Caroline Elizabeth Thomas Merrick (24 Nov 1825 – 29 Mar 1908 | East Feliciana Parish LA – New Orleans LA) poet, suffragist, short fiction writer, social / civic activist, women’s rights advocate.

That which follows is an honest effort to tell the truth in the recollections of one’s life –

for, after all, truth is the chief virtue of history. The truth is I would not swap a row of

cotton-plants in my field for everything that old man has in all his grounds and green-

houses put together. To tell you the real downright truth, you all made me feel cheap

about chopping up her things, and I am going to replace them. Nothing could have been

further from the truth. The utterances of truth perceived becomes the highest duty.

Gratitude to the author of ‘Old Creole Days’ for telling the truth. She investigated – if

perchance she might find the soul of truth which is ever at the origin of all error. Speak

the truth. Defend the weak. She is a radical of radicals, but disarms by her clear, genial

manner of presenting the truth. Let age speak the truth — and give us peace at last.

Merrick, Caroline E. Old Times in Dixie Land: A Southern Matron’s Memories. New York: The Grafton Press, 1901. https://archive.org/details/oldtimesindixielmerr/page/n4/mode/1up