John Morrison (1720 - 1776)

Born 1720 in County Londonderry, Ireland

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth (Alexander) Morrison — married about 1749 (to 1776) in New Hampshire

Died 1776 at about age 56 in Londonderry, Rockingham, New Hampshire

John Morrison was one of the Londonderry, New Hampshire Scots-Irish Immigrants to America 1718 onwards.

Biography

Birth

He was born in Londonderry, Ireland in 1720,^[1] the son of Samuel Morrison and Margaret Henry.

Land

His father on March 1, 1740 (or 1741), granted his son land:^[2]

"To all Christian People to whom these Presents shall come, Samuel Morrison of Londonderry, in the Province of New Hamp. in New England, yeoman, sendeth greeting.

Know ye that I, Samuel Morison, for the love & good will that I have, and to my son John Morrison, of Londonderry and Province aforesaid, husbandman, have for me, my heirs, executors, administrators, given, granted, and by these presents give, grant, sell, convey, and confirm unto him, the said John Morison, his heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns forever, one messuage or tract of land laying and being in Londonderry aforesaid, containing by estimation forty acres, be the same more or less, butted and bounded as followeth: beginning on the Northeast at a red oak tree, marked and so running West and be south one hundred and sixty rods to a stake and stones, and bounding on John Blair's land from thence South and be east forty-five rods to a pine tree, marked; from thence running East and be North one hundred sixty rods to a white oak tree, marked, and bounding on James Murry land, and from thence North and be West to the bounds first mentioned, being a second Division laid out to my right in said Londonderry.

"To Have and To Hold the above granted and bargained premises, with all the profits, improvements, advantages to ye same belonging or any appertaining to him the said John Morrison, his heirs or assigns forever, to his or their only use, benefit, and behoof, and that the said John Morrison, his heirs and assigns may from time to time, and at all times forever hereafter by force and virtue of these presents, use, occupy, and injoy the said demised premises, free and clear of and from all other gifts, grants, bargains, sales or incumbrances whatsoever; and I, the said Samuel Morrison, for my heirs, executors, administrators, do covenant to and with the said John Morrison, his heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns, that before the ensealing hereof, and untill the delivery of the same, I am the true owner of the above demised premises, and have in myself full power and good right to sell and convey the same in manner as above said.

In testimony of all before written, I have sett my hand and seal this first day of March, 1740-41, and in the fourteenth year of His Majestie's reign, &c.

Samuel Morison.

Signed, Sealed, 1 and delivered in |presence of us, William Eayers, Sam'll Miller."

Marriage

John married Elizabeth Alexander around 1749.

Children

John and Elizabeth were parents of:^[3]

1. David, b. at Londonderry, N.H. Aug. 29, 1750, and d. at Niagara, N. Y. in 1812; m. 1st, Hannah Whitaker; 2d, Mrs. Hall; 3d, Mrs. McDonald. He had children by his first wife.^[4]
2. Samuel, b. at Lond. March 5, 1752, and d. at West Fairlee, Vt. in 1802 ; m. Mary Roch of Derryfleld, June 30, 1774.^[5]
3. John, b. at Lond. Sept. 22, 1755 ; d. near Schenectady, N. H. after 1806; m. Hannah Richardson before 1786.^[6]
4. James, b. at Lond. May 9, 1757; d. at Lond. after 1814; m. Martha Whitaker of Lond.^[7]
5. Elizabeth, b. at Lond. Jan. 2, 1766; d. after 1814 in New York State; m. Job Leonard of Schenectady N. H.^[8]
6. Robert, b. at Lond.; date of birth unknown; d. after 1776, under age.

Death

He died of heart disease at age 56 prior to 12 March 1776.^[9]

Sources

Footnotes

1. ↑ According to the family Bible of Dr. Moses F. Morrison. The History of the Morison or Morrison Family, 322.
2. ↑ The History of the Morison or Morrison Family, 322-323.
3. ↑ The History of the Morison or Morrison Family, 296.
4. ↑ The History of the Morison or Morrison Family, §§ 7, 168, 175.
5. ↑ The History of the Morison or Morrison Family, §§ 8, 168, 176.
6. ↑ The History of the Morison or Morrison Family, §§ 9, 168, 177.
7. ↑ The History of the Morison or Morrison Family, §§ 10, 168, 178.
8. ↑ The History of the Morison or Morrison Family, §§ 168, 179.
9. ↑ The History of the Morison or Morrison Family, 322.

Bibliography

• Leonard Allison Morrison (1843-1902), Frederick William Leopold Thomas, The History of the Morison or Morrison Family with Most of the "Traditions of the Morrisons" (Clan MacGillemhuire), Hereditary Judges of Lewis, by Capt. F. W. L. Thomas, of Scotland, and a Record of the Descendants of the Hereditary Judges to 1880. A Complete History of the Morison Settlers of Londonderry, N.H., of 1719, and Their Descendants, with Genealogical Sketches. Also, of the Brentwood, Nottingham, and Sanbornton, N.H. Morisons, and Branches of the Morisons who Settled in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Nova Scotia, and Descendants of the Morisons of Preston Grange, Scotland, and Other Families. (Boston: A. Williams & Co., 1880).

• Find a Grave, database and images (accessed 22 July 2023), memorial page for John Morrison (unknown–1776), Find a Grave Memorial ID 128127917, citing Hill Cemetery, Candia, Rockingham County, New Hampshire, USA; Maintained by Connie G (contributor 48316423).