Caroline Elizabeth Thomas Merrick, b. 1825
Old Times in Dixie Land: a Southern Matron's Memories
New York: Grafton Press, 1901

Caroline Elizabeth Thomas was born at Cottage Hall in East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana on November 24, 1825. Her father, David Thomas, was a South Carolinian who had settled in Louisiana after the War of 1812. In 1840 Caroline married Edwin T. Merrick, who later became chief justice of Louisiana. Following the war, the Merricks relocated to New Orleans, where Caroline Merrick became a motivated activist for women's rights and temperance. Through her efforts, Merrick effected several changes to Louisiana law. In 1879, she and other women spoke to the Constitutional Convention, petitioning for women's suffrage and their increased independence in financial and legal matters. For her efforts, Merrick was made honorary vice president of the Woman Suffrage Association of Louisiana. She also served for ten years as president of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Louisiana. She died in New Orleans in 1908.