USA > New Jersey > Morris County > Morristown > The Record of the First Presbyterian Church of Morristown, N.J. : v. 1-5 Jan. 1880-Dec. 1885, pt 2 > Part 5
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1.89
Special-County and State Sun-
day-school Work,
7.88
$189.75
DISBURSEMENTS.
June 19. Printing Treasurer's
Cards, .
$1.50
July 6, Home Mission Board-
six month's proceeds from
Birthday box,
1.89
August 3. Treasurer's enve-
lopes,
3.30
August 17. County and State
Sunday-school Work,
7.88
September 21. Lincoln
Uni-
versity,
75.00
Balance cash in bank,
100.18
-
-$189.75
WILL C. VAN DOREN,
Treasurer.
A SKETCH OF MAJOR JOSEPH MORRIS. BY SAMUEL, HAYS, ST. LOUIS, MO.
Somewhere in the burial ground of the First Presbyterian Church, Morristown,
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New Jersey, lie the remains of Major Joseph Morris, who greatly distinguished himself la the Revolutionary War, and who is laown to have been actively engaged in the French and Indian Wars of the Colonial period. Not much is known of his origin, but the belief has always been entertained to the family that his original ancestor in this country, was John Morris, who, it is as- Ærted, was a captain under Oliver Crom- well. Investigation shows one of that name, as having that rank, in the army of the great Protector.
The line of descent so far as is claimed to be known by the family is John, Daniel and Stephen : the latter the father of Joseph. We are strongly inclined to believe, after a very careful scrutiny of all attainable evi- dence, that Capt. John Morris who came from New Haven, Conn., to Newark, and who was High Sheriff of Essex County in 1700, was one of Major Morris' progenitors. He is mentioned in the Connecticut re- cords as " possibly from England." He died Oct. 22nd, 1749, aged 83 years. Of this stock Daniel and Stephen were known to be con- temporaries in 1742 in Baskinridge, N. J. We are careful not to claim these as ances- tors but the identity of names and residence with what is known by the family of Joseph Morris' immediate ancestors makes the probabilities very great. This reference may be the means of eliciting such facts as will determine the question. We find in the course of our inquiries that Daniel Morris was one of several who conveyed by deed a piece of land for Church purposes upon which a meeting house was then standing, February 8, 1731, in Baskinridge. He was an elder of that Church ; and in 1758 was receiv- ed by letter by the Church at Morristown of which he was an elder from 1761 until 1767. From that year we lose all trace of him. Stephen Morris, the son of Daniel had four sons (including the subject of our sketch) and five daughters. Through the daughters' marriage the family became con- nected with the Southards, Kitchells, Lewis, Daytons and Predmores, all well known families.
The Morris' had their home near Morris- town. Maj. Joseph Morris was born in 1732. Nothing whatever is known of his early history, except that he was fond of adven-
ture, showing undaunted courage and un- wavering determination, in the midst of dangers that would cause others to shrin k. Ile had a fair education, and in disposition was unassuming and reticent in speech. He was a man of herculean frame, over six feet in height, and such facial charateristics, as would indicate clearly, the iron will that was the motor to all his actions. He had a double row of teeth, noted for their size and strength; and stories have been handed down, through his associates and decend- ants, of some marvelous performances with these, which, while possibly exaggerations, sufficiently attest the great physical strength with which nature had endowed him.
On April 12, 1759, he was married to Han- nah Ford by the Rev. Dr. Johnes, as ap- pears by the valuable records left by the latter. Hannah Ford was the daughter of Samuel Ford, a brother of Colonel Jacob Ford, Senior. She had as brothers and sis- ters Jonathan, father of the late Rev. Jno. Ford, of Parsippany ; Samuel, who married Grace Kitchel ; Demas, whose lands were about a mile from Morristown on the Whip- pany road ; Charity, who married Abrahaw Kitchel ; and Eunice, who married, first, Ste- phen More, and second, [John] Scott. Her mother Sarah was left a widow, and died April 22, 1789, aged 80.
