Billy Morris Jr.
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William Morris Jr. (1746 - abt. 1802)

Major William (Billy) Morris Jr.
Born in Orange County, Virginia Colonymap
Ancestors ancestors
Husband of — married 10 May 1768 in Orange County, Virginia Colony, British Americamap
Descendants descendants
Died about at about age 55 in Charleston, Kanawha County, Virginia, USAmap
Profile last modified | Created 22 Feb 2010
This page has been accessed 6,323 times.

Contents

Biography

U.S. Southern Colonies Project logo
Billy Morris Jr. was a Virginia colonist.
This profile is part of the Morris Name Study.

(Major) William Morris, Jr. (1746 - 1802), married Catherine Carroll 1768.

Major Morris was an officer in the Battle of Point Pleasant, and was wounded. A born leader of men. Appointed one of first trustees town of Charleston. Was also a Magistrate. The year after his father’s death, 1793, served as a delegate to the General Assembly and for five sessions thereafter. Lived at Kelly’s Creek and is buried under the small brick church later erected there, and first known as Virginia’s Chapel. A bronze tablet is placed on the outer wall of the church in his memory. See “The White House Tavern” for further data.[1]

William Morris, Jr. came to Kanawha with his father, father's family and his own wife and children. When his father became old, he took care of the farm from his father.

William, Sr., it is said, planted a pear tree at Kelly Station which lived on into the 1800s; and only fell during a very strong storm which hit the area during the turn of the twentieth century. William, Jr. left the old fort on Kelly's Creek after his f ather died in 1792 and built a large home east of the creek which later became known as the "White House". The old fort, which had housed the likes of Daniel Boone, Ann Bailey and her husband, Kenton, and others during the Indian Wars fell into ruin.

When the new county of Kanawha was formed, William, Jr. became one of it's justices. He was appointed trustee for the towns of Charleston and Point Pleasant as well. He was in the legislature for Kanawha from 1792-1794, 1796-1798 and 1800. He was sheriff in 1801. There was no more important person in the settlement than he who was known in later years as Major William Morris.

He lived at Kelly's Creek and is buried under the small brick church later erected there; and, first known as Virginia's Chapel at Cedar Grove. A bronze tablet is placed on the outer wall of the church in his memory.

When William Morris Sr. died Major Billy became the head of the family. When the new county of Kanawha was formed he was one of the Justices, also one of the trustees appointed for the town of Charleston and Point Pleasant when the town was established. Major Billy was in the legislature from Kanawha County from 1792 through 1798 and also in 1800. He was sheriff in 1801.

In an old family Bible the following is found. "The property of William Morris "June 2, 1796"--"August 19, 1794 William Morris and wife Catherine, his wife were taken in the Baptist Church and on 20th she was baptized"--"John Morris this his book April 2, 1816"-- "Catherine Morris, the owner of this book, died September 3, 1823, signed John Hansford Sr., 1824". The, Bible was printed in 1791 by Isaiah Thomas in Mass. The birth dates of William Morris (Major Billy), December 17, 1746 and Catherine Carroll Morris, March 15, 1751 are also given in this Bible.

While the other Morris sons were tall and spare made, Major Billy was less tall and was stout. Major Billy spent his time acquiring choice lands, improving his farm, erecting mills and building flat boats for families emigrating to Kentucky and points west. He managed by these means to become the weathliest man among the early settlers of the Kanawha Valley.

Although not an educated man he gave his children, especially his sons, a liberal education. He was not tolerant to opposition to his will, nor was he favorably inclined towards those who differed from him in religion or politics. He was a Baptist wholly and exclusively.

Catherine Carroll Morris outlived her husband by about 20 years and by her will left her estate to her daughters, Mrs. Jane Hansford, Mrs. Catherine Venable and Mrs. Cynthia Noyes.

The Morris family secured a large estate in land and there were patents issued to them in Botetourt, Greenbriar and Kanawha, as well as other counties. Major William Morris was the owner of much of this land.

It is said he brought the first cat and dog to the valley

Slaves

Warrick-Male Doll-Female James-Male Charity-Female Jane-Female Chaney-Female Harry-Male George-Male Minn-Male Hannible-Male

Land Holdings

Kanawha County, Virginia, 1397 acres in Tease's Valley including some of the water of Mud River adjoining a survey of their own of 828 acres, in partnership with John Herriman, Thomas Tease, and William Neely. Source: Land Office Grants No. 44, 1799-1800, Reel 110, Page 90, 02 Jan 1800. The collection is housed in the Archives of the Library of Virginia at Richmond, VA.

Kanawha County, Virginia, 250 acres on the head of Kelley's Creek. Source: Land Office Grants No. 44, 1799-1800, Reel 110, Page 87, 03 Jan 1800. This Grant is from the same above mentioned collection.

Kanawha County, Virginia, 2,000 acres in Tease's Valley adjoining Jacob Riffe's right of settlement. Source: Land Office Grants No. 43, 1799-1800, Reel 109, Page 36, 02 Dec 1799. This grant is from the Library of Virginia Collection, as well.

