Esther Merritt, 89, Dies at Hildebran, N.C., Jan. 1, 1921

Mrs. Esther M. Merritt, who would have been 90 years old in two months, died at Hildebran, Burke county, Friday afternoon at 2 o’clock after an illness of several weeks. She was in good health until seven weeks ago when she broke her hip in a fall and since that time had been failing constantly. She left no near-relatives and resided with Miss A.A. Roberts at Hildebran. Mrs. Merritt was a member of the Seventh-Day Adventist church and was a splendid woman. The funeral was conducted this afternoon by Mr. J.W. Beach. From The Hickory Daily Record, Saturday evening, Jan. 1, 1921)