by Karen Yvonne Hamilton, 2025

Merrill Frank SANDS Sr was born on November 6, 1891, in Key West, Florida, to Rebecca Bloney JOHNSON  (1857-1941)  and John Edward SANDS (1856-1921).

Merrill is the great-grandson of John Thomas Knowles from Long Island, Bahamas.

SIBLINGS

  • Edward 1880-1891
  • Alfred Eugene 1880-1925
  • Harry Leon 1885-1936
  • Stephen Ray 1888-1936
  • Bloney Rebecca 1896-1976 born on September 10, 1896, in Key West, Florida

In 1900, Merrill lived with his mother and siblings in Key West, Florida at 408 Virginia St.

MARRIAGE

Merrill Frank Sands Sr married Lavinia Minnie RIVERO in Key West, Florida, on November 13, 1910.

CHILDREN

  • Earl was born on July 20, 1912, in Key West
  • Merrill Frank Jr was born on November 5, 1914, in Key West
  • John Earl was born on March 3, 1919, in Colón, Panama
1918 Passport Photo. Minnie, Frank Jr, John, Earl (Photo of baby John does not match his birth year of 1919, perhaps photo was taken enroute as John was born in Panama)

In 1914, there were a lot of Sands living in Key West according the the 1914 Key West City Directory. Merrill and Minnie lived at 807 Catherine St.

1914 Key West City Directory

PASSPORT APPLICATION 1918

In 1917, Merrill registered with the U.S. government WWI draft.

WWI draft card, 1917

Key West Gas Company

On April 26th, 1918, Merrill applied for a passport to leave Cuba via Panama to take a position as Manager of the Colon Gas Company in Key West, Florida. I could find nothing on the Colon Gas Company in my researching. Merrill’s WWI Draft card says he was the Superintendent of the Key West Gas Company.

“The Key West Gas Company was purchased by Florida Public Utilities Company (FPU) in 1927 and later divested by FPU in 1938. The original gas company in Key West manufactured its gas from coal before being acquired.”

Key West Electric Company Marker. Photographed by Brandon D Cross, May 5, 2023
Key West Gas Company historic markers

Location. 24° 33.685′ N, 81° 47.9′ W. Marker is in Key West, Florida, in Monroe County. It is at the intersection of Grinnell Street and James Street, on the right when traveling west on Grinnell Street.


Traveling with him were his wife, Minnie (born in Key West Oct 11, 1893), his son Earl (born in Key West July 20, 1912), and his son Merrell F. (born Nov 5, 1915 in Key West). His son, John is not listed as he was born presumably enroute in Panama.

U.S., Consular Reports of Births, 1910-1949

Merrill is described as 26 years old, 5’9″ with a high forehead, grey eyes, and light brown hair.

M. L. Shannahan vouched for Merrill on his application for entry to the U.S. Transcription: “I have known this applicant for about 15 years, and I feel satisfied every thing is all right. His loyalty is unquestioned, and the imperativeness of the trip is established. I personally talked with the President of the Colon Gas Company, and he told me had employed Mr. Sands, and would like for him to leave here as soon as possible. I recommend therefore that the passport issue as soon as it is convenient for the Department to do so.”

CAREERS

He opened the Carioca Beer Garden at 505 Duval St on July 2, 1934. 

Carioca Beer Garden June 1934
Carioca Beer Garden, August 1934

On July 8, 1934, he opened Plaza restaurant at the same location.

DEATH

Merrill Sands, Sr died February 8, 1936 at the age of 44 from viral pneumonia. At the time, he lived at 503 Duval St. His brother, Harry, came to help him and contracted the virus. Harry died ten days later.

Merrill Sands was laid to rest in the Key West Cemetery in Key West, Florida.

The Key West Citizen. February 10, 1936

SOURCES

1900 United States Federal Census; Florida Passenger Lists, 1898-1964; Key West, Florida, City Directory, 1914; U.S., Passport Applications, 1795-1925; U.S., Consular Reports of Births, 1910-1949; World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918

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