Kentucky: A History of the State, Battle, Perrin, & Kniffin, 3rd ed., 1886. Warren County. WILLIAM W. MERRITT, JR., is a native Kentuckian, born in Warren County, January 26, 1853. His father, after whom he was named, was a native of Virginia, born in Norfolk, Fluvanna County, in the latter part of the eighteenth century. He moved early to Kentucky, and settled in Warrren County. He married Mary V. Kelly February 22, 1844. He died August 30, 1856; she died December 25, 1859. She left two daughters, Mary J. (Hardin) and Elizabeth B. (Hardin), and one son, William W., Jr. William W. Merritt, Sr., started in life with but scanty means; he engaged in agricultural pursuits and by industry and perseverance, acquired a fine property. He was also the owner of a number of slaves that were freed during the war of 1861. William W. Merritt, Jr., received a good common school education, and in 1868 entered Washington and Lee University at Lexington, Va., where he remained until the death of Gen. Robert E. Lee, who was at that time president of that institution. There he studied French, Latin, and the higher mathematics. In 1870 he returned to Kentucky, leased his farm from his guardian, and engaged in agriculture. He is now the proprietor of a farm of 400 acres, which are well improved and very productive. He is principally engaged in the culture of grain and tobacco, in which, as well as the breeding of blooded stock, he has been eminently successful. The improvements on Mr. Merritt's farm and the neatness and system of his surroundings, prove him to be a thorough-going farmer. His wife, to whom he was married on the 16th day of April, 1874, was a Miss Carrie Morton. Their union has been blessed in the birth of one son, Charles W., born May 12, 1883. Mrs. Carrie (Morton) Merritt is a daughter of John R. and Sarah E. (McCutchen) Morton, of Logan County, Ky. Mr. and Mrs. Merritt are life-long and consistent members of the Presbyterian Church (Cumberland). He is also a member of the I. O. O. F. Politically he is a Democrat, but he is more noted for the energy with which he pushes his farming interests than for his interest in political affairs. Merritt Kelly Hardin Lee Morton McCutchen = Norfolk-Fluvanna-VA Logan-KY http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/warren/merritt.ww.txt