The Morris Family of Morristown, Tennessee
Many people write me seeking information on the Morris family, and so here is an excerpt from the book, History of Morristown 1787 - 1936, written by Cora Davis Brooks.
Pages 9 and 10 from the copy I have (emphasis is mine) and remember, in regards to places mentioned, the book was written in 1936:
"Of the early history of Gideon Morris very little is known. Goodspeed's History of Tennessee and early local historians stated that Gideon Morris and his brothers came to this section from the Watauga Settlement. He probably came from North Carolina to Watauga as the Morris family seems to have been natives of North Carolina according to records of that state. Gideon Morris was listed as one of the signers of the petition to annex Watauga to North Carolina in 1775 and in the Fall of the same year he served in Col. Christian's expedition against the Indians. (N. C. Colonial Records, Vol. 10, p. 708) ( King's Mountain Men by Miss Kate White.)
"In 1778 Gideon Morris appeared in court and swore allegiance (History of Southwest Virginia by Summers). Lands were granted by the State of North Carolina to Gideon Morris in Washington, Greene and Hawkins counties. He probably settled on portions of these grants either in 1787 or 1791, which was included in Jefferson county and now in Hamblen county.
"That there were others by the name of Morris who settled here is evidenced by the fact that the settlement was known from the first as Morristown. However there are no records to show that any others than Gideon Morris and his sons and daughters had land granted to them in Morristown. In deed to John Morris by Morris heirs 1817 recorded in Jefferson County Court House, reference is made that this is portion of 400 acre tract granted Gideon Morris by North Carolina and on which he lived at the time of his death - hence the inference that Gideon Morris was buried in the Morris graveyard.
"Near the home of the Morris family was the Family Graveyard. The first probably laid to rest here was the elder Morris, as his wife signed some to the later deeds. The Morris Graveyard today consists of about an acre of ground enclosed with an iron fence with the name "Morris" on the gate. Within are a number of Marble slabs to the memory of the dead and gone generations of the Morrises, including the family names of John, Jehu, Drew, Rachel and Mollie. The oldest date is that of John Morris who was born in 1770, and his wife Rachel, born 1786. Along with the others is a stone to the memory of Mary Spoon, born 1779 and died 1882, which dates show her to have lived to be over a hundred years of age. She was the mother of Elizabeth, wife of John Morris the II, and lived with her daughter at the old Morris home. There is nothing to tell of the last resting place of Gideon Morris, but some rude stones without any inscriptions, probably mark his grave and that of his wife, Genette. Another stone bears the name of Drew Morris and wife, Alice Croxdale. He was probably the son of Gideon Morris II and lived on a place just south of Morristown, later known as the Dairy Farm. Gideon Morris III son of John Morris and wife, Rachel, married a Milliken and lived southwest of Morristown. ( The old Gid Morris house still stands near the present home of Tom Litz.)
"And now let us try to visualize a scene common in the life of the pioneer settler in which we will assume the part that Gideon Morris, his wife, stalwart sons and buxom daughters played in the first act of the laying of the foundation of our city, as follows:
"Gideon Morris arrives with his three sons, John, Gideon and Shadrack. They select a site for the log cabin on a hill at the foot of which gushes one of the numerous springs for which early Morristown was noted. Soon the sound of the ax is heard in the felling of the trees and the trimming of the logs for the house. As soon as the home is completed, Mother Morris and the girls, Mary, Margaret and Nancy, are found just as busy within with the cooking, spinning and knitting, and the men are outside with the clearing and planting of the crops and also with the hunting of wild game to supply meat for the table and fur for clothing. In the evenings the young folks gather for a corn husking, quilting or singing, when young Samuel Riggs steals sly glances at demure rosy cheeked Mary Morris and a log rolling followed when the first couple got married in the new settlement. The first Morris house was built on what is now South Cumberland street and was occupied by Morris descendants for several generations."
So, to sum up a little of the above quotes, and from other sections not quoted,: Mrs. Brooks states that:
Gideon Morris (died c1799?) was married to Genette ____ (died c1828-1829?)and they had six children*:
The Morris family settled in the area around 1787 or 1791. It would seem that Gideon Morris the first, had brothers who also settled in the vicinity. Brooks believed that others with the Morris name were in the area but could find no documentation of them.
*Also, in some deeds listed in her book, it looks like there was another daughter, named Elizabeth, who married a Hurst, and had a son named James Hurst. In another part, showing a will of Gideon's wife, Genette (or Jenette, etc.), it appears Mary Morris Riggs is called Polly and Margaret Morris Anderson (Anderton) is called Peggy. At least that is the way I understood it.
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