Title	Mrs.
Last Name	Merrill
First Name	Ann
Middle Name	J.
Maiden Name	Hersey
Nick Name
Place of Birth	Ripley, ME
Date of Birth	1837
Place of Death	Dexter, ME
Date of Death	1912-11-06
Publication	E.Gazette 11-9-1944, p.3/EG 11-7-1912p8
Obituary	MRS. ANN J. HERSEY MERRILL Ann J. Hersey was born in Ripley, Maine, in 1837 the daughter of Justus and Betsey (King) Hersey. She married Allen Merrill, May 5, 1859. They had three sons, Warren, Arthur and Merton who all lived to manhood. Before her, marriage Ann Hersey taught school. We find her named as the teacher in District No. 4, in Dexter in the summer tern of 1853. The report says the school was interrupted by sickness in the district and was not visited by the School Committee. They judged it might rate as medium. But the next year she taught in District No. 7 and the standing of the school was excellent and no school taught by her thereafter ever dropped below that standard. Ann Hersey Merrill was a woman of great native ability and although she never pushed herself ahead of others, she was always ready and willing to help all good causes. Mrs. Merrill was the first woman to be put on the school committee in Dexter, and she served in that capacity for many years. She was a member of the last Superintending School Committee to serve before the State law required a Supervisor. Mrs. Merrill was a charter member of the Woman's Literary Class and remained a staunch member the rest of her life. She was a worthy member of the Dexter Woman's Christian Temperance Union. Mrs. Merrill was the first woman to serve the Dexter Universalist Sunday School as Superintendent and she filled the office worthily for a good many years. After her husband's death Mrs. Merrill kept her home and died there on November 6, 1912. The Eastern Gazette 11-9-1944, p.3 (LHC) Funeral services for the late Mrs. Ann H. Merrill, widow of the late Allen Merrill, of this town, were held at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon from the Universalist church, Rev. S. G. Spear, pastor of the church, officiating. The bearers were Messrs. John W. Springall, Fred M. Young, Stanley Plummer and Albert L. Atkins. There were many flowers which testified of the high esteem in which the deceased was held by her many friends. The church was well filled with the neighbors and friends of the deceased. Interment was in Mount Pleasant cemetery. The Eastern Gazette 11-14-1912, p.5 Mrs. Ann Merrill A host of friends in Dexter and other nearby towns will be shocked and grieved to learn of the sudden passing away of Mrs. Ann Merrill on Wednesday noon at her home on upper Main street. Mrs. Merrill had apparently been enjoying her usual health and on Wednesday forenoon had been present at the memorial services for the late Mrs. Charles F. Witherell. After the services Mrs. Merrill returned to her home and was found in the kitchen at noon, having suddenly passed away while busying herself in the preparation of dinner. Mrs. Merrill was one of the honored and highly beloved towns women and had lived here the greater part of her life. Always kindly, thoughtful and ever-ready to aid alike friends and chance acquaintances, she will be missed by a large number of people to whom has been the privilege of coming into contact with her large hearted kindness and generosity. She was a member of the Universalist church of this town and took an active interest in all of its departments. She was an honored member of the Woman's Literary club and also Wassookeag chapter, O. E. S. She is survived by three sons: Dr. Arthur Merrill of St. John, N. B., Merton, whose address is unknown, and Warren of this town. They have the sympathy of the community in their bereavement. The funeral services will be held at the Universalist church Friday at 2.30 p. m. The Eastern Gazette 11-7-1912, p.8