The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-07-15
Wine Merchant, 76 Walnut ST., T
Family Gatherings.

beautiful custom has Tor some time been grow
ing in New England, of assembling together the
living descendants of the early settlers, from all
parts of the country. They usually convened
the house OF the senior representative OF the fam
lily Biographical and genealogical memoirs are
submitted, and the links which bind the generations
together are strengthened by social intercourse.
We find the following notice in the New Haven pa
pers of recent festival Of that character, in its vi
cinity which we copy, as showing the general
manner in which these meetings are conducted
The Morris FAMILY AT EAST HAvES, July
foURTH.-On this day there was witnessed at East
Haven social gathering of the descendants OF
Thomas Morris, one OF the early emigrants to New
Haven who signed the plantation covenant In 1889,
and was admitted free inhabiant III l64o. In
1911 he bought the Little Neck, then called.
Being ship builder, he designed carrying on ship
building there, the timber being suitable Tor that
purpose But he died soon alter, In 1913. His de-
scendants numerous. At an carly period, the
following intcrmarriages took place
Mabel Morris, daughter OF Elcazur Morris, who
a grandson OF Thomas Morris, married Jehiel
Forbes, father OF Jehiel Forbes, of New Haven.
Anna Morris, of the 18th generation from Thomas
Morris, married VIM. Elton who had five children;
one of them is Prof. Elton. Elizabeth, also OF the
fifth generation, married Stephen Woodward, Of
East Haven. Anne, her sister, married Asa Brad
ley, of East Haven. LYDIA another sister, married
David Beccher of New Haven Anna another sister,
married DIR. Belah Farnham, of East Haven Esther,
another sister, married Wm. Collinsof Litchfed ia
Their of Deacon Amos Morris Collins, late mayor of
Hartford. Two sisters of the sixth generation mar
rcd of Rev. Nicholas Street, OF East Haven.
Subsequent intermarriagcs will be omitted James
Morris, esq, of Litchfied South Farms, was de-
scendant OF Thomas Morris, of the fourth genera
ton.
There was a very large and respectable assem-
blage of there descendants amounting TO about two
hundred, from different and distant parts OF this
and other States, both young and old. The city of
Hartford represented by two OF its worthy clti-
zcns There were four Of the descendants OF Dr.
Asahel Morris, from Cambridge, Washington
county, State Of New York, and two from Sar-
atoga county, New York. The city of New York
was represented by two gentlemen of the sixth
generation, and New Haven by very large mum
Der. At one long table IN the house was gathered
at dinner the senior part of the assemblagc At
another under arbor the house, the younger
part partoQk OF bountiful repast Afterwards the
whole assembly gathered at the arbor, at the head
1 OF which was placed the portrait OF Deacon Amos
Morris, of the third generation. Mr. Edward Hart
read statistical history OF the Morris family, and
gave interesting account OF the landing OF the
British at that place in july l779 just seventy
years preceding. Toasts were given out, which
called up several gentlemen, who made very IN
teresting statements of facts. The Rev. Henry
Morris read historical summary oi the carly Pu-
ritanical ancestors from whom the settlers at New
Haven descended. One of the gentlemen who
spoke recommended To the posterity OF Deacon
Amos Morris, who withstood the British at their
landing in 1873, and whose life was endangered 81.
he retreated from his burning dwelling, ever 10 cher
ish the Whig principles which he exhibited. Deacon
Amos Morris Collins gave interesting account
of the part which his excellent mother took in h-
voring the temperance reformation at the West.
From the several speakers on the occasion, there
was a pleasant interchange of sentiment, and
! many trying things related, which brought
tears into many eyes. Throughout the whole,
touches of wit and pleasantly were exhibited which
caused loud bursts of laughter from both young
and old. The meeting was an occasion which VIII
never be forgotten by those who were present, and
i all were highly gratiied. Abundant testimony
was borne 20 the general good character OF the de-
scendants Of Thomas Morris. fruit OF the good
training aud teaching which they had received. IL
ought TO be added, that the exercises were inter
| sperscd with singing some excellent hymns pre-
| pared and adapted 10 the occasion