Merryman Pounds Sr. was an original settler of Putnam County, Georgia and is found in the 1820 census of Putnam County.

REFN: 1035
MERRIMAN POUNDS WILL
Georgia, Putnam County
Know all men by these presents that Merryman Pound Sr. wishing to secure to my daughter Calrry Morgan and the lawful heirs of her body and equal share of my estate after my death do hereby loan to my daughter Clary for the support of herself, children an equal share of my estate after my death to be used forthe exclusive support of herself and children during her natural life and after herewith to be divided equally between her said children. I therefore request my legal representatives to carry this as part of my will and testament fully into effect after my decease. given under my handthis 3rd day of August eighteen hundred and forty two in presence of
R. R. Stevens Merryman Pound
James G. Andrews
JR Andrews, JP
Georgia Putnam County
The within will of Merryman Pound decd. duly proven before me by R. R. Stevens and JR Andrews two of the _______ witnesses to the same this 22nd March 1843.
John Hudson JIC
Samuel Pearson JIC

Merriman Pounds Biography

Merryman Pound was born in Virginia about 1760, the son of Revolutionary soldier, Reuben Pound, who served with the GA Continental Line. Merryman's wife was Clarissa Ladufsia Herndon, daughter of George Herndon, and descendant of William and Catherine Digges Herndon of Virginia. Family members have no proof as to who Merryman's or Clarissa'smother was. Hancock County, Georgia deeds prove that Merryman and Clarissa were married by 1797.

There are several references to the military involvement of this Putnam County, Georgia pioneer. His story is an interesting one relating how a native Virginian came to live in the southwest corner of a Georgia county, carving for himself and his family a home on the banks of Murder Creek. His Devil's Half Acre Plantation was on the edge of white settlement, and was probably viewed as an encroachment onto what had rightfully belonged to the Creek Indians. Military records of Washington County, GA, dated 1779-1839, show that Private MERRIMAN POUNDS from Rabon's District had one horse and served in Captain Joseph Carson's Troops of militia as a cavalryman. He served two terms of duty at Rock Landing on the Oconee River while Colonel John McKenzie served as fort commandant. A sworn statement from John Mckenzie given 14 May 1833, stated that said military service was around 1793-1795. Due to old age, McKenzie was unable to recall the exact year. MERRY POUND gave a sworn oath to the same service on 10 August 1833. His name is also listed among those filing claims with the State of Georgia for property losses resulting from actions taken by the Creek Indians in 1799. By that time, he had purchased land in Hancock and Greene counties. He participated in the 1805 GA land Lottery from Greene Co, and was a jury member in Greene County in 1806. As an early Putnam County settler, Merryman continued land and slave transactions. By 1826, he owned 669 acres in Putnam, land for which he paid $3265. His large family prospered on the banks of Murder Creek. Merryman's Last Will and Testament was made 3 August 1842, and was proven in open court 22 March 1843. The only child mentioned was Clary Morgan. His wife Clarissa had been deeded 202 1/2 acres, 3 slaves, and other properties on 5 March 1840 for "ten dollars as well as for the love and affection I have for my wife Clary." Merryman's heirs sold to John Bohannon Pound their father's estate properties on 9 March 1843. Said property was "640 acres more or less." Heirs were paid $1200 for this property. On 7 April 1990, descendants and Putnam County residents gathered to dedicate a government marker placed to honor Merryman Pound for his service during Georgia's Indian wars. Since that time, descendants have also learned that Merryman Pound was a War of 1812 veteran. Merryman and his wife, "Clary" Herndon Pound, are buried in the Pound Family Cemetery just off Highway 212 in southwest Putnam County.