Samuel Morris (soldier)

Samuel Morris (June 24, 1734 – July 7, 1812) was an American soldier in the American Revolutionary War. He is the patriarch of one of Philadelphia's most prominent families.

Samuel Morris
Born	June 24, 1734  Philadelphia
Died	July 7, 1812  (aged 78) Philadelphia
Children	10
Parent(s)	Anthony Morris

Biography

Samuel Morris was born in Philadelphia, Province of Pennsylvania. He was the son of Anthony Morris (14 Feb 1705/06–2 Oct 1780) and the former Sarah Powell (29 Jun 1713–10 Apr 1751).^[1] His grandfather was Anthony Morris (II).

He served several terms in the legislature, and married Rebecca Wistar, daughter of Caspar Wistar (the elder).

In 1776, he was elected "governor" of the social club known as "The State in Schuylkill," and re-elected annually until his death. He was also a founder and president for many years of the "Gloucester fox-hunting club." When the first troop of Philadelphia city cavalry was organized, no fewer than twenty-two members of the club were enrolled in its ranks.

With Morris as its captain (because the first captain chosen, Abraham Markoe, was forbidden to fight because of his Danish citizenship), the troop reported for duty in the Continental Army and served through the campaign of 1776–77, seeing action in the battles of Trenton and Princeton,^[2] in which latter engagement Samuel's brother Anthony, ensign of the Pennsylvania Associators,^[3] was killed. On temporarily relieving the command from duty in January, 1777, Washington returned his "most sincere thanks to the captain," and added that, although the troop was "composed of gentlemen of fortune," its members had "shown a noble example of discipline and subordination." For thus taking part in the Revolution, Captain Morris was disowned by the Quakers, but he continued until his death to wear the dress and use the language of that sect, worshiping with them regularly.

Morris died in Philadelphia, July 7, 1812.

Children

Samuel and Rebecca Morris had ten children:^[4]

• Samuel Morris (Bef. 1758, Philadelphia – Bef. 1775, Philadelphia; less than 17 years) he did not marry.
• Sarah Morris (19 Jan 1758, Philadelphia – 7 Jan 1831; 72 years) she married Richard Wistar, March 14, 1782.
• Benjamin Wistar Morris (14 Aug 1762, Philadelphia – 24 Apr 1825, Wellsboro, Pennsylvania; 62 years) he married Mary Wells, Nov. 24, 1785.
• Caspar W. Morris (12 Sep 1764, Philadelphia – 27 Feb 1828; 63 years), he married Elizabeth Giles Nov. 24, 1795.
• (George) Anthony Morris (10 Feb 1766, Philadelphia - 3 Nov 1860; 94 years) he married Mary Smith Pemberton May 13, 1790. He, alongside business partner Gousse Bonnin, made the first porcelain factory in the future United States. The American China Factory operated from 1770-1772.^[5]
• Luke W. Morris (25 Jun 1768, Philadelphia – 4 Jun 1830; 61 years) he married Elizabeth Morris Buckley March 24, 1791, and Ann Pancoast April 4, 1800.
• Isaac Wistar Morris (19 Jul 1770, Philadelphia – 8 May 1831; 60 years) he married Sarah Paschall December 17, 1795.
• Catharine W. Morris (22 Apr 1772, Philadelphia - 10 Dec 1859; 87 years) she did not marry.
• Samuel Morris (4 Mar 1775, Philadelphia – 17 Sep 1793 of yellow fever; 18 years) he did not marry.
• Israel Wistar Morris (27 Feb 1778, Reading, Pennsylvania - 17 Aug 1870, Philadelphia; 92 years) he married Mary Hollingsworth June 12, 1799.

House

The Reynolds-Morris House, built in 1787 and purchased in 1817 by Samuel's son, Luke Wistar Morris, still stands in Philadelphia. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1967,^[6] it is currently operated as a hotel.

Notes

1. "Capt. Samuel Morris", Fitzgerald Valley Genealogy Pages, citing Jordan, John W., LL.D., Colonial and Revolutionary Families of Pennsylvania, Lewis Historical Publishing Company, New York, 1932; accessed 2018.10.09.
2. First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry, History Archived 2010-08-18 at the Wayback Machine. Accessed 2010.05.06.
3. Hietman "Historical register of Officers of the Continental Army...".p.402 qtd. in Anthony Morris, Find A Grave. Accessed 2020.10.18.
4. "Capt. Samuel Morris", Fitzgerald Valley Genealogy Pages; accessed 2018.10.09.
5. "Manufactured by American China Manufactory | Pickle Stand | American". The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrieved 2024-10-23.
6. Patricia Heintzelman (August 30, 1974). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Reynolds-Morris House" (pdf). National Park Service. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help) and Accompanying 3 photos, exterior, from 1907 and 1974 (32 KB)

References

• Morris Family Papers (1695–1965). Collection 2000B. The Historical Society of Pennsylvania, July 2007.

Attribution

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Wilson, J. G.; Fiske, J., eds. (1891). Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography. New York: D. Appleton. {{cite encyclopedia}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)

External links

• First City Troop history
• Morris House Hotel