Several of the military commissions of Major Morris, which the writer has seen have been in possession, until within a few years, of one of his immediate descendants, but they cannot now be found. These com- missions were stained with his blood, from the wound received in the battle which ter- minated his life. When he fell they were found in a small worsted bag, which, sus- pended from his neck, lay on his breast. They showed his official rank in both the Colonial and Revolutionary wars. In the former, but little knowledge is had of his exploits. We find in the Pennsylvania Col- onial Records his deposition, sworn to be- fore David Biddle, Notary, dated Philadel- phia, August 22, 1771, in which, at length, (describing himself as from Morris County, N. J.,) he relates the history of an expedi- tion made from Easton, with a company of men for the relief of some settlers " near Wyoming" (now. Wilkesbarre), who were
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besieged in a block house by the Connecti- cut people during what was known as the Pennanite war. This is the only authentic record of him that we can discover during that period.
It is well established that in 1775, he raised the first company in New Jersey for the Revolutionary war in the village of Whippany. His son Jonathan Ford Morris, who was born March 21, 1760, was made en- sign of the Company. His selection because of his youth, being not quite 16 years old, caused considerable dissatisfaction in the Company. The record of this son through the war, fully justified the selection.
The Company being assigned to Col. Winds' Regiment, spent the winter of '75 and '76 in New York, and when the river was free from ice, sailed in sloops for Albany. From thence they marched to Lake George, crossing it and Lake Champlain. in boats to join the Canada expedition. We have discovered some mention of both father and son at Ticonderoga, in the records of that period, but not sufficient to enable us to give the history of their con- nection with that ill-starred expedition which terminated in the defeat of the Amer- ican army, after almost unparalled suffering and great loss of life, including the death in battle of its gallant leader, General Mont- gomery.
We can discover no trace of Major Morris from this time until November 5, 1776, when he and his command were ordered by Gen- eral Sullivan to New Jersey for discharge, the Company he had raised and commanded having enlisted but for one year. Washing- ton during the Winter had secured, by spe- cial solicitation from Congress, the promo- tion of Captain Daniel Morgan to a Colon- elcy. Morgan reached Morristown about the middle of April, in obedience to a sum- mons from Washington, and was received by the Commander-in-Chief with marked kindness and consideration. The early mili- tary career of the latter, had taught him the value which might properly attach to a select corp of sharp shooters composed of active, hardy men, accustomed to the woods and skilful in the use of the rifle. The pre- ceding campaign had presented many occa- sions, forcibly suggesting the want of such a corp, when its presence might have turned
the tide of battle. Colonel Morgan was in- formed of this great want, and in pursuance of orders, 'a body of five hundred picked men was accordingly formed from the dit- ferent Regiments composing the army.
The command of this corp was given to Colonel Morgan, the Lieutenant Colonelcy to Captain Richard Butler, while Captain Joseph Morris was made its Major. There are few readers of the history of the Revo+ lutionary war, who properly estimate the very great service of this corp of select men in the prosecution of that momentous struggle. Washington, in his official reports and correspondence, repeatedly bore testi- mony to its value and expressed the utmost confidence in its efficiency. There seemed to be no other branch of the service upon which he relied so much. And justly so, for all of the officers named had already achieved distinction, while those in com- mand of each of the eight companies were selected, by Morgan himself, from the army at large, because of their peculiar fitness for the positions assigned them. The same remark will apply to the privates. The whole force was composed of carefully se- lected men, as was desired in its conception. Washington under date of June 13, 1777. writes to Morgan :- " The corp of Rangers newly formed and under your command, are to be considered as a body of Light Infantry, and are to act as such, for which reason they will be exempted from the common duties of the line." From the time of its organi- zation until about the middle of August 1777, this corp was actively engaged in a number of battles and skirmishes in New Jersey, in all of which it acquitted itself with great credit, Washington, in reporting one of these to Congress, says of them, " they constantly advanced upon an enemy far su- perior to them in numbers and well secured behind strong redoubts." On August 16, 1777, they were ordered to the north to join General Gates' army. Washington, in so advising General Gates, observes :-- " From various representations made to me of the disadvantages the army lay under, particu- larly the Militia, from an apprehension of the Indian mode of fighting, I have des- patched Colonel Morgan with his corp of riflemen to give assistance, etc. This corp I have great dependence on, and have no doubt they will be exceedingly useful to you as a check given to the savages, and keeping them within proper bounds, will prevent General Burgoyne from getting in- telligence as formerly, and animate your other troops, etc."
(To be Continued.)
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1912235
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, MORRISTOWN, N. J. " THIS SHALL BE WRITTEN FOR THE GENERATION TO COME."-Psalms 102 : 18.
