Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R 7401, for Edward Morriss, North Carolina

SERVICE
NUMBER
N. b.
Morris Edward Elizabeth b
R 7401
CONTENTS

Declaration of Elizabeth C Morris in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of July A.D. 1838 entitled: An act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows
State of Tennessee } Wilson County }
On this 11 th day of December Eighteen hundred and thirty Eight personally appeared before me Benjamin Turner an acting Justice of the Peace for the County of Wilson aforesaid and one of the Justices duly commissioned and qualified to hold the County Court of Wilson aforesaid the same being a Court of Record - Elizabeth C. Morris a resident of the said County of Wilson who is unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity aged seventy one years having been born on the 22 nd day of October. heretofore Resid g then in Halifax County North Carolina who being duly known according to law to be on her oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 7 th 1838 Entitled the Act Granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows; That she is the Widow of Edward Morris a Soldier of the Revolution that he was drafted and entered the Revolutionary Service in the Militia raised in Halifax North Carolina it was called a nine months long he entered the Service under Captain Temple they Rendezvoused at Halifax Court House North Carolina and there he was placed under the command of Captain Callender Parker an officer as she is informed in the Regular Service and

attached to the Regiment Commanded by Colo. Armstrong of the 4th Regiment as she believes of the north Carolina line her said husband marched to South Carolina and while there performed various services he was in the battle of Stono Ferry he was in active service for thirteen months and was discharged and and returned home to Nash County North Carolina where he then resided. While in South Carolina her said husband performed various services under the command of General Lincoln and perhaps General Sumpter. She further declares that she was married to the said Edward Morris on the 7th day of January seventeen hundred and ninety in Halifax County North Carolina as both her memory and the family Register bears witness to which she has referred both for her age and marriage at the lapse of time she can only prove her marriage by long reputation. She has been informed that no Record was kept of marriages in that early day in the State of North Carolina and that the Minister of the Gospel in this County by whom she can prove the reputed marriage of her and her said husband at a very early day. Her said husband never applied for a Pension. That her husband the aforesaid Edward Morris died on the 10th day of February 1830 in Wilson County in the 74th Year of his age that she was not married to him previous to his leaving the service

but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety four that is to say at the time specified alone and that she has never married since and is still the widow of the late Edward Morris
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above Elizabeth C. Morris witness before me Benjamin Farnsworth for Wilson County
State of Tennessee
Wilson County } I Benjamin Farnsworth an acting Justice of the Peace for the county of Wilson do hereby certify that Elizabeth C. Morris who has sworn to the above declaration before me is a lady of high respectability and her state- ment entitled to full credit. Given under my hand and seal This 18 th day of December 1888
Benjamin Farnsworth Justice
State of Tennessee
Wilson County } I James Purnell aged eighty three years a citizen of Wilson County do hereby certify that I was well acquainted with Edward Morris the husband of the said Elizabeth Morris I know that he was a soldier of the revolution we both joined the army at the same time in the County of Warren State of North Carolina we rendezvoused at Halifax Town said Morris was placed under the command of Captain Cader Parker and was attached to the fourth Regi- ment commanded by Colonel Armstrong. We marched to South Carolina under the command of General Lincoln were in the battle of Stone Ferry. said Morris and my- self were in the same mess. We stayed three months at Halifax there being no call for us at that time we were

parlowed for six month but in a few days after we got home there was a call and order were issued that those of us who would come in might do so with- out loss of time Said Morris and my self returned to Halifax under the command of General Eaton and we were then placed under the command of General Lincoln as above observed. Said Morris served a thirteen months tour in all in the militia service of the north carolina line he was a good soldier and has always sustained the character of a most excellent cit- izen. Witness is a revolutionary petitioner drawing sixty three dollars 33 cents per annum sworn to and subscribed before James his Prinn Seal me a Justice of the peace mark for Wilson County on the 18 th day of December 1838
Benjamin Tarter
State of Tennessee,
Wilson County I Benjamin Tarter before whom the above certificate of James Prinn was sworn to do hereby certify that he is a man of excellent mor- al character and entitled to full credit he is in receipt as a revolution of a petition as a revolutionary fin- son soldier. Given under my hand This 18 th day of December 1838
Benjamin Tarter

Revolutionary.
Power of Atty
of
Thomas C. Morris
Tennessee
Elizabeth C. Morris
Edward Morris
F. E. Heasser
Nov 30-1852
Mrs Eliza C. Morris, or being
Lebanon
Wilson Co.
Tenn

