Martha ‘Patsy’ Morris

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.

NAMED:-- 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 the Justices of said county who voluntarily came into court and being solemnly sworn in due solemn form of law deposeth that he celebrated the 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 knowning that he is now in Court hath made this requistion is the same first legitimate son and heir of John MORRIS, decd. S: R.D. LEWIS, C.C. S: Thomas MORRIS;

COURT:-- Jul 1782 Rutherford Co, NC Or'd that William GRANT do take unto his possession Thomas MORRIS, Jean MORRIS, William MORRIS, James MORRIS, Francis MORRIS, George MORRIS, and Elizabeth MORRIS, infants, children of John MORRIS, decd until the come of proper age to choose guardians;

• Reference: FamilySearch Family Tree - SmartCopy: Dec 22 2016, 3:25:55 UTC