The Boy Who Fell Asleep and Found a Frontier

 

The Accidental Pioneer: 5 Surprising Truths Behind the Family That Carved Out the Kanawha Valley

1. The Boy Who Fell Asleep and Found a Frontier

In 1734, a twelve-year-old boy named William Morris ambled across the cobble streets of the London docks, the heavy thud of his square-toed shoes echoing against the warehouse walls. The air near the banks of the Thames was thick with the scent of tar, salt, and the "gnat smoke" of a bustling port. Driven by the restless curiosity of youth, William wandered away from the familiar sights near Scotland Yard and stepped onto a merchant vessel preparing to sail. He made friends with the passengers and explored the ship’s dark, cramped nooks until, exhausted by the excitement, he curled up in a corner and fell into a deep sleep.

When William finally scrambled topside, the skyline of London was gone. There was no sign of his parents or the life he knew—only the terrifying, rhythmic swell of the Atlantic Ocean and a horizon that stretched forever toward the unknown. This accidental voyage, born of a child’s simple mistake, was the pivot point for a dynasty. Had that boy not boarded that ship, the map of the American West might look very different today.

2. The 3,000-Mile "Oops": A Dynasty Built on a Detour

Stranded in Philadelphia, William’s plight caught the eye of a wealthy merchant who, moved by the boy's tears and "pitiful plight," took him in. For the next ten years, William served as an apprentice, trading his childhood for a masterclass in the merchant trade. The merchant eventually sent word back to England, promising the boy's parents:

"I have learned to love your son... I will rear him as my own and give him all the advantages and opportunities that I would give my own son."

By twenty-two, William was no longer a lost child but a formidable man of industry. In 1744, he married Elizabeth Stepps and eventually turned his eyes toward the "untamed west." In 1774, he led a massive caravan—eight sons, two daughters, and several slaves—into the Great Kanawha Valley. This was no mere family move; it was a mobile village of covered wagons loaded with spinning wheels, iron pots, bullet molds, and axes.

As a genealogical expert, it is vital to correct a persistent family myth: while older records suggested William took the widow of the fallen pioneer Walter Kelly as his second wife, modern research and the "Change of Record" from 1989 confirm that Elizabeth Stepps was his only wife. William simply purchased the "tomawk claim" of the Kelly property from the widow, turning a site of tragedy into the region's first permanent white settlement.

3. The Warlike Code: Secrets of the Morris Coat of Arms

The Morris name carries a weight of ancient combat. Derived from the Welsh titles Mars and Mawrrhys, the name translates literally to "Warlike" or "Powerful," a designation granted to chieftains pre-eminent for their bravery. This martial spirit is codified in the family’s heraldic device, featuring the motto Propium Deus et Patrium (And the God of Our Fathers). The coat of arms is a visual narrative of medieval valor:

• The Black Shield: A foundation representing constancy and the stability required to hold a frontier.
• The Gold Lion: A symbol of "deathless courage," reflecting the ferocity needed to survive the wilderness.
• Three Gold Scaling Ladders: A rare and impactful device featuring two grappling hooks at the top.

The scaling ladders are particularly significant to the family’s psychological lineage. These were used during the First Crusade to latch onto castle walls while defenders rained down boiling oil, lead, and arrows. To be the man in charge of placing these ladders—the role indicated by this heraldic charge—required nerves of iron. For a family that would later build the first forts in the Kanawha Valley, this "Crusader" spirit was practically genetic.

4. The "Illiterate" Legislator and the Spectacles Bluff

By 1792, William Morris was a man of immense stature, yet he remained an "illiterate" in the formal sense, having never learned to read or write. This did not stop him from being elected to represent Kanawha County in the Virginia General Assembly. In the refined halls of Richmond, where broadcloth and polished boots replaced hunting shirts and moccasins, William relied on a sharp, functional intelligence that left his "cultured" peers in the dust.

The most famous display of this social adroitness was the "Spectacles Incident." Upon receiving a written invitation from the Governor, William—unwilling to admit he couldn't read—threw the note to the floor and bellowed, “I’ll support no such law!” When a bystander informed him it was actually a dinner invitation, William fumbled through his pockets, pretending to search for glasses he didn't own:

“I thought it was a note from Mr. _____ to get me to vote for his bill... and as I left my spectacles in my room, I could not read it.”

This bluff was more than a comedic anecdote; it illustrated the nature of frontier intelligence. In 1792, a man who survived the Dunmore War and carved a home from the forest didn't need to read a menu to lead—he only needed to outthink his environment.

5. The Dark Side of the Frontier: A Father's Vow

That same year of 1792 brought the Morris family to its knees. Against the warnings of his brothers, Henry Morris—William’s second son and a physical giant known for his athletic prowess—settled his family on Peters Creek. In May, while Henry was momentarily away, his daughters Peggy and Betty went to retrieve the cows. They were ambushed by a war party that had been hiding in a "gnat smoke" near the path.

Henry returned to the sound of screams. He found Peggy tomahawked and scalped just yards from the cabin. As he pulled her into his arms, she gasped her final words:

"Father, I am killed!"

The girls were buried in a "Double Grave" at Peters Creek, marked for a century by a dogwood tree. Henry, once a lighthearted athlete who could "kick a hat from a nine-foot pole," became a man consumed by a lifelong vendetta. He planted an apple tree exactly where Peggy fell—the "Peggy Apple," whose grafts were preserved by neighbors for generations—as a living monument to his grief. This tragedy transformed him into a relentless "Indian hunter," illustrating the brutal psychological toll where personal loss dictated the violent policy of the border.

6. The Presidential Connection: A House Favored by War

The Morris legacy eventually joined with the lineage of the 18th President of the United States. Rachel Grant Tompkins, the aunt of Ulysses S. Grant, married into the family and presided over the "Cedar Grove" estate. Built in 1844 from bricks burned on-site, the 16-room mansion stood at the center of a conflict that tore other families apart.

During the Civil War, Cedar Grove enjoyed a "Dual Protection" that was almost miraculous:

Allegiance	Source of Protection
Union	A direct letter of protection from her nephew, General Ulysses S. Grant, ordering troops to leave the home undisturbed.
Confederate	Her son, William H. Tompkins, was serving as a Captain in the 36th Battalion of Confederate cavalry.

Despite this protection, the family's later estate, "Melrose," was said to be haunted by Amelia Caldwell Tompkins. Legend has it that a disgruntled hired man used threads to make her portraits swing and bump against the walls, terrifying the new mistress and eventually driving the family to abandon the house for Charleston.

7. Conclusion: The Legacy of the "Boat Yards"

Long before the region was a network of coal mines and towns, it was simply known as the "Boat Yards." This was the literal terminal point for overland travel—the gateway where the "Old State Road" ended and the navigable river began. The Morris family didn't just settle the land; they fueled the Westward expansion by building the flatboats and bateaus that carried pioneers toward Kentucky. Their boat-building power eventually underpinned the salt industry, which remained the valley's economic engine until the Civil War.

The story of the Morris family is a testament to the "Sands of Time." A twelve-year-old boy falling asleep on a ship in London led to the founding of churches, schools, and an entire region’s infrastructure. It forces us to ask: what accidental choices in our own lives are currently laying the foundation for a two-hundred-year legacy?

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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!"