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116    MERRITT, WILLIAM, JR. [E38.1]

Location - Williams Township. At edge of woods 400 feet east of SR 1008, Farrington Road, 0.75 mile north of intersection with SR 1717, Lystra Road.

Coordinates: 35d 49m 47.1s N; 79d 01m 17.3s W Click here for Online Maps

This cemetery was located by Gerald Oldham in 1989. Four (4) grave markers on a single stone were recorded by Barbara Roth, 10 October 1993. On 14 February 1996, Will M. Heiser visited the cemetery and noted field stones or raised areas for 12 graves with space for a total of 16 graves. The site was visited and photographed in July 2024 by Angie Pearse.

Another view of cemetery. - - - Final view of cemetery.

Owner: Leigh Goodwin Jones and Steven Wesley Goodwin (2024). Previously Joyce Tilley-Nash.
Legal Description: Parcel 0089692. Deed 1705/0190, 22 Aug 2013. Shirley Tilley Wheeler and Dewey Edward Wheeler to Leigh Goodwin Jones and Steven Wesley Goodwin. Plat 2013-91 shows cemetery. Deed references estate file 13E-21 and deed 612/695. Deed Book JD-264, 15 Sep 1943 to Robert and Annie Loretta Barbee Tilley. Estate Record 92E-37, probate of Will of Annie Loretta Barbee Tilley to Shirley T. Wheeler and Joyce Ellen Tilley Goodwin (No mention of cemetery in earlier deeds).
Topo Quadrant: Farrington.
Marginally maintained.
Number of graves: 12.
Cemetery size: 25' x 40'; 0.03 acre on Chatham County GIS.
White: Yes.
Restricted access: Private property.
Enclosed: Yes, by low granite curbing.
Enclosed conditions: Good.
Markers: Yes.
Markers with inscriptions: Yes.
Number of readable markers: 4.
Last burial: 1867.
First burial: 1825.
Last canvassed by: Gerald Oldham, 1989; Barbara Roth, 10 Oct 1993; Will M. Heiser, 14 Feb 1996; Angie Pearse, Jul 2024.

1. Merritt, Ann Eliza   (b. 27 Oct 1822 - d. 3 Jun 1825)
Daughter of William, Jr. and Sarah 'Sally' (Rencher) Merritt. Closeup. Stone erected in 1940's with 4 names.
2. Merritt, Leonidas John   (b. 8 Jun 1830 - d. 1 Jul 1862)
Son of William, Jr. and Sarah 'Sally' (R.) Merritt. Military marker. - - - Footstone: Lieut. L.J.M. Fell at Battle of Malvern Hill, 1 Jul 1862. Another view. - - - Portrait.
3. Merritt, Sarah 'Sally' (Rencher)   (b. 9 Apr 1791 - d. 22 Dec 1859)
Wife of William Merritt, Jr. Sister of Abraham Rencher, Congressman. Stone erected in 1940's with 4 names.
4. Merritt, William, Jr.   (b. 10 Jul 1785 - d. 17 Nov 1867)
Husband of Sarah 'Sally' (Rencher) Merritt. Son of William Merritt, Sr. 3' x 4' stone erected in 1940's with 4 names.
5. Unknown, Unknown   (b. Unknown - d. Unknown)
Fieldstone marker.
6. Unknown, Unknown   (b. Unknown - d. Unknown)
Fieldstone marker.
7. Unknown, Unknown   (b. Unknown - d. Unknown)
Fieldstone marker.
8. Unknown, Unknown   (b. Unknown - d. Unknown)
Fieldstone marker.
9. Unknown, Unknown   (b. Unknown - d. Unknown)
Fieldstone marker.