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Gc 

929.2 

M832ni 

v.l 

1143034 


GENEALOGY  COLLECTION 


ALLEN  COUNTY  PUBLIC  I 


3  1833  00859  7038 


THE 

MORRIS  FAMILY 

OF 

PHILADELPHIA 

DESCENDANTS  OF 

ANTHONY  MORRIS 

Born      I   Ska.-   I   J  2   I     Dieci 
BY 

ROBERT  C.  MOON,  M.  D. 


VOL.  I 


PHILADELPHIA 

ROBERT   C.   MOON,    M.   D.,    1319  WALNUT   STREET 

1898 


Robert  C.  Moon,  M.  D. 


Ketterlinns  Litho.  Mfg.  Co. 

Phila.,  A^ezv   York, 

Chicago. 


1143034 

are  dedicated 
-ray beioved  Wife- 

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cxncl  eaoourag'traeivt 


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PREFACE. 


A  FEW  words,  b}'  way  of  explanation,  may  not  be  inappro- 
priate, in  reference  to  the  publication  of  this  history  of  the 
j\Iorris  family  of  Philadelphia, — a  family  which  is  coeval  with 
the  Commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania,  and  one,  which  has  been 
intimately  identified  with  the  growth  and  life  of  Philadelphia. 

The  author,  upon  becoming  connected  with  the  Morris  family, 
by  marriage,  soon  gathered  together  a  few  interesting  facts  and 
figures  relating  to  its  history ;  these  formed  a  nucleus,  around 
whicli,  other  facts  and  figures  readily  crystallized ;  and  ever 
encouraged,  and  inspired,  by  the  near  presence  of  one,  who 
worthih^  represents  the  virtues  of  a  worthy  line,  it  became  the 
pleasant  task  of  leisure  moments  from  professional  duties,  to 
acquire  and  arrange  fresh  biographical  data  relating  to  the 
family.  In  the  course  of  time,  several  of  its  prominent  members 
learned  that  a  large  amount  of  such  material  had  been  collected, 
and,  it  was  at  their  urgent  request,  that  its  preparation  for  the 
press  was  ultimately  undertaken. 

The  Morris  Tree,  compiled  by  the  late  Anthony  S.  Morris, 
and  published  by  him  in  18G1,  has  afforded  considerable  assist- 
ance, but  from  the  two  facts,  that  dates  are  almost  entirely  absent 

from  the  "Tree,"  and  that  thirty-seven  years  have  elapsed,  since 

(iii) 


iv  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

its  publication,  it  has  been  neither  a  brief,  nor  an  easy  task,  to 
prepare  and  complete  the  Genealogy  of  the  family  up  to  the 
present  time.  In  a  few  instances,  it  has  been  found  impossible 
to  procure  the  dates  of  births,  etc.,  and,  in  some  others,  they 
have  been  omitted  from  these  pages,  at  the  request  of  living 
members  of  the  family. 

The  numerous  descendants  of  Anthony  INIorris*  (son  of 
William,'^)  most  of  whom  reside  in  Western  States,  have  been 
traced  ab  initio,  as  there  is  no  record  of  them  upon  the  Morris 
Tree, — the  name  of  "  Anthony  Morris,"  their  progenitor,  appear- 
ing alone,  upon  a  solitary  twig.  After  several  years  of  inquiry, 
the  author  has  had  the  gratification  of  finding  the  Bible  of 
William  Morris,^  in  which  are  recorded  the  names  and  dates  of 
birth  of  his  children,  who  were  born  in  the  Island  of  Barbados. 
The  photographic  reproductions  of  these  entries  will  doubtless 
be  of  interest  to  his  descendants. 

The  endeavour  to  collect  together  all  the  recorded  facts, 
referring  to  the  ancestry  and  life  of  the  founder  of  this  Morris 
family  in  America,  has  necessitated  extensive  and  prolonged 
research  in  Great  Britain  and  the  United  States. 

From  the  lack  of  knowledge  of  his  antecedents,  it  has  been 
the  custom  in  the  family,  to  denominate  Anthony  Morris, 
"  Mariner,"  (whose  name  is  at  the  Root  of  the  Morris  Tree),  as 
"Anthony  Morris  the  first;"  but  one  result  of  the  autlior's 
recent  investigations,  has  been,  the  discovery,  that  the  father  of 
that  Anthony  Morris,  "  Mariner,"  was  an  "Anthony  Morris,  late 
of    the    Island   of    Barbados,   formerly   of    Reading    in    Great 


PKEFACE.  V 

Britain,"  (born  circa  1600).  Our  knowledge  of  the  ancestry  of 
the  family,  is  thus  carried  one  generation  further  back,  and  the 
fact  is  emphasized,  that  "ANTHONY,"  for  the  past  300  years  has 
been  the  distinguishing  Christian  name  of  the  famil3^  Further 
than  this,  the  author  has  discovered  a  statement  (made  by 
Anthony  ^Nlorris,^)  that  "  The  Family  came  from  Leicestershire 
to  London."  {Vide  "  Page  of  Entries  in  Famil}^  Bible  of  Samuel 
Morris.^ ") 

The  biographical  sketches,  with  copious  references  to  Colonial 
Records,  Deeds,  Wills,  Letters,  and  other  documents,  to  which 
(as  a  member  of  the  family),  the  author  has  been  afforded  access, 
will,  we  trust,  prove  of  interest  and  value  to  the  historian,  as 
well  as  to  the  members  of  the  family. 

Separate  notices  are  also  given  of  several  of  the  families 
connected,  by  intermarriage,  with  the  Morris  family.  In  some 
instances,  the  information  contained  in  tliese  notices,  appears  in 
print  for  the  first  time. 

Many  priceless  relics  and  portraits  have  kindly  been  com- 
mitted to  the  care  of  the  author,  for  the  purpose  of  making 
photographic  reproductions  of  them — many  of  which  are  shown 
in  the  following  pages — but,  the  photographic  illustrations  of  the 
Morris  family  histor}^,  have  accumulated  to  such  an  extent,  that 
it  has  heen  found  impossible  to  insert  more  than  a  portion  of 
them  in  this  work. 

It  is  needless  to  dwell  at  length,  upon  the  importance  and 
uses  of  Genealogical  study  and  research ;  an  able  writer  has  well 
said :     "  To  gather  up  the  Memorials  of  those  wlio  have  gone 


vi  GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MORRIS  FAMILY. 

before  us,  to  reconstruct  their  living  portraits  from  historical 
fragments  so  widely  scattered,  is  a  work  of  time,  of  patience,  and 
of  unremitting  toil ;  but  once  completed,  the  ancestral  line, 
reaching  down  the  vista  of  the  past,  will  stand  out  clearly  before 
us,  the  images  of  our  fathers  will  tenderly  live  in  our  minds, 
and  we  shall  reverently  cherish  their  memories  as  will  likewise 
the  generations  to  come."  Besides  which,  as  Edmund  Burke 
emphatically  exclaimed  :  "  Those  who  do  not  treasure  up  the 
memory  of  their  Ancestors,  do  not  deserve  to  be  remembered  b}^ 
posterity." 

Since  the  establishment  of  so  many  patriotic  and  hereditary 
Societies,  Genealogical  information  has  become  a  necessity,  and 
in  the  present  work,  special  attention  has  been  given  to  the 
recording  of  facts,  which  will,  we  trust,  be  found  of  service  to 
many  who  are  desirous  of  enrolment  in  such  organizations. 

ROBERT  C.  MOON,  M.  D. 


"WALNaTT  Streei',  Philadelphia, 
September,  1898. 


TO 
THE  DESCENDANTS. 

Beneath  old  England's  misty  skies 

Two  hundred  years  ago, 
One,  to  the  sunset  turned  his  eyes 

With  firm  resolve,  to  go 
Where,  in  the  far  land  of  the  AVest, 
He  might  serve  God  as  seemed  him  best. 

Across  the  stormy  sea  he  sailed 

A  voyage  stern,  and  long, 
Yet  his  brave  spirit  never  quailed 

Save  at  the  fear  of  wrong ; 
At  last,  he  reached  the  alien  strand 
Where  friends  were  few  to  grasp  his  hand. 

The  wild-birds  sang  in  thoughtless  glee. 
The  flowers,  a  welcome  smiled, 

The  sunny  sky,  appeared  to  be 
With  mankind  reconciled ; 

And  in  his  home  beside  the  stream, 

The  new  life  seemed  a  happy  dream. 

Like  saplings  in  their  native  earth 
His  children  round  him  grew ; 

Love  dwelt  beside  his  peaceful  hearth. 
And  fond  afiection  threw 

A  golden  splendor  o'er  the  days 

Of  earnest  toil,  and  simple  ways. 

But,  as  the  dear,  domestic  nest 

Enlarged,  and  overflowed, 
In  North,  and  South,  in  East,  and  West, 

Each  sought  a  new  abode ; 
Thus,  like  a  widening  circle  spread 
The  family,  from  that  fountain  head, 
(vii) 


GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MORRIS  FAMILY. 

Until  from  wild  Atlantic's  shore, 

To  mild  Pacific's  strand, 
The  many  members  scattered  o'er 

The  broad,  and  fertile  land. 
And  where  they  lit  their  household  fires. 
Cherished  the  memories  of  their  Sires. 

Like  us,  they  loved,  and  suffered  much, 

And  bravely  bore  life's  strain ; 
Their  hearts  throbbed  to  the  self-same  touch 

Of  Pleasure,  and  of  Pain; 
Sought  the  same  Father's  Throne  in  Prayer, 
And  felt  the  like  supjiorting  care. 

So,  as  one  treasures  faded  flowers 

Or  wood-bird's  fallen  plume. 
Recalling  thus,  long  vanished  hours 

From  grey  oblivion's  gloom, 
Mementos  here  we  fondly  lay 
Of  those,  who  long  have  passed  away. 

Dear  Lord  of  Love !     AVe  pray  Thee,  bless 

Our  Family  here  below! 
Grant  to  us  all,  that  happiness 

Which  those  who  serve  Thee  know. 
And  when  our  earthly  wanderings  cease. 
Unite  us  in  Thy  Home  of  Peace ! 


September,  1898. 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS. 


PAGE 

St.  Duxstax's  Church,  Stepxey,  Loxdox — Exterior,  1898,    .    .    .  Froidlsplece 

Dedicatiox, 

St.  Duxstax's  Church,  Stepxey,  Loxdox — Exterior,  1755, 18 

Kecord  of  Baptism  of  Axtiioxy  Morris,-  1(35-1, 20 

Map  of  Stepxey— 1703, 22 

Map  of  Stepney— 1898, 22 

St.  Dunstan's  Church,  Stepxey,  Loxdox — Exterior,  1785, 24 

St.  Dunstan's  Church,  Stepxey,  Loxdox — Exterior,  1795, 24 

St.  Dunstan's  Church,  Stepxey,  Loxdox — Exterior,  1809, 26 

St.  Dunstan's  Church,  Stepney,  London- Ixterior,  1898,      26 

Ligon's  Map  of  Barbados,     28 

Canal  and  Wharves  at  Bridgetown,  Barbados, 30 

A  House  in  Barbados, 30 

The  Font,  St.  Dunstan's  Church,  Stepney,  Loxdox, 32 

Anthony  Morris^  and  Mary  Jones  Propose  their  Ixtextioxs  of  Mar- 
riage, 12  MO.  14,  1675, 34 

AxTHONY  Morris^  AND  Mary  Jones  Propose  their  Ixtextioxs  of  IMar- 

riage,  12  mo.  28,  1675, 34 

Axthony  Morris^  Produces  his  Certificate  in  London,  10  mo.  5,  1715,  34 
Marriage  Certificate  of  Anthony  Morris^  and  Mary  Joxes,  1  mo. 

30,  1676,      36 

Certificate  for  Anthony'  Morris^  and  Wife  from  Friends  at  West- 
minster TO  Friends  in  Burlington,  N.  J.,  9  mo.  1,  1682,      38 

A   Silver  Chafinct  Dish  Brought  to  America  by  Anthony  Morris,- 

1682, 40 

A   Silver  Chafing  Dish  Brought  to  America  by  Anthony  Morris,  ^ 

1682,  (Under  Side,) 40 

Friends'  Meeting  House,  Burlington,  N.  J.,  1683-1787, 42 

Record    of    the   Birth   of   "John    ye    son   of    Anthony  and    Mary 

Morris,"  Burlington,  N.  J.,  1685, 48 

Portion   of    List   of    Subscribers    to   the    ^Ieeting   House,   Burling- 
ton, X.  J., 48 

Marriage   Certificate  of   Axtiioxy    Morris-  axd  Agnes  Bom,   8  mo. 

28,  1689,      50 

Enoch  Flower — Autograph  Signature, 53 

(ix) 


X  GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MORRIS  FAMILY. 

PAGE 

Petition  for  Public  School  ix  Philadelphia,  1697, 54 

A  Writ  Signed  by  Judge  Anthony  Morris,  3  mo.  20,  1698, 58 

The  "Blue  Anchor"  and  Drawbridge,  Philadelphia, 60 

Great  Meeting  House  and  Old  Court  House,  Philadelphia,  ....  60 
Marriage  Certificate  of  Anthony  ^Morris-  and  Elizabei'h  Watson, 

8  MO.  30,  1700, 62 

Isaac  Norris — Autograph  Signature, 63 

Anthony  Morris^ — Autograph  Signature, 89 

Thos.  Chalkley — Autograph  Signature,     89 

Anthony  Morris-  receives  Certificate  from  London  Yearly  Meeting, 

4  MO.  25,  1716, 108 

Elizabeth  (Watson)  Morris — Autograj)h  Signature, 114 

Anthony  Morris^ — Autograph  Signature  to  Will, 117 

Morris  Mansion,  South  Front  Street,  Philadelphia, 122 

Morris  Mansion,  South  Front  Street,  Philadelphia — Inside  of  Gable,  124 

Family  Bible  of  Anthony  Morris,  ^ 126 

Family  Bible  of  Anthony  Morris^ — Title  Page, 126 

Family  Bible  of  Anthony  Morris- — Xew  Testament  Title  Page,  .    .    .  126 

Family  Bible  of  Anthony  Morrls^ — A  page  of  Entries, 126 

Morris,  Guest,  Senior,  and  Chanders  Relics, 128 

Guest  Relics — Brass  Tongs,  Shovel,  And-Irons  and  Fender, 128 

Provincial  Currency,  1723, 139 

Provincial  Currency,  1759, 139 

Plan  of  Independence  Square,  Philadelphia, 149 

Petition  for  Pennsylvania  Hospital,  1750, 154 

Anthony  Morris' —  Autograph  Signature,      ...       155 

A  Letter  from  Anthony  Morris' to  his  Son  Samuel  Morris.*  ....  156 

Anthony  Morris'— Autograph  Signature  to  Will, 163 

Seal  (Crest)  attached  to  Will  of  Anthony  Morris,' 163 

Morris  Mansion,  North  Second  Street,  Philadelphia, 164 

Ancient  Arm  Chair  used  by  the  Guest  Family  in  the  Cave  on  the 

Delaware,     174 

Marrl\ge  Certificate  of  James  Morris'  and  Margaret  Cook,  1709,    .  178 

Deed  from  W.m.  Penn  to  James  Morrls,' 1716, 178 

Fowling  Piece  Presented  by  Wm.  Penn  to  James  3Iorris,  ' 180 

Wm.  Morris'— Autograph  Signature, 181 

Entries  in  Family  Bible  of  Wm.  Morris,'      182 

^LvRRiAGE  Certificate  of  Wm.  Morris'  and  Rebecca  Cadwalader,    .    .  192 

Entries  in  the  Family  Bible  of  Wm.  Morris,'      192 

Entries  in  the  Family  Bible  of  Wm.  Morris,'      196 

John  Cadwalader — Autograph  Signature, 198 

Sarah  Morris' — Autograph  Signature, 204 


LIST    OF    ILLUSTRATIONS.  XI 

PAGE 

LiTKE  Morris'' — Autograph  Signature,         212 

Mary  Allen's  Silver  Tea-pot  and  Salver, 212 

Silver  Tankard  of  AVm.  Morris,^ 212 

Certificate  for  Anthony  Morris*  from  Philadelphia  to  Barbados,  218 

The  First  Anthony'  Morris  Brew-house,  Philadelphia, 220 

Morris  Brewery,  Pear  and  Dock  Streets,  Philadelphia, 220 

Marriage  Certificate  of  Anthony  Morris-*  and  Elizabeth   Hudson, 

1752, 222 

Return  Made  by'  Anthony'   Morris*  of  Property'  Possessed   by   him, 

1765, 224 

John  Eeynell — Autograph  Signature, 236 

James  Pemberton — Autograph  Signature, 236 

Edward  Penington — Autograph  Signature, 236 

Richard  Wells — Autograph  Signature,      .    .    , 236 

Nicholas  Waln — Autograph  Signature,      236 

Samuel  Powell,  Sr.^ — Autograph  Signature, 238 

Marriage  Certificate  James  Morris*  and  Elizabeth  Kearney,      .    .    .  244 

]\Iarriage  Certificate  Samuel  Morris*  and  Hannah  Cadwalader,   .    .  244 

John  Morris* — Autograph  Signature, 250 

Morris  Mansion,  "Mount  Joy',"  Spring  Mill, 254 

Spring  Mill, 256 

Samuel  Morris* — Autograph  Signature, 260 

Hannah  Cadwalader  Morris — Portrait, 260 

Family  Bible  of  Samuel  Morris,* 268 

Entries  in  Family  Bible  of  Sajiuel  Morihs,* 270 

Mary  Powel — Autograph  Signature, 271 

Joseph  Morris* — Portrait, 274 

Joseph  Morris* —  Autograph  Signature, 276 

Deborah  Morris — Autograph  Signature, 280 

Diploma  of  Benjamin  Morris,  M.  D., 300 

Wm.  Morris* — Autograph  Signature,      «''08 

Rebecca  Morris — Autograph  Signature, 310 

Marriage    Certificate    of    Wm.    Morris*  and     Rebecca    Richardson 

Peters— 1752, 310 

Joseph  Richardson — Autograpla  Signature, 311 

Israel  Morris*  (Son  OF  W^M.  Morris^  )— Autograph  Signature,     ....  314 

Marriage  Certificate  of  Israel  Morris*  and  Phcebe  Brown — 1761,    .  314 

Entries  in  Family  Bible  of  Israel  Morris,* 316 

A  Chest  of  Drawers  which  belonged  to  Israel  AIorris,* 318 

Samuel  Morris,  Jr., ^ — Autograph  Signature, 320 

Isaac  Greenleafe — Autograph  Signature,     320 

Captain  Samuel  Morris — Portrait, 320 


Xii  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

PAGE 

Samuel  Morris 5— Autogi-aph  Signature, 320 

Rebekah  Morris — Autograph  Signature, 321 

Philadelphia   Troop   of    Light    Horse,    Letter   of   Discharge    from 

Gen.  Washington,  Jan.  23,  1777, 330 

Grandfather's  Clock  of  Captain  Samuel  Morris, 352 

"  Forsterhaus,"  HiLSBACH,  Baden,  Germany,  1717, 356 

Church  at  Gaibebg, 358 

HiLSBACH — "  Wirthschaft," 360 

HiLSBACH — Town  House, 360 

HiLSBACH — Schooliiouse, 360 

Caspar  Wuster — Autograph  Signature, 363 

Deborah  Franklin — Autograph  Signature, 366 

John  Franklin — Autograph  Signature, 369 

Major  Anthony  Morris — Portrait, 374 

Provincial  Currency — 1772, 376 

Provincial  Currency — 1775, 376 

Israel  Morris' — Autograph  Signature,     382 

Sarah  Buckley — Autograph  Signature, 385 

Wm.  Buckley — Autograph  Signature, 386 

Thomas  Morris' — Autograph  Signature, 394 

Westtown  School,  Boys'  Wing  and  South  Front,  1830-1885, 394 

Wm.  Morris,  Sr. — Autograph  Signature, 396 

Wm.  Morris^ — Autograph  Signature, 397 

Luke  Morris' — Autograph  Signature, 399 

Anne  Willing  ■Morris — Portrait,      400 

Isaac  Morris^ — Autograph  Signature, 404 

Colonel  Anthony  James  jNIorris — Autograph  Signature, 405 

]Maky  Jones' — Autograph  Signature, 408 

Blathwaite  Jones— Autograph  Signature, 409 

Margaret  Hill— Portrait,  Mr.  15, 414 

Richard  Hill — Autograph  Signature, 425 

]\Iary  Morris' — Autograph  Signature, 427 

John  Morris' — Autograph  Signature, 428 

Cadwalader  Morris — Autogi-aph  Signature, 434 

Cadwalader  Morris— Portrait, 434 

Provincial  Currency — 1772, 436 

Provincial  Currency — 1775, 436 

Samuel  C.  Morris— Autograpli  Signature, 437 

Anthony  C.  Morris— Autograph  Signature,      442 

Martha  ^Iorris — Autograph  Signature,     449 

Thomas  Morris"' — Autograph  Signature, 4.50 

BEN.T.A.MIN  Morris — Autograpli  Signature, 452 


LIST    OF    ILLUSTRATIONS.  xiu 

PAGE 

Samukl  Powel' — Autograph  Signature,      .400 

Samuel  Powel^ — Portrait, 480 

"  PowEL  Maxsion,"  South  Third  Street,  PiiiLADELPuiA, 484 

Martha  Mifflin — Autograph  Signature, 489 

Phcebe  3I0RRIS — Autograph  Signature, 489 

George  Mifflix — Autograph  Signature, 490 

James  INIorris'' — Autograph  Signature, 492 

James  jNIorris^  — Portrait, 492 

Elizabeth  Morris— Autograph  Signature, 493 

"Dawesfield," — Washixgtox's  Headquarters,  James  3Iokris',  1777,     .  496 

House  of  James  Morris,*  now  kxowx  as  the  "  Detweiler  House,"  .    .  496 

James  Morris — Autograpli  Signature,         503 

Elizabeth  JVIorris — Autograph  Signature,     503 

Isaac  Griffix — Autograph  Signature,     506 

Nicholas  Waln— Autograph  Signature, 511 

SusAXXA  (NoRRis)  MoRRis— Silhouette,       . 520 

Sarah  Morris  Wistar — Silhouette, 520 

Benjamin  AV.  Morris — Autograph  Signature, 522 

Richard  Wistar — Portrait, 522 

Caspar  W.  Morris«— Portrait, 524 

Caspar  W.  Morris'^ — Autograph  Signature, 525 

Elizabeth  Giles  INIorris — Portrait, 526 

Caspar  W.  Morris" — Autograph  Signature,     527 

Anthony  Morris"— Autograph  Signature, 528 

Anthony  Morris" — Portrait, 530 

"The  Highlands,"  Georgetown,  D.  C, 536 

"The  Highlands,"  Montgomery  Co.,  Pa., 536 

Luke  W.  Morris — Autograph  Signature, 540 

Luke  W.  Morris — Portrait, 540 

Isaac  W.  Morris — Autograph  Signature, 542 

Isaac  ^X.  3Iorris— Portrait, 542 

"Cedar  Grove," 544 

Catharine  W.  Morris — Autograph  Signature, 556 

Catharine  W.  Morris — Portrait,  •    • 556 

Israel  W.  Morris — Portrait, 55(> 

3IARY  Hollingsworth  ]Morris — Portrait, 558-559 

Israel  W.  Morris — Portrait,      558-559 

3I0RRIS  Mansion,  Green  Hill  Farm, 560 

Thomas  Franklin" — Autograph  Signature, 563 

Thomas  Franklin"— Portrait, 564 

EzEKiEL  Robins — Autograph  Signature, 566 

Mary  Haviland  Franklin — Portrait, 566 


XIV  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS     FAMILY. 

PAGE 

Anthony  Franklin — Portrait, 566 

Nathan  Combes — Autograph  Signature,     567 

Elizabeth  Franklin — Autograph  Signature, 567 

John  Townsend — Autograph  Signature, 568 

Lydia  Lawrence  Fr.\nklin — Portrait, 568 

Anthony  Morris  Buckley — Autograph  Signature, 572 

Anthony  Morris  Buckley — Portrait, 572 

Joseph  Saunders  IMorris — Portrait,      574 

Thomas  Morris'^ — Portrait, 576 

"Warder  Morris — Autograph  Signature, 578 

Warder  Morris — Portrait,      578 

Thomas  Willing  Morris — Portrait, 580 

Morris-Littell  House,  Germantown,      582 

"Ivy  Lodge,"  Germantown, 582 

Susannah  Budd  Jones  Shober — Portrait, 584 

Isaac  Collins — Autograph  Signature, 590 

EiCHARD  Hill  Morris — Autograph  Signature,     596 

Samuel  Milligan — Autograph  Signature, 605 

Samuel  Milligan — Portrait, 604 

Hester  Griffitts — Portrait, 608 

Prof.  Samuel  Powel  Griffitts,  M.  D. —  Portrait, 610 

Caspar  Wistar,  M.  D. —  Autograph  Signature, 612 

Prof.  Caspar  Wistar,  M.  D. —  Portrait, 614 

Ann  Rothwell — Autograph  Signature, 626 

Thomas  Rothwell— Autograph  Signature,        626 

James  Morris,  Jr. —  Autograph  Signature, 627 

Elizabeth  B.  Morris — Autograph  Signature, 627 

Rebecca  Corse— Autograph  Signature, 627 

James  R.  Corse — Autograph  Signature, G29 

Susan  E.  Morris  Morrison — Portrait, 648 

Samuel  Wells  INIorris  (Judge)  —Portrait, 650 

Jacob  S.  Waln — Autograph  Signature, 654 

Jacob  S.  AValn — Portrait 654 

Samuel  B.  Morris— Autograph  Signature, 664 

Samuel  B.  Morris — Silhouette,   .    .               664 

Westtown  School — Boys'  Wing  and  South  Front,  1898, 666 

John  Perot — Silhouette, .   .  068 

Elliston  Perot — Silhouette, 668 

Morris  Mansion,  Germantown, 678 

Washington's  Breakfast  Parlor,  Morris  Mansion,  Germantown,     .    .  680 

Hall,  Staircase  and  Dining  Room,  Morris  Mansion,  Germantown,  .    .  682 

Anthony  P.  Morris— Autograph  Signature, 684 


LIST    OF    ILLUSTRATIONS.  XV 

PAGE 

Anthony  P.  Morris— Portrait, 684 

"Farm  View,"  Montgomery  County,  Pennsylvania, 686 

Anna  Husband  Morris — Portrait, •  688 

Edward  S.  Morris— Portrait, 600 

Isaac  P.  Morris— Portrait, 692 

Isaac  P.  Morris— Autograph  Signature, 693 

Rebecca  (Thompson)  Morris — Portrait, 694 

"  Compton,"  Chestnut  Hill,  Philadelphia, 696 

Caspar  Morris,  M.  D. — Portrait, 700 

Caspar  Morris,  M.  T). — Autograph  Signature,      701 

"Harriton," =    .    .    .    .  704 

Harriton  Cemetery — Interior,     704 

Elizabeth  Longstreth  Morris — Portrait, 706-707 

Israel  Morris— Portrait,      706-707 

Richard  H.  Downing — Portrait, 707 

Jacob  P.  Jones — Portrait, 707 

"  DuNDALE,"  Residence  of    Mr.  Israel   Morris,  Upton,  Pennsylvania 

Railroad, 708 

WisTAE  Morris— Portrait, 709 

Morris  Franklin — Portrait, 710 

Elizabeth  Franklin  Smart — Portrait, 712-713 

William  Smart — Portrait, 712-713 

Francis  Perot — Portrait, 720 

Anthony  Saunders  Morris — Portrait, 722 

Catharine  Ann  Snyder,  ^Et.  7 — Portrait, 726 

Catharine  Ann  (Snyder)  Shober,  with  Two  Grandchildren,  Catharine 

Ann  Drinker  and  Robert  Morton  Drinker — Portraits, 726 

Samuel  Lieberkuhn  Shober — Portrait, .       .    .  728 

Mary  Ann  Bedford  Shober — Portrait, 730 

Isaac  Collins —Autograpli  Signatui'e,      731 

Edmund  Morris — Portrait 736 

John  Jay  Smith — Autograph  Signature, 738 

John  Jay  Smith —Portrait '  . 738 

Charles  Moore  AYheatley',  A.  M. —  Portrait, 744 

Joseph  Saunders  Lewis— Silhouette, 748 

Frances  Montgomery--  Lewis — Silhouette, 748 

A  Group  of  Silhouettes  of  Descendants  of  James  Morris,^ 772 

William  Ellis  Morris— Portrait,      816 

Right  Rev.  Benjamin  Wistar  Morris,  D.  D.,  Bishop  of  Oregon — Portrait,  818 

Richard  Vaux — Autograph  Signature, 824 

Richard  Vaux — Portrait, 826 

Phineas  Pemberton  Morris — Portrait, 838 


Xvi  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

PAGE 

\Vesttown  School— Girls'  Wing  and  South  Feont,  1898,      840 

Morris  Mansion,  South  Eighth  Street,  Philadelphia, 852 

Parlor  in  the  Morris  Mansion,  South  Eighth  Street,  Philadelphia,  852 
Dining  Eoom  in  the  Morris  Mansion,  South  Eighth  Street,  Phila- 
delphia,        852 

Sarah  Morris  Vaux — Portrait, 854 

Residence  of  ]Mr.  Theodore  H.  Morris,  Upton,   Pennsylvania  Kail- 
road,    855 

Residence  of  :\Ir.  Frederick  W.  ^Morris,  Upton,  Pennsylvania  Rail- 
road,      855 

Anna  Morris — Portrait, 856 

"Chew"  House,  Germantoavn,      910 

Morris,  Hudson,  Warder  Plate, 916 

Morris,  Cadwalader,  Strettell  Plate,      916 

Residence  of  Mrs.  Wm.  McNair,  Minneapolis,  Minn., 952 

A  Hall  in  the  McNair  Residence,  Minneapolis,  Minn., 952 

Thomas  B.  Morris — Portrait,      992 

Roland  Sletoe  Morris — Portrait, 994 

Westtown  School — Avenue  in  Winter, 1008 

Israel    and    Elisabeth    Morris,  with    their   Children    and    Grand- 
children, on  the  Fiftieth  Annwersary  of  their  Wedding,    .    .    .  1020 

"Ernesta" — AiMEE  Ernesta  Drinker — Portrait, 1036 

"Brother  and  Sister" — Philip  Drinker — Aimee  Ernesta  Drinker — 

Portraits, 1038 

Schuylkill  FisiiiNt;  Co. — Seal  of  Incorporation — 1844, 1086 


NOTES  OF  A 

VISIT  TO  ST.  DUNSTAN'S  CHURCH,  STEPNEY, 

LONDON,   ENGLAND. 

By  Robert  C.  Moon,  M.  D. 

One  of  the  greatest  charms  of  travel,  attends  the  visiting  of 
places  associated  with  the  illustrious  departed, — a  pleasure  which 
is  enhanced,  when  we  take  a  personal  interest  in  the  history  of 
such  individuals.  It  is,  therefore,  no  matter  of  surprise,  that  an 
irresistible  impulse  of  reverence,  and  curiosity,  should  have  led 
me,  during  ni}'^  residence  in  London  in  1893,  to  make  a  pilgrim- 
age to  Stepney,  with  the  object  of  visiting  St.  Dunstan's  Church, 
where  Anthony  Morris,^  an  ancestor  of  my  wife,  and  the  progen- 
itor of  the  family  of  that  name,  in  America,  was  baptized  in  the 
year  of  our  Lord,  1654. 

A  brief  run  by  railroad  from  Fenchurch  St.  station,  brought 
me  to  Stepney  station,  in  Commercial  Road  East.  I  then  pro- 
ceeded northward,  for  about  half  a  mile,  until  I  reached  the  fine 
old  Parish  Church,  dedicated  to  St.  Dunstan. 

It  is  situated  in  a  large  churchyard,  which  is  celebrated  for 
its  quaint  epitaphs,  but  the  limited  amount  of  time  at  my 
disposal,  would  not  permit  of  my  making  a  close  inspection  of 
the  tombstones.  I  soon,  however,  observed  a  man  who  was 
energetically  beating  hassocks,  and  upon  entering  into  conversa- 
tion with  him,  discovered  that  he  was  the  sexton  of  the  church. 

At  my  request,  he  willingly  left  the  hassocks,  to  conduct  me 
through  the  church,  and  to  point  out  some  of  its  objects  of 
particular  interest.  The  first  to  which  he  drew  m}^  attention 
was  a  "  rood  " — a  representation  of  the  "  crucifixion," — of  very 
ancient  date,  roughly  carved  in  stone  over  the  South  Porch,  on 
the  outside  of  the  church. 

Upon  entering  the  church,  one  sees  a  monument  of  Dame 
Rebecca  Berry,  1696,  wife  of  Sir  John  Berry,  and  afterward  of 
Thomas  Elton  of  Stratford-le  Bow. 

Near  to  this  monument  stands 

The  Font, 
which  is  said  to  be  at  least  600  years  old.     The  basin  is  of  white 
marble,  elegantly  carved,  square  in  shape,  and  supported  by  a 

(17) 


18  GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MORRIS  FAMILY. 

circular  pillar  surrounded  by  four  smaller  cylindrical  pillars  of 
dark  marble;  these  stand  upon  a  base  of  stone,  carved  in  the 
form  of  a  cross.  The  Font  is  now  situated  in  the  Nave,  but 
until  quite  recenth^,  it  stood  a  few  feet  nearer  to  the  side 
entrance.  As  I  gazed  upon  that  Font,  I  tried  to  picture  to  myself 
a  "  christening  in  ye  olden  time,"  and  then  my  thoughts  rapidly 
flew  away  to  the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic,  where,  in  the  New 
World,  ten  generations,  rejoicing  in  the  time-honored  name  of 
*'  Morris,"  had  sprung  from  the  loins  of  a  babe  who  was  bap- 
tized at  that  very  Font,  and  in  that  very  church,  239  years 
before.* 

I  next  followed  my  guide  up  one  of  the  aisles,  to  the  altar 
rails.  On  the  northern  side  of  the  chancel,  I  was  shown  an 
oblique  slit  in  the  wall,  with  glass  inserted  in  the  outer  end. 
This  the  sexton  informed  me  was  the  "  Leper^s  Squint.^'  I  won- 
dered what  he  could  mean  by  "  Leper's  Squint,"  for  although  I 
had  been  familiar  with  a  variety  of  "  Squints  "  for  many  years, 
I  had  never  before  heard  of  a  "  Leper's  Squint !  "  He  explained 
to  me,  that  in  former  times  when  Leprosy  was  very  common,  its 
victims,  whilst  strictl}^  forbidden  to  enter  the  church,  were  per- 
mitted to  look  through  the  opening,  upon  the  priest  at  the  altar. 
The  "slit,"  he  said,  was  originally  in  the  outer  wall  of  the  church, 
which  has  been  considerablv  widened  since  those  early  times.  I 
was  next  shown  the  Sedilia — ancient  and  elegantly  carved  stone 
seats  with  pointed  arches — upon  the  opposite  side  of  the  chancel. 

The  magnificent  Altar  Window  is  of  modern  construction. 
On  the  left  of  the  altar  is  the  handsome  canopied  tomb  of  Sir 
Henry  Colet.  He  was  twice  Lord  Mayor  of  London,  and  was 
the  father  of  Dean  Colet.  Sir  Thomas  Speat,  founder  of  the 
Trinity  House,  and  comptroller  of  the  Navy  under  Henry  VIH., 
is  also  buried  here. 

In  the  vestry  are  several  engravings  of  the  church,  and  its 
objects  of  interest  at  different  dates.  These  engravings  have 
been  taken  from  various  works  on  ecclesiastical  architecture,  and 
have  been  neatly  framed  and  hung  upon  the  walls.  There  are 
also  a  map  of  Stepney  as  it  was  in  1703,  a  likeness  of  Dean 
Colet,  a  former  Vicar  of  considerable  note,  and  also  a  list  of  the 
Rectors  and  Vicars  of  the  parish  from  1233  to  the  present  time. 

*Now  (1898)  244  years  ago. 


ST.   DUNSTAN'S  CHURCH,  STEPNEY,  LONDON,   1755 


VISIT    TO    ST.    DUNSTAN's    CHURCH,    STEPNEY.  19 

The  original  vestry  was  evidently  very  small,  but  it  has  been 
greatly  enlarged  in  modern  times,  and  has  spacious  receptacles 
for  the  vestments  and  surplices  of  the  clergymen  and  choristers 
of  the  church. 

As  we  re-entered  the  Nave  of  the  church,  my  guide  pointed 
out  that  the  seats  were  modern,  and  so  constructed  that  they 
could  bo  tilted  upon  their  ends,  to  permit  of  the  stone  pavement 
being  scoured  and  flushed  with  water,  which  seemed  to  be  an 
excellent  sanitary  provision.  Many  elegant  marble  tablets  adorn 
the  interior  of  the  church. 

Before  we  made  our  exit,  my  attention  was  called  to  the 
"  Carthage  Stone,"  within  the  West  Porch.  This  stone  is  said  to 
have  been  taken  from  the  wall  of  ancient  Carthage.  It  was 
inserted  into  the  wall  of  this  church  by  Thomas  Hughes,  1663. 
The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  lines  inscribed  upon  its  face : — 

"  Of  Carthage  wall  I  was  a  stone, 
O  mortals  read  with  pity ! 
Time  consumes  all,  it  spareth  none, 
Man,  mountain,  town,  nor  city. 
Therefore,  O  mortals !  now  bethink 

You  whereunto  you  must, 
Since  now  such  stately  buildings 
Lie  buried  in  the  dust. 

"  Thomas  Hughes,  1663." 

During  our  stroll  through  the  church  I  made  inquir}^  of  the 
sexton  as  to  the  best  way  of  gaining  a  sight  of  the  old  Baptismal 
Register  for  1654.  He  suggested  that  I  should  call  upon  the 
Parish  Clerk,  who  could  assist  me  in  searching  the  "Records." 
Accordingly  I  wended  my  way  to  the  house  of  the  Parish  Clerk 
(on  Stepney  green),  but  upon  reaching  it,  found  that  he  was  from 
home.  I  therefore  arranged  to  meet  him  at  the  church  somewhat 
later  in  the  day.  Upon  inquiring  if  there  were  any  places  of 
interest  in  the  neighborhood,  which  I  could  visit  in  the  interim, 
I  learned  that 

The  People's  Palace, 

in  the  Mile  End  Road,  was  within  an  easy  walking  distance.  I 
found  that  it  was  an  elegant  structure,  with  a  spacious  hall, 
capable  of  holding  more  than  3000  persons.  At  one  end  was  a 
very  fine  organ  surmounting  a  raised  orchestra.  I  was  much 
struck  with  the  elegance  of  the  organ  and  the  inscription  upon 


20  GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MORRIS  FAMILY. 

it,  which  was  to  the  effect  that  it  was  presented  to  the  People's 
Palace  by  a  Mr.  Edwards  "  in  remembrance  of  a  beloved  and  good 
"  father,  with  the  hope  that  its  solemn  and  sweet  tones  ma}^  often 
"bring  comfort  and  rest  to  many  a  weary  heart." 

In  the  centre  of  the  gallery  at  the  opposite  end  of  the  building, 
was  a  tinted  statue  of  Queen  Victoria,  who  opened  the  Palace  in 
May,  1887.  Adjoining  the  large  hall,  and  of  similar  length,  was 
a  Winter  Garden,  enclosed  with  glass  and  containing  rare  and 
luxuriant  ferns  and  palms.  This  annex  was  designed  as  a  free 
promenade  for  the  people  in  the  afternoon  of  the  day,  and 
comfortable  seats  w^ere  ranged  around  for  visitors  to  rest  upon. 
Attached  to  the  great  hall  were  several  class  rooms,  where  instruc- 
tion is  given  upon  various  scientific  and  technical  subjects  at  a 
nominal  cost.  Behind  it  was  a  large  library,  in  the  reading 
room  of  which,  I  found  about  300  workingmen  comfortably  seated 
at  tables,  attentively  reading  magazines,  periodicals,  and  news- 
papers upon  all  kinds  of  subjects,  ranging  from  chemistry  and 
electricity,  to  boot  and  shoe  making.  Here  I  had  also  the 
pleasure  of  finding  a  complete  library  of  books  for  the  blind, 
embossed  upon  the  system  invented  by  my  late  blind  father. 
Dr.  William  Moon,  of  Brighton,  England.  These  books  had  been 
recenth^  contributed  to  the  People's  Palace  Library  by  his  friend, 
the  late  Sir  Charles  Lowther  (of  Wilton  Castle),  who  was  also 
blind,  and  who,  although  ninety-two  years  old,  enjoyed  reading 
by  my  father's  embossed  books,  until  the  close  of  his  life  in  1894. 

I  would  have  liked  to  linger  at  the  "Palace,"  to  inspect  the 
details  of  the  great  and  good  work  which  was  being  carried  on 
there,  for  the  benefit  of  the  poor  of  the  district,  but  time  would 
not  permit.  I,  however,  took  a  farewell  look  at  the  exterior  of 
the  building,  and  in  doing  so,  saw  a  placard  announcing  the 
performance  of  Mendelssohn's  Oratorio  of  "St.  Paul,"  by  some 
of  the  most  celebrated  artistes  on  the  following  evening.  The 
price  of  admission  was  "  three  pence "  (six  cents) !  I  marvelled 
that  so  little  was  generally  known  of  what  w^as  being  done  in 
London,  for  the  elevation  of  the  masses,  as  opportunities  were 
here  being  afforded  the  poorest,  to  become  acquainted  with  the 
best  musical  works,  and  to  study  many  of  the  useful  arts  and 
sciences. 

With  such  reflections  upon  what  I  had  seen,  I  soon  retraced 
my  steps  to  St.  Dunstan's  Church.     I  was  at  once  conducted  by 


VISIT    TO    ST.    DUNSTAn's    CHURCH,    STEPNEY.  21 

the  sexton  into  the  vestry,  where  I  was  soon  joined  by  the  Parish 
Clerk.  He  very  readily  gave  me  access  to  the  "  Records  "  of  the 
church,  which  date  back  to  1546.  I  was  amazed  to  see  how  well 
they  were  j)reserved,  although  in  some  of  the  earlier  entries,  the 
peculiar  caligraphy  was  rather  difficult  to  decipher.  However, 
there  was  no  difficulty  in  making  out  the  following  entry  in  the 
book  of  "Christenings"  Anno.  1654: — 

"  August  25,  Anthony  sonne  of  Anthony  Moores  of  Oldgravel- 
laine,  Marin''  &  Elizab*''— 2  days  old." 

As  I  was  looking  at  the  entry  the  clerk  explained  that  in 
those  days  the  clergymen  advised  parents  to  have  their  infants 
baptized  as  early  as  possible.  But,  as  I  continued  to  examine 
the  entry  without  replying  to  his  remark,  he  eyed  me  very 
curiously,  and  when  I  looked  up,  he  said  "  Why  sir.  Bishop  Morris, 
"the  Bishop  of  Oregon,  was  here  four  years  ago  and  he  searched 
"for  that  very  same  entry,  and  had  it  photographed  to  take  back 
"  with  him  to  Oregon."  *  I  explained  to  the  Clerk  that  I  was  a 
connection  of  the  Bishop's  by  marriage,  as  he  and  my  wife  were 
cousins,  whereupon  he  became  more  and  more  communicative. 
"Bishop  Morris  preached  here  too.  Sir,"  he  said,  "and  such  a 
rousing  sermon  he  gave  us.  It  must  have  been  about  five  years 
ago  that  he  was  here,  and  I  robed  him,  and  as  I  robed  him,  he 
remarked,  'We  can't  always  robe  in  this  way  in  my  diocese,  for 
many  a  time  I've  had  to  robe  behind  the  trees.'  Ah,  Sir,"  said 
the  Clerk,  "he  was  a  powerful  preacher  when  he  did  begin,  but 
you  wouldn't  think  he  was  a  Bishop  when  he  only  had  his  plain 
black  tie  on.  In  his  sermon — I  remember  it  as  well  as  can  be, — 
he  told  the  people  that  so  many  hundreds  of  years  ago,  an 
ancestor  of  his  was  baptized  in  this  church,  and  he  threw  his 
whole  heart  and  soul  into  that  sermon.  Yes,  I  remember  him 
well ;  I  robed  him,  Sir,  I  robed  the  Bishop."  This  seemed  to  be 
one  of  the  Parish  Clerk's  proudest  reminiscences.  I  asked  him 
if  I  could  not  have  a  photograph  of  the  entry  in  the  "Records." 
He  replied,  "  Of  course  you  can.  Sir;  you  shall  have  exactly  the 
same  kind  of  an  entry  that  the  Bishop  had."  "  And  the  Font 
too  ?"  I  enquired.  "  No,  not  the  Font,  Sir,"  he  answered  ;  "  the 
Font  has  never  been  photographed."     "  But "  I  said,  "  let  me  have 


*  Bishop  Morris  visited  Saint  Dunstan's  Church,  Stepney,  on  Aug.  25,  1888, 
at  which  time  he  searched  for  the  entry  of  Baptism  referred  to  above. 


22  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

the  Font  done;  I  want  not  only  a  photograph  of  the  register  of 
the  baptism  of  that  celebrated  ancestor  of  my  wife,  but  also  a 
photograph  of  the  very  Font  at  which  he  was  presented  and 
baptized."  Finally,  the  worthy  Clerk  agreed  to  provide  me  with 
all  I  required,  and  I  have  the  pleasure  of  here  inserting  repro- 
ductions of  the  two  photographs  for  the  inspection  of  my  readers. 

After  searching  the  Records  of  Christenings  for  1654,  it 
occurred  to  me  that  it  might  be  well  to  search  those  of  Marriages 
for  about  a  year  previously,  and  to  my  surprise,  I  found  that  the 
record  of  Marriages,  which  had  been  regularly  kept  for  more 
than  a  hundred  years,  from  1568,  suddenly  broke  off  in  February, 
1653,  and  there  were  no  entries  of  marriages  again  until  1658. 
This  break  in  the  record,  the  clerk  said,  was  due  to  the  Protec- 
torate of  Cromwell,  during  which  time,  he  said,  "people  could 
meet  and  marry  one  another  at  the  corner  of  a  street  if  they 
pleased,  and  have  any  one  they  chose  to  witness  the  ceremony." 
"Ah!  those  were  dreadful  times,"  said  the  Clerk.  "Why,  that 
Cromwell  came  here  and  robbed  this  church  of  lots  of  things." 
I  could  but  call  to  mind,  how  at  that  period,  churches  and 
sepulchres,  fine  works  of  art,  and  curious  remains  of  antiquity, 
were  brutally  defaced  by  Cromwell's  troops ;  and  truly  too  many 
of  the  cathedrals  and  churches  still  bear  the  marks  of  the  hatred 
with  which  those  stern  spirits  regarded  every  vestige  of  popery. 
I  availed  myself  of  the  opportunity  to  search  back  for  several 
years  in  the  Marriage  Register,  for  the  entry  of  a  marriage  of  an 
Anthony  Morris,  but  could  find  none ;  which  appears  to  be  a 
confirmation  of  the  tradition  that  Anthony  Morris,  "Mariner," 
had  migrated  from  some  other  place,  to  take  up  his  abode  in 
Stepney. 

Having  procured  all  the  information  that  seemed  available 
in  the  "Records,"  I  parted  from  the  Parish  Clerk,  but  before 
leaving  the  neighborhood,  I  sought  for  some  historical  facts  con- 
nected with  Stepney  and  its  Parish  Church. 


^^J    'f 


-—■ vp  J'j^,  "i^ 


1H>    II  v'l  ^  %.M 


MAP    OF    STEPNEY,    1703 


MAP   OF    STEPNEY,    1898 


STEPNEY  AND  ITS  PARISH  CHURCH. 

The  grand  old  church,  built  in  the  perpendicular  style  of 
architecture,  dates  back  to  Saxon  times,  at  least  a  thousand  years 
ago.  It  was  dedicated  originally  to  All  Saints,  but  at  the  end  of 
the  tenth  century  it  was  rebuilt  by  St.  Dunstan,  who  for  a  short 
time  was  Bishop  of  London,  and  was  probably,  therefore,  Lord  of 
the  Manor  of  Stepney,  and  quite  possibly  he  lived  in  the  parish. 
In  gratitude  for  this  action,  when  St.  Dunstan  was  canonized,  the 
church  was  put  under  his  especial  patronage. 

Internally,  the  structure  consists  of  a  chancel,  nave  and  two 
aisles  separated  by  clustered  columns  and  pointed  arches.  At 
the  west  end  of  the  church  is  a  square  tower.  The  windows  are 
various,  but  for  the  most  part,  of  the  architecture  which  prevailed 
in  the  fourteenth  century.  Those  in  the  north  aisle  have  obtuse 
arches  of  a  later  date. 

This  church  has  undergone  restorations,  but  in  1847  was 
thoroughly  repaired  under  the  direction  of  Benjamin  Ferrey, 
Architect.* 

This  Church  of  St.  Dunstan's,  Stepney,  must  not  be  confounded 
with  other  churches  in  London  dedicated  to  the  same  patron 
saint.  Not  far  from  Temple  Bar,  is  a  St.  Dunstan's  Church, 
which  was  built  by  John  Shaw  in  1831-33,  on  the  site  of  an  older 
church  {Vide  Blunt's  "  London,"  p.  305). 

We  present  illustrations  of  the  exterior  of  St.  Dunstan's 
Church,  Stepney,  as  it  has  appeared  at  various  periods,  1755, 
1785,  1795,  1809,  and  1898. 

Stepney  is  2^  miles  from  St.  Paul's  Cathedral  eastward,  and  is 
at  the  present  time  connected  with  the  City  of  London.  In  the 
thirteenth  century,  however,  the  name  "Stepney''  (which  has 
gradually  become  modified  from  Stebonheath,t  Stibenhede, 
Stebenhythe,  Stebenhethe  and  Stebonhuth)  comprised  one  large 
parish,  as  yet   entirely  undivided,  and  St.  Dunstan's  remained 


*  Vide  "  London  Past  and  Present,"  Whealley  and  Cunningham,  Vol.  i., 
p.  538.     Lysons'  "  Environs  of  London,"  Vol.  iii.,  p.  428. 

t  Stebonheath,  although  the  most  common  of  the  older  forms,  is  not  con- 
nected with  the  word  '  heath,'  but  with  the  old  word  '  hythe  '  (meaning  a  small 
port  or  harbour),  which  we  find  also  in  the  name  Rotherhithe,  and  Lambeth, 

(23) 


24  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

the  only  parish  cliurch,  but  early  in  the  fourteenth  century, 
other  churches  erected  at  Whitechapel  and  Stratford  Bow,  began 
to  lighten  the  mother  church,  which  was  being  served  by  two 
clergy;  (1)  the  Rector  or  person  appointed  by  the  Bishop,  and 
(2)  the  Vicar — a  deputy,  whom  the  Rector  appointed. 

Rectors  and  vicars  of  the  parish  were  appointed  from  1233 
up  to  the  year  1710,  when  the  tw^o  offices  of  Rector  and  Vicar 
were  united,  since  which  time  there  have  been  no  more  Vicars  of 
Stepney. 

Colet  was  Vicar  of  the  church  before  he  was  Dean  of  St.  Paul's. 
He  was  follow^ed  by  Richard  Pace,  also  Dean  of  St.  Paul's,  de- 
scribed by  Erasmus,  who  was  his  intimate  friend,  and  addressed 
many  of  his  letters  to  him,  as  "utriusque  literature  calentis- 
simus,"  and  by  Stow,  as  "endowed  with  many  excellent  gifts  of 
"  nature ;  courteous,  pleasant,  and  delighting  in  music :  highly 
"in  the  King's  favour  and  well  heard  in  matters  of  w^eight."  In 
1527  he  was  sent  as  Ambassador  to  Venice.  Afterwards  he  lost 
the  royal  favour  through  the  influence  of  Wolsey,  and  was 
imprisoned  for  two  years  in  the  Tower.  On  his  release,  he  lived 
in  retirement  at  Stepney,  and  was  buried  near  the  altar  of  the 
church.  William  Jerome,  who  was  presented  to  the  Vicarage  of 
Stepney  soon  after  the  death  of  Pace,  was  executed  for  heresy  in 
1540.  Stepney  was  the  scene  of  a  parliament  under  Edward  I., 
and  the  Bishops  of  London  had  a  country  palace  and  park  here 
till  the  reign  of  Elizabeth. 

Toward  the  close  of  the  sixteenth  century,  Puritanism — using 
the  word  in  the  Elizabethan  sense,  was  finally  established  in 
Stepney,  and  continued  to  flourish  there  during  the  earlier  part 
of  the  seventeenth  century.  In  the  course  of  time,  naany  changes 
took  place  in  the  parish  church ;  among  others  being  the  appoint- 
ment in  1654,  by  the  Keeper  of  the  Liberties  in  England,  of  an 
able  man  named  William  Greenhill,  to  succeed  Dr.  Hoyle  as 
Vicar.     He  was  one  of  the  Westminster  Assembly  of  Divines, 


etc.  The  meaning  of  the  word  can  hardly  be  stated  with  any  certainty.  The 
name  also  appears  as  Stibbenhidde  or  Stebenheth  in  early  deeds,  the  affix 
indicating  the  hid  or  hoeredium  of  a  Saxon  freeman. 

Vide  "  The  Environs  of  London,"  by  Rev.  Daniel  Lysons,  1795.  Lysons 
says  "I  know  not  how  to  complete  the  etymology  unless  we  suppose  it  to  have 
been  the  timber  wharf,  from  Steb,  the  trunk  of  a  tree.  Some  have  taken 
Stiben  or  Steben  for  a  corruption  of  Steven." 


ST.    DUNSTAN'S    CHURCH,    STEPNEY,    1785 


ST.    DUNSTAN'S    CHURCH,    STEPNEY,    1795 


STEPNEY    AND    ITS    PARISH    CHURCH.  25 

was  made  Chaplain  to  the  King's  children,  and  one  of  the  com- 
missioners to  try  public  preachers.  In  1644  he  had  been  one  of 
the  original  members  of  the  Independent  Congregation  in  Stepney, 
and  most  probably  was  the  prime  mover  in  it,  and  its  first  pastor. 
This  did  not  prevent  him  from  accepting  the  position  and  pay  of 
the  Vicarage  of  Stepney,  though  he  had  thus  formally  separated 
himself  from  the  Church,  a  course  for  which  his  own  followers 
have  not  failed  to  censure  him.  In  other  respects  he  was  a  man 
of  deep  piety  and  learning,  as  his  works  show.  He  and  his 
Independent  Congregation  were  in  possession  of  the  Parish 
Church  until  the  Restoration  of  the  Monarchy  under  Charles  the 
Second  in  1660,  when  the  Church  and  Prayer  Book  were  restored, 
and  Greenhill  and  his  congregation  were  driven  out  to  seek 
another  home.  After  some  unsettled  years,  they  found  a  final 
resting  place  in  the  "  Old  Stepney  Meeting  House,"  built  in  1674.* 

The  following  is  the  record  in  the  Church  Book  of  this  Inde- 
pendent Congregation  at  Stepney,  which  has  lasted  upwards  of 
250  years. 

"  The  Church  being  constituted  by  the  mutual  consent  and 
agreement  of  Henry  Barton  and  his  wife,  William  Parker,  John 
Odingsell,  William  Greenhill  and  John  Pococke  in  the  presence 
of  Mr.  Henry  Burton,  pastor  of  a  Church  in  London,  to  walk  in 
all  the  ways  of  Christ  held  out  unto  them  in  the  Gospel,  and 
having  the  right  hand  of  fellowship  given  them  by  the  afore- 
mentioned, and  owned  for  a  true  church  of  Jesus  Christ,  there 
were  added  unto  them  from  time  to  time  as  followeth:"  The 
roll  thus  commenced,  contains  the  names  of  all  that  have  joined 
the  Church  from  then  to  the  present  time,  the  same  book  being 
still  used. 

Mr.  A.  C.  Jones,  in  "  Early  Days  of  Stepney  Meeting  "  (p.  24), 
writes :  "  Bearing  in  mind  that  at  the  time  (i.  e.  1656)  Pastor 
William  Greenhill  was  also  Vicar  of  Stepney  Church,  and  was 
one  of  the  leading  divines  of  the  Independent  body,  it  will  be 
seen  that  the  Church  at  Stepney  Meeting  was  now  an  important 


*Tlie  writer,  being  desirous  of  knowing  whether  Anthony  Morris  and 
Elizabeth  Senior  were  ever  connected  with  the  Stepney  (Congregational)  meet- 
ing, made  inquiries  relative  to  the  matter,  of  the  Rev.  Charles  Chambers,  the 
present  minister  of  the  Congregation,  who  very  kindly  searched  the  records 
and  courteously  rephed  "  There  was  no  one  of  the  name  mentioned  in  Church 
fellowship." 


26  GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MORRIS  FAMILY. 

one,  both  in  point  of  numbers  and  from  the  Social  standing  of 
man}^  of  its  members,  as  well  as  from  the  high  position  attained 
by  its  Pastor."  On  page  33  Mr.  Jones  says  :  "  It  is  pretty  certain 
that  during  these  years  (1653-1660)  our  Church  met  in  the 
Parish  Church  for  public  worship  and  for  its  meetings." 

Simultaneously  with  the  religious  movement  in  the  17th 
century,  the  development  of  naval  enterprise  was  revolutioniz- 
ing the  parish.  The  growth  of  shipbuilding  in  the  Thames  began 
with  the  reign  of  Henry  the  Seventh,  and  mainly  at  three  cen- 
tres, Ratclifte,  Blackwall  and  Deptford ;  it  was  here  that  the 
royal  navy  began  to  become  England's  great  power,  and  London 
began  to  attract  to  itself  the  chief  men  of  enterprise  from  other 
parts  of  England.  The  direct  consequence  of  the  activity  at 
RatclifFe,  was  a  parallel  development  in  the  neighboring  parish 
of  Stei3ney. 

It  is  a  curious  circumstance  that  all  the  children  born  at  sea 
are  supposed  to  belong  by  law  to  the  Parish  of  Stepney ;  and  in 
consequence  of  that,  paupers  born  at  sea  have  been  sent  here 
from  almost  every  parish  in  the  kingdom. 

The  old  rhyme  runs  : — 

"  He  who  sails  on  the  wide  sea 
Is  a  parishioner  of  Stepney." 

On  Sunday,  Aug.  26,  1894,  the  day  following  the  240th  anni- 
versarv  of  the  baptism  of  Anthony  Morris,-  the  Rev.  Thomas 
Gardiner  Littell,  D.  D.  (a  lineal  descendant),  and  his  family, 
attended  service  at  St.  Dunstan's  Church,  Stepney,  London.  The 
Rev.  John  Stockton  Littell,  Dr.  Littell's  eldest  son  officiated,  and 
his  father  preached. 


ST.    DUNSTAN'S   CHURCH,    STEPNEY,    LONDON, 


ST.    DUNSTAN'S   CHURCH,    STEPNEY,    LONDON,    1898.-  Interior 


THE  MORRIS  FAMILY 

OF 

PHILADELPHIA, 


FOUNDED   BY 

ANTHONY   MORRIS, 


Born  at  Stepney,  London,  England.  Aug.  23.  1654.    Baptized  at  St.  Dunstan's  Church,  Stepney, 
London,  Aug.  25,  1654.    Died  at  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  Oct.  23,  1721. 


FIRST  GENERATION. 

"The  Glory  of  children  are  their  fathers."    Prov.  xvii.  6. 

Anthony  Morris/  the  fiither  of  the  Anthony  Morris,  who 
afterwards  emigrated  to  America,  is  described  in  the  Baptismal 
Register,  ah-eady  referred  to,  as  a  "  Mariner,"  having  his  resi- 
dence in  Old  Gravel  Lane,  in  the  parish  of  Stepney,  London. 
According  to  tradition,  he  w^as  of  Welsh  extraction,  and  was 
probably  b.  about  1630.  Until  recently  there  was  no  knowledge 
of  the  ancestry  of  the  family,  or  of  any  member  of  it,  prior  to 
Anthony  Morris,  the  "  Mariner."  It  may,  therefore,  be  conve- 
nient to  continue  to  style  him  the  "first,"  as  has  been  the  custom 
in  the  family,  in  recent  times.  The  writer  has,  however,  discov- 
ered records,  which  throw  some  light  upon  the  antecedents  of 
Anthony  Morris,  "  Mariner."  From  these  records,  it  appears  that 
Anthony  Morris,  ''  Mariner,"  was  the  son  of  another  "Anthony 
Morris"  (b.  about  1600),  who  was  at  one  time  a  resident  "of  Read- 
ing in  Great  Britain,"  but  subsequently  he  became  a  resident  "of 
Barbados  in  the  West  Indies."  It  is  evident  that  this  branch 
of  the  Morris  family  at  some  time,  came  from  a  distant  part  of 
Great  Britain,  as  one  of  the  records  referred  to,  states  that  "  The 
Family  removed  from  Leicestershire  to  London." 

It  is  not  surprising,  that  an  enterprising  young  "  Mariner  " 
should  have  been  attracted  to  the  Metropolis,  which  had,  in  the 

(27) 


28  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

middle  of  the  seventeenth  century,  a  population  of  half  a 
milKon,  more  than  seventeen  times  as  large  as  that  of  Bristol, 
or  any  other  city  of  the  kingdom.  It  had  in  the  world  only 
one  commercial  rival — the  then  mighty  and  opulent  Amster- 
dam, and  English  writers  boasted  of  the  forest  of  masts,  and 
yard  arms,  which  covered  the  River  Thames  from  the  Bridge 
to  the  Tower  of  London. 

Anthony  Morris,^  "  Mariner,"  m.  Elizabeth  Senior,  probably 
in  1653,  or  perhaps  at  a  somewhat  earlier  date,  and  he  made 
voyages  between  London  and  the  Island  of  Barbados,  the  most 
eastern  of  the  Caribbean  Islands  in  the  West  Indies. 


BARBADOS. 

Barbados  is  21  miles  long  and  14J  miles  at  its  broadest  part. 
The  island  is  almost  encircled  by  coral  reefs,  making  it  extremely 
dangerous  for  navigation. 

Barbados  is  known  to  the  initiated  as  "Bimshire,"  and  a  Bar- 
badian as  a  "  Bim,"  but  nobody  appears  to  know  the  reason  why. 
The  Portuguese  called  the  island  "The  Bearded,"  from  the  masses 
of  grey  moss  which  hung  down  from  the  Banyan  trees. 

Barbados  came  into  the  possession  of  the  British  in  1G05, 
when  the  crew  of  the  "  Olive  Branch  "  landed,  and  erected  a 
cross  as  a  memorial  of  the  event,  cutting  at  the  same  time,  upon 
the  bark  of  a  tree,  the  words  "James,  King  of  England,  and  of 
this  Island,"  but  1625  is  the  date  of  the  earliest  English  settle- 
ment of  the  island.  The  first  settlers  cultivated  maize,  sweet 
potatoes,  plantains  and  yams  for  their  own  consumption,  and 
indigo,  cotton  wool,  tobacco,  ginger  and  aloes  for  export.  Quan- 
tities of  logwood,  fustic  and  lignum  vitee  were  also  shipped.  But 
the  adaptability  of  the  soil  for  cane  becoming  known,  sugar  soon 
became  the  great  staple  in  the  colony.  Such  were  probably  the 
articles  in  which  Anthony  Morris^  and  his  father  traded. 

About  the  year  1646,  Captain  Swan,  who  was  Surveyor  of  the 
Island,  drew  a  draught  of  it,  and  gave  it  to  the  Governor,  who 
carried  it  with  him  to  England,  and  so  it  was  lost,  but  he  gave 
Mr.  Ligon  a  copy  of  it,  which  was  engraved,  and  is  the  same  as 
that  put  before  Ligon's  "  History  of  Barbados,"  published  in 
1673.  A  copy  of  the  map,  which  is  here  introduced,  shows  the 
name  of  "  Moris  "  given  to  a  house  represented  as  being  near  to 


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FIRST    GENERATION.  29 

the  "  Bridge."  Another  house  shown  upon  the  map  is  marked 
"  Jones,"  and  two  others  are  marked  "  Powell." 

Mr.  Ligon,  who  was  resident  in  the  island  from  1647  to  1(350, 
thus  writes :  "  There  are  many  places  in  this  Island  which  may 
justly  be  called  towns,  as  containing  many  fine,  long  and  spacious 
streets,  furnished  with  a  great  number  of  noble  structures  built 
by  the  officers  and  inhabitants  of  this  colon3^  Indeed,  taking 
a  full  Prospect  of  the  whole  Island,  a  man  might  take  it  for 
one  great  city,  inasmuch  as  the  houses  are  at  no  great  distance 
one  from  another ;  that  many  of  these  are  very  well  built  according 
to  the  manner  of  building  in  England,  that  the  shops  and  store- 
houses are  well  provided  with  all  sorts  of  commodities;  that 
there  are  many  fairs  and  markets,  and  lastly,  that  the  whole 
island,  as  great  cities  are,  is  divided  into  several  parishes.  The 
most  considerable  inhabitants  think  themselves  so  well  settled, 
that  'tis  seldom  seen  they  ever  remove  thence." 

Such  was  the  state  of  Barbados  about  the  year  1650,  when 
the  population  was  computed  at  50,000,  exclusive  of  negroes,  and 
it  is  a  matter  of  astonishment  to  think  what  progress  this  colony 
had  made  in  20  years  time.  The  writer  of  the  "  British  Empire 
in  America"  says:*  "This  island  was  the  soonest  peopled  of  all 
our  colonies,  the  riches  of  the  planters,  produced  by  that  of  the 
soil,  tempted  gentlemen  of  estates  to  transport  themselves  to  im- 
prove them."  "The  people  that  went  thither  from  England  could 
not  be  so  mean  as  those  that  transported  themselves  to  other 
parts  of  America,  because  to  raise  a  plantation  required  a  stock  of 
some  Thousands  of  pounds,  which  were  not  so  common,  as  they 
are  now,  though  we  do  not  live  in  the  most  abounding  times."! 

In  the  latter  part  of  1655  Ann  Austin  and  Mary  Fisher,  two 
ministers  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  reached  Barbados  from  Eng- 
land, and  in  1671  George  Fox,  accompanied  by  a  number  of  other 
Friends,  visited  and  organized  the  Society  there.  A  wonderful 
revival  followed,  and  many  joined  the  Society,  which  greatly  flour- 
ished. At  one  time  there  were  at  least  five  meetings  in  existence 
so  that  "  Friends  "  must  have  been  comparatively  numerous. 

Thomas  Chalkley  repeatedly  visited  Barbados  during  the 
early  part  of  the  last  (18th)  century,  when  there  were  Meeting 


*Vide  "British  Empire  in  America,"  London,  1741,  Vol.  ii.,  p.  124. 
-\lhid.,  Vol.  ii.,  p.  14. 


30  GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MORRIS  FAMILY. 

Houses  at  Bridgetown,  Speight's  Town,  the  Spring,  the  Thickets, 
Pumpkin  Hill  and  Heathcote's  Bay,  in  most  of  which  large  and 
open  meetings  were  held.  But  even  at  that  time  the  Society  in 
the  island  was  in  a  declining  condition.  This  was  greatly  due 
to  a  considerable  emigration  of  Friends  from  Barbados  to  New 
England,  Philadelphia  and  other  places  on  the  North  American 
Continent.  James  Cresson  in  his  Diary,  written  in  Barbados  in 
1785,*  states  that  he  "  found  all  the  meeting  houses  belonging  to 
Friends  that  were  in  the  Island  thrown  down."  He  had  a  view 
of  the  Monthly  Meeting  Books  of  the  Island  from  the  year  1715 
to  1760,  when  they  dropt  their  Quarterly  and  Monthly  Meetings. 

At  an  early  date  the  island  was  divided  into  six  parishes, 
viz:  Christ  Church,  St.  Michael's  (Bridge  Town),  St.  James's, 
St.  Thomas's,  St.  Peter's  and  St.  Lucy's.  The  number  of  parishes 
was  afterwards  increased  so  that  in  1711  there  were:  St.  Michael's 
or  Bridge  Town,  St.  George's,  St.  James's  or  the  ''Hole'' 
St.  Thomas's,  St.  Peter's  or  Speight's  Town,  All  Saints'  Chapel, 
St.  Lucy's,  St.  Andrew's,  St.  Joseph's,  St.  John's,  St.  Philip's, 
Christ  Church  or  Oistin's. 

Bridge  Town  is  situated  in  the  innermost  part  of  the  bay,  com- 
monly called  Carlisle  Bay.  Formerly  a  small  river  fell  into  the 
bay  at  the  Bridge.  Bridge  Town  in  1741  contained  1200  houses, 
built  of  stone,  the  windows  glazed,  the  streets  broad,  houses  high, 
"and  the  rents  as  dear  in  Cheapside,  in  the  Bridge,  as  in  Cheapside 
in  London."  t 

"  It  is  a  great  misfortune  to  us,"  says  the  same  writer,  "  that 
about  the  year  1666  the  Bridge  Town  was  burnt  and  all  the 
chief  records  lost  *  *  *  no  Records  are  kept  of  it  in  England."  X 
The  hurricane  of  31st  August,  1675,  and  others  since  that  time, 
wrought  terrible  havoc  in  the  island.  It  is  therefore  most  diffi- 
cult to  find  any  records  referring  to  the  members  of  the  Anthony 
Morris  family,  who  were  among  the  early  settlers  in  the  island. 

"  The  Hole"  lies  seven  miles  from  the  Bridge.  In  1741  it  had 
about  100  houses  in  it.  "  Speight's  Town,"  situated  about  three 
and  a  half  miles  from  "  The  Hole,"  was  in  1741  "  the  most  con- 
.-^iderable  place  in  the  Island  next  to  the  Bridge."  §     It  was  at 


"^Vide  "The  Friend,"  Vol.  Ix.,  p.  178. 

-fVide  "British  Empire  in  America,"  Vol.  ii.,  p.  98. 

t  Ibid., -p.  5.  'ilbkl,ip.l01. 


CANAL    AND    WHARVES    AT    BRIDGETOWN,    BARBADOS 


A    HOUSE    IN    BARBADOS 


FIRST    GENERATION.  31 

first  called  Little  Bristol.  It  consisted  of  one  long  street,  called 
Jew  Street,  and  three  others  that  led  down  to  the  water  side ;  the 
whole  making  above  300  houses.  It  was  much  frequented  by 
the  Bristol  men  when  it  was  built." 

There  was  a  fine  church  in  it  dedicated  to  St.  Peter. 

The  writer  learns  from  a  resident  in  Barbados,  that  there  is 
at  the  present  time,  an  estate  called  "Senior"  in  a  parish  just 
beyond  Speight's  Town.  It  may  have  been  so  called  after  some 
of  the  family  of  that  name.  On  Captain  Swan's  (Ligou's)  map 
we  find  "  Senex  "  (another  form  of  "  Senior ")  marked  near  to 
Speight's  Town  church.  These  facts  are  sufficient  to  suggest  the 
possibility  of  Anthony  Morris,  "  Mariner,"  having  m.  "  Elizabeth 
Senior  "  in  Barbados. 

At  the  present  day  the  scene  which  presents  itself  to  the 
traveller's  charmed  gaze  on  his  arrival  at  Carlisle  Bay,  Barba- 
dos, is  the  very  remarkable  activity  and  bustle,  in  many  ways 
interesting  and  picturesque.  At  no  other  place  in  the  West 
Indies  is  gathered  so  great  a  fleet  of  merchantmen  and  coasting- 
vessels.  Ships  of  all  nations  are  collected  here,  and  motley 
crowds  of  sailors  loiter  on  the  wharves. 

Barbados  is  now  one  grand  sugar  estate,  and  has  the  appear- 
ance of  a  well  kept  garden.  Every  acre  of  tillable  ground  has 
been  broken  by  the  plough,  and  year  by  year  yields  greater  in- 
crease. Ninet}^  per  cent,  of  the  population  of  Barbados  (in  1897 
estimated  at  186,000)  are  either  of  pure  African  or  mixed  blood, 
but  most  of  the  negroes  here  are  of  the  better  class.  English  is 
universally  spoken.* 

Bridgetown  is  the  principal  town  of  the  island,  and  it  is  a 
busy  prosperous  city,  devoted  to  buying  and  selling. 

Anthony  Morris,  "  Mariner,"  was  unhappily,  according  to  one 
account,  "lost  at  sea"  in  1655-6,  on  a  return  voyage  from  this 
island  to  his  native  country,  Britain,  or  according  to  an  entry  in 
an  old  family  Bible,  "  he  died  in  Barbados."  His  wife  and  only 
child,  Anthony,  survived  him. 

As  will  be  seen  from  other  parts  of  this  work,  several  mem- 
bers of  this  branch  of  the  Morris  family  lived  in,  or  traded  with, 
Barbados,  so  that  the  connection  of  the  family  with  the  island 
extended  over  a  considerable  period. 

*  Vide  "  Colonial  Office  List  for  1897  "  by  John  Andrews,  p.  24. 


SECOND  GENERATION. 

"Every  one  may  arrive  at  true  nobility,  by  the  ways  of  virtue  and  goodness."    William  Pen'n. 

Anthony  Morris,^  son  of  Anthony  Morris/  "  Mariner,"  and 
Elizabeth  Senior,  was  b.  in  Old  Gravel  Lane,  Stepne}^  London, 
in  the  Kingdom  of  Great  Britain,  on  Aug.  23,  1654,  and  was 
bapt.  Aug.  25,  1654,  at  St.  Dunstan's  Church,  Stepney.*  He  d. 
in  Philadelphia,  8  mo.  23d,  1721. 

He  was  m.  four  times.  He  m.  1st  at  the  meeting  at  Savoy, 
in  the  Strand,  London,  1st  mo.  30th,  1676,  Mary  Jones,  who  d.  in 
Philadelphia,  3d  mo.  8th,  1688.  He  m.  secondly  at  Philadelphia 
^^lonthly  Meeting,  8th  mo.  28th,  1689,  Agnes  Bom,  widow  of 
Cornelius  Bom.  She  d.  5th  mo.  26th,  1692;  Anthony  Morris 
m.  thirdly,  Jan.  18,  1693/4,  at  Newport,  Rhode  Island,  Mary  Cod- 
dington,  widows  of  Thomas  Coddington,t  of  Rhode  Island,  and 
dau.  of  John  Howard,  of  Yorkshire,  England.  She  d.  7th  mo. 
25th,  1699.  Anthony  Morris  m.  at  Philadelphia  Monthly  fleet- 
ing, 8th  mo.  30th,  1700,  his  fourth  wife,  Elizabeth  AVatson,  dau. 
of  Luke  and  Sarah  Watson.  Elizabeth  Morris  d.  Feb.  2. 1767,  in 
her  94th  year. 

..  Anthony  Morris-  w^as  baptized  wdien  two  days  old.  The 
record  of  his  baptism,  which  is  faithfully  preserved  in  the 
Stepney  Parish  "Register,"  has  been  already  described.  It  is 
probable  that  the  ceremony  of  baptism  or  "  Christening,"  as,  at 
that  time,  it  was  more  commonly  called,  was  performed  by  the 
Rev.  AVilliam  Greenhill,  who  was  appointed  Vicar,  June  2,  1654. 

■^  Since  that  time  the  Parish  of  Stepney  has  been  divided  into  several  par- 
ishes, so  tliat  Old  Gravel  Lane  is  now  in  \Yapping,  and  runs  directly  north 
and  south  between  the  West  and  East  London  Docks,  down  to  the  entrance  of 
the  famous  Thames  Tunnel.  A  glance  at  the  map  of  the  District  in  1703  will 
suffice  to  show,  that  large  open  spaces  then  intervened  between  Old  Gravel 
Lane  and  Stepney  proper,  all  of  which  are  now  (1898)  covered  with  houses. 

At  the  time  that  Anthony  Morris  was  b.,  Stepney  was  a  quiet  suburban 
village,  with  old  fashioned  houses  and  streets,  lying  somewhat  secluded  from 
the  great  highway  into  Essex,  and  reached  by  IMile  End  Green,  now  Stepney 
Green,  surrounded  by  its  verdant  fields  and  pleasant  walks,  with  the  old 
Church  in  its  large  churchyard,  King  John's  palace  standing  near  the  Green, 
and  Dean  Colet's  house  at  the  corner  of  White  Horse  Street  and  Salmon's  Lane. 

t  Thomas  Coddington  was  a  son  of  Governor  William  Coddington,  of 
Rhode  Island. 

(32) 


THE    FONT 
ST.   DUNSTAN'S  CHURCH,  STEPNEY,   LONDON 


SECOND    GENERATIOX.  66 

Whilst  the  child  was  still  an  infant  (about  1G55-G)  his 
father  either  d.  at  Barbados  or  was  lost  at  sea,  "  by  a  storm  on 
his  voyage  from  Barbados  to  his  native  country,  England."  * 
The  widow  found  "  it  necessary  to  go  to  Barbados  to  settle  her 
husband's  affairs,"  but  d.  there  soon  after  her  arrival  about  1660, 
leaving  young  Anthony  completely  an  orphan,  when  only  six 
years  old.  About  this  time  (1660)  he  must  have  been  an  eye 
witness  of  the  rejoicings  of  the  populace  upon  the  restoration  of 
the  Monarchy  under  Charles  the  Second  (after  an  interregnum 
of  4137  days),  for  everywhere  flags  were  flying,  and  bells  and 
music  were  sounding,  in  honor  of  him,  whose  return  was  looked 
upon  as  the  return  of  peace,  of  law,  and  of  freedom. 

Five  years  later,  at  the  beginning  of  the  Plague  of  London 
(during  the  hot  months  of  May  and  June,  1665),  Anthony  Morris 
must  have  seen  the  nobility  and  rich  people  from  the  western 
part  of  the  City  of  London  filling  the  broad  street  of  White- 
chapel  near  by,  with  coaches  and  wagons  and  carts,  all  hurrying 
away  with  goods,  women,  servants,  and  children,  whilst  horsemen, 
with  servants  bearing  their  baggage,  followed  in  this  mournful 
cavalcade  from  morning  to  night.  Later  on  young  Anthony 
doubtless  saw  the  infected  houses,  marked  with  the  red  cross, 
beneath  which  was  written,  "  Lord  have  mercy  upon  us,"  whilst 
the  streets  were  silent  and  deserted,  save  for  the  rumbling  of  the 
dead  cart  going  its  rounds  in  the  night,  with  bell  tinkling  and 
buryers  crying,  "  Bring  out  your  dead." 

Not  only  was  he  a  witness,  of  the  horrors  attendant  upon  the 
plague,  which  carried  off  68,000  persons,  but  soon  afterwards,  in 
that  same  "  Annus  Mirabilis,"  1665-6,  he  gazed  upon  the  great 
fire  of  London,  which  reduced  so  large  a  portion  of  the  city  to 
ashes.  The  fire  continued  three  days,  during  which  were  des- 
troyed 1300  houses  and  90  churches. 

We  catch  a  glimpse  of  the  events  occurring  in  his  immediate 
neighborhood,  in  the  interesting  account  w^hich  Pepys  has  left  us 
in  his  Diary  (June  23, 1663)  of  a  visit  to  Sir  William  Ryder,  J.  P. 
and  Deputy  Master  of  the  Trinity  House,  at  his  mansion  at 
Bednall  Green,  near  Stepney.  "  By  coach  to  Bednall  Green,  to 
Sir  William  Ryder's  to  dinner.  A  fine  merry  walk  with  the 
ladies  alone  after  dinner,  in  the  garden,  the  greatest  quantities 

*Vide  Will  of  Deborah  Morris,  Philadelphia  Will  Book  W.,  p.  307,  &c. 


34  GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MORRIS  FAMILY. 

of  strawberries  I  ever  saw,  and  good.  This  very  house  was  built 
by  the  Blind  Beggar  of  Bednall  Green,  so  much  talked  of  in 
ballads."  During  the  great  fire  in  1666,  Sir  William's  city  friends 
used  his  house  as  a  warehouse  for  their  goods  and  chattels,  much 
to  his  disgust.  Pepys  relates  that  "about  four  o'clock  in  the 
morning,  my  Lady  Batten  sent  me  a  cart,  to  carry  away  all  my 
money,  and  plate,  and  best  things,  which  I  did,  riding  myself  in 
my  night  gown,  in  the  cart;  and.  Lord!  to  see  how  the  streets 
and  highways  are  crowded  with  people  running  or  riding,  and 
getting  of  carts,  at  any  rate,  to  fetch  away  things.  I  find 
Sir  William  Ryder,  tired  with  being  called  up  all  night,  and 
receiving  things  from  several  friends."  From  the  restoration 
(1660)  when  he  was  knighted,  until  his  death  in  1669,  Sir  William 
Ryder  was  a  person  of  much  importance  in  naval  affairs  and 
appears  to  have  possessed  an  ample  fortune. 

Anthony  Morris^  resided  during  his  minority  in  London,  as 
appears  by  the  following  brief  letter,  written  many  years  after- 
wards to  Henry  Goldney.     It  is  dated  6th' mo.  1st,  1707  : — 

"  I  am  glad  to  hear  thou  art  a  serviceable  man  in  the  Church 
of  Christ,  having  had  some  knowledge  of  thee  when  thou  wast  a 
'Prentice.  How  many  of  the  young  men  that  were  then  in  Lon- 
don, near  about  our  age,  and  seemed  hopeful,  the  grand  enemy 
hath  been  too  strong  for,  causing  some  to  err  on  the  right  hand, 
some  on  the  left,  some  to  run  too  fast,  and  others  to  fall  short, 
over  whom  I  have  often  lamented.  The  Lord,  if  it  be  his  will, 
protect  us,  and  preserve  us  to  the  end  of  our  days,  is  the  humble 
petition  of  thy  friend  and  brother  in  the  unchangeable  Truth. 

"A.  Morris."  * 

Henry  Gouldne}^  (or  Goldney),  to  whom  this  letter  was 
addressed,  became  a  man  of  considerable  wealth  and  import- 
ance. He  was  a  friend  and  Trustee  of  William  Penn,  and  in 
1716  assisted  Sir  William  Keith  with  a  loan  of  one  hundred 
pounds  to  meet  his  expenses  of  transportation  upon  his  appoint- 
ment as  Governor  of  Pennsylvania.f 

Before  arriving  at  manhood,  Anthony  Morris  became  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Societv  of  Friends  from  convincement.     In  1675  he 


*Vide  "The  Friend,"  VoL  xxix.,  p.  20. 
^Vide  "  Penna.  Mag.,"  Vol.  xii.,  pp.  9  and  10. 


y;J^u^>./:r     ^,V..^«/   p....>.^-   C  / 


ANTHONY    MORRIS    AND    MARY    JONES    PROPOSE    THEIR    INTENTIONS    OF    MARRIAGE 
FOR    THE    FIRST    TIME,    12  MO.    14th,    1675 

FROM    THE    MINUTES    OF    THE    WESTMINSTER    MEETING    OF    FRIENDS 


1143034 


ANTHONY    MORRIS    AND    MARY    JONES    PROPOSE    THEIR    INTENTIONS    OF    MARRIAGE 

FOR    THE    SECOND   TIME,    12  MO.    28th,    1675 

FROM    THE    MINUTES    OF    THE    WESTMINSTER    MEETING    OF    FRIENDS 


t9V      io-'"'  "" 


t 

f 


ANTHONY    MORRIS-   PRODUCES    HIS    CERTIFICATES    IN    LONDON,    10  MO.    5th,    1715 

FROM    THE    MINUTES    OF    THE    LONDON    YEARLY    MEETING    CF    FRIENDS 


SECOND    GENERATION.  35 

was  a  member  of  the  Savoy  Meeting  in  the  Strand,  which  was 
connected  with  the  Monthly  Meeting  at  Westminster,*  and  we 
find  by  the  minutes,  that  the  Monthly  Meetings  were  almost  as 
frequently  held  at  the  Savoy,  as  at  the  Westminster  Meeting 
House. 

The  first  entry  referring  to  Anthony  Morris,  in  the  Records 
of  Friends,  appears  in  the  Minutes  of  the  Westminster  Friends' 
Meeting  to  the  effect  that  at  a  Monthly  Meeting  held  at  the 
Savoy,  the  2d.  of  12th  mo.,  1675,  Anthony  Morris  and  Mary  Jones 
of  that  meeting  proposed  their  intentions  of  marriage  and  were 
given  permission  to  appear  at  "  y^  two  weeks  meeting."  Accord- 
ingly on  the  14th  of  12th  mo.,  1675,  Anthony  Morris  and  Mary 
Jones  further  made  known  their  intentions  of  marriage  as 
recorded  in  the  minutes,  and  they  declared  their  intentions  for 
the  last  time,  on  the  28th  of  the  12th  mo.,  1675,  and  thereupon 
were  permitted  to  proceed  as  recorded  in  the  minutes. 

All  preliminaries  having  been  properly  attended  to,  Anthony 
Morris  and  Mary  Jones  were  m.  on  the  30th  day  of  1st  mo.,  1676, 
at  the  meeting  of  the  Savoy  in  the  Strand,  London.  The  Mar- 
riage Certificate,  which  was  prepared  and  signed  on  that  occa- 
sion, is  still  preserved  as  a  precious  family  relic.  It  was  until 
recently  in  the  possession  of  the  late  Miss  Anne  J.  Morris  (dau. 
of  the  late  Anthony  Saunders  Morris),  and  by  her  kind  permis- 
sion the  writer  was  privileged  to  photograph  this  and  several 
other  interesting  relics  of  Morris  Ancestors. 

The  certificate  is  signed  by  the  bride  and  bridegroom  and  37 
others.  We  learn  from  the  certificate  that  both  Anthony  Morris 
and  Mary  Jones  were  at  that  time  residing  in  the  Strand,  Lon- 
don.f     They  continued  to  reside  in  the  Strand,  and  afterwards 

*  Westminster  derives  its  name  from  the  Abbey  minster  and  was  made  a 
city  in  the  reign  of  Henry  VIII.  In  Doomsday  Book,  it  is  styled  a  village 
with  fifty  holders  of  land,  and  "farmage  for  a  hundred  hogs."  In  1174  the 
royal  palace  stood  about  two  miles  westward  from  the  City  of  London,  with  a 
garden  and  orchards  between.  In  1560  an  old  plan  shows  that  a  double  line 
of  buildings  connected  London  and  Westminster,  whilst  a  town  had  grown  up 
around  the  hall  and  abbey.     (Black's  "London  and  its  Environs,"  p.  6.) 

fThe  Strand  is  an  ancient  thoroughfare  connecting  the  City  of  London 
with  that  of  Westminster,  and  derives  its  name  from  lying  on  the  banks  of  the 
Kiver  Thames,  from  which  it  is  now  separated  by  houses.  The  river  side  of 
the  Strand  came  to  be  occupied  by  the  houses  of  the  nobility  and  bishops, 
which  have  entirely  disappeared,  but  the  names  of  the  streets  record  their 


36  GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MORRIS  FAMILY. 

in  St.  Giles'  in  the  Fields,  London,  for  about  seven  3^ears  or  until 
they  left  London  for  America  in  1682. 

On  the  4th  of  March,  1681,  William  Penn  was  before  the 
King  in  Council  at  Whitehall  Palace.  Eleven  j^ears  previously 
he,  with  others  of  George  Fox's  persuasion,  who  had  wholly 
disregarded  the  Coventicle  Act,  had  stood  at  the  bar  of  the 
Old  Bailey,  indicted  for  "  preaching  and  speaking,  to  the  great 
disturbance  of  the  King's  peace,"  and  they  were  pronounced  by 
the  jury  to  be  ''not  guilty,"  for  which  those  "true  and  honest 
men  "  were  fined  40  marks,  and  Penn  was  fined  for  Contempt  of 
Court !  In  the  same  year  his  father,  the  Admiral,  died,  and  left  his 
Quaker  son  a  considerable  property.  The  Duke  of  York,  a  friend 
of  Admiral  Penn,  undertook  to  be  the  young  man's  protector. 
He  was  kind  to  Penn,  who  soon  became  a  person  of  consequence 
at  Whitehall  Palace.  The  sum  of  £16,000,  equal  to  more  than 
three  times  that  amount  of  our  present  money,  was  due  from 
the  Treasury  to  Penn,  as  his  father's  heir, — the  amount  of  money 
lent  by  the  Admiral  with  accumulated  interest.  He  petitioned 
to  have  his  claim  settled,  by  the  grant  of  a  large  tract  in 
America — a  region  of  mountains  and  forests,  accessible  from  the 
sea  by  the  River  Delaware.  He  was  well  aware  that  in  the  per- 
secuted of  his  own  sect,  he  would  find  the  best  of  settlers,  not 
caring  so  much  for  worldly  profit,  as  for  a  home  for  his  co-reli- 
gionists, beyond  the  reach  of  vexatious  penal  laws.  Penn 
assiduously  pressed  his  suit,  and  on  the  fourth  of  March,  1681,  he 
stood  before  the  King  and  Council,  to  have  his  charter  signed. 
The  name  first  suggested  for  this  mountainous  and  wooded 
region,  was  New  Wales,  and  the  second,  Sylvania.  The  King 
prefixed  Penn,  making  it  Pennsylvania — a  happy  combina- 
tion— the  Forest  land  of  Penn. 

The  Constitution  of  the  new  colony  was  essentially  demo- 
cratic. Religious  liberty  was  its  great  element,  and  necessarily 
connected  with  it  was  civil  freedom. 

What  joy  and  thankfulness  must  have  filled  the  hearts  of 
the  much  tried  "  Friends  "  when  they  became  aware  of  the  Royal 

situations.  One  of  these  streets  is  "Savoj^  Street,"  which  leads  to  the  old 
Church  of  St.  Mary-le- Savoy,  a  few  yards  to  the  west  of  Wellington  Street, 
which  is  an  approach  to  Waterloo  Bridge.  Near  to  the  church  must  have 
been  held  the  Friends'  Meeting  in  the  Savoy.  (Black's  "London  and  its 
Environs,"  p.  324.) 


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SECOND    GENERATION.  37 

Grant  and  William  Penn's  plans  for  their  reception  and  resi- 
dence in  the  new  province !  Excitement  among  them  must 
have  been  at  its  height,  and  the  stirring  times  in  which  they 
lived  would  but  help  to  stimulate  the  religious  zeal  of  the  per- 
secuted sect  of  "Friends,"  and  make  them  long  for  the  time 
when  they  could  jDeaceably  worship  God  according  to  their 
convictions.  They  would  therefore  gladly  embrace  such  an 
opportunity  as  that  which  presented  itself,  of  emigrating  to 
America  under  the  auspices  of  William  Penn,  to  try  their 
fortunes,  and  make  new  homes  for  themselves  in  the  Western 
World. 

At  that  time,  however,  no  dwellings  had  been  built  on  the 
site  of  the  future  Philadelphia,  and  many  emigrants  made  their 
homes  for  awhile  in  Burlington,  West  New  Jersey,  where  a  set- 
tlement had  been  founded  in  1677. 

In  1682  Anthony  Morris  and  Mary  his  wife,  were  living  in 
St.  Giles'  in  the  Fields,  in  London,  but  being  desirous  of  emi- 
grating to  America,  they  followed  the  custom  of  "Friends,"  by 
personally  laying  their  intentions  of  leaving  England  before  the 
Quarterly  Meeting  of  Friends  in  Westminster,*  which  is  thus 
recorded  in  the  Minutes :  4th  of  the  8th  mo.,  1682. 

"Att  a  quarterly  Meeting  of  y«  Savoy  the  4'*^  day  of  y^  8th 
"month,  1682,  Anthony  Morris  and  Mary  his  wife  proposed 
"Intentions  of  transporting  themselves  and  ffamily  into  Bur- 
"  lington  in  N.  West  Jersey,  &  he  desiring  a  Certificate  from  this 
"Meeting  who  have  appointed  Edward  Brookes  &  Wm  Cham- 
"  berlaine  to  enquire  &  see  y*  he  is  clear  from  all  engagem*^  &  to 

*The01d  Westminster  Meeting  House  is  described  in  the  records  at  Dev- 
onshire House  London,  as  being  "situate  on  the  north  side  of  Churchj-ard 
Lane,  otherwise  Heming's  Row,  in  the  parish  called  St.  Martin's  in  the  Fields, 
in  the  County  of  Middlesex,  and  rented  of  the  Earl  of  Salisbury."  The  leases 
of  this  and  other  properties  connected  with  it  expired  in  1883,  and  in  188-4  the 
Meeting  House  was  pulled  down  to  make  room  for  ''improvements."  The 
interior  measured  52  feet  by  74  feet.  It  was  in  the  rear  of  the  buildings  on 
Heming's  Eow,  which  was  at  one  time  behind  the  Royal  Mews,  on  the  site  of 
which  the  National  Gallery  was  afterwards  erected.  Meetings  for  worship 
were  held  in  this  Meeting  House  until  1884,  and  there  the  celebrated  Quaker 
orator,  John  Bright,  was  a  regular  attendant  when  he  was  in  London.  Many 
of  the  buildings  behind  the  National  Gallery  have  in  recent  times  been 
demolished,  and  new  buildings  have  been  erected  in  their  place.  Where  the 
"Ministers'  Gallery"  in  the  Friend's  Meeting  House  once  stood,  has  recently 
been  built  "The  Garrick," — a  restaurant,  No.  13  (ireen  Street. 


38  GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MORRIS  FAMILY. 

"report  to  the  next  meeting,  in  ord""  for  a  Certificate  to  y^  ffriends 
"of  y^  Monthly  Meeting  of  Burlington." 

They  received  from  the  Monthly  Meeting  a  certificate  or 
letter  of  commendation,  signed  by  27  members  of  the  "Monthly 
Meeting  of  ye  City  of  Westminster,"  and  addressed  "to  the 
Friends  and  Brethern  in  West  Jersey,  at  the  Monthly  Meeting 
at  Burlington,"  dated  the  first  day  of  the  9th  mo.,  1682.* 

Two  months  before,  on  the  first  day  of  the  seventh  month, 
1682,  William  Penn  and  a  hundred  passengers,  who  embarked 
with  him  on  the  "Welcome,"  a  vessel  of  300  tons,  set  sail  from 
Deal  in  Kent.  One-third  of  them  died  of  the  small  pox  during 
the  voyage,  and  the  survivors,  with  their  Governor,  after  a  voy- 
age of  seven  weeks,  arrived  on  the  27th  of  the  8th  mouth,  at 
New  Castle  on  the  Delaware.  To  those  who  are  accustomed  to 
crossing  the  Atlantic  in  swift  ocean  steamers  of  5,000  or  10,000 
tons  burthen,  it  manifests  an  immense  amount  of  courage  and 
daring  in  Penn  and  his  party,  to  cross  in  a  sailing  vessel  of  300 
tons.  But  bolder  things  had  been  attempted  some  62  years 
before,  when  the  Pilgrim  Fathers  embarked  at  Delft  Haven  in 
the  "  Mayflower,"  a  ship  of  180  tons  ! 

It  must  have  been  a  rather  expensive  undertaking  for  An- 
thony Morris  to  travel  with  his  wife,  his  son  Anthony,  and  his 
household  eff'ects  from  London  to  America,  as  we  may  surmise 
from  contemporary  documents.  A  single  sheet,  entitled  "  The 
present  state  of  the  Colony  of  West  Jersey  in  America,  Septem- 
ber, Anno  Domini  1681,"  gives  to  intending  emigrants  the  fol- 
lowing information  as  to  transportation  :  f 

"  16.  For  Transportation  of  passengers  to  West  Jersey,  Ships 
"set  sail  from  London  generally  once  in  three  months,  sometimes 
"in  two  months.  The  Master  gives  notice  six  weeks  (or  more) 
"of  his  going  beforehand." 

"17.  The  price  for  every  passenger,  (that  is  to  say)  for  men 
"and  women,  meat,  drink  and  passage  with  a  chest  is  Five  Pounds 


*  To  the  late  Mr.  Anthony  Haunders  Morris  belongs  the  credit  of  rescuing 
the  original  document  from  oblivion.  During  his  researches  at  Burlington, 
he  discovered  it  in  the  possession  of  William  Allison,  who  related  how  he  had 
received  it  from  a  friend  in  Burlington,  who  was  destroying  by  burning  many 
old  papers  and  documents  out  of  his  way,  and  gave  this  and  others  to  him  to 
do  as  he  pleased  with  them ! 

-tVide  Penna.  Mag.,  Vol.  xviii.,  p.  161. 


{/3.S^.^  .v9?w>^.i  ^-^. 


1efW^(£.-<^^'  /T^^^/-^^.;^  ^^A^-^W.^  ^^^7=;^^ 


CVciir  '\frcuxds-  ^SrtlhtrciL. 


CERTIFICATE    FOR    ANTHONY    MORRIS^  AND   WIFE 

FROM    FRIENDS    AT   WESTMINSTER   TO    FRIENDS    IN    BURLINGTON,    N.   J  ,    9TH    MO.    1ST,    1682 


SECOND    GENERATION.  39 

"  Sterling  per  head :  for  children  of  twelve  years  of  age  and 
"under,  Fifty  shillings  per  head.  For  Goods,  Forty  shillings  a 
"Ton  Freight,  to  be  landed  at  Burlington,  or  elsewhere  upon 
"Delaware  River." 

It  is  extremely  probable,  that  Anthony  Morris  left  the  shores 
of  Old  England  soon  after  receiving  his  letter  of  commendation 
from  the  Friends  of  the  monthly  meeting  at  Westminster. 

At  what  port  the  Morris  family  embarked,  or  on  what  ship 
they  sailed,  is  not  known,  but  they  must  have  reached  their  des- 
tination in  this  country  about  the  end  of  February  (then  the 
12th  mo.),*  1682. 

On  their  way  up  the  River  Delaware  to  Burlington,  in 
New  Jersey,  they  must  have  passed  by,  and  admired,  the  site  of 
the  future  Philadelphia,  which  then  had  a  "  high  and  dry  bank 
next  to  the  water,  with  a  shore  ornamented  with  a  fine  view 
of  pine  trees  growing  upon  it."  Doubtless  they  were  all  glad 
enough  to  have  escaped  the  perils  of  the  sea,  and  to  have  reached 
their  destination  in  safety.  Truly,  it  might  be  said  of  them,  as 
of  an  earlier  pilgrim  band  : — 

"  What  sought  they  thus  afar? 

"  Bright  Jewels  of  the  mine  ? 
" The  wealth  of  seas?    The  spoils  of  war? 

"  No !  'twas  a  faith's  pure  shrine." 

Before  leaving  London,  the  young  couple  had  had  four  chil- 
dren born  to  them,  viz: — Susanna,  Mary,  Anthony,  and  Anthony, 
all  of  whom,  excepting  second  Anthony,  died  before  their  parents 
left  for  America. 

Besides  their  one  child  (2nd),  Anthony,  who  was  then  about 
one  year  old,  they  brought  over  with  them  many  pieces  of 
family  plate,  among  which  was  a  silver  sugar  box,  which  had 
formerly  belonged  to  Anthony  Morris  the  "Mariner,"  and  was 
subsequently  altered  into  a  tureen  by  a  descendant,  Deborah 
Morris.* 

They  also  brought  with  them  a  silver  chafing  dish  (now  in 
the  possession  of  Mr.  Richard  Wistar  Harvey)  and  several  silver 


*  It  may  be  well  to  remind  the  reader  that  prior  to  the  change  of  the  Cal- 
endar in  1752,  the  yeaif  commenced  in  March,  so  that  Fel)ruary,  being  the  last 
month  of  the  year,  was  styled  the  "  twelfth." 


40  GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MORRIS  FAMILY. 

spoons.  Two  of  these  spoons  are  known  to  have  been  marked 
E.  S.  (Elizabeth  Senior — the  maiden  name  of  the  mother  of 
Anthony  Morris^),  and  a  third  which,  in  addition  to  being 
marked  E.  S.,  is  marked  in  full  with  date,  "  Elizabeth  Senior 
1654,"  is  now  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Elliston  P.  Morris. 

Almost  immediately  after  his  arrival  at  Burlington,  Anthony 
Morris  purchased  two  hundred  and  fifty  acres  of  land,  and  also 
one  acre  of  land  in  Burlington  from  Thomas  Budd.  The  follow- 
ing copy  of  the  deed  referring  to  this  transaction  is  transcribed 
from-the  Record  in  the  office  of  the  Secretary  of  State  at  Trenton, 
and,  as  it  is  believed  to  be  the  first  recorded  notice  of  the  pres- 
ence of  Anthony  Morris  in  the  New  World,  it  possesses  peculiar 
interest  for  the  members  of  the  Morris  family.  It  bears  date  of 
17th  of  1st  mo.  (March),  1683 :— * 

"By  one  deed  bearing  date  the  seventeenth  day  of  ye  ffirst 
"month  called  March  1683,  and  made  between  Thomas  Budd  of 
"ye  one  part  unto  Anthony  Morris  of  ye  other  part,  ffbr  the 
"  considerason  of  fhve  and  Twenty  pounds  current  Boston  money 
"by  ye  said  Anthony  Morris  to  ye  sd  Thomas  Budd  paid  Hee 
"ye  said  Thomas  Budd  hath  sold  to  ye  said  Anthony  Two 
"  Hundred  &  ffifty  acres  of  Land  within  the  precincts  and  terri- 
"tories  of  Burlington  fronting  the  River  Delaware  about  two 
"myles  below  Burlington  Bounded  on  the  East  with  a  Highway, 
"and  running  South  and  by  East  by  ye  Highway  side  one  Hun- 
"dred  and  fFour  chaines  from  the  River  into  the  Woods,  then 
"  West  twenty  seaven  chaines  to  ye  land  of  Thomas  Budd  then 
"decending  North  by  West  downe  to  the  River  and  soe  twenty 
"five  chaines  up  fronting  ye  River  to  ye  first  mensoned,  with  all 
"&  every  the  mines,  mineralls,  fiishing,  ffowling,  huntinge,  & 
"hawkinge  &  all  other  of  itts  comodities  and  Hereditamts  belong- 
"ing  To  hold  to  ye  sd  Anthony  Morris  his  heirs  and  assigns  for 
"ever,  with  ye  Covenant  yt  the  sd  Thomas  Budd  hath  not  done 
"anything  yt  may  encumber  ye  premises.  And  also  ye  covenant 
"for  further  assurance  within  seven  years." 

"Also  ye  said  Thomas  Budd  in  considerason  above  sd  hath 
"sold  to  ye  said  Anthony  Morris  his  heirs  and  assigns  for  ever 
"one  acre  of  land  within  ye  Island  of  Burlington   fronting   a 

*ride  Liber  B,  p.  43,  in  Office  of  Secretary  of  State,  Trenton,  N.  J. 


A   SILVER    CHAFING    DlSI- 


BROUGHT     TO     AMERICA 


MORRIS,"    1682 


A    SILVER    CHAFING    DISH 
TO     AMERICA      BY     ANTHONY     MORRIS,'    1682 


SECOND    GENERATION.  41 

"street  called  Broad  Street  on  ye  east  of  ye  River  Street  on  ye 
"  North;  and  ye  land  of  John  Gosling  and  William  fframpton  on 
"the  West  with  all  ways,  waters  pffits  &  priviledges  &  appurt 
"to  ye  sd  Acre  of  Land  belonging  to  hold  to  the  sd  Anthony 
"Morris,  his  Heirs  and  Assigns  for  ever." 


"Signed  sealed  &  delivered  in  presence  of 


"WiLLM    BUDD 

"Nathaniel  Ible 
"John  Budd  Jr 
"Jonathan  Boore 


And  acknowledged  before 


"Tho.  Lambert 

"Comr." 

We  find  from  the  Records  that,  about  eight  months  later, 
Anthony  Morris,  by  deed  bearing  date  9th  mo.,  10th,  1683, 
bought  of  Mahlon  Stacy  another  Burlington  town  lot,  bounded 
by  the  River  Delaware  on  the  north.* 

In  the  following  year,  by  deed  dated  April  17,  1684,  Samuel 
Jennings,  of  Burlington,  New  Jersey,  conveyed  to  "  Anthony 
"  Morris  of  ye  same  for  five  pounds  eight  shillings  (£5.8.0.) 
"  One  piece  or  parcel  of  land  in  Burlington  fronting  ye  High 
"  Street,  and  contayning  fifty  four  foot  in  breadth  or  front,  & 
"  running  half  way  back  to  the  next  street  in  length,  being  part 
"  of  the  front  lott  or  house  lott  appertayning  to  him  said  Samuel 
"  Jennings,  or  late  in  the  possession  of  ye  said  Samuel  Jennings, 
"  together  with  all  ways,  waters,"  &c..  &c.t 

On  6th  Aug.,  1684,  Anthony  Morris  purchased  of  Samuel 
Bunting  "A  Towne  Lott  or  House  Lott  of  land  lying  within  y^ 
"  Island  of  Burlington  fronting  y*"  High  St  being  65  feet  in  y^ 
"  front  and  fronting  y^  Second  Street  being  one  hundred  and  fifty 
"  feet  in  front,  being  a  corner  lott  and  adjoining  unto  y®  house 
"&  land  of  James  Marshall  on  y^  South."  This  corner  lot 
Anthony  Morris,  on  Mar.  17  (1st  mo.),  1689,  sold  to  James 
Marshall,  of  Burlington,  merchant,  for  the  sum  of  £12.12.0. 
(Liber  B,  p.  433,  Trenton  Deeds.) 

*This  purchase  is  referred  to  in  a  deed  recorded  in  Liber  B,  p.  483. 
t  Vide  Liber  B,  p.  580,  Trenton  Deeds. 


42  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

On  Nov.  19,  1684,  Anthony  Morris  purchased  of  Jonathan 
Boor  twenty-five  acres  of  land  within  the  Tow^n  bounds  of  Bur- 
lington, about  one  mile  from  the  Island  of  Burlington.*" 

On  May  19th,  1685,  "Thomas  ffarnsworth  of  Mansfield  in 
ye  Province  of  New  Jersey,"  conveyed  to  "Anthony  Morris 
of  Burlington  in  ye  province  aforesaid,"  *  *  *  "for,  and  in 
"  considerason  of,  ye  sum  of  fower  pounds  fifteen  shillings 
"of  Lawful  money"  *  *  *  "All  that  House  lott  or  towne 
"lott  of  land  lying  within  the  Island  of  Burlington  belong- 
"ing  &  appurteyning  unto  his  the  said  Thomas  one  ffif- 
"teenth  pte  of  a  Propriety  being  in  that  Propriety  commonly 
"known  by  ye  name  of  Wm.  Emley's  Propriety  and  in 
"  the  High  Street,  together  with  all  the  ways,  waters,  ease- 
"ments,"  &c.,  &c.t 

The  foregoing  probably  represent  but  a  portion  of  the  pur- 
chases of  land  made  by  Anthony  Morris  in  Burlington,  as  we 
may  infer  from  the  recorded  deeds  of  conveyance  of  land  made 
by  him  to  other  persons. 

As  early  as  April  2nd,  1683,  "Anthony  Morris  in  the  Prov- 
ince of  New  Jersey"  conveyed  to  "Isaac  Smith  of  Burlington, 
wheelwright,"  for  the  consideration  of  five  pounds,  one  small 
piece  of  land,  lying  and  being  in  the  High  Street  in  Burlington, 
containing  "forty-five  feet  fronting  the  High  Street,  and  extend- 
"ing  one  hundred  and  sixty  feet  backward."  | 

The  deed  for  the  next  recorded  sale  made  by  Anthony  Morris 
bears  date  Feb.  25,  1683.  It  is  to  "  John  Budd— Wharf  Lott 
from  Anthony  Morris." 

"  By  one  conveyance  bearing  date  the  five  and  twentieth  day 
"  of  the  twelfth  month  called  February  1683  made  from  Anthony 
"  Morris  of  the  one  part,  to  John  Budd,  of  y^  other  part  ffor  the 
"  considerason  of  ffive  pounds  currt  Boston  money  by  the  said 
"  John  Budd  to  the  said  Anthony  Morris  paid,  Hee  the  said  An- 
"thon}^  Morris  hath  sold  unto  the  said  John  Budd  all  that  ye 
"  Water  Lott  or  wharfe  Lott  of  Land  to  him  ye  said  Anthony 
"Morris  belonging  (excepting  eight  foot)  in  ye  Island  of  Bur- 
"  lington    fronting   ye   river   Delaware  and  appurteyneth   to   a 


*  Vide  Liber  B,  p.  667,  giving  deed  of  transfer  (with  full  description  of  this 
property)  to  Peter  Boss.  t  Vide  Liber  B,  p.  154.    Trenton  Deeds. 

i  Vide  Liber  B,  p.  506.    Trenton  Deeds. 


FRIENDS'    MEETING    HOUSE,   HIGH    STREET,   BURLINGTON,   N.  J. 
BUILT    IN    1683;    TAKEN    DOWN    1786-7 


SECOND    GENERATION.  43 

"  fourth  parte  of  a  propriety  with  all  ways,  waters,  priviledges 
"  and  appurtenances  to  ye  said  Water  Lott  belonging."* 

By  deed  bearing  date  April  14,  1685,  "  Anthony  Morris  of 
Burlington  in  West  Jersey  conveys  to  Thomas  Ffrench  Inhabit- 
ant near  Burlington  :  " 

"  One  water  side  lott  of  Land  in  Burlington  containing  eight 
"  foot  front  upon  ye  Great  River  abutting  North  upon  ye  said 
"  River  and  South  upon  ye  Bank  Street  and  East  upon  ye  land 
"of  ye  said  Thomas  Ffrench,  and  West  upon  Richard  Basnett's 
"house  it  being  part  of  ye  purchase  which  hee  ye  said  Anthony 
"  Morris  hath  and  holdeth  by  vertue  of  a  deed  and  indenture 
"  bearing  date  the  tenth  of  ninth  month  1683,  between  Mahlon 
"  Stacy  of  ye  one  part  &  ye  said  Anthony  Morris  of  the  other 
"  part "  &c.  &c.t 

Whilst  Anthony  Morris  was  acquiring  land,  and  disposing  of 
the  same  in  Burlington  and  its  neighborhood,  he  was  not  neg- 
lectful of  the  prosperity  of  the  Religious  Society  to  which  he 
belonged.  As  early  as  the  year  1677,  members  of  the  Society  of 
Friends  had  begun  to  settle  at  Burlington,  and  in  the  following 
year,  oth  mo.  loth,  1678,  they  formed  their  first  "meeting,"  which 
was  held  for  a  few  years  in  private  houses.  At  the  time  of 
Anthony  Morris'  arrival  "Friends"  assembled  in  the  house  of 
Thomas  Gardiner,  but  in  1683  the  erection  of  the  first  "Meeting 
House"  at  Burlington  was  commenced,  towards  the  cost  of  which 
Anthony  Morris  subscribed  £2.0.0.,  the  total  amount  subscribed 
in  1st  mo.,  1685,  being  £132.16.0.,  as  we  find  recorded  in  the 
Minutes  of  the  Monthly  Meeting  at  Burlington. 

The  last  two  references  to  Anthony  Morris  in  the  Minutes  of 
the  Burlington  Monthly  Meeting  are  as  follows: — 

"At  our  Monthly  Meeting  held  at  the  house  of  Thomas 
"Gardiner  in  Burlington  7th  of  ye  5th  mo.,  1685." 

"  Anthony  Morris  is  willing  to  assist  Robert  Stacy  in  following 
"reports  yt  tend  to  ye  reproach  or  slander  of  any  person,  and 
"make  report  at  ye  next  meeting  " 

"  At  ye  monthly  meeting  9th,  9th  mo.,  1685." 


*  Vide  Liber  B,  p.  37.    Trenton  Deeds, 
t  Vide  Liber  B,  p.  483.     Trenton  Deeds. 


44  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

"Ye  meeting  desires  Anthony  Morris  to  speak  to  Francis 
"  Collings  to  appear  at  next  monthly  meeting  and  Henry  Grubb 
"to  assist  in  it." 

At  the  time  of  the  last  entry,  Anthony  Morris  was  onl}^ 
31  years  of  age,  but  from  the  minutes  we  may  suppose  he  had 
already  made  his  mark  in  the  Society.  He  had  been  living  for 
nearly  three  years  in  Burlington,  and  had  there,  built  for  himself, 
a  comfortable  house  upon  his  own  land,  but  neither  he  nor  his 
neighbors  w^ere  unmindful  of  what  was  transpiring  lower  down 
on  the  opposite  bank  of  the  river.  B}^  the  end  of  1685  Phila- 
delphia had  become  a  thriving  settlement,  and  Anthony  Morris 
would  speedily  realize  the  advantage  of  taking  iip  his  abode  in 
that  city,  in  preference  to  remaining  in  Burlington. 

We  learn  from  a  letter  written  (6th  mo.  3rd,  1685)  by  Robert 
Turner  to  William  Penn,  that  by  that  time  600  houses  had  been 
erected  in  Philadelphia.  Bricks  were  said  to  be  exceedingly 
good  at  16  shillings  per  thousand,  and  brick  houses  were  then 
as  cheap  to  build  as  wooden.  He  further  writes,  "Many  brave 
"brick  houses  are  going  up  with  good  cellars,  and  all  these  have 
"  balconies  and  we  build  most  houses  with  them." 

As  early  as  October,  1685,  Anthony  Morris  appears  to  have 
made  preparation  for  removing  to  Philadelphia,  by  disposing  of 
his  "  towne  lott "  and  newly  erected  house  in  Burlington  to 
William  Budd.  This  house  was  perhaps  the  first  erected  by 
Anthony  Morris  in  tliis  country,  and  we  therefore  transcribe 
essential  portions  of  the  deed  of  conveyance  as  it  is  recorded  at 
Trenton :— (Liber  B,  p.  140)  bearing  date  October  21st,  1685. 

"This  indenture  made  the  one  and  twentieth  da}^  of  the 
eighth  month  called  October  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  according 
to  English  acct  one  thousand  six  hundred  eighty  and  five 
between  Anthony  Morris  of  Burlington  in  the  province  of  West 
Jersey  of  ye  one  pte  and  William  Budd  of  Burlington  in  the 
province  aforesaid  of  ye  other  pte,  witnesseth  that  the  said 
Anthony  Morris  for  and  in  consideration  of  ye  summ  of  One 
hundred  pounds  of  lawful  money  of  Old  England  to  him  in 
hand  paid  by  the  said  William  Budd  at  and  before  the  sealing 
and  delivery  hereof  the  receipt  whereof  him  the  said  Anthony 
Morris  doth  hereby  acknowledge  and  himself  therewith  full}^ 
satisfied  contented  and  paid  hath  granted,  bargained  and  sold. 


SECOND    GENERATION.  45 

alyened  enfeoffed  and  confirmed  unto  him  the  said  William 
Budd  his  heirs  and  assigns  for  ever  the  dwelling  house  and  lott 
by  him  the  said  Anthony  Morris  lately  erected,  fronting  the 
High  street,  adjoining  unto  the  land  of  Isaac  Smith  on  the  South 
and  land  of  Thomas  Budd  on  the  north  in  the  towne  of  Bur- 
lington now  in  possession  of  him  the  said  Anthony  Morris  with 
all  ways,  waters,  priviledges  and  appurtenances  to  the  said  House 
&  Lott  and  dwelling  house  only  belonging,  and  also  one  acre 
of  land  or  thereabout,  little  more  or  less  lyeing  and  being  in  the 
Island  of  Burlington  aforesaid  fronting  the  River  on  the  north 
and  a  street  commonly  called  Broad  St.  eastward  with  the  ways, 
water,  easements  and  appurtenances  to  the  same  belonging. 

Anthony  Morris." 
"Signed  in  presence  of  Nathaniel  Ible,  John  Budd,  Jr. 

"  Nathaniel  Ible  &  John  Budd  Jr  ye  4th  day  of  ye  oth  month 
Anno  1687  came  before  us  magistrates  underwritten  and  attested 
that  they  did  see  ye  Avithin  named  Anthony  Morris  sign,  seal 
and  deliver  the  within  written  deed  to  ye  within  named 
William    Budd. 

James  Marshall, 
WiLLM  Myers, 

Justices." 

This  transaction  was  concluded  in  the  Sth  month,  but  from 
the  minutes  of  the  Burlington  monthly  meeting  dated  9th  mo. 
9th,  1685,  as  before  shown,  Anthony  Morris  was  still  there.  It  is, 
however,  certain,  that  he  had  removed  by  the  beginning  of  the 
12th  month,  for  in  a  letter  of  attorney,  from  a  certain  Philip 
Richard  to  Anthony  Morris,  and  dated  "  Third  day  of  Twelfth 
month,  1685,"  Anthony  Morris  is  described  as  "of  the  said  County 
of  Philadelphia."*  We  gather  therefore  from  this  document, 
that  Anthony  ]\Iorris  settled  in  Philadelphia  before  the  close 
of  1685. 

A  special  interest  attaches  to  one  of  the  early  purchases  of 
real  estate  made  by  Anthony  Morris  in  Philadelphia,  referred  to 
in  a  deed,  bearing  date  3rd  mo.  4th,  1687,  by  which  Thomas 

*  Vide  Book  E  1,  p.  189,  in  Office  of  Eecorder  of  Deeds,  Philadelphia. 


46  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

Lloyd,  "President  of  the  Province  of  Pennsylvania"  conveyed 
to  Anthony  Morris,  "Merchant,"  of  Philadelphia,  "for  a  certain 
sum  of  money,"  or  (as  stated  in  another  deed),  "in  exchange  "  for 
another  property,  "  a  lot  of  land  fronting  Delaware  Front  Street 
on  the  East,  adjoining  the  lot  of  Thomas  Hootton  on  the  South 
side,  and  the  lot  of  William  Wood  deceased  on  the  North  side." 
This  lot  of  land,  had  previously  been  conveyed  to  Thomas  Lloyd, 
by  Christopher  Taylor,  8th  mo.  3d,  1685.* 

It  was  upon  a  portion  of  this  ground,  that  Anthony  Morris 
afterwards  erected  his  "Mansion  house."  On  Dec.  10,  1687,  he 
purchased  the  adjoining  lot  on  the  north  side.  The  deed  of 
conveyance  of  this  property,  states,  that  for  the  consideration  of 
three  score  and  five  pounds,  Joseph  Wood,  of  Darby,  Chester 
County,  conveyed  to  Anthony  Morris,  "A  Lot  of  land  in  Phila- 
delphia, situated  between  Chestnut  Street,  formerly  called  Wine 
street,  on  the  north,  and  Walnut  street,  formerly  called  Poole 
street,  on  the  south,  containing  in  breadth  51  foot,  and  396  foot 
in  length,  bounded  northward  with  William  Shardloe's  lott.  East- 
ward with  Delaware  Front  Street,  Southward  with  deceased 
Christopher  Taylor's  lott,  thereafter  Thomas  Lloyd's  lott  and  now 
Anthony  Morris's  lott,  and  westward  with  the  Second  street  from 
Delaware."! 

This  lot  of  ground  purchased  from  Joseph  Wood,  extended 
from  Front  Street  to  Second  Street,  being  396  feet  in  length. 
It  was  disposed  of  by  Anthony  Morris  in  two  portions.  The 
upper  (northern)  portion,  measuring  20  feet  in  width,  he  sold 
to  Alexander  Beardsley  in  1688,  and  the  remainder,  31  feet 
in  width,  he  sold  to  Edmund  Du  Castell  in  1692.  Edmund 
Du  Castell  in  the  same  year,  re-conveyed  to  Anthony  Morris 
the  western  half  of  this  strip,  measuring  30  feet  9  inches  in. 
width  and  196  feet  in  length  "  to  run  with  a  straight  line  cross 
from  the  said  Morris  his  back  garden  fence."  X 

*  Vide  Deed  Book  E  1,  p.  52.3,  in  Office  of  Recorder  of  Deeds,  Phila.  The 
property  given  bj' Anthony  Morris  in  exchange  for  the  Front  Street  lot,  consisted 
of  218  acres  of  land  in  Phila.  Co.,  "  measured  from  a  Spanish  Oak  standing  by 
the  River  Delaware,  belonging  to  Christian  Clewson."  Vide  Deed  Book  E  ], 
p.  524. 

t  Fidf  Deed  Book  E  1,  p.  647,  in  Office  of  Recorder  of  Deeds,  Phila.,  also 
Deed  Book  EF  2,  p.  75,  for  a  deed  dated  10th  mo.  1st,  1688,  from  Jos.  Wood  to 
Anthony  Morris  which  refers,  apparently,  to  the  same  property. 

t  Vide  Deed  in  Exemp.  Rec,  Vol.  vii.,  p.  78,  Phila. 


SECOND    GENERATION.  47 

As  already  iiiiimated,  it  was  upon  the  ujDper  part  of  the 
ground  purchased  of  Thomas  Lloyd,  that  Anthony  Morris  built 
a  house  for  himself.  It  was  a  prominent  Front  Street  site,  and 
the  garden  ground  extended  half  way  to  Second  Street.*  On  the 
south  side  of  this  building  he  made  a  street  called  "  Morris  Lane  " 
or  "  Morris  Alley, "f  extending  from  Front  Street  to  Second  Street. 

The  remainder  of  the  land  he  divided  into  lots,  which  he 
leased  to  various  individuals.  Richard  Armitt  rented  the  land 
at  the  S.  W.  corner  of  Front  Street  and  Morris  Alley. 

Gabriel  Thomas,  in  his  account  of  Philadelphia,  in  the  year 
1696,  writes:  "The  industrious  inhabitants  have  built  a  noble 
"and  beautiful  city,  and  called  it  Philadelphia,  or  Brotherly- 
"  Love,  which  contains  a  number  of  houses,  all  inhabited,  and 
"  most  of  them  stately  and  of  brick,  generally  of  three  stories 
"  high,  after  the  mode  in  London,  and  as  many  several  fami- 
"  lies  in  each.  There  are  very  many  lanes  and  alleys,  as  first, 
"  Hutton's  lane,  Morris  lane,  Jones  lane,  &c.  &c.  All  these  alleys 
"  and  lanes  extend  from  the  Front  Street  to  the  Second  Street," 

No  more  desirable  spot  could  have  been  chosen  for  a  city 
house  than  the  site  on  Front  Street,  from  which  the  residents 
could  enjoy  an  uninterrupted  and  commanding  view  of  the  Dela- 
ware River  and  the  surrounding  scenery;  besides  which,  it  was 
the  original  design  of  William  Penn  to  have  beautified  the  City 
by  a  most  graceful  and  agreeable  promenade  on  the  high  bank 
of  the  river  front,  the  whole  length  of  the  city.  But,  within  a 
few  years,  these  laudable  purposes  were  to  be  frustrated.  Not 
only  were  houses  built  on  the  eastern  side  of  Front  Street,  but 
inconvenient  and  cramped  streets  were  crowded  in  down  to  the 
water's  brink. 

Anthony  Morris,  upon  his  arrival  in  Philadelphia,  became 
actively  interested  in  the  work  of  the  "  Society  of  Friends,"  to 
which  he  belonged.  In  the  7th  mo.,  1686,  he  was  appointed  to 
business  in  the  monthly  meeting  of  Philadelphia,  and  was  before 
long  its  clerk,  which  office  he  filled  for  a  considerable  time.  He 
was  one  of  the  willing  laborers  for  the  good  of  his  fellow  men, 


*  At  first  Anthony  Morris  reserved  for  his  house  and  grounds  a  depth  of  200 
feet,  but  afterwards  a  piece  at  the  western  end,  20  feet  in  width,  was  granted 
to  John  Armitt,  reducing  the  depth  to  180  feet. 

t  Afterwards  Grays  Alley,  and  now  Gatzmer  Street. 


48  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

and  a  very  large  amount  of  service  of  this  kind  devolved  on 
him;  indeed  he  appears  to  have  been  employed  at  every  meeting 
he  attended. 

He  had  been  settled  but  a  little  more  than  two  years  and  a 
half  in  Philadelphia,  when  on  the  3rd  day  of  the  8th  mo.,  1688, 
the  partner  of  his  earlier  and  checkered  days,  was  taken  from 
him  by  death.  After  their  arrival  in  America,  this  couple  had 
three  children  born  to  them,  viz.:  John,  Susanna,  and  James, 
the  last  two  after  their  removal  from  Burlington  to  Philadelphia. 
The  birth  of  John  is  entered  in  the  Records  of  Burlington 
Monthly  IMeeting,  thus : 

"  John  y^  Son  of  Anthony  &  Mary  Morris  of  Burlington  was 
born  y^  17'^  of  y"  2'^  mo  in  y^  year  1685.     Witnesses  then  present 

"Elizabeth  Gardiner  mid* 

"SUZANNAH    BiDD 

"Mary  Dimsdall 
"Mary  Gosnell'' 

In  the  same  Records  is  the  entry  of  the  marriage  of  Thomas 
Gardiner,  Jr.,  and  Hannah  Mathews  at  Burlington,  4th  mo.  2oth, 
1684.  Amongst  the  signatures  on  the  Marriage  Certificate  is 
that  of  Mary  Morris. 

On  the  18th  day  of  April,  1688,  Gerhard  Hendricks,  Dirck  op 
den  Graef,  Francis  Daniel  Pastorius,  and  Abraham  op  den  Graef, 
sent  to  the  Friends'  Meeting  at  German  town,  a  document  setting 
forth  "  the  reasons  w^hy  "  they  were  "  against  the  traffick  of  mens- 
body."  It  is  said  to  have  been  "  the  first  public  protest  ever 
made  on  this  continent  against  the  holding  of  slaves."  f 

The  matter  was  duly  considered,  by  the  Quarterly,  and  Yearly 
Meetings,  and  the  disposition  which  was  made  of  it,  appears  from 
the  Friends'  Records : 

"  The  above  mentioned  was  Read  in  our  Quarterly  Meeting 
"  at  Philadelphia,  the  4th  of  ye  4mo.,  '88,  and  was  from  thence 
"  recommended  to  the  Yearly  Meeting,  and  the  above-said  Derick 


*  Elizabeth  Gardiner  appears  to  have  been  present,  as  midwife,  at  many  of 
the  births  of  children  in  Burlington  about  that  time. 

-\  Vide  "Historical  and  Biographical  Sketches" — Judge  Samuel  W. 
Pennypacker,  p.  42. 


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FROM    THE    MINUTES    OF    THE    MONTHLY    MEETING    OF    FRIENDS,    BURLINGTON,    N.    J. 


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A    PORTION    OF    THE    LIST    OF    SUBSCRIBERS    TO    THE    MEETING    HOUSE,    BURLINGTON,    N.    J. 

FROM    THE    MINUTES   OF    THE    MONTHLY    MEETING    OF    FRIENDS,    BURLINGTON,    N.    J  ,    1684-5 


SECOND    GENERATION.  49 

"  and  the  other  two  mentioned  therein,  to  present  the  same  to  ye 
"  above-said  meeting,  it  being  a  thing  of  too  great  a  weight  for 
"  this  meeting  to  determine." 

"  Signed  by  order  of  the  ]\leeting, 

"Anthony  Morris." 

At  the  Yearly  Meeting  held  at  Burlington,  the  5th  day  of  7th 
mo.,  1688,  "  A  paper  being  here  presented  by  some  German 
"  Friends,  Concerning  the  lawfulness  and  unlawfulness  of  buying 
"  and  keeping  Negroes,  It  was  adjudged  not  to  be  so  proper  for 
"  this  meeting  to  give  a  positive  judgment  in  the  ease,  It  having 
"  so  General  a  Relation  to  many  other  Parts  and  therefore,  at 
"  present  they  forbear  it." 

Thus  for  a  time,  the  expression  of  humanitarian  sentiment 
made  by  the  Sturdy  "  Friends  "  of  Germantown,  as  regards  traf- 
fick  in  slaves,  was  allowed  to  remain  dormant.  But  a  protest 
had  been  made,  and  repeatedly  during  the  coming  years,  it  was 
to  be  brought  forward  for  reconsideration,  until  in  1776  the 
Friends  decided  that  any  of  their  members  who  continued  to 
hold  slaves  over  lawful  age  were  to  be  dealt  with  and  disowned  ; 
and  yet  it  was  not  until  1781  that  the  records  show  the  Society  to 
have  become  entirely  clear  of  holding  slaves. 

Following  Chronological  sequence  we  find  that  at  the  begin- 
ning of  1689  Anthony  Morris  sold  another  piece  of  land  in 
Burlington,  N.  J.,  by  deed  dated  1st  mo.  (March)  17th,  1689 :— * 

"Anthony  Morris  of  Philadelphia  in  ye  Province  of  Pennsyl- 
"vania.  Merchant  (late  of  Burlington  in  West  Jersey)"  sells  to 
"  James  Marshall  of  Burlington  in  ye  Province  of  West  Jersey, 
"  Merchant,"  for  the  sum  of  twelve  pounds,  twelve  shillings,  "All 
"  that  his  Towne  Lott  or  House  Lott  of  land  lying  within  ye 
"  Island  of  Burlington  and  fronting  ye  High  Street,  being  sixty 
"  five  feet  in  ye  front,  and  fronting  ye  second  street  being  one 
"  hundred  and  fifty  feet  in  front,  being  a  corner  lott  and  adjoin- 
"ing  unto  ye  house  and  land  of  James  Marshall  on  ye  south, 
"  which  sd  granted  premises  were  by  the  sd  Anthony  Morris  pur- 
"  chased  of  Samuel  Bunting  by  virtue  of  one  Deed  or  conveyance 
"  bearing  date  of  sixth  of  August  Anno  1684,  together  with  all 
"  ways,  waters  "  &c.,  &c. 

*Vide  Liber  B,  p.  433,  Oflace  of  Secretary  of  State,  Trenton,  N.  J. 


50  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

This  deed  was  signed  in  the  presence  of  The.  Budd,  Susanna 
Budd,  and  Wm.  Hudson,  and  it  may  be  here  remarked  that 
Anthony  Morris  appears  to  have  been  so  frequently  associated 
with  the  Budd  family,  in  business  transactions,  that  the  coinci- 
dence is  suggestive  of  some  connection  having  existed  between 
the  Morris,  Jones,  Gosling,  and  Budd  families,  before  Anthony 
Morris  left  old  England.  The  signatures  of  William  Budd  and 
John  Jones  are  upon  the  Certificate  of  Marriage  of  Anthony 
Morris  and  Mary  Jones  in  London,  1676. 

After  the  death  of  his  first  wife,  Anthony  Morris  was  a 
widower  for  about  a  year,  but  we  find  from  the  minutes  of  the 
Philadelphia  Monthly  Meeting  for  the  27th  of  the  7th  mo.,  1689, 
that  on  that  date 

"  Sarah  Welch  and  Margaret  Beardsley  presents  Anthony 
"  Morris  and  Agnes  Boom,  who  published  their  intentions  of 
"  taking  each  other  in  marriage,  and  the  said  Agnes  being  a 
"  widow,  friends  desire  John  Eckley,  Samuel  Carpenter  and 
"  Humphrey  Murray  to  make  it  their  endeavour  to  settle  a  pro- 
"  portionate  part  of  her  estate  upon  the  children  between  this 
"  and  the  next  monthly  meeting,  and  return  an  account  of  what 
"  they  have  done  to  friends."  The  financial  questions  seem  to 
have  been  satisfactorily  arranged,  for,  at  the  monthly  meeting 
held  8th  mo.  25th,  1689,  "  Sarah  Welch  and  ]\Iargaret  Beardsley 
"  presents  Anthony  Morris  and  Agnes  Bom,  who  declared  their 
"  intention  of  marriage,  and  it  being  the  second  time  and  the 
"  said  Agnes  having  settled  part  of  her  estate  upon  her  children, 
"  and  no  objections  made,  friends  leave  them  to  their  liberty  to 
"  consummate  their  intentions."  The  marriage  certificate  shows 
that  the  marriage  was  solemnized  8th  mo.  28th,  1689.  The  bride 
signed  her  name  "  Agnes  Bom."  The  will  of  Cornelius  Bom 
leads  us  to  infer,  that  Agnes  had  been  married  at  least  twice, 
before  her  marriage  with  him.  Her  name  when  betrothed  to 
Cornelius  Bom  was  Agnes  Makeman,  and  the  name  of  her  first 
husband  was  Herman  Van  Snyder  {vide  "  Abstract  of  Will  of 
Cornelius  Bom  ").  So  that  her  marriage  with  Anthony  Morris 
appears  to  have  been  her  fourth  matrimonial  venture.  In  the 
following  year,  under  date  of  4th  mo.  27th,  1690,  it  was  recorded 
in  the  minutes  that  "  John  Williamson  has  a  matter  of  difference 
"  between  himself  and  Agnes  Morris,  late  Widow  Bom,"  which  was 
referred  to  arbitration. 


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MARRIAGE    CERTIFICATE    OF  ANTHONY    MORRIS"   AND    AGNES    BOM,    8  MO.    2&th,    1689 


SECOND    GENERATION.  61 

This  latter  spelling  of  her  name  as  "  Agnes  Bom,"  is  no  doubt 
the  correct  one,  as  she  was  widow  of  Cornelius  Bom,  a  Dutch 
Friend,  who  originally  settled  in  Germantown,  and  was  there 
before  Pastorius  arrived.  Cornelius  Bom  traded  in  various  ways, 
and  as  he  wrote  from  Germantown  to  a  friend  in  Rotterdam,  Oct. 
12,  1684,  "  I  have  here  a  shop  of  many  kinds  of  goods  and 
"edibles.  Sometimes  I  ride  out  with  merchandise,  and  some- 
"  times  bring  something  back,  mostly  from  the  Indians,  and  deal 
"  with  them  in  many  things.  I  have  no  regular  servants  except 
"  one  negro,  whom  I  bought.  I  have  no  rent  or  tax  or  excise  to 
"  pay.  I  have  a  cow  which  gives  plenty  of  milk,  a  horse  to  ride 
"  around,  my  pigs  increase  rapidly,  so  that  in  the  summer  I  had 
"  seventeen  when  at  first  I  had  only  two.  I  have  many  chickens 
"  and  geese,  and  a  garden,  and  shall  next  year  have  an  orchard, 
"  if  I  remain  well,  so  that  my  wife  and  I  are  in  good  spirits." 

He  afterwards  removed  to  Philadelphia,  where  he  had  a 
"bake-house"  located  in  the  "wilderness  at  the  south  east  corner 
of  3rd  and  Chestnut  Sts.,  and  not  far  from  the  Creek." 

But  Anthony  Morris  did  not  long  enjoy  the  society  of  his 
second  wife,  as  she  died  on  the  26th  of  the  5th  month,  1692, 
without  having  children  by  her  last  husband. 

Cornelius  Bom  was  probably  a  man  in  good  circumstances, 
but  at  the  time  of  his  death,  his  affairs  appear  to  have  been 
somewhat  in  disorder,  as  we  gather  from  a  deed  of  conveyance 
from  Anthony  Morris  to  William  Hudson,  dated  3rd  mo.  25th, 
1697,*  which  refers  to  a  piece  of  land  granted  5th  mo.  10th,  1684, 
by  William  Penn  to  Cornelius  Bome — 50  feet  in  breadth,  in 
length  on  the  west  side  of  said  lot  from  Chestnut  Street  to  the 
Swamp  260  feet,  and  from  the  Swamp  on  the  east  side  of  said  lot 
to  said  street  295  feet,  bounded  northward  with  Chestnut  Street, 
eastward  with  Henry  Wood's  lot,  southward  with  Swamp,  west- 
ward with  the  third  street.  Cornelius  Bome  had,  "before  a 
"Notary  in  Rotterdam,  in  the  year  1675,  by  an  instrument  called 
"his  will,  made  Agnes  his  then  intended  wife  (and  whome  he 
"  afterwards  married),  his  heir  according  to  the  laws  and  usages 
"  of  that  country.  He,  the  said  Cornelius  Bome  did  improve  the 
"said  lot  and  built  a  messuage  thereon,  and  afterwards  died  in 


*  Vide  Exemp.  Rec,  Vol.  vii.,  p.  113,  in  the  Office  of  Recorder  of  Deeds,  Phila. 
Recorded  12th  mo.  18th,  1697. 


b2  GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MORRIS  FAMILY. 

"  this  Province,  and  after  his  decease,  administration  of  his  estate 
"was  committed  to  said  Agnes,  who  intermarried  with  said 
"  Anthony  Morris,  and  afterwards  died  intestate."  As  Cornelius 
Bom  owed  several  debts  at  the  time  of  his  death,  his  widow 
Agnes,  and  afterwards  Anthony  Morris,  paid  off  many  of  them, 
but  some  still  remained — one  particularly  of  £237.12.0  was  owing 
to  Peter  van  Radt.  Anthony  ^Morris  therefore  sold  this  property 
to  "William  Hudson  for  £130,  which  sum  was  used  towards  satis- 
fying the  judgment  against  the  estate  of  Bom. 

Anthony  Morris  rapidly  became  prominent  in  the  affairs  of 
the  city.  In  the  charter  (probably  the  first)  granted  to  the  City 
of  Philadelphia,  which  bears  date  the  20th  of  the  3rd  mo.,  1691, 
Humphrey  Morrey  is  appointed  to  be  the  present  Mayor ;  John 
Delavall,  Recorder;  David  Lloyd,  Town  Clerk;  and  Anthony 
Morris  is  appointed  one  of  the  six  Aldermen,  the  others  being 
Samuel  Richardson,  Griffith  Owen,  Robert  Ewer,  John  Holmes, 
and  Francis  Rawle,  Junr.,  "  being  the  present  Justices^  Citizens 
and  Inhabitants  of  the  City."  From  this  we  may  infer  that 
Anthony  Morris  was  already  a  Magistrate.  He  doubtless  served 
in  the  capacity  of  "Alderman"  so  long  as  the  charter  remained  in 
force,  ])robably  about  two  years,  for  there  is  evidence  that  Morrey 
was  acting  as  Mayor  as  late  as  December,  1692.* 

On  6th  Sept.,  1692,  Anthony  Morris  was  commissioned  a  Jus- 
tice of  the  Peace  of  the  County  Courts,  Philadelphia  (Penna. 
Archiv.,  Vol.  ix.,  2nd  S.,  p.  701.  Martin's  Bench  &  Bar,  p.  29) ;  he 
was  reappointed  May  6, 1693  (1  C.  R.  331,  Martin's  B.  &  B.,  p.  29, 
Penna.  Archiv.,  2nd  S.,  Vol.  ix.,  p.  701),  and  is  mentioned  as  a 
Justice  of  the  Peace,  Feb.  12,  1697/8  (1  C.  R.  498). 

On  6th  Sept.,  1692,  Anthonj^  Morris  was  likewise  commis- 
sioned a  Justice  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  Quarter  Sessions 
of  the  Peace,  and  the  Orphans  Court,  of  the  Cit}'  and  Co.  of  Phil- 
delphia  (Martin's  Bench  &  Bar,  p.  42).  He  was  re-appointed  by 
Governor  Fletcher,  oth  May,  1693,  being  commissioned  the  Pre- 
siding Justice  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  and  also  Presiding 
Justice  of  the  County  Court  of  Quarter  Sessions  on  29th  May,  1693 
(Martin's  B.  &  B.,  p.  51). 


*Vide  Article  by  Judge  Samuel  W.  Pennypacker,  Penna.  Mag.,  Vol.  xv.,p.  346. 


PUBLIC  SCHOOL  OF  PHILADELPHIA. 

("  William  Penn  Charter  School.") 

Amongst  the  many  valuable  institutions  which  were  founded 
in  Philadelphia  at  an  early  date,  and  with  which  Anthony 
Morris  was  intimatelj^  associated,  was  the  Public  School  in 
Philadelphia,  which  in  1689  was  placed  under  the  mastership  of 
George  Keith,  by  the  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends  of  Philadel- 
phia, which  established  the  school  some  years  before.*  This 
meeting,  5th  mo.,  25th,  1689,  appointed  George  Keith,  one  of  the 
most  influential  "  Friends  "  of  his  day,  as  Master  of  the  School- 
He  was  to  receive  a  salary  of  Fifty  pounds,  with  a  house  to  live 
in,  a  school-house  provided,  and  the  profits  of  the  school  for  the 
first  year.  For  two  years  more,  one  hundred  and  twenty  pounds 
per  annum  were  to  be  guaranteed  to  him,  if  he  remained  and 
taught  the  poor  gratis.  The  rich  were  to  pay  for  their  tuition. 
Anthony  Morris  was  directed  by  the  meeting  to  send  notices  of 
the  School  to  the  different  Counties. 

