Revolutionary War Soldiers Series: Remembering William Morris
By Betty F. Crum and Pat Young
Waw-wil-a-way Chapter Daughters
of the American Revolution, 250 Project
Note: This year, the United States of America will celebrate its semiquincentennial, its 250th anniversary. The semiquincentennial marks the first nationwide celebration of America's birth since the bicentennial in 1976. Of course, America's independence cannot be celebrated without also honoring the efforts of the Revolutionary War soldiers that led to independence. The Waw-wil-a-way Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, along with the Southern Ohio Genealogical Society, is presenting a series of articles featuring Revolutionary War soldiers who lived and died within the borders of Highland County.
William Morris was born Aug. 51744, Worcester County, Maryland. He is thought to be the son of Thomas and Comfort Morris. He took the oath of allegiance in Worcester County in 1778 in Quepomco Hundred before the Hon. Thomas Purnell. He enlisted as a private, Worcester Militia, Sinepuxent Bn., Capt. Elisha Purnell's Co., fourth Class, 1779/1780.
Morris moved to Ohio in 1816 leaving Maryland. He was enumerated in the Liberty Twp., Highland County, Ohio 1820 census with 4 in the household, 2 males and 2 females. Besides himself over the age of 45 years, there was 1 male 16-25 and 2 females 16-25. One of those individuals was engaged in agriculture.
He appeared Oct. 6, 1921 on the Liberty Township, Highland County, Ohio Poll Book. He is also enumerated in the Highland County, Ohio, 1830 United States Federal Census in Liberty Township, prior to his death in 1834.
He applied for a pension in Highland County, Ohio on Oct. 28, 1833, stating he was born in Worcester County, Maryland on Aug. 4, 1744 and lived there at the time of his enlistment. Order Book No. 5, 1829 - 1834, page 433, Nov. 1, 1833: “This day William Morris personally appeared in open court and presented his declaration under oath that he was a Soldier of the Revolution also at the same time came Allen Trimble and John Smith, who being sworn certify as to their interrogatories required by the rules of the War Department are satisfied that the applicant was a Soldier of the Revolution and served as he states which is ‘the applicant was a Soldier of the Revolution and served as the states’, which is ordered to be certified.”
He was married and had children as documented in Highland County, Ohio, Common Pleas Court Records, Order Book No. 6, 1834 - 1837, pages 28 & 29, June 27, 1834. This record states: ”Upon the affidavit of William Morris in writing the court are of the opinion that William Morris Senior was a Revolutionary War Soldier as stated in the affidavit that he departed this life on the 12th day of May A. D. 1834 without leaving a widow but leaving the following children and his heirs to wit: William Morris Junior, Sally Brown, wife of Sovereign H. Brown, Polly Shockley, wife of John Shockley, Catherine, wife of John Driskill, Thomas Morris, Rollis Morris, Joshua Morris, John Morris and Nancy Morris, that said Nancy Morris is dead. Thomas Morris, Rollifs Morris, John Morris & Joshua Morris are non-residents of Ohio, the other do not live in the immediate neighborhood of said William Morris Junior.”
The U.S. Pension Roll of 1835 under Highland County, Ohio provides the following information: William Morris, sergeant, Maryland militia, began receiving pension March 4, 1831 at 91 years of $90 per year.
The name of William’s wife is unknown as is her death date, place of death and burial. It is thought that she may have died in Maryland prior to Williams move to Ohio in 1816 at the approximate age of 72 years. Widowed William possibly made the move with married children.
Two of his children married in the county, William Jr. to Sarah Bernard, Jan. 13, 1820 and Sarah “Sally” to Sovereign Hitch Brown, Oct. 5, 1821. The place of burial for William is unknown as no stone has been found. It is assumed his burial location is in Liberty Twp., the place of his residence per both Highland County 1820 and 1830 census and poll records. – NSDAR Database, Ancestor # A201961, Pension #S9040.
Researched and assembled by Betty Crum and Pat Young.