VOLUME V. NOVEMBER, 1885. NUMBER 35.
[Printed with the Approval of the Session. ]
THE RECORD
Is published monthly ; terms $1.00 a year, in advance. Single numbers for any month, 10 cents each. Subscriptions should be made to Mr. James R. Voorhees. Matters pertaining to the publication should be addressed to the
EDITOR OF THE RECORD.
Entered at the Post Office at Morristown, N. J., as second class matter.
MINUTE IN MEMORIAL
OF THE
REV. DAVID IRVING, D. D.
In view of the death on Monday, the 12th of October instant, of Rev. David Irving, D.D., for twenty years one of the Sec- retaries of the Board of Foreign Missions, and previously for ten years Pastor of this Church ; Session discharges a sad but grate- ful duty. in entering on their minutes their appreciation of his personal worth and his uniformly dignified ministerial bearing and Christian courtesy.
No page of the history of this venerable Church, which has been blessed with so manv faithful and earnest ministers, records a more successful pastorate, so far as success is to be measured by additions to the Church, and especially by the development and cul- tivation of a spirit of beneficence. The re- cord of his pastorate here will ever consti- tute a living testimony to his zeal and faith- fulness in the Master's service.
Of him it may be truly said that he obeyed the exhortation of the apostle, in feeding the flock of God, taking "the oversight thereof not by constraint but willingly, not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind, neither as being lord over God's heritage, but being an ensample to the flock," and we rejoice in the assurance that "when the Chief Shep- herd shall appear" he " shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away."
CHILDREN'S MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
At the annual meeting on Friday, Octo- ber 16th, the Treasurer reported as follows, for the year ending Oct. Ist, 1885 :
RECEIPTS. Balance received from H. T.
Hull, late Treasurer, $277.94
Regular Sunday Collections, 528,61
Special Collections, 44.45
$851.00
DISBURSEMENTS.
Expenses during the year, $32.38.
Special, 57.25:
Home Missions, 390.00
Foreign Missions, 335.00
Balance cash in bank, 36.37
$851.00'
WILL C. VANDOREN, Treasurer.
A SKETCH OF MAJOR JOSEPH MORRIS.
BY SAMUEL HAYS, ST. LOUIS, MO. (Continued from page 184.)
Washington also wrote to General Put- nam on the 16 :- " The people in the North- ern army seem so intimidated by the Indians, that I have determined to send up Colonel Morgan's corps of riflemen who will fight them in their own way."
In a letter to Governor Clinton of the same date, he says, speaking of the forward- ing of Morgan's corps :- "They are all chosen men, selected from the army at large, well acquainted with the use of rifles, and with that mode of fighting which is necessary to make them a good counterpoise to the In- dians, and they have distinguished them- selves on a variety of occasions.
" I expect the most eminent services from them, and I shall be mistaken if their pres- ence does not go far toward producing a general desertion among the savages." It would require great space to detail the part borne by this wonderful body of men in the
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several battles that culminated in the sur- render af Burgoyne and his army.
Numerous histories, with song and story, give ample evidence of its prowess at Sara- toga.
In Wilkinson's memoirs, we find special mention of Major Morris. Wilkinson was Adjutant to General Gates, and speaks as an eye witness. He says :- " Major Morris with characteristic impetuosity being for- . ward in the pursuit." " He gallantly dashed his. horse through their ranks, riding over the men, and succeeded amid a shower of balls in effecting his escape." "I passed on and met Major Morris, who was never so sprightly as when under a hot fire." In the battle to which these statements refer, the corps was formed in two lines, one being led by Colonel Morgan, and the other by Major Morris. Morgan's corps, in the events im- mediately preceding Burgoyne's surrender, lost. 40 per cent. of its number in killed and wounded.