This  was  the  "Quaker  School,"  or  "Quaker  Academy,"  after- 
wards celebrated  as  the  place  where  many  of  the  leading  citizens 
were  educated. 

George  Keith,  the  first  "Master"  (a  native  of  Aberdeen  in 
Scotland)  came  from  Freehold,  Monmouth  County,  New  Jersey. 
"  He  was  a  man  distinguished  for  his  learning  and  talents,  but 
fierce  and  contentious  in  his  disposition,  intolerant  in  his  faith, 
rude  in  his  manners,  and  abusive  in  his  language."     About  1690 

*The  following  "Minute"  probably  records  the  first  public  provision  made 
in  Philadelphia  for  the  instruction  of  the  youth  of  the  city : 

"At  a  Council  held  in  Philadelphia  ye  26th  of  10th  month  1683,  The  Gov' 
"  and  Prov"  Councill  having  taken  into  their  serious  consideration  the  great 
"  necessity  there  is  of  a  Scool  Master  for  y'^     /^  .  --^ 

"  Instruction  &  Sober  Education  of  Youth  ^'\^J^  A// y^ yC'^/r/ ^y/^*^ 
"  in  the  towne  of  Philadelphia  sent  for  ^^  ^   ^^ 

"  Enock  flower,  an  Inhabitant  of  the  said  Towne,  who  for  twenty  years  past 
"liath  been  Exercised  in  that  care  and  Imployment  in  England,  to  whom 
"having  communicated  their  minds,  he  embraced  it  upon  these  following 
"  Termes :  to  Learne  to  read  English  4^  by  the  Quarter,  to  Learne  to  read  and 
"  write  6'  by  y«  Quarter,  to  learne  to  read,  write  and  cast  acco'  8'  by  y"  Quarter ; 
"  for  Boarding  a  Scholler,  that  is  to  say,  dyet,  Washing,  Lodging  and  Schooling, 
"  Tenn  pounds  for  one  whole  year."     ( Vide  Col.  Rec,  Vol.  i,  p.  36.) 

(53) 


54  GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MORRIS  FAMILY. 

he  gave  up  the  school  and  devoted  himself  to  preaching.  His 
successors,  as  teachers,  were  Thomas  Makin  (Usher  of  George 
Keith,  who  desired  he  should  succeed  him),  D.  J.  Dove,  Robert 
Proud,  the  historian,  William  Wanney,  Jeremiah  Todd  and 
Charles  Thomson. 

On  the  10th  day  of  12th  mo.  1697/8  Anthony  Morris  with 
Samuel  Carpenter,  Edward  Shippen,  James  Ffox,  David  Lloyd, 
William  Southby  and  John  Jones  adopted  an  Humble  Petition 
to  the  Deputy  Governor  and  Council  of  the  Province  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, for  a  charter  for  this  School.  The  following  is  a  copy  of 
the  Petition,  which  has  been  preserved  in  the  Morris  Famil}^ : 

"  To  the  Governo'':  &  Councill  of  the  Province  of  Pennsilvania 
&  Territt^^  thereof 

"Sitting  at 

"Philadelphia  the  Tenth  Day  of  the  Twelth  Month  And.  Domi. 
1697/8 

"The  humble  petition  of  Samuel  Carpenter,  Edw'^.  Shippen, 
Anthony  Morris,  James  Ffox,  David  Lloyd,  William  Southby 
and  John  Jones. 

"  in  the  behalfe  of  themselves  and  the  rest  of  the  people  called 
Quakers  who  are  the  Members  of  the  Monthly  Meeting  held  & 
kept  at  the  New  Meeting  house  lately  built  upon  a  piece  of  ground 
fronting  the  high  street  in  Philadelphia  afores*^  purchased  of  the 
present  Governor  by  the  s"^  people. 

"  Sheweth 

"that  It  has  been  &  is  much  desired  by  many  that  a  schoole 
be  set  up  &  Upheld  in  this  town  of  Philadelphia  where  poor 
Children  may  be  freely  maintained,  taught  &  educated  in  good 

Literature Until  they  are  fitt  to  be  put  out  apprentices 

or  capable  to  be  Masters  or  Ushers  in  ye  8^  Schoole.  .  .  .  And  for 
as  much  as  by  the  Law  &  Constitucone  of  this  Governmt :  Its 
provided  &  Enacted  that  the  Governor :  &  Councill  shall  enact  & 
order  all  public  Schools  and  encourage  &  reward  the  Authors  of 
usefull  schemes  &  Laudable  Invencons  in  the  sd  province  & 
Territ'ys 

"  Therefore  may  it  please  the  Governor ;  and  Councill  to 
ordain  &  establish  that  at  y^  Sd  towne  of  Philadelphia  a  public 
Schoole  May  be  founded  where  all  Children  &  Servants  male  & 
Female  whose  parents  Guardians  or  Masters  be  willing  to  subject 


1 


^/ 


PETITION    TO    GOVERNOR    AND    COUNCIL    FOR    A    PUBLIC    SCHOOL    IN    PHILADELPHIA,    1697 


SECOND    GENERATION.  55 

them  to  the  Rules  &  orders  of  y®  Sd  Schoole  Shall  from  time  to  time 
w}^  the  approbacou  of  the  Overseers  thereof  for  the  time  being 

be  received  or  admitted  taught &  instructed  the  Rich  at 

reasonable  Rates  and  the  poor  to  be  Maintained  &  Schooled  for 

nothing And  To  that  end  a  Meet  and  Convenient  House 

or  houses  Building  &  Roome  may  be  erected  for  the  keeping  of 
the  sd  Schoole  And  for  the  entertainment  &  Abode  of  such  &  so 
many  Masters,  Ushers  Mistresses  and  poor  Children  as  by  the 
order  &  Direction  of  y*"  Sd  Monthly  Meeting  Shall  be  Limited  & 
appointed  from  time  to  time  ....  And  also  that  y^  Members  of 
y®  afors*^  Meeting  for  the  time  being  May  at  their  Respective 
Monthly  Meetings  from  time  to  time  make  Choyce  of  &  Admit 
Such  &  so  many  persons  as  they  shall  think  fitt  to  be  Overseers 
Masters  Ushers  ^Mistresses  and  poor  children  of  y^  S''  Schoole.  And 
the  same  Persons  or  any  of  them  to  remove  or  displace  as  often  as 
the  Sd  Meeting  Shall  see  Occasion.  And  that  the  Overseers  & 
Schoole  aforesd  May  for  ever  hereafter  stand  &  be  established  & 
founded  in  Name  &  in  Deed  a  Body  politick  &  Corporate  to  have 
Continuance  for  ever  By  the  Name  of  y®  Overseers  of  the  public 
Schoole  founded  in  Philadelphia  at  y^  Request  Costs  &  Charges 
of  the  people  of  God  called  Quakers  And  that  y^  sd  Overseers 
may  have  perpetuall  Succession  and  by  that  Name  they  and 
their  Successors  may  for  ever  hold  &  enjoy  all  the  Lands  Tene- 
ments &  Chattells  &  receive  &  take  all  gifts  &  Legacys  as  shall  be 
given  granted  or  devised  for  the  use  and  maintainance  of  the  Said 
Schoole  and  poor  Scholars  without  any  further  or  other  Lycence 
or  Authority  from  this  Govermnt :  into  that  behalfe  saving  unto 
y®  propr""  his  Quitrent  out  of  the  s'^  Lands.  And  that  the  said 
Overseers  by  the  Same  Name  Shall  &  mayw.*"  consent  of  the  Said 
Meeting  have  power  &  Capacity  to  demise  and  grant  by  writing 
under  their  hands  &  common  seale  any  of  the  Sd  Lands  tene- 
ments And  to  take  &  purchase  any  other  Lands  Tenements  or 
hereditam:*^  for  the  best  advantage  of  the  Sd  Schoole.  And  to 
prescribe  such  Rules  and  ordinances  for  the  good  order  &govrm:'' 
of  the  Same  Schoole  and  of  the  Masters  Ushers  Mistresses  &  poor 
children  Successively  and  for  their  &  every  of  their  stipends  .... 
&  allowances  As  to  the  members  of  the  Sd  Monthly  Meeting  for 
the  time  being  or  the  Major  part  of  them  shall  seem  meet  with 
power  also  to  sue  &  be  sued  And  to  do  perform  &  execute  all  & 
every  other  Lawfull  act  &  thing  good  &  profitable  for  the  sd 


56  GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MORRIS  FAMILY. 

Schoole  in  as  full  &  ample  manner  as  any  other  Body  politic  or 
Corporate  more  perfectly  founded  &  incorporated,  May  Doe." 

In  compliance  with  this  Petition,  a  Charter  was  granted  by 
William  Markham,  Lieut.  Governor  in  1697,  but  it  does  not  ap- 
pear to  have  been  recorded. 

William  Penn  confirmed  the  charter  on  8th  mo.  2oth,  1701,* 
and  again,  5th  mo.  22d,  1708,t  when  he  directed,  that  the  corpora- 
tion w^as  "forever  thereafter  to  consist  of  fifteen  discreet  and  reli- 
"  gious  persons,  of  the  people  called  Quakers  by  the  name  of  'the 
"  Overseers  of  the  Public  School. '  "  On  9th  mo.  29th,  1711,  he 
gave  a  Charter^  confirming  all  previous  charters,  and  appointed 
as  Overseers,  Samuel  Carpenter  y®  Elder,  Edward  Shippen,  Grif- 
fith Owen,  Thomas  Storey,  Anthony  Morris,  Richard  Hill,  Isaac 
Norris,  Samuel  Preston,  Jonathan  Dickenson,  Nathan  Stanbury, 
Thomas  Masters,  Nicholas  Wain,  Caleb  Pusey,  Rowland  Ellis, 
and  James  Logan,  with  authority  in  the  corporation  thereafter  to 
elect  the  overseers.§ 

A  characteristic  seal  was  adopted,  with  an  open  book  contain- 
ing the  Greek  motto  "  <I>0.z'izs  a.)lr^)Mu-  "  and  the  inscription  "  Good 
Instruction  is  better  than  Riches." 

Anthony  ]\Iorris  was  one  of  the  Judges  who  sat  in  the  noted 
trial  of  George  Keith,  Thomas  Budd  and  others. 

Proud  tells  us  that|| — 

"All  possible  art  and  means  were  said  to  be  used,  which  the 
enemies  to  the  Quakers,  the  disaffected  to  the  administration,  and 
the  more  libertine  part  of  the  people,  in  the  province  were 
capable  of,  to  magnify  these  judicial  proceedings,  and  to  repre- 

*  Recorded  5th-10th-1701,  in  Patent  Book  2,  p.  202,  now  remaining  in  De- 
partment of  Internal  Affairs  of  Penna. 

t  Recorded  in  Patent  Book  A,  Vol.  iv,  p.  185. 

t  Recorded  as  a  "Charter  for  a  Free  School  in  Philadelphia"  in  Patent 
Book  A,  Vol.  iv.,  p.  280,  in  Dept.  Int.  Affairs. 

§  Anthony  Morris^  continued  in  office  as  Overseer  until  his  death,  8th  mo. 
24th,  1721.  His  successor,  Thomas  Griffitts,  was  appointed  2d  mo.  27th,  1722. 
It  is  a  fact  worthy  of  notice,  that  the  descendants  of  Anthony  Morris^,  have 
in  every  successive  generation  manifested  practical  interest  in  the  educational 
affairs  of  the  State.  Mr.  John  T.  Morris,  a  direct  descendant  of  Anthony 
Morris^,  was  recently  elected  (26th  11th  mo.,  1897)  to  fill  the  vacancy  in  the 
Board,  caused  by  the  decease  of  the  late  Marmaduke  C.  Cope,  who  was  one  of 
the  Overseers  of  this  Institution,  generally  known  as  the  "  Penn  Charter 
School,"  Philadelphia. 

II  Proud's  Hist.  Penna.    Vol.  i.,  pp.  373-4-5-6. 


SECOND    GENERATION.  57 

sent  them,  as  being  on  a  religious  account;  and  with  great 
assiduity,  artifice  and  noise;  they  were  by  these  propagated  as 
such,  both  at  home  and  abroad;  upon  wdiich  the  Magistrates 
pubhshed  the  reasons  of  their  conduct,  in  the  following  paper,  viz: 
"At  a  private  sessions  held  for  the  county  of  Philadelphia,  the 
25th  of  the  Sixth-month,  1692,  before 


"Arthur  Cook,  -^ 

"Samuel  Jenings, 
"Samuel  Richardson,    | 
"  Humphrey  Murray, 
"Anthony  Morris, 
"Robert  Ewer, 


Justices 
of  the 
county." 


"WHEREAS,  the  government  of  this  province  being,  by  the 
late  King  of  England's  peculiar  favour,  vested,  and  since  continued 
in  Governor  Penn,  who  thought  fit  to  make  his,  and  our  worthy 
friend,  Thomas  Lloyd,  his  Deputy  Governor,  by,  and  under  whom 
the  Magistrates  do  act,  in  the  government;  and,  whereas,  it  hath 
been  proved  before  us,  that  George  Keith,  being  resident  here,  did, 
contrary  to  his  duty,  publicly  revile  the  said  Deputy  Governor, 
by  calling  him  an  impudent  man,  telling  him,  "iJe  was  not  jit  to  be 
a  Governor,  and  that  his  name  woidd  stink;"  with  many  other 
slighting  and  abusive  expressions,  both  to  him  and  the  Magis- 
trates; (and  he,  that  usetli  such  exorbitancy  of  speech  towards 
our  said  Governor,  may  be  supposed,  will  easily  dare  to  call  the 
members  of  Council  and  Magistrates  impudent  rascals,  as  he  hath 
lately  called  one,  in  an  open  assembly,  that  was  constituted  by 
the  Proprietary,  to  be  a  Magistrate)  and  he  also  charges  the 
Magistrates,  who  are  ministers  here,  with  engrossing  the  magis- 
terial power  into  their  hands,  that  they  might  usurp  authority 
over  him  ;  saying  also,  ''He  hoped  in  God  he  shoidd  shortly  see  their 
power  taken  from  them;"  all  which  he  acted  in  an  indecent  manner. 
"And  further,  the  said  George  Keith,  with  several  of  his  adher- 
ents, having,  some  few  days  since,  with  unusual  insolence,  by  a 
printed  sheet,  called,  ' An  Appeal'  &c.  traduced  and  vilely  mis- 
represented the  industry,  care,  readiness  and  vigilance  of  some 
magistrates  and  others  here,  in  their  late  proceedings  against  the 
privateers,  Bahit,  and  his  crew,  in  order  to  bring  them  to  condign 
punishment;  whereby  to  discourage  such  attempts,  for  the  future; 


58  GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MORRIS  FAMILY. 

and  have  thereb}^  also  defamed  and  arraigned  the  determina- 
tions of  the  principal  judicature,  against  murders ;  and  not  only 
so,  but  also,  by  wrong  insinuations,  have  laboured  to  possess  the 
readers  of  their  pamphlet,  that  it  is  inconsistent  for  those  who 
are  ministers  of  the  gospel,  to  act  as  Magistrates;  which,  if 
granted,  will  render  our  said  Proprietary  incapable  of  the  powers, 
given  him  by  the  said  King's  letters  patent ;  and  so  prostitute 
the  validity  of  every  act  of  government,  more  especially  in  the 
executive  part  thereof,  to  the  courtesy  and  censure  of  all  factious 
spirits,  and  male-contents,  under  the  same. 

"  Therefore,  for  the  undeceiving  of  all  people,  we  have  thought 
fit,  by  this  public  writing,  not  only  to  signify,  that  our  procedure 
against  the  persons  now  in  the  "  Sheriff's  custody,  as  well  as  what 
we  intend  against  others  concerned  (in  its  proper  place)  respects 
only  that  part  of  the  said  printed  sheet,  which  appears  to  have 
the  tendency  aforesaid,  and  not  any  part  relating  to  differences 
in  religion ;  but  also  these  are  to  caution  such,  who  are  well 
affected  to  the  security,  peace,  and  legal  administration  of  justice, 
in  this  place,  that  they  give  no  countenance  to  any  revilers,  or 
contemners  of  authorit}^,  Magistrates  or  magistracy  ;  as  also,  to 
warn  all  other  persons,  that  they  forbear  the  further  publishing 
and  spreading  of  the  said  pamphlets,  as  they  will  answer  the 
contrary  at  their  peril. 

"  Given  under  our  hands,  and  seal  of  the  county,  the  day, 
year  and  place,  aforesaid." 

We  gain  some  idea  of  the  financial  standing  of  Anthony 
Morris  about  this  time,  b}^  a  reference  to  the  first  tax  list  of 
Philadelphia  County,  made  in  1693,  in  which  he  is  rated  at 
£800,  being  among  the  highest. 

In  the  minutes  of  the  Philadelphia  Meeting  of  5th  mo.  8th, 
1693,  appears  the  following  entry:  "Anthony  Morris  laying  his 
intentions  before  this  meeting  of  going  towards  New  England 
and  being  a  single  person,  requests  of  this  meeting  a  certificate 
of  his  clearness  in  relation  to  marriage."  His  motive  in  going 
is  not  apparent  from  this.  He  appears  to  have  been  present  at 
the  Meeting  held  6th  mo.  25th,  1693,  also  2nd  mo.  27th,  1694. 
In  the  interval  between  these  dates  it  is  clear  that  he  made  his 
projected  journey,  for  we  find  in  the  Rhode  Island  F.  M.  that 
he  was  m.  at  Newport,  R.  I.,  on   Jan.  18,  1693/4,  to  his  third 


w 


J:>iici 


SfP 


r^ 


Ma,  J!  ,.  T  ■" 

^/iz/  <^ni(H  link':,  1  /y  //^ -Q  ^.,X^^^^  ^^  .V  3fay </>;&^  JT  ~Jj7a^fi  fOc ) S^ 


('///V 


WRIT    SIGNED    BY    JUDGE    ANTHONY    MORRIS,    3  MO.    20th,    16S 


SECOND    GENERATION.  59 

wife  Mary  Coddington,  widow  of  Thomas  Coddington  (son  of 
Governor  William  Coddington,  first  Chief  Magistrate  of  Rhode 
Island  b}^  his  third  wife  Anne  Brinley).  The  following  group  of 
entries  in  Rhode  Island  F.  M.  may  be  conveniently  given  here  : — 

Thomas  Coddington,  son  of  William  and  Anne  Coddington,  of  Newport, 
R.  I.,  b.  Nov.  5-1655;  m.  1st  Priseilla who  d.  Aug.  7-1688  aged  34  years. 

Thomas  Coddington  of  R.  I.,  m.  2dly  Mary  Howard,  of  New  York,  Jan. 
22-1689. 

The  children  of  Thomas  Coddington's  second  marriage  were: 

1.  William  Coddington  (son  of  Thomas  and  Mary)  b.  in  New^port  Dec.  1- 
1690;  bu.  at  Phila.  7  mo-8-1694  (Phila.  F.  M.). 

2.  Mary  Coddington  (dau.  of  Thomas  and  Mary)  b.  in  Newport  Jan.  15- 
1692/3.     She  became  the  second  wife  of  Judge  William  Trent. 

Thomas  Coddington  (son  of  Governor  William)  d.  March  4-1692/3,  aged  38 
years,  bu.  in  Coddington  Graveyard. 

Anthony  Morris,  of  Pennsylvania,  and  Mary  Coddington  (widow  of  Thomas 
Coddington)  m.  Jan.  18,  1693/4. 

Edward  Shippen  of  Boston  and  Rebecca  Richardson  (widow  of  Francis 
Richardson  of  New  York,  Merchant,  d.  July  15-1688)  m.  Sept.  4,  1691.  Rebecca 
(Richardson)  Shippen  was  originally  Rebecca  Howard,  sister  of  Mary  Howard, 
both  being  dau's  of  John  Howard  of  Yorkshire,  England.  Edward  Shippen 
and  Anthony  Morris,  therefore,  married  sisters,  and  about  1693-4  Edward 
Shippen  removed  from  Massachusetts  to  Philadelphia.* 

These  facts  explain  the  appointment  by  Mary  Howard 
(Coddington)  Morris,  of  "  brother  Edward  Shippen  "  as  the  exec- 
utor of  her  will.  Her  sister,  Rebecca  Shippen,  signs  as  one  of 
the  witnesses,  7th  mo.  25th,  1699. f 

On  Aug.  10,  1694  Anthony  Morris  was  commissioned  a  Just- 
ice of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  Province  of  Pennsylvania,  "  but 

*  Vide  New  Eng.  Hist,  and  Gen.  Reg.  Vol.  xviii,  p.  241,  also  "  Vital  Records 
of  Rhode  Island,"  Vol.  vii,  p.  10,  25,  51,  95.     "  Rhode  Island  Friends'  Records." 

t  Vide  Will  Book  A,  p.  516,  Reg.  of  Wills,  Phila. 

Edward  Shippen  was  Speaker  in  1695  of  the  Assembly  of  the  Province  of 
Penna.,  appointed  by  its  Charter  in  1701,  Mayor  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia, 
President  from  1702  to  1704  of  the  Provincial  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
appointed  by  William  Penn,  Proprietary  of  the  Province,  one  of  the  Executors 
of  his  will.  He  was  b.  in  Yorkshire,  England,  in  1639;  emigrated  to  Boston  in 
1668  ;  d.  in  Philadelphia  Oct.  2,  1712,  aged  73,  whither  he  had  removed  because 
of  persecution,  1693/4;  m.  1st,  in  1671,  Elizabeth  Ly brand,  of  Boston,  who  d. 
there  on  Oct.  25,  1688  ;  m.,  2dly,  Sept.  4, 1689,  at  Newport.  R.  I.,  Rebecca,  widow 
of  Fi-ancis  Richardson  of  New  York,  and  dau.  of  John  Howard,  of  Yorkshire, 
England  ;  she  d.  at  Philadelphia,  Feb.  26,  1704/5,  and  was  bu.  in  Friends'  burial 
ground;  m.,  3dly,  1706,  at  Phila.,  Pa.,  Esther,  widow  of  PhiUp  James,  and  dau. 
of  John  Wilcox ;  she  d.  in  Phila.  Aug.  7,  1724,  bu.  in  Friends'  burial  ground. 
Will  proved  Oct.  20,  1726. 


60  GENEALOGY    OP    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

seems  to  have  retained  his  position  in  the  lower  courts  "  (Martin's 
B.  &  B.,  p.  40).  The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  entry  in  the 
Colonial  Records  (Vol.  i.,  p.  415),  in  reference  to  this  new 
appointment : 

"  The  necessitie  of  a  provinciall  Judge  in  the  room  of  Jno. 
"  Cann  Esq.  deced  was  urged  to  the  Lt.  Go'',  there  being  raanie 
"  appeals  depending  to  be  tryed  in  7br  next,  which  if  delayed  to 
"  be  tryed,  would  give  occasion  of  complaint." 

"  The  Lieut.  Governor  named  Anthony  Morris  Esqr.  a  fitt 
"  person  to  discharge  y'  trust,  which  was  agreed  to  by  the  Coun- 
"  cill,  and  orders  hee  should  take  the  oaths  and  test  next  sitting 
"  of  the  Councill  and  yt  a  commission  be  prepared  for  him." 

Anthony  Morris  retained  his  several  judicial  offices  until 
1698.  We  here  reproduce  a  writ  of  Attachment,  dat.  3d  mo.  20th, 
1698,  signed  by  Anthony  Morris,  issued  by  the  King's  authority, 
in  the  Proprietor's  name,  and  directed  to  the  Sheriff  of  Phila- 
delphia County.     It  is  in  the  plain  language  of  Friends.* 

"Anthony  Morris  was  probably  the  presiding  justice  of  the 
"  Common  Pleas  from  May  29-1693  until  Edward  Shippen  appears 
"  (Feb.  12-1697/8)  at  the  head  of  the  Commission  (1  C.  R.  498,)  but 
"  as  the  Writ  signed  by  Anthony  Morris  bears  date  more  than 
"  three  months  afterwards  it  may  be  that  Shippen  presided  only 
"  in  the  Quarter  Sessions."     (Martin's  "  Bench  and  Bar,"  p.40.) 

Notwithstanding  this  increase  of  his  judicial  duties  Anthony 
Morris  was  unremitting  in  his  labors  for  the  prosperity  of  the 
Religious  Society  to  which  he  belonged.  The  Meeting  of  the 
Friends  in  Philadelphia  had  authorized  Anthony  Morris,  Samuel 
Carpenter  and  Edward  Shippen  to  purchase  for  the  meeting  from 
William  Markham  at  the  cost  of  £50,  a  lot  of  ground  at  the  S.  W. 
corner  of  High  Street  and  Second  Street,  upon  which  to  erect  a 
Meeting  House,  and  upon  the  completion  of  the  transaction 
the  purchasers  gave  a  Deed  dat.  10th  mo.  last  clay,  1695,  to 
the  "  Friends  of  Philada."  renouncing  all  private  right  to  the 
property.f  Upon  this  lot  of  ground  was  built  the  structure 
known  as  "The  Great  Meeting  House." 


*  The  original  is  in  the  possession  of  Effingham  B.  Morris,  Esq.,  by  whose 
kind  permission  it  is  here  reproduced. 

t  Vide  Deed  Book  E  2,  p.  336,  Office  Recorder  of  Deeds,  Phila. 


THE    "BLUE    ANCHOR"    AND    DRAWBRIDGE,     PHILADELPHIA 


GREAT    MEETING    HOUSE    AND    OLD    COURT    HOUSE.    PHILADELPHIA 


SECOND    GENERATION.  61 

In  1695  Antliony  Morris  was  returned  as  a  Representative  for 
Phila.  Co.,  in  the  Provincial  Council,  and  the  election  is  thus 
recorded : — 

"  20th  April  1695 

"Att  a  Council  held  att  Philadelphia  die  Saturni  20th 
"April  1695. 

"  Present  : 

"  William  Markham  Esq.  Governor  under  Wm.  Penn,  &c. 

"The  Sheriff  of  the  Countie  of  Philadelphia,  his  return  of 
"Representatives  in  Councill  was  read,  and  there  -wer  elected 
"Samll  Carpenter  for  3  years,  Samll  Richardson  for  2  years,  and 
"Anthony  Morris  for  one  yeare  "* 

"22nd  April  1695. 

"Att  a  Councill  Held  att  Philada.  Die  Lunte  22nd  Aprill  1695. 
"  The  Representatives  of  the  Countie  of  New  Castle  took  the 
"oathes  appointed  by  act  of  parliment  to  be  taken  instead  of  the 
"oathes  of  allegiance  and  supremacie,  and  subt  the  test  and 
"promise  of  secresie  and  took  their  places  att  the  Councill  board." 

"The  Representatives  of  the  Countie  of  Phila.  &  Chester  did 
"subscribe  the  declaraon  of  fidelitie,  profession  of  the  Christian 
"faith,  test  and  promise  aforesaid,  and  took  y''  places  as  above."t 

It  appears  that  Anthony  Morris  was  re-elected  in  1696  to 
represent  Philadelphia  in  the  Provincial  Council,  for  on  25tli 
Sept.,  1696,  Anthony  Morris  with  others  "did  subscribe  the 
declaraon  of  fidelitie,  profession  of  Christian  faith  &  the  Test, 
and  all  of  them  promised  fidelitie  to  Wm.  Penn,  proprietor  and 
Governor  of  ye  sd  province,  and  Secresie  in  all  matters  that 
should  be  secretly  treated  of  in  Council"  J 

The  last  note  of  Anthony  Morris  being  present  as  a  member 
of  the  Provincial  Council,  is  under  date  7th  Nov.,  1696 — that 
being  "  the  end  of  the  4th  Sessions  of  Council  &  Assembly.  § 

Not  long  before  the  close  of  the  17th  century,  Anthon}?-  Mor- 
ris was  once  more  left  a  widower,  Mary  Coddington,  his  third 


*  Vide  Colonial  Records,  Vol.  i.,  p.  446. 
t  Vide  Ibid.,  p.  447. 
%  Vide  Ibid.,  p.  460. 
i  Vide  Ibid.,  p.  473. 


62  GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MOKRIS  FAMILY. 

wife,  having  d.  Sept.  25,  1699.  Three  children  named  William, 
Elizabeth  and  Joseph  had  been  the  fruit  of  their  marriage.  The 
last  of  these,  Joseph,  d.  in  infancy. 

Anthony  Morris  m.  again,  however,  before  the  close  of  the 
next  year  (8th  mo.  30th,  1700),  at  Philadelphia,  Elizabeth  Wat- 
son, dau.  of  Luke  Watson  and  Sarah,  his  wife. 

We  find  in  the  Family  Bible  of  Anthony  Morris^  the  follow- 
ing note  in  his  own  handwriting  : — 

"  May  the  16th,  1677. 

"  There  was  Baptized  three  children  of  Luke  Watson  and  Sarah 
his  wife.  At  the  fFort  att  New  York  by  the  Dutch  ]\Iinister  A^iz: 
Sarah,  Elizabeth  and  Isaac  Watson,  the  fFors"^  Elizabeth  being 
then  about  three  and  a  half  years  old.  This  note  was  sent  us 
hither  by  Sam"  Bown  of  Long  Island,  who  searched  the  Records 
there  for  the  same. 

entered  pr. 

Antho.  Morris." 

Elizabeth  Watson  is  said  by  a  writer  in  "  The  Friend,"  to 
have  been  "  the  only  one  of  his  wives  much  used  in  religious 
society,"  and  we  may  believe  that  he  derived  no  small  benefit 
from  her  sympathetic  Christian  spirit  in  the  various  religious 
exercises  which  he  was  now  experiencing,  as  a  preparation  for 
the  Ministry  of  the  Gospel,  to  which  he  from  that  time  especially 
devoted  himself. 

The  Certificate  of  this  marriage  is  now  (1898)  in  the  posses- 
sion of  Mr.  Howard  Edwards,  and  it  is  here  reproduced  with  his 
kind  permission. 

On  the  10th  May,  1698,  Anthony  Morris  was  elected  a  Repre- 
sentative for  the  County  of  Philadelphia  in  the  Assembly  of  the 
Province.  He  was  re-elected  each  year  afterwards  until  Oct., 
1703 — his  term  of  office  expiring  Oct.  1,  1704.* 

Frequently  during  that  time,  the  minutes  of  the  Council  and 
the  minutes  of  the  Assembly,  refer  to  him  as  one  of  those  chosen 


*  Vide  Penna.  Archiv.,  2nd  Series,  Vol.  ix.,  pp.  715,  716.  Colonial  Records, 
Vol.  i.,  pp.  515,  537,  574  ;  Vol.  ii.,  p.  85.  Penn  and  Logan  Correspondence,  Vol. 
i.,  p.  148.  Vide  Votes  and  Proceedings  of  the  House  of  Representatives  of  the 
Prov.  of  Penna.,  Vol.  i.,  pp.  101, 108,  118  and  142.  Appendix  to  Vol.  i.,  pp.  xxii. 
and  xxiv.,  Vol.  i.,  part  2,  p.  1. 


^'li ^tn-^"'^.'^ 


MARRIAGE    CERTIFICATE    OF  ANTHONY    MORRIS"  AND    ELIZABETH    WATSON,    8  MO.    30th,    1700 


SECOND    GENERATION.  63 

to  carry  the  bills  which  had  been  passed  by  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives, to  the  Governor  and  Council,  for  their  concurrence 
and  approval.  Anthony  Morris  was  also  frequently  appointed 
to  serve  on  Committees  of  the  House  and  to  j)resent  addresses  to 
the  Proprietary.* 

On  2oth  May,  1698,  the  Assembly  "ordered  that  Samuel 
"  Richardson,  Anthony  Morris,  and  James  Fox,  draw  up  a  Bill 
"  to  regulate  the  Water  Courses  of  the  Streets,  and  to  repair  the 
"  public  WharfFs  of  Philadelphia."  f 

Towards  the  close  of  1699  William  Penn  arrived  in  Phila- 
delphia, for  the  second  time,  from  England.  He  had  come  over, 
determined,  that  action  should  be  taken  to  clear  his  province, 
from  the  charge  of  illicit  trade ;  more  especially  as  it  referred  to 
Madagascar  and  Natoll ;  but  as  the  Assembly  of  1699  had  been 
in  session,  and  had  adjourned  before  his  arrival,  he  summoned 
it  to  reassemble  in  Philadelphia,  and  called  upon  it,  to  pass  a  law 
especially  directed  to  this  "  illicit  trade."  The  Assembly  required 
some  information  as  to  the  whereabouts  of  "  Natoll,"  and  accord- 
ingly, on  12th  mo.  6th,  1699,  "Anthony  Morris  and  Isaac  Norris, 
"  were  ordered  to  attend  the  Governor  and  Council,  to  be  informed 
"of  the  place  called  Natoll,  and  that  something  might  be 
"  added  to  the  clause,  forbidding  Trade  to  Madagascar  and  Natoll, 
"  to  show  that  we  have  been  hitherto  clear  of  trade  to  those 
"  parts."  t 

"  The  members  return  and  report,  that  Natoll  is  a  place  upon 
"the  Main,  near  Madagascar,  where  it  is  supposed  the  Pirates 
"  intend  to  remove  their  Magazines  and  Trade,  and  also  brought 
"  the  requested  addition  to  the  said  Bill." 

On  this  day,  it  was   re- 
corded,  that    the   Assembly 


adjourned  "to  Isaac  Norris's      ^    Y //7 // /'/V/1  ^^'^-^^y/^ 
(by   reason   of   the   extreme      {^y/^cJcO  f  C/ /^ / ^ 
cold)  for  an  hour." 

On  12th  mo.  9th,  1699,  it  w^as  "  ordered  that  Anthony  Morris, 
"Isaac  Norris,  Nehemiah  Field,  and  William  Houston  be  a  Com- 
"  mittee  to  meet  with  four  members  of  Council." 


*  Vide  Votes  of  Assembly,  Vol.  i.,  p.  117. 
t  Vide  Votes  of  Assembly,  Vol  i.,  p.  106. 
%  Vide  Votes  of  Assembly,  Vol.  i.,  p.  115. 


64  GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MORRIS  FAMILY. 

In  the  year  1701,  as  the  time  was  approaching  for  William 
Penn  to  leave  America,  he  was  busily  engaged  in  the  formation 
of  the  new  Charter  for  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  and  the  Bill  of 
Property,  and  on  8th  T*""-,  1701,  about  a  week  before  the  meeting 
of  the  Assembly,  he  wrote  from  Pennsbury  to  James  Logan  : — 

"  Thy  amendments  of  the  Bill  of  Property  deliberate  upon, 
"for  that  is  a  cardinal  point  with  me,  to  be  sure;  and  Nicholas 
"  Wain  and  Anthony  Morris  should  be  treated  with,  upon  that 
"head."* 

When  the  Assembly  met  on  Sept.  16,  1701,t  "  It  was  proposed 
".that  a  Committee  be  appointed  to  peruse  the  Old  Charter,  the 
"  Concessions,  etc.,  in  order  to  draw  up  Heads  of  Privileges 
"relating  to  Property,  and  to  make  Return  to  the  House  of  what 
"they  do,  for  their  further  consideration  and  debate,  and  to  be 
"humbly  offered  to  the  Proprietary,  for  his  assent, — and  voted 
"that  six  members  be  appointed  for  the  Service  aforesaid,  and 
"carried  in  the  affirmative." 

"  Whereupon  Anthony  Morris,  John  Swift,  Robert  Pile, 
"Richard  Hallowell,  William  Rodney  and  William  Clarke  were 
"appointed  a  Committee  for  that  purpose." 

On  Sept.  19,  1701,  |  Anthony  Morris  and  Joseph  Yeates  were 
ordered  to  draw  up  an  "Address  to  the  Proprietary  concerning 
Property'^  and  Anthony  Morris  and  John  Blunston  were  ordered 
to  wait  upon  the  Governor,  and  present  the  same.  The  "  Address 
to  the  Proprietary  concerning  Property"  was  presented  Sept.  20. § 
but  there  was  considerable  delay  in  obtaining  a  reply  from  the 
Governor,  and  the  Assembly  repeatedh'  sent  for  it.  It  came  on  the 
29th  Sept.,  and  was  taken  under  consideration  by  the  Assembly. 

On  Oct.  27,  1701,11  it  was  "  Ordered  that  Nicholas  Walne  and 
"Anthony  Morris  wait  on  the  Proprietary,  and  request  him  to 
"give  his  answer  to  the  House  concerning  the  Charter  of 
"Property;  who  return  to  sa}'',  the  Governor's  answer  was, 
"  He  had  not  the  Charter  in  his  Hands,  and  what  he  has  to  do, 
"he  will  do  without  the  Assembly  as  well  as  with;  and  desires 
"the  Assembly  will  dispatch  in  regard  he  designs  to  go  awa}^ 

*Vide  Penn  &  Logan  Correspondence,  Vol.  i.,  p.  54. 
-\Vide  Votes  of  Ass.,  VoL  i.,  p.  142. 
XVide  Votes  of  Ass.,  Vol.  i.,  p.  145. 

I  Vide  Votes  of  Ass.,  Vol.  i.,  p.  146. 

II  Vide  Votes  of  Ass.,  Vol.  i.,  p.  164. 


SECOND    GENERATION.  65 

"this  night."  In  the  midst  of  other  duties,  on  Oct.  17,  1701, 
Anthony  Morris  and  Robert  Pile  are  ordered  to  bring  in 
the  Bill  "for  preventing  Clandestine  Marriages,"  with  amend- 
ments.* 

James  Logan  thus  refers  to  the  result  of  the  Election  in  1702: 

Logan  TO  Penn  ,,r)  n    i  o^i  -,^r.-^ 

"Philadelphia,  2nd  8th  mo.,  1702. 

"  Yesterday  being  the  day  Election  was  made  {i.  e.  Election 
of  representatives  for  Assembly)  Friends  chiefly  appearing." 

"  The  members  of  the  County  are  David  Lloyd,  in  the  first 
"  place,  then  Anthony  Morris,  T.  Richardson,  and  Griffith  Jones, 
"  the  stifFest  men  they  could  choose."  f 

Anthony  Morris  was  evidently  in  sympathy  with  those  who 
claimed,  to  the  fullest  extent,  the  privileges  granted  to  the  City 
by  its  charter,  and  apparently  he  and  his  party  were  not  always  so 
pliable  and  compliant  as  Secretary  Logan  desired  on  behalf  of 
the  Proprietary  Government. 

Soon  after  Anthony  Morris'  re-election,  in  1702,  to  the  assem- 
bly, James  Logan  thus  wrote : 

Logan  to  Penn  ,,r^  i  x  i  nxi  i  r-nc^ 

"  Philada.  1st  10th  mo.,  1702. 

"A.  Morris  behaves  as  well  as  possibly  his  temper  can  let 
"  him ;  he  seems  much  brought  off  from  that  busy  humor,  and 
"  sometimes  speaks  in  a  meeting."  X 

James  Logan  in  his  "  Justification  "  in  answer  to  the  Assem- 
bly's "  Remonstrance "  states,  that  at  one  time,  David  Lloyd, 
although  not  a  member  of  the  Assembly,  "was  not  idle  with 
them "  and  that  he  endeavoured  to  obtrude  "  a  list  of  com- 
plaints "  on  a  Committee  then  sitting  at  the  house  of  Anthony 
Morris,  but  could  b}^  no  means  prevail  or  obtain  his  end.  § 

In  reply  to  this  charge  David  Lloyd  wrote : — 

"  I  was  requested  by  the  ensuing  Assembly  at  Philadelphia 
in  1701,  to  assist  in  drawing  several  bills;  and  I  was  one  of  the 
ten  that  were  appointed  by  about  sixty  of  the  freeholders  and 

*Vide  Votes  of  Ass.  i.,  p.  158. 

-fVide  Penn  &  Logan  Correspondence,  Vol.  i.,  p.  139. 
tVide  Penn  &  Logan  Correspondence,  Vol.  i.,  p.  148. 
§  Vide  Ibid.,  Vol.  ii.,  pp.  371-2. 


66  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

inhabitants  of  this  City,  to  attend  that  Assembly  with  a  certain 
Address,  subscribed  by  seventy  odd  of  the  said  inhabitants  in 
behalf  of  themselves,  and-  others,  which  we  presented  to  the 
Assembly,  who  referred  it  to  a  Committee  that  sat  at  Anthony 
Morris's  and  reported  the  same."  * 

From  these  extracts,  it  would  appear  that  Committees  of  the 
Assembly  were  in  the  habit  of  convening  at  Anthony  Morris' 
house  on  Front  Street.  It  also  seems  probable,  that  Anthony 
Morris  did  not  approve  of  the  radical  methods  of  David  Lloyd. 

William  Penn  had  truthfully  told  his  followers — "You  are 
"come  to  a  quiet  land,  and  liberty  and  authority  are  in  your 
"hands,"  but  it  took  a  considerable  time  for  the  machinery  of  the 
law  to  work  smoothly,  as  the  following  incident  will  help  to 
illustrate : — 

When  first  elected  a  member  of  the  Assembly,  Anthony 
Morris  was  still  exercising  his  judicial  functions.  For  some  time 
previously,  conflicts  were  occasionally  taking  place,  between  the 
King's  Officers,  and  the  Governor  and  Council;  the  King's 
Officers  being  generally  hostile  to  the  Proprietary  Government, 
and  constant  complaints  were  transmitted  to  the  home  Govern- 
ment. Colonel  Quarry,  who  was  Admiralty  Judge  under  the 
King  during  1698,  issued  a  warrant  to  Marshall  Webb,  to  seize 
a  sloop  containing  goods,  said  to  be  without  a  certificate,  and 
belonging  to  John  Adams,  but  he  (J.  A.)  afterward  presented  one, 
and  obtaining  in  Aug.,  1698,  a  writ  of  replevin  from  Anthony 
Morris,  one  of  the  Justices  of  the  Peace  for  the  County,  Sheriff 
Claypole  seized  the  goods,  but  Governor  Markham  ordered  him 
to  withhold  them  from  Adams.  The  Council  voted  them- 
selves and  the  Governor  blameless  in  the  matter,  as  will  be  seen 
by  the  following  Extract  from  the  Minutes  of  the  Council,  held 
24th  Sept.,  1698  :— 

"The  Lt.  Gor  said:  Gentl,  There  has  Hapened  here  in  this 
"  town  an  action  that  hath  verie  much  troubled  me.  &  I  think 
"in  it  self  verie  Irregular,  viz :  There  were  some  goods  &  merdizes 
"Seized  by  y^  king's  Collectors  for  goods  imported  Contrary  to 
"  Law,  The  wch  goods  Coll.  Robt.  Quarry,  Judge  of  the  Court  of 
"admiraltie  for  this  pvince  &  territories,  b}'  his  warrt  to  Robt 

*Vide  Penn  &  Logan  Correspondence,  Vol.  ii.,  pp.  403-4. 


SECOND    GENERATION.  67 

"Webb,  marshall  of  y^  sd  Court,  took  from  y^  said  Collectors,  & 
"Committed  ym  to  y^  custodie  of  y*"  sd  marshall,  and  y*  sd 
"Coll.  Quarry  being  upon  going  to  Maryland,  I  was  petitioned 
"by  Jn°  Adams,  y^  owner  of  y^  said  goods,  for  a  replevin,  in 
"these  words,  viz:  '  To  y^  Honble  Wm.  Markham,  escf,  Go''  of 
" '  the  province  of  pennsilvania.  The  humble  petion  of  Jn°  Adams 
"'most  humbly  Sheweth,  that  yo""  petitioner  did  in  y'^  mo.  of 
"'June  Last  past,  ship  a  Considerable  Quantitie  of  goods  on  board 
'"y*  sloop  Jacob,  Francis  Basset  M''.,  bound  for  this  place  from 
'"New  york,  wch  sd  goods,  for  want  of  a  Certificate,  wer  seized  att 
"'Newcastle;  whereupon  I,  as  in  duty  bound,  made  my  appli- 
" '  caon  to  yo""  Hon"",  &  yo""  Hon""  was  pleased  to  promise  me  all  y* 
'"favour  you  could  in  such  a  Case  grant  mee,  And  by  yo""  Honor's 
"'advice,  I  went  down  to  Newcastle  to  treat  with  the  Collecto"" 
'"concerning  that,  who  not  willing  to  take  any  advantage  to 
"'Ruine  mee,  was  verie  willing  to  observe  yo""  Honor's  commands 
"■'  &  directions,  so  j^  I  hoped  (as  I  thought  on  good  ground)  to 
" '  Have  my  goods  returned  mee  upon  an  appraism',  till  y^  Court 
'"wold  be.  A  smal  time  after  my  certificate  Came  from  New 
"'york,  which  I  showed  to  the  Judge  of  the  admiraltie,  &  to 
"'Esq'"  Randolph,  &  requested  I  might  have  my  goods.  The 
"'Judge  told  me  if  I  had  1000  Certificates  I  could  not  have  my 
'"goods  but  in  a  Legal  way^,  Becaus  hee  said  y'  M""  was  not 
"'Qualified  according  to  Law.  I  submitted  to  it,  and  pray'd  I 
"'might  have  my  goods  prized,  &  wold  give  in  good  securitie  to 
'"ans""  it  att  Court,  which  was  i^romis't  mee  (as  soon  as  y^  provost 
'"marshall  had  his  commission,  which  yet  hath  not  been 
'"granted;)  Tho'  hee  who  was  the  author  of  all  my  trouble,  & 
" '  an  alien,  had  his  goods  and  vessel  delivered  to  Him ;  &  I  was 
'"still  putt  off  with  fair  promises  that  I  should  have  ym;  when 
'"y®  advocate  (y*  is  to  be)  had  been  att  Newyork  &  come  back 
"'again,  I  should  have  ym  delivered  to  me  instantly.  I  y®mean- 
"'time,  understanding  I  had  a  cargo  of  goods  arrived  there  for 
"'mee,  I  went  to  Newyork  to  dispose  of  j^  same.  And  meeting 
"' wt  y®  Advocate  on  my  journey,  Hee  told  mee  I  might  have  my 
" '  goods  if  I  wold  give  bail  according  to  my  prime  Invoice,  wch 
"'I  was  willing  to  do,  rather  than  to  Consume  so  much  of  my 
" '  precious  time  waiting  for  I  know  not  what,  and  so  made  all 
"'possible  Haist  to  Newyork  &  putt  my  goods  into  a  merts. 
"'Hands  to  sell  for  mee,  allowing   Him    Usual  Comissions,  in 


68  GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MORRIS  FAMILY. 

'regard  I  was  Unwilling  to  neglect  my  troublesome  bussines 
'here,  in  hopes  of  a  Speedy  dispatch,  according  to  the  manie 
'  Reiterated  promises  made  mee.  So  I  made  post  from  Newyork 
'back  again,  and  Have  since  made  my  applicaon  to  y^  Judge  of 
'y^  admiraltie,  and  delivered  him  my  Invoice  to  puse,  &  offered 
'him  my  oath  to  it.  He  told  mee  he  wold  Consider  of  it,  & 
'since  tells  me  hee  can  do  nothing  in  it,  and  gave  mee  some 
'  Hints  as  though  it  Stuck  wt  yo""  Hon"",  &  am  still  putt  off  wt 
'fair  words,  but  no  such  actions.  So  y*  I  have  assumed  the 
'  boldness  once  more  to  address  to  yo''  Hon*",  Hoping  &  Humbly 
'requesting  y*  yo""  Hon''  will  please  to  Consider  the  great  Charge 
'I  have  beenattin  having  my  goods  seized,  &  paying  ten  shills 
'p.  week  storige,  almost  these  2  mo's.,  &  in  having  ym  detained 
'from  mee;  my  several  chargeable  and  uncomfortable  voyages 
'to  Newcastle  (by  yor  Honors  advice)  to  treat  with  the  Collector ; 
'  my  great  charge,  pains,  &  trouble  in  Coming  back  from  New- 
'york,  together  with  my  great  Charge  &  Inconvenience  in 
'Leaving  my  goods  there  on  Comissions;  my  intolerable  Charge 
'in  y®  Loss  of  my  precious  time,  &  extraordinary  expenses  I  am 
'dayly  att;  the  Loss  of  my  market  &  damnifying  of  my  goods, 
'wch,  for  aught  I  know,  may  be  roten  before  y*"  Court  of  Admi- 
'ralty  be  Constituted,  the  Judge  being  bound  to  Maryland  for 
'y®  advocat's  Comission ;  the  great  detriment  it  hath  been  to 
'my  health,  being  fallen  away  since  I  came  almost  to  skin  & 
'bones,  by  Continual  Concernedness  for  my  hard.  Unheard  of 
'Usage;  the  great  destruction  of  my  bussines  att  home  & 
'  abroad ;  the  impairing  my  Creditt  the  best  Jewell  I  have  ;  the 
'utter,  unavoidable  Ruine  of  my  dear  wife  &  children ;  ye  smal, 
'  or  no  advantage  that  can  redound  to  his  matie  or  yo""  Hono""  by 
'with-holding  ym  from  mee ;  all  which  tends  to  the  dishonor  of 
'his  matie  in  having  his  subjects  wronged  in  pson  &  estate,  by 
'Hard  hearted,  unreasonable  officers,  &  y^  discouragm*  of  y® 
'growing  trade  of  this  province.  Yo""  petition""  Humbly  prays 
'yo''  Hon""  to  Consider  y®  premises,  and  grant  Hee  may  Have 
'his  goods  on  an  appraismt,  by  sworn  appraisers  or  any  other 
'  ways,  as  yo"  Hon^s  great  wisdom  may  think  fitt,  being  willing 
'to  give  in  Securitie  to  ans""  what  may  be  alledged  ag*  my  goods, 
'  and  abide  y®  Order  of  y^  Court.  And  yo'^  petition'",  as  in  duty 
'bound,  shall  ever  pray  for  yo""  Hours  Happiness  &  prosperity. 
'JOHN  ADAMS,  Philadelphia,  August  19th,  1698.'" 


SECOND    GENERATION.  69 

"  I  made  ans''  that  I  wold  not  medle  with  any  thing  that  Lay- 
before  the  Court  of  admiralty ;  But  the  day  after,  as  I  take  it, 
the  sd  Coll.  Quarry  went  out  of  this  town,  the  sd  Jn°  Adams, 
Owner  of  the  goods  seized,  obtained  from  Anthon}^  Morris,  one 
of  the  Justices  of  y^  peace  for  this  County,  a  warr',  by  y®  name 
of  a  warr*  of  Replevin,  which  was  executed  by  y^  under  Sheriff, 
and  the  goods  taken  from  y®  marshall  &  delivered  to  the  sd 
Jn°  Adams,  y^  owner  yrof " 

"  Upon  the  complaint  of  y®  marshall,  I  wrote  to  the  Sheriff 
y®  27th  Aug*.  1698,  in  these  words,  viz :  '  Mr.  Claypool,  1  won- 
'  der  such  an  action  of  replevying  y®  goods  in  y^  hands  of  y^  mar- 
'  shall  of  y^  admiralty  should  be  done  without  my  knowledge ; 
'It  was  but  yesterday  that  I  was  petitioned  for  a  Replevin, 
'which  I  refused ;  &  I  think  I  have  as  much  power  as  any  man 
'in  this  governm*.  What  complaints  &  damages  may  arise 
'from  this  Let  the  actors  ans""  for;  since  I  cannot  undo  what's 
'  done,  I  will  declare  ag*^  y*  proceedings  of  all  who  were  con- 
'  cerned  in  it ;  my  advice  to  you  is,  &  I  expect  that  everything 
'you  have  taken  by  virtue  of  the  warr*  of  Replevin,  be  forth 
'coming  in  its  j)roper  specie.'  To  which  sd  sheriff  made  an- 
swer in  these  words.  Adz :  '  Sir  I  perceive  by  yors,  y'  Adams  of 
'  Boston  had  been  with  you  to  request  the  grant  of  a  Replevin 
'  &  y'  liee  had  yo""  denial.  He  came  to  mee  about  foure  in  the 
'  afternoon  yesterday,  and  desired  to  have  a  Replevin  of  certain 
'  goods  that  was  taken  from  him  by  Robt.  Webb,  not  naming  him 
'to  me  by  any  office,  &  the  writ  named  him  Robt.  Webb,  gentl ;  I 
'  knew  not  that  it  any  way  interfered  with  the  Court  of  admiralty, 
'  neither  did  I  either  hear  or  know  any  ways  that  hee  had  been 
'  with  you.  Replevins  have  been  always  here  granted  by  the 
'  Justices,  and  never  questioned  by  the  Sheriff,  no  more  than 
'  writts  of  arrest.  I  took  of  him  bond  w'  Securitie  in  300  lb.  for 
'  y®  goods  to  be  forth  coming,  being  several  sorts  of  English 
'goods,  five  bolts  of  Canvass,  &  five  1/2  barrels  of  East  India 
'  goods,  and  that  he  shall  make  restitution  of  y''  sd  goods,  if  it 
'  shall  be  so  ordered  by  y^  Court.  Had  I  known  you  had  been 
'interceded  about  it,  wold  not  have  any  wayes  medled  in  it 
'  wtout  yo""  approbaon ;  So  hope  my  ignorance  yrof  may  plead 
'  my  excuse,  being  ever  willing  to  obey  yo''  Comands  to  y®  best 
'of  my  power  and  ability.'  so  subt.  JOHN  CLAYPOOLE,  7th 
Aug*,  1698.     And  Seeing  the  said  Robt.  Webb,  marshall  of 


70  GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MORRIS  FAMILY. 

"the  admiralty,  came  no  more  near  mee,  I  sent  the  Sheriff  the 
"following  warrant,  viz:  'province  of  Pennsylvania;  By  the 
" '  Lt.  Go''.  Whereas,  several  goods  &  merchandizes  wer  seized  by 
" '  M'"  Jn°  Bewley  &  M' Mathew  Birch,  Collectors  of  his  Maties 
"'Customs  wtin  this  governm*;  which  goods  were  delivered  by 
"'ym  Into  y®  hands  or  possession  of  M''Ilobt.  Webb,  marshall  of 
"'y^  Court  of  Admiralty,  in  ord""  to  have  ym  tryed  in  y^  same 
"'Court,  as  goods  illegallie  imported,  which  goods  wer  by  the 
'"Sheriff  of  y^  Countie  of  Philadelphia,  taken  from  the  sd  Rob* 
'"Webb,  by  virtue  of  a  warrant  of  Replevin  from  a  justice  of  the 
'"peace  of  the  sd  Countie,  &  the  goods  delivered  to  Jn°  Adams, 
"'the  pretended  owner  thereof;  I  do  yrfor  hereby  will  and  re- 
"' quire  you,  to  take  into  yo""  possession  y®  same  &  sd  goods,  & 
"'safely  keep  ym,  untill  further  order,  or  that  they  be  brought  to 
'"trial  in  such  Court  ye  Informer  shall  think  fitt,  according  to 
" '  Law,  for  which  this  shall  be  yo''  sufficient  warr^  Given  att 
"'Philadelphia,  this  27th  day  of  Aug*,  in  y^  10th  year  of  y^  reign 
"'of  king  Wm.,  &  18th  of  y^  proprietor's  gov*.  Annoque  domi, 
'"1698,  Wm.  Markham.  To  M^  Jn°  Claypool,  High  sheriff  of 
"'Philadelphia  Countie.'  And  the  sd  Sheriff  wrote  mee  in  an- 
"swer  this,  viz:  '  Aug*  oOth,  1698.  Sir,  Jacob  May,  (the  under 
"'Sheriff,)  Has  been  yesterday  &  to-day  about  the  excuon  of  yor 
'"warrt  for  seizing  &  Securing  of  y®  goods  taken  by  replevin,  & 
"'have  not  as  yet  any  accot  yrof :  I  hope  to  wait  on  you  to  mor- 
'"row,  &  receive  yo*"  further  Comands.  To  Subt,  John  Clay- 
"'poole.'  Thereafter  the  marshall,  Robt.  Webb,  posted  outt  of 
"town  after  Coll.  Quarry,  &  overtook  him  at  New  castle,  and 
"there  drew  up  a  narrative  &  swore  to  itt,  but  know  not  as  yet 
"what  it  is;  But  Coll.  Quarry  att  his  return  to  Philadelphia,  told 
"  mee  hee  had  sent  several  Copies  of  it  home,  w*  Coments  upon  it 
"as  large  as  the  Circumstances  of  the  thing  wold  bear,  w*  re- 
"  flections  upon  mee  in  it.  I  told  him  I  thought  hee  had  been  to 
"quick  in  writing  home  before  hee  had  first  inquired  in  ye  matter 
"Himself  Then  the  Lt.  Go''  said,  Gentl,  Its  now  late,  yrfor 
"wee'U  adjourn  till  Moonday,  ye  26th  instant,  &  in  y®  meantime 
"I  desire  you  will  think  of  what  I  have  Laid  before  you,  and  y* 
"you  will  be  readie  by  y*  time  to  assist  mee  wt  yo''  advice  in  this 
"  matter. 

"Adjourned  to  26th  instant." 


SECOND    GENERATION.  71 

"(2Gth  Sep"-,  1698. 

"  Att  a  Council  Held  att  Philadelphia,  die  Lunte,  y^  26th  of 
"Sept.,  1698. 

"  Present  : 

"WILLIAM  MARKHAM,  Escf.  Leiut.  Governo'^,  et  ysdem 
"ut  antea. 

"The  Lt.  Go'  said  :  Gentl,  I  Hope  you  Have  by  this  time  Con- 
"sidered  of  what  I  Laid  before  you  y^  24th  instant,  &  are  ready 
"to  give  me  yo''  advice  yrin.  I  ask  your  opinion  of  the  action 
"  of  Anthony  Morris,  the  Justice  of  y**  peace  y'  granted  y^  writt 
"of  replevin,  becaus  Coll.  Quarry,  the  Judge  of  the  admiraltie, 
"aggravats  it  as  an  action  of  y®  governm**,  and  I  think  no  action 
"of  any  Justice  of  the  peace,  nor  no  unjust  proceedings  of  any 
"Court,  can  be  termed  an  action  of  y^  governm*- 

"It  was  resolved,  that  the  granting  of  y®  sd  replevin  was  no 
"act  of  the  government,  nor  was  the  Governor  any  wise  Consent- 
"ing  or  privie  therto. 

"Therafter,  three  of  the  Justices  of  y®  peace  for  the  County  of 
"Philadelphia,  viz:  Anthony  Morris,  Sam"  Richardson  &  James 
"  ffox,  presented  to  the  Go*"  &  Council  the  paper  following,  viz : 
"'May  it  please  the  Go'  &  Council,  Wee,  the  Justices  of  the 
"'County  Court  of  Philadelphia,  understanding  that  some 
"'complaints  have  been  made  to  you  ag'  o'  proceedings  in  a 
'"replevin  Latelie  granted  by  one  of  us  to  John  Adams,  mert, 
"'returnable  to  o'  last  Court,  do  humbly  offer  this  following 
"'answer  for  o'  vindicaon.  First,  that  wee  look  upon  a  replevin 
" '  to  be  the  right  of  the  king's  subjects  to  have,  &  or  duties  to 
"'grant,  where  any  goods  or  Cattle  are  taken  or  distrained.  2dly, 
'"That  such  writts  have  been  granted  by  the  Justices,  and  no 
"'other  in  this  govern^the  p'ties  giving  bond  with  Surties,  to  the 
'"Sheriff,  for  redeliverie  of  such  goods  in  case  y^  pltf  in  the 
'"replevin  be  cast,  according  as  is  usual  in  England  in  such  cases. 
" '  3diy,  that  since  wee  understood  how  the  goods  in  Question  wer 
"'Seized  &  secured  in  y^  king's  store  house,  wee  might  have  just 
"'grounds  to  conceive  that  the  Sheriff  might  be  as  proper  to 
" '  secure  the  same  to  be  forth  coming  in  Specie,  as  by  the  replev- 
'"in  hee  is  comanded,  as  that  they  should  remain  in  the  hands  of 
" '  Robt.  Webb,  who  is  no  proper  officer  as  wee  know  of,  to  keep 
'"the  same,  nor  hath  given  any  Security  or  Caution  to  this  gov- 
" '  ernm'  to  ans'  the  king  and  His  people  in  that  respect,  as  wee 


72  GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MORRIS  FAMILY. 

'"can  understand.  Lastly,  That  wee  att  o'' Last  Court,  finding 
" '  this  matter  to  be  weighty,  tho'  wee  did  not  know  of  any  Court 
"'of  admiralty  erected,  nor  psons  Qualified  as  wee  know  of  to 
'"this  day,  to  hold  such  Court,  yet  wee  forbore  the  triall  of  y®  sd 
"'replevin,  &  Continued  it  untill  wee  further  advised,  &  so  the 
" '  pties  are  to  come  before  us  again  att  next  Court,  where  wee 
"'should  be  glad  to  receive  some  advice  ja-in  from  you  ;  And  rest 
"'yo'' loving  friends,  Anthony  Morris,  Sam"  Richardson,  James 
'"flPox,  philad.  y^  27th  of  y^  7th  mo.,  1698.' 
"  Adjourned  to  y^  27th  instant. 

"  (27th  Sep--,  1698. 

"  Att  a  Council  Held  att  Philadelphia  die  Martis,  27th  Sej/, 
"1698. 

"Present: 

"  WM.  MARKHAM,  Esq''.  Leiut.  Governo",  et  ysdem  ut  antea. 

"The  Lt.  go''  Sent  for  the  Justices  of  y®  peace  of  the  sd  County 
"of  Philadelphia,  that  Satt  on  the  bench  the  last  Countie  Court. 
"There  appeared  Anthony  Morris,  Sam"  Richardson  &  James 
"ffox,  (Edward  Shippen,  one  of  ym,  being  gone  to  New  england,) 
"The  Lt.  Gor  told  ym  y*  Coll.  Robt.  Quarry  &  m-"  Jn°  Moor,  had 
"been  with  him,  &  told  him  y*  in  y*  sd  Last  Count}^  Court,  there 
"wer  great  reflections  made  upon  Coll.  Quarrie's  pson,  &  his  Co- 
" mission;  And  that  the  Court  permitted  a  petion  to  be  read  in 
"  Court  that  had  many  reflections  in  it  upon  sd  Coll.  Quarry,  wtout 
"any  reprimand  or  notice  taken  of  it.  Gentl,  I  am  sorry  to  Hear 
"  &  unwilling  to  believe  these  things.  But  y'  I  may  be  satisfied  in 
"y^  truth  yrof,  I  sent  for  you  to  have  it  examined  before  this 
"board;  But  y^  time  of  y®  provincial  Court's  circuit  being  come, 
"wherein  Some  of  y^  Council  are  Judges,  I  cannot  have  a  Quorum 
"of  y^  Council  until  y®  sd  Court  be  over,  and  then  I  shall  call  a 
"Council  on  purpose  to  examin  y^  sd  Complaints.  WHereupon 
"some  of  y^  members  of  Council  moved  that  the  Lt.  Go""  wold  be 
"pleased  to  Cause  Coll.  Quarry  &  Jn"  Moor,  to  reduce  y''  Com- 
"  plaints  to  writting,  y*  y®  psons  Concerned  might  make  their 
"defence  thereunto. 

"Adjourned  till  further  order." 

David  Lloyd  was  the  Attorney  in  this  case.  When  shown 
the  letters-patent  from  the  King  to  the  Marshal,  with  the  broad 


SECOND  gp:neration.  73 

seal  of  the  High  Court  of  Admiralty  attached,  he  exclaimed 
"What  is  this?  Do  you  think  to  scare  us  with  a  great  box  and 
"a  little  babie?  'Tis  true,  fine  pictures  please  children,  but  we 
"  are  not  to  be  frightened  at  such  a  rate." 

These  words  cost  Lloyd  his  seat  in  the  Council,  and  the  three 
Judges,  Anthon}^  Morris,  Samuel  Richardson,  and  James  Fox, 
were  summoned  to  the  presence  of  the  Governor,  who  repri- 
manded them  for  not  having  rebuked  David  Lloyd  for  such 
utterances. 

The  further  official  notice  of  this  matter  appears  to  have  been 
postponed  for  more  than  a  year,  by  which  time,  William  Penn 
arrived,  and  it  was  accordingly  brought  before  him,  for  decision. 
The  references  to  it,  in  the  Minutes  of  the  Council,  are  of  sufficient 
interest  to  be  given  verbatim,  prefacing  them  with  the  following 
extract  from  the  "  Catalogue  of  papers  relating  to  Pennsylvania 
and  Delaware  deposited  in  the  State  paper  Office,  London,"  which 
refers  to  a  letter  dated  "Sept.  12,  1699,  Whitehall — 'Board  of 
Trade  to  Mr.  Penn' — ordering  that  David  Lloyd  be  removed 
from  all  public  employments,  and  Anthony  INlorris  from  the 
Commission  of  the  Peace."* 

"  (22d  Decemb^  1699. 

"  Att  a  Council  Held  att  Philadelphia  die  veneris,  22d 
"Decemb',  1699. 

"  WM.  PENN,  pror  &  Go-",  et  ysdem  ut  antea. 

"  The  mess""  of  the  Council  acquainted  ym  y'  Anthony  Morris 
"one  of  the  Justices  of  the  peace  for  philad.  County,  desired  ad- 
"mittance,  which  being  granted,  said  That  hee  for  some  years 
"past  served  y^  king  &  Country  as  such  to  his  great  trouble  & 
"private  detriment,  and  then  delivering  to  ym  4  paps,  relating 
"to  y^  goods  of  one  Robt.  Adams  of  Boston,  y*  in  June,  1698,  had 
"been  seized  by  the  king's  Collectors  here,  &  b}'  ym,  by  a  warr*' 
"from  sd  Coll.  Quarry,  delivred  into  y^  hands  of  Rob*  Webb, 
"  marshall  of  y^  admiraltie,  &  wch  had  been  (by  a  warr*  of  replevin 
"  signed  by  him,  sd  Anthony)  replevied  and  taken  outt  of  the  hands 
"  of  sd  Marshall,  And  yrfor,  y*  hee  now  came  befor  ym  to  Lay 
"down,  &  did  lay  down,  his  Comission  of  Justice;  and  further 


Vide  ]Mem.  Penn.  Hist.  Soc,  Vol.  iv.,  part  ii.,  p.  294. 


74  GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MORRIS  FAMILY. 

"  said,  y'  liee  granted  &  signed  y^  sd  replevin  in  psuance  (as  liee 
"thought)  of  his  duty,  believing  he  was  in  the  right,  &  y*  hee  was 
"induced  yrto  by  advice  of  those  that  hee  thought  wer  well 
"  skilled  in  y^  Law,  who  told  him  y*  was  the  priviledge  of  the  sub- 
"ject;  and  further  said,  y'  hee  had  no  interest  in  the  owner  nor 
"  goods,  nor  no  self  by  nor  sinister  end  in  so  doing. 

"  To  whom  the  pro'"  &  Go""  made  ans'',  That  his  signing  y^  sd 
"replevin  was  a  verie  indeliberate,  rash  &  (in  his  opinion)  un- 
"  warrantable  act,  which  hee,  sd  Anthonie,  could  not  justii&e,  & 
"yet  hee  wold  be  so  farr  from  Justifying  itt,  that  tho'  hee  could 
"not  deliver  back  Into  y®  hands  of  y^  admiraltie  y^  sd  goods, 
"(they  being  long  since  delivered  to  the  supposed  owner,  on 
"securitie  given  to  the  Sheriff,)  yet  he  wold  deliver  into  y®  Judge 
"of  y®  admiraltie's  hands,  &  into  y®  power  of  y*"  Court,  the  2 
"invries  &  appraismts  of  sd  goods,  &  y®  obligaon  given  by  sd 
"Adams  &  his  sureties  to  y*"  Sheriff  of  philad,  for  32711.  8s.  6d. 
"Then  sd  Anthony  was  desired  to  withdraw;  which  hee 
"did." 

"  Upon  notice  given  yesterday  to  Coll.  Quarrie,  hee  this  day 
"  appeared.  To  whom  the  pror.  &  Go''  having  opened  his,  the 
"  Council  &  govermts  most  sincere  intentions,  by  all  law"  means, 
"to  discourage,  discountenance  &  severely  punish  piracy  &  Ille- 
"gal  trade,  Hee  desired  y^  sd  Coll.  to  be  assistant  in  proposing 
"such  expedients  as  might  be  most  Conducive  yrto,  &  y'  hee  & 
"all  others  the  king's  officers  &  y®  govmts',  might  go  on  hand  in 
"hand  in  securing  the  king's  interests  in  this  govm^  To  wch  y^ 
"sd  Coll.  ansred,  y*  the  matter  being  weightie  it  required  thought, 
"&  y*  after  some  consideraon,  hee  wold  propose  to  ym  what  in 
"his  opinion  wold  be  most  effectual  for  these  ends. 

"  Then  y®  pro''  &  Go''  delivered  to  sd  Coll.  Quarry  4  paps, 
"relating  to  the  sd  replevin,  telling  him  y'  tho  y^  goods  in  kind 
"were  Long  since  delivered  to  y^ptended  owner,  &  so  outt  of  his 
"power,  yet  hee  delivered  to  him  the  Invrie,  2  appraismts,  &  sd 
"Adams  &  His  sureties  obligaon  for  y®  sd  sum,  &  desired  y^  secrie 
"  to  take  Copie  of  sd  4  paps,  wt  Coll.  Quarrie's  receit  for  y^  same, 
"to. remain  on  y®  file  of  minutes  of  Council." 

"(24th  January,  1699-700. 

"Att  a  Council  Held  att  Philadelphia  die  Mercury,  24th  .Jan- 
"uarie,  1699-700. 


second  generation.  75 

"  Present  : 

"WILLIAM  PENN,  pror.  &  Governo^ 

"  Sam"  Carpenter,  David  Lloyd,  Wm.  Clarke. 

"Edward  Shippen,  Caleb  pusse}'-, 

"The  Mess''  of  the  Council  acquainted  ym  that  Coll.  Quarry 
"desired  admittance;  wch  being  granted,  Hee  desired  Anthony 
"  Morris  might  be  called  befor  hee  spoke,  wch  was  done.  Hee 
"  appearing,  Coll.  Quarry  said.  That  in  the  pror.  &  Gor's  absence, 
"many  abuses  had  been  comitted,  (qrof  hee  was  in  duty  obliged 
"to  Complain  home,  but  was  glad  to  see  him  since  his  arrival 
"  discountenance  y^  same,  and  provide  better  agt  y^  like  for  the 
"  future,)  &  y*  goods  that  had  been  imported  Contrarie  to  y^  laws 
"of  trade,  had  been  seized  by  the  king's  Collectors,  and  put  in 
"his  majes  store,  and  y*  before  trial,  Anthonie  Morris  signed  a 
"  writt  of  replevin,  qrby  the  sd  goods  wer  forciblie  taken  out  of 
"the  sd  store,  and  outt  of  the  power  of  the  Court  of  Admiraltie, 
"  &  what  came  of  ym  the  sd  Anthonie  best  knew.  That  this  his 
"  action,  was  no  Less  than  to  question  whether  his  Matie  or  y®  sd 
"  Anthonie  has  most  power.  The  act  of  parliamen*  is  for  us,  & 
"  hee  cannot  pretend  ignorance,  having  been  so  Long  a  Justice 
"y'  hee  became  verie  insolent,  and  by  this  his  action,  hee  has 
"affronted  y^  king,  (what  in  him  Lay,)  &  has  broken  his  Laws 
"  &  invaded  his  priviledges  &  Courts,  and  yrfor,  desired  the  pror. 
"  &  Go""  wold  order  sd  Anthonie  to  restore  y^  sd  goods  into  y® 
"power  of  the  Admiraltie  again,  &  y*  securhie  had  been  taken 
"  by  y®  sherif  for  y^  value  of  y®  sd  goods,  according  to  appraism*  & 
"y*  the  Security  refuses  to  pay  y*  monie,  (&  y^  Sherif  y'  took  y® 
"bond  is  now  Laid  aside,)  &  y*  it  is  unreasonable  y*  y®  king 
"should  be  putt  to  y®  trouble  &  charge  of  a  sute  to  recover  the 
"appraised  value  of  y^  sd  goods  (wch  sd  Anthonie  had  illegallie 
"taken  away  out  of  y^  king's  store.)  Therefore,  desired  his 
"Hono""  &  Council,  to  think  of  a  method  of  prosecuting  sd 
"Anthonie  for  y''  sd  violaons,  &  to  make  good  y"  sd  apprised 
"value  of  y^  sd  goods  to  y®  king. 

"  The  sd  Anthonie  made  ans',  that  his  signing  the  sd  replevin 
"was  an  act  of  ignorance,  &  not  of  malice  ag'  y®  king,  his  Laws 
"  &  officers,  y'  hee  was  psuaded  to  it  by  advice  of  ym  y*^  knew 
"y^  Laws,  &  yrfor  hop'd  y*  wold  excuse  him,  who  had  no  benefit 
"  by  nor  interest  in  y®  goods  nor  y""  owner ;  &  as  for  y®  apprised 


76  GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MORRIS  FAMILY. 

"  value,  Hee  knew  nothing  of  it,  but  believed  y®  securities  wer 
"responsible,  &  y*  it  Look't  verie  hard  y'  any  Justice  should 
"suffer  for  an  error  in  Judgment;  &  further  added,  that  if  it  were 
"to  do  again  hee  wold  not  do  it. 

"  Then  the  Go""  told  Coll.  Quarry  y*  care  should  be  taken  to 
"secure  y®  apprised  value  of  sd  goods  to  y^  king  &  his  officers, 
"wtout  either  trouble  or  charge,  &  if  hee  was  not  satisfied  wt 
"Anthony  Morris's  being  outt  of  Comission  of  the  peace,  &  wt 
"his  psent  submission,  Hee  might  propose  in  writting  what 
"  other  satisfaction  hee  expected,  and  it  should  be  considered  of. 
"  To  wch  Coll.  Quarry  made  axis'",  y*  hee  had  no  psonal  animositie 
"  ag*  M""  Morris,  &  y^  for  his  pt  he  was  well  satisfied  wt  y^  pror.  & 
"Gor's  promise,  &  M""  Morris'  submission. 

"  Adjourned  to  14th  February,  1699-700." 

Anthony  Morris  was,  however,  too  valuable  a  man  to  be  long 
deprived  of  his  Magisterial  office,  for  we  find,  in  a  memorial 
presented  by  Col.  Quarry  to  the  Lords  Commissioners  of  Trade 
and  Foreign  Plantations,  in  the  latter  part  of  1701,  a  complaint: 

"That  Anthony  Morris,  who  as  a  magistrate  did  give  a 
"warrant  for  the  taking  by  force  out  of  her  Majesty's  stores 
"a  parcel  of  prohibited  goods  which  were  under  seizure;  of 
"which  unlawful  act  an  account  being  sent  home,  the  governor, 
"Mr.  Penn,  was  ordered  to  turn  the  said  Anthony  Morris  out  of 
"all  offices,  and  prosecute  him  for  the  crime.  That,  in  obedience 
"to  his  late  Majesty's  commands,  and  the  orders  of  this  honorable 
"Board,  Mr.  Penn  did  turn  out  the  said  Morris,  to  answer  his 
"turn  for  the  present  occasion;  but  has  now  restored  him  again 
"and  made  him  one  of  his  chief  magistrates."* 

To  the  "  Complaint "  of  Col.  Quarry  the  following  "  Answer  " 
was  made  by  William  Penn  to  the  Board  of  Trade : — f 

"  To  the  three  first  paragraphs  relating  to  Anthony  Morris. 
If  I  may  say  so  mean  a  thing  of  myself,  I  had  long  ago  Col. 
Quarry's  licence  to  re-employ  that  man  after  a  thorough  exami- 
nation of  him  about  the  old  business  of  the  replevin  in  Council, 
Col.  Quarry  being  present.  It  appearing  evidently  to  his  satis- 
faction, that   he   was   not   only   surprised   by   the  lawyer  who 

*F?(ie  "  Penn  and  Logan  Correspondence."    Vol.  i.,  pp.  37,  38. 
Also,  Mem.  Penna.  Hist.  Soc,  Vol.  ii.,  part  ii.,  p.  202. 
■fVide  Mem.  Penna.  Hist.  Soc,  Vol.  ii.,  part  ii.,  p.  205. 


SECOND    GENERATION.  77 

brought  it  to  him  to  sign,  but  threatened  into  it,  that  if  he  did 
not  do  it  he  denied  justice  to  one  of  the  King's  subjects,  Upon 
which,  as  well  as  a  private  discourse  between  Col.  Quarry  and 
the  said  Morris  he  declared,  '  If  what  he  had  writ  of  him  were 
to  do  again,  he  would  not  do  it;  for  that  he  believed  he  was  im- 
posed upon.'  Besides  this,  we  have  next  to  no  choice  in  those 
parts,  and  he  had  been  one  of  the  most  sufficient  as  well  as  dili- 
gent magistrates  there." 

This  Colonel  Quarry,  the  fomenter  of  so  much  ill  feeling  be- 
tween the  Proprietary  Government  and  the  Crown,  is  described  by 
some  writers,  as  a  "Zealous  Churchman,"  but  he  is  spoken  of  by 
Penn,  in  one  of  his  letters  to  Logan,  in  terms  such  as  he  seldom 
used  even  concerning  his  bitterest  enemies,  as  "one  of  the  great- 
est villains  whom  God  will  make  in  this  world,  I  believe,  for  his 
lies,  falsehood,  and  supreme  knavery." 

He  was,  no  doubt,  a  violent  enemy  of  Penn,  of  his  govern- 
ment, and  of  the  "  Friends  "  generally. 

It  is  believed  that  Anthony  Morris  as  early  as  1687  com- 
menced the  Brewing  business  which  afterwards  grew  to  great 
proportions,  but  the  old  "  Anthony  Morris  Brewhouse  "  situated 
on  King  Street  (Water  St.),  above  the  Drawbridge,  could  not 
have  been  built  until  some  years  later. 

The  occupation  of  Brewing,  was  at  that  time,  followed  by 
prominent  Friends  who  were  leading  men  in  the  Community, 
and  the  Beer  of  that  time  was  highly  esteemed  for  its  purity  and 
strength.  Watson  says,  that,  "In  the  early  period  of  Philadel- 
phia it  was  ver}^  common  for  good  livers  to  have  malt  houses  on 
their  several  premises  for  making  Home-made  strong  beer. 
There  were  such  at  J.  Logan's,  at  Pennsbury,  and  at  several 
others, — until  70  years  ago." 

Gabriel  Thomas  in  his  account  of  Philadelphia  and  the 
Province  in  1696,  published  probably  in  1707-9,  states  that  "the 
"brewers  sell  such  beer  as  is  equal  in  strength  to  that  in  London, 
"half  ale,  and  half  stout,  for  fifteen  shillings  per  barrel,  and  their 
"beer  hath  a  better  name,  that  is,  is  in  more  esteem,  than  English 
"beer  in  Barbadoes,  and  is  sold  for  a  higher  price  there." 

We  find  a  description  of  the  lot  upon  which  Anthony  Morris 
built  his  "Brewhouse"  with  other  improvements  in  a  "Tripartite 
Indenture"  bearing  date  7th  mo.  9th,  1706,  by  which  he  handed 
over  (by  the  intervention  of  trustees),  a  share  of  his  Brewery  and 


78  GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MORRIS  FAMILY. 

Business  to  his  son,  Anthony  MolTis^  which  was  defined  as  "a 
"moiety  of  the  messuage  or  tenement,  Brewhouse,  moiety  of 
"wharf  or  w^ater  lot  whereon  messuage  stands  77  foot  broad;  in 
"length  from  Front  Street  to  Street  or  Cartway  (commonly  called 
"King  Street)  40  feet  &  from  the  East  side  of  King  Street  into 
"the  river  180  feet;  bounded  north-ward  by  lot  lately  in  pos- 
"  session  of  Josej^h  Kirle,  Eastward  with  Delaware  River  at  the 
"extent  of  250  feet  from  Front  Street,  southward  with  a  lot  lately 
"in  possession  of  Jacob  Reigner,  westward  with  Front  Street."* 

An  Indenture  dated  Feb.  7,  1709,  confirmed  the  conveyance 
of  this  property  by  Anthony  Morris  to  Nathan  Stanbury,  and 
Pentecost  Teague  in  Trust  for  his  son  Anthony  Morris.^ f 

From  a  later  deed|  we  learn,  that  the  ground  here  described 
as  being  77  feet  in  breadth  and  250  feet  in  length,  was  originally 
granted  by  the  Proprietary  Commissioners  in  tw^o  separate 
patents. 

The  first  patent,  13th  May,  1689,  from  William  Penn  by  his 
Commissipners  of  Property  to  William  Salloway  (or  Sal  way),  was 
for  a  Bank  lot  measuring  27  feet  in  breadth  on  Front  Street  and 
250  feet  in  length.  It  is  described  as  being  bounded  westward 
with  Front  Street,  northward  with  the  line  of  William  Markham's 
purchase  (to  be  next  described),  eastward  with  Delaware  River  & 
southward  with  a  lot  of  land  then  in  possession  of  John  Tyzack. 
On  June  22,  1G91,  William  Salway  conveyed  the  said  lot  to 
Jeremiah  Elfreth.  Jeremiah  Elfreth  by  his  wall  devised  the  said 
lot  to  his  nephew,  Henry  Elfreth,  and  on  December  7,  1698, 
Henry  Elfreth  conveyed  it  to  Anthony  Morris.^§ 

The  second  patent  was  granted  Sept.  15,  1690,  to  William 
Markham  for  a  lot  "contiguous  to"  the  first,  and  is  described  as  a 
"lott  of  land  on  or  before  the  Delaware,  Philadelphia,  50  feet 
broad  and  250  feet  long,  bounded  northward  with  lote  of  late 
Patrick  Robinsons  and  Richard  Russels,  now  Joseph  Kirles, 
southward  with  a  vacant  lot,  westward  with  Delaware  Front 
Street,  and  eastward  with  River  Delaware  at  sd  extent  of  250 


*Vide  Deed  Book  E  3,  Vol.  vi.,  p.  67,  in  Office  of  Recorder  of  Deeds,  Pliila. 
In  this  Deed,  reference  is  made  to  Pat.  Book  A,  Vol.  vii.,  p.  286,  etc.,  for  grant 
from  Proprietar}'. 

tVide  Deed  Book  E  6,  Vol.  vii.,  p.  53,  and  Deed  Book  H  6,  p.  2.34,  Phila. 

tVide  Exemplification  Record  No.  2,  p.  356,  for  Deed  dated  28th  May,  1735. 

i  Vide  Deed  Book  H  21,  p.  378. 


SECOND    GENERATION.  79 

feet."  William  Markham  conveyed  this  lot  to  George  Fformaii, 
22nd  Sept.,  1690,  and  on  3rd  June,  1698,  Eleanor  Fforman  and 
Joseph  Yeates,  acting  as  Attornies  for  George  Fforman  (who 
had  removed  from  Chester  Co.,  Penna.,  to  Calne,  in  England), 
conveyed  it,  for  the  consideration  of  £50  to  Anthony  Morris.-* 

The  following  Extract  from  entries  in  Minute  Book  "G"  of 
the  Board  of  Property,  under  date  9ber  15th,  1704,  is  of  interest: 
"William  Markham  and  John  Goodson,  Comm'rs  by  their  war- 
"rant  dated  6th  3mo.,  '89,  granted  to  John  T3^zack  40  ft  of  Bank 
"  on  the  S.  side  of  Will'm  Salway's  Lott,  now  Anthony  Morris's, 
"which  said  Lott  Thomas  Farm'r,  Sherr.  of  Philadelphia  in  con- 
"sideration  of  a  debt  recovered  by  Elizabeth  Robinson  (of  £37, 
"10  and  £3  charges)  made  over  to  Jacob  Regnier  by  a  Deed  Poll, 
"dated  1  July  1703.  Vide  Deed  Predict.  He  requests  a  confir- 
"mation,  Granted. "f 

According  to  the  Original  Patents  granted  to  Wm.  Salloway 
and  Wm.  Markham  the  two  "Bank  and  Water  Lots"  of  27  feet 
and  50  feet  respectively,  were  held  subject  to  a  Quit  Rent  of  two 
English  Shillings  and  Ninepence  yearly,  for  51  years  from  the 
date  of  the  patents,  and  at  the  expiration  thereof,  one  third  part 
of  the  yearly  value  of  said  lot  of  ground,  together  with  the 
buildings  and  improvements  which  should  be  there  erected, 
should  be  paid  to  William  Penn  and  his  heirs. 

From  this  claim  Anthony  IMorris^  (son  of  Anthony  Morris-) 
in  1735  sought  release  from  the  Proprietors  at  that  time,  (John 
Penn,  Thomas  Penn  &  Richard  Penn),  who  accordingly  recon- 
veyed  to  him  the  ground,  consisting  of  the  two  pieces  contiguous, 
by  Patent  dated  28th  May,  1735,J  upon  the  payment  of  £308  for 
the  release  from  their  claim  and  the  payment  yearly  of  7  shil- 
lings and  9  pence.  The  property  was  then  found  to  be  bounded 
on  the  west  by  Front  Street,  northward  by  a  lot  formerly  Wil- 
liam Haige's,  afterwards  Joseph  Kirle's,  Eastward  by  Delaware 
River,  to  extent  of  250  feet  from  Front  Street  eastward,  and  south- 
ward by  lot  formerly  of  John  Tyzack. 

The  Brewery  of  Anthony  Morris,  is  said  to  have  been  the 
second  of  Record,  as  to  certain  location,  the  first  having  been 

*Vide  Exemplification  Record,  Vol.  vii.,  p.  245. 
■fVide  Penna.  Archiv.,  2nd  Series,  Vol.  xix.,  p.  441. 

t  Vide  Exemp.  Records  No.  2,  p.  356,  in  Office  of  Recorder  of  Deeds  Phila. , 
same  as  Patent  Book  A,  Vol.  vii.,  p.  286. 


80  GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MORRIS  FAMILY. 

that  of  Wm.  Frampton,  in  the  same  neighljorhood,  viz.,  in  Front 
St.  between  Wahiut  and  Spruce  Streets. 

On  December  10th  and  21st,  1741,  Anthony  ISIorris^  and  his 
wife  Phoebe  "  for  natural  love  and  affection"  gave  a  moiety  of  this 
brewery  property  on  Front  Street  and  Water  Street  to  their  son 
Anthony  Morris^  By  this  time  Anthony  Morris^  had  erected  upon 
the  ground,  in  addition  to  those  buildings  before  specified,  one 
other  brick  Messuage,  one  large  Malthouse  and  other  Buildings 
and  improvements  of  considerable  value.* 

The  houses  numbered  233,  235,  237,  239  and  241  South  Front 
Street  stand  upon  the  original  Front  Street  Bank  lot  of  77  feet. 

No  241  South  Front  St.  15  feet  x  40  feet  was  conveyed  by 
Anthony  Morris*  &  Elizabeth  his  wife  to  Thomas  White.  March 
10, 1764.  This  lot  was  then  bounded  northward  by  a  lot  granted 
to  a  certain  John  Moyes,  eastward  by  King  Street  (or  AVater  St.) 
southward  by  ground  belonging  to  Andrew  Hamilton  and  west- 
ward by  Front  Street.! 

No.  235  and  237  represent  the  contiguous  messuages  and  lots 
devised  by  Anthony  Morris*  in  the  Codicil  to  his  last  Will  and 
Testament,  dated  29th,  9th,  1780,  to  his  daughter  Deborah 
(Morris)  Franklin  and  her  children.  These  contiguous  mes- 
suages and  lots  were  conveyed  by  the  children  of  Deborah 
Franklin  for  the  consideration  of  £1150  to  Charles  Wharton  of 
Philadelphia,  Merchant,  on  2nd  Day  of  May,  1791.  The  property 
is  thus  described : 

"  All  those  contiguous  messuages  and  lots  of  ground  thereunto 
"belonging  late  in  tenure  of  Walter  Drummond  and  Mary 
"Crawford,  situate  on  the  Bank  of  the  River  Delaware  between 
"Walnut  Street  and  the  bridge  containing  in  breadth  on  Front 
"Street  and  Water  Street  about  32  feet  9  inches  and  one-half, 
"and  in  depth  from  Street  to  Street  bounded  on  the  South  by  the 
"middle  of  the  partition  wall  erected  by  Thomas  White  upon 
"  the  old  stone  wall  of  the  south wardmost  of  said  two  messuages, 
"and  on  the  north  by  the  middle  of  the  partition  wall  dividing 
"the  north  wardmost  of  the  two  messuages  from  a  messuage  by 
"the  said  codicil  devised  to  Sarah  Buckley  and  her  children."! 


*Vide  Deed  Book  H  6,  pp.  234  and  237,  Phila. 
fVide  Deed  Book  H  21,  p.  375,  Phila. 
tVide  Deed  Book  D  28,  p.  457,  Phila. 


SECOND    GENERATION.  81 

We  may  surmise  from  this  reference  to  the  "partition  wall" 
erected  by  Thomas  White  on  the  south  side  of  the  contiguous 
messuages,  No.  235  and  237,  that  the  property  No.  239  had 
previously  passed  into  his  hands.  The  title  was  certainly 
out  of  the  Morris  family  prior  to  1774,  but  the  Deeds  are  not 
of  record. 

It  remains  only  to  account  for  the  messuage  and  lot  233. 
This  property  was  conveyed  in  Feb.  6,  1861,  by  the  descendants 
of  Sarah  Buckley  to  Robert  MacGregor  for  $3,000.*  It  is  thus 
described  in  the  Deed  : 

"All  that  certain  brick  messuage  or  tenement  and  lot  of 
ground,  situated  on  East  side  of  Front  Street,  No.  233,  between 
Walnut  and  Spruce  Sts.,  Philadelphia  in  front  or  breadth  on  said 
Front  St.  17  feet  6  inches  &  in  length  or  depth  Eastward  41  feet 
6  inches  bounded  on  the  North  by  ground  formerly  of  Sharp 
Delany,  on  the  East  by  Water  Street  on  the  South  by  ground 
now  or  late  of  Charles  Wharton  on  the  West  by  Front  Street." 

Watson  in  his  "Annals  of  Philadelphia,"  says,  "The  houses 
"  on  the  East  side  of  Front  Street,  of  the  first  day,  were  all  lower 
"than  the  street,  and  had  a  wall  of  defence;  the  descent  of  Front 
"Street  began  at  the  Stone  House  on  the  West;  and  on  the  east 
"side  as  high  up  as  the  present  high  Observatory  house  (probably 
"the  tenth  house  from  the  present  end),  Morris'  Malthouse  was 
"there  and  his  Brew  house  was  on  the  East  side  of  Water  Street." 
(p.  243). 

Watson  further  informs  us  that  upon  a  dispute  arising  between 
the  Baptists  and  Presbyterians  (who  had  been  worshipping 
together  in  the  same  building),  fthe  former  were  obliged  to  leave 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  seek  refuge  in  Anthony  Morris's 
brewhouse,  described  as  a  "Kind  of  Mariner's  Church  location  on 
the  East  side  of  Water  Street,  a  little  above  the  Drawbridge,  by 
the  River  side.  There  they  continued  to  meet  until  the  spring  of 
1707  lowly  and  without  means  for  greater  things."  This  action 
of  Anthony  Morris,  in  placing  his  Brewhouse  at  the  disposal  of 


*Deed  Book  A  C  H,  4,  p.  247. 

fin  the  Warehouse  of  the  old  Barbados  Trading  Company  in  the  N.  W. 
corner  of  Chestnut  and  2nd  Streets,  the  Presbyterians  worshipped  with  the 
Baptists,  of  whom  nine  individuals  assembled  in  Phila.,  in  1698  and  "did 
coalesce  into  a  Church  for  the  Communion  of  Saints,  having  the  Rev.  John 
Watts  to  their  assistance." 


82  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MOERIS    FAMILY. 

the  Baptists,  manifests  his  liberal  spirit  of  toleration  of  other 
religious  bodies.* 

After  Anthony  ^Slorris^  had  given  his  son  Anthony^  an  interest 
in  the  business,  it  was  carried  on  under  the  name  of  Anthon}" 
Morris  &  Co. 

The  old  Brewery  is  represented  in  an  oil  painting  of  the 
"South  East  Prospect  of  Philadelphia,"  executed  in  1720  by 
Peter  Cooper.  The  painting  is  at  present  affixed  to  the  wall  of 
the  vestibule  of  the  Philadelphia  Library,  on  Locust  Street. 

A  Directory  of  Philadelphia  for  1809  refers  to  the  ]Morris 
Wharf  as  running  out  from  107  South  Water  Street.  The  site  is 
now  (1898)  occupied  by  the  Freight  Depot  and  Wharves  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company. 

On  8th  4th  mo.,  1697,  Anthony  Morris-  purchased  of  Thomas 
Budd  two  houses  on  the  west  side  of  Front  Street,  and  on  the 
north  side  of  Thomas  Budd's  own  house.  They  had  a  frontage 
of  40  feet  and  were  nearly  opposite  the  lots  on  the  east  side  of 
Front  Street  which  have  here  been  described. 

On  Oct.  25,  1701,  William  Penn,  before  sailing  for  England, 
favored  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  with  another  Charter  of 
Privileges. 

After  naming  Edward  Shippen  as  the  first  ]\layor  under  the 
Charter,  and  appointing  a  Recorder,  a  Sheriff,  and  a  Clerk  of  the 
Peace,  Anthony  ]\Iorris  is  named  as  one  of  the  Aldermen  of  the 
City  of  Philadelphia,  in  virtue  of  which  office,  he  became  an 
Associate  Justice  of  the  City  Courts.! 

When  the  Assembly  met  in  Oct.,  1702,  a  difference  of  opinion 
existed  between  the  Representatives  elected  for  the  Province, 
and  those  for  the  Lower  Counties,  as  regards  the  legalit}'  of  their 
proceedings,  if  they  acted  together,  since  "  they  of  the  Province 
were  mett  by  Charter,  and  the  others  by  writts."  The  matter 
was  repeatedly  discussed  by  the  Lieut.  Governor,  and  his  Council, 
and  the  Representatives  were  several  times  invited  to  attend  the 
meetings  and  express  their  views. 

*Williani  Fishbourne  in  his  Ms.  says,  "For  many  years  there  subsisted  a 
good  concord  and  benevolent  disposition  among  the  people  of  all  denomina- 
tions, each  delighting  to  be  reciprocally  helpful  and  kind  in  acts  of  friendship 
for  one  another." 

t  Martin  (B.  &  B.  p.  60),  writes,  "  there  is  no  way  of  determining  the  length 
of  services  of  these  Judges  of  the  City  Court,  but  the  great  majority  held  the 
office  till  their  death." 


SECOND    GENERATION.  83 

The  ultimate  result,  was  the  separation  of  the  three  Lower 
Counties,  and  the  Representatives  of  the  Province  drew  up  an 
Address  to  the  Governor,  requesting  "  that  according  to  Charter, 
they  might  be  enabled  to  hold  an  Assembly,  '  by  the  addition  of 
more  members  from  each  County  and  two  from  Philadelphia 
City.' "  It  was  signed  by  all  the  Representatives,  among  Avhom 
was  Anthony  Morris. 

The  Governor,  in  pursuance  of  the  Proprietor's  Charter, 
granted  the  application  for  additional  Representatives,  and  in 
the  following  year  (Oct.,  1703)  returns  were  duly  made  of  the  Elec- 
tion "  for  Philadelphia  County  seven  members,  for  Buck's  Six,  for 
Chester  Seven,  and  for  the  City  of  Philadelphia  two,"  amongst 
whom  was  "Anthony  Morris,  Senr."  who  had  been  re-elected.* 
With  him  were  such  men,  as  Isaac  Norris,  David  Lloyd,  Samuel 
Richardson,  and  Joseph  Wilcox,  who  presented  a  powerful 
phalanx  against  any  encroachments  upon  the  privileges  of  the 
Citizens,  or  their  Representatives. 

In  1702  the  Monthly  Meeting  of  the  Society  of  Friends  in 
Philadelphia,  nominated  Anthon}'  Morris  with  Edward  Shippen 
and  Samuel  Carpenter  trustees  of  the  ground  on  the  South  side 
of  Walnut  Street,  between  3rd  and  4th  Streets,  which  had  been 
left  by  John  Martin  "  for  the  use  of  poor  Friends."  Upon  this 
ground  the  Friends'  Almshouse  was  afterwards  erected.  It  is  not 
known  whether  the  Executors  of  John  Martin's  will  ever  signed 
the  necessary  papers  declaring  the  trust  thereof  in  the  said 
nominees,  but  in  1714  the  Executors  made  a  declaration  in 
which  the}^  declared  to  William  Hudson,  John  Warder  and 
Anthony  Morris,  Jr.,  that  they  held  the  ground  for  the  use  of 
the  Society.f 

Edward  Shippen,  having  served  as  Mayor  of  Philadelphia 
for  two  years,  Anthony  Morris  was  elected  by  the  Common 
Council  on  Oct.  5,  1703,  to  succeed  him  in  the  ofRce,|  and  in  the 
Minutes  of  the  Provincial  Council  preserved  in  the  "  Colonial 
Records "  it  is  recorded  that :  "At  a  Council  held  at  Philada, 
"  12th  8br,  1703, 

"Anthony  Morris,  Mayor  Elect  of  this  City  in  pursuance  of  their 
"Charter  for  ye  following  year,  presenting  himself  with  ye  Alder- 

*Vide  Col.  Records,  Vol.  ii.,  pp.  105  and  106. 

t  Vide  Westcott's  "  Historic  Mansions  of  Philadelphia,"  p.  97. 

i  Vide  Martin's  Bench  and  Bar,  p.  94. 


84  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

"men  &  Common  Council  made  a  solemn  promise  of  fidelit}'  to  ye 
"Queen,  took  ye  declaration  of  his  abhorrence  of  Poper}'  &  ye  test 
"for  his  qualifications,  etc."* 

The  re- election  of  Anthony  Morris  a  few  days  before,  as  a 
Member  of  the  Assembly,  was  noted  in  a  letter  from  James 
Logan  to  William  Penn.  The  letter  is  headed  "  Philadelphia, 
29th  7mo  1703,"  but  in  a  Postscript  added  at  Chester  he  writes, 
"yesterday  (probably  Oct.  1st)  was  the  Election  for  Assembly,  by 
Charter,  in  Philadelphia.  The}^  have  chosen  Rowland  Ellis, 
Nicholas  Wain,  S.  Richardson,  Gr.  Jones,  A.  Morris,  David 
Lloyd,  Isaac  Norris,  and  Sanmel  Cart,  &  for  the  Corporation,  J. 
Wilcox  and  Chas.  Read."t 

In  the  Votes  of  Assembly  has  been  preserved  the  Declaration 
or  Act  signed  by  Anthony  Morris  and  the  other  Representatives : — 

"At  an  Assembly  begun  at  Philadelphia,  in  October,  one 
thousand  seven  hundred  and  three, 

"  Edward  Shippen,  Esquire,  President  of  the  Council. 

"The  declaration  and  test,  signed  by  the  ]\Ietnbers  of  this 
Assembly. 

"WE,  whose  names  are  hereunto  subscribed,  elected  Repre- 
sentatives by  the  freemen  of  the  respective  counties,  in  this 
province  of  Pennsylvania,  and  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  in  pursu- 
ance of  the  Proprietary's  charter  to  serve  in  Assembly,  do,  each  of 
us  for  himself,  solemnly  promise  and  declare,  that  we  will  be 
true  and  faithful  to  Queen  Anne  of  England,  &c.  And  we  do 
solemnly  promise  and  declare,  That  we,  from  our  hearts,  abhor, 
detest  and  renounce,  as  impious  and  heretical,  that  damnable 
doctrine  and  position,  that  princes  excommunicated,  or  deprived, 
by  the  Pope,  or  any  other  authorit}^  of  the  See  of  Rome,  may  be 
deposed  or  murdered,  by  their  subjects,  or  any  other  whatsoever; 
And  we  do  declare,  that  no  foreign  prince,  person,  prelate,  state, 
or  potentate,  hath  or  ought  to  have  any  power,  jurisdiction, 
superiority,  pre-eminence,  or  authority,  ecclesiastical  or  spiritual, 
within  the  realm  of  England,  and  the  dominioiis  thereunto 
belonging. 

"And  we,  and  each  of  us,  do  solemnly  and  sincerely  profess, 

*Yide  Colonial  Records,  Vol.  ii.,  p.  104. 
fPenn  &  Logan  Correspondence,  Vol.  i.,  p.  148. 


SECOND    GENERATION.  85 

testify  and  declare,  That  we  do  believe,  that,  in  the  sacrament  of 
the  Lord's  supper,  there  is  not  any  transubstantiation  of  the 
elements  of  bread  and  wine  into  the  body  and  blood  of  Christ,  at, 
or  after  the  consecration  thereof  by  any  person  whatsoever;  and 
that  the  invocation,  or  adoration  of  the  Virgin  Mary,  or  any  other 
Saint,  and  the  sacrifice  of  the  Mass,  as  they  are  now  used  in  the 
church  of  Rome,  are  superstitious  and  idolatrous. 

"  And  we,  and  each  of  us  for  himself,  do  solemnly  profess, 
testify  and  declare,  that  we  do  make  this  declaration,  and  every 
part  thereof,  in  the  plain  ordinary  sense  of  the  words  read  unto  us, 
as  they  are  commonly  understood  by  English  Protestants,  without 
any  evasion,  equivocation,  or  mental  reservation  whatsoever ;  and 
without  any  dispensation  ali-eady  granted  for  this  purpose  by  the 
Pope,  or  any  other  authority  whatsoever;  or  without  any  hope  of 
any  such  dispensation  from  any  person,  or  authority  whatsoever;  or 
without  thinking  that  we  are,  or  can  be,  acquitted  before  God  or 
man,  or  absolved  of  this  declaration,  or  any  part  thereof,  al- 
though the  Pope  or  any  other  person  or  persons,  or  power  what- 
soever, should  dispense  with,  or  annul,  the  same,  or  declare  that 
It  was  null  and  void  from  the  beginning. 

"  And  we,  the  said  subscribing  Representatives,  and  each  of 
us,  for  himself,  do  solemnly  and  sincerely  profess  faith  in  God 
the  Father,  and  in  Jesus  Christ,  his  eternal  Son,  the  true  God, 
and  in  the  Holy  Spirit,  one  God,  blessed  forever  more;  and  we 
do  acknowledge  the  holy  scriptures  to  be  given  by  divine  inspi- 
ration. 

"Nicholas  Pile,  Jeremiah  Langhorn, 

"John  Bennet,  Joshua  Hoopes, 

"Andrew  Job,  Thomas  Stevenson, 

"David  Lewis,  Rowland  Ellis, 

"Nathaniel  Newlin,       Nicholas  Walne, 
"Joseph  Baker,  Samuel  Richardson, 

"Robert  Carter,  Isaac  Norris, 

"Joseph  Wood,  David  Lloyd,  Speaker. 

"William  Biles,  Anthony  Morris, 

"Joseph  Growdon,  Samuel  Cart, 

"Tobias  Dymmoke,  Griffith  Jones, 

"Richard  Hough,  Joseph  Wilcox, 

"William  Paxton,  Charles  Read. 

"Votes  of  Assembly." 


86  GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MORRIS  FAMILY. 

It  is  an  interesting  fact  that  the  following  entry  in  the  Minutes 
of  the  Board  of  Property  under  date  11  mo.  17,  1703,  was  made 
soon  after  Anthony  Morris  entered  upon  his  new  duties  as  Mayor: 

''Anthony  Morris,  INIayor  of  Philad'a  In  hehalf  of  the  Corpo- 
"  ration  mak'g  application  to  this  Board  (of  Property)  that  the 
"Streets  of  this  City  may  be  Regulated  by  a  Concurrent  Authority, 
"both  of  the  Comm'rs  and  said  Corporation.  'Tis  ordered  that 
"David  Powell  forthwith  survey  exactly  According  to  the  first 
"Projection  and  mark  out  the  bounds  of  all  those  Streets  that 
"have  been  run  Irregularly  in  upon  each  other,  with  the  assist- 
"ance  of  some  fitt  Persons  appointed  by  the  Corporation."* 

During  the  Mayoralty  of  Anthony  Morris,  John  Evans,  the 
new  Lieut.  Governor  appointed  by  William  Penn,  arrived  in 
Philadelphia  on  the  night  of  Feb.  2,  1703-4.  Next  day,  his 
commission  and  the  Queen's  sanction  of  it  were  "  published  at 
"  ye  market  place,  in  solemn  form  &  order,  the  sd  Governor  being 
"present,  and  attended  with  the  Council  of  State,  the  Mayor, 
"Aldermen  &  Council  of  Philadelphia  Citty,  the  Principal 
"  Officers,  Gentlemen  &  Inhabitants  of  the  place,  from  whence 
"  returning  to  ye  Council  Chamber,  the  Governor  took  ye  Chair 
"&  held  a  Council."  f  Judge  Guest  then  administered  to  him 
the  oath  of  allegiance  to  the  Queen  ;  the  oath  of  abjuration  of 
papal  supremacy;  and  the  test  oath. 

Wm.  Penn  wrote,  that  Evans,  though  only  six  and  twenty, 
was  "sober  and  sensible  "  and  doubtless  he  thought  him  so,  or  he 
would  not  have  trusted  his  son  to  him  as  a  Companion.  For  a 
time  all  went  well,  but  it  soon  became  evident  that  Penn  was 
mistaken  in  Evans — who  in  various  ways  made  himself  obnox- 
ious to  the  people.  He  made  an  attempt  to  raise  a  Militia  on 
his  own  responsibility,  without  the  means  to  pay  them,  promis- 
ing that  those  who  enlisted  in  the  Militia  should  be  exempted 
from  Watch  duty.  From  this  it  is  evident  that  the  constable  and 
watchman  service  was  performed  by  citizens,  and  several  in- 
stances are  recorded  of  citizens,  who  failed  to  perform  such  duty, 
being  fined  by  the  Council. 

The  Minutes  of  Council  record  (Sep.  3,  1704)  that  "  Several 
complaints  have  been  publicly  made  of  great  disorders  lately 


*Vide  Penna.  Archiv.,  2nd  Series,  Vol.  xix.,  p.  417. 
-fVide  Colonial  Eecords,  Vol.  ii.,  p.  110. 


SECOND    GENERATION.  87 

committed  within  ye  Citty  in  ye  night  season,  to  ye  great  dis- 
turbance of  ye  sober  inhabitants,  and  ye  encouragement  of  vice 
by  Evil  example." 

Anthony  Morris,  on  behalf  of  the  corporation,  compkiined  of 
the  exemptions,  as  discouraging  people  from  taking  their  turns 
in  watching  the  city  ;  to  which  the  Governor  and  Council  replied 
that  "  the  safety  of  the  people  by  the  maintenance  of  a  Militia 
was  greater  than  safety  by  a  watch  and  ward."  Further  irrita- 
tion was  caused  by  the  Governor  and  Council  deciding  that 
County  justices  had  concurrent  jurisdiction  in  the  city  with  the 
city  magistrate.  Thus  empowered,  the  Governor  refused  to 
license  inn-keepers  recommended  by  the  Mayor's  court  unless 
the  County  Court  endorsed  the  recommendation,  and  by  procla- 
mation set  aside  a  verdict  of  the  Mayor's  court  and  forbid  the 
officers  to  execute  it.* 

Matters  came  to  a  climax  when  Deputy  Governor  Evans, 
young  Penn,  Sheriff  Finney,  Thomas  Gray  and  Joseph  Ralph 
"  were  concerned  in  a  night  brawl  and  affray  at  Enoch  Story's 
"  tavern,  in  Coomb's  Alley.  The  Constable,  James  Wood,  and 
"  Night- Watchman,  James  Dough,  entered  the  place:  there  was 
"  a  quarrel  about  Evan's  Militia,  the  argument  ended  in  blows ; 
"  Penn  called  for  a  pistol,  Wood  and  Dough  and  Story  were 
"beaten;  outsiders  came  in,  including  Alderman  Wilcox,  who 
"beat  Penn,  under  excuse  he  did  not  know  him."t  There  was 
a  violent  disturbance  and  the  city  guard  was  called  out  to  quell 
the  disorder.  "  Some  of  the  disturbers  escaped  and  others  were 
"arrested;  among  the  former  was  the  deputy  governor,  among 
"  the  latter  was  young  Penn.  Next  morning  he  was  brought 
"  before  the  Mayor  and  rated  severely.  He  replied  M'ith  taunts 
"  and  defiance  ;  he  was  a  gentleman,  he  said,  and  not  responsible 
"  to  his  father's  petty  officers.  Evans  took  his  part  and  annulled 
"  by  proclamation  the  proceedings  of  the  magistrates'  court.  This 
"  audacious  conduct  roused  the  Quaker  spirit :  that  body  indicted 
"young  Penn,  and  in  his  anger  he  renounced  their  doctrines, 
"  discipline  and  jurisdiction."! 

*The  County  Justices  at  this  time  were  John  Guest,  Samuel  Finney,  George 
Roche,  Samuel  Richardson,  Nathan  Stanbury,  John  Jones,  Joseph  Pidgeon, 
Edward  Farmer,  Rowland  Ellis  and  Andrew  Bankson,  Jr. 

fScharf  &  Westcott's  History  of  Philadelphia,  Vol.  i.,  p.  182. 

jHepworth  Dixon's  William  Penn,  p.  314. 


88  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

References  are  made  to  this  matter  in  two  letters  of  the  period. 
The  first  reference,  is  in  one  from 

Isaac  Norris  to  Jonathan  Dickinson. 

Extract  "Philadelphia,  27th  7br.  1704. 

"William  Penn,  Junior,  quite  gone  off  from  Friends.  He, 
"being  in  company  with  some  extravagants  that  beat  the  watch 
"at  Enoch  Story's  was  prosecuted  with  them;  which  unmanerly 
"  and  disrespectful  act  as  he  takes  it,  gives  him  great  disgust, 
"and  seems  a  wasted  occasion.  He  talks  of  going  home  on  the 
"Jersey  man-of-war  next  month.  I  wish  things  had  been 
"better  or  he  had  never  come."* 

The  second  reference  is  in  a 

Letter  from  James  Logan  to  William  Penn. 

"  Philadelphia,  28th  71)r.  1704. 

"  Not  long  after  this,  the  watch  meeting  with  a  company  at 
"  Enoch  Story's,  a  tavern  in  which  some  of  the  militia  officers 
"  were,  a  difference  arose,  that  ended  with  some  rudeness.  Next 
"  night,  the  watch  coming  again  to  the  same  place,  and  thy  son 
"  happening  to  be  in  company  there  was  something  of  a  fray, 
"  which  ended  with  the  watch's  retiring.  This,  with  all  the  per- 
"  sons  concerned  in  it  was  taken  notice  of  the  next  mayor's  court 
"  that  sat,  which  was  the  3rd  of  this  month ;  and  not  any  regard 
"had  to  names  by  the  grand  jury,  beyond  whom  it  did  not 
"pass.  The  indignity  however  put  upon  the  eldest  son  of  the 
"  founder  of  their  corporation,  so  early  after  the  date  of  their 
"  Charter,  is  looked  upon  by  most  moderate  men,  to  be  very 
"  base ;  and  by  him  the  Governor,  and  all  others  concerned  in 
"  the  government  not  quite  of  their  party,  is  deeply  resented  as  a 
"  thing  exceedingly  provoking."  f 

This  unpleasant  encounter  with  the  Deputy  Governor  and 
the  Governor's  son  occurred  in  September,  1704,  towards   the 

*From  Penn  and  Logan  Correspondence,  Vol.  i.,  p.  315. 
t  From  Penn  &  Logan  Correspondence,  Vol.  i.,  p.  318. 


SECOND    GENERATION. 


89 


close  of  Anthony  Morris'  term  of  Office  as  Mayor.  A  far  more 
agreeable  episode  during  his  Mayoralty,  was  the  marriage  of 
Anthony  his  eldest  son  to  Phoebe  Guest,  which  was  solemnized 
in  the  old  High  Street  Friends'  Meeting  House  on  3rd  mo.  10th, 
1704. 

In  the  same  year,  Anthony  Morris  also  found  the  time  to 
absent  himself  from  his  Magisterial  duties  to  attend  the  marriage 
of  John  Richardson,  Jr.,  and  Ann  Ashton,  at  the  house  of  Robert 
Ashton,  in  the  County  of  New  Castell,  on  the  7th  day  of  the 
seventh  month,  1704.  Anthony  Morris  and  his  intimate 
friend,  Thomas  Chalkley,  signed  the  marriage  Certificate  in 
their  usual  clear  and  bold  handwriting. 

On  6th  mo.  25th, 
1704,*  Anthony  Mor- 
ris and  Joseph  Wood 
were  ordered  by  the 
Assembly  to  wait  on 
the  Governor  [i.  e. 
Governor  Evans.) 
Upon  their  return 
"Anthony  Morris 
"and  Joseph  Wood  acquainted  this  house,  that  they  had  been 
"to  wait  upon  the  Governor,  whom  they  found  very  sick." 
This  is  the  last  recorded  duty,  performed  by  Anthony  Morris,  as 
a  Representative  in  the  Assembly  of  the  Province. 

In  securing  the  ground  for  the  High  Street  Meeting  House, 
Anthony  Morris  had  taken  a  leading  part,  and  probably  he  helped 
largely  towards  the  expense  of  building  it.  It  was  erected  on 
ground  granted  to  the  Friends  by  William  Markham,  but  after 
his  decease  some  fears  arose  as  to  the  validity  of  the  title  and  the 
matter  was  brought  before  the  Board  of  Property  as  recorded  in 
its  Minutest  under  date  26,  12th  mo.,  1704. 

"  Richard  Hill  and  Anthony  Morris  making  Application  to 
"this  Board  in  behalf  of  the  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends  of 
"Philadelphia,  and  by  their  appointment  that  whereas  Coll. 
"  Wm.  Markham,  dec'ed.  having  Procured  (as  'tis  said),  a  Patent 
"  to  himself,  signed  by  himself  and  One  Other  Commiss'r  Only 


i#'. 


<&ii^ 


*Vide  Votes  of  Aes.,  Vol.  i.,  p.  16. 

t  Vide  Penna.  Archiv.,  2nd  Series,  Vol.  xix.,  p.  449. 


90  GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MORRIS  FAMILY. 

"  for  a  lott  on  High  Str.  Joyning  on  the  2nd  Street,  Out  of  which 
"  Pat.,  the  said  lott  INIarkham  granted  to  Friends  a  Certain  Part 
"  of  the  same  to  build  a  Meeting  House,  and  is  the  Same,  where 
"  the  great  Meeting  House  stands,  but  suspecting  the  validity  of 
"  the  title,  they  therefore  requeste  a  Confirmation  from  this  Board, 
"  alledgeing  and  Pleading  that  the  Prop'y  had  formerly  granted 
"  ground  for  a  Meeting  House  at  the  Centre,  upon  which  they 
"  built  very  much  to  their  Charges,  Inconveniency  and  Damage, 
"and  have  since  left  it  entirely,  throwing  it  up  again  to  the 
"  Prop'y  and  further  that  the  Prop'ry  allways  expressed  a  will- 
"  ingness  to  furnish  them  with  ground  for  a  Meeting  House,  and 
"  was  accordingly  ready  to  confirm  this  to  them  himself  at  his 
"  Departure,  but  was  neglected,  all  which  being  duly  considered, 
"  especially  that  the  prop'ry  having  no  where  else  Granted 
"  Friends  any  Place  for  a  Meeting  House  that  is  now  of  any 
"  Service  to  them,  and  that  he  Accounted  himself  Obliged  in 
"  favour  to  them  to  Grant  a  Convenient  Place,  therefore  it  is 
"  Ordered  that  a  Patent  be  granted  for  so  much  as  they  now  hold 
"  in  the  Place  aforesaid  Without  any  regard  had  to  the  said 
"  Grant  of  Markham  to  himself  being  Illegal  and  Irregular,  Or 
"  any  Title  derived  therefrom." 

The  last  official  act  of  Anthony  Morris,  as  Mayor,  is  thus 
recorded  in  the  Minutes  of  Council : — 

"At  a  Council  held  at  Philadia  3d,  8br.,  1704. 

"  Present  : 

"  JNO.  EVANS,  Esqr.,  Lieut.  Governr. 

"Edw.  Shippen,  1                     Tho.  Story,  ] 

"  John  Guest,  I  ^^^,^^_      Grifi".  Owen,  I     ^^^^,^.^^ 

"  Samll.  Carpenter,  j                     Samll.  finney,  i 

"  Willm.  Clark,  J                     James  Logan,  j 

"The  Governr  laid  before  ye  Board,  a  Paper  presented  to 
him  7th  day  last,  by  the  Mayor  and  Aldermen  of  Philadia,  in  ye 
following  words : — 

"  To  the  Hon'ble  John  Evans,  Esqr.,  Deputy  Governr  of  ye 
Province  of  Pensilvania  &  Counties  annexed ;  ye  remonstrance 


SECOND    GENERATION.  91 

of  ye  Mayor,  &  Commonalty  of  ye  City  of  Philadia,  on  behalf 
of  themselves  &  ye  rest  of  ye  freemen  of  the  said  City,  Sheweth  : 

"  1st.  That  we  find  many  of  ye  good  people  of  this  Citty,  much 
discouraged  by  ye  Govrs  giving  out  a  Proclamation,  exempting 
all  that  would  list  themselves  in  the  Militia,  from  Watching  in 
their  turns,  contrary  to  ye  Warrt  given  forth  by  the  Mayor,  for 
ye  safety  of  the  place. 

"  2dly.  By  ye  Governrs  not  Licensing  ye  persons  recommended 
in  ye  Mayors  Court,  for  keeping  houses  of  Entertainmt,  untill  they 
had  obtained  a  second  Recommendation  from  the  County  Court, 
to  ye  charge  &  Trouble  of  ye  persons  concerned,  &  as  wee  think 
a  great  Infringemt  of  ye  power  granted  us  by  ye  Charter,  &  ren- 
dring  &  our  authority  contemptible  to  ye  Inhabitants. 

"  3dly.  By  ye  giving  out  a  Proclamation,  declaring  a  Verdict 
given  in  our  Court  agst  a  person  for  keeping  a  disorderly  house, 
void,  &  Commanding  ye  officers  not  to  execute  any  writt,  pursu- 
ant to  said  Verdict;  since  wch  we  find  our  authority  much 
trampled  on,  &  many  affronts  given  us,  both  in  Publick,  &  in 
private,  all  wch  doe  manifestly  tend  to  our  great  Discouragemt 
in  ye  Suppression  of  ye  growing  vice  of  this  place,  &  is  contrary 
to  ye  Encouragemt  intended  us  by  our  Charter,  wch  ought 
according  to  ye  letter  of  it,  to  be  construed  most  favourable  in 
our  behalfs.  These  are  our  short  hints,  in  order  to  an  amicable 
discourse  with  thee  on  these  heads,  wth  what  may  further  offer 
hoping  &  desireing  that  thereby  a  good  understanding  may  be 
settled  &  continued  between  ye  Governr  &  ye  magistrates  of  this 
Citty  for  ye  future. 

"Signed  on  behalf  of  ye  Corporation, 

"per  ANTHONY  MORRIS,  Mayr. 

"Which  being  duly  considered,  it  was  Resolved,  That  an 
answer  should  be  returned  in  the  following  words,  viz.: — 

"The  1st  article.  Not  only  by  ye  Queens  order,  but  also  for  ye 
just  Discharge  of  my  Duty,  in  providing  for  ye  safety  of  ye 
People,  committed  to  my  charge,  I  find  myself  obliged  to  put 
this  Province  in  ye  best  posture  of  Defence  yt  I  am  capable.     In 


92  GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MORRIS  FAMILY. 

order  to  well  ye  principal  stejD  is  ye  establishmt  of  a  Militia. 
This  I  have  endeavoured  not  without  success,  tho'  ye  publick 
has  hitherto  given  no  encouragemt  towds  it.  I  therefore  thought 
my  power  and  ye  issuing  that  Proclamation,  wth  ye  advice  of 
ye  Council,  was  ye  readiest  yt  could  be  thought  of.  I  have 
reason  to  doubt  yt  too  many  of  those  good  people  you  mention, 
are  such  as  oppose  a  Militia,  not  from  any  principle  against  it, 
but  through  an  uneasiness  to  see  any  thing  done  under  ye  present 
administration,  that  may  recommend  us  &  the  Proprietrs 
affairs  to  ye  Crown.  To  serve  in  ye  Militia  is  much  more  ye  duty 
of  ye  subject  than  to  watch,  &  nothing  in  my  Judgmnt  can  be 
more  reasonable  than  that  those  who  decline  ye  one,  may  engage 
in  ye  other,  that  a  double  Burthen  may  not  lie  on  some,  while 
others  are  exempted;  what  I  have  done  on  yt  head,  was  wth  ye 
best  advice,  &  I  cannot  see  any  reason  to  recede  from  it. 

"To  ye  2d.  I  can  boldly  affirm  yt  till  I  saw  your  Remon- 
strance I  never  once  heard  it  suggested,  that  the  Justices  of  the 
County  ought  not  to  have  the  same  power  in  ye  Citty,  concur- 
rent with  ye  Citty  Magistrates,  If  in  ye  Eye  of  ye  Law  it  be 
otherwise,  to  that  I  must  leave  it  to  be  determined,  &  shall  be 
very  well  pleased  to  have  it  decided  by  proper  Judges ;  as  to  ye 
Recommendations  of  persons  to  be  Licensed,  the  County  Justices 
were  of  oppinion  that  they  were  unkindly  dealt  by,  &  therefore 
were  willing  to  assert  their  Right,  (as  they  took  it  to  be)  not 
with  any  design  to  clash,  but  to  act  in  concurrence. 

"To  ye  3rd.  Being  commanded  by  ye  express  words  of  3'e 
Queens  Ordr,  to  take  notice  of  what  is  there  required  &  govern 
myself  accordingly  upon  application  made  to  me  in  Council,  I 
thought  myself  indispensibly  obliged  to  observe  it,  not  through 
any  Desire  of  thwarting  ye  Corporation,  but  to  answer  her 
Majesties  Commands.  I  shall  always  be  pleased  to  see  ye  Cor- 
poration Supported  in  their  just  authority,  &  shall  freely  con- 
tribute my  Endeavours  towards  suppressing  all  Disorders,  & 
whatsoever  may  give  Just  offence  to  ye  sober  people  of  ye  place, 
and  I  assure  you  no  act  of  mine  shall  be  designed  to  weaken 
your  power  in  ye  Just  discharge  of  your  duty,  nor  this  order  of 
ye  Queens  to  skreen  any  Enormities.  I  desire  you  to  be  strict  & 
carefull  in  suppressing  of  Vice  and  Disorders,  &  you  shall  find  a 
ready  Concurrence  from  me  in  so  laudable  an  Undertaking." 


SECOND    GENERATION.  93 

At  the  conclusion  of  his  term  as  Mayor,  Anthony  Morris  was 
succeeded  in  the  office  by  Griffith  Jones,  on  the  4th  of  8th  mo., 
1704.* 

On  the  first  of  the  7th  month,  1705,  a  deed  was  recorded  in 
Philadelphia,  by  which  William  Penn,  Proprietor  and  Governor/ 
granted  to  Anthony  Morris,  Samuel  Carpenter,  and  Richard 
Hill  in  right  of  George  Fox,  possession  of  25  acres  of  land  in 
Northern  Liberties  near  Fair  Hill  Meeting  House,  also  of  a  lot 
on  High  Street  (south  side)  between  3rd  Street  and  4th  Street, 
and  also  a  lot  on  Front  Street  between  Sassafras  Street  and  Vine 
Street.! 

This  seemed  at  the  time,  to  be  the  conclusion  of  a  matter  which 
had  been  the  subject  of  considerable  correspondence. 

By  William  Penn's  "  Concessions,"  in  1681,  every  purchase 
of  5,000  acres  entitled  the  purchasers  to  two  city  lots,  one  on 
Front  street,  102  feet  through  to  Second  Street,  the  other  on 
High  Street,  132  by  306  deep,  also  100  acres  of  town  land  (after- 
ward called  Liberty  land),  and  lesser  purchasers  in  proportion, 
but  on  back  streets.  George  Fox,  one  of  the  first  purchasers  was 
supposed  to  have  bought  1,250  acres  for  £25,  and  thereby  was 
entitled  to  two  city  lots  and  16  acres  of  Liberty  land. 

From  1681  until  his  death  he  tried  in  vain  to  obtain  a  patent 
for  these,  but  never  received  an  answer  from  the  Commissioners, 
which  he  was  troubled  at,  and  complained  of,  a  little  before  his 
departure. 

By  his  will,  George  Fox  gave  "  his  land  in  Pennsylvania  of 
about  1,000  acres  unto  Thomas  Lower,  John  Rouse  and  Daniel 
Abraham  (sons-in-law  of  his  wife,  Margaret  Fell  Fox)  and  their 
children,  to  be  equally  divided  amongst  them,  but  only  16  acres 
of  it  he  gave  to  Friends  there,  10  of  it  for  a  close  to  put  Friends' 
horses  into,  when  they  come  from  afar  to  the  meeting,  that  they 
may  not  be  lost  in  the  woods,  and  the  other  six  for  a  meeting- 
house and  school-house,  and  a  burying  place,  and  for  a  play- 
ground for  the  children  in  the  town  to  play  on,  and  for  a  garden 
to  plant  with  physical  plants  for  lads  and  lasses  to  know  simples 
and  learn  to  make  oils  and  ointments." 

*  Vide  Colonial  Records,  Vol.  ii.,  p.  166. 

t  Vide  Exemplification  Records,  Vol.  i.,  p.  616,  Office  of  Recorder  of  Deeds, 
Phila.  The  date  of  the  Patent  was  "  ye  eighth  and  twentieth  day  of  ye  Sixth 
month  called  August,  1705. 


94  GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MORRIS  FAMILY. 

The  appropriation  of  the  land  was  much  delayed  and  it  was 
not  till  "  ye  eighth  and  twentieth  day  of  ye  Sixth  month  called 
August,  1705," — 15  years  after  George  Fox's  death,  tliat  a  patent 
was  granted  as  stated  above. 

The  heirs  of  George  Fox  claimed,  however,  that  the  right  of 
George  Fox  never  was  duly  conveyed,  and  it  was  not  till  1767 
that  the  title  was  confirmed  for  ,£500,  paid  by  Friends  to  the  said 
heirs. 

The  letters  of  William  Penn  to  James  Logan  (the  latter  his 
secretary  and  agent  in  Philadelphia,  for  man}^  years),  clearly 
show  that  the  "George  Fox  lot"  was  not  a  purchase  by  G.  F., 
but  a  present  to  him  by  William  Penn. 

A  letter  from  Penn  (in  England),  to  which  the  date  sixth 
month,  1703,  is  assigned,  says  :  "  I  am  solicited  about  George  Fox's 
gift — indeed  it  was  mine  to  him ;  and  therefore  must  take  the 
liberty  to  say  that  for  the  request  I  a  little  admire  (feel  surprise 
or  wonder)  at  it.  The  most  considerable  of  those  who  sign  must 
know  it  was  so." 

We  gain  some  idea  of  the  powerful  influence  which  the 
Morris  familj^,  and  the  families  allied  with  it,  exercised  in  the 
affairs  of  Philadelphia  early  in  the  18th  century,  from  a  passage 
in  a  letter  from  James  Logan  to  William  Penn  in  the  spring  of 
1706: 

"J.  Wilcox  is  Mayor;  his  father-in-law  was  last  year;  his 
brother  that  is  to  be  in  a  few  days,*  viz.,  E.  Shippen,  was  1st  and 
2nd,  and  his  brother  A.  Morris  3d;  so  that  it  has  still  been  in 
that  family.  And  by  the  conjunction  of  E.  S.  with  that  family 
they  are  now  very  strong,  and  grow  more  so  every  day,  as  the 
Government  grows  weaker."  f 

It  is  stated  in  a  chart  entitled  "  The  Governor  Coddington 
family  of  Newport,  R.  I. "  that 

"  In  1708  August  2nd  notification  was  sent  from  Newport  to 
''Edward  Shippen  of  Philadelphia,  that  he  render  account  of  the 
"executorship  of  the  Estate  of  Thomas  Coddington  late  of  New- 
"port  dec'd.  The  father-in-law  (i.  e.  the  step  father)  of  the  heir 
"of  Thomas  Coddington  viz.  Anthony  Morris  was  also  notified, 
"  he  being  the  husband  of  the  Executrix.     It  was  the  opinion  of 

*  Edward  Shippen  m.  in  1706,  as  his  third  wife  Esther,  widoAV  of  Philip 
James,  and  dau.  of  John  Wilcox. 

fVlde  Penn  &  Logan  Correspondence,  Vol.  ii.,  pp.  119-120. 


SECOND    GENERATION.  95 

"the  Court  that  the  lieir  be  kept  here  in  this  colony  {i.  e.  Rhode 
"Island)  in  her  minority  where  her  Estate  lieth."  From  this  we 
may  surmise  that  Mary  Coddington,  at  that  time  about  16  years 
of  age,  was  residing  with  her  step-father,  Anthony  Morris,  in 
Philadelphia.  What  attention  was  paid  to  the  opinion  of  the 
Rhode  Island  Court  does  not  appear,  but  we  know  that  by 
the  year  1710  Mary  Coddington  had  married  William  Trent  of 
Philadelphia,  being  his  second  wife.  By  her  he  had  two  chil- 
dren— Thomas  and  William.  Thomas  Trent  died  in  infancy,  as 
shown  by  the  following  entries  in  the  Records  of  Christ  Church, 
Philadelphia. 

"  Thomas,  son  of  William  and  Mary,  ye  second  wife  of  William 
Trent,  b.  and  bapt.  June  1st,  1711." 

"  Thomas,  the  son  of  William  and  Marv  Trent  was  bu.  29th 
Aug.,  1711." 

The  second  child,  William  Trent,  m.  Sarah  Wilkins  (who 
d.  in  1807)  and  they  had  several  children.  Governor  Gookin 
of  Pennsylvania  in  a  letter  to  the  Bishop  of  London,  styled 
William  Trent,  the  Elder,  "  a  merchant  of  credit,"  and  the 
Rev.  John  Talbot,  Rector  of  St.  Mary's  Episcopal  Church, 
Burlington,  in  a  communication  to  the  same  bishop,  speaks  of 
Mrs.  Trent  and  Mrs.  Moore  as  "  ladies  of  distinction  and  of  a 
firm  rank  and  quality,"  so  that  from  this  united  testimony  we 
may  regard  Mr.  Trent  as  one  of  Philadelphia's  most  eminent 
merchants.* 

William  Trent  was  a  Scotchman  by  birth  and  emigrated  to 
Pennsylvania  when  a  young  man.  In  Philadelphia  he  opened 
a  store  and  eventually  transacted  an  immense  business  in  the 
Colony,  dealing  in  everything  from  a  thimble  to  a  sloop,  or  from 
a  horse  to  a  negro.  In  the  Mercantile  Library  of  Philadelphia 
is  to  be  found  a  large  parchment  bound  Ledger  which  once 
belonged  to  William  Trent.  It  is  denominated  Ledger  C.  It 
records  his  business  transactions  for  the  first  seven  years  of  the 
eighteenth  century,  1700-1707,  and  is  filled  with  much  interest- 
ing information  respecting  the  first  inhabitants  of  Philadelphia 
when  it  was  scarcely  more  than  a  Village  on  the  River  bank. 

Anthony  Morris  had  an  account  with  Williaiu  Ti'ent  which 

*"  Genealogy  of  Early  Settlers  of  Trenton,"  Cooley,  pp.  278,  279. 


96  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

is  recorded  ou  page  54  of  this  old  Ledger.  From  1703  to  1707 
it  amounted  to  £239.1.3J  for  "  mercliandise "  and  "  sundry 
acco*^"  but  Anthony  Morris,  in  the  same  way  as  others,  paid  by 
"orders"  or  through  others,  and  had  a  balance  of  £19.13.5| 
carried  to  Ledger  F.  Very  little  cash  changed  hands  in  these 
transactions  between  early  Philadelphia  merchants.  When 
Anthony  Morris^  had  taken  his  son  Anthony^  into  partnership^ 
the  style  of  the  entry  of  their  joint  account  in  Trent's  Ledger 
appears  on  page  4  as  "Anthony  Morris  &  Comp'',"  there  being, 
however,  only  two  charges  against  them  for  "  merchandise " 
amounting  to  £28.6.0.  At  the  time  of  using  this  Ledger  William 
Trent  was  a  member  of  the  Provincial  Council  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, having  been  appointed  12mo.  9th,  1703-4,  and  to  set  him 
free  to  take  a  seat  on  the  bench  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Penn- 
sylvania, to  which  distinction  he  was  raised,  although  not  an 
attorney,  but  because  of  his  high  character  for  integrity  and 
business  tact,  he  probably  gave  up  his  store. 

During  the  period  to  which  the  Ledger  is  devoted,  William 
Trent  purchased  from  Samuel  Carpenter  for  the  sum  of  £850 
the  so  called  "  Slate  House,"  at  the  S.  E.  corner  of  2nd  Street 
and  Norris  Alley,  Philadelphia.  In  this  house  William  Penn 
lived  in  1699;  there  John  Penn  was  born,  James  Logan  enter- 
tained Lord  Cornbury  there  in  1702,  and  it  was  also  the  resi- 
dence of  Governor  James  Hamilton.  James  Logan  in  a  letter 
to  William  Penn,  dated  Dec.  5th,  1703,  writes  "Samuel  Carpenter 
has  sold  the  house  thou  lived  in  to  Wm.  Trent  for  £850,"  and 
we  find  this  entry  of  payment  for  the  same  in  William  Trent's 
Ledger  under  date  Feb.  5-1705/6  "House  on  2°^  S'  bott  of  Samuel 
Carpenter  for  house  £850."  In  this  house — by  far  the  finest 
house  in  tiie  City,  William  Trent  lived  until  he  sold  it  on 
March  30'^,  1709,  to  Isaac  Norris  for  £900.  The  "Slate  Roof 
House"  was  occupied  until  1868,  when  it  was  taken  down  and 
the  site  now  forms  a  part  of  that  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce. 

Notwithstanding  his  many  official  engagements,  and  his 
untiring  labors  as  a  member  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  we  find 
that  Anthony  Morris  was  diligent  in  business  as  a  "Merchant," 
buying  and  selling  Real  Estate  in  Philadelphia  and  Chester 
Counties.  In  addition  to  those  properties  already  referred  to, 
he  purchased  many  others,  some  of  which  are  given  in  the  fol- 
lowing list. 


SECOND    GENERATION.  97 

In  the  "  List  of  old  Rights  "  we  find  noted  : — 

"Paper  No  1507  Morris  Anthony — Warrant — Bank  Lott,  Phila 
Co  dated  2,  4  mo.  1(388. 

"  Paper  1518  Morris  Anthony — War't  of  res'y  500  acres,  date 
of  return  23,  10  mo.  1701. 

"Paper  1519  Morris  Anthony — Warrant,  Land  &  City  Lotts 
dated  1-3  mo.  1717. 

"Paper  1520  Morris  Anthony,  warr't  res'y  500  acres  dated  1, 
3  mo.  1717. 

"Paper  1572  Morris  Anthony,  Senr.,  &  draft  signed  by  Jacob 
Taylor  630  Acres  (no  date). 

"Paper  1621  Morris  Anthony,  return  600  acres  land  4,  5  mo. 
1717. 

"Paper  1622  Morris  Anthony,  return  630  acres  4,  5  mo.  1717." 

Various  Purchases  of  Real  Estate  by  Anthony  Morris": — 

"  On  4  mo-1-1695  Anthony  Morris  purchased  of  John  Song- 
hurst  a  lot  in  Walnut  Street  22  feet  in  breadth  {Vide  Exemplifi- 
cation Records,  Vol.  vii.,  p.  224,  Phila.). 

"On  Dec.  3,  1698  he  bought  of  John  Goodson  a  lot  30x165 
feet  on  East  side  of  2nd  Street. 

"  Between  1700  and  1705  Anthony  Morris  purchased  in 
various  lots,  from  Thomas  Crookshank  et  al,  William  Wells, 
Andrew  Wheeler  and  John  Stilla,  altogether  about  200  acres  of 
land  in  Mo3^amensing  and  Passyunk  {Vide  Deed  Book  H  9,  pp. 
36  and  56,  Deed  Book  H  6,  pp.  016  and  618,  Deed  Book  F  4, 
p.  120,  Phila.). 

"On  March  7,  1709/10  he  bought  for  £ll2.10s  of  Dr.  Nicholas 
Moore  300  acres  known  as  'Morris  purchase,'  in  Phila.  Co.,  part 
of  Morsland  Manor  ( Vide  Deed  Book  E  7,  A^ol.  viii.,  p.  19,  and 
Deed  Book  H  2,  ]).  24). 

"On  Dec.  7,  1711  he  bought  for  £80  of  George  Gray  120 
acres  in  the  Liberties  ( J^ide  Deed  Book  E  6,  Vol.  vii.,  [).  306, 
Phila.). 

"On  1  mo-1 5-1711/12  he  bought  for  £140  of  Robert  Adams 
the  'Pewter  Platter' and  lot  15  ft.  6  inches  x  100  feet  on  AVest 
side  of  Delaware  Front  Street.  {Vide  Deed  Book  E  7,  Vol.  viii., 
p.  149,  Phila.). 

"On  1  mo.  4,  1712/13  he  bought  for  £125  of  Edward  Smout 


98  GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MORRIS  FAMILY. 

492  acres  in  Chester  County  ( Vide  Deed  Book  E  7,  Vol.  viii., 
p.  297). 

"On  3  mo.  1,  1713  he  bought  for  £40  of  Richard  Townsend 
100  acres  of  land  in  Phila.  Co.  on  bank  of  Schuylkill  River 
(  Vide  Deed  Book  E  7,  Vol.  viii.,  p.  339). 

"On  Aug.  31,  1713  he  bought  of  Robert  Hogg  a  house  and 
lot  on  West  side  of  Front  Street  2oJ  ft.  x  200  feet  ( Vide  Deed 
Book  E  7,  Vol.  ix.,  pp.  154  and  155,  Phila.). 

"On  Feb.  27,  1713/14  he  bought  for  £225  of  William  Roberts 
and  wife  two  pieces  of  land  in  the  Manor  of  Moorland,  Phila.  Co. 
contaiuing  50  and  51  acres  respectively  with  "  Boulting  Mills 
and  Water  Corn  Mills "  ( Vide  Deed  Book  E  7,  Vol.  ix.,  p.  174, 
Phila.). 

"On  Feb.  7,  1710  he  bought  for  £40  of  Sarah  Hersent  500 
acres  in  New  Bristol  Township  (Deed  Book  F  9,  p.  247,  Phila.). 

"On  July  9,  1717  he  bought  for  £100  of  Stephen  Stapler  a 
house  and  lot  on  East  side  of  Front  Street  above  end  of  High 
Street,  extending  from  Front  to  King  Street,  and  also  340  acres 
in  Nottingham  Township,  Chester  Co.  (]lde  Deed  Book  E  10, 
pp.  364  and  365,  Phila.) 

"On  Nov.  23,  1717  he  bought  for  £193  of  Thomas  Canby  one 
third  part  of  all  Boulting  Mills  and  of  the  lands  thereto  belong- 
ing in  Cheltenham  Township,  Phila.  Co.  This  property  formerly 
belonged  to  Morris  Morris  and  later  to  Samuel  Bolton.  (Deed 
Book  E  10,  p.  413,  Phila.) 

"On  Nov.  18,  1719  Anthony  Morris,  'Gentleman'  and  Sarah 
]\Iorrey,  of  Phila.,  widow  Distiller,  purchased  of  Jeremiah 
Bartholomew  the  house  'called  Bine  Anchor.'  (Deed  Book  F  8, 
p.  374,  Phila.)." 

This  list  does  not  include  several  purchases  of  land  and  houses 
which  Anthony  Morris  quickly  resold,  and  always  at  a  profit. 

During  his  lifetime,  Anthony  Morris  advanced  several  sums 
of  money  to  various  persons.  In  the  settlement  of  the  Estate  of 
Phineas  Pemberton  9th  mo.  24th,  1707,  is  found  this  entry  on  the 
Dr.  side.* 

"10th   mo.    12th,  1702.     To  Anthony  Morris  1 
made  good,  and  takin  up  his   2  bonds."    j 

*  Vtde  Pemberton  Papers,  Vol.  iii.,  p.  10,  Historical  Society  of  Penna. 