POWER OF ATTORNEY
For ascertaining whether any increase or arrears of Pension are due the Widow or heirs of Revolutionary Pensioners, &c.*
STATE OF Tennessee ) COUNTY OF Wilson ) Lewis W Robertson a Justice of the Peace personally appeared Thomas E Morris aged 51 years, who being duly cautioned and then sworn in due form of law, states that he is the son of Edward Morris who was a revolutionary Soldier in the State of North Carolina and that he died on the 10th day of February, 1830 and that his mother, named Elizabeth Morris died on the 26th day of July 1851 and that they were married on the 7th day of January in the year 1790 and that they were residents of Halifax in the State of North Carolina and that they resided there twentytwo years, and that he resides in Wilson County Tennessee and that furthermore He BY THESE PRESENTS, constitutes, appoints, and fully empowers and authorizes, irrevocably and with powers of substitution, F. E. HASSLER, of Washington city, D. C., as his true and lawful Attorney for him and in his name and stead, to examine into, to prosecute, to demand, and to receive from the U. S. Government and State officers his rights in all and in any manner of claim for increase or arrears of Pension or Land that may be due him as a son of Edward Morris who died leaving the same undrawn, as in right of law he may be entitled.
In witness whereof, he has on this 11th day of November 1852, hereunto signed his name, and affixed his seal.
Thomas E Morris SEAL Thomas E Morris the his.
Witness: A. M. Vick Witness: Joseph Walker
Signed, sealed, acknowledged, and sworn to before me; and I further certify, that Thomas E Morris has always by the community been known as the son of Edward Morris deceased
Dated on this 11th day of November 1852
L. W. Robertson
J. P.
State of Tennessee } to wit: COUNTY of Wilson }
I hereby certify, That Esq., before whom the foregoing affidavits and acknowledgment were made, and who has thereunto subscribed his name, was at the time of so doing, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, and that his signature above written is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said County Court, this 11th day of November one thousand eight hundred and fifty two
A. M. McClain Clerk. of Wilson County Court
* If a Widow applies, state "the date of marriage, and date of death of her husband" † State under what act pensioned, or when pension commenced, if a pensioner—and amount of pension.

March 1, 1935
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mrs. George R. Mastin 1302 North Limestone Lexington, Kentucky
EDWARD MORRISS R. 7401 BA-J/MLB
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Edward Morriss, of Virginia, who moved to Wilson County, Tennessee, where he died in the seventy-fourth year of age and was buried there.
You are furnished herein the record of the only soldier named Edward Morriss, of Wilson County, Tennessee, found in the Revolutionary War records of this office, as obtained from pension claim, R. 7401, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
The date and place of soldier's birth and names of his parents are not given.
Edward Morriss married January 7, 1790, in Halifax County, North Carolina, Elizabeth C. _____, maiden name not stated, who was born October 22, 1767, in Halifax County, North Carolina; at the time of their marriage they were both residents of said Halifax County and lived there twenty-two years.
He died February 10, 1830, in Wilson County, Tennessee, in the seventy-fourth year of his age.
On December 11, 1838, while living in Wilson County, Tennessee, Elizabeth C. Morriss applied for pension that might have been due her as the widow of Edward Morriss.
It was alleged that Edward Morriss enlisted in Warren County, North Carolina under Captain Temple, that he rendezvoused at Halifax Court House, North Carolina, where he was placed in Captain Kedar Parker's company, Colonel Armstrong's North Carolina regiment, that he marched to South Carolina where he was in the battle of Stono Ferry, and that he was discharged after having served thirteen months then went to his home in Nash County, North Carolina; dates of enlistment and discharge not given.

Her claim was not allowed as proof of service was not furnished in accordance with the requirements of the pension law.
Soldier's widow, Elizabeth C. Morriss, died July 26, 1861, survived by heirs, but the only name given was that of a son, Thomas E. Morriss, who in 1852 was aged fifty-one years and a resident of Wilson County, Tennessee.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

July 29. 1841 Verm.
J. B. Mansfield Esq. Com. of Consensus Washington D. C. R. L. Canuthen Wa

No. of Rep. July 29 1841
Sir
Mrs Elizabeth G. Morris has written to me on the subject of her application for a pension. She desires to know on what point the proof is defective. She is a citizen of Wilson County, Pennsylvania & a most excellent old lady. Of her right under the law I have no doubt. She informs me that her petition therein was forwarded nearly or quite one year ago.
If the proof is insufficient you will please advise me in what particular it is so, that she may if she can make out by additional evidence
Very respectfully yr obd. Servt. R. S. Ganneth
J. S. Edwards Esq. Com. of Pensions

War Dept. Recd Office 185- July 11. 1839
Sir, The papers in the case of Mrs. Elizabeth K. Morris widow of Edward Morris, decd have been examined and filed with suspended cases. The period of service off Application should be made to William H. Lee, Esq. Secretary of State of N. Carolina at Raleigh, for proof of the alleged service. The records of the marriage should be exhibited as required in sect. 8, in the enclosed print sheet.
Robert M. Burton Esq Salem Ten
4880 57 July 38

Robt. M. Burton
July 11, 1839
O. L.

for 11 July 1839 R. M. Burton
7401

Mar. 7. 1839 44880 Mail 7 July 1838
Hon. L. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions Washington City
FREE

