MORRIS, William Samuel,
Market Gardener.

One of the most industrious and prosperous citizens of Wethersfield, Mr. Morris bears in his veins the blood of many early Connecticut families, and in his character and career has justified the promise of such antecedents.
The first of his family in this country was Mr. Edward Morris, supposed to have been the Edward Morris who was born in 1630, baptized on the 8th of that month in the Abbey Church, of the Holy Cross Abbey of Essex, England, baptized by the Rev. Joseph Hall, rector, afterward Bishop of Norwich. The first record of Edward Morris in this country is at Roxbury, Massachusetts, where be was granted four acres of land, February 23, 1652, which he forfeited by failure to build upon it. At this time he was a single man and probably not prepared to build. Subsequently, he owned land in the southeastern part of Jamaica Plain, where he was living in 1663. On January 27, 1661, he was chosen chairman of the committee to survey the common lands of the town, and in 1664 was chosen constable, an office of dignity and responsibility in that day. In 1666 he purchased about forty acres of land on the road to Dedham. For twelve years he served as selectman of the town; in 1676 was trustee of the High School at Jamaica Plain; in 1678 deputy to the General Court, in which office he continued for nine years,
and served as a member of a committee of three to audit the accounts of the treasurer of the colony. It is thus apparent that he was a man of intelligence and influence, and this is further testified by the title of "Mr.," which was given only to those of high blood or unusual attainments. In 1686 Edward Morris removed to Woodstock, Connecticut, then a part of Massachusetts, was one of the committee to conduct the drawings of lands, and himself received fifty acres in the first division. In 1689, when he was a member of the Board of Selectmen, he
was called lieutenant. He died September 14, 1689-90. This record reads 1689, but in another place his election as selectman in March, 1690, is recorded. He married, in Roxbury, November 29, 1655, Grace Bett, who died there June 6, 1705. She probably returned there after his death to live with some of her children.
Their fourth son, Samuel Morris, was born March 19, 1670, baptized April 19 following, and received lands from his father in Woodstock. He purchased from the heirs the paternal homestead in Roxbury in 1694, for 120 pounds, and added by purchase thirty-six acres and other lands.
For a time he resided in Marlborough, Massachusetts, and was described as of that town, December 18, 1714, when he exchanged the Roxbury homestead for 1500 acres of land in what is now Thompson, Connecticut on the Quinnebaug river. The exchange was made with Governor Dudley, of Massachusetts, and the valuation of each property was placed at 500 pounds. Samuel Morris died January 9, 1745, in Thompson. Both he and his son were involved in disputes with the parish of Thompson about parish rates, and he attended church at Dudley, Massachusetts, or at Woodstock, either of which were nearer to his home and more convenient of access than Thompson parish church. By maintaining a bridge over the Quinnebaug river at large personal expense, Samuel Morris and his son pleaded for exemption from the Thompson parish rates, and were granted some concession. He married Mehitable Mayo, born January 6, 1669, in Roxbury, admitted to full communion in the church there, October 28, 1688, and died there February 8, 1702.
Their eldest child was Samuel Morris, born August 13, 1695, in Roxbury, who succeeded his father on the farm in Thompson, and was an extensive trader, buying up produce of the farmers, which he transported to Boston and exchanged for merchandise. In the fall of 1755 he
sold his property and removed to Smithfield, Rhode Island, where he died June 13, 1765. He married (intentions published September 7, 1728) Abigail Bragg, born January 23, 1701, in Bristol, Rhode Island, died July 29 1790, in Woodstock, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Bragg.
Their third son, John Morris, born September 5, 1735, in Thompson, married, June 16, 1763, Rebecca Gore, born May 5, 1746, in Dudley, Massachusetts, daughter of Elijah and Rebecca (Vinton) Gore, and lived in that town.
Their eldest son, Elijah Gore Morris, born April 7, 1767, in Dudley, spent much of his life in teaching, and removed to Wethersfield, Connecticut, in his sixty ninth year. He married, November 26, 1790, Tamma Davis, born January 16, 1770, in Dudley, daughter of Edward and Elizabeth Davis, died January 10, 1840, in Wethersfield, in her seventy-first year.
Their second son, Moses Morris, born August 21, 1796, in Dudley, was a joiner by trade, lived in Wethersfield, and was killed May 25, 1849, by a fall from a wagon.
He married, October 26, 1826, Laura Wells, born March 8, 1800, in Wethersfield, died January 17, 1860, daughter of Samuel and Anna (Griswold) Wells. She was descended from Governor Thomas Wells, of Connecticut, who was born in 1598 in Essex county, England, and
whose property there was confiscated for political reasons. He came to America as secretary to Lords Say and Brooke, located about 1636 at Saybrook, and in the following year was a magistrate at Hartford, where he continued twenty-two years to fill that office. In 1654 and in
four other years he was Deputy to the General Court; from 1655 to 1658 was Governor of the Connecticut Colony; held other offices of trust and honor; died January 14, 1660, and was buried in Hartford. He married Elizabeth Hart, who died in 1640. She was the mother of Samuel Wells, born 1630 in England who inherited one-third of the paternal estate lying in that part of Wethersfield which is now Glastonbury, and there died by drowning in attempting to cross the Connecticut river, July 15, 1665. He bore the military title of captain, and the inventory of his estate placed its value at 1,100 pounds sterling. His second son, Thomas Wells, born July 29, 1662, died December 7, 1711. He married, May 17, 1705, Jerusha Treat, of Wethersfield, born about 1678, died January 15, 1754, daughter of James and Rebecca (Latimer) Treat. Their eldest child, Waite Wells, born 1708, died July 3, 1789. He married, January 10, 1734, Jerusha Treat, born March 14, 1707, died September 7, 1782, daughter of James and Prudence (Chester) Treat. John Wells, second son of Waite Wells, was born August 25, 1736, and married, March 4, 1766, Hannah Curtis, born February 6, 1742, in Wethersfield, daughter of Samuel and Lois (Belding) Curtis. Their eldest child was Samuel Wells, born 1767, married, April 19, 1787, Anna Griswold, baptized September 12, 1762, died September 15, 1828,
daughter of Ozias and Anna (Stanley) Griswold. Their fifth daughter, Laura Wells, born March 8, 1800, baptized July 6 following, became the wife of Moses Morris, of Wethersfield. They were the parents of Samuel Wells Morris, who was born January 15, 1827, in Wethersfield,
died September 8, 1880, in Newington, Connecticut.
Samuel Wells Morris was a man of ambition and energy and inaugurated various enterprises. In 1862 he removed to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he was associated with his brother, Frank Morris, in operating a foundry and machine shop. Desirous of returning to agriculture, he visited various points in Illinois and at length purchased a farm in the town of Ludlow, near the State Capital, which he tilled for three years. From Illinois he removed to Lexington, South Carolina