SECOND    GENERATION.  09 

Samuel  Richardson  (in  his  Will  signed  June  6,  proved  13th 
June,  1719)  left  to  his  son-in-law,  Wilham  Hudson,  among 
other  ground  rents,  one  for  £1.16.0  from  Anthony  Morris 
for  the  "White  Hart,"  on  the  North  side  of  High  Street, 
Philadelphia. 

The  earlier  appointments  of  Anthony  Morris  in  the  religious 
Society  to  Avhich  he  belonged,  engaged  his  services  in  collections 
for  the  poor  and  for  schools,  in  inquiring  into  clearness  as 
respects  marriage,  in  settling  differences,  and  in  looking  after 
the  interests  of  fatherless  children  whose  mothers  were  about  to 
marry  again.  Soon,  however,  appointments  of  greater  weight 
were  put  upon  him,  and  for  the  last  twenty-five  years  of  his  life, 
few  subjects  of  deep  importance  to  the  welfare  of  the  religious 
Society  of  Friends  in  Philadelphia  Monthly,  Quarterly,  and 
Yearly  Meetings,  were  committed  to  the  care  and  judgment  of 
a  committee,  of  which  he  was  not  a  member. 

He  had  much  "unity"  with  the  religious  labors  of  William 
Ellis,  and  had  purposed  when  the  time  drew  near  for  that  worthy 
"  Friend  "  to  leave  this  country,  to  have  joined  him,  either  at 
Chester,  or  at  New  Castle,  to  have  taken  a  last  solemn  parting. 
William,  however,  left  before  the  time  expected,  in  the  first 
month,  1699,  and  Anthony  missed  seeing  him.  The  following 
is  a  copy  of  a  letter  he  addressed  to  William. Ellis  in  the  follow- 
ing 4th  mo.  : — 

"  Dear  William  Ellis  : 

"  I  have  often  been  troubled  in  my  mind,  when  the  thoughts 
of  thy  going  from  us,  have  come  into  my  remembrance,  because, 
that  I  had  not  the  opportunity  of  taking  my  leave  of  thee,  in  a 
solemn  manner,  considering  how  nearly  my  spirit  was  united  to 
thee,  so  that  I  can  truly  say,  I  loved  thee,  and  do  love  thee,  in 
the  Lord  :  and  through  the  operation  of  his  Spirit,  thou  wert 
made  serviceable  to  me.  So,  dear  WiUiam,  excuse  my  neglect, 
for  I  came  but  a  few  minutes  after  thou  wast  gone.  Now,  I 
desire  thee  to  pray  for  me,  that  I  may  be  kept  and  preserved 
faithful  to  the  Lord;  for  according  to  my  weak  abilities,  I  have 
often  done  the  same  thing  for  thee,  since  thy  departure  from  us. 
I  send  this,  by  my  very  good  friend  Joseph  Kirkbride,  whom,  I 
hope,  the  Lord  will  attend  with  his  presence,  and  keep  him  near 
to  himself,  and  within  his  own  protection  ;  and  if  it  be  his  good 


100  GENEALOGY    OP    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

pleasure,  return  him  safe  to  his  family,  as  I  hope  thee  has  gotten 
to  thine.  With  the  salutation  of  mine,  and  my  wife's  dear  love 
to  thee,  and  thy  dear  wife,  I  rest,  and  subscribe  myself,  in  the 
Truth  that  changes  not, 

"  Thy  real  friend, 

"Anthony  Morris."* 

In  1701,  Anthony  Morris  began  to  preach,  and  it  is  to  this  fact 
that  James  Logan  refers  iii  a  letter  to  William  Penn  in  1702,  in 
which  he  says:  "A.  Morris  *  *  *  sometimes  speaks  in  Meeting."! 

Robert  Proud  wrote  of  him,  that  he  was  "a  preacher  amongst 
the  Quakers,  and  a  man  of  general  good  esteem."  J 

In  the  year  1701,  a  young  fashionable  Friend  applied  for  a 
certificate  to  London,  and  Anthony  IMorris  and  George  Gray  were 
appointed  to  inquire  into  his  orderly  behavior,  and  his  clearness 
in  respect  to  marriage.  They  found  the  young  man  dressed  in 
the  height  of  the  fashion  of  the  time,  with  a  huge  periwig  "  extra- 
ordinarily powdered."  They  reported,  with  honest  straight- 
forward simplicity,  characteristic  of  the  time,  "we  cannot  find 
but  that  he  is  clear  in  relation  to  marriage  and  debts,  but  as  to 
his  orderly  walking  amongst  Friends  we  cannot  say  much." 
The  young  man  being  present  and  being  spoken  to  on  the 
subject,  made  some  acknowledgment  relative  to  his  extravagant 
appearance,  and  expressing  a  hope  that  he  would  be  more  careful 
for  the  future,  the  meeting  gave  him  a  certificate.  It  is  probable 
this  plain  dealing  had  its  use.  The  3'oung  Friend  returned  from 
London,  married  in  the  order  of  the  Society,  and  appears  to  have 
been  an  orderly  respectable  "Friend"  until  his  death. 

Evening  meetings  on  the  first  day  of  the  week  had  been 
established  in  Pliiladelphia,  in  order  to  prevent  the  j^oung 
members  of  the  Society  of  Friends  from  rambling  about  the 
streets  on  that  evening.  The}'  were  held  at  the  houses  of  several 
valuable  friends,  and  among  others,  that  of  Anthony  Morris. 
There  appears  to  have  been  fears  relative  to  them  in  the  minds 
of  some,  and  they  were  at  last  discontinued.     Previous  to  this,. 


"^  Vide  "The  Friend,"  Vol.  xxviii.,  p.  3-37;  Ibid.,  Vol.  xxix.,  p.  ,396. 
fPenn  &  Logan  Correspondence,  Vol.  i.,  p.  148. 
t  Proud's  History  of  Penna.,  p.  146. 


SECOND    GENERATION.  101 

we  find  this  minute  of  Third  mo.  29th,  1702:  "Several  of  the 
evening  meetings  having  been  let  fall,  through  the  late  visitation 
of  the  small  pox,  it  is  the  sense  of  this  meeting,  that  Friends 
may  be  left  to  their  libert}'.  Such  as  are  so  minded,  may  keep 
them,  provided  they  be  ended  in  due  season. 

"  Friends  to  beware  of  thinking  or  speaking  hard  of  one 
another,  either  for  staying  from,  or  going  to  said  meetings."* 

In  1702  a  request  for  help  in  formulating  and  establishing 
church  discipline  was  sent  up  from  the  "  Friends  "  in  Virginia 
and  North  Carolina  to  Philadelphia  Yearly  Meeting.  A  com- 
mittee which  was  appointed  to  attend  to  the  matter,  seems  to  have 
sent  an  answer  to  both  provinces.  The  one  to  North  Carolina  is 
addressed  to  "  The  Yearly,  Quarterly,  and  Monthly  Meetings  of 
Friends  in  North  Carolina."  It  is  signed  by  Samuel  Jennings, 
Griffith  Owen,  Nicholas  Wain,  John  Blunstone  and  Anthony 
Morris,  and  is  dated  18th  of  7th  mo.,  1703. f 

On  the  5th  day  of  the  first  month,  1706,  Anthony  Morris  ad- 
dressed the  following  letter  to  his  friend  Wm.  Ellis: — 

"Dear  Friend: — In  that  love  which  abides, and  is  unchang- 
"able,  do  I  salute  thee,  not  forgetting  tliy  labor  of  love,  and  thy 
"care  over  me,  for  the  Truth's  sake  and  my  soul's  welfare.  I 
"  must  confess  now,  as  I  have  often  done,  to  that  which  I  received 
"through  thee  as  an  instrument,  although,  the  work  was  the 
"  Lord's,  and  he  it  is  who  gives  the  increase.  Notwithstanding 
^'I  knew  the  Lord  in  some  degree,  and  loved  the  truth,  and  the 
"prosperit}^  thereof,  for  many  years  before  thy  coming  amongst 
"us,  yet  many  things  stood  in  my  way,  that  wanted  to  be  re- 
" moved,  and  thou  wast  made  serviceable  to  me  therein:  and 
"now,  that  thou  mayst  reap  something  of  thy  labors,  which 
"may  add  a  little  to  thy  satisfaction,  I  may  inform  thee  that 
"  the  bread  thou  cast  upon  the  waters,  many  days  since,  is, 
"in  part,  found  again.  The  Lord,  if  it  be  his  will,  continue 
"to  bless  thy  labour,  and  keep  thee  faithful  in  his  service, 
"to  the  end  of  thy  days:  the  same  I  earnestly  desire  for 
"myself,  with  all  the  Lord's  servants  and  laborours  that  he 
"hath  employed,  to  run  to  and  fro  on  his  errands,  to  call  others, 


*Vide.  "  The  Friend,"  Vol.  xxviii.,  p.  357. 

t  A  copy  of  the  letter  is  in  the  Archives  of  Philadelphia  Yearly  Meeting. 
l(h  "  Southern  Quakers  and  Slavery,"  by  Stephen  B.  Weeks,  Ph.  D.,  p.  50. 


102  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORKIS    FAMILY. 

"and  invite  them  to  come  to  the  marriage  of  our  Heavenly 
"  King's  Son,  who  tells  us  that  in  his  Father's  house  are  many 
"  mansions,  and  we  faithfully  believe  the  report.  I  shall  not  need 
"to  enlarge  much  on  this  subject,  to  thee  especiall}^  because 
"thou  knowest  more  than  I  can  tell  tliee :  but  I  know  by  experi- 
"ence,  that  Fathers  love  to  hear  their  children  talk  a  little  in 
"their  minority  and  innocency,  and  if  the  children  do  not  speak 
"together,  as  they  should,  the  fathers  will  delight  to  teach  them. 
"  Since  I  have  remembered  thee,  and  given  thee  an  opportunity 
"for  some  fatherly  instructions,  I  hope  thou  wilt  not  forget  me, 
"  for  I  am  in  want.  Now,  I  think  it  is  time  to  break  off  from 
"this  subject,  and  acquaint  thee  that  these  come  by  our  friend 
"Samuel  Bownas,  who  is  a  brave  fellow,  a  good  workman,  and 
"  hath  done  great  and  good  service  here,  and  we  are  loth  to  part 
"  with  him,  but  if  you  have  any  more  such,  let  thy  prayers  w^itli 
"mine  be  put  up  to  our  Master,  that  he  may  send  them  forth 
"amongst  us,  for  here  is  abundance  of  work  to  be  done,  and  a  great 
"want  of  workmen.  Now  for  a  conclusion.  In  the  sense  of  that 
"Ancient  Power,  which,  uniting  in  love,  makes  us  one,  all  the 
"world  over,  when  trul}^  gathered  into  it,  do  I  again,  with  sin- 
"  cere  affection  salute  thee,  and  subscribe  myself,  thy  friend  and 
"younger  brother,  in  the  fellowship  of  the  Gospel  of  Peace, 
"  according  to  my  measure. 

"  Anthony  Morris." 

Upon  comparing  this  with  his  former  letter  to  William  Ellis, 
we  are  impressed  with  the  fact,  that  as  the  subject  of  this  memoir 
advanced  in  his  Christian  experience,  the  more  humble  he  grew 
in  spirit,  and  desirous  of  expressing  his  appreciation  of  his 
Friend  and  Teacher  in  the  Truth. 

At  the  yearly  Meeting  in  1706,  Anthony  Morris  was  one  of  a 
Committee  appointed  to  prepare  an  Epistle  to  send  down  to  the 
members  and  subordinate  meetings: — 

"  For  the  respective  Quarterly  and  Monthly  Meetings  within 
the  Provinces  of  Pennsylvania  and  the  Jerseys. 

"Dear  Friends  and  Brethren: — It  having  i^leased  the 
Lord  to  bless  this  meeting  with  a  renewed  sense  of  his  holy  and 
comfortable  presence,  to  our  great  and  mutual  consolation,  we  are 
engaged  in  his  love,  so  largely  extended,  to  desire  the  welfare  of 


SECOND    GENERATION.  103 

all,  and  do  embrace  you  therein,  as  partakers  of  the  same  virtue 
of  life,  and  members  of  the  same  body,  of  which  the  one  Lord 
and  Saviour  Christ  Jesus  is  the  Holy  Head.  And  as  the  Lord 
hath  been  bountiful  unto  us,  in  his  inward  comforts- and  refresh- 
ments, it  hath  engaged  us  in  a  renewed  concern  and  zeal  for  the 
honour  of  his  great  name,  the  prosperit}^  of  his  blessed  Truth, 
and  the  welfare  of  his  people,  that  in  all  things  we  may  be 
complete,  and  grow  up  into  that  blessed  testimony  we  have 
received  in  this  present  dispensation  of  God  unto  the  generation 
that  now  is.  That  as  we  have  believed  in  the  light  of  his  Son 
Christ  Jesus  our  Lord,  we  may  walk  as  children  of  light  and  of 
the  day  of  God  which  hath  dawned  upon  us,  in  all  virtue  and 
holiness.  Avoiding  every  appearance  of  evil  or  work  of  dark- 
ness in  our  whole  conversation  ;  that  so  our  lives  and  ways  in  all 
things  may  evidence  to  the  world  that  we  are  of,  and  upheld  and 
preserved  by  him.  And  therefore,  dear  Friends,  as  conducing 
to  that  blessed  end,  we  hereby  remind  you  in  a  few  words  of  those 
many  and  wholesome  particulars  comprehended  in  those  papers 
entitled  '  A  General  Testimony,  etc.,'  recommended  from  this 
meeting  in  the  year  1704,  which  w'e  again  recommend  unto  you 
and  exhort  to  the  strict  observation  of  them,  and  in  especial 
manner  these  few  things  following: 

"First,  That  Friends  keep  constantly  both  to  First-day  and 
week-day  Meetings,  and  therein  diligently  wait  upon  the  Lord, 
with  fervent  desires  and  cries  in  spirit  after  the  enjoyment  of  his 
blessed  presence.  That  so  all  heaviness  of  soul  may  vanish,  and 
drowsiness  be  done  away,  which  is  a  growing  evil  in  some, 
greatly  to  the  dishonour  of  God,  and  the  hurt  of  their  OAvn  souls, 
that  can  so  far  play  the  hypocrite  before  the  Lord  and  his  sensi- 
ble people,  as  while  pretending  to  worship  God  in  the  quicken- 
ing spirit  of  his  Son  Christ  Jesus,  give  way  to  unnatural  sleep, 
which  is  so  far  contrary,  as  light  and  darkness. 

"Secondly,  that  Friends  be  careful  not  to  put  their  children 
apprentices  to  such  as  are  not  Friends,  whereby  they  are  often 
led  astray  through  evil  example.  But,  as  much  as  in  them  lies, 
bring  up  their  children,  and  all  that  are  under  their  care  in  the 
fear  and  nurture  of  the  Lord.  That  none  may  be  blameworthy 
in  a  thing  so  greatly  necessary. 


104  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

"  Fourthly,  That  none  accustom  themselves  to  vain  and  idle 
company,  sipping  and  tippling  of  drams  and  strong  drink  in  inns 
or  elsewhere,  for  though  such  as  use  that  evil  practice  may  not 
suddenly  be  so  far  prevailed  upon  as  to  be  drunk  to  the  greatest 
degree,  yet  they  often  inflame  themselves  thereby  so  as  to  become 
like  ground  fitted  for  the  seeds  of  the  greatest  transgressions. 
Some  that  have  had  the  example  of  virtuous  parents,  have,  from 
such  beginnings  in  corners,  arrived  to  a  shameless  excess,  to  the 
ruin  of  themselves,  their  wives  and  families,  and  the  scandal  of 
that  holy  name  by  which  they  have  been  called. 

"And  for  the  more  effectual  putting  in  practice  these  things 
now,  and  formerly  recommended  unto  you,  we  think  it  may  be 
expedient,  that  the  overseers,  both  men  and  women  in  each 
meeting,  take  care  to  report  the  state  of  the  meeting  to  the 
Monthly  Meeting,  and  each  Monthly  Meeting  the  state  of  affairs 
to  the  Quarterly  Meeting,  and  they  to  this  meeting,  that  so  where 
any  defect  or  shortness  is  found  in  particular  or  general,  a  timely 
and  apt  remedy  may  be  applied  as  in  the  wisdom  and  counsel 
of  God  shall  be  found  needful.  That  so  honour  and  glory  may 
be  given  unto  the  great  name  of  the  Lord  our  God  in  all  things, 
who  is  worthy  forever ! 

"And  now,  dear  Friends,  as  we  write  to  you  in  pure  love,  w^e 
recommend  unto  you  fervant  and  inward  charity  one  towards 
another,  and  to  all  men.  Beside  the  commendations  given  unto 
charity  by  the  apostle  in  his  day,  we  also  say  by  experience,  that 
charity  preventeth  many  evils.  It  keeps  the  peace,  preserves 
unity,  and  as  it  were,  teacheth  all  unity.  Where  charity  is,  there 
is  love  to  God,  and  love  to  man  ;  but  where  it  is  wanting,  zeal 
towards  God  vails  and  neighbours  and  friends  are  also  disre- 
garded, and  instead  of  acts  and  expressions  of  love  and  good  will 
to  all,  the  contrary  is  brought  forth.  It  is  for  w^ant  of  charity, 
men  speak  evil  of  dignities,  detract  and  lessen  the  name  of  their 
neighbours,  and  evilly  entreat  in  secret  the  reputations  of  those 
that  think  them  no  harm.  This  is  a  crying  evil,  from  which 
the  God  of  Truth  purge  and  preserve  his  people  everywhere,  we 
heartily  desire. 

"This  meeting  as  it  was  large  and  edifying  as  some  of  you 
may  well  remember,  so  our  satisfaction  w^as  heightened  by  the 
mention  of  several  travelling  Friends,  of  the  increase  and  pros- 
perity of  Truth  in  divers  places,  which  we  know  will  be  matter 


SECOND    GENEKATION.  105 

of  comfort  to  you.  So,  in  the  love  of  our  heavenly  Father,  we 
recommend  to  you  his  powerful  protection  and  counsel  in  all 
things,  and  are  your  loving  Friends  and  Brethren. 

"From  our  Yearly  Meeting,  held  at  Burlington,  for  the  Prov- 
inces of  east  and  west  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania,  begun  on  the 
15th  day  of  the  Seventh  month ;  and  held  by  adjournment  till 
the  18th  of  the  same  Anno  170G. 

"Sam.  Jennings,  Antho.  Morris, 

"Nicholas  Walln,        Sam.  Carpenter, 
"Tho.  Story,  Caleb  Pusey."* 

The  following  letter  from  Thomas  Chalkley  to  Anthony 
Morris-  is  of  interest,  and  shows  the  friendly  intercourse 
which  existed  between  these  two  remarkable  men. 

"Southgate  neare  London  ye  23rd  of  ye 

9th  mo.  1708. 
"  Deare  Anthony 

"Thy  kind  and  loving  letter  I  had  and  do  acknowledge  thy 
"true  and  Brother  love  and  friendship  to  mee  and  mine  wch  have 
"not  been  a  little,  but  large  and  lasting,  and  I  do  hope  as  we  keep 
"  in  the  holy  Truth  (as  it  is  in  Jesus)  wee  shall  always  remaine  in 
"perfect  unity  and  in  the  holy  fellowship  of  the  Everlasting 
"  Gospell,  in  which  Blessed  and  Sweet  fellowship  I  give  unto  thee 
"and  all  thine  the  salution  of  my  unfeigned  love,  as  also  the 
".same  to  all  dr  friends. 

"As  to  my  concearnes,  I  feare  they  are  dull  and  heavy — but 
"that  hath  been  usual  to  mee  and  so  I  can  beare  it  the  better:  so 
"that  noe  dishonor  bee  brought  on  truth  thereby:  I  know  dr 
"  frd  thy  instruction  to  my  poore  wife  may  bee  beneficiall  to  her 
"  (as  also  to  mee)  if  she  will  take  it.  If  she  lives  not  in  the  house 
"  I  left  her,  I  desire  thee  please  to  advise  her  to  sell  the  house- 
"hould  *  *  *  *  for  I  do  know  that  it  would  free  of  us  much 
"incumbrance,  besides  a  good  testimon}^  to  our  creditors.  If  she 
"stick  att  it.  Because  I  left  them  to  her  in  the  Will,  let  her  take 
"account  of  them,  and  if  I  dye  before  I  see  her,  my  Will  is  that 
"she  bee  paide  that  back  againe  with  the  first  money  yt  is  *  *   * 

*  Vide  "  The  Friend,"  Vol.  xxviii.,  p.  372. 


106  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

"  It  was  no  small  surprise  to  me  after  a  long  and  expeucive 
"journey,  that  when  I  came  to  London  there  was  nothing  for 
"mee.  Sure  I  am  I  cleared  £7000  sterling  in  about  6  mos  with 
"the  mills, — tho  I  confess  I  never  expected  half  the  money  when 
"I  left.  But  in  nothing  there  is  no  sence.  But  I  hope  my  greate 
"Master  will  beare  up  my  spirit  above  all  my  exercises  *  *  * 
"poore  I  meets  with  them  thick  and  threefold.  It  is  true  I  had 
"  great  satisfaction  in  meeting  with  my  neare  and  dr  relatives^ 
"but  my  many  afflictions  droAvned  it  in  a  greate  measure  : 

"Oh  my  dr  frd,  my  fountain  is  bitter.  The  water  therefore 
"  must  need  be  bitter,  springing  from  it. 

"Oh  my  Greate  Master  (the  Grate  profit)  that  thee  would 
"please  to  sw^eeten  it  with  thy  Divine  Grace. 

"  Joyne  with  me  my  dr  frd  in  this  supplication  for  I  need  it. 
"Were  it  not,  that  the  Lord  hath  given  a  reward  for  my  servis 
"to  him,  Oh  surely  I  should  now  even  at  last  faint. 

"If  thou  think  meet,  let  her  see  this:  and  I  desire  thou  may 
"see  her:  the  Lord  bee  with  thee  and  thine  and  lett  His  Bless- 
"ing  rest  upon  you  and  upon  all  his  people. 

"Amen,  thy  frd  &c  &c 

"Tho.  Chalkley." 

Mr.  Howard  Edwards,  who  has  kindly  furnished  this  copy, 
remarks,  that  this  letter  referring  to  some  pecuniary  trials,  was 
written  during  a  religious  visit  to  Great  Britain.* 

During  the  latter  part  of  his  life,  Anthony  Morris  devoted 
nearly  the  whole  of  his  time  to  ministerial  labors  among  the 
Society  of  Friends.  The  first  time  he  obtained  a  minute  to 
travel  was  in  1708,  when  he  attended  the  yearly  meeting  at 
Chester,  Maryland,  and  performed  some  ministerial  services  on 
the  Eastern  Shore. 

The  following  is  a  minute  made  at  a  Monthly  ]\Ieeting  held 
in  Philadelphia  12th  mo.  23rd,  1710:— 

"Anthony  Morris  laid  before  this  meeting  that  it  had  been  on 
his  mind  a  considerable  time,  to  visit  Friends  in  New  England, 
and  desired  a  certificate.     In  order  thereto,  the  meetina-  desires 


*  Thomas  Chalkky  was  b.  in  South  wark,  England,  March  3,  1675,  and  d.  at 
Tortola,  West  Indies,  Sept.  4,  1741,  in  the  67th  year  of  his  age. 


SECOND    GENERATION.  107 

Thomas  Griffith  and  Pentecost  Teague  to  make  inquiry  into  his 
conversation  and  what  else  may  be  necessary  and  according  as 
they  find  tilings  to  write  a  certificate  against  the  next  monthly 
meeting  and  bring  it  hither  for  signing." 

At  a  Monthly  Meeting  held  in  Philadelphia  1st  mo.  30th,  1711  : 

"The  Friends  appointed  to  write  a  certificate  for  Anthony 
Morris,  brought  it  into  this  meeting,  but  there  being  something 
alledged  of  the  dissatisfaction  of  some  friends  belonging  to 
Newtown  meeting,  that  he  was  concerned  in  encouraging  the 
passing  of  the  marriage  of  William  Harrison  at  Newtown  meet- 
ing, without  the  consent  of  his  mother,  therefore  Thomas  Story, 
Griffith  Owen,  Richard  Hill  and  Isaac  Norris  or  any  three  of 
them  are  desired  to  assist  the  said  Anthony  that  they  may 
endeavor  to  reconcile  William  Harrison  and  his  mother,  and 
that  the  matter  of  difference  might  be  endeavored  to  be  reconciled 
between  those  friends  aforesaid." 

At  a  Monthly  Meeting  held  in  Philadelphia,  2d  mo.  27th, 
1711: 

"  The  Friends  appointed  to  assist  Anthony  Morris  in  recon- 
ciling those  Friends  that  something  had  been  alledged  to  the 
meeting  were  dissatisfied  with  him  in  encouraging  the  marriage 
of  William  Harrison  at  Newtown  Monthly  Meeting  make  report 
that  all  things  are  over  and  Friends  well  reconciled,  and  the 
said  Anthony's  certificate  was  again  brought  to  this  meeting, 
read  approved  and  signed. 

"To  the  Friends  of  New  England  and  parts  adjacent. 

"  Dear  friends  and  brethren  members  of  the  same  body 
whereof  Jesus  Christ  is  the  Holy  Head  in  whom  our  union  and 
fellowship  stands:  we  dearly  salute  you  all  and  give  you  to 
understand  that  our  friend  Anthony  Morris  laid  before  our  meet- 
ing that  for  a  considerable  time  he  hath  had  a  concern  upon  his 
mind  to  visit  friends  in  New  England,  and  requested  from  us  a 
certificate;  therefore  for  good  order  sake  some  friends  were 
appointed  to  make  inquiry  concerning  him. 

"  Now  these  may  certify  you  after  inquiry  made,  that  we  do 
not  find  but  that  his  conversation  is  answerable  to  his  profession, 
and  is  in  unity  with  the  body,  and  his  testimony  well  received 
amongst  us,  and  we  leave  him  to  his  liberty  in  the  Truth  to 


108  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

proceed,  desiring  the  Lord  may  be  with  him  and  give  him 
wisdom  and  ability  so  that  his  ministry  may  be  comfortable  and 
edifying  to  all  his  people  where  he  may  come ;  and  that  when 
his  service  shall  be  over  in  your  parts  he  may  be  pleased  by  his 
good  Providence  to  conduct  him  safe  unto  us  again  with  the 
reward  of  peace  in  his  bosom  to  our  mutual  comfort  with  desires 
to  the  Lord  for  the  peace  and  prosperity  of  Zion. 
"  We  conclude  and  subscribe     *     *     *     * 

"Signed  in  and  on  behalf  of  our  monthly  meeting  at  Phila- 
delphia 27th  of  2nd  month,  1711. 

"  Griffith  Ow^ex, 
"  Isaac  Norris, 
"  Thomas  Story, 

"  &  others." 

After  being  diligently  engaged  in  New  England,  Anthony 
Morris  returned  to  Philadelphia,  and  it  is  recorded  that  he  was 
again  at  the  Monthly  Meeting,  Philadelphia,  5tli  mo.  27th,  1711. 

In  the  year  1715,  Anthony  Morris  received  from  the  yearly 
meeting  of  ministering  friends,  at  Philadelphia,  the  18th,  19th 
and  20th  of  7th  month,  a  certificate  of  unity  with  him  for  a  visit, 
in  Gospel  love,  to  some  parts  of  Great  Britain,  and  he  received 
a  second  certificate,  to  the  same  effect,  from  the  Monthly  Meeting 
of  Friends  at  the  same  place,  on  the  30th  of  the  7th  mo.,  1715. 
In  the  Philadelphia  minutes  he  is  referred  to  at  this  time,  as 
"  our  antient  friend  Anthony  Morris." 

This  visit,  which  he  prosecuted  diligently,  was  principally 
confined  to  London,  where  the  fact  of  his  presenting  his  Certifi- 
cate is  recorded  in  the  minutes  of  the  London  Yearly  Meeting, 
oth  mo.  lOth,  1715. 

Besides  attending  the  Yearly  Meeting  in  London,  Anthony 
Morris  visited  various  places  in  the  southern  part  of  England. 
Having  devoted  considerable  time  there  in  the  service  of  the 
ministry,  he  returned  to  London,  and  applied  for  and  received 
his  certificate  from  the  London  Meeting  to  take  back  to  America, 
4th  mo.  25th,  1716.  Anthony  Morris  was  also  deputed  to  convey 
a  letter  from  the  Yearly  Meeting  in  London,  to  the  Yearly  Meet- 
ing of  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey.  The  minutes  of  the  Lon- 
don Meeting  referring  to  this  "  Certificate  "  and  "  Letter  "  are  here 
reproduced. 


■w^_« 


ANTHONY    MORRIS-    RECEIVES    CERTIFICATE    FROM    LONDON    YEARLY    MEETING,  4  MO.   25th,    1716 
FROM    THE    MINUTES   OF   THE    LONDON    YEARLY    MEETING   OF    FRIENDS 


SECOND    GENERATION.  109 

From  these  minutes,  it  would  seem  that  Anthony  Morris 
intended  to  return  to  America  at  once,  and  Ave  find  from  the 
Philadelphia  minutes  that  he  was  again  laboring  amongst  his 
friends  in  Philadelphia,  in  eleven  months  from  the  time  of  his 
leaving  them.  In  the  Monthly  Meeting  held  in  Philadelphia 
6th  mo.  30th,  1710,  the  following  minute  was  made:  "Anthony 
Morris  who  has  been  visiting  friends  in  some  parts  of  Europe 
now"  returned,  brought  a  Certificate  from  the  Second  day's  morn- 
ing meeting  in  London,  which  was  read  and  well  received." 
After  this,  Anthony  Morris  continued  much  about  Philadelphia, 
and  its  neighborhood,  yet  he  visited  Maryland  once  more.  In 
the  Burlington  Monthly  Meeting  records,  his  name  is  found 
attached  to  the  Marriage  Certificate  of  Caleb  Raj^er  and  Mary 
Goate,  married  at  Burlington  7th  mo.  10th,  1719. 

When  the  news  of  William  Penn's  death  in  August,  1718, 
reached  Pennsylvania,  it  called  forth  the  following  memorial, 
which  may  well  be  produced  as  an  answer  to  the  point  made  by 
Macaulay,  that  Penn,  in  his  last  days  was  forsaken  by  the  Society 
of  Friends.  The  memorial  has  the  signatures  of  forty-six 
persons  attached,  among  them  being  that  of  Anthony  Morris: — 

"A  testimony  of  Friends  in  Pennsylvania  concerning  their  deceased 
Friend  and  Governor  W,  Penn. 

"AVe  find  ourselves  under  obligation  and  concern,  both  in  duty  and 
affection,  to  give  this  mark  of  our  love  and  the  honorable  regard  we 
bear  to  the  memory  of  our  late  worthy  Governor  and  well  beloved 
friend  Wm.  Penn,  though  it  may  not  be  our  part  to  attempt  so  ample 
and  general  a  testimony  as  seems  justly  called  for.  By  his  early  con- 
vincement  of  the  blessed  truth,  his  noble  resignation  thereunto,  his 
steadfastness  therein,  and  great  services  to  the  church  of  Christ,  as  well 
as  by  incessant  labors  in  word  and  doctrine  (made  more  extensive  by 
the  many  excellent  writings  he  hath  published)  as  his  valiant  sufferings 
for  purity  of  worship,  and  the  testimony  he  had  received,  which,  to  him, 
might  be  the  greater  trial  and  conflict,  his  birth  and  station  in  the 
world  placing  him  more  in  the  notice  of  those  of  high  rank  amongst 
men  than  was  commonly  ye  lot  of  many  others  of  our  worthy  elders. 
Neither  can  it,  we  presume,  be  forgotten  how,  when  it  pleased  the  Lord 
to  give  some  ease  to  his  people  this  our  dear  friend  employed  the  interest 
he  then  had  with  success,  and  devoted  his  time  and  purse  to  serve  not 
only  his  friends  in  their  religious  liberties,  but  them  and  others  distressed, 
or  any  wanting  favor  even  to  ye  neglect  of  his  own  just  interest.     But 


110  GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MORRIS  FAMILY. 

these  memorials  we  leave  to  be  made  by  those  of  our  woi'thy  elders  in 
Great  Britain,  who  have  more  instances  and  greater  knowledge  of  those 
his  traits,  services  and  labors,  than  many  of  us  can  be  presumed  to  be  so 
fully  acquainted  with. 

"Yet  it  becomes  us  particularly  to  say,  that  as  he  was  our  Governor 
he  merited  from  us  love  and  true  honor;  and  we  cannot  but  have  the 
same  regard  to  his  memory,  when  we  consider  the  blessings  and  ease  we 
have  enjoyed  under  his  govei-nment,  and  are  rightly  sensible  of  his  care, 
affection  and  regard  always  shewn  with  anxious  concern  for  the  safety 
and  prosperity  of  the  people,  who  many  of  them,  removed  from  com- 
fortable livings  to  be  adventurers  with  him,  not  so  much  with  views  of 
better  acquisitions  or  greater  riches,  but  with  the  laudable  prospect  of  a 
retired  quiet  habitation  for  themselves  and  posterity,  and  the  promotion 
of  truth  and  virtue  in  the  earth. 

"And  as  his  love  was  great,  and  endeavors  constant  for  the  happiness 
of  his  friends,  countrymen  and  fellow  subjects,  so  was  his  great  ten- 
derness, justice  and  love  towards  the  Indians,  from  first  to  last  always 
conspicuous  and  remarkable.  Here  we  cannot  but  gratefully  and 
humbly  acknowledge  to  the  gracious  God  of  all  our  mercies,  the  wonder- 
ful preservation  of  this  colony  from  such  injuries  and  barbarous  depre- 
dations as  have  befallen  most  others :  and  add,  that  we  believe  the  same 
love  wherewith  the  Lord  had  so  fully  and  effectually  operated  on  the 
heart  of  this  our  worthy  friend,  was  the  chief  and  durable  motive  of 
that  his  affection  and  kind  behavior  towards  those  people ;  and  was  the 
cause,  as  he  was  made  a  means,  of  this  our  peace  and  preservation ;  so 
that  his  name  remains  precious  even  amongst  the  heathens. 

"  More  might  be  truly  said  of  him,  as  he  was  ye  Proprietary  and 
Governor  of  this  province,  and  we  now  find  it  our  duty  (incited  thereto 
by  the  love  of  our  Heavenly  Father  in  our  souls,)  to  add  a  few  lines 
concerning  him,  as  he  was  our  worthy  Elder,  friend  and  brother  in  the 
blessed  truth ;  many  of  us  having  been  often  comforted,  edified  and 
solaced  with  him  in  the  enjoyment  thereof.  As  was  his  testimony,  so 
was  his  conversation,  edifying  and  lovely,  administering  grace  and 
knowledge.  His  behavior  was  sweet  and  engaging,  and  his  condescen- 
sion great;  even  to  the  weakest  and  meanest,  affable  and  of  easy  access; 
tender  of  every  person  and  thing  that  had  simplicity  of  truth  or  honesty 
for  foundation. 

"It  was  our  comfort  to  understand  that,  after  all  his  various  troubles, 
trials  and  afflictions,  when  in  an  advanced  age,  infirmity  of  body,  and  a 
distemper  which  affected  his  memory  in  most  other  things  which  befel 
him,  yet  the  love  of  God  remained  with  him,  and  his  sense  thereof  was 
frequently  strong  and  evident,  and,  we  doubt  not,  the  blessing  of  the 
Almighty  was  his  Omega. 


SECOND    GENERATION. 


Ill 


"So  that  we  have  assured  hope,  those  aftlietioas  being  put  off'  with  his 
mortal  body,  immortality  is  given  him  by  our  Lord  Jesus,  and  as  he 
faithfully  bore  ye  cross,  the  crown  (which  was  his  hope  and  long  since  in 
his  eye)  in  his  possession  ;  and  his  soul  received  into  that  bliss  prepared 
and  appointed  for  the  righteous. 

"Signed  at  the  time  of  our  general  meeting,  held  in  Phihidelphia, 
the  16th  First  mo.,  1718-9  by 


"  Richard  Hill, 

"  Thomas  Masters, 

"  William  Carter, 

"John  Goodson, 

"  Wm.  Hudson, 

"  Robert  Jones, 

"Benj.  Mendenhall, 

"Rees  Thomas, 

"  David  Brintnall, 

"  Nath.  Stanbury, 

"  Robert  David, 

"  Owen  Roberts, 

"  Francis  Daniel  Pastorius, 

"  Denis  Conners, 

"  Peter  Shoemaker, 

"  Randall  Malin, 

"  Jona't  Dickinson, 

"Isaac  Norris, 

"  John  Wright, 

"  Sam'l  Preston, 

"  Hugh  Durborrow, 

"Adam  Harker, 

"  Ralph  Jackson, 

"Christ'n  Blackburn, 


Pentecost  Teague, 
Edmond  Orpwood, 
Jona'th  Cockshaw, 
Evan  Owen, 
Edward  Jones, 
Cadwaleder  Evan, 
Wm.  Routlidge, 
WiLLOBY  Warder, 
Nicholas  Waln, 
Anthony  Morris, 
Caleb  Pusey, 
Jos.  Kirkbridge, 
David  Lloyd, 
John  Salkild, 
Thos.  Lightfoot, 
AVm.  Baldwin, 
Wm.  Lawrence, 
Edw^\rd  Rees, 
Thos.  Griffith, 
Richard  Towns  end, 
Rowland  Ellis, 
Joseph  Mather, 
Richard  Warder, 
John  Moore." 


After  completing  his  term  of  office  as  "  Mayor,"  Anthony 
Morris^  continued  to  sit  in  the  Common  Council  as  "  Alderman." 

On  22nd  May,  1710,  his  name  appears  as  a  Subscriber  of  £5 
towards  the  Building  of  a  new  Market  House  in  Philadelphia. 

On  several  occasions  he  was  deputed  to  assist  in  seeing  "  the 
various  Bridges  of  the  City  put  in  proper  repair." 

On  4th  Julv,  1720.^=  it  is  recorded  that  "  Alderman  Morris, 


Vide  Minutes  of  Common  Council,  p.  V, 


112  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

"Alderman  Dickinson,  Alderman  Norris  and  Alderman  Logan  do 
"undertake  to  lend  the  sum  of  One  Hundred  pounds  each  for 
"Building  ffort}^  New  Market  Stalls." 

The  last  record  of  Anthony  Morris'  attendance  in  the  Council 
Chamber  is  9th  Oct.,  1721.*  On  the  7th  Oct.,  1721,  an  order  had 
been  made  that  an  answer  to  the  Speech  of  the  governor  upon 
the  Election  of  the  Mayor,  should  be  prepared  "b}^  the  Mayor, 
Alderman  Hill,  Alderman  Morris,  Alderman  Trent  and  Clement 
Plumsted." 

But  Alderman  Morris  was  not  permitted  to  perform  his  part 
in  preparing  that  document,  for  the  Angel  was  already  waiting 
at  the  Door  to  summon  him  to  higher  duties.  His  health,  which 
had  been  exceedingly  good,  until  after  the  Philadeli^hia  yearly 
meeting  of  Friends  in  the  7th  mo.,  1721,  then  suddenly  became 
impaired.  He  was  attacked  with  a  "paralytic  disorder,"  which 
principalh^  affected  his  speech.  From  this  he  only  partially 
recovered,  and  he  was  soon  afterwards  seized  in  the  8th  mo.  with 
an  overwhelming  attack  of  Apoplexy,  to  which  he  succumbed 
8th  mo.,  23rd,  1721,  only  a  fortnight  after  he  had  been  activel}^ 
engaged  in  the  deliberations  of  the  City  Fathers. 

His  death  was  a  public  loss,  and  many  friends  and  neighbors, 
as  well  as  "friends  from  the  adjacent  county  meetings,"  attended 
his  funeral,  and  his  interment  in  the  Friends  Burial  ground  in 
the  City  of  Philadelj^hia. 

".1  Testimony  from  the  Monthly-Meeting  of  Philadelphia  con- 
"  cerning  Anthony  Morris. 

"Our  Ancient  and  well  esteemed  friend  Anthony  Morris,  was 
"  a  member  of  this  meeting  at  the  early  institution  thereof,  and 
"  in  the  year  1701  appeared  in  the  ministry,  and  being  obedient 
"  and  faithful,  he  soon  became  acceptable  and  edifying,  being 
"  sound  in  word  and  doctrine.  He  was  advanced  to  his  forty- 
"  seventh  year  when  he  engaged  in  this  service,  and  having  a 
"  prospect  of  a  great  work  before  him,  requiring  his  close  appli- 
"  cation,  he  drew  his  worldly  business  into  a  narrow  compass, 
"and  devoted  his  time  principally  to  the  service  of  truth;  not 
"  only  visiting  neighbouring  meetings,  but  also  travelled  through 
"New. Jersey,  Long  Island,  Rhode  Island,  New  England   and 

*  Vide  Minutes  of  Common  Council,  p.  198. 


SECOND    GENERATION.  113 

"  Maryland :  and  about  the  year  1715  performed  a  visit  to 
"friends  in  South  Britain.  He  was  early  appointed  a  clerk  of 
"  our  monthly-meeting,  which  service  he  performed  many  years 
"  to  satisfaction ;  being  zealous  and  serviceable  in  the  discipline, 
"  a  diligent  attender  of  all  religious  meetings,  careful  in  observ- 
"  ing  the  time  appointed  and  often  concerned  to  exhort  such  to 
"  amendment  as  were  remiss  herein. 

"  In  the  eighth  month  1721  his  speech  was  much  affected  by 
"  frequent  attacks  of  a  paralytick  disorder,  but  his  understanding 
"ing  remaining  clear  and  being  favoured  with  the  enjoyment  of 
"divine  love,  he  was  enabled  to  utter  some  sentences  to  those  that 
"visited  him,  saying,  'That  if  consistent  with  the  divine  will 
" '  the  time  of  his  dissolution  was  at  hand,  it  would  be  more  joy- 
" '  ous  to  dejDart  now,  than  continue  longer  in  the  body.'  Yet 
"  expressed  his  free  resignation  to  the  will  of  God,  and  in  an 
"humble  tender  frame  of  spirit  mentioned  the  testimony  Christ 
"  gave  concerning  the  woman  who  poured  on  his  head  the  pre- 
"  cious  ointment,  saying  'He  was  favoured  with  the  evidence  in 
" '  himself,  that  he  had  done  what  he  could  and  felt  peace,' 
"  Expressing  at  the  same  time,  '  That  his  hope  for  eternal  sal- 
"' vation  was  alone  in  the  mercy  of  God  through  his  Son  Christ 
" '  Jesus,  the  only  saviour  and  mediator.'  Some  friends  who 
"  were  going  to  attend  a  neighbouring  yearly  meeting  coming  to 
"  visit  him,  he  took  an  affectionate  leave  of  them,  saying  '  Re- 
" '  member  my  dear  love  to  friends  in  general ;  tell  them  I  am 
"  '  going  and  all  is  well.' 

"He  departed  this  life  the  23^*  of  the  eighth  month,  1721, 
"  aged  sixty -seven  years,  and  on  the  25*''  his  corpse  was  borne  to 
"  our  meeting  house  in  High  Street,  accompanied  by  many 
"  friends  and  neighbours,  as  well  as  friends  from  the  adjacent 
"  county  meetings,  and  thence  to  our  burial  ground  in  this  city 
"  where  it  was  interr'd.  Concerning  whom  we  hope,  he  hath  ob- 
"  tained  an  entrance  into  the  mansions  prepared  by  Christ  Jesus, 
"  for  those  who  continue  faithful  to  the  end  of  their  time  here, 
"as  did  this  our  friend.''* 


*  Extracted  from  "A  collection  of  Memorials  concerning  divers  Ministers 
and  others  of  the  People  called  Quakers  in  Pennsylvania,  New  Jersey  and 
parts  adjacent  from  nearby  the  first  Settlement  thereof  to  the  year  1787," 
Philadelphia,  mdcclxxxvii.!, 


114  GENEALOGY   OF   THE   MORRIS    FAMILY. 

The  following  notice  of  Elizabeth  (Watson)  Morris  (4th 
wife  of  Anthony  Morris)  appeared  in  the  Pennsylvania  Gazette 
for  February  12,  1767. 

"On  Monday,  the  second  instant,  departed  this  life  in  the  94th 
"  year  of  her  age,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Morris  in  whom  were  happil}" 
"united  the  Christian  and  Gentlewoman,  by  virtue  of  which 
"  amiable  endowments  she  passed  through  the  various  scenes  of 
"her  long  life  with  honour,  justly  meriting  the  universal  Regard 
"paid  her  by  all  Ranks.  She  was  blessed  with  an  uncommon 
"share  of  health,  until  near  the  close  of  life,  and  then  bore  the 
"gradual  decay  of  nature  and  the  prospect  of  her  important 
"change,  with  truly  Christian  Fortitude,  had  her  senses  pre- 
" served  to  the  last  Period,  and  continued  to  manifest  her 
"  knowledge  of  the  Christian  Religion  by  her  humble  confidence 
"in  God,  and  love  to  her  Fellow-Creatures.  Thursday  following, 
"her  remains  were  attended  by  a  large  number  of  her  Fellow- 
"  Citizens  to  the  Burial  place  of  the  Quakers,  whose  principles 
"she  adopted  in  the  early  part  of  her  life,  . 

"  and  lived  and  died  a  worthy  member  of 
"  the  Society." 


%(i2'.  t/m^ 


In  the  next  issue  of  the  Pennsylvania  Gazette  on  February 
19,  1767,  the  following  second  notice  of  her  appeared  : 

"To  the  Printer." 

"Tho'  I  believe  the  character  of  Elizabeth  Morris  inserted 
"in  the  last  Gazette  to  be  just,  yet  I  think  the  following  Particu- 
"  lars  (perhaps  unknown  to  the  Essayist  of  that  account)  are  worth 
"preserving.  She  was  born  at  Elizabeth  Town  in  New  Jersey, 
"married  to  Anthony  Morris,  in  1700,  lived  with  him  above 
"  Twenty  years,  and  survived  him  about  forty-six  years,  and  her 
"  conduct  in  every  station  of  life  was  truly  honourable." 

"  Her  husband  was  a  noted  preacher  among  Friends,  one  of 
"the  first  settlers,  and  held  considerable  oflfices  in  the  Govern- 
"ment  of  this  City  and  Province,  and  some  of  his  Descendants 
"(by  preceding  wives)  of  the  fifth  generation  followed  the  Corpse 
"  of  his  widow  to  the  place  of  interment. 

"A.  B." 


SECOND    GENERATIOX.  115 

Another  reference  to  the  death  of  Elizabeth  Morris  is  to  be 
found  in  a  letter  from  William  Logan  to  his  brother  John 
Smith  of  Burlington,  dated  3rd  February,  1767 : — 

"I  suppose  a  messenger  has  been  sent  to-day  to  inform  you 
"of  the  death  of  our  ancient  friend — Eliza:  Morris.  She 
"departed  last  night  half  after  ten  very  easy  and  without 
"struggle.  They  propose  to  bury  her  on  5tli  day  at  3  o'clock  in 
"the  afternoon.  May  our  end  be  as  hers.  I  think  I  should 
"desire  no  better  for  myself." 

Anthony  Morris-  by  his  1st  wife, — Mary  Jones — had  issue: — 

3.  SrsAXNA Morris,  b.  in  London  March  7,  1676/7  "dyed  about  6 yrs old." 

4.  Mary  Morris,  b.  in  London  7mo.  18,  1678  ;  "and  departed  this  life  one 

year  old." 
0.     Anthony  Morris,  b.  in  London  2mo.  24,  1680  ;  "Dyed  about  one  yeare 
ould. ' ' 

6.  Anthony'  Morris,  b.  in  London  March  15,  1681/2  ;!d.  in  Phila.  9mo.  23, 

1763  ;  m.  3mo.  10,  1704  Phoebe  Guest. 

7.  John  Morris,  b.  in  Burlington  2mo.  17,  1685  ;  d.  4mo.  12,  1690,  Phila. 

8.  Samuel  Morris,  b.  in  Phila.  12mo.  28,  1686/7 ;  d.  Nov.  2,  1689. 

9.  James  Morris,  b.  Phila.  5mo.  8,  1688  ;  d.  lOmo.  31,  1747  at  Duck  Creek, 

Del.  ;  m.  Imo.  8,  1709  Margaret  Cook. 

Anthony  Morris  b}^  2d  Wife — x4.gnes  Bom — had  no  issue. 
Anthony  Morris  by  3d  Wife — Mary  Coddington — had  issue  : 

10.  William  Morris,  b.  in  Phila.  omo.  23,  1695  ;    d.  llmo.  6,  1776  ;  m.  1st 

llmo.  14,  1718  Sarah  Dury ;  m.    2dly  llmo.  2,  1752  Eebecca  Cad- 
walader. 

11.  Elizabeth  Morris,  b.  in  Phila.  4mo.  28,  1697 ;  m.  1st  lOmo.  13,  1716 

Samuel  Lewis  ;  m.  2dly  William  Dury. 

12.  Joseph  Morris,  b.  in  Phila.  3nio.  12,  1699 ;  d.  Phila.  5mo.  25,  1699. 

Anthony  Morris  by  4th  wife — Elizabeth  Watson — had  issue : 

13.  Isaac  Morris,  b.  in  Phila.  lOmo.  24,  1701 ;  d.  Phila.  after  lOmo.  24, 

1755  (date  of  the  Will  of  his  mother  Elizabeth  Morris). 

14.  Sarah  Morris,  b.  in  Phila.  llmo.  16, 1703/4 ;  d.  unm.  Phila.  Oct.  24, 1775. 
.      15.     LsRAEL  Morris,  b.  in  Phila.  lOmo.  25,  1705  ;  d.  in  Phila.  1729. 

16.  Luke  Morris,  b.  in  Phila.  8mo.  25,  1707 ;  d.  in  Phila.  llmo.  17,  1793  ; 

m.  2mo.  1749  Mary  Eichards. 

17.  Hannah  Morris,  b.  in  Phila.  5mo.  4,  1717  ;  d.  unm.  in  Phila.  6mo.  25, 

1741,  "after  an  illness  of  about  a  week,  and  was  interred  ye  eve  of 
same  day." 
Hannah  Morris:  Will  dated  25th,  6th  mo.  (Aug.),  17:39;  proved 
Phila.  28th  Aug.,  1741.  Leaves  to  "dear  brothers  Isaac  and  Luke 
Morris  "  10  pounds  each.  Leaves  Eesidue  to  her  "  honored  JMother 
Elizabeth  Morris"  and  her  "dear  sister  Sarah  Morris."  Exec- 
utors :  Elizabeth  Morris  and  Sarah  Morris.  Witnesses  :  Edward 
Shippen,  William  Logan,  Israel  Pemberton. 


116  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORmS    FAMILY. 


ABSTRACT  OF  WILL 
OF  ANTHONY  MORRIS,^  ("IMMIGRANT"). 

Eecorded  in  Will  Book  D,  p.  199,  Office  of  Register  of  Wills,  Philadelphia. 

Anthony  Morris,  Sr.,  of  City  of  Philadelphia,  Penna., 
Merchant,  will  dated  10th-5th  mo.  (July)  1721.  He  gives  and 
confirms  to  son  Anthony  Morris  his  bank  and  water  lot  in  Phila- 
delphia with  Brewhouse,  Malthouses,  brewing  utensils,  negroes, 
horses,  and  cattle  (except  one  cow  which  he  intends  for  his  wife). 
He  gives  his  son  Anthony  also  his  interest  in  a  mortgage  which 
they  held  jointly  from  John  Roads,  of  Whitemarsh,  for  securing 
a  loan  of  £250. 

He  gives  his  messuage  and  lot  in  Philadelphia  wherein  he 
resides,  bounded  eastward  with  the  Front  Street,  southward  with 
Morris'  Alley,  westward  with  his  lot  in  possession  of  William 
Gray  and  northward  with  his  messuage  and  lot  late  in  posses- 
sion of  Rachel  Reiner  with  the  garden  within  fence  to  Anthony 
Morris  and  Israel  Pemberton  in  trust  for  his  "dear  and  loving 
wife  Elizabeth,"  during  the  time  she  continues  unmarried.  Upon 
her  intermarriage  or  decease,  it  is  to  revert  to  and  be  disposed  of 
as  part  of  the  residuary  of  his  estate ;  in  which  case  if  any  of  his 
sons  or  grandsons  be  able  and  willing  to  purchase  the  same,  for 
the  keeping  thereof  in  his  "name  and  family,  they  shall  have  it 
sold  unto  them  and  their  heirs  for  one  hundred  pounds  cheaper 
than  the  real  value  thereof." 

To  his  wife  Elizabeth  gives  plate  to  value  of  £20  and  house- 
hold goods  to  value  of  £50,  one  milch  cow,  and  £300  in  money 
or  goods. 

He  gives  to  son  James  Morris  £10  besides  what  part  of  his 
estate  he  formerly  made  over  to  James. 

He  gives  to  son  William  Morris  £100  besides  what  he  for- 
merly gave  him. 

He  releases  son  William  Morris  and  his  sister  Elizabeth  from 
all  book  debts. 

He  gives  to  son  Isaac  £230  at  age  of  21  years. 

He  gives  to  daughters  Sarah  and  Hannah  £200  apiece  at  21 
years  of  age,  or  at  marriage  (if  with  the  consent  of  their  mother). 


SECOND    GENERATIOX.  117 

He  gives  to  sons  Israel  and  Luke  £200  apiece  to  be  [)aid  upon 
reaching  21  years  of  age. 

He  orders  that  whilst  his  wife  Elizabeth  remains  his  widow, 
she  shall  be  paid  annually  £15  apiece  for  each  of  his  and  her 
children,  viz:  Sarah,  Luke,  and  Hannah,  until  they  severally 
attain  21  years,  towards  their  maintenance  and  education  in 
their  minority. 

To  each  of  his  son  Anthony's  children  he  gives  £o  apiece, 
upon  their  respectively  reaching  21  years. 

To  "every  one"  of  his  other  grandchildren  he  gives  £5  apiece 
at  21  years  of  age  or  marriage. 

To  Israel  Pemberton  he  gives  "  £20  to  be  paid  to  20  such  poor 
persons  as  the  men's  monthly  meeting  of  the  people  called 
Quakers  at  Philadelphia  for  the  time  being  shall  appoint." 

He  empowers  his  Executors  any  time  after  his  son  Luke  has 
attained  or  should  have  attained  the  age  of  21  years,  to  sell  all 
his  unimproved  lands  in  the  counties  of  Philadelphia  or  Chester, 
and  the  residue  of  his  "messuages,  mills,  parts  in  mills,  lots, 
lands,  tenements,  rents  and  hereditaments."  Residuary  to  be 
equally  divided  between  his  eight  children,  James  Morris, 
William  Morris,  Elizabeth  Lewis,  Isaac  Morris,  Sarah  JNIorris, 
Israel  Morris,  Luke  iNIorris  and  Hannah  Morris. 

The  share  of  the  first  one  to  die  under  21  years  to  go  to  his 
grandson  Anthony. 

Should   all    attain   the   age   of  21 — grandson   Anthony  is  to 
receive  £50  more  than  the  £5  to  be  paid  him  at  21  years. 

His  wearing  apparel  not  to  be  apj)raised,  but  delivered  to 
his  wife. 

Executors:  Anthony  Morris  of  Philadelphia,  Brewer,  and- 
Israel  Pemberton  of  Philadelphia,  Merchant. 


(Signed) 


Witnesses : 


Ql^.-flhwu' 


Caspar  Wustee. 
Jos'*-  Lawrence. 
Isaac  Brown. 


118  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

First  Codicil,  dated  18th  6mo.,  1721,  directs  £20  to  be  paid 
yearly  to  wife  Elizabeth  during  the  minority  of  son  Luke,  also 
gives  his  neoro  man  Martin  to  his  wife. 


Witnesses, 


(Signed)  Antho.  Morris. 


John  Wilson. 

George  Sheed. 
Elizabeth  Hill. 

Second  Codicil,  dated  31st  6mo.,  1721,  directs  that  his  son 
Anthony  shall  supply  his  "  wife  and  her  family  with  beer 
and  ale  as  usual  for  the  space  of  one  whole  year  after"  his 
decease. 

(Signed)  Antho.  Morris. 

(No  witnesses.) 

Proved  at  Philadelphia 

Peter  Evans  Reg.  Gen.  Nov.  2,  1721. 


COPY  OF  INVENTORY 

ACCOMPANYING  THE  WILL  OF  ANTHONY  MORRIS-— 

THE  "IMMIGRANT." 

Philada-     Inventory  of  Snndreys  of  the  Estate  of  Anthony  Morris  Sr  apprd  as 
showed  us  by  his  Executrs  this  3^^  9i^er  1721. 

Imprimis.    His  wearing  apparrel  given  by  AYill  to  his  wife  or 

widdow.  £        s.       d. 

In  Cash  Silver  and  Gold, 11        7        7 

158-1/2  oz  Plate  viz  3  Tankards  and  a  Cann,  5  Porringers,  a 

Salver,  2  Salt  &1  Spoon  all  at  6/10-1/2  per  oz., 54        9        8^ 

83-3/4  oz  Do  viz  a  Sugar  Box,  2  Chaf  dishes,  1  Small  Tankard 
pepper  &  mustard  boxes,  4  spoons,  1  Sweet  Meat  do,  &  a 
silver  handle  of  a  Mother  of  Pearl  Spoon  and  a  Spoon 
ladle  all  at  6/-per  oz, 24      18        6 

In  the  front  chamber 

A  feather  bed,  new  fianders  Tickin  bolster  and  pillow,  3 
old  Blanketts  "White  Quilt  &  Sheets,  Bedstead,  Dyaper 

Curtains  &  Yallins  head  cts  &  Tester, 12        8        0 

3  pr  Window  Curtains  &  Pods, 10        0 

Chest  of  Drawers  &  Table, 10        0        0 

1  pr  Holland  Sheets, 1        5        0 

6  Napkins  Table  Clo  &  Chest  Drawers  Clo,     2      10        0 


SECOND    GENERATION. 


119 


3  pr  Sheets  (7v,  14/-pr, 2        2  0 

2  Draper  Table  Cloths, 2        5  0 

1  Doz  Dyaper  Napkins, 19  6 

10  Pillow  cases,        10  0 

Callico  Table  Cloth, 4  0 

A  Looking  glass, 1       15  0 

8  Cancl  Chairs  @  14/-pr 5      12  0 

4  Do  Elbow  @  IS^pr, 3      12  0 

1  Look  glass,      8  0 

A  feather  bed  &  furnitnre  viz  bolster  2  small  pillows  3  old 

blanketts  2  sheets  1  Quilt  and  Sacking  bottom  bedstead,  7  0  0 
Chest  Drawers  Table  Dressing  Box  and  Swinging  glass, 

said  to  be  given  Sarah,  valued  £4, 0        0  0 

19  old  chairs  @,  3/, 2      17  0 

In  the  Garrett  a  Skreen, 2        0  0 

4  Feather  beds,  bolster  and  pillows  300ib  at  14d,  ......  17      10  0 

1  Sacking  bottom  AValnut  bedstead  &  Rods  Camblett  Cur- 

tains .2  Quilts  Eiigg  &  2  Sheets,    3        0  0 

Bedstead,  Curtains  &  Yallins, 1       10  0 

A  Hammock, 1        5  0 

A  Suit  of  Curtains  &  Yallins, 10  0 

A  Chest  of  Drawers, 15  0 

An  old  Couch, 8  0 

A  Trunk  &  Chest, 10  0 

4  pr  Sheets, 2        0  0 

Cott  bed  &  Bedding,  2  bolsters,  a  sheet  &  Rugg, 2        0  0 

Brass  Andirons,  tare  Shovell  Tongs  &  Bellows, 1        4  0 

An  old  Iron  beam, 1       10  0 

Brasses  Skillett  Etc., 18  0 

2  Bedsteads  Sacking  &  cord, 1        2  6 

Lumber  &  Chest  &  a  table, 8  0 

A  feather  Bedd  &  2  Pillows, 2        0  0 

An  old  Chest  Drawers, 15  0 

Table  Linnen, 6  0 

Books — Edward  Burroughs  Works.    Councill  of  Trent.    N. 

England  judged.     Barclay's  Apologj^, 1        0  0 

In  ve  Parlour  Clock  &  Case, 3        0  0 

^Ovall  Table, 1      10  0 

Spice  box  &  Looking  glass, 2       10  0 

6  Long  backt  Lowther  chairs, 3        0  0 

6  Low  backt        do     &  1  do      2        0  0 

1  pr  Iron  Doggs  &  child's  chair, 12  0 

2  Maps  &  9  pr  Earthen  &  China  Ware, 12  0 

In  the  Clossett  Glass  Bottles,  etc, 10  0 

In  the  Dinning  Room  An  Ovall  Table, 1        4  0 

A  Square  table  &  chest  of  Drawers  &  Dressing  box  &  Stand,  4        0  0 

Black  frame  Looking  glass, 1        5  0 

5  Old  Turkey  work  chairs  @,  2/6  ps, 12  6 

fireshovel  Tongs  &  Dogs, 10  0 

In  the  Kitchin  8  New  Pewter  Dishes  &  basons  w'  33tr  @  15<3,    .213 


9 

2 

10 

0 

5 

6 

0 

0 

1() 

0 

10 

0 

15 

0 

12 

0 

15 

0 

l(i 

0 

10 

0 

12 

0 

12 

0 

0 

0 

a 

0 

4 

0 

2 

6 

(i 

0 

6 

10 

120  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

2  Doz  &  1  New  Pewter  plates  @  14  ds  doz, 1 

70  lbs  of  Pewter  Dishes  Plates  Basons  etc  @  12d,     ....        3 
Tinn  Ware, 

1  Large  Brass  Kettle  SG'bs  (^  20d, :5 

3  Smaller  old  do, 

3  Skilletts  1  brass  cover, 

2  Warm  panns, 

4  Brass  Candlesticks  1  Mortar  &  rimb,      

2  Iron  potts  &  cover, 

Jack  2  spitts  &  Drippin, 1 

Doggs  &  fender, 1 

Fire  Shovell  Tongs  Pott  hanger,      

Frying  pann  gridiron  Trivett  &  Chaffdish, 

2  Tables,  a  cubboard  &   Stools   Lignum  A'itte  IMortar  & 

Lumber, 1 

18  ps  of  Crocker}", 

2  Old  leather  chairs, 

Lumber  in  ye  celler, 

An  old  pewter  pastry  pann,      ' 

11  Napkins,    . 


Appraised  by  us  to  the  Sum  of  Two  hundred  &  Twenty  Six  pounds,  nine- 
teen shill  &  Oi<i 

JOSEPH  SHIPPEN 
JOS.  ANTROBUS 


WILL    OF 

MARY  (CODDINGTON)  MORRIS,  nee  HOWARD. 

Will  Book  A,  p.  516,  Office  of  Register  of  Wills,  Philadelphia. 

"  I,  Mary  Morris,  wife  of  Anthony  Morris  of  Phyladelphia  in 
Pennsylvania  (formerly  Mary  Coddington  of  Rhode  Island, 
widow),"  "  Pursuant  to  a  certain  bond  or  writing  obligatory 
under  the  hand  and  seal  of  the  s*^  Anthony,  my  dear  husband 
unto  me  before  our  intermarriage  bearing  date  the  first  of  the 
eleventh  mp.,  1693  with  condition  for  the  payment  of  fifty 
pounds  Boston  money  as  therein  mentioned,  Do  make  this  my 
last  will  and  testament  touching  the  said  sum  in  manner  follow- 
ing. That  is  to  sa}^  I  give  and  bequeath  the  s**  sum  of  Fifty 
l^ounds  unto  my  Daughter  Mary  Coddington,  Provided  never- 
theless and  my  will  is  that  if  the  s'^  Mary  Coddington  shall  come 
into  the  inheritance  and  possession  of  that  Estate  of  Lands  and 


SECOND    GENERATION.  121 

Tenements  in  Rhode-Island  given  by  my  former  husband, 
Thomas  Coddington  unto  William  Coddington  his  son  (deceased 
brother  of  the  said  Mary  Coddington).  Tlien  I  give  and  bequeath 
the  s"^  sum  of  fifty  pounds  unto  my  brother  John  Howard  of 
Phyladelphia.  But  if  my  said  Daughter  Mary  shall  not  inherit 
the  s''  lands  and  tenements.  Then  I  give  the  s*^  sum  of  Fifty 
pounds  and  all  the  interest  thereof  unto  my  s*^  Brother  untill  my 
s*^  Daughter  shall  come  unto  her  full  age  or  day  of  her  marriage, 
which  shall  first  happen  and  then  to  be  paid  to  her,  her  Exor^,  or 
Adm'"^,  and  if  my  s*^  daughter  shall  hajDpen  to  dye  unmarryed 
and  before  her  full  age  as  afores*^.  Then  m}^  will  is  That  the  s'^ 
John  Howard  shall  keep  and  detain  the  s'^  sum  of  fifty  pounds 
unto  himself,  his  Exor^,  Adult's  and  Assigns  as  his  and  their  own 
proper  mone}^  for  ever.  And  I  make  my  Dear  brother  Edward 
Shippen  of  Phyladelphia  Exor  of  this  my  Will. 

"  Witness  my  hand  and  seal  the  five  and  twentieth  day  of 
the  seventh  month  1699. 

mark  of 

"  Mary  (M)  Morris. 
"  Witnesses, 

"  Rebekah  Shippen. 
"  Eliz"^"  Knowles. 

mark  of   "  RaCHEL    SaY    ReEVES. 

"  AVill  proved  in  Philadelphia,  7  Oct.,  1699." 


ABSTRACT  OF  WILL  OF  ELIZABETH  MORRIS,— WIDOW 
OF  ANTHONY  MORRIS^  ("IMMIGRANT"). 

Elizabeth  Morris  of  Philadelphia, — Widow — Will  dated 
24"'  10mo-17o5.* 

Gives  to  her  son,  Luke  INIorris,  her  dwelling  house  and  lot 
"  bounding  upon  Front  Street  and  Dock  Street,  on  condition  that 
he  shall  pay  to  his  brother,  Isaac  and  his  sister,  Sarah,  £50 
apiece  yearly,  also  to  Luke  Morris  she  gives  a  '  silver  cann  and 
Porringer,"  four  silver  spoons,  a  feather  bed  and  6  cane  chairs. 

*Vide  Will  Book  O,  p.  113,  Philadelphia. 


122  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

She  gives  to  son  Isaac  Morris  a  silver  taiikard,  a  silver  porringer 
and  two  spoons.  To  the  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends  gives  £o. 
Residue  to  Sarah  Morris,  her  daughter.  Executors: — Luke 
Morris  and  Sarah  Morris. 

(Signed)  Eliz'^".  Morris. 

Witnesses : 

Edward  Cathrall. 
Edw''  Pennington. 
Abel  James. 

Proved  at  Philadelphia,  March  16,  1767. 

ABSTRACT  OF  WILL  OF  CORNELIUS  BOM.       . 

Among  Philadelphia  Wills. 

Cornelius  Bom,  Baker,  late  dwelling  in  Rotterdam,  dated 
1675,  20th  April,  new  style.  Original  and  translation  recorded, 
12th  of  1st  month,  1689.  Translation  by  John  De  la  Vail. 
Administration  granted  C.  T.  A.  to  his  wife  Agnes  Bom. 

"Upon  the  twentieth  of  Aprill,  new  stile,  1675,  appeared 
before  mee  Jacob  Van  Oberfelt,  Notary  Publick  appointed  by  the 
States  General  of  Holland,  dwelling  in  Rotterdam,  and  also 
before  the  witnesses  after  mentioned,  Cornelius  Bom,  Baker,  and 
Agnes  Makeman  his  wife,  residing  in  the  same  cit}^"  Then 
follows  the  statement  that  they  made  a  will  jointly,  after  the 
custom  of  that  country. 

There  is  provision  for  the  daughter  of  said  Agnes,  viz.: 
Wansley  Van  Sandy,  begotten  by  her  first  husband,  Harman 
Van  Sandy,  etc.  The  witnesses  are  Peter  Degnest  and  Peter 
Raibos. 

[Difficult  to  decipher, — no  other  will  dated  so  early  has  been 
found  among  Philadelphia  Wills.] 


"MORRIS    MANSION,"  SOUTH    FRONT   STREET,   PHILADELPHIA 


THE  FIRST  MORRIS  MANSION,  IN  FRONT  STREET, 
PHILADELPHIA. 

The  original  house  built  by  Anthony  Morris"  on  the  North 
West  corner  of  Front  St.  and  Morris  Alley  was  in  existence  at 
the  time  (3rd  mo.,  16th,  1793)  Deborah  Morris,  his  grand- 
daughter, executed  her  will,  in  which  she  writes:  "I  devise  to  my 
"niece  Abigail  Griffitts  and  her  son  Samuel  Powel  Griffitts,  for, 
"and  during  the  term  of  the  natural  life  of  the  said  Abigail 
"  Griffitts,  all  that  my  late  Grandfather's  Mansion  House,  at  the 
"corner  of  Front  Street  and  Morris  Alley"  &c.  Further  on,  she 
writes,  "  It  is  my  desire,  as  it  was  the  desire  of  my  late  dear 
"father  (i.  e.  Anthony  Morris^)  that  the  mansion  house  at  present 
"erected  on  the  said  lot  shall  stand  as  long  as  it  may  with  safety 
"to  the  inhabitants,  and  when  it  shall  become  necesary  to  rebuild 
"it,  I  hereb}^  authorize  my  said  nephew  Samuel  Powel  Griffitts 
"*  *  *  to  erect  *  *  *  g^  good,  but  plain  three  story  brick 
"  house,  keeping  as  near  as  possible  to  the  old  foundations,  and 
"also  a  brick  wall  on  the  southside  of  the  garden,  and  when  this 
"shall  be  done,  I  direct  the  following  words  and  figures,  viz: 
"A.  M.  1686  to  be  affixed  in  blue  bricks  at  one  of  the  gable  ends 
"of  the  house,  that  being  about  the  time  my  worthy  grandfather 
"built  the  present  house." 

Abigail  Griffitts  d.  Nov.  16,  1797,  when,  in  accordance  with 
the  terms  of  Deborah  Morris'  will,  the  property  came  into  the 
possession  of  Dr.  Samuel  Powel  Griffitts  and  his  heirs  for  99 
years. 

Between  1793  and  1798  the  house  was  rebuilt  as  had  been 
directed  ;  for,  the  present  house,  built  by  Dr.  Saml  Powel  Griffitts 
was  in  existence  in  1798,  when  a  resurvey  of  the  property  was 
made.*  As  it  did  not  come  into  the  possession  of  Dr.  Saml. 
Powel  Griffitts,  until  the  death  of  his  mother,   Nov.   16,  1797, 


*  Vide  Deed  Book  E  F,  Vol.  xxix.,  p.  412,  for  Deed  dated  March  4, 1808,— John 
Elliott,  Druggist,  to  Samuel  Powel  Griffitts,  Doctor  of  Physic.  Recorder  of 
Deeds  Office,  Phila. 

(123) 


124  GEXEALOGY  OF  THE  MORRIS  FAMILY. 

we  ma}'  presume  that  he  commenced  the  rebuilding  of  it  about 
that  time. 

The  writer,  a  few  years  ago  (Feb.  4,  1895)  visited  this  "  Morris 
House,"  now  standing  at  the  northwest  corner  of  Front  and  Gatz- 
mer  Streets  (formerl}'  JMorris  Alley).  It  is  a  three-story  brick 
structure  in  excellent  preservation,  with  a  frontage  of  20  feet  on 
Front  Street  and  running  back  a  considerable  distance  on  Gatz- 
mer  Street.  The  original  front  part  of  the  lower  floor  had  evi- 
dently been  removed,  and  pillars  with  intervening  doors  have 
been  substituted,  as  being  more  convenient  for  the  purposes  of 
business.  The  house  is  now  occupied  by  the  firm  of  Sorver, 
Damon  &  Co.,  Coffee  Importers,  and  bears  the  number  of  118 
South  Front  Street. 

Going  in  by  the  Front  Street  entrance,  the  writer  passed 
through  the  main  Store,  where  hundreds  of  bags  of  coffee  lay 
piled  on  the  substantial  oak  flooring,  and  upon  reaching  the 
counting  house  (which  is  modern)  at  the  back,  he  was  courte- 
ously received  by  a  member  of  the  firm,  who  kindly  offered  to 
conduct  him  through  the  building,  and  also  to  show  him  the 
inside  of  the  celebrated  gable  at  the  top.  By  means  of  a 
modern  elevator  driven  by  modern  steam  machinery,  lie  rapidly 
reached  the  3d  floor,  and  saw  that  each  floor  was  safely  bearing 
thousands  of  bags  of  coffee.  To  reach  the  gable  under  the  roof 
he  had  to  pass  through  a  small  opening  (like  a  trap  door)  in  the 
ceiling,  and  there  found  himself  in  a  spacious  loft  with  double 
sloping  roof.  In  the  gable,  formed  by  the  slopes  of  the  roof,  is  a 
window  about  33  x  19  inches,  having  8  small,  old-fashioned  panes 
of  glass  in  it.  Over  the  window,  could  be  distinctly  seen  the 
letters  A.  M.  worked  into  the  surrounding  bricks  of  the  wall, 
whilst  on  one  side  of  the  window  were  the  figures  16,  and  on  the 
other  86.  All  these  letters  and  figures  were  about  two  feet  in 
height,  and  were  made  of  blue-headed  bricks,  said  to  have  been 
brought  from  England.  They  are  only  visible  on  the  inner  side 
of  the  gable.  The  house,  although,  evidently  of  great  age,  is 
very  substantially  built,  the  staircases  leading  from  the  ground 
floor  up  to  the  third,  being  broad  and  in  excellent  preservation. 
The  beams  are  of  red  oak,  and  the  plaster  of  the  ceilings  is  mixed 
with  hair  and  is  of  extraordinary  thickness.  A  change  has  come 
over  the  scene  since  the  first  members  of  the  Morris  family 
dwelt  on  Front  Street,  where  now,  the  houses  on  the  eastern 


INSIDE    OF    GABLE    OF    MORRIS    MANSION,   SOUTH    FRONT    STREET,   PHILADELPHL 


SECOND    GEXERATIOX.  125 

side  shut  out  the  River  view,  and  swift  electric  trolley  cars  are 
hurrying  up  and  down  the  street. 

"Thus  times  do  sliift,  each  thing  his  turne  do's  hold  ; 
New  things  succeed,  as  former  things  grow  old." 

Ilerrick  "  HespcridcH." 

When  the  Mansion  was  rebuilt  by  Dr.  Samuel  Powel  Griffitts, 
sufficient  care  was  not  taken  to  prevent  its  northern  boundary 
encroaching  upon  the  property  of  John  Elliott  which  adjoined  it 
on  that  side,  and  it  was  not  until  the  3'ear  1808,  that  the  matter 
was  legally  adjusted.  From  a  Deed  dated  March  4,  1808,  from 
John  Elliott,  of  Philadelphia,  Druggist,  to  Samuel  Powel  Griffitts, 
Philadelphia,  Doctor  of  Physick,  w^e  learn  that  John  Elliott 
owned  a  house  on  West  Front  st.  adjoining  Samuel  P.  Griffitts' 
house  on  the  north.  The  house  of  "John  Elliott  w^as  built  by 
"him,  said  John  Elliott  agreeably  to  law,  some  years  before  said 
"Samuel  P.  Griffitts  erected  his  said  messuage"  and  "whereas  on 
"a  resurvey  1798  it  was  found  that  the  south  wall  of  the  said 
"John  Elliott's  messuage  has  and  is  at  Front  St.  placed  correctly 
"right,  that  is  to  say,  four  and  a  half  inches  thereof,  was,  and 
"is,  placed  south  upon  a  piece  of  ground  of  nine  inches  in 
"breadth  on  Front  st.  by  forty  feet  in  length,  which  the  said 
"John  Elliott  had  sold  and  conveyed  to  Deborah  Morris,  and 
"that  at  the  distance  of  forty  feet  westward  from  Front  St.,  the 
"  said  south  wall  of  the  sd  John  Elliott's  messuage  is  built  five 
"inches  further  north  tlian  it  ought  to  have  been  built,  and  that 
"at  the  east  end  of  the  back  Buildings  the  south  wall  of  them  is 
"  built  five  inches  more  north  than  it  ought  to  have  been  built, 
"  and  in  forty -six  feet  further  West  at  the  end  of  the  washhouse, 
"the  sd  last  mentioned  south  wall  is  built  nine  inches  and  a 
"half  further  north  upon  the  said  John  Elliott's  lot  than  it 
"should  have  been  placed  so  that  by  the  resurvey  aforesaid  it 
"appears  that  there  are  two  several  pieces  or  strips  of  ground, 
"belonging  to  the  said  John  Elliott  which  are  now  enclosed  in 
"the  buildings  of  the  sd  Samuel  P.  Griffitts,  the  first  of  which 
"being  a  triangular  shape  is  at  its  west  end  at  the  distance 
"of  forty  feet  from  the  Front  street  five  inches  wide,  and 
"goes  from  thence  eastwardly  till  it  terminates  in  a  point 
"and  the  last  of  which  beins:  in  the  Samuel  Powel  Griffitts  back 


126  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

"  Buildings  is  at  the  west  end  nine  inches  and  one  half  wide  and 
"  at  the  east  end  five  inches  wide  and  extends  in  length  from  east 
"to  west  forty -six  feet,  and  the  sd  John  Elliott  hath  agreed  to  bar- 
"gain,  sell  and  convey  those  his  sd  two  strips  or  pieces  of  ground 
"now  included  in  the  Buildings  of  the  said  Samuel  Powel 
"Griffitts  unto  him  the  said  Samuel  P.  GrifRtts  in  fee  simple  for 
"the  consideration  hereafter  mentioned.  Now  this  Indenture 
"  certifieth  that  the  sd  John  Elliott  for  and  in  consideration 
"  of  the  sum  of  90  dollars  and  66  cents  paid  by  sd  Samuel  Powel 
"  Grifhtts  and  his  heirs  and  assigns  for  ever,  All  those  the  sd 
"John  Elliott's  two  several  strips  or  pieces  of  ground  herein 
"above  described  which  are  included  in  the  Messuage  and  back 
"buildings  of  the  sd  Samuel  P.  Griffitts  as  aforesaid  with  all 
"  rights  &c."  *  *  *  "  It  is  further  agreed  between  the  two 
"that  the  middle  line  of  the  walls  now  used  as  partition  walls 
"between  the  messuages  and  back  buildings  of  the  sd  John 
"  Elliott  and  Samuel  P.  Griffitts  respectively  as  the  same  walls 
"do  now  respectively  stand,  shall  forever  thereafter  be  the  lines 
"of  Division  between  the  respective  lots  of  the  sd  parties  to 
"these  presents  so  far  only  however  as  the  sd  walls  on  their 
"  several '  portions  do  extend  westwardly  from  Front  Street. 
"In  witness  whereof  &c. 

"(Signed)  "John  Elliott," 

"Samuel  Powel  Griffitts."* 


*  Vide  Deed  recorded  in  Deed  Book  E  F,  Vol.  xxix.,  p.  412,  in  Recorder  of 
Deeds  Office,  Phila. 


FAMILY    BIBLE    OF    ANTHONY    MORRIS  " 


FAMILY    BIBLE    OF    ANTHONY    MORRIS -  — Title   Page 


FAMILY    BIBLE    CF    ANTHONY    MORRIS 


FAMILY    BIBLE   OF   ANTHONY    MORRIS^  — A   Page  of  Entries 


SECOND    GENERATION.  127 

THE  FAMILY  BIBLE  OF  ANTHONY  MORRISl 

This  is  a  handsome,  well  preserved  "folio"  edition  of  the 
Bible  with  the  Apocrypha,  bound  in  leather,  with  gilt  lettering. 
It  is  now  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  John  T.  Morris  of  Philadelphia. 

The  elegantly  designed  title  page  has  the  following  inscription 
upon  it: 

THE   HOLY 


Containing  the   Bookes 
of  the  Old  and  New 

TESTAMENT 


CAMBRIDGE 

Printed      John  Hayes 
Printer  to  the  Universitie 

1674 

The  following  are  some  of  the  entries  which  have  been  made 
upon  blank  leaves  of  this  Bible.  They  give  the  names  of  the 
earlier  owners  of  the  Book  : 

"This  Bibbell  bought  of  John  Wale  in  the  3d  mo.  1676  by 

Roger   Ellis." 
"Roger  Ellis  his  booke  bought  in  the  year  1676." 
"My  dear  husband  Departed  this   Life   y^  11'"  of  y^  5th 

mo.  1695." 
"This   Bible  was   bought   b}^   Anthony  JNIorris   Senior,  off 

"Sammuell  Carpenter  the  twentyeth  Day  of  the  m'** 

"called  fifebruary  in  the  year  1694/5." 
"  Cost  two  pounds  nineteen  Shillings  beside  New  Bindeing 

"and  other  charges  sinse." 

In  this  Bible,  Anthony  jNIorris^  recorded  the  births,  and  some 
of  the  deaths,  of  his  children,  ten  of  whom  were  sons. 


THIRD  GENERATION. 

"A  man  of  good  repute,  carriage,  bearing  and  estimation."— Shakespeare. 

6.  Anthony  Morris  ^  (Anthony  -,  Anthony  ^),  a  son  of  Anthony 
Morris^  and  his  first  wife  Mary  Jones,  b.  in  London,  England,  March 
15,  1681/2;  d.  in  Phila.,  Penna.,  Sept.  23,  1763;  m.  in  Pliila.  3rd 
mo.  10th,  1704,  Phoebe  Guest,  a  dau.  of  George  and  AHce  Guest, 
b.  7th  mo.  28th,  1685;  d.  March  18, 1768.  Anthony  Morris^  was 
brought  to  America  by  his  parents,  when  he  was  about  ten  months 
old.  They  landed,  towards  the  close  of  1682,  or  at  the  beginning 
of  1683,  at  Burlington,  in  West  New  Jersey,  where  the  "  Friends" 
had  already  begun  to  establish  themselves.  The  settlement  of 
Philadelphia  had  then  hardly  commenced,  and  the  few  colonists 
who  had  arrived  on  the  site  of  the  future  City,  were  obliged  to 
make  their  homes  in  caves,  cut  in  the  Bank  of  the  Delaware 
River.  But  during  the  three  years  spent  by  the  Morris  family 
in  Burlington,  several  houses  sprung  up  on  the  western  side  of 
the  River — the  nucleus  of  the  future  "  City  of  Brotherly  Love." 

At  the  close  of  1685,  Anthony  Morris-  removed,  with  his  wife 
and  family,  from  Burlington,  New  Jersey,  to  take  up  his  abode 
in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  w^here,  as  already  stated,  he  built 
for  himself  a  house  on  the  western  side  of  Front  Street. 

Among  his  neighbors,  were  George  and  Alice  Guest,  members 
of  the  Society  of  Friends,  who  had  emigrated  to  New  Jersey  in 
1680,  but  had  removed  to  the  site  of  the  future  Philadelphia  in 
1682.  There  they  resided,  for  a  time,  in  a  Cave  in  the  Bank  of 
the  Delaware,  until  they  could  build  a  house  for  a  dwelling  place. 
In  1685,  their  family  was  increased  by  the  birth  of  a  daughter, 
whom  they  named  Phoebe,  but  before  the  end  of  that  year,  George 
Guest,  the  father,  died. 

When  the  Morris  family  arrived  in  Philadelphia,  Anthony 
Morris,  "  the  younger,"  was  four  years  old,  and  Phoebe  Guest  was 
still  an  infant.  Young  Anthony  was  doubtless  an  ever  welcome 
visitor  at  the  house  of  widow  Guest  and  her  daughter  Phoebe. 
There  must  have  been  much  in  it  that  was  pleasing  and  attrac- 
tive, as  Alice  Guest  had  brought  with  her  from  the  old  country 
many  handsome  household  ornaments  and  articles  of  furniture, 
which  had  descended  to  her  from  her  father,  William  Bailyes,  of 
Birmingham,  Eng. 

(128) 


MORRIS,    GUEST,    SENIOR,    AND    CHANDERS    RELICS 


GUEST    RELICS.— BRASS    TONGS,    SHOVEL,    AND-IRONS    AND    FENDER 


THIRD    GENERATION.  129 

Anthony  Morris,  Jr.,  probably  received  his  scholastic  educa- 
tion at  the  Public  School  in  Philadelphia,  which  his  father,  with 
other  "  Friends'"  of  the  Monthly  Meeting  had  been  instrumental 
in  founding  in  1689,  and  probably,  he  studied  under  its  first 
master,  Enoch  Flower. 

When  Anthony  Morris,  Jr.,  arrived  at  the  age  of  fourteen 
years,  he  put  himself,  with  the  consent  of  his  father,  an  appren- 
tice to  Henry  Badcock  and  Mary  his  wife,  to  learn  the  art  and 
mysteries  of  brewing,  to  serve  for  seven  years  from  the  29th  day 
of  the  12th  month  called  February,  in  the  year  1695/6,  as  can  be 
seen  by  the  following  copy  of  Indenture : — * 

Indenture. 

"  This  Indenture  witnesseth  that  Anthony  Morris  of  his 
own  free  will  and  with  y®  consent  of  his  Father  Anthony  Morris 
oi  Philadelphia  Merchant  signified  by  his  signing  &  sealing 
hereby  Hath  put  himself  an  apprentice  to  Henry  Badcock  of 
Philadelphia  aforesaid  Brewer  &  Mary  his  wife  unto  the  art  or 
trade  of  a  Brewer  hereby  obliging  himself  after  y®  manner  of  an 
apprentice  with  them  to  dwell  &  serve  from  y®  day  of  y^- date 
hereof  for  and  daring  the  term  of  seven  years  from  thense  next 
ensuing  and  fully  to  be  compleat  &  ended,  By  &  during  all 
which  term  the  s'^  apprentice  Anthony  Morris  Junior  doth  cove- 
nant &  promise  to  &  with  the  s*^  Henry  Badcock  &  Mary  his  wife 
that  he  shall  &  will  well  &  faithfully  serve  them  the  s"^  Henry  & 
Mary  as  his  Master  &  Mistress,  their  secrets  he  shall  keep,  their 
commands  lawful  &  honest  every  word  he  shall  obey,  their  hurt 
or  damage  he  shall  not  contrive  or  do  nor  suffer  to  be  done,  but 
prevent  &  hinder  the  same,  &  from  their  service  he  shall  not 
absent  himself,  nor  the  art  &  mistery  of  brewing  he  shall  not 
disclose  or  discover  to  any  person  or  persons  during  y®  said  term 
without  the  special  leave  or  licence  of  his  master  &  mistress  and 
in  all  things  and  at  all  times  he  shall  carry  and  behave  himself 
as  a  good  true  &  faithful  servant  and  apprentice  towards  the 
s*^  Henry  Badcock  &  Mary  his  wife.  In  consideration  whereof 
and  of  y®  summ  of  Twenty  pounds  in  hand  paid  by  the  s*^  An- 
thony Morris  to  the  s**  Henry  Badcock  &  Mary  his  wife  doo 

*This  Indenture  passed  by  inheritance  to  the  late  Mr.  Anthony  Saunders 
Morris,  from  whose  Manuscripts  this  copy  is  made. 


130  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MOEEIS    FAMILY. 

hereby  covenant,  promise,  &  grant  to  &  with  y*'  s*^  Anthony 
Morris  Junior  that  him  the  s**  Anthon.y  Morris  in  y^  s'^  art  & 
trade  of  a  Brewer  with  all  the  mistery  &  secret  which  the}^  now 
use  or  may  hereafter  discover  herein  they  shall  &  will  teach  & 
inform  or  cause  to  be  taught  &  informed,  according  to  y®  best  of 
their  knowledge,  skill  &  judgement,  and  also  shall  &  will  find  & 
allow  unto  their  s*^  apprentice  sufficient  meat,  drink,  washing, 
lodging,  &  mending  of  his  linen  &  woolen  cloaths.  And  that 
they  shall  not  put  him  to  drive  the  dray  or  cart;  carrying  of 
casks,  grinding  at  the  hand  mill  or  such  like  slavish  work  not 
fitt  for  an  apprentice  of  his  degree,  anjthing  herein  contained 
to  the  contrary  notwithstanding.  And  the  s'^  Anthony  Morris 
Senior  doth  hereby  covenant  &  promise  to  find  &  maintain  his 
s*^  son  with  all  nessary  cloathing  during  the  said  term  of  his 
apprenticeship. 

"  In   witness  whereof  the  s*^  parties  to  these   presents  have 
interchangeably  sett  their  hands  &  seals  hereunto  the  29th  day' 
of  the  12th  month  called  February  Anno  Domini  1695/6. 

"  Henry  Badcock 

mark 

"  Mary  M.  Badcock 

"  Signed,  sealed  and  delivered 
in  presence  of  us 

"  Nehemiah  Allen 
"  Isaac  Seffin." 

During  those  seven  years,  Anthony  Morris,  Jr.,  probably,  had 
frec[uent  opportunities  for  meeting  Phcebe  Guest,  the  playmate 
of  his  childhood,  and  ere  his  apprenticeship  was  ended,  his  admi- 
ration for  the  little  "  Friend "  had  ripened  into  love.  Dock 
Creek  had  then  a  truly  romantic  aspect,  and  many  a  time,  per- 
chance, these  two  had  wandered  side  by  side  along  its  winding- 
banks,  "  meandering  through  prolixit}^  of  shade."  Doubtless 
they  met,  and  walked,  and  talked,  upon  the  road  to  "  meeting  " 
on  the  First-day  mornings,  for  in  her  earlier  years,  Phoebe  Guest, 
as  well  as  the  goodly  company  of  "  Friends,"  was  in  the  habit  of 
attending  the  meeting  at  the  House  ''  at  the  Centre  "  * — the  Centre 

*  The  "  Centre  Meeting  House "  was  a  large  plain  brick  house,  sixty  feet 
long  and  about  forty  feet  broad.  It  was  erected  in  1684  in  fulfilment  of  Penn's 
design,  but  it  appears  to  have  been  not  long  used,  being  too  far  "out  of  town." 


THIRD    GENERATION.  131 

Square,  where  now  stand  the  Public  Buildings.  This  was  14 
squares  distant  from  her  home  by  the  river  side.  Watson  says 
(i^nnals  i.,  391)  the  house  was  built  "  in  a  natural  forest  of  oaks 
"and  hickories,  and  that  the  general  state  of  woods  in  which  the 
"  (Centre)  meeting-house  was  originally  located,  continued  much 
"the  same  until  the  time  of  the  Revolution.  It  was  once  so  far 
"a  wild  forest,  that  the  grandmother  (i.  e.  Phcebe  Guest  Morris) 
"  of  the  late  aged  Col.  A.  J.  Morris,  told  him  that  when  they  used 
"  to  go  out  from  the  city  to  the  Centre  Square  Meeting,  she  had  seen 
"  deer  and  wild  turkeys  cross  their  path." 

At  length  the  marriage  of  Anthony  ]\Iorris^  and  Phoebe  Guest 
was  solemnized  in  the  Great  Meeting  House  on  3rd  mo.  10th, 
1704.  This  was  an  alliance  which  must  have  been  pleasing  to 
the  heads  of  the  families  interested,  and  to  the  community  at 
large,  and  it  proved  to  be  as  happy  a  marriage,  as  it  was  satis- 
factory to  all  concerned.  It  is  worthy  of  note,  that  it  was 
celebrated  during  the  year  that  Anthony  Morris  the  elder,  was 
serving  as  Mayor  of  Philadelphia,  and  also  as  a  Member  of  the 
Assembly ;  consequently,  such  an  event  as  the  marriage  of  the 
Mayor's  son,  must  have  excited  more  than  ordinary  interest  in 
the  city.  In  the  following  year,  1705,  Alice  Guest,  the  mother 
of  Phoebe  Morris  died. 

It  is  to  be  presumed,  that  after  his  marriage,  Anthony 
Morris,  Jr.,  became  associated  with  his  father  in  his  brewing 
business,  for  we  find  that  in  1706,  the  latter  conveyed  to  him,  by 
the  intervention  of  trustees,  one  half  share  of  his  dwelling  on 
the  east  side  of  Front  Street,  with  the  brewhouse  and  utensils, 
coupled  with  the  power  to  dispose  of  the  propei'ty  by  will.  This 
brewhouse  on  King  Street  remained  for  more  than  half  a  century, 
and  the  brewing  business  has  ever  since  been  carried  on  by  a 
descendant  of  the  elder  Anthony  Morris,  forming  the  oldest 
established  house  in  America,  if  not  in  the  world.* 

In  1711  Anthony  Morris,  Jr.,  brewer,  and  Rowland  Ellis,  Jr., 
of  Merion,  gent,  purchased  of  John  Roberts  and  Gainer,  his  w'ife, 
'"a  piece  of  land  situate  lying  and  being  on  ye  west  side  of  ye 
river  Schuylkill  between  ye  falls  and  ye  lowest  ford  of  ye  sd  river 
being  ye  uppermost  of  those  two  rocks  or  stones  between  wdiich 
ye  mill  race  issueth  out  of  ye  sd  river."     This  piece  of  land  con- 

*  The  business  is  at  present  conducted  by  Mr.  T.  INIorris  Perot. 


132  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

tainecl  two  acres  or  thereabouts,  being  two  perches  wide.*  In  the 
next  year  (1712)  Anthony  Morris,  Jr.,  and  Rowland  Ellis,  Jr., 
bought  an  adjoining  tract  of  land  of  Garret  Garrats  and  Reina, 
his  wife,  and  Morton  Garrats  and  Bridget,  his  wife.  This  tract 
of  land  contained  150  acres,  being  "on  the  West  side  of  the 
Schuylkill  in  the  township  of  Blockley."t  For  both  these  pieces 
of  land  (termed  "ye  Mill  lands"),  as  well  as  for  a  third  one  of 
50  acres,  a  patent  was  granted,  confirming  the  sale  to  Morris  and 
Ellis,  by  the  Commissioners  Richard  Hill,  Isaac  Norris  and 
James  Logan,  1st  mo.  17th,  1713.  J 

On  April  27,  1715,  Anthony  ]\lorris,  Jr.,  and  Roljert  Jones, 
purchased  of  Rees  Williams,  the  "  Spring  Mill,"  Montgomery  Co., 
with  7|  acres  of  land.  Anthony  Morris,  Jr.,  afterwards  became 
the  sole  owner  of  this  and  adjacent  properties  which  will  be  re- 
ferred to  more  fully  under  the  heading  of  "  Spring  Mill." 

On  Oct.  4,  1715,  Anthony  Morris,  Jr.,  was  elected  a  member 
of  the  Common  Council,  of  Philadelphia,§  but  he  does  not  ap- 
pear to  have  taken  his  seat  in  that  body  until  30th  July,  1716. 
The  dignity  of  the  office  was  much  greater  then  than  now,  as  its 
members  were  chosen  for  life. 

Anthon}^  Morris,  Jr.,  wrote  letters  to  his  father  during  the 
absence  of  the  latter  in  England  in  1716.  One  of  these,  wdiich 
illustrates  the  truly  filial  and  Christian  character  of  the  son,  is 
here  reproduced  so  far  as  the  (somewhat  effaced)  original  can  be 
deciphered. 

"Philadelphia  y^  8"'  of  y''  3'" :  1716 
"My  Dear  &  Entirely  Beloved  ffathp:r — 

"Thine  of  the  6**^  of  the  first  mo.  from  Bristol  and  of  the 
first  mentioned  came  safe  to  hand  to  an  exceeding  satisfaction  in 
particular  and  of  many  fFds  in  general  who  were  glad  to  hear  of 
thy  v>^elfare,  some  little  time  before  w'^''  we  w^ere  beset  with  thoughts 
of  fear  concerning  your  safety  from  divers  reports  but  Clements 
Linds  to  universal  comfort  removed  the  same.  I  observe  the 
contents  of  thine  and  have  communicated  both  mine  to  INIoth'' 


^Vide  Deed  Book  E  7,  Vol.  viii.,  p.  221,  Phila. 

■fVide  Book  E  6,  Vol.  vii.,  p.  222,  Phila. 

tVide  Exemp.  Record,  Vol.  ii.,  p.  91,  Phila. 

^iVide  Minutes  of  Common  Council,  and  Penna.  Archiv.,  2nd  S.,  Vol.  ix.,  p.  731. 


THIRD    GENERATION.  133 

and  Broth'"  and  Sisf.  Tho  ssom  to  think  hard  that  Pennsilvania 
should  be  his  bounds  if  prospect  of  advantage  offers  I  dont 
suppose  'twill  enclose  him  long  but  that  have  to  tryall.  Sisf  is 
still  as  and  where  thee  left  her.  No  vessell  but  one  from  Bar- 
badoes  directly  this  spring  nor  as  yet  any  Ace"  from  S.  Lewis  at 
which  I  admire  but  hear  their  crop  is  very  late  this  year  w*'*'  when 
Ready  expect  he  will  come.  I  am  very  well  satisfied  and  Blessed 
in  that  freedom  and  Love  is  preserved  amongst  our  families  in 
geuerall  and  hope  we  do  labor  for  the  continuance  of  it.  Tho  a 
few  words  out  of  place  may  happen  to  be  exchanged  between  thou 
knowest  who  twas  went  yet  tis  Keept  within  themselves.  Thou 
seemest  in  thine  to  desire  the  Knowledge  of  particulars  amongst 
us  w''^  we  apprehend  to  be  the  state  of  business  &  trade  with  us. 
[this  line  much  defaced^  we  have  got  bills  of  exchange  at  fourteen 
*  '•'  '-^  for  what  S.  Powell  could  get  money  to  purchase  I  expect 
jNIother  will  inform  thee  more  particularly  concerning  that  matter 
therefore  say  no  thereof  to  avoid  repetition.  One  bill  comes  by 
this  opportunity.  I  do  admire  Wm.  Aubrey*  should  offer  to  say 
we  owe  '^'  ''^  *  part  of  purchase  when  he  *  *  *  his  re- 
ceipt in  full  for  the  whole  '•'  '^'  '•'  and  we  paid  him  pounds 
«  -;:  -i^  that  we  ought  not  to  have  done  '-^  '''  '■'  and  now  we 
cannot  get  a  discharge  '-^  *  '^  his  deed  to  us  warrants  to 
defend  from  all     *     "•'     * 

"But  the  case  is  thus  *  *  "^  of  sixty  pounds  put  in  his 
hands  for  w'^^  I  suppose  he  did  not  yield  him  returns  w*'"  is  noth- 
ing to  that  purchase.  I  have  not  spoke  to  Bros  since  I  reed  thine 
but  to  the  best  of  my  memory  tis  of  that  kind  I  hope  he  dont 
refuse  to  put  the  bonds  into  our  hands  in  the  best  posture  they 
can  be  put  for  recovery,  what  else  is  to  be  done  without  him  if 
he  be  unwilling  to  trouble  himself  therewith  for  my  sake  yet  if 
he  knew  his  Brothers  condition  I  believe  'twould  prevail  w'*"  him. 
I  am  much  troubled  in  the  thoughts  that  thou  willt  not  hear 
from  any  of  us  for  sevrall  weeks  yet  to  come  fearing  Edw  Smout 
is  left  by  whom  all  of  us  sent  lets  (letters)  in  the  fall. 

"  C.  Gem*"  first  gave  us  acctt  thou  didst  intend  home  soon 
after  London  yearly  meeting.  I  would  be  glad  to  hear  till  what 
time  our  letters  may  find  thee  in  England  lest  we  continue  send- 
ing till  tis  too  late.     I  sent  our  bro.  James  an  ace"  of  thy  safe 

*  Son-in-law  to  William  Penn. 


134  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

arrival  and  thy  remembrance  of  them,  they  were  in  health 
when  I  heard  from  them  last  as  we  are  all  in  generall  at  this 
time.  Are  in  expectation  of  the  small  pox  w^^  which  is  reported 
in  both  countrys  on  either  side  of  us.  Nothing  is  done  in  *  *  * 
business  since  thee  left  us  but  some  error  in  proceeding  &  is 
begun  again,  ffrasier  and  Dr.  Golden  &  wife  are  come  up  to  town 
who  saith  he  saw  thee  in  London. 

"  Now  dear  ffather  shall  conclude  w'^  prayers  to  the  Almighty 
for  thy  preservation  and  Restoration  to  us  again  &  and  in  the 
faith  thereof  shall  take  leave  of  thee  at  this  time  w"'  with  the 
remembrance  of  my  wife  and  childrens  dear  love  repeatedly 
hereby  sent  unto  thee  in  come  *  *  *  to  the  utmost  degree 
thou  canst  desire  renewed  with  thee  '•"  *  '^'  and  hopes  to  be 
thy  dutiful  son  whilst  he  is 

Anth°  ]\Iorris. 

the  praise  for  the  same  unto  that  Arm  w'^''  hath  now  with  us  for 
the  continuance  thereof  in  w'^''  Desires  not  forgetting  to  Crave  of 
the  Divine  Being  to  be  near  unto  thee  and  to  preserve  thee  in  all 
thy  undertakings,  as  I  doubt  not  but  thine  is  to  the  same  Power 
for  more  effectuall  on  all  our  behalfs  ffor  I  can  say  that"    *    ^■^    ^ 

[The  original  has  been  mislaid,  which  accounts  for  tliis  ab- 
rupt termination.] 

The  reference  to  "  Wm.  Aubrey  "  in  the  letter  from  which  we 
have  quoted,  seems  to  indicate,  that  mention  had  been  made  by 
Wm.  Aubrey  to  Anthony  Morris,  Senior,  while  in  London,  to  the 
effect,  that  he  had  not  received  the  full  amount  of  the  purchase 
money  for  some  property  which  he  had  sold  to  his  son  Anthony 
Morris,  Jr.  The  following  are  the  facts  referring  to  this  transac- 
tion, as  recorded  in  the  minutes  of  the  Board  of  Property.  "  On 
the  24th  and  25th  April,  1713  William  Aubrey  conveyed  to 
Anthony  Morris  Jr.,  and  Pees  Thomas  Jr.,  for  the  consideration 
of  £500,  six  thousand,  five  hundred  acres  of  land  (of  which  2000 
acres  were  in  Chester  Co  and  4500  in  Philadelphia  Co.)  80  acres 
in  Liberties,  five  Front  Street  lots  and  five  High  Street  lots.  The 
properties  had  formerly  belonged  to  Richard  Whitpain.  John 
AVhitpain,  heir  at  law  obstructed  the  conveyance  to  Morris  and 
Thomas,  but  came  to  an  arrangement  with  them  before  his  death, 


THIRD    GENERATION.  135 

leaving  Ann  Whitpain  his  Executrix  '  to  act  and  do  all  things 
requisite  in  that  affair.'" 

But  it  was  not  until  a  re-survey  had  been  applied  for  and 
granted  in  1718,  that  Patents  were  finally  issued  on  30th  3d  mo., 
1718,  and  10th  5th  mo.,  1718,  confirming  the  purchase  of  the 
Whitpain  property  by  Anthony  Morris,  Jr.,  and  Rees  Thomas.* 

0]i  June  10,  1719,  Anthony  Morris,  Jr.,  purchased  of  the 
heirs  of  Thomas  Budd,  Jr.,  a  lot  of  ground  "  in  the  swamp  at 
the  South  end  of  Philadelphia,"  with  the  dwelling  upon  it,  wliich 
is  described  as  "  being  the  corner  house  nearest  the  dock."  For 
this  property  Anthony  Morris,  Jr.,  paid  £105.  In  breadth,  l)oth 
front  and  rear,  the  lot  measured  19|  feet,  extending  in  depth 
from  Front  Street  back  to  Dock  Street  (being  on  the  south  side 
of  the  95  feet  parcel  of  ground  bought  of  the  Proprietor  by 
Thomas  Budd,  Sr.),  bounded  eastward  with  Front  Street,  south- 
ward and  westward  with  Dock,  and  northward  with  two  mes- 
suages and  pieces  of  ground  dividing  it  from  Stephen  Simmons' 
property. t  The  original  lot  as  purchased  by  Thomas  Budd,  Sr., 
April  4,  1689,1  measured  100  feet  on  Front  Street,  on  the  south 
side  95  feet  and  on  the  north  side  118  feet;  bounded  eastward 
with  Delaware  Front  Street,  northward  with  James  Boyden's 
lot,  westward  and  southward  with  the  30  feet,  street  between  the 
50  feet.  Dock  or  Cut. 

The  Deed  for  this  property  is  in  the  form  of  a  tripartite  inden- 
ture, between  (1)  James  Bollen,  miller,  Risle}^  Township,  Chester 
County,  and  Martha,  his  wife,  reli&t  of  Thomas  Budd,  "  cooper," 
— a  son  of  Thomas  Budd,  "  merchant,"  (2)  George  Budd,  son  and 
heir  of  Thomas  Budd  and  (3)  Anthony  Morris,  Brewer. 

During  1719  Anthony  Morris,  Jr.,  bought  several  properties 
in  Front  Street  and  in  High  Street,  and  also  concluded  the  pur- 
chase of  an  interesting  propert}^  belonging  originally  to  the  Guest 
family.  Alice  Guest,  Mother  of  Phoebe,  the  wife  of  Anthony 
Morris,  had  by  her  will  (made  in  1705)  bequeathed  to  her  son 
George  Guest  and  his  heirs,  &c.,  her  "  Brick  House,  Lot  and 
appurtenances  thereunto  belonging,  situate  and  being  on  the  east 
side  of  the  Front  Street  in  Philadelphia,"  in  which  she  dwelt  at 


*  Vide  Penna.  Archiv.,  2d  S.,  Vol.  xix.,  p.  086. 
tVide  Deed  Book  H  21,  p.  53,  Phila. 
i  Vide  Pat.  Book  A,  Vol.  v.,  p.  294. 


136  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

the  time  of  her  death,  and  also  all  her  "  Messuages,  Buildings 
and  Houses  with  their  appurtenances  "  on  her  "  Wharf  or  Water 
Lot  on  the  east  side  of  King  Street  in  Philadelphia,"  together 
with  the  lot  of  land  on  her  said  wharf  or  Water  Lott.  In  con- 
sideration thereof,  George  Guest  was  to  pay  out  of  the  profits  or 
value  of  the  same,  the  legacies  bequeathed  in  the  will — one  of 
which  was  £150  to  her  daughter  PhcBbe  Morris. 

On  May  18,  1708,  George  Guest,  of  Philadelphia,  son  and  heir 
of  Alice  Guest,  sold  to  Anthony  Morris,  his  brother-in-law,  the 
eastern  portion  of  the  property  referred  to  for  £105.  In  the  Deed 
of  conveyance,''^  it  is  recited,  that  the  Commissioners  of  William 
Penn  gave  a  patent,  21st  January,  1701,  to  Alice  Guest,  for  a  lot 
of  land  on  the  bank  of  the  Delaware  in  Philadelphia,  24  feet  in 
width,  and  250  feet  in  depth,  bounded  southward  with  lot  of 
Philip  James,  westward  with  Delaware  Front  Street,  northward 
with  lot  late  of  James  Fox,  eastward  with  river  Delaware,  at  the 
extent  of  250  feet  from  Front  Street,  at  a  yearly  rental  of  two 
shillings  and  six  pence,  it  being  stipulated  that  30  feet  should  be 
left  for  a  cartway. f  x4.1ice  Guest  wharfed  out  the  said  lot,  and 
left  open  the  "  30  feet  cartway,"  and  erected  two  messuages  or 
dwelling  houses  upon  the  said  lot. 

The  portion  which  George  Guest  conveyed  by  this  deed  to 
Anthony  Morris,  Jr.,  consisted  of  all  the  property  east  of  King 
Street  (i.  e.  the  Cartway),  bounded  northward  with  "  lot  late  of 
James  Fox,  now  of  John  Jones,  westward  with  the  river  Delaware, 
southward  with  William  Say's  lot,  westward  with  King  Street,"  viz : 
"  All  that  messuage  or  tenement  with  appurtenances  situate  on 
the  east  side  of  said  thirty  foot  cartway,  lately  called  King  Street, 
with  the  wharf  and  piece  of  ground  whereon  the  same  stands," 
at  a  quit  rental  of  fifteen  pence  sterling  to  William  Penn. 

In  the  previous  year,  on  the  12th  4mo.,  1707,  the  said  George 
Guest,  as  the  sole  Executor  of  the  Will  of  Alice  Guest,  his 
mother,  leased  to  John  Webb  of  Philadelphia,  "  Taylor  "  for  a 
term  of  ten  years,  the  messuage  on  the  east  side  of  Front  Street 
and  on  the  west  side  of  King  Street,  Philadelphia,  commonly 
known  as  the  "  Crooked  Billett,''  bounded  northward  with  John 
Crapp's  house,  eastward  with  said  King  Street,  southward  with 


*Vide  Deed  Book,  Vol.  vii.,  p.  110,  Phila. 
t  ride  Patent  Book  A,  Vol.  ii.,  p.  289,  Phila. 


THIRD    GENERATION.  137 

lot  of  Philip  James  and  westward  with  said  Front  Street  together 
with  all  the  shops,  cellars  chambers,  rooms,  ways,  alleys,  pas- 
sages, &c.,  together  with  the  free  use  of  the  office  situate  upon 
the  wharf  on  the  east  side  of  King  Street  opposite  to  the  mes- 
suage referred  to  in  this  lease.  John  Webb  was  to  pay  to  George 
Guest,  a  rental  of  £15  per  annum  and  to  keep  the  property  in 
repair.  The  deed  which  records  the  transaction,  states,  that 
George  Guest  had  already  "satisfied"  the  bequest  of  Alice  Guest 
to  her  dau.  Phoebe,  wife  of  Antho.  INIorris.  The  Deed  mentions 
George  Guest's  wife  Elizabeth,  and  John  Guest  is  one  of  the 
witnesses  to  signing.* 

On  December  11, 1719,  George  Guest  ("of  County  of  Burling- 
ton, New  Jerse}"")  and  Elizabeth  his  wife,  by  deed,  confirmed  to 
Anthony  Morris,  Jr.,  his  purchase  of  the  part  on  the  east  side  of 
King  Street  which  is  in  this  deedf  described  as  being  "  bounded 
northward  with  lot  formerl}^  of  James  Fox,  but  now  or  late  John 
Jones,  eastward  with  River  Delaware,  southward  with  lot  late 
of  William  Say,  westward  with  King  Street."  George  Guest  also 
conveyed  to  Anthony  Morris,  Jr.,  "All  that  messuage  or  tene- 
ment situate  between  the  said  Front  Street  and  King  Street 
aforesaid,  commonly  called  or  known  by  the  name  of  the  Sign 
of  the  Crooked  Billet,  formerly  in  the  tenure  of  Alice  Guest, 
with  the  ground  on  which  it  stands,  bounded  northward  with 
the  house  of  the  late  John  Crapp,  eastward  with  King  Street, 
southward  with  lot  formerly  of  Philip  James,  now  or  late  of 
Henry  Carter,  and  westward  with  Front  Street."  Thus,  the  bank 
lot,  in  which  was  the  Cave  occupied  by  the  Guests  on  their 
arrival  at  Philadelphia,  became  the  property  of  a  member  of  the 
Morris  family.  Watson,  in  his  annals  of  Philadelphia,  writes 
(p.  464),  "  The  Crooked  Billet  Inn,  on  the  wharf  above  Chestnut 
St.,  (end  of  the  first  Alley)  w^as  the  tavern  of  longest  uninter- 
rupted succession  in  the  City,  being  named  in  earliest  times,  but 
it  has  ceased  its  operation  as  an  inn  some  years  past.  It  was 
the  first  house  entered  in  Philadelphia  in  1723  by  Doctor  Frank- 
lin in  his  first  visit  to  the  City.  It  was  then  a  more  considerable 
building  than  afterwards,  having  its  front  upon  Water  Street, 
and  extending  down  to  the  River."     ^     '^     *     "  The  sign  was  a 


*Vide  Deed  Book  E  3,  Vol.  vi.,  p.  14(),  Phila. 
t  Vide  Deed  Book  F  2,  p.  94,  Phila. 


138  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

crooked  billet  of  wood.  Near  here,  was  what  was  known  as  tlie 
Crooked  Billet  Steps,  leading  down  the  bqmk  to  the  wharf; 
just  here  was  the  cave  described  on  page  48,  Vol.  i.''  (Vol.  iii., 
p.  348.)  Benjamin  Franklin-,  in  his  "Autobiography,"  has  left 
us  a  description  of  his  first  day  in  Philadelphia.  In  it  he  thus 
refers  to  the  "  Crooked  Billet : "  "  Walking  down  again  toward 
the  river,  and  looking  in  the  faces  of  the  people,  I  met  a  young- 
Quaker  man,  whose  countenance  I  liked,  and  accosting  him, 
requested  he  would  tell  me  where  a  stranger  could  get  lodging. 
He  brought  me  to  the  Crooked  Billet,  in  Water  Street.  Here  I 
got  a  dinner,  and  while  I  was  eating  it,  several  sly  questions 
were  asked  me,  as  it  seemed  to  be  suspected  from  my  youth  and 
appearance  that  I  might  be  a  runaway." 

"  After  my  dinner  my  sleepiness  returned,  and  being  shown  to 
a  bed,  I  lay  down  without  undressing,  and  slept  till  six  in  the 
evening,  was  called  to  supper,  went  to  bed  again  very  early,  and 
slept  soundly  till  next  morning."* 

In  1720  Anthony  Morris^  was  residing  in  the  dwelling  house 
on  "the  Bank  and  Water  lot"  on  the  east  side  of  Front  Street 
below  Walnut  Street,  which  had  been  provided  for  him  by  his 
father  in  1706,  as  we  learn  from  the  record  in  Minute  Book  I  of 
the  Board  of  Properties,  under  the  date  of  9th  mo.  25th,  1720. 
"  Anthony  Morris,  Jr.,  requests  that  he  may  purchase  of  the  Re- 
version of  the  Bank  and  Water  Lott  where  he  dwells,  being  77 
foot  in  front,  which  according  to  the  former  computation  contin- 
ued to  this  time  amounts  to  about  £138.12s."t 

On  April  15,  1721,  Anthony  Morris,  Jr.,  for  the  sum  of  £200, 
purchased  of  his  father,  Anthony  Morris,  Sr.,  the  "  Pewter  Plat- 
ter," on  the  west  side  of  Delaware  Front  Street,  with  ground  15 
feet  wide  and  100  feet  deep.j  The  elder  Anthony  Morris  had 
purchased  the  "  Pewter  Platter  "  of  Robert  Adams  1st  mo.  loth, 
1711/12,  for  the  consideration  of  £140. 

In  1721  Anthony  Morris^  was  chosen  a  Representative  of 
Philadelphia  in  the  Assembly  of  the  Province  of  Pennsylvania. § 


*  In  1751  a  boat  was  advertised  to  leave  "Crooked  Billet  Wharf"  in  Phila- 
delphia once  a  week  for  Burlington.     {Vide  Penna.  Mag.,  Vol.  viii.,  p.  12.) 
fVide  Penna.  Ai'chiv.,  2nd  Series,  Vol.  xix.,  p.  706,  Phila. 
tVide  Deed  Book  F  2,  p.  187,  Recorder  of  Deeds  Office,  Phila. 
IVide  Penna.  Archiv.,  2nd  S.,  Vol.  ix  ,  p.  739,  and  Votes  of  Assembly,  Vol.  ii. 


THIRD    GENERATION.  130 

He  first  sat  in  the  Assembly  14th  Oct.,  1721,''-  only  a  few  days 
before  the  death  of  his  father.  He  was  re-elected  to  the  Assembly 
in  1722-3-4  and  5,  and  sat  until  the  close  of  the  session,  6  mo.  6th, 
1726.  t  A  bill  for  issuing  fifteen  thousand  pounds  in  paper 
currency  became  a  law  on  March  23,  1722-23, :[:  and  Anthony 
Morris  was  appointed  by  the  Provincial  Assembl}^  as  one  of  the 
signers  of  the  "Bills  of  credit,"  the  first  paper  money  issued  in 
the  Province. 

The  good  effects  of  the  first  emission  of  paper  currency  in 
Pennsylvania,  induced  the  Assembly  on  Dec.  12,  1723,  to  issue 
£30,000  more,  Anthony  Morris^  being  again  appointed  one  of  the 
signers  of  the  paper  money.  §  Among  the  merchants  and  busi- 
ness people  of  Philadelphia,  who  agreed  to  take  paper  money  of 
New  Castle,  and  the  lower  counties  at  par,  was  Anthony  Morris.^ 

In  all  matters  connected  with  this  issue  of  paper  currency  he 
took  a  prominent  part,  and  in  1725  and  1726  he  was  one  of  the 
Committee  of  Assembly  appointed  to  settle  the  Public  "Accounts 
of  Excise  and  Provincial  Treasury,  and  to  compleat  the  Accounts 
and  sink  the  remaining  Cjuotas  of  Bills  of  Credit."  || 

The  following  is  the  last  minute  entered  respecting  him  for 
that  Assembly :  "  6  mo  6,  1726,  Ordered  that  John  Kearsley  and 
Job  Goodson  be  added  to  Anthony  Morris  one  of  the  Committee 
formerly  appointed  to  apply  to  an  Agent  at  Home  to  negotiate 
the  two  laws  about  j^aper  currency,  to  know  of  the  said  agent 
how  far  he  has  proceeded  in  procuring  the  Royal  Assent  to  the 
two  laws.     And  then  the  House  rose."! 

Meanwhile  Anthony  Morris^  continued  to  act  as  a  member 
of  Common  Council,  and  on  15th  July,  1726,  he  was  appointed 
on  a  Committee  "  to  draw  up  an  address  to  the  Governor  (Patrick 
Gordon)  to  congratulate  him  upon  his  safe  arrival,  ct.,  in  behalf 
of  the  mayor.  Aldermen  and  Commonality  of  this  City."** 

*Vide  Votes  of  Assembly,  Vol.  ii.,  p.  296. 

t  Vide  Penna.  Archiv.,  2nd  S.,  Vol.  ix.,  i3.  719,  and  Votes  of  Assembly,  Vol.  ii., 
pp.  333,  374,  404,  457,  490,  493  and  494. 

t  Firfe  "  Historical  Sketches  of  the  Paper  Currency  of  the  American  Colo- 
nies," by  Henry  Phillips,  Jr.,  M.  A. 

§  Vide  Ibid. 

II  Vide  Votes  of  Assembly,  Vol.  ii.,  p.  490,  under  date  of  Jan.  12,  1725-0,  and 
Vol.  ii.,  p.  493,  Aug.  6,  1726.' 

^  Vide  Votes  of  Assembly,  Vol.  ii.,  p.  494. 

**Vide  Minutes  of  Common  Council,  p.  259. 


140  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

In  the  minutes  of  the  Common  Council,  Philadelphia,  we  find 
under  "  17th  August  1727,  Alderman  Hill,  Alderman  Plumstead 
and  Anthony  Morris  are  desired  to  view  the  bridge  over  the  Dock 
at  the  south  end  of  Front  Street,  and  to  calculate  the  charge  of 
putting  the  same  into  good  order,  and  make  report  to  next  coun- 
cil ;  and  in  the  mean  time  to  get  subscriptions  towards  the  doing 
thereof." 

Anthony  Morris  was  elected  by  Councils  an  Alderman,  29th 
Sept.,  1726,*  but  declined  the  honor,  preferring  to  sit  in  the 
Councilmanic  body  as  a  Common  Councilman.  He  was  again 
chosen  Alderman  Oct.  2, 1733,t  and  upon  this  occasion  he  accepted 
the  appointment. 

Coincidently  with  his  election  as  Alderman,  he  was  commis- 
sioned (Oct.  2,  1733)  an  Associate  Justice  of  the  City  Court-t 
Whilst  in  Councils,  Anthony  Morris^  loaned  the  City  <£500  towards 
erecting  market  stalls. 

By  the  Will  of  Anthony  Morris,-  his  eldest  son  Anthony 
Morris^  and  his  friend  Israel  Pemberton  were  appointed  Execu- 
tors of  his  estate  which  was  not  settled  up  until  Aug.  23,  1729, 
when  William  Morris,  acting  as  attorney  for  his  sister  Elizabeth 
Dury  and  her  husband  William  Dury  in  Barbados,  confirmed  to 
Anthony  Morris^  the  purchase  of  his  father's  family  mansion  in 
Front  Street.  Elizabeth  and  William  Dury  having  received 
through  Wm.  Morris  in  April,  1729,  £337.10,  their  share  of  £1350 
the  estimated  value  of  the  mansion.  The  other  heirs  had  also 
received  their  shares. 

In  the  list  of  bonds  held  by  Anthony  Morris-  at  the  time  of 
his  death  appears  the  following : 

"4  Bonds  signed  by  Wm.  Fishbourn  for  money  lent  to  the 
Corporation  to  build  the  new  Market  Stalls — viz : 

1st  payable  the  30th  7  mo  1722  for  £29.00. 
2nd  payable  the  30th  7  mo  1723  for  £31.00. 
3rd  payable  the  30th  7  mo  1724  for  £31.00. 
4th  payable  the  30th  7  mo  1725  for  £33.00.      £124.00." 

By  the  minutes  of  the  Common  Council,  30th  Aug.,  1725 
{p.  254),  it  appears  that  it  was  "  Ordered  that  the  mayor  (Isaac 

*Vide  Penna.  Archiv.,  2nd  S.,  VoL  ix.,  p.  735. 
t  Vide  Penna.  Archiv.,  2nd  S.,  Vol.  ix.,  p.  735. 
•   X  Vide  Martin's  Bench  and  Bar,  p.  60. 


THIRD    GENERATION.  141 

Norris  Esq.)  pay  to  the  Executors  of  Anthony  Morris  what  re- 
mained due  them  on  Bond  from  this  Corporation."  On  29th 
September,  1725  (p.  256),  "  The  mayor  reports  that  he  has  paid 
Sarah  Morris,  by  order  of  the  Executors  of  Anthony  Morris,  what 
remains  due  to  them  on  Bond  from  this  Corporation,  it  being 
thirty-three  pounds." 

On  the  3rd  mo.  18th,  1725,  Anthony  Morris^  was  elected  to 
fill  a  vacancy  in  the  Board  of  Overseers  of  the  Public  School  of 
Philadelphia,  being  No.  22  on  the  list.  He  continued  to  serve  as 
an  "Overseer"  of  that  Institution  until  his  death  in  1763,  and 
he  was  succeeded  in  the  office  by  Henry  Drinker,  who  was  elected 
10th  27th,  1763. 

The  mining  of  iron  ore  engaged  the  attention  of  Anthony 
Morris^  as  early  as  1720,  when,  he  was  part  owner  of  the  Cole- 
brookdale  furnace,  situated  on  the  Ironstone  Creek,  an  important 
branch  of  the  Manatawny,  in  Colebrookdale  Township,  in  Berks 
County,  about  eight  miles  north  of  Pottstown  and  within  a  mile 
of  the  Borough  of  Boyertown.  Mr.  Morton  L.  Montgomery 
informs  us*  "  it  is  supposed  to  have  been  erected  in  the  year 
"  1720,  or  a  year  or  two  earlier,  by  a  company  comprising  among 
"others,  Thomas  Rutter,  Anthony  Morris,  James  Lewis  and 
"Thomas  Potts.  It  is  generally  conceded  to  have  been  the  first 
"furnace  which  was  erected  in  Pennsylvania.  In  1731  it  was 
"  owned  in  one-twelfth  parts  as  follows : 

"Anthony  Morris  1-12  Nathaniel  French  3-12 

"Alexander  Wooddross  3-12  George  Mifflin         1-12 

"Samuel  Preston  1-12  Thomas  Potts]      ^    ^^ 

"William  Attwood  1-12  George  Boone  j 

"JohnLeacock  1-12 

"About  this  time  the  furnace  was  carried  on  extensively. 
"  Pig-iron  was  manufactured  and  sold  in  large  quantities.  The 
"price  was  £15  a  ton  'Country  castings' — articles  of  iron  used  by 
"the  farmers  in  the  vicinity,  were  also  made,  the  price  of  which 
"was  twice  that  of  pig  iron."  *  *  *  "A  stoveplate,  inscribed  as 
"having  been  cast  at  this  furnace  in  1763,  was  exhibited  at  the 
"  Centennial  Exhibition  in  1876.  It  is  supposed,  that  the  furnace 
"was  abandoned  soon  after  tins  cast  was  made."     It  would  seem 


Vide  Penna.  Mag.,  Vol.  viii.,  pp.  58-59. 


142  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

that  friendly  Indians  were  employed  at  Colebrookdale,  as  Indian 
John  and  Magalitha  are  found  in  the  list  of  workmen  about 
1728.  The  furnace  was  located  in  the  Jieart  of  one  of  the  richest 
deposits  of  magnetic  ore  in  the  United  States.  Abundance  of 
cinder  now  marks  the  exact  site  of  the  furnace. 

In  1727  Anthon}^  Morris  was  one  of  the  fourteen  founders  of 
the  Ancient  Durliam  furnace,  on  Durham  Creek,  about  one  and 
a  half  miles  above  its  entrance  into  the  Delaware  River,  in  the 
extreme  northern  part  of  Bucks  County.  William  Allen,  Joseph 
Turner  and  James  Logan  (Penn's  Secretary)  were  also  mem- 
bers of  the  original  Company.  It  commenced  operations  in  the 
fall  of  1727,  and  in  November  of  1728  James  Logan  shipped 
three  tons  of  Durham  pig  iron  to  England.  The  keystone  of 
the  Durham  furnace,  bearing  the  date  1727,  was  an  object  of 
interest  at  the  Philadelphia  Exhibition  of  1876.  The  furnace 
was  between  35  and  40  feet  square,  and  about  30  feet  high. 
Mr.  Swank  states  that  "from  the  first  this  furnace  made  pig  iron 
"to  be  converted  into  bar  iron,  although  subsequently,  as  early 
"as  1741,  stoves  were  cast  at  the  furnace  in  large  quantities."* 

As  late  as  1780,  negro  slaves  were  employed  at  Durham,  five 
of  whom  in  that  year  escaped  to  the  British  lines.  Much  of  the 
iron  made  at  Durham  was  taken  to  Philadelphia,  in  boats  fash- 
ioned like  an  Indian  canoe,  and  first  built  at  Durham ;  hence 
the  term  afterwards  in  common  use,  "Durham  boats."  Large 
quantities  of  shot  and  shells  for  the  Continental  arm}^,  were  made 
at  Durham  furnace.  The  furnace  was  in  active  operation  until 
1791,  with  occasional  intervals  of  susj)ension  from  various  causes, 
when  it  blew  out  finally.  In  1829  it  was  torn  down,  to  make  way 
for  a  grist  mill. 

Anthony  Morris^  also  founded  and  possessed  shares  in  Pool 
Forges  and  other  furnaces. 

A  "Pool"  forge  was  situated  on  the  ]\Ianatawny  Creek,  a 
short  distance  below  the  point  where  the  Ironstone  flows  into  it ; 
and  another  of  the  same  name  on  the  Manatawny,  several  miles 
below.  The  latter  is  supposed  to  have  been  the  first  of  the  two, 
and  erected  in  the  year  1717.  This  would  be  a  few  years  before  the 
time  generall}'  allowed  as  the  date  of  the  erection  of  the  Colebrook- 


*  Fide  Davis'  "History  of  Bucks  County,"  p.  664,  and  Swank's  "Iron  in  all 
Ages,"  pp.  168-70. 


THIRD    GENERATION.  143 

dale  furnace.     In  1731  a  "  Pool  Forge  "  was  owned  in  one-sixteenth 
parts  as  follows  :* 

Anthony  Morris  2-1(3  Nathaniel  French  1-lG 

Alexander  Woddross  2-lG  George  MifHin         1-lG 

Samuel  Preston  1-16  Thomas  Potts  | 

AVilliam  Attwood         1-lG  George  Boon    j 

John  Leacock  1-16  Rutter  Estate  G-16 


1-16 


A  Spring  forge  was  at  one  time  in  existence  on  the  Mana- 
tawny  in  Berks  County,  not  far  from  Pool  Forge,  west  of  Cole- 
brookdale  furnace,  and  about  five  miles  north  of  Douglasville. 
It  was  built  in  1729,  probably  by  Anthony  Morris.  Pig  metal 
was  supplied  for  this  forge  from  Colebrookdale  furnace.f 

In  a  preceding  part  of  this  work  it  has  been  stated  that 
Anthony  JNIorris^  (the  "  Immigrant  ")  had  married,  as  his  third 
wife,  Mary  Coddington,  the  widow  of  Thomas  Coddington,  son  of 
Governor  William  Coddington,  of  Rhode  Island.  Mary  Codding- 
ton, by  her  first  husband — Thomas  Coddington — had  a  dau. 
named  Mary  Coddington,  who  became  the  second  wife  of  William 
Trent,  Chief  Justice  of  New  Jersey ;  by  her  second  husband — 
Anthony  Morris,  she  had  two  children  to  grow  to  maturity,  viz., 
William  ]\Iorris  and  Elizabeth  Morris.  These  three  children  of 
the  same  mother,  doubtless  grew  up  together  under  the  same 
roof;  and  consequently  upon  the  marriage  of  young  Mary  Cod- 
dington and  Judge  William  Trent,  the  Morris  and  Trent  families 
became  closely  connected.  The  Chief  Justice  died  in  1724,  leav- 
ing his  son  James  Trent  his  heir  and  Executor,  and  we  find  by 
numerous  deeds  in  the  Otfice  of  the  Secretary  of  State  at  Tren- 
ton that  James  Trent  sold  most  of  his  father's  property  to  his 
relatives  Anthony  Morris^  and  William  Morris.^ 

It  is  evident  that  Anthony  Morris^  did  not  confine  his  eff'orts 
as  an  Ironmaster  to  Pennsylvania,  for  on  the  20'*"  of  June,  1729, 
Articles  of  Agreement  were  signed  by  Anthony  Morris,  Thomas 
Lambert,  John  Porterfield,  and  James  Trent,  as  co-partners  of 
the  Forge  at  Trenton,  on  Assunpink  Creek,  N.  J.,  each  member 
of  the  firm  promising  to  bring  his  recjuisite  quota  of  pig-metal  to 
the  forge,  or  provide  fuel  and  funds  for  working  it.^ 


■'Vi'le  Penna.  Mag.,  Vol.  viii.,  pp.  62-3. 

tVidr  Penna.  Mag.,  Vol.  viii.,  p.  66,  and  Swank's  "Iron  in  all  Ages,"  p.  170. 

tVi'.Ji;  Deeds  in  Sec.  of  State's  OflSce,  Trenton,  Liber  E,  p.  339,  &c. 


144  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

At  the  same  time,  Atithoiw  Morris  purchased  of  James  Trent, 
Esq.,  a  half  part  of  thirty  acres  of  land  and  the  forge  referred 
to,  the  land  lying  on  the  Brook  or  Rivulet  called  Assunpink  on 
the  north  side  thereof  in  the  township  of  Trenton  in  the  County 
of  Hunterdon  together  with  all  appurtenances  belonging  there- 
unto.* 

By  a  deed  to  Anthony  Morris,  dated  June  21,  1729,  special 
permission  was  granted  to  erect  Corn  Mills,  Grist  Mills  and  Saw 
Mills  on  the  Brook  or  Rivulet — a  permission  which  had  been 
withheld  from  the  former  occupant,  Samuel  Greene.  In  the  fol- 
lowing year,  on  6th  July,  1730,  Anthony  Morris^  bought  of  James 
Trent,  Esq.,  two — "  one  sixth  parts  of  ten  acres,  three  quarters  of 
an  acre  and  fourteen  perches  of  land  situated  in  the  township  of 
Nottingham  in  the  Count}^  of  Burlington."  It  is  recorded  in  the 
Deed  that  the  land  formerh'  belonged  to  Thomas  Biles.  The 
other  part  ow^ners  with  Anthony  Morris*  were  Thomas  Lambert, 
William  Morris,  John  Porterfield  and  James  Trent. 

By  deeds  dated  12th  and  13th  Oct.,  1733,  Anthony  Morris  dis- 
posed of  his  share  of  this  property  and  another  piece  of  land  of 
100  acres,  belonging  to  himself  and  his  brother  AVilliam,  to  Col. 
George  Thomas,  of  Antigua.f 

If  Anthony  Morris*  undertook,  as  his  jDart  of  the  agreement, 
to  provide  the  pig  metal  for  use  at  the  Trenton  Forge,  it  may  be 
surmised  that  he  would  furnish  his  quota  from  the  recently 
founded  Durham  Furnace,  of  which  he  was  a  part  owner.  From 
this  Anthony  Morris  can  be  traced  a  line  of  descendants  who 
continued  to  hold  a  very  prominent  position  as  Ironmasters  in 
the  State  of  Pennsylvania. 

Personally,  or  in  partnership  with  others,  Anthony  Morris* 
continued  to  j^urchase  large  tracts  of  land  in  Pennsylvania. 
Among  the  "Old  Rights"  we  find  reference  made  to  "Paper 
No.  1571  Morris,  Anthony,  and  Comp  Ret'n  Res'y  43,588  Acres, 
Warrant  dated  X  mo.  1727,"  and  on  Nov.  14,  1733,  Anthony 
Morris,  William  Atwood  and  George  MifHin  for  the  sum  of  £341 
bought  of  Dr.  Job  Goodson  et  al.,  984  acres  on  branches  of  the 
Manahanatawny,  County  of  Philadelphia.^ 


*This  ground  became,  on  2d  Jan.,  1777,  the  scene  of  the  "  Battle  of  the  Assun- 
pink," or  second  battle  of  Trenton. 

■fVide  Liber  D  D,  pp.  340,  347,  in  Office  of  Secretary  of  State,  Trenton. 
iVide  Deed  Book  G,  Vol.  ii.,  p.  64,  Phila. 


THIRD    GENERATIOX.  145 

Two  years  later  (Sept.  5,  1735),  Anthony  Morris  bought  of 
Edward  Pleadwell  and  wife  for  £150  a  tract  of  300  acres  in 
Chester  County,  near  the  division  of  Radnor  and  Newtown,  and. 
a  lot  of  ground  44  feet  x  806  feet  on  the  northern  side  of  High 
Street,  between  Sixth  and  Seventh  Streets  in  Philadelphia,  and  the 
moiety  of  an  adjoining  lot  of  44  x  306  feet  on  the  eastern  side  of 
last  lot.* 

On  April  6,  1738,  he  bought  of  Stephen  Robinson,  Gent.,  for 
£5,  a  piece  of  land  on  Pequea  Creek,  Lancaster  County,  Penna. 

On  June  17,  1738,  Anthony  Morris  bought  of  Thomas  Streete 
and  wife  for  £10  one  hundred  acres  on  Pequea  Creek,  Lancaster 
County.      Vide  Deed  Book  H  19,  p.  512. 

By  this  time  Anthony  Morris  had  personally  acquired  a  con- 
siderable amount  of  property,  and  was  one  of  the  leading  men 
in  the  community,  which  delighted  to  do  him  honor.  On 
Oct.  3,  1738,  he  was  elected  Mayor  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia,t 
and  in  the  next  month  (Nov.  13, 1738)  he  was  appointed  a  justice 
of  the  Orphans'  Court.  J     He  served  as  Mayor  until  Oct.  2,  1739. 

Although  Anthony  Morris^  is  almost  invariably  referred  to 
in  Deeds  as  "  Brewer  "  he  evidently  continued  to  be  actively  inter- 
ested in  Flour  Mills,  Iron  furnaces  and  Forges.  We  find  that  in 
1724  he  bought  of  Thomas  Chalkley  for  £95  one-fourth  of  400 
acres  in  Bucks  County,  near  the  bank  of  the  Delaware,  with  water 
corn  mill  or  grist  mill,  and  in  1724  he  bought  of  Mary  Kolluck, 
for  £380,  messuages  and  a  lot  40  ft.  9  in.  broad,  and  length  from 
east  side  of  King  Street  into  the  River  Delaware  to  extent  of  250 
feet  from  east  side  of  Front  Street.  It  Avas  bounded  northward 
with  ground  of  Richard  Morris,  westward  with  King  Street, 
southward  with  Nathan  Stanbury's  house  and  ground,  and  east- 
ward with  Delaw^are  River,  also  "  Bakehouse,  granaries,  wharfs, 
keys  and  improvements." 

Later  on,  he  sought  for  further  facilities  for  landing  his  flour 
and  other  merchandise  in  Philadelphia,  as  we  learn  from  the  fol- 
lowing entry  in  Minute  Book  K  of  the  Board  of  Property  :  "  6th 
2nd  mo  1736,  Upon  the  application  of  Anthony  Morris  and  Benj. 
Canby,  ye  Propr  consents  that  the  Priviledge  of  a  piece  of  ground 


*Vide  Deed  Book  G  12,  p.  407,  Phila. 

t  Vide  Penna.  Archiv.,  2nd  S.,  Vol.  ix.,  p.  729. 

i  Vide  Martin's  "  Bench  and  Bar,"  p,  68. 


146  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MOERIS    FAMILY. 

on  the  side  of  the  River  Delaware,  within  the  mannor  of  High- 
lands, for  erecting  a  store  house  and  wharfe  for  the  conveniencv 
of  carrying  of  Flour  and  other  goods  and  Merchandize  by  water 
on  the  said  river,  be  granted  unto  the  said  Anthony  and  Benj., 
for  the  term  of  21  years  at  the  quit  rent  of  one  shilling  Sterling, 
and  also  the  Priviledge  of  a  Road  leading  to  and  from  the  same." 

But  whilst  Anthony  Morris  was  accumulating  property  he 
was  attentive  to  the  duties  which  devolved  upon  him  as  a  promi- 
nent member  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  an  instance  of  which  we 
extract  from  the  minutes  of  Burlington  Monthly  Meeting. 

4th  10th  mo.,  1738.  "Anthony  Morris  and  John  Bringhurst 
are  appointed  to  agree  with  a  printer  and  to  get  him  to  reprint 
Moses  West's  book  wrote  against  mixt  marriages,  as  reasonable 
as  they  can,  and  to  distribute  them  amongst  the  several  Quarterly 
and  Monthly  Meetings  in  such  proportions  as  they  have,  and 
.shall  subscribe  for." 

The  Minutes  of  the  City  Council  for  Aug.,  1737,  record  (what 
is  considered  to  be)  the  origin  of  the  seM'er  at  4th  and  High 
Streets,  Philadelphia.  "  It  was  then  determined  that  Alderman 
Morris  and  Israel  Pemberton,  two  of  the  persons  appointed  at 
the  last  Council  to  get  the  arch  made  over  High  Street  at  4th 
Street,  have  prepared  now  to  continue  the  said  Arch  along  the 
said  4th  Street,  until  the  water  falls  into  the  lots  of  Anthony 
Morris,  and  to  pave  the  same,  it  being  about  200  feet,  if  they  can 
have  the  liberty  of  getting  voluntary  subscrij^tions  and  £25  paid 
the  most  of  the  money  which  may  hereafter  be  raised  by  a  tax, 
which  proposition  being  considered,  was  agreed  to  by  the  Board."  * 

In  1741  Anthony  Morris^  purchased  of  Rebecca  Moore  a  house 
and  ground  on  the  west  side  of  2nd  Street  above  Arch  Street, 
Philadelphia,  and  upon  the  vacant  land  in  the  rear  of  the 
mansion  he  built  a  new  brew  house,  known  as  the  "Morris 
Brewery,"  which  Avas  considered  the  oldest  establishment  of  the 
kind  in  the  city  until  its  disuse  a  few  years  ago.  In  this  "  house," 
which  was  built  before  1716  (old  No.  86),  Anthony  Morris^  resided 
until  his  death  in  1763. f 

During  the  year  1742  there  was  "a  sharp  drawing  of  party 
lines  in  the  province  and  in  Philadelphia.     On   one  side  the 


*  Vide  Watson,  Vol.  i.,  p.  434,  and  Minutes  Common  Council. 
-fVide  "Morris  Mansion  onN.  Second  Street,  Phila.,"  in  this  work. 


