The Morris Family of South Bradford, Pennsylvania

This family name is well known and highly honored in both England and America. In this country Robert (2) Morris, “the financier of the revolution,” son of Robert (1) Morris, was born in London, 1734, died in America in 1806. He was brought by his father to America in 1734, and settled first in Maryland, later in Philadelphia. He is not connected with the Anthony Morris family of Philadelphia, nor with the Massachusetts family of Lieutenant Edward Morris. Robert Morris was a member of the continental congress, signer of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, and during the revolution gave the government the full benefit of his credit; he was also a member of the first constitutional convention and the first United States senate.

(I) Lieutenant Edward Morris

Lieutenant Edward Morris, son of Thomas and Grissie (Hewsome) Morris, was born in Nazing, Essex county, England, August, 163—, died September 14, 1689. His grave, the oldest one in Windham county, Connecticut, is marked by a stone inscribed: “Here lies buried the body of Lieutenant Edward Morris, deceased September 14, 1689.” He came to the American colonies settling at Roxbury, Massachusetts, where he was constable, selectman 1674 to 1687, and representative 1677 to 1687. He later was one of the early settlers of Woodstock, Connecticut, where he was the first military officer, a selectman and a leader among the early settlers. He married Grace Belt, September 20, 1655.

Children, all born in Roxbury, Massachusetts

1. Isaac.
2. Edward (2).
3. Grace.
4. Ebenezer.
5. Elizabeth.
6. Margaret.
7. Samuel. Of whom further.
8. Martha.

(II) Samuel Morris

Samuel, son of Lieutenant Edward Morris, was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts, April 19, 1671, died at “Myanexit Farm,” in Thompson, Connecticut, January 9, 1745. He bought from Governor Dudley a large tract of land in Connecticut, lying along the Myanexit or Quinebaug river, on which he settled. He became of great prominence in that section and was greatly respected and obeyed by the Indians. He married (first) Mehitable Mayo, died in Roxbury, February 8, 1703, aged thirty-three years, daughter of John and Hannah (Graves) Mayo; (second) Dorothy —, died July 28, 1742.

Children by first wife, all born in Roxbury, Massachusetts

1. Samuel (2). Of whom further.
2. Benjamin. Born October 18, 1696.
3. Mehitable. June 25, 1698.
4. Rebecca. September 15, 1699.
5. Hannah. November 9, 1700.
6. Dorothy. February 7, 1702.
7. Prudence. January 31, 1703.

Child of second wife

8. Abigail. Born February 1704 or 1705.

(III) Samuel (2) Morris

Samuel (2), son of Samuel (1) Morris, was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts, August 13, 1695. He succeeded his father at “Myanexit Farm,” and established business as a trader, buying up produce and exchanging it in Boston. He married Abigail Bragg, their intentions being published September 7, 1728.

Children

1. Mehitable. Died young.
2. Samuel. Born March 18, 1731, a revolutionary soldier, married Hannah Child.
3. Mehitable. Died aged nineteen years.
4. Henry. Born April 18, 1734, a revolutionary soldier, married Hannah Frizzell, had sons:
   1. Samuel. Born 1774.
   2. Simeon.
5. John. Born September 5, 1735, married Rebecca Gore.
6. Lemuel. Of whom further.
7. Anne. Born March 11, 1739, married James Bugber.
8. William. Born November 28, 1740, a revolutionary soldier, married Sarah Bowman.
9. Abigail. Born April 29, 1742, married Ebenezer Lillie.
10. Susanna. Born September 1, 1743.
11. Lieutenant Edward. Born August 19, 1745, married Dorcas Corbin.
12. Elizabeth. Born May 16, 1747.
13. Hannah. Twin of Elizabeth, married Daniel Marcy.
14. Lucretia. Baptized June 4, 1749.

(IV) Lemuel Morris

Lemuel, son of Samuel (2) Morris, was born July 29, 1737. He married Lydia Wilkinson and had a son Samuel (3).

(V) Samuel (3) Morris

Samuel (3), probably son of Lemuel Morris, was born about 1767, died 1858. When only a boy he served in the revolutionary war. It is not possible to state which of the sons of Samuel (2) Morris was his father, but the strongest belief is that he was a son of Lemuel and that his birth date was 1767. His revolutionary service must have been very slight and only such as a boy of twelve or fifteen years could perform. He settled in Ontario county, New York. He married, and among his children was a son Simeon Mills, of whom further.

