Wednesday, May 6, 2009

" Elmscourt " Birthplace of Jennie Merrill




No inside photos were allowed at Elmscourt so we'll have to
settle for a little history and a walk around the grounds. It was
in this house in 1864 that Jane Surget Merrill was born. It appears
that this place may have also caused her greatest heartbreak.
In "the book" I read recently written by her close friend, a story
is repeated about the Merrill family's loss of Elmscourt.

In 1876, Jennie's father Ayers P. Merrill was appointed Minister to
Belgium by his close friend, President Ulysses Grant. He took his
children to live in Brussels. It was here that Jennie was presented
to the Court of St. James. However Aryes Merrill became ill in Brussels
and had to resign the post and return to Natchez. It was after "the war"
and finances were depleted. Apparently he had to borrow money from
a cousin to pay off debts. Due to his illness, he was unable to pay the money
back and the relative foreclosed on Elmscourt. It caused a life long feud
between family members. It also caused Jennie Merrill and the love of
her life, Duncan Minor, heartbreak. It appears from what I read in the
book, THIS WAS THE REASON Duncan Minors mother forbade him to
marry Jennie!




What I believe would be a caretaker's cottage out back...


Steps leading from back porch to yard are covered in Wisteria..


The horse stables. Owners were once race horse breeders!


Green house helps to keep the over one hundred acres in flowers...





The back porch................................




Outside view of front side......................







Closer view of Ironwork brought in from France....





They have pruned Azaleas into trees...................









The Azalea Trees line the garden path..................







They even have a pool which is quite a walk from the house....






The iron kettle you see above was used in Plantation days to
make Molasses................








12 comments:

Tess Kincaid said...

Wow, lots of vibes coming from that dark and creepy brick out building!

Vicki Lane said...

Love the azalea trees!

Becca's Dirt said...

What a nice story Carol. I love the history that fills the walls of those old plantations. Too bad for Jennie and the family to lose the plantation and to lose to family members had to hurt thus causing the fued. I have never seen azaleas pruned into trees. How pretty.

Let me know next time you come into Mobile. I would love to meet you for coffee or lunch.

I haven't been to the Mobile Flea Mkt in years. You can find just about anything out there.

Have a good day... Becca

Merisi said...

Thank you for this most wondrous tour of a beautiful historic place!

I came here from Willow's,
and I have to thank her for showing me the way.

Carol Murdock said...

Willow....I hope you came back after I got the writing done!
I push the wrong button and the pictures went without explanation!

Vicki....Have you ever? I did not know it was possiable!

Becca...as I said to Vicki..I never have either! They were gorgeous though!

Mersi...thank you for coming by and I thank Willow for showing you the way!

Anonymous said...

This looks like a gorgeous place, Carol and you're certainly caught up with all the history of it. So it makes it that much more special to visit. Great photos and thanks for sharing.

Renie Burghardt said...

Gorgeous place, Carol, and such an intriguing background. No wonder you are so interested in it and in the story that surrounds it. And those azelea trees are beautiful as well!

Happy Wednesday!

Renie

Elizabeth Bradley said...

I love this kind of stuff. The history, coupled with the pictures are so informative.

A Brit in Tennessee said...

An intriguing home, rich in history, steeped in family tragedy.
At one point in time, I imagine the home to be in a class all by itself.
Great pictures Carol, enjoy you trip :)

crochet lady said...

I love touring historic homes. If the wood and mortar and stone that hold together a house could talk, what stories would they tell, I wonder.

Thanks for sharing your tour.

NCmountainwoman said...

Another wonderful outdoor tour. Oh, if those walls could talk!

Tess Kincaid said...

Hey, I came back to read the text! Even more interesting with the explanations. :D