THIRD    GENERATION.  147 

Quakers,  the  '  country '  party,  the  majority  in  the  Assembly,  the 
other  the  Governor's  or  'gentlemen's'  party."* 

The  elections  for  the  city  and  county  of  Philadelphia,  held  in 
Oct.,  1742,  at  the  Court  House  in  High  Street,  were  marked  by 
serious  riots  and  great  disturbances  of  the  peace  by  drunken 
sailors,  and  Alderman  Anthony  Morris  exercised  his  authority 
as  a  magistrate,  to  suppress  the  riot,  and  preserve  the  peace.  He 
was  however  brutally  attacked  by  the  mob ;  he  was  knocked 
down,  badly  beaten  and  "  almost  murdered,"  but  was  fortunately 
rescued  and  carried  into  George  Fitzwater's  house,  where  his  son 
Anthony  found  him.  Anthony  Morris^  at  that  time  was  sixty 
years  of  age,  and  it  is  a  proof  of  remarkable  vitality,  that  he 
survived  his  injuries  for  more  than  twenty  years.  Notwithstand- 
ing all  the  efforts  of  the  opposition,  the  Country  party  was 
victorious  at  the  elections.  An  investigation  of  the  riot  was 
instituted  by  the  Assembly,  and  many  witnesses  were  summoned 
to  give  evidence  in  the  matter.  Three  of  the  sons  of  Alderman 
Anthony  Morris,  viz.:  Anthony,*  James*  and  Joseph,*  appeared 
before  the  Assembly,  and  made  the  depositions  which  will  be 
found  elsewhere  in  this  work. 

The  following  are  a  few  extracts  from  the  Depositions  of  other 
witnesses :  f 

John  Mifflin,  Esq.,  of  Philadelphia,  Merchant,  "  saw  Thomas 
Lawrence  and  Anthony  Morris  active  in  endeavoring  to  keep  the 
peace." 

Richard  Hockley,  (p.  582)  "  Saw  some  sailors  with  clubs  in  their 
hands,  come  up  towards  the  Court  House  and  in  riotous  manner 
knock  down  several  people,  especially  Anthony  Morris,  a  magis- 
trate." 

Joseph  WJiarton  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia  (p.  567),  "  When 
the  election  came  on,  this  Examinate  with  Charles  Norris  went  to 
Anthony  Morris  as  a  magistrate,  to  come  down  to  the  election,  in 
order  to  preserve  the  peace,  who  readily  complied.  That  the 
Magistrates  that  were  active  in  endeavoring  to  suppress  the  riot 
were  Thomas  Lawrence,  Anthony  Morris  and  Thomas  Griffitts." 

John  Reynill  of  Philadelphia,  Merchant.  "  That  he  believes  the 
sailors  to  be  strangers,  and  to  the  number  of  about  forty  or  fifty ; 


*Vide  Scharf  and  Westcott's  Philadelphia,  Vol.  i.,  p.  210. 
t  Vide  Votes  of  Assembly,  Vol.  iii.  and  Appendix. 


148  GENEALOGY   OF   THE   MORRIS   FAMILY. 

and  saw  Anthony  Morris  go  among  them  as  a  magistrate  to  keep 
the  peace,  and  heard  afterward  that  he  was  knocked  down  and 
grievously  wounded."     (P.  572). 

Israel  Pemberton,  one  of  the  Representatives  of  the  Assembly. 
"  I  saw  they  {i.  e.  the  sailors)  had  knocked  down  several  persons, 
and  one  person  being  so  knocked  down,  I  saw  three  or  four  strik- 
ing at  him  after  he  was  down,  so  that  I  expected  he  would  have 
been  murdered  before  any  assistance  could  be  got  to  him.  The 
person  so  abused  I  afterward  understood  to  be  Anthony  Morris 
the  elder,  one  of  the  Aldermen  of  the  City."     (P.  588.) 

Reese  Meredith,  a  Merchant  of  Philadelphia,  "  being  at  the 
place  of  election,  saw  a  body  of  sailors,  to  the  number  of  sixty  or 
seventy,  as  he  thinks,  all  strangers,  coming  up  towards  the  people 
in  a  menacing  manner,  flourishing  their  clubs,  &c.  Thomas 
Lawrence  and  Anthony  Morris  were  endeavoring  to  put  them 
back  and  keep  the  peace,  when  the  said  Morris  was  knocked 
down  in  the  Examinate's  sight."  *  We  may  gather  from  this, 
that  Anthony  Morris^  was  no  coward,  and  that  he  was  also  a 
lover  of  peace  and  order. 

At  the  close  of  the  Investigation,  a  special  resolution  was 
passed  by  the  Assembly,  Oct.  30,  1742.t 

''  Resolved,  that  the  thanks  of  the  house  be  given  to  Anthony 
Morris,  Esq.,  for  the  service  done  his  King  and  Country,  in  sup- 
pressing the  said  riot,  and  that  the  same  be  signified  to  him  by 
the  Speaker." 

After  the  Election  riot  of  October,  1742,  the  name  of  Alder- 
man Anthony  Morris  does  not  appear  in  the  minutes  of  Common 
Council  until  4th  Oct.,  1743. 

The  land  upon  which  the  "  State  House,"  in  Philadelphia 
was  erected,  with  the  remainder  of  the  land  included  in  "  State 
House  Square  "  was  originally  granted  in  lots  to  private  individ- 
uals, between  1683  and  1715.  These  were  by  degrees  bought  up 
by  the  authority  of  the  Legislature,  and  upon  inspecting  the 
plan  given  in  Hazard's  Register  Penna.,  Vol.  ii.,  228-233,  we 
find  that  a  large  lot  in  State  House  Square  belonged  to  Anthony 
Morris,^  fronting  on  Walnut  Street  and  running  back  half  wa}^ 
to  Chestnut  Street.     This  lot  was,  by  deed  dated  Dec.  21,  1742, 


*  Vide  Votes  of  Assembly,  Vol.  iii.,  p.  572,  Appendix. 
■fVide  Votes  of  Assembly,  Vol.  iii.,  p.  501. 


THIRD    GENERATION.  149 

conveyed  by  Anthony  Morris  to  William  Allen.  From  a  perusal 
of  this  and  other  deeds  it  is  evident  that  this  and  other  lots  were 
originally  purchased  by  and  conveyed  to  Andrew  Hamilton  and 
William  Allen  in  their  own  rights,  but  the  preamble  of  the  act 
of  Assembh^  of  1735-6  declares  that  the  purchases  were  made 
by  direction  of  the  Legislature. 

The  annexed  plan,  copied  from  Hazard's  Register  of  Penna., 
indicates  the  precise  location  of  the  piece  of  ground  in  Indepen- 
dence Square,  which  once  belonged  to  Anthony  Morris^ : 

Sixth  Street 


B 
1 

Lot  of  ground    owned    by  An- 
thony  Morris   and    sold    by   him 
Dec.  21.  1742.  to  William  Allen  for 
this  Province. 

o 

William  Allen,  Esq.,  by  deed  dated  2nd  July,  1760,  conveyed 
to  Isaac  Norris,  Esq.,  Thomas  Leach,  Esq.,  and  Joseph  Fox,  Esq., 
as  Trustees  of  the  State  House  and  land  thereto  belonging, 
appointed  in  accordance  with  the  act  of  General  Assembly  of  the 
Province  of  Pennsylvania,  21st  Feb.,  1735-36,  the  piece  of  land 
on  Walnut  Street,  Philadelphia,  which  he  had  purchased  of 
Anthony  Morris.  In  this  deed  it  is  recited,  that  William  Penn 
granted  a  Patent  bearing  date  of  4th  5th  mo.,  1684,  to  Samuel 
Miles  for  "A  certain  Lot  of  Land  in  Philadelphia,  situated  between 
the  5th  and  6th  Streets  from  Delaware,  containing  in  breadth 
49  feet  and  a  half  and  in  length  255  feet;  Bounded  Northward 
with  back  lots.  Eastward  with  a  vacant  lot.  Southward  with 
Walnut  Street,  Westward  with  a  vacant  lot  granted  by  a  warrant 
from  Proprietary  bearing  date  24th  1st  mo  1683  and  laid  out  by 
Surveyor  General's  order  31st  of  sd  month  to  sd  Samuel  INIiles.'"^ 

*Vide  Patent  Book  A,  Vol.  i.,  p.  287. 


150  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

Samuel  Miles  by  deed  20th  day  5th  mo.,  1691,  conveyed  the  same 
lot  to  Thomas  Hobbs  (mason).  * 

Thomas  Hobbs  conveyed  the  same  lot  by  Indenture  dated 
16th  June,  1727,  to  Anthony  Morris  of  Philadelphia  (brewer)  the 
lot  situated  and  bounded  as  aforesaid  together  ^Yith  the  Messuage 
or  Tenement  then  thereon  and  all,  and  singular  the  Gardens  and 
Orchards,  Fences,  Hereditaments  and  Appurtenances  whatsoever 
thereunto  belonging.     (No  reference  where  recorded). 

Anthony  Morris  sold  the  same  lot  and  improvement  to 
William  Allen — Indenture  dated  21st  December,  1742.  William 
Allen  now  (2nd  July,  1760)  sells  to  the  above  Trusteesf  for  £156.- 
3s.  3d.,  the  before-mentioned  lot  and  improvements  as  described 
above. 

The  final  purchases  for  the  State  House  grounds  were  per- 
fected in  the  Spring  of  1769;  deeds  were  thereupon  executed  to  the 
Trustees,  and  thus  the  Province  became  possessed  of  the  whole 
Square.  A  brick  wall  seven  feet  high  was  at  once  (1770)  con- 
structed around  the  whole  premises  with  an  immense  gateway 
and  wooden  door  on  Walnut  Street,  in  the  middle  of  that 
front.J 

Anthony  Morris^  and  Israel  Pemberton  were  executors  of  the 
Will  of  Thomas  Story,  and  on  September  21,  1745,  received  a 
"Release"  from  the  Legatees  after  they  had  received  their  lega- 
cies; it  was  signed  by  Edward  Shippen,  Margaret  Jekyl,  William 
Shippen,  Charles  Willing,  et  al. 

Among  the  Real  Estate  transactions  of  Anthony  Morris^,  in 
addition  to  those  already  referred  to,  were  the  following : 

On  March  25,  1719,  Anthony  Morris^  bought  of  Jos.  Pidgeon, 
Merchant,  for  £262.10,  two  lots  of  land  on  east  side  of  2iid  Street, 
on  south  side  of  Mulberiy  Street.§ 

On  Aug.  28,  1719,  Anthony  Morris^  bought  of  Emmanuel 
Walter,  Carpenter,  and  wife  for  £40  tenement  and  lot  17  feet 
8  inches  x  360  feet  on  north  side  of  High  Street,  bounded  east- 
ward with  house  of  John  Sanders,  westward  with  Edward  Burke's 
house.  1 1 


^Recorded,  Book  No.  lA,  p.  26. 

tT7f/eDeed  Book  H,  Vol.  x.,  p.  635,  Phila. 

tVkle  "History  of  Independence  Hall,"  by  Frank  M.  Etting,  p.  131,  d  seq. 

I  Vide  Deed  Book  F  4,  pp.  42  and  44. 

II  Vide  Deed  Book  F  3,  p.  18. 


THIRD    GENERATION.  151 

On  Sept.  1,  1719,  Aiithoii}-  Morris^  bouglit  of  Samuel  Ring 
and  wife  for  £175  a  house  and  lot  16  ft.  x  100  ft.  on  the  west  side 
of  Front  Street,  at  the  south  side  of  Black  Horse  Alley.''' 

On  July  25,  1720,  Richard  Hill,  Merchant,  made  assignment 
to  Anthony  Morris^  of  a  mortgage  on  a  lot  of  land  20  ft.  x  50  ft. 
on  the  west  side  of  Front  Street. f 

On  Jan.  5, 1726,  Anthony  Morris^  with  Rees  Thomas  and  Ann 
Whitpain  bought  of  Michael  and  Samuel  Jobson  for  £110  a  lot 
on  High  Street  26  ft.  x  306  ft.  and  a  moiety  of  250  acres  of  land 
and  16  acres  in  Liberties  of  Philadelphia  ( Vide  Deed  Book  G  6, 
pp.  282  and  287)  and  April  27,  1728,  the  same  parties  bought  of 
Michael  Jobson  for  £12  the  other  moiety  of  the  tract  of  16  acres 
in  the  Liberties  of  Philadelphia. | 

On  April  10,  1728,  Anthony  ^lorris'  bought  for  £50  a  house 
and  lot  14  x  78  feet,  bounded  eastward  with  Front  Street,  south- 
ward with  Joanna  Kelly's  lot,  westward  with  a  four  foot  alley 
dividing  this  lot  from  Joseph  Coleman's  lot,  northward  with 
ground  and  building  of  Benjamin  Rawle.  The  alley  runs 
into  Mulberry  Street  78  feet  from  Front  Street.§ 

On  Dec.  27,  1728,  Anthony  Morris^  received  patent  from  the 
Commissioners  of  Property  for  11^  acres  of  swamj)  situate  between 
lands  of  Moyamensing  Wickaco  and  Delaware  River,  on  the  river 
side,  "over  against  Gloucester  in  West  Jersey. "|| 

On  Nov.  19,  1729,  Anthony  Morris^  bought  of  Philip 
Roman,  Jr.,  M.  D.,  for  £30,  two  lots  of  land  on  Mulberry  Street, 
99  feet  x  303  feet.^ 

On  July  19,  1732,  Anthony  Morris^  and  Rees  Thomas  for  £20 
bought  of  Ann  Whitpain  a  piece  of  land  in  Northern  Liberty. 

On  March  28,  1739,  Anthony  Morris^  bought  of  Lawrence 
Growden  for  £60  and  "one  guinea  of  gould"  a  piece  of  ground 
on  Front  Street  between  Pine  and  Cedar  Streets,  measuring  north 
and  south  51  feet,  in  length  198  feet,  bounded  westward  with 
2nd  Street,  northward  with  other  ground  of  Anthony  Morris.** 

*ride  Deed  Book  F  3,  p.  45. 
t  Vide  Deed  Book  F  4,  p.  82. 
tVide  Deed  Book  H  20,  p.  512,  Phila. 
■i  Vide  Deed  Book  H  5,  p.  225,  Phila. 
II  Vide  Exemp.  Rec,  Vol.  ii.,  p.  249,  Phila. 
1[  Vide  Deed  Book  H  19,  p.  49(3. 
**Vide  Deed  Book  EF,  Vol.  iii.,  p.  80,  Phila. 


152  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

On  April  29,  1743,  Anthony  Morris^  bought  of  James  Hamil- 
ton for  £60  one-sixth  of  250  acres  of  land,  mineral  ores,  metals, 
quarries  and  mines  of  ore  in  Lancaster  County,  Penna.* 

On  jMarch  15,  1745,  Anthony  Morris^  Ijought  of  Elizabeth 
Griffiths,  widow,  and  Mary  Lisle,  widow,  both  daughters  of 
Henry  Badcock,  Brewer,  for  £1100,  173  acres  in  Passyunk.f 

On  April  15,  1745,  Anthony  Morris^  bought  of  Gilbert  Ban- 
croft, Apothecary,  and  wife  Deborah,  John  Newland  and  wife 
Elizabeth,  of  city  of  Bristol,  Eng.,  by  their  atty.  William  Morris 
(Lt.  Atty.,  dated  Oct.  12,  1744),  a  lot  306  x  49|  feet  on  west  side 
of  7th  Street  and  north  side  of  Mulberry  Street.J  Gilbert  Ban- 
croft's wife  Deborah  and  John  Newland 's  wife  Elizabeth  were 
sisters  and  sole  issue  of  Mary  Westcomb,  at  Bristol,  who  was  the 
dau.  of  Elizabeth  Hawkins,  sole  issue  and  heir  of  John  Moon, 
"  Gent."  of  Philadelphia,  Penna. 

On  Sept.  30,  1748,  Anthony  Morris^  bought  of  Joseph  Noble 
for  £L500  a  house  and  lot,  24|^  x  180  feet  on  the  east  side  of  2d 
Street.§ 

On  Dec.  10,  1748,  Anthony  Morris^  bought  of  James  Rhoads 
for  £800  a  house  with  20  feet  frontage  on  2d  Street  above  Pine 
Street,  running  back  177  feet.|| 

On  June  5,  1749,  Anthony  Morris^  bought  for  £30  ten  acres 
of  marsh  land  and  meadow  ground  "  lying  before  Passyunk."T[ 

On  Aug.  1,  1749,  Anthony  Morris^  bought  for  £28  two  lots  of 
ground  in  Kensington.'''* 

On  July  6,  1750,  Anthony  Morris^,  bought  of  Dr.  John  Red- 
man for  £700,  land,  houses  and  coach  house  S.  E.  corner  of  Mul- 
berry and  2nd  streets. ft 

On  July  19,  1751,  Anthony  Morris^  bought  of  John  Dummer 
for  £27  cash  and  amount  of  mortgage  and  interest,  a  lot  of  ground 
E.  &.  W.  17  feet,  fronting  on  Sassafras  Street,  and  extending  back 
51  feet.n 

*  Fide  Deed  Book  H,  p.  503,  Phila. 

tVide  Deed  Book  G  9,  p.  293,  Phila. 

tVide  Deed  Book  G  5,  p.  545,  Phila. 

§  rich'  Deed  Book  D  2,  p.  336,  Phila. 

II  Vide  Deed  Book  I,  Vol.  vi.,  p.  189,  Phila. 

\\  Vide  Deed  Book  I,  Vol.  xii.,  p.  75,  Phila. 
**ride  Deed  Book  I,  Vol.  vi.,  p.  122,  Phila. 
nVide  Deed  Book  I,  Vol.  iii.,  p.  43,  Phila. 
ttVide  Deed  Book  H  2,  p.  70,  Phila. 


THIRD    GENEKATION.  153 

In  1752  Anthony  Morris^  bought  of  Sarah  Armitt,  widow,  and 
John  Armitt,  merchant,  for  £200,  two  hundred  and  fifty  acres  in 
Berks  Co.* 

On  July  23,  1758,  Anthony  Morris^  bought  of  Nehemiah 
Allen  for  c£108  6s.  8d.,  a  lot  of  ground  in  Wiccacoe,  north  and 
south  140  feet,  length  from  west  side  of  Second  Street,  continued 
southward  beyond  the  City  to  Moyamensing  road.f 

On  April  15,  1760,  Anthony  Morris^  bought  of  Jeremiah 
Elfreth  and  wife,  for  £300,  two  yearly  "rent  charges"  of  £9  each 
on  land  between  Front  and  2nd  streets  and  in  Liberties — also  a 
little  lot  of  ground-l 

On  January  26,  1762,  Anthony  Morris^  bought  of  James  Par- 
rock,  et  al.,  for. £166  13s.  4d.,  ground  rents  on  2nd  and  Sassafras 
Streets.  § 

In  Sept.,  1747,  the  Corporation  Council  for  the  first  time  voted 
a  salary  to  the  ]\Iayor, — one  hundred  pounds  per  annum;  but 
even  then  it  was  difficult  to  get  the  right  man  to  serve. 

On  Oct.  6, 1747,  when  Alderman  Morris  was  re-elected  to  serve 
as  ]\Iayor,  he  could  not  be  found,  so  that  a  notice  might  be 
served  upon  him,  and  it  became  so  evident  at  last  that  his 
absence  was  intentional,  that  a  new  election  had  to  be  made. 

In  the  Minutes  of  the  City  Council  we  find  the  following 
entries  referring  to  this  matter: 

"6.  October  1747,  P.  "SL—\\.  A.  Atwood,  Mayor,  Alderman 
"Morris,  the  Mayor  elect,  not  being  present,  Charles  William, 
"and  Sam'  Rhoades  were  appointed  to  wait  on  him,  to  acquaint 
"him  the  Board  had  chosen  him  Mayor  for  the  year  ensuing. 

"The  two  members  appointed  to  acquaint  Alderman  Morris 
"that  he  was  elected  Mayor  returned  and  informed  the  Board 
"they  had  been  at  his  House,  and  were  told  by  his  daughter  that 
"he  was  gone  out  of  Town. 

"The  Board  being  under  some  difficulty  for  want  of  knowing 
"whether  the  Mayor  elect  would  serve  in  the  said  office,  con- 
"  eluded  to  meet  again  the  afternoon  to  consider  what  was  proper 
"to  be  done  on  this  occasion. 

"6.  Oct.  1747.     The  Board  being  met  to  consider  what  was 

*  Vide  Deed  Book  I,  Vol.  x.,  p.  549,  Phila. 
"{Vide  Deed  Book  H  19,  p.  489,  Phila. 
XVide  Deed  Book  D  28,  p.  157,  Phila. 
I  Vide  Deed  Book  H  19,  p.  509,  Phila. 


154  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

'necessary  to  be  done  on  occasion  of  the  Mayor  Elect's  being 
'gone  out  of  town  ;  the  Recorder  informed  the  Board  that  he  had 
'consulted  the  Attorney  General  &  it  was  his  opinion  that  a 
'  written  Notice  should  be  sent  to  Alderman  Morris'  House, 
'signifying  he  was  so  elected  as  aforesaid;  and  likewise  that 
'a  messenger  should  be  sent  into  the  country,  where  it  was  said 
'he  was  gone  with  a  like  Notice,  who  should  endeavour  to  procure 
'his  answer  whether  he  could  serve  in  same  office  or  not.  In 
'which  opinion  a  majority  of  the  Board  concurred.  And  accord- 
'ingly  two  such  Notices  were  made  out  and  signed  by  the  Clerk 
'&  the  City  seal  affixed  to  each  by  order  of  the  Board,  one  of 
'  which  was  delivered  to  Charles  Stow,  to  be  left  with  Alderman 
'  Morris's  wife  or  some  one  of  the  family,  if  he  should  not  be  at 
'home,  &  the  other  was  delivered  to  James  Whitehead,  who  was 
'  ordered  to  go  up  into  Berks  County  or  wherever  else  he  might 
'be  informed  Alderman  Morris  was  gone  &  endeavour  to  serve 
'hirn  personally  with  the  sd  notice,  &  bring  his  answer  to  the 
'Board  at  the  next  meeting. 

"9  Oct.  1747.  James  Whitehead  the  Person  employed  to  serve 
'Alderman  Morris  with  notice  of  his  being  elected  Mayor,  being 
'  called  in  and  sworn  said,  that  he  had  been  up  into  Berks  County, 
'  &  at  Trenton,  where  it  was  said  Mr.  Morris  was  gone,  &  tho'  he 
'  had  used  his  utmost  Endeavor,  that  he  had  not  been  able  to 
'find  him." 

"Charles  Stow  being  likewise  called  in  and  sworn,  said  that 
'he  had  been  at  the  Dwelling  House  of  Alderman  Morris  and 
'read  the  notice  he  was  sent  with  to  his  wife,  and  would  have 
'  delivered  it  to  her,  but  she  refused  to  receive  it  and  said  her 
'husband  was  from  home  and  she  believed  he  would  not  return 
'  till  Saturday  night. 

"  The  Board  considering  the  Mayor  Elect  did  not  appear,  to 
'accept  of  the  sd  office  and  take  and  subscribe  the  usual  Qualifi- 
' cations  within  the  time  limited  by  Charter:  altho' the  proper 
'  means  had  been  used  to  give  him  Notice  of  his  Election,  it  m- as 
'necessary  to  proceed  to  a  new  choice,  and  thereupon  Wm. 
'  Attwood  was  Chosen  ]\Iayor  for  the  year  ensuing  by  a  majority 
of  Vote." 

As  Anthony  Morris  had  no  desire  to  serve  a  second  time  as 
Mayor,  it  is  not  to  be  wondered  at  that  he  should  absent  himself 
on  this  occasion,  for  we  find  in  a  previous  minute  in  1706,  of  which 


::                    T/'.<«2/C.^,,^^y^.''^^^^;^^.^..^-.^.'''^/'''<  .^;  5^.vA..,-^  y- 

_  ''^/■//.'ii'//'<-y^/''''f- 

.  ^/„    '/y////r/'/  .-/'.v^^i?^/ .  ^^^A-o/'^y'^^''^'  '•A'^'^ ■■'■'^-^  '^r. ^y^^r^  . 

'  /^^.^^^/^,^.y,r,,.,-//: 

'    ;%^/^,.xx-^,.  <.,-,.X...  .//<>>/ /^■.^^~^.  :r^>^-              •    '-^''-- ■■'  ^-             ^''■> 

.,...    y,...,.^./^:..-^^"'."^"^'"^-^'^-'.   ^■^'^' ■/'■:■'''■■    ■ -     -■ '^'     *'•■■""      ■ 

.  i?:,^..,..,,/5^.y— '  -.^^""  ...  ,;'C..  /:,<<^.      <"  -..--x--.  ■  .  -'/.      •  --  V,-  -^  -y; 

*                .;■                    -■'    •      ■- 

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x/ ,.^ 

-■■■" 

...  ^..vwfc:,^;.                                                                       ■  -,,„.-.5 

■  •  ^•■■•"-^■'-  '                                                                             •    ,'-../ 

.- 

/ 

' 

PETITION    FOR    PENNSYLVANIA    HOSPITAL,    1750 


THIRD    GENERATION.  155 

the  following  is  a  copy,  that  he  would  have  been  subject  to  a  fine 
if  he  could  have  been  found  and  had  refused  to  serve. 

"  Oct.  1,  1706,  Alderman  Story  refusing  to  accept  the  office  of 
"  Mayor,  therefore  he  is  fined  by  the  Common  Council  the  sum  of 
"  20  pounds."  And  it  must  have  been  vividly  in  the  recollection 
of  Anthony  Morris'^  that  as  late  as  October,  1745,  Alexander 
Taylor  and  Joseph  Turner  had  each  been  fined  30  pounds  for 
refusing  to  serve  as  Mayor  of  Philadelphia  after  having  been 
duly  elected. 

Anthony  Morris,^  his  son  Anthony*  and  his  brother  Luke^ 
w^ere  among  the  signers  of  the  origi-  ,  o  ^^ 

nal  petition  presented  to  the  Legis-    (jZ-/ljtJ7,     / //  Q-VltyJ 
lature  Jan.  23d,  1750-1,  for  aid  to 

the  new  Pennsylvania  Hospital,  and  all  three  became  liberal 
contributors  to  the  funds  of  the  Institution.  When  the  charter 
was  secured  for  it  on  11th  May,  1751,  a  meeting  of  the  contrib- 
utors was  convened  for  the  election  of  a  Board  of  Managers  and 
a  Treasurer.  This  meeting  was  held  in  the  State  House,  and 
Anthony  Morris^  and  his  sons  Anthony*  and  Joseph*  were 
among  the  contributors  present.  His  son  Joseph  Morris*  was 
upon  that  occasion  elected  as  one  of  the  first  managers  of  the 
Hospital.  During  1751  Anthony  Morris^  contributed  $258.6f3 
to  the  Hospital  and  his  descendants  have  nobly  followed  his 
example,  as  the  list  of  contributors  in  the  valuable  "  History  of 
the  Pennsylvania  Hospital "  amply  testifies. 

Anthony  Morris  was  not  only  prominent  in  municipal 
and  business  affairs  but,  for  forty  years,  was  one  of  the  most 
influential  members  of  the  Society  of  Friends  in  Philadelphia, 
taking  an  active  part  in  all  the  movements  that  were  originated 
at  their  Monthly  Meetings.  The  reproduction  which  we  give  of 
an  autograph  letter  to  his  son  Samuel,  well  illustrates  the  value 
which  Anthony  Morris^  attached  to  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  his 
earnest  desire  that  his  children  should  profit  b}^  the  reading  and 
study  of  the  Bible.  The  original  letter  is  affixed  to  the  inside 
of  the  cover  of  a  Bible  which  Anthony  Morris  presented  to  his 
son  Samuel  Morris  in  1744. 

The  marriage  of  Anthony  Morris'  daughter  ]\Iary  to  Samuel 
Powell  on  9th  mo.  9th,  1732,  must  have  been  a  memorable  event 
amongst  the  members  of  the  Morris  family  of  those  times,  for 
Ave  find  upon  the  marriage  certificate,  no  less  than  89  signa- 


156  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

tures,  of  which  15  were  those  of  persons  bearing  the  name  of 
"  Morris."  The  names  of  Thomas  Penn  and  Patrick  Gordon  are 
also  there. 

In  1755,  when  the  people  were  terribl}^  alarmed  at  the  devas- 
tation, and  the  desolation  of  the  border  settlements,  by  the  French 
and  their  Indian  allies,  and  the  Governor  and  the  inhabitants  in 
many  places  were  advocating  military  preparations  to  defend  the 
country,  and  oppose  the  enemy,  many  of  the  members  of  the 
Society  of  Friends,  took  a  'positive  stand  against  military  organi- 
zation, and  Anthony  Morris^  and  his  son  Anthony*,  and  nineteen 
others,  signed  an  address,  to  the  effect,  that  "They  would  be  com- 
pelled to  suffer,  rather  than  consent  to  pay  taxes  for  such  purposes. 
They  therefore  desire  that  no  measures  would  be  taken  which 
might  coerce  them  in  a  manner  inconsistent  with  their  peaceable 
principles." 

Anthony  Morris^  reared  a  large  family  of  children,  some  of 
whom  became  i:)ersons  of  considerable  importance  in  the  com- 
munity. Proud  speaks  of  him  as  "a  person  of  good  esteem, 
character  and  utility  to  his  country,  and  in  the  religious  society 
of  the  Quakers,  of  which  he  was  an  esteemed,  and  valuable  and 
useful  member  until  his  death  Sept.  23^  1763." 

A  very  interesting  reference  to  the  funeral  of  Anthony  Morris' 
is  made  in  the  following  extract  of  a  letter  from  Benjamin  Mar- 
shall to  Hugh  Forbes  in  England. 

Phila.  Oct.  18  1763. 

"^  *  ^,  ^^  ^Yg  i^ave  lost  some  faithfull  &  Worthy  friends  lately 
amongst  which  Anthony  Morris,  w^ho  was  buried  the  Seventh 
day  before  our  Yearly  Meeting  whose  Corps  was  attended  to  the 
Meeting  house  and  burial  ground  by  a  very  great  number  of  the 
most  substantial  Inhabitants  as  well  as  a  vast  number  of  Friends 
from  different  parts,  at  meeting  a  noble  &  worthy  testimony  was 
delivered  by  our  worthy  friend  Ann  Moore  at  which  meeting  was 
present  the  Governor  the  Recorder  many  of  the  Councill  Alder- 
men severall  Ministers  (of  other  persuations)  many  Lawyers,  a 
great  number  of  Merch'*  &  Private  Gentlemen  &c." 

A  memorandum  in  the  Family  Bible  of  Samuel  Morris* 
reads  thus: — "My  Father  Anthony  Morris  Died  the  23*^  Sep- 
"tember  1763  about  1/2  after  two  in  the  morning.     Next  day 


^._     ^ 


■^T. 


<Vs 


THIRD    GENERATION.  *  157 

"  at  4  P.  M.  was  carried  to  the  Market  Street  Meeting  house, 
"  Philadelphia,  and  thence  to  y^  place  of  Interment  in  friends' 
"  burying  ground.  He  lies  next  to  his  father.  He  was  born  IS^** 
"  March  1682  in  London  G.  B.  His  father  Ant°  Morris  (son  of 
"Anth°  Morris  Mariner,  who  died  in  Barbadoes)  was  born  in  y® 
"  same  city  and  was  baptized  at  S*  Dustan's  Stepney,  as  appears 
"  by  y«  Records  of  s"^  Church." 

"The  family  came  from  Leicestershire  to  London,  ex.  Relat. 
PatrisoniV     "  S.  M." 

Phoebe,  the  wife  of  Anthony  Morris^  died  a  few  years  after- 
wards, on  March  18,  1768.  She  was  for  many  years  previously, 
an  elder  "  well  esteemed  in  Philadelphia,  and  one  of  the  most 
"  useful  in  her  day,  in  Meetings  of  Discipline."  Her  son,  Samuel 
Morris,"*  has  made  the  following  entry  in  his  family  Bible  in  refer- 
ence to  her  death : 

"  My  mother  Phoebe  Morris  died  *>!<>!«  on  the  same  spot 
"  of  ground  on  which  she  was  born,  aged  eighty  two  years,  and  a 
"  half,  having  lived  a  life  of  Piety,  and  virtuous  oeconomy  and 
"  seen  a  numerous  Issue  to  the  fourth  Generation.  She  was  buried 
"  in  the  same  grave  wherein  her  Husband  was  laid  about  four 
"  years  and  a  half  before,  with  whom  she  had  lived  upwards  of 
"  sixty  years  in  the  highest  degree  of  Conjugal  affection." 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  a  letter  written  by  Samuel 
Powel,  to  his  Uncle  and  Guardian,  Samuel  Morris,"*  upon  receiv- 
ing an  intimation  of  his  grandfather's  death : 

"  Paris,  1  Feb.  1764. 
"My  Dear  Uncle, 

"  The  pleasure  ever  attendant  on  the  perusal  of  your  letters  is 
not  a  little  alloyed  at  present,  by  the  sorrowful  account  of  the 
death  of  my  much  honoured  Grandsire.  This  affecting  account 
however,  admits  of  the  greatest  consolation  in  the  Reflection, 
that  a  life  ever  regulated  by  the  dictates  of  virtue  and  unaffected 
piety,  will  be  rewarded  by  a  fruition  of  joys  too  great  for  the 
human  mind  to  conceive.  That  such  is  now  the  blessed  estate  of 
our  honoured  grandfather,  no  one,  I  think,  can  have  room  to 
doubt     *     *     * 

"Adieu,  pray  commend  me  to  my  good  grandmother,  if  yet 
in  life,  tho'  I  doubt  not,  her  loss  has  already,  or  will  soon,  carry 


d.  8mo. 

7,  1710. 

d.  3mo. 

31,  1782;  m.  3mo.  26, 

Oct.  31, 

1759  ;  m.  9mo.  9,  1732, 

158  GENEALOGY   OF    THE   MOERIS   FAMILY. 

her  to  join  her  beloved  partner.     My  best  wishes  await  m}^  dear 
Aunt  and  all  your  good  family. 

"I  am  your  most  affectionate  nephew, 

"  Samuel  Powel. 

"  To  Samuel  Morris,  Esq.,  Philadelphia." 

Anthony  and  Phoebe  (Guest)  Morris  had  issue : — 

18.  AxTHO>-Y  MoKKis,  b.  llmo.  14,  1705;  d.  lOmo.  2,  1780;  m.  1st  12mo., 

1730,  Sarah  Powell ;  m.  2dly,  4mo.  30, 1752,  Elizabeth  Hudson. 

19.  James  Morris,  b.  7mo.  8, 1707  ;  d.  Jan  {i.  e.  llmo.)  29, 1750 ;  m.  Imo. 

12, 1729,  Elizabeth  Kearney. 
.20.     John  Morris,  b.  4mo.  23,  1709;  d.  2mo.  3,  1782;  m.  2mo.  18,  1734, 
Mary  Sutton. 

21.  Samuel  Morris,  b.  7mo.  20,  1710; 

22.  Samuel  Morris,  b.  9mo.  21,  1711  ; 

1737,  Hannah  Cadwalader. 

23.  Mary  Morris,  b.  Oct.  13,  1713 ;  d. 

Samuel  Powell. 

24.  Joseph  Morris,  b.  Imo.  10,  1714/5  ;  d.  7mo.  1,  1785 ;  m.  1st  12mo.  18, 

1741,  Martha  Fitzwater  ;  m.  2dly,  llmo.  7,  1765,  Hannah  Mickle. 

25.  Elizabeth  Morris,  b.  Oct.  21,  1716 ;  m.  Sept.  6,  1739,  Benjamin  Shoe- 

maker. 

26.  Benjamin  Morris,  b.  lOmo.  30,  1717/8  ;  d.  7mo.  7,  1719. 

27.  Phosbe  Morris,  b.  5mo.  4,  1721  ;  d.  3mo.  5,  1722. 

28.  Susanna  Morris,  b.  7mo.  27,  1722;  d.  6mo.  13,  1724. 

29.  Deborah  Morris,  b.  llmo.  13,  1723/4 ;  d.  unm.  March  31,  1793. 

30.  Benjamin  Morris,  (M.  D.  ),  b.  3mo.  7,  1725  ;  d.  unm.  May  14,  1755. 
81.  A  dau.  un-named  b.  and  d.  5mo.  19, 1726. 


ABSTRACT  OF  WILL  OF  ANTHONY  MORRIS.^ 

Anthony  Morris,  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  Brewer.  Will 
dated  29th  9th  month  (September),  1760. 

He  gives  to  his  "  beloved  wife  Phoebe  Morris  "  all  his  wearing 
apparel,  confirms  unto  her  bill  of  sale  of  all  his  household  goods 
and  furniture,  and  grants  use  for  life,  of  his  household  plate, 
which  at  her  death,  is  to  be  equally  divided  amongst  his  surviving 
sons  and  his  grandson  Anthony,  son  of  son  James.  He  also 
gives  his  wife  the  mansion  on  2nd  Street,  which  he  purchased 
from  Rebecca  Moore  and  others,  in  which  he  resides,  with  brew 
house,  malt  house,  mill  house,  stable,  chaise  house  and  garden  for 


THIRD    GENERATION.  159 

and  during  the  term  of  her  natural  life;  also  malt,  barley,  hops, 
ale  and  wood  from  his  stock,  to  the  value  of  £1200,  his  negroes, 
men  and  women,  his  chaise,  harness,  dray,  casks,  mill  horse, 
saddle  horse,  dray  horse,  mares  and  colts,  also  his  lot  and  wharf 
and  messuages  thereon  in  Front  and  King  Street,  known  and 
called  the  "Crooked  billet,"  and  the  rents  and  income  from  his 
whole  estate  for  tw^o  years  after  his  decease. 

He  directs  that  the  Mansion  house,  lot  and  edifices  thereon 
shall  be  let  out  to,  or  on  rent,  and  the  net  produce  thereof  for  the 
term  of  seven  years  after  his  wife's  decease,  shall  be  paid  in  equal 
shares  annually  to  daughters  Elizabeth  and  Deborah,  and  his 
grandchildren  (i.  e.  the  surviving  children  of  his  five  sons — 
Anthony,  James,  John,  Samuel  and  Joseph) ;  after  the  expiration 
of  the  seven  years,  the  2nd  Street  Mansion  house  and  buildings 
on  said  lot  are  given  to  his  grandchildren  in  the  following  pro- 
portions : 

"  Children  of  son  John  Morris=l/5        i  ^  Hi  /in 

,,„,.,,  ^  .     ,,  HT       •       ^  ,_  /  Anthony=2/9  of  1/5 

"Children  of  son  Anthony  Morris=l/o  \  „^,       -    .  -i  ^  -.,0     c  Mr 

■'  (-Other  /  children=//9  of  1/5 


'Children  of  son  James  Morris=l/5 


Anthony=2/3  of  1/5 
Mary     '  =1/3  of  1/5 


ur.u-ij  e         a  lAF      •      T/-      f  John=2/9  of  1/0 

"Children  of  son  feamuel  Morris=l/o     J  ^,,  '.,,  _,.,     .  ^  ,_ 

'        I  Other  children=</9  of  1/5 

"Children  of  son  Joseph  MoiTis=l/5     \  ^,,    *  T".,,  „  ,,    e  -, ,- v 

^  '        I  Other  children=3/5  of  1/0" 

He  directs  that  if  the  Mansion  and  Brewery  are  rented,  the 
first  offer  is  to  be  made  to  his  grandson  Anthony,  Brewer,  at  a 
rental  of  £130,  and  if  they  are  sold,  the  same  grandson  is  to  have 
first  offer  of  purchase,  at  the  price  of  £3000;  upon  the  condition, 
that  the  said  grandson  Anthony  "do  teach  and  instruct  grandson 
Anthony  Morris,  son  of  son  Samuel,  in  the  art,  mistery  and  trade 
of  a  brewer  and  malster." 

He  gives  to  his  "two  esteemed  and  trusty  friends  Abel  James 
and  Owen  Jones  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  Merchants,  their 
heirs  and  executors, for  the  term  of  fourteen  generations,  "in  trust 
for  certain  devisees,  nine  certain  ground  rents,  amounting  to 
£25.7.0,  arising  out  of  certain  grants  made  by  his  father  Anthony 


160  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MOKRIS    FAMILY. 

Morris  and  others  from  his  father's  Front  and  2nd  Street  lots  and 
on  Morris'  Alley. 

No.  1.  £6.0.0  per  annum,  as  by  deed  to  Richard  Armitt,  he 
gives  for  the  use  of  grandson  Anthony,  son  of  son  James,  and 
male  issue  for  14  generations. 

No.  2.  £2.6.0  per  annum,  as  by  deed  to  Richard  Armitt, 
now  in  tenure  of  his  son  John,  for  the  use  of  son  Samuel  Morris 
and  male  issue  for  14  generations. 

No.  3.  £2.0.6  per  annum,  as  by  deed  to  Thomas  England 
(now  in  tenure  of  Hugh  Forbes),  he  gives  for  use  of  son  Samuel 
Morris  and  male  issue  for  14  generations. 

No.  4.  £2.0.6  per  annum,  as  by  deed  to  Peter  Stretch,  he 
gives  for  the  use  of  son  Samuel  Morris  and  male  issue  for  14 
generations. 

No.  5.  £4.0.0  per  annum,  as  b}'  deed  to  Thomas  England 
(now  in  tenure  of  Widow  Mar}'  Weyman),  he  gives  for  use  of  son 
Joseph  Morris  and  male  issue  for  14  generations. 

No.  6.  £3.0.0  per  annum,  as  by  deed  made  by  John  Wilson 
to  William  Gray,  and  bought  at  Sheriff's  sale  (now  in  tenure  of 
Widow  Weyman),  he  gives  for  the  use  of  son  Joseph  Morris  and 
male  issue  for  14  generations. 

No.  7.  £1.10.0  per  annum,  as  by  deed  to  John  Budd  (now 
in  tenure  of  Patrick  Farrell),  he  gives  for  the  use  of  son  John 
Morris  and  heirs  male  for  14  generations. 

No.  8.  £3.0.0  per  annum,  as  by  deed  to  Richard  Tomlinson 
(late  in  tenure  of  heirs  of  James  Carr,  dec'*,  but  now  of  Patrick 
Farrell),  he  gives  for  use  of  son  John  ]\Iorris  and  heirs  male  for 
14  years. 

No.  9.  £1.10.0  per  annum,  as  b}^  deed  to  Thomas  Wharton 
(now  in  tenure  of  Stephen  Anthony),  he  gives  for  the  use  of  son 
John  Morris  and  his  heirs  male  for  14  generations. 

Also  to  same  Trustees  he  gives  (in  trust)  the  late  mansion 
seat,  lot  and  premises  of  his  father  Anthony  Morris  dec**,  being 
on  west  side  of  Front  Street  and  north  side  of  Morris's  Alley, 
and  a  rent  charge  of  £4  per  annum  on  a  20  foot  lot,  part  thereof 
granted  to  John  Armitt — these  for  the  use  of  his  eldest  son 
Anthony  Morris  during  his  life.  At  decease  of  son  Anthony, 
Mansion  and  ground  rent  to  come  to  son  John  for  his  life,  and 
at  his  decease  to  son  Samuel  for  his  life,  and  at  his  decease  to  son 
Joseph  for  his  life,  and  at  his  decease  to  grandson  Samuel  ]Morris, 


THIRD    GENERATION.  161 

son  of  son  Anthony  and  lieirs  male  of  his  body  lawfully  issuing 
for  14  generations,  provision  being  made  in  default  of  such 
issue,  it  being  stipulated  that  the  possessor,  for  the  time  being, 
shall  "  Keep  the  mansion  seat  in  good  repair  and  yearly  expend 
thereon,  in  order  to  keep  the  same  repaired,  the  S*^  sum  of  £4  the 
annuity  hereby  given."  Should  the  Mansion  he  destroyed  by 
fire — for  and  towards  rebuilding  the  same,  payment  of  all  the 
ground  rents,  referred  to  above,  shall  cease  to  the  legatees,  for 
seven  years,  and  the  accumulated  fund  be  used  in  rebuilding  it. 

He  gives  to  son  Samuel  and  heirs  his  meadow  and  marsh  ground 
purchased  of  John  Warner  and  Wm.  Davis  and  David  Gibson, 
situate  on  westerly  side  of  Schuylkill,  in  township  of  Kingsess 
opposite  to  Passyunk  Road — provided  son  Samuel  procures  for  his 
brother  Joseph  five  acres  of  meadow  ground  of  equal  value. 

He  gives  to  son  Samuel  and  his  wife  Hannah,  for  the  term  of 
ten  years,  his  lot  or  piece  of  ground  situate  on  east  side  of  2d 
Street  and  west  side  of  Dock  Street  below  the  2d  Bridge,  with 
buildings  and  Tanyard,  w^ith  option  of  son  Samuel  or  dau. 
Hannah,  at  the  expiration  of  the  ten  years,  purchasing  the  said 
property  for  £1500,  for  the  use  of  his  Estate. 

He  confirms  to  son  Joseph,  house  and  lot  in  which  he  (Joseph) 
lately  dwelt,  which  testator  bought  of  Samuel  Ring,  also  a  rent 
charge  of  £6  per  annum  on  a  lot  on  2nd  Street,  Philadelphia, 
"  wherewith  to  pay  a  like  sum  chargeable  upon  the  house  wherein 
son  Joseph  lately  dwelt  contiguous  to  his  present  dwelling 
house."  Also  he  gives  to  son  Joseph,  a  house  and  lot  in  upper 
part  of  Front  Street,  which  was  the  estate  of  Richard  Redman 
and  now  is  in  his  (Joseph's)  tenure. 

He  gives  to  dau.  Deborah,  his  houses  and  lot  fronting  on 
2nd  Street  and  Letitia  Court — purchased  of  Joseph  Noble. 

He  directs  all  his  Estate  in  New  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania 
(after  his  wife's  Estate  therein  is  terminated),  shall  be  appraised, 
"then  of  such  and  valuation  thereof  as  will  amount  to  the  sum 
of  £730,"  he  gives  to  his  three  grandchildren,  the  children  of  son 
James  (viz.  Mary,  Isaac  and  Anthony),  "  to  be  equally  divided 
between  them  as  they  shall  attain  their  respective  ages  of  21  years." 

He  gives  to  son  John  Morris  and  heirs,  of  said  appraised 
estate,  to  amount  of  £356. 

He  gives  to  son  Joseph  Morris  and  heirs,  of  said  appraised 
estate,  to  amount  of  £253. 


162  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

He  gives  to  daughter  Elizabeth  Shoemaker  and  heirs,  of  said 
appraised  estate,  to  amount  of  £228. 

He  gives  to  daughter  Deborah  Morris  and  heirs,  of  said  ap- 
praised estate,  to  amount  of  £208. 

He  gives  in  trust  to  brother  Luke  Morris,  dau.  Deborah  Mor- 
ris, and  grandson  Samuel  Powel,  for  the  use  of  Abigail  Griffits, 
wife  of  William  Griffits,  late  of  Philadelphia,  merchant,  the  sum 
of  £381.5.0,  and  at  her  death,  to  be  divided  among  her  children 
upon  their  attaining  the  age  of  21  years. 

He  gives  to  grandson  Samuel  Powel  a  Silver  Tankard  of  the 
value  of  £17. 

He  gives  to  his  granddaughter  Sarah  Powel  a  Silver  Tankard 
of  the  value  of  £17. 

He  gives  to  "  beloved  sister  Sarah  Morris  "  £20. 

He  gives  to  respected  friend  Margaret  Ellis,  inmate  of  Thomas 
Thomas  of  Radnor,  £5. 

He  gives  to  each  of  his  grandchildren  and  great  grandchil- 
dren, living  at  his  decease  (excepting  those  given  an  interest  in 
the  mansion  house  and  brew  house),  £5. 

Refers  to  two'  lots  of  ground  he  had  purchased  of  grandson 
Samuel  Morris,  son  of  son  Anthony — one  on  2nd  Street  near 
Dock  and  Bridge,  and  the  other  fronting  on  the  west  side  of  Dock 
Street  in  Philadelphia,  and  offers  to  let  him  have  them  again  any 
time  within  four  years  of  date  of  deed  for  amount  of  purchase 
money — £600  with  interest  for  one  year. 

To  eight  of  the  most  virtuous  aged  poor  of  the  City  he 
gives  £16,  viz:  forty  shillings  to  each. 

He  releases  all  his  sons  from  all  charges  in  his  books,  except- 
ing those  accounts  relative  to  the  Estate  of  his  deceased  son 
James,  for  whose  children  he  acted  as  guardian. 

He  gives  to  his  wife  a  bond  from  son  Anthony  for  an  indebt- 
edness of  £500. 

The  Residuary  (after  his  wife's  interest  is  extinct)  to  be  esti- 
mated into  seven  parts  and  distributed  as  follows: 

"To  son  Anthony  and  his  son  Anthony  ('now  dwelling  with 
me')  one-seventh,  i  e.  1/14  apiece. 

"To  Anthony  and  Mary  Morris,  two  of  children  of  son  James 
Morris,  as  they  shall  respectively  attain  the  age  of  21  years, 
one-seventh,  i.  e.  1/14  ajDiece. 

"To  son  John  Morris — one-seventh. 


THIRD    GENERATION.  163 

"To  son  Samuel  Morris— one-seventh. 
"To  son  Joseph  Morris — one-seventh.    . 
"To  dau.  Deborah  Morris — one-seventh. 
"To  dau.  Elizabeth  Shoemaker — one-seventh." 

In  case  of  any  question  or  controversy  arising  concerning 
the  intent  of  any  part  of  the  will  he  requests  his  "loving  brother 
William  Morris  of  Trenton,  Merchant,"  his  "esteemed  friend 
John  Smith  now  of  Burlington  and  William  Callender,"  in  con- 
junction with  his  executors,  to  judge  and  determine  concerning 
the  same,  and  their  judgment  to  be  decisive  and  binding. 

Executors — "dear  wife  Phoebe  Morris,"  and  "four  sons 
Anthony,  John,  Samuel  and  Joseph,  and  dau.  Deborah." 


Witnesses: 

Jer.  Elfketh. 
Aquila  Jones. 

M.    HiLLIGAS. 

Codicil,  dated  Sept.  21,  1763.  Alters  the  disposition  of  the 
Mansion  house  of  his  late  father  at  the  corner  of  Morris'  Alley 
and  Front  Street,  but  devises  the  same  to  his  "  daughter  Deborah 
in  the  same  manner  and  form  and  after  the  same  time  expired 
as  it  is  above  given  to  said  grandson  Samuel  Morris."  In  lieu  of 
the  pecuniary  donation  in  his  will  to  grandson  John  Morris,  he 
gives  him  two  several  mortgages  in  Cumberland  County.  He 
further  desires  that  his  son  Anthony  Morris  shall  not  act  or  take 
upon  him  the  executorship  of  his  said  Will,  during  the  life  of  his 
present  wife  Elizabeth. 

Mentions  share  in  Brunswick  copper  mines,  and  in  Pequca 
lead  mine,  and  empowers  executors  to  advance  money  for  carry- 
ing on  his  share  in  those  mines. 

Witnesses:  (Signed)  Antho.  Morris. 

Johannes  Kopel. 
Rachel  Baremore. 

Proved  at  Philadelphia, 

Wm.  Plumsted,  Reg.  Gen.,  Oct.  29,  1763. 


164  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

Accompanying  the  will  of  Anthony  Morris^  is  an  "  Inventory 
of  sundry  bonds  belonging  to  the  estate  of  Anthony  Morris 
deceased,  found  in  his  house,  amounting  to  £2036.12.10,  and  of 
bonds  taken  for  Debts  and  other  bonds  arising  from  Monies  of 
the  Testator  in  the  hands  of  his  Widow,  which  was  lent  out  by 
her  for  her  use  and  benefit  pursuant  to  the  will  of  her  husband 
for  two  years  after  his  discease,  amounting  to  the  sum  of 
£5994.13.1,  and  are  this  day  delivered  by  his  Excrs.,  for  the  use 
of  his  Legatees,  exclusive  of  the  following  list  of  particular 
bonds  which  are  supposed  to  be  insolvent,  viz. :  Sundry  Bonds 
and  Mortgages  amounting  to  £8031.5.11." 

The  total  amount  of  Bonds  supposed  to  be  insolvent  amounted 
to  £543.16.7  making  a  grand  total  of  £8565.2.6. 

The  Inventory  was  signed 

"John  Morris 
"Samuel  Morris 
"Joseph  Morris. 

"  Philadelphia,  Sept.  26,  1765." 


ABSTRACT  OF  WILL  OF  PHCEBE  (GUEST)  MORRIS. 

Phcebe  Morris,  Widow  and  Relict  of  Anthony  Morris, 
Brewer. 

Will  dated  27th  Sept.,  1763.*  Leaves  all  her  estate,  real  and 
personal,  to  sons  John  Morris,  Samuel  Morris  and  Joseph  Morris, 
and  daughters  Elizabeth  Shoemaker  and  Deborah  Morris,  "  share 
and  share  alike." 

Executors — John  Morris,  Samuel  Morris,  Joseph  Morris  and 
Deborah  Morris. 

(Signed)  Phcebe  Morris. 

Witnesses  : 

Leonard  Melchior. 
Elias  Lewis  Treickel. 

Proved  l***  April,  1768, 

Benj.  Chew,  Reg.  Gen. 

*Vide  Will  Book  O,  p.  221,  Phila. 


MORRIS    MANSION,"   NORTH    SECOND    STREET,   PHILADELPHIA 


MORRIS  "MANSION  HOUSE,"  NORTH  SECOND  STREET, 
PHILADELPHIA. 

On  Nov.  Q,  1741,  Anthon}'  Morris^  for  the  consideration 
of  £450,  purchased  of  Rebecca  Moore — sole  executrix  of  John 
Moore,  Esq.,  who  was  the  surviving  Executor  for  Sarah  Quary — 
"  a  large  brick  messuage  or  tenement  and  lot  of  ground  thereunto 
belonging,  51  feet  broad,  and  300  feet  long,  with  orchards, 
gardens,  fences,  watercourses,  &c.,  bounded  northward  with  lot 
of  Benjamin  Whitehead,  but  formerly  in  tenure  of  Pentecost 
Teague,  eastward  with  2nd  Street,  southward  with  lot  of  Joseph 
Brown  formerly  of  Joseph  Wilcox,  and  westward  with  back  lots."* 

Sarah  Quary  (Widow)  refers  to  this  property  in  her  willf  in 
the  following  words:  "Margaret  Tench  and  myself  were  joint 
"purchasers  in  fee  simple  of  a  lot  lying  on  the  west  side  of  the 
"Second  Street  from  Delaware,  Philadelphia,  whereon  she  at  our 
"joint  charge  caused  a  large  Brick  House  to  be  built  (when  I  was 
"  last  in  England)  which  occasioned  her  to  apply  several  sums  of 
"my  money  far  extending  what  I  intended  on  account  of  that 
"building." 

In  this  house,  which  was  built  before  the  death  of  Margaret 
Tench,  Anthony  Morris^  resided  for  20  years,  until  his  death  in 
1763. 

The  Mansion  and  Brewhouse  with  Malthouse  and  all  appur- 
tenances, on  26th  Oct.,  1775,  became  the  property  of  his  grandson 
(Major)  Anthony  Morris,^  who  purchased  them  from  the  other 
heirs  of  the  estate  of  Anthony  Morris,^  for  the  sum  of  £3000,  that 
being  the  jDurchasing  price  stipulated  in  the  will  of  his  grand- 
father. 

Thomas  Morris,  his  brother,  also  lived  in  the  Mansion  and 
conducted  the  business  whilst  Major  Anthon^^  was  on  service,  and 
it  was  here,  Thomas  Morris  received  the  corpse  of  his  brother  when 
it  was  brought  from  Princeton  after  the  Battle  in  January,  1777. 
Thomas  Morris  then  continued  the  business  of  the  2nd  Street 


*Vide  Deed  Book  G  1,  p.  368,  Phila. 

fThe  will  of  Sarah  Quary  was  signed  Dec.  18,  1716,  probated  Dec.  2,  171i 
Vide  Will  Book  D,  p.  87,  Phila. 

(165) 


166  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

Brewery  and  was  succeeded  by  his  sons  Joseph  and  Thomas, 
and  his  grandson  Anthony  Saunders  Morris,  who  were  in  it  in 
1835. 

James  Abbott  and  Robert  Newlin  took  charge  of  this 
"Morris  Brewery"  about  1836.  Previous  to  that  arrangement 
Abbott  and  Newlin  had  conducted  the  brewing  business  at  the 
Morris  Brewery  owned  by  Anthony  Morris*  on  the  south  side  of 
Pear  and  Dock  Streets.  This  Brewery,  completed  in  1790,  was 
conducted  by  Samuel  Morris^  and  afterwards  by  his  sons  Luke 
W.  Morris^  and  Isaac  W.  Morris,^  who  retired  about  1810,  when 
William  Abbott  and  Caleb  Steward  succeeded  them. 

After  a  period  of  at  least  182  years,  the  Morris  "Mansion 
House,"  on  the  west  side  of  North  Second  Street,  above  Arch 
Street,  Philadelphia,  is  still  standing  (1898).  It  is  in  fairly  good 
preservation,  and  Townsend  Ward  tells  us  "there  is,  or  was, 
affixed  to  the  house,  as  is  said,  Franklin's  first  lightning  rod, 
still  inviting  the  subtle  fluid  to  gently  leave  and  descend  to  the 
earth."* 


*Vide  Penna.  Mag.,  Vol.  iv.,  p.  172. 


THE  GUEST  FAMILY. 

Among  the  "  Pemberton  Papers,"  in  the  library  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania Historical  Society,  is  a  deed  bearing  date  14th  March, 
1672.*  It  was  made  between  Joane  Guest  of  Birmingham,  in 
County  Warwick,  Widdowe,  relict  of  John  Guest  of  Birmingham, 
deceased,  of  the  one  parte,  and  William  Baylys  of  Birmingham, 
and  William  Whyton  of  Birmingham,  of  the  other  part.  By 
his  last  Will  and  Testament,  John  Guest,  deceased,  devised  unto 
George  Guest  of  Birmingham,  second  sonne  of  the  said  John 
Guest  dec*^  and  to  his  heirs  for  ever,  after  the  decease  of  the  said 
Joane,  "  All  that  messuage  house  or  tenement,  shoppe,  barns, 
stables,  edifices,  buildings  and  one  peece  or  parcell  of  land  lately 
purchased  by  the  said  John  Guest,  deceased  of  one  Nicholas 
Farkson ; "  and  "  this  indenture  witnessed  that  the  said  Joane 
Guest  as  well  in  part  of  performance  of  the  last  will  of  the  said 
John  Guest  her  late  husband  deceased,  and  for  the  natural  love, 
favour  and  affection  which  she  the  said  Joane  bore  for  and 
towards  the  said  George  Guest  her  sonne  and  Alice  his  now  wife 
granted  and  confirmed  unto  the  said  William  Baylys  and  William 
Whyton,  their  heirs  and  assigns,  the  above  Messuage"  &c.  situate 
upon  part  of  a  croft  of  land  known  by  the  name  of  Ladyfold, 
between  the  house  of  Thomas  Greene,  and  the  house  of  Sarah 
Guest  widow,  daughter-in-law  of  said  John  Guest,  deceased.  The 
other  part  of  the  Crofte  called  Ladyfold  and  the  Crosse  lane 
thereat  or  near  on  all  sides,  and  part  thereof  then  in  possession 
of  the  said  Joane  Guest,  This  deed  secured  the  aforesaid 
property  to  the  use  of  the  said  Joane  Guest  for  and  during  the 
term  of  her  natural  life  and  after  her  decease  to  the  use  of  the 
said  George  Guest  and  Alice  his  wife,  "  during  the  term  of  their 
two  natural  lives  and  the  life  of  the  longer  liver  of  them,  and 
from  and  after  them,  the  heirs  of  the  said  George  by  said  Alice 
his  wife." 

Alice,  the  wife  of  George  Guest,  was  a  dau.  of  William  Bailyes 
(spelled  also  Bailies,  Baylies  and  Baylys)  of  Birmingham,  Eng- 
land, whose  wife  was  Alice  Chanders,  a  dau.  of  Thomas  Chan- 


*  Vide  Pemberton  Papers,  Vol.  Iviii., 
(167) 


168  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

ders.  William  Bailyes,  the  father  of  Alice,  bap.  15  Dec.,  1622,* 
was  the  son  of  William  Bailies  and  Alice  Sommerland  (m. 
26  Jan.,  1612,*  who  had  also  daus.  Joane,  bap.  15  June,  1617 ; 
Margerie,  bap.  27  Feb.,  1619;  Alice,  bap.  14  Jan.,  1626;  and  Ann, 
bap.  17  May,  1629. 

The  following  list  of  the  descendants  of  William  Bailyes,  Jr., 
has  been  deduced  from  Parish  Registers,  Friends'  Records  at 
Devonshire  House,  London,  diaries  and  private  memoranda. 

William  Bailyes  (b.  15  Dec,  1622),  m.  Alice  Chanders,  dau. 
of  Thomas  Chanders.     They  had  two  sons  and  six  daughters : — 

II.     1.  William  Baylis,  d.  young. 

II.     2.  John  Baylis  of  Birmingham,  Warwick  Co.,  b. ;  m.  12mo.  20, 

1671,  Sarah  Dyke  of  London,  at  Peel  Street  Monthly  Meeting, 

John  Street. 

Issue  : 

III.     1.  John  Baylis,  d.  unm. 

III.     2.  Samuel  Baylis,  m.  Sarah  Fransom  of  Evesham — left  no  child. 
III.     3.  Hannah  Baylis,  m.  Samuel  Freeth  (Frieth  or  Frith)  of  Bir- 
mingham. 

Issue: 

TV.     1.  Samson  Freeth,  m. 

Issue — left  2  sons  and  1  dau. : 

V.     1.  Samuel  Fkeeth. 

V.     2.  Samson  Freeth,  m.  Harvey,  dau.  of  Samuel  Harvey, 

of  Birmingham. 
V.     3.  Elizabeth  Freeth,  m.  Richard  Dearman,  of  Whitehaven. 
III.     4.  Mary  Baylis,    m.    1st    Jonathan    Freeth ;    m.    2dly    Thomas 
Prichard.     (Issue,  1  child). 

II.     3.  Mary  Baylis,  m.  Barnet  Parks,  Surgeon,  of  Dudley  (no  issue). 
II.     4.  Sarah  Baylis,  m.  John  Guest. 

Issue  : 

III.     1.  A  son,  d.  young. 
II.     5.  Alice  Baylis,  m.  George  Guest  and  emigrated  to  Pennsylvania, 
1680. 


*Vide  Register  of  Parish  Church  of   S.  S.  Peter  and  Paul,  Astonjuxta, 
Birmingham. 


THIRD    GENERATION.  169 

They  had  the  following  issue,  but  the  precise  order  of  the 
births  of  the  children  is  not  accurately  known : — 

III.     1.  ]\L\KY  Guest,  bu.  2mo.  1st,  1697/8 ;  m.  AVilliam  Say,  of  Bur- 
lington, N.  J.,  lOmo.  11th,  1690,  "at  a  Public  Assembly."* 

Issue: 

TV.     1.  AVilliam  Say,  Jr. 

IV.     2.  Hannah  Say,  bu.  Imo.  27,  1698. 
III.     2.  Elizabeth  Guest,  b.  in    Birmingham,  England,   1675 ;    d.   in 
Philadelphia,    April  12,    1757;    m.  lOmo.   5,   1695,   Arthur 
Holton  of  Philadelphia,   "at  the  dwelling  house  of  Alice 
Guest,  widow." 

Issue  : 

1\.     1.  Mary  Holton,  m.  Samuel  Hudson,  b.  7mo.  27,  1690,  eldest 
son  of  AVilliam  and  Mary  (Richardson)  Hudson. 

Issue  : 

y.  1.  Elizabeth  Hudson,  b.  6mo.  24,  1721  ;  m.  3mo.  8,  1740, 
John  Jones  of  Germantown,  Philadelphia,  a  tanner, 
son  of  Griffith  Jones  of  Oxford  township. 

V.     2.  AVilliam  Hudson,  b.  7mo.  6,  1722. 

V.  3.  Hannah  Hudson,  b.  8mo.  28,  1733;  m.  3mo.  19,  1741, 
Joseph  Howell,  son  of  Jacob  and  Sarah  Howell  of 
Chester,  tanner  (at  this  time  Samuel  Hudson,  father  of 
H.  H.  was  "deceased"). 

Issue  : 

VI.     1.  Elizabeth  Howell,  b.  2mo.  19,  1842/3. 

VI.     2.  Jacob  Howell,  b.  3mo.  11,  1744. 

VI,     3.  Sarah  Howell,  b.  6mo.  23,  1745. 

VI.     4.  Samuel  Howell,  b.  lOmo.  6,  1766. 

VI.  5.  Arthur  Howell,  b.  8mo.  20,  1748 ;  d.  Imo.  26,  1816 ; 
m.  12mo.  10,  1778,  Mary  Mott,  daughter  of  Asher 
and  Deborah  ISIott,  of  Philadelphia,  deceased. 
Arthur  Howell  afterwards  became  a  celebrated 
minister  among  "Friends."  Arthur  and  Mary 
Mott  Howell  had  8  children. 

VI.     6.  Joseph  Howell,  b.  6mo.  31,  1750. 

VI.     7.  AVilliam  Howell,  b.  9mo.  7,  1751. 

VI.     8.  Eachel  Howell,  b.  7mo.  7,  1753. 

VI.     9.  Israel  Howell,  b.  lOmo.  6,  1754. 
lA^     2.  John  Holton,  bu.  6mo.  27,  1705. 
lA^.     3.  Arthur  Holton,  bu.  5mo.  23,  1707. 


AVilliam  Say  m.  2dly  April  4,  1699,  Mary  Paschall. 


170  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

III.     3.  George  Guest  of  Philadelphia,  m.  at  Burlington,  N.  J.,  8mo. 
15,  1701,  Elizabeth  Marshall  of  Burlington,  dau.  of  James 
Marshall,  who  came  from  Yorkshire,  England,  in  1683  with 
his  wife  Eachel  Hudson.     James  Marshall  was  Judge  of  the 
Courts,  and  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  Quarter  Sessions  in  the 
Liberties,  Precincts  and  Jurisdiction  of  Burlington,  N.  J., 
from  1687-169-4.  George  Guest  afterwards  resided  in  Bur- 
lington, N.  J.     He  d.  before  the  marriage  of  his  son  John, 
12mo.  23,  1743/4. 
IV.     1.  Marshall  Guest,  b.  May  22,  1702. 
IV.     2.  Phcebe  Guest,  b.  Sept.  15,  1703. 
IV.     3.  George  Guest,  b.  Oct.  22,  1704. 
IV.     4.  James  Guest,  b.  Dec.  10,  1709. 
IV.     5.  John  Guest,  b.  Jan.  3,  1713 ;  m.  12mo.  23,  1743/4  Elizabeth 

Simmons  of  Burlington,  at  Philadelphia  Meeting. 
IV.     6.  Rachel  Guest,  b.  Feb.  28,  1715;  d.  unm. 
IV.     7.  Anna  Guest,  b.  Dec.  18,  1718;  m.  Thomas  Clifford,  at  Bur- 
lington,  5mo.    7,   1743.      In  llmo.   6,   1745,   received  a 
certificate  to  Philadelphia  from  Burlington  Mo.  Mg. 

IV.     8.  Jonathan  Guest,  b.  Aug.  18,  1721  ;  d. ;  m.  1st  Jane ; 

m.   2d]y  Margaret   Clifford,  sister  of   Thomas    Clifford. 
Jonathan  Guest  had  numerous  descendants. 
III.     4.  John  Guest. 

III.     5.  PHffiBE  Guest,  b.  at  Philadelphia  7mo.  28,  1685  ;  d.  March  18, 
1769;  m.  3mo.  10,  1704,  Anthony  Morris,^  son  of  Anthony 
Morris 2  and  Mary  Jones.     (Descendants  are  given  in  this 
Genealogy. ) 
11.     6.  Elizabeth   Bavlls    (also   spelled   Bailyes)   of   Scotch   yard,   near 
Cannon  Street,  London ;   m.  4mo.   17,   1673,  William  Hard  of 
Kingston,  at  Grace  Church  Street  Meeting, — they  emigrated  to 
Pennsylvania  1682  ;  she  d.  in  her  93rd  year  in  Philadelphia. 
II.     7.  Rebecca  Baylis,  m.  Thomas  Rose  (or  Ross)  of  Birmingham. 

Issue  : 

III.     1,  2,  3,  4,  5.  All  died  young. 

III.     6.  Thomas  Rose,  m.  at  Coalbrookdale. 

Issue — 2  sons  living  about  1772,  viz.: — 

IV.     1.  Daniel  Rose. 
IV.     2.  John  Rose. 
III.     7.  Mary  Rose,  m.  John  Williams  of  Birmingham. 

Issue  : 

IV.     1.  Mary  Williams,  m.  John  Teeton  (Tuton?)  of  London. 
IV.     2.  Rebecca  Williams. 
IV.     3.  Phcebe  Williams. 
11.     8.  Phcebe  Baylis,  m.  Constantine  Young,  of  Leominster. 


THIRD    GENERATION.  171 

Issue  : 
III.     1.  Peter  Youxg,  m.  .     He  left  one  daughter. 

Issue  : 
IV.     1.  EuTH  Young,  living  at  Worcester  about  1772. 

Notwithstanding  the  prospect  of  enjoying  the  property  referred 
to  in  the  deed  which  has  been  quoted,  George  and  Alice  Guest 
left  their  native  country  for  America,  in  1080,  and  "settled 
in  the  Jerseys"  where  they  first  lived,  but  when  Alice  Guest 
heard  that  her  sister  Elizabeth  Hard  "designed  to  Philadelphia," 
she  and  George  Guest,  her  husband,  removed  thither,  and  had 
"just  got  settled  in  a  cave  on  the  Bank  of  the  Delaware,"  at  the 
spot  where  the  Crooked  Billet  Wharf*  was  afterwards  constructed, 
between  Chestnut  and  High  Streets,  when  Elizabeth  Hard  arrived, 
and  esteemed  it  "  a  divine  Providence  to  find  her  sister,  whom 
she  had  not  seen  for  some  j^ears,  thus  ready  to  receive  her,  and 
in  the  cave  they  dwelt  together  till  they  could  build. "t 

Many  of  the  immigrants  dwelt  in  caves  along  the  banks  of 
the  Delaware,  then  a  high,  bold  shore  called  Coaquannock. 

"Some  dug  holes  and  caves  in  the  dry  banks  of  the  river, 
propped  the  superincumbent  earth  up  with  timbers,  and  hanging 
their  pots  and  kettles  on  improvised  stakes  and  hooks  at  the 
entrance,  speedily  had  warm  and  comparatively  comfortable 
lodgings  in  the  style  of  what  hunters  used  to  call  '  half-faced  * 
camps."J 

Deborah  Morris,  the  granddaughter  of  Alice  Guest,  in  com- 
pany with  her  aunt  Sarah  Morris,  visited  England  on  religious 
service,  in  1772-3,  and  in  her  Diary  we  find,  among  other  inter- 
esting records,  an  account  of  her  visit  to  Birmingham.  We  quote 
her  words  verbatim  as  they  picture  to  us  the  descendants  of  her 
great-grandfather : 

"Seventh  day,  Eleventh  mo.  28,  1772.  Mounted  early,  and 
"dined  at  Sutton,  an  inn  16  miles.  In  our  way  got  two  horses  to 
"  help  ours,  and  reached  Birmingham  by  four  o'clock  eight  miles, 


*  The  Crooked  Billet  Wharf  ^as  so  named  from  an  old  tavern  on  the  river, 
north  of  Chestnut  Street,  which  had  a  crooked  billet  of  wood  for  its  sign. 
iVide  Codicil  to  Will  of  Deborah  Morris.* 
XVide  Scharf  and  Westcott,  History  of  Philadelphia,  Vol.  i.,  p.  101. 


172  GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MORRIS  FAMILY. 

''and  were  kindly  received  by  George  Boon  a  valuable  public 
*'  friend — a  pretty  wife." 

"Second  day,  Eleventh  mo.  30th,  1772.  Spent  this  day  in 
"visiting  my  relations  by  my  mother,  of  whom  there  is  living 
"now,  Mary  Williams,  first  cousin  to  my  dear  mother.  Her 
"  mother  was  Mary  Rose  (or  Ross)  and  she  was  William  Baylis' 
"daughter,  and  there  are  several  great-grandchildren  of  the  above 
"William  Balis,  descending  from  his  son  John,  who  left  no  son, 
''but  one  of  his  daughters  married  a  Frieth,  whose  grandson 
"  Sampson  has  now  married  to  a  daughter  of  Samuel  Harvey  of 
"Birmingham,  that  S.  H.  whose  son  married  Hunt, who  I  likewise 
"visited,  and  though  Presbyterians  received  us  very  kindly  and 
"the  widow  Frith,  the  mother  of  the  present  Sampson  spent  the 
"evening  with  us." 

Deborah  Morris  had  previously  noted  in  10th  mo.,  1772, 
whilst  staying  with  her  aunt  Sarah  Morris  at  the  house  of  John 
and  Hannah  Harris,  High  Field,  near  Pardshaw-Craig,  in  Eng- 
land: 

"  A  Richard  Dearman  and  his  wife  Elizabeth,  came  to  see  us, 
"  five  miles  although  it  was  a  rainy  day.  Very  unexpectedly,  in 
"  conversing,  I  found  her  to  be  a  daughter  of  Samson  Frieth,  the 
"son  of  Hannah  Frieth,  my  dear  mother's  own  aunt,  which  made 
"us  second  cousins.  She  is  a  pretty  Friend  about  my  own  size, 
"is  agreeably  married,  and  lives  at  Scatton  Furnace,  near  Cocker- 
"  mouth." 

How  the  early  settlers  at  Philadelphia  prepared  a  shelter  for 
themselves  and  often  experienced  providential  deliverances,  is 
most  interestingly  and  quaintly  described  by  Deborah  Morris  in 
the  Codicil  to  her  Will.  She  had  exceptional  opportunities  for 
acquiring  the  information  from  the  lips  of  her  great  aunt  Eliza- 
beth Hard,  upon  whom,  as  she  writes,  she  "waited  with  pleasure 
nine  years,"  and  who  died  in  the  93rd  year  of  her  age ;  "  she  was 
a  worthy  good  woman,  whose  sweet  innocent  deportment  used  to 
give "  her  niece  Deborah  "  high  esteem  and  regard  for  other 
antient  people."     Deborah  Morris  tells  us : 

"All  that  came  wanted  a  dwelling  and  hasted  to  provide  one, 
"they  lovingly  helped  each  other,  when  the  women  set  them- 
"  selves  to  work  they  had  not  been  used  to,  for  few  of  our  first 
"settlers  were  of  the  laborious  class,  help  of  that  sort  was  scarce, 
"  and  my  good  Aunt  thought  it  expedient  to  help  her  husband  at 


THIRD    GENERATION.  173 

"one  end  of  the  saw  and  to  fetch  all  such  water  to  make  mortar  of 
"as  they  then  had  to  build  her  chimney.  At  one  time  being 
"overwearied  therewith,  her  husband  desired  her  to  forbear, 
"saying,  thou  my  dear  had  better  think  of  dinner,  on  M^hich 
"poor  woman — she  walked  away,  wept  as  she  went  reflecting  on 
"herself  for  coming  to  be  exposed  to  such  hardships  and  then 
"knew  not  where  to  get  a  dinner,  for  their  provision  was  all  spent 
"except  a  small  quantity  of  biscuit  and  cheese,  of  which  she  had 
"not  informed  her  husband,  but  thought  she  would  try  which  of 
"  her  friends  had  any  to  spare.  Thus  she  walked  on  towards  her 
"tent  (happy  time  when  each  ones  Treasure  lay  safe  in  their 
"tent)  but  a  little  desponding  in  her  mind  for  she  felt  herself 
"closely  reproved,  and  as  if  queried  with,  did  thou  not  come  for 
"  liberty  of  Conscience,  has  thou  not  got  it,  also  been  provided 
"far  beyond  thy  expectation,  which  so  humbled  her,  she  on  her 
"knees  begged  forgiveness,  and  for  preservation  in  future  and 
"  never  repined  after,  when  she  arose  from  her  knees  and  was 
"going  to  seek  for  other  food  than  what  she  had,  her  cat  came 
"into  the  tent  and  had  caught  a  fine  large  rabbit  which  she 
"thankfully  received  and  dressed  as  an  English  hare.  When 
"her  husband  came  to  dinner  being  informed  of  the  particulars, 
"  they  both  w^ept  with  reverential  joy,  and  eat  their  meal  which 
"was  thus  seasonably  provided  for  them  in  singleness  of  heart. 
"Many  such  divinely  providential  cares  did  they  partake  of. 
"  Thus  did  our  w^orthy  ancestors  witness  the  arm  of  Divine  love 
"extended  for  their  support  within  and  without  which  is  not 
"shortened.  Therefore  let  us  lean  thereon.  Oh  may  we  all 
"seek  to  be  made  thereby  acceptable  in  his  holy  sight." 

Such  references  as  the  foregoing  to  the  character  of  the  early 
settlers,  recall  to  mind  the  beautiful  words  of  Whittier  on 


THE  QUAKER  OF  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 

The  Quaker  of  the  olden  time ! 

How  calm  and  firm  and  true, 
Unspotted  by  its  wrong  and  crime, 

He  walked  the  dark  earth  through. 
The  lust  of  power,  the  love  of  gain, 

The  thousand  lures  of  sin 
Around  him,  had  no  power  to  stain 

The  purity  within. 


174  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

With  that  deep  insight  which  detects 

All  great  things  in  the  small, 
And  knows  how  each  man's  life  affects 

The  spiritual  life  of  all. 
He  walked  by  faith,  and  not  by  sight. 

By  love  and  not  by  law ;  , 

The  presence  of  the  wrong  or  right 

He  rather  felt  than  saw. 

He  felt  that  wrong  with  wrong  partakes, 

That  nothing  stands  alone. 
That  whoso  gives  the  motive,  makes 

His  brother's  sin  his  own. 
And,  pausing  not  for  doubtful  choice 

Of  evils  great  or  small. 
He  listened  to  that  inward  voice 

Which  calls  away  from  all. 

Oh  !  spirit  of  that  early  day, 

So  pure  and  strong  and  true. 
Be  with  us  in  the  narrow  way 

Our  faithful  fathers  knew. 
Give  strength  the  evil  to  forsake. 

The  cross  of  truth  to  bear, 
And  love  and  reverent  fear  to  make 

Our  daily  lives  a  praj-er.! 

The  writer  has  been  shown  by  Mrs.  Emma  Edwards,  a  very 
fine  large  linen  napkin,  the  flax  for  which  was  spun  by  Elizabeth 
Hard  whilst  dwelling  in  the  cave ;  it  was  afterwards  woven  by 
the  German  weavers  of  Germantown. 

As  a  poet  of  the  time  writes : — 

"  Where  live  High  German  People  and  Low  Dutch 
Whose  trade  in  weaving  Linen  Cloth  is  such. 
There  grows  the  Flax,  as  also  you  may  know 
That  from  the  same  they  do  divide  the  tow."* 

Another  most  interesting  relic  is  a  very  pretty,  small  arm 
chair,  which  was  used  by  the  Guests  whilst  living  in  that  cave. 
The  wood  work,  elegantly  carved  with  scrolls  is  almost  black  with 
age,  and  the  seat — probably  the  original  one — is  made  of  rushes. 
Its  present  owner,  Mr.  Howard  Edwards,  to  whom  the  writer  is 
indebted  for  permission  to  photograph  it,  keeps  it  for  safety,  on 
the  top  of  'a  high   china-cabinet.      This   handsome  and   well- 

*"A  Description  of  Pennsylvania  in  Verse,"  by  Eichard  Frame,  1692. 


ANCIENT   ARM    CHAIR 
USED    BY    THE    GUEST    FAMILY    IN    THE   CAVE    ON    THE    DELAWARE 


THIRD    GENERATION.  175 

preserved  chair  is  probably  one  of  the  earhest  pieces  of  furni- 
ture brought  to  Philadelphia.  A  set  of  brass  fire  ornaments, 
consisting  of  brass  fire  tongs,  shovel,  fender,  and  fire  dogs 
with  large  brass  bosses,  and  several  pewter  dishes,  were  also 
brought  over  by  George  and  Alice  Guest,  and  are  still  kept  with 
scrupulous  care  by  their  descendants.  Deborah  Morris  informs 
us,  they  were  "all  preserved  by  being  thrown  down  her  great- 
"  grandfather's,  William  Bailyes,  his  well  in  Birmingham  during 
"  Cromwell's  Wars." 

It  is  noteworthy,  that  Deborah  Morris  distinctly  stated  that 
the  Guests  had  "just  got  settled  in  a  Cave  "  when  their  sister 
arrived,  and  that  she  came  from  England  with  William  Penn 
and  other  friends,  but  it  has  been  a  tradition  that  in  1682,  when 
William  Penn  first  came  to  Philadelphia,  he  landed  upon  the 
"low  and  sandy  beach  "  which  long  was  known  as  the  "landing 
place"  by  the  side  of  the  house  of  George  Guest,  which  was  the 
most  finished  house  in  the  city  when  he  arrived,  and  that  the 
designation  of  the  house  was  the  "Blue  Anchor"  Inn,  which  "for 
many  years  afterwards"  was  kept  by  George  Guest.*  It  is  there- 
fore very  remarkable  that  a  careful  inspection  of  the  Records  in 
the  office  of  the  Recorder  of  Deeds  in  Philadelphia,  fails  to  reveal 
any  mention  of  the  name  of  Guest  in  connection  with  the  "  Blue 
Anchor."  At  the  time  of  William  Penn's  landing,  the  "Blue 
Anchor"  was  owned  by  one  Captain  William  Dare,  and  by  a 
Deed  dated  18  January,  1682  (o.  s.)  i.  e.  two  months  later,  he  con- 
veyed it  to  Colonel  Edward  Hill  of  Shirley,  Virginia.f 

George  and  Alice  Guest  were  members  of  standing  in  the 
Society  of  Friends.  On  the  28th  of  7th  mo.,  1685,  they  had  a 
dau.  b.  to  them,  whom  they  named  Phoebe,  but  before  the  close 
of  the  year,  George  Guest,  the  father,  d.,  and  letters  of  administra- 
ation  of  his  estate  were  granted  to  Joseph  Browne  of  Philadelphia, 
brickmaker,  11th  mo.  6th,  1685.  Only  two  months  before,  14th 
9th  mo.,  1685,  George  Guest  had  mortgaged  a  lot  of  ground  on 
west  side  of  2nd  Street  to  Henry  Jones. 

It  appears,  from  the  minutes  of  the  Commissioners  and  the 
Council,   that  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Caves,  in  the  Delaware 

*Vide  Proud's  History  of  Pennsylvania,  Vol.  i.,  p.  23-4 ;  Watson's  Annals, 
Vol.  i.,  pp.  130-133. 

tVlde  Deed  Book  E  1,  Vol.  v.,  p.  361,  etc.,  Recorder  of  Deeds  Office,  Phila- 
delphia. 


176  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

Bank  were  deemed  tenants  of  the  Proprietary,  and  were  liable 
to  receive  notice  to  quit  at  any  time,  and  although  it  is  probable, 
that  the  Guests  had  erected  a  house  for  themselves,  near  the 
original  location  in  the  Delaware  Bank,  Alice  Guest  in  1687 
was  still  making  use  of  the  Cave  in  which  she  and  her  family 
had  resided  in  1682,  and  was  deemed  one  of  the  "inhabitants  of 
the  Caves." 

In  Minute  Book  C,  we  find  that :  * 

"At  a  meeting  of  the  Commissioners  in  the  Council  Room  at 
"Philad'a  ye  25th  of  ye  5th  mo  1687  Present:  William  Mark- 
"ham,  Thomas  Ellis,  John  Goodson.  According  to  Notice  given 
"ye  last  sitting  of  ye  Commissioners  there  appeared  of  ye  Inhab- 
"itants  of  ye  Caves  on  the  Bank: 

"John  Otter,  Thos.  Prichard, 

"Benj'n  Chambers,  Edward  Morgan, 

"Hen.  Furnis,  Alse  Guest, 

"Anth.  Weston,  Morris  Morgan, 

"Nath.  Allen,  Hen'y  Hughes, 

"Hugh  Marsh,  Theo  Roberts. 

"Samuel  Hersent  appeared  in  the  behalf  of  John  Swift  and 
"Jere  Elfrith. 

"John  Otter,  Benj.  Chambers,  Nathaniel  Allen  and  Alse 
"Guest,  their  Caves  were  esteemed  to  be  worth  the  Building, 
"thirty  pounds,  and  the  Commissioners  treated  with  them 
"  accordingly." 

"At  a  Meeting  of  Comm^  29*'^  5  mo.  1687  at  Phila. 

"John  Otter,  Nath.  Allen  and  Alee  Guest,  signed  their  obli- 
"gation  as  Renters.  The  tenor  of  their  obligation  was:  1st,  to 
"pay  the  half  value  of  yearly  rent  as  it  shall  be  valued  by  4 
"indifferent  men  to  be  mutually  chosen,  it  to  commence  the 
"19th  7ber  next.  2dly,  keep  good  order.  3dly,  Upon  order  to 
"  depart  out  &  leave  the  same.     4thly,  to  repair  the  Bank." 

In  course  of  time,  Alice  Guest  made  herself  owner  of  the 
whole  bank  lot,  for  it  is  recorded  that  "At  a  Session  of  Commis- 
"sioner  17'*^  10^^  mo  1701,t  Alice  Guest  produces  a  Patent  for  24 
"  ffoot  of  the  said  Bank  dated  3rd  3rd  mo.  1692,  on  which  she  has 


*Vide  Penna.  Archives,  2nd  Series,  VoL  xix.,  p.  13. 

■fVide  Minute  Book  "  G,"  Penna.  Archives,  2nd  Series,  Vol.  xix.,  p.  218. 


THIRD    GENERATION.  177 

"built,  Offers  £24  for  the  Reversion  and  Requests  a  new  Patent." 
"A  Patent  granted  accordingly." 

It  is  recorded  that  her  daughter  Elizabeth  Guest  was  m.  10th 
mo.  5th,  1695,  to  Arthur  Holton,  "at  the  dwelling  "  house  of  Alice 
Guest,  widow,  which  was  probably  the  "Crooked  Billet"  Inn 
which  she  had  erected  upon  the  lot  referred  to. 

Alice  Guest  lived  to  see  Phoebe,  her  youngest  child,  married 
to  Anthony  Morris,'  and  died  in  Aug.,  1705.  Descriptions  of  the 
property  she  had  acquired  and  the  improvements  she  had  made 
upon  the  Bank  lot,  are  given  in  her  Will,  proved  Sept.  5, 1705, 
and  we  have  seen  in  the  biography  of  her  son-in-law,  Anthony 
Morris,^  that  after  her  death,  her  Front  and  Bank  lots,  with  the 
"Crooked  Billet,"  eventually  came  into  his  possession. 


ABSTRACT  OF  THE  WILL  OF  ALICE  GUEST. 

The  Will  of  Alice  Guest,  Widow,  dated  30'^  day  of  6'*^  mo., 
called  August,  1705.  She  bequeaths  "to  loving  sister  Elizabeth 
Hard  of  Philadelphia,  Widow,"  five  pounds;  to  Monthly  Meeting 
of  Friends  called  Quakers  in  Philadelphia,  five  pounds  "  to  dis- 
"  pose  of  as  said  meeting  shall  see  meet  and  convenient ; "  unto 
each  of  her  friends  Pentecost  Teague  and  John  Redman  Sen'"  for 
acting  as  executors  five  pounds;  unto  her  loving  son  George 
Guest  her  "Great  Bible;"  unto  her  son  John  her  silver  tankard. 
She  then  directs  : 

"All  the  rest  and  residue  of  my  personal  Estate  as  Stock  of 
"Liquors,  Household  goods  and  other  effects  of  what  nature, 
"  kind  or  quality  soever,  or  wheresoever  lying  or  being,  which 
"shall  be  left  after  my  said  Debts  and  legacies,  I  give,  Devise  and 
"  bequeath,  to  my  four  children  hereafter  named ;  that  is  to  say 
"  my  two  sons  George  Guest  and  John  Guest,  and  my  two  Daugh- 
"ters  Elizabeth  Holton  and  Phoebe  Morris,  to  be  equally  divided 
"amongst  them. 

"  Unto  my  eldest  son  George  Guest  his  heirs  and  assigns  for 
"ever  my  Brick  House  Lott  and  appurtenances  belonging  situate 
"  and  being  on  the  East  side  of  the  ffront  Street  in  Philadelphia 
"  wherein  I  at  present  dwell ;  as  also  all  those  my  Messuages, 
"Buildings  and  houses  with  their  appurtenances,  on  my  Wharf 
"  or  Water  Lott  on  the  East  side  of  King  Street  in  Philadelphia, 


178  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

"together  with  the  Lott  of  Land  on  my  said  Wharfe  or  Water 
"  Lott.  He  the  s*^  George  in  consideration  thereof  paying  out  of 
"the  Profits  or  value  of  the  same  the  Legacys  herein  after  be- 
"queathed.     *     *     * 

"  Unto  my  son  John  Guest  his  heirs  and  assigns  for  ever  all 
"that  my  Brick  Messuage  or  Tenement  and  the  Lott  of  ground 
"  thereunto  belonging  situated  on  y°  West  side  of  the  ffront  Street 
"  in  Philadelphia  adjoining  to  the  lott  of  William  Say  wherein 
"  he  at  present  dwells. 

"Unto  my  daughter  Phoibe  wife  of  Anthonj^  Morris  jun''  the 
"sum  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  pounds  to  be  paid  within  six 
"  years  after  m}^  decease  without  interest. 

"  Unto  my  daughter  Elizabeth  wife  of  Arthur  Holton  sixty 
"  pounds  to  be  paid  without  interest  within  nine  years  after  my 
"decease. 

"Unto  my  grandson  William  Say  Jun'"  sixty  pounds  when  he 
"shall  attain  y®  age  of  twenty-one  years  without  interest,  forty 
"pounds  more  to  be  paid  in  six  months  after  without  interest. 

"  Unto  the  rest  of  my  grandchildren  viz*:  Marshall  and  Phoebe 
"  Guest,  Mary  Holton  and  Mary  Guest,  to  each  of  them,  ten  pounds 
"at  twenty-one  years  of  age  without  interest. 

"  Unto  William  Say  the  Elder,  one  shilling  in  one  month  (I 
"  having  already  given  him  as  a  portion  with  my  daughter  his 
"  late  wife  deceased  the  Lot  whereon  his  Home  now  stands  with 
"twenty  pounds  in  money  and  sundry  goods)." 

Alice  Guest  appoints  her  son  George  Guest  as  the  Executor 
of  her  Will,  with  her  friends  Pentecost  Teague  and  John  Redman 
"to  aid  advise  and  assist  him." 

(Signed)  Alice  Guest. 

Witnesses : 

Nathaniel  Edgcome. 
John  Jones. 
Robert  Pound. 

Proved,  Philadelphia,  5th  Sept.,  1705. 

9.  James  Morris^  (Anthony,^  Anthony'),  son  of  Anthony 
Morris^  and  his  first  wife  Mary  Jones,  was  born  in  Philadelphia 
oth  mo.  8th,  1688,  died  Oct.  31,  1747,  at  Duck  Creek,  Del. ;  m. 
1st  mo.  8th,  1709,  at   the    Public   Meeting   House   in  Chester, 


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MARRIAGE    CERTIFICATE    OF    JAMES    MORRIS     AND    MARGARET    COOK,   1709 


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DEED    FROM    WILLIAM    PENN    TO    JAMES    MORRIS,^  1716 


THIRD    GENERATION.  179 

Margaret  Cook,  dau.  of  John  Cook,  of  the  Township  of  Oxford, 
Yeoman.  She  died  9th  Nov.,  1766,  nearly  77  years  of  age. 
After  their  marriage,  James  and  Margaret  Morris  settled  in  Kent 
County,  Delaware,  and  produced  their  certificate  of  removal 
from  Philadelphia,  at  the  George's  Creek  Monthly  Meeting,  8th 
mo.  20th,  1712.  James  Morris  had  purchased  for  the  sum  of 
£67.10.0  six  hundred  acres  of  land  on  the  south  side  of  the  main 
branch  of  Duck  Creek,  w^hich  land  was  conveyed  to  him  by 
Thomas  England,  and  his  wife  Hannah,  by  Indenture  dated 
12th  mo.  4th,  1711.* 

The  six  hundred  acres  referred  to,  formed  one  of  three  tracts 
of  land,  containing  in  all  2240  acres,  for  which  Thomas  England 
received  a  patent  from  William  Penn,  Sept.  6,  1709.t 

As  it  was  afterwards  found  that  the  survey  and  description 
in  the  Indenture  of  Conveyance  from  Thomas  England  to  James 
Morris  were  incorrect,  a  re-survey  was  ordered,  and  a  Patent  was 
granted  10th  mo.  12th,  1716,  by  William  Penn,  through  his 
Commissioners,  confirming  the  conveyance  from  Thomas  Eng- 
land to  James  Morris,  but  giving  more  accurate  description  of 
the  property,  which  by  that  time  had  received  the  name  of 
"Morris  Rambles."  The  patent  is  signed  by  William  Penn's 
Commissioners — Richard  Hill,  Isaac  Norris  and  James  Logan, 
with  a  large  "  Penn  Seal "  attached. | 

A  fowling  piece  which  was  presented  to  James  Morris  by 
William  Penn,  is  preserved  as  a  precious  relic  by  the  widow  of 
the  late  Dr.  James  Corse.  James  Morris  built  for  himself  "a 
Brick  House  on  the  Plantation  in  1741-2,  and  in  1745,  he  built 
his  "Brick  Barn."  A  record  of  the  erection  of  these  buildings 
is  found  in  an  old  memorandum  book  which  once  belonged  to 
this  James  Morris.  In  this  time-w^orn  book  are  entries  of  various 
kinds — several  being  records  of  the  births  of  his  negroes.  James 
Morris  very  considerably  increased  his  possessions  at  Duck  Creek, 
and  at  his  death,  owned  at  least  1200  acres  of  land. 

The  last  descendant  of  James  Morris,  bearing  the  name  of 
"Morris,"  was  a  great-grand-daughter,  Elizabeth  Berry  Morris, 
who  died  at  Wilmington,  12th  mo.  25th,  1860.     She  was  also  the 

*Vide  Deed  Book  E,  Vol.  viii.,  p.  165,  Phila. 
tVide  Patent  Book  A,  Vol.  iv.,  p.  165. 

tVide  Patent  Book  A,  Vol.  v.,  p.  436,  Phila.,  and  Penna.  Arcliiv.,  2nd  Series, 
Vol.  xix.,  p.  612. 


180  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

last  of  the  name  to  own  the  "Morris  Rambles,"  which,  by  pur- 
chase, came  into  the  possession  of  her  cousin  George  Wilson 
Cummins,  who  died  Jan.  23,  1891. 

The  families  bearing  the  names  of  Hollida}^  Corse,  Cummins, 
Wilson,  Peterson,  Rasin,  Wilmer,  &c.,  of  Delaware  and  Maryland, 
and  also  the  families  of  Griffin,  Nicholson,  Lowber,  Linn,  &c., 
are  largely  descended  from  James  Morris.^ 

James  and  Margaret  (Cook)  Morris  had  issue : — 

32.  James  Morris,  b. ;  bu.  in  Philadelphia,  5  mo.  3,  1711. 

33.  Mary  Morris,  b.   7mo.  22,   1713;  d.   14th  Dec,  1783;   m.  1st,    1730, 

Cornelius  Empson,  2dly,  1743,  Benjamin  Jones. 

34.  Phcebe  Morris,  b.  lOmo.  16,  1720 ;  m.  1752,  Robert  Holliday. 

35.  James   Morris,  b.  6mo.  14,  1723 ;  d.  June  16,  1786,  m.  March  6,  1750, 

Ann  Tilton. 


ABSTRACT  OF  WILL  OF  JAMES  MORRIS.^ 

James  Morris  of  the  County  of  Kent,  upon  Delaware.  Will 
dated  13th  July,  1744. 

To  his  "dear  and  loving  wife  Margaret  Morris"  he  gives  for 
life  or  as  long  as  she  continues  his  widow,  one  half  of  his  new 
dwelling  house,  plantation,  improvements  of  the  plantation,  choice 
of  any  two  of  his  negroes,  two  cows,  two  sows,  two  horses,  six 
sheep  and  one-fourth  part  of  his  household  goods. 

To  his  dear  son  James  Morris  he  gives  the  other  half  of  said 
plantation,  and  at  the  death  or  intermarriage  of  his  wife,  son 
James  is  to  possess  the  whole  of  the  plantation. 

To  son  James  he  also  gives  all  his  "land  lying  on  the  north 
"  west,  north  east  and  east  side  of  a  tract  of  land  called  French's 
"neck."  To  dear  daughter  Phoebe  Morris  he  gives  his  "tract  of 
"Land  called  French's  Neck."  To  his  "dear  daughter  Mary 
"Jones  and  to  her  heirs  lawfully  by  Benjamin  Jones  of  her  body" 
he  gives  one  hundred  acres  of  land,  including  "the  settlement 
"whereon  she  is  now  settled."  To  granddaughter  Margaret 
Empson  he  gives  seventy  acres  of  land,  adjoining  that  given  to 
daughter  Mary  Jones,  with  the  proviso  that  in  the  event  of  her 
disposing  of  the  land  she  shall  sell  it  to  her  brother  Richard 
Empson.  To  grandson  Richard  Empson  he  gives  "the  planta- 
"tion  where  Jacob  Loatman  now  dwells  on,  with  the  remaining 


THIRD    GENERATION.  181 

"  part  of  my  land  that  joins  John  Moors  land  and  plantation 
"lying  to  the  south  west  side  of  French's  Neck."  To  son  James 
gives  choice  of  two  of  the  horse  kind.  To  daughter  Phoebe  gives 
her  mare  Bonny  and  her  colt  and  also  one  negro  lad.  To 
daughter  Mary  Jones  and  her  husband  Benjamin  Jones  gives 
one  cow  and  one  calf. 

(Signed)  James  Morris. 

Witnesses : 

Thomas  James. 
Thomas  Green. 
Michael  Cook. 

10.  William  Morris,  son  of  Anthony  Morris^  and  his  third 
wife  Mary  Coddington,  was  b.  in  Philadelphia  omo.  23,  1695 ;  d. 
in  Philadelphia  llmo.  6, 1776;  bu.  at  Trenton,  N.  J.;  m.  1st,  4mo. 
14,  1718,  in  Barbados,  Sarah  Dury,  b.  12mo.  26,  1694;  d.  6mo. 
26,  1750 ;  dau.  of  William  and  Sarah  Dury  of  Speight's  Town, 
Barbados;  m.  2dly,  llmo.  2, 1752,  at  Philadelphia  Monthly  Meet- 
ing, Rebecca  Cadwalader,  dau.  of  John  and  Martha  Cadwalader, 
deceased.  Rebecca  (Cadwalader)  Morris,  d.  Oct.  9,  1764,  and 
,  "  was  buried  on  the  11th  of  October,  1764, 
y////yy'^/  ii^  Friends'  Burying  ground  at  Trenton." 
William  Morris  m.  his  first  wife,  Sarah  Dury, 
in  Barbados.  He  visited  Philadelphia,  at  least  once  before  his 
final  return  with  his  wife  and  family  to  America.  His  sister 
Elizabeth  for  many  years  resided  in  Barbados,  and  upon  his 
visiting  Philadelphia  in  1728,  he  i^ceived  from  her  and  her 
second  husband,  William  Dury,  a  power  of  Attorney,  dated 
Sept.  20,  1728,  to  act  for  them  in  the  partition  of  the  estate  of 
Anthony  Morris  their  father,  which,  according  to  his  Will,  was 
to  be  divided  between  eight  of  the  surviving  children,  in  equal 
shares,  the  ninth, — Anthony,  having  received  his  share  of  the 
estate  separately.  The  eight  children  referred  to,  were  James, 
William,  Elizabeth,  Isaac,  Sarah,  Israel,  Luke,  and  Hannah; 
of  these,  Hannah  was  the  only  one  under  age  in  1729,  when 
final  distribution  of  the  estate  was  made.  By  deed  dated 
Feb.  10,  1728,*  Israel  Morris  disposed  of  his  \  share  to  William 
Morris,  for  a  consideration  of  £300,  and  by  deed  dated  Feb.  12, 

*  Vide  D,  Vol.  xxii.,  p.  197,  Philadelphia ;  not  recorded  until  Dec.  16, 1788. 


182  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

1728,*  James  Morris,  of  Kent  Co.,  Delaware,  disposed  of  his  ^ 
share  to  William  Morris  for  £230.14.6|. 

The  certificate  which  AVilliam  Morris  produced  at  the 
Monthly  Meeting  of  the  Friends  in  Philadelphia,  from  the 
Friends  of  the  Monthly  Meeting  Heathcots'  Bay,  in  Barbados, 
dated  7th  mo.  5th,  1728,  reads  thus : — 


"  To  Friends  of  the  Monthly  Meeting  in  Philadelphia. 

"We  wish  the  increase  of  grace  and  Divine  Blessings  through 
"our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  the  abounding  of  sincere  love  in 
"you  always  to  his  name  and  the  Testimony  to  his  Truth. 
"Dear  Friends  The  bearer  hereof  our  well  esteemed  friend  Wil- 
"liam  Morris,  once  of  you  but  married  and  settled  with  us 
"several  years,  intending  now  to  visit  his  native  country,  and 
"thereupon  desiring  our  certificate  in  relation  to  him — We 
"acquaint  you  that  he  hath  lived  in  unity  and  good  reputation 
"among  Friends  being  Orderly  in  his  conversation  and  a  dili- 
"  gent  comer  to  meetings  both  for  worship  and  Discipline,  and 
"he  being  about  to  leave  a  virtuous  wife  and  commendable 
"family,  we  find  ourselves  engaged  under  a  double  concern  for 
"his  and  their  welfare.  We  sincerely  desire  his  preservation  in 
"his  intended  voyage  and  safe  return  to  his  family  to  their 
"mutual  satisfaction. 

"Subscribing  your  loving  friends  &  brethren  in  the  Truth  of 
"  Jesus  Christ  our  Saviour. 

"Signed  by  order  of  our  Monthly  meeting  at  Heathcots  Ba}^ 
"  Barbadoes  ye  5th  7mo  1728. 

"John  Oxley,  Wm.  Dury, 

"Henry  Ellacott,  John  Lewis, 

"Pat.  Mein,  Saml.  Richards, 

"Edwd.  Harrison,  Joseph  Gamble, 

"Benj.  Collyns,  William  Callender." 

Reference  has  been  made  already  to  the  fact  that  Mary  Cod- 
dington,  half  sister  to  William  Morris,  had  become  the  second 
wife  of  William  Trent,  a  gentleman  of  great  respectability,  who 

*Vide  D,  Vol.  xxii.,  p.  200,  Philadelphia ;  not  recorded  until  Dec.  16,  1788. 


'YJ/^  J^  ^"^  "M-rrr'c^  ^^^  ^   .CV^€.     -^ 


.  o/y  yfv/  -'--,  ^^^  ^"^  '^:_:  ti*i^ 


ENTRIES    IN    FAMILY    BIBLE    OF    WILLIAM    MORRIS' 


THIRD    GENERATION.  183 

was  for  several  years  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Assembly  in 
Pennsylvania. 

In  Aug.,  1714,  Colonel  William  Trent  bought  of  ]\Iahlon 
Stacy,  Jr.,  his  plantation  of  800  acres  (with  the  exception  of 
three  small  parcels,  amounting  to  62  acres),  lying  on  both  sides 
of  the  AssuNPiNK  Creek  on  the  Delaware,*  and  tradition  says, 
that  William  Trent  gave  to  the  County  a  portion  of  this  ground, 
upon  which  the  Court  House  at  Trenton  was  erected,  and  it  is 
probable  this  grant  was  made  by  Trent  about  the  year  1720,  and 
that  in  compliment  to  him  for  the  gift,  the  place  was  called 
TRENTON,  or  as  it  was  first  written, "  TRENT'S  town.f  In  1723 
William  Trent  was  chosen  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Assembly  in 
New  Jersey,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  in  1724,  he  was  Chief 
Justice  of  New  Jersey. 

Chief  Justice  Trent  died  intestate,  and  left  a  large  landed 
estate  at  Trenton,  which  came  to  James  Trent,  his  son  and  heir- 
This  estate  was  for  sale,  at  the  time  William  Morris  visited 
America  in  1728.  William  Morris  had  been  successful  as  a 
merchant  in  the  Island  of  Barbados;  he  married  an  heiress,  and 
was  now  prepared  to  make  extensive  investments  in  houses  and 
lands,  as  will  be  seen  from  the  following  recital  of  some  of  his 
purchases  in  West  New  Jersey : 

By  an  indenture!  dated  12mo.  28th,  1729,  between  "James 
"Trent,  Esq.,  son  and  heir  at  Law  of  William  Trent,  late  of  Not- 
"tingham,  in  the  County  of  Burlington,  West  New  Jersey,  of  ye 
"one  part  and  William  Morris  of  the  Island  of  Barbadoes  in  y® 
"English  West  Indies  in  America,  Merchant,  of  y^  other  part," 
James  Trent  for  the  consideration  of  two  thousand  eight  hun- 
dred pounds  (£2800)  "  of  good  lawful  money  of  America  accord- 
"ing  to  the  late  Queen  Ann's  Royal  proclamation,"  conveyed  to 
William  Morris  three  hundred  acres  of  land  in  Nottingham 
County  and  standing  south  of  "Assunpink  Creek,  with  the  Brick 
"House  or  Dwelling  House,  lately  erected  by  William  Trent  and 
"in  which  he  resided,  with  the  Water  Grist  Mills  commonly 
"  called  and  knoAvn  bv  the  name  of  '  Trent  Mills,'  the  millstones 


*  Recited  in  Deed,  Liber  DD,  p.  322,  in  Oifice  of  Sec.  of  State,  Trenton. 
■fVide  "Historical  Collections  of  the   State  of  New  Jersey,"  by  John  W. 
Barber  and  Henry  Home,  pp.  283  and  286. 

t  Vide  Liber  D,"  p.  382,  Office  of  the  Sec.  of  State,  Trenton,  N.  J. 


184  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

"and  the  ghear  to  the  said  mills  belonging,  and  one  fulling 
"mill,  late  in  the  tenure  of  Jonas  Ingham,  and  one  Saw  Mill  and 
"  Bolting  Mills  set  up  and  erected  in  y*  Mill  House  of  y^  said  Grist 
"  Mill."  It  is  recited  that  the  said  300  acres  were  a  part  of  800 
acres,  owned,  among  other  lands,  by  Mahlon  Stacy  in  his  life 
time.  Mahlon  Stacy  is  referred  to  as  "late  of  Handsworth  in 
"the  County  of  York,  in  the  Kingdom  of  England,"  and  he 
acquired  the  said  800  acres  "in  Right  of  his  Propriety  pur- 
"  chases  lying  near  the  Falls  of  Delaware  on  the  creek  called 
"Assunpink  Creek."  At  Mahlon  Stacy's  decease,  the  land  came 
to  his  son  Mahlon  Stacy,  jun"",  and  he,  by  Deeds  of  Lease  and 
Release,  dated  16^*^  and  1?''  Aug.,  1714,  conveyed  to  William 
Trent  all  the  800  acres  of  land  with  the  messuages,  grist  mills, 
and  other  appurtenances  thereto  belonging  (except  three  small 
parcels  of  said  tract  amounting  in  the  whole  to  about  62  acres. 

On  March  28,  1729,  James  Trent,  Esq.,  likewise  conveyed  to 
William  Morris  100  acres  of  land  near  the  Falls  of  Trenton,  being 
the  same  which  William  Trent  on  13th  of  March,  1718,  purchased 
of  Samuel  Atkinson  and  Ruth  Beaks  his  wife.  Ruth  Beaks  had 
inherited  the  land  from  Edward  Beaks,  who  bought  it  of  William 
Ernley,  who  bought  it  of  Mahlon  Stacy.* 

On  the  same  date  (March  28,  1729),  James  Trent,  Esq.,  con- 
veyed to  William  Morris,  for  the  consideration  of  five  hundred 
pounds  (£500),  200  acres  of  land  (another  portion  of  Mahlon 
Stacy's  800  acres)  which  William  Trent  had  purchased  of  Ruth 
(Beakes)  Atkinson  who  had  inherited  from  Edward  Beakes.f 

It  appears^  that  Letters  Patent  bearing  date  7th  Feb.,  1726, 
were  granted  to  James  Trent,  son  and  heir-at-law  of  William 
Trent,  Esq.,  late  Chief  Justice  of  the  Province,  "for  the  sole 
"liberty  and  priviledge  of  erecting  and  keeping  a  fferry  or  fferrys 
"for  Transportation  of  goods  and  passengers  on  the  River  Dela- 
"  ware  in  any  place  or  places  within  two  miles  above  or  two  miles 
"below  the  ffalls  of  Delaware  River  near  to  Trenttown  with  power 
"to  the  said  James  Trent  and  his  heirs  to  ask,  demand  and 
"receive  reasonable  fferiage  and  hire  for  the  transportation  of 

^Vide  Liber  D,  pp.  382  and  386,  Office  of  Sec.  of  State,  Trenton.  Deeds 
signed  by  James  Trent  in  presence  of  Thomas  Lambert,  Samuel  Bustill  and 
Anthony  Morris,  Junr. 

■fVide  Liber  D,  p.  386,  in  Office  of  Sec.  of  State,  Trenton,  N.  J. 

tVide  Liber  DD,  p.  336,  in  the  Office  of  the  Sec.  of  State  at  Trenton. 


THIRD    GENERATION.  185 

"passengers  and  goods  over  Delaware  River  by  the  fferry  or 
"fferrys  aforesaid." 

The  Letters  Patent  and  all  rights  and  property  connected  with 
the  ferries  were  purchased  by  William  Morris  of  James  Trent  at 
the  same  time  as  the  foregoing  properties.*  The  transactions 
here  recited  acquire  additional  interest  when  the  reader  calls  to 
mind  that  nearly  half  a  century  later  the  Battle  of  the  Assun- 
pink — the  second  battle  of  Trenton — was  fought  upon  the  very 
soil  which  in  1729  became  the  property  of  William  Morris. 

After  the  settling  up  of  his  Father's  estate,  and  the  conclusion 
of  the  above  named  purchases,  William  Morris  returned  to  Bar- 
bados, and  arrived  there  in  time  to  sign  the  certificate  of  his 
nephew,  Anthony  Morris,^  who  was  about  to  return  to  Philadel- 
phia, after  a  stay  of  six  months  in  the  island. 

In  the  following  year,  William  Morris  returned  to  America, 
bringing  his  wife  with  him.  Whether  their  children  accompanied 
them  is  not  evident.  William  Morris  settled  in  Trenton,  and  in 
the  minutes  of  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends  at  Chesterfield,  under 
date  5th  mo.  2nd,  1730,  we  find  the  following  entry: 

"Our  Friend  William  Morris  from  Barbados  produced  a  cer- 
"  tificate  from  a  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends  at  Hethcoats  Bay  in 
"  that  island  for  himself  and  wife,  signifying  that  they  had  been  of 
"  an  orderly,  and  good  conversation  and  in  unity  with  Friends 
"  which  was  satisfactory  to  this  meeting." 

William  Morris  soon  became  a  prominent  member  of  this 
meeting,  and  ultimately  one  of  its  elders.  He  was  appointed 
very  early  to  attend  quarterly  meetings,  and  to  engage  himself 
actively  in  work  for  the  Society  to  which  he  belonged.  He 
also  continued  to  purchase  property  in  Trenton  and  its  neigh- 
borhood. By  Deeds  dated  27th  and  28th  of  April,  1730, 
Enock  Anderson  conveyed  to  William  Morris  twenty-two  acres 
of  land  and  a  messuage  situated  on  the  Assunpink,  and  adjoin- 
ing Trent's  lands.f 

On  11th  Oct.,  1732,  William  Morris  purchased  of  Joseph 
Pease,  a  piece  of  land  comprising  four  acres,  three-quarters 
of  an  acre  and  sixteen  poles,  it  being  a  portion  of  36  acres  of 
land  Joseph  Pease  had    bought  of  James  Trent    10th    March, 


*Vlde  Liber  DD,  p.  336,  Office  Sec.  of  State,  Trenton,  N.  J. 
tVide  Liber  DD,  p.  322,  Office  of  Sec.  of  State,  Trenton,  X.  J. 


186  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

1731 — the  said  36  acres  being  a  portion  of  Wm.  Trent's  original 
800  acres.* 

By  reference  to  the  deeds  in  the  Office  of  the  Secretary  of 
State,  at  Trenton,  we  find  that  after  a  residence  of  about  three 
years  in  Trenton,  William  Morris  and  his  wife  sold  a  very  large 
portion  of  the  purchases  made  in  Trenton  by  William  Morris  in 
1729,  to  a  Colonel  George  Thomas,  of  Antigua.  By  deeds  dated 
12th  and  13th  Oct.,  1733,  "  William  Morris  of  Trenton  Gent.  & 
"Sarah  his  wife"  for  a  consideration  of  £3800  current  money  of 
Pennsylvania,  conveyed  to  "  Collonel  George  Thomas  of  the  Island 
"of  Antigua,  Gent."  the  following  properties  which  had  been 
purchased  by  William  Morris  in  1729,  to  wit :  (1)  The  300  acres 
on  south  side  of  Assunpink  Creek  with  Dwelling  House  erected 
by  William  Trent,  the  water  mills,  millstones,  fulling  mills,  saw 
mills  and  bolting  mills.  (2)  The  100  acres  purchased  in  1729. 
(3)  All  that  piece  of  four  acres,  three-quarters  of  one  acre  and  16 
sq.  poles.  (4)  All  that  messuage  and  22  acres  of  land  amounting 
in  all  to  426  acres  |  of  an  acre  &  16  sq.  poles  with  all  and  singu- 
lar y®  messuages,  tenements,  &c.  The  deed  is  signed  by  William 
Morris  and  Sarah  Morris  in  presence  of  Patrick  Greeme,  Thomas 
Sober  and  Samuel  McKinnen.f 

At  the  same  time  (Oct.  13,  1733),  William  Morris  sold  and 
set  over  to  Col.  Geo.  Thomas,  of  Antigua,  for  a  consideration  of 
£400,  the  Royal  Letters  Patent  with  fferry  or  fferrys  at  Trenton 
and  ail  the  priviledges  profits  and  benefits  with  all  wharfs,  boats, 
hooks,  chains  and  other  things  which  William  Morris  had  pur- 
chased from  James  Trent  in  1729.  | 

On  the  same  date,  "William  Morris,  Gent,  of  Trenton  and 
"Sarah  his  wife,  and  Anthon}'  Morris  Brewer,  of  Philadelphia 
"and  Phoebe  his  wife"  sold  to  "Col.  Geo.  Thomas,  Jr.,  of  Anti- 
"gua,"  100  acres  at  Trenton  for  £800,§  and  the  same  also  sold  to 
the  same,  on  the  same  date,  for  a  consideration  of  £200  two  full 
equal  third  parts  of  a  half  part  of  14  acres  and  16  acres  of  land 
and  of  Forge  buildings,  water  wheel,  bellows,  hammer,  anvil,  and 
other  utensils  to  the  forge  belonging,  also  2  full  equal  l/6th  parts 


*Vide  Liber  DD,  pp.  99  and  332,  Office  of  Sec.  of  State,  Trenton,  N.  J. 
tVide  Deed  Book  DD,  pp.  322  and  333,  Trenton. 
t  Vide  Liber  DD,  p.  336,  Trenton. 
§  Vide  Liber  DD,  p.  340,  Trenton. 


THIRD    GENERATION.  187 

of  10  acres  and  3/1  and  14  perches  to  wit  the  Forge  Iron  Works 
in  the  township  of  Nottingham,  in  Co.  of  Burlington,  N.  J,* 

Upon  all  these  purchases  Col.  Geo.  Thomas  left  a  mortgage 
of  £1500t  and  William  Morris  on  Nov.  12,  1733,  deposited  the 
Mortgage  with  John  Kinse}^  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  Penna., 
Attorney  at  Law,  in  favor  of  his  wife  Sarah,  accompanied  by  a 
Deed  of  Trust  which  "  Witnesseth  that  the  said  William  Morris 
"as  well  for  and  in  consid"""  of  the  natural  love  and  affection 
"which  he  beareth  to  Sarah  Morris  his  now  wife,  and  of  the 
"marriage  portion  had  and  rec"*  with  her  the  s^  Sarah  as  for  in 
"  consid""  of  the  sum  of  5/,  he  William  Morris  hath  parted  and 
"assigned  to  the  s"*  John  Kinsey  the  messuages  houses  Edifices 
"buildings  mills  Lands  tenements  fferrys  forges  Iron  Works 
"mentioned,  allowing  AVm.  Morris  &  his  assigns  to  receive  the 
"  rents  profits  &c  during  his  life  time  &  afterwards  for  the  benefit 
"of  Sarah  Morris  in  case  she  survive  him." 

This  was  to  be  "in  lieu  of  her  Dower  and  thirds  out  of  the 
"Estate  real  &  personal  of  s*^  Wm.  Morris,"  or  in  lieu  thereof,  she 
was  to  receive  £1500  at  decease  of  William  Morris.l 

John  Kinsey  gave  a  formal  receipt  for  the  Mortgage,  13th 
Oct.,  1734.  § 

On  the  day  after  making  this  provision  for  his  wife,  William 
Morris  wrote  a  Letter  of  Attorney  commencing  thus :  "  I  William 
"Morris  of  Trenton  in  County  of  Hunterdon  in  the  Province  of 
"West  New  Jersey,  Esqre  have  constituted  made  &  appointed 
"  *  *  my  Trusty  &  loving  wife  Sarah  Morris,  &  loving  Brother 
"Anthony  Morris,  Francis  Bowes,  &  Benjamin  Smith  my  true 
"and  lawful  attorneys"  &c.  &c.,  dated  13th  Nov.,  1733.  Signed, 
W.  Morris,  in  presence  of  Sam"  Johnson,  Chris.  Denning.  1| 

This  Letter  of  Attorney  was  evidently  preparatory  to  a  voyage 
which  William  Morris  intended  to  make,  for  we  find  recorded  in 
the  minutes  of  the  Chesterfield  monthly  meeting,  that  he  and 
Joseph  Callender  received  certificates  dated  9th  mo.  1st,  1733,  to 
Friends  in  Barbados,  and  it  may  be  inferred  from  the  absence 
of  the  name  of  William  Morris  from  the  minutes  for  nearly  two 

*  Vide  Liber  DD,  p.  347,  Trenton. 
t  Vide  Liber  DD,  p.  403,  Trenton. 
tVide  Liber  DD,  p.  402,  Trenton. 
^  Vide  Liber  E,  p.  38,  Trenton. 
II  Vide  Liber  E,  p.  38,  Trenton. 


188  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MOKRIS    FAMILY. 

3"ears,  that  he  was  journeying  until  about  8th  mo.  2nd,  1735, 
when  the  following  record  appears :  "Our  friend  William  Morris 
"  brought  a  certificate  from  Friends  at  Bristol  in  England,  which 
"  was  read  and  kindl}^  received,"  but  no  reference  is  made  to 
Joseph  Callender. 

By  deed  dated  31^*  March,  1736,  William  Morris,  Esq.,  of 
Trenton,  upon  the  payment  of  five  pounds  (£5)  to  "Joseph  Green 
of  same  place,"  secured  "twelve  feet  of  land  to  be  taken  off  the 
"  lott  of  land  where  Alexander  Cragg  now  dwells  to  begin  from 
"  King  S'  and  to  go  as  far  back  as  said  Joseph  Green's  land  and 
"  extend  towards  the  land  of  William  Morris  on  Queen  Street — 
"  the  twelve  foot  strip  being  designed  as  a  public  alley  from  King 
"  Street  to  Queen  Street."  * 

From  the  minutes  of  the  Chesterfield  monthly  meeting  we 
learn  that  in  the  same  year  (9th  mo.  4th^  1736),  William  Morris 
was  appointed  with  others  "to  treat  for  land  to  build  a  meeting 
"  house  on,  and  for  a  grave  yard  at  Bordentown." 

At  the  monthly  meeting  held  at  Chesterfield,  11th  mo.  5th, 
1737,  William  Morris  and  Isaac  Harrow  "requested  of  the  Meet- 
"  ing  on  behalf  of  Friends  at  Trenton  and  themselves  liberty  to 
"build  a  meeting  house  there,  which  the  meeting  agreed  to." 

Tlius  largely  by  the  efforts  of  William  Morris,  the  Trenton 
Meeting  was  established,  for  he  soon  became  actively  engaged  in 
raising  funds  for  the  erection  of  the  Meeting  House.  We  find, 
however,  the  following  entry  in  the  minutes  of  the  Monthly 
Meeting  at  Chesterfield  11  mo.  1,  1740:  "William  Morris  made 
"application  to  the  meeting  setting  forth  that  there  is  occasion  for 
"  25  or  30  pounds  he  being  in  advance  for  the  Meeting  House  at 
"Trentown,  and  in  behalf  of  friends  at  Trentown  and  desires 
"that  the  meeting  would  endeavor  to  raise £25  at  least.  Friends 
"of  this  meeting  request  Michael  Newbold,  John  Middleton, 
"Samuel  Satterthwaite,  Thomas  Potts  Jr.,  and  Aaron  Hews  to 
"  procure  subscriptions,  collect  the  same,  and  when  received,  pay 
"the  sum  of  £25  to  William  Morris,  or  as  much  of  the  same  as 
"they  can  procure." 

During  the  year  1739  William  and  Sarah  Morris  had  a  child 
born  to  them,  whom  they  named  "Joseph,"  but  he  lived  only  a 
few  weeks,  and  was  buried  on  the  loth  6  mo.,  1739,  "at  the  new 

*Vide  Liber  R,  p.  540,  Office  of  Sec.  of  State,  Trenton. 


THIRD    GENERATION.  189 

Meeting  House  grave  yard,"  that  being  probably,  one  of  the  first 
interments  made  there. 

By  deed  dated  29th  June,  1738,  William  Morris  and  Sarah  his 
wife,  for  the  consideration  of  twenty  pounds  (£20),  "current 
"money  of  New  Jerse}^,  conveyed  to  Stacy  Beakes  of  Trenton, 
"  Joyner,  a  certain  lot  of  ground  situated  in  Trenton  being  a  part 
"  of  lot  of  ground  purchased  by  William  Morris  of  John  Ham- 
"ilton  sen""  and  his  wife."  This  lot  lies  "on  the  northerly  side 
"of  a  street  called  Hanover  Street  containing  half  a  rood  and  six 
"perches  of  ground  and  buildings."*  In  connection  with  this 
sale,  it  may  be  convenient  to  make  reference  here  to  another  deed, 
dated  3rd  July,  1761,  by  which  William  Morris,  of  Trenton, 
Merchant,  conveyed  to  Stacy  Beakes,  of  City  of  Philadelphia, 
Carpenter,  for  five  pounds  (£5),  "a  small  piece  of  land  adjoining 
"that  lot  of  land  which  Stacy  Beakes  (his  father)  bought  of 
"William  Morris  29'^  June,  1738." f 

In  the  year  1739,  William  Morris  was  appointed  by  Governor 
Lewis  Morris,  a  judge  of  Hunterdon  County,  New  Jersey,  but 
from  the  following  letter  from  Governor  Morris  it  would  appear 
that  William  Morris  endeavored,  without  success,  to  be  relieved 
of  the  honor: 

"To  William  Morris.| 

"Jan'ry  26,  1739.     Perth  Amboy. 

"My  worthy  friend  W.  Morris: 

"I  thank  you  for  yours  of  the  18th  current.  The  gentlemen 
of  the  councill,  by  whose  advice  the  officers  of  your  County  were 
named,  I  find  had  a  better  opinion  of  your  abilities  y°  you  your- 
selfe  are  pleas'd  to  entertain  of  them,  and  your  modesty  in 
endeavoring  to  depreciate  yourselfe,  confirms  me  in  the  oi:)inion 
that  they  have  judg'd  right  in  recommending  you  to  be  placed 
in  the  station  you  are  in,  for  which  reason  I  cannot  easily  be 
persuaded  to  consent  to  your  declining  of  it,  and  I  hope  you 
will  not  insist  further  on  that  head.  It  may  be  possibly  attended 
with  some  prejudice  to  your  private  affaires, — but  we  are  not 
borne  for  ourselves,  and  when  the  best  men  decline  the  magistracy 

*Vide  Liber  AT,  p.  99,  Office  of  Sec.  of  State,  Trenton. 
■fVide  Liber  AT,  p.  101,  Office  of  Sec.  of  State,  Trenton. 

X  From   "  The    papers    of    Lewis    Morris,    Governor    of   the   Province   of 
New  Jersey,  from  1738  to  1746."     Published  in  New  York,  1852,  p.  80. 


190  GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MOKRIS  FAMILY. 

it  must  necessarily  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  worst.  I  hope 
the  prejudice  to  your  Private  affaires  will  not  be  of  so  much 
consequence  as  to  be  admitted  to  come  in  competition  with  the 
Public  good.  u  I  ^j^  gjj,^  ^^^^  L.  M. 

"  William  Morris  Esq r.  at  Trenton  there 

"1739-40" 

On  the  3rd  of  2nd  mo,,  1746,  William  Morris  received  from 
Chesterfield  Monthly  Meeting,  a  certificate  of  removal  "  within 
the  verge  of  Woodbridge  Meeting,"  and  in  the  following  month 
(3mo.  1, 1746),  he  asked  to  be  excused  from  acting  as  Clerk  of  the 
Chesterfield  Monthly  Meeting,  which  was  assented  to.  From  that 
time  he  is  constantly  appointed  to  attend  the  Quarterly  Meeting. 

In  the  Pennsylvania  Gazette  for  April  24,  1746,  we  find  the 
following : — 

"  Trenton,  24th  of  the  2d  month,  1746. 

"  To  be  Sold  or  Lett  by  William  Morris  in  Trenton. 

"Sundry  lots  of  land,  on  each  side  of  Hanover  street,  contain- 
"  ing  45  feet  front  and  147  feet  deep,  or  back  from  said  street,  and 
"  several  lots  in  Queen  street,  to  be  divided  as  may  be  agreed  on, 
"also  one  lot  in  King  street,  63  feet  front,  and  200  feet  back, 
"  fronting  a  12ft.  alley ;  and  to  be  sold  by  said  Morris,  one  lot  in 
"said  street  74  feet  front  and  200  feet  back,  with  a  good  dwelling 
"  house,  brick  kitchen,  store-house  and  stable ;  also  one  plantation 
"  in  the  township  of  Hopewell,  about  eight  miles  from  Trenton,  con- 
"taining  315  acres  of  land,  good  dwelling  house,  new  barn,  and 
"  stables,  with  a  good  orchard,  producing  some  of  the  best  of  cyder. 

"William  Morris." 

"And  to  be  sold  by  William  Morris  and  Son,  a  large  well- 
"  built  grist  mill,  with  two  pair  of  stones,  two  water  wheels, 
"boulting  and  hoisting  by  water;  the  said  mill  being  upon  a 
"stream  known  as  Docher's  Creek:  which  proved  so  constant 
"that  in  all  the  last  Summer's  drought,  there  was  little  or  no 
"  want  of  water  to  keep  the  same  constantly  going ;  two  dwelling 
"  houses,  store  houses,  stable  and  cooper's  shop,  all  within  about 
"a  quarter  of  a  mile  of  a  good  navigable  landing;  also  a  plan- 
"tation,  upon  which   the    above  premises  stand,  being  in  the 


THIRD    GENERATION.  191 

"township  of  Nottingham,  in  the  County  of  Burlington,  con- 
staining  upwards  of  300  acres,  with  a  good  dwelling  house, 
"barn,  stable,  and  orchard  thereon;  also  a  considerable  quantity 
"of  meadow  in  grass,  with  a  large  quantity  of  good  low  land, 
"capable  of  making  more.  The  whole  commodiously  situated, 
"bounded  on  Crosswicks  Creek,  about  six  miles  from  Trenton, 
"and  two  from  Crosswicks  Meeting-house. 

"  One  pair  of  the  mill  stones  are  the  best  sort  of  Dutch  cull 
"ings,  and  the  plantation  in  good  fence.     By  applying  to  the 
"subscribers  in  Trenton,  or  at  said  mill,  may  be  better  informed. 
"  The  title  indisputable.  u  William  Morris 

"William  Morris  Jun." 

In  1746,  when  Trenton  was  organized  as  a  borough.  Dr.  Thomas 
Cadwalader  was  elected  its  first  Chief  Burgess,  and  William  Morris 
became  one  of  the  Councilmen. 

The  following  appeared  in  the  Pennsylvania  Gazette,  Aug.  9, 
1750. 

"to  be  sold  by  the  subscriber. 

"  A  large  and  commodious  well  built  grist  mill,  with  two  pair 
"  of  stones,  two  water  wheels,  within  the  house,  turned  by  a  con- 
"stant  stream  of  water,  three  boulting  chests  with  conveniences 
"for  screening  the  wheat,  boulting  and  hoisting  the  meal  by 
"  water,  with  all  other  utensils  necessary  for  the  same :  A  planta- 
"tion  whereon  the  said  mill  stands,  containing  300  acres  of  land, 
"bounded  one  way  by  a  navigable  creek,  upon  or  near  which  is 
"  a  good  frame  store  house  and  landing,  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile 
"from  the  said  mill,  from  whence  flour  may  be  sent  (at  a  small 
"  expense)  to  Philadelphia,  by  water,  or  to  York  Market,  by  the 
"way  of  Brunswick,  which  is  about  30  miles  from  the  said  mill 
"and  plantation,  whereon  is  three  dwelling  houses,  stables,  barns, 
"smith's  shop,  cooper's  shoj),  store-house,  and  all  in  good  repair; 
"  a  waggon  and  5  horses,  a  good  orchard,  about  30  acres  of  meadow 
"  cleared,  most  of  which  is  in  good  grass,  and  a  large  quantity  of 
"rich  swamp,  capable  of  making  considerable  more;  part  of  the 
"  premises  now  rents  for  120  pounds  proclamation  money  a  year, 
"and  is  situate  about  6  miles  from  Trenton,  2  miles  and  a  half 
"  from  Bordentown,  in  the  township  of  Nottingham,  Burlington 
"  County,  and  western  division  of  the  province  of  New  Jersey. 


192  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MOEEIS    FAMILY. 

"  Any  person  inclining  to  purchase  may  know  the  terms  of 
"sale  and  payments  (and  have  an  indisputable  title  to  the  prem- 
"ises)  by  applying  to  the  subscriber  at  Trenton. 

"  William  Morris." 

During  the  year  1750,  William  Morris  lost  his  first  wife, 
Sarah  Dury,  and  in  his  large  Bible  has  recorded  her  death  in 
the  following  words: 

"On  the  20'^^  Day  of  y^  6  mo  1750  My  dear  Wife  Sarah 
Morris  Departed  this  Life,  being  on  a  first  day  morning  about 
a  Quarter  after  four  o'clock  and  was  buryed  on  the  27""  in  the 
Meeting  House  Grave  Yard — after  a  solid  satisfactory  meeting 
on  the  occasion  at  which  was  Jonah  Thompson.  My  said  Wife 
from  her  acco'  was  born  on  y*  26*^  of  y^  12mo  1694,  aged  fifty 
five  years  and  six  months — and  I  hope  is  gone  to  Rest." 

About  six  months  after  the  death  of  his  Wife,  AVilliam 
Morris  wrote  the  following  letter  to  his  sister  Sarah  Morris 
("the  Preacher"): 

"Trenton,  12m  4^^  1750. 

"Dear  Sister: — From  the  Naturall  Relation  Between  us  I 
Take  the  freedom  To  Trouble  Thee  with  a  few  of  My  ScrawU,  just 
to  Say  that  as  to  myself  I  have  been  unwell  for  some  time,  the 
Rest  of  our  family  In  health. — But  What  has  Chiefly  occasioned 
this  arises  from  a  Consideration  of  a  much  Nearer  Relation  than 
that  of  flesh  and  Blood,  The  which  at  this  time  subsists  in 
My  Brest  to  thee,  and  in  a  Degree  of  the  Same  I  sincerely  Salute 
thee,  at  Same  Time  Desiring  that  When  Thou  approachest  the 
Altar,  and  art  favoured  with  access, — Thou'll  Remember  Me. — 
Who  am  at  times  Ready  to  Conclude  I  shall  fall  In  y®  Wilder- 
ness at  last.  Notwithstanding  My  Long  Profession  and  Having 
been  f^ivoured  unexpressably  Beyond  my  Deserts. —  and  I  am 
very  Lonesome,  Hardly  any  Company  to  Converse  With,  with 
any  Satisfaction,  Should  be  glad  of  Some  of  Thine,  if  Consistent 
With  Thy  Inclination,  and  not  only  on  my  own  ace*..  But  for  the 
Sake  of  others,  though  I  would  not  Press  beyond  Freedom. — 

"As  Things  appear  to  me  We  have  scarce  Living  to  bure  the 
Dead,  in  these  parts,  The  Lord  Grant  Saith  my  Soul,  That  his 
Light  and  Truth  may  More,  and  More,  Spread  amongst  The 


MARRIAGE    CERTIFICATE    OF  WILLIAM    MORRIS"  AND    REBECCA    CADWALADER 


-,.  .y-    ..  v...  -/, 


c      "     />.  "^        ■   '/    ' 


t;:r'..i'^f   '-^'^^^  f-;  ,/,.. 


ENTRIES    IN    THE    FAMILY    BIBLE    OF    WILLIAM    MORRIS' 


THIRD    GENERATION.  193 

people,  The  Professors  especially.  That  in  His  Light  we  may- 
See  our  Selves  as  we  Really  are,  and  under  a  Sense  Thereof, 
Rightly  apply  for  the  assistance  of  his  Truth,  That  we  may 
Thereby  be  freed,  from  what  would  Prevent  acceptance,  Is  the 
Prayer  of  Thy  affectionate  Loving  Brother  Whilst 

"  W.  Morris. 

"  My  Duty  to  Mother,  and  love  to  W.  C.  his  Wife  &  D*""-  as 
also  to  Brother  Morris,  Sister  and  Cousin  Debb.  I  simpathise 
with  Them  for  the  Loss  of  their  Son,  I  was  not  Well  enough  to 
Venture  out  or  Should  have  been  Down — Mathew  Wattson 
Buried  on  Sixth  Day  Last. —     —  «  ^y    l^j  " 

A  vacancy  having  occurred  in  the  Provincial  Council  of 
New  Jersey,  Governor  J.  Belcher,  on  November  loth,  1750,  wrote 
to  the  Lords  of  Trade  in  London,  as  follows : — 

"  Yr  Lordships  are  sensible  that  the  suspension  of  John  Coxe, 
Esqr  from  his  Majesty's  Council  of  New  Jersey,  makes  a  vacancy 
in  the  number  of  Councellors  for  the  West  Division  of  this  Prov- 
ince. I  would  therefore  in  duty  to  his  Majesty's  royal  instructions 
to  me  nominate  to  your  Lordships  for  filling  up  the  said  vacancy, 
Wm.  Morris,  Escj.,  an  inhabitant  of  the  west  division  of  the 
Province,  at  pr'sent  one  of  the  judges  of  the  court  in  the  County 
of  Hunterdon,  and  a  Gent"  every  way  qualified  according  to  his 
majesty's  8th  instruction,  and  Mr.  Partridge  will  apply  to  Yr 
Lordships  for  the  King's  mandamus.""'' 

On  the  same  date  and  in  the  same  terms  Gov.  Belcher  wrote 
to  the  Duke  of  Bedford. f  But  Governor  Belcher  seems  to  have 
had  some  misgivings  as  to  the  acceptance  of  his  nomination,  for 
in  writing  to  Mr.  Partridge,  he  says,  "  You  must  use  all  yr  best 
endeavours  and  interest  to  obtain  the  King's  mandamus  for 
Wm.  Morris,  Esq.,  to  be  of  the  Councils,  he  is  a  very  worthy 
man,  and  may  do  good  service  there — the  young  gent°  on  yr 
side  the  water  perhaps  may  oppose  it  at  ye  Board  of  Trade,  and 
say  he  is  a  Quaker  &c."  In  accordance  with  this  request,  Rich- 
ard Partridge,  who  was  "  agent  for  the  Province  of  New  Jersey," 
addressed  a  memorial  to  the  Board  of  Trade,  but  it  soon  appeared 

*  Vide  New  Jersey  Archiv.,  1st  Series,  Vol.  vii.,  p.  577. 
t  Vide  New  Jersey  Archiv.,  1st  Series,  Vol.  vii.,  p.  575. 


194  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

that  AVm.  Morris  had  enemies  (of  the  same  name,  but  not  of  the 
same  family)  in  London,  who  for  part}'  reasons  influenced  the 
Board  unfavorably  respecting  his  appointment  to  the  Council, 
notwithstanding  the  presentation  of  several  certificates  in  his 
behalf.     One  of  them  is  worthy  of  reproduction,  as  follows: — 

"  Certificate  of  the  judges  in  the  Province  of  New  Jersey,  in 
"  behalf  of  William  Morris  Esq.,  Reed,  with  Mr.  Richard  Parti'idge's 
"memorial.* 

"To  all  persons  whom  it  may  concern  : — 
"  Greeting 

"Whereas  William  Morris  of  Trenton  Esq.,  hath  communi- 
"  cated  to  us  the  subscribers,  the  judges  of  his  Majesty's  Court  for 
"holding  of  Pleas,  in  and  for  the  County  of  Hunterdon  in  the 
"Province  of  New  Jersey,  and  others  his  Majesty's  justices  of  the 
"Peace  for  the  said  County  of  Hunterdon  now  sitting  at  Trenton 
"at  a  General  Quarter  Sessions  of  the  Peace  for  the  said  County, 
"an  extract  of  a  paragraph  of  a  letter  lately  arrived  from  Lon- 
"don  wrote  by  Mr.  Benjamin  jSIorris,  and  expressed  in  the  follow- 
"ing  words  (Viz:)  'Some  days  past  I  (Benj.  Morris)  went  with 
"'Richard  Partridge  to  one  of  the  Board  of  Trade  and  Planta- 
"'tions,  in  order  to  defend  the  reputation  of  our  Uncle  Wm. 
"'Morris  which  had  been  scandalously  slurred  by  Chief  Justice 
" '  Morris  who  is  here.  He  had  carry ed  his  point  so  far  that  the 
"'Lords  of  Trade  designed  to  reprimand  Governor  Belcher  for 
'"recommending  to  his  Majesty  a  bad  man  for  one  of  his  council, 
'"a  man  who  was  a  disturber  of  the  Public  Peace  and  concerned 
"'in  the  late  riots  there.' 

"We  therefore  in  common  justice  to  the  character  of  the 
"said  Wm.  Morris  do  hereby  certify  that  the  said  Wm.  Morris 
"neither  to  our  knowledge  or  belief,  nor  by  any  rumour  or  report 
"  whatsoever  was  ever  in  his  life  time  accounted  a  disturber  of  the 
"public  peace,  or  directly  or  indirectly  concerned  in  the  late  riots 
"in  this  province,  but  on  the  contrary  in  all  his  actions  and  con- 
"  versation  that  w^e  ever  heard  of,  hath  condemned  such  proceed- 
"  ing  and  opposed  as  far  as  in  him  lay,  all  such  unlawful  measures. 
"  And  that  the  late  Governor  Morris,  Father  of  the  above  Chief 
"Justice  Morris,  upwards  of  seven  years  ago,  granted  him  a  Com- 

*T7(/('  New  Jersey  Archiv.,  1st  Series,  Vol.  vii. 


THIRD    GENERATION.  195 

"mission  under  the  Great  Seal  of  this  Province  to  be  first  judge 
"  of  the  Inferior  Court  of  y^  Common  Pleas  of  this  County  of 
"  Hunterdon,  as  a  fitt  and  proper  person,  and  that  by  and  under 
"such  Commission  he  now  acts  as  such. 

"Theo.  Philips,  John  Garrison, 

"Philip  Ringo,  Wm.  Cleavton, 

"Charles  Clark,         Benj.  Biles, 
"Sam"-  Stout,  Corneli'  Ringo, 

"Hugh  Martin,  Theo®  Severns." 