Kanawha County, Virginia, 790 acres in Tease's Valley beginning and on the bank of Big Hurricane Creek at the mouth and lower side of Morris's Creek, in partnership with Thomas Tease . Source: Land Office Grants No.43, 1799-1800, Reel 109, Page 8, 28 Nov 1799, also from the Library of Virginia Collection.

The same day, November 28, 1799, Kanawha County, Virginia, 137 acres on Big Hurricane Creek, and adjoining a survey made in Tease's Valley, in partnership with Thomas Tease and John Harreman. Source: Land Office Grants No. 43, 1799-1800, Reel 109, Page 9.

Greenbrier County, Virginia, 1,000 acres on Suel Mountain on both sides of the Kanawha Road and including a spring known by the Gnatt Spring. Source: Office of Land Grants No. 37, 1796-1798, Reel 103, Page 486, 03 Nov 1797. This is also part of the Collection of the Library of Virginia at Richmond, VA.

Greenbrier County, Virginia, 70 acres on both sides of Gauley River below the second ford. Source: Land Office Grants No. 35, 1795-1796, Reel 101, Page 398, 06 July 1796, included in the Collection at the Library of Virginia.

Greenbrier County, Virginia, 160 acres on Rich Creek, a branch of Gauley River and adjoining his right of settlement on said river. Source: Land Office Grants No. 29, 1793, Reel 95, Page 288, included in the above mentioned collection.

Kanawha County, Virginia, 660 acres on the south west side of Kanawha River known by the name of Campbells Bottom. Source: Land Office Grants No. 29, 1793, Reel 95, Page 290, from the collection mentioned above, dated16 Dec 1793.

Greenbrier County, Virginia, 110 acres on Muddy Creek adjoining his own land and the land of John Wilson. Source: Land Office Grants No. 29, 1793, Reel 95, Page 721, 20 Nov 1793, in the same collection as above.

Greenbrier County, Virginia, 1,206 acres, in partnership with Andrew Donnally and George Alderson. Source: Land Office Grants No. 24, 1791-1792, Reel 90, Page 588, 30 Mar 1792. May be found in the collection at the Archives of the Library of Virginia at Richmond, VA.

Greenbrier County, Virginia, 75 acres, in partnership with Andrew Donnally. Source: Land Office Grants No. 26, 1792, Reel 92, Page 158, from the same collection referenced above.

Greenbrier County, Virginia, 300 acres, in partnership with Andrew Donnally. Source: Land Office Grants No. 26, 1792, Reel 92, Page 148, dated 1 Greenbrier County, Virginia, 45 acres, in partnership with Andrew Donnally. Source: Land Office Grants No. 26, 1792, Reel 92, Page 149, dated 24 Mar 1792, housed in the above collection.

Greenbrier County, Virginia, 514 acres on Manns Creek, in partnership with Joseph Carrill. Source: Land Office Grants No. 24, 1791-1792, Reel 90, Page 333,dated 15 Nov 1791, included in the same aforementioned collection.

Dated on the same day, Greenbrier County, Virginia, 1,500 acres on Ten Mile Creek, a branch of Great Kanawha on both sides of said creek, in partnership with Andrew Donnally. Source: Land Office Grants No. 24, 1791-1792, Reel 90, Page 335, also part of the above collection.

On that day, as well, Kanawha County, Virginia, 360 acres opposite the mouth of Elk River between the land of John Childers and the land of Davis. Source: Land Office Grants No. 24, 1791-1792, Reel 90, Page 336.

Greenbrier County, Virginia, 525 acres including an old survey made by Andrew Lewis beginning on the bank of Muddy Creek on the side of an island between Muddy Creek and Greenbrier River. Source: Office of Land Grants No. 15, 1787-1788, Reel 81, Page 107, 12 Dec 1787. This may also be found at the collection of the Library of Virginia.

Dated the day before, Greenbrier County, Virginia, 400 acres on the north east side of the Great Kanawha at the mouth of Morris's Creek. Source: Land Office Grants No. 15, 1787-1788, Reel 81, Page 134, in the same collection, as well.

