James Morris

Oct 1794 Rutherford Co, NC Wills & Misc A-35 Be it remembered that James MORRIS, eldest legitimate son and heir of John MORRIS, decd, being desirous to establish his legitimacy and also his being the heir of said John decd. Called on Timothy RIGGS, Esq, one of th Justices of said county who voluntarily came into court and being solemnly sworn in due solemn form of law deposeth that he celebrated thr rites of marriage between John MORRIS and Marth POWEL in the Spring of the year 1773 and joined them together as man and wife in due form of law. S: R. LEWIS, CC. S: Timo RIGGS, JP. Be it further remembered that Thomas MORRIS being of age came voluntarily into court at the request of the above James MORRIS and being duly sown saith that he knew the said James was the first child born in wedlock of John, decd. That James was born about the latter end of June 1775 and that he hath known James from his childhood till this time and knowing that he is now in Court hath made this requisition is the same first legitimate son and heir of John MORRIS, decd. S: R.D. LEWIS, C.C. S: Thomas MORRIS;

Origins

JOHN MORRIS

notes from Pam Wilson, 5th great granddaughter

parents and birthplace unknown; settled in Tryon County, North Carolina in the mid-1760s. Died fighting as a Loyalist at the Battle of Kings Mountain.

had two wives:

Sara Ward, mother of John (Jr), Susannah (marr. Alexander Grant), Thomas, Elizabeth (marr. Thomas Dalton), and Jean/Jess Morris.

Martha "Patsy" Powell, married Spring of 1773, mother of children William, Frances (m. William Martin), James and George Morris

John Morris was believed by family and local tradition to be the brother of Robert Morris of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, signer of Declaration of Independence, who owned a great deal of land in western North Carolina and whose will was registered in McDowell County, NC. However, this is not substantiated and was perhaps wishful thinking.