"Samuel  Johnson, 

In  addition  to  this  and  a  certificate  from  the  Grand  Inquest 
of  New  Jersey,  was  a  "  Certificate  of  sev'''  Gent"  of  New  Jerse}^  in 
behalf  of  the  Character  of  William  Morris,  Esquire"  signed  by 
16  gentlemen.* 

William  Morris  on  11  mo.  2nd,  1752,  was  married  at  the  great 
Meeting  House  in  Philadelphia  to  his  second  wife,  Rebecca  Cad- 
walader,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Martha  Cadwalader,  and  a  sister 
of  Hannah  Cadwalader,  who  had  married  Wm.  Morris'  nephew, 
Samuel  Morris,  in  1737.  Anthony  Morris^  had  by  his  will  left 
his  "Mansion"  and  lot  at  the  corner  of  Front  Street  and  Morris 
Alley,  Philadelphia,  in  trust,  for  the  use  of  his  wife  Elizabeth, 
during  her  life  time,  and  directed,  that  if  any  of  his  sons  or 
grandsons  should  be  desirous  of  possessing  the  house,  to  keep  his 
name  associated  with  it,  it  should  be  sold  to  him  at  100  pounds 
less  than  its  value.  It  is  clear,  however,  that  it  was  sold  during 
his  widow's  life  time,  as  it  was  purchased  by  his  son  William  in 
1729,  who  re-conveyed  it  to  his  brother  Anthony  Morris.^ f 
Anthony  Morris^  held  William  Morris^  in  such  esteem,  that  he 
referred  to  him  in  his  will,  dated  Sept.  9,  1760,  in  the  following 
terms : — 

"It  is  my  earnest  request  to  my  loving  brother  William 
"Morris  of  Trenton,  Merchant,  and  my  esteemed  friend  John 
"Smith  now  of  Burlington,  merchant,  that  if  any  question  or 
"controversy  arise  touching  or  concerning  the  meaning,  exposi- 
"tion  or  intent  of  any  part  of  this  my  will  that  the  same  shall 
"  be  expounded  and  determined  by  them,  m}^  said  brother  William 

*Vide  New  Jersey  Archives,  First  Series,  Vol.  vii.,  p.  603,  etc. 
t  It  seems  evident  from  certain  deeds  that  Elizabeth,  the  widow  of  Anthony 
Morris,^  continued  to  reside  in  the  Mansion  until  her  death,  in  1767. 


196  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

"  Morris,  and  my  friends  John  Smith  and  William  Callender  in 
"conjunction  with  my  executors  hereinafter  named,  or  the 
"majority  of  them  shall  judge  and  determine  concerning  the 
"same  shall  be  decisive  and  binding  to  all  persons  thereunto 
"concerned." 

Rebecca,  the  second  wife  of  William  Morris,  died  Oct.  9,  1764, 
and  we  find  in  his  great  Bible  the  following  entry: — 

"  My  Dear  Wife  Rebecca  Morris  Departed  this  Life,  at  Tren- 
ton, New  Jersey,  on  the  ninth  day  of  y*"  month  called  October. 
In  y®  year  one  Thousand  Seven  Hundred  and  Sixty  four,  1764, 
about  a  quarter  after  nine  at  night — being  y^  third  day  of  y^  week. 
Who  being  a  Good  Wife  to  me  as  any  Woman  could  have  made, 
I  hope  &  believe  she  is  gone  to  Rest  in  the  Lord, — as  it  is  written 
Blessed  are  the  Dead,  that  dye  in  the  Lord  Henceforthe  they 
cease  from  their  Labours  and  their  Works  follow  them  and 
under  some  sense  thereof — Bless  the  name  of  the  Lord.     Amen." 

William  Morris  d.  in  Philadelphia  11th  mo.  6th,  1776,  and 
was  bu.  in  Trenton,  N.  J. 

At  the  Chesterfied  monthly  meeting  of  8th  mo.  5th,  1779, 
a  memorial  concerning  William  Morris  was  produced,  read, 
approved  and  signed.  It  was  ordered  to  be  transcribed,  and 
forwarded  to  the  next  Quarterly  meeting.  In  the  minutes  of  the 
Quarterly  Meeting  at  Burlington,  8th  mo.  30th,  1779,  mention 
was  made  of  the  memorial  concerning  "William  Morris,  an  Elder 
of  Chesterfield  Monthly  Meeting."  At  the  Quarterly  Meeting, 
2nd  mo.  28th,  1780,  the  memorial  of  William  Morris  was  read 
and  approved  and  ordered  to  be  forwarded  to  the  next  yearly 
meeting.  Diligent  search  for  the  document  has  been  most  kindly 
made  by  Mr.  George  Scattergood,  Clerk  of  the  Philadelphia  Meet- 
ing, but  no  trace  of  it  can  be  found. 

ABSTRACT  OF  WILL  OF  WILLIAM  MORRIS.^ 

William  Morris  of  Trenton,  in  Co.  of  Hunterdon,  N.  J. 
Will  dated  21st  Feb.,  1775,  probated  Oct.  3,  1782. 

By  it  he  leaves  to  his  grand-daughter,  Sarah  Wain,  his 
largest  Silver  Tankard,  also  his  largest  silver  salver,  his  large 
family  Bible,  £500  and  one-fourth  of  all  his  china-ware. 

To  Mary  Dury  he  gives  his  house  and  lott  where  she  then 


//  *-  t 


<?'<''-  ^'•'^JJi/f'-'^''^'^ 


V     '■ 


ENTRIES    IN     FAMILY    BIBLE    OF    WILLIAM    MORRIS' 


SECOND    GENERATION.  197 

dwelt  for  the  terra  of  her  natural  life  and  at  her  death  it  is  to  be 
sold  and  the  proceeds  equally  divided  between  the  daughters  of 
Israel  Morris,  or  their  heirs. 

To  the  daughters,  of  Israel  Morris  "that  now  are"  £200  each 
as  they  shall  arrive  at  IS  years  of  age,  or  on  the  day  of  marriage. 

To  the  Overseers  of  the  Monthly  Meeting  of  Chesterfield 
£20  for  the  use  of  the  poor  of  said  meeting.  "  It  is  to  the  Over- 
"  seers  of  the  s^  Meeting  to  which  I  subscribed  the  sum  of  £10 
"  towards  building  a  new  Meeting  House." 

To  each  of  his  son's  daughters  six  table  silver  spoons. 

To  eldest  daughter  of  son  Israel  one  silver  tankard  (that  was 
his  grandmother's),  marked  S.  D. 

To  his  Executors  each  £5. 

To  son  Israel  Morris  he  leaves  the  remainder  of  his  estate, 
real  and  personal. 

He  appoints  his  son  Israel  Morris,  his  grandson  Nicholas 
Wain,  and  his  cousin  Philemon  Dickinson  his  Executors. 

On  the  3'"'^  Oct.,  1782,  Philemon  Dickinson  renounced  the 
duty  of  Executor,  and  on  the  same  date  Israel  Morris  was  qual- 
ified as  sole  Executor  of  the  Estate.* 

William  Morris  and  his  first  wife,  Sarah  Dury,  had  issue: — 

36.  William  Mokris,  b.  in  Island  of  Barbados,  8mo.  18,  1719 ;   d.  ; 

ni.  10th  5tb,  1752,  Eebecca  Peters. 

37.  Mary  Morris,  b.  in  Barbados  3mo.  30,  1721 ;  d.  4mo.  5,  1721. 

38.  Sarah  Morris,  b.  in  Barbados  7mo.  9,  1722  ;  d.  ■ 1746 ;  m.  Smo. 

1745  Joseph  Richardson. 

39.  Mary  Morris,  b.   in  Barbados   lOmo.    15,    1724;  d.    6mo.,  1726,  and 

"bu.  next  day  at  Heathcott's  Bay  Grave  Yard." 

40.  Anthony  Morris,  b.  in  Barbados  8uio.  31,  1727;   d.  3mo.  10,  1804; 

m.  lOmo.,  1746  Sarah  Cranmer. 

41.  Mercy  Morris,  b.  in  Nottingham,  Co.  of  Burlington,  W.  New  Jersey, 

4mo.  9,  1731 ;  d.  Feb.  15,  1775  ;  bu.  in  Trenton  Feb.  18  following, 
m.  Dr.  Horton. 

42.  Joseph  Morris,  b.  in  Co.  of  Hunterdon,  W.  New  Jersey,  9mo.   25, 

1733;  d.  llmo.  15,  1733,  "and  was  buried  in  Thomas  Lambert's 
burying  ground  in  Nottingham  Township  in  the  county  of  Bur- 
lington." 

43.  Israel  Morris,  b.  at  Trenton,  W.  N.  J.,  2mo.  13,  1738;  d.  4mo.  3, 

1818;  m.  (1st)  2mo.  19,  1761,  Phoebe  Brown;  m.  (2dly) Sarah 

Bond. 

44.  Joseph  Morris,  b.  5mo.  19,  1739  ;  d.  6mo.  14,  1739. 

*Will  Recorded  Liber  23,  p.  250,  Trenton,  N.  J. 


THE  CADWALADER  FAMILY. 

John  Cadwalader  was  the  first  of  his  family  to  assume 
Cadwalader  as  the  surname.  He  was  the  son  of  Cadwalader 
Thomas,  the  son  of  Thomas  ap  Hugh.  Cadwalader  Thomas  had 
a  brother  John  ap  Thomas  who  prepared  his  own  pedigree,  in 
which  he  describes  himself  as  John  Thomas  of  Llaithgwm  in  the 
County  of  Merioneth,  Gent,  1682.  The  Manuscript  crossed  the 
ocean  with  the  first  emigrants,  and  has  been  carefully  preserved 
in  the  family  for  more  than  200  years.  A  few  years  ago  it  was 
reproduced  in  the  Pennsylvania  Magazine,  Vol.  iv.,  p.  477-481. 
In  the  first  part  of  the  pedigree  is  traced  the  descent  of  John  ap 
Thomas,  1682,  from  Marchweithian,  16  generations.  Marchwei- 
thian  was  the  eleventh  of  the  15  tribes  or  nobles  of  North  Wales 
— the  Lord  of  Is-Aled  in  Merionethshire.  In  the  second  part,  the 
pedigree  goes  back  to  Adda  and  to  Duw  (God). 

John  Cadwalader,  the  eldest  son  of  Cadwalader  Thomas  of 
Kitalgarth  (afterwards  of  Wern  Fawr),  and  Ellen  Owen,  his  wife, 
dau.  of  Owen  ap  Evan  of  Fron  Goch,  was  b.  in  Penllyn,  Merion- 
ethshire circa,  1677-8,  and  was  educated  in  Pembrokeshire,  and 


from  this  place  received  his  certificate  of  removal  to  Pennsyl- 
vania in  1697.     His  friends  say  of  him : 

"We  have  known  him  since  the  age  of  thirteen,  he  hath  the 
reputation  of  an  apt  scholar,  and  hath  attained  to  as  good  a 
degree  of  learning  as  any  at  the  school.  His  demeanour  has 
been  sober  and  innocent." 

Upon  his  arrival  in  Pennsylvania,  he  was  welcomed  by  his 
kinsfolk  in  Merion,  where  he  first  settled.  He  was  m.  at  Merion 
Meeting  10th  mo.  29,  1699,  to  Martha,  dau.  of  Dr.  Edward  Jones 

(198) 


THIRD    GENERATION.  199 

of  Merioii  and  his  wife  Mary,  dau.  of  Dr.  Thomas  Wynne,  who 
came  over  with  Penn  in  the  "Welcome,"  and  was  Speaker  of  the 
first  three  General  Assemblies. 

John  Cadwalader  removed  to  Philadelphia;  he  became  a 
member  of  Common  Council  in  1718,  and  in  1729  a  member  of 
the  Provincial  Assembly.  These  oflBces  he  held  until  1733.  He 
d.  in  Philadelphia  July  23,  1734 ;  was  bu.  in  Friend's  Burying 
ground.  His  widow  Martha  Cadwalader  d.  April  16,  1747,  and 
was  bu.  with  her  husband. 

John  Cadwalader  and  Martha  Jones  had  issue  as  follows : — 

(1)  Thomas,  (2)  Mary,  who  became  the  second  wife  of  Judge  Samuel 
Dickinson,  (3)  Hannah,  who  married  Samuel  Morris  of  Philadelphia,  and  (4) 
Eebecca,  who  was  the  second  wife  of  ^Mlliam  Morris  of  the  Island  of  Barbados, 
who  settled  in  Trenton. 

Thomas  Cadwalader,  M.  D.,  the  son  of  John,  received  his 
classical  education  at  the  Friends'  Public  School  in  Philadel- 
phia, and  his  Medical  and  Surgical  in  London.  On  his  return 
from  England,  he  soon  acquired  a  large  practice  and  was  one  of 
the  founders  of  the  Philadelphia  Library.  He  afterwards  settled 
in  Trenton,  and  when  in  1746  it  was  organized  as  a  borough, 
he  was  elected  its  "Chief  Burgess,"  his  future  brother-in-law 
William  Morris  being  one  of  the  Councilmen.  In  1750  he  gave 
£500  to  found  a  public  library  for  Trenton.  Dr.  Cadwalader 
lectured  on  Anatomy  in  Philadelphia  in  1751,  and  was  in  1755 
appointed  by  Governor  Robert  Hunter  Morris,  a  member  of  the 
Provincial  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  which  office  he  held  con- 
tinuously till  1774.  He  attended  the  meetings  in  Philadelphia, 
in  opposition  to  the  stamp-act,  and  signed  with  his  sons  Lambert 
and  John,  the  celebrated  "  non-importation  resolution  "  adopted 
by  the  citizens  of  that  city.  He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Hospital,  from  which  sprung  the  Medical  Depart- 
ment of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania.  He  was  a  member  of 
many  Societies,  among  them  being  the  Royal  Medical  Societies 
of  Edinburgh  and  London.  He  was  a  large  land-holder,  as  we 
may  judge  from  his  offering  for  sale,  at  one  time,  900  acres  of 
woodland,  700  acres  on  the  Delaware  and  25  acres  of  meadow- 
land,  all  about  two  miles  above  Trenton.  He  d.  Nov.  14,  1779, 
in  the  73rd  year  of  his  age,  having  m.  June  18,  1738,  Hannah, 


200  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

dau.  of  Thomas  Lambert,  Jr.,  of  Trenton.  He  had  issue : 
Martha,  wife  of  Brig.-General  John  Dagworthy,  member  of  the 
Delaware  Assembly;  John  Lambert;  Mary,  first  wife  of  Maj.- 
General  Philemon  Dickinson;  Rebecca,  second  wife  of  the  same; 
and  Margaret,  wife  of  Brig.-General  Samuel  Meredith,  Major  of 
the  Third  Philadelphia  Battalion  of  Associators,  who  was  in  the 
battle  of  Princeton,  was  a  member  of  the  Pennsylvania  Assembly 
from  1778  to  1783,  a  member  of  the  Continental  Congress  and 
Treasurer  of  the  United  States  from  1789  to  1801 ;  and  Eliza- 
beth, who  was  one  of  the  flower  girls  at  General  Washington's 
reception  in  Trenton  in  1789,  and  d.  unm.  in  1799. 

General  John  Cadwalader,  the  second  son  of  Dr.  Thomas 
Cadwalader,  b.  in  Philadelphia,  Jan.,  1742,  d.  at  Shrewsbur}^ 
Maryland,  Feb.  10,  1786;  received  his  education  at  Dr.  Allison's 
Academy,  Philadelphia,  where  he  continued  to  reside;  was  one 
of  the  original  members  of  the  Committee  of  Safety ;  was 
appointed  at  the  outset  of  the  war.  Colonel  of  the  Third  Battalion 
of  Associators,  was  promoted  Brig.-General  of  INIilitia,  and  was  in 
command  of  the  division  of  Washington's  army  stationed  at 
Bristol,  with  the  design  of  crossing  there  and  co-operating  with 
Washington  in  his  attack  on  the  British  at  Trenton,  Dec.  26, 1776. 
This  the  ice  prevented  his  doing,  but  he  crossed  the  next  day, 
and  was  with  Washington,  when  a  week  afterwards  he  retreated 
before  the  superior  numbers  of  Lord  Cornwallis,  across  the 
Assunpink,  where,  eluding  the  vigilance  of  his  enemy,  he  turned 
his  left  flank,  reached  his  rear,  and  achieved  the  brilliant  victory 
of  Princeton.  General  Cadwalader  was  also  in  the  Battles  of 
Brandy  wine,  Germantown,  and  Monmouth.  He  was  a  warm 
and  devoted  friend  of  General  Washington,  so  that  when  in 
1780,  General  Conway,  an  English  officer,  in  the  service  of  the 
United  States,  was  intriguing  with  the  Gates'  cabal  to  supplant 
Washington,  and  took  occasion  to  speak  disparagingly  of  the 
Commander-in-Chief,  in  the  presence  of  General  Cadwalader,  the 
latter  promptly  took  up  the  matter. 

The  regulation  agreed  upon  was,  that,  after  the  signal,  each 
should  fire  when  ready.  General  Conway  fired  first,  and  missed, 
and  as  General  Cadwalader  was  about  to  fire,  a  strong  gust  of 
wind  rendered  his  aim  unsteady,  and  he  lowered  his  pistol  a 
moment  till  it  should  pass.     General  Conway  remarked  "You 


THIRD    GENERATION.  201 

fire  with  deliberation  General  Cadwalader."  "I  do,"  lie  replied, 
"when  I  fire  at  a  traitor."  Cadwalader  then  fired,  and  wounded 
his  antagonist,  as  was  then  supposed  mortally.  Under  this  belief, 
in  a  note  to  General  Washington  (recorded  by  Marshall)  Conway 
acknowledged  the  injustice  he  had  done  him  and  entreated  his 
forgiveness ;  he  however  recovered,  but  sank  ever  after  into 
merited  neglect  and  insignificance. 

General  Cadwalader's  first  wife  was  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Edward 
Lloyd  of  Talbot  County,  Maryland,  by  whom  he  had:  Anne, 
wife  of  Robert  Kemble — whose  only  child  Maria  became  wife 
of  General  William  H.  Sumner  of  Mass.;  Elizabeth,  wife- of 
Archibald  McCall  of  Philadelphia,  and  mother  of  Maj .-General 
Geo.  A.  McCall  of  United  States  Volunteers ;  and  Maria,  wife  of 
General  Samuel  Ringgold,  Member  of  Congress  from  Maryland, 
and  mother  of  Major  Samuel  Ringgold  of  the  United  States 
Army,  who  brought  the  Artillery  arm  to  such  a  state  of  efficiency. 
General  Cadwalader's  second  wife  was  Williamina  Bond,  dau.  of 
Dr.  Thomas  Bond  of  Philadelphia,  b.  Feb.  27, 1753,  d.  in  England 
Sept.  9,  1837.  Their  children  were:  Thomas,  John  and  Frances. 
Frances  married  in  1800  David  Montagu,  (son  of  Lord  Chancellor 
Erskine),  then  Secretary  of  the  English  Legation  at  Washington, 
and  in  1806,  became  Minister  to  this  country.  For  many  years 
he  was  Minister  to  Wurtemberg  and  afterwards  to  Bavaria.  He 
succeeded  his  father  as  2nd  Lord  Erkskine  in  1823.  His  eldest 
son,  Thomas,  became  3rd  Baron  Erkskine,  who  d.  s.  p.,  and  was 
succeeded  by  the  second  son  John  Cadwalader. 


202  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 


FRIENDS'  MEETING  HOUSE,  TRENTON,  N.  J. 

Ill  the  biography  of  WilHam  Morris^  reference  has  been  made 
to  the  active  part  he  took  in  promoting  the  erection  of  a  Meeting 
House  for  " Friends"  in  "  Trent  Town."  Some  further  particulars 
respecting  it  will  be  of  interest  to  his  descendants.* 

It  is  recorded  in  the  minutes  of  Chesterfield  Monthly  Meet- 
ing: "Eighth  month  5,  1738.  Jos.  Reckles  brought  in  a  deed 
and  acknowledgment  of  Trust  for  the  landf  to  build  a  meeting- 
house on,  and  for  a  graveyard  at  Trent-Town." 

This  deed  is  in  the  possession  of  the  monthly-meeting,  kept 
in  the  safe  in  the  present  meeting-house.  The  first  meeting-house 
was  a  plain,  brick  building,  two  stories  in  height,  the  upper  story 
being  used  for  a  schoolroom  and  for  the  men's  business  meetings, 
the  lower  floor  not  being  divided  as  was  usual,  in  Friends'  meet- 
ing-houses. The  entrance  was  on  Hanover  Street,  over  which 
there  was  placed  in  the  wall,  a  stone  bearing  the  date  1739,  the 
year  in  which  the  house  was  built.  The  same  stone  is  now  in 
the  east  gable,  with  the  date  1872  cut  under  the  old  date,  that 
being  the  year  in  which  the  house  was  altered  and  repaired. 

History  relates,  that  in  1776,  the  house  was  used  for  soldiers' 
quarters,  when  a  part  of  the  Continental  Army  was  marching 
from  Pennsylvania  to  Amboy,  and  again  at  the  time  of  the  battle 
of  Trenton.  One  of  the  older  Friends  remembers  the  mark  of  a 
cannon  ball  in  the  east  gable,  and  the  mark  left  on  the  floor  by 
bayonets  of  the  soldiers.  At  the  battle  of  Trenton,  the  remnant 
of  the  Hessian  forces  was  captured  in  the  orchard,  then  standing 
east  of  the  meeting-house.  In  the  northwest  corner  of  the  bury- 
ing-ground  are  the  graves  of  the  Cadwalader  and  Dickinson 
families.  Near  by,  is  buried  George  Clymer,  a  signer  of  the  Dec- 
laration of  Independence.  Mary  Clymer  of  West  State  Street, 
lately  deceased,  was  his  granddaughter. 


*  Vide  "  Historical  Sketch  of  Ti'enton  Meeting"  by  Seth  Ely— in  "Friends 
Intelligencer  and  Journal,"  Vol.  liii.,  pp.  797  and  8. 

t  This  land  is  said  to  have  been  given  to  the  Friends  at  Trenton  by  Mahlon 
Stacy. 


THIRD    GENERATION.  203 

11.  Elizabeth  ]Morris^  (Anthony,-  Anthony^),  was  the  second 
child  of  Anthony  Morris-  and  Mary  Coddington,  b.  in  Phila- 
delphia 4th  mo.  28th,  1697 ;  ra.  (1st)  at  Philadelphia  Monthly 
Meeting  10th  mo.  13th,  1716,  Samuel  Lewis,  son  of  Israel  Lewis, 
of  the  Island  of  Barbados,  "Yeoman."  After  Samuel's  death, 
which  must  have  occurred  between  1st  mo.  19th,  1723,  and  1st 
mo.  8th,  1727,  she  m.  (2dly)  William  Dury,  Merchant,  of  Saint 
Peter's,  Island  of  Barbados. 

It  is  probable,  that  soon  after  her  first  marriage  she  went 
with  her  husband  to  Barbados,  where  it  is  believed,  she  resided 
for  the  remainder  of  her  life.  In  the  possession  of  Mr.  Howard 
Edwards  are  several  letters  from  Elizabeth  in  Barbados,  to  her 
half  sister  Sarah  Morris  in  Philadelphia.  The  first,  dated  Bar- 
bados, 6th  mo.  7th,  1722,  refers  in  a  feeling  manner  to  the  death 
of  her  father  Anthony  Morris.^  It  is  signed  "  Elizabeth  Lewis." 
This  letter  was  conveyed  by  her  "  brother  Isaac,"  who  seems  to 
have  travelled  more  than  once  between  Philadelphia  and  Bar- 
bados, for  the  next  letter,  dated  19th  ye  1st  mo.  1723,  and  signed 
"  Elizabeth  Lewis,"  acknowledges  the  receipt  of  a  letter  from 
Sarah  "  by  brother  Isaac."  The  third  letter  from  Barbados,  dated 
8th  of  the  1st  mo.  1726-7,  is  the  first  signed  "Eliz''^  Dury,"  but 
in  it  no  mention  is  made  of  her  second  marriage.  It  is  clear, 
however,  that  she  lost  her  first  husband,  and  married  again, 
between  the  dates  of  the  second  and  third  letters.  In  the  latter 
(3rd  letter)  she  writes  "my  husband  and  Mollie  desire  to  have 
their  loves  and  remembrances  to  you  all."  The  fourth  and  fifth 
letters  were  written  in  1728.  In  the  sixth  from  Barbados,  dated 
25th  of  3rd  mo.,  1729,  she  expresses  the  hope  that  "Brother  Isaac 
is  safe  arrived,"  and  then  goes  on  to  say  "It  may  be  thou  mayest 
hear  from  me  by  my  brother  Luke,  whom  I  was  very  glad  to  see 
with  the  other  two."  She  adds,  "Luke  gives  his  duty  to  mother 
and  his  love  to  his  brothers  and  sisters.". 

In  another  part  she  writes  "Molley  thanks  her  aunt  for  her 
present,"  and  "Molley  gives  her  duty  to  her  grandmother  and 
aunt."  The  seventh  and  last  letter  extant,  is  dated  from  Barba- 
dos, 11th  oth  mo.,  1733,  and  refers  to  the  great  trials  she  had 
recently  experienced,  especially  in  the  prolonged  "sickness  and 
death  of  the  head  of  my  family,  and  then  the  death  of  my  dear 
child  which  proved  almost  insupportable."  These  bereavements 
appear  to  have  occurred  but  a  few  months  before,  as  she  thanks 


204  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

her  sister  for  her  "  S3^mpathies."  At  the  close  of  the  letter,  she 
writes  "  MoUey  is  well,  and  gives  her  duty  to  her  grandmother 
and  aunt."  We  gather  from  these  letters,  that  the  three  brothers, 
Isaac,  Israel  and  Luke  Morris,  all  of  whom  were  younger  than 
Elizabeth,  visited  Barbados,  if  they  did  not  actually  trade  with 
the  Island.  Anthony  Morris^  their  father,  journeyed  about  con- 
siderably, and  his  offspring  inherited  his  love  of  travel,  for,  at 
least  five  of  his  children  (William,  Elizabeth,  Isaac,  Israel  and 
Luke)  are  known  to  have  made  voyages  to  the  West  Indies, 
and  carried  on  business  operations  between  Philadelphia  and 
Barbados. 

Elizabeth  had  issue  by  first  husband: — 

45.  Molly  Lewis. 

46.  Name  not  known. 

As  a  "Mary  Dury"  is  referred  to  in  the  Will  of  William 
Morris,^  it  is  possible  she  was  his  niece — a  daughter  of  his  Sister 
Elizabeth  and  her  second  husband. 

14.  Sarah  Morris^  (Anthony,"  Anthony^),  a  daughter  of 
Anthony  Morris^  by  his  fourth  wife  Elizabeth  Watson,  was  born 
in  Philadelphia  11th  mo.  16th,  1703-4.  She  was  much  beloved 
by  her  father  and  her  family,  for  her  sweetness  of  disposition  and 
self-denial    in    all    things.     She 

became  an  eminent  minister  of        /?  ^      /^ 

her    denomination,   and    besides    jf/^TT^/^Z/Zj  1^/^^^^"^^^ 
laboring  among  the  Friends  in 

New  Jersey,  Maryland  and  Long  Island,  she  visited  Rhode  Island 
in  1764,  and  accompanied  by  her  niece  Deborah  Morris,  she 
travelled  through  Great  Britain  in  1772-3.  For  some  years,  she 
had  a  "concern  to  make  this  religious  visit  to  England,  and 
notwithstanding  her  delicate  health,  and  advanced  age,  she  con- 
cluded, with  the  full  acquiescence  of  the  "Friends"  to  undertake 
it.  But  she  allowed  herself  no  time  for  rest  before  embarking, 
for  we  can,  by  the  aid  of  Joseph  Oxley's  journal  trace  her,  in  her 
unceasing  journeyings  in  America,  up  to  the  very  time  of  leaving 
its  shores.  It  had  been  arranged,  that  Joseph  Oxley  should 
return  to  England  in  the  same  vessel  which  was  to  carry  Sarah 


THIRD    GENERATION.  205 

Morris  and  her  niece  Deborah,  and  the  following  extract  from 
his  journal  will  be  found  interesting:  "The  next  day  (19th  2nd 
"mo.,  1772)  returned  to  Philadelphia,  where  I  continued  my 
"friendly  visits  to  Friend's  families,  and  prepared  myself  for 
"embarking  to  Europe."  *  *  *  "All  things  being  now  in 
"readiness  for  my  departure,  Sarah  Morris,  of  whom  I  have 
"several  times  made  mention,  having  at  length  yielded  in 
"obedience  to  what  she  believed  to  be  her  duty,  in  paying  a 
"religious  visit  to  Friends  in  England,  and  having  Friends' 
"concurrence,  approbation  and  certificate,  it  was  thought  well 
"we  should  accompany  one  another  over  the  great  ocean.  She 
"had  also  a  kinswoman  to  accompany  her,  and  though  one  not 
"in  the  ministry,  yet  was  exercised  in  spirit,  for  the  prosperity  of 
"Truth,  and  having  near  sympathy  with  her  Aunt  in  her  present 
"concern,  gave  up  to  attend  her  in  her  said  undertaking;  her 
"name  was  Deborah  Morris;  and  indeed  I  thought  her  an 
"excellent  mother,  raised  up  in  our  Israel.  On  the  third  day  of 
"the  week,  being  3rd  of  3rd  month,  we  had  a  short,  but  weighty 
"sitting  together  in  the  house  of  our  dear  friend  John  Pemberton, 
"to  which  place  many  were  gathered,  in  order  to  take  their  last 
"farewell;  it  was  a  time  of  love,  wherein  our  minds  were  much 
"affected,  and  our  spirits  broken  and  contrited  before  the  Lord, 
"who  was  pleased  to  bless  us  together;  in  this  heavenly  frame 
"we  took  our  leave  and  parted!  Several  of  our  kind  friends 
"from  the  city  accompanied  us  to  Chester,  the  place  where  w^e 
"were  to  embark,  Samuel  Neale,  John  Pemberton,  and  I  suppose 
"more  than  thirty  in  number;  after  we  had  taken  some  little 
"  refreshment  at  Chester,  we  retired  into  a  humble  awful  reverent 
"waiting,  which  was  again  graciously  owned,  and  crowned  with 
"heavenly  life  and  power.  After  thus  taking  our  farewell  of 
"our  dear  Friends,  many  of  whom  went  with  us  to  the  brink  of 
"  the  waters,  and  then  returned,  we  set  sail  on  board  the  Pennsyl- 
"vania  Packet,  Peter  Osborne  Commander.  The  nearness  of 
"  unity  into  which  I  was  brought  with  these  beloved  Friends  and 
"Citizens,  has  made  deep  impressions  on  my  mind,  which  I  trust 
"will  prove  lasting,  and  make  it  very  hard  for  me  to  part  with 
"  them. 

"  We  ran  aground  twice  before  we  left  the  Capes  of  Delaware, 
"  and  the  latter  time  threatened  great  danger ;  the  captain  and 
"sailors  said  there  Avas  but  little  likelihood  of  getting  the  ship  off 


206  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

"again,  the  wind  blowing  pretty  hard.  But  the  men  used  their 
"utmost  endeavours,  which  Providence  was  pleased  to  bless,  and 
"the  ship  worked  off,  but  the  Captain  said,  he  hardly  knew  how  ; 
"  my  soul  reverently  praises  Him  who  brought  this  deliverance 
"  for  us.  We  passed  through  much  stormy  weather,  but  through 
"  mercy  were  in  a  good  degree  preserved  in  stillness,  trusting  in 
"Him  who  hath  power  to  still  the  winds  and  calm  the  seas  at 
"  His  pleasure. 

"  About  thirtj^-one  days  after  we  left  the  Capes,  we  got  to 
"soundings,  and  the  next  day  brought  us  in  sight  of  land,  and 
"on  the  10th  of  the  4th  month,  my  companions  and  I  landed  at 
"  Dover,  which  time  from  our  going  on  board  was  five  weeks  and 
"three  days"  *  *  *  "The  next  day  I  came  up  to  London 
"with  my  companions,  and  was  kindly  received  by  our  friends 
"and  my  dear  relations." 

During  the  stay  of  Sarah  Morris  and  her  niece  in  England, 
the  latter  kept  a  diary  of  their  movements,  faithfully  recording 
the  names  of  the  various  places  they  visited  and  the  meetings 
they  attended.  She  recounts  how,  oftentimes  her  Aunt  Sarah 
Morris  was  weak  in  body  and  suffering  much,  but  even  under 
such  condition,  she  w^ould  frequently  stand  and  speak  for  an 
hour  at  a  time  "  in  a  very  lively  manner."  They  visited  the 
various  meetings  in  London,  and  Sarah  Morris  in  her  first  visit 
to  the  Savoy  Meeting  "  was  silent,  and  a  dull  time  it  was,"  but  a 
week  later  upon  visiting  it  again,  it  is  said  "  the  service  fell  upon 
Aunt  and  Tabitha  Marriott.  It  ended  well."  About  100  years 
before,  the  father  of  Sarah  Morris  was  married  in  that  same 
meeting,  to  his  first  wife  Mary  Jones.  Sarah  was,  however,  a  dau. 
by  his  fourth  wife.  Deborah  Morris'  diary  will  be  again  referred 
to.  Sarah  Morris  returned  in  safety  to  America,  and  in  great 
suffering,  lived  for  two  years  longer.  She  d.  in  Philadelphia 
on  Oct.  24,  1775. 

"A  Testimony  from  the  Monthly-Meeting  of  Philadelphia 
"concerning  Sarah  Morris:* 

"  She  was  born  in  this  city,  being  the  daughter  of  our  ancient 
"friends  Anthony  and  Elizabeth  Morris,  who  were  careful  to 
"  instruct  her  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  a  diligent  attendance  of 

*  F7rf«?  "  Collections  of  Memorials  concerning  deceased  Ministers,"  &c.,  p.  334. 


THIRD    GENERATION.  207 

"our  religious  meetings,  and  an  early  acquaintance  with  the 
"  Holy  Scriptures ;  the  advantage  whereof  she  at  times  expressed 
"to  be  a  great  comfort  to  herself,  and  of  benefit  to  others.  Her 
"father  died  when  she  was  about  seventeen  years  of  age,  and 
"near  his  end  gave  this  testimony  respecting  her.  'That  she 
"'never  disobeyed  him,  and  was  his  comfort,' which  we  insert 
"  with  the  desires  it  may  so  impress  the  minds  of  youth,  that  by 
"duly  regarding  the  divine  command  of  obedience  to  parents, 
"they  may  be  their  comfort,  merit  the  like  testimony,  and 
"secure  peace  to  their  own  minds.  She  was  endued  with  mental 
"qualifications  and  understanding  superior  to  many,  which  with 
"her  sociable  agreeable  disposition,  occasioned  her  conversation 
"in  the  younger  part  of  her  life  to  be  sought  and  acceptable  to 
"such  who  were  accounted  wise  in  the  estimation  of  the  world  ; 
"but  from  her  religious  inclinations,  preferring  the  company  of 
"those  who  exceeded  her  in  age  and  experience,  she  was  mer- 
"cifully  preserved  from  the  snares  and  temptations  to  levity 
"and  vanity  by  which  many  of  the  youth  are  too  readily  capti- 
"vated.     *     *     * 

"  Her  first  journey  in  the  service  of  truth  was  to  some  adjacent 
"  meetings  as  companion  to  our  valuable  friend  Margaret  Ellis ; 
"being  afterwards,  through  the  efficiency  of  divine  love,  drawn 
"forth  to  visit  man}'  of  the  meetings  in  this  province.  New 
"Jersey,  and  the  yearly  meetings  in  Maiyland  and  Long  Island  ; 
"  and  in  the  year  1764,  in  company  with  our  friends  Joyce  Benezet 
"  and  Elizabeth  Smith,  attended  that  at  Rhode  Island ;  though 
"her  religious  labors  were  chiefly  in  this  city,  manifesting  among 
"us  a  steady  uniform  concern  for  the  cause  of  truth,  and  preser- 
"  vation  of  true  christian  fellowship,  not  only  in  the  exercise  of 
"her  gift  in  the  public  ministry,  wherein  she  was  eminently 
"favoured,  but  also  of  our  christian  discipline  among  friends  of 
"her  own  sex,  for  which  she  was  well  qualified  and  of  real  use. 
"After  the  decease  of  her  ancient  mother,  who  in  the  94tli  year 
"  of  her  age,  departed  in  a  calm  and  peaceful  state  of  mind,  towards 
"whom  she  had  manifested  a  filial  affection  and  care,  an  exercise 
"  which  she  had  many  years  been  under  to  visit  in  Great  Britain 
"now  reviving,  the  weight  of  the  service,  and  her  apprehension 
"of  being  disqualified  therefor,  affected  her  so  deeply  that  she 
"was  reduced  to  such  a  low  state  of  mind  and  body,  her  recovery 
"  appeared  doubtful ;  but  after  a  distressing  season  of  conflict,  she 


208  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

was  favoured  with  strength  to  communicate  her  concern  to  this 
meeting,  and  obtaining  a  certificate  of  the  near  sympath}-  and 
concurrence  of  friends,  slie  was  left  to  proceed  with  their  free 
approbation,  as  the  Lord  might  be  pleased  to  furnish  ability; 
and  her  affectionate  niece  Deborah  Morris's  offer  to  accompany 
her,  being  also  concurred  with,  they  embarked  for  London,  on 
the  3rd  day  of  the  3rd  month,  1772,  where  being  arrived,  though 
continuing  in  a  weak  state  of  health,  she  was  enabled  to  per- 
form her  visit  to  friends  in  most  of  the  principal  counties  and 
towns  from  Exeter  in  the  west,  as  far  north  as  Cumberland,  and 
those  called  the  eastern  counties  ;  attending  two  yearly  meetings 
in  London,  and  divers  general  meetings  in  other  parts  of  the 
nation.     *     *     * 

"  The  last  night  of  her  life,  being  in  bodily  pain,  and  under  some 
discouragement  of  mind,  she  was  reminded  of  some  late  favours 
of  divine  love  extended  to  her ;  after  laying  some  time  in  awful 
silence  she  replied, '  Now  I  see  it  to  my  comfort,  that  the  Lord  hath 
'been  with  me  through  all  this  illness,  and  I,  at  times,  knew  it 
'not,  such  was  my  distressed  situation,  it  was  hard  for  me  to 
'believe  it.'  Afterwards  falling  into  a  sweet  sleep,  she  in  about 
two  hours  awaked  much  refreshed,  and  remarked,  she  had  not 
slept  so  sweetly  in  all  her  illness,  for  she  had  been  in  company 
with  her  father's  God,  mother's  God,  and  her  God ;  asked  her 
niece  (Deborah  Morris)  who  had  with  abundant  care  attended 
on  her,  if  she  thought  life  would  last  all  night,  who  answering, 
she  thought  it  might,  as  the  night  was  far  spent,  she  desired 
her  said  niece  would  sit  by  her  until  the  Lord  came  (meaning 
to  close  her  life)  then  slumbered  again,  and  awakening,  admired, 
saying, '  It  is  strange  that  I  should  sleep  at  such  a  time  as  this! ' 
Being  told  her  work  was  done,  and  it  was  a  favour  to  her,  she 
could  sleep,  she  replied,  'I  believe  it  is,  and  I  am  thankful,' 
inquiring  what  time  it  was,  on  being  told  it  was  after  three 
o'clock,  she  lifted  up  her  hands  as  engaged  in  mental  prayer ; 
soon  after  uttered  some  words  but  not  intelligibly,  and  seeming 
again  to  drop  into  a  sweet  sleep,  neither  stirred  or  spoke  more, 
but  continuing  until  between  eight  and  nine  o'clock,  passed 
easily  away,  on  the  24th  of  the  tenth  month  1775,  in  the  72nd 
year  of  her  age,  and  31st  of  her  ministry,  fitted  no  doubt  for 
the  enjoyment  of  that  rest  which  is  prepared  for  the  righteous, 
having  accomplished  her  warfare  in  the  church  militant. 


THIRD    GENERATION.  209 

"  Her  burial  ou  the  26th  after  a  solemn  meeting  was  respect- 
"  fully  attended  by  many  friends  and  others  of  her  fellow  citizens, 
"to  our  grave  yard  in  this  city." 

The  following  sentences*  were  expressed  by  Sarah  Morris  in 
her  last  illness  to  a  relation  whose  deep  affliction  she  sensibly 
felt  and  sympathized  with. 

"I  would  not  have  thee  dwell  too  much  on  thy  great  loss,  for 
"  though  thou  hast  been  deprived  of  one  valuable  blessing  and 
"great  comfort,  yet  thou  hast  many  left." 

"  If  we  can  but  feel  His  presence  in  our  hearts,  who  promised 
"  not  only  to  be  with  his  own,  but  in  them  also,  this  is  the  great- 
"  est  of  all  blessings,  and  the  want  of  it  is  the  greatest  loss.  We 
"should  be  very  careful  to  guard  as  much  as  possible  against 
"sinking  too  low,  for  we  cannot  raise  our  minds  again  at  our 
"pleasure.  Oh!  what  a  happy  experience  it  is  to  be  able  to  say 
"with  Job  'The  Lord  gave,  and  the  Lord  hath  taken  away, 
"blessed  be  His  holy  name.'  I  have  often  thought  of  the  words 
"  of  the  prophet  who  had  attained  so  great  a  degree  of  stability 
"that  he  could  say:  'Though  all  things  fail,  yet  will  I  joy  in  the 
"'Lord  and  rejoice  in  the  God  of  my  salvation!'  'There  is  a 
'"sorrow  which  works  death.'" 

The  following  obituary  of  Sarah  Morris  appeared  in  the 
"Pennsylvania  Gazette"  for  Nov.  1,  1775: — 

"the  memory  of  the  just  is  blessed. 

"  On  the  morning  of  the  24th  ultimo,  departed  this  life,  in 
"the  seventy-second  year  of  her  age,  in  certain  hope  of  a  joyful 
"resurrection  Sarah  Morris,  an  eminent  minister  among  the 
"  people  called  Quakers. 

"Her  life  and  conversation  were  uniformly  consistent  with 
"her  Christian  profession,  adorning  the  doctrine  she  preached. 
"Cheerful  without  gaiety,  serious  without  austerity,  and  pious 
"without  affectation,  she  was  an  ornament  to  Societ}',  and  the 
"delight  of  her  friends  and  acquaintance,  whose  affliction  for 
"  their  loss  could  only  be  alleviated  by  an  assurance,  that  it  is 

*  From  MSS.  of  the  late  Mr.  Anthony  Saunders  Morris. 


210  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

"her  great  gain.  A  long  and  painful  illness  she  bore  with  a 
"fortitude  and  resignation  becoming  a  Christian,  whose  expecta- 
"tions  of  enduring  happiness  were  fixed  on  that  foundation, 
"which  standeth  sure." 


ABSTRACT  OF  WILL  OF  SARAH  MORRIS. 

Sarah  Morris  of  Philadelphia,  Will  dated  20th  11  mo.,  1771. 

She  gives  to  dear  friend  Elizabeth  Smith  of  Burlington  £50. 

To  each  of  her  friends  Joseph  Smith,  Esquire,  of  Morristown, 
and  Hannah  Smith,  dau.  of  her  late  esteemed  friend  John  Smith, 
dec^  £50. 

To  James  Smith,  son  of  said  John,  £25. 

To  friends  Joseph  Smith  and  William  Dillwyn  £100  in 
trust  for  John  Smith,  a  minor,  son  of  above-named  John  Smith, 
and  Susanna  Dillwyn,  a  minor,  dau.  of  above-named  William 
Dillwyn. 

To  niece  Deborah  Morris,  gives  a  Silver  porringer  marked 
S.  M.,  a  silver  plate,  a  silver  pepper  castor,  6  walnut  frame  chairs 
with  needle  worked  seats,  one  feather  Bed,  a  pair  of  low  Walnut 
Drawers,  and  £200. 

To  Kinsman  Samuel  Morris,  son  of  nephew  Anthony  Morris — 
a  Quart  tankard  which  was  her  "  dear  father's,"  also  £200. 

To  Anthony  Morris,  son  of  Nephew  Anthony,  and  Anthony 
Cadwalader  Morris,  son  of  nephew  Samuel  Morris,  also  Mary 
Jones,  dau.  of  brother  James  Morris,  dec"^,  £25  to  each  of  them. 

To  "loving  kinswoman"  Sarah  Buckley,  £25  and  a  Silver 
porringer  marked  S.  M. 

To  each  of  "esteemed  friends"  John  Churchman,  Rebecca 
Jones  and  Hannah  Cathrall,  £25. 

To  each  of  esteemed  friends  Elizabeth  Stephens  and  Joice 
Benezet  of  Philadelphia,  and  Eleanor  Lea  and  Abel  Thomas  of 
or  near  Exeter,  £5. 

To  esteemed  friend  Mary  Armit,  £20. 

To  the  Pennsylvania  Hospital,  £25. 

To  Corporation  for  Relief  of  the  Poor  in  Philadelphia,  £25. 

To  loving  brother  Luke  Morris  and  esteemed  friends  Hugh 
Roberts,  Owen  Jones,  Henry  Drinker   and    Abel  James,  £100, 


THIRD    GENERATION.  211 

to  distribute  among  so  many  reputable  housekeepers  needing 
help. 

To  esteemed  friend  Ann  Moore,  of  Maryland,  £10. 

To  friend  Martha  Petell,  of  Boston,  N.  E.,  £10. 

To  friend  David  Estaugh,  £10. 

To  Kinsman  Anthony  Shoemaker,  £25. 

To  friend  Rebecca  Harding,  £5. 

To  three  servants,  Margaret  Minion,  Sarah  Greenland  and 
Mary  Rose,  £5  each. 

Releases  Isaac  Andrews  from  all  indebtedness. 

To  friend  Abel  James  gives  her  silver  watch. 

Gives  Residue  to  loving  brother  Luke  Morris. 

Executors:  brother  Luke  Morris,  and  friend  Abel  James. 
Executrix,  dear  friend  and  niece  Deborah  Morris. 

(Signed)  Sarah  Morris. 

Witnesses  : 

Henry  Drinker. 
George  James. 
Benj".  Trapnell. 

Sarah  Morris  made  a  Codicil  to  her  will  dated  6th  day,  4th 
mo.,  1774,  by  w^hich  she  leaves  £50  additional  to  Hannah  Smith, 
and  £50  additional  to  Joseph  Smith  and  William  Dillwyn  in  trust 
for  their  children  mentioned  in  will. 

Revokes  legacy  of  £5  to  Sarah  Greenland  and  Mary  Rose. 

Appoints  her  worthy  friend  John  Reynell  co-executor  with 
the  rest  of  the  executors. 

(Signed)  Sarah  Morris. 

Witnesses : 

Joseph  Morris. 
Lewis  Weiss. 

Proved  at  Philadelphia,  Nov.  8,  1775. 

16.  Luke  Morris^  (Anthony,^  Anthony^),  son  of  Anthony 
Morris^  and  his  fourth  wdfe  Elizabeth  Watson,  was  b.  in  Phila- 
delphia 8th  mo.  25,  1707,  d.  in  Philadelphia,  without  issue,  11th 
mo.  17,  1793 ;  m.  2nd  mo.,  1749,  Mary  Richards,  b.  8th  mo.,  1719, 
d.  12th  mo.  27,  1804,  {nee  Allen),  widow  of  Joseph  Richards. 


212  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

In  early  life,  Luke  Morris,  in  company  with  his  brothers  Isaac 
and  Israel  Morris,  visited  the  Island  of  Barbados.  We  find 
the  name  of  Luke  Morris 
among  the  signers  of  the 
petition  to  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Legislature  on  be-  "^ 
half  of  the  Pennsylvania  Hospital  in  1751,  and  in  1756  he 
contributed  $104.91  towards  its  funds."*"  Luke  Morris  signed  the 
Provincial  money  for  1756,  '58,  '59,  '69  and  '71.  Mr.  Howard 
Edwards  has  a  note  dated  April  25,  1759,  which  is  signed  by 
Luke  Morris  and  Charles  Thomson,  who  was  afterward  Secretary 
of  Congress. 

Luke  Morris  was  a  director  of  the  Hand  in  Hand  Insurance 
Company  from  1762  to  1784,  and  was  an  original  member  of  the 
Schuylkill  Fishing  Company,  or  the  "Colony  in  Schuylkill,"  an 
organization  which  will  be  frequently  referred  to  in  these  pages. 
It  was  founded  at  Philadelphia  in  1732,  and  is  the  oldest  social 
club  in  existence.  The  first  governor  of  this  "  Colony "  was 
Governor  Stretch,  and  we  find  by  the  "History  of  the  Schuylkill 
Fishing  Company"  (pp.  37  and  38),  that: 

"At  a  meeting  of  Schujdkill  Fishing  Company,  on  Oct.  12, 
1765,  in  consequence  of  the  advanced  age  and  infirmities  of  his 
excellency,  the  valuable  Governor  Stretch,  Luke  Morris,  Esq., 
was  unanimously  chosen  and  proclaimed  Lieutenant  Governor, 
according  to  law. 

"A  few  days  after  this  meeting  the  Governor  departed  this 
life,  at  a  good  old  age,  after  a  long  and  prosperous  administra- 
tion of  nearly  thirty-four  years." 

The  choice  of  a  successor  would  have  fallen  on  the  worthy 
Lieutenant,  but  to  the  regret  of  all,  he  modestly  declined  accept- 
ance of  the  proffered  honor,  because,  said  he,  in  a  letter  bearing 
date  Oct.  11,  1766,  "my  presence  in  a  neighboring  Government 
being  more  immediately  necessary  than  heretofore,  I  hope  you 
will  make  choice  of  some  person  in  my  stead,  to  preside  over  the 
affairs  of  the  Colony,  who  can  with  more  convenience  attend  to 
the  decaying  situation  of  our  fishery,  and  sincerely  study  the 
peace  and  tranquility  of  Schuylkill."    On  the  same  day,  the  lltli 

*Vide  History  of  Penna.  Hospital,  p.  391. 


MARY    ALLEN'S    SILVER    TEAPOT    AND    SALVER 


JE 

fe 

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SILVER    TANKARD    OF    WILLIAM    MORRIS  ' 


THIRD    GENERATION.  213 

of  Oct.,  1766,  the  annual  election  was  held  at  the  Court  house, 
and  it  is  recorded  that  the  members  then  elected  the  Honorable 
Samuel  Morris,  Esq.,  unanimously. 

Luke  Morris  was  appointed  on  a  committee  to  view  the  river 
and  Island  July  4,  1775,*  and  was  made  Warden  of  the  Port  of 
Philadelphia,  July  23,  1778,  and  again  on  Oct.  20,  1783.t  Mr. 
Anthony  Saunders  Morris  says  in  his  MSS.  "  He  was  known  as  a 
very  pleasant  gentleman.  He  was  very  fond  of  children,  and 
was  accustomed  to  invite  his  young  cousins  to  his  house  at  the 
northeast  corner  of  Second  and  Almond  Streets,  where  he  had  a 
large  garden  filled  with  all  kinds  of  fruits,  which  he  delighted  to 
distribute  among  the  young  guests,  much  to  their  satisfaction. 
It  was  this  Luke  Morris  to  whom  his  niece  Deborah  Morris 
bequeathed  the  silver  tureen,  which  at  one  time  belonged  to  his 
grand-father,  Anthony  Morris,^  and  was  brought  to  America  by 
his  own  father,  Anthony  Morris.^" 

After  living  through  a  large  portion  of  the  18th  century, 
Luke  Morris  was  laid  to  rest  11  mo.  18,  1793,  in  the  Friends' 
burying  ground,  Philadelphia,  "on  the  right  hand  of  his  sister 
Hannah,  next  to  his  sister  Sarah." 

In  the  list  of  those,  who  according  to  the  appraisement  of 
1782  suffered  damages  (by  the  British)  exceeding  one  thousand 
pounds,  was  Luke  Morris,  whose  damage  was  estimated  at 
£1222.0.0. 

Mary  Morris  survived  her  husband,  and  in  the  Directory  for 
1800,  she  is  referred  to,  as  "Mary  Morris,  Gentlewoman,  311  South 
Street." 

In  the  possession  of  Mr.  Benjamin  I.  Taylor  of  Bristol,  is  a 
small  silver  tea  pot  which  belonged  to  Mary  Morris.  It  is  very 
antique  and  is  marked  "M.  A.,"  the  initials  of  her  maiden  name. 


ABSTRACT  OF  WILL  OF  LUKE  MOPvRIS.^ 

Will  Book,  Philadelphia,  W.,  p.  654. 

Luke  Morris,  of  District  of  Southwark,  County  Philadelphia, 
Will  dated  6th  Sept.,  1791.  He  gives  to  wife  Mary  Morris 
Messuage  and  lot  whereon  they  dwell,  and  all  the  real  estate 

*  Vide  Penna.  Archiv.,  2ad  Series,  Vol.  iii.,  p.  683. 
-[Vide  Penna.  Archiv.,  2nd  Series,  Vol.  iii.,  pp.  693^. 


214  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

including  Sutton's  Ground  Rent  which  was  devised  to  her  by 
her  former  husband,  Joseph  Richards,  also  a  messuage  and  lot 
adjoining  house  they  dwell  in  to  the  northward,  also  the  ground 
rent  issuing  out  of  the  adjoining  lot,  also  four  acres  of  land  in 
Moyamensing  which  he  purchased  of  Samuel  Wheeler,  and  about 
three  acres  which  he  purchased  of  Joseph  Coxe's  Estate  adjoining 
Moyamensing  and  Passyunk  Roads  near  Hollander  Creek  Bridge 
and  £3000  in  cash  or  bonds,  also  all  his  plate,  household  and 
kitchen  furniture,  gold  and  silver  watches  and  wearing  apparel. 
To  his  wife  during  life  only  he  gives  interest  of  21  shares  of  North 
America  Bank  Stock  and  £42  per  annum  out  of  his  Personal 
Estate. 

To  grand-nephew  Samuel  Morris,  son  of  Anthony  Morris, 
dec'd,  he  gives  his  lot  on  Delaware  and  adjoining  the  Public 
Landing  in  South wark  in  tenure  of  William  Siddons,  also  lots 
with  improvements  nearly  opposite  his  dwelling,  bounded  by 
Francis  Trumball's  ground,  George  Street  and  2nd  Street,  and 
by  a  lot  now  of  said  Samuel  Morris,  and  also  the  ground  rent 
issuing  out  of  said  lot  of  said  Samuel  Morris.  To  Luke  Morris, 
son  of  s*^  Samuel  Morris,  a  lot  of  ground  in  Southwark  on  River 
Delaware,  purchased  of  Doctor  Martain  and  wife. 

To  Isaac  Morris,  Samuel  Morris  and  Israel  Morris,  sons  of  s*^ 
Samuel  Morris,  he  gives  the  lot  where  his  Ropewalk  is  erected  in 
Southwark  to  be  equally  divided  amongst  the  three.  He  makes 
the  following  bequests:  To  grand-nephew  Israel  Morris,  son  of 
Anthony  Morris  and  brother  of  Samuel  Morris,  £300 ;  To  Thomas 
Morris,  said  Israel's  brother,  £300;  To  Sarah  Wistar,  wife  of 
Richard  Wistar,  £300 ;  To  Benjamin  W.  Morris,  Caspar  AV.  Morris 
and  Catharine  W.  Morris,  children  of  said  Samuel  Morris,  £100 
each. 

To  Anthony  James  Morris,  son  of  James  Morris,  £200. 

To  brother  Isaac  Morris,  brother  of  Anthony  James  Morris, 
£100;  to  ]Mary  Jones,  widow  of  Blath.  Jones  and  sister  to  afore- 
said Anthony  James  Morris,  £200. 

To  Anthony  Cadwalader  Morris,  £300;  to  Joseph  Drinker, 
nephew  of  wife,  £1000;  to  James  Morris,  of  Duck  Creek,  grand- 
son of  brother  .James,  £100;  to  James  Morris,  son  of  Joseph, 
and  to  his  sisters,  Phoebe  Morris  and  Martha  Mifflin,  £100  each; 
to  Sarah  Buckley,  wife  of  William  Buckley,  £100;  to  three 
children   of    Nicholas   and   Sarah   Wain,   £50   each;   to   Sarah 


THIRD    GENERATION.  215 

Howard,  of  Worcester  County,  Maryland,  £1000,  and  also  £500 
provided  no  further  demands  are  made  by  s"^  Sarah  against  his 
Estate;  to  Rebecca  Jones  and  Hannah  Cathrell,  £50  each.  To  his 
Executors  he  gives  £500  for  distribution  among  such  poor 
persons  as  they  may  think  proper. 

To  Nicholas  Wain,  Thomas  Fisher  and  Jona.  Evans,  Junr., 
and  heirs,  he  leaves  all  those  ground  rents  issuing  out  of  lots  on 
north  side  of  Chestnut  Street  between  Front  and  2nd  Street,  and 
3  ground  rents  in  Morris'  Alley  devised  to  him  by  sister  Sarah, 
in  trust  for  the  use  of  poor  Friends  of  the  Monthly  Meeting  of 
women  friends  of  Philadelphia  for  the  Southern  District — to  be 
under  the  care  and  distribution  of  said  meeting. 

To  Caspar  W.  Morris  and  his  brother  Anthony  Morris  he 
gives  lot  of  ground  purchased  of  the  Widow  Jekeyl  bounded  by 
South  and  Shippen  Streets. 

One-third  of  the  Residue  he  gives  to  wife  Mary,  another  J  to 
Samuel  Morris,  son  of  Anthony,  and  remaining  ^  to  Benjamin 
W.  Morris,  and  Catharine  W.  Morris,  and  Anthony  Morris, 
children  of  said  Samuel  Morris. 

His  lands  in  Bedford  County  are  not  to  be  considered  residu- 
ary Est.,  but  one  moiety  thereof  subject  to  any  agreement  he  has 
made  with  Israel  Morris,  of  Maryland,  he  directs  his  Executors 
to  conjfirm  to  Nicholas  Wain  and  Sarah  his  wife,  and  their  heirs ; 
the  other  moiety  he  gives  to  Benjamin  W.  Morris,  Catharine  W. 
Morris  and  Anthony  Morris,  children  of  said  Samuel. 

Executors :  Wife  Mary  Morris,  Nicholas  Wain,  Samuel  Morris, 
son  of  Anthony  Morris,  and  Anthony  Morris,  son  of  said  Samuel 
Morris. 

(Signed)  Luke  Morris. 

Witnesses : 

MlCH^-    DURNEY, 

Peter  Miercken,  Jun., 
John  Knox, 
Robert  Jones. 


216  GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MORRIS  FAMILY. 

By  a  Codicil,  dated  9*^  day  of  10*''  mo.,  1793,  he  gives  to  his 
wife  Mary,  a  bond  for  £700  given  him  by  Caleb  Ash ;  Deborah 
Morris's  note  for  £100  he  gives  to  Elizabeth  Mifflin,  dau.  of  George 
and  Martha  Mifflin,  in  lieu  of  the  legacy  to  her  mother ;  to 
Anthony  Morris,  son  of  Samuel  Morris,  a  lot  of  ground  on  Lom- 
bard Street,  purchased  of  Benj.  Harbeson,  also  a  lot  of  ground 
on  South  Street,  Schujdkill  Front  Street  and  Schuylkill  which 
he  purchased  of  Thomas  Clifford  and  INIiers  Fisher,  Att'^^  Chr. 
Gulielma  Gaskill. 

(Signed)  Luke  Morris. 

Witnesses : 

Nicholas  Walk, 
Sarah  Waln. 

Will  and  Codicil  proved  at  Philadelphia,  28*''  Nov.,  1793. 

Geo.  Campbell,  Reg''. 


FOURTH  GENERATION. 

18.  Anthony  Morris^  (Anthony,^  Anthony,^  Anthony^),  the 
eldest  child  of  Anthony  Morris'  and  Phoebe  Guest,  b.  11th  mo. 
14th,  1705;  d.  10th  mo.  2nd,  1780;  m.  (1st)  12th  mo.,  1730,  Sarah 
Powell,  a  dau.  of  Samuel  and  Abigail  Wilcox  Powell.  Sarah 
(Powell)  Morris,  b.  4th  mo.  29th,  1713;  d.  2nd  mo.  10th,  1751; 
and  Anthony  Morris,"  m.  (2ndly)  4th  mo.  30th,  1752,  Elizabeth 
Hudson,  a  granddaughter  of  William  Hudson,  a  member  of  the 
Provincial  Council,  and  Mayor  of  Philadelphia  1725-26,  and 
his  wife  Mary  Richardson,  dau.  of  Samuel  Richardson,  also  a 
Provincial  Councillor. 

After  completing  his  education,  Anthony  Morris*  was  con- 
nected with  his  father  in  the  brewing  business.  When  23  years 
of  age,  he  received  from  the  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends  in 
Philadelphia  a  certificate,  dated  12th  mo.  28th,  1728,  to  the 
Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends  at  Heathcott's  Bay  in  the  Island  of 
Barbados.*  He  visited  the  Island,  where  he  remained  about  six 
months,  receiving,  upon  his  leaving  it,  the  following  certificate: 

"  From  our  Monthly  Meeting  held  at  Heathcott's  Bay  Bar- 
bados ye  20*^  of  6mo.,  1729 : 

"To  Friends  of  y®  Monthly  Meeting  in  Philadelphia. 

"Dear  Friends: — Our  friend  Anthony  Morris  acquainting 
us  by  his  uncle  Wm.  Morris  of  his  design  to  return  home  & 
requesting  our  Certificate,  These  therefore  are  to  certify  that  from 
due  enquiry  being  made  we  find  that  his  conversation  has  been 
orderly  as  becomes  his  profession,  &  that  he  has  duly  frequented 
our  meetings  both  for  worship  and  discipline  during  his  short 
stay  here  &  that  he  is  clear  from  any  eugagement  in  respect  to 
marriage.  AVe  sincerely  desire  his  growth  in  the  Blessed  Truth 
and  that  the  Lord  may  preserve  &  conduct  him  safe  to  his  rela- 
tions and  you  and  that  he  may  be  of  service  to  the  Church  of 

*  One  of  the  signers  of  this  certificate  was  his  Uncle,  William  Morris,  which 
is  an  evidence  of  the  latter  being  in  Philadelphia  at  that  time. 

(217) 


218  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

Christ.    AVith  the  salutation  of  Brotherly  Love  we  subscribe  your 
Friends  and  Brethren 

"  Signed  in  and  on  behalf  of  our  said  meeting  by 

"John  Bidou 
"Wm.  Dury 
"  William  Callender 
"Benj.  Collyns 
"W.  Morris." 

It  does  not  appear  that  this  Anthony  Morris  purchased  so 
much  real  estate  as  his  father  and  grandfather,  but  on  Nov.  30, 
1741,  he  disposed  of  several  lots  on  High  and  Fourth  Streets  to 
Stephen  Armitt  and  Zachariah  Whitpain.*  Soon  after  this  trans- 
action Anthon}^^  was  taken  into  partnership  by  his  father,  as  we 
learn  from  a  deed  dated  Dec.  10,  1741,t  in  which  it  is  stated  that 
his  parents,  Anthony  and  Phoebe  Morris,  "for  and  in  consider- 
ation of  the  natural  affection  which  they  have  and  bear  for  and 
towards  their  said  son,  Anthony  Morris,  and  for  divers  other 
good  causes"  give  over  to  him  "a  half  share  of  all  the  Messuage 
or  Tenement  and  Brewhouse,  and  Bank  lot  and  Wharf  thereunto 
belonging,  situate  in  Philadelphia,  and  containing  in  breadth  77 
feet,  and  in  length  from  the  Front  Street  to  the  Street  then  called 
King  Street  forty  feet,  and  from  the  East  side  of  King  Street  iiito 
the  River  Delaware  180  foot,  bounded  northward  with  the  lot  in 
the  tenure  of  Joseph  Kirle,  Eastward  with  the  said  River  Dela- 
ware, Southward  with  the  lot  now  or  late  in  the  tenure  of  Jacob 
Reignier,  his  assignee  or  assigns,  and  westward  with  the  said 
Front  Street.  Together  also  with  ye  one  full  moiety  or  half  part 
of  all  and  singular  ye  messuages,  tenements,  brewhouse,  malt- 
house,  granaries,  stables,  outhouses,  waj^s,  water  courses,  lights, 
easements,  rights,  liberties,  privileges,  improvements,  heredita- 
ments, &  appurtenances,  whatsoever  thereunto  belonging,  and 
also  all  and  singular  ye  Malt  mills.  Cauldrons,  Coppers,  pumps 
and  all  other  implements  and  utensils  of  Brewing  in  the  use  or 
service  of  the  said  Brewhouse  or  Malthouse."  This  was  precisely 
as  Anthony  Morris^  had  given  his  son  Anthony^  a  half  share  of 
the  Original  Brewery  in  1706.     But  this  old  "Anthony  Morris 


*Vide  Deed  Book  EF  6,  p.  618,  in  Office  of  Recorder  of  Deeds,  Phila. 
tVide  Deed  Book  H,  Vol.  vi.,  p.  234,  in  Office  of  Recorder  of  Deeds,  Phila. 


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CERTIFICATE    FOR    ANTHONY    MORRIS'    FROM     PHILADELPHIA    TO    BARBADOS 


FOURTH    GENERATION.  219 

Brewhouse"  had  already  stood  for  half  a  century,  when  in  1745 
Anthon}^  Morris"*  removed  the  brewery  to  the  site  now  known  as 
"Dock  and  Pear  Street,"  being  attracted  to  it  by  the  arching  over 
of  the  upper  part  of  Dock  Creek,  and  the  presence  of  several 
springs  on  the  property.  Previous  to  1743,  when  the  Creek  was 
arched  over,  the  tide  ebbed  and  flowed  as  far  as  Chestnut  Street 
and  Hudson's  Alle}^,  and  down  the  latter  flowed  a  small  stream 
which  began  at  Seventh  and  Locust  Streets,  and  joined  'Dock 
Creek  at  Third  Street.  In  early  times  the  Brewery  yard  extended 
to  Third  Street,  but  in  1763,  the  ground  upon  which  St.  Paul's 
Church  now  stands,  was  sold  to  that  congregation.  There  is  an 
interesting  fact  connected  with  the  Pear  and  Dock  Street  Brewery 
which  Watson  refers  to  in  the  following  terms:  "Dock  Creek  in 
early  days  abounded  with  springs  and  I  have  been  able  to  trace 
as  many  as  three  of  them  on  the  western  side.  At  Morris' 
Brewery,  now  called  Abbott's,  at  the  junction  of  Pear  and  Dock 
Streets,  there  is  now  a  spring  arched  over,  which  has  a  vault  from 
it  into  the  great  tunnel.  The  fact  was  told  to  me  by  Timothy 
Matlack,  who  had  it  so  covered  in  his  early  days  when  once 
concerned  in  that  brewery.  They  once  esteemed  their  beer  as 
surpassing  that  of  any  in  the  city  from  the  use  of  that  spring, 
which  they  concealed  and  kept  a  secret.  It  stood  twenty  feet  east 
from  the  east  end  of  the  brewhouse  premises  and  fifteen  feet  back 
from  the  Street."  * 

The  ground  upon  which  the  new  Brewery  was  built  belonged 
to  Sarah  Powell,  the  first  wife  of  Anthony  Morris.^  She  had  re- 
ceived it  from  her  father,  Samuel  Powell,  and  upon  a  part  of  the 
lot  which  fronted  on  Third  Street,  situated  immediately  south  of 
the  site  of  St.  Paul's  Church,  stood  the  Morris  famil}'  mansion. 
It  was  a  two  story  structure,  built  of  black  and  red  bricks  with 
a  magnificent  garden  extending  as  far  back  as  Laurel  Street. 

The  Dock  and  Pear  Street  Brewery  was  probably  enlarged  by 
the  sons  of  Anthony  Morris,*  and  was  completed  in  1790.  For  00 
years  past  the  property  has  been  out  of  the  Morris  family,  and 
for  many  years  was  occupied  by  John  Eisenbrey,  Jr.,  as  a 
mahogany  saw-mill.  It  is  now  likely  soon  to  give  way  to  the 
march  of  improvements.  The  old  brewery  building  is  one  of 
the  old  land-marks  of  Philadelphia,  ranking  in  antiquity  with 

*  Watson's  Annal.e,  p.  490. 


220  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

the  State  House  proper,  and  a  few  other  structures  still  standing, 
and  it  has  not  been  much  changed  since  its  early  days. 

During  the  Riots  at  the  Election  for  the  City  and  County  of 
Philadelphia  in  Oct.,  1742,  Anthony  Morris*  was  a  highly  in- 
terested spectator  of  events,  as  his  brother  James  was  a  candidate 
for  re-election  to  the  Assembly  of  the  Province,  and  he  knew  that 
the  Sailor  mob  had  been  gathered  near  the  Court  House  to  in- 
terfere with  a  fair  election.  His  brother  was  re-elected,  but  his 
father,  during  the  riot,  was  brutally  attacked,  and  he  found  him 
in  the  house  of  George  Fitzwater  grievously  wounded.  At  the 
investigation  into  the  Riotous  proceedings,  subsequentl}'  held  by 
the  Assembly,  Anthony  Morris*  gave  evidence  which  is  thus  re- 
corded in  the  Votes  of  Assembly,  Vol.  iii.  (pp.  565-6). 

"Deposition  of  Anthony  Morris,  1742. 

"  Anthony  Morris,  the  younger,  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia, 
"Brewer,  being  examined  in  a  solemn  manner,  declareth  and 
"saith,  that  about  nine  a  Clock  on  the  morning  of  the  day  of 
"Election,  he  saw  John  Dillwyn,  Thomas  Lloj^d,  and  Hugh 
"  Roberts  at  Clement  Plumsted's,  the  then  Mayor's  Door,  talking 
"  with  him ;  and  joining  them,  heard  the  Mayor  say,  How  can 
''you  expect  any  other,  when  a  set  of  Villains  hinder  People  from 
"  Voting,  by  croivding  the  stairs ;  and  open  the  People's  Tickets,  put- 
"iing  others  in  their  Hands,  or  tearing  them  as  they  like  or  dislike 
"them.  To  which,  this  Examinate  reply'd  AVe  do  not  think  it 
"  our  Interest  the  stairs  should  be  crowded,  we  have  always  en- 
"  deavoured  to  keep  them  clear.  That  Hugh  Roberts  saying.  There 
"are  seldom  any  Sett  of  Men  but  have  some  Villains  amongst 
"them ;  the  mayor  reply'd,  It  is  worse  where  they  are  all  such;  or 
"words  to  that  efifect.  That  going  from  thence  towards  the 
"  Market-street  he  saw  Capt.  Mitchell  in  Front  Street,  with  a 
"Stone  in  his  Hand,  threatening  to  throw  it  at  some  Persons 
"who  were  following  him,  but  some  Person  had  hold  of  him; 
"and  at  the  same  time  he  saw  Joseph  Turner,  lay  hold  of  Israel 
"Pemberton  the  elder.  That  this  Examinate  went  to  the  Market, 
"and  from  thence  to  the  Church,  about  Half  an  Hour  after  Nine, 
"and  saw  the  Sailors  gather  there,  that  he  thinks  they  were 
"  without  sticks,  and  that  he  spoke  to  one  or  two  of  them  that  he 
"  knew,  and  advised  them  to  be  peaceable ;  and  they  said  they 
"were  only  on  a  Frolick.     That  afterwards  he  saw  them  in  a 


^<.'J 


THE    FIRST    ANTHONY    MORRIS    BREWHOUSE.   PHILADELPHIA 


'^M 


*.^p 


MORRIS    BREWERY,   PEAR    AND    DOCK    STREETS,   PHILADELPHIA 


FOURTH    GENERATION.  221 

"Body  arm'd  with  Clubs,  coming  up  the  Jersey-Market;  That 
"the  Sheriff  went  down  from  the  stairs  to  disperse  them  ;  that  he 
"saw  several  of  the  People  beat  by  the  Sailors ;  But  being  told  his 
"Father,  almost  murder'd,  was  carried  into  George  Fitzwater's 
"he  ran  thither  and  saw  no  more  of  the  Riot  till  after  the  In- 
"  spectors  were  chosen,  when  he  saw  several  of  the  Sailors  drive  the 
"People,  some  down  the  stairs,  and  others  on  to  the  Court-House, 
"  violently  beating  some  with  their  clubs.  That  the  next  day  in 
"the  morning,  he  went  with  Sam  Par  to  the  Mayors,  who  told  the 
"Mayor,  People  were  uneasy  to  hear  that  he  was  about  to  admit 
"Capt.  Redmond  to  Bail ;  that  the  Sub-Sheriff  being  present;  said 
"that  Judge  Grifhtts  had  forbid  the  taking  Bail  for  the  said  Red- 
"mond  until  the  Election  was  over;  upon  which  the  Mayor  grew 
"angry  &  said,  Who  is  Thomas  Griffitts  to  send  me  such  a  word? 
"and  charged  the  Examinate  with  abusing  him,  in  saying  he 
"had  encouraged  the  Sailors;  to  which  this  Examinate  reply'd 
"that  he  had  understood  they  had  drawn  up  and  huzza'd  at  the 
"  Mayor's  Door  before  the  Riot,  that  the  mayor  went  out  among 
"them,  and  he  was  informed,  did  not  discourage  them,  which  he 
"thought  was  Encouraging;  to  which  the  Mayor  reply'd  Would 
''you  have  me  turn  Constable?  This  Examinate  further  saith,  that 
"Alexander  Annand  told  him  some  time  before,  that  Redmond  had 
"sworn  he  would  bring  a  hundred  men  to  the  Election. 

"Anthony  Morris,  Junior." 


On  8th  mo.  8th,  1742,  Anthony  Morris"*  was  elected  an  "Over- 
seer" of  the  Public  School  in  Philadelphia,  but  he  resigned  the 
appointment  2d  mo.  23d,  1758,  and  was  succeeded  by  Joseph 
Morris,  his  brother.  Joseph  Morris  resigned  1st  mo.  12th,  1785, 
and  was  succeeded  on  the  same  date  by  John  Drinker. 

On  May  1,  1748,  Anthony  Morris*  became  an  Original  Mem- 
ber of  the  "  Colon}^  in  Schuylkill,"  a  social  organization,  of 
which  his  son,  Capt.  Samuel  Morris,  was  afterwards  a  dis- 
tinguished member,  serving  as  its  Governor  for  a  long  series  of 
years. 

On  4th  mo.  11th,  1751,  Anthony  Morris  lost  his  first  wife, 
Sarah  Powell,  by  whom  he  had  seven  children ;  six  of  these  were 
alive  at  the  time  of  her  death.  In  the  early  part  of  1752  a 
rumor  was  afloat  that  he  would  soon  be  married  again.     Israel 


222  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

and  Rachel  Pemberton  wrote  on  3d  mo.  20tb,  1752,  to  their  sou 
John  Pemberton,  in  London:* 

"Anthony  Morris,  jr  and  Elizabeth  Hudson  it  is  expected 
"will  publish  their  intention  with  each  other  in  a  little  time; 
"altho'  she  hath  waited  long  she  is  like  to  be  mother  to  six 
"children  in  one  da3\"  This  remark  refers  to  the  family  of 
Anthony  Morris  by  his  first  wife. 

Rumor,  in  this  instance,  proved  to  be  correct,  for  on  4th  mo. 
3rd,  1752,  Anthony  Morris*  m.  as  his  2d  wife,  Elizabeth  Hudson, 
a  granddau.  of  William  Hudson,  a  former  Mayor  of  Philadelphia. 

Anthony  Morris*  was  of  a  benevolent  disposition  and  his 
name  was  constantly  associated  with  that  of  his  father,  Anthonj'' 
Morris,^  in  the  support  of  every  good  and  philanthropic  work  in 
Philadelphia.  His  signature,  as  well  as  that  of  his  father  and 
his  uncle  Luke,  is  attached  to  the  Petition  to  the  Assembly,  on 
January,  1751,  for  aid  to  the  Pennsylvania  Hospital,  and  we  find 
from  the  "  Histor}"  of  the  Pennsylvania  Hospital "  that  he  con- 
tributed in  that  year  $165.56  towards  the  funds.  The  Hospital 
received  its  Charter  6th  May,  1751,  and  in  pursuance  of  the  act 
of  the  Assembly  many  of  the  Contributors  met  in  the  State 
House  to  elect  twelve  Managers  and  a  Treasurer.  Amongst  those 
present  were  Anthony  Morris^  and  two  of  his  sons — Anthony*  and 
Joseph.*  Joseph  Morris*  was  then  chosen  one  of  the  12  original 
Managers  of  the  Hospital. 

The  name  of  Anthony  Morris,  Jr.  (i.  e.  A.  M.*)  as  one  of  the 
City  Assessors,  is  amongst  the  signatures  to  the  Memorial  to  the 
Mayor  and  Commonalty  of  the  Cit}'  of  Philadelphia,  16th  Feb., 
1753,  requesting  that  the  Blue  Anchor  Tavern  Landing  be  kept 
open  for  Public  use. 

In  the  10th  volume  of  the  "Pemberton  Papers"  (p.  79)  is  a 
letter  dated  1st  mo.  29, 1755,  from  Mary  Pemberton,  Philadelphia, 
to  Israel  Pemberton  in  Nansemond,  Virginia,  in  which  she  saj^s: 

"Anthony  Morris,  Jr.,  has  had  another  slight  attack  of  the 
"  same  disorder  (viz.  palsy)  and  seems  to  recover  but  slowl}'." 

At  that  date  An.thony  Morris*  was  about  50  years  of  age, 
and  we  may  infer  from  the  above  quotation  that  he  was  then  in 
failing  health  and  perhaps  for  some  time  previously  had  been  an 
invalid. 

*  Pemberton  Papers,  Vol.  x.,  in  Library  of  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania. 


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FOURTH    GENERATION.  223 

In  addition  to  his  City  house,  he  had  two  country  seats,  one 
named  "Solitude,"  and  the  other  "Peckham,"  in  South wark. 
The  latter  house  stood  upon  an  elevation,  with  terrraces  in  front, 
and  was  situated  a  short  distance  from  the  Wharton  House,  where 
the  Meschianza  was  given  in  honor  of  Lord  Howe,  18th  May, 
1778,  and  from  the  "Peckham"  house  the  Morrises  may  have 
been  witnesses  of  the  cavalcade  and  all  the  attendant  pomp  and 
circumstance  of  mimic  warfare.  The  "Morris"  and  "Wharton" 
houses  in  Southwark  are  both  marked  on  Scull  &  Heap's  Map  of 
Philadelphia  in  1750,  and  in  others  of  a  more  recent  date. 

From  a  Deed  executed  Nov.  10,  1763,  it  appears  that  Samuel 
Morris,  Jr.,  and  his  brothers  and  sisters  by  their  mother,  Sarah 
(Powell)  Morris,  the  first  wife  of  Anthony  Morris,*  conveyed  to 
their  father,  Anthony  Morris  of  Southwark,  in  the  County  of 
Philadelphia,  Gentleman,  for  the  consideration  of  £1000  certain 
property  given  to  them  by  their  mother.  It  is  described  as  "a 
lot  of  ground  South  of  Dock  Street,  West  of  2nd  Street,  near  the 
Bridge,  extending  west  of  2nd  Street,  Southward  88  feet  to  the 
house  and  lot,  thence  along  said  lot  300  feet  to thence  north- 
ward by  ground  late  of  Samuel  Powell,  deceased,  to  a  post  70 
foot  from  Walnut  Street."  The  conveyance  also  includes  a  piece 
of  land  opposite  to  it  on  the  east  side  of  2nd  Street. 

We  gain  some  idea  of  the  possessions  of  Anthony  Morris* 
when  sixty  years  of  age  from  "  a  return  of  property  "  which  he 
made  in  1765.  We  have  reproduced  it  as  it  appears  in  his  own 
handwriting.  The  original  is  in  the  possession  of  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Morris,  who  has  kindly  allowed  it  to  be  copied  : 

10  acres  of  March  Meadow  in  grass. 

70  acres  of  Uncultivated  land. 

15  Houses  and  Lots. 

One  unimproved  lot. 

House  rents,  £793.10. 

Ground  rents,  £200. 

4  Horses,  4  Cattle. 

One  Negro  man  60  years  old.       One  woman  25  years  old. 

One  mulatto  girl  12  j^ears  old. 

One  hired  man. 

As  already  stated,  Anthony  Morris*  was  twice  married, 
and    in    both    cases,    to    heiresses.      His    wife    Sarah,    was    a 


224  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

dau.  of  Samuel  Powell,  the  rich  builder,  and  his  second 
wife,  Elizabeth  Hudson,  inherited  considerable  property  from 
her  grandfather;  and  the  children  of  both  marriages  were 
wealthy  and  made  alliances  with  some  of  the  best  families  of 
Philadelphia. 

Anthony  Morris^  was  one  of  the  signers  of  the  Non-importa- 
tion Agreement,  Nov.  7,  1765.  On  Oct.  25,  1765,  the  Merchants 
and  traders  of  Philadelphia  subscribed  to  a  non-importation 
agreement,  and  on  Nov.  7,  1765,  at  a  general  meeting  in  Phila- 
delphia, it  was  thus  duly  unanimously  resolved  by  them  that 
they  "would  not  import  any  goods  from  Great  Britain  until  the 
Stamp  Act  was  repealed."  Among  the  signers  of  this  Resolu- 
tion were  Anthony  Morris,*  Samuel  Morris,  and  many  others. 
The  Resolution  was  fully  sustained  by  the  Brewers  of  Philadel- 
phia, who  refused  to  buy  any  portion  of  a  cargo  of  Malt  that 
arrived  from  Yarmouth,  England,  in  1769,  so  that  the  captain 
of  the  ship  was  forced  to  return  with  it. 

Among  the  list  of  84  persons  keeping  pleasure  carriages  in 
Philadelphia  in  1772,  appear  the  names  of  Anthony  Morris,* 
Samuel  Morris,  Samuel  Powell,  Thos.  Clifford,  Richard  Wistar, 
and  Widow  Greenleaf  (whose  maiden  name  was  Catharine 
Wistar),  each  one  coach  wagon ;  a  coach  was  considered  a  special 
distinction  in  those  days. 

On  Feb.  28,  1764,  a  tripartite  agreement  was  drawn  up, 
Anthony  Morris  of  Southwark,  and  Elizabeth,  his  wife,  being  of 
the  first  part ;  Anthony  Morris^  the  younger,  Brewer,  and  Israel 
Morris  the  younger.  Merchant,  Thomas  Morris,  John  Franklin, 
Merchant,  of  New  York,  and  Deborah  his  wife,  and  Sarah  Morris, 
Spinster,  of  the  second  part;  and  Samuel  Morris  and  Joseph 
Morris  of  Philadelphia,  Merchants,  of  the  third  part :  The  Deed 
conveys  to  Samuel  and  Joseph  Morris  in  trust  for  Anthony  Morris 
the  younger, — 2  Brick  tenements  and  a  lot  88  x  162  feet  south 
of  Dock  and  West  of  2nd  Street.* 

In  the  settlement  of  the  Estate  of  Anthony  Morris^  on — 

Oct.  30,  1765,  John  Morris,  of  Whitemarsh  Township,  Gentle- 
man, and  Mary  his  wife,  Samuel  Morris,  Esq.,  and  Hannah  his 
wife,  Joseph  Morris,  of  Philadelphia,  Merchant,  Deborah  Morris, 
Spinster,  Benjamin  Shoemaker  and  his  wife  Elizabeth,  Anthony 

Vide  Deed  Book  17,  p.  564,  Office  of  Recorder  of  Deeds,  Philadelphia. 


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RETURN    MADE    BY  ANTHONY    MORRIS*  OF    PROPERTY    POSSESSED    BY    HIM,    1765 


FOURTH    GENERATION.  225 

James  Morris,  and  Blatlnvaite  Jones,  Merchant,  and  his  wife  Mary — 
as  Residuary  Legatees  of  the  Estate  of  Anthony  Morris,^  con- 
veyed to  Anthony  Morris  the  Elder,  of  South wark.  Gentleman, 
and  Anthony  Morris  the  younger.  Brewer,  the  following  prop- 
erties, viz: — 

House  and  lot  bounded  eastward  with  Front  Street,  southward 
with  lot  granted  to  Samuel  Morris,  westward  with  Mary  Gray's 
land,  and  northward  with  ground  of  George  Gray,  granted  by 
William  Morris  to  Anthony  Morris,  Brewer, — 180x17  feet 
9  inches,  also  a  lot  on  Mulberry  Street,  bounded  southward 
with  Mulberry  Street,  eastward  with  John  Morris's  ground, 
W'Cstward  with  ground  of  Samuel  Morris,  northward  by  ends 
of  Sassafras  Street  lots,  29  feet  9  inches  x  306  feet,  being  part 
of  large  lot  of  99  feet  granted  by  Philip  Roman  to  Anthony 
Morris.^ 

Also  111  acres  of  land  of  500  acres  of  land  in  Cumry  town- 
ship, Berks  County;  also  l/T'**  part  of  land  in  Hunterton  County, 
New  Jersey,  called  the  Miery  Run,  about  five  miles  from  Trenton, 
bought  of  Joseph  Decow  et  at.  Also  1/7'^  share  of  Copper  Mines 
in  New  Brunswick.* 

In  1777  during  the  War  of  the  Revolution,  the  Congress 
left  Philadelphia  and  the  State  Government  of  Pennsylvania 
removed  from  Philadelphia  to  Lancaster;  the  Supreme  Exec- 
utive Council  began  its  sessions  there  on  October  1st.  "  Before 
"their  departure,  in  the  days  of  excitement  over  the  approach  of 
"General  How^e,  the  Congress  and  the  Council  had  caused  the 
"arrest  of  a  number  of  persons,  mostly  Friends,  upon  the  general 
"charge  of  opposing  and  discouraging  the  American  cause,  on 
"Aug.  28^''  the  former  body  had  named  eleven  of  the  leading 
"  Friends,  including  the  three  Pemberton  brothers,  for  arrest ; 
"and  the  Council  on  the  31st,  increased  the  number  to  forty -one, 
"adding  other  Friends,  and  also  Provost  Smith,  Rev.  Mr.  Coombs, 
"the  assistant  rector.  Dr.  Phineas  Bond  &  others.  Fifteen  of  the 
"forty-one,  for  various  reasons  were  not  arrested  but  twenty-six, 
"seventeen  of  whom  were  Friends,  were  taken  by  Colonel  Wm. 
"  Bradford  with  a  military  guard,  and  confined  in  the  Mason's 
"  Lodge.  Congress  suggested,  September  3rd,  that  the  party  be 
"sent  to  Staunton,  Virginia,  and  after  several  days  of  disputa- 

*VkU  Deed  Book  D  1,  p.  185,  Office  of  Recorder  of  Deeds,  Phila. 


226  GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MORRIS  FAMILY. 

"tion,  *  *  *  twenty  of  the  party*  were  loaded  in  light 
"covered  wagons  'at  the  door  of  the  Lodge  and  sent  off  under 
"'guard  on  the  afternoon  of  the  battle  of  Brandywine.  They 
'"went  by  way  of  Reading  to  Harris's  Ferry,  and  thence  through 
'"the  Cumberland  Valley  to  Winchester,  Virginia,  where  they  re- 
'"mained  until  the  following  spring  when  they  were  released.'" 

Among  those  who  were  in  exile  in  Virginia  was  Thomas 
Wharton,  Sr.,  who  was  related  to  Anthony  Morris'*  through  his 
wife  Elizabeth. 

The  following  letter  from  Thomas  Wharton  to  Anthony 
Morris*  during  the  banishment  of  the  former  to  Virginia  will  be 
read  with  interest : 

Letter  addressed  to  "  Anthony  Morris  in  Southwark  adjoin- 
ing to  Philadelphia." 

"Hopewell,  April  2"^  1778. 
"  Esteemed  Relation, 

"  I  refer  thee  to  a  letter  which  I  wrote  thee  on  the  25th  ult°. 
in  which  thou  would  have  the  account  of  the  amputation  being 
performed,  at  the  express  desire  of  our  Dear  Relation,  and  the 
Happy  prospect  we  had  of  his  recovery.  But  Alas,  how  short 
sighted  are  we,  or  is  the  judgement  of  Man  ?  Altho  for  a  day  or 
two  after  that,  judging  by  the  various  Dressings  made,  it  appeared 
that  our  hopes  had  a  reasonable  foundation.  But  about  the  28th 
we  could  not  help  observing  a  change,  and  a  Flightiness  in  some 
of  his  expressions,  which  as  it  increased  added  to  the  Gloominess 
of  our  prospect,  notwithstanding  which  a  Ray  of  Hope  from  some 
more  favorable  symptoms,  till  on  the  SV^  when  the  Doctor  came 
out  to  dress  his  thigh,  He  discovered  such  an  Approach  of  the 
Dissolution  of  this  Great  and  Worthy  Man,  that  it  caused  us 
painful  Hearts.  He  continued  that  day  pretty  easy  only  Com- 
plaining of  the  phlegm  rising  in  his  throat ;  Indeed  we  had  to 
Observe  that  the  left  side  of  his  Mouth  was  Contracted,  thus,  at 


*  James  Pemberton,  Miers  Fisher,  John  Pemberton,  Samuel  Pleasant, 
Thomas  Gilpin,  Samuel  Fisher  (son  of  John),  Owen  Jones,  junior,  Edward 
Penington,  William  Drewet  Smith,  Charles  Eddy,  Israel  Pemberton,  John 
Hunt,  Thomas  Pike,  Thomas  Fisher,  Henry  Drinker,  Elijah  Brown,  William 
Smith  (broker),  Thomas  Wharton,  Senr,  Charles  Jervis,  Thomas  Affleck 
(Colonial  Records  xi.,  p.  296). 


FOURTH    GENERATION.  Til 

times  taking  some  small  matters,  He  continued  till  about  9  o'clock 
in  the  Evening,  when  a  Change  was  very  Apparent,  Gradually 
departing  without  much  pain  or  struggle,  till  about  7  minutes 
after  10  o'clock ;  when  it  pleased  the  Divine  Author  of  his  Being 
to  put  a  period  thereto,  and  take  him  to  Himself,  and  into  that 
State  of  Bliss,  which  his  Soul  has  been  preparing  for  these  Many 
Years  Past. 

"Thus  after  a  Painful  Conflict  of  between  5  &  6  weeks,  in 
which  He  showed  (by  a  steady  resignation  to  the  will  of  his 
Maker)  a  most  Patient  Disposition,  never  repining,  but  Praying, 
that  he  might  be  Indued  with  Patience  to  the  End,  which  indeed 
has  been  Mercifully  extended  to  Him,  He  has  finished  his  work 
and  left  an  example  worthy  of  Imitation. 

"His  Corps  was  this  Morning  Decently  Interred  in  Friends 
burial  Ground  at  this  place.  Attended  by  a  Great  number  of 
Friends  and  others.  Many  of  Whom  have  had  to  bear  Testimony 
to  the  Excellence  of  his  Ministry,  demonstrating  in  the  Power 
and  Authority  of  the  Gospels  the  Commission  His  Master  had 
favoured  Him  with. 

"  Friends  and  others  have  been  very  kind  in  Affording  their 
Assistance  in  the  Days  of  Distress,  And  all  our  Particular 
Friends  have  done  whatever  lay  in  their  Power  for  Him. — The 
kind  and  Affectionate  Attention  which  our  Friends,  Owen  Jones, 
J.  S.  &  Ch.  Eddy  have  paid  Him,  both  by  Night  &  by  Day  has 
been  very  Acceptable. 

"Please  to  remember  me  Affectionately  to  k\\  our  Relations 
&  particularly  to  my  Afflicted  Cousin  Rachel. 

"I  shall  discharge  what  Expenses  have  Incurred,  &  take  the 
best  care  I  can  of  his  things,  And  if  I  should  not  be  permitted 
to  return,  shall  Forward  his  Will. 

"  I  remain  thy  aff'ectionate  Kinsman, 

"Thos.  Wharton. 

"  P.  S.  Please  excuse  the  bad  Copying  of  this  as  it  was  done 
after  Night. 

"  To  Anthony  Morris." 

Anthony  Morris*  died  on  Oct.  2,  1780,  at  his  County  seat, 
"  Peckham  "  in  South wark.  His  wife  Elizabeth  survived  him, 
and  departed  this  life  5  mo.  23'"^  1783. 


228  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

Elizabeth  Hudson  (a  granddaughter  of  William  Hudson, 
Ma^^or  of  Philadelphia  in  1725,  and  dau.  of  William  and  Jane 
[Evans]  Hudson),  b.  Feb.  20,  1721/2;  d.  5th  mo.  22nd,  1783;  m. 
4th  mo.  30th,  1752,  Anthony  Morris*  (as  his  second  wife). 

Elizabeth  Hudson  was  famous  as  a  Preacher  in  the  Societ}-  of 
Friends,  and  in  company  with  Jane  Hoskins,  who  was  also  a 
minister,  paid  a  religious  visit  to  the  "Friends"  in  England  and 
Ireland.  She  has  left  a  Diary,  which  commences  in  1743,  and 
extends  through  several  years.  It  is  principally  filled  with  refer- 
ences to  her  religious  experiences,  and  it  is  written  in  the  quaint 
style  of  the  middle  of  the  last  century.  The  writer  speaks 
frequently  of  visits  paid  to  Isaac  Norris's  seat  at  Fairhill,  and 
she  notes  the  various  places  which  she  visited  abroad.  After 
laying  her  "concern"  to  visit  Europe  before  the  Philadelphia 
Monthly  jMeeting  of  Friends,  and  receiving  from  it  a  suitable 
certificate,  she  left  Chester  for  Europe,  in  the  "Pembrook," 
Captain  Arthur  Burris,  Commander, — Morris  and  Griffiths, 
owners,  on  11th  mo.  27th,  1747. 

After  a  voyage  of  five  weeks  she  landed  in  Dublin.  She 
traveled  about  almost  continuous!}^  through  Ireland,  England 
and  Scotland,  preaching  in  almost  ever}^  meeting,  and  at  length, 
on  28th  3rd  month,  1751,  she  went  on  board  the  ship  "Caroline" 
at  Gravesend  for  her  return  to  America.  After  a  rough  voyage 
of  eight  weeks  she  reached  Philadelphia  again,  "  having  been 
about  3  years  and  3  months,  exclusive  of  the  time  of  being  at  sea." 

Upon  her  return  she  continued  to  visit  various  meetings. 
She  writes  at  a  later  date  in  her  Diar}^  that  whilst  visiting  friends 
at  AVilmington,  "  my  friend  A.  Morris — my  husband  that  now  is, 
"first  acquainted  me  with  his  intention  of  offering  himself  to  me 
"  as  a  suitor  for  marriage,  which  I  was  to  take  under  considera- 
"tion, — which  affair  I  think  I  duly  weighed,  and  in  the  2°*^  mo 
"following  concluded  to  accomplish,  our  marriage  was  solem- 
"  nized  on  the  30'^  day  of  2"''  mo  (should  be  4^^  mo)  1752,  at  our 
"meeting  house  at  Philadelphia.  We  were  favored  with  the 
"  company  of  our  esteemed  friend  W"  Hammon  from  Duck  Creek, 
"and  E.  Shipley,  who  had  come  on  purpose  to  attend  our  mar- 
"  riage.  The  meeting  was  large  and  the  public  service  weighty 
"  and  particularly  suitable  to  the  occasion.  I  had  a  good  meeting 
"which  had  a  tendency  to  confirm  me  I  was  right  in  the  present 
"  undertaking." 


FOURTH    GENERATION.  229 

After  the  birth  (3mo.  10th,  1753)  of  her  first  son,  who  was  named 
WiUiam  Hudson  Morris,  she  became  seriously  depressed  in  spirit, 
and  physically  weak.  She  realized  that  she  needed  rest  from 
the  business  and  cares  of  City  life,  and  at  her  suggestion,  and 
with  her  husband's  ready  acquiescence,  they  removed  in  the  latter 
part  of  1756  to  their  "  place  in  South wark."  In  her  Diary  she 
writes:  "  Soon  after  was  visited  with  a  severe  fit  of  illness,  and 
"before  I  recovered,  my  husband  fell  ill  with  a  nervous  fever 
"which  brought  him  to  the  brink  of  the  grave."  From  this 
illness  he  recovered  partially,  but  further  on  she  writes,  "After 
"continuing  two  years  at  the  Farm,  and  our  health  not  recov- 
"  ering,  thought  it  best  to  let  it,  and  leave  off"  all  business,  which 
"some  favourable  turns  in  our  circumstances  admitted  of.  We 
"then  went  to  the  place  we  had  formerly  kept  as  a  Country 
"House,  to  which  we  moved  in  1758,  when  we  enjoyed  better 
"health  and  had  less  care  upon  me.  At  this  place  I  had  my 
"second  son,  Luke,  who  was  born  4**"  mo.  (April)  10^^  &  the  4*^  of 
"the  week,  just  seven  years  and  one  month  (being  1760)  after 
"  his  brother  William.  After  the  birth  of  this  son,  was  favoured 
"with  a  better  state  of  health  than  had  been  blessed  with  for 
"some  years,  by  which  means  got  more  to  meetings,  at  home 
"  and  abroad. 

a-j^st  ^j^  jo^y^  1761,  was  proclaimed  our  present  King  George  3'\ 
"his  royal  Grandfather  having,  full  of  years  departed  this  life 
"25^*"  of  9"'  mo,  having  filled  with  honour  the  exalted  station 
"  allotted  him  by  that  Providence  by  whom  Kings  rule  &  Princes 
"decree  justice.  Thirty-four  years,  his  mild  government  and 
"love  of  peace,  rendered  him  the  beloved  object  of  his  subject's 
"affections,  who  greatly  lament  his  loss." 

Her  Diary  concludes  with  the  following  passage :  "As  every 
"  manifest  interposition  of  Providence  in  our  favour,  calls  for 
"our  humble  acknowledgements  to  the  Director  of  it,  I  cannot 
"  but  mention  with  gratitude,  what  I  esteem  such,  in  a  singular 
"manner.  My  oldest  son  went  into  the  next  room  from  where 
"  I  was  sitting,  and  in  a  few  minutes  I  heard  a  gun  go  off,  and  a 
"little  girl  I  had  living  with  me,  scream  out  and  then  cease.  I 
"was  greatly  alarmed  and  ran  to  where  they  were.  I  found  her 
"  lying  flat  on  the  floor,  speechless  with  fright,  and  my  son  little 
"better;  he  had,  not  knowing  the  gun  was  charged,  held  it  up 
"  towards  her." 


230  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

Here  the  Diary  abruptly  ends,  as  the  rest  of  the  leaves  have 
been  torn  out.  A  fragment,  however,  has  been  found,  which 
undoubtedly  refers  to  the  contemplated  destruction  of  the 
"  Christian  Indians  "  in  1764.  In  order  that  it  may  be  better 
understood,  we  preface  it  by  an  extract  from  the  Pennsylvania 
Gazette  for  Feb.  9th,  1764  :— 

"  Pennsylvania  Gazette,"  Feb.  9,  1764. 

"  The  City  was  alarmed  with  the  news  of  great  numbers  of 
"  armed  men  from  the  Frontiers  being  on  the  several  roads  and 
"moving  towards  PhiP,  as  their  designs  were  unknown  and  there 
"were  various  reports  concerning  them,  it  was  thought  proper  to 
"put  the  City  in  some  posture  of  defence  against  any  outrages 
"that  might  possibly  be  intended.  The  inhabitants  being  accord- 
"ingly  called  upon  by  the  Governor,  great  numbers  of  them 
"entered  into  an  association  and  took  arms  for  the  support  of 
"Government  and  maintenance  of  good  order. 

"Six  companies  of  foot,  one  of  artillery  &  two  Troops  of  Horse 
"  were  formed  and  paraded,  to  which,  it  is  said,  some  thousand  who 
"  did  not  appear,  were  prepared  to  join  themselves  in  case  of  any 
"  attempt  against  the  town  should  have  been  made.  The  Barracks 
"  also  where  the  Indians  are  lodged  under  the  protection  of  the 
"regular  troops  were  put  into  a  good  posture  of  defence  several 
"works  being  thrown  about  them  &  eight  pieces  of  cannon  planted 
"there. 

"The  Insurgents  it  seems  intended  to  rendezvous  at  German- 
"town,  but  the  precautions  taken  at  the  several  ferries  over 
"Schuylkill,  impeded  their  junction,  &  those  who  were  assembled 
"there  being  made  acquainted  with  the  forces  raised  to  oppose 
"them,  listened  to  the  reasonable  discourses  &  advice  of  the 
"prudent  persons  who  voluntaril}^  went  out  to  meet  and  admon- 
"ish  them,  and  of  some  gentlemen  sent  by  the  Governor  to  know 
"the  reasons  of  their  insurrection  and  promised  to  return  peace- 
"ably  to  their  habitations,  leaving  only  two  of  their  number  to 
"present  a  petition  to  the  Governor  and  Assembly,  on  which  the 
"  Companies  raised  in  town  were  thanked  by  the  Governor,  and 
"on  Tuesday  evening  dismissed  &  the  City  restored  to  its  former 
"quiet.  But  on  AVednesday  morning,  there  was  a  fresh  alarm 
"occasioned  by  a  false  report  that  four  hundred  of  the  same 


FOURTH    GENERATION.  231 

"people  were  on  their  march  to  attack  the  Town.  Immediately 
"on  beat  of  drum  a  much  greater  number  of  the  inhabitants. with 
"  the  utmost  alacrity  put  themselves  under  arms,  but  as  the  truth 
"was  soon  known,  they  were  again  thanked  by  the  Governor 
"and  dismissed,  the  country  people  being  really  dispersed  and 
"gone  home  according  to  promise."     Thus  far  from  the  Gazette. 

Elizabeth  Hudson  writes: 

"The  first  certain  intelligence  we  had  of  the  approach  of 
"these  evil  minded  men  whose  purposes  were  beyond  all  doubt 
"to  have  destroyed  the  Indians  who  were  for  their  security  lodged 
"within  the  Barracks,  and  perhaps  those  who  encouraged  them 
"in  their  cruel  designs,  was  on  the  Seventh  day  night,  when 
"  divers  of  our  friends  from  the  City,  who  were  greatly  alarmed 
"at  the  various  reports  which  prevailed  with  respect  to  their 
"intentions  and  numbers,  which  were  greatly  magnified  by  those 
"  who  secretly  favoured  that  party,  in  order  to  intimidate  the 
"inhabitants,  fled  to  our  house,  as  a  place  out  of  the  way  of  the 
"tumult  and  noise  which  had  filled  the  City.  I  received  them 
"with  open  arms,  and  made  what  preparation  I  could  to  receive 
"  all  that  might  come.  That  night  all  things  were  pretty  quiet, 
"and  next  day,  some  who  it  was  thought  too  much  favoured  their 
"design,  went  out  of  town  to  meet  them,  but  whether  they  were 
"deceived  or  purposely  deceived,  I  know  not,  but  they  reported 
"they  were  not  on  the  road  or  did  they  believe  they  were  coming 
"these  being  esteemed  reputable  men  were  so  far  depended  upon, 
"  that  the  fears  of  many  subsided,  and  those  at  our  house  returned 
"home,  but  were  renewedly  at  three  oclock  next  morning,  by 
"ringing  of  the  bells  &  beat  of  drums,  there  being  certain  intel- 
"ligence  sent  to  the  governor  and  divers  others,  of  there  having 
"  several  companies  of  armed  men  crossed  the  ford  of  Schuylkill 
"about  Reading,  etc.  This  news  being  authentic,  gained  such 
"credit  that  some  hundreds  took  to  their  arms  and  departed  to 
"the  barracks,  -in  order  to  assist  those  regulars  under  whose 
"protection  these  poor  Indians  were,  and  for  whose  lives  these 
"bloody  men  thirsted.  This  melancholy  news  was  soon  brought 
"  us  by  many  who  again  fled  with  their  children.  And  we  received 
"them  and  gave  them  such  comfort  as  we  could,  but  unspeakable 
"were  some  of  their  terrors  and  fears  as  supposing  they  in  their 
"rage  would  fire  the  town  and  put  all  to  the  sword.     All  the 


232  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

"following  da}^  the  pannick  increased  from  continual  accounts  of 
"their  great  numbers,  and  that  some  hundreds  of  our  treacherous 
"inhabitants  were  in  wait  to  join  them,  many  threatening 
"si^eeches  were  spread  abroad  against  divers  individuals  and 
"  some  of  these  of  our  Society " 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  a  letter  written  by  Ezekiel 
Edwards  to  Phineas  Pemberton  :  — 

It  is  dated 

"  New  York,  June  1,  1774. 
"Dear  Finney, 

"Arrived  here  about  4  in  the  afternoon,  and  soon  after  had 
"the  pleasure  of  meeting  an  acquaintance  Barclay  Dimsdale,  in 
"fine  spirits,  being  in  a  party  on  board  the  ship  Dick  goes  in, 
"where  they  introduced  us  to  a  large  company,  among  whom  was 
"A.  Morris  and  his  most  amiable  wife  with  one  of  the  Hudsons." 

Elizabeth  (Hudson)  Morris  survived  her  husband  and  died 
5th  mo.  22nd,  1783. 

Anthony  Morris^  and  his  first  wife  (Sarah)  had  issue: — 

47.  AxTHoxY  3I0RKIS,  b.  9mo.  25,  1731  ;  d.  llmo.  29,  1732. 

48.  Samuel  Morris  (Captain),  b.  4mo.    24,   1734;    d.   7mo.   7,   1812;   111. 

12mo.  11,  1755,  Eebecca  Wistar. 

49.  Deborah  Morris,  b.  9mo.  15,  1736 ;  d.  9mo.  23,  1787  ;  m.  9mo.  8,  1750, 

John  Franklin,  of  New  York. 

50.  Anthony  Morris  (Major),  b.  8mo.  8,  1738;  killed  at  Battle  of  Prince- 

ton, Imo.  3,  1777. 

51.  Israel  ]\Iorris,  b.  2mo.  6,  1741  ;  d.  lOmo.  30,  1806  ;  m.  Mary  Harrison. 

52.  Sarah  Morris,  b.  5mo.  2,  1743  ;  d.  Imo.  20,  1830 ;  m.  4mo.  11,  1771, 

William  Buckley. 

53.  Thomas  Morris,  b.   llmo.   (Jan.)  25,  1745/6;    d.   lOmo.  2,   1809;   m. 

lOmo.  6,  1768,  Mary  Saunders. 

Anthony  Morris*  and  his  second  wife  (Elizabeth)  had  issue: — 

54.  William  Hudson  Morris,  b.  3mo.  10,  1753  ;  d.  9mo.  14,  1807  ;  m.  9mo. 

5,  1776,  Sarah  Warder. 

55.  Luke  Morris,  b.  4mo.  10th,  1760 ;  d.  3mo.  20,  1802  ;  m.  5mo.  9,  1786, 

Ann  Willing. 

56.  Isaac  Morris,  b.  llmo.  28,  1761  ;  d.  in  "the  following  week." 


FOURTH    GENERATION.  233 


ABSTRACT  OF  WILL  OF  ANTHONY  MORRIS." 

Anthony  Morris  of  the  District  of  Southwark,  Philadelphia 
Co.,  Gentleman.  Will  dated  27th  6mo.  (June),  1777.  Mentions 
having  already  made  provision  for  Elizabeth  his  "  dearly  beloved 
wife"  by  a  deed  of  settlement.*  Concerning  his  two  sons  Samuel 
and  Israel,  he  states  he  has  already  given  them  so  much  of  his 
Estate  as  he  intends  for  them.  To  dau.  Deborah  Franklin  and 
her  heirs,  he  gives  a  yearly  rent  charge  of  £26.5.0  issuing  out  of 
a  lot  of  ground  which  Dennis  Dougherty  holds  on  the  bank  of 
Delaware  on  the  west  side  of  Water  Street,  and  east  side  of  Front 
Street,  Philadelphia,  also  a  yearly  rent  charge  of  £21  issuing 
out  of  a  lot  of  ground  which  John  Mayes  holds,  adjoining 
the  said  first  described  lot  in  Philadelphia ;  also  a  messuage  and 
lot  situate  on  east  side  of  2nd  Street  opposite  the  New  Market 
in  Philadelphia,  now  in  tenure  of  Sarah  Reynolds;  also  three 
messuages  and  three  lots  of  ground  thereunto  belonging  on  the 
north  side  of  Pewter  Platter  Alley,  Philadelphia;  also  a  messuage 
and  lot  of  ground  on  Front  Street  and  Water  Street  now  in 
tenure  of  Walter  Drummond. 

To  dau.  Sarah  Buckley  and  her  heirs,  a  lot  of  ground  on  north 
side  of  Lombard  Street,  Philadelphia,  now  in  tenure  of  John 
Palmer;  also  testator's  half  part  of  a  yearly  rent  charge  of  £4 
issuing  out  of  a  lot  of  ground  in  Philadelphia,  late  in  tenure  of 
John  Ross,  Esq.;  also  a  corner  messuage  and  lot  of  ground  on 
south  side  of  Market  Street  and  east  side  of  4th  Street,  Phila- 
delphia, now  in  tenure  of  George  Hill;  also  a  messuage  and  lot 
of  ground  on  south  side  of  Market  Street,  Philadelphia,  now  in 
tenure  of  William  Richards ;  also  a  messuage  and  lot  on  East 
side  of  Water  Street,  Philadelphia,  in  tenure  of  Daniel  Fullen. 

To  son  Thomas,  he  gives  the  messuage  and  lot  of  ground  on 
east  side  of  Water  Street,  Philadelphia,  now  in  tenure  of  Chris- 
topher Sellers;  also  the  messuage,  brew  house,  malt  house,  lot 
of  ground  and  wharfs  late  in  tenure  of  Francis  Wade ;  also 
the  two  bank  messuages  and  lots  of  ground  opposite  the  said 

*The  deed  which  bears  date  the  "  third  day  of  November,  1775,  did  settle 
and  assure  unto  and  upon  his  wife  Ehzabeth  for  life  and  after  her  death  to  the 
said  sons  William  and  Luke  in  Fee  a  certain  Estate  *  *  *  supposed  to  be 
worth  £8500." 


234  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

brew-house  in  Philadelphia,  now  in  tenure  of  William  Dru3^er  and 
William  Nicholas,  with  the  stipulation  that  son  Thomas  shall 
pay  out  of  the  said  premises  so  devised  to  him,  the  sum  of  £260, 
the  income  of  which,  shall  be  enjoyed  by  dau.  Deborah  Franklin 
for  life,  and  at  her  decease  the  said  £260  shall  be  equally  divided 
between  her  children. 

To  his  two  sons,  William  Morris  and  Luke  Morris,  he  gives 
his  plantation  and  tract  of  land  called  "Solitude,"  between  the 
Moyamensing  and  Passyunk  Roads,  in  district  of  Southwark, 
containing  62  acres,  and  also  his  meadow  ground  on  Gloucester 
Road,  in  Moyamensing  township,  bounded  eastward  by  River 
Delaware,  westward  b}'  said  road,  and  southward  by  ground  of 
James  Hamilton,  containing  12  acres,  with  the  stipulation  that 
the}^  shall  pay  out  of  the  same  lands,  &c.,  £3020  to  certain 
creditors  in  a  schedule  annexed.  His  plate  and  the  residue  of 
his  estate  he  directs  shall  be  equally  divided  between  his  three 
sons,  Thomas,  William  and  Luke,  and  his  two  daughters,  Deborah 
and  Sarah.  Executors — "beloved  wife  Elizabeth,"  and  three 
sons,  Thomas  Morris,  William  Morris,  and  Luke  Morris. 

In  the  event  of  his  children  failing  to  agree  concerning  the 
true  intent  and  meaning  of  his  will,  he  requests  that  they  "choose 
"  four  judicious  and  conscientious  friends  of  the  people  called 
"  Quakers  to  settle  the  same." 

(Signed)  A.  Morris,     [l.  s.] 

W^itn  esses : 

Thos.  Penrose. 
William  Cliffton. 
Peter  Miller. 


Codicil  dated  29th  9th  mo.  (September),  1780.  Gives  both 
the  messuage  and  Plantation  "Solitude"  with  63  acres,  and  the 
meadow  land  in  Moyamensing  of  12  acres,  referred  to  in  the 
Will,  to  his  son  William  Morris  absolutely,  with  the  proviso,  that 
said  William  undertake  to  pay  out  of  the  said  lands  the  sum  of 
£3000  for  the  discharge  of  lawful  debts.  To  son  Thomas  Morris, 
he  gives  his  large  messuage  and  lot  of  ground  on  the  east  side  of 
Water  Street,  Philadelphia,  the  same  which  was  lately  in  tenure 
of  Christopher   Sellers,  also   his   messuage   and   lot  of  ground 


FOURTH    GENERATION.  235 

situate  on  the  east  side  of  AVater  Street,  Philadelphia,  late  in 
tenure  of  Francis  Wade,  together  with  wharfs  and  stone  houses 
thereto  belonging,  also  messuage  and  lot  of  ground  adjoining 
said  stone  houses,  now  in  tenure  of  John  Rien,  with  the  stipula- 
tion, that  said  son  Thomas  shall  pay  out  of  said  properties,  all  the 
remainder  of  testator's  lawful  debts  at  the  time  of  his  decease. 

To  his  dau.  Deborah  Franklin  and  her  heirs,  he  gives  a 
messuage  with  its  lot  of  ground,  on  the  bank  between  Front 
Street  and  Water  Street,  now  in  tenure  of  Mary  Crawford.  This 
bequest  is  in  lieu  of  the  messuage  and  lot  of  ground  near  the 
New  Market,  which  he  had  given  her  in  the  Will — he  having 
sold  that  property  since  date  of  Will. 

To  dau.  Sarah  Buckley  and  her  heirs,  he  gives  a  messuage 
and  its  lot  of  ground,  on  the  bank  between  Front  and  Water 
Street  in  Philadelphia,  adjoining  said  tenement  and  lot  devised 
to  dau.  Deborah  Franklin,  now  in  tenure  of  Francis  Dwyer. 
It  is  given  in  lieu  of  the  messuage  and  ground  in  Market 
Street,  Philadelphia,  given  to  said  dau.  Sarah  in  his  Will,  as  he 
was  arranging  for  the  sale  of  the  latter  property. 

To  his  son  Luke  Morris  and  his  heirs,  he  gives  his  messuage 
or  tenement  plantation  and  tract  of  land,  in  the  District  of  South- 
wark  called  "  Peckham,"  containing  nine  acres.  This  is  in  lieu  of 
the  lands  or  tenements  devised  to  him  in  the  Will,  and  clear  from 
paying  any  part  of  said  debts.  The  corner  lot  with  messuage,  on 
east  side  of  Fourth  Street  and  south  side  of  Market  Street,  which 
in  the  Will  he  gave  to  dau.  Sarah  Buckley,  he  gives  to  son 
William  Morris,  with  the  stipulation  that  son  William  shall  pay 
to  said  dau.  Sarah  Buckley  or  her  heirs,  yearly,  a  ground  rent 
of  £75. 

(Signed)  A.  Morris. 

'Witnesses : 

Peter  Miller, 
James  Sparks. 

Elizabeth  Morris,  AVilliam  Morris  and  Luke  Morris  having 
renounced  the  Executorship,  July  9,  1781,  the  Will  was  proved 
at  Philadelphia  23d  Jul}^,  1781,  by  Thomas  Morris,  to  whom 
Letters  of  Administration  were  given. 

Sam    Morris,  Reg"". 


236  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MOKKIS    FAMILY. 

Some  controversy  arising,  respecting  the  said  AVill  and 
Codicil,  the  matter  was  submitted  to  the  arbitration  of  John 
Reynell,  James  Pemberton,  Edward  Penington,  Pvichard  Wells 


V^^  tM^^^/^^/y^J 


'^^iy^^^^i^^^^t^^fy 


y^^^^^^^ 


and  Nicholas  Wain,  and  a  compromise  was  effected,  by  which 
the  sons  Samuel  Morris  and  Israel  Morris  undertook  to  pay 
£3000  to  William  Morris  and  Luke  Morris,  in  consideration  of 
their  not  coming  into  immediate  possession  of  the  Estate,  settled 
in  Deed  of  Settlement  "  referred  to  in  the  Will."  Samuel  and 
Israel  were  also  to  pay  all  the  debts,  and  William  and  Luke 
were  to  convej'^  to  said  Samuel  and  Israel,  the  Plantation  called 
"Solitude"  and  the  12  acres  of  meadow  land  referred  to  in  the 
Will;  a  good  deed  of  conveyance  of  the  messuage  and  lot  at  the 
Corner  of  Market  Street  was  to  be  made  to  Sarah  Buckley,  for 
Life,  Remainder  for  her  children.  For  the  true  performance  of 
this  agreement,  Samuel  and  Israel  bound  themselves  to  William 


FOURTH    GENERATION.  237 

and  Luke,  and  William  and  Luke  in  like  manner,  bound  them- 
selves to  Samuel  and  Israel,  in  the  sum  of  three  thousand 
foreign  pieces  of  gold  coin,  called  Half  Johannes,  each  weighing 
nine  penny-weight  lawful  money  of  the  Kingdom  of  Portugal. 


POWELL  FAMILY. 

Samuel  Powell  (whose  dau.  Sarah  m.  Anthony  Morris*)  was 
born  in  Great  Britain  11th  mo.  2nd,  1673.  Mr.  P.  S.  P.  Connor  has 
made  extensive  investigations  as  to  Samuel  Powell's  parentage, 
and  finds  (according  to  the  evidence  afforded  by  a  comparison  of 
the  records  herein  cited,  together  with  the  Herald's  Visitations  at 
the  College  of  Arms,  London,  and  the  seals  used  by  the  Somerset 
and  Pennsylvania  Powells),  "that  he  came  of  a  Somersetshire 
family,  many  of  the  name,  and  apparently  his  kinsmen,  being 
resident  in  the  parish  of  North  Curry  and  its  neighborhood;" 
Stoke  Saint  Gregory  in  particular. 

But  they  came  originally  from  Wales.  Their  coat  of  arms 
bore.  Party  per  Jesse,  argent  and  or,  a  Lion  rampant  gules ;  Crest,  a 
star  of  eight  points  above  a  cloud — all  proper.  From  this  coat  of 
arms,  it  is  evident  that  the  family  claimed  descent  from  the 
princes  of  Powis,  through  Einion  Efell,  Lord  of  Cynlaeth,  who 
flourished  in  the  12^''  century.* 

Young  Samuel  Powell's  aunt,  Ann  Powell  of  North  Curr}^, 
m.  John  Parsons  of  Middlezoy,  at  Greinton  6th  mo.  23d,  1685. 
The  places  named  are  in  Somerset  (Vide  Book  A,  p.  4,  F.  M., 
Arch  Street,  Philadelphia).  Samuel's  father  was  Samuel  Powle 
or  Powell,  bapt.  Sept.  20,  1642,  Stoke  S\  Gregory,  County  Somer- 
set, England ;  m.  in  Friends'  Meeting  3rd  mo.  6th,  1670  (being  the 
first  one  of  the  family  to  become  a  "  Friend  ")  to  Deborah  Powle 
of  Stoke,  bapt.  12th  Oct.,  1640  (S*.  Gregory),  d.  2nd  mo.  6th,  1679 
(Parish  Register,  Stoke  Saint  Gregory,  County  Somerset ;  Friends' 
Register  for  Somerset,  Devonshire  House,  London). 

Samuel  Powell  their  son,  came  to  Philadelphia  in  1685t  (an 

*  See  Lloyd's  "  History  of  Powys  Fadog,"  Vol.  i.,  pp.  126,  127,  etc. ;  and  Ped. 
of  Powell  of  Park,  in  Vol.  iii.,  p.  405;  also  Ped.  of  sd.  Powell  in  MS.,  British 
Museum,  London. 

tPenna.  Mag.,  Vol.  x.,  p.  76.  Deed  Book  No.  7,  p.  92,  Recorder  of  Deeds 
Office,  Philadelphia. 


238  GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MOEEIS  FAMILY. 

orphan),  with  his  aunt,  Ann  Parsons.  Her  husband  was  a 
Carpenter  of  importance,  being  a  member  of  Council,  and 
Samuel  Powell  was  brought  up  to  the  same  business.  He  w^as 
seriously  inclined  and  "being  faithful  to  the  impression  of  Truth 
"in  his  own  mind,  he  soon  became  a  useful  member  both  of 
"  religious  and  civil  society." 

On  the  19^^  of  the  12*'^  mo.,  1700,  Samuel  Powell  m.  Abigail 
Wilcox  (b.  7th  mo.  28th,  1679 ;  d.  7th  mo.  4th,  1713),  dau.  of 
Barnabas  Wilcox ;  and  in  -his  married  life,  both  as  a  loving 
husband,  and  as  a  watchful  concerned  parent,  he  was  exemplary 
and  faithful.  He  was  early  appointed  an  "  Elder,"  which  im- 
portant station  he  filled  "with  prudence  and  faithfulness."  He 
was  constant  and  exemplary  in  the  education  of  his  family, 
circumspect  in  his  conduct,  and  a  lover  of  Truth. 

In  1712,  he  w^as  elected  one  of  the  Regulators  of  Partition 
Walls  in  Philadelphia,  and  in  1718,  he  was  the  "Builder  of  ye 
"Bridge  over  ye  Dock  in 
"Walnut  Street."  P    -66        /^  /y 

In  1717-29-30  and  32  <y  0^1^^  U Cnt^-^CyCC^ 
Samuel  Powell  was   a 

Member  of  Common  Council,  and  in  1713  was  an  Alderman  of 
the  City  of  Philadelphia.  He  was  the  heir  of  his  aunt,  Ann 
Parsons,  who  died  6th  mo.  24th,  1712.  (Will  recorded,  Philadel- 
phia, Book  C,  p.  331).  Although  he  was  well  known  as  the 
"rich  carpenter"  of  his  day,  he  was  no  mere  carpenter,  he  was  a 
great  architect  and  builder,  and  for  the  last  forty  years  of  his 
life,  few  persons  were  more  employed  at  the  meetings  in  Phila- 
delphia, than  Samuel  Pow^ell.  He  departed  this  life  the  27^^  of 
6*''  month,  1756,  about  the  83'"'*  year  of  his  age. 

At  his  death  he  left  a  laTge  landed  estate,  and  the  reputation 
of  having  been  one  of  the  greatest  contributors  to  the  growth  of 
Philadelphia,  and  to  its  material  and  moral  improvement. 

Mr.  Howard  Edwards  has  kindly  furnished  the  following 
Memorandum : — 

"Samuel  Powell  was  the  owner  of  90  houses  and  lived  at  the 
"  N.  E.  Corner  of  Pine  and  2nd  Streets.  His  garden  was  on  the 
"  south  side  of  Pine  Street  where  the  Friend's  Meeting  afterwards 
"stood.  Besides  being  a  rich  builder,  he  was  a  Manufacturer  of 
"Fire  Buckets. 


FOUHTH    GENERATION.  239 

"The  ground  now  occupied  by  S^  Pauls'  Church  (3'"'^  below 
"  AValnut),  and  descending  from  Pear  Street,  was  known  as  '  Pow- 
"  ell's  Hill.'  Samuel  Powell  owned  all  the  ground  south  of  S' 
"Paul's,  down  to  Si^ruce  St.  The  two  properties  immediately 
"south  of  S'  Paul's,  formed  a  part  of  this  large  Estate,  and  were 
"inherited  by  my  grand  mother  Sarah  Powel  Hoivard,  who  was  a 
"granddaughter  of  Samuel  Powell.  In  18G4,  by  order  of  her 
"executors,  they  were  sold  to  Robert  M'^Gregor  for  $16,000°°. 
"Samuel  Powell  also  owned,  nearly  the  entire  square  bounded  by 
"S'^'and  6'^  Streets,  and  Spruce  and  Pine  Streets.  From  the 
"same  source,  my  grandmother  inherited  the  properties  516,  518, 
"and  520  Spruce  Street,  but  one  of  which,  N°  516,  now  remains 
"in  the  family.  Powel  Street  derived  its  name  from  the  original 
"  owner  of  this  square." 

By  his  will,  Samuel  Powell  devised  a  piece  of  ground  to  "  such 
persons  as  the  Monthly  Meeting  of  the  People  called  Quakers,  of 
Philadelphia,  shall  nominate,  in  trust,  for  ever,  60  feet  in  width, 
situated  on  south  side  of  Pine  Street,  between  Front  and  2°*^  8\ 
there  to  build  a  Meeting  House,  if  the  Members  of  the  Society 
shall  agree  to  build  a  Meeting  and  not  else." 

And  by  his  Will,  he  recommended,  two  side  lots  to  be  given  by 
his  grand-children,  to  give  light  and  air  to  the  meeting.  They 
obeyed  the  directions,  and  the  Meeting  House  lot  was  consequent- 
ly enlarged.  In  1758  the  Meeting  House  was  erected,  and  was 
called  in  early  times  the  "  Hill  Meeting,"  in  consequence  of  its 
being  erected  on  Society  Hill. 

Samuel  Powell's  son,  Samuel  Powell,  b.  12th  mo.  20th,  1704 ; 
d.  Oct.  1,  1759 ;  m.  9th  mo.  9th,  1732,  Mary  Morris." 

Samuel  Powell's  dau.  Sarah  (the  first  wife  of  Anthony  Morris"), 
was  b.  4th  mo.  29th,  1713;  m.  12th  mo.,  1730,  and  d.  2d  mo.  10th, 
1751.  She  was  the  mother  of  (Captain)  Samuel  Morris,  whose 
Christian  name  was  derived,  doubtless,  from  his  maternal  grand- 
father Samuel  Powell. 

Samuel  Powell's  dau.  Deborah  (b.  8tli  mo.  24th,  1706,  in  the 
house  of  Susan  Ann  Parsons,  aunt  to  Samuel  Powell)  became 
the  second  wife  of  Joshua  Emlen  on  9th  mo.  29th,  1728.  Joshua 
Emlen  was  the  fourth  son  of  George  Emlen,  who  came  from 
Shepton  Mallet,  Somersetshire,  in  the  time  of  Penn.  Joshua 
Emlen  m.  (first)  Mary,  dau.  of Holton,  and  widow  of 


240  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MOKRIS    FAMILY. 

Hudson,  by  whom  he  had  no  surviving  issue.  By  his  marriage 
with  Deborah  Powell  he  had  Samuel  Powell  Emlen,  afterwards 
called  simply  Samuel  Emlen,  the  noted  public  friend,  who 
m.  twice.  By  his  first  wife,  Elizabeth  Mood,  dau.  of  William 
Mood,  he  had  a  son,  namely,  Samuel  Emlen  of  West  Hill,  and  of 
Burlington,  N.  J.  This  Mr.  Emlen  was  the  founder  of  the  Emlen 
Institute,  now  established  at  Warminster,  Bucks  Co.,  Pa.  He. 
m.  in  1795  Susanna  Dillwyn,  dau.  of  William  Dillwyn  of  Bur- 
lington. There  was  no  issue  by  this  marriage.  Returning  to 
his  father  Samuel  Emlen,  he,  after  the  death  of  his  first  wife 
(Elizabeth  Mood)  m.  Sarah  dau.  of  Asher  Mott,  by  whom  he  had 
Deborah,  who  d.  unm.,  and  Elizabeth,  who  m.  Philip  Syng 
Phj^sick,  M.  D.,  on  Sept.  18, 1800.  Dr.  Physick  left  four  children, 
one  of  whom,  Susan  Dillwyn,  was  wife  of  Commodore  Conner, 
U.  S.  N.,  and  mother  of  Mr.  P.  S.  P.  Conner  who  has  supplied  much 
of  this  information  respecting  the  Powells. 

In  addition  to  the  above-mentioned  children,  Samuel  and 
Abigail  (Wilcox)  Powell,  had  Ann  Powell,  b.  12th  mo.  10th, 
1702;  d.  10th  mo.  10th,  1707;  and  a  second  Ann  Powell,  b. 
7th  mo.  24th,  1708;  d.  8th  mo.  26th,  1714,  aged  6  years  and 
2  days.  The  following  particulars  are  kindly  furnished  by  Philip 
S.  P.  Conner,  Esq.  According  to  the  records  cited,  and  provided 
the  identification  of  persons  is  correct,  the  following  line  shows 
the  descent  of  Samuel  Powell  the  first,  of  Philadelphia, 

Samuel  Powell,  b.  in  the  Parish  of  "Gregory  Stoake"  (Stoke 
Saint  Gregory)  Co.  Soms.,  England,  11th  mo.  2nd,  1673;  d.  at 
Philadelphia,  Penna.,  6th  mo.  27th,  1756 ;  son  of  Samuel  bapt. 
20th  Sept.,  1642;  son  of  Gregory  bapt.  7th  June,  1599;  son  of 
John  Powell,  junior  (by  his  wife  Elizabeth  Davidge  of  sd.  Stoke, 

bu.  27th  Feb.,  1618,  being  then  called  the  elder;    son  of  

Powell  who  was  jwobably  a  son  of  Morgan  Powell,  of  Taunton 
{viv.  16th  cent.),  who  was  a  descendant  of  Einion  Efell,  Lord  of 
Cynllaeth  (ob.  1196)  through  the  latter's  descendant  Howell  the 
son  of  Griffith  of  Aberbanah,  in  Shropshire  on  the  Welsh 
border. 

Howell  may  have  been  the  said  Morgan  Powell's  (Morgan  ap 
Howell)  father  or  grandfather;  but  this  connection  is,  as  shown, 
yet  uncertain,  and  is  here  suggested  but  as  a  clue,  which  if  fol- 
lowed up  may  lead  to  the  discovery  of  the  true  line  of  descent 
and  show  the  exact  link  of  connection  with  the  Princes  of  Powis. 


FOURTH    GENERATION.  241 


THE  WILCOX  FAMILY. 


The  name  Wilcox  (Wild  Chough)  is  undoubtedly  of  Saxon 
times  and  origin,  as  the  family  Crest  (a  Cornish  Chough  upon  a 
pile  of  rocks)  indicates.  The  Chough  is  the  red-legged  raven  of 
the  south  of  England,  and  the  first  Wilcox  was  so  called,  doubt- 
less because  he  bore  a  wild  chough  (pronounced  gutturally)  upon 
a  shield  or  pole,  in  the  many  battles  fought  in  those  rude  days. 
See  Ashmead's  Hist.  Delaware,  p.  492. 

Abigail  Wilcox  who  m.  Samuel  Powell  (the  elder)  was  the 
dau.  of  Barnabas  and  Sarah  Wilcox.  Barnabas  Wilcox  came 
from  the  Parish  of  Bedminster,  near  Bristol,  in  the  County  of 
Somerset,  England,  in,  or  just  before,  1683.  He  was  a  merchant 
and  man  of  substance.  He  appears  as  "Barnaby  Wilcox"  in 
Reed's  list  of  First  purchasers.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania Assembly  in  1685,  and  a  Justice  of  the  Courts  of  Phila- 
delphia in  1686,  1687  and  1690. 

"certificate  of  marriage  of  SAMUEL  POWELL  AND  ABIGAIL  WILCOX. 

"Whereas,  Samuel  Powell  of  Philadelphia  Carpenter,  and 
Abigail  Wilcox  Daughter  of  Barnabas  and  Sarah  Wilcox  de- 
ceased of  the  same  place;  Haveing  declared  their  Intentions  of 
taking  Each  other  in  Marriage  before  several  Public  Meetings  of 
the  People  of  God  called  Quakers  in  Philadelphia  aforesaid, 
according  to  the  good  Order  used  among  them,  whose  proceedings 
therein,  after  a  Deliberate  consideration  thereof,  [with  Regarde 
unto  the  Righteous  Laws  of  God,]  and  Example  of  his  people 
Recorded  in  the  Scriptures  of  truth  in  that  Case  Were  approved 
of  by  the  said  Meetings,  They  appearing  clear  of  all  others,  And 
haveing  the  Consent  of  Partyes  and  Relations  concerned;  Now 
These  are  to  Certifie  All  whom  it  may  Concerne,  that  for  the  full 
accomplishing  of  their  said  Intentions,  this  Nineteenth  Day  of 
the  Twelvth  Month  called  February,  In  the  Year,  according  to 
the  English  account,  one  Thousand  Seaven  hundred,  They  the 
said  Samuel  Powell  and  Abigail  Wilcox,  appeared  in  a  Public 
Assembly  of  the  aforesaid  People,  and  others  Mett  together,  for 
that  End  and  Purpose  in  their  Public  Meeting  Place  in  Phila- 
delphia aforesaid,  and  in  a  Solemne  Manner,  he  the  said  Samuel 


242 


GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MORRIS  FAMILY 


Powell,  takeing  the  said  Abigail  Wilcox  by  the  hand  Did  openly 
Declare  as  FoUoweth  : — 

"Friends  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  &  before  this  Assembly,  I 
take  this  my  friend  Abigail  Wilcox  to  be  my  wife  Promissing  to 
be  to  her  a  faithful  &  Loveing  husband,  untill  it  shall  please  the 
Lord  by  Death  to  Separate  us ; 

"And  then  and  there  in  the  said  assembly,  the  said  Abigail 
Wilcox  did  in  Like  IManner  Declare  as  Followeth;  Friends  in 
the  fear  of  God,  &  before  this  assembly,  I  take  my  friend  Samuel 
Powell  to  be  my  husband,  promissing  to  be  to  him  a  faithful  & 
Loveing  wife,  till  God  by  Death  shall  Separate  us; 

"And  the  said  Samuel  Powell  and  Abigail  AVilcox,  as  a  further 
Confirmation  thereof,  did  then  and  there  to  these  Presents  Sett 
their  hands;  and  we  whose  Names  are  hereunto  Subscribed, 
being  Present  among  others,  at  the  Solemnizing  of  their  said 
Marriage  and  Subscription,  in  manner  aforesaid,  as  Witnesses 
hereunto,  have  also  to  these  Presents  Subscribed  our  Names,  The 
Day  and  Year  above  Written.  g^^^^  p^^^^^^ 

Abigail  Wilcox 


Wm  Penn 

'Tho  Story 
Jonat^  Dickinson 
^Thomas  Willis 
•John  Lea 
'  Nicholas  Walln 
^Griffith  Owen 
'  Edw''  Penington 
'Joseph  Shippen 
'  Griffith  Jones 
'  W"  Southebe 
'George  Claypoole 
'John  Guest 
'George  Gray 
'  Sam :  Carpenter 
'  Da"  Lloyd 
'James  Thomson 
'Hugh  Durborow 
'Will  Powell 
'John  Goodsonn 
'John  Kinsy 
'  Ralph  Jackson 
'  Philip  James 
'  W"  Hudson 


James  Keile 
Philip  England 
Ricd  Peters 
Walter  Long 
Sarah  Dymock 
Jane  Breintnall 
Nathaniel  Edgcomb 
Samuel  Bradshaw 
William  Woodmansea 
Thomas  Griffith 
Nicho.  Fairlamb 
Joseph  Paull 
Phill :  Taylor 
John  Hurford 
Edw^  Fowes 
Arthur  Starr 
Joseph  Paull 
William  Fishbourn 
Joan  ffowes 
Hannah  Penn 
Rebekah  Shippen 
Sarah  Clements 
Ann  Dil worth 
Joan  Jones" 


Margret  Cooke 
Rudth  Duckitt 
Elizabeth  Fox 
Mary  Williss 
Margrett  Peters 
Margrett  Jones 
Hannah  Carpenter. 
Ann  Webb 
Elizabeth  Maccomb 
Mary  Moultby 
Joseph  Willcox 
Esther  ffi'eeland 
Rachell  Willcox 
Ann  Willcox 
Jh"".  Psons  (Sic) 
Ann  Parsons 
John  Roades 
Edwd :  Shippen 
Joseph  Jones 
Rebecca  Willcox 
Rebecah  Budd 
Marg'.  Mecomb 
Sarah  Goodsonn 


FOURTH    GENERATION.  243 


THE  HUDSON  FAMILY 


William  Hudson,  the  founder  of  this  family  in  Philadelphia, 
was  b.  in  1661  in  Yorkshire,  England,  being  the  eldest  son, 
and  heir  of  William  Hudson  and  his  first  wife  Mary.  "The 
Hudsons  came  of  a  good  old  stock,  in  which  the  blood  of  sturdy 
yeoman  mingled  with  that  of  country  squire  and  London  mer- 
chant." The  Elder  William  Hudson  early  joined  the  Society  of 
Friends,  and  bore  his  share  of  the  persecutions  inflicted  upon  the 
sect.  William  Hudson,  Jr.,  came  hither  from  "  Keedness "  or 
"  Fogerbury  Manor,"  Yorkshire,  England,  in  1683.  He  was  also 
a  member  of  the  "  Society  of  Friends  "  and  enjoyed  the  friend- 
ship and  confidence  of  the  Proprietor.  Will  am  Hudson,  m  (1st) 
12th  mo.  28th,  1688,  Mary,  dau.  of  Samuel  Richardson,  Provin- 
cial Councillor,  and  m.  (2dly)  12th  mo.  27th,  1709,  Hannah, 
widow  of  Robert  Barber  of  Chester  and  sister  of  David  Ogden, 
deceased,  of  Middletown,  Chester,  (now  Delaware)  County.  Wil- 
liam Hudson  held  several  offices  of  trust  in  the  new  city,  having 
for  a  number  of  years  served  as  Alderman  and  Common  Coun- 
cilman, and  in  1725  he  was  elected  Mayor.  In  1706  he  was 
returned  from  Philadelphia  for  the  Provincial  Assembly,  as  a 
member  of  which  body  he  served  with  distinction. 

In  1697  William  Hudson  purchased  of  Anthony  Morris  as 
administrator  of  the  estate  of  Cornelius  Bom,  deceased,  a  strip  of 
land  50  feet  in  width  upon  Chestnut  Street,  extending  from 
Chestnut  Street  to  the  "  Swamp,"  as  the  low  ground  on  the  verge 
of  Dock  Creek  used  to  be  called.  Being  a  tanner,  William  Hud- 
son located  his  tan  yard  in  this  Swamp,  and  at  the  end  of  the 
property  the  family  kept  the  boats  in  which  they  were  accus- 
tomed to  drop  down  Dock  Creek  to  the  Delaware  River  on  fish- 
ing excursions,  or  when  they  desired  to  visit  their  extensive 
plantation  in  the  "Neck."  At  the  Chestnut  Street  end  of  the  lot, 
the  family  "  Mansion  "  stood.  It  was  a  fine,  old-fashioned,  brick 
structure  which  stood  back  from  Chestnut  Street,  a  short  distance 
below  3rd.  In  the  courtyard  on  Chestnut  street,  there  were  stately 
buttonwood  trees  growing. 

William  Hudson  accumulated  a  large  amount  of  property  in 
Philadelphia.  He  was  the  original  owner  of  the  old  tan  yard 
(afterwards  Ashburner's),  which  was   formerly  located   on   3rd 


244  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

Street,  below  Girard  Bank.  This  property  extended  from  the 
southern  line  of  the  Bank  property  to  Harmony  Court,  and 
back  to  Hudson's  Alley,  a  passage  way  into  Chestnut  Street, 
which  William  Hudson  caused  to  be  opened  for  the  use  of  his 
property,  and  which  has  ever  since  borne  his  name. 

Another  property  owned  by  Mr.  Hudson,  was  "Hudson's 
Orchard,"  extending  from  Market  Street  to  Arch,  and  from  5tli 
to  6th.  He  also  owned  a  neat  strip  of  land  opposite  this  plot, 
which  extended  from  the  south  line  of  Christ  Church  graveyard, 
at  5th  and  Arch,  to  Market  Street,  and  having  a  depth  of  115 
feet  from  5th  Street. 

William  Hudson  was  among  the  first  in  Philadelphia  to  com- 
mence the  work  of  prison  reform ;  he  also  delighted  in  hospital 
work  and  in  visiting  the  sick  poor.  It  is  said  that  "in  his  dress 
he  was  rather  inclined  to  be  as  fashionable  as  a  consistent  Quaker 
could  be.  He  was  usually  clad  in  a  black  velvet  suit  with  large 
silver  buttons,  and  silver  shoe-buckles,  and  carried  a  long  gilt- 
headed  cane,  with  a  leather  loop  and  tassel.  He  appeared  in 
public,  except  when  he  went  to  meeting  on  First  Days,  in  a  fine 
coach,  which  was  valued  after  his  death,  although  ancient,  at 
£14,  being  a  rare  luxury  at  that  time."* 

William  Hudson  died  in  1742,  and  his  large  estate  was 
divided  between  his  children  and  grandchildren.  His  grand- 
daughter, Elizabeth  Hudson,  was  a  famous  preacher  in  the  Society 
of  Friends,  and  married  Anthony  Morris,"*  as  we  have  already 
stated. 

