Abe Merritts and Sallie Deseux
According to the 1900 Census, Abe (also could be named Abram Merritts or Abraham), was the son of William and Mary Merrick born in Georgia. Research identified his parents on the 1880 Alachua Census as the only William and Mary of that time.
William Merricks Sr., according to the Census, was born 1813 in North Carolina, and Mary, maiden name unknown was born 1835, in Virginia.
The earliest Census of 1880 has Abe at 22 years old born in 1858. He and brother William Jr. (1852) were born in Georgia; while his younger siblings were born in Florida: Elick in 1855 and possibly an Alex/Elix was born in 1860. Margaret was born 1862, sisters Jessie in 1864, Polly Merrick Hughes in 1866 and Rhoda Merrick in 1870. Abe and his family lived in Bradford, and Union County during 1879-1930.
At the age of 33, Abe married Sallie Deseux. The couple bore eleven children: Lou Vienna (according to the 1900 Census, could be Lourena), Horace, Jimmie, Willie, Epstein, Fisher, Fannie, Grover, Roy, Sammie, and Mae and Davis.
Abe died in 1930 and was laid to rest at Ft. Call Cemetery located in Worthington Springs, Florida. Sallie’s death unknown.
If anyone in the family has a photo of Abe and Sallie Merrick please share with the family. You can email pictures to merricks2024@gmail.com
Worthing Springs, Florida
The Town of Worthington Springs was named for early settler Sam Worthington, who arrived prior to the first Seminole War of 1814–1819. The mineral spring on the Santa Fe River was alleged to have medicinal benefits, attracting people from the late 1800s to the early 1900s.
Our gratitude goes out to Alicia Lynn Lancaster and Joseph Merriex for providing us with this history content.
The Meaning of the Merricks Name
Merricks
Local Origin of Name: Welsh
From the Welsh name Meuric is another form of Maurice
Meaning
“Fame” or “Power” “Strong Ruler” and Dark-Skinned