" 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................