Will

In the name of God Amen, I William Morris of the County of Kanawha and State of Virginia being in my perfect strength of mind do this Twenty second day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and two make and publish this my last Will and Testament in the manner following, to wit, I lend to my loving wife Catherine Morris that part of the Plantation on which I live that lies above the Creek with its Appurtenances; I also Will to my Wife Catherine six Negroes to wit, Wanuk, Doll, James, Chatty, Jane and Chaney. I further Will all my stock, household furniture & still, and farming utensils of every kind to my said Wife Catherine which stock, furniture and still to be disposed of at her death as she may think proper. I moreover will to my Wife Catherine one hundred acres of land lying at the upper end of my Plantation which lies on Greenbrier River during her lifetime and I further Will that all the Land and Negroes which I willed or lent to my Wife Catherine during her life shall at her decease decend in manner following, to wit, the Negro Girl Jane, & her increase, to come, shall decend to Jane Hansford, and her Heirs,--And the little Negro Girl Chaney shall descend to Catherine Morris daughter of my son William, and I further will that part of this Plantation on which I live which I have willed to my Wife shall at her death descend to my Son John. I also Will that Charity and James shall not be separated but shall be the property of all my Children, and that some one Child shall purchase up all the other shares~ And I further will that the one hundred acres of land which I have Willed to my Wife lying on Greenbriar River shall at her death, descend to my Son William. I Will and bequeath to my Son William Morris, that Plantation of mine lying in Greenbriar on Greenbriar river adjoining the mouth of Muddy Creek, and every other tract of land that own or claim lying in the County of Greenbriar together with all the Debts that is or may be owing no me in the said County of Greenbriar. I also Will to my Son William two Negroes to wit, Harry and George which Negroes are now in his possession~ I also Will and Bequeath to my Son William three hundred acres of Land lying in Teasser Valley that is the two hundred Acres which he purchased of Rece and Clymes with one other hundred acres adjoining the same, I Will and Bequeath to my Son Carroll Morris two Negro boys to wit, Minn and Hannible I also Will to my Son Carroll Morris my part of a large Survey lying on the Ten Mile Creek, which runs into the Kanawha ten miles above the Point--I will to my Son John Morris the whole of the Plantation on which I now live reserving to his Mother a part of said Plantation during her lifetime as above mentioned, I Will to Carroll Morris, John Hansfoxd and Charlie Veneable my undisputed land in Teasser Valley being twentyone hundred acres which ! hope will be divided equally between the three-- I Will and Bequeath to my Daughter Cinthia all my land on Qualey River and the waters and the measure of the same is us be applied to her support and Executors. i further Will tha~ all lands that are not mentioned in my Will nor conveyed by Title shall remain on a Surplus and that Charles Venable and Job Martin shall be paid out of the same, agreeable to their Contracts with me, and then any balance that may remain shall be sold, and the sum arising from the same equally distributed amongst my Six Children--And I further Will that at the decease of my Wife Catherine that Warrick and Doll shall be free from slavery, provided that in the judgement of my Son in Law john Hansford they have been faithful Slaves and behaved well towards their Mistress. And it is to be further understood that in Bequeathing all the Lands to my son William which lies in the County of Greenbriar no lands on Gauly River was meant, but that said lands should belong to and be the property of Cinthia. Lastly I make and Ordain my Wife Catherine, my Son William, my Son Carroll, my Son John, John Hansford and Charles Venable Executors and Exectrix of this my Last Will and Testament--And I do hereby revoke all former Wills and Testaments by me made either verbally or in writing, and it is my Sincere Will and Desire that the above named Executrix shall have this my Last Will and Testament Performed and complied with agreeable to the true intent and meaning of the same. ù In Witness whereof I the said William Morris have to this last Will and Testament Set my hand and Seal the day and year above written. William Morris Signed sealed and delivered in the presents of the under written persons Teste William Chastain John Given John Carroll Michael See James Smith

Burial

Date: 1802
Place: Virginia's Chapel, Cedar Grove, West Virginia

Military Service

Place: Wounded in the battle of Point Pleasant

Died Y. DEC 1802. Charleston, Kanawha County, VA. Age: 55-56.

Sources

  1. Pioneers and Their Homes on the Upper Kanawha, by Dayton
  • Genealogies of West Virginia Families from WV Magazine 1901-1905
  • 1810 Annotated Kanawha County Census (KVGS)
  • N.S.D.A.R. Patriot Index

See Also

Acknowledgements

  • WikiTree profile Morris-5156 created through the import of Lee, McClendon, Morris, Dean, .ged on Oct 2, 2012 by Jennifer Kelly.
  • This person was created on 14 September 2010 through the import of 124-DeCoursey.ged.
  • WikiTree profile Morris-4612 created through the import of Dankowski Family Tree.ged on May 28, 2012 by Laura Mercado.
  • Thank you to Scott Ledbetter for creating WikiTree profile Morris-6231 through the import of 3112910.ged on Jun 7, 2013.
  • West Virginia Historical Magazine Quarterly – Families of the Kanawha (1901 – 1905) William Morris Family, reprinted in 1992 (pages 158-185)
  • Family Genealogy, name William Morris; provides name of wife as Elizabeth Stips; names his ten children and many of his grandchildren and spouses with dates of birth, death, dates of marriages.




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DNA Connections
It may be possible to confirm family relationships with Billy by comparing test results with other carriers of his Y-chromosome or his mother's mitochondrial DNA. However, there are no known yDNA or mtDNA test-takers in his direct paternal or maternal line. It is likely that these autosomal DNA test-takers will share some percentage of DNA with Billy:

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Comments: 3

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I have added a list of the slaves owned by Major William Morris on this profile with categories using the standards of the US Black Heritage Exchange Program. This helps us connect enslaved ancestors to their descendants. See the Heritage Exchange Portal for more information.
posted by M. Mcclure
Morrison-1080 and Morris-27 do not represent the same person because: not connected
posted by Tony Woods
Morris-15526 and Morris-27 appear to represent the same person because: While looking for another William Morris, I found these two matching (dups) William Morris profiles, that should be merged. They have same birth date, death date and place, same mother, and matching siblings.
posted by Virgil Kester III