Secharan (Tempre) February 18th 1839
Mr J. L. Edwards
Sir
Inclosed I send you the papers of Elizabeth G Morris for a Pension there is no doubt of the truth of the statements contained in her Declaration - your early attention is requested in the investigation of her claim
Very Respectfully Your obed Servt
Robert M Burton
P.S. Four months ago while at Gallatin in this state I prepared the papers of Mrs Nancy Rice Widow of Joel Rice a Lieutenant in the Revolutionary War and forwarded them to you from this place - I have waited for an answer but none has been received - the claim was evidently established I hope you will attend to it as soon as convenient and give me an answer Yours &c.
Robert M Burton

1302 North Limestone Lexington Kentucky February 16, 1935.
The Commissioner of Pensions, Veterans Administration Department Washington Ky. N.P.C.
Sir:
If you have the record in your department, will you kindly furnish his descendants with the Revolutionary War service of one
✓ EDWARD MORRISS of Virginia.
Tradition says that he enlisted as a private soldier in the Virginia army, but that General Washington had him appointed as chaplain.
He was a Methodist minister, and after the Revolution, he emigrated to Wilson County, Tennessee, where he died in the 74th. year of his age.
He is buried in Wilson county, as is his wife, a Miss Hall of Christian County, Ky.
All available data concerning this Revolutionary soldier is needed. It is for the D.A.R. papers of his descendant, Ethel Winifred Murray.
Respectfully Edwin Murray Mastin
( Mrs. George R. Mastin 1302 North Limestone Lexington Ky. )

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1870.
135, Dec. 1 - Had... Geo. R. Martin CB
7401
P. O.
Elizabeth Morris
Service:
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Printed List of 1852, Ruckended, & Rejected Claims, shows cause of suspension: -
Application filed, _____, 18
"For further proof from the Galegh records."
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
Recognized. _____
Com
Cert. of Dis. _____
Searched for _____
, 18

I Henry Hobson do hereby certify that I was well acquainted with Edward Morris the husband of Elizabeth Morris for many years I know it was universally understood that he was a soldier of the Revolution and treated as such by all who knew him and I have the fullest confidence of the fact Elizabeth Morris is a lady of high respectability and her declaration is entitled to full credit. James Primm and Martha Brown whose certificates are annexed as an old gentleman and lady of high respectability and both entitled to full credit in any statement they may make in any matter Given under my hand January 1839
Sworn and subscribed. Henry Hobson (Seal) to before me the day and date above written.
Thomas R. Jackson Justice of the Peace for Wilson County State of Tennessee
I Thomas R. Jackson an acting Justice of the Peace for the County of Wilson and State of Tennessee before whom the above certificate was known to me truly certify that I am well acquainted with the Witness Henry Hobson that he is a man of high respectability and his statement is entitled to full credit Given under my hand this 7th day of June 1839
Tho. R. Jackson

State of Tennessee Wilson County ss Oct
I Josiah F. McLain Clerk of the County Court of said Wilson County; hereby certify that Benjamin Harris Esquire before whom the foregoing Reclamation of Elizabeth H. Morris purports to have been sworn to, and whose signature appears to the foregoing affidavit of James Prine and also to the certificate relative to the character of said Elizabeth H. and James and Matthew J. Cartwright Esquire whose signature appears to the within affidavit of Martha Brown and certificate of her character, and also Thomas H. Jackson Esquire whose signature appears to the within affidavit of Henry Westbro, and the certificate that relates to his character are acting Justices of the Peace in and for said County as then stated, and that their said signatures are genuine In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this 10th day of January 1839
J. F. McLain Clerk of the County Court of Wilson County
The word "whose" in the 4th line of the above certificate and the words "relative to the character" in the 6th line inter- lined by me. Jan'y 10th 1839 J. F. McLain Clerk
4880 Elizabeth H. C. Morris J. F. McLain Suspended July 7. 1838
pled 10 Feb 1830
1047

State of Tennessee
Wilson County } I Martha Brown a citizen of the Town of Lebanon in the county of Wilson state of Tennessee aged sixty nine do hereby certify that I was well acquainted with Elizabeth C. Morris who applies for a pension the wife of Edward Morris many years previous to the year se- venteen hundred and ninety I resided in the county of Franklin state of North Carolina an adjoining county to Halifax the county of in which said Elizabeth C. Morris lived at the time of her marriage I know the fact that said Elizabeth Mor- ris intermarried with Edward Morris in the county of Hal- ifax state of North Carolina in the year 1790 and that they lived together as man and wife until the death of her said husband said Elizabeth has never married since the death of her hus- band and is still a widow Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 7 January 1839 M J Cartwright Justice of the Peace Martha Brown for Wilson County state of Tennessee
I Matthew J. Cartwright an acting Justice of the Peace for the county of Wilson state of Tennessee before whom the above certificate was sworn to do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the witness Martha Brown that she is a lady of high respectable and her statement entitled to full credit Given under my hand this 7 th day of January 1839
M J Cartwright (JP)