(VI) Simeon Mills Morris

Simeon Mills, son of Samuel Morris, was born in —, Massachusetts, 1787, died in 1865. He was a farmer and after reaching manhood settled at Springwater, Ontario county, New York, and later at Mill Grove in the same county. He moved afterward to Pennsylvania, purchasing a farm at Toad Hollow, now South Bradford, which he cultivated until his death. He married Louise McCrea, born in New England in 1797, died at Toad Hollow, now South Bradford, Pennsylvania, 1872, a relative of the unfortunate Jane McCrea who was murdered by the Indians during the revolution. They were both members of the Methodist Episcopal church, Simeon M. Morris being an exhorter.

Children

1. William Schuyler. Of whom further.
2. Emmeline. Born at Mill Grove, New York, October, 1817, died at Toad Hollow, November, 1879, married Lyman Imus, of New England; had children: Amanda Lyman, born 1838, died 1873, unmarried; Mary Melissa, born 1840, died 1873, married David Brown, who survives her, a resident of Clare county, New York; child: Eveline, born April, 1860, married a Mr. Keck, deceased; James, born September 13, 1842, now living in Warren, Pennsylvania, married Lily —; Francis Abner, born September 1847, now residing at Jamestown, New York, married Darcy, born in Mill Grove, New York, March 19, 1819, died May 1882, married in 1842 David Degolia, born —, died January 12, 1895, had children: Sylvester, born August, 1843, married Julia Storms, has children: Elva, born July 13, 1872; Earl, August 27, 1875, married Flora Long; child: Margaret, born May 2, 1906; Caroline, born 1877, died 1882; Ruth, October, 1883, married L. Bassage; Samuel Morris, born July, 1845, died September 30, 1911, in Wisconsin, was twice married and had a son Charles; Wilber Fisk, born December, 1847, died 1893, in Florida; married Lucy Jacobs; son Miles, born 1871, died 1905.
3. Sally. Born 1821, died April 13, 1839.

(VII) William Schuyler Morris

William Schuyler, son of Simeon Mills Morris, was born near Mill Grove, Ontario county, New York, October 15, 1815, died February 26, 1859. He was educated in the public schools. He was nineteen years of age when the family settled at Toad Hollow, now South Bradford, where he engaged all his life in lumbering and farming. He was a Republican, and in 1846 collector of taxes for Bradford township. In religious faith he was a Methodist, as was his wife. He married Eliza Pauline Seamans, born in Westfield, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, February 24, 1822, died in Degolia, June 12, 1895, daughter of Jonathan Seamans, born 1795, died in Westfield, August, 1867, a farmer, who married Rebecca Tuttle, born May 16, 1803, in Westfield, died there September, 1873.

Children of William Schuyler Morris, all born in South Bradford, except the last, who was born in Degolia, Pennsylvania

1. Emma. Born in South Bradford, Pennsylvania, September 16, 1844, resides in Bradford. She married John Bell, born in Scotland, 1835, died March 22, 1902, a molder by trade. He joined the Twenty-first Regiment New York Volunteer Infantry, in the first company leaving Buffalo, his place of enlistment, and served two years; then transferred to the Second Regiment New York Artillery. He was wounded at a fight near Richmond, Virginia, again at the battle of the Weldon railroad, and a third time at Hatch’s Run; was honorably discharged October 21, 1865, and was in receipt of a government pension until his death. Children:
   1. An infant. Died unnamed.
   2. Marian. Born June 6, 1874, died aged three months.
2. Jasper Levi. Of whom further.
3. Alice. Born February 26, 1850, died March 4, 1850.
4. Robert O. Born March 9, 1851, died September 13, 1907, a ranchman at Roscoe, Montana, married Nancy Brown, of Missouri, no issue.
5. Julia. Born June 2, 1853, married William Hellenbrook, born in Buffalo, New York, May 4, 1844, died February 27, 1905, whom she survives, a resident of Degolia, Pennsylvania; children, all but first two born in Degolia:
   1. Ella. Born April 24, 1874, in Olean, New York, married James B. Brown, children: George Dewey, born June 23, 1899; Doris Lucille, February 7, 1900; Adis Edgar, December 9, 1901, died April 27, 1903; Frederick William, October 22, 1903; Marjorie Buene, September 18, 1905; Vera Rometta, September 24, 1907; Edna Ruth, August 20, 1910.
   2. Roy W. Born in Olean, New York, June 2, 1877, married Florence Palmeter, born also in Olean; child: Laura, born February 10, 1907.
   3. Ray. Born November 24, 1879, unmarried.
   4. Iva. Born February 5, 1882, married Roy Thompson, of Big Shanty, Pennsylvania; son, Frederick, born May 19, 1906.
   5. Ralph J. Born August 26, 1883, married Bessie Jones.
   6. Eliza Pauline. Born August 19, 1885.
   7. Leona Ruth. Born August 15, 1887.
   8. Robert. July 23, 1891.
   9. Lajune. June 2, 1894.
   10. Walter Valentine. October 10, 1899.
6. Charles William. Born October 9, 1855, now a farmer of Minard Run, Pennsylvania, married Elizabeth Young, born September 17, 1864; children:
   1. Harry. Born January, 1884.
   2. Carl. June, 1885.
   3. Hugh. 1887; married Ethel Fonda; children: Dorthey and Robert.
   4. Neoma. Born September 13, 1893.
7. Adaline. Born March 16, 1859, married Ira H. Burton, of Maine; children: Gertrude and Theodore.

