Morris Family

 

A Record of Genealogy and History: The Legacy of William Morris, Patriot and Pioneer

Executive Summary

The provided records detail the life and legacy of William Morris (1722–1792), recognized as the founder of the first permanent white settlement in the Great Kanawha Valley of West Virginia. Born in Liverpool and arriving in Philadelphia as an accidental stowaway at the age of twelve, Morris eventually migrated to the frontier of Virginia and later to the Great Kanawha Valley in 1774.

The Morris family’s impact on the region is exhaustive, characterized by several historical "firsts," including the establishment of the first fort (Fort Morris), the first church, the first school, and the recording of the first will in Kanawha County. William Morris and his eight sons were active participants in the Dunmore War and the Battle of Point Pleasant, serving as defenders of the western frontier. The family’s descendants were instrumental in the development of the region’s salt and coal industries, the founding of educational institutions such as Morris Harvey College, and maintained familial ties to figures as prominent as President Ulysses S. Grant.

Origin and Etymology of the Morris Name

The surname Morris is of ancient origin, with primary roots in Wales and secondary links to England and Ireland.

• Etymology: The name is derived from "Mars" or "Mawrrhys," ancient Welsh titles given to pre-eminent chieftains. The name translates to "Warlike" or "Powerful."
• Heraldry: The Morris coat of arms features a black shield with a gold lion positioned between three gold scaling ladders.
  • The Scaling Ladders: A rare device in heraldry, the ladders include two grappling hooks at the top. This charge was typically granted to Crusaders or knights pre-eminent for valor during sieges.
  • The Lion: Symbolizes deathless courage.
  • Motto: "Propium Deus et Patrium" (And the God of Our Fathers).
• The Tribes of Galway: The Morrises are identified as one of the fourteen "Tribes of Galway," leading merchant families in Ireland. Richard Morris was recorded as the first Bailiff of Galway in 1486.

The Life of William Morris (1722–1792)

Early Life and Accidental Migration

William Morris was born in Liverpool, England, on January 1, 1722. In 1734, at the age of twelve, he boarded a ship bound for America out of curiosity. The ship sailed before he could disembark, stranding him at sea. Upon landing in Philadelphia, he was befriended by a wealthy merchant who reared him and taught him the merchant trade. Morris remained with his benefactor until age twenty-two.

Migration and Settlement

• Virginia: Morris moved to Orange County, Virginia, where he married Elizabeth Stepps (also recorded as Stapp, Stepp, or Stipps) in 1744. They later resided in Culpeper County.
• West Virginia: In 1774, the family moved to the Great Kanawha Valley. Morris chose to settle at the mouth of Kelly’s Creek, the exact site where the previous settler, Walter Kelly, had been killed by Indians only months prior.

Historical Contributions

• Fort Morris: Established in 1774 at present-day Cedar Grove, it served as a vital link in the frontier defense chain.
• The Boat Yards: Morris established a boat-building yard at the mouth of Kelly's Creek. This became a major point of embarkation for pioneers traveling westward via the river, eventually leading to the settlement being known as "The Boat Yards."
• Institutional Firsts: Morris built the first schoolhouse and the first church in the Kanawha Valley.

The Morris Family and Descendants

William and Elizabeth Morris had ten children—eight sons and two daughters—who dispersed throughout the valley, establishing several prominent homesteads.

The Children of William Morris I

Name	Birth/Death	Key Details
William Jr. (Major Billy)	1746–1802	Wounded at Point Pleasant; Delegate to the General Assembly; built the "White House Tavern."
Henry	1747–1824	Known as a physical giant and athlete; daughters Betsy and Margaret were killed in the 1792 massacre.
Leonard	1748–1831	One of the first Justices of Kanawha County; built a stockade at Lens Creek (Marmet).
Joshua	1752–1824	Pioneer of Cabell County; fought at Point Pleasant and in the Revolutionary War.
Levi	1753–1834	Considered the first settler of Montgomery, WV; occupied the Ben Morris brick house.
John (Captain)	1755–1818	Served in the George Rogers Clark Expedition; Captain of the Kanawha Militia.
Achilles (Carlos)	b. 1760	Married Elizabeth Jarrett; seventh son.
Benjamin	1770–1829	Noted bear hunter; built a historic brick mansion in 1825.
Elizabeth	1772–1838	Married Michael See (killed by Indians); later married Thomas Cobb.
Frances (Franky)	b. 1773	Married John Jones, a prominent pioneer and soldier.

