I am posting to several digests in order to reach the most relatives. Please forgive if you receive this more than one time. The Annual Merritt Family Reunion will be held on Saturday, June14th, 2003, starting at 9:30 A.M. and lasting until late afternoon. The location will be in the Frank Jackson State Park and Lake, which is located off U.S. Highway 331 North in Opp, Alabama. At the Opp Mizell Hospital turn WEST at the light and follow the brown recreational signs. The reunion will be held at the pavilion near the boat landing with plenty of shade trees and beautiful scenery. We would love to meet and greet all of our extended family. This gathering is held in "Honor of all Descendants of the Merritt Family." Below you will see some related surnames written in capital letters in the brief list of the older generations. Please bring lawn chairs and a "filled" dinner basket. Don't forget to bring any old family photos, copies of genealogy material, or family stories to share with others. If you have musical abilities you are welcome to come prepared to entertain us. Again, please note related surnames and know that we truly want to meet you if you are related to any of us....the more that come, the more we learn about our family. COME EARLY AND STAY LATE, LET'S ENJOY THE GOD GIVEN TIME THAT WE HAVE LEFT, AND ENJOY EACH OTHER'S COMPANY. For more information please contact: Eldon & Dot Merritt e-mail [email protected] Virginia Merritt e-mail [email protected] Bob & Mary Terry e-mail [email protected] MERRITT Line: Jesse MERRITT b.in NC c.1789 m.2. Nancy __ probably in Early Co. GA. Children:(m1.) Jesse Charles Merritt b.NC 1805 m. Sarah __ --5 children...Talitha, Cintha, Betty, Annie, and Missouri Jane (m2) A. Marion Merritt b. GA in 1826 m. Nancy WHITE---8 children...John Thomas b.1858 m.Sarah OWENS, William Henry b.1859 m. Syvel DREDING, Nancy Jane b.1861 m. Andrew Jackson "Blackjack" LEE Jr., Sarah Ann b. 1862 m. Bill THOMPSON, Marion Lafayette b.1863 m.Sugar Roper LASSITER, James "Jim" G. b.1865 m. Lougenia __, Mary Ann b. 1867 d.1886, Isaac David b. 1870 m Phoebe Lucinda LASSITER B. John R. Merritt b. 1832 m. Elizabeth __----4 daughters C. Jasper Marion b. 1836 m. Eliza GWALTNEY from Mobile---4 children D. Thomas J. Merritt b. 1837 m. Lucy A.E. in 1900 and lived in Hardwicksburg AL E. James A.J. Merritt b. 1839 m. Edie OWENS---1 child....James Levy Merritt "Bud" F. Mary Ann Merritt b. 1845 ---1 child...Mary A. "Molly" m. Absalom HENDRIX Except for one, Jasper Marion Merritt, these children lived in SE Alabama Counties. Jasper lived in Walton Co. FL. Their descendants are scattered all over the United States, but many have remained in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi.

Hi Folks, I don't have a proven connection with this Merritt line, but my great grandfather was an AL/GA Merritt with NC roots. James A. Merritt was born in 1851 and on the 1900 census he was listed on River Road in Early Co, GA where he was a ferryman across the Chatahoochee River between GA and AL. I think I've been in touch with some of you and discussed things like the crooked little finger that we have in our Merritt line. Would love to attend the reunion if I weren't currently stuck in northern CA. : ) I've checked on the Family Tree DNA site and don't see even one Merritt. If anyone is interested in starting a project to connect our NC, GA, and AL Merritts, I'd be willing to pitch in. (Only male Merritts are eligible for the testing.) We are doing this with the Southern Clarks, and it is so exciting! (We just had a match and others are possibly pending.) In fact, there are projects going on for the surnames of three of my four grandparents (all but the Merritts). I can send links to many surname sites with examples and information if anyone has questions or concerns. Anybody else interested? Regards, Mitzi