On General Burgoyne's introduction to Morgan after the capitulation he took him warmly by the hand, and said, "Sir, you command the finest regiment in the world." Under date of September 24, 1777, Washing- ton wrote to Gates, that "if certain condi- tions are favorable," Morgan's corps be re- turned to him, to which Gates replied Oc- tober 5th, describing the situation, " under which," he says, "your excellency would not wish me to part with the corps, the army of General Burgoyne are most afraid of." On November 1, 1777, Colonel Morgan re- ceived from Gates instructions to march southward to join Washington, in compli- ance with the express orders of the latter. It started immediately. Washington in his letter of instructions to Colonel Alexander Hamilton says, "I expect you will meet Colonel Morgan and his corps upon the way down. If you do, let them know how es-
- sential their services are to us, and desire the Colonel or commanding officer to hasten his march as much as is consistent with the health of his men after their late fatigues." Morgan reached Whitemarsh, near Phila- delphia,the headquarters of the Commander- in-Chief, November 18th, about 170 of his corps being left in New Jersey, temporarily, under Major Morris, to aid Lafayette in some operations about Haddonfield. Under
date of November 26, Lafayette writes to Washington from Haddonfield, a few miles from Philadelphia, of a skirmish near that place, each party numbering 350 men. He says that on the preceding day "in an en- gagement with the Hessians the brave Major Morris with a part of his riflemen sent them back and pushed them very fast. I never saw men so merry, so spirited, so de- sirous to go on to the enemy, whatever forces they could have, as that small party was in this little fight. I found the riflemen above even their reputation."
In a report to Congress, Washington writes from Whitemarsh, under date De- cember 10, 1777, referring to an engagement on the 6th between that place and Chestnut Hill :- " We lost 27 men in Morgan's corps, killed and wounded, besides Major Morris, a brave and gallant officer who was among the latter.
He fell, shot in the mouth by a bullet which lodged in the back of his neck. This bullet was in the possession of the family for a number of years and bore the impress of his teeth.
In Graham's life of General Daniel Mor- gan, this event is alluded to as follows :- "Among the wounded but beyond all hope of recovery, was the noble hearted and in- trepid Major Morris. This officer from the soldier-like qualities displayed by him on a variety of occasions has attracted the at- tention and favor of the Commander-in- Chief, and upon the organization of the corps he was appointed its Major. He pos- sessed a disposition the most kind and gen- erous and a courage which no danger could shake, no misfortunes could diminish. He enjoyed the confidence and regard of all who knew him, and by the officers and men of the corps with whom he had shared the glories and dangers of the war, he was deeply beloved. His death which occurred a short time after this encounter, excited universal sorrow throughout the camp." He was conveyed to Morristown, where he died Jan- uary 5, 1778, aged 46 years. His sufferings for thirty days, and especially during his re- moval from the battle field to his old home, over a rough country, a distance of about sixty miles, with a total lack of those com- forts so available in more recent times, unable to speak or to take other than liquid
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nourishment, may be imagined if not de- «cribed.
The following letter, never before pub- Ished, was written by Lafayette to Lieu- lenant Jonathan Ford Morris (the son of the Major), at Morristown ;
" At Camp, Dec. 10, 1777.
Sir :
It is with the greatest concern that I have heard that Major Morris went from camp to Morristown without surgeon to attend him. I will be much obliged to you to let me know immediately if he is well provided for at this time, because I should send to him a very good French surgeon belonging to Count de Pulaski, whom the Count has promised to me. I shall send at the same time a servant of mine, very attentive, to take care of the Major as long as you will think him of some use. Be so good, sir, as to let me know as soon as possible, if these measures are to be taken and if I can serve your father in some other ways. I hope you will give me a very particular account of his present state.
I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient, The Marquis de Lafayette.
To Lieutenant Jonathan Ford Morris of the Artillery at Morristown."
In Graham's life of General Daniel Mor- gan, (to which we are greatly indebted), we find another letter from Lafayette to Mor- gan .. This letter is dated 1777, and as it re- fers to the Major's death, it must either have been in confident anticipation of that event or the year given is an error. He certainly died January 5, 1778. It is more likely that Lafayette made the common mis- take in naming the old year, the new year being but a few days old when Morris died. 1777.
" Dear Sir :- I just now received your fa- vor concerninglour late friend, Major Morris, and I need not repeat to you how much I am concerned in the interests of his family. I spoke the other day to his Excellency on the subject, and I shall write to Congress a very particular letter, where you will be men- tioned. I intend to speak as in your name, and that of all your corps, and as being my- self honored with their confidence. It is my opinion that a decent estate might be given to the family as mark of gratefulness
from their country, and that his son must be promoted as soon as possible. But, my dear sir, you know how long Congress waive any matter whatsoever before a decision, and, as Mrs. Morris may be in some want before that time, I am going to trouble you with a commission which I beg you will execute with the greatest secrecy. If she wanted to borrow any sum of money in expecting the arrangements of Congress, it would not be- come a stranger, unknown to her, to offer himself for that - purpose. But you could (as from yourself) tell her that you had friends, who, being in the army, don't know what to do with their money, and as they are not in the mercantile or husbandry way, would willingly let her have one or many thousand dollars, which she might give again in three or four years, etc., etc.
