaniel Garrow, John Seymour, Robert Muir, Eleazer Hills, Isaac S. Miller, Levi Lewis, Stephen Van Anden, Rowland Day, Peter Yawger, Wm. H. Noble, Sherman Beardsley. and Charles Pardee, all of whom have long since passed away, except the last, who died a few months since, while residing at Skaneateles. Nathaniel Garrow was elected President and held that office till 1843,when, having been appointed agent and warden of Auburn Prison, he resigned, and his son, Nelson Beardsley, was elected to that position and has since held it. The latter gentleman accepted the position at a time when its duties were extremely onerous, and with the full expectation of speedily resuming his professional duties. The interests of the bank were very much depressed, and he came into office as the representative of a party who realized that its condition required heroic treatment to restore it to a sound financial

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