Conflict and Frontier Life

The Morris Massacre (1792)

In the spring of 1792, Henry Morris’s daughters, Betsy (14) and Margaret (11), were killed and scalped by Indians on Peters Creek.

• The Incident: The girls were driving cows to the cabin when they were ambushed. Margaret died in her father's arms, allegedly identifying her killer as a "yellow man."
• The Renegade Factor: Henry Morris believed the renegade Simon Girty led the party. He had previously evicted a man he believed to be Girty from his camp.
• Vengeance: Following the massacre, Henry Morris vowed eternal vengeance against all Indians. Historical accounts describe him tracking and killing several Indians in the years following the event, even those under flags of truce.

Defense and Military Service

The Morris family provided extensive service between 1774 and 1792. Six of William Morris’s sons (William Jr., Henry, Leonard, Joshua, Levi, and John) fought in the Battle of Point Pleasant under General Andrew Lewis. Their forts (Morris, Lens Creek, etc.) served as garrisons for rangers patrolling the frontier against Shawnee incursions.

Industrial and Institutional Legacy

Salt and Coal Industries

The Morris family and their associates were pioneers in the regional economy:

• Salt: William Tompkins, who married into the family (marrying Rachel Grant), was the first to use natural gas to fire salt furnaces in the Kanawha Valley (1843/44).
• Coal: The family was involved in early coal operations at Kelly's Creek to fire salt furnaces, later expanding into commercial mining (e.g., the "Cedar Grove seam").

Educational and Social Impact

• Morris Harvey College: Founded by and named for Morris Harvey, a grandson of Benjamin Morris and a noted philanthropist.
• The White House Tavern: Built by William Morris Jr. in 1790, this three-story frame tavern was a famous stagecoach stop. It hosted distinguished guests, including Henry Clay, Andrew Jackson, and Rufus King.
• Virginia’s Chapel: Also known as the "Old Brick Church," it was built in 1853 by William Tompkins for his daughter Virginia. It stands on the site of William Morris’s first church.

Connection to Ulysses S. Grant

Rachel Grant Tompkins, the mistress of the "Cedar Grove" estate, was the daughter of John Grant and the aunt of General Ulysses S. Grant. During the Civil War, she possessed a letter from Grant protecting her home from Union interference, while her son’s service in the Confederate army protected it from Rebel forces.

Key Historical Documents: The Will of William Morris (1792)

Recorded on January 3, 1793, the will of William Morris was the first ever recorded in Kanawha County.

• Provisions: He bequeathed 100 acres each to his sons Levi and Benjamin. The residue of his estate was to be divided among his ten children.
• Dower Renunciation: His widow, Elizabeth Morris, famously appeared in court to renounce the provisions made for her in the will, choosing instead to be "endowed as the law directs."
• Executors: His sons Leonard and John Morris were appointed to administer the estate.

Notable Quotes and Observations

• On the Morris Surname: "Without the aid of this ancient Welch surname, America today would be a colony of England... The meaning of the title is ‘Warlike,’ ‘Powerful.’"
• On William Morris's Fortitude: "William Morris built the first school and the first church in Kanawha County... he was the first white permanent settler; he built the first school, he built the first church and was the first to make and record a Will."
• On Henry Morris's Feud: "As long as Henry Morris lived, he never recognized any Indian as a friendly one... for he could not be persuaded to treat them other than as sworn enemies."
• On the "White House Tavern" Destination Log: Under the name of Reverend Bishop Osburn, the landlord (Colonel Tompkins) wrote: "Look out girls!"