(VIII) Jasper Levi Morris

Jasper Levi, son of William Schuyler Morris, was born in South Bradford, Pennsylvania, January 1, 1846. He was educated in the public schools of Degolia, where his early years were spent, and of South Bradford and Minard Run. He has followed farming and lumbering all his life, and is now located on a large farm that he owns at Degolia. He is one of the pioneer farmers of that section and rated as a successful business man. He is a Republican, has always taken an active part in local affairs, and was elected supervisor, serving thirteen consecutive years. In 1885 he was elected collector of taxes and served twenty-one consecutive years. In 1893 he was elected assessor, a position he still holds (1912). He was also elected school director in 1885, serving two years. In religious faith he is a Methodist.

He married, July 9, 1876, Alice B., born in Hinsdale, New York, April 15, 1858, daughter of John Hellenbrook, born in New York state January 1, 1839, died in Olean, New York, June 26, 1895. He was a molder, but later purchased a farm near Olean. He married Harriet Witter, born in New York state July 18, 1843, died April, 1903, daughter of Pardon Witter, died at Olean aged about eighty-five years, and Laura (Bradley) Witter, died 1885. Their second daughter, Jane, married William Taylor, and lives in the west.

Children of John and Harriet (Witter) Hellenbrook, all born at Olean, New York

1. Alice B. Of previous mention.
2. William. Born April 27, 1860, died August 29, 1896; married Rose Robbins; children: Leo, Carrie, Edna, Mable, Hazel and Arthur, all living near Westfield, Pennsylvania.
3. John. Died in infancy.
4. Nellie. Born January 8, 1864, married Arthur Wallace, an engineer on the Delaware & Hudson railroad, now living in Binghamton, New York; children: Percy, Eva, Donald and Mildred.
5. Caroline (or Carrie). Born March 8, 1866, married Albert Shankel, a farmer of Kansas; children: Floyd, living in California; Daisy, in Colorado; Dale, in Rew City, Pennsylvania.
6. Harriet. Born February 14, 1869, married Thomas Bailey, born in Marion, Virginia, January 16, 1862; children:
   1. Ethel. Born October 13, 1889, married Adolphus Bryant, born February 14, 1888.
   2. Bessie. Born October 20, 1892, married Norman Wilcott, of Duke Center, Pennsylvania.
   3. Frances. May 5, 1894.
   4. Fae. February 14, 1903.
   5. William T. July 13, 1908.
7. Frances. Born October, 1873, married Louis Billings, of Canada, now a farmer at Olean; children:
   1. Frank. Born July, 1895.
   2. Florence May. 1907.
8. Frederick. Born April, 1878, a stone mason, married Witter, of Rochester, New York; child:
   1. Cecelia.

Children of Jasper Levi and Alice B. Morris, all born at Degolia, Pennsylvania

1. William John. Born June 29, 1877, now a farmer and oil producer of Degolia; married Lucy Nippert, of Songberg, Pennsylvania; children:
   1. Helen. Born August 28, 1902.
   2. Ruth. December 28, 1907.
2. Minnie M. Born March 8, 1879; married Robert Howard; children:
   1. Wilma. Born November, 1897.
   2. Wayne. June 29, 1899.
   3. Clifford. 1902.
   4. Alice. October, 1904.
3. May. Born May 16, 1882, died June 2, 1882.
4. George. Born July 10, 1883, now of Rochester, New York, unmarried.
5. Earl. Born January 14, 1886, now in the oil well business at Bradford; married April 12, 1911, Gladys Thomas.
6. Claude. Born August 2, 1887, married, August 24, 1912, Elizabeth Scidmore, of Custer City, now living in Franklinville, Pennsylvania.
7. Frank. Born October 7, 1892, now living in Bradford.
8. Fleury. October 27, 1896.
9. Carrie. August 29, 1899.
10. Clayton. March 12, 1903.

Source

Jordan, J. W. 1840-1921. (1913). Genealogical and personal history of the Allegheny Valley, Pennsylvania. New York: Lewis Historical Pub. Co.

This genealogy is based upon the source cited above. Only the structure and formatting have been changed for clearer presentation; the genealogical and biographical content has been preserved.