Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-06

time the work was discontinued for want of
funds, the cost, as stated had greatly exceeded
thts amount. However, L'Enfant too, lost all
he had when the owner OF the mansion failed.
Morris STAYED on his creditors as best he
could but the crisis came and he went to a
debtors prison on February 49, 1898, and re-
manned there until August 20, 1901. Nearly
hve years later, on May g. 1906. he breathed
his last In Philadelphia and was buried there
IN the family vault cf within White In the
churchyard Of Christ Church.
His will as given by Allen c. Clark in his
excellent book, "Greenleaf and Law In the
Federal CITY," reads:
In the name of God Amen, l. Robert Morris of
the City of Philadelphia. formerly merchant
&c. &C.. do now make and declare this present
writing to contain and to be my last will and
testament hereby revokng all wills by me made
and declared of precedent dates. Imprimis I
give my gold watch to my son Robert, it was
my fathers and left to me at his death and
hath been carefully kept and valued by me
ever since. Item give my gold headed cane
to my son Thomas. the head given to me
by the late John Hancock, Esq. when Presi-
dent of Congress and the was the gift
OF James Wilson, Esq, whilst a member Of
Congress. Item I give to my son Henry my
copying press and the paper which were sent
to me present from Sir Robert Herries of
London-Item I give to my daughter, Hetty
(now Mrs. MarShalD my silver vase or punch
cup which imported from London many years
ago and have since purchased agan-Item
I give to my daughter Maria (now Mrs. Nixon
my silver voiler which also imported from
London many years ago, and which I have
lately experimentation give to my friend
Gouverneur Morris, Esq. my telescope espying
glass being the same that I bought of a
French refugee from Cape Francois then at
Trenton and which I since purchased again
of MIR. Hail. officer of the bankrupt office
Item give and bequeath all the other property
which I now possess may hereafter acquire
whether real or personal all that shall or
may belong to me at the time of my death to
my dearly beloved wife Mary Morris for her
use and comfort during her life and to be
disposed of she pleases at or before her
deeease when no doubt she will make such
distribution of the same amongst our children
as she may then think most proper Here l
have TO express my regret at having lost a
very large fortune acquired by honest industry
which L had long hoped and expected to enjoy
with my family during my own life and then
to distribute 1t amongst those of them that
should outliVe fate has determined otherwise
and we must submit to the decree which I
have done with patience and fortitude. Lastly
do hereby nominate and appoint INV said
dearly beloved wife Mary Morris sole exe1.l-
trix of this my last will and testament maas
and declared as such on this thirteenth da.
of June 1904.
ROBERT NORRIS
THOMAS NORRIS, one of the sons
toned in the above will was a lawyer,
served es Representative in Congress f.
New York from 1901 to 1903. when he decIn
nomination He subsequently was appointe
United States marshal for the southern distri ,
of New York in 1916. 1920. 1925 and 1929 and
died in New York City. March H. I849
In an effort to get all the information he
could pertaining to the life of Robert Morris
the writer consulted Pouisons American Daily
Advertiser OF Philadelphia hoping to find thee
sketch OF the fnancier at the time of his
death. but all he found was the following death
notice in the issue of May 10. 1906:
"Died-Thursday night after a tedious
and lingering illness, Robert Morris
Esq. whose signal and important services
to his country during our Revolutionary
struggle with Great Britain are well
known throughout the United States"
Quite brief notice for the leading Phila-
delphia paper at that time regarding a man
who had financed the American Revolution
served IN the Continental Congress signed the
Declaration of Independence and the Consti-
tuition of the United States, declined the offer
to be the first Secretary of the Treasury and
represented Pennsylvania IN the United States
Senate in the First Congress He had his
faults, we must admit, but his virtues were
far greater.
L. Il