19.  James  Moeris,*  (Anthony,^  Anthony,^  Anthony  )  a  son  of 
Anthony  and  Phoebe  (Guest)  Morris,  b.  7th  mo.  8tli,  1707  ;  d.  29th 
January  (11th  mo.  29th),  1750;  m.  at  Philadelphia  Monthly 
Meeting,  1st  mo.  12th,  1729,  EUzabetli  Kearney,  dau.  of  Philip 
Kearney  of  Philadelphia,  merchant,  by  his  wife  Rebecca  Brit- 
ton,  dau.  of  Lionel  and  Elizabeth  Britton  of  Philadelphia. 

A  Patent  dated  Aug.  15th,  1735,  was  granted  to  James  Morris 
by  the  Proprietors,  John,  Thomas  and  Richard  Penn,  for  one- 
third  part  of  a  Water  Lot  on  or  before  Delaware  Bank,  on  east 
side  of  Front  Street,  Philadelphia. 

In  October,  1739,  James  Morris  was  first  returned  as  a  Rej^re- 

■"  T7(/t' Penna.  Mag.,  Vol.  xv.,  p.  340. 


MARRIAGE    CERTIFICATE    OF   JAMES    MORRIS^  AND    ELIZABETH    KEARNEY 


MARRIAGE    CERTIFICATE    OF    SAMUEL    MORRIS'  AND    HANNAH    CADWALADER 


FOURTH    GENERATION.  245 

sentalive  of  Philadelphia  to  the  Assembly  of  the  Province.  On 
the  15th  of  Oct.*  he  took  his  seat,  and  at  once  became  a  man  of 
importance  and  usefulness.  His  father,  Anthou}'  Morris,^  had 
just  completed  his  year  of  service,  as  Mayor  of  the  City  of  Phila- 
delphia, and  now  the  family  influence  was  again  to  be  exercised 
in  the  Assembly.  About  a  month  later,  on  Nov.  20,  1739,  it  was 
ordered  that  James  Morris,  with  Thomas  Leach,  Isaac  Norris, 
John  Kearsley,  Israel  Pemberton  and  Joseph  Harvey  "be  a  com- 
mittee to  prepare  an  address  in  answer  to  the  (Governor's) 
Message."t 

A  few  days  later  (Nov.  2-l:th),  James  Morris  appears  as  one  of 
the  authors  of  the  "  Report  of  the  Committee  on  Paper  Money. "J 
he  was  also  one  of  the  signers  of  the  "Report  of  the  Committee 
on  the  Rates  of  Gold  and  Silver  Coins  per  ounce."  James  Morris 
was  re-elected  to  the  Assembly  in  1740,  41,  42,  43,  44,  45,  40,  47, 
48,  and  49.§ 

In  1741  James  Morris  was  one  of  a  Committee  of  four,  ap- 
pointed to  select  a  site  for  "a  pest  house"  and  Quarantine  Station. 
They  chose  Fisher's  Island — afterwards  named  Province  Island. 

On  Oct.  19,  1742,  he  was  one  of  a  "Committee  to  prepare  and 
bring  in  a  Bill  for  the  more  Easy  and  speedy  recovery  of  small 
debts."  Tf  It  must  have  been  speedily  prepared,  for  it  was  read 
for  the  first  time  in  the  House,  on  the  following  day,  20tli  October. 

During  the  Investigation  by  the  Assembl}^  of  the  Riots  which 
occurred  during  the  Elections  of  that  year  (1742),  James  Morris 
was  called  upon  to  give  evidence  concerning  it.  The  following, 
was  his  deposition,  as  preserved  in  the  Azotes  of  Assembly,  A^ol.  iii., 
•p.  585. 

DEPOSITION    OF    JAMES    MORRIS. 

"  James  INIorris,  one  of  the  Representatives  for  the  County  of 
"  Philadelphia  in  the  present  Assembly,  being  examined,  declared 
''and  said.  On  the  first  of  October  about  nine  in  the  morning, 
"near  Evan  Morgan's   Door,  I   saw  John   Fisher,  and  Joseph 


*  Votes  of  Assembly,  Vol.  iii.,  p.  352. 
t  Votes  of  Assembly,  Vol.  iii.,  p.  356. 
t  Votes  of  Assembly,  Vol.  iii.,  p.  357. 

^.Vide  Votes  of  Assembly,  Vol.  iii.,  pp.  352,  42-i,  444,  4'J7,  535  ;  Vol.  iv.,  pp. 
1,  21,  48,  65,  91  and  115. 

T[  Vide  Votes  of  Assembly,  Vol.  iii.,  p.  498. 


246  •  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MOREIS    FAMILY. 

"Rakestraw,  speaking  to  Joshua  Maddox,  and  heard  them  desire 
''his  assistance  as  a  Magistrate,  in  preventing  the  Sailors,  who 
"were  then  near  the  Church,  from  coming  to  the  Place  of  Elec- 
"tion,  for  that  they  were  apprehensive  the  Sailors  had  some  ill 
"Designs:  He  answered.  What  can  I  do?  I  am  an  Old  man;  if 
"  they  break  the  Peace,  bring  them  before  me,  and  TU  commit  them  : 
"Capt.  Redmond  was  present,  and  said  You  need  not  be  uneasy,  the 
"  Sailors  are  quiet  men,  and  will  not  hurt  any  Body ;  adding,  I  will 
"6e  answerable  for  their  conduct  to-day.  About  ten  or  eleven  a  clock 
"standing  in  the  Crowd  in  Second  Street  at  the  Election  of  In- 
"spectors,  a  little  above  Thomas  Campbell's  corner  I  saw  a  great 
"number  of  Sticks  lifted  up  by  Persons  on  the  South  side  of  the 
"Jersey  Market;  enquiring  into  the  cause,  was  told  that  the 
"Sailors  were  knocking  down  the  Inhabitants;  and  seeing 
"William  Allen,  Abraham  Taylor,  and  Septimus  Robinson, 
"standing  near  Evan  Morgan's  corner,  I  went  to  them,  and  told 
"them  that  the  Sailors  on  the  other  side  of  the  Street  were  beat- 
"ing  the  Inhabitants,  and  requested  them,  as  Magistrates,  to 
"exert  their  authority,  and  prevent  further  mischief;  They  said, 
"  you  have  a  great  many  Dutch  that  are  not  naturalized,  and  the  Sailors 
"have  as  much  Right  to  be  here  as  the  unnaturalized  Dutch;  if  you 
"  had  taken  up  luith  the  Proposal  that  was  made  of  Choosing  four 
"  Inspectors  on  each  side,  this  might  have  been  prevented,  it  is  your  own 
"  Faxdt.  I  endeavoured  to  show  the  unreasonableness  of  such  a 
"Proposal,  and  Septimus  Robinson  said  that  Samuel  Parr  was 
"gone  up  to  make  the  proposal  again;  as  I  understood  it,  he 
"  meant,  gone  up  to  the  Court  House.  I  continued  to  press  the 
"Magistrates  to  their  duty,  particularly  William  Allen  who  in 
"angry  manner  said  What  right  have  you  to  speak  to  me?  I  am 
"not  directed  by  you;  and  then  turned  away.  I  followed  him,  and 
"said  that  as  he  was  Recorder  of  the  City,  I  had  right  to  apply 
"to  him  for  his  assistance  to  suppress  a  Riot,  and  that  it  was  his 
"Duty  to  preserve  the  Public  Peace;  he  then  claj^ped  me  on  the 
"Shoulder,  and  said  'I  command  you  in  the  King's  name  to  go 
"'and  assist  me,'  I  said  I  would  cheerfully  go.  Come  along;  he 
"went  a  little  way  with  me  towards  the  Sailors,  but  by  the  time 
"  I  got  to  Evan  Morgan's  corner,  I  looked  back  and  perceived  the 
"  Recorder,  standing  near  the  Place  where  he  stood  when  he  com- 
"manded  me  to  go  and  assist  him.  Samuel  Preston  of  the 
"  Aldermen,  at  that  instant  coming  from  the  crowd  where  the 


FOURTH    GENERATIOX.  247 

"Sailors  were,  I  spoke  to  him,  and  desired  him  to  press  the 

"Recorder  to  his  duty,  he  spoke  to  the  Recorder,  but  could  not 

"prevail  with  him,  the  Recorder  saying;   You  have  brought  it  on 

"yourselves,  why  had  you  not  agreed  to  the  Proposal  of  choosing  four 

''Inspectors  on  a  side  (or  words  to  that  purpose);  Hearing  that,  I 

"gave  over  further  application,  and  assisted  at  the  choice  of  the 

"remaining  part  of  the  Inspectors.     After  all  the  Inspectors  were 

"  chose  and  qualified,  and  the  People  on  the  Court  House  Stairs 

"carrying  up  their  Votes,  I  saw  the  Sailors  coming  down  Market 

"Street  beating   and  wounding   the   Inhabitants   in  barbarous 

"manner,   and   driving   them   off    the    Court   House   Stairs.     I 

"endeavoured  to  persuade  the  Sailors  to  go  on  board  their  Ships, 

"  but  they  said  You  are  dammed  Quakers,  you  are  Enemies  to  King 

"  George,  and  we  will  hnoch  you  all  in  the  head ;  and  would  not  go 

"on  board,  unless  two  of  their  company  were  delivered  to  them, 

"that  as  they  said  were  confined  in  the  Court  House;   Upon 

"inquiry  finding  that  they  were  not  there,  the  Sailors  in  a  furious 

"manner  ran  up  Market  Street,  knocking  down  all  before  them, 

"and  in  a  few  minutes  the  Inhabitants- turned  upon  them,  and 

"  drove  them  to  their  Ships.  „ -r  ,r  „ 

^  "James  Morris. 

A  few  years  later  (in  1747),  Benjamin  Franklin  and  his 
party  were  bent  upon  organizing  the  means  of  defense,  which 
they  considered  so  requisite  for  the  public  safety,  but  a  majority 
of  the  "  Friends  "  refused  to  contribute  aid  to  any  such  prepa- 
rations. It  is  to  this  period,  probably,  that  the  following  mention 
of  Mr.  James  Morris  in  the  Autobiography  of  Benjamin  Franklin* 
refers : 

"  A  transaction  in  our  fire  company  gave  me  some  insight 
"into  their  prevailing  sentiments  {i.  e.  of  the  "Friends").  It 
"had  been  proposed,  that  we  should  encourage  the  scheme  for 
"building  a  battery  by  laying  out  the  present  stock,  then  about 
"sixty  pounds,  in  tickets  of  the  Lottery.  By  our  rules,  no  money 
"could  be  disposed  of,  till  the  next  meeting  upon  the  proposal. 
"The  company  consisted  of  thirty  members,  of  which,  twenty- 
"two  were  Quakers,  and  eight  only  of  other  persuasions.  We 
"eight  punctually  attended  the  meeting;   but  tho'  we  thought 


*Autobiography  of  Benjamin  Franklin,"  by  John  Bigelow ;  Lippincott,  187 


248  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

"  that  some  of  the  Quakers  would  join  us,  we  were  by  no  means 
"sure  of  a  majority.  Only  one  Quaker,  Mr.  James  Morris 
"appeared  to  oppose  the  measure.  He  expressed  much  sorrow 
"that  it  had  ever  been  proposed,  as  he  said  Friends  were  all 
"  against,  and  it  would  create  such  discord  as  might  break  up  the 
"company.  We  told  him  that  we  saw  no  reason  for  that;  we 
"were  in  the  minority,  and  if  Friends  were  against  the  measure, 
"and  outvoted  us,  w^e  must  and  should,  agreeably  to  the 
"usage  of  all  societies,  submit.  When  the  hour  for  business 
"arrived,  it  was  niov'd  to  put  the  vote;  he  allow'd  we  might 
"then  do  it  by  the  rules,  but  as  he  could  assure  us  that  a  number 
"of  members  intended  to  be  present,  for  the  purpose  of  opposing 
"it,  it  would  be  but  candid  to  allow  a  little  time  for  their 
"  appearing. 

"While  we  were  disputing  this,  a  waiter  came  to  tell  me  two 
"gentlemen  below  desir'd  to  speak  with  me.  I  went  down  and 
"  found  they  were  two  of  our  Quaker  members.  They  told  me 
"there  were  eight  of  them  assembled  at  a  tavern  just  by;  that 
"  they  were  determin'd  to  come  and  vote  with  us  if  there  should 
"  be  occasion,  which  they  hop'd  would  not  be  the  case,  and 
"  desir'd  we  would  not  call  for  their  assistance  if  we  could  do 
"  without  it,  as  their  voting  for  such  a  measure  might  embroil 
"them  with  their  elders  and  friends.  Being  thus  secure  of  a 
"majorit}'',  I  went  up,  and  after  a  little  seeming  hesitation, 
"  agreed  to  a  delay  of  another  hour.  This  Mr.  Morris  allow'd 
"to  be  extremely  fair.  Not  one  of  his  opposing  friends  appear'd, 
"at  which  he  expressed  great  surprise;  and  at  the  expiration  of 
"  the  hour,  we  carry'd  the  resolution  Eight  to  one ;  and  as  of  the 
"twenty  two  Quakers,  eight  were  ready  to  vote  with  us  &  thirteen 
"by  their  absence  manifested  that  they  were  not  inclined  to 
"oppose  the  measure,  I  afterward  estimated  the  proportion  of 
"  Quakers  sincerely  against  defense,  as  one  to  twenty-one  only ; 
"for  these  were  all  regular  members  of  the  Society,  and  in  good 
"reputation  among  them,  and  had  due  notice  of  what  was  pro- 
"pos'd  at  that  meeting." 

This  record  of  Dr.  Benjamin  Franklin,  is  unwittingly,  a 
valuable  testimony  to  the  consistency  of  Mr.  James  Morris,  in 
so  courageously  adhering  to  his  "  Friends'  principles "  when 
deserted  by  those  who  should  have  supported  him. 


FOURTH    GENERATION.  249 

Year  after  year,  as  the  Assembly  met,  James  Morris  was 
appointed  on  the  "Committee  to  audit  and  settle  the  accounts 
"of  the  General  Loan  Office,  and  other  Publick  accounts,  and  to 
"sink  and  exchange  the  old  bills  of  credit  received  in  Exchange," 
and  also  on  "The  Committee  of  Aggrievances  for  the  ensuing 
"year."  He  was  one  of  the  signers  of  the  paper  money,  issued 
May  26,  1744,  and  June  24,  1746. 

The  frequent  calls  made  upon  James  Morris,  to  assist  in  the 
financial  affairs  of  the  State  seem  to  indicate,  that  he  resembled 
his  father,  Anthony  Morris,'  in  possessing  exceptional  ability  in 
matters  of  finance. 

His  last  public  duty,  as  recorded  in  the  Votes  of  Assembly 
for  6th  mo.  18th,  1750,  was  (in  conjunction  with  Thos.  Leach)  to 
"see  the  Great  seal  affixed  to  the  Law  for  preventing  exportation 
"of  Bread  and  Flour  not  merchantable"  and  to  see  the  same 
deposited  in  the  Roll's  Office."*' 

The  Will  of  James  Morris,  dated  27th  Jan.,  1750,  was  proved 
Jan.  30th,  three  days  after  it  was  made.f  He  is  therein  described 
as  "  of  Philadelphia,  Merchant." 

In  his  Will,  after  devising  his  Real  and  Personal  Estate  to  his 
three  children — Isaac,  Anthony  and  Mary — all  of  them  minors, 
he  concludes  with  these  words  :  "  Desiring  my  Father  and  Mother 
to  be  the  guardian  of  my  said  children  and  their  Estate."^  His 
father,  Anthony  Morris,'  undertook  the  charge,  and  in  his  will 
dated  Sept.  29,  1760,  the  three  children  are  referred  to. 

James  Morris  "w^as  buried  in  the  Family's  burying  place  in 
Friends'  Graveyard  in  Philadelphia." 

James  and  Elizabeth  (Kearney)  Morris  had  issue: — 

57.  James  Morris,  b.  ;  d.  8mo.  12,  1738. 

.")8.  Anthony  Morris,  b.  ;  d.  12mo.  25,  1 736. 

59.  Isaac  Morris,   b.  17.36;    d.   5mo.   29,   1821;    m.   lOmo.   21,   1810, 

Sarah  INIarriott. 

60.  Anthony  James  Morris,  b. 1739  ;  d.  May  27,  1831. 

61.  Mary  Morris,  b.  ;    bu.    3mo.    9,    1800;    m.    May  25,   1762,   Col. 

Blathwaite  Jones. 


*  Votes  of  Assembly,  Vol.  iv. 

t  Vide  Will  Book  I.^  p.  349,  Recorder  of  Wills  Office,  Phila. 
t  As  his  wife  is  not  mentioned,  it  is  probable  she,  died  before  the  date  of 
the  will. 


250  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MOREIS    FAMILY. 


KEARNEY   FAMILY. 

Philip  Kearney  was  the  founder  of  the  family  of  this  name 
in  Philadelphia.  The  date  of  his  coming  here  is  not  known, 
but  it  is  believed  that  he  could  not  have  come  over  later  than 
1700.  This  conclusion  is  based  on  the  fact  that  he  married  in 
Pennsylvania,  and  by  this  marriage  had  a  daughter  who  was 
married  not  later  than  1720.  According  to  tradition  he  was  a 
native  of  Ireland. 

Mr.  Kearney  was  a  ]\Ierchant,  and  as  we  do  not  know  that  he 
held  any  offices,  it  is  conjectured  that  his  business  pursuits  occu- 
pied his  full  time.  That  his  social  standing  w^as  of  the  best,  is 
strongly  indicated  by  the  marriage  alliances  of  his  children,  all 
of  whom  connected  themselves  with  leading  families.  He  mar- 
ried, circa  1700,  Rebecca  Britton,  dau.  of  Lionel  Britton, 
merchant,  by  his  wife  Elizabeth.  Mr.  Kearney  d.  in  Philadel- 
phia, April,  1722.     By  his  wife  Rebecca  he  had  issue: — 

AuGTATiA,  bu.  in  Christ  Church  Burying  Ground,  29th  Aug.,  1716. 

INIary,  b.  in  1705  ;  m.  John  Kinsey,  Chief  Justice  of  Penna.,  9th  7mo.,  1725. 

Eebecca,  b.  circa  1712 ;  m.  Wm.  Plumsted,  Mayor  of  Philad'a,  Friends' 

Meeting,  Philad'a,  19th  April,  1733  ;  she  d.  20th  Jan.,  1740/1. 
Edmund,  merchant  in  Philadelphia,  d.  1774. 
Joanna,  (single  woman). 
Elizabeth,  m.  James  Morris,  1729. 
Susanna,  m.    (1st)  Dr.  Edward  Owen  (he  d.  Sep.,  1729)  ;  (2d)  Thomas 

Lloyd,  June,  1734. 

20.    John  Morris*  (Anthony,^        ^ 
Anthony,^    Anthon}^^),    a    son     of      //T^^'Tt.    jhuFTTT^J 
Anthony  and  Phoebe  (Guest)  Mor- 
ris, b.  4th  mo.  23rd,  1709 ;  d.  2nd 

mo.  3rd,  1782  ;  m.  2nd  mo.  18th,  1734,  Mary  Sutton,  who  d.  Oct. 
26,  1771,  aged  65  years,  dau.  of  Richard  and  Mary  Sutton,  of 
Philadelphia. 

In  an  old  Bible,  which  at  one  time  Ijelonged  to  William  Car- 
ter, we  find  the  following  entry:  "Mary  Sutton  went  from  my 
house  with  her  husband  John  Morris  to  his  mill  ye  5th  day  of 
May,  1734.     Lived  with  him." 

At  the  close  of  1730,  Anthony  Morris,  the  father  of  John 
Morris,*  became  the  sole  owner  of  "  Spring  Mill,"  and  the  whole 


FOURTH    GENERATION.  251 

of  the  surrounding  property  on  the  banks  of  the  Schuylkill 
River,  not  far  from  Philadelphia.  There  he  settled  John  Morris* 
in  business,  and  erected  for  him  (probably  about  the  time  of  his 
marriage)  a  large  stone  mansion  on  a  slight  elevation  overlook- 
ing the  mill.  In  1739  he  transferred  to  John  Morris''  the  whole 
of  the  Spring  Mill  property,  and  the  three  tracts  of  land  con- 
nected with  it. 

In  1762  John  Morris*  was  connected  with  his  brothers,  Samuel 
Morris*  and  Joseph  Morris*  in  the  establishing  of  the  Boiling- 
Springs  Furnace  and  Forge. 

John  Morris*  appears  to  have  lived  in  the  mansion,  at  Spring- 
Mill,  for  many  years.  In  1769  he  disposed  of  the  house  and  the 
surrounding  property,  to  his  son-in-law,  Joseph  Potts,  and  took 
up  his  abode  in  Southwark,  of  which  district,  he  is  described  in 
a  Deed,  dated  April  S,  1775.  By  it,  he  conveys  to  Joseph  Potts 
for  £1800  a  house  and  lot  on  the  East  side  of  Water  Street  be- 
tween High  and  Mulberry  Streets. 

John  and  Mary  (Sutton)  Morris  had  issue : — 

62.  AViLLiAM   MoKHLs,  b.  4mo.  27,  1735;  d.  April  14,  17G6  ;  m.  9nio.  21, 

1758,  Margaret  Hill. 

63.  Mary  Morris,  b.  llmo.  3,  1738  ;  cl.  Dec.  19,  1765  ;  m.  Aug.  16,  1764, 

Joseph  Potts  (as  his  first  wife). 

64.  Anthony  Morris,  b.  at  Spring  Mill  8mo.  10,  1740  ;  d.  9mo.  2,  1740, 

"and  was  buried  at  Plimoth  Meeting." 

65.  John  Morris,  b.  at  Philada.  9mo.  4,  1745  ;  d.  6mo.  9,  1746. 

66.  John  Morris,  b.  lOmo.  3,  1748/9  ;  d.  3mo.  29,  1749. 


ABSTRACT  OF  WILL  OF  JOHN  MORRIS.* 

John  Morris  of  the  District  of  Southwark,  Will  dated  1st 
mo.  11,  1781. 

To  dau.  Margaret  Morris,  widow  of  son  AVilliam,  dec**,  he  gives 
£50  per  annum,  to  be  paid  her  quarterly,  by  his  four  grand- 
children— John,  Richard,  Deborah  and  Willielma  Morris  (her 
four  children)  out  of  such  portion  of  his  estate  as  shall  fall  to 
their  share  upon  a  division. 

To  Ellinor  Siddon,  he  gives  a  bed,  bedstead,  bedding  and 
sundry  articles  of  furniture,  for  her  life,  and  at  her  decease,  to 
John  Morris  Potts.     He  also  gives  her  £30  per  annum  for  life,  to 


252  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

be  paid  her  by  grandson  John  Morris  Potts,  or  his  representa- 
tives, issuing  out  of  his  (testator's)  house,  on  the  west  side  of 
Front  Street,  near  the  bridge,  and  now  in  tenure  of  Thomas 
Newark,  which  house  and  lot  he  gives  to  grandson  John  Morris 
Potts. 

To  John  Morris  Potts  he  gives  a  yearly  ground  rent  of  £24, 
issuing  out  of  a  lot  of  ground  on  Mulberry  Street  and  Seventh 
Street — a  corner  lot  now  in  possession  of  David  Rittenhouse  and 
John  Bull,  also  a  lot  of  ground  on  Mulberry  Street  which  he 
received  in  the  division  of  his  father's  estate — 24  feet  9  inches  in 
front  on  Mulberry  Street  and  360  feet  deep ;  also  to  J.  M.  Potts 
all  the  plate  that  was  his  mother's,  as  per  list  "of  the  same  plate 
"  packed  up  for  him  in  a  red  leather  trunk,  which  said  plate  was 
"purchased  of  his  Father,  and  paid  for  by  my  dear  wife,  and  all 
"the  China  Ware  that  was  his  mother's,  as  per  list.  I  also  give 
"him — John  Morris  Potts — eight  mahogany  chairs  the  seats  of 
"which  were  worked  by  his  mother."  He  gives  to  grandson 
Richard  Hill  Morris,  his  tract  of  land  and  mill  (bought  of  John 
Hart),  on  Ridley  Creek,  in  Chester  County,  which  plantation  and 
mill  he  valued  at  £2500,  three  quarters  of  which  sum  he  (R.  H. 
M.)  shall  allow  or  discount  to  his  brother  John  and  sisters  Deborah 
and  Willielma  Morris,  i.  e.,  £625  to  each.  The  residue  of  real 
and  personal  estate  he  leaves  to  his  five  grandchildren — John, 
Richard,  Deborah  and  Willielma  Morris,  children  of  son  William, 
and  John  Morris  Potts,  son  of  dau.  Mary,  deceased,  share  and 
share  alike.  No  appraisement  to  be  made  of  household  goods, 
plate  or  wearing  apparel. 

In  making  division,  his  Executors  are  to  have  assistance  of 
sisters  Deborah,  and  Hannah  wife  of  brother  Joseph.  All  the 
china,  plate  and  furniture  left  to  grandson  John  Morris  Potts, 
to  be  delivered  to  sister  Deborah  Morris,  who  shall  keep  them  for 
said  grandson  and  shall  likewise  receive  rentals,  and  other  moneys 
and  chattels  left  for  him,  until  he  reaches  the  age  of  21  years. 
If  he  should  die  before  he  attains  the  age  of  21  years,  all  said 
moneys  and  chattels  are  to  be  equally  divided  amongst  the  other 
four  grandchildren. 

He  then  says,  "And  in  consideration  that  my  daughter  Mar- 
"garet  has  in  her  possession  all  the  real  Estate  that  her  Father 
"gave  her,  and  her  husband's  estate,  meeting  with  uncommon 
"and  great  losses  in  his  outstanding  debts     *     *     *     and  the 


FOURTH    GENERATION.  253 

"care  of  his  family  lying  much  on  me  since  his  decease,  there- 
"  fore  my  daughter  Margaret  will  be  contented  with  what  I  have 
"  allowed  her  in  this  my  will,  and  accepting  as  further  pledge  for 
"my  regard  for  her  my  large  silver  salver  or  Waiter,  and  I  do 
"hereby  give  the  same  to  her  for  ever." 

Executors, — Brother  Joseph  Morris,  Cousin  Thomas  Morris, 
and  Sister  Deborah  Morris. 

(Signed)  John  Morris,     [l.  s.] 

Witnesses : 

Sam.  C.  Morris, 
Benjamin  Morris, 
Thomas  Morris. 

Codicil,  17th  2d  mo.,  1781,  to  Elinor  Siddon,  he  gives  several 
china  articles  and  kitchen  utensils,  which  are  to  revert  at  her 
death  to  grandson  John  Morris  Potts. 

Probated  Philadelphia,  Feb.  11,  1782.* 

John  Gill,  D^  Reg"". 


"SPPJNG  MILL"  AND  "MOUNT  JOY." 

The  ancient  "Spring  Mill "  and  Mansion  of  "Mount  Joy  "  are 
in  the  township  of  Whitemarsh.  They  are  ^picturesquely  situated 
on  the  Eastern  side  of  the  Schuylkill,  twelve  miles  from 
Philadelphia. 

Spring  Mill  took  its  name  from  several  large  springs  of  water 
near  by,  five  or  six  of  which,  at  one  time,  gushed  out  with  con- 
siderable force.  They  were  all  situated  within  an  area  of  half 
an  acre,  and  emptied  into  one  stream,  which  after  a  course  of 
quarter  of  a  mile,  discharged  itself  into  the  Schuylkill  River. 
Although  the  supply  of  water  is  not  so  great  as  in  former  times, 
the  stream  in  this  distance  gains  sufficient  power,  the  whole  year 
round,  to  propel  the  grist  mill  just  alluded  to.  "  Spring  Flouring 
Mill "  is  said  to  be  the  oldest  grist  mill  in  the  State. f  The  date 
of  the  building  of  it  is  approximately  fixed  at  1715,  for  at  that 


*  Samuel  Morris,  Esq.,  was  then  "  Register  for  the  Probate  of  Wills." 
t  Bean's  Hist,  of  Montgomery  Co.,  p.  624. 


254  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

time  (April  27, 1715),  as  the  records  show,  Reese  Williams,  eldest 
son  and  heir  of  David  and  Elizabeth  Williams,  granted  the  mill 
and  7^  acres  of  land  to  Anthony  Morris,*  and  Robert  Jones  of 
North  Wales.  B}^  indenture  dated  March  19,  1719,  Reese 
Williams,  yeoman,  of  Whitemarsh,  and  Elizabeth  his  wife, 
granted  unto  Robert  Jones  and  Anthony  Morris,^  513  acres  in 
Whitemarsh,  which  said  513  acres  had  been  conveyed  by  Wil- 
liam Markham  to  David  Williams,  by  deed  dated  May  8,  1697.* 

On  March  22d,  1719,  Reese  Williams  conveyed  to  Robert 
Jones  and  Anthony  Morris*  a  certain  messuage,  plantation  and 
tract  of  land,  comprising  163  acres.  On  Dec.  12,  1730,  Robert 
Jones  and  his  wife  Gaynor  conveyed  their  part  in  the  said  prem- 
ises to  Anthony  Morris,*  viz.,  the  Spring  Mill,  and  a  Messuage  or 
Tenement  with  three  tracts  of  land — 7J  acres,  513  acres,  and  163 
acres  (plantation)  respectively.f 

The  Mill  has  therefore  been  in  operation  for  at  least  180 
years,  and  being  picturesquely  situated,  it  presents  a  variety  of 
beautiful  views  which  artists  delight  to  commit  to  canvas. 

Mr.  Howard  M.  Jenkins  has  collected  several  facts  in  refer- 
ence to  petitions  for  roads  to  meetings,  mills  and  market  in 
the  neighborhood  of  Spring  Mill,  in  his  valuable  "Historical 
Collections  of  Gwynedd,"  from  which  we  quote  the  following : 

"At  the  March  sessions,  1715,  the  following  petition  was  pre- 
"  sented : — 

"The  petition  of  the  subscribers,  inhabitants  of  Gwynedd, 
"Montgomery,  Skippack,  and  other  of  the  adjacent  townships, 
"humbly  sheweth  : 

"'That  inasmuch  as  the  mill  late  of  David  Williams  in  Ply- 
"' mouth  J  is  built  on  a  spring  which  neither  the  Drought  of 
"'Sumer  nor  winter's  ffrost  hinders  from  supplying  the  neighbor- 
"'hood  with  grinding  when  all  or  most  of  the  other  mills  are 
"'dormant  ^  *  *  our  and  others  being  so  supjDly'd  in  times 
"'of  such  necessity  lays  (us)  under  great  obligations  to  frequent 
"'the  said  mill  (they  therefore  ask  convenient  roads  to  it)  several 
" '  of  which  said  roads  have  been  made  use  for  these  tenn  or  twelve 


*  Vide  Deed  Book  E,  Vol.  iii.,  p.  5. 

tVide  Deed  Book  F,  Vol.  v.,  p.  144,  Recorder  of  Deeds  Office,  Philadelphia. 
t  This  is  a  geographical  error.  The  mill  was  situated  at  Spring  Mill,  (as  now 
known),  in  Whitemarsh. 


FOURTH    GENERATION.  255 

'"years  past,  but  obstructed  at  the  pleasure  of  ill  minded  and 
"'contentious  persons.  (They  then  suggest  the  roads  as  named 
'"in  the  record  of  the  court,  adding)  and  your  petitioners  bring- 
'"ing  their  corn  to  mill  in  order  to  bring  the  meal  to  markett 
'"another  road  wants  a  confirmation  leading  from  the  said  mill 
'"to  the  Great  Road  from  Parkysomeny  to  Philadelphia, without 
'"which  your  petitioners  must  labor  under  great  hardships  and 
'"difficulties,  for  what  is  more  necessary  than  a  Convenient  road 
'"to  places  of  worship  and  to  mills  and  marketts,' etc.  (The 
"petition  is  signed  by  thirty  persons,  most  of  them  Gwynedd 
"people). 

"The  jury  on  this  were  William  Ilarman,  Matthew  Holgate, 
"Rowland  Ellis,  jr.,  Richard  Jones,  John  Rhodes,  and  Thomas 
"Stroud,  who  laid  out  the  road  from  the  meeting-house,  at 
"Gwynedd,  to  the  mill  on  the  Schuylkill — now  Spring  mill — 
"owned  then  by  Anthony  Morris  and  Robert  Jones;  and  from 
"the  mill  eastward  to  the  Perkiomen  road,  at  a  point  just  below 
"where  the  village  of  Barren  Hill  now  is." 

On  a  slight  eminence,  and  at  a  short  distance  to  the  north- 
west of  the  "Spring  Mill,"  stands  the  well-preserved  colonial 
edifice  known  for  many  years  as  the  "  Morris  Mansion,"  and  also 
as  "  Mount  Joy."  It  was  probably  built  about  the  year  1735,  by 
Anthony  M.orris^  for  his  son  John,  to  whom,  "  for  natural  love 
and  affection,"  he  and  his  wife  Phoebe  conveyed  by  deed  dated 
March  2G,  1739,*  the  whole  of  the  Spring  Mill  property  and  the 
three  tracts  of  land  before  referred  to,  "  excepting  and  reserving 
"nevertheless  the  free  and  uninterrupted  liberty  of  exporting 
"and  importing  any  goods,  merchandise  and  lumber  from  and 
"  unto  the  said  River  Schuylkill  and  passing  and  repassing  with 
"  carts  and  carriages  or  otherwise  across  or  along  that  one  perch 
"  and  a  half  wide  strip  of  land  on  the  Banks  of  the  Schuylkill  to 
"  and  from  the  lands  of  the  said  David  Jones,  and  Joseph  Paul 
"  respectively,  and  the  right  and  liberty  to  come  up  and  down 
"  with  boats  and  canoes  the  aforesaid  Spring  Mill  stream  over 
"  the  aforesaid  small  strip  of  land  from  and  to  the  Spring  Mills 
"  and  Schuylkill  River."  Anthony  Morris^  further  reserved  to 
himself,  a  moiety  of  the  property  for  life. 

The   Mansion    house   was    standing,   and    known    as   John 

*  Vide  Deed  Book  G,  Vol.  i.,  p.  37,  Office  of  Recordei-  of  Deeds,  Philadelphia. 


256  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

Morris's,  when  the  Court  of  Quarter  Sessions  sitting  at  Philadel- 
phia, Sept.  2,  1751,  ordered  the  opening  of  a  new  road  "from 
Gwynedd  Meeting  House  to  John  Morris's  Mill." 

After  enjoying  the  ownership  of  Spring  Mill  and  surround- 
ing property  for  30  years,  John  Morris,  for  the  sum  of  £10,000  by 
Deed  dated  April  15,  1769,*  conveyed  to  his  son-in-law,  Joseph 
Potts,  the  "  Capital  Messuage,  Grist  Mills,  Plantation  &  three 
several  tracts  of  land," — one  being  the  tract  of  163  acres  con- 
veyed to  Robert  Jones  and  Anthony  Morris  on  March  22, 
1719,  which,  upon  being  resurveyed,  was  found  to  contain  329 
acres;  the  second  of  74  acres,  "the  same  as  that  granted  by  John 
Harry  of  Whitemarsh,  yeoman,  on  17^^  Jan.  &  10*^  Feb.,  1753, 
as  two  tracts  to  John  Morris  in  fee ;  and  the  third  was  a  tract  of 
192  acres  on  the  other  side  of  the  River  Schuylkill — opposite  to 
the  Mill  tract  in  Merion  Township,  Philadelphia  County — part 
of  the  Manor  of  Mount  Joy.  It  consisted  originally  of  420  acres 
of  land  purchased  of  Wm.  Penn's  agent,  and  contracted  for  by 
Anthony  Morris,  it  was  released  to  John  Morris  by  indenture 
Dec.  1,  1741,  with  concurrence  of  said  Anthony  Morris."  John 
Morris  sold  228  acres  of  this  tract  to  James  John. 

The  next  transfer  of  the  property  was  from  Joseph  Potts  and 
wife  to  John  Potts  on  Nov.  10,  1770. 

John  Potts,  of  Whitemarsh,  Esq.,  and  Margaret  his  wife,  by 
Deed  dated  Nov.  4,  1771,  conveyed  to  George  Mifflin  204  acres  of 
this  property  in  three  parcels  of  land ;  the  first,  which  comprised 
65J  acres,  having  upon  it  the  Capital  Messuage;  the  second,  con- 
taining 23 J  acres,  being  contiguous  with  the  first;  and  the  third, 
which  contained  115  acres,  was  situated  on  the  opposite  side  of 
the  Schuylkill  River  in  Upper  Merion.  John  Potts  sold  these, 
"together  with  the  right  and  liberty  to  and  for  the  said  George 
"Mifflin,  his  heirs  and  assigns  of  using  the  waters  of  the  Mill 
"Spring  to  water  his  meadow  from  ten  of  the  clock  on  the  first 
"  day  night  in  every  week  for  ever,  so  that  he  or  they  shall  shut 
"the  sluices  at  twelve  of  the  clock  in  the  night  between  the  first 
"and  second  day  of  the  week,  and  from*  time  to  time  stop  ofi^ 
"  and  repair  the  leaks  and  breaches  thereof,  and  not  waste  the 
"waters  to  injure  the  Spring  Mills." 

George  Mifflin  and  Martha  his  wife  sold  the  same  three  tracts 

*Vide  Deed  Book  I,  Vol.  xii.,  p.  60,  Recorder  of  Deeds  Office,  Philadelphia. 


'^i^^^^^mmk. 


SPRING    MILL 


FOURTH    GENERATION.  257 

and  appurtenances  to  Samuel  Miles  by  Indenture  dated  March  2, 
1773.  Colonel  Samuel  Miles  was  a  brave  Revolutionary  officer, 
who  at  one  time  was  Captain  of  the  Troop  of  Philadelphia  Light 
Horse.  It  is  thought  that  he  gave  to  the  Mansion,  the  name 
of  "Mount  Joy,"  which  name  it  has  ever  since  retained.  After 
holding  the  same  property  for  ten  years,  Colonel  Samuel  Miles 
and  Catherine  his  wife  sold  the  same  to  Abel  James,  3rd  Sept., 
1783.     Abel  James  was  a  prominent  Merchant  in  Philadelphia. 

Abel  James  and  Rebecca  his  wife  by  deed  dated  Dec.  17, 1783,* 
for  the  consideration  of  "Two  Thousand  Pounds  Sterling  Money 
of  Great  Britain  "  conveyed  to  Augustine  Prevost,  Esq.,  of  Phila- 
delphia the  whole  of  the  above  described  Mount  Joj^  property, 
bought  of  Samuel  Miles  three  months  before. 

In  the  year  1785  a  remarkable  man,  Peter  Legaux,  arrived 
from  France,  and  after  prospecting  for  a  suitable  location  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Pottstown,  on  January  31,  1786,t  bought  of 
Augustine  Prevost  and  wife,  the  self-same  Spring  Mill  estate  of 
"two  hundred  and  six  acres"  with  the  Mansion  on  the  banks  of 
the  Schuylkill  River. 

Mr,  Samuel  Gordon  Smyth  writes:  "The  home  he  had  now 
"selected  was  one  of  more  than  passing  interest,  for  previous  to 
"1690,  it  had  formed  part  of  the  possessions  of  Major  Jaspar 
"Farmer,  whose  5000  acres  spread  through  the  length  of  the 
"Whitemarsh  Valley,  and  adjoined  the  great  plantation  of 
"Nicholas  Scull  farther  north.  It  was  a  portion  of  the 'Manor 
"of  Springettbury,'  so  called  in  honor  of  W"  Penn's  first  wife, 
"  whose  maiden  name  was  Gulielma  Maria  Springett.  From  this 
"land  this  part  has  become  detached,  in  a  tract  of  513  acres, 
"which  the  Provincial  Commissioners  deeded  to  W™  Markham, 
"subsequently  Deputy-Governor,  and  from  him  in  1697,  the 
"property  passed  to  David  Williams  a  Welsh  farmer  and  miller; 
"he  it  was,  it  is  thought,  who  while  owning  the  land,  erected  the 
"famous  mill  which  is  now,  and  has  been  all  these  years  in  active 
"  operation." 

During  Legaux's  occupation  of  "Mount  Joy"  he  was  honored 
by  a  visit  from  General  Washington.  The  following  entry  is 
found   in   Legaux's   Diary,  "July  22nd,  1787.     This    day  Gen. 


*Vide  Deed  Book  D  16,  p.  168. 

■fVlde  Deed  acknowledged,  Deed  Book  No.  3,  p.  121,  Montgomerj^  County, 


258  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MOKEIS    FAMILY. 

"Washington,  Gen.  MifEin,  and  four  others  of  the  Convention 
"did  us  the  honer  of  paying  us  a  Visit  in  order  to  see  our  vine- 
"yard  and  bee  houses.  In  this  they  found  great  delight,  asked  a 
"number  of  questions,  and  testified  their  highest  approbation 
"with  my  manner  of  managing  bees,  which  gave  me  a  great 
"deal  of  pleasure."  The  guests  at  that  time  were  shown  around 
the  premises,  and  afterwards  dined  in  the  house.  The  table  used 
upon  that  occasion,  a  large  tumbler,  which  was  filled  with  honey 
of  which  the  guests  partook,  and  the  chairs  on  which  they  sat, 
are  preserved  by  Miss  Lucressa  R.  Righter,  a  granddaughter  of 
Legaux,  who  now  owns,  and  resides  at,  "  Mount  Joy."  About  the 
old  mansion  are  to  be  found  grape  vines,  which  doubtless  sprang 
from  those  planted  a  century  ago. 

"  During  the  Encampment  of  the  American  troops  in  the 
"  township,  in  1777,  the  '  Spring  Mill '  supplied  them  with  flour  and 
"corn  meal,  and  it  is  alleged  that  the  illustrious  Commander-in- 
" Chief,  Washington,  frequently  purchased  flour  for  his  military 
"famih^  and  corn  for  his  horses  at  the  Mill.  It  has  passed 
"through  many  hands  during  its  long  career  of  usefulness,  and 
"notwithstanding  its  time  worn  walls  and  venerable  appearance, 
"is  still  capable  of  doing  good  service, — grinding  30  barrels  of 
"  flour  a  day.  For  nearh^  half  a  centur}^  it  was  the  only  mill  in 
"  this  section.  It  is  solidly  built  of  stone,  and  was  put  up  in  sec- 
"tions,  in  accordance  with  the  rough  customs  and  scant}^  means 
"  of  the  men  of  those  days.  The  machinery  is  driven  by  an  over 
"shot  wheel  of  forty  horse-power,  and  the  old  stone  mill  looks  as 
"if  it  would  stand  the  storms  of  another  hundred  years. 

"  In  floods  or  droughts  the  same  uniform  flow  of  water  runs 
"the  mill,  reaching  it  from  the  grand  source  which  gives  the 
"  tract  the  name  of  Spring  Mill."* 

When  the  writer  visited  "  Mount  Joy,"  in  the  summer  of  1895, 
he  found  it  almost  embowered  in  trees.  It  is  situated  upon  the 
side  of  the  hill,  facing  the  east,  so  that,  as  Miss  Righter,  the  kind 
and  courteous  hostess,  remarked,  the  rooms  in  front  are  "flooded 
with  the  morning  sunlight."  It  overlooks  many  a  charming 
prospect. 

The  Mansion  is  a  fine  stone  structure,  with  a  frontage  of  55 
feet,  and  a  depth  of  44  feet.     It  has  a  doorway  and  porch  in  the 

*Vide  Bean's  Hist.  Montgomery  Co.,  p.  624. 


FOURTH    GENERATION.  259 

centre,  opening  into  a  spacious  hallway,  behind  which  is  a  hand- 
some oak  staircase  leading  to  the  upper  floors.  On  either  side  of 
the  hallway,  is  a  large,  lofty  room,  well  lighted  by  windows  on 
the  front  and  sides  of  the  building.  In  the  northern  room  is  a 
mantle-piece,  ornamented  with  quaint  Dutch  tiles. 

This  house  is  frequently  visited  by  students  of  Colonial 
history,  who  receive  a  courteous  reception  from  Miss  Righter  and 
her  brother  Mr.  John  Righter,  Jr.,  who  resides  in  his  own  house 
at  the  foot  of  the  hill,  and  facing  the  "Spring  Mill." 

Close  by  the  Mill  Race,  the  William  Penn  Furnaces  were  in 
operation  until  a  few  years  ago,  but  they  have  been  almost 
entirely  demolished,  and  the  great  slag  heaps"  which  had  accu- 
mulated, have  been  completely  removed. 

/        .  THE  SUTTON  FAMILY. 

Richard  Sutton  in.  Mary  Howell,  of  Cecil  County,  Mary- 
land, 7th  mo.  12th,  1698.* 

They  had  two  children,  at  least,  Howell  Sutton,  mentioned 
in  the  will  of  his  mother,  and  Mary  Sutton,  who  m.  John  Morris. 

Richard  Sutton  d.  and  his  widow  Mary  {nee  Howell)  m.  Wil- 
liam Carter,  widower,  6th  mo.  26th,  1721. 


THE  CARTER  FAMILY. 

William  Carter  of  Wapping  in  the  County  of  Middlesex, 
England,  was  among  the  first  purchasers  of  land  in  Philadelphia 
under  the  propriety  of  William  Penn.  He  owned  land  of  con- 
siderable wealth,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Second  and  Chestnut 
Streets,  and  was  much  engaged  in  land  transactions.  In  the 
Recorder's  office  his  deeds  occur  very  frequently,  especially  before 
1700.  The  first  one,  in  1685,  conveys  land  to  Thomas  HoAvell. 
He  was  an  alderman  appointed  by  Wm.  Penn  Oct.  25,  1701,  and 
thereby  became  one  of  the  Associate  Justices  (Judges)  of  the  City 
Court.f 

His  will  mentions  his  wife  Mary,  but  does  not  mention  any 

*  Friends'  Records. 

t"  William  Carter,  Esq.,  departed  this  life  Philadelphia  12mo  19th,  1738,  in 
the  88th  year  of  his  age." 


260  GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MOREIS  FAMILY. 

children.  He  mentions  in  his  will  his  kinswoman  Mary  Smith, 
wife  of  William  Smith ;  his  wife's  dau.  Mar}^  Morris.  Will  dated 
Nov.  6,  1738. 

Mary  Carter,  wife  of  the  above,  d.  11th  mo.  1st,  1748/9  and 
refers  in  her  will  to  her  son  Howell  Sutton.  She  mentions  in  her 
will,  her  friend  James  Pemberton,  her  trusty  friends  Wm.  Logan 
and  Israel  Pemberton ;  her  son-in-law  John  Morris  and  his  wife 
Mary ;  her  grandsons  Wm.  Morris  and  John  Morris  and  grand- 
daughter Mary  jSIorris."^ 

22.  Samuel  Moeris^  (Anthony,^  Anthony,^  Anthony^)  was 
generally  spoken  of,  as  "  Samuel  Morris,  Senior."  He  was  a  son 
of  Anthony  and  Phoebe  (Guest)  Morris,  b.  9th  mo.  21st,  1711, 
''at  the  house  of  his  s'^  Father,  Delaware  Street,  Philadelphia;" 
d.  "on  Easter  Sunday,"  31st  of  March,  1782;  "interred  on  the 
Tuesday  following  in  Quaker's  Burial  Ground  in  Arch  Street, 
Philadelphia,  aged  70  years  and  4  months;"  m.  3d  mo.  26th, 
1737,  "at  the  Great  Meeting  House  (High  Street)  Philadelphia," 
Hannah  Cadwalader,  fifth  child  and  fourth  dau.  of  John  and 
Martha  Cadwalader,  and  sister  of  Dr.  Thomas  Cadwalader.  She 
was  born  (according  to  her  husband's  entry  in  his  Family  Bible) 
"at  the  house  of  her  father.  High  Street,  Philadelphia,  March, 
1715/16."  Her  son,  Samuel  C.  Morris,  records  (in  the  same  Bible) 
that  "she  was  born,  as  she  herself  told  me,  the  loth  day  of  April, 
1715."  She  d.  Dec.  15,  1787,  "  and  was  buried  on  the  17**^  of  the 
same  in  the  Quaker's  Ground  in  Arch  Street,  so  that  she  was  just 
72  years  and  8  months." 

Margaret  (Hill)  Morris  writing  to  her  daughter,  Deborah, 
"  7th  day  evening  12mo,  1787,"  says  "  Our  Aunt  H.  Morris  died 
this  evening." 

Samuel  Morris  became  a  Merchant,  and  took  an  active  part 
in  the  affairs  of  the  City  and  the  Province.     In  1739  he  was  in 
business  as  a  tanner,  and  in  the  proceedings  of  the  Assembly 
under  date  of  6th  mo.  10th, 
1739,  we  find  that  the  names 
of  Samuel  Morris,  AVilliam 
Hudson,   Jr.,  John   Ogden, 
John  Howell  and  William  Smith,  were  affixed  to  a  document 

*  "  Carter  Family,"  by  Thos.  Maxwell  Potts,  Canonsburg,  Pa. 


HANNAH    CADWALADER   MORRIS 


No.    22 


FOURTH    GENERATION.  261 

entitled  ''A  convenient  Method  for  the  better  regulating  of  Tan- 
yards,  submitted  by  the  Tanners  to  the  Honb'''  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives of  the  Freemen  of  'the  Province  of  Pennsylvania."* 
This  document  was  acceptable  to  the  Assembly,  and  was  consid- 
ered as  a  suitable  reply  of  the  Tanners,  to  a  petition  of  the 
Inhabitants  of  Philadelphia,  craving  an  alteration  in  the  arrange- 
ments for  slaughtering  and  tanning  in  the  City. 

In  the  Pennsylvania  Gazette  for  Feb.  5,  1744-45,  appeared  an 
advertisement,  offering  a  reward  of  £5  from  the  Union  Fire  Com- 
pany of  Philadelphia,  for  the  discovery  of  any  person  concerned 
in  removing  "Nossels"  of  most  of  the  pumps  in  Market  Street, 
and  several  other  Streets  of  the  City,  on  the  previous  24th  Novem- 
ber.    The  advertisement  is — 

"Signed  by  order  of  the  Company, 

"Samuel  Morris 

"Clerk." 

Samuel  Morris  became  a  Member  of  the  Philadelphia  Bar, 
Sept.  15,  1751.t 

On  March  6,  1752,  Samuel  Morris  was  commissioned  Sheriff 
of  Philadelphia  County,  and  was  re-appointed  in  1753  and  '54, 
continuing  in  office  until  Oct.  4,  1755.  He  was  again  commis- 
sioned Sheriff  Oct.  25,  1758,  and  was  re-appointed  in  1759 
and  '60.| 

On  Oct.  7, 1755,  he  became  a  member  of  the  Common  Council 
of  Philadelphia.! 

On  31st  Jan.,  1756,f  he  was  commissioned  by  Gov.  Robert 
Hunter  Morris,  as  one  of  the  Auditors  to  settle  the  accounts  of 
the  ill-fated  Braddock  Expedition,  and  in  the  same  year,  he  was 
appointed  by  the  Society  of  Friends,  as  a  Commissioner  to  nego- 
tiate the  Treaty  with  the  Indians  at  Easton. 


^Vide  Votes  of  Assembly,  Vol.  iii.,  p.  348. 

t  Vide  Martin's  Bench  and  Bar,  p.  296. 

tVide  Penna.  Archives,  2nd  Series,  Vol.  ix.,  p.  697.  Minutes  Prov.  Council, 
Vol.  v.,  pp.  562,  597,  662;  Vol.  vi.,  p.  144;  Vol.  viii.,  pp.  402  and  505.  "It 
appears  to  have  been  the  rule  to  elect  the  same  pei'son  (as  Sheriff)  for  three 
years  successively."     (Martin's  Bench  and  Bar,  p.  101.) 

§  Vide  Penna.  Archives,  2nd  Series,  Vol.  ix.,  p.  733. 

T[  Vide  Penna.  Archives,  Vol.  ii.,  p.  598. 


262  GEXEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

Anthony  Morris,^  the  father  of  Samuel  Morris,  at  an  early 
date  became  interested  in  the  Pennsylvania  furnaces  and  forges 
for  the  production  of  iron,  and  it  was  a  natural  consequence, 
that  his  sons  should  embark  in  similar  undertakings.  His  sons 
Samuel  Morris,  Joseph  Morris,  and  John  Morris,  with  Amos 
Strettell  and  John  Armstrong,  all  of  Philadelphia,  formed  them- 
selves into  a  Company,  which,  soon  after  1762,  built  a  furnace 
and  forge  at  Birling  Springs,  in  Cumberland  Count}^  forming 
the  nucleus  of  the  Carlisle  Iron  Works,  which  afterwards  em- 
braced a  blast  furnace,  a  rolling  and  slitting  mill,  and  a  steel 
furnace.  The  site  of  these  enterprises,  with  some  contiguous 
territory,  was  purchased  from  John  Rigby  and  Nathan  Giles. 
Michael  Ege  owned  them  after  1782."^ 

Samuel  Morris  took  a  great  interest  in  the  foundation  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Hospital,  and  contributed  frequently  towards  the 
Building  Fund. 

During  the  stay  of  Samuel  PowelP  in  Europe,  Samuel  Morris,* 
who  was  his  guardian,  wrote  to  him  very  unreservedly  with  refer- 
ence to  the  growing  feeling  of  discontent  in  the  colonies.  The 
following  is  a  copy  of  one  of  his  letters  dated  Philad''.  18th 
Dec^l765:— 

"I  imagine  that  by  this  time,  the  disobedience  of  the  Subjects 
"  of  N.  America  to  the  Act  of  Parliament  for  establishing  a  duty 
"on  Stamp'd  paper,  must  have  occasioned  a  considerable  disturb- 
"  ance  among  you,  and  no  doubt  have  filled  our  Friends  in  Eng- 
"land  with  great  concern  for  us,  who  perhaps  don't  view  all  y^ 
"consequences  of  a  Submission  in  y^  same  light  as  they  are  appre- 
"hended  here.  My  several  letters  to  thee  of  late,  have  been  full  of 
"this  subject  &  y''  other  burdens  we  lay  under,  by  restrictions  from 
"home,  so  that  I  shall  add  very  little  to  it  in  this,  but  just  inform 
"thee  that  matters  still  continue  in  y®  same  high  ferment  through 
"all  y^  Collonies,  &  is,  as  we  understand,  likely  to  be  as  high  in  y® 
"Islands  except  in  Barbadoes,  where  they  are  receiv'd  &  y^  Act 
"  Submitted  to ;  not  one  stamp  has  made  its  appearance  here  except 
"from  Barbadoes  &  Halifax,  where  they  are  likewise  receiv'd; 
"some  that  have  travell'd  from  those  places,  have  been  immedi- 
"ately  seiz'd  upon  &  burnt,  &  the  Captains  who  brought  'em,  been 
"obliged  to  Swear  they  had  no  others,  from  home,  and,  all  other 

*T7c/t  "  Hist,  of  Iron,"  etc.,  by  James  M.  Swank,  p.  185. 


FOUIITH    GENERATION.  263 

places  Trade  proceeds  as  usual  without  any  Stamps,  &  it  seems 
to  be  the  fixed  determination  of  all  y''  other  Colonies  to  endure 
any  mischiefs,  rather  than  admit  them. 

"I  send  thee  three  of  a  pamphlet  published  here  last  week, 
upon  the  Subject  of  Oppressions,  it  is  wrote  cooly  &  plainly  & 
'intended  to  open  the  eyes  of  England  &  America  to  their  true 
interest.  It  is  entitled  Regulations  respecting  y^  Colonies  in 
America  considered,  its  a  plain  sensible  performance  &  I  wish 

■  may  have  a  new  edition  in  England ;  the  Author  is  I.  D.  a  Gent, 
well  known  to  thee.  If  those  come  safe  to  hand,  pray  (if  its 
proper),  present  one  to  M.  du  Bart  with  my  thanks,  &  I  dare  say 

'  y®  thanks  of  every  American,  for  his  honest  sensible  letter  to  ye 
president  of  y^  B""  of  Trade,  in  behalf  of  poor  America.  It  would 
be  a  happiness,  if  men  in  power,  cou'd  generally  see  the  true 
'Interest  of  y®  nation,  as  clearly  as  that  Gent:  does,  tho'  they 
shou'd  even  wilfully  shut  out  every  Idea  of  English  Liberty  in 
America,  which  they  will  one  day  know,  is  as  well  understood  & 
'  valued  here,  as  in  England. 

"Manufactures  here,  of  what  we  us'd  to  have  from  England, 
make  a  great  progress.  Only  two  persons  this  winter,  will  make 
about  100  pieces  of  Broad  Cloaths,  besides  numbers  of  other 
looms  in  every  Township  of  y*"  Province,  &  y^  general  humour  is 

■  to  appear  in  homespun ;  even  our  Merchants  who  get  their  living 
by  selling  English  goods,  find  themselves  obliged  to  fall  in  with 
this  popular  measure.    This  shows  to  what  a  degree  y®  alienation 

•  of  Affection  of  y^  Colonists  to  their  Mother  Country  may  pro- 

■  ceed,  from  an  opinion  they  have  entertain'd,  that  she  has  chang'd 

■  from  a  tender  parent  to  a  *  ""  *  and  nothing  but  a  repeal 
•of  the  Stamp  Act  &  other  restrictions  will  conciliate  them;  I 
■wish  matters  mayn't  proceed  till  even  that  remedy  will  be  in- 

■  sufficient.  We  are  very  impatient  here  to  learn  what  steps  will 
'  be  taken  on  this  Affair  at  home,  you  are  no  doubt  accjuainted 

w'^  a  remonstrance  or  request  from  y*' Merchants  here  to  their 
'Correspondents  in  G.  Brittain,  craving  their  Assistance  in  this 
■Arduous  Afiair,  &  also  w^^  the  Orders  that  are  gone  to  them 
'from  this  &  from  y^  Colony  of  N.  York,  not  to  send  any  more 
'goods,  unless  the  Act  is  repeal'd.  This  precedent  its  thought  will 
'be  followed  in  all  the  Colonies,  for  nothing  is  more  certain  than 
'y^  Colonies  can  furnish  themselves  w***  every  necesssary  of  life, 
'and  if  they  are  forc'd  into  the  way,  its  probable  they  will  con- 


264  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

"  tinue  in  it.  Ought  not  G.  B.  to  dread  this,  &  to  be  convinced  that 
"  kindness  &  Libert}^  are  y''  only  methods  to  preserve  y "  important 
"Stake.  The  hnnen  Manufactory -of  Sail  Cloth  &c  goes  on  at 
"great  rate,  &  is  said  to  exceed  in  goodness  y®  English.  The 
"  favours  granted  to  y®  Opulent  Luxurious  W.  India  Islands,  in 
"prejudice  to  y®  Industrious  frugal  N.  Americans  you  will  see 
"  well  discussed  in  y^  pamphlet  I  herewith  send,  these  things  lye 
"very  heavy  on  y^  minds  of  people. 

"  Money  is  grown  exceeding  Scarce  among  us,  &  if  y^  Act  takes 
"  place,  we  shall  be  utterly  ruin'd.  Our  Rents  still  continue  the 
"same,  or  very  nearly,  but  I  never  found  y®  Tenants  so  backward 
"in  pay,  they  are  fallen  considerably  in  many  parts  of  y®  Town, 
"&  man}^  houses  are  untenanted,  but  to  humour  them  are 
"obliged  to  condescend  to  every  repair  or  convenience  they  insist 
"on  my  doing.  I  can't  proceed  further  in  y®  plan  of  y^  New 
"  Streets,  without  a  Special  power  to  let  out  y®  Lotts  &  to  agree 
"to  a  privilege  w^"  Cp*  Mcpherson,  have  mention'd  this  in  Sev^ 
"of  my  late  letters,  I  know  that  formerly  in  Security  of  money, 
"tradesmen  us'd  to  build  for  themselves  &  one  another  ■i.  e.  y* 
"Carpenter  for  y^  Bricklay''  and  vice  versa.  I  imagine  it  will 
"be  so  again.  Sev'  have  spoken  to  me  ab'  Lotts,  and  am  in 
"hopes  they  will  let  pretty  well,  but  shall  not  be  forss"^,  unless 
"am  satisfied  w^^  y®  price.  I  have  heard  nothing  furth''  of  I. 
"  Hughes's  pretensions  to  y®  Walnut  Street  Lott,  he  has  been  very 
"  ill,  but  recovered. 

"To  S.  Powel." 

Samuel  Morris  was  appointed  by  the  Assembly,  a  signer  of 
the  "Paper  Bills  of  Credit,"  ordered  to  be  issued  Jan.l,  1756; 
April  22,  1758  (date  of  note,  May  20th)  April  17,  1759  (date  of 
note,  April  25th). 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  one  of  the  receipts  of  the  Treasurer 
of  the  Pennsylvania  Hospital,  acknowledging  a  contribution  thus 
made  to  the  funds  of  the  Hospital : — 

"  This  is  to  certify  that  Samuel  Morris  hath,  by  signing  Paper 
"  Bills  of  Credit,  contributed  the  additional  sum  of  Thirteen  Pounds 
"towards  building  the  Pennsylvania  Hospital. 

"  Witness  my  hand  and  seal  of  the  Corporation  this  twenty 

"second  day  of  Feb^.  1758.  ,,t-t  -r>  m         » 

"^  "Hugh  Roberts,  Treas. 


FOURTH    GENERATION.  265 

In  tlie  same  way,  on  other  occasions,  Samuel  Morris  contrib- 
uted £10  and  £33.7.11  towards  the  same  benevolent  object. 

Samuel  Morris  was  a  zealous  advocate  of  the  Independence  of 
the  American  Colonies,  and  throughout  the  Revolutionary  period, 
he  was  one  of  the  most  conspicuous  characters  in  Philadelphia. 

On  Ma}^  10, 1776,  it  was  recorded  by  the  "  Committee  of  Safety," 
"  That  14  Barrels  of  18  s.  Beer  be  sent  down  to  the  Gondolas,  at 
the  expence  of  this  Board,  and  that  Mr.  Sam'l  Morris  order  the 
same  to  be  put  on  Board  some  Boat  or  Vessel  for  that  purpose." 

The  Committee  of  Safety  was  continued  as  the  Council  of 
Safety,  of  which  Samuel  Morris  was  a  member  July  23,  1776,  to 
March  13, 1777;'''  he  was  re-appointed  Sept.  11, 1777,  and  became 
its  Vice-President  and  Keeper  of  its  Seal.f 

Samuel  Morris  was  also  a  Councillor  of  State,  which  office 
he  resigned  Sept.  13,  1776.  Among  the  four-  new  members  ap- 
pointed, was  his  son,  Samuel  Cadwalader  Morris. 

Samuel  Morris  was  appointed  on  March  13,  1777,  a  Member 
of  the  Board  of  War.t 

On  March  21,  1777,  Samuel  Morris  was  appointed  Register 
of  Wills,  in  Philadelphia  County,  which  office  he  held  until  his 
death  in  1782.§ 

On  Aug.  1,  1777,  it  was  ordered  by  the 'Supreme  Executive 
Council,  "That  Samuel  Morris,  Esq.,  Register  of  Wills  for  the 
"  City  and  Count}^  of  Philadelphia,  be  directed  in  case  of  the 
"  approach  of  the  Enemy,  to  remove  at  the  Public  expense  all  the 
"Records  belonging  to  his  Office  to  a  place  of  Safety." || 

In  the  Minutes  of  the  Supreme  Executive  Council,  under 
date  of  Aug.  31,  1778,  appears  a  pleasing  illustration  of  this 
good  man's  tenderness  of  heart.  T[ 

"  Samuel  Morris  the  Elder  Esq"",  and  eighteen  other  citizens 
"of  reputation,  attended  the  Council,  and  the  said  Samuel 
"  jMorris,  in  the  name  of  the  rest,  addressed  the  Hon'ble  Vice 
"President  &  requested,  that  the  Council  Avould  compassion- 
"ate  the  case  of   the  four  unhappy  Prisoners,  Criminals,  now 


*  Vide  "Venn.  Archives,"  2d  Series,  Vol.  iii.,  p.  685. 

tThe  Seal  of  the  Council  of  Safety  is  composed  of  silver  and  copper  in 
equal  proportions,  and  is  now  in  the  Museum  of  the  Historical  Society  of 
Pennsylvania.  j  Penna.  Archives,  2nd  Series,  Vol.  iii.,  p.  696. 

I  Vide  bolon.  Records,  Vol.  xi.,  p.  186.  ||  Vide  Colon.  Records,  Vol.  xi.,  p.  258. 

^Vide  Colon.  Records,  Vol.  xi.,  p.  564. 


266  GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MORRIS  FAMILY. 

"  under  Sentence  of  Death,  &  spare  the  lives  of  the  said  Crim- 
"  inals,  or  some  of  them,  they  all  appearing  to  be  very  penitent 
"&  sensible  of  their  great  offence,  as  well  as  of  the  justice  of  the 
"sentence  pronounced  against  them. 

"The  Hon'ble  Vice  President  remarked  the  impossibility  of 
"  supporting  an  army,  without  making  example  of  offenders  in 
"this  way,  and  that  whatever  the  feelings  the  members  of  Council 
"  may  have  as  Men,  it  must  be  remembered  that  the  Council  are 
"to  consider  themselves  as  being  bound  by  their  Station,  to 
"perform  some  of  the  Arduous  duties  of  Magistrates.  And 
"  remarked  that  it  would  be  proper  for  the  Gentlemen  who  meant 
"  to  solicit  Mercy  for  the  Prisoners,  to  do  it  in  writing,  in  order 
"that  it  may  appear  at  a  future  day.     They  then  retired." 

On  the  following  day,  Sept.  1,  1778,  the  Supreme  Executive 
Council  met  again,  and  we  find  this  minute,  from  which  it  is 
evident  the  Petition  was  drawn  up:  "The  Petition  of  a  consider- 
"able  number  of  reputable  Citizens  Praying,  in  effect,  that 
"Council  will  remit  the  punishment  of  death  under  which 
"Samuel  Lyons,  Samuel  Ford,  Joseph  Wilson  &  John  Lawrence 
"now  lie,  was  read. 

"Death  Warrant  for  Lyons,  Ford,  Wilson,  &  Lawrence  Deliv- 
"ered  to  Commodore  Hazelwood,  directed  to  Commodore  John 
"Hazelwood,  or  in  his  absence  to  the  Officer  commanding. 

"The  Council  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  Case  of  the 
"  Four  men  under  Sentence  of  Death,  and  for  the  executions  of 
"  whom  Warrants  have  been  issued : 

"  Question — 

"Shall  Ford  be  Spared?     Negative. 
"Shall  Lawrence  be  spared?     Affirmative. 
"Shall  Wilson  be  spared?     Affirmative. 
"Shall  Lyons  be  spared?     Negative, 
"and  thereupon, 

"  Ordered,  That  Joseph  Wilson  &  John  Lawrence,  now  under 
"sentence  of  Death,  &  for  the  execution  of  whom  Warrants  have 
"been  issued,  be  reprieved  for  fifteen  days,"  and  at  the  Meeting 
of  the  Council  on  Sept.  17,  1778,  they  were  further  reprieved. 

From  1779  until  his  death,  Samuel  Morris  was  a  Trustee  of 
the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  and  upon  the  establishment  of 
the  Bank  of  Pennsylvania  in  1780,  he  became  a  subscriber  of 
£3000  towards  its  Capital. 


FOURTH  generatio:n.  267 

Samuel  Morris  was  a  public  spirited  citizen,  and  his  long  life 
was  devoted  to  his  native  city  and  State.  Nothing  but  a  strong 
sense  of  duty,  could  have  induced  this  noble  old  man  to  risk  his 
all,  at  his  advanced  age,  to  work  with  untiring  energy  and  zeal 
for  his  country.  But  his  active  participation  in  the  measures  for 
resistance,  during  the  Revolution,  called  forth  a  letter  of  disown- 
ment  from  the  Meeting  of  the  Society  of  Friends  in  the  Northern 
District  of  Philadelphia,  to  which  he  belonged. 

Samuel  INIorris  was,  however,  afterwards  re-instated  in  the 
Society. 

All  the  six  sons  of  Samuel  and  Hannah  Morris,  (with  the 
exception  of  Benjamin),  were  in  the  Army  of  the  Revolution, 
and  most  of  these  sons  had  families,  but  at  the  present  day,  not 
one  of  their  descendants  bears  the  surname  of  Morris. 

In  the  Minutes  of  the  Supreme  Executive  Council,  for  Nov.  S, 
1779,  we  find  it  was — 

"Resolved  Samuel  Morris  and  Company  be  permitted  to 
"export  a  Quantity  of  Codfish,  taken  by  the  priviteer  General 
"Mercer,  and  brought  into  this  Port."* 

The  following  extracted  from  the  Penna.  Archives,  Vol.  viii., 
p.  228,  refers  to  a  matter  which  concerned  Samuel  Morris  as  Reg- 
ister of  Wills : — 

I  "Sam'l  Morris  Reg.  to  Sec.  Matlack,  1780. 

^  "  Sir — About  half  after  one  o'clock  Mr.  R.  Morris  attended 

■a  at  the  office  with  Mirolle's  will  &  Translation,  I  took  notice  to 

I  him  that  there  were  no  persons  expressly  named  Executors, 

^  for  which  reason  he  said  he  would  have  ye  advice  of  Coun- 

si  sel,  and  said  that  he  thought  it  might  also  be  proper  for 

M  I  me,  and  he  thought  the  fittest  j)erson  to  advise  with  was 

I  ^  the  President ;  you'l  do  me  the  favour,  to  let  the  Presi- 

^  "^  dent  know  how  much  I  shall  think  myself  obliged  to  him 

I  ^  for  his  advice  in  this  matter,  and  I  will  wait  in  expectation 

a  ?  of  it  before  I  proceed  farther  j  ^^^^^  ^^-^  ^^  ^^^^,^  ^^^^ 

Sam'l  Morris  Reg. 
•^  ^  E  Monday  3  o'clock  P.  M. 

"I  have  sent  the  Translation  done  as  Mr.  Morris  says  by  his 
Clark." 

^Vide  "Colon.  Eecords,"  Vol.  xii.,  p.  161. 


268  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

Hannah  (Cadwalader)  Morris  was  an  aristocratic  and  beau- 
tiful woman,  of  marked  determination,  and  strength  of  mind. 
She  had  great  powers  of  loving,  and  it  is  impossible  to  describe 
how  her  sons  revered  and  loved  her.  Even  after  years  of  absence, 
their  letters  were  full  of  expressions  of  affection  for  her — "  this 
best  of  mothers  " — and  the  influence  she  retained  over  them  till 
the  end  of  life,  was  wonderful.  Her  husband  always  called  her 
his  "  Rose  of  Sharon."  Her  miniature  was  painted  for  a  son, 
while  living  in  the  West  Indies,  at  his  request.*  She  was  then 
68  years  of  age  and  was  still  very  beautiful. 

She  and  her  husband  entertained  most  royally  during  the 
yearly  meeting  of  "  Friends,"  making  up  80  beds,  and  a  stock  of 
300  pies  and  puddings  for  their  entertainment. 

Hannah  Morris  survived  her  husband  many  years,  and  died 
at  an  advanced  age  at  the  house  of  her  son-in-law  James  Milligan. 


THE  FAMILY  BIBLE  OF  SAMUEL  MORRIS.* 

This  family  Bible,  which  is  at  least  171  years  old,  consists  of 
three  parts: 

"  The  Book  of  Common  Prayer,  Oxford,  John  Baskett,  Printer 
to  the  University,  MDCCXXI."' 

"The  Holy  Bible,  London,  John  Baskett,  Printer  to  the  King's 
Most  Excellent  Majesty,  1723." 

"A  Sacred  Geography,  contained  in  Six  Maps,  London,  Printed 
for  Richard  Ware,  at  the  Bible  and  Sun,  in  Amen-Corner 
MDCCXXVII." 

Fastened  to  the  inner  side  of  the  Cover,  is  a  slip  of  paper 
with  the  following  writing  of  Anthony  Morris^: 

"My  Child, 

"  Notwithstanding  the  length  of  time  of  thy  settlement, 
and  many  conveniences  about  thee,  and  also  my  frequent  re- 
minding thee  of  thy  want  of  a  Bible,  yet  have  not  observed  a 
supply  thereof.  Therefore  send  this,  with  charges  for  thy  fre- 
quent  reading   and   meditating  the  contents,  and  Prayers  for 


*  Our  portrait  of  Hannah  Cadwalader  Morris  is  copied  from  this  miniature 
by  the  kind  permission  of  Miss  Hannah  Milligan. 


FAMILY    BIBLE    OF   SAMUEL    MORRIS"" 


FOURTH    GENERATIOX.  269 

Divine  Blessing  thereon,  is  the  nature  of  ye  often  remembrance 
of  thy  Father.  "AM 

"Att  home  12th  hour  of  ye 

23rd  of  ye  Imo.  (4^/4),"  probably  1744. 

Samuel  and  Hannah  (Cadwalader)  Morris  had  issue: — 

67.  Anthony  Morris,  b.  in  Phila.  Imo.  7,  1737/8  ;  d.  4mo.  9,  1738. 

68.  John  C.    Morris,    b.    4mo.    15,    1739 ;    d.    March    5,    1785 ;    m.    Mrs. 

Meininger. 

69.  Cadwalader  Morris,  b.  2mo.  19,  1741  ;  d.  Imo.  25,  1795  ;  m.  April  8, 

1779,  Ann  Strettell. 

70.  Anthony  Morris,  b.  5mo.  23,  1742 ;  d.  6mo.  13,  1742. 

71.  Samuel  Cadwalader  Morris,  b.  3mo.  29,  1743  ;  d.  unm.  Feb.,  1820. 

72.  Anthony  Cadwalader  Morris,  b.  Oct.  4,  1745 ;  d.  Sept.  28,  1798 ;  m. 

4mo.  12,  1770,  Mary  Jones. 

73.  Ph(ebe  Morris,  b.  Oct.  12,  17—;  d.  unm.  July  25,  1785,  "buried  in 

Quaker's  Burial  Ground  in  Arch  Street,"  Philada. 

74.  Martha  Morris,  b.  Feb.  12,  1749 ;  d.  Jan.  26,  1815  ;  m.  July  25,  1787, 

James  Milligan. 

75.  Thomas  Morris,  b.  Dec.  6,  1753 ;  d.  Feb.  18,  1829 ;  m.  July  26,  1787, 

Mary  Gadsden. 

76.  Benjamin  Morris,  b.  Sept  3,  1760 ;  d.  1841 ;  m.  June  19,  1788,  Frances 

Strettell. 


ABSTRACT  OF  WILL  OF  SAMUEL  MORRIS.* 

Philadelphia  Will  Book  S,  p.  128. 

Samuel  Morris,  Register  of  the  Probate  of  Wills,  &c.,  in  the 
County  of  Philadelphia.  Will  dated  5th  day  of  May,  1781.  He 
gives  to  beloved  wife  Hannah  Morris  all  his  lands,  tenements, 
goods  and  chattels,  rights  and  credits  whatsover  for  her  natural 
life.  After  her  decease,  all  household  and  kitchen  furniture, 
plate  and  china  he  gives  to  his  two  daughters  Phoebe  Morris  and 
Martha  Morris — to  be  equally  divided  between  them. 

To  sons  John  Morris  and  Anthony  C.  Morris,  to  whom  he  has 
already  advanced  sundry  sums  to  enable  them  to  carry  on  busi- 
ness, he  gives  £500  each,  which  they  are  to  receive  two  years 
after  the  decease  of  wife  Hannah.  If  son  John  should  die  before 
expiration  of  said  two  years,  or  without  law^ful  issue,  the  £500 
bequeathed  to  him  is  to  go  into  the  Residue  of  Estate  and  be 
divided  accordingly.  These  two  sons  were  to  have  no  further 
claim  on  the  estate. 


270  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

After  the  death  of  wife  Hannah,  the  residue  is  to  be  divided 
into  eight  equal  parts,  of  wliicli  two  parts  are  to  be  given  to 
daughter  Phoebe  Morris,  two  to  daughter  Martha  Morris,  one  to 
son  Cadwalader  Morris,  one  to  son  Samuel  C.  Morris,  one  to 
son  Thomas  Morris,  and  one  to  son  Benjamin  Morris.  The 
daughters  are  given  power  to  will  one  of  their  said  eighth 
parts,  during  the  life  of  wife  Hannah.  He  then  says :  "  I  will 
that  my  negro  girl  Rose  when  she  arrives  at  the  age  of  twenty 
eight  years,  shall  be  manumitted,  and  that  till  that  time,  she  shall 
be  under  the  care  and  in  the  service  of  my  said  two  daughters 
viz.  P.  &  M.,  and  that  Csesar  and  Bella  shall  be  good  care  takers 
of  and  kindly  treated  in  my  family."  Executors — Wife  Hannah, 
sole  executor  during  her  life,  after  her  death,  four  sons — Cadwal- 
ader Morris,  Samuel  C.  Morris,  Thomas  Morris  and  Benjamin 
Morris. 

(Signed)  Samuel  Morris,     [l.  s.] 

Witnesses : 

John  Warner, 
L.  Weiss. 

Proved  at  Philadelphia  2d  May,  1782. 
Geo.  Campbell,  Regr. 

"warrant  creating  the  board  of  war. 

"The  Supreme  Executive  Council  of  the  Commonwealth  of 
Pennsylvania:  To  David  Rittenhouse,  Owen  Biddle,  William 
Moore,  Joseph  Dean,  Samuel  Morris,  Senr.,  Samuel  Cadwalader 
Morris,  John  Bayard,  George  Gray,  and  John  Bull,  Esquires, 
send  greeting: 

"  Whereas,  The  civil  department  of  tlie  Commonwealth  re- 
quires Great  attention,  and  will  for  some  time  fully  employ  the 
council  to  discharge  the  duties  thereof.  And  it  is  also  of  Great 
Importance  that  a  due  attention  be  still  paid  to  the  war  which  we 
are  engaged  in.  And  confiding  in  your  Abilities  and  Integrity, 
We  do  appoint  you  a  Board  of  War,  for  the  Land  Service  of  this 
State,  hereby  giving  to  you  or  any  three  of  you  full  power  and 
authority  to  do  and  perform  all  matters  and  things  necessary  in 
said  Department,  Subject  nevertheless  to  the  directions  and 
examinations  of  this  council  from  time  to  time  as  we  may  judge 
expedient,  and  Saving  to  ourselves  always  the  power  of  appoint- 


FOURTH    GENERATION.  271 

ing  officers,  agreeable  to  the  frame  of  Government  of  the  Com- 
monwealth. This  Commission  to  continue  in  force  until  revoked 
by  this  or  a  future  Supreme  Executive  Council. 

"  Dated  Philadelphia,  this  13th  day  of  March  in  the  year  of 
our  Lord  1777. 

"Thomas  Wharton,  Jr.,  Prest. 

"Attest: 

"Ty.  Matlack,  Secry."* 

23.  Mary  Morris^  (Anthony,^  Anthony,-  Anthony,^)  a  dau. 
of  Anthony  and  Phoebe  (Guest)  Morris,  b.  Oct.  13,  1713;  cl.  Oct. 
31,  1759,  "in  the  city  of  New  York,  having  gone  there  for  the 
"benefit  of  her  health,  and  was  buried  next  her  husband  in  the 
"Powell  Family  Burying  place,  in  Friends'  Graveyard  in  Phila- 
"delphia,  the  third  day  of  November;"  m.  9mo.  9th,  1732, 
Samuel  Powell  of  Philadelphia,  Merchant,  son  of  Samuel  Powell 
and  Abigail  Wilcox,  his  wife. 

^  The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  Mar- 

jKCUfy^  lPcTTI^    riage  Certificate^of   Samuel  Powell  and 
^  Mary  Morris: — 

"marriage  certificate  of   SAMUEL    POWELL  AND  MARY  MORRIS. 

"Whereas,  Samuel  Powell  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia  in  the 
Province  of  Pennsylvania,  Merchant,  son  of  Samuel  Powell  of 
the  City  aforesaid,  Carpenter,  and  Mary  Morris  daughter  of 
Anthony  Morris  of  the  City  aforesaid,  Brewer ;  Having  declared 
their  intentions  of  Marriage  with  each  other,  before  several 
monthly  Meetings  of  the  People  of  God  called  Quakers,  at  Phila- 
delphia aforesaid :  according  to  the  good  Order  us'd  amongst 
them,  and  having  Consent  of  Parents,  their  Proposal  of  Marriage 
was  allowd  of  by  the  said  Meetings.  Now  these  are  to  certify 
whom  it  ma}^  concern,  that  for  the  full  accomplishing  their  said 
intentions ;  this  Ninth  day  of  the  Ninth  Month,  in  the  Year  of 
our  Lord  One  thousand  seven  hundred  and  Thirty  two.  The}'  the 
said  Samuel  Powell  and  Maiy  Morris,  appeared  in  a  publick 
Meeting  of  the  said  People  at  Philadelphia  aforesaid ;  and  the 
said  Samuel  Powell  taking  the  said  Mary  Morris  by  the  Hand, 
did  in  solemn  Manner  openly  declare:  that  he  took  her  the  said 

*T7t7t^  Penna.  Archives,  2nd  Series,  Vol.  i.,  p.  7. 


272 


GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MORRIS  FAMILY. 


Mary  Morris  to  be  liis  Wife,  promising  with  the  Lord's  Assist- 
ance, to  be  unto  her  a  Loving  and  Faithful  Husband,  until  Death 
should  separate  them ;  and  then  and  there  in  the  same  Assembly, 
the  same  Mary  Morris  did  likewise  declare :  that  she  took  the 
said  Samuel  Powell  to  be  her  Husband,  in  like  manner  promis- 
ing to  be  unto  him;  a  Loving  and  Faithful  Wife  until  Death 
should  separate  them ;  And  moreover  they  the  said  Samuel 
Powell  and  Mary  Morris  (she  according  to  the  Custom  of  Mar- 
riage assuming  the  Name  of  her  Husband)  as  a  further  confirm- 
ation thereof,  did  then  and  there  to  these  Presents  set  their 
Hands ;  And  we  who  hereunto  subscribed  our  names,  being- 
present  at  the  Solemnization  of  the  said  Marriage  and  Subscrip- 
tion, as  Witnesses  thereunto  set  our  Hands  the  Day  and  Year 
above  written. 


"  Isabella  Gordon 

"  Margaret  Preston 

"  Sarah  Knowles 

"  Esther  Clare 

"  Ann  Steel 

"  Ru^  Thompson 

"  Hen  Charles 

"  Harriot  Gordon 

"  Mary  Plumsted 

"  PhiP  Gordon 

"  Marg*  Hamilton 

"  Sus''  Owen 

"  Agnes  Walbank 

"  E.  Gordon 

"  Geo  Spotfords 

"  Obad :  Eldridge 

"  Geo  Dickinson 

"  Joshua  Emlen 

"  Edward  Hopkins 

"  Sam^'  Rhoads 

"  Sarah  Bourne 

"  Rebekah  Dickinson 

"Sarah  Bryant 

"  Rebecca  Kearney  jun' 

"Mary  Kinsey 

"  Eliz*  Morris 

"  Thomasin  Mickle 

"  Sarah  Paschall 

"Eliz:  Hard 

"  Deborah  Morris 


Benjamin  Morris 
Sam'  Powell  jun' 
Mary  Powell 
Sam'  Powell 
Auth°  Morris 
Phebe  Morris 
W.  Morris 
A  Morris  jun' 
Sarah  Morris 
James  Morris 
Joseph  Morris 
Hannah  Morris 
Elizabeth  Morris  Jun' 
Sam'  Morris 
Eliz:  Morris 
Sarah  Morris 
Tho  Penn 
P.  Gordon 
Tho^  Freame 
Rob'  Charles 
John  Salkeld 
W"  Laurence 
Sam :  Preston 
Israel  Pemberton 
Rees  Thomas 
Frances  Knowles 
Jon""  Cockshaw 
Alex  Graydon 
Edw:  Phippes 
Matthew  Phillips 


Clem  Plumsted 
An'^  Hamilton  Jun'' 
Thomas  Flixney 
Hugh  Cadry 
Jacob  Howell 
Isr'  Pemberton  Jun"" 
Edmund  Kearny 
John  Bringhurst 
Tho'  Annis 
W.  Plumsted 
Edw^  Lloyd 
Abigail  Arthur 
Mary  Lisle 
Hannah  Allen 
Elizabeth  Norwood 
Susa"  Anderson 
Sarah  Tomas 
Sus"  Painter 
Margret  Clymer 
Mary  Langdale 
Sarah  Cox 
Deborah  Cordry  Jun"" 
Mary  Calvert 
Barbara  Scarbrough 
Mary  Lisle  Jun' 
Mary  Edwards 
Eliz""  Calvart 
Deborah  Cordry  Sen"" 
Ehz^' Smith" 


FOURTH    GENERATION.  273 

Samuel  Powel,  son  of  Samuel  and  Abigail  Powel  and  hus- 
band of  Mary  Morris,  was  a  merchant  of  Philadelphia,  b.  12th 
mo.  2Cth,  1704/5.  He  was  the  grantor  of  the  site  for  the  Friends' 
Meeting  House  on  Pine  Street,  Philadelphia.  He  adopted  one 
"1"  in  his  name,  either  for  distinction  from  others  of  the  name, 
or  as  a  reversion  to  the  spelling  of  former  generations. 

Samuel  Powel  became  a  member  of  Common  Council  of 
Philadelphia,  Oct.  6,  1730,*  and  on  Oct.  4,  1743,  he  was  elected 
Alderman  of  the  city.f     He  d.  Oct.  1,  1759. 

Samuel  and  Mary  (Morris)  Powel  had  issue : — 

77.  Abigail  Powel,  b.  oiuo.  21,  1735;  d.  ^'ov.  16,  1797;  in.  April  16,  1752, 

William  Griffitts. 

78.  Samuel  Powel,  8mo.   28,    1738;   d.  Sept.  29,  1793;  m.  Aug.  7,  1769, 

Elizabeth  Willing. 

79.  Sarah  Powel,  b.  7mo.  22,  1747;  d.  Jan.  7,    1773;  m.  Jan.  20,  1768, 

Joseph  Potts  (as  his  second  wife). 


ABSTRACT  OF  WILL  OF  MARY  POWEL. 

Will  Book  L,  p.  347,  Philadelphia. 

Mary  Powel  of  City  of  Philadelphia  and  relict  of  Samuel 
Powel  of  said  City,  Merchant.  Will  dated  28^^^  Oct.,  1759.  To 
son  Samuel  Powel  gives  £400;  to  two  grandchildren,  James 
Griffitts  and  Hester  Griffitts,  £200  each,  to  be  invested  until  they 
reach  21  years  of  age;  to  dau.  Sarah  Powel,  her  house  and 
ground  thereunto  belonging,  or  in  case  of  her  decease  before 
attaining  21  years  of  age,  to  dau.  Abigail  Griffitts;  to  grand- 
son Samuel  Griffitts  £150,  to  be  invested  until  he  reaches  21  years 
of  age,  also  £50. 

To  dau.  Abigail  Griffitts  £100,  with  the  stipulation  that  said 
Abigail  pay  £6  yearly  to  Catherine  Gregory;  to  Catherine 
Gregory  £20  to  be  paid  in  five  annual  payments.  To  Deborah 
Morris,  in  trust  for  cousin  Mary  Hill  £20;  to  Rebecca  Harding 
£5  ;  to  Rosanna  Smallman,  school-mistress,  £6 ;  to  sister  Deborah 
Morris  £75,  to  be  disposed  of  by  her  to  such  persons  as  she  may 


*Vide  Penna.  Archives,  2nd  Series,  Vol.  ix.,  p.  732. 
■fVide  Penna.  Archives,  2nd  Series,  Vol.  ix.,  p.  735. 


274  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

deem  proper;  to  Samuel  Robbins  £5;  to  John  Frederick  Gross 
£0 ;  to  Elizabeth  Young,  the  elder,  £3 ;  to  her  girl  Mary  Griffitts 
£20  at  age  of  25 ;  but  in  case  of  her  dying  before  attaining  that 
age,  the  £20  is  to  go  to  dau.  Abigail  Griffitts. 

Household  goods  and  linen  to  be  equally  divided  among  her 
three  children,  but  her  set  of  plate  for  Teatable  with  her  Coffee 
pot  shall  be  her  dau.  Sarah  Powel's.  The  remainder  of  plate  to 
be  equally  divided  between  son  Samuel  Powel  and  dau.  Abigail 
Griffitts.  To  cousin  Samuel  Ehoads  she  gives  £50.  Residue  of 
Estate  to  son  Samuel  Powel.  Cancels  debt  of  £20  of  John 
Rhoads.  Executors,  son  Samuel  Powel  and  brother  Samuel 
Morris. 

(Signed)  Mary  Powel.     [l.  s.] 

Witnesses : 

Walter  Franklin, 
John  Franklin. 

Will  proved  Philadelphia,  3rd  Nov.,  1759,  Wm.  Plumsted, 
Reg.  Gen. 

24.  Joseph  Morris*  (Anthony,^  Anthony,^,  Anthony^),  a  son 
of  Anthony  and  Phoebe  (Guest)  Morris,  was  b.  1st  mo.  10th,  1714/5; 
d.  7th  mo.  1st,  1785 ;  m.  (1st)  12th  mo.  18th,  1741,  Martha  Fitz- 
water,  dau.  of  George  Fitzwater  of  Philadelphia,  Merchant;  m. 
(2ndly)  11th  mo.  7th,  1705,  at  Philadelphia  Monthly  Meeting, 
Hannah  Mickle,  dau.  of  Samuel  Mickle  of  Philadelphia. 

During  the  year  following  the  marriage  of  Joseph  Morris  to 
Martha  Fitzwater,  the  notable  Election  Riot  of  1742  disturbed  the 
peace  of  the  "City  of  Brotherly  Love,"  and  he  was  interested, 
with  other  members  of  his  large  family,  in  seeing  fair  play  for 
the  candidates,  one  of  whom  was  his  brother  James  Morris,  who 
sought  re-election  as  a  Representative  to  the  Assembly.  Joseph 
Morris  was  a  witness  of  the  riotous  conduct  of  the  mob,  and  he, 
as  well  as  his  brothers  Anthony  and  James,  was  summoned  before 
the  Assembly,  to  give  evidence  at  its  investigation  of  the  affair. 
His  deposition  is  recorded  as  follows : — * 

"Joseph  Morris,  of  the  Cit}^  of  Philadelphia,  being  one  of 
"the  People  called  Qaakers,  and  solemnly  examined  saith.  That 

*Vide  Votes  of  Assembly,  Vol.  iii.,  p.  577. 


JOSEPH    MORRIS 


No.  24 


FOURTH    GENERATION.  275 

"on  the  First  of  this  instant,  October,  between  eight  and  nine  in 
"the  morning,  being  in  his  own  House,  he  heard  a  noise  in 
"  Front  Street,  and  looking  out,  saw  People  walking  fast  up  the 
"street,  and  Joseph  Turner  running  over  into  the  crowd,  and 
"taking  hold  of  Israel  Pemberton,  shake  him  violently,  That  the 
"  Examinate  heard  the  said  Turner  call  the  said  Pemberton  an 
"  Old  Fool  and  in  a  Rage  say,  If  you  want  mobbing  you  shall  have 
"  mobbing  enough  {you  would  not  accept  of  our  Proposals  last  night) 
"come  up  to  the  Court-house  and  we'll  see  it  out.  That  he  afterwards 
"  saw  the  Sailors  coming  up  Market  S*,  to  the  number  of  sixty  or 
"seventy,  all  strangers  as  he  judges,  armed  with  clubs  and 
"huzzaing:  That  observing  Capt.  Spence  amongst  them,  and  to 
"smile,  he  asked  him  what  those  Fellows  meant  to  do?  To 
"  which  the  said  Spence  reply'd.  Go  and  ask  them  :  That  after  the 
"first  assault,  the  Sailors  came  and  knocked  down  People  off  the 
"Stairs  in  a  barbarous  manner,  flinging  great  stones:  That  this 
"  Examinate  called  to  Joseph  Sims,  and  asked  him  if  it  was  not  a 
"shame?  Who  reply'd  It  is  your  Fault  etc.:  That  he  saw  loseph 
"  Turner  and  William  Allen,  and  went  and  stood  near  them,  believ- 
"ing  he  should  there  be  safe:  That  he  did  not  see  them  do 
"  anything  as  Magistrates  to  suppress  the  Rioters.  That  he  heard 
"some  person  ask  William  Allen  if  it  was  not  a  Shame,  such 
"mischief  should  be  suffered?  To  which  Joseph  Turner  reply'd 
"  Why  do  you  ccdl  upon  William  Allen  f  Do  you  think  he  will 
"  venture  his  life  ?  and  William  Allen  added,  No,  I  have  been  abused, 
"  and  will  venture  my  Life  for  none  of  you:  That  this  Examinate 
"  spoke  to  Capt.  Redmond,  and  desired  him  to  take  those  Fellows 
"off;  who  reply'd  Damn  it,  what  have  I  to  do  with  it?" 

"Joseph  Morris." 

In  that  same  year,  (on  Oct.  5, 1742),  Joseph  Morris  was  elected 
a  Member  of  the  Common  Council  of  Philadelphia.* 

Joseph  Morris  was  appointed  a  signer  of  the  "  Paper  Bills  of 
Credit"  ordered  by  the  Assembly  to  be  issued  on  the  following 
dates:  June  28,  1755  (date  of  note  Oct.  1);  Sept.  21,  1756  (date  of 
note  Oct.  1);  March  10, 1757;  June  17, 1757  (date  of  note  July  1); 


*F/(/c  Penna.  Archives,  2nd  Series,  Vol.  ix.,  p.  732.     Minutes  of  Common 
Council. 


276  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

April  22, 1758  (date  of  note  May  20) ;  April  17, 1759  (date  of  note 
April  25) ;  March  9,  1771  (date  of  note  March  20). 

Joseph  Morris  was  actively  interested  in   the  Pennsylvania 
Hospital,  from  its  founda- 
tion in  1751.     He  was  in  ^ 

that  year  elected  a  mem-    /^  1    >V^c/' '  .  y J/I J /f-'A-^L^  ^^ 
ber  of  its  first  Board  of    V^  yy^'^'^^^ 

Managers,  but  resigned  in       ' 

1757.      He  was  re-elected  in  1769,  and  resigned  May  21,  1781. 
In  1751  he  contributed  ^198.05  to  the  funds  of  the  hospital. 

On  2nd  mo.  23rd,  1758,  Joseph  Morris  was  elected  an  "  Over- 
seer" of  the  Public  School  of  Philadelphia,  to  succeed  Anthony 
Morris,*  his  brother,  who  had  resigned. 

In  a  list  of  names  of  Philadelphians,  dated  1767,  (now  in  the 
Philadelphia  Library),  the  address  of  Joseph  Morris  and  his  son 
George  Anthony  Morris,  is  giveii  as  "  Front,  a  little  below  the 
London  Coffee  House." 

By  his  will,  signed  8th  mo.  28th,  1784,  Joseph  Morris  leaves  to 
his  second  wife,  Hannah,  all  his  household  furniture  and  plate 
which  she  brought  at  their  marriage,  and  also  his  gold  watch. 
His  estate  is  to  be  divided  between  his  children  James,  Phoebe 
and  Martha,  all  three  of  whom  are  named  as  Executors.  It  is 
incidentally  mentioned,  that  his  second  wife's  fortune  (settled 
upon  herself),  is  estimated  at  about  £9,000.  Will  probated  19th 
July,  1785.* 

Joseph  Morris  by  first  wife  had  issue : — 

80.  Geokge  Anthony  Morris,  b.  ;  d.  Oct.  5,  1773. 

81.  Phcebe  Morris,  b.  • ;  (living  1785). 

82.  Martha  Morris,  b.  1751 ;  d.  Imo.  9,  1792 ;  m.  Oct.  15,  1772,  George 

Mifflin. 

83.  James  Morris,  b.  1753 ;  d.  7mo.  10,  1795 ;  m.  lOmo.  1,  1772,  Elizabeth 

Dawes. 


Joseph  Morris  by  second  wife  had  issue : — 


84.  Elizabeth  Morris,  b.- 

85.  Joseph  Morris,  b. 


Fide  Will  Book  T,  p.  167 


FOURTH    GENERATION.  277 

25.  Elizabeth  Morris*  (Anthony,^  Anthony,^  Anthony^),  dau. 
of  Anthony  and  Phoebe  (Guest)  Morris,  b.  Oct.  21,  1716;  living 
3rd  mo.  16th,  1793— date  of  Deb.  Morris'  will;  m.  7th  mo.  6th, 
1739,  Benjamin  Shoemaker,  Merchant,  of  Philadelphia  (as  his 
second  wife). 

Benjamin  Shoemaker  was  b.  at  German  town,  August  3 
1704.  He  was  a  son  of  Isaac  Shoemaker,  the  head  of  the  family; 
b.  in  Cresheim,  Germany,  and  married  in  Penna.  to  Sarah  Hen- 
dricks, who  was  b.  in  the  same  town  2nd  of  10th  mo.,  1678 ;  she  d. 
a  widow  15th  June,  1742,  her  husband  having  d.  12th  Feb.,  1732. 
Benjamin  Shoemaker  foresook  the  little  settlement  of  German- 
town,  and  of  a  people  which  in  Colonial  times  kept  aloof  from 
public  affairs,  and  w^ent  into  the  City  to  become  a  Merchant,  ad- 
vertising, March  1729,  "  For  Sale  in  High  Street  opposite  the 
"  Presbyterian  Meeting  House,  good  Linseed  Oyl  by  the  barrel  or 
"smaller  quantity."  He  was  admitted  a  freeman  of  the  City,  on 
the  day  of  his  qualifying  as  a  Common  Councilman,  October  14, 
1732,  and  ten  years  later,  became  an  Alderman,  and  in  1743, 
Mayor.  At  the  end  of  his  Mayoralty,  Philadelphia  contained, 
according  to  an  address  to  the  King,  at  least  1500  houses,  and 
13,000  inhabitants  and  above  300  vessels  belonging  to  his 
Majesty's  dominions,  in  the  course  of  a  year  arrived  at  its  wharves. 
From  1751  until  his  death,  Benj.  Shoemaker  was  Treasurer  of  the 
City,  having  succeeded  Hasell  the  Councillor.  He  was  ]\Iayor  a 
second  and  a  third  time  in  1752  and  1760,  the  last  term  receiving 
a  salary  of  £100.  Prior  to  this,  excepting  for  a  short  period,  there 
had  been  no  remuneration  for  the  Mayor,  whereas  he  w^as  expected 
to  spend  about  £100  in  a  grand  dinner  on  leaving  office.  To 
the  Treasurer  was  paid  5%  of  the  receipts  and  disbursements, 
amounting,  however,  wdth  the  small  Treasury,  to  scarcely  £40  a 
year.  Benj.  Shoemaker  was  invited  to  a  seat  in  the  Provincial 
Council  at  the  same  time  as  James  Hamilton.  Shoemaker 
was  appointed  as  a  "Friend,"  and  remained  such  throughout 
his  life.  It  was  a  principle  with  the  Governors  who  preceded 
John  Penn,  to  keep  a  fair  number  of  Quakers,  if  not  as  many 
as  there  were  Churchmen  at  the  Board,  although  those  appointed, 
were  scarcely  representative  men  of  the  sect,  but  such  as  were 
friendly  to  the  Proprietary,  and  were  not  likely  to  obstruct  mili- 
tary  measures.     Benjamin   Shoemaker   considered   nearly   two 


278  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MOERIS    FAMILY. 

months,  whether  or  not  to  accept  a  seat,  and  at  last  quaUfied 
Feb.  4,  1745/6.  He  was  an  active  member  until  after  the  French 
War.  He  attended  the  meetings  very  seldom  during  the  contest 
of  John  Penn  and  the  Assembly,  and  when  present  gave  no 
opinion  upon  the  subject.  Penn  complained  that  he  showed  no 
disapprobation  of  the  effort  to  change  the  form  of  government 
from  Proprietary  to  Royal,  and  he  had  the  independence  to 
refuse  to  put  his  name  to  a  letter  comdemnatory  of  the  Assembly, 
to  be  sent  to  the  Proprietary  family.  For  this  reason,  instead  of 
his  want  of  legal  training  (for  laymen  were  generally  appointed), 
John  Penn  in  1764  declined  making  him  a  Judge  of  the  Supreme 
Court.  At  the  election  of  that  year.  Shoemaker  voted  the  anti- 
Proprietary  ticket  for  members  of  the  Assembly.  Benjamin 
Shoemaker  d.  June  26,  1767,  and  was  bu.  in  Friends'  Ground. 
He  m.  (1st)  June  18,  1724,  Sarah  Coates,  b.  1705;  d.  June  8, 
1738,  dau.  of  Thomas  Coates  of  Philadelphia,  who  was  b.  at 
Sproxton  in  Leicestershire,  England,  9th  mo.  26th,  1659,  was 
son  of  Henr}^  and  Elizabeth  Coates,  and  m.  7th  mo.  25th,  1696, 
Beulah,  dau.  of  Thomas  and  Beulah  Jacques  of  England,  and 
emigrated  to  Philadelphia  in  1684  and  d.  7th  mo.  22,  1719. 
Samuel  Coates,  brother  of  Mrs.  Shoemaker,  m.  Mary  Langdale. 
Benjamin  Shoemaker  m.  (2dly)  at  Friends'  Meeting,  Philadel- 
phia, 7th  mo.  6th,  1739,  Elizabeth  Morris,  dau.  of  Anthony  and 
Phoebe  Morris  of  Philadelphia.  She  survived  him.  Most  of  the 
foregoing  particulars  have  been  gathered  from  Keith's  "  Provin- 
cial Councillors." 

The  following  Obituary  Notice  appeared  in  tlie  "  Pennsylvania 
Gazette,"  July  2,  1767  :— 

"On  Thursday  last  died  of  a  lingering  illness  Benjamin 
Shoemaker,  Esq.,  whose  social  and  domestic  virtues  endeared 
him  to  his  Family,  his  Relatives,  and  his  Friends.  He  was  a 
Member  of  the  Governor's  Council,  one  of  the  Eldest  Aldermen, 
and  has  been  frequently  Mayor  of  the  City ;  in  which  Station  he 
acted  with  a  becoming  Dignity,  with  Judgment,  Firmness,  and 
Integrity.  During  our  Party  Contentions,  his  Opinion  was  his 
own.  He  was  a  good  citizen,  a  worthy  and  useful  Member  of 
Society,  and  his  Death  is  justly  lamented  by  the  Public." 


FOURTH    GENERATION.  279 

Benjamin  Shoemaker  by  second  wife  Elizabeth  Morris  had 
issue : — 

86.  Anthony  Shoemaker,  b.  ;  d. ;  m.  Penelope  Rodman. 

87.  Charles  Shoemaker,  b.  ;  bu.  in  Friends'  Ground ;  9mo.  29,  1752. 

88.  Joseph  Shoemaker,  b.  ;  d.  . 

89.  "William  Shoemaker,  b.  ;  m.  llmo.  21,  1771,  Martha  Brown,  dan. 

of  Alexander  Brown  of  Buckingham  Township,  Bucks  County. 

90.  Charles  Shoemaker,  b.  ;  m.  Margaret  Minnick. 

91.  James  Shoemaker,  b. ;  died  about  1831. 

92.  Mary  Shoemaker,  b.  ;  d.  1810;  m.   {1st)  J.  Scull;  (2nd)  David 

Levan. 

93.  Phojbe  Shoemaker,  b.  ;  d.  unm.,  8mo.  27,  1788. 

94.  Elizabeth  Shoemaker,  b.  ;  d.  ;  m.  12mo.  30,  1772,  Benjamin 

Lightfoot. 


THE  SHOEMAKER  FAMILY. 

Towards  the  close  of  the  Seventeenth  Century,  several  mem- 
bers of  the  Schumacher  family  emigrated  to  America  from  Cres- 
heim,  a  village  in  the  Palatinate,  on  the  right  bank  of  the  Rhine, 
not  far  from  Worms.  The  name  of  the  emigrants  has  been  by 
degrees  Anglicized  to  Shoemaker,  and  the  village  they  came 
from,  is  now  known  as  Kriegsheim. 

As  early  as  1(357,  ministers  of  the  Society  of  Friends  visited 
Cresheim,  and  made  converts  to  their  faith,  but  they  soon  became 
the  objects  of  persecutions,  so  that  when  William  Penn  preached 
there  in  1677,  he  found  a  little  band  of  sorely  tried  "  Friends," 
prominent  amongst  whom,  were  George  and  Peter  Schumacher. 

When  William  Penn  was  founding  the  colony  which  bears 
his  name,  he  invited  these  Germans  to  join  him  in  the  new 
country,  where  they  could  enjoy  religious  freedom.  His  invita- 
tion was  gladly  accepted,  and  it  led  to  the  formation  of  the  "  Frank- 
fort Company,"  which  secured  5350  acres  of  land,  about  six 
miles  north  of  Philadelphia.  Francis  Daniel  Pastorius  was  the 
leader  of  the  first  party,  which  came  over  in  1683.  Among  the 
number,  was  Jacob  Schumacher  (then  single),  who  was  in  all 
probability  a  brother  of  Peter  Schumacher,  who,  with  three  of 
his  five  children,  came  over  in  1685,  and  of  George  who,  with  his 
wife  and  seven  children,  sailed  in  1686.  George  died  on  the 
voyage ;  the  widow  and  seven  children  arrived  safely.  The 
fourth  of  these  children  was  Isaac,  then  seventeen  years  old. 
He  became  a  tanner,  and  resided  in  Germantown. 


280  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

He  married  Sarah  Hendricks'  (born  at  Cresheim  in  the 
Palatinate  10th  mo.  2nd,  1678;  died  in  Pennsylvania  June  15, 
1742),  daughter  of  Gerhard  Hendricks,  who  emigrated  to 
America  in  1685,  and  was  owner  of  200  acres  of  the  German 
township. 

Isaac  and  Sarah  Shoemaker  were  the  parents  of  Benjamin 
Shoemaker,  the  Councillor  (born  at  Germantown,  Aug.  3,  1704; 
died  about  June  25,  1757),  already  referred  to. 

It  is,  doubtless,  to  the  exodus  of  the  Schumachers  and  others, 
that  the  Quaker  Poet  refers  in  his  lines  on  Germantown : — 

"  That  brother  band 
"  The  sorrowing  exiles  from  their  Fatherland, 
"  Leaving  their  homes  in  Kresheim's  bowers  of  vine, 
"  And  the  blue  beauty  of  their  glorious  Rhine, 
"  To  seek  amidst  our  solemn  depths  of  wood, 
"  Freedom  for  man,  and  holy  peace  with  God, 
"  Who  first  of  all  their  testimonial  gave 
"  Against  the  oppressor,  for  the  outcast  slave." 

"Whiitier." 

29.  Deborah    Morris^   (Anthony,^    Anthony,^   Anthony^),    a 
dau.  of  Anthony  and  Phoebe  (Guest)  Morris,  was  b.  11th  mo.  13th, 
1723/4;   d.  unm.  March  31,  1793,  bu.  April  3,  1793.     Deborah 
Morris  was  distinguished  for  her  piety,  individuality,  and  firm- 
ness of  character.     She  was  ^  ^ 
always  a  woman  of  note  in    C~~Z^       ^y^r-/:>1^ ^ 
the  family,  being  invariably   ^^^/)  ^yU~^^CC^T7^ 
called    upon    for    her    good 

judgment,  in  all  important  transactions.  She  was  also  esteemed 
the  antiquarian  of  the  family,  and  was  remarkable  for  her 
eccentricities. 

In  the  3rd  mo.,  1772,  Deborah  Morris  embarked  with  her 
Aunt  Sarah  Morris  for  London,  having  received  a  certificate 
dated  2nd  mo.  6th,  1772,  from  the  Philadelphia  meeting,  "liber- 
ating Deborah  Morris,  as  companion  to  her  Aunt  Sarah  Morris, 
for  religious  service  abroad." 

It  has  upon  it  the  signatures  of  69  women,  and  60  men.  Friends. 

In  our  biographical  account  of  Sarah  Morris,  reference  has 
already  been  made,  to  the  diary  which  her  niece,  Deborah  Morris, 
kept  during  their  voyage  and  travels  in  England.'"^    The  following 

*Vide  "  The  Friend,"  Vol.  xxxvi.,  p.  75,  etc. 


FOURTH    GENERATION.  281 

are  a  few  extracts  from  the  Diar}":  "1772,  Third  mouth,  3rd, 
"and  the  3rd  of  the  week,  we  parted  with  our  kind  friends  at 
"Chester,  after  a  solemn  sitting,  wherein  our  friend  Joseph  Oxley, 
"took  his  leave  with  much  love  and  tenderness,  and  my  dear 
"Aunt  was  engaged  in  solemn  prayer."  Sarah  Morris,  notwith- 
standing the  evidence  of  Divine  favor  attending  the  parting, 
became  very  much  cast  down  and  discouraged,  in  a  sense  of 
her  own  weakness,  during  the  passage  down  the  bay,  with  its 
difficulties  and  dangers,  added  to  which  was  her  own  severe  sea- 
sickness, so  that  she  felt  as  if  she  would  like  to  return  to  her  home 
friends  with  the  pilot.  Her  sickness,  however,  was  too  great  to 
admit  of  such  a  movement,  had  her  mind  been  prepared  for  it,  and 
on  the  sixth,  they  ran  out  to  sea,  soon  after  which  her  sickness  left 
her.     Her  kind  niece  was  very  sick  during  most  of  the  passage. 

On  the  10th  of  the  4th  mo.,  being  near  Dover,  the  captain, 
who  had  been  very  kind  to  them,  advised  them,  as  the  morning 
Avas  fine  and  calm,  to  land;  this  they  did,  and  taking  coach  for 
London,  went  that  night  to  Rochester  Lodge,  26  miles.  Deborah 
Morris  says,  "Felt  Divine  goodness  near,  and  slept  till  day."  The 
next  day  they  reached  London.  As  they  were  passing  by  the 
house  of  Thomas  Wagstaff,  he  saw  them,  stopped  the  coach  in 
which  they  were,  and  persuaded  them  to  alight  and  dine  with 
him.  Deborah  says,  "his  wife  was  a  motherly  woman.  They 
"constrained  us  to  spend  the  afternoon,  and  then  our  good  friend 
"John  Elliott  got  a  coach  and  took  us  to  the  house  of  our  friend 
"Thomas  Corbyn,  who  with  his  wife  were  like  parents,  and  his 
"  son  and  two  daughters  were  very  kind.  Here  we  took  up  our 
"abode,  and  were  well  entertained  with  all  things  needful." 

On  the  First  day,  the  13th  of  the  month,  they  attended  Peel 
Meeting,  which  Deborah  found  much  smaller  than  she  expected, 
yet  she  says  "  the  Lord  owned  us  by  his  love,  and  broke  the  bread 
"and  handed  it  to  his  servant,  my  dear  Aunt,  who  handed  it  to 
"us.  In  supplication  also  she  was  favored."  On  the  14th  they 
attended  the  Two-weeks  meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders,  and  the 
meeting  accepted  their  certificates.  In  the  afternoon  was  held  a 
Monthly  Meeting  in  the  same  house,  at  which  time  "six  couples 
"passed  in  order  for  marriage."  Sarah  Morris  was  "much 
favored"  in  supplication.  They  spent  the  evening  of  that  day 
with  John  and  ]\Iary  Elliott,  she  being  the  dau.  of  Mary  Weston, 
who  paid  a  religious  visit  to  America. 


282  GENEALOGY  OP  THE  MORRIS  FAMILY. 

Deborah  continues  "On  the  15th,  the  third  of  the  week,  went 
"  to  Devonshire  house  week-day  meeting.  It  was  small,  yet  Aunt's 
"service  therein  was  acceptable.  We  dined  at  Richard  Grafton's 
"  with  Joseph  Oxley.  After  dinner,  a  solemn  silence  was  unex- 
"pectedly  fallen  into,  and  Aunt  was  led  particularly  in  season- 
"able  exhortation  to  the' wife,  who  appears  sometimes  in  meeting, 
"which  we  then  knew  not,  and  to  two  daughters,  the  eldest  a 
"solid  young  woman.  Her  mother  and  two  brothers  were  also 
"  present,  and  were  much  affected.  We  drank  tea  at  Joseph 
"Roe's.  The  conversation  was  solid,  and  an  humble  supplication 
"from  aunt  concluded  this  agreeable  day.  There  were  present, 
"Joseph  Roe,  his  wife,  two  sisters,  very  plain  Friends,  and  friend 
"Grafton  and  her  eldest  daughter.  On  the  16th,  we  went  to  the 
"week-day  meeting  at  Grace  Ghurch  street,  where  Margaret  Bell 
"and  our  kind  landlady  were  much  favored,  and  aunt  clinched 
"the  nail.  We  went  home  with  our  good  friend  Thomas  Wag- 
"  staff  and  wife  to  dine.  The  Young  folks  Quarterly  Meeting 
"being  held  in  the  afternoon  at  3  o'clock,  we  attended  it,  when 
"Isaac  Sharpless  and  others  were  favored,  but  dear  Aunt  Extra- 
"  ordinarily  so. 

"On  the  fifth-day  the  17th,  we  went  to  a  meeting  at  Devon- 
"  shire  house,  where  was  a  marriage  of  one  of  the  couples  that 
"passed  the  Second-day  before.  They  were  the  gayest  young 
"couple  I  ever  saw  among  Friends.  Although  it  was  a  rainy 
"day,  it  was  a  very  full  meeting,  and  many  of  other  Societies 
"were  there.  Aunt  was  the  first  that  spoke,  beginning  with  the 
"cry  of  the  prophet,  'All  fiesh  is  grass,'  and  was  carried  on  to 
"admiration.  She  is  generally  most  favored  in  the  largest  assem- 
"blies,  and  so  it  was  there.  She  was  followed  by  Isaac  Sharpless, 
"Sarah  Gorbyn  and  Margaret  Bell,  all  in  one  line,  and  Isaac 
"Sharpless  concluded  the  meeting  in  prayer.  The  people,  though 
"the  meeting  held  long,  were  very  quiet  and  attentive.  We 
"dined  with  Joseph  Roe,  whose  wife  went  with  us  to  Daniel  Mil- 
"  dred.  Daniel  came  in  his  coach  to  take  us  to  drink  tea  with 
"  his  wife,  who  is  a  gay  Friend.  He  and  his  son  are  plain,  and 
"  have  goodly  countenances.  He  took  us  to  Horsleydown  evening 
"Meeting,  which  was  small  and  heavy,  although  several  short 
"testimonies  were  borne.  That  of  Aunt  was  in  very  few  words. 
"On  the  Sixth-day,  we  were  at  Grace  Ghurch  street  week-day 
"  meeting ;  it  was  larger  than  when  we  were  at  it  before.     There 


FOURTH    GENEKATIOX.  283 

"were  some  short  but  living  testimonies,  and  it  was  concluded  in 
"prayer  by  aunt.  On  the  First-day  the  20th,  Ave  were  at  the  same 
"  meeting  house  in  the  morning,  which  was  very  full  and  very 
"gay.  A  few  words  were  dropped  by  a  Friend,  after  which  a  man 
"spoke  awhile  among  the  people,  who  was  desired  to  sit  down. 
"Aunt  had  the  chief  service,  being  'largely  carried  out  on 
"doctrinal  points.  We  dined  at  Timothy  Sevan's.  His  wife  took 
"  us  to  Horsleydown  meeting,  which  was  full  and  better  than  be- 
"fore.     Aunt  bore  testimony  therein  for  the  Lord. 

"Twenty -first.  We  dined  with  my  dear  old  friend,  Ann  Fotli- 
"ergill  and  the  Doctor,  our  good  landlord,  his  wife  and  children 
"accompanying  us.  On  the  22d,  we  were  at  Peel  week-day  meet- 
"ing.  For  a  time  it  was  very  dull  and  heavy,  although  there 
"was  not  a  small  number  present,  and  those  mostly  plain.  At 
"length  Sarah  Corbyn  and  Margaret  Bell  spoke  a  few  words  in 
"love  and  life,  which  seemed  to  open  the  way  for  my  aunt,  who 
"lifted  up  her  voice  like  a  trumpet,  to  the  rousing  of  us  all. 
"Dined  at  home,  with  our  kind  captain  and  the  wife  of  John 
"Gri^th  and  niece. 

"Fourth  month  "iord,  1772.  At  the  meeting  at  Grace  Church 
"street,  Wallis  and  Sarah  Corbyn  appeared  in  testimony,  and 
"aunt  concluded  it  in  supplication.  The  meeting  was  larger 
"than  usual.  We  dined  at  the  house  of  Robert  Bell,  husband  of 
"Margaret,  after  which  our  kind  friend  Joseph  Roe,  went  with  us 
"to  the  stage  coach,  into  which,  with  Frances  Griffith  and  her 
"  niece,  we  mounted  by  15  minutes  after  two  o'clock.  By  half  after 
"seven  o'clock  we  reached  her  house  at  Chelmsford,  29  miles. 
"  On  the  24th,  Fifth  day,  we  attended  their  week  day  meeting. 
"  The  town  was  pretty,  and  more  Friends  at  meeting  than  I  ex- 
"  pected,  but  it  was  a  dull  time,  and  close  work  for  Aunt.  Through 
"this  town,  our  worthy  Friend  James  Parnell,  was  led  in  chains 
"to  receive  his  trial.  As  he  passed  along,  he  preached,  to  the 
"convincing  of  Elizabeth  Wingfield,  who  lived  to  preach  the 
"gospel  at  the  yearly  meeting,  after  she  was  an  hundred  and  six 
"  years  of  age." 

The  24th  was  spent  in  preparing  for  a  trip  into  the  country, 
and  in  agreeable  conversation  with  kind  friends.  On  the  25th, 
the  seventh  of  the  week,  hiring  a  post-chaise,  they  rode  twelve 
miles,  to  Dunmow,  dined  there  with  Dr.  John  Sims,  and  in  the 
afternoon,  proceeded  fourteen   miles,  to  the  house  of  William 


284  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

Impey,  at  Saffron  Walden,  a  small  town.  Here  they  found  a 
number  of  friends  collected  to  attend  the  funeral  of  Catherine, 
the  wife  of  Thomas  Day.  Deborah  Morris  reports  her  to  have 
been  a  woman  much  beloved,  and  the  family  to  have  been  one  of 
note.  Deborah  says,  "  In  the  afternoon  we  attended  the  corpse  to 
"the  meeting  house,  which  w^as  crowded.  Aunt  was  led,  in  the 
"demonstration  and  power  of  truth,  to  speak  to  the  people.  Isaac 
"Sharpless  and  Frances  Griffith  followed,  when  the  former  con- 
"  eluded  in  prayer.  A  highly  favored  meeting !  We  took  leave 
"  of  our  kind  friends.  Nancey  Impey's  mother,  the  widow  Gib- 
"  son,  was  particularly  kind  and  full  of  love.  In  this  town,  I  was 
"  affected  by  seeing  the  stocks,  in  which  our  ancient  friend  George 
"  Whitehead  was  put.  The  prison  in  which  he  was  confined,  was, 
"a  few  months  since,  pulled  down.  In  it  was  found  a  manuscript 
"written  by  him." 

Whilst  at  Scarborough,  Deborah  Morris  and  her  aunt  dined 
and  spent  an  afternoon,  at  the  house  of  Rebecca  Taylor.  Fifth 
day  was  rainy,  and  the  Friends  having  both  heavy  colds,  re- 
mained at  their  lodgings.  During  the  afternoon,  their  landlady 
related  this  incident,  as  having  occurred  among  her  own  relatives. 
An  only  daughter  in  a  family,  became  attached  to  a  young  man, 
but  their  marriage  was  opposed  by  her  father,  for  no  other  reason, 
it  appeared,  but  the  poverty  of  the  suitor.  Finding  that  his 
daughter  still  retained  her  attachment,  in  a  fit  of  anger,  the  father 
horsewhipped  her.  This  barbarous  treatment  from  a  parent,  so 
affected  the  3"oung  Woman's  mind,  that  her  health  broke  down, 
and  she  soon  died.  When  it  became  evident  that  her  end  was 
near,  the  young  man,  was,  at  her  request,  sent  for  in  the  night, 
that  they  might  take  a  final  parting.  Her  dead  body  was  laid 
out  near  an  open  window,  wdien  to  the  astonishment  of  the  wit- 
nesses, a  pigeon  entered  and  perched  upon  the  breast  of  the 
corpse.  It  was  driven  aw^ay,  but  still  returned,  and  when  the 
body  was  placed  in  the  coffin  it  perched  upon  it.  It  accompa- 
nied the  funeral  procession  to  the  grave,  over  which  it  fluttered, 
as  the  coffin  was  lowered  into  it.  The  young  man  kept  it  whilst 
he  lived,  which  was  but  a  short  time. 

Whilst  at  Handsworth  Woodhouse,  in  Yorkshire,  tliey  visited 
''John  Barnard's,  whose  wife  Hannah  is  (writes  Deborah)  Rachel 
"  Wilson's  sister,  at  Upper  Thorp,  in  Yorkshire.  Their's  is  a  pretty 
"family  of  children.     Their  two  daughters,  Mary  and  Deborah, 


FOURTH    GENERATION.  285 

"are  solid  lasses.  There,  undesignedly,  four  Deborahs  sat  at 
"dinner  on  one  side  of  the  table.  The  first  time  I  ever  met  so 
"  many  at  once." 

"On  first  day,  the  11th,  we  went  to  meeting  at  Pardshaw  Crag, 
"  which  is  a  large  good  house,  and  was  well  filled  with  plain  friends, 
"such  a  number  as  we  have  not  seen  in  England,  belonging  to  one 
"meeting.  I  thought,  surely  we  shall  have  a  fine  time  to-day : — 
"so  many  laborers  will  easily  roll  away  the  stone  from  the  well's 
"  mouth ;  but  to  my  great  disappointment,  here  were  many  idlers, 
"and  poor  aunt  found  it  harder  work  than  common.  After  a 
"silence  of  nearly  two  hours,  she  was  qualified  to  divide  the  word 
"  rightly.  This  meeting  takes  its  name  from  a  very  high  hill,  near 
"the  meeting  house,  on  the  top  of  which  is  a  great  rock  cleft  in 
"twain,  and  so  spreading  that  many  persons  can  take  shelter  under 
"them.  In  the  first  rise  of  Friends  in  these  parts,  they  met  some- 
"  times  under  one  part,  and  sometimes  under  the  other,  according- 
"ly  as  to  which  furnished  the  best  protection  from  the  present 
"wind.  The  people  around  used  to  remark,  'the  Quakers  have 
"'gone  to  meeting,  we  may  cut  our  corn,  it  will  not  rain.'  This 
"place  I  had  often  heard  of,  but  never  expected  to  see  it. 

"'Wonderful  are  thy  works,  0  Lord!  among  the  children  of 
" '  men.'  The  turnings  and  overturnings  of  my  life  are  marvellous 
"in  my  eyes." 

Deborah  Morris  returned  with  her  aunt  to  Philadelphia,  in 
9th  mo.,  1773.  After  her  return  to  America,  Deborah  Morris 
took  up  her  residence  in  what  was  then  called  Mulberry  Court, 
running  from  6th  Street  above  Market  Street,  where  she  built 
herself  a  house  directly  across  the  court,  to  j)revent  persons  and 
vehicles  passing  from  6th  to  7th  streets,  as  she  wished  to  enjoy 
quietness,  and  to  be  free  from  noise  and  bustle.  The  house  was 
called  the  "Sprite"  house;  in  which  she  lived  during  the  remain- 
der of  her  life.  The  following  is  a  copy  of  a  letter  written  by 
her,  nine  years  before  her  death,  from  the  Sprite  house,  to  her 
niece  Sarah  (Morris)  Buckley  at  Essequibo  : — 

"  Deborah   Morris   to   Sarah   Buckley. 

"Philadelphia,  Mulberry  Court,  3mo.  8, 1784. 
"My  Dear, 

"  Just  now,  thy  good  sister  R.  Buckley  has  sent  me  word,  of  a 
"  possible  opj)ortunity  to  write  thee,  and  tho'  a  short  notice,  I 


286  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

"readily  embrace  it,  least  thou  should  think  thyself  designedly 
"  slighted,  as  I  have  not  answered  thy  last — being  discouraged 
"  from  the  attempt,  having  wrote  so  many,  which  never  reached 
"thy  hand,  nor  have  I  received  but  one  from  thee,  since  thou 
"  left  us,  till  thy  sweet  children  came,  who  are  a  credit  to  those 
"who  have  had  the  care  of  them.  I  wish  the  advantages  thou 
"seems  to  promise  thj'self  in  returning  them,  may  answer  thy 
"  expectation. 

"I  am  pleased  to  see  thou  hast  spared  no  pains  for  their  im- 
"provement,  and  hope  thj  quick  return  will  perfect,  what  thou 
"hast  laid  a  good  foundation  for. 

"  Indeed,  they  are  good  girls,  and  thy  sister  acts  a  mother's 
"part  with  fidelity,  yet  thy  anxiety  and  theirs,  renders  it  neces- 
"sary  you  should  both  follow,  and  should  be  glad  it  might  be  so 
"  quickly,  that  I  might  not  have  another  to  write,  for  such  have 
"been  the  vicissitudes  that  have  fallen  to  my  lot,  it  has  become 
"a  task;  my  spirits  much  depressed,  and  feel  myself  as  old  at 
"60,  as  I  think  my  dear  father  was  at  83.  Rachel  (Baremore) 
"  continues  with  me  still,  or  I  think  I  could  not  cope  with  the 
"  cares  of  house-keeping. 

"Molly  P.  Potts  and  her  brother  John,  have  fallen  under  my 
"care  since  the  death  of  his  grandfather     *     *     '^' 

"Am  ready  sometimes,  to  think  my  trials  are  uncommon  to 
"most  in  a  single  situation,  and  yet,  desire  to  submit  to  the  dis- 
" posing  hand  of  unerring  wisdom, — well  knowing,  our  good  is 
"  designed  b}'  Divine  Love  to  all  His  creatures,  and  in  every  dis- 
"pensation,  that  arm  which  is  all  sufficient,  is  extended.  That 
"thou  and  I  dear  Sally  may  be  enabled  to  lean  thereon,  as  we 
"ought,  for  our  support  thro'  every  step  in  life, 

"Prays  thy  sympathizing  affectionate  Aunt 

"  D.  M.,  who  is  ready  to 
"acknowledge  the  favour  of  continuing  in  my  usual  habitation, 
"thro'  all  the  turnings  and  overturnings  of  time,  not  without 
"very  trying  vicissitudes,  but  as  formerly,  so  it  has  been  said,  to 
"the  raging  wave  'hitherto  shalt  thou  come,  but  no  further,'  for 
"  which,  I  desire  to  return  all  due  acknowledgment. 

"  Brother  Josey  is  now  likely,  through  favor,  to  continue  a 
"while  longer  with  us,  their  love  and  my  family  concludes — in 
"  haste." 


FOURTH    GENEKATIjCJN.  287 

Deborah  Morris  was  the  possessor  of  ahnost  all  the  Morris 
family  relics  and  curiosities,  some  of  which,  she  had  collected, 
and  others  had  come  to  her  through  her  mother,  Phoebe  Guest 
Morris.  In  bequeathing  the  various  effects  to  her  descendants, 
Deborah  Morris  took  occasion  in  her  memorable  will  and  codicil 
to  connect  some  historical  facts  with  the  gifts,  and  to  put  on 
record  some  of  the  incidents  in  the  lives  of  the  primitive  settlers 
of  Philadelphia,  in  which  she  took  a  truly  affectionate  interest. 

The  will  and  codicil  are  written  in  beautifully  simple  and 
pious  language,  and  the  reader  will  do  well  to  remember  in 
perusing  them,  that  Deborah's  maternal  grandmother  (Alice 
Guest)  was  a  daughter  of  William  Bailyes  of  Birmingham,  and, 
that  Alice  Guest's  grandfather  was  Thomas  Chanders  of  Liver- 
pool, England. 


THE  AVILL  OF  DEBORAH  MORRLS.^ 

Recorded  Will  Book  W,  p.  367,  Office  of  Register  of  Wills,  Pbila. 

"  Be  it  remembered  that  I,  Deborah  Morris  of  the  city  of  Phila- 
delphia, Spinster,  being  of  sound  disposing  mind  and  memory,  do 
make  (this  sixteenth  day  of  the  third  month  one  thousand  seven 
hundred  and  ninety-three)  this  my  last  will  and  testament  as  fol- 
lows :  Revoking  hereb}"  all  other  wills  by  me  heretofore  made. 
First.  I  authorize  my  executors,  hereinafter  named,  to  pay  and 
discharge  all  my  debts  and  funeral  expenses  as  soon  after  my 
decease  as  may  be,  and  to  enable  them  so  to  do,  I  hereby  em- 
power my  said  executors,  the  survivors  or  survivor  of  them,  to 
sell  at  public  or  private  sale,  convey  and  assure  all  that  my 
tract  of  land  in  Nockamixon  Township,  Bucks  County,  being  the 
remainder  of  what  I  purchased  of  my  nephew,  William  Shoe- 
maker; all  that  my  undivided  moiety  of  a  tract  of  land  called 
Callenders  Meadows,  on  the  Allegany  Mountain  in  Bedford 
County,  purchased  of  Samuel  Wallis  and  held  jointly  by  Joseph 
Potts  and  myself,  although  the  deed  is  in  my  name,  all  my  estate 
purchased  of  Alexander  Macke}^,  situated  on  Dock  and  Pear 
Streets,  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia ;  all  that  my  lot  of  ground  in 
Seventh  Street  in  the  said  city,  now  in  the  tenure  of  Virgil  Warder 
a  blackman  ;  and  also  all  that  my  house  and  lot  of  ground  on  the 
north  side  of  High  Street  in  the  said  city,  now  in  the  tenure  of 


288  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

James  Biddle,  being  in  front  eighteen  feet  ten  inches  and  in 
depth  an  hundred  and  seventy  feet,  from  which  no  privilege  of 
outlet  shall  ever  be  granted  into  the  Court,  but  I  will  and  direct 
that  the  house  and  lot  last  mentioned  shall  be  sold,  subject  to 
twelve  pounds  per  annum,  pa3^able  thereout  annually  forever  to 
the  Contributors  to  the  Pennsylvania  Hospital  for  the  benefit  of 
that  institution. 

"  And  as  this  property,  whh  the  monies  in  my  possession  or 
due  to  me  at  the  time  of  my  decease,  may  not  be  sufficient  to  dis- 
charge my  debts,  I  hereby  devise  and  bequeath  to  my  said  execu- 
tors, the  survivors  and  survivor  of  them  and  the  heirs  and  assigns 
of  such  survivor,  all  and  singular  other  my  lands,  tenements  and 
herditaments,  in  trust,  however,  and  to  and  for  the  following  and 
no  other  purposes,  intents  and  uses  whatever.  That  is  to  say,  to 
receive  the  rents,  issues  and  profits  thereof,  and  after  paying 
taxes  and  other  unavoidable  charges,  to  pay  off  and  discharge 
the  residue  of  my  debts ;  also  to  pay  thereout  to  my  sister 
Elizabeth  Shoemaker,  during  her  natural  life,  in  quarterly  pay- 
ments of  twelve  pounds  ten  shillings  each,  fift}^  pounds  per 
annum,  to  commence  from  the  day  of  my  decease,  and  to  her 
daughter  Elizabeth  Lightfoot,  the  sum  of  fifty  pounds  per  annum, 
payable  from  the  same  time,  in  like  manner,  during  the  natural 
life  of  her  mother,  and  for  the  term  of  two  years  after  the  decease 
of  her  said  mother ;  also  to  pay  thereout  to  my  faithful  attendant 
Rachel  Baremore  now  living  with  me,  during  the  term  of  her 
natural  life  fifty  pounds  per  annum  in  four  even  quarterly  pay- 
ments, to  commence  from  the  day  of  my  decease,  all  which  pay- 
ments I  direct  to  be  paid  in  the  first  place,  and  out  of  the  estate 
I  shall  leave,  and  after  payments  of  my  debts  and  the  aforesaid 
annuities,  I  will  and  direct  that  my  said  executors  the  survivors 
and  survivor  of  them,  the  heirs  and  assigns  of  such  survivor 
shall  be,  and  stand  seized  of  the  said  estate,  until  from  the  rents 
issues  and  profits  thereof,  the  sum  of  six  hundred  pounds  shall  be 
received,  which  shall  be  applied  for  the  repairs  hereafter  men- 
tioned, and  also  to  discharge  all  other,  the  j^ecuniary  or  specific 
legacies,  not  hereafter  particularly  otherwise  charged  upon  any 
part  or  parts  of  my  real  estate,  if  the  same  shall  be  sufficient — 
but  if  not,  then  so  much  as  my  executors  shall  find  necessary ; 
and  after  the  said  sum  shall  have  been  so  raised,  then  they  shall 
continue  to  be  and  stand  seized  as  aforesaid,  until  the  further  sum 


FOURTH    GEXEEATIOX.  289 

of  twelve  hundred  pounds  shall  have  been  received  therefrom, 
for  the  purpose  of  erecting  a  dwelling  house  and  wall  on  the  lot 
of  ground  hereinafter  devised  to  my  niece  Abigail  Griffitts,  and 
her  son  Samuel  Powel  Griffitts,  which  sum,  as  it  is  received  from 
time  to  time,  shall  be  put  out  to  interest  by  my  executors,  on  good 
securities,  and  the  interest  again  put  out  for  the  same  purpose, 
and  from  and  after  the  time  that  the  said  last  mentioned  sum 
shall  have  been  raised,  then  to  and  for  the  use  of  my  devisees 
hereinafter  named,  according  to  the  estates  and  interest  to  them 
respectively  granted. 

"  Item.  I  devise  to  my  niece  Abigail  Griffitts  and  to  her  son 
Samuel  Powel  Griffitts,  for  and  during  the  term  of  the  natural 
life  of  the  said  Abigail  Griffitts,  all  that  my  late  grandfather's 
mansion  house  at  the  corner  of  Front  Street  and  Morris  Alley,  to 
have  and  to  hold  the  same,  for  and  during  the  term  of  her  natural 
life,  and  from  and  after  her  decease,  then  I  devise  and  bequeath 
the  same  to  her  son  Samuel  Powel  Griffitts,  for  the  term  of 
Ninety-nine  years,  if  he  shall  live  so  long,  subject  to  the  payment 
of  two  hundred  pounds  to  his  brother  James  Griffitts,  in  three 
years  after  the  death  of  his  said  mother,  or  if  the  said  James 
Griffitts  shall  not  then  be  living,  then  to  his  children,  if  any, 
equally  to  be  divided  between  them,  and  from  and  after  the 
decease  of  the  said  Samuel  Powel  Griffitts,  then  to  the  issue  of 
his  body  lawfully  begotten,  to  be  equally  divided  between  them 
during  the  residue  of  the  said  term  of  ninety-nine  years, 
and  after  the  expiration  of  the  said  term,  or  in  case  the  said 
Samuel  Powel  Griffitts  shall  die  leaving  no  issue,  then  I  devise 
the  same  to  Benjamin  Wistar  Morris  and  the  heirs  male  of  his 
body  lawfully  begotten,  subject  to  the  payment  of  an  annuity  of 
twenty-five  pounds  per  annum  payable  thereout  annually  forever 
to  Nicholas  Wain,  James  Bringhurst,  Thomas  Fisher,  Samuel 
Coates,  Henry  Drinker,  Samuel  Hopkins,  Isaac  Catheral,  Thomas 
Scattergood,  Samuel  Sansom,  John  Field,  Joshua  Cresson,  and 
John  Drinker,  their  heirs  and  assigns,  which  annuity,  I  will  and 
direct,  shall  be  applied  to  the  relief  and  accommodation  of  the 
poor  in  the  almshouse  in  this  city,  under  the  care  and  direction 
of  Friends:  And  for  want  of  such  male  heir  of  the  body  of  the 
said  Benjamin  Wistar  Morris,  I  devise  the  said  mansion  house 
and  lot  of  ground  to  Caspar  Wistar  Morris,  the  brother  of  the 
said  Benjamin  Wistar  Morris,  and  the  heirs  male  of  his  body 


290  GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MORRIS  FAMILY. 

lawfully  begotten,  and  for  want  of  such  male  heir  of  the  body  of 
the  said  Caspar  Wistar  IMorris  lawfully  begotten,  I  devise  the  said 
mansion  house  and  lot  of  ground,  in  like  manner  to  his  brother 
Luke  Morris,  and  the  male  heirs  of  his  body  lawfully  begotten, 
and  for  want  of  such  male  heir  I  devise  the  same  to  the  said 
Nicholas  Wain,  James  Bringhurst,  Thomas  Fisher,  Samuel 
Coates,  Henry  Drinker,  Samuel  Hopkins,  Isaac  Catheral,  Thomas 
Scattergood,  Samuel  Sanson,  John  Field,  Joshua  Cresson  and 
John  Drinker,  their  heirs  and  assigns,  for  the  purpose  of  rebuild- 
ing the  said  Almshouse,  and  accommodating  the  poor  thereof, 
and  it  is  my  desire,  as  it  was  the  desire  of  my  late  dear  father, 
that  the  Mansion  house  at  present  erected  on  the  said  lot,  shall 
stand  as  long  as  it  may  with  safety  to  the  inhabitants,  and  when 
it  shall  become  necessary  to  rebuild  it,  I  hereby  authorize  and 
empower  my  said  nephew  Samuel  Powel  GrifRtts,  or  the  person 
or  persons  who  shall  at  that  time  be  rightfully  seized  or  possessed 
thereof  by  virtue  of  this  will,  to  call  in  the  said  twelve  hundred 
pounds  and  the  interest  thereof,  and  erect  therewith  a  good,  but 
plain  three  story  brick  house,  keeping  as  near  as  possible  to  the 
old  foundations,  and  also  a  brick  wall  on  the  south  side  of  the 
garden,  and  when  this  shall  be  done,  I  direct  the  following 
words  and  figures,  viz.  A.  M.  1686,  to  be  affixed  in  blue  bricks, 
at  one  of  the  gable  ends  of  the  house,  that  being  about  the  time 
my  worthy  grandfather  built  the  present  house. 

'^  Item.  I  devise  to  my  sister  Elizabeth  Shoemaker,  for  and 
during  her  natural  life,  all  my  present  mansion  or  dwelling 
house,  and  half  the  garden  lot  contiguous  thereto,  with  the 
Westernmost  frame  house  in  Farmers  Alley ;  the  adjoining 
tenement  now  in  the  tenure  of  Jacob  Fister,  and  my  chair 
house  and  stables  subject  to  the  payment  of  twenty  pounds  per 
annum  to  my  niece  Mary  Jones  daughter  of  my  brother  James 
during  the  natural  life  of  the  said  Mary,  and  also  subject  to  the 
ground  rent  of  fifty  shillings  per  annum,  now  payable  thereout. 
And  from  and  after  the  decease  of  the  said  Elizabeth  Shoemaker, 
I  devise  the  same  to  Sarah  Powel  Buckley,  daughter  of  my  niece 
Sarah  Buckley  during  her  natural  life,  subject  to  the  payment  of 
the  said  annuity  to  Mary  Jones,  and  also  subject  to  the  payment  of 
twelve  pounds  per  annum,  to  her  mother  Sarah  Buckley,  during 
the  natural  life  of  the  said  Sarah  Buckley.  And  from  and  after 
the  decease  of  the  said  Sarah  Powel  Buckley,  then  I  devise  the 


FOURTH    GENERATION.  291 

same,  to  the  lawful  issue  of  the  body  of  the  said  Sarah  Powel 
Buckley  lawfully  begotten,  who  shall  be  living  at  the  time  of  her 
death,  equally  to  be  divided  between  them  as  tenants  in  com- 
mon, and  not  as  joint  tenants,  subject  however,  to  the  payment  of 
the  aforesaid  annuities  and  ground  rent,  and  also  subject  from 
the  expiration  of  said  annuities,  to  an  annuity  of  twelve  pounds 
per  annum,  payable  thereout,  annually  forever  to  the  overseers 
of  the  public  school  founded  by  Charter  in  the  town  and  County 
of  Philadelphia  in  Pennsylvania,  for  the  use  of  the  free  negro 
school  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia  under  the  care  of  Friends, 
and  if  the  said  Sarah  Powel  Buckley  shall  die  without  issue,  then 
I  devise  the  same  to  my  nephew  Jonathan  Jones,  the  late  hus- 
band of  my  beloved  niece  Mary  Jones,  his  heirs  and  assigns 
subject  to  the  aforesaid  annuities  and  ground  rent. 