One other way could be to let her believe that you have got or borrowed the money from any town or body you will be pleased to mention, or it would be needless to men- tion where it comes from.
In a word, my door sir, if with the great- est secrecy, and the most minute regard for that lady's delicacy, you may find a manner of being useful to her. I beg you would communicate to me immediately.
I shall, as soon as possible, let you know the answer of Congress, whenever an an- swer will be got, and in expecting the plea- sure to hear from you, I have the honor to be, wery sincerely.
Your most obedient servant, The Marquis de Lafayette. Col. Morgan, of the Rifle Corps."
Major Morris' widow (Hannah Ford) sur- vived him five years, dying at Morristown, Oct. 12, 1783, of consumption. She was buri- ed by the side of her husband.
In the proceedings of the New Jersey Coun- cil, March 1, 1780, it was "ordered that a warrant do issue in favor of the said Han- nah Morris for the sum of twenty-five dol- lars per month, being the amount of the half-pay of her deceased husband during her widerhood."
We have attempted no more in this sketch than to give without embellishment such facts in the history of Major Morris as have been discovered in a very desultory though protracted search, excluding many traditions which may be exaggerations and which are certainly wanting in the verities essential to our purpose.
It is our hope that we shall have attained one result at toast. That of provoking ad- ditional interest with those inclined to such researches, and especially with those who
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are directly or collaterally related to the subject of our sketch. We will be thankful for further information, promising that it shall be used, giving proper credit, in a more extended effort at some future time. *
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Since writing the foregoing narrative, we have thought it appropriate to add a brief notice of Dr. Jonathan Ford Morris, the son of Major Joseph Morris. He was born in Hanover. Morris County, New Jer- sey, March 21, 1760. In his sixteenth year he was made ensign in his father's Revolu- tionary company. He is spoken of as tall and large, distinguished for his talent and energy even at that early age. We get traces of him at Ticonderoga early in 1776. On March 1, 1777 he was made Lieutenant in Proctor's Artillery, and was during the war also attached to Col. Stevens' Artillery. While with Proctor's Artillery he was in the battles of Brandywine and Germantown, and in the latter was conspicuous in the as- sault upon Chew's House. He was also in the battles of Princeton and Monmouth. In the Summer of 1779 he was with a body of Americans who intercepted the enemy un- der the command of Col. Simcoe of the Queen's Rangers, who made a raid for the purpose of burning some boats on the Rari- tan River. When near New Brunswick, Simcoe was attacked by the Americans, who had concealed themselves behind logs and bushes. Simcoe was taken prisoner, his horse being killed and himself stunned by the fall. Simcoe's life was saved by Morris, " who adroitly averted a deadly blow aimed at him by one of the soldiers." Simcoe in his journal records the fact, and mentions the further fact of his having been bled by Mor- ris and receiving from him other necessary assistance. Long after the war, when Simcoe was Governor of Upper Canada, Morris re- ceived a letter from him inviting him to visit him at Toronto, and acknowledging the kindness which he experienced at his hands. He had resigned his commission in the army on Nov. 28, 1778, at the solicitation of his widowed mother. It appears from the proceedings of Congress that a letter of that date had been received from him tendering his resignation as Lieutenant of Proctor's Artillery. Early in 1779 he entered upon the study of medicine under the instruc- tions of Dr. Moses Scott, of New Bruns- wick. He afterward studied under Dr. Shippen, of Philadelphia, who was so im- pressed with his abilities that upon the completion of his studies he suggested a partnership. Dr. Morris declined, but ever afterward regretted his decision. March Ist, 1784, he married Margaret Smith Euen, of Elizabeth. She was a decendant of Rev. Jno. Harriman, of the Ist Presbyterian Church Elizabeth, whose daughter married John Hendricks, whose daughter married David
Smith whose daughter married a Euen: the latter being the parents of the wife of Dr. Jonathan Ford Morris. They had nine children :
Joseph Euen Morris, born Nov. 10, 1785. He died May 5, 1830, leaving a widow and six children in Steuben County, N. Y.
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