"And  I  do  hereby  declare  this  devise  and  the  several  succes- 
sive estates,  hereby  limited  and  created,  to  be  upon  this  express 
condition,  viz.  that  the  owner  of  the  several  messuages  and  lots 
in  this  clause  mentioned,  shall  not  build  nor  suffer  any  buildings 
to  be  erected  in  the  garden  spot,  on  the  south  end  of  my  said 
dwelling  house,  nor  open  nor  permit  or  suffer  to  be  opened,  if 
they  can  in  any  wise  prevent  it,  an  alley  through  the  Court  in 
which  my  said  dwelling  house  is  situated ;  and  in  case  of  failing 
in  performing  this  condition,  I  hereby  devise  all  and  singular 
the  premises  in  this  clause  mentioned  and  devised,  to  Nicholas 
Wain,  James  Bringhurst,  Thomas  Fisher,  Samuel  Coates,  Henry 
Drinker,  Samuel  Hopkins,  Isaac  Catheral,  Thomas  Scattergood, 
Samuel  Sansom,  John  Field,  Joshua  Cresson  and  John  Drinker, 
their  heirs  and  assigns,  for  the  purpose  of  repairing  or  building 
or  rebuilding  the  Almshouse  or  a  house  of  employment,  for  the 
better  accommodating  the  poor  of  our  Society. 

"Item.  I  devise  to  my  niece  Phoebe  Morris  during  her  natural 
life,  all  that  my  next  house  or  old  mansion  situated  in  jNIulberry 
Court  with  the  lot  back  of  it  on  Farmers  Alley,  and  both  the 
frame  tenements  thereon,  being  bounded  on  the  east  by  the  lot 
sold  by  me  to  Jonathan  Jones,  and  on  the  AVest  by  a  cartway, 
left  for  the  use  of  the  said  Court,  also  one-half  of  the'  garden  lot 
south  of  my  present  dwelling  house,  bounded  on  the  south  by  the 
lot  sold  by  me  to  Jonathan  Jones  on  High  Street  and  eastward 
by  the  lot  on  which  my  storeroom  now  stands,  subject  to  the  pay- 
ment of  thirty  pounds  per  annum  to  my  attendant  Rachel  Bare- 


292  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

more  during  the  term  of  her  natural  life,  in  four  equal  quarterly 
payments,  and  after  the  decease  of  the  said  Rachel  Baremore, 
then  subject  to  the  payment  of  twelve  pounds  per  annum,  paya- 
ble thereout  annually,  forever,  to  the  overseers  of  the  public 
school  founded  by  Charter  in  the  town  and  County  of  Philadel- 
phia, in  Pennsylvania,  for  the  use  of  the  negro  school  under  the 
care  of  Friends  in  the  said  city  :  And  from  and  after  the  decease 
of  the  said  Phoebe  Morris,  I  devise  the  premises  in  this  clause 
mentioned,  subject  to  the  aforesaid  annuities  to  Elizabeth  Mifflin 
the  daughter  of  my  niece  Martha  Mifflin,  and  from  and  after  the 
decease  of  the  said  Elizabeth  Mifflin,  to  the  issue  of  the  said 
Elizabeth  Mifflin,  lawfully  begotten,  and  if  she  die,  leaving  no 
issue,  then  I  devise  the  same,  subject  to  the  said  annuities,  to 
Thomas  Mifflin  brother  to  the  said  Elizabeth  Mifflin,  and  to 
Anthony  Buckley  and  their  heirs,  equally  to  be  divided  as 
tenants  in  common  and  not  as  joint  tenants.  And  I  do  declare 
this  devise  and  several  successive  estates  hereby  limited  and 
created,  to  be  subject  to  the  same  conditions  as  to  building  on 
the  garden  lot,  or  opening  the  alley,  as  are  in  the  last  preceding 
devise  expressed. 

"Item.  I  devise  to  Elizabeth  Buckley,  eldest  daughter  of  niece 
Sarah  Buckley,  during  her  natural  life,  all  that  house  and  lot  of 
ground  adjoining  my  last  mentioned  house  and  all  the  buildings 
on  said  lot  of  ground  erected  in  a  straight  line  northward  into 
the  horse  yard,  with  all  the  ways  and  water  courses,  thereto  belong- 
ing subject  to  the  payment  of  twenty  pounds  per  annum  to  my 
said  niece  Sarah  Buckley,  during  her  natural  life,  and  from  and 
after  her  decease,  subject  to  the  payment  of  twelve  pounds  per 
annum,  payable  annually  thereout  for  ever,  to  the  overseers  of 
the  public  school  founded  by  Charter  in  the  town  and  county  of 
Philadelphia,  in  Pennsylvania,  for  the  use  of  the  free  negro  school 
under  the  care  of  friends  in  the  said  City,  and  from  and  after 
the  decease  of  the  said  Elizabeth  Buckley,  I  devise  the  same, 
subject  to  the  aforesaid  annuities,  to  the  lawful  issue  of  her 
body,  equally  to  be  divided  between  them,  share  and  share 
alike,  as  tenants  in  common  and  not  as  joint  tenants,  and  if  she 
die  leaving  no  issue,  then  I  devise  the  same,  subject  to  the  afore- 
said annuities,  to  her  brother  Anthony  and  sister  Sarah,  their 
heirs  and  assigns,  equally  to  be  divided  between  them  as  tenants 
in  common. 


FOURTH   GENERATION.  293 

"  Item.  I  devise  to  Hannah  Catherall  and  Rebecca  Jones,  and 
the  survivor  of  them,  during  their  natural  lives,  all  that  my 
easternmost  house  and  lot  of  ground  in  Mulberry  Court,  now  in 
the  tenure  of  Isaac  Lane,  with  the  chairhouse  and  stables  thereto 
belonging,  and  the  vacant  ground  at  the  east  end  of  the  said 
dwelling  house,  together  with  the  privilege  of  the  Horse  yard  and 
all  ways  and  water  courses  thereto  belonging,  and  I  hereby  will 
and  direct,  that  the  said  dwelling  house  be  repaired  by  my 
executors  at  the  cost  of  my  estate :  And  that  during  the  lives  of 
the  said  Hannah  Catherall  and  Rebecca  Jones,  and  the  lifetime 
of  the  survivor  of  them,  it  shall  be  kept  in  good  tenantable 
order,  and  the  taxes  thereon  be  paid  out  of  my  estate,  and  from 
and  after  the  decease  of  the  survivor  of  my  said  two  Friends,  I 
devise  all  and  singular  the  premises  in  the  clause  mentioned,  to 
Elizabeth  Lightfoot,  granddaughter  of  my  sister  Elizabeth 
Shoemaker,  her  heirs  and  assigns  forever,  subject  to  the  payment 
of  twelve  pounds  per  annum,  to  be  thereout  paid  annually  for- 
ever to  the  overseers  of  the  public  school  as  aforesaid,  for  the 
use  of  the  negro  schools  under  the  care  of  Friends  in  this  city. 

"Item.  I  devise  to  Jonathan  Jones  his  heirs  and  assigns,  all 
that  my  lot  on  the  north  side  of  High  Street,  twenty-two  feet 
front,  and  in  depth  extending  to  the  pallisade  fence  south  of  my 
present  mansion ;  bounded  on  the  east  by  a  lot  he  purchased  of 
me  under  certain  restrictions,  w^hich  shall  be  observed  in  this 
devise  also,  so  far  as  respects  incommoding  my  other  dwellings. 

"  Item.  I  devise  to  Rachel  Baremore  during  her  natural  life, 
all  that  my  house  and  lot  of  ground  on  Sixth  Street,  and  I 
hereby  will  and  direct,  that  my  executors  put  the  same  in  good 
repair,  and  dig  and  wall  a  cellar  under  the  kitchen  belonging  to 
it,  at  the  expense  of  my  estate :  And  this  I  wish  to  be  done,  and 
the  possession  thereof  delivered  to  the  said  Rachel,  as  soon  as 
conveniently  may  be  after  m}^  decease ;  and  after  the  decease  of 
the  said  Rachel,  I  devise  the  same  house  and  lot  of  ground  to 
Elizabeth  Lightfoot,  granddaughter  of  my  sister  Elizabeth 
Shoemaker,  her  heirs'  and  assigns,  she  paying  thereout  to  her 
mother  Elizabeth  Lightfoot,  during  the  natural  life  of  her 
mother,  the  sum  of  twenty-five  pounds  per  annum. 

"Item.  I  devise  to  the  aforesaid  Rachel  Baremore  during  her 
natural  life  all  my  ground  rents  as  follows,  viz. :  Ground  rent  in 
Race  Street  paid  by  Joseph  North  ten  pounds,  two  ground  rents 


294  GENEALOGY   OP   THE   MORRIS   FAMILY. 

in  Second  Street  near  Arch,  paid  by  Samuel  Sansom  and  Thomas 
Waters  fifty  shillings  each,  five  pounds.  One  in  Fj-ont  Street 
near  Arch  Street,  paid  by  Benjamin  Wynkoop  five  pounds,  twelve 
shillings  and  six  pence,  and  from  and  after  her  decease,  I  devise 
the  same  to  the  contributors  of  the  Pennsylvania  Hospital,  for 
the  use  of  the  said  institution,  which  is  not  however  to  be  deducted 
from  the  debt  I  owe  them. 

''Item.  It  is  my  intent  and  meaning,  and  I  hereby  will  and 
direct,  that  no  forfeiture  of  any  estate  or  interest  hereinbefore 
devised,  by  reason  of  neglect  or  nonperformance  of  any  condition 
or  proviso,  shall  annul  or  defeat  any  annuity  or  charge  made 
payable  thereout. 

"And  I  do  hereby  authorize  and  empower  all  those  persons 
to  whom  I  have  devised  annuities  or  rent  charges,  their  heirs, 
successors  and  assigns,  as  the  case  may  be,  to  enter  and  distrain 
from  time  to  time  in  case  of  nonpayment  thereof. 

"Item.  I  will  and  direct,  that  the  devises  to  my  niece  Abigail 
GriflStts  and  her  son  Samuel  Powel  Griffitts,  and  also  the  devises 
of  the  dwelling  house  on  Sixth  Street  to  Rachel  Baremore,  shall 
take  eff'ect  immediately  after  my  decease,  and  that  my  executors 
put  them  respectively  into  possession  thereof,  as  soon  as  may 
conveniently  be,  but  the  other  devises  and  the  bequests  hereafter 
mentioned,  shall  not  take  effect  in  possession,  until  by  the  sale  of 
what  is  directed  to  be  sold,  and  the  receipt  of  the  rents,  issues  and 
profits  from  the  remainder  of  my  estate,  my  executors  shall  have 
discharged  all  my  debts,  and  raised  the  before  mentioned  two 
separate  funds  of  six  hundred  pounds,  or  such  larger  sum  as 
shall  be  found  necessary  for  the  purposes  of  this  will,  and  twelve 
hundred  pounds  for  the  purpose  before  mentioned. 

"Item.  Being  desirous  that  the  Court  in  which  I  now  dwell, 
shall  be  kept  open  for  the  health  and  convenience  of  the  inhabi- 
tants, I  direct,  that  garden  lots  hereinbefore  mentioned,  shall  be 
always  left  open  and  unbuilt  on,  and  that  the  lot  on  which  my 
store  room  lately  stood,  be  left  open  for  public  use,  as  a  part  of  the 
said  court  and  to  enlarge  the  way  therein. 

"  I  give  to  my  sister  Elizabeth  Shoemaker,  my  niece  Sarah 
Buckley,  and  my  niece  Abigail  Griffitts,  all  my  best  wearing 
apparel,  and  the  rest  to  Rachel  Baremore. 

"  I  also  give  to  the  said  Rachel,  all  the  furniture  in  the  back 
room  commonly  called  the  dining  room,  the  back  chambers  in 


FOURTH    GENERATION.  295 

the  second  and  third  stories,  and  in  the  two  small  rooms  in  the 
second  and  third  story,  with  six  cane  chairs  and  the  easy  chair  in 
the  front  chamber,  the  painted  field  bed  stead  in  the  front  garret, 
bed  and  bedding,  and  a  suit  of  red  and  white  calico  curtains 
used  in  the  third  story,  as  much  kitchen  furniture,  pewter,  china 
and  cjueensware  as  she  thinks  necessary  for  her,  also,  four  diaper 
table  cloths,  one  damask  table  cloth,  six  damask  napkins  marked 
D  M  12  in.  figures,  six  diaper  napkins  marked  D  M,  six  pair  of 
sheets  and  pillow  cases,  with  whatever  household  common  linen 
she  may  want :  All  the  provision  of  every  sort,  and  wood  which 
may  be  in  the  house  at  the  time  of  my  decease,  without  any 
account  to  be  taken  thereof  One  silver  porringer,  and  six  silver 
spoons  marked  D  M. 

"And  it  is  my  will,  that  she  be  allowed  to  stay  two  months  in 
my  present  mansion,  or  till  my  executors  put  her  in  possession  of 
the  house  before  devised  to  her.  And  I  request  my  beloved 
relations  Susanna  Jones  and  Sarah  AValn,  to  see  that  she 
has  all  things  comfortable  and  necessary  in  her  house,  though 
they  may  not  be  named  here,  for  she  has  been  faithful  to 
my  interest. 

"I  also  devise,  that  they  will  see  my  little  maid  Margaret 
Boyer  is  well,  and  is  returned  to  her  parents,  to  whom  I  give  a 
silver  spoon  marked  D  M. 

"And  the  residue  of  my  furniture  and  linen,  I  give  to  my 
niece  Elizabeth  Lightfoot  and  Sarah  Buckley  senior,  except  some 
small  matters  which  I  have  marked  for  some  of  my  friends. 

"And  all  the  rest  of  my  plate,  to  my  executors,  in  trust  for  the 
several  persons  named  in  a  schedule  or  list  to  be  delivered  to  my 
executors,  which  I  would  not  have  inserted  nor  appraised  in  the 
inventory  of  my  estate.  I  give  to  Lydia  Robins  fifty  pounds. 
To  Sarah  Blake  and  KacheJ  Attmore,  two  widows,  my  tenants, 
ten  pounds  each.  To  Rachel  Attmore 's  daughter  Margaret 
fifteen  pounds.  To  my  friend  Phineas  Buckley,  fifty  pounds.  To 
his  son  Thomas,  a  silver  pint  can  marked  E  E  W.  To  his 
daughter  Elizabeth,  a  silver  waiter  or  salver,  with  the  same  mark, 
they  were  their  uncle  and  aunt  Williams'  and  also  a  small  punch 
strainer. 

"Item.  I  give  to  Sarah  Wain,  Lydia  Wallace's  two  daughters 
Mary  and  Hannah,  Owen  Jones,  Susannah  Nancarrow,  Jonathan 
Jones,  Samuel  Coates,  Hannah  Clifford  and  Deborah  Buckley, 


296  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

daughter  of  Phineas  Buckley,  each  of  them  six  silver  table  spoons, 
to  be  marked  D  M. 

"Item.  I  give  to  the  Philadelphia  Dispensary,  fifteen  pounds, 
and  to  each  of  the  children  and  grand  children  of  my  deceased 
father,  I  give  one  quarto  Bible,  a  small  memorandum  of  much 
love. 

"And  before  I  conclude  my  will,  I  feel  it  necessary  to  mention, 
that  I  hope  none  of  my  dear  relations  will  think  my  donations 
in  favor  of  the  free  negro  school  too  large,  as  it  appears  to  me  to 
be  a  debt  due  to  the  posterity  of  those,  whom  our  predecessors 
kept  in  bondage. 

"Lastly,  I  appoint  my  trusty  friends  Owen  Jones  senior, 
Sam'l  Coates,  my  nephew  Jonathan  Jones,  Anthony  Wistar 
Morris,  grand  son  of  my  brother  Anthony,  and  Samuel  Powel 
Griffitts,  executors  of  this  my  will,  to  whom  I  devise  and  bequeath 
all  the  rest  and  residue  of  my  real  and  personal  estate  not  herein- 
before devised,  bequeathed  and  disposed  of. 

"In  Witness  Whereof  I  have  hereunto  subscribed  my  name, 
and  published  and  declared  this  to  be  my  will,  the  da}'  and  year 
first  above  written. 

"  But  before  executing  the  same,  I  authorize  my  executors  the 
survivors  or  survivor  of  them  to  make  titles  for  all  such  lands  as 
I  have  agreed  to  convey. 

"  Written  on  four  sheets  of  paper  in  fourteen  pages. 

"Deborah  Morris. 


"Signed,  sealed  and  declared  as  the  last  will,  and  testament  of 
the  said  Deborah  Morris,  in  the  presence  of  us,  who  at  her 
request  have  hereunto  subscribed  our  names.  The  words,  and 
lot  of  ground  on  the  fourth  page,  the  words,  and  the  heirs  male 
of  his  body  lawfully  begotten,  on  the  fifth  page,  and  the  words 
and  their  heirs  on  the  eighth  page,  were  interlined  before  signing. 

"Charles  Moore. 
"Richard  Humphreys. 


"I  give  to  Hannah  Fairlamb,  twelve  pounds,  to  my  nephew 
Isaac  Morris,  twenty -five  jiounds,  and  to  Catherine  Carrel,  a  little 
girl,  two  years  English  schooling,  when  she  attains  the  age  of 


FOURTH    GENERATION.  297 

twenty-one  years  and  the  sum  of  ten  pounds  with  interest  from 
my  death,  if  she  behaves  well,  and  I  declare  this  to  be  a  codicil 
to  my  will. 

"Deborah  Morris." 


Codicil  to  the  Will  of  D.  M. 

"  To  my  Executors. 

"Please  give  to  my  nephew  James  Morris,  my  quart  silver 
tankard  marked  D.  M.,  the  son  of  my  brother  Joseph,  to  his 
sister  Phoebe,  my  dear  mother's  old  fashion  salts  with  ye  initial 
letters  of  her  maiden  name  P.  G.,  and  six  fruit  forks  P.  M.,  and 
two  small  spoons  with  a  fork  at  one  end,  my  great  grandfathers 
egg  spoons,  to  Kitty  Morris  a  silver  spoon  of  my  dear  mothers 
P.  G.  To  Elizabeth  Lightfoot  Jr.,  her  gold  buttons,  to  my  sister 
Hannah  Morris,  her  gold  girdle  buckle  (but  now  she  is  gone  to 
her  sister  Fox,  who  has  been,  and  is  now,  a  very  kind  Aunt  to 
my  nieces,  and  I  love  her)  to  my  niece  Sarah  Buckley  my  large 
Bible,  to  her  daughters  Elizabeth  and  Sarah,  all  my  tea  table 
plate.  To  Elizabeth  Galloway,  a  pint  can  marked  L.  G.  S.  It 
was  her  dear  mother's  who  gave  it  to  me,  also  my  worked  needle 
book  bound  with  lace.  To  my  cousin  Sarah  Wain,  all  my  other 
needle  work  ;  and  silver  cork  screw  with  pearl  handle,  which  was 
my  dear  brother  Benjamin's,  'to  Benjamin  W.  Morris.  To  Thomas 
Buckley  and  his  sister  Elizabeth,  the  children  of  my  friend 
Phineas  Buckley,  of  Bristol,  a  silver  waiter,  and  pint  can  marked 
E.  E.  W.  that  once  were  in  their  use,  and  small  strainer.  To  my 
friends  Hannah  Catheral  and  Rebecca  Jones,  my  beloved  Aunt 
Sarah  Morris,  dressing  box  of  letters,  &c.  and  her  silver  castor 
S.  M.,they  were  beloved  friends  to  her.  To  my  much  esteemed 
friends  and  relations  Susanna  Jones,  and  her  three  daughters 
Ann,  Martha  and  Sarah,  two  salts  marked  D.  M.,  two  castors 
marked  D.  M.,  punch  strainer,  all  silver,  and  my  gold  girdle 
buckle  to  their  sister  Rebecca.  I  give  to  my  nephew  Samuel 
Powel  GrifRtts,  my  silver  soup  spoon  and  chrysolite  studs  set  in 
gold  J.  F.  I  give  to  my  nephew  Jonathan  Jones,  all  my  library, 
and  request  him  to  present  to  my  niece  Elizabeth  Mifflin,  with  her 
Aunt  Claypole,  Sacred  History  two  vol.  wrote  by  Thomas  Elwood 
folio.  I  also  give  him  my  half  pint  can  D.  M.,  six  silver  spoons, 
maple  drawers  and  table,  ye  yellow  room,  in  right  of  his  wife,  my 


298  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

beloved  M.  P.  Jones.  And  to  Willy  Smith,  Sewell  history,  with  a 
needle  work  cover,  it  was  her  Aunt  Molly's. 

"  To  my  much  valued  friend  and  Executor,  Samuel  Coates,  I 
give  my  large  silver  tankard,  and  as  a  memorandum  of  love,  not 
to  deprive  him,  or  either  of  my  executors,  of  their  commissions. 

"  I  give  to  nephew  Benjamin  Morris,  a  silver  porringer  that 
was  my  Aunt  Sarah  S.  M. 

"I  give  to  my  much  valued  friend  Owen  Jones,  who  has  been 
like  a  father  to  me,  a  small  silver  plate  D.  M.,  not  by  way  of  com- 
pensation, but  as  a  token  of  love." 

Part  of  the  Codicil  to  Deborah  Morris  Will. 

"  Believing  it  will  be  agreeable  to  my  beloved  Uncle  Luke 
Morris,  to  receive  as  a  token  of  love,  some  antient  pieces  of  family 
plate  that  were  his  grandfathers,  which  are  all  so  antient,  that  is 
preserved  to  this  day,  of  what  was  given  to  his  father,  who  was 
deprived  of  his  when  an  infant,  by  a  storm  on  his  voyage  from 
Barbadoes  to  his  native  Country,  England.  But  his  mother 
lived  to  attend  him  till  5  or  six  years  of  age,  and  then  finding  it 
necessary  to  go  to  Barbadoes,  to  settle  her  husband's  affairs,  she 
went  and  did  not  live  to  return,  but  soon  died  there,  her  three 
silver  spoons  one  of  them  marked  with  her  maiden  name  Eliza- 
beth Senior  1648,  the  other  two  E.  S.  only,  I  give  to  my  said 
Uncle,  with  the  old  silver  sugar  box  marked  A.  INI.,  S.  M.,  D.  M.,  of 
my  grandfather,  which  he  must  remember,  though  it  now  appears 
as  a  Tureene,  having  repaired  it  and  put  handles  to  it,  as  in  that 
form,  it  was  more  useful  to  me,  but  the  silver,  the  size,  the  fashion 
is  the  same,  the  identical  feet  and  lid,  and  at  the  decease  of  my 
dear  uncle  and  wife,  I  give  the  said  plate  to  my  nephew  Samuel 
Morris,  son  of  my  brother  Anthony,  and  at  his  decease,  to  his  son 
Benjamin  W.  Morris,  who  will  I  hope  and  desire,  keep  them  in 
the  family. 

"And  to  my  beloved  nephew,  Thomas  Morris,  son  of  my 
brother  Anthony,  I  give  all  the  antient  pieces  on  my  dear 
mother's  side,  as  he  is  fond  of  relique,  (viz)  a  brass  fire  shovel,  and 
tongs,  and  fender,  and  brass  fire  dogs,  which  stand  in  the  chamber 
I  call  the  yellow  room,  and  pewter  dishes,  all  preserved  by  being 
thrown  down  my  greatgrandfather's  William  Bailyes  his  well  in 
Birmingham,  during  Cromwell's  wars;  also  a  silver  mustard  pot 


FOURTH   GENERATION.  299 

lattis  work  cypher  on  the  top,  which  belonged  to  Samuel  Frith, 
one  of  the  good  old  man's  grandchildren,  a  caudle  cup,  porrin- 
ger, and  two  spoons  marked  E.  H.  and  a  large  old  fashioned 
salver  A.  P.  M.  which  was  given  my  dear  Parents  by  my  mother's 
Aunt  Elizabeth  Hard,  on  whom  I  waited  with  pleasure  nine 
years,  who  deceased  in  the  93rd  year  of  her  age,  worthy  good 
woman,  whose  sweet,  innocent  deportment  used  to  give  me  high 
esteem  and  regard,  for  other  antient  people.  She  came  from 
England  with  William  Penn  and  other  friends,  my  grandfather 
and  wife  came  two  years  before,  and  settled  in  the  Jerseys,  but 
when  she  heard  her  sister  designed  to  Philadelphia,  they  re- 
moved thither  also,  and  just  got  settled  in  a  cave  on  the  Bank  of 
the  river,  which  is  now  called  the  Crooked  Billet  wharf,  when 
my  dear  aunt  arrived,  which  she  esteemed  a  Divine  Providence 
to  find  her  sister,  whom  she  had  not  seen  for  some  years,  thus 
ready  to  receive  her,  and  in  the  Cave  they  dwelt  together  till 
they  could  build.  I  remember  wdiile  writing,  one  passage 
amongst  many  others  she  related,  which  Pve  often  pleasingly 
thought  of,  as  it  has  raised  my  hopes,  increased  my  faith  and 
depend  an  ce  on  that  arm,  which  never  failed  our  worthy  ancestors, 
it  was  with  them,  supporting  through  all  their  difficulties,  and 
many  attended  in  settling  a  new  country.  In  hopes  of  its  being 
profitably  remembered  by  my  cousins  as  myself,  I'll  repeat  it — 
"  All  that  came,  wanted  a  dwelling,  and  hasted  to  provide  one; 
they  lovingly  helped  each  other,  when  the  women  set  themselves 
to  work  they  had  not  been  used  to,  for  few  of  our  first  settlers 
were  of  the  laborious  class,  help  of  that  sort  was  scarce,  and  my 
good  Aunt  thought  expedient  to  help  her  husband  at  one  end  of 
the  saw,  and  to  fetch  all  such  water  to  make  mortar  of,  as  they 
then  had  to  build  her  chimney.  At  one  time,  being  overwearied 
therewith,  her  husband  desired  her  to  forbear,  saying,  thou  my 
dear  had  better  think  of  dinner,  on  which,  poor  woman — she 
walked  away,  wept  as  she  went,  reflecting  on  herself  for  coming  to 
be  exposed  to  such  hardships,  and  then  knew  not  where  to  get  a 
dinner,  for  their  provision  was  all  spent,  except  a  small  quantity 
of  biscuit  and  cheese,  of  which  she  had  not  informed  her  hus- 
band, but  thought  she  would  try  which  of  her  friends  had  any 
to  spare.  Thus  she  walked  on  towards  tent,  (happy  time  when 
each  ones  Treasure  lay  safe  in  their  tent),  but  a  little  desponding 
in  her  mind,  for  she  felt  herself  closely  reproved,  and  as  if  queried 


300  GENEALOGY   OF   THE   MORRIS   FAMILY. 

with,  did  thou  not  come  for  liberty  of  Conscience,  hast  thou 
not  got  it,  also  been  provided  for  beyond  thy  expectation,  which 
so  humbled  her,  she  on  her  knees  begged  forgiveness,  and  for 
preservation  in  future,  and  never  repined  after.  When  she  arose 
from  her  knees,  and  was  going  to  seek  for  other  food  than  what 
she  had,  her  cat  came  into  the  tent,  and  had  caught  a  fine  large 
rabbit,  which  she  thankfully  received,  and  dressed  as  an  English 
hare.  When  her  husband  came  to  dinner,  being  informed  of  the 
particulars,  they  both  wept  with  reverential  joy,  and  eat  their 
meal,  which  was  thus  seasonably  provided  for  them,  in  singleness 
of  heart ;  many  such  divinely  providential  cares  did  they  partake 
of.  Thus  did  our  worthy  ancestors  witness  the  arm  of  Divine 
love  extended  for  their  support,  within  and  without,  which  is  not 
shortened,  his  love  and  power  remains  the  same,  and  ever  will, 
to  his  depending  children.  Therefore  let  us  lean  thereon.  Oh 
may  we  all  seek  to  be  made  thereby,  acceptable  in  his  holy  sight." 
This  was  all  in  her  own  handwriting. 

30.  Benjamin  Morris,*  M.  D.  (Anthony,^  Anthony,^  Anthony,^) 
youngest  son  of  Anthony  and  Phoebe  (Guest)  Morris,  was  born 
3rd  mo.  7th,  1725;  d.  May  14,  1755,  "and  was  buried  in  the 
"  family  burying  place  in  Friends'  Grave-yard  in  Philadelphia."* 

On  7th  mo.  30th,  1748,  Benjamin  Morris  received  from  the 
Philadelphia  Monthly  Meeting,  a  certificate  of  removal  to  the 
Grace  Church  Meeting,  in  London,  England,  which  country  he 
visited  before  proceeding  to  Holland,  to  pursue  his  Medical 
Studies.  After  a  course  of  study  at  the  University  of  Leyden, 
he  obtained  his  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine,  Dec.  30,  1750. 
His  Diploma,  with  large  seal  (enclosed  in  a  circular  metal  case) 
is  in  excellent  preservation,  and  is  in  the  possession  of  the 
present  Dr.  Caspar  Morris,  who  has  kindly  permitted  a  photo- 
graph of  it  to  be  taken,  for  use  in  this  work.  About  the  time 
that  Dr.  Benjamin  Morris  returned  from  Holland  to  England,  the 
nomination  of  his  uncle  Judge  William  Morris,  of  Trenton,  to 
fill  a  vacancy  in  the  Provincial  Council  of  New  Jersey,  was  under 
consideration  in  London,  and  in  the  correspondence  already 
quoted  from,  it  will  be  seen  that  Dr.  Benjamin  Morris  during 


*  Vide  Family  Bible  of  Samuel  Morris,  Sr. 


FOURTH    GENERATION.  301 

his  sta}^  in  that  city,  was  endeavoring  to  promote  his  Uncle's 
interests.* 

Dr.  Morris  appears  to  have  made  a  long  stay  in  London,  as  it 
was  not  until  1st  mo.  14th,  1754,  that  he  received  his  certificate 
from  the  two  weeks'  meeting  in  London,  to  the  IMonthly  Meeting 
of  Philadelphia,  in  which,  reference  is  made  to  "his  sober 
conversation  and  freedom  from  marriage  engagements."  This 
certificate  was  produced  at  Philadelphia  Monthly  INIeeting,  6th 
mo.  28th,  1754.     The  following  is  the  full  text  of  the  Certificate : — 

"  To  Friends  at  their  Monthly  Meeting  at  Philadelphia. 

''Dear  Friends: — Our  Friend  Benjamin  Morris  having  request- 
ed of  this  meeting  a  certificate  of  his  conversation  and  clearness 
respecting  marriage,  during  his  residence  among  us.  These  are 
to  certify,  that  due  enquiry  having  been  made,  it  does  not  appear, 
but  that  his  conversation  has  been  sober,  and  that  he  leaves  us 
free  from  any  engagements  in  relation  to  marriage.  With  De- 
sires that  the  Almighty  may  conduct  him  in  safety,  to  you  and 
that  by  keeping  near  to  that  holy  Helper,  which  alone  can  make 
him  truly  usefull  and  honorable  in  his  station,  and  a  comfort  to 
his  Friends,  we  salute  you  and  remain  your  Friends  and  Brethren. 

"  Signed  in  and  on  behalf  of  our  Two  Weeks  Meeting  held  at 
Grace  Church  Street,  London,  on  the  14th  of  First  month,  1754. 

"Joseph  Phipps  Richd  How  John  Fothergill 

"Benjn.  Bourne  Thos.  Smith  Jacob  Hagen 

"Wm.  Smith  John  Hill  John  Sims 

"Geoe.  Whitehead  John  Townsend  Nathl  Might." 

The  promising  professional  career  of  Dr.  Morris,  in  his  native 
city,. was  cut  short  by  his  premature  death,  in  the  followmg  year. 

In  the  very  interesting  "History  of  the  Pennsylvania  Hos- 
pital," recently  published,  we  find  that  on  the  17th  of  January, 
1767,  the  following  contribution  to  the  Library,  w^as  recorded  in 
the  minutes :  "  The  Medical  Books  of  the  Library  of  Dr.  Benjamin 
"Morris,  deed.,  being  presented  by  his  sister  Deborah  Morris, 
"towards  founding  a  Medical  Library,  consisting  of  55  volumes, 
"  were  brought  to  the  Library." 

*Vide  New  Jersey  Archives,  1st  Series,  Vol.  vii.,  p.  603. 


302  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

These  books  "were  j^rincipally  standard  medical  books  col- 
"lected  by  Dr.  Morris  during  his  attendance  upon  the  University 
"of  Leyden."  It  had  been  previously  recorded  in  connection 
with  the  histor}'-  of  the  Anatomical  and  Pathological  Museum  of 
the  Hospital,  "That  on  the  30th  April,  1757,  Deborah  Morris 
"presented  a  human  skeleton;  for  the  purpose  of  medical  teach- 
"ing."  The  latter  was  probabh^  a  part  of  the  collection  of  her 
lately  deceased  brother. 

33.  Mary  Morris*  (James,^  Anthony,^  Anthony^),  a  dau,  of 
James  and  Margaret  (Cook)  Morris,  b.  7th  mo.  22nd,  1713;  d. 
14th  December,  1783;  m.  1st  1730  Cornelius  Empson;  m.  2ndly 
1743  Benjamin  Jones.  Concerning  her  second  marriage,  Mary 
Jones  "acknowledged  error"  at  a  meeting  of  Friends  at  Duck 
Creek,  Del.,  6tli  mo.  22nd,  1743,  for  having  been  married  by  a 
Presbyterian.  At  a  meeting  6th  mo.  24th,  1780,  she  was  com- 
plained against  for  keeping  a  slave.* 

Mary  Morris  by  her  first  husband  had  issue : — 

95.  RiCHAKD  Empsox,  b.  9mo.  26,  17.32. 

96.  MarCtAeet  Empsox,  b.  Aug.  22,  17o4  ;  d. ;  m.  David  "Wilson. 

Mary  Morris  by  her  second  liusband  had  issue: — 

97.  jNIaey  Joxes,  b. ;  d.  ;  m.  ,  Thomas  Shane. 

98.  Phoebe  Jones. 

99.  Deborah  Joxes. 


34.  Phcebe  Morris*  (James,'  Anthon}^^  Anthony^),  a  dau.  of 
James  and  Margaret  (Cook)  Morris,  was  born  10th  mo.  16th,  1720, 
d. ;  m.  1752  Robert  Holliday. 

Robert  Holliday  was  appointed  a  Justice  of  the  Peace,  of 
Kent  Co.,  Nov.  1st,  1764  and  '66.t  He  was  a  very  rich  man  for 
those  days,  and  was  a  "Leading  Friend"  in  Kent  Co.,  Delaware. 
During  the  Revolution,  he  was  declared  a  "Toiy,"  in  consequence 
of  his  being  opposed  to  the  war,  and  from  the  following  circum- 
stance, he  was  called  to  account  by  the  Authorities. 

*  Vide  Minutes  Duck  Creek  Meeting. 

fVide  Penna.  Archives,  2nd  Series,  Vol.  ix.,  p.  658. 


FOURTH    GENERATION.  303 

Earl}^  in  1775,  he  wrote  a  letter  to  a  friend  in  Philadelphia, 
who  was  indiscreet  enough  (without  the  permission  of  the  writer), 
to  hand  it  to  the  Editor  of  Humphrey's  "  Philadelphia  Ledger," 
for  publication.  Consequently  in  the  3rd  Number  of  that  News- 
paper, published  on  Feb.  11th,  1775,  appeared  the  following: — 

"Extract  of  a  Letter  from  Kent  County  in  Delaware. 

"  With  regard  to  political  matters,  the  people  have  begun  to 
change  their  sentiments,  concluding  in  their  more  deliberate 
moments,  that  such  violent  measures,  as  have  been  pursued,  will 
not  heal,  but  on  the  contrary,  widen  the  breach.  Man}^  who 
have  kept  their  sentiments  to  themselves,  begin  to  whisper  their 
dislike  of  the  proceedings  gone  into.  I  believe  the  Friendly 
Address,  and  other  performances  of  the  moderate  stamp,  have 
done  much  good,  in  opening  the  blind  eyes  of  many,  and  when 
people  come  to  taste  feelingly  of  the  hardships  which  a  suspen- 
sion of  trade  will  occasion,  they  will  all  change  sides,  nay,  I 
believe,  if  the  King's  Standard  were  now  erected,  nine  out  of  ten 
would  repair  to  it. 

"  The  people  have  not,  till  lately,  considered  the  consequences 
of  a  Civil  War  with  so  brave  and  powerful  a  nation  as  that  of 
Great  Britain ;  the  heat  and  rage  of  party,  had  not  given  them 
leisure  to  reflect  on  the  devastation  and  havock  it  would  occasion, 
and  if  our  rashness  should  yet  bring  us  on,  Quere,  if  such  reflec- 
tions as  these  would  not  arise  with  many  ?  I  have  seen  this  land 
blest  with  peace  and  plenty,  under  the  happiest  Government  in 
the  world ;  every  branch  of  business  flourishing,  men  secured  in 
their  liberty  and  property,  a  trade  open  to  foreign  parts  of  the 
world,  which  occasioned  a  ready  sale  for  our  produce.  I  have 
been  in  possession  of  a  wife,  and  many  children,  some  of  whom 
are  numbered  among  the  slain,  and  others  far  separated ;  I  have 
lived  in  a  happy  harmonious  neighborhood,  where  the  violence 
of  party,  and  the  appellations  of  Whig  and  Tory  were  unknown. 
Who  could  think  that  a  three  penny  duty  on  tea  could  occasion 
all  these  difficulties,  when  only  a  refusal  to  purchase  the  article, 
would  have  kept  us  free  ?" 

Great  was  the  excitement  produced  by  the  publication  of 
this  letter,  which  had  not  abated  two  months  later.     In  Chris- 


304  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

topher   Marshall's   diary,  we    find    the    following   entry    under 
date  of: 

April  29, 1775.  "This  day,  about  noon,  Jabez  Fisher  came  by 
persuasion  to  the  Coffee  House,  and  there  declared  in  the  presence 
of  a  great  concourse  of  people,  that  it  was  Robert  Holliday  of 
Duck  Creek,  that  wrote  and  sent  that  letter  to  him,  which  he  has 
caused  to  be  published  in  the  Pennsylvania  Ledger,  No.  3,  and 
no  other  person,  upon  which  the  people  with  some  reluctancy  let 
him  go." 

The  matter  was  now  brought  under  the  notice  of  the  Com- 
mittee of  Inspection  for  Kent  County,  in  Delaware,  and  Chris- 
topher Marshall  makes  the  following  entry,  dated : 

May  17,  1775.  ''  In  P.  Journal  No.  1693,  is  (a)  copy  of  Robert 
Holliday's  Recantation  and  acknowledgement  of  his  misconduct, 
the  which  was  accepted  by  their  Committee  in  Kent  County." 

The  following  is  from  the  " Pennsylvania  Journal"  No.  1693, 
for  May  17,  1775:— 

"  Extract  from  the  proceedings  of  the  Committee  of  Inspection  for 
Kent  County,  on  Delaivare. 

"Dover,  Tuesday,  May  2,  1775.     P.  M. 

"The  Committee  met  by  adjournment,  when  the  following 
Letter  was  laid  before  them,  by  the  President  of  the  Committee 
of  Correspondence  for  said  County : 

"'I  acknowledge  to  have  w^ote  a  piece  (and  did  not  sign  it), 
since  said  to  be  an  extract  of  a  letter  from  Kent  County,  on 
Delaware,  published  in  Humphrey's  Ledger,  No.  3,  it  was  not 
dated  from  any  place;  and  is  something  altered  from  the  original. 
I  folded  it  up,  and  directed  the  same  to  Joshua  Fisher  and  Sons. 
I  had  no  intention  to  have  it  published,  and  further  let  them 
know,  the  author  thought  best  it  should  not  be  published,  nor 
did  I  think  they  would; — I  am  sincerely  sorry  I  ever  wrote  it,  as 
also  for  its  being  published,  and  hope  I  may  be  excused,  foi:  this 
my  first  breach  in  this  way,  and  I  intend  it  shall  be  the  last. 

"'Robert  Holliday. 
" '  May  2,  1775. 

"'■To  the  Committee  of  Correspondence 

"'For  Kent  County  on  Delaivare.'" 


FOURTH    GENERATION.  305 

"  Resolved  unanimously,  That  this  be  not  satisfactory,  and  that 
Mr.  Holliday  be  required  to  attend  the  Committee  at  their  next 
meeting,  on  Tuesday,  the  9th  inst,  then  to  give  further  satisfac- 
tion for  the  gross  misrepresentation  of  the  people  of  this  county, 
by  said  letter,  from  which  an  extract  was  published  in  Hum- 
phrey's "Ledger." 

"  Tuesday,  May  9,  1775.     P.  M. 

"  The  Committee  met  according  to  adjournment — when  Mr. 
Holliday  appeared,  and  offered  to  make  the  necessar}^  concessions 
for  his  conduct. 

"On  motion,  Resolved,  That  a  Committee  be  appointed  to 
draw  up  Mr.  Holliday's  concessions  in  writing. 

"  This  being  done,  Mr.  Holliday  waited  on  the  Committee  with 
his  concessions,  drawn  up  in  the  form  of  an  address,  as  follows : — 

" '  To  the  Committee  of  Insjyedion  for  Kent  County,  on  Delaware. 

"'Gentlemen: — With  sorrow  and  contrition,  for  my  weak- 
ness and  folly,  I  confess  myself  the  author  of  the  letter,  from  which 
an  extract  was  published  in  the  3d  number  of  Humphrey's 
Ledger,  said  to  be  from  Kent  County,  on  Delaware ;  but,  at  the 
same  time,  do  declare  it  was  published  without  m}^  consent,  and 
not  without  some  alterations. 

"  '  I  am  now  convinced,  the  political  sentiments  therein  con- 
tained, were  founded  on  the  grossest  error ;  more  especially  that 
malignant  insinuation,  that  "  if  the  King's  Standard  were  erected, 
nine  out  of  ten  would  repair  to  it "  could  not  have  been  suggested, 
but  from  the  deepest  infatuation.  True  indeed  it  is,  the  people 
of  this  county  have  ever  shown  a  zealous  attachment  to  his 
Majesty's  person  and  government,  and  whenever  he  raised  his 
Standard  in  a  just  cause,  were  ready  to  flock  to  it ;  but  let  the 
severe  account  I  now  render  to  an  injured'  people,  witness  to  the 
world,  that  none  are  more  ready  to  oppose  Tyranny,  or  to  be  first 
in  the  cause  of  Liberty,  than  the  inhabitants  of  Kent  County. 

"  '  Conscious  that  I  can  tender  no  satisfaction  adequate  to  the 
injury  done  my  Country,  I  can  only  beg  forgiveness  of  my  coun- 
trymen, upon  those  principles  of  humanity,  which  may  induce 
them  to  consider  the  frailty  of  human  nature, — and  I  do  profess 


306  GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MORKIS  FAMILY. 

and  promise,  that  I  will  never  again  oppose  those  laudable  meas- 
ures, necessarily  adoj^ted  by  my  countrymen,  for  the  preservation 
of  American  Freedom ;  but  will  co-operate  with  them,  to  the 
utmost  of  my  abilities,  in  their  virtuous  struggle  for  Liberty,  so 
far  as  is  consistent  with  my  religious  principles. 

"  '  Robert  Holliday.' 
"  '  May  9,  1775.'  " 

"  Voted  as  satisfactory 

"  Published  by  order  of  the  Committee 

"Thomas  Nixon,  Junior  Clerk." 


Robert  and  Phoebe  (Morris)  Holliday  had  issue: — 

100.  John  Holliday,  b.  llmo.  20,  1753;  d.  young. 

101.  Susannah  Holliday,  b.  2mo.  29,  1756;  d.  3mo.  15,  1815  ;  m.  29  Feb., 

1775,  George  Wilson. 

102.  James  Holliday,  b.  6mo.  13,  1758  ;  d.  ;  m.  Amelia  Jones. 

103.  Robert  Holliday,  b.  9mo.  27,  1760 ;  d.  12mo.  3,  1767. 

104.  INIaky  Holliday,  b.  9mo.  21,  1763  ;  d.  7mo.  1,  1766. 


35.  James  Morris^  (James,^  Anthony,^  Anthony^),  a  son  of 
James  and  Margaret  (Cook)  Morris,  was  b.  6th  mo.  14th,  1723; 
d.  June  16,  1786 ;  m.  March  6,  1750,  Ann  Tilton,  b.  Jan.  4,  1730 ; 
d.  May  25,  1762 ;  dau.  of  John  and  Ann  Tilton.  This  marriage 
was  considered  irregular,  by  the  "Friends"  of  the  Duck  Creek 
Monthly  Meeting,  and  James  Morris  was  charged  with  transgres- 
sion in  marriage,  at  the  monthly  meeting  held  6th  mo.  19th,  1751, 
having  married  "  one  not  a  Friend,"  and  "  marrying  out  of  the 
unity  of  Friends."  In  the  following  year,  at  a  monthly  meeting, 
held  8th  mo.  17th,  1752,  James  Morris  made  acknowledgment  of 
his  error,  and  it  was  received,  as  "  satisfactory  "  to  the  meeting. 
He  appears  to  have  continued  in  the  Society  of  Friends,  until  he 
was  complained  against,  in  1779,  for  "Keeping  negroes  in 
Slavery,"  after  which  he  was  "testified  against"  in  1780.  James 
Morris  was  commissioned  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  of  Kent  County, 
Nov.  1,  1764."='  He  has  left  a  memorandum  in  his  Note  Book, 
that  his  "Framed  Dwelling  House  at  the  Cross  Roads  of  Duck 

*Vide  Penna.  Archives,  2nd  Series,  Vol.  ix.,  p.  657. 


FOURTH    GENERATION.  307 

Greek  was  built  by  William  Beaebam  and  Jolin  Walston  Carps, 
1767." 


James  and  Ann  (Tilton)  Morris  bad  issue : — 

105.  James  Morris,  b.  Feb.  24,  1752  ;  d.  2mo.  16,  1825 ;  in.  May  1(3,  1774, 

Elizabeth  Berry. 

106.  Mary  Morris,  b.  July  28,  1756 ;  d.  5mo.  23,  1835;  m.  March  10,  1774, 

Isaac  Griffin. 

107.  Margaret  Morris,  b.  May  18,  1759  ;  d.  lOmo.  8,  1828 ;  m.  3nio.  5, 

1783,  Henry  Peterson. 


ABSTRACT  OF  WILL  OF  JAIMES  MORRIS.^ 

James  Morris,  tbe  Elder  of  Duck  Creek,  bundred,  Co.  of  Kent 
upon  Delaware.  Will  dated  2d  May,  1783.  He  gives  to  son 
James  Morris,  all  tbose  tracts  of  land  now  in  his  tenure,  lying  on 
Main  Duck  Creek  known  as  "  The  Improvement,"  and  "  Morris's 
Rambles,"  containing  500  acres  of  land  and  marsh,  also  a  tract 
of  land  and  marsh  in  Duck  Creek  known  as  "  Long  Point,"  also 
testator's  present  dwelling  bouse  and  a  part  of  a  lot  of  ground 
adjoining,  charged  nevertheless  with  tbe  sum  of  £150,  which  son 
James  is  to  pay  daughter  Mary  Grifhn. 

He  gives  to  daughter  Mar}^  Griffin,  the  tract  of  land  and 
marsh  whereon  Moses  Thompson  lives  (except  a  lot  of  six  acres), 
also  a  moiety  of  lands  in  New  Castle  Co.,  bought  of  Alexander 
Chance  and  Thomas  Brown,  also  part  of  lot  of  ground  at  Duck 
Creek  Cross  Roads. 

He  gives  to  son  James,  a  tract  of  land  and  small  plantation  in 
tenure  of  tbe  testator,  being  a  part  of  the  "Morris's  Rambles,"  also 
six  acres  of  salt  marsh.  Son  James  is  however  to  pay  yearly,  for 
ten  years,  to  daughter  Margaret,  the  sum  of  £12  for  her  separate 
use,  free  from  tbe  will  of  her  present  or  any  future  husband. 
At  the  expiration  of  ten  years,  son  James  is  to  expend  £600  in 
furnishing  for  daughter  Margaret,  such  lands  and  Tenements  as 
she  shall  approve  of,  which  shall  be  duly  conveyed  to  her,  she 
shall  enjoy  tbe  rents  and  profits  coming  therefrom  during  her 
lifetime,  and  after  her  decease,  the  property  shall  remain  in 
trust  for  her  child  or  children;  grandchildren  to  inherit  in  equal 
shares.     In  the  event  of  no  children  or  grandchildren  surviving 


308  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MOKEIS    FAMILY. 

her,  the  right  to  such  purchased  property,  shall,  by  the  convey- 
ance become  vested  in  son  James  Morris  and  daughter  Mary 
Griffin,  share  and  share  alike.  He  gives  to  Robert  Holliday  and 
Frederick  Fisher,  in  trust  for  daughter  Margaret,  for  life,  remain- 
der to  her  children,  a  part  of  his  lot  at  the  Cross  Road.  In 
default  of  her  leaving  issue,  said  land  to  become  property  of  son 
James  and  daughter  Mary.  He  also  gives  daughter  Margaret,  a 
moiety  of  the  lands  in  New  Castle  Count}^  which  he  bought  of 
Alexander  Chance  and  Thomas  Brown.  He  directs  son  James, 
to  pay  all  just  debts,  and  to  maintain  his  "two  negroes  Joseph  and 
William,  if  they,  or  either  of  them,  through  misfortune  or  other- 
wise become  poor,  and  want  support." 

He  further  wills  that  his  "  negroes  William,  Daniel,  Charles, 
and  Abraham,  be  set  free  and  absolutely  manumitted  "  immedi- 
ately after  his  decease.     Sole  Executor,  son  James  Morris. 

(Signed)  James  Morris,     [l.  s.] 

Witnesses : 

Robert  Holliday. 
Thomas  Tiltox. 
Ezekiel  Needham. 

Proved  2d  Aug.,  1786. 

Thomas  Rodney',  Regr. 

36.  William  Morris,*  (William,^  Anthony,^  Anthony')  a  son 
of  AVilliam  Morris  of  Trenton  and  his  first  wife  Sarah  Dury ;  b. 
in  Island  of  Barbados  8th  mo.  18th,  1719;  m.  10th  mo.  5,  1752, 
Rebecca  Peters,  widow  {nee  Richardson). 

William  Morris''  was  an  Attorney-at-Law  by  profession,  but 
was  at  one  time  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits.     The  following 
advertisement  appeared  in  the  "  Pennsylva- 
nia Gazette"  for  Nov.  6th,  1746: —  /^^//rr/i/j  ^ 

"To  be  sold  by  AVilliam  Morris,  Jun.,  / 

at  his  store  in  Trenton,  opposite  to  John 

Jenkins,  good  rum  by  the  hogshead,  and  salt  by  the  hundred 
bushels,  or  less  Cjuantity,  at  the  Philadelphia  prices,  and  freight 
up  from  thence." 


FOURTH    GENERATION.  309 

William  Morris,  Jr.,  in  a  deposition,  dated  Nov.  1751,  is 
described  as  "Attorney-at  Law,"  practising  in  the  Courts. 

Advertisements  in  the  "Pennsylvania  Gazette,"  show  that  he 
was  engaged  in  real  estate  transactions,  both  alone,  and  in  part- 
nership with  his  father.  The  following  is  from  the  "  Pennsylvania 
Gazette,"  June  8th,  1749  :— 

"  To  be  Sold. 

"A  Tract  of  441  acres  good  land  upon  Salem  Creek,  near  the 
town ;  also  another  lot  of  40  acres,  in  Maidenhead  upon  Assan- 
CUNK*  Creek,  within  five  miles  of  Trenton.  Any  person 
inclining  to  purchase,  may  be  further  informed,  by  applying  to 
William  Morris,  jun,  of  Trenton." 

It  is  recorded  in  the  Minutes  of  the  Chesterfield  Monthl}^ 
Meeting,  on  5th  mo.  7th,  1752,  that  "William  Morris,  Jr.  requests 
a  Certificate  to  Wilmington  Monthly  Meeting,  on  account  of 
marriage  with  a  friend  of  that  meeting."  The  Certificate  was 
granted  6th  mo.  4th,  1752,  and  William  Morris,  Jr.,  was  in  due 
time,  married  at  Wihnington  Monthly  Meeting,  10th  mo.  5th, 
1752,  to  Rebecca  (Richardson)  Peters,  widow  of  Capt.  Joseph 
Peters.  It  is  a  curious  coincidence,  that  on  the  same  day  that 
this  marriage  took  place  in  Wilmington,  the  elder  William  Mor- 
ris had  his  request  presented  at  the  Chesterfield  Monthly  Meeting, 
for  a  Certificate  to  the  Monthly  Meeting  at  Philadelphia,  "  on 
account  of  marriage."  His  signature  is  upon  the  Marriage  Cer- 
tificate of  his  son. 

William  Morris*  does  not  appear  to  have  returned  to  Trenton, 
but  we  find  a  complaint  was  made  by  the  Friends  of  Wilmington 
to  the  Chesterfield  Monthly  Meeting,  that  he  had  not  produced 
his  certificate,  and  for  neglecting  to  comply  with  the  request  of 
the  "  Friends  of  Chesterfield  Meeting,"  in  1756,  that  he  would 
apply  to  that  meeting  for  a  certificate,  he  was  disowned  from 
being  a  member  of  that  Religious  Society. 

Rebecca  (Richardson)  Peters,  the  eighth  child  of  John  and 
Ann  Richardson,  was  born  at  the  family  residence  on  Christiana 

*  Now  known  as  Stoney  Brook,  which  is  a  translation  of  the  Indian  Name ; 
the  latter  is  derived  from  achsun  softened  into  asm)),  stone,  and  the  locative 
unk,  with  the  euphonic  and  connective  c — stoney  place. 


310  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MOKRIS    FAMILY. 

Creek  6th  mo.  22nd,  1717.  She  was  married  first,  to  Joseph 
Peters,  son  of  Thomas  Peters  of  Philadelphia,  2nd  mo.  13th,  1741 
(marriage  certificate  recorded  in  Book  of  Marriages  of  Newark 
(now  Kennett)  Monthly  Meeting).  He  was  a  seafaring  man,  and 
went  to  Wilmington,  by  certificate  of  removal  from  Philadelphia 
Monthly  Meeting,  6th  mo.  29th,  1740,  and  was  disowned  by  New- 
ark Monthly  Meeting  10th  mo.  3rd,  1748,  for  arming  a  merchant 
vessel.    The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  Minute  recording  the  fact: 

''Whereas  Joseph  Peters  was  educated  among  Friends,  but  not 
having  a  true  regard  to  the  principal  of  Truth  in  himself,  he  has 
so  far  erred  from  our  antient,  peaceable  and  suffering  principall, 
as  to  put  Guns  on  Board  his  Vessel,  in  order  to  defend  his  prop- 
erty, for  which  he  has  been  Divers  times  Laboured  with,  in  order 
to  bring  him  to  a  sense  of  his  said  error,  but  the  Labours  of  Love 
proving  ineffectual,  he  continues  to  justifie  his  practice  therein, 
therefore,  for  the  clearing  of  Truth,  we  hereby  signifie  that  we 
have  no  Unity  with  him  in  said  practice,  by  declaring  him  to  be 
no  member  of  our  Religious  Society,  untill  he  shall  come  to  a 
sense  of  his  said  error,  &  make  Friends  Satisfaction,  which  we 
desire  he  may  attain  unto — 

"  Given  forth  from  our  Monthly  Meeting 

of  Newark,  held  at  Senter, 
this  3rd  day  of  lOmo  1748. 

"Signed  by  Thomas  Carleton,  Clk.  for  this  time." 

Captain  Joseph  Peters  carried  on  a  mercantile  business  in 
Wilmington.  The  date  of  his  death  is  not  known,  but  he  was 
alive  2d  mo.  11th,  1746,  when  he  advertised  as  follows  in  the 
"  Pennsylvania  Gazette  : " — 

"Lately  imported  from  London  in  the  Ship  "Caroline," 
Capt.  Mesnard,  and  sold  by  Joseph  Peters  of  Wimington  by 
wholesale  or  retail,  very  reasonable  for  ready  money  or  short 
credit."     (Here  follows  a  long  list  of  great  variety). 

As  before  stated,  Rebecca,  his  widow,  ^ 

married,   secondly,  William   Morris,   Jr.,     ^^^-^-^   f^g^^ 
but  she  had  no  children  by  either  mar- 
riage.    She  died  in  Wilmington,  11th  mo.  23d,  1773,  aged  56 
years  5  mos.  and  1  day. 


HfiMi/. 


MARRIAGE    CERTIFICATE    OF    WILLIAM    MORRlS'    AND    REBECCA    (  RICHARDSON  >    PETERS,    1752 


FOURTH    GENERATION.  311 

38.  Sarah  Morris'  (William,^  Anthony ,2  Anthony^)  a  dau.  of 
William  and  Sarah  (Dury)  Morris,  b.  in  Barbados  7th  mo.  9th, 
1722;  d.  1746;  m.  8th  mo.,  1745,  Joseph  Richardson,  a  son  of 
John  and  Ann  Richardson. 


JOSEPH  RICHARDSON. 

Joseph  Richardson,  the  second  child  of  John  and  Ann 
Richardson,  was  born  at  the  family  residence  on  Christiana 
Creek,  10th  mo.  6th,  1706.  In  1745,  he  married  Sarah  Morris, 
daughter  of  William  Morris  of  Trenton,  N.  J.  She  died  about 
a  year  after  their  marriage,  and  soon  after  the  birth  of  their 

daughter  Sarah.  Joseph  Rich- 
^y/^/^A^/^*^^     ardson  never  married  again.     In 

^ I     his  younger  days,  in  connection 

with  his  father's  business,  he 
acquired  a  knowledge  of  mercantile  affairs,  making  frequent 
voyages  to  the  West  Indies,  in  charge  of  the  cargo.  His  father, 
during  his  absence  on  one  of  the  voyages,  built  a  house  for  him, 
at  the  place  mentioned  in  his  will  as  "Snug  Harbour,"  about 
half  a  mile  further  up  the  Christiana  Creek  than  his  own  resi- 
dence. Upon  Joseph's  return,  he  declined  living  in  it,  expressing, 
at  the  same  time,  his  determination  to  settle  in  Philadelphia. 
The  house  had  then  progressed  so  far  as  to  be  roofed  in,  but  it 
was  never  finished,  and  until  recent  times,  it  was  known  in 
the  neighborhood,  as  "Richardson's  folly"  or  "Folly  House." 
The  Phila.  Wilmington,  &  Bait.  Railroad  now  passes  over 
its  site. 

Joseph  Richardson  carried  out  his  intention  of  settling  in 
Philadelphia,  and  as  a  merchant  there,  acquired  a  large  fortune 
by  successful  industry.  He  built  the  house  which  until  recently, 
stood  at  No.  256  and  258  South  2nd  St.  in  Philadelphia.  It 
stood  back  a  considerable  distance  from  2nd  Street  with  an  office 
and  side  yard,  and  fronting  on  2nd  Street,  in  its  original  condi- 
tion. In  that  house  he  died  11th  mo.  17th,  1770.  His  Will, 
which  was  proved  Jan  17,  1771,  was  not  signed,  but  the  hand- 
writing was  testified  to,  by  Nicholas  Wain,  as  being  that  of 
Joseph  Richardson. 


312  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

On  the  22ncl  Nov.,  1770,  the  following  obituary  notice 
appeared  in  "  The  Philadelphia  Gazette  :  " 

"  On  Saturday  morning  last  died  Joseph  Richardson,  Esq.,  an 
eminent  Merchant  of  this  City,  in  the  64th  year  of  his  age,  a 
Gentleman  whose  private  virtues,  and  public  spirit,  justly  claimed 
the  friendship,  esteem  and  Confidence  of  his  Fellow  Citizens, 
and  others.  He  served  for  several  years  as  a  Representative  in 
the  Assembly  of  this  Province,  with  Steadiness,  Integrity  and 
Advantage  to  his  Country.  He  filled  several  other  Offices  of 
Trust  with  Assiduity  and  Reputation,  and  devoted  a  great  deal 
of  his  time  to  the  settling  of  Disputes  and  Controversies  among 
his  Neighbours  and  others,  a  conduct  truly  Praise-worthy  and  for 
which  he  deserves  the  highest  encomiums.  His  unexpected 
Death  is  deeply  mourned  and  Lamented  by  his  Family  and 
Friends,  and  his  loss  as  a  very  useful  Member  of  Society, 
regretted  by  his  Countrymen,  who  demonstrated  their  Respect 
for  his  Memory,  by  attending  his  Funeral  in  great  numbers  to 
the  Quakers'  Burying  Ground  in  this  City,  where  he  was  interred 
on  Monday." 

Joseph  and  Sarah  (Morris)  Richardson  had  issue : — 

108.  Saeah  Richardson,  b.  8mo.  11,  1746 ;   d.  Imo.  13,  1825  ;   m.  5m6.  22, 
1771,  Nicholas  "Wain. 

40.  Anthony  Morris,^  ("William,^  Anthony,-  Anthony,^)  a  son 
of  William  Morris  and  his  first  wife  Sarah  Dury,  was  b.  in  Bar- 
bados 8th  mo.  31st,  1727;  d.  3rd  mo.  10th,  1804  at  Slabtown  (now 
"  Jacksonville  "),  near  Copenny  Meeting  (now  "  Old  Springfield  ") 
in  Burlington  County,  N.  J. ;  m.  10th  mo.,  1746,  at  Little  Egg 
Harbour  Monthly  INIeeting  House,  Sarah  Cramer  or  Cranmer, 
dau.  of  Stephen  Cranmer.  Sarah  Cranmer  was  b.  9th  mo.  20th, 
1726 ;  d.  5th  mo.  26th,  1805,  at  Old  Springfield,  N.  J.,  "  aged  78 
years  8  mos.  and  6  days." 

Anthon)^  Morris*  probably  came  from  Barbados  when  a 
child,  his  parents  having  removed  to  Trenton,  N.  J.,  in  1730. 
There  is  a  tradition  that  he  ^vas  brought  to  this  country  by  a  sea 
captain,  and  was  handsomely  dressed. 

Anthony  Morris,*  was  connected  with  the  Burlington  Monthly 
Meeting  in  1745,  and  from  it,  received  a  certificate  of  removal, 
dated  12th  mo.  3rd,  1745,  which  he  produced  at  Little  Egg  Har- 
bour Monthly  Meeting  1st  mo.  13th,  1745/6.     It  may  be  inferred. 


FOURTH    GENERATION.  313 

that  he  remained  there  for  some  years  after  his  marriage,  as  the 
next  record  states,  that  he  received  a  certificate  of  removal  from 
the  Monthly  Meeting  at  Little  Egg  Harbour,  3rd  mo.  14th,  1754, 
which  he  produced  at  Burlington,  5th  mo.  6th,  1754.  On  4th  mo. 
4th,  1763,  he  received  for  himself,  his  wife  and  children,  a  certifi- 
cate of  removal  from  the  Burlington  Monthly  Meeting,  recom- 
mending them  as  having  "been  attenders  of  meeting  on  first 
days,  and  orderly  in  their  conversation."  This  certificate  was 
read  and  received,  at  Evesham,  7th  mo.  7th,  1763.  At  some  time, 
they  must  have  returned  to  Burlington,  as  we  find  that  on  7th 
mo.  6th,  1801,  Anthony  Morris  and  wife,  received  a  certificate, 
from  the  Monthly  Meeting  at  Burlington,  to  the  Monthly  Meeting 
at  Mt.  Holly. 

Anthony  and  Sarah  (Cranmer)  Morris  had  a  family  of  fourteen 
children.  Some  of  them  remained  in  New  Jersey,  but  a  large 
contingent  travelled  westward,  seeking  homes  in  Western  Penn- 
sylvania, Ohio,  and  Iowa. 

Anthony  and  Sarah  (Cranmer)  Morris  had  issue: — 

109.  Stephen  Morris,  b.  2mo.  20,  1747;   cl.  lOmo.  1,  1818;    m.  lOmo.  or 

llmo.,  1770,  Bathsheba  Jess. 

110.  Mary  Morris,   b.    lOmo.    24,    1748;  d.    9mo.   4,    1819;  m.   Abraham 

Eakestraw. 

111.  Hannah  Morris,  b.  3mo.  3, 1750;  d.  young. 

112.  Sarah  Morris,  b.  3mo.  24,  1751 ;  probably  d.  young. 

113.  John  Morris,  b.  2mo.  5,  1753 ;  d.  ;  m.  . 

114.  Hannah  Morris,  b.  2mo.  9,  1755  ;  d.  ;  m.  July  25,  1774,  Samuel 

Eockhill. 

115.  Esther  Morris,  b.  llmo  29,  1757  ;  d.  num.,  1826. 

116.  Alice  Morris,  b.  7mo.  4,  1758  ;  d.  in  infancy. 

117.  George  Morris,  b.  8mo.  20,  1760 ;  d. ;  m.  . 

118.  Alice  Morris,  b.  4mo.  14,  1762 ;  probably  d.  young. 

119.  Anthony  Morris,  b.  4mo.  15,  1764 ;  d.  in  infancy. 

120.  Joseph  Morris,  b.  2mo.  5,  1767;  d.  3mo.  17,  1825;  m.  Rachel  Zelley. 

121.  Elizabeth  Morris,  b.  llmo.  23,  1770 ;  d.  ;  m.  Levi  Pitman. 

122.  Anthony  Morris,  Jr.,  b.  4mo.  18,  1773;  d.  5mo.  19,  1826;  m.  5mo., 

1797,  Hannah  French. 


THE  CRANMER  FAMILY. 

At  a  very  early  date,  some  of  the  Cranmers  settled  in  Ocean 
and  Burlington  counties,  N.  J.,  and  in  the  year  1729,  there  was 
an  addition  to  the  first  colony  of  Cranmers ;   this  was   Stephen 


314  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

Cranmer  and  his  wife  Sarah,  who  brought  their  certificate  to  the 
Friends'  Meeting  of  Little  Egg  Harbour,  and  settled  at  Bass 
River. 

They  are  said  to  have  come  from  the  same  place  as  the  other 
Cranmers. 

The  Cranmers  of  New  Jersey,  claim  to  be  descendants  of 
Thomas  Cranmer,  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  who,  for  his 
devotion  to  Protestantism,  was  burned  at  the  stake,  by  order  of 
Queen  Mary,  at  Smithfield,  England,  May  20th,  1556.  It  is 
thought,  the  Cranmers  may  be  right  in  claiming  descent  from 
Archbishop  Cranmer,  for  many  of  the  Jersey  Cranmers  are  said  to 
possess  a  striking  resemblance  to  the  portrait  of  the  Archbishop. 

43.  Israel  Morris'  (William,^  Anthony,-  Anthony^)  a  son 
of  William  Morris  and  Sarah  Dury  was  b.  in  Trenton,  N.  J., 
2nd  mo.  13th,  1738;  d.  in  Harford  Co.,  Md,  4th  mo.  3rd,  1818; 
m.  (1st)  at  Philadelphia  Monthly  Meeting  2nd  mo.  19th,  1761, 
Phoebe  Brown  (b.  1735),  dau.  of  William  and  Susanna  (Church- 
man) Brown  of  Philadelphia;  m.  (2ndly) Sarah  Bond  (dau. 

of  Joshua  Bond  and  Ann  Partridge),  who  d.  Dec.  29,  1811,  "in  a 
quiet  resigned  state  of  mind  "  in  the  seventieth  year  of  her  age. 

Much  of  the  early 
married  life  of  Israel 
Morris^  was  spent  in 
Philadelphia,  Pa.,  all 
his  children  by  his  first 
wife  having  been  born 
in  that  city. 

From  the  Records 
at  Trenton,  we  learn  that  on  June  24, 1765,  John  Hingston  of  Mil- 
combe,  parish  of  Blackawton  nigh  the  fort  of  Dartmouth,  Co. 
Devon,  England,  yeoman,  gave  a  Letter  of  Attorney  to  John  Hunt 
of  the  City  of  London,  Merchant  and  Israel  Morris  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, authorizing  them  to  look  after  his  interests  in  the  land 
and  houses  at  Timber  Creek,  and  elsewhere  in  New  Jersey  and 
Pennsylvania,  which  he  claimed  as  the  heir  of  David  Hingston, 
deceased.* 

From  the  Records  in  Philadelphia,  we  find  that  "Israel  Morris 

*Vide  Liber  W.,  folio  374,  Office  of  Sec.  of  State,  Trenton,  N.  J. 


FOURTH    GENERATION.  315 

(son  of  William  Morris)  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  Gentleman," 
on  6th  December,  1774,  gave  a  Letter  of  Attorney  to  William 
Brown,  of  Philadelphia,  Merchant,  and  Abel  Evans,  of  same  place, 
empowering  them  to  dispose  of  his  lands  in  America,  and  also  to 
dispose  of  his  share  in  lands  in  America,  which  he  held  with 
John  Hurst,  Thomas  Hurst,  Charles  Hurst  and  John  Barron. 

Israel  Morris  mentions  in  the  letter,  that  he  and  John  Barron 
were  administrators  non  cum,  of  the  Estate  of  William  Penn, 
Junior,  and  this  Letter  of  Attorney  also  empowered  William 
Brown  and  Abel  Evans,  to  act  for  Israel  Morris,  and  conjointly 
with  John  Barron,  in  disposing  of  Stepney  Manor,  the  accounts 
to  be  filed  in  Register  of  Wills  Court  at  Newcastle.* 

This  Letter  of  Attorney,  was  "Inrolled"  13th  Jan.,  1775.  It 
was  probably  given,  preparatory  to  the  departure  of  Israel  Morris 
for  Great  Britain,  as  we  know,  that  during  the  Revolutionary 
War,  Israel  Morris  was  in  England,  but  being  prevented  from 
returning  to  America,  as  he  desired,  he  sought  the  good  offices 
of  Dr.  John  Fothergill,  who  wrote  a  letter  on  his  behalf,  to  the 
Earl  of  Dartmouth.  This  letter  is  preserved  amongst  the  "  Man- 
uscripts of  the  Earl  of  Dartmouth,"  f  and  is  thus  described  : — 

"  Dr.  John  Fothergill  to  Lord  Dartmouth. 

"  1776 — AVrites  on  behalf  Israel  Morris,  the  son  of  a  Magis- 
trate in  New  Jersey,  who  desires  leave  to  return  to  America,  and 
has  been  refused,  because  he  would  not  acknowledge  the  sove- 
reignty of  the  British  Legislature  over  America.  He  declares  he 
is  friendly  to  the  King,  and  does  not  intend  to  be  active  in  the 
present  circumstances.  The  treatment  appears  to  Dr.  Fothergill 
ungenerous  and  impolitic.  Asks  Lord  Dartmouth  to  appoint  an 
interview  with  Morris. 

"  Autograph  Letter  signed  3  quarto  pages,  endorsed  Dr.  Foth- 
ergill, 1776." 

Israel  Morris  must  have  succeeded  in  returning  to  America, 
as  we  find  that  in  1778  he  began  to  sell  the  Real  Estate  left  by  his 
father,  who  died  11th  mo.  6th,  1776. 

*Vicle  Exemp.  Eecords,  Vol.  iv.,  p.  634,  Office  of  Recorder  of  Deeds,  Phila. 
iVide  "The  Manuscripts  of  the  Earl  of  Dartmouth,  Vol.,  ii.— American 
papers,"  London,  1895,  p.  430. 


316  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

On  the  1st  June,  1778,  "Israel  Morris  of  Trenton  in  Co.  of 
Hunterdon,  in  New  Jersey,  Gentleman,  son  and  heir  of  William 
Morris,  late  of  Trenton  aforesaid  Esquire,  deceased,"  conveyed 
to  "John  Rejmolds  of  Trenton  aforesaid,  Paper  Maker,"  for 
the  consideration  of  £350,  proclamation  money  of  New  Jersey, 
"a  certain  Lot  or  piece  of  ground  situate  on  the  east  side  of  King 
Street  in  Trenton  aforesaid, — Beginning  at  a  corner  of  ground 
now  or  late  of  Thomas  Smith,  thence  running  northerly  along 
Street  to  an  Alley,  thence  easterly,  along  the  said  alley  two 
hundred  and  four  feet  four  inches,  to  other  ground,  whereof  this 
was  part,  belonging  to  the  said  Israel  Morris,  thence  south  four 
degrees  East  by  said  Morris'  ground,  to  the  said  ground  of  Thomas 
Smith,  thence  westerly,  along  the  same  to  the  place  of  beginning, 
(It  being  part  of  a  larger  lot  or  piece  of  ground  which  William 
Trent,  by  Indenture,  bearing  date  the  Sixteenth  day  of  April, 
1745,  for  the  consideration  mentioned — granted  unto  the  said 
William  Morris,  deceased),  together  in  all  and  singular  Buildings 
and  Improvements."*  Signed  by  Israel  Morris — Witnessed  by 
Archa.  Reynolds  and  Robt.  Paisley. 

On  the  23rd  Sept.,  1778,  Israel  Morris,  of  Trenton,  in  Co.  of 
Hunterdon,  for  the  consideration  of  £1400  current  Money,  con- 
veyed to  John  Reynolds  of  Trenton,  Paper  Maker,  3  parcels  or 
lots  of  ground,  situated  in  Trenton,  near  to  the  Quaker's  Bury- 
ing Ground,  reserving  however  20  feet  square  of  the  ground  of 
North-east  corner  of  the  first  lot,  adjoining  land  of  William 
Tucker,  and  the  Quaker  Burying  Ground,"  for  the  use  of  burying 
the  negroes  "belonging,  or  that  should  belong,  to  the  families  of 
William  Morris  and  Mary  Dury."  Signed — Israel  Morris ;  wit- 
nessed by  George  Ely  and  Parry  Hall,  f 

On  the  28th  May,  1779,  John  Reynolds  and  Catharine  his 
wife,  for  the  consideration  of  £2325,  current  money  of  N.  J. 
conveyed  the  self-same  lots,  with  the  same  reservation,  to  Josej^h 
Milnor  ( Vide  Liber  AL,  folio  115). 

It  was  not  until  Oct.  3,  1782,  that  the  Will  of  William  Morris 
of  Trenton  was  probated,  and  Israel  Morris  his  son  qualified 
himself  as  sole  Executor.  Soon  afterwards,  Israel  Morris  granted 
a  deed  of  confirmation  of  title  for  the  last  named  purchase  made 


*  Vide  Liber  AL,  p.  77.    Office  of  Sec.  of  State,  Trenton,  N.  J. 
t  Vide  Liber  AL,  folio  112.    Office  Sec.  State,  Trenton,  N.  J. 


Pji,ijR|ij,.w^i      ip.-i  Hi,    .    lui  -.11-  mmmimmmmmmmmm^ 

y  ^mra.'Aj  ^£^rnu  ia-Ax^Ai  j'!  /fi^a,^r^  C^^^J  t,f^<^^^  «A-  jOiTSfe^  ^  /<r»Ky '/.'  ^     /"" 


7 


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ENTRIES    IN    FAMILY    BIBLE    OF    ISRAEL    MORRIS' 


FOURTH    GENERATION.  317 

by  Joseph  Milnor.  It  commences  thus:  "Israel  Morris,  County 
of  Harford  in  the  State  of  ]\Iaryland,  gentleman,  Executor  of 
the  last  Will  and  Testament  of  William  Morris,  late  of  the 
County  of  Hunterdon,  in  the  State  of  New  Jersey,  Esquire, 
Deceased,  of  the  one  part,  and  Joseph  Milnor,  of  the  sd  County 
of  Hunterdon,  in  the  State  of  New  Jersey,  Merchant,  of  the 
other  part,"  &c.,  signed  5th  Oct.,  1782. 

It  is  evident,  that  by  this  date  (1782),  Israel  Morris  had 
removed  his  residence  to  Harford  County,  Maryland.  And 
there,  probably,  he  married  his  second  wife  Sarah  Bond.  He 
acquired,  and  settled  upon,  a  large  farm  two  miles  south  of  Bel 
Air.  He  bought  many  negroes,  whom  he  set  free  at  a  certain 
age,  thereby,  greatly  impairing  his  fortune.  After  his  decease, 
his  son  William  B.  Morris  continued  to  occupy  the  old  home- 
stead, until  his  death  in  1854. 

Dr.  Geo.  W.  Archer  states  that  information  respecting  Israel 
Morris  during  his  residence  in  Harford  County  "  is  very  meagre." 
In  the  Ledger  of  AVm.  Wilson,  Dr.  Archer  finds  entries  of  pur- 
chases and  payments  made  by  Israel  Morris  from  1785-1807. 
William  Wilson's  store  was  within  a  few  rods  of  the  present 
Village  of  Emmorton,  on  land  now  owned  and  resided  on,  by  one 
of  his  grandsons — other  grandchildren  living  near,  one  of  whom 
is  Henry  C.  Wilson. 

On  Feb.  1,  1814,  Buckler  Bond,  William  Wilson  and  Israel 
Morris,  were  assessed  for  one-half  acre  lot  in  Bel  Air  (the  county 
seat  of  Harford  Co.),  whereon  stood  a  one-story  house,  14  x  12  ft. 
A  deed  of  May,  1814,  (only  three  months  later),  shows  that  Buck- 
ler Bond,  William  Wilson  and  William  Morris,  conveyed  this  lot 
to  Rev.  Benj.  Richardson,  for  $120.  It  would  thus  seem  probable, 
(as  Dr.  Archer  suggests),  that  Israel  Morris  had,  meanwhile,  con- 
veyed his  part  to  his  son  William  Morris.  The  Buckler  Bond 
mentioned  above,  was  a  brother  of  Israel  Morris'  second  wife, 
Sarah  Bond,  and  the  William  Wilson,  referred  to  above,  had 
married  a  sister  named  Pamella  Bond.  Sarah  (Bond)  Morris 
had  also  two  other  brothers,  William  Bond  and  James  Bond. 

William  Bond,  brother  to  Sarah  (Bond)  Morris  (second  wife 
of  Israel  Morris),  in  his  Will  made  1787,  proved  1788,  leaves  "  to 
my  sister  Sarah  Morris  £7.10."  "To  Susanna  Morris  £7.10." 
"  To  my  nephew  William  Bond  Morris  £100  when  he  is  21  years 
of  age."     Legacies  to  several  of  the  Bonds. 


318  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

We  cannot  conclude  this  brief  sketch  of  the  life  of  Israel 
]\Iorris/  without  quoting  a  letter,  written  to  him  by  Nichs.  Brewer, 
in  1811:— 

"  AxNAPOLis,  June  24,  1811. 
"Friend  Morris, 

"Thy  letter  of  the  17th  Inst  was  duly  received  by  the  last 
mail  covering  twenty-three  dollars,  stating  it  to  be  a  debt  due  to 
my  father,  for  which  I  thank  thee,  and  consider  it  under  all 
circumstances,  as  a  remarkable  instance  of  correctness  and 
honesty,  in  these  daj^s  of  wickedness  and  depravity.  It  has  been 
said,  that  the  noblest  work  of  God,  is  an  honest  man.  Such  I 
shall  hold  thee  hereafter,  as  this  has  been  a  voluntary  payment, 
when  the  claim  was  not  known  to  exist.  I  am  mj'self  the  Ad- 
ministrator of  my  father. 

"Yours  with  sentiments  of  high  respect, 

"  Your  obd.  Servt., 

"Mr.  Israel  Morris,  "Nichs.  Brewer. 

"Bush  or  Harford, 

"Harford  County." 

Israel  Morris  by  first  wife  (Phcebe)  had  issue : — 

123.  Rebecca  Morrls,  b.  12mo.  29,  1762 ;  d.  6mo.  11,  1763. 

124.  SusAXNA  Morris,  b.  lOmo.  14,  1764  ;   d.   in  Harford,   Co.  ;  m.  5mo. 

30,  1798. 

125.  Sarah  Morris,   b.   8mo.  1,  1766;  living  9mo.    9,   1812,   date   of   her 

father's  will. 

126.  GuLiELiiA  ]\IoRRis,  b.  2mo.  14,  1770 ;  d.  8mo.  5,  1771. 

127.  PHffiBE  Morris,  b.  8mo.  2,  1771 ;  d.  9mo.  21,  1800 ;  m.  3mo.  7,  1797, 

"William  Wilson. 

Israel  Morris  by  his  second  wife  (Sarah)  had  issue : — 

128.  William  Bond  Morris,  b.  2mo.  8,  1781 ;  d.  April  4,  1854  ;  m. 1807, 

Susanna  INIorris. 


ABSTRACT  OF  WILL  OF  ISRAEL  :M0RRIS.* 

Israel  Morris,  of  Harford  Count}",  in  the  State  of  Marjdand, 
son  of  William  Morris,  late  of  Trenton,  in  the  State  of  New 
Jersey.  Will  dated  9th  day  of  9th  month,  1812.  He  directs  that 
his  body  be  buried  by  the  side  of  his  late  wife,  Sarah  Morris,  in 


A   CHEST   OF    DRAWERS 
WHICH    BELONGED   TO    ISRAEL    MORRIS^  (son  of  william  morris^) 


FOUKTH    GENERATIOX.  319 

son  AVilliam's  plantation.  As  his  son  William  Morris  is  other- 
wise provided  for,  he  gives  him  in  addition  thereto,  his  clock  and 
watch.  To  daughter  Sarah  Morris  he  gives  one-half  of  the  residue 
of  his  estate,  the  other  half  being  given  to  his  grandchildren 
Susanna  and  Asahel  Wilson,  children  of  daughter  Phoebe  Wilson. 
Executors :  son  William  Morris  and  daughter  Sarah  IMorris. 

(Signed)  Israel  Morris,     [l.  s.] 

Witnesses : 

William  Magness. 
A.  C.  Clendinen. 
Benjamin  Magness. 

Will  proved  16th  day  of  June,  1818.  Thos.  S.  Bond,  Reg. 
Wills,  H.  Co. 

Recorded,  Uher  S.  R.  No.  1,  Folio  162.  Office  of  Register  of 
Wills,  Harford  Co.,  Md. 


FIFTH  GENERATION. 

48.  Samuel  Morris^  (Captain),  (Anthony/  Anthony,^  An- 
thony,^ Anthony 0,  the  eldest  son  and  second  child  of  Anthony 
Morris^  and  his  first  wife  Sarah  Powell,  was  b.  in  Philadelphia, 
4th  mo.  24th,  1734 ;  d.  July  7,  1812,  aged  78  years  2  months  and 
10  days ;  m.  at  Christ  Church,  Philadelphia,  during  the  incum- 
bency of  Rev.  Robert  Jenney,  Dec.  11,  1755,  Rebecca  Wistar, 
dau.  of  Caspar  and  Katharine  (Jansen)  Wistar.* 

Samuel  Morris*  was  stjded  "  Junior,"  to  distinguish  him  from 
his  uncle  Samuel  Morris  "  Senr.,"  and  his  cousin  Samuel  Cad- 
walader  Morris,  both  of  whom,  at  the  time  of  the  Revolution, 
were  Members  of  the 

Board  of  War.     On  /C         //       //  /7     /? 

the  8th  day  of  Jan.,     QJ ^^^^^^^_^  J/^^J^ 
1750,  Samuel  Morris,      >-^  /  / 

Jr.,  was    apprenticed 

to  Isaac  Greenleafe,  a  merchant  of  Philadelphia,  for  the  full  term 
of  four  years,  five  months  and  two  weeks.  At  the  same  time, 
an  agreement  was  entered  into  between  Anthony  Morris,  (the 
father  of  Samuel),  and  Isaac 
Greenleafe,  that  the  latter,  in 
consideration  thereof,  should 
be  allowed  the  full  rent  of 
the  Dwelling  House  he  then 
lived  in,  for  the  term  of  three 
years  from  the  date  of  the  instrument,  besides  the  time  he  had 
already  lived  in  the  said  house.  During  the  apprenticeship  of 
Samuel  Morris*,  his  master,  Isaac  Greenleafe,  married,  (12th  mo., 
6th,  1753),  as  his  second  wife,  Catharine  Wistar  a  daughter  of 
Caspar  Wistar.  Catharine  Wistar  had  a  sister  Rebecca  Wistar, 
and  probably  the  "young  apprentice"  thus  had  opportunities  of 
meeting  her,  and  becoming  acquainted  with  her,  for  on  the  11th 
of  Dec,  1755,  he  followed  his  master's  example,  and  married 
Rebecca  Wistar  at  Christ  Church,  Philadelphia.  After  their  mar- 
riage, this  couple  probably  occupied  the  house  which  is  referred 

^Vlde  Records  of  Christ  Church,  Philadelphia. 

(320) 


'/mruf 


No.  48 


x/^nic 


FIFTH    GENERATION.  321 

to  in  the  "  Agreement"  accompanying  the  Indenture  of  Appren- 
ticeship, as  being  occupied  by  Isaac  Greenleafe,  as  his  term  of 
residence,  had  by  that  time  expired. 
'  It  is  supposed,  that  this  is  the  house 
(rrnd  in  2nd  Street  (old  No.  65)  which  was 
occupied  by  Samuel  Morris  during 
the  remainder  of  his  life,  and  is  still  standing  (1898)  in  fairly  good 
preservation.  It  is  now  divided  into  stores,  and  rented  to  various 
tenants.  It  is  an  interesting  fact,  that  this  property  on  2nd 
Street,  is  at  the  Western  boundary,  and  the  old  "  Morris  Mansion," 
on  Front  Street  (now  No.  118),  is  at  the  Eastern  boundary,  of  the 
ground  purchased  by  Anthony  Morris,"  (the  "  Immigrant "),  in 
1687,  and  both  houses  are  still  in  the  possession  of  his  descendants. 

When  he  was  about  thirty  years  of  age,  Samuel  Morris  became 
the  possessor  of  a  piece  of  land,  which  had  formerly  belonged  to 
his  grandfather,  Samuel  Powell,  as  we  find  recorded  in  a  Deed, 
bearing  date  Feb.  28,  1764. 

By  this  Deed,  Anthony  Morris  and  Elizabeth  his  wife,  "  for 
natural  love  and  affection,  conveyed  to  Samuel  Morris,  a  lot  of 
ground  on  the  South  side  of  Dock  Street,  and  East  of  Pear  Street 
88  feet  broad,  extending  140  feet  Southward,  its  western  boundary 
being  in  a  line  with  the  back  end  of  St.  Paul's  Churchyard. 
This  piece  of  ground,  was  "  a  part  of  a  certain  great  lot  of  land, 
which  Samuel  Powel  the  Elder,  late  of  Philadelphia,  House  Car- 
penter," by  Indenture,  dated  27th  Jan.,  1741/2,  granted  to  his 
daughter  Sarah  Morris,  (first  wife  of  Anthony  Morris*).* 

Samuel  Morris*  was  an  excellent  horseman,  and  a  keen  sports- 
man, delighting  in  the  chase,  and  all  health-giving  out-door 
sports.  In  1763,  we  find  his  name  upon  the  roll  of  the  "  Society 
of  Fort  St.  David's,"  although  it  is  probable,  that  he  had  joined 
the  club  some  years  before.  The  members  of  this  Society,  were 
principally  Welshmen  of  the  Order  of  Ancient  Britons.  Their 
"fort"  was  a  rude  timber  shanty,  but  roomy  and  convenient, 
erected  on  a  broad  high  rock,  on  the  East  bank  of  the  River, 
near  to  the  Falls  of  Schuylkill.  The  delight  of  the  St.  Davidians, 
was  to  make  war  upon  the  blue  cat  fish,  for  which  the  Schuylkill 
was  then  celebrated,  as  the  Wissahickon  is  now.  The  members 
and  invited  guests,  resorted  there  for  recreation  and  amusement, 

'^Yide  Deed  Book  I.,  Vol.  ii.,  pages  148  and  150. 


322  GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MORRIS  FAMILY. 

the  fishing  being  excellent,  which  it  continued  to  be,  until  the 
improvements  in  the  river  began.  For  beautiful  and  romantic 
scenery,  there  was  no  place  in  the  vicinity  of  Philadelphia,  which 
could  in  the  least  compare  with  "  Fort  St.  David's,"  or,  as  it  was 
afterwards  called,  "The  Falls  of  Schuylkill." 

About  the  same  time  that  this  "  Society  "  was  founded,  in  1732, 
another  celebrated  Fishing  Club,  styled  the  "  Colony  in  Schuyl- 
kill," *  was  founded.  It  assumed  to  itself,  uncontrolled  power 
over  the  fields  and  waters  within  its  own  jurisdiction,  and  has 
been'  called  "  Imperium  in  Imperio,  a  republic  of  Andorra  in 
the  heart  of  Penn's  Kingdom."  It  had  its  Governor,  Assembly, 
Council,  Sheriff,  Coroner,  and  citizens,  with  all  the  powers  of  a 
real  government.  Of  this  club,  Samuel  Morris,  Jr.,  became  a 
member,  on  May  1,  1748.  Governor  Stretch,  the  first  Governor 
of  the  Colony,  was  still  in  office,  and  continued  to  preside,  until 
Oct.  12,  1765,  when,  in  consequence  of  advanced  age,  it  was 
necessary  to  appoint  a  Lieut.  Governor,  and  to  this  post,  Luke 
Morris^  was  elected,  but,  upon  the  death  of  Governor  Stretch, 
Luke  Morris  retired  from  office,  and  the  "  Honorable  Samuel 
Morris"  (his  nephew),  was  elected  Governor  of  the  Colony,  and 
was  unanimously  re-elected  annually,  for  46  years,  until  his 
death,  having  been  an  active  and  valuable  member  for  64  years. 
It  is  still  the  custom,  at  all  meetings  at  the  old  Fish  House,  for 
the  members  to  drink,  standing,  to  "the  memory  of  our  late 
worthy  Governor  Morris,"  after  they  have  drunk,  to  "  the  memory 
of  Washington  and  Lincoln." 

Samuel  Morris-^  was  also.  President  of  the  Gloucester  Fox 
Hunting  Club,  from  its  organization  on  29th  Oct.,  1766,  until  his 
death.  Being  in  independent  circumstances,  he  could  freely 
indulge  in  the  pleasures  of  the  chase,  and  Jacob  Hiltzheimer,  in 
his  diary,  makes  several  references  to  his  fox-hunting  proclivities. 
Under  date  of  Dec.  23,  1765,  Hiltzheimer  writes,  that  after 
breakfasting  at  5  o'clock  at  Mrs.  Gray's,  with  Samuel  Morris  and 
others,  they  "  set  out  for  Darby  Fox  Hunting,"  the  hunters  being 
thirty  in  number.  By  11  o'clock,  they  had  killed  three  foxes ! 
In  1767,  Hiltzheimer  writes,  "  Set  out  from  Jonathan  Humphrey's 
to  a  fox  hunt,  with  the  following  gentlemen :  Samuel  Morris,  An- 
thony Morris,"  etc.,  etc. 


The  "  Colony  of  Schuylkill"  became  "  The  State  in  Schuylkill,"  Oct.  14, 1782. 


FIFTH    GEXERATIOX.  323 

Samuel  Morris^  was  one  of  the  subscribers  to  the  Non-Impor- 
tation Resolutions,  Oct.  25,1765 — the  first  "Pledge  of  Honor" 
before  the  Declaration  of  Independence.* 

About  the  year  1774,  the  dispute  with  Great  Britain  on  the 
subject  of  taxing  the  Colonies,  became  the  all-absorbing  topic, 
and  Samuel  Morris^  and  several  of  his  fox-hunting  friends,  were  in 
unison  with  the  popular  feeling,  even  to  preparing  for  resistance. 
The  first  Continental  Congress  assembled  in  Philadelphia,  Sept., 
1774,  and  when  the  Philadelphia  Troop  of  Light  Horse  was 
organized  by  the  Association  of  26  gentlemen,  on  Nov.  17,  1774, 
not  less  than  22  members  of  the  Gloucester  Fox  Hunting  Club, 
were  enrolled  in  its  ranks.  "  They  were  all  men  of  substantial 
means,  who  had  something  at  stake  in  the  fate  of  their  country, 
and  who  needed  not  pay,  to  keep  them  in  the  field.  Some  of 
them,  were  representatives  of  the  elite,  and  others,  afterwards 
attained  such  prominence  in  public  affairs  as  to  shed  lustre  on 
the  organization." 

At  this  time,  the  Philadelphia  Troop  of  Light  Horse  adopted 
the  following  uniform : 

"A  dark  brown  short  coat,  faced  and  lined  with  white,  white 
vest  and  breeches,  high-top  boots,  round  black  hat,  a  buck's  tail; 
housings  brown,  edged  with  white,  and  the  letters  L.  H.  marked 
upon  them.  Arms — a  carbine,  a  pair  of  pistols,  and  holsters,  with 
flounce  of  brown  cloth  trimmed  with  white,  a  horseman's  sword, 
and  white  belts  for  the  sword  and  carbine."  But,  as  yet,  they 
had  not  provided  themselves  with  a  flag.  The  Officers  first 
chosen,  were:  Captain,  Abraham  INIarkoe;  First  Lieutenant, 
Andrew  Allen;  Second  Lieutenant,  Samuel  Morris;  Cornet, 
James  Mease. 

Rear  Admiral  Preble,  in  his  "History  of  the  Flags  of  the 
United  States,"  informs  us,  that  "The  earliest  known  instance 
of  the  thirteen  stripes  being  used  upon  an  American  banner, 
is  found  upon  a  standard,  presented  to  the  Philadelphia  Troop 
of  Light  Horse  in  1775,  by  Captain  Abraham  Markoe,  which 
is  now  in  the  possession  of  the  troop,  and  displayed  at  its 
anniversary  dinners.  As  General  Washington,  when  en  route  to 
take  command  of  the  army  at  Cambridge,  accompanied  by  Gen- 


*Vkle  Fac-simile  of  Non-Importation  Resolutions,  in  Independence  Hall, 
Philadelphia. 


324  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

erals  Lee  and  Schuyler,  was  escorted  by  this  troop  of  Light  Horse 
from  Philadelphia,  June  21,  1775,  to  New  York,  he  was  doubtless, 
familiar  with  the  sight  of  this  standard,  and  it  is  possible,  that  it 
may  have  suggested  to  him,  the  striped  union  flag  at  Cambridge 
six  months  later."* 


"  Flag  of  the  free  heart's  hope  and  home  ! 

By  angel  hands  to  valor  given  ; 
Thy  stars  have  lit  the  welkin  dome ; 

And  all  thy  hues  were  born  in  heaven. 
Forever  float  that  standard  sheet ! 

Where  breathes  the  foe  but  falls  before  us, 
AVith  Freedom's  soil  beneath  our  feet, 

And  Freedom's  banner  streaming  o'er  us? " 

''Drake." 


Captain  Markoe  resigned  his  commission  in  1775,  an  edict  of 
Christian  VIIL,  King  of  Denmark,  dated  Oct.  4, 1775,  forbidding 
his  subjects  to  engage  in  the  war  against  Great  Britain,  under 
penalty  of  confiscation  of  their  propert3^  He  presented  a  stand- 
ard to  the  troop,  before  his  resignation,  and  it  was  their  first 
standard ;  this  fixes  the  date  of  the  manufacture  in  1775,  and 
prior  to  the  Union  flag  raising  at  Cambridge.  For  this  reason, 
this  flag  is  considered  a  relic  of  priceless  value  by  the  troop ; 
and,  as,  from  its  increasing  age,  the  standard  required  careful 
preservation,  in  1872  the  City  Troop  had  a  handsome  frame  and 
case  made  for  its  safe  keeping.  The  frame  is  of  black  walnut,  in 
the  form  of  a  screen,  in  which,  is  set  the  case,  made  of  two 
sheets  of  "plate  glass  between  which  the  flag  is  placed." 

Upon  Captain  Markoe's  relinquishing  the  command  of  the 
Troop  of  Philadelphia  Light  Horse,  Samuel  Morris'  was  unani- 
mously elected  its  Captain. 

On  30th  June,  1775,  the  Assembly  appointed  a  "Committee 
of  Safet}^"  to  call  forth  the  troops,  to  pay  and  supply  them,  to 
provide  for  defense  of  the  Province  against  insurrection  or  inva- 
sion, to  promote  the  manufacture  of  saltpetre,  and  to  draAV  on 
the  Treasurer  for  its  expenditure.  This  Committee  had  twenty- 
five  members;    it  met  on  3rd  July  (1775),  and  organized,  by 


*  Vide  Hist,  of  Flags  of  the  United  States  of  America,  by  Geo.  Henry  Preble, 
Rear  Admiral  U.  S.  N.,  1882,  p.  251. 


FIFTH    GENERATION.  325 

electing  Benj.  Franklin  president,  and  appointing  William 
Jewett  clerk. 

''Resolved,  that  John  Dickinson,  George  Gray,  Henry  Wynkoop, 
Anthony  Wayne,  Benjamin  Bartholomew,  George  Ross,  Michael 
Swoope,  John  Montgomery,  Edward  Biddle,  William  Edmunds, 
Bernard  Dougherty,  Samuel  Hunter,  William  Thompson,  Thomas 
Willing,  Benjamin  Franklin,  Daniel  Roberdeau,  John  Cadwala- 
der,  Andrew  Allen,  Owen  Biddle,  Francis  Johnson,  Richard 
Reiley,  Samuel  Morris,  Jr.,  Robert  Morris,  Thomas  Wharton  jun., 
and  Robert  White,  Gentlemen,  be  a  committee  of  Safety,"  etc.* 

At  its  first  meeting,  (July  3,  1775),  the  Committee  of  Safety 
resolved,  that  Mr.  Samuel  Morris,^  join'd  with  two  others  "do 
provide  patterns  of  Musketts,  Bayonetts,  Cartridge  Boxes  & 
Knapsacks,  to  be  sent  to  the  different  Countys."t 

Captain  Samuel  Morris  served  as  a  member  of  the  Committee 
of  Safety,  from  30th  June,  1775,  until  Oct.  10,  1775,  and  from 
Oct.  20,  1775,  to  July  22,  1776.  The  Committee  of  Safety  was 
continued  as  the  Council  of  Safety,  to  which  he  was  also  elected 
July  24,  1776,  but  declined  the  appointment.^ 

It  was  resolved  by  the  Committee  of  Safety,  22nd  Jan.,  1776, 
Phila. :  § 

"  That  Mr.  Samuel  Morris  of  this  Board  {i.  e.  Junior),  Mr. 
Rittenhouse,  Mr.  McNeal  and  Capt.  Joy,  be  a  Committee  to  Sur- 
vey the  Jersey  shore,  from  Billingsport  to  Newtown  Creek,  to 
determine  what  posts  it  may  be  necessary  to  fortify,  against  the 
attempts  of  an  enemy  who  may  endeavour  to  land,  to  make  an 
estimate  of  the  expense  thereof,  and  to  report  to  this  Board  by 
this  day  week." 

The  report  was  duly  presented  to  the  Committee  of  Safety, 
1st  Feb.,  1776. 

Captain  Samuel  Morris  not  only  interested  himself  in  the 
equipment  of  the  Army,  and  the  organization,  and  drilling  of  his 
own  troop  of  horse,  but  was  energetic  in  completing  the  Naval 
Defenses  of  the  City,  and  an  effectual  blocking  of  the  channel 
of  the  Delaware  River,  to  prevent  an  attack  upon  the  City  from 

*Col.  Records,  Vol.  x.,  p.  280. 

tFide  Col.  Records,  Vol.  x.,  p.  282. 

XVide  Penna.  Archives,  2iid  Series,  Vol.  iii.,  pp.  682—1-5. 

I  Vide  Col.  Records,  Vol.  x.,  p.  464. 


326  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

the  River.  How  his  efforts  were  appreciated  by  the  Committee 
of  Safety,  will  be  seen  by  the  following  minute,  Philada.  19th 
July,  1776 :  * 

"  The  Committee  taking  into  consideration  the  extraordinary 
trouble  of  Mr.  Samuel  Morris,  Jun'r.,  in  attending  and  directing 
the  Building  of  Chevaux  de  Frize,  procuring  loggs,  and  other 
publick  services  out  of  Doors,  are  of  Opinion  he  is  entitled  to 
Receive  one  hundred  and  fift}'-  pounds." 

"By  order  of  the  Board,  an  order  was  drawn  on  John  Nixon, 
Esq'r  and  others,  the  Committee  of  Accounts,  for  the  above  sum 
of  £150,  in  favour  of  Mr.  Morris  for  the  purpose  aforesaid." 

As  the  Hessians  had  embarked  from  Staten  Island,  early  in 
October,  1776,  and  were  expected  soon  to  visit  the  State  of 
Pennsylvania,  the  Council  of  Safety,  on  Oct.  14,  1776,  ordered  a 
letter  to  be  sent  to  "  Sam'l  Morris,  Junr.,  Esq'r.,  requesting  him 
to  send  up  the  Ammunition  Sloop,  &  supply  himself  with  a 
shallop  in  her  stead,  to  assist  in  making  the  Chevaux  de  Frize 
at  Billingsport."t 

In  1776,  Captain  Samuel  Morris  was  elected  a  Representative 
for  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  in  the  Provincial  Assembly  of 
Pennsylvania.  Reference  is  made  to  the  election  of  Assembly- 
men, by  Christopher  Marshall,  in  his  Diary,  as  follows :  "  Novem- 
ber 5th — Went  past  nine  to  the  State  House,  being  appointed 
one  of  the  judges  to  superintend  and  conduct  the  Election,  as  is 
usual.  Continued  there,  till  near  two  next  morning,  when  all 
matters  in  general  were  conducted  with  great  harmony,  and 
concord  in  the  house;  two  or  three  small  buffetings,  I  heard 
about  the  door  in  the  street,  but  soon  went  over.  Upon  casting 
up  the  Votes,  they  turned  out  thus : 

"For  Joseph  Parker,  682;  for  George  Clymer,  413;  for  Robert 
Morris,  410;  for  Samuel  Morris,  Jr.,  407;  for  John  Bayard,  397; 
for  Michael  Shubart,  393.     These  six  were  the  elected  members." 

Captain  Samuel  Morris  on  this  occasion  was  a  Member  of  the 
Assembly,  from  28th  Nov.,  1776,  to  Feb.  21,  1777.t 

Captain  Samuel  Morris,  was  again  elected,  to  represent  the 
City  of  Philadelphia,  in  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Common- 

*Vide  Col.  Rec,  Vol.  x.,  p.  650. 

t  Vide  Colon.  Records,  Vol.  x.,  p.  753. 

tVide  Journal  of  the  Assembly  of  Penna.,  1st  year  of  Independence,  p.  97. 


FIFTH    GENERATION.  327 

wealth  of  Pennsylvania,  in  1781,  '82,  and  '83,  during  which  years 
he  also  served  on  the  "Committee  of  Grievances."* 

Christopher  Marshall,  in  his  Diary,  has  left  us  many  valuable 
memoranda  of  Philadelphia  life,  in  Revolutionary  days.  Under 
date,  Sept.  4,  1776,  he  writes: 

"Yesterday,  high  words  passed  at  the  Coffee  House,  William 
Allen,  Jr.  declaring,  that  he  would  shed  his  blood,  in  opposition 
to  Independency,  and  Col.  John  Bayard  in  the  support  of  Inde- 
pendency. Allen's  behaviour  was  such,  that  William  Bradford 
immediately  complained  to  Samuel  Morris,  Jr.  (i.  e.  Captain 
Samuel  Morris)  as  a  Member  of  the  Committee  of  Safety,  of  the 
abuse  offered  by  Allen  to  the  Public." 

When  the  Revolutionary  War  broke  out,  the  Philadelphia 
Troop  of  Light  Horse,  composed  of  the  flower  of  the  City,  with 
Samuel  Morris,  Jr.,  as  its  Captain,  offered  its  services  to  the  Gov- 
ernment, and  through  the  campaign  of  1776-7  it  served  as 
Washington's  Body  Guard.  Several  troopers  were  with  the 
Army,  at  Head-C|uarters  at  Morristown,  in  November,  1776,  and 
upon  the  report  of  General  Howe's  advance  towards  Philadelphia, 
the  entire  command  with  Captain  Morris,  joined  General  Wash- 
ington at  Trenton,  on  the  3rd  of  December,  marched  with  him 
to  Princeton,  and  covering  the  retreat  five  days  later,  was  the 
last  to  cross  to  the  Pennsylvania  side  of  the  Delaware.  Christo- 
pher Marshall  well  describes  the  state  of  alarm  existing  at  this 
time  in  Philadelphia: 

"  Dec.  2,  1776.  This  City  alarmed  with  the  news  of  Howe's 
army's  being  at  Brunswick,  proceeding  for  this  place.  Drums 
beat :  a  martial  appearance :  the  shops  shut :  and  all  business, 
except  preparing  to  disappoint  our  enemies,  laid  aside.  I  went 
to  (the)  Coffee  House;  then  to  children's;  then  home;'  then  back 
to  the  Coffee  House,  and  other  parts  of  the  City ;  then  home ; 
dined  there.  Our  people  then  began  to  pack  up  some  things, 
wearing  and  bedding,  to  send  to  the  place.  After  dinner,  I  went 
to  (the)  State  House ;  conversed  with  Jacobs,  Speaker  of  Assembly, 
with  Robert  Whitehill,  J.  Dickinson,  Gen.  Mifflin,  &c.     To  (the) 


*Vlde  Minutes  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, pp.  500,  504,  etc. 


328  GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MORRIS  FAMILY. 

Coffee  House ;  then  home,  drank  tea ;  tlien  down  town.  Accounts 
brought  that  General  Lee  was  near  our  Army  with  ten  thousand 
men.  Various,  but  great,  appearances  of  our  people's  zeal.  Came 
home  near  nine ;  then  went  down  again  as  far  as  the  children's. 
Some  gondolas  gone  up  for  Trenton,  and  some  companies 
marched." 

"  Dec.  3rd.  One  gondola  just  gone  past  for  Trenton ;  some 
troops  in  motion  ;  after  dinner  *  *  *  (the)  Light  Horse  and 
some  of  the  Militia  went  out  of  town.  Numbers  of  families 
loading  wagons  with  their  furniture,  &c.,  taking  them  out  of 
town. 

"  Dec.  8th.  News  brought  of  Gen.  Howe's  intentions  of  bring- 
ing his  army  by  land  through  the  Jerse3^s,  to  this  City "  (viz. 
Philadelphia). 

On  Christmas  night,  1776,  through  the  snow  and  the  sleet  the 
Troop  of  Light  Horse  crossed  the  Delaware  with  Washington, 
and  marched  with  him  and  Greene  to  the  historic  spot  on  which 
the  battle  of  Trenton  was  fought. 

At  the  battle  of  Trenton  the  members  of  the  Philadelphia 
Light  Horse  distinguished  themselves  by  their  bravery.*  They 
were  the  more  admired  for  their  conduct,  as  it  was  the  first  time 
they  had  ever  been  in  action.  In  connection  with  the  Battle,  is 
related  an  anecdote  of  Captain  Samuel  Morris,  the  commander, 
which  though  it  discovers  his  inexperience  of  war,  does  honor  to 
his  humanity.  "In  advancing  through  the  town,  he  came  up  to 
the  Lieutenant  who  had  commanded  the  picket  guard.  He  lay 
mortall}'-  wounded  and  weltering  in  his  blood,  in  the  great  road. 
The  Captain  was  touched  with  the  sight,  and  called  General 
Greene,  to  know  if  anything  could  be  done  for  him.  The  Gen- 
eral bade  the  Captain  push  on,  and  not  notice  him.  The  Captain 
was  as  much  agitated  with  the  order,  as  he  was  affected  by  the 
scene  before  him,  and  it  was  not  until  after  the  fortunate  events 
of  the  morning  were  over,  that  he  was  convinced  that  his 
sympathy  for  a  bleeding  enemy  was  ill-timed. "f 

After  the  Battle,  the  Troop  returned  with  the  Commander-in- 
Chief,  to  the  Pennsylvania  side  of  the  River,  carrying  with  them, 


*Vide  Penna.  Archives,  2nd  Series,  Vol.  xii.,  pp.  767  and  773. 
■\Vide  Hazard's  Register  of  Penna.,  Vol.  ii.,  p.  155;  Historical  Collections  of 
New  Jersey,  p.  295. 


FIFTH    GENERATION.  329 

the  trophies  of  the  Victory.     Christopher  Marshall  thus  refers  to 
it  under  elate : 

Dec.  27,  1776,  ''News  brought  this  day  of  our  troops  under 
Gen.  Washington's  attacking  Trenton  yesterday  morning,  having 
beat  the  enemy,  and  drove  them  out  of  town ;  and  that  this  day, 
were  landed  in  this  Province,  from  thence,  918  Hessians;  one 
Colonel,  two  Lieut.  Colonels,  three  Majors,  Four  Captains,  Eight 
Lieutenants,  Twelve  Ensigns,  Two  Surgeon's  mates,  99  Sergeants, 
25  Drummers,  9  Musicians,  5  Servants,  745  privates ;  1000  stand 
of  arms,  and  6  brass  field  pieces,  12  six  &  four  j^ounders,  3 
standards  &c,  with  all  the  ammunition  for  the  six  brass  field 
pieces." 

On  Dec.  30,  1776,  the  Philadelphia  Troop  of  Light  Horse 
again  crossed  the  river  through  floating  ice,  and  marched  with 
Washington  and  his  army  to  Trenton,  where  was  fought  the  Battle 
of  Assunpink  Creek ;  and  it  is  a  fact  of  historical  interest,  that  this 
Battle  as  well  as  the  Battle  of  Trenton,  (Dec.  26th),  was  fought 
upon  ground,  which,  nearly  half  a  century  before,  had  been  owned 
by  William  Morris,^  a  great  uncle  of  Capt.  Samuel  Morris. 

After  the  Battle  on  the  Creek,  Washington  conceived  the  dar- 
ing scheme  of  turning  the  British  left  flank,  and  making  a  dash 
for  Princeton,  but  it  was  necessary  to  avoid  suspicion  that  the 
American  Camp  was  deserted,  by  keeping  the  camp  fires  burning, 
and  on  the  night  of  January  2nd,  the  Troop  was  entrusted  with 
the  duty  of  renewing  the  camp  fires,  in  the  rear  of  the  Army. 
The  Troop  especially  distinguished  itself  the  next  morning, 
Jan.  3,  1777,  at  Princeton,  and  was  with  Washington,  in  the 
front,  when  he  drove  the  Enemy  over  fields  and  fences,  and 
saved  the  day. 

At  the  Battle  of  Princeton,  Captain  Morris'  brother,  Major 
Anthony  Morris,  was  killed,  with  General  Mercer.  Lossing  in 
his  "  Field  Book  of  the  American  Revolution,"  states  that  "  The 
loss  of  the  Americans  in  this  engagement*  was  about  thirty, 
among  whom,  besides  General  Mercer,  were  Colonels  Haslett,  and 
Potter,  Major  Morris,  Captains  Shippen,  Fleming  and  Neal, — all 
officers  of  much  promise." 

For  the  next  three  weeks,  the  Troop  was  at  Head-quarters  at 
Morristown,  and  the  campaign  being  over,  it  was  permitted  to 

*I.  e.  the  skirmish  preceding  the  Battle  of  Princeton. 


330  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MOERIS    FAMILY. 

return  to  Philadelphia,  having  been  the  only  Cavahy  employed 
in  the  Campaign. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  members  of  the  Philadelphia 
Troop  of  Light  Horse  in  the  campaign  of  76  and  '77 : — 

1.  Samuel  Morris,  captain,  14.  George  Fullerton, 

2.  James  Budclen,  2d  lieutenant,  15.  Thomas  Peters, 
8.  John  Dunlap,  cornet,  16.  William  Pollard, 

4.  Thomas  Leipner,  1st  sergeant,  17.  James  Caldwell, 

5.  William  Hall,  2nd  do.,  18.  AVillam  Tod, 

6.  Samuel  Penrose,  3d  do.,  and  Q,.  M.,  19.  Samuel  Caldw^ell, 

7.  Samuel  Howel,  Jr.,  1st  corporal,  20.  Benj.  Randolph, 

8.  James  Hunter,  2d  do.,  21.  John  Lardner, 

9.  Levi  Hollingsw^orth,  22.  Alexander  Nesbit, 

10.  George  Campbell,  23.  Thomas  Leaming, 

11.  John  Mease,  24.  Jonathan  Penrose, 

12.  Blair  McClenachan,  25.  George  Graff, 

13.  John  Donnaldson,  26.  Francis  Nichols. 

" These  twenty-six  gentlemen  were  the  only  effective  members; 
they  served  in  the  camj^aigns  in  1776  to  the  spring  of  1777;  were 
in  the  battles  of  Trenton  and  Princeton;  took  a  number  of  pris- 
oners, and  returned  home  with  an  honourable  discharge  from 
General  Washington."* 

In  discharging  the  Company,  on  Jan  23, 1777,  at  Morristown, 
Gen.  Washington,  in  a  letter  to  Capt.  Morris,  expressed  himself 
in  warmest  terms,  and  whilst  returning  his  "  most  sincere  thanks 
to  Capt.  Morris  and  his  Troop,  added,  that  although  it  was  "com- 
posed of  gentlemen  of  fortune,  it  had  shown  a  noble  example  of 
discipline  and  subordination,"  and  also,  a  "  spirit  and  bravery 
which  will  ever  do  honor  to  them."  The  company  had  served 
at  its  own  expense  during  the  war,  and  has  since  maintained 
perpetual  succession.  It  is  the  oldest  military  organization  in 
Pennsylvania  and  in  the  United  States,  and  is  now  known,  as 
the  "First  Troop  Philadelphia  City  Cavalry."  The  Standard  of 
the  Troop  made  in  1775,  and  presented  by  Capt.  Abraham  Mar- 
koe,  as  above  stated,  was  carried  by  the  Company  during  the 
Campaigns  of  the  Revolutionary  contest,  and  is  therefore  a  prec- 

*  Vide  "  Papers  from  The  Archives  of  the  First  Troop  Philadelphia  City 
Cavalry."    Edit.  1840,  p.  10. 


^.  ^  ,/;,,„-,  ^  <yffy^  i^^-^^^-e^  c^-^^^^- 


.._,   ^     .^<^-  --^^    ^-^^-^    ---^  -^'^'^  "^"^  ^-.p^--^ 


PHILADELPHIA    TROOP    OF    LIGHT    HORSE 
LETTER    OF    DISCHARGE    FROM    GENERAL  WASHINGTON,    23rd  JAN.,    1777 


FIFTH    GENERATION.  331 

ious  relic,  and  heirloom  of  the  struggle  for  Independence ;  and 
well  it  deserves  the  honor, 

"  For  never,  where  brave  Morris  led, 
Has  Markoe's  silken  banner  waved 
Its  rich  escutcheon  o'er  the  head 
Of  recreant,  vulgar,  or  depraved." 

The  letter  of  discharge  referred  to  above,  is  in  the  possession 
of  Mr.  Elliston  P.  Morris.     The  following  is  a  copy  of  it : 

Letter  of  Discharge  from  General  Washington. 

"The  Philadelphia  Troop  of  Light  Horse,  under  the  command 
of  Captain  Morris,  having  performed  their  Tour  of  duty,  are  dis- 
charged for  the  present — 

"I  take  this  Opportunity  of  returning  my  most  sincere  thanks 
to  the  Captain  and  to  the  Gentlemen  who  compose  the  Troop,  for 
the  many  essential  Services  which  they  have  rendered  to  their 
Country,  and  to  me  personally,  during  the  Course  of  this  severe 
Campaign.  Tho'  composed  of  Gentlemen  of  Fortune,  they 
have  shewn  a  noble  Example  of  discipline  and  subordination, 
and  in  several  Actions  have  shown  a  Spirit  of  Bravery,  which 
will  ever  do  Honor  to  them,  and  will  ever  be  gratefully  remem- 
bered by  me. 

"Given  at  Head-Quarters,  at  Morris  Town, 
this  23d  Jany,  1777." 

"  Go.  Washington." 

On  the  19th  of  October,  1893,  the  "Trenton  Battle  Monu- 
ment "  was  dedicated.  It  is  erected  upon  the  spot  where  the  first 
American  gun  was  fired,  and  by  its  statues  and  the  inscriptions 
upon  it,  commemorates  the  valuable  services  rendered  by  the 
Philadelphia  Troop  of  Light  Horse  at  the  Battle  of  Trenton. 

In  the  course  of  the  Dedication  Exercises,  the  bronze  statue 
of  Blair  McClenachan,  a  soldier  of  the  Philadelphia  Troop  of 
Light  Horse,  placed  on  the  East  side  of  the  doorway  of  the 
monument,  was  unveiled  by  Captain  Joseph  Lapsley  Wilson, 
commanding  officer  of  the  Troop.  In  front  of  the  platform, 
the  old  silken  standard  carried  by  the  Troop  in  the  Battle 
of  Trenton,  had  been  placed,  and  attracted  great  attention  on 
this  occasion. 


332  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

The  bronze  trooper  is  placed  at  the  base  of  the  Column  and 
inscribed  beneath,  are  General  Washington's  own  words  as  con- 
tained in  the  Letter  of  Discharge  to  the  Troop,  which  has  been 
already  referred  to. 

Upon  accepting  this  statue,  the  Honorable  John  Taylor 
remarked : 

"The  mutations  of  the  centuries,  or  the  Artillery  of  the 
heavens,  may  rend  and  scatter  this  commemorative  column,  but 
the  memory  of  Washington  and  his  devoted  band  at  Trenton, 
will  live  on  forever.  Of  all  the  organizations  that  participated 
in  the  battle  of  Trenton,  yours  is  the  only  one  which  has  been 
held  together  intact,  and  your  presence  here  to-day  will  be 
noted  the  world  over.  It  is  more  than  one  hundred  and  sixteen 
years  since  your  command  entered  this  towm,  one  cold,  sleety 
morning  in  December,  looking  for  the  enemy,  and  you  found 
him  right  here  at  the  fork  of  these  roads.  It  is  recorded,  that 
your  depleted  army  was  exposed  to  severe  privations  during  the 
operations  immediately  preceding  this  attack.  I  know  not  of 
the  measure  of  your  sufferings,  but  it  is  enough  for  me  to  know, 
that  you  were  here  at  such  a  time,  battling  for  the  inalienable 
rights  of  my  bewildered  countrymen.  It  was  the  crisis  of  the  Rev- 
olution. The  King's  troops  had  beaten  us  everywhere;  gloom 
and  despondency  overspread  a  cause  despaired  of,  but  a  superior 
and  loftier  patriotism  surged  in  the  breast  of  your  great  Com- 
mander, and  he  resolved  in  desperation  to  strike  offensivel3^  It 
did  not  assume  the  dignity  of  a  great  battle,  but  for  dramatic 
intensity,  has  never  been  approached  in  the  annals  of  revolu- 
tionary warfare ;  crossing  a  river  of  ice,  on  a  tempestuous  night 
in  December,  with  wet  firelocks  and  bleeding  feet,  marching  and 
fighting  for  a  surer  national  footing.  It  was  a  blow  that  eventu- 
ally gave  effect  to  the  undying  declaration  of  July  4,  a  declara- 
tion that  reflected  the  conscience  of  the  enlightened  universe, 
and  riddled  an  ancient  monarchy,  with  the  bulleted  vigour  of 
its  virtue  and  logic — a  declaration  heralding  a  cause,  that  went 
forth  an  armed  and  tattered  hope,  and  returned  a  peaceful, 
respected,  well-dressed  fact.  Trenton  led  a  drooping  and  dis- 
cordant people  to  redemption,  and  it  said  to  the  world's 
oppressed :  '  Come  hither  westward,  and  we'll  found  an  empire 
of  Freedom.'     And  lo !  this  continent  of  thrift  and  intelligence. 


FIFTH    GENERATION.  333 

with  its  twenty  million  peaceful,  sovereign  homes.  In  contem- 
plating its  grandeur,  let  us  accord  to  the  men  who  were  with 
Washington,  at  Trenton,  the  most  enviable  heights  of  fame." 

Not  long  after  the  Battles  of  Trenton  and  Princeton,  the  fol- 
lowing letter  was  written  by 

James  Read  to  Samuel  Morris,  1777.''' 
"  Dear  Sir, 

"  As  you  have  much  at  Heart  the  Happiness  of  this  Country, 
and  have  taken  a  very  active  Part  in  the  glorious  opposition  the 
United  States  are  giving  to  the  King  and  Parliament  of  Great 
Britain,  who  have  long  been  devising  schemes  for  our  Ruin,  and 
are  in  actual  Rebellion  against  the  natural  Rights  of  Mankind,  I 
take  the  freedom  to  suggest  to  you  that,  the  more  effectually  to  main- 
tain the  present  prevailing  Zeal  of  this  and  other  Counties  distant 
from  the  City,  it  will  be  proper  at  all  times  to  spread  among  us, 
as  much  as  possible,  all  the  Resolves  and  Orders  which  the  Con- 
gress, or  our  Honourable  Council  of  Safety  publish  in  the  City, 
and  I  cannot  but,  with  Sorrow,  observe  that  we  hardly  ever  see 
any  of  them.  I  know  of  but  two  copies  of  the  Resolves  relating  to 
the  Continental  currency,  made  so  long  since  as  the  first  (I  think) 
of  this  month,  that  have  reach'd  thus  far  in  the  country ;  so  that 
our  inhabitants  are  ignorant  of  them.  I  have  seen  but  one  of 
the  letters  of  the  Council  relative  to  the  kind  treatment  of  the 
Hessians — and  that  was  shown  me  by  a  Gentleman  from  Lancas- 
ter, who,  when  he  left  Reading,  took  it  away  with  him.  As  the 
Country  are  generally  irritated  against  them,  I  fear  that  some  of 
them  who  desert  and  come  this  way,  (as  4  of  the  Waldeckers  did 
last  week),  may  be  maltreated. 

"  I  should  heartily  be  pleased  to  see  the  Crisis  published  in 
the  German  Language,  and  distributed  with  several  other  valua- 
ble pieces  which  have  been  publish'd  in  Phila.  They  would  be 
of  use  to  prevent  the  Evil  Influence  which  the  Arts  of  our  intes- 
tine Enemies  might  otherwise  have.  Too,  too  many  vile  False- 
hoods are  circulated  among  the  Farmers.  Our  Committee  are 
come  to  a  solemn  Determination,  to  punish  ever}'  offender  of 

*Vide  Penna.  Archives,  Vol.  v.,  page  204. 


334  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

what  Rank  soever  he  ma}^  be,  and  without  any  regard  to  his 
Connections,  which  latter  Consideration,  has  hitherto  prevented 
some  Enquiries. 

"I  wish  we  had  a  Post-rider  to  come  weekly  from  the  City; 
the  service  it  would  be  of  to  the  Public,  would  very  fully  answer 
the  Expence. 

"  I  am  obliged  to  write  this  in  great  haste,  or  I  should  mention 
some  other  matters  worthy  of  Consideration,  which  I  will  not 
fail  to  write  about  in  a  few  Days.     I  heartily  wish  you  a  pleasant 

•'"""'^y-  "I  am  Sir, 

"  Your  obedient  hble  Servt, 

"James  Read. 

"Reading,  January  28,  1777 

"  Directed 

"To  Samuel  Morris,  Esquire,  Captain  of  Light  Horse." 

By  the  following  Warrant,  Samuel  Morris^  was  appointed  a 
Member  of  the  Navy  Board,  March  13th,  1777:— 

"  The  Supreme  Executive  Council  of  the  Common  Wealth  of 
"Pennsylvania: 

"To  Andrew  Caldwell,  Joseph  Blewer,  Joseph  Marsh,  Manuel 
Eyre,  Robert  Ritchie,  Paul  Cox,  Samuel  Massey,  William  Brad- 
ford, Thomas  Fitz  Simmons,  Samuel  Morris,  Junr.,  and  Thomas 
Barclay,  Esquires,  send  Greeting: 

"  Whereas,  the  Civil  department  of  the  Common  Wealth 
requires  great  attention,  and  will  for  some  time  employ  this 
Council,  to  discharge  the  duties  thereof;  and  as  it  is  also  of  great 
importance  that  a  due  attention  be  still  paid  to  the  War  which 
we  are  engaged  in,  And  confiding  in  your  Abilities  and  integrity, 
we  do  api3oint  you  a  Navy  Board,  hereby  giving  to  you,  or  any 
three  of  you,  full  power  and  authorit}^  to  do  and  perform  all 
matters  and  things  relating  to  the  Navy  of  this  State ; 

"Subject,  nevertheless,  to  the  directions  and  examinations  of 
this  Council,  from  time  to  time,  as  we  ma}^  judge  expedient,  and 


FIFTH    GENERATION.  335 

saving  to  ourselves,  alwaj'S,  the  power  of  appointing  Officers, 
agreeable  to  the  Frame  of  Government  of  this  Common  Wealth. 
This  Commission  to  continue  in  force,  until  revok'd  by  this,  or  a 
future  Supreme  Executive  Council. 

"Dated  at  Philadelphia,  this  thirteenth  day  of  March,  in  the 
year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  seventy -seven. 

"(Signed)  Tho.  Wharton,  June.,  Pres't. 

"Attest : 

Ty.  ^Iatlack,  Sec'v-"* 


Captain  Samuel  Morris,  as  heir-at-law  of  his  brother  Major 
Anthony  Morris,  deceased,  became  possessed  of  "the  Mansion 
House,  Brewery,  j\[alt  House  and  Lot  (and  Brewing  utensils)  on 
Second  Street  and  Moravian  Alley,"  which  had  been  left  to  said 
Anthony  ]\Iorris,*  by  his  grandfather  Anthony  ]\Iorris^  under 
certain  conditions,  which  conditions  had  been  complied  with. 
Captain  Samuel  ^Morris  entered  into  partnership  with  his  brother 
Thomas  Morris,  on  14th  Ajjril,  1777,  for  the  carrying  on  of  the 
said  Brewing  business,  from  the  1st  of  July  following — the  articles 
of  co-partnership  were  to  continue  for  seven  years,  but  they  were 
dissolved  by  mutual  consent,  and  all  accounts  concerning  it  were 
closed,  1st  July,  1779. 

The  good  fortune  which  attended  the  American  Arms  at  the 
commencement  of  1777,  deserted  them  for  a  wdiile,  and  when 
Philadelphia  w^as  threatened  by  the  advance  of  the  British  troops, 
it  became  necessary  to  transfer  the  Seat  of  the  State  Government 
to  Lancaster,  to  which  city,  or  to  places  in  its  vicinity,  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Assembly  and  the  Council  removed.  Many  of  the 
families  of  officers  engaged  in  the  field,  were  also  removed  to  the 
same  neighborhood. 

Capt.  Samuel  Morris,  located  his  family  in  or  near  to,  the 
City  of  Reading,  Berks  Co.  Hiltzheimer,  in  his  Diary,  states, 
that  on  Oct.  18, 1777, he  "rode  into  Reading  and  dined  at  Samuel 
Morris's  with  Hall  the  printer." 

In  the  next  month,  Capt.  Samuel  j\Iorris  wrote  the  following 

*Penna.  Archives,  2ncl  Series,  Vol.  i.,  p.  95. 


336  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

interesting  letter  to  his  sister  Sarah  Buckley,  and  her  husband, 
who  were  then  in  the  West  Indies : — 


"  Reading  (in  Berk's  County)  November  19,  1777. 

"Dear  Sister  &  Brother: — 

"  Being  just  now  informed  of  a  Vessel  from  Egg  Harbour 
intending  for  St.  Eustatia,  I  embrace  the  opportunity,  of  advising 
of  the  health  of  myself,  and  of  the  rest  of  my  Family.  Have 
lived  here  now  near  12  months,  having  removed  from  Philada., 
last  winter  when  it  was  expected  Gen.  Howe  would  have  soon  been 
in  Philada.,  and  tho  he  was  disappointed  at  that  time,  he  has  since 
succeeded  &  took  possession  thereof  the  26th  Sept.  last  with  his 
Army.  His  bounds  are  very  small,  extending  from  the  mouth 
of  Schuylkill  as  far  as  Peak's  place  on  the  Wissahickon  Road,  &, 
so  across  to  Delaware,  wch  is  all  the  land  he  now  occupies,  except 
Province  Island,  &  so  down  to  the  mouth  of  Darby  Creek,  his 
Fleet  not  being  higher  up  than  Billinsport.  The  Cheveaux  de 
Frize  (so  called),  sunk  in  the  River,  with  some  fortifications  at 
Red  Bank,  etc.,  &  the  Gallies  hath  hitherto  prevented  their  nearer 
approach  to  the  City.  'Tis  very  seldom  we  can  hear  from  our 
Friends  there  with  certainty,  but  by  the  last  accounts,  they  were 
generally  well,  all  our  relations  continuing  there,  except  Aunt 
Shoemaker's  Family,  &  Brother  Issy  at  his  place  in  the  Jerseys. 
He  has  been  ill  this  Fall,  with  the  Nervous  Fever,  but  believe  he 
is  recovered.  I  have  heard  so  lately,  but  have  not  seen  him  these 
many  months.  The  Northern  army  under  General  Bourgoyne 
have  lately  submitted  to  Gen.  Gates  by  convention,  and  are  to  be 
sent  to  England  from  Boston,  at  which  place  I  expect  they  are 
arrived  by  this  time.  Enclosed  is  the  pticulars  of  their  numbers 
lost  since  their  arrival  on  this  side  of  the  lakes ;  if  as  much  can 
be  done  with  Gen.  Howe  this  winter,  a  Peace,  I  hope  &  believe, 
will  be  the  consequence  next  year. 

"Brother  Tommy  lives  in  the  old  Mansion.  Am  told  the 
Inhabitants  are  much  distressed  for  Provisions  &  Fire  Wood,  (the 
poorer  sort  especially),  the  Fences  within  their  lines  being  already 
entirely  burnt.  Shall  be  glad  to  hear  from  you,  'tis  a  long  time 
since  I  had  that  pleasure,  dont  know  how  to  advise  you  to  direct 
to  me,  whether  here  or  elsewhere,  but  hope  to  continue  here  this 


FIFTH    GENERATION.  337 

winter.     I  remain  with  much  love  to  you  both,  and  Family,  in 
which  mine  joyns,  "  Your  affect  Brother 

"  Saml  Morris,  Junr. 

"  Have  not  time  to  copy  this 

"  Linnens,  calicoes.  Silk  Hanclkfs,  Linnen  Do,  Stripes,  checks, 
blankets.  Cloth  &c  &c  are  in  demand  and  would  afford  a  consid- 
erable profitt,  so  would  Coffee,  Cocoa,  Tea,  Salt,  &c.,  could  they  be 
gottin."* 

Whilst  Captain  Samuel  Morris'  family  still  resided  in  the  City 
of  Reading,  the  youngest  child  Israel  AVistar  Morris  was  born  on 
Feb.  27,  1778. 

Captain  Samuel  Morris,  however,  continued  on  Service  with 
his  troop,  took  part  in  the  battles  of  Brandywine  and  German- 
town,  camped  at  Valley  Forge,  and  served  in  the  military 
operations  in  the  neighborhood  of  Philadelphia,  until  the  British 
evacuated  the  City,  in  June  of  1778.  For  the  next  two  years, 
the  troop  was  employed  in  various  services  under  Congress,  and 
the  State  Authorities,  and  in  June,  1780,  at  the  request  of  the 
Commander  in  Chief,  it  was  again  at  Trenton,  but  the  Enemy 
having  left  the  State  of  New  Jersey,  it  returned  home,  having 
received  another  letter  of  thanks  from  General  Washington. 

Mr.  Israel  Morris  informs  us,  that  he  frequently  heard  from 
his  Aunt  Sarah  Wistar,  that  Captain  Samuel  INIorris  continued 
with  General  Washington  throughout  the  Revolutionary  period, 
and  the  General  and  Captain  were  on  such  intimate  terms,  that 
a  knife  and  fork,  a  plate  and  chair  were  always  placed  in 
readiness  at  the  General's  table,  for  his  friend  Captain  Morris, 
as  no  one  knew  exactly  when  the  latter  would  return  from  exe- 
cuting some  confidential  missiom  for  his  chief 

The  Philadelphia  Troop  of  Light  Horse  was  always  in  readi- 
ness, when  called  upon  to  perform  duty.  In  1780,  Captain 
Samuel  Morris  received  the  following  instructions  from  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  State ; — 

"  Instructions  to  Capt.  Samuel  Morris,  1780. 

"  gjjj^  "  Philada.,  June  9,  1780. 

"The  very  critical  situation  of  Gen.  Washington's  Army, 
destitute  of  Horses  to  remove  his  Artillery  and  valuable  stores, 

*The  original  letter  is  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Howard  Edwards. 


338  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MOERIS    F.^MILY. 

has  made  it  necessary  to  send  forward  without  delay,  a  Number 
of  Horses,  which  can  not  be  obtained,  otherwise,  than  by  taking 
them  from  the  disaffected.  Accordingly,  orders  have  been  issued 
to  seize  them ;  but  as  it  is  probable  many  will  attempt  to  get  them 
out  of  Town,  we  have  thought  it  necessary  to  direct  a  Patrole  of 
Light  Horse,  on  each  Road  leading  out  of  Town,  viz.,  at  Frank- 
fort Bridge,  on  the  Germantown  Road,  the  Wissahickon  Road,  the 
Middle  &  Lower  Ferrys,  on  Schuylkill,  the  Moyamensing,  Pass- 
yunk,  &  Gloucester  Point  Roads,  whose  duty  it  will  be  to  stop  all 
persons  leading  Horses,  or  whom  they  shall  have  reason  to 
believe  are  taking  Horses  out  of  Town,  to  avoid  Seizure,  securing 
the  Horses,  &  delivering  them  at  the  Forage  Yard  in  Walnut 
Street,  with  the  Name  of  Person  to  whom  they  are  said  to 
belong.  The  Patroles  may  come  in  by  1  o'clock,  by  which  time, 
it  is  presumed,  the  business  will  be  finished. 

"  I  am.  Sir 

"  Your  obed.  H'ble  servt. 

"  Jos.  Reed,  President. 


"  Indorsed   To   Sam.  Morris,  Esq.,  Commanding   the  Light 
Horse." 


The  following  is  the  reply  of  Captain  Morris,  in  which  we 
find  reference  to  his  greatest  enemy,  the  Gout: — . 

"Samuel  Morris  Jux.,  to  President  Reed,  1780. 

"Dear  Sir  "June  9,1780. 

"I  shall  give  orders  for  Twenty  of  the  Troop,  properly 
officered,  to  be  ready  to-morrow  morning,  agreeable  to  your  orders 
just  Received.  Be  so  good  as  to  order  us  some  ammunition,  &c., 
as  the  troop  are  entirely  without.  I  have  not  been  out  of  my 
Chamber  these  ten  days,  being  confined  with  the  Gout,  otherwise 
should  have  Waited  on  you,  on  the  Receipt  of  your  orders  of  this 

*Vide  Penna.  Archives,  Vol.  viii.,  p.  300. 


FIFTH    GENERATION.  339 

morning,  &  now  take  this  oppt'y  to  inform  yon,  that  they  shall 
also  be  Comply 'd  with. 
"  I  am.  Sir 

"  With  great  Respect 

"Your  most  obed't 

"H'ble  Serv't, 

"  Saml  Morris,  Jun. 
"Friday  Evening  June  9,  1780." 

Directed 

"  His  Excellency,  Joseph  Reed  Esq.  President  of  the  State  of 
Pennsylvania."  * 

A  few  days  later,  President  Reed  wrote  the  following : — 

"To  Captain  Samuel  Morris. 
"Sir 

"One  of  the  delegates  in  Congress  has  just  informed  me,  that 
there  has  been  a  movement  of  the  eneni}^,  and  some  appearances 
of  their  retiring  from  Elizabeth-Town.  Under  these  circum- 
stances, I  think  it  best  to  postpone  the  March  of  the  troop,  till 
we  have  further  advices;  but  would  have  every  thing  kept  in 
readiness,  to  go  off  at  a  moment's  warning. 
"  I  am.  Sir, 

"  Your  obedient  humble  servant, 

"Joseph  Reed, 
"President  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania.f 

"Philadelphia,  June  24,  1780." 

The  following  are  some  of  the  letters  which  came  to  Captain 
Samuel  Morris,  from  the  President  and  his  Secretary  in  1781 : — 

"  Secy.  Matlack  to  Capt.  Sam.  Morris,  1781. 
"  Sir, 

"  I  am  directed  by  his  Excellency  the  President  to  request, 
that  you  will  immediately  order  twenty  of  the  Light  Horse  to 

*Vide  Penna.  Archives,  Vol.  viii.,  p.  308. 

t  Vide  Papers  from  Archives  of  First  City  Troop,  Edition  1840,  p.  10. 


340  GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MORRIS  FAMILY. 

parade  at  his   House,  at  four  o'clock  this   afternoon,  ready  to 
march  immediately  into  New  Jersey,  and  to  order  the  remainder 
of  the  corps  to  parade  and  march  to-morrow  morning. 
"  I  am  with  great  respect, 

"  Your  most  obed  Servt. 
"  Friday,  Jan.  5, 1781.  "  T.  M.* 

"  To  Cap.  Samuel  Morris  of  the  Light  Horse." 

"Pres.  Reed  to  Capt.  Sam.  Morris,  of  the  Light  Horse,  1781. 
"  Sir, 

"  By  a  Resolve  of  Congress  of  the  12th  inst.  the  Militia 
Cavalry  are  required  to  be  sent  forward  with  every  Degree  of 
Dispatch,  without  waiting  for  the  March  of  the  Militia  Infantry 
required  by  Congress  from  this  State.  You  will  therefore  be 
pleased  to  report  to  me  the  State  of  the  Troop  of  this  City,  as 
soon  as  possible,  agreeable  to  my  former  Desire,  the  Country 
Troops  have  already  reported,     u  j  ^^^  g-^, 

"Directed  "  Your  Obed.  Hble  Serv.f 

"  Capt.  S.  Morris." 

"  Pres.  Reed  to  Capt.  Sam  Morris  of  the  Light  Horse,  1781. 
"  Sir, 

"  The  advices  received,  are  of  so  serious  a  Nature  to  this  City, 
That  I  think  it  advisable  the  Troop  of  Light  Horse  should  be  in 
Readiness  to  move  upon  the  shortest  Notice.  It  is  hoped  there- 
fore that  no  Member  of  the  Troop  will  leave  the  City  on  any 
private  Business,  &  it  will  be  expected,  that  every  one  not  actu- 
ally disabled  by  Sickness,  will  attend  this  interesting  Call. 
"  I  am  Sir 

"  Your  obed.  Hble.  Servt. 

"  J.  Reed,  Prest.| 
"  Capt.  Morris  Commandt.  of  the  Troop  of  Light  Horse." 
"  Indorsed 

"Sept.  20,1781." 

*Vide  Penna.  Archives,  Vol.  viii.,  p.  699. 
fVide  Penna.  Archives,  Vol.  ix.,  p.  221. 
t  Vide  Penna.  Archives,  Vol,  ix.,  p.  415. 


FIFTH    GENEKATION.  341 

Captain  Samuel  Morris  became  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  the 
Wahiut  St.  Ward,  Jan.  5,  1779,  and  was  a  Member  of  the  Penn- 
sj'lvania  Assembly  from  1781  to  1783.  Having  in  early  life  been 
apprenticed  to  Isaac  Greenleafe  as  a  Merchant,  he  had  received  a 
training  for  mercantile  pursuits,  and  was  therefore  prepared  after 
the  Revolution,  to  enter  into  active  business  life,  by  becoming  a 
partner  in  the  firm — Meicker  &  Morris,  Sugar  Refiners. 

In  the  year  1786,  being  conscious  of  his  advancing  years  and 
increasing  feebleness,  Captain  Morris  determined  to  send  in  his 
resignation  as  a  member  of  the  Philadelphia  Troop  of  Light 
Horse.  It  was  received  by  the  members  with  much  regret,  and 
he  was  put  upon  the  Honorary  Roll.  The  following  is  his  letter 
of  resignation : — 

"  Gentlemen,  "  Philadelphia,  April  11,  1786. 

"  This  being  the  day  appointed  for  a  new  choice  of  Officers,  I 
take  the  opportunity  of  returning  you  my  sincere  thanks  for  the 
honour  you  have  done  me  for  ten  years  past,  in  choosing  me  to 
the  command  of  the  Philadelphia  Troop,  and  at  the  same  time 
of  resigning  my  place  as  a  member  thereof,  not  owing  to  any 
want  of  respect  for  the  Troop,  but  to  my  bodily  infirmities,  which 
are  such,  as  to  put  it  out  of  my  power,  with  propriety,  to  continue 
longer  in  your  respectable  Corps.  I  shall  ever  retain  the  highest 
esteem  for  the  gentlemen  of  the  Troop,  and  am  with  great 
respect 

"  Their  Best  Friend  and 

"  Very  humble  Servt. 

"  Saml.  Morris. 

"To  the  Gentlemen  of  the  Philadelphia  Troop  of  Light 
Horse." 


Jacob  Hiltzheimer  writes  in  his  Diary,  under  date  July  28, 
1787,  that  he  "  Visited  Captain  Samuel  Morris,  who  has  been 
confined  to  his  house  for  five  weeks  with  a  bad  cut  in  his  right 
hand."  And  on  Sept.  1,  1796,  he  writes  "  Took  a  ride  along  the 
banks  of  Schuylkill,  and  afterwards  dined  at  Warner's  Fish 
House  with  Samuel  Morris,"  &c. 


342  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

As  the  "  Testimony  "  of  the  Society  of  Friends  is  "  against  all 
wars  and  fightings,  and  against  entering  into  military  engage- 
ments of  any  kind,"  it  is  not  surprising  that  the  gallant  Captain 
Samuel  Morris  should  be  "  disowned  "  by  the  Society,  for  violating 
its  principles,  when  he  took  up  the  Sword  in  defence  of  his  coun- 
try, during  the  Revolutionary  War.  Nevertheless,  he  continued 
till  his  death,  to  wear  the  dress,  and  use  the  language  of  the 
"  Friends,"  worshipping  with  them,  regularly  in  their  meetings. 

The  following  are  a  few  interesting  extracts,  from  some  of  the 
letters  of  Samuel  Morris,^  written  to  his  family  who  remained  in 
Philadelphia,  whilst  he  was  staying  at  Long  Branch,  N.  J.,  where 
he  had  gone  early  in  the  summer  of  1793.  He  remained  there 
during  the  fall  and  prevalence  of  the  yellow  fever. 

"  First-day  morning,  Sept.  8,  1793. 

"  I  have  written  you  sundry  letters  from  hence,  and  pointed 
out  different  ways  for  you  to  write  to  me,  by  some  of  which,  I 
hope  it  will  not  be  much  longer  before  I  receive  accounts  of  your 
health,  which  at  present  seems  to  be  all  I  can  think  of.  Caspar's 
letter  of  3d  day  I  received  on  4th  day  noon,  and  the  pleasure  it 
gave  me  to  hear  of  your  health  generally,  was  much  dampened 
by  the  information  of  Benny's  sickness,  but  that  he  was 
quite  clever  that  morning — I  sincerely  hope  he  is  getting 
better  of  it.  Is  Benny  worse,  or  some  other  of  my  children  or 
friends  sick  ?  I  fear  the  worst,  and  can  safely  say,  I  have  not 
enjoyed  any  pleasure  since  I  left  home — where  is  Benny — where 
his  family — where  is  Kitty — that  is  the  only  letter  since  I  left 
home,  and  accounts  in  the  country  are  dismal,  and  the  people  are 
afraid  to  take  in  any  from  the  city,  lest  they  should  be  infected — 
dont  omit  any  opportunity  of  writing." 

"  September  15,  1793. 

"Dear  Caspar. — Isaac  came  here  last  evening  from  New 
York,  by  whom  I  received  thy  letter  of  2d  day — by  sundry  of 
thine  to  him,  since  confirmed  my  apprehension  of  the  situation 
of  some  of  my  dear  children,  and  from  the  violence  of  the  dis- 
order, I  am  fearful  of  their  fate,  lest  they  should  be  no  more — 
pray  each  of  you  that  are  free  from  the  disorder,  make  use  of 
every  possible  precaution  to  avoid,  if  possible,  the  infection — I 


FIFTH    GENERATION.  343 

feel  for  your  situation,  and  am  sometimes  almost  tempted  imme- 
diately to  set  off  for  home — my  thoughts  are  constantly  about 
you — my  friends  here  say,  do  not  go,  what  service  can  you  ren- 
der, and  most  probably  if  you  go,  you  will  take  the  disorder  and 
render  them  no  service — never  was  anxiety  greater  than  mine 
for  you — that  my  sick  children  may  recover,  and  they  will  con- 
tinue so,  is  the  sincere  desire  and  earnest  prayer  of  your  affec- 
tionate father — what  has  become  of  the  brewhouse  people — do 
Mosley  and  Dinah  continue  with  you,  and  how  are  they — remem- 
ber me  to  them — I  cannot  conclude,  without  again  requesting,  you 
will  all  be  particularly  attentive  to  every  possible  method  to  pre- 
vent taking  the  infection,  and  have  the  best  and  immediate 
medical  assistance,  if  any  of  you  should  be  poorly,  servants  as 
well  as  yourselves." 

"  First-day  afternoon,  Sep.  15,  1793. 

"  Dear  Caspar. — I,  this  morning,  wrote  to  you  all  by  Mr. 
Rile}^,  but  seem  to  be  so  full  of  anxiety  about  you  all,  and  de- 
sirous of  giving  advice  how  to  conduct  at  this  alarming  time, 
and  tho.  I  have,  in  two  letters,  recommended  you  shutting  up  the 
house  and  going  in  the  country — as  you  had  not  done  so  on  5th 
day  last  and  Samm}^  then  ill,  you  could  not  do  so  then,  and  am 
fearful  for  him,  lest  he  may  not  recover,  and  that  thyself,  and 
Sister  Kitty,  with  the  family,  may  from  your  attention  to  him, 
be  also  taken  ill — I  say,  I  want  to  advise  you,  and  do  not  know 
how,  but  think  it  will  not  be  prudent  to  go  any  great  distance 
from  town,  lest  you  may  unfortunately  have  taken  the  infection, 
and  not  be  able  to  procure  proper  advice, — and  if  you  wish  me 
to  come  home,  say  so,  and  I  will  come  at  all  hazards,  for  affection 
as  well  as  duty  I  owe  my  children,  will  induce  me  to  come  and 
render  them  any  assistance  in  my  power  to  give  them ;  and  that 
all  of  you  may  enjoy  happiness,  in  this  world  and  the  world  to 
come,  is  the  sincere  prayer  of  your  affectionate  father." 

"4th  day  night  8  o'clock  Sept.  23,  1793. 

"Luke  this  evening  brought  me  the  melancholy  intelligence 
of  the  death  of  my  poor  Sam,  at  the  same  time,  'tis  a  great 
comfort,  to  find  that  Benny,  is  spared  to  us  this  time,  and  I  hope 
there  is  no  danger  of  a  relapse, — pray  be  careful  to  run  no  unnec- 
essary risks,  any  of  you.     By  Kitty's  letter  to  Isaac,  begun  on 


344  GENEALOGY    OP    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

first  day,  and  finished  on  2d  da}^  morning,  reed  this  day,  by  way 
of  New  York,  I  was  apprehensive  of  Caspar  being  sick,  as  he  did 
not  write,  nor  she  mention  his  name, — my  apprehensions,  are 
now  confirmed — tho  Benny's  letter  does  not  allow  it  to  be  fever, 
yet  I  suspect  it  is.  I  pray  God  for  his  recovery,  and  that  there 
may  be  no  more  deaths  in  my  family  at  this  time,  but  wish  sin- 
cerely, we  may  all  be  prepared  to  meet  the  awful  messenger, 
whenever  he  comes.  I  have  no  doubt  you  all  feel  for  me, — my 
anxiety  is  very  great  indeed,  on  your  account,  and  to  be  requested 
by  you  not  to  come  to  town,  as  Benny's  letter  to  Luke  is  particu- 
lar in  that  respect,  as  such  a  time  as  this,  when  a  Parents  advice 
and  assistance  seem  peculiarly  necessary,  appears  a  great  diffi- 
culty in  my  mind.  I  scarcely  know  how  to  stay  from  you,  but  I 
hope  you  all  have  a  comforter  far  superior  to  an  earthly  father, 
to  whose  care  and  protection,  I  sincerely  recommend  you,  and 
that  you  may  be  in  the  enjoyment  of  it,  is  the  earnest  prayer, 
and  wish  of  your  affectionate  father — " 

"6th  day  Oct.  4th,  1793. 

"I  have  omitted  no  opportunity  of  writing  to  you,  but  great 
was  my  disappointment,  and  my  anxiety  about  your  health, 
much  more  so  on  the  arrival  of  the  Post  yesterday  afternoon  at 
Eatentown  from  Brunswick — and  not  a  line  from  one  of  you, — 
tho,  Benny  promised  to  write  by  that  opportunity  if  you  were 
well, — my  conclusion  is  very  natural,  that  you  are  not  well  as 
you  have  been,  and  of  course  my  anxiety  and  apprehensions  on 
your  account  will  continue,  till  I  hear  from  you,  either  contra- 
dicting or  confirming  them.  The  Lord,  in  his  infinite  goodness, 
avert  from  you  and  all  of  us  any  more  sickness,  or  distress  at 
this  time,  and  we  all  meet  again  in  health,  is  my  sincere  desire. 
But  from  present  prospects,  and  the  latest  accounts,  vid  New 
York,  it  is  not  likely  to  be  very  soon,  unless  I  return  during  the 
continuance  of  the  sickness ;  your  repeated  requests  to  me  not  to 
come  home  only  have  prevented  it  during  your  illness,  and 
when  you  were  recovering,  it  was  not  so  necessary.  Caspar's 
letter  of  7th  day  last,  via  New  York,  advising  of  your  continu- 
ing nicely,  and  that  my  dear  Kitty  was  that  morning  down  stairs 
at  breakfast, — and  in  a  fair  way,  and  assuring  also  of  the  health  of 
the  other  members  of  my  family,  and  relations,  both  in  and  out  of 
town,  gave  me  inexpressible  pleasure,  and  I  was  truly  thankful  for 


FIFTH   GENERATION.  345 

it,  to  the  Father  of  all  goodness.  M}^  dear  love  to  you  all,  Chil- 
dren and  Grand  Children.  You  must,  when  you  have  opportu- 
nity, advise  your  brothers  and  sisters  that  are  out  of  town,  of 
your  hearing  from  me,  and  of  my  prayers  for  you  all ;  remember 
me  particularly  to  Uncle  and  Aunt  Luke,  1  expect  they  may 
think  it  extraordinary,  my  being  so  long  from  home,  and  while 
you  were  sick — you  can  give  them  the  reason  of  my  stay  here — 
being  at  your  request.  Remember  me  to  the  family  at  the  Sugar 
house." 

"  First-day  afternoon,  Oct.  13,  1793. 

"Benny's  letter  of  1st  via  Brunswick,  reed  5th  day  last — also 
of  8th — but  such  is  the  vicissitude  of  human  affairs,  that  we 
receive  by  the  same  hands  so  different  accounts  of  the  situation 
and  health  of  our  friends — altered  in  the  course  of  a  day  or  two, 
as  I  never  before  experienced.  Last  evening  I  received  letters 
from  Isaac,  giving  the  most  flattering  accounts  of  the  disorder, 
decreasing  in  the  city,  that  gave  us  better  spirits  than  we  have 
had  for  some  time,  for  which  I  was  truly  thankful,  but  this  daj'' 
at  noon,  Jessy  returned  to  us  with  most  melancholy  accounts 
indeed — that  the  deaths  last  4  or  5  days  were  between  300  and 
400 — these  accounts,  tho.  anxious  to  hear  from  you,  are  very 
distressing,  and  we  wish  to  be  advised  from  our  friends,  of  their 
true  situation,  wdiich  bad  as  they  are,  are  not  so  bad,  as  people  in 
the  country  make  them  appear.  Great  satisfaction  indeed,  some 
of  your  letters  afforded  me,  to  find,  that  kind  Providence  still 
affords  his  protection  to  my  dear  children,  and  their  connections 
generally.  But  it  was  much  allayed  by  advice,  in  some  of  them, 
of  my  dear  Kitty's  relapse — the  same  hand,  that  has  hitherto 
supported  her,  and  the  rest  of  you,  I  pray  to  continue  His  kind- 
ness and  protection  to  you  all,  and  restore  her  again  to  health, — 
and  those  who  are  well,  to  keep  them  so, — that  we  may  again 
meet  each  other,  and  rejoice  together,  for  His  having  spared  us, 
when  so  many  others  have  been  deprived  of  their  nearest  connec- 
tions. Could  I  be  of  any  service  to  any  of  you,  in  the  time  of 
sickness  by  my  presence,  or  would  it  alleviate  your  pain, — I  would 
come  home  to  your  assistance,  but  I  have  acquiesced  hitherto, 
with  3'our  desire  to  stay  abroad,  till  it  should  please  kind  Provi- 
dence to  cause  an  abatement  of  the  disorder  in  the  city, — at 
present  the  prosj^ect  of  returning  soon,  is  a  ver}'  gloomy  one — as 
I  have  no  certain  way  of  writing  at  this  time.     That  you  will 


346  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

soon  receive  this,  or  any  letter  to  any  of  you  in  particular, — I 
request  you  will  advise,  when  opportunity  offers,  your  absent 
brothers  and  sisters,  of  your  hearing  from  me,  and  my  continued 
wishes  and  prayers,  for  their  welfare  both  here  and  hereafter." 

"Oct.  24,  1793. 

"Yesterday  Sammy  Hugg  arrived,  and  brought  us  a  letter 
from  Luke,  the  accounts  so  very  different,  as  to  dampen  my  joy 
very  much — two  from  Caspar  to  Luke,  one  without  date,  and 
says,  my  children  that  were  sick,  were  then  on  the  mend,  which 
through  permission  of  kind  Providence,  I  sincerely  hope  con- 
tinues to  be  the  case, — my  thoughts  and  prayers  are  hourly  for 
the  continuance  of  the  protection  of  the  Father  of  all  mercies  to 
you  and  j'ours, — and  should  He,  in  his  wisdom,  see  meet  to 
separate  us  from  our  nearest,  and  dearest  connections,  that  we 
may  be  resigned  to  His  dispensation, — and  happy  will  it  be  for 
us,  if  we  can  truly  say — Thy  will,  and  not  ours,  be  done,  0  Lord, — 
I  trust  in  His  goodness  that  I  may  yet  be  permitted  once  more  to 
return  to  you." 

In  the  year  1811,  the  old  Castle  of  the  State  in  Schuylkill, 
which  had  by  this  time  been  transferred  to  Rambo's  Rock,  had 
been  condemned  as  unworthy  of  repair,  and  Governor  Morris 
and  Mess.  Wharton  and  Lewis,  were  appointed  a  Committee,  to 
superintend  the  erection  of  a  new  and  more  commodious  Castle, 
and  the  "  History  "  of  the  Fishing  Company  informs  us  that : 

"  On  the  25tli  of  March,  1812,  the  Company  assembled  at  the 
Castle  grounds,  and  assisted  Mr.  Samuel  Knight,  the  Master 
builder,  and  his  workmen,  in  raising  the  frame  of  the  new  build- 
ing. The  arduous  task  was  completed  by  twelve  o'clock,  when 
the  usual  refreshments  composing  a  good  luncheon,  was  enjoyed 
by  the  industrious  laborers,  and  at  three  o'clock,  about  sixty 
persons  partook  of  the  excellent  dinner  provided  for  the  import- 
ant occasion." 

"  Much  to  the  regret  of  the  Company,  the  venerable  Governor 
was  unable  to  attend,  by  reason  of  indisposition." 

"  On  the  18th  of  June  (1812),  the  Venerable  Governor  Samuel 
Morris,  attended  a  numerous  meeting  at  the  Castle,  of  members 
and  visitors,  after  an  indisposition  of  some  continuance ;  it  was 
the  last  meeting  he  was  ever  permitted  to  attend." 


FIFTH    GENEKATION.  347 

Captain  Samuel  Morris  died  at  his  Philadelphia  residence,  at 
three  o'clock,  in  the  morning  of  July  7,  1812.*  On  the  8tli  of 
July,  the  members  of  the  Troop,  of  which  he  had  been  Captain, 
attended  his  funeral  from  his  dwelling  house  on  2nd  Street,  near 
Walnut  Street,  opposite  the  Bank  of  Pennsylvania.  They  assem- 
bled, agreeably  to  orders,  without  their  uniforms,  but,  wdth  crape 
around  the  left  arm  above  the  elbow.  After  the  burial,  it  was 
"  resolved  "  by  the  Troop :  "  That  in  consequence  of  the  eminent 
services  of  its  late  Commander,  during  the  Revolutionary  war, 
and  the  high  respect  the  Troop  entertain  for  his  memory,  the 
members  thereof  will  wear  crape  on  the  left  arm,  above  the 
elbow,  thirty  days." 

Captain  Samuel  Morris  was  beloved  by  his  associates,  and 
was  familiarly  known  by  the  appellation  of  "  Christian  Sam." 
His  love  for  outdoor  sports  never  deserted  him,  and,  when  too 
infirm  to  ride  on  horseback,  he  frequently  made  his  appearance 
in  the  midst  of  his  old  companions,  of  the  Gloucester  Hunt, 
riding  in  a  chaise,  and  at  such  times,  the  ground  Avas  so  chosen, 
as  to  afford  him  the  best  possible  view  of  the  Sport. 

He  left  the  impress  of  his  strong,  but  gentle  personality,  upon 
the  organizations  with  which  he  was  connected,  and  to  this  day, 
he  is  spoken  of  by  the  members  of  the  "  Troop,"  and  the  "  Fish- 
ing Club,"  in  terms  of  almost  personal  affection. 

His  friends  of  the  Schuylkill  Fishing  Company  sadly  mourned 
his  death,  and  thus  record  the  event,  in  their  "  History  :  " 

"  On  the  7th  day  of  July,  1812,  the  good  old  Governor  Samuel 
Morris,  usually  distinguished  by  the  appellation  of  '  Christian 
Samuel,'  departed  this  life  in  the  78th  year  of  his  age,  having 
been  a  member  for  fifty-eight  years,  and  for  forty-six  years  the 
Chief  Magistrate  of  the  Colony  and  State;  to  which  honourable 
post,  he  was  annually  re-elected,  with  perfect  unanimity,  respected 
and  beloved  by  his  endeared  associates,  for  the  cheerfulness  of 
his  disposition,  the  benevolence  of  his  heart,  and  the  blandness 
and  dignity  of  his  manners.  He  was  ever  remarkable  for 
studied  courtesy  and  kindness,  to  all  invited  guests." 

*An  extract  from  the  old  family  Bible  in  possession  of  the  Edwards'  family 
says,  "He  departed  life  the  7th  day  of  the  7th  month  called  July,  1812, 
after  a  short  indisposition,  apparently  free  from  pain  or  uneasiness  from  the 
preceding  sixth  day."  His  daughter  C.  W.  M.  states,  "  My  dear  Father  deceased 
the  7th  of  7th  month  1812  at  4  o'clock  in  the  morning,  after  a  few  days  illness." 


348  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

"  He  uniformly  declined,  in  his  latter  years,  to  sit  for  his 
l^ortrait,  though  often  solicited  by  some  of  his  intimate  friends. 
A  good  bust  resemblance  of  him,  in  wood,  executed  by  our  un- 
rivalled artist,  William  Rush,  Esquire,  from  occasional  views  of 
the  original,  unknown  to  him,  was  obtained,  and  now  ornaments 
the  Castle."  It  is  placed  within,  over  the  front  entrance,  on  an 
elegant  pedestal,  presented  to  the  State,  by  Mr.  D.  Knight,  a 
Visitor. 

"  Every  stated  meeting  of  the  company,  attests  the  estimation 
in  wdiich  this  good  citizen  was,  and  continues  to  be,  held,  and 
his  memory  revered.  After  the  "  Memory  of  Washington,"  and 
the  "  Memory  of  Lincoln,"  which  is  always  drank  standing,  "  The 
Memory  of  our  late  worthy  Governor  Morris"  invariably  succeeds. 

"  His  bereaved  State  decreed  an  Oration  to  be  delivered,  as  a 
just  tribute  to  the  manes  of  their  departed  beloved  associate  and 
friend.  A  discourse  was  pronounced  accordingly,  by  a  member, 
(Curtis  Clay),  to  a  resj^ectable  audience  at  the  Castle,  in  July, 
1812;  in  which  eloquent  production,  his  merits  and  virtues  as  a 
man,  in  all  the  relations  of  civil  life,  and  his  eminent  services 
as  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  contest,  are  full}^,  forcibly  & 
justly  delineated. 

"  His  highest  eulogy  as  an  Officer,  is  the  distinguished  appro- 
bation of  the  Commander-in-Chief  expressed  towards  himself, 
and  the  gallant  patriot  spirits  who  promptl}'-  rallied  under  his 
banner,  nobh^  unfurled  at  the  beginning  of  the  War,  in  the 
sacred  cause  of  their  country,  and  who  bravely  fought  at  the 
battles  of  Trenton  and  Princeton,  N.  J.,  and  their  honourable 
'  Discharge '  from  a  tour  of  arduous  duty,  speaks  volumes  of 
merited  applause. 

"The  original  'Letter  of  Discharge'  is  preserved  in  the  Gov- 
ernor's family,  as  a  precious  relic  of  the  distinguished  writer,  so 
honourable  to  the  receiver  and  his  Corps. 

"Several  members  of  the  Fishing  Company,  following  the 
good  example  of  their  esteemed  Governor,  became  members  of 
the  troop,  and  faithfully  served  their  countr}^  under  his  com- 
mand. 

"In  the  summer  of  1780,  the  troop,  thirty-eight  in  number 
again  took  the  field,  in  consequence  of  movements  of  the  enemy 
in  Jersey;  on  their  arrival  at  Trenton,  the}^  reported  to  the 
Commander-in-Chief,  and  awaited  further  orders  to  march,  but 


FIFTH    GENERATION.  349 

events  rendering  it  unnecessary  to  proceed  onwards,  his  Excel- 
lency General  Washington,  in  recalling  them  home,  thus 
addressed  them  from  Head-Quarters: 

'"The  spirit  and  alertness  which  the  Philadelphia  Light 
Horse  have  discovered  on  this  occasion,  is  such  as  to  deserve  my 
best  thanks.  I  should  have  been  happy  in  their  services,  had 
the  enemy  continued  in  the  Jerseys;  but  as  they  have  evacuated 
this  State,  and  as  the  necessity  is  over,  which  called  them  out, 
you  will  be  pleased  to  return  to  Philadelphia.' 

"  In  September,  1794,  the  services  of  the  good  old  troop  were 
again  put  in  requisition  by  the  general  Government,  to  assist  in 
quelling  the  whiskey  insurrection  in  western  Pennsylvania. 
Fifty-two  in  number  marched  at  a  short  notice,  under  Captain 
Dunlap,  who  with  the  rank  and  title  of  Major,  commanded  a 
squadron  of  Cavalry. 

"  In  April  1799,  under  the  same  commander,  they  again  took 
the  field  and  marched  to  assist  in  quelling  the  rebellion  in 
Northampton  County,  Pennsylvania. 

"  In  both  of  these  remarkable  expeditions,  some  of  the  troop 
who  had  served  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  several  gentle- 
men, at  those  later  periods,  who  had  become  members  of  the 
Fishing  Company,  practically  served  the  cause  of  the  Union." 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  "  A  Tribute  to  the  memory 
of  Samuel  Morris,  late  Governor  of  the  Association  of  the  State 
in  Schuylkill "  by  Curtis  Clay,  which  was  read  before  the  Asso- 
ciation July  23rd,  1812: 

"  And  here  our  attention  is  irresistibly  attracted  in  the  first 
instance,  to  the  Era  of  the  American  Revolution,  an  Era,  in  which, 
men  and  principles  experienced  the  severest  tests.  Educated  in 
the  habits  of  a  meek  and  forbearing  religion,  we  find  Samuel 
Morris  in  these  times,  exhibiting  an  example  worthy  of  the 
greatness  of  his  mind.  He  revered  his  religion,  and  all  the  doc- 
trines it  inculcated.  He  acknowledged  his  obligations  and  his 
duties  to  his  God ;  but  he  also  felt,  that  he  owed  something  to 
his  country,  something  to  his  family  and  friends. 

"  At  this  period,  his  country  after  a  series  of  injuries  and 
contumely,  had  deemed  it  necessary  to  resist  the  tyranny  and 
encroachments  of  the  Parent  .Government  by  force  of  arms.  *  *  * 
Under  the  blessings  of  Providence,  after  encountering  hardships 


350  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

and  privations  the  most  acute,  and  surmounting  perils  the  most 
imminent,  the  independence  of  an  infant  nation  was  achieved. 

^:^^^<  >1<  ^  :^  ^  *  ^  ^  :^  ^ 

"By  the  zeal,  activity  and  influence  of  our  respected  Gov- 
ernor, a  respectable  Corps  of  Cavalry  was  speedily  formed  in 
Philadelphia,  who  served  during  the  greater  part  of  the  war, 
under  his  immediate  command. 

"  If  panegyric  were  at  all  necessary,  language  would  here  be 
unavailing  after  what  has  occurred;  for  the  First  City  Troop  of 
Cavalry  of  Philadelphia  is  proudly  rewarded  by  the  recorded 
testimony  of  the  Immortal  Washington  in  favour  of  its  services. 

"  Few  men  manifested  a  warmer  solicitude  or  a  more  disinter- 
ested zeal  for  the  public  welfare,  than  he  did,  and  as  the  public 
prosperity,  in  an  essential  degree,  depends  upon  the  fair  and 
general  exercise  of  the  right  of  suffrage,  to  this  object  he  strenu- 
ously directed  his  influence. 

"It  falls  to  the  lot  of  but  few  mortals,  to  pass  a  life  of  nearly 
fourscore,  without  receiving  the  wounds  of  scandal,  or  bearing 
the  scars  of  malice.  But  such,  as  far  as  human  frailty  permits, 
was  the  enviable  fortune  of  our  irreproachable  Governor.  He 
has  raised  up  for  Society,  a  numerous  and  respectable  family  of 
children.  He  has  bequeathed  to  them  a  legacy,  more  precious 
than  gold,  and  more  honourable  than  nobility.  He  has  left  them 
the  example  of  a  long  life  of  practical  virtue.  That  in  all  the 
other  relations  of  social  life  he  was  equally  exemplary  and  above 
censure,  let  the  united  approbation  and  general  love  of  the  city 
pronounce." 

The  appellation  of  "  Christian  Sam,"  so  frequently  referred 
to  in  these  pages,  probably  had  its  origin  from  the  following 
circumstance : — 

A  strange  man,  a  seaman,  who  had  been  washed  ashore  in  a 
helpless  condition  and  almost  destitute  of  clothing,  was  taken 
charge  of  by  Samuel  Morris,  who  clothed  him,  and  cared  for  him, 
until  he  was  well  enough  to  resume  his  nautical  duties.  Some 
time  after  the  man  had  departed  on  another  voyage,  a  cask  of 
sugar  from  the  "West  Indies,  directed  to  "  Christian  Samuel  Morris," 
was  landed  at  Philadelphia,  and  for  some  months  it  remained 
undelivered,  until  it  was  claimed  by  Samuel  Morris,  who  received 
advices,  informing  him  that  it  had  been  sent  to  him,  by  his  sailor 
friend,  the  grateful  recipient  of  his  bounty  and  care. 


FIFTH    GENERATION.  351 

At  the  Centennial  Celebration  of  the  foundation  of  the  State 

in  Schuylkill,  May  1, 1832,  an  Ode  prejDared  by  James  N.  Barker, 

Esq.,  was   recited,  from  which  we   extract   a   stanza   in  which 

allusion  is  made  to  Captain  Samuel  Morris : 

"Thou  only,  State  in  Schuylkill,  thou 
Not  e'en  to  Time  himself  might  bow. 
Tho'  thou  wert  changed,  thy  better  fate 
Changed  thee  from  Colony  to  STATE  ; 
What  time,  determined  to  be  free 
Thv  sister  Colonies  with  thee, 
Unfurled  the  flag  of  LIBERTY, 
When  with  the  bravest  of  the  band 
For  freedom  and  for  native  land. 
Thy  MORRIS  waved  the  warrior  brand." 

Rebecca  Wistar,  the  wife  of  Captain  Samuel  Morris,  was  a 
daughter  of  Caspar  Wistar  and  Katherine  Johnson  (Jansen)  his 
wife.  She  was  highly  esteemed,  and  greatly  beloved,  as  the 
following  obituary  notice,  in  the  "  Pennsylvania  Gazette "  for 
Jan.  26,  1791,  abundantly  testifies: — 

"Died  the  22nd  instant,  Rebecca  Morris,  wife  of  Samuel 
Morris,  Esq.  Her  death  has  opened  every  source  of  grief,  which 
the  loss  of  all  that  is  truly  estimable  in  the  wife,  the  parent,  or 
the  friend,  ought  to  occasion  to  their  corresponding  relations ;  yet 
admits  every  consolation  which  a  well-grounded  belief  ought  to 
give,  that  her  faithful  performance  of  every  duty  in  time,  has 
ensured  unto  her  a  glorious  reward  in  eternity." 

Samuel  and  Rebecca  (Wistar)  Morris  had  issue : — 

129.  Samuel  Morris,  d.  voung. 

130.  Sakah  Morris,  b.  Jan.  19,  1758  ;   d.  Jan.  7,  1831 ;   m.  INIarch  14,  1782, 

Richard  "Wistar. 

131.  Benjamin  Wistar  Morris,  b.  Aug.  14,  1762  ;   d.  April  24,  1825  ;   m. 

Nov.  24,  1785,  Mary  Wells. 

132.  Caspar  Wistar  Morris,  b.  Sept.  12,  1764  ;  d.  Feb.  27,  1828  ;  m.  Nov. 

24,  1795,  Elizabeth  Giles. 

133.  Anthony  Morris,  b.  Feb.  10,  1766 ;  d.  Nov.  3,  1860 ;  m.  May  13,  1790, 

Mary  Smith  Pemberton. 

134.  Luke  Wistar  Morris,  b.  June  25,  1768;   d.  June  4,  1830;   m.  (1st) 

]\Iarch  24,  1791,  Elizabeth  Morris  Buckley;    (2dly)  April  4,  1800, 
Ann  Pancoast. 

135.  Isaac  Wistar  Morris,  b.  July  19,  1770 ;  d.  May  8,  1831  ;  m.  12mo.  17, 

1795,  Sarah  Paschall. 

136.  Catharine  ^\ .  Morris,  b.  April  22,  1772  ;  d.  unm.  Dec.  10,  1859. 

137.  Samuel  Morris,  b.  March  4,  1775  ;   d.  9mo.  17,  1793,  of  yellow  fever. 

138.  Israel  Wistar  Morris,  b.  Feb.  27, 1778,  at  Reading,  Berks  Co.,  during 

the  occupation  of  Philadelphia  by  the  British  ;   d.  Aug.  17,  1870 ; 
m.  6mo.  12,  1799,  Mary  HoUingsworth. 

All  the  above  children  (excepting  the  last  named),  were  born 
in  Philadelphia. 


352  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 


ABSTRACT  OF  WILL  OF  SAMUEL  MORRIS. 

Samuel  Morris,  of  Philadelphia,  Gentleman.  Will  dated  8th 
day  of  Jan.,  1810.* 

Commences  by  saying  "  Whereas  I  feel  an  equal  affection  for 
my  children,  but  having  already  given  as  much  of  real  estate,  and 
other  property,  to  my  two  sons  Benjamin  W.  Morris  and  Anthony 
Morris,  respectively,  as  is  their  respective  full  portions  and  shares 
of  all  my  estate,  and  hereby,  moreover,  forgiving  and  releasing 
to  them,  and  each  of  them,  all  book  debts  that  I  now  have,  or 
may  have,  against  them,  at  the  time  of  my  decease,  I  wish  them, 
and  those  concerned  to  know,  that  these  are  the  reasons  why  I 
have  given  my  remaining  Estate,  to  my  other  six  children  here- 
inafter named,  in  manner  and  form,  and  in  such  proportions, 
as  are  hereinafter  mentioned,  and  that  the  same  reasons  have 
induced  me  not  to  include  my  said  two  sons  Benjamin  and 
Anthony,  or  either  of  them,  among  my  Executors." 

He  gives  his  daughter  Sarah  Wistar,  his  dinner  set  of  blue 
and  white  china,  which  he  values  at  150  dollars. 

He  gives  his  son  Caspar  W.  Morris,  his  large  silver  tankard, 
which  he  values  at  60  dollars ;  To  his  sons  Luke  W.  Morris  and 
Israel  W.  Morris,  he  gives  his  wearing  apparel,  valued  at  200 
dollars,  and  to  Isaac  W.  Morris  his  small  silver  tankard  valued 
at  60  dollars. 

To  his  daughter  Catharine  W.  Morris,  he  gives  one  silver  pint 
can,  and  all  his  other  plate,  and  all  the  rest  of  household  and 
Kitchen  furniture,  valued  at  1000  dollars. 

In  1804  he  (iid  by  deed  give  to  Luke  W.  Morris  and  Isaac  W. 
Morris,  in  fee,  a  certain  lot  of  ground  on  Taylor's  Alley  in  said 
City;  he  now  confirms  it.  Releases  all  his  children  from  any 
indebtedness. 

Leaves  all  the  rest  of  his  real  estate,  and  remainder  of  his 
personal  estate,  to  his  six  children, — Sarah  Wistar,  Caspar  W. 
Morris,  Luke  AV.  Morris,  Isaac  W.  Morris,  Catharine  VV.  Morris 
and  Israel  W.  Morris — share  and  share  alike. 


''Vide  Will  Book  4,  p.  152,  Philadelphia. 


GRANDFATHER'S   CLOCK   OF   CAPT.  SAMUEL    MORRIS,   AT   OVERBROOK 


FIFTH    GENERATION.  353 

Executors — his  four  sons,  Caspar  W.  Morris,  Luke  W.  Morris, 
Isaac  W.  Morris,  and  Israel  W.  Morris. 

(Signed)  Saml.  Morris. 

Witnesses : 

Nathl.  Holland. 
Thomas  Young. 

Proved  at  Philadelphia  15th  July,  1812. 

Captain  Samuel  Morris  died  possessed  of  a  large  quantity  of 
household  effects,  the  inventory  of  which  dated  7mo.  20, 1817,  gives 
their  valuation  at  $2259.88.  That  this  does  not  include  several 
valuable  sets  of  china,  and  other  articles,  which  by  his  will,  he 
left  to  his  children,  but  which  were  not  to  be  included  in  the 
inventorv. 


CAPTAIN  SAMUEL  MORRIS'  PUNCH  BOWL 
AND  CLOCK. 

At  some  time  prior  to  1797,  Captain  Samuel  Morris  was  pre- 
sented by  the  gentlemen  of  the  Gloucester  Hunting  Club,  of 
which  he  was  president,  with  an  exquisitely  painted  china  Punch 
Bowl,  which  has  recently  come  into  the  possession  of  his 
descendant — Mr.  Israel  W.  Morris.  With  it,  came  a  paper  written 
(probably  in  1872)  by  Miss  Hannah  Morris,  a  granddaughter  of 
Captain  Samuel  Morris,  which  interestingly  describes  an  imag- 
inary colloquy,  between  this  Ancient  Punch  Bowl  and  the  old 
grandfather's  clock,  which  were  often  near  to  one  another  in  the 
home  of  their  original  owner,  Captain  Samuel  Morris.  The 
grandfather's  clock  is  now  in  the  house  of  Mrs.  Wistar  Morris,  at 
Overbrook.  Permission  has  kindly  been  given  for  the  reproduc- 
tion of  the  paper  referred  to : — 

"  Hush  !  and  listen  to  the  fine  ringing  of  the  Tally-Ho  china 
bowl  ! 

"  Very  pleased  I  am,  to  be  brought  again  into  nearness  with 
my  old  compeer,  the  clock, — for  so  long  I  have  been  shut  up 
against  the  low  ceiling  of  the  closet  in  the  garret  above.  Old 
china  around  me,  it  is  true,  but  some  of  it  sadly  broken,  and 
none  that  could  hail  from  my  first  home  65  south  2nd  St.,  or 


354  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

from  my  later  home  56  north  4th  St. — until  m}--  lady  Jane  of  this 
present  household,  thought  how  nicely  I  would  hold  the  dried 
grasses.  So  now,  here,  on  this  high  old  mantel  shelf,  in  the 
midst  of  owls  and  squirrels,  and  pine  cones,  I  greatly  enjoy  the 
moving  scene,  and  hear  the  constant  time  telling  voice  of  the 
good  old  clock,  which  now  as  truly  notes  the  time,  as  80  years 
ago  in  Samuel  Morris'  parlour. 

"  Occasionally,  I  see  the  doors  swing  open  below  me,  and 
china  dish  or  plate,  bottle,  bowl  or  odd  old  teapot,  handed  out 
for  the  amusement  and  delight  of  the  lovers  of  old  time  articles. 
My  duty  is  dry  now,  not  as  it  was,  years  ago  in  the  old-  2nd  St. 
house.  I  cannot  give  the  date  of  my  presentment  by  Captain 
Clement,  to  the  Governor  of  the  hunting  club,  after  which,  I  was 
called  into  service  for  their  refreshment.  All  liked  that  Issy 
should  make  the  toddy,  whether  in  me,  or  in  the  much  older,  and 
finer  china  bowl,  now  in  keeping  of  the  \adj  Catharine  M. 
Brown — but  it  was  always  good  order,  and  genial,  gentlemanly 
behaviour,  under  Governor  Morris'  sway,  and  when  the  clock 
told  10,  all  parted  in  good  feeling.  And  now,  it  is  more  than  60 
years  since  with  his  death,  the  doors  of  that  long  occupied  dwell- 
ing were  closed,  and  I  was  carried  by  his  daughter  Catharine,  to 
her  new  home  on  4th  St.,  and  placed  bottom  upward,  on  the  top 
shelf  of  her  parlour  closet.  Here  I  was  never  called  into  use, 
but  passed  the  years,  in  quiet  companionship  with  some  old  silver 
spoons,  the  old  well  used  chaflBng  dish,  the  old  silver  sugar  bowl, 
and  Aunt  Debby's  old  white  china  plate.  This  last,  was  often 
brought  into  use  for  shellbarks,  and  its  story  told  to  the  young 
people.  Pleasantly  asked  for  by  Samuel  Morris,  it  was  playfully 
promised  to  him,  and  he  did  not  let  her  forget  her  playful  affirm- 
ative. The  plate  was  left  in  her  will,  to  this  much  loved 
Nephew. 

"  0  many  happy  hours  the  two  ladies,  Catharine  W.  Morris 
and  Hannah  Elliot  spent  in  mutual  enjoyment  just  outside  my 
closet  door.  I  know  it — for  the  fireplace  was  near  and  the  sofa 
close  by,  and  the  work  tables  and  writing  tables  within  my  hear- 
ing— and  the  heart  confidence  was  perfect,  each  consulting  with 
the  other  on  lesser  matters  and  on  more  important  points,  and 
altogether  and  entirely  agreeing,  that  in  Religion  was  their  happi- 
ness, and  for  them  the  pathway  was  with  Friends,  diligent  atten- 
tion to  meetings  and  committees  and  school  associations — and  in 


FIFTH    GENERATION.  355 

the  twilight  of  every  evening,  before  the  lamps  were  lighted  an 
entire  stillness,  very  solemn,  reigned.  I  think  the  spirit  of  man 
was  hushed,  and  the  spirit  of  the  Most  High  invoked  to  bless 
them,  to  abide  with  them  and  rule  over  all  they  had.  In  these 
watchings  unto  prayer,  renewed  favours,  I  am  sure,  were  asked 
with  thankfulness  for  the  blessings  they  did  enjoy — and  these  old 
ladies  loved  the  company  of  young  people,  and  when  lights  were 
brought  in,  after  they  came  back  from  the  tea  table,  the  cheerful 
voices  of  old  and  young,  joined  in  noting  the  passing  events  of 
the  day — any  subject  of  mental  improvement,  history,  or  some- 
times lighter  reading.  Washington  Irving's  works  were  then 
new,  and  gave  great  delight  to  all.  One  piece  of  pleasantry  I 
heard  preparing — it  was  designed  by  Hannah  Elliot  as  expres- 
sive of  their  union — their  united  Monograms  worked  in  their  hair 
with  a  needle  on  white  satin — enclosed  by  a  wreath  of  the  same — 
to  be  carefully  put  away,  and  referred  to,  as  their  Marriage  Cer- 
tificate. 

"  Hush  !  again — The  clock  is  answering.  Greatly  pleased  am 
I,  to  renew  companionship  with  my  long  lost  friend,  the  Tally- 
Ho  bowl.  How  long  I  told  the  time  at  65  south  2nd  Street  is 
not  engraved  on  my  dial,  or  written  on  the  case.  Whether  I  was 
removed,  or,  if  some  English  officer  wound  me,  when  the  family 
were  sent  away,  because  Samuel  Morris  was  with  the  First  City 
troop,  and  Philadelphia  was  in  possession  of  the  British  in  1778, 
I  can  never  tell,  but  I  heard,  that  Mother  and  children  had  a 
cold  and  difficult  carriage  ride  to  Reading,  where  they  were 
kindly  received,  and  settled  in  a  house  by  some  of  Captain  Morris' 
friends.  I  have  heard  them  recount  the  privations  of  the  period, 
and  the  eldest  daughter,  Sally,  learned  to  use  the  spinning 
wheel  for  the  comfort  of  the  family.  While  here,  little  Issy 
was  born  2nd  mo.  27th,  1778.  As  soon  as  the  w^ar  difficulty  allowed 
of  it,  they  all  returned  to  their  home.  Other  sad  leavings  of  the 
house,  was  when  yellow  fever  more  than  once  raged  so  terribly 
in  Phi  la. — the  hours  tolled  very  solemnly  then.  Once  Kitty,  as 
she  was  called  then,  remained  in  town  and  was  very  ill. 

"  Captain  Morris  rode  every  day,  holding  the  reins  of  his 
fine  horses  in  his  own  hands,  taking  his  wife,  when  she  was  able, 
and  the  weather  was  fine,  with  little  Issy  on  his  chair,  between 
them.  The  choice  drive  then,  was  round  Point  Breeze,  through 
the  meadows  below  the  City,  or  Kitty  would  sometimes  ride  with 


356  GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MORRIS  FA.MILY. 

her  father,  both  on  horseback — she  riding  '  lady/  a  white  and 
very  pleasant  riding  horse,  belonging  to  uncle  Israel,  whose 
home  was  with  his  brother  Samuel.  Once  they  told  me  with 
great  pleasure,  of  meeting  General  Washington,  and  his  stopping 
for  pleasant  exchange  of  greetings.  Once  a  grand  day  in  the 
house,  was  on  the  occasion  of  General  Washington  being  invited 
to  dinner.  I  can  not  record  what  passed,  for  an  upper  room  was 
prepared  for  the  table,  the  parlour  where  was  my  station,  was  but 
a  reception  room  on  that  day. 

"  True  to  time,  very  regular  and  orderly  were  the  habits  of  the 
large  household.  Dinner  at  2,  tea  at  6,  hot  supper  at  9 — at  ten 
the  house  closed  for  the  night. 

"Time  passed  on — Sarah  and  the  six  brothers  married,  and 
Kitty  was  left  alone  in  the  house  with  her  father.  Social  in  his 
feelings,  his  table  was  always  free  to  his  friends,  and  for  years  it 
was  the  habit  of  his  elder  married  sons  with  their  families,  to 
dine  with  him,  on  first  days. 

"In  the  year  1812  he  died,  and  I  was  carried  with  the  other 
household  furniture  to  56  N.  Fourth  Street,  from  that  time  the 
home  of  his  daughter  Catherine." 


THE  WISTAR  FAMILY. 

Caspar  Wistar,  the  founder  of  the  family  in  America,  was 
born  in  Hilsbach,  in  the  Electorate  of  Heidelberg  in  Germany, 
Feb.  3,  1696,  being  the  eldest  son  of  Johannes  Caspar  Wiister 
(born  1670 ;  died  Jan.  15,  1726),  and  Anna  Catharina  his  wife. 
Hilsbach  is  a  small  town  of  Baden,  a  few  miles  S.  S.  E.  of  Heidel- 
berg. In  1893,  its  population  was  1232,  and  the  house  in  which 
Caspar  Wister  was  born,  is  still  standing.*  His  father  held  the 
hereditary  office  of  Electoral  Huntsman  (Fiirst  Jager),  to  Carl 
Theodore  of  Bavaria,  the  Elector  of  Baden.  The  appellation 
"  Herr "  appears  on  the  Church  Record,  prefixed  to  his  name^ 
and  distinguished  him  from  the  Bourgeois. 

Johannes  Caspar  and  Anna  Catharina  Wiister  were  the  pro- 
genitors of  the  Wistars  and  Wisters  so  well  known  in  Philadel- 
phia.    Johannes  Caspar  Wiister  had  come  from  some  other  part 

*Our  illustration  of  this  house,  is  a  reproduction  of  a  photograph,  kindly 
loaned  by  Wm.  Eotch  Wister,  Esq. 


FIFTH    GENERATION.  357 

of  Germany,  and  the  family  name  has  long  been  extinct  in 
Hilsbach.  In  the  "  Church  Book  "  of  the  Evangelical  Lutheran 
Parish  of  Neckar-Gemiind,  and  associated  villages,  the  very  first 
entry  of  a  baptism,  is  that  of  one  of  the  children  of  Johannes 
Caspar  Wiister  and  his  wife. 

The  following  is  copied  from  a  manuscript  given  by  the 
Lutheran  Minister  of  Wald  Hilsbach  to  the  late  Dr.  Caspar 
Wister : — 

"  From  '  Church  books '  at  Nekargemiind,  where  all  Lutherans 
from  Hilsbach  were  buried  before  the  existing  union. 

"  Birth  Book^ 

"1.  Born  26  February,  1700,  Maria  Barbara.  Parents  Hans 
Caspar  Wiister,  uxa  Anna  Catharina. 

"  2.  Born  22  Feb.,  1702,  Anna  Barbara — parents  as  above. 

"3.  Born  26  Dec,  1703,  Albertina — parents  as  above. 

"  4.  Born  10  June,  1707,  Maria  Margaretha. 

"  5.  Born  7  Nov.,  1708,  Johannes. 

"  6.  Born  29  January,  1711,  Johan  Ludwig. 

"  7.  Born  18  Sept.,  1713,  George  Bernhart. 

"  Book  of  Deaths. 

"  Died  in  Waldhilsbach  11  Deer.,  1711,  Albertina  Wiister, 
buried  at  Gaiberg  with  a  funeral  sermon. 

"  Died  in  Hilsbach  15  January,  1726,  Hans  Caspar  Wiister — 
Electoral  Huntsman  of  Hilsbach,  aged  55  years  less  3  months. 

"  This  is  the  last  entry  of  any  person  of  the  name  of  Wiister." 

Kauffmann. 

These  extracts  from  the  "  Church  books  "  were  sent  to  Dr.  Caspar 
Morris  by  Dr.  Caspar  Wister  with  the  following  remarks : — 

"  You  see  that  Hans  Caspar  the  father,  was  born  about  1671, 
and  as  Caspar  his  oldest  son  came  to  this  country  in  1717,  aged 


*From  this  list  of  births,  that  of  Caspar  Wiister,  horn  Feb.  3,  1696,  is 
omitted  for  reasons  elsewhere  given. 


858  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

21  years,  he  must  have  been  born  about  1696,  the  year  in  which 
the  Church  was  burned,  with  the  record  of  his  birth.  As  to  the 
disappearance  of  the  entire  family  from  the  Village  of  Wald 
Hilsbach  (this  village  is  written  Waldhilsbach,  but  in  speaking 
Hilsbach),  Carl  Theodore  of  Bavaria  was  the  Elector  of  Baden, 
the  province  in  which  Hilsbach  stands,  and  soon  after  1726, 
ceased  to  reside  in  Heidelberg,  and  to  be  elector,  and  in  conse- 
quence retired  back  into  Bavaria,  taking  his  household  with 
him,  probably  including  the  family  of  his  Jager,  particularly  as 
this  office  would  seem  to  have  been  hereditary,  as  Hans  Caspar 
is  said  to  have  offered  to  resign,  in  favour  of  his  son  Caspar,  if 
he  would  relinquish  his  intention  of  going  to  Anierica. 

"  John  Wister  sailed  for  America,  May  1726,  bringing  a  Bible, 
and  silver  salt  cellers,  both  of  which  I  have,  the  property  of  his 
father,  and  in  the  Bible,  is  an  entry  of  his  Father's  death,  the 
date  same  as  the  above  record. 

"  Caspar  Wister." 

The  Rhenish  provinces  had  already  contributed  large  con- 
tingents of  emigrants,  to  the  newly  founded  Province  of  Penn- 
sylvania, and  young  Caspar  Wiister,  fired  with  the  enthusiasm 
of  the  time,  resolved  to  try  his  fortune  in  the  Western  World. 
But  his  father  was  so  reluctant  to  part  with  him,  that  he  offered 
to  give  him  the  house  he  lived  in,  and  to  resign  the  office  he 
held,  in  his  favor,  if  he  would  abandon  his  intention.  But 
Caspar  was  young,  and  enterprising,  and  confident  in  his  deter- 
mination, being  full  of  that  "  Hope  which  rules  a  land  for  ever 
green."  As  the  eldest  son,  he  would  have  inherited  his  father's 
appointment  as  Fiirst  Jager,  which  would  have  insured  him  a  com- 
fortable income,  but  he  told  his  father  that  he  preferred  to  make 
his  own  way  in  America,  (leaving  for  his  sisters  that  part  of  the 
property  that  would  otherwise  have  come  to  him),  if  his  father 
would  consent  to  give  him  an  outfit  of  clothing,  and  pay  his  pas- 
sage across  the  Ocean.  To  this,  his  father  at  length  agreed,  and 
his  son  crossed  over  the  "  waste  of  waters,"  arriving  in  Philadel- 
phia, Sept.  16,  1717,  "a  stranger  from  afar,  unknowing  and 
unknown."  Besides  the  clothes  he  wore,  his  fortune  consisted 
of  but  nine-pence  (a  "pistareen")  in  his  pocket,  and  his  rifle  in 
his  hand.  Soon  after  his  arrival,  Caspar  saw  a  man  gathering 
apples,  in  an  orchard  in  Arch  Street,  between  3d  and  4th  Streets, 


CHURCH    AT    GAIBERG 


FIFTH    GENERATION.  359 

and  on  enquiring  as  to  whether  he  had  any  employment  for  a 
stranger,  he  told  Caspar,  that  he  would  be  glad  of  his  assistance 
in  gathering  the  apples,  if  he  would  be  willing  to  be  paid  for  his 
labor  in  fruit.  The  terms  were  readily  assented  to,  and  Caspar 
went  to  work  with  a  will.  By  expending  his  ninepence  for 
bread,  and  receiving  his  portion  of  apples,  he  supplied  himself 
with  food.  His  first  meal  in  America,  thus  consisted  of  bread 
and  apples,  which  he  ate  as  he  sat  on  the  top  of  an  orchard  fence, 
in  Arch  Street,  Philadelphia.* 

He  had  not  been  long  in  Philadelphia,  before  he  became 
famous  as  a  Marksman.  One  of  a  party  of  gentlemen  who  had 
agreed  to  shoot  at  a  mark  for  a  prize,  was  unable  to  shoot 
for  himself,  but  having  heard  of  Caspar  Wistar's  skill  with 
the  rifle,  he  obtained  him  as  a  substitute,  and  so  successful 
was  Caspar's  performance,  that  it  gained  for  his  employer,  a 
gold  snuff-box. 

For  a  time  he  was  employed  by  a  brass  button  manufacturer, 
but  shortly  after  commencing  this  business,  the  master  met  with 
a  severe  accident,  which  confined  him  to  his  bed.  This  had 
such  a  discouraging  effect  upon  the  enterprising  German,  that 
the  Button-maker  allowed  him  to  bring  his  work  to  the  bed 
chamber,  and  there  instructed  him  in  his  art.  Caspar  pursued 
his  labors  with  such  assiduity,  that  when  it  was  necessary  to 
desist,  he  would  be  unable  to  open  his  fingers,  and  was  obliged 
to  reverse  his  clenched  hand,  to  allow  the  hammer  to  slip 
through.  By  this  occupation  he  amassed  £18.00,  which  his 
generosity  induced  him  to  lend  to  some  German  friends,  who 
were  engaged  in  a  speculation.  These  friends  thought,  that  with 
the  aid  of  a  little  more  mone}^  their  scheme  w^ould  prove  a  suc- 
cessful one,  but  the  £18  once  lent,  was  gone  forever. 

Whilst  travelling  through  New  Jersey  for  the  Button-maker, 
Caspar  Wistar  had  noticed  some  sand,  similar  to  that  used  in 
Germany,  for  the  making  of  glass,  and  he  determined  to  make 
an  effort  to  manufacture  glass  at  that  place.  Not  possessing 
sufficient  means  for  starting  such  an  establishment,  he  borrowed 
money  from  some  wealthy  men,  who  were  glad  to  aid  such  a 


*Many  years  afterwards,  Caspar  Wistar's  grandson,  the  celebrated  Dr.  Caspar 
Wistar,  commemorated  this  event,  by  inviting  a  number  of  guests  to  his  house, 
and  providing  for  their  refreshment,  nothing  but  bread  and  apples ! 


360  GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MORRIS  FAMILY. 

worthy  individual.  Thus  were  started  in  1729-30,  the  glass 
works  near  Salem  in  New  Jersey.  It  has  been  stated,  that  these 
were  the  first  glass  works  established  in  America,  but  we  are 
informed,  that  efforts  were  made  to  manufacture  glass  at  James- 
town, in  Virginia,  in  1608  and  also  in  1683.  Penn's  letter  of 
1683,  to  the  Free  Society  of  Traders,  alludes  to  their  tannery, 
saw-mill,  and  glass-house ;  and  soon  after,  at  Frankford  near  the 
city,  a  glass-house  and  pottery  were  set  up  by  English  Friends.* 

On  3rd  mo.  25th,  1726,  Caspar  Wistar,  "  Button-Maker," 
married  Katherine  Johnson,  (born  at  Germantown,  Sept.  20, 
1703;  died  at  Philadelphia,  12th  mo.  18th,  1786,  aged  nearly 
84  years),  daughter  of  Dirck  and  Margaret  Jansen  (Johnson)  of 
Germantown. t  Katherine  Johnson  being  a  member  of  the 
Society  of  Friends,  their  intention  of  marriage  was  laid  before 
a  meeting  held  at  Abington,  and  the  marriage  took  place  at 
Friends'  Meeting  in  Germantown.  According  to  the  custom 
of  those  early  times,  a  person  thus  marrying,  was  admitted  into 
membership — a  privilege,  which  Caspar  Wistar  ever  after 
retained. 

After  becoming  established  in  America,  Caspar  Wistar  sent 
to  the  old  country,  for  his  sister  Anna  Barbara,  and  his  younger 
brother  John.  Johannes  Caspar  Wiister,  the  father,  died  Jan.  13, 
1726,  aged  57  years,  and  in  the  following  year,  John  Wiister, 
emigrated  to  America. 

Caspar  Wistar  settled  his  sister  and  her  family,  on  a  large 
farm  which  he  had  purchased  in  the  valley  of  the  Tulpehocken, 
near  Reading,  Pennsylvania. 

"  In  Caspar's  oath  of  allegiance  to  King  George,  under  the 
date  of  1721,  his  name  was  incorrectly  written  by  the  clerk  as 


*Scharf  &  Westcott's  "History  of  Philadelphia,"  Vol.  iii.,  p.  2298;  also 
"  Penna.  Mag.,"  Vol.  viii.,  p.  339. 

In  1769,  Eichard  Wistar  (successor  to  his  father,  Caspar  Wistar),  transferred 
his  glass-factory  from  New  Jersey  to  his  house  on  High  Street,  above  Third, 
Philadelphia,  where  he  made  glass  lamps,  and  bottles  and  brass  buttons,  which 
he  said  were  "  clear  of  duty,  which  Americans  so  justly  complain  of,  and  at 
present  it  seems  the  duty  of  Americans  to  encourage  their  own  manufacturers, 
more  especially,  those  on  which  duties  have  been  imposed  for  the  sole  purpose 
of  raising  revenue." 

t  There  are  numerous  descendants  of  Dirck  and  Margaret  Jansen,  in  Ger- 
mantown and  elsewhere,  named  Johnson. 


HILSBACH 
WIRTHSCHAFT' 


HILSBACH.      TOWN     HOUSE 


HILSBACH 
SCHOOLHCUSE 


FIFTH    GENERATION.  361 

'  Wistar,'  and  from  him  are  descended  those  of  the  family  who 
thus  spell  their  name."     (Penna.  Mag.,  Vol.  v.,  p.  384.) 

Caspar  Wistar  evidently  spelled  his  name  with  the  German 
pronunciation  of  the  e.  The  original  name  was  spelled  Wiister, 
but  from  his  imperfect  knowledge  of  English,  he  was  under- 
stood to  say  Caspar  Wistar,  and  thus  it  was  recorded.  When 
his  younger  brother,  John,  arrived  in  May,  1727,  Caspar  advised 
him  to  adhere  to  the  original  spelling,  and  this  shows,  at  the 
present  time,  which  are  the  descendants  of  the  elder,  and  which 
of  the  younger  brother,  those  of  the  latter,  being  Wisters.  John 
Wister  was  b.  Nov.  7,  1708 ;  d.  31st  Jan.,  1789 ;  m.  (1st)  2mo.  9th, 
1731,  Salome  Zimmerman,  a  German  by  birth.  From  these  are 
descended  the  present  families  of  Chancellor  and  Twells.  Salome 
Wister  having  died  in  1736,  John  Wister  married  (2ndly)  10th  of 
Nov.  1737,  Anna  Catharina  Rubenkam.  They  had  three  children 
who  lived  to  maturity,  Daniel,  b.,  1738-9;  Catherine,  b.  1742-3, 
ancestress  of  Mileses,  McKeans,  etc.,  and  William,  b.  1746 ;  d.  s.  p. 
Daniel  Wister  m.  Lowery  Jones  5mo.  5th,  1760.  She  was  the  dau. 
of  Owen  Jones,  Colonial  Treasurer  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  Susannah  Evans  his  wife.  Owen  Jones  was  the  son  of 
Jonathan,  and  Gainor  (Owen)  Jones.  Gainor  Owen  was  dau.  of 
Robert  Owen,  and  Jonathan  Jones  was  son  of  Dr.  Edwd.  Jones, 
who  married  the  dau.  of  Dr.  Thomas  Wynne.  The  sister,  Anna 
Barbara  Wiister  (dau.  of  Hans  Caspar  Wiister)  referred  to  above, 
was  married  about  1723  to  George  Bauer,  Councillor  of  Manheim, 
Germany;  their  dau.  Anna  Katerina  Barbara  married  John  Henry 
Keppele;  many  members  of  Philadelphian  families — Inghams, 
Biddies,  Williams,  etc.,  are  among  their  descendants.  Another 
sister,  Maria,  said  to  have  been  born  about  1690,  married  in  1711 
Captain  David  Deshler,  Aide-de-Camp  to  the  Prince  Palatine. 
Their  son  David,  came  to  America,  and  entered  the  counting 
house  of  his  uncle  John  Wister.  David  Deshler  married  Mary 
Le  Fevre,  descended  from  two  Huguenot  families,  who  left  France 
during  the  persecutions  that  followed  the  Revocation  of  the  Edict 
of  Nantes  and  settled  in  Pennsylvania.  Among  the  descendants 
of  David,  and  Mary  (Le  Fevre)  Deshler  are  the  Lewises,  Mortons, 
Conners,  McCul loughs,  etc. 

The  following  circumstance  indicates  Caspar  Wistar's  consci- 
entious feelings:  A  cargo  of  slaves  arriving  in  the  River  Dela- 
ware, he  thought  it  might  be  advisable  to  purchase  some,  to  employ 


362  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

as  laborers  in  his  Glass  Works.  He  consequently  saw  the  Captain 
of  the  vessel  on  the  subject,  and  had  selected  several  negroes 
suitable  for  his  j)urpose,  but  as  the  purchase  was  not  concluded 
he  returned  home  to  dinner.  The  family  soon  perceived  that 
something  was  amiss  with  him,  for  he  remained  silent  and 
thoughtful,  without  eating, — a  very  unusual  thing  for  him,  as  he 
was  accustomed  to  converse  cheerfully  at  the  table.  Presently  he 
arose,  and  left  the  house,  but  soon  returned,  with  his  usual  cheer- 
fulness, and  resuming  his  seat,  he  said,  ''Now  I  have  done  with 
them,''  and  then  commenced  eating.  His  mind  was  now  at  ease, 
for  he  had  again  seen  the  Captain  of  the  ship,  and  declined  to 
purchase  any  of  the  negroes. 

Caspar  Wistar  purchased  a  considerable  tract  of  ground  in 
Northampton,  Pennsylvania,  which  he  sold  out  in  small  farms  to 
respectable  German  settlers. 

Upon  a  certain  occasion,  he  was  appointed  with  a  number  of 
other  individuals,  among  whom  was  a  minister  named  Peters,  the 
Secretary  of  the  Governor's  council,  to  attend  the  negotiation  of 
an  Indian  treaty,  in  the  interior  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania. 
It  being  the  trout  season,  they  expected  to  be  well  provided  with 
their  favorite  fare,  but  on  arriving  at  their  destined  inn,  and  being 
summoned  to  table,  were  exceedingly  disappointed  in  seeing  but 
one  small  dish,  of  inferior  trout,  with  a  single  good  sized  one  placed 
on  top.  The  divine  hurried  to  his  seat,  and  sticking  his  fork 
into  the  only  desirable  trout,  transferred  it  to  his  own  plate. 
This  being  secured,  with  closed  eyes  and  uplifted  hands,  he 
said — "  Noiv  let  us  pray,"  and  rehearsed  the  usual  form.  Whilst 
he  was  thus  engrossed,  his  facetious  friend  (C.  W.)  being  seated 
near  him,  quietly  removed  the  coveted  fish,  and  when  the  aston- 
ished dignitary  opened  his  eyes  to  the  fact,  he  was  thus  pleasantly 
accosted,  "  Pastor  Peters,  men  ought  to  luatch  as  well  as  pray  I" 

Caspar  Wistar's  dexterity  in  shooting,  must  have  remained 
with  him  until  near  the  close  of  life.  During  his  last  sickness, 
when  riding  on  horseback  along  the  "Point  Road,"  he  shot  a 
deer,  but  not  being  able  to  dismount  alone,  he  returned  home, 
and  dispatched  his  man  for  the  spoil. 

Caspar  Wistar  and  his  brother  John  were  among  the  earliest 
contributors  to  the  Pennsylvania  Hospital  in  1751,  and  they 
both  attended  the  first  meeting  of  the  Contributors,  which 
convened  at  the  State  House  in  Philadelphia,  to  elect  the  first 


FIFTH    GENERATION.  363 

"  Board  of  Managers "  of  the  Hospital,  to  serve  from  Ma}^ 
1751,  to  May,  1752.  Caspar  Wistar  in  that  year,  contributed 
$200,  and  his  brother  John  $53.33  to  its  funds.  Their  descend- 
ants have  continued  to  support  the  institution  in  the  same 
liberal  manner. 

Caspar  Wistar  died  of  dropsy,  March  21,  1752,  at  his  resi- 
dence, in  Market  Street,  between  2d  and  3d  Streets.  He  had 
previously  lived  on  Front  Street,  a  few  doors  above  the  house  of 
Anthony  Morris,^  to  the  signing  of  whose  will,  Caspar  Wistar  was 
one  of  the  witnesses.  This  is  an  interesting  fact,  inasmuch  as  it 
shows,  that  as  early  as  the  year  1721  (date  of  signing  of  Anthony 
Morris'  Will),  Caspar  Wistar  and  the  members  of  the  Morris 
family,  were  on  intimate  terms.  Caspar  Wistar  was  an  able  busi- 
ness man,  and  a  large  buyer  of  land,  not  only  in  Philadelphia, 
but  in  most  of  the  counties  near  Philadelphia.  He  died  pos- 
sessed of  considerable  property,  consisting  especially  of  real  estate, 
and  at  his  death,  he  was  one  of  the  most  wealthy  men  in  the 
colony. 

Caspar  Wistar,  Senior,  left  six  children — two  sons,  Richard 
and  Caspar,  and  four  daughters,  Sarah  Wistar,  Rebecca  Morris, 
Margaret  Haines,  and  Katharine  Greenleafe,  his  son  Joshua 
having  died  in  infancy. 

It  is  said,  that  Katharine  (Wistar)  Greenleafe  was  a  "  Tory," 
and  refusing  either  to  close  her  shutters,  or  illuminate  her  win- 
dows, upon  some  occasion  of  American  rejoicing,  a  mob  began 
firing  stones,  but  the  intrepid  old  lady  sat  quietly  knitting. 
Some  of  the  stones  flew  over  her  head,  and  struck  the  case  of  the 
clock,  leaving  in  it  two  marks,  which  remain  till  the  present  day. 
The  clock  is  now  in  the  possession  of  Mrs.  Wm.  H.  Miller  of 
Media,  Pa.,  who  has  among  other  relics  of  the  Wistar  family,  the 
Rifle  brought  over  by  the  first  Caspar  Wistar.  This  weapon  is  of 
very  curious  construction,  having  but  one  lock,  but  two  barrels 
which  revolve  upon  a  pin,  extending  backward  from  between  the 
barrels  into  the  stock,  and  they  are  so  placed,  that  either  barrel 
can  be  brought  axially  in  front  of  the  lock  hammer  and  flint. 

We  here  present  a  facsimile 
of  the  Signature  of  Caspar 
Wiister,  as  a  Witness  to  the 
signing  of  the  will  of  Anthony 
Morris,^  in  1721. 


364  GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MORRIS  FAMILY. 

Caspar  and  Katharine  (Johnson)  Wistar  had  issue : — 

(1)  EiCHARD  WisTAE,  b.  ill  Philadelphia  City  July  6,  1727,  at  one  hour 

56  minutes  P.  M.  He  m.  (1st)  in  1751  Sarah  Wyatt ;  m.  (2nd) 
1776,  Mary  Gilbert,  nee  Bacon  ;  R.  W.  d.  in  1781. 

(2)  MAEGARteT  Wistar,  b.  in  Philadelphia,  Jan.  26,  1728/9;  d.  1793;  she 

m.,  1760,  Reuben  Haines. 

(3)  Kathaeine  Wistae,  b.  in  Philadelphia,  Dec.  14,  1730 ;  d.  about  1771 ; 

she  m.  12mo.  6,  1753,  Isaac  Greenleafe,  who  was  b.  about  1715; 
d.  1771,  son  of  Isaac  Greenleafe,  of  Ipswich,  Suffolk,  Great  Britain. 

(4)  Joshua  Wistar,  b.  in  Philadelphia  Nov.  11,  1732 ;  d.  June,  1734. 

(5)  Rebecca  Wistar,  b.  Jan.  25,  1735/6 ;  d.  Jan.  22,  1791,  early  in  the 

morning  and  suddenly  ;  m.  Samuel  Morris  at  Christ  Church,  Phil- 
adelphia, Dec.  11,  1755.  Their  descendants  are  given  in  this 
genealogy. 

(6)  Sarah  Wistar,  b.  Nov.  8,  1738  ;  she  d.  unm.  1815. 

(7)  Caspar  Wistar,  Jr.,  b.  Feb.  3,  1740;  d.  at  Brandywine  Farm,  Oct.  31, 

1811,  in  his  72nd  year;  m.  Nov.  7,  1765,  Mary  Franklin  of  New 
York,  who  was  b.  Feb.  26,  1736 ;  d.  March  28,  1804.     They  had 
seven  children,  viz.  : — 
Johnson  Wistar,  b.  June  22,  1766. 

Thomas  Wistar,  b.  8mo.  23,  1767 ;  d.  7 1814. 

Catharine  Franklin  Wistar,  b.  2mo.  27,  1769 ;  d. 1823  ;  m. 

1804,  Abraham  Sharpies. 

Sarah  Wistar,  b.  March  5,  1770 ;  d.  July  5,  1845  ;  m.  1790, 

George  Pennock. 
Mary  Wistar,  b.  Feb.  10,  1772 ;  d.  Nov.  11,  1810. 
Deborah  Wistar,  b.  Oct.  22,  1775. 
Samuel  Wistar,  b.  May  7,  1780 ;  d.  1812. 


ABSTRACT  OF  CASPAR  WISTAR'S  WILL. 

Caspar  Wistar  of  City  and  Co.,  of  Phila.,  Prov.  of  Penna., 
Brass-Button-maker.  Will  dated  13th  of  Feb.,  1752.  Gives  to 
^'  dear  and  loving  wife  Catharine  "  his  clock,  all  his  household 
goods,  his  horse  and  chaise  and  £1000.  One-half  of  his  working 
tools  and  stock  of  materials  for  his  brass  button  business,  he 
leaves  to  his  wife,  and  the  other  half,  to  son  Richard. 

He  gives  also  to  son  Richard,  his  plantation  and  lands  in 
New  Jersey,  with  the  Glass  house,  tools,  utensils,  household  goods, 
and  stock  of  cattle,  provided  said  Richard  pays  to  said  wife 
yearly,  one-third  of  profits  of  Glass  business,  and  delivers  yearly 
to  son  Caspar  at  Phila.  700  feet  of  glass  and  30  doz.  of  bottles  of 
various  sizes. 

To  said  wife,  he  gives  for  life,  his  messuage  and  3J  acres  of 
land,  with  house  and  barn  erected  thereon,  in  Northern  Liberties 


FIFTH    GENERATION.  365 

of  City,  called  "Peach  Grove;"  after  death  of  said  wife  the  3J 
acres  he  gives  to  son  Richard. 

To  son  Richard,  also  he  gives  his  house  and  lot  on  north  side 
of  High  St.,  Phila.,  which  he  bought  of  Joseph  and  Sarah  Dur- 
borow. 

To  dau.  Margaret  he  gives  £400,  also  one-half  part  of  ground 
situate  on  the  west  side  of  2nd  St.,  Phila.,  between  the  Church 
and  Latin  School,  25  ft.  6  in.  x  306  ft.,  also  his  plantation  of  1300 
acres  at  Macunge  in  Bucks  Co. 

To  dau.  Catharine  he  gives  £1300,  also  the  other  half  of  the  land 
on  west  side  of  2nd  St.,  between  the  Church  and  Latin  School, 
also  150  acres  of  land  on  Cook  Creek,  Bucks  Co.,  also  200  acres 
of  land  on  Lehigh  Creek  in  Bucks  Co.,  and  also  127  acres  of 
land  in  Oley. 

To  dau.  Rebecca,  he  gives  two  messuages  and  lot  of 
ground,  on  north  side  of  High  St.,  Phila.,  in  breadth  on  same 
street  27J  feet  adjoining  a  messuage  and  lot  of  Edward 
Warner's,  with  the  privilege  of  a  passage  and  water  course, 
through  a  3  feet  alley,  also  a  ground  rent  of  £5,  paj^able  by  Hugh 
McCullough,  out  of  a  messuage  and  piece  of  ground,  on  west 
side  of  Front  St.,  Phila.,  also  a  tract  of  land  on  Indian  Coplas 
Creek,  in  Bucks  Co.,  containing  1100  acres,  also  £500. 

To  dau.  Sarah  £250,  also  a  messuage  and  lot  of  ground 
on  3rd  St.,  Phila.,  in  breadth  33  feet,  also  a  lot  of  ground 
18  ft.  X  60  ft,  also  two  houses  and  lot  of  ground,  whereon 
Anthon}^  Deshler  now  dwells,  at  corner  of  High  St.,  and  3rd 
St.,  Phila.,  30  ft.  8  in.  on  High  St.,  also  three  tracts  of  land, 
containing  1700  acres,  on  the  forks  of  the  Delaware  River  in 
Bucks  Co.  His  wife  and  his  friend  David  Deshler  are  appointed 
guardians  of  said  daughter  Sarah. 

To  son  Caspar,  he  gives  his  house  and  lot  of  ground,  in 
which  he  now  dwells,  situate  on  High  St.,  purchased  by  him  of 
Obadiah  Eldridge  and  Mary  his  wife,  also  ground  on  Church 
Alley,  also  two  plantations  of  1200  acres  of  land  in  Bucks  Co., 
**  where  Henr}^  Berky  now  dwells,"  with  stock  of  cattle,  also  tract 
of  land  containing  248  acres  at  Macunge,  also  3  acres  of  land  on 
north  side  of  "Peach  Grove,"  also  his  house  and  lot  in  German- 
town,  between  Israel  Pemberton's  and  Paul  Cripner's,  after  wife's 
decease  (she  to  enjoy  it  during  her  life);  also  to  Caspar  two  lots 
of  ground  adjoining  the  town  of  York,  also  £1000  to  be  invested 


366  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

during  his  minorit}^ — his  wife,  David  Deshler  and  Hugh  Roberts 
to  be  guardians  of  Caspar  during  his  nonage. 

To  sister  JSIaria  Barbara  Hitner,  he  gives  a  piece  of  plate  of 
the  value  of  £10 ;  to  nephew  Martin  Ulmer,  he  gives  £20 ;  to 
the  children  of  his  "  brother  Lodowick  Wistar,  that  are  in  Ger- 
many," one  hundred  guilders  each ;  to  the  children  of  "  sister 
Dorothy  Grushorn,  that  are  in  German}^"  one  hundred  guilders 
each ;  to  the  children  of  "  sister  Albertina  Ulmer  that  are  in 
Germany,"  one  hundred  guilders  each.  These  said  sums  of  one 
hundred  guilders,  are  to  be  paid  each  of  the  children  "severally 
upon  their  arrival  in  Philadelphia." 

Residue  of  his  estate  is  to  be  divided  equally  between  his  wife 
and  children.  Executrix  and  Executors:  His  "loving  wife," 
brother-in-law  Richard  Johnson,  Kinsman  David  Deshler,  and 
his  son  Richard  Wistar. 

(Signed)  Caspar  Wistar. 

Witnesses : 

Jacob  Shoemaker, 
John  Wister, 
Thos.  Shoemaker, 
Paul  Isaac  Voto. 

Proved  28th  March,  1752. 

Wm.  Plumsted,  Reg.  Gen. 

Recorded  in  Will  Book  I,  page  493,  Phila. 


49.  Deborah  Morris^  (Anthony,*  Anthony,^  Anthony,^ 
Anthony,^)  a  dau.  of  Anthony  Morris*  and  his  first  wife,  Sarah 
Powell,  was  b.  9th  mo.  15th,  1736;  d.  9th  mo.  23rd,  1787,  "whilst 
her  husband  was  returning  from  St.  Petersburgh ; "  m.  9th  mo. 
8th,  1756,  John  Franklin  a  Merchant  of  New  York. 

Deborah  Franklin  was  remarkable  for  her  devotion  to  the 
American  Prisoners,  who 

were  in  a  starving  con-  (^  ^  ,       Cv^  -. 

dition,  on  board  the  Jersey      0-^/^-^7  4/4     t/'T^iyrv4^o\^^ 
prison  hulks,  in  the  har- 
bor of  New  York,  during  the  occupation  of   that  city  by  the 
British  Army.     She,  and  her  son  Anthony,  would  venture  forth 


FIFTH    GENERATION.  307 

in  a  small  boat,  after  nightfall,  to  assist  them,  and  the  poor 
prisoners  lowered  bags  and  baskets,  to  receive  whatever  .she 
could  bring  to  relieve  their  necessities.  At  length,  on  the  21st 
of  November,  1780,  the  British  Commandant  of  the  City  (Sir 
Henry  Clinton),  banished  her  from  New  York  for  her  patriotism 
and  kindness  to  the  prisoners  on  the  war  ships.  The  family 
then  removed  to  Philadelphia,  where  Deborah  Franklin's  rela- 
tives lived.  They  probably  returned  to  New  York,  in  the  course 
of  two  or  three  years,  as  letters  (now  in  the  possession  of  Miss 
Helen  K.  Morton)  were  written  in  1783  from  that  City,  by  the 
daughter  Sarah  Franklin,  to  a  young  lady  friend  in  Philadelphia, 
which  indicate  that  the  family  was  becoming  settled  again  in  the 
New  York  Home.  Israel  Morris,  in  a  letter  to  his  sister  Sarah 
Buckley,  dated  1st  Oct.,  1783,  writes,  "Sister  Franklin  with  her 
family  expect  to  return  to  New  York  in  a  few  daj^s;  she  is  still 
very  much  afflicted  with  her  old  disorder  (i.  e.  Rheumatism)." 
For  four  years  longer,  Deborah  Franklin  continued  to  live  in 
New  York,  until  on  the  23rd  of  the  9th  mo.,  1787,  she  was  released 
from  all  her  sufferings,  which  had  been  greatly  aggravated  by 
the  inhuman  conduct  of  Gov.  Clinton  in  banishing  her  from 
New  York  at  such  an  inclement  season.  Her  daughter  Sarah,  in 
one  of  her  letters,  refers  to  the  loss  she  had  sustained,  in  the 
following  words :  "  Changes  in  life,  my  dear,  generally  cause  a 
change  of  language,  and  as  I  have  experienced  the  greatest  of 
misfortunes,  which  to  the  latest  hour  of  my  existence  will  be 
engraven  on  my  heart,  in  characters  never,  never  to  be  effaced ; 
my  pen,  which  once  was  all  levity,  must,  if  I  employ  it  at  all,  be 
consecrated  to  Melancholy,  ah!  may  thou  never  feel  the  smallest 
part  of  the  anguish  I  have  endured.  Thank  heaven,  thy  amiable 
Mamma,  (that  word  I  can  not  hear,  or  think  of,  without  the 
greatest  emotion),  is  still  preserved  to  thee.  Be  grateful  my  Dear 
to  Providence  for  such  a  treasure,  for  should  it  please  him  to 
remove  her,  you  can  never  know  the  value  of  the  connexion  that 
binds  you  to  each  other,  until  deprived  of  it." 

Tradition  says,  that  Congress  adjourned  to  attend  the  funeral 
of  Deborah  Franklin. 

The  following  is  a  notice  of  her  death,  which  aj^peared  in  a 
New  York  paper  of  the  time  : — 

"Last  Sunday  morning,  after  a  lingering  illness,  which  she 


368  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

bore  with  the  most  exemplary  fortitude,  departed  this  life  in  the 
51st  year  of  her  age,  Mrs.  Deborah  Franklin,  the  truly  amiable 
consort  of  Mr.  John  Franklin,  INIerchant  of  this  City,  and  eldest 
daughter  of  the  late  Anthony  Morris  Esqre  of  Philadelphia. 
Her  remains  were  on  Tuesday  evening  attended  by  a  very  nume- 
rous and  respectable  concourse  of  citizens,  of  almost  every  de- 
nomination, to  the  Friends'  burying  ground,  where  they  were 
interred,  agreeable  to  the  order  of  the  Societ^^ 

"  This  benevolent  lady,  had,  prior  to  the  year  1780,  long  been 
subject  to  those  asthenic  complaints  which  frequently  subdue  the 
most  robust,  which  she  bore  with  a  trul}^  Christian  patience.  On 
the  21st  of  November  1780,  the  British  Commandant  of  this  City, 
no  longer  able  to  hear  of,  or  to  bear,  the  daily  accounts  of  her  con- 
tributing with  unbounded  liberality  to  the  relief  of  her  fellow 
citizens  who  were  prisoners  of  war,  banished  her,  without  regard 
to  her  station  or  sex,  or  the  inclemency  of  the  season,  from  the 
city,  by  which  act  of  cruelty,  she  became  deprived  of  the  use  of 
her  feet.  But  neither  the  threats,  power,  or  cruelty  of  Britons 
could  change  her  sentiments,  relative  to  the  justice  of  her 
country's  cause,  nor  deter  her  from  exercising  her  humanity 
towards  those,  whom  the  fortune  of  w^ar,  brought  within  the  reach 
of  her  relief  Nor  was  her  benevolence  confined  merely  to  those 
unhappy  objects,  but  extended  to  all  those,  w^ithout  distinction, 
with  whose  distress  she  was  acquainted. 

"As  she  lived  greatly  beloved,  she  died  much  lamented,  by 
those  who  wish  to  imitate  her  virtues.  She  has  left  a  husband, 
with  seven  children,  to  deplore  their  irretrievable  loss." 

John  Franklin,  the  husband  of  Deborah  Morris,*  was  a  large 
ship  owner,  and  a  prominent  merchant  in  New^  York.  He  was 
the  son  of  Thomas  and  Mary  P.  Franklin,  was  b.  4th  mo.  27th, 
1732  ;  d.  8th  mo.  29th,  1801.  After  the  death  of  his  wdfe  Deborah 
Morris  in  1787,  he  m.  (2dly)  5mo.  13th,  1789,  Letitia,  dau.  of 
Sylvanus  Tow^nsend,  and  widow  of  Benjamin  Underbill.  By 
this  wife  he  had  no  issue. 

John  Franklin  was  a  member  of  the  Society  of  Friends, 
and  during  the  Revolution,  he  proved  himself  a  true  citizen, 
disposed  to  do  his  full  duty  to  his  country.  But  a  few  months 
after  he  and  his  wife  had  been  banished  from  New  York,  in 
1780,  he  was  requested  by  General  AVashington,  to  act  as  "Agent 


FIFTH    GENERATION.  369 

for  Prisoners"  in  New  York.     The  following  is  John  Franklin's 
reply  :— 

Letter  from  John  Franklin  to  General  Washington. 

"Philadelphia,  January  4th,  1781. 

"General  Washington. 

"Thy  favor  of  ye  28th  ult.  I  reed  last  evening.  This  oppor- 
tunity happening  so  soon,  that  I  am  not  so  fully  prepared  to 
reply  to  the  contents,  as  I  wish  to  be.  Am  much  obligd  to  my 
Friend  Pintard,  and  happy  in  that  my  conduct  has  gained  the 
favourable  opinion  of  my  suffering  countrymen,  who  have  been 
in  captivity  in  New  York.  My  family  being  sent  out,  and  now 
settled  in  this  place,  Renders  my  return  not  so  desirable,  but 
being  witness  to  the  absolute  necessity  of  an  Agent  for  Prisoners, 
I  have  determined,  (If  there  is  no  one  thought  of  more  proper), 
to  accept  of  thy  appointment  to  that  service ;  but  as  I  have, 
(without  any  other  cause  that  I  know  of  than  that  of  rendering 
my  countrymen  small  services,  whilst  in  captivity,  on  their 
Private  account),  become  so  obnoxious  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  tliat 
I  am  something  doubtful  his  admit'g  my  return  to  the  City,  for 
that  purpose,  which  I  thought  proper  to  mention  that  the  General 
might  think  of  it,  before  I  was  proposed.  If  it's  agreed  to,  shall 
hold  myself  in  readiness  to  attend  thy  Orders,  and  am  most 
respectfully 

"Thy  Friend  &C&C&C 


^j^ 


i/y^ 


General  Washington's  answer  was  as  follows : — 

"Head  Quarters,  New  Windsor, 
"  10  Jan.  1781. 

"  I  am  pleased  to  find  by  your  favor  of  the  4th  inst.,  that  you 
are  willing  to  accept  of  the  agency  for  the  prisoners,  provided 


370  GENEALOGY  OF  THE  MORRIS  FAMILY. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton  makes  no  objection  to  your  returning  to 
New  York.  I  shall  immediately  propose  you  to  him,  and  will 
acquaint  you  with  his  answer,  as  soon  as  I  receive  it. 

"  I  am  Sir 
"  your  most  obt  servt 

"  G.  Washington. 
"  On  public  service 

"  To  John  Frankhn,  Esqr., 

"Philadelphia."* 

Although  no  official  record  can  be  found  accounting  for  John 
Franklin's  services  as  "Agent  for  Prisoners"  with  Sir  Henry  Clin- 
ton, yet  in  a  Philadelphia  paper  printed  at  the  time,  mention  is 
made  of  the  fact,  that  while  John  Franklin  was  away  in  the 
service  of  his  country,  his  family  remained  in  Philadelphia. 

Among  the  lineal  descendants  of  John  and  Deborah  Franklin, 
are  the  Townsends,  Combes,  Leavitts,  Coverts,  Pobbins,  Wrights, 
Lawrences  and  Van  Bergens,  residents  of  New  York  or  its 
neighborhood. 

John  and  Deborah  (Morris)  Franklin  had  issue: — 

139.  Sarah  Franklin,  b.    7mo.    20,  1757;    d.  9mo.  16,  1798;    m.  Ezekiel 

Eobbins. 

140.  Mary  Franklin,  b.  2mo.   27,  1760  ;  d.  ;  m.  Feb.  1785,  Nathan 

Combes. 

141.  Thomas  Franklin,  b.  4mo.  15,  1762  ;  d.  4mo.  30,1830;  m.  (1st)  12mo. 

26,    1783,    Sarah    Polhemus ;    m.    (2ndly)    6mo.    12,    1793,    Mary 
Haviland. 

142.  Ph(ebe  Franklin,  b.  6mo.  13,  1764 ;  d.  7mo.  13,  1764. 

143.  Elizabeth  Franklin,  b.  9mo.  3,  1765  ;  m.  William  Townsend,  son  of 

Peter  Townsend  of  New  York. 

144.  Anthony  Franklin,  b.  2mo.  23,  1768;  d.  12mo.  1,  1854;  m.  lOmo.  22, 

1789,  Lydia  Lawrence. 

145.  Rebecca  Franklin,  b.  5mo.  1,  1771;  d.  5mo.  18,  1822;  m.  Imo.  7, 

1793,  John  Townsend. 

146.  Walter  Franklin,  b.  6mo.  15,  1773 ;  d.  9mo.  2,  1856 ;  m.  Imo.  13, 

1795,  Letitia  Wright. 


*The  original  of  this  letter  is  said  to  be  in  the  possession  of  Benj.  Franklin 
of  Brooklyn— a  grandson  of  Anthony  Franklin  (son  of  John  Franklin). 


FIFTH    GENERATION.  371 


THE  FRANKLIN  FAMILY  OF  NEW  YORK. 

During  the  Revolutionary  period,  few  families  rendered  more 
valuable  services  to  the  Nation,  than  the  wealthy,  but  modest 
Franklin  Family,  of  New  York.  Especial  mention  may  be  here 
made,  of  Walter  and  John,  sons  of  Thomas  Franklin,  who  mar- 
ried at  Westbury  Meeting  House,  1st  month  25th,  1703,  Mary, 
daughter  of  Nathaniel  and  Martha  Pearsall,  of  Hempsted,  L.  I. 
Both  of  the  brothers  were  wealthy,  and  highly  esteemed 
citizens. 

John  Franklin  has  been  already  referred  to,  as  the  husband 
of  Deborah  Morris.  Walter  Franklin  (b.  12mo.  11th,  1728; 
d.  6th  mo.  8th,  1780 ;  m.  5mo.  12th,  1774,  Mary  dau.  of  Daniel 
and  Sarah  [Stringham]  Bowne),  was  a  Member  of  the  Committee 
of  One  Hundred,  having  been  elected  May  1st  1775,  by  the  Free- 
holders of  the  Colony  of  New  York,  to  represent  them  in  all 
affairs,  growing  out  of  the  complications  then  arising  between 
the  Colonies,  and  the  mother  country.  He  was  also,  a  Member 
of  the  first  Provincial  Congress  of  the  Province  of  New  York, 
which  met  in  New  York  City,  May  23rd,  1775.  Walter  Franklin 
was  senior  partner  in  the  firm  of  Franklin,  Robinson  &  Co., 
engaged  in  trade  with  China  and  the  South  Seas.  He  retired 
from  business,  comparatively  early  in  life,  with  a  very  large 
fortune.  Mr.  W.  Roe,  in  his  interesting  article  on  "  Old  time 
New  York  Friends,"  says,  that  "  Walter  Franklin's  heart  remained 
free,  until  he  accidentally  met  a  pretty  milkmaid,  on  Long  Island. 
He  was  riding  in  his  '  chariot,'  when  he  noticed  the  young 
woman  milking.  He  stopped,  and  enquired  who  owned  the 
farm.  She  replied  graciously,  and  in  '  plain  '  language,  that  her 
father  Daniel  Bowne  was  the  owner.  Walter  thanked  her,  drove 
on  to  the  house,  and  there  made  himself  known  to  Daniel. 
While  the  two  were  talking,  Hannah  came  in  to  make  tea  for  the 
City  friend,  with  the  romantic  result,  that  she  'made  tea'  for  him 
ever  after. 

"He  died  June  8,  1780,  leaving  three  young  daughters. 
The  Eldest  daughter,  Mariah,  married  Gov.  de  Witt  Clinton,  the 
second,  Hannah,  married  George  Clinton,  his  brother,  and  the 
youngest  married  an  Englishman,  named  John  Norton.  Each 
received  £20,000  by  the  father's  will,  an  immense  sum  in  those 


372  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

days.  Walter's  widow  married  Samuel  Osgood,  first  Postmaster 
General,  and  from  1803  to  1813,  Naval  Officer  of  the  Port  of 
New  York.  The  Osgoods  owned  and  occupied  the  house  built 
by  Walter  Franklin,  8  and  10  Cherry  Street,  or  73  Queen  (now 
Pearl)  Street,  which  was  rented  to  General  Washington,  for  his 
official  residence,  or  "Palace,"  as  they  called  it,  and  in  which  he 
dwelt,  when  inaugurated  in  the  "Federal  Building,"  on  the  site 
of  the  Sub-Treasury,  at  the  corner  of  Nassau  and  Wall  Streets. 
This  building  was  demolished  in  1856,  but  a  picture  has  been 
preserved,  showing  it  to  have  been,  for  those  days,  quite 
"palatial."  It  is  said,  to  have  been  completely  filled  with  simple 
but  elegant  furniture,  and  there  was  an  extensive  garden  attached, 
much  of  which,  at  the  junction  of  Pearl  and  Cherry  Streets  was 
cut  off,  to  form,  what  is  now,  Franklin  Square.  The  Franklin 
house  had  previously  been  occupied,  for  a  time,  by  the  presiding 
officer  of  the  Congress,  but  was  fitted  up  entirely  new,  for  the  use 
of  Gen.  and  Mrs.  Washington." 

Those  must  have  been  lively  times,  indeed,  when  New  York 
became  the  capital  of  the  Youthful  Nation.  Sarah  Robinson, 
niece  of  Mrs.  Osgood,  wrote  to  her  friend  and  cousin,  Miss  Kitty 
Wistar,  at  Philadelphia,  May  8th,  1789,  telling  of  the  arrange- 
ments made  in  the  Franklin  Mansion,  for  the  President  and  his 
family : — * 

"  Great  rejoicing  in  New  York,  on  the  arrival  of  General 
Washington;  an  elegant  barge  decorated  with  an  awning  of 
satin,  twelve  oarsmen  dressed  in  white  frocks  and  blue  ribbons, 
went  down  to  E.  Town  (Elizabeth  Point),  last  fourth  day  (Wednes- 
day), to  bring  him  up.  *  *  *  Previous  to  his  coming.  Uncle 
Walter's  house  in  Cherry  Street,  was  taken  for  him,  and  every 
room  furnished  in  the  most  elegant  manner.  Aunt  Osgood  and 
Lady  Kitty  Duer,  had  the  w^hole  management  of  it.  I  went  the 
morning  before  the  General's  arrival,  to  look  at  it.     The  best  of 


*The  Sarah  Robinson  mentioned  in  the  text,  was  a  daughter  of  a  sister  of 
the  owner  of  the  Franklin  House,  married  to  Eowland  Robinson,  a  merchant 
of  New  York.  The  Kittj-  F.  Wistar  to  whom  the  letter  was  addressed,  was  a 
daughter  of  Mary  Franklin  and  Caspar  Wistar,  of  Philadelphia.  The  Franklin 
House  became  the  property  of  Samuel  Osgood,  the  postmaster-general,  through 
his  marriage  with  the  widow  of  the  owner,  Walter  Franklin.  Hence  arises 
the  "Aunt  Osgood  "  referred  to  in  the  letter.  This  lady  was  a  daughter  of  the 
Quaker  Daniel  Bowne  of  Long  Island. 


FIFTH    GENERATION.  373 

furniture  in  every  room,  and  the  greatest  quantity  of  plate  and 
china  I  ever  saw;  the  whole  of  the  first  and  second  stories  is 
papered,  and  the  floors  covered  with  the  richest  kind  of  Turkey 
and  Wilton  carpets.  The  house  did  honor  to  my  Aunts  and 
Lady  Kitty,  they  spared  no  pains  nor  expense  on  it.  Thou  must 
know,  that  uncle  Osgood  and  Duer,  were  appointed  to  procure  a 
house  and  furnish  it ;  accordingly  they  pitched  on  their  wives, 
as  being  likely  to  do  it  better.  I  have  not  yet  done,  my  dear, 
Is  thee  not  almost  tired?  The  evening  after  his  Excellency 
arrived,  a  general  illumination  took  place,  except  among 
'  Friends '  (Quakers),  and  those  styled  Anti-Federalists. 

"  The  latter's  windows  suffered  some,  thou  may  imagine.  As 
soon  as  the  General  has  sworn  in,  a  grand  exhibition  of  fireworks 
is  to  be  displayed,  which,  it  is  expected,  is  to  be  to-morrow. 
There  is  scarcely  anything  talked  about  now,  but  General 
Washington  and  the  '  Palace.' " 

The  latter  term  was  no  doubt  a  republican  sarcasm. 

From  the  pleasant  gossipy  letters  of  this  young  lady,  and 
from  others  that  have  survived,  creased  and  faded  and  yellow, 
in  old  hair-cloth,  brass-nailed  trunks  in  garrets,  we  may  learn 
much  of  which  history,  too  dignified  for  such  trivial  matters, 
gives  no  information.  We  learn,  for  instance,  that  Washington 
had  so  frugal  a  mind,  that  at  the  first  banquet  served  to  him,  he 
refused  to  partake  of  a  shad,  and  ordered  it  from  his  table, 
rebuking  the  purveyor  for  extravagance,  and  himself  making 
his  meal  on  boiled  mutton. 

"  Delicious,  festive  days,  those  of  the  spring  and  early  sum- 
mer of  inauguration  year.  There  is  an  atmosphere  about  that 
era,  impossible  to  emulate  now,  or  even  thoroughly  conceive, 
when  fetes  and  balls  and  receptions  kept  the  town  giddy,  with 
what  was  after  all,  a  decorous  and  fastidious  gayety.  Imagine, 
please,  the  high  caste  dames  and  pretty  '  buds '  of  yore  treading 
stately  minuets,  clad  in  stiff  silks  and  satins  and  brocades,  with 
swains  in  uniform,  or  clad  in  such  garments  as  light  blue  French 
coats,  with  high  collars,  large  gilt  buttons,  double-breasted  mar- 
seilles  vest  (or  waistcoat),  nankin  colored  cassimer  breeches, 
shining  pumps,  big  ruffles,  and  ponderous  cravats. 

"  But  they  who  participated  in  such  festivities  were  '  world's 
people,'  '  gay  folk,'  with  whom,  if  not  sinful,  it  was  at  least  inex- 
pedient for  '  Friends '  to  affiliate.      So  there  were  few  Franklins 


374  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MOEEIS    FAMILY. 

noted  in  the  'Almanacs  de  Gotha'  of  the  period,  as  mingling  in 
'Society.'"* 

Samuel  Franklin,  brother  of  Walter  and  John,  was  also,  in 
his  day,  a  wealthy  and  influential  citizen.  He  was  the  first  Di- 
rector of  the  Bank,  the  only  one  then  in  the  city,  now  known  as 
the  Bank  of  New  York.  He  left  a  large  family,  and  his  descend- 
ants are  very  numerous. 

50.  Anthony  Morris^  (Major)  (Anthony,^  Anthony,^  Anthony,^ 
Anthony^)  a  son  of  Anthony  Morris*  and  his  first  wife  Sarah 
Powell,  was  b.  Oct.  8,  1738 ;  killed  at  the  Battle  of  Princeton, 
Jan.  3,  1777.  In  the  Will  of  his  grandfather  Anthony  Morris,^ 
dated  Sept.  29,  1760,  he  is  referred  to  as  his  "Grandson  Anthony, 
Brewer,"  and  he  is  to  have  the  first  offer,  either  of  renting,  or 
purchasing  the  Mansion  House  and  Brewery  on  2nd  Street,  above 
Arch  Street.  In  the  Philadelphia  Directory,  for  1768,  he  is 
entered,  as  "Morris  Anthony,  Jr.,  2nd  St.  W.  side  between  Arch 
and  Race  St." 

From  early  years,  Anthony  Morris  manifested  a  great  affection 
for  his  sister  Sarah,  who  afterwards  married  William  Buckley,  a 
merchant,  in  business  at  the  Hague  Plantation,  Demarara.  The 
following  is  a  copy  of  an  autograph  letter  (now  in  the  possession 
of  Mr.  Howard  Edwards)  written  by  Anthony  Morris,  to  his 
future  brother-in-law : — 

Anthony  Morris^  to  William  Buckley. 
"Esteemed  Friend.  "Oct.  30,  1770. 

"  I  have  now  to  acknowledge  thy  several  favours  from  Eng- 
land and  elsewhere,  and  particularly  the  last  from  St.  Eustatia 
accompanying  the  china,  and  to  assure  thee,  that  my  not  writing 
to  thee,  has  hitherto,  been  owing  to  no  other  cause  than  the  un- 
certainty of  my  letter  finding  thee,  (as  thy  letters  frequently 
intimated  thy  removing  from  place  to  place.)  I  have  now  the 
pleasure  to  acquaint  thee  of  my  sister  being  re-instated  in  her 
health,  (which  she  has  enjoyed  for  some  time  past)  and  believe 
that  thee  stands  as  high  in  her  esteem  as  ever,  thy  letter  enclosed 

to  me  for  J.  F.,  have  forwarded.       ,,  ^  ,        ^ 

I  am,  etc.,  etc., 

"A.  Morris,  Jr." 
*Vide  "  Old  time  New  York  Friends,"  by  Wm.  J.  Eoe. 


MAJOR   ANTHONY   MORRIS 


No.  50 


FIFTH    GENERATION.  375 

In  the  following  year,  the  marriage  of  Sarah  Morris  to 
William  Buckley,  took  place.  Soon  afterwards,  William  Buckley 
made  a  voyage  alone,  leaving  his  wife  in  Philadelphia,  but  upon 
his  return,  he  expressed  a  wish  that  she  should  accompany  him 
upon  his  leaving  again  for  Demarara. 

Her  brother  Anthony,  was,  however,  so  unwilling  that  she 
should  leave  her  native  city,  that  he  used  all  his  influence  against 
her  going,  and,  among  other  things,  said,  that  if  she  would 
remain  in  Philadelphia,  he  would  take  care  of  her,  but  if  she 
would  go,  he  would  enter  the  army.  She  thought  it  her  duty  to 
go  with  her  husband,  and  her  brother  accordingly  entered  the 
army.*  But  his  interest  in  the  welfare  of  his  sister  and  her 
husband,  remained  unaffected  by  her  departure.  The  following 
is  a  copy  of  a  letter  he  wrote  to  them  in  the  West  Indies,  at  one 
of  the  most  critical  periods  of  American  history: — 

Anthony  Morris^  to  William  and  Sarah  (Morris)  Buckley. 

"Philadelphia,  July  11,  1775. 
"Dear  Brother  &  Sister. 

"  I  am  just  now  informed  of  Samuel  Mifflin's  Schooner  going 
to  sail  immediately.  Have  only  time  to  say  we  are  all  well.  I 
have  enclosed  a  sermon  of  Dr.  Smith's,t  and  the  Declaration  of 
the  Congress,  and  their  second  address  to  the  people  of  Gt. 
Britain,  and  for  news  of  the  Battle,^  &c  refer  to  the  papers  which 
I  understand  were  forwarded  to  you  last  week,  when  Brother 
Tommy  wrote  you  also.  Kiss  the  children  for  me,  and  accept 
my  best  wishes  for  you  all  &  believe  me  to  be 

"  Your  affectionate  Brother 

"A.  Morris,  Jr." 

Anthony  Morris*  was  one  of  those  who  were  strongly  opposed 
to  taxation  by  the  Mother  Country.  He  and  his  cousin  Anthony 
C.  Morris,  as  well  as  other  members  of  the  family,  subscribed  their 


*  For  this  incident  I  am  indebted  to  the  MSS.  of  the  late  Mr.  Anthony  S. 
Morris. 

t  Rev.  William  Smith,  D.  D.,  First  Provost  of  the  Philadelphia  College,  after- 
wards merged  into  the  University  of  Pennsylvania. 

X  Battle  of  Lexington,  fought  April  19,  1775. 


376  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

names  to  the  non-importation  resolutions  of  Oct.  25,  1765,  and 
were  among  the  brewers,  who  refused  to  purchase  English  malt. 
"  Cargoes  arriving  contrary  to  the  second  non-importation  rule 
adopted  in  1768,  caused  trouble,  but  were  dealt  with  according  to 
the  agreement.  In  July,  1769,  the  "  Charmi7ig  Polly"  arrived 
from  Yarmouth,  England,  loaded  with  malt.  It  was  consigned 
to  Amos  Strettell,  who  said  he  did  not  knoAV  the  consignor,  and 
had  not  heard  of  the  shipment  till  the  vessel  arrived.  She  was 
sent  back,  without  being  discharged;  the  brewers — Haines  and 
Twells,  Isaac  Howell,  Anthony  Morris,  Jr.,  Francis  Coade, 
Anthony  C.  Morris,  Reinard  Kreimer,  Moore  and  Pusey— had 
resolved  they  would  buy  none  of  the  malt.'"^ 

Anthony  Morris*  was  admitted  to  the  Colon}^  in  Schuylkill, 
May  1, 1759,  and  became  a  member  of  the  Gloucester  Fox  Hunt- 
ing Club  in  1766.  He  signed  the  Provincial  Paper  Money  of 
March  21,  1772  (date  of  note  April  3).  On  Jul}^  15,  1774,  he  was 
appointed  one  of  the  Deputies  for  the  City  and  County  of  Phila- 
delphia, to  the  Provincial  Convention  held  in  Philadelphia,  Ed- 
ward Penington  and  Thomas  Mifflin  being  the  two  others  chosen.f 

In  accordance  with  the  Will  of  Anthon}^  Morris,^  his  grand- 
son Anthony  Morris,*  received  the  first  offer,  of  purchasing  the 
Second  Street  Mansion  House,  Brewery  and  Malt  House,  etc.,  for 
the  sum  of  £3000.  He  made  the  purchase,  and  on  Oct.  25,  1775, 
the  various  heirs  signed  a  "  Release  "  to  Anthony  Morris,*  upon 
receiving  their  proportionate  shares  of  the  purchase  money. 

On  Nov.  2,  1775,  Anthony  Morris  of  Southwark,  Gentleman, 
and  Elizabeth,  his  wife,  conve^^ed  to  their  son  Anthony  Morris, 
Jr.,  Brewer,  "  out  of  natural  love  and  affection,  and  for  his  better 
advancement  in  life,"  their  one-half  part  of  Messuage,  and  lot  of 
Ground,  bounded  Eastward  with  Front  St.,  southward  with  Mes- 
suage and  lot  of  Samuel  Morris,  westward  with  Mary  Gray's 
ground,  and  northward  by  ground  of  George  Gray,  granted  by 
William  Morris  of  Island  of  Barbadoes,  Merchant,  to  Anthony 
Morris,  '  brewer,'  measuring  19  ft.  9  in.  on  Front  Street  and  188  ft. 
long,  and  also  their  moiety  of  lot  north  of  Mulberry  Street,  24  x 
306  feet,  bounded  westward  with  ground  of  Samuel  Morris."| 


*  Vide  "  Hist,  of  Philadelphia,"  by  John  Russell  Young,  Vol.  i.,  p.  314. 
t  Vide  Penna.  Archives,  2nd  Series,  VoL  iii. 
X  Vide  Deed  Book  1,  Vol.  xv.,  p.  206,  Phila. 


FIFTH    GENERATION.  377 

During  the  campaign  of  177G  and  '7  Anthony  Morris  served 
in  the  Revokitionary  Arrny,  at  one  time  as  Ensign,  and  later  on, 
as  Major,  and  took  an  active  part  in  the  battles  of  Trenton  and 
Princeton.  In  both  battles  he  fought  bravely,  but  he  was  so 
severely  wounded  in  the  action  at  Princeton,  that  he  died  about 
three  hours  afterwards. 

The  engagement  at  Princeton,  took  place  on  Friday  morning, 
the  3rd  of  January,  1777,  and  did  not  last  more  than  half  an 
hour.  General  Washington  ordered  the  Pennsylvania  Militia  to 
support  Mercer,  and  led  in  person,  two  pieces  of  artillery  under 
Capt.  Thomas  Moulder,  to  a  position  near  Clark's  house,  about  a 
fourth  of  a  mile  from  the  spot  where  Mercer  engaged  the  enemy. 
With  this  force,  was  the  Troop  of  Philadelphia  Light  Horse, 
about  20  in  number,  commanded  by  Capt.  Samuel  Morris. 

The  death  of  Major  Anthony  Morris,  Jr.,  is  thus  described,  in 
a  letter  written  on  the  battlefield,  near  Princeton,  by  Dr.  Jona- 
than Potts  to  Mr.  Owen  Bid  die: — 

"My  D'e  Friend: 

"Tho'  the  Acct.  I  send  is  a  melancholy  one  (in  one  respect), 
yet  I  have  sent  an  Express,  to  give  you  the  best  information  I 
can  collect.  Our  mutual  friend  Anthony  Morris,  died  here  in 
three  hours  after  he  received  his  wounds  on  Friday  Morning. 
They  were  three  in  number,  one  on  his  chin,  one  on  the  knee, 
and  the  third  and  fatal  one,  on  the  right  temple  by  a  grape  shot. 
Brave  man !  he  fought  and  died  nobly,  deserving  a  much  better 
fate.  General  Mercer  is  dangerously  ill,  indeed.  I  have  scarcely 
any  hopes  of  him,  the  Villains  have  stabbed  him  in  five  different 
places.  The  dead  on  our  side,  at  this  place,  amount  to  sixteen, 
that  of  the  enemy  to  twenty-three.  They  have  retreated  to 
Brunswick,  with  the  greatest  precipitation,  and  from  accounts 
just  come,  the  Hero  AVashington  is  not  far  from  them:  they  never 
have  been  so  shamefully  drubbed,  and  out-generall'd  in  every 
respect.  I  hourly  expect  to  hear  of  their  whole  army  being  cut 
to  pieces,  or  made  prisoners. 

"It  pains  me  to  inform  j^ou,  that  the  morning  of  the  action,  I 
was  obliged  to  fly  before  the  Rascals,  or  fall  into  their  hands,  and 
leave  behind  the  wounded  brethren.  Would  you  believe,  that 
the  inhuman  monsters  rob'd  the  General,  as  he  lay  unable  to 
resist  on  the  Bed,  even  to  the  taking  of  his  cravat  from  his 


378  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

neck,  insulting  him  all  the  time.  The  number  of  Prisoners  we 
have  taken,  I  cannot  yet  find  out,  but  they  are  numerous. 
Should  be  glad  to  hear  from  you  by  the  bearer.  Is  the  Re-in- 
forcement  march'd? 

"  Your  most  obedient  humble  serA^ant, 

"Jon'x  Potts.* 

"  Dated  at  the  Field  of  Action,  near  Princeton, 

"Sunday  Evening,  Jan'y  5th,  1777." 

John  Morris,  Jr.,  in  a  letter  written  at  Bristol,  two  da3^s  after 
the  Battle  of  Princeton,  to  Thomas  AVharton,  President  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Council  of  Safety,  saj^s,  "Please  to  inform  my 
father,  that  my  brother  S.  C.  Morris  received  no  hurt  in  the 
battle,  but  that  Antho'  Morris  received  a  wound  with  a  bayonet 
in  the  neck  and  a  bullet  in  the  leg." 

Major  Anthony  Morris  was  buried  in  the  Graveyard  of  the 
stone  Quaker  Meeting  House,  near  the  battlefield,  but  his  remains 
were  subsequently  brought  to  the  Morris  Mansion  on  2nd  Street, 
above  Arch,  in  Philadelphia,  where  they  were  received  by  his 
brother  Thomas  Morris,  who  resided  there.  "  Then  after  21  days 
from  the  time  of  his  death,  (writes  Anthony  S.  Morris),  the  coffin 
was  opened,  the  body  being  found  as  fresh  as  if  just  dead. 
Upon  examination,  the  mark  of  the  small  bullet  was  found  in 
his  temple." 

On  Jan.  24,  1777,  Major  Anthony  Morris  was  buried,  (at  the 
request  of  his  relations,  without  military  honors),  in  the  Friends' 
burying-ground  at  4th  and  Arch  Streets,  Philadelphia. 


*Dr.  Jonathan  Potts  was  the  grandson  of  Thomas  Potts,  who  at  the  age  of 
nineteen,  was  married  at  Germantown  by  Friends'  usage,  to  Martha  Kewrlis 
(Corlies).  John  Potts  the  Doctor's  father  was  born  in  Germantown,  A.  D.  1710, 
and  was  married  April  11, 1734,  by  Friends'  usage,  to  Euth  Savage  of  Coventry. 
Dr.  Jonathan  Potts  was  originallj'  a  member  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  and 
studied  medicine  in  Edinburgh.  On  returning  to  America,  he  commenced 
practice  in  Reading,  and  on  11th  April,  1777,  received  the  appointment  of 
Deputy  Director  General  of  the  Hospital,  in  the  Northern  Department  of  the 
Continental  Army.  He  was  brother  to  Isaac  Potts,  who  discovered  Washing- 
ton, on  his  knees,  at  prayer,  in  the  Encampment  of  Valley  Forge. 


FIFTH    GENERATION.  379 

The  following,  however,  were  the  "  Orders  to  the  City  Guard," 
on  that  date : — 

From  Pennsylvania  Archives. 

"  Orders  to  City  Guard,  1777. 

"  January  the  24th,  1777. 

"  One  Capt.  2  Subs.  2  Sergs.  2  Corps.  2  Drumrs.  &  50  men 
from  the  garrison  in  the  Barracks,  to  parade  at  the  City  Tavern, 
at  two  o'clock  this  afternoon,  to  escort  the  funerals  of  the  late 
Col.  Haselett  &  Capt.  Morris.  The  rest  of  the  Garrison  off  Duty, 
to  attend  with  side  arms  only. 

"  Coll.  Penrose  ^ 

"  Coll.  Irwin       V  to  attend  as  bearers." 

"  Coll.  McKey    J 

Mr.  Howard  Edwards  has  kindly  furnished  the  following 
note,  made  by  his  great-grandfather,  AVilliam  Buckley,  in  his 
Family  Bible.  William  Buckley  had  married  Sarah  Morris,  a 
sister  of  Captain  Samuel,  and  Major  Anthony  Morris : 

"Anthony  Morris  received  several  wounds  at  the  Battle  of 
Princeton,  on  the  3rd  of  January,  1777,  viz : — one  on  the  knee,  one 
under  the  chin,  third  and  fatal  one  on  the  right  temple,  of  which 
he  died  on  the  7th  (instant),  and  was  interred  in  Friends'  Burial 
Ground,  at  Stony  Brook,  from  whence  he  was  brought,  by  the 
returning  Militia,  to  Philadelphia,  &  was  peacefully  lain  with  his 
ancestors,  in  the  usual  Family  Ground,  though  many  wished  to 
have  paid  him  military  honors,  as  he  died  bravely,  in  a  cause 
which  he  espoused  from  principle." 

Mr.  Howard  Edwards  adds :  "There  is  a  discrepanc}^  in  these 
statements  respecting  the  time  of  Major  Morris'  death.  The 
letter  says,  he  died  three  hours  after  receiving  his  wounds,  whilst 
William  Buckley's  memorandum  fixes  it,  four  days  afterwards." 

Christopher  Marshall  writes  in  his  diary,  under  date  of  Jan, 
24,1777: 

"Last  Evening,  came  from  camp,  the  Light  Infantry  of  (the) 
First  Battalion  of  City  Militia,  also  were  brought  the  remains  of 
Ensign  Anthony  Morris,  Junr.,  who  was  killed  at  Princeton, 
bravelj'-  supporting  the  cause  of  Liberty  and  Freedom ;  buried 


380  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

this  afternoon,  at  Friends'  burial  ground,  in  a  very  heavy  shower 
of  rain,  and  without  military  honours,  it  being  the  request  of 
his  relations,  to  the  General,  that  he  should  be  so  interred.  This 
morning  came  to  town,  three  or  four  of  our  field  pieces  with  the 
train.  In  the  afternoon,  also  arrived,  from  twenty  to  twenty-five 
of  our  City  Light  Horse,  being  dismissed  from  camp,  with  the 
thanks  of  Gen.  Washington,  as  part  of  the  Virginians  had  joined 
him."* 

John  Pemberton  wrote  in  his  Diary: — 

''First  montli  4th  1777;  this  week  has  been  a  bloody  one. 
On  the  2nd  instant,  a  battle  was  fought  at  Trenton,  in  which 
many  were  slain,  and  lay  unburied  for  several  days.  The  inhabi- 
tants have  generally  deserted  their  dwellings,  and  the  town  was 
much  wrecked.  On  the  3rd  was  a  battle,  said  to  be  still  more 
bloody,  with  numbers  slain  on  both  sides,  among  others,  Anthony 
Morris,  son  of  the  present  Anthony." 

Margaret  (Hill)  Morris  in  her  private  Journal,  writes  under 
date  of  Jan.  4, 1777 — "We  hear  to-day  that  Sharp  Delaney  and 
A.  Morris,  and  others  of  the  Pennsylvania  Militia,  are  killed." 
And  on  Jan.  9  she  writes:  "The  report  of  poor  A.  Morris  being 
killed,  is  confirmed  by  an  officer  who  was  in  the  battle."  On 
Jan.  14,  she  writes — "A  friend  from  Trenton  tells  me,  that  poor 
A.  Morris  died  in  three  hours  after  he  was  wounded,  and  was 
buried  in  Friends'  Burying  Ground,  at  Stony  Brook.  Also 
Captain  Shippen  was  buried  by  him." 

These  memoranda  by  Margaret  Morris,  and  Jonathan  Potts' 
letter  written  on  the  field  of  battle,  seem  conclusively  to  settle  the 
question,  as  to  the  date  of  Major  Anthony  Morris'  death. 

Mr.  Edwards  further  points  out,  that  "A  biographical  sketch 
of  the  foregoing  Anthony  Morris,  published  in  the  'Lives  of 
Eminent  Philadelphians,'  Phila.,  1859,  states,  that  he  served  as 
*  Ensign'  in  the  First  City  Troop  at  the  Battle  of  Princeton.  He 
is  quoted  in  Lossing's  'Field  Book'  as  'Major.'  In  the. order 
to  the  City  Guard  quoted  above,  he  is  styled  '  Captain.' " 

To  complete  these  references  to  the  military  rank  of  Anthony 
Morris,^  it  may  be  well  to  mention  that  the  "Return  of  Associa- 
tors  in  the  Philadelphia  Battalion  of   Militia,"  who  have  not 

*Vide  Diary  of  Christopher  Marshall,  Philadelphia,  1839-1849,  p.  130. 


FIFTH    GENERATION.  381 

joined  their  respective  companies  viz:  Captain  Joseph  Cowperth- 
waite's  Company,  and  Captain  Francis  C.  Hassenclever's  Com- 
pany, "  dated  Bristol,  Dec.  19,  1776,"  is  signed 

"  Certified.     A.  Morris,  Junr.,  Ensign."  * 

The  following  lines  were  copied  by  Mr.  Howard  Edwards 
from  an  old  Manuscript: — 

"COL.   ANTHONY    MORRIS   WHO    FELL    AT   PRINCETON 
AT    THE  BATTLE  OF  HESSIANS. 

"  Thus  men  with  men  in  horrid  strife  engage, 
Their  visage  gloomy — terrible  their  rage! 
Great  Washington  beheld  the  glorious  strife, 
And  nobly  shared  a  brave  contempt  of  life. 
Sol  now  retired  behind  the  Western  main, 
The  vanquished  Brittons  mourn  their  heroes  slain. 
Our  noble  chief  Columbia  lost  that  day 
In  Freedom's  cause  he  bore  superior  sway. 
In  him  there  shone  a  bright  and  manly  flame, 
The  grateful  muse  records  this  patriot's  fame, 
Ingenuous,  open,  generous,  brave  and  free, — 
These  virtues,  Morris,  all  ascribed  to  thee." 

"Anonymous. " 

General  Mercer,  who  was  killed  in  the  same  action  as  Major 
Anthony  Morris,  was  buried  in  Christ  Churchyard  14th  Jan., 
1777.  There  his  dust  reposed  until  1840,  when  his  countrymen, 
of  the  St.  Andrew's  and  Thistle  Society,  removed  his  remains  to 
Laurel  Hill  Cemetery,  on  26th  Nov.,  and  erected  a  beautiful 
marble  monument  to  his  memory,  near  the  Chapel.  William  B. 
Reed,  Esq.,  pronounced  an  Eulogium.  The  pall  was  borne  by 
Commodores  Read,  Biddle  and  Stewart,  and  Col.  Miller.  The 
Troop  of  City  Cavalry,  which  took  part  in  the  Battle  of  Princeton, 
composed  the  guard  of  honor. 

51.  Israel  Morris^  (Anthony,*  Anthony,^  Anthony,^  Anthony,^) 
a  son  of  Anthony  Morris*  and  his  first  wife  Sarah  Powell,  was 
b.  2mo.  6th,  1741 ;  d.  lOmo.  30th,  1806 ;  m.  Mary  Harrison,  who 
died  within  a  year  afterwards. 


Vide  Penna.  Archives,  2nd  Series,  Vol.  xiii.,  p.  567. 


382  GENEALOGY    OP    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

Israel  Morris,  Jr.,  was  a  great  fox-hunter.  He  and  his  brothers, 
Capt.  Samuel  Morris  and  Anthony  Morris,^  were  members  of  the 
Gloucester  Fox  Hunting 
Club,  from  its  foundation,         /?  /2     J// 

29th  Oct.,  1766.  The  ^/^^^^^  i^-€> 
hounds  were  in  charge 
of  Jonas  Cassel,  who  was 
so  swift  of  foot  and  under- 
stood the  Hunt  so  well,  that  he  was  always  first  at  the  death, 
outstripping  the  horsemen.  Israel  Morris  was  elected  a  member 
of  the  Colony  in  Schuylkill,  in  1762.  He  resided  for  many 
years  at  the  house  of  his  brother,  Samuel  Morris — 65  South  2nd 
Street,  east  side.  In  the  Directory  for  1795,  he  is  referred  to,  as 
"  Gent,"  at  that  address. 

At  the  Monthly  Meeting  of  Philadelphia  Friends,  held  3rd 
mo.  29th,  1799,  Israel  Morris,  Jr.,  was  disowned  by  the  Society,  on 
account  of  his  engaging  in  military  pursuits,  and  by  associating 
with  others,  to  learn  the  art  of  war.  But  he  was  afterwards 
reinstated  as  a  member. 


ABSTRACT  OF  WILL  OF  ISRAEL  MORRIS,  JUNR. 

Israel  Morris,  Junr.,  Philadelphia,  Merchant.  Will  dated 
14th  July,  1796.* 

He  gives  to  his  brother  Samuel  Morris,  Merchant,  his  "  one- 
half  share  of  Plantation  called  'Solitude,'"  in  the  District  of 
Southwark,  containing  66  acres,  also  his  one-half  of  a  tract  of 
meadow  in  District  of  Wicacoa,  on  the  great  road  leading  from 
Philadelphia  City  to  Gloucester  Point,  containing  10  acres,  also 
all  his  property  in  the  United  States,  as  per  schedule  annexed. 
He  leaves  to  his  "beloved  Sister  Sarah  Buckley,"  a  ground  rent 
of  £15  per  annum,  on  a  lot  on  3rd  St.  on  which  St.  Paul's  Church 
is  built,  also  £450  in  cash. 

To  his  brother  Thomas  Morris,  he  leaves  all  his  half  share  of 
a  house  and  lot  in  2nd  St.,  Philadelphia,  in  which  his  (Israel's) 
nephew  Benjamin  W.  Morris  was  then  living — bounded  on  the 
east  by  2nd  St.,  on  the  south  by  John  Mifflin's  ground,  on  the 

*  Vide  Will  Book  2,  p.  11,  Philadelphia. 


FIFTH    GENERATION.  383 

west  by  his  brother  Samuel  Morris's  lot,  and  on  the  north  by 
James  Hunter's  house  and  ground. 

He  leaves  to  Niece  Sarah  Wistar,  wife  of  Richard  Wistar,  all 
his  Household  Kitchen  furniture,  and  silver  plate.  He  leaves  to 
his  "Kinswoman"  Abigail  Griffitts  £100  in  cash,  in  considera- 
tion of  the  love  and  regard  he  has  for  her,  as  well  as  the  friend- 
ship she  manifested  for  him,  while  an  apprentice  with  her 
husband,  and  his  "never  to  be  forgotten  friend,  William 
Griffitts."  He  gives  to  his  cousin  James  Griffitts,  (son  of  Abigail 
Griffitts),  his  silver  watch,  which  had  been  presented  to  him  by 
William  Griffitts,  the  father  of  James.  The  said  watch  had 
belonged  to,  and  was  worn  by,  his  grandfather  James  Griffitts  of 
Swansea,  S.  Wales.  To  his  nephew  Luke  W.  Morris  he  leaves 
his  sorrel  mare,  "Lucy."  Residue  to  brother  Samuel  Morris, 
who  is  sole  Ex'or. 

(Signed)  Israel  Morris,  Jr. 

6  per  ct  Stock  $3173  -     26. 

3  per  ct     do  3145  -      4. 

Deferred    do  1586-    64. 


i7904       j%% 


Witnesses : 

Abel  Holmes, 
Isaac  W.  Morris. 

A  codicil  dated  19th  Oct.,  1806,  provides  that  the  bequest  to 
Abigail  Griffitts  is  to  fall  into  the  General  residue,  as  she  is 
deceased  since  making  of  the  Will. 

Proved  at  Philadelphia,  Nov.  6,  1806. 

52.  Sarah  Morris^  (Anthony,*  Anthony ,^  Anthony,^  Anthony,^) 
a  dau.  of  Anthony  Morris^  and  his  first  wife  Sarah  Powell,  was 
b.  5th  mo.  2nd,  1743;  d.  1st  mo.  20th,  1830;  m.  4th  mo.  11th, 
1771,  William  Buckley,  son  of  William  and  Ruth  (Leach) 
Buckley,  b.  July  19,  1745;  d.  Oct.  15,  1816, 

Of  her  early  life  no  record  can  be  found,  but  in  addition  to 
her  general  education,  she  appears  to  have  been  trained  in  several 
of  the  accomplishments  of  that  day,  such  as  w^ax  modelling, 
shell-work,  &c.     There  is  in  the  possession  of  her  great  grandson, 


384  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

Mr.  Howard  Edwards,  an  elegant  piece  of  wax  and  shell  work, 
constructed  by  her,  probably  in  1764.  It  represents  Calypso's 
Grotto,  and  after  134  years,  it  is  still  in  wonderfully  good  preser- 
vation. It  is  probably  in  reference  to  this  shell  work,  that  the 
following  letter  was  written  to  her,  by  her  aunt  Deborah  Morris, 
during  a  stay  at  John  Franklin's  in  New  York : — 

"Dear  Sally,  "8  mo  15. 

"Notwithstanding  I  wrote  by  thy  aunt  Shoemaker,  who  sets 
off  tomorrow  to  see  you,  as  they  will  go  slowly  on  as  possible,  our 
neighbour  Slidhorn  may  reach  you  before  then — tho'  they  both 
start  on  the  same  day.  I  hope  you  are  all  well,  and  will  be 
ready  to  pack  up  thy  alls,  and  go  with  them.  I  long  to  have  my 
family  settled  again.  When  thee  returns,  should  Divine  good- 
ness permit  it,  I  hope  it  will  be  for  this  winter  at  least.  Your 
wax-work  or  shell-work,  will  fail  I  fear. 

"Thy  grandparents'  love  attends  you  all — mine  concludes  this 
in  haste. — Kiss  the  dear  children  for  me 

"  Thy  affect  aunt 

"D.  Morris." 

Mr.  Howard  Edwards  (who  kindly  favors  us  with  the  above) 
writes :  "  From  the  reference  in  the  preceding  to  the  wax  and 
shell  work,  it  is  thought  to  have  been  written  about  1764 — as 
among  Sarah  Morris'  Papers,  a  bill  has  been  found  for  instruc- 
tion given  at  this  time,  in  this  branch  of  education." 

For  some  time,  the  affections  of  Sarah  Morris  were  set  upon 
William  Buckley,  a  son  of  William  and  Ruth  Buckley,  descend- 
ants of  Phineas  Buckle}^  a  native  of  London,  who  became  a 
Trader  to  the  Island  of  Jamaica,  &c.,  and  in  this  capacity,  came 
to  Philadelphia  about  the  year  1713.  This  Phineas  Buckley 
married  Sarah  Hugg,  granddaughter  of  Elias  Hugg  of  Glouces- 
ter Co.,  New  Jersey.  At  length,  Sarah  Morris  became  engaged 
to  William  Buckley,  who  w^as  a  resident  of  Philadelphia,  but  his 
business  as  a  Merchant,  obliged  him  to  make  repeated  voyages 
to  the  West  Indies,  the  first  voyage  occurring  in  1st  mo.,  1766. 
Ultimately,  upon  his  return  from  one  of  these  voyages,  he  and 
Sarah  Morris  were  married  at  the  Friends'  Meeting  House  on 
Pine  Street,  April  11,  1771.     But  business  calling  him  away,  he 


FIFTH    GENERATION.  385 

was  obliged  to  leave  for  Eustatia,  and  Demarara,  on  the  loth  of 
the  following  June,  and  he  was  absent  until  May,  1772,  when  he 
returned  to  his  home,  only  soon  to  leave  it  again  upon  business ; 
and  this  occurred  for  several  years.  Truly  touching  are  his 
wife's  expressions  of  affectionate  longing,  for  his  return  from 
these  voyages.  She  thus  concludes  a  letter,  written  to  him  April 
30,  1774,  whilst  he  was  away  in  the  West  Indies : — 

"  What  does  it  signify,  if  thou  couldst  amass  the  wealth  of 
both  the  Indies,  if  I  am  thus  to  suffer  for  thy  absence  ?  I  often 
think  of  a  line  or  two  I've  read  somewhere,  speaking  of  how 
small  a  matter  is  sufficient  for  us.     The  poet  says: — 

"  Then  pilgrim  stay !     Thy  cares  forego, 
All  earth  born  cares  are  wrong — 
Man  wants  but  little  here  below, 
Nor  wants  that  little  long." 

"Excuse  my  dwelling  so  much  on  thy  return,  for  it's  what  I 
ardently  long  for,  more  than  for  hidden  treasure,  and  now  my 
dear,  with  as  much  love  as  is  thy  due,  concludes 

"  thy  loving  and  affectionate  wife 

"Parlor  fireside,  past  6  o'clock  and  a  stormy  Ev'g — " 

Home  was  her  sphere,  and  in  her  home  she  shone : 

"  There  woman  reigns :  the  mother,  daughter,  wife, 
Strew  with  fresh  flowers,  the  narrow  way  of  life, 
In  the  clear  heaven  of  her  delightful  eye, 
An  angel  guard  of  loves  and  graces  lie ; 
Around  her  knees,  domestic  duties  meet, 
And  fireside  pleasures,  gambol  at  her  feet." 

But  instead  of  returning  soon,  her  husband  was  compelled  by 
business  to  go  to  Europe,  and  visited  London  and  Amsterdam, 
returning  by  way  of  London  and  Madeira,  to  the  West  India 
Islands.  At  length,  on  April  2,  1775,  he  sailed  from  St.  Eustatia 
for  Philadelphia,  where  he  arrived  on  the  18th  of  the  same  month. 


3«b  GENEALOGY    OF    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

We  can  imagine  with  what  joy,  such  a  loving  wife  would  greet 
her  husband,  after  so  long  a  separation;  and  rather  than  renew 
it,  she  determined  to  brave  the  perils  of  the  deep,  and  go~  with 
her  husband  to  the  West  Indies. 
Accordingly  on  June  6,  1775,  they 
embarked  at  Gloucester,  N.  J.,  for 
St.  Eustatia,  taking  with  them  their 
two  daughters — Elizabeth  and  Sarah, 
and  William  Buckley's  sister  Re- 
becca. On  July  19,  1775,  William  Buckley  embarked  from  St. 
Eustatia  for  Demarara,  with  Mr.  Patterson,  his  partner,  accom- 
panied by  both  their  families. 

On  Aug.  5,  1775,  they  landed  at  the  "Hague"  Plantation,  in 
Demarara.  During  the  stay  of  the  Buckleys  at  the  "Hague" 
Plantation,  a  son  (whom  they  named  Anthony  Morris  Buckle}''), 
was  born  to  them,  on  Dec.  7,  1777 ;  about  which  time,  probably, 
they  received  the  letter  from  Captain  Samuel  Morris,  which  has 
been  alread}^  reproduced.  Three  years  afterwards,  William 
Buckley  writes  under  date  of  Oct.  16,  1780:  "Having  sold  the 
second  half  of  Plantation  "Hague"  for  £125,000  to  I.  C.  Van  Der 
Hewell,  I  removed  with  all  my  family  to  the  "Philadelphia" 
Plantation  in  Essequibo — Patterson  &  Buckley's  property. 

On  Aug.  20,  1781,  William  Buckley  removed,  with  his  family, 
to  the  Plantation  "  Saratoga,"  Laguan  Island,  Essequibo,  a  proj)- 
erty  belonging  to  himself  and  Mr.  Patterson,  which  they  were 
just  beginning  to  cultivate.  Two  years  later,  it  was  deemed  ex- 
pedient for  the  two  daughters  to  return  to  Philadelphia,  with 
their  aunt  Rebecca  Buckley,  while  their  parents  remained  in  the 
West  Indies,  with  their  infant  son  Anthony,  and  consequently,  on 
June  19,  1783,  the  two  daughters  Elizabeth  and  Sarah,  with  their 
aunt  Rebecca  Buckley,  sailed  from  Essequibo  for  Philadelphia, 
where  they  arrived  in  safety  on  the  14th  of  July.  Upon  their 
arrival,  the  children  took  up  their  abode  at  Bristoi,-under  the 
roof  of  Phineas,  a  brother  of  William  Buckley.  Afterwards, 
they  paid  visits  to  Captain  Samuel  Morris,  in  Philadelphia,  and 
to  some  friends  at  Cooper  Hill,  near  Haddonfield,  in  New  Jersey. 
Interesting  letters  from  Israel  Morris  and  Rebecca  Buckley,  are 
in  the  possession  of  the  family,  describing  how  the  children  by 
their  good  behaviour,  "got  into  the  good  graces"  of  all  the  friends 
and  relatives  they  visited.     Their  anxious  mother  had  prepared 


FIFTH    GENERATION.  387 

for  them  a  long  valedictory,  containing  excellent  advice,  which 
she  handed  to  them,  on  their  departure  from  the  West  Indies,  and 
she  continued  to  send  them  letters,  breathing  the  tenderest  ex- 
pressions of  concern  for  their  welfare. 

About  nine  months  after  the  children  had  arrived  in  Phila- 
delphia, Deborah  Morris  wrote  the  letter  to  her  niece  Sarah 
Buckley,  which  we  have  already  given,  on  page  285.  It  is  dated 
3d  mo.  8th,  1784. 

Owing  to  the  depression  of  trade,  consequent  upon  the  dis- 
tracted financial  condition  of  the  Colony,  Messrs.  Buckley  & 
Patterson  were  induced  to  sell  their  plantations,  and  return  to 
America,  but  they  probably  sold  at  a  great  disadvantage,  as  they 
failed  to  bring  fortunes  home  with  them,  although  during  years 
of  exile,  they  labored  assiduously  to  obtain  them. 

On  March  27, 1786,  William  Buckley  with  his  wife  and  family, 
removed  to  Gloucester,  New  Jersey,  and  again  on  27th  of  March, 
1787,  he  removed  to  Samuel  Cooper's  Ferry,  and  entered  into 
partnership  with  Richard  Wells.  On  May  9,  1793,  he  removed, 
with  his  wife  and  his  son  Anthony,  (from  Gloucester,  New  Jersey), 
to  Philadelphia,  the  partnership  of  Buckley  &  Wells  having  been 
dissolved  by  mutual  consent,  on  the  1st  of  April. 

The  two  daughters  had  been  married  during  the  stay  of  the 
family  in  New  Jersey — Ehzabeth  to  Luke  W.  Morris,  and  Sarah 
to  Joseph  Cooper,  who  entered  into  partnership  with  Richard 
Wells. 

Mr.  Howard  Edwards  states  that  "  at  this  period  William 
Buckley  resided  at  No.  137*  South  Front  street,  east  side,  between 
Walnut  and  Pock,  where  he  opened  an  office  for  the  transaction 
of  a  General  Commission  business.  It  was  at  that  time,  custom- 
ary for  merchants  to  occupy  the  same  dwelling,  both  as  a  resi- 
dence and  a  place  of  business.  Front  Street  was  then  the  most 
respectable  in  the  city,  and  abounded  in  numerous  old-fashioned 
stately  mtvjsions,  well  built  and  of  ample  proportions,  and  occu- 
pied by  the  leading  influential  families  of  the  Quaker  City." 

Oct.  15,  1816,  fixes  the  date  of  a  great  family  affliction — the 


*Mr.  Edwards  writing  in  1866,  says,  "It  is  now  numbered  233.  Since 
William  Buckley's  time  an  additional  story  has  been  added,  and  it  is  now 
(August,  1866)  a  Tavern  and  Boarding  House,  bearing  the  name  of  the 
'  Keystone.' " 


388  GENEALOGY    OP    THE    MORRIS    FAMILY. 

death  of  William  Buckley,  the  following  memorandum  of  which 
was  made  by  his  widow,  Sarah  (Morris)  Buckley : — 

"  My  Dear  Billy  came  up  stairs  on  seventh  day  the  3rd  instant, 
and  exchanged  this  life  for  a  better,  the  15th  of  the  same  month, — 
was  interred  the  19th." 

In  the  "  Portfolio  "  for  November,  1816,  appeared  the  following 
notice : — 

"  Died  William  Buckley,  a  member  of  the  Society  of  Friends 
in  this  City.  He  was  in  the  strictest  sense  an  upright  man,  and 
his  numerous  friends  will  not  soon  forget  the  softness  of  his 
manner,  and  the  hospitality  of  his  heart." 

Some  years  before  his  death,  William  Buckley  removed  from 
137  South  Front  Street,  to  the  "  Third  Street  House  "  next  south 
of  St.  Paul's  church,  and  it  was  the  residence,  for  a  number  of 
years  afterwards,  of  the  surviving  members  of  his  family,  and 
here  on  the  19th  of  Jan.,  1830,  his  wife  Sarah  Buckley  departed 
this  life,  after  an  eventful  pilgrimage  of  nearly  87  years. 

William  and  Sarah  (Morris)  Buckley  had  issue: — 

147.  Elizabeth    Morris    Buckley,    b.   July  17,   1772;   cl.  7mo.  21,  1797,' 

m.  March  24,  1791,  Luke  W.  Morris. 

148.  Sarah   P.  Buckley,  b.   lOmo.  4,   1773;  d.  Nov.   18,  1847;   m.    (1st) 

March  14,  1793,  Joseph  B.  Cooper,  (he  d.  Sept.  30,  1793)  ;  (2ndly) 
7mo.  1,  1801,  Thomas  Howard  (b.  Jan.  1,  1754;  d.  April  21,  1815). 

149.  Anthony  Morris  Buckley,  b.  Dec.  7,  1777 ;  d.  unm.  April  G,  1845. 

''  Buckley." 

Buckley  is  derived  from  a  Township  in  Cheshire,  England. 

Also — From  the  Manor  of  "  Bulkley  "  in  the  county  Palatine 
of  Chester,  England,  which  is  a  corruption  of  ''Bullock-ley"  the 
Bullock's  Field  or  Pasture. 

The  founder  of  the  Family  in  America,  was  Phineas  Buckley, 
a  native  of  the  City  of  London,  and  trader  to  the  Island  of 
Jamaica,  &c.,  who  came  in  that  capacity  to  Philadelphia,  about 
the  year  1713.  He  married  Sarah  Hugg,  granddaughter  of  Elias 
Hugg  of  Gloucester  Co.,  New  Jersey. 

Many  of  his  descendants  continued  to  trade  with  the  West 
Indies  as  he  had  done.  William  Buckley  who  married  Sarah 
Morris  was  of  the  fourth  Generation  and  followed  the  same 
pursuits. 


rriHE  Certificate  of  Antliony  ^Morris  and  ^Nlary  Codington  widdow 
-L  of  tlieare  marriage  ye  IS*^  x"V  1()9J.  Tliis  is  to  Certifie  the  Truth 
to  all  peopele  that  Anthony  Morris  of  the  province  of  Pensilvanee, 
and  Mary  Coddington  widow  and  Relick  of  Thomas  Codington  of 
Rhoad  Island  having  intensions  of  marriage  according  to  the  Desent 
comeley  practice  of  friends  did  laye  it  before  ye  men  and  womens 
meeting  of  Rhoad  Island  before  whom  their  marriiige  was  propounded 
and  then  the  meeting  desired  him  to  wait  till  ye  next  monthly  meet- 
ing and  Inquirey  Being  made  between  the  meetings  whether  the  man 
was  cleare  from  all  other  women  &  ye  woman  cleare  from  all  other 
men.  Soe  they  appearing  the  second  time  before  the  saied  meetings, 
Theare  being  Cleare  for  her  children  and  nothing  appearing  to  hinder 
their  said  marriage  A  meeting  of  said  peopell  of  God  was  assembled 
together,  when  they  took  each  other,  in  theare  publick  house  in 
Newporte  in  the  presence  of  God  and  in  the  presence  of 
according  to  the  Law  of  God  and  ye  holey  men  of  God  in  the 

of  truth,  they  then  promising  before  God  and  before  us  to  live 
faithfully  together  husband  and  wife  until  death  separate  you  they 
both  setting  their  hands  heareunto  this  eighteenth  day  of  the  eleventh 
month  in  ye  year  169|.  And  they  being  published  according  to  the 
law  and  custom  of  this  colony  God  is  witness,  and  we  are  also  wit- 
nesses to  wat  you  saye  where  names  are  here  underwritten 

ANTHONY  MORRIS. 
MARY  MORRIS. 

John  Easton,   Governor,       Eliza  Stanton, 

Danl.  Gould,  Sarah  Heewakd, 

Euw.  Thurston,  Sarah  Newbery, 

Walter  Cj-arke,  Hannah  Rodman, 

Jacob  Morr,  Mary  Beyer, 

Joseph  Beyer,  Mary  Cranston, 

Giles  Slocum,  Mary  . 

Nathanl.  Coddington,        Katharine  Gould, 

John  Allen,  Susana  Ross, 

William  Allen,  Eliz.  Tilinghast, 

Saml.  Shakelton,  Eliz.  Harwood, 

John  Gould,  Deborah  Thurston, 

Edward  Ross,  Eliz.  Scott, 

Saml.  Cranston,  Sarah  Chamberlin, 

John  Headley,  Ann  Sandford, 

Clark,  Katherine  Codington, 

Ann  Newbery,  Martha  Dyer. 


MARRIAGE  CERTIFICATE   OF  ANTHONY  MORRIS^   AND  MARY  CODDINGTON,   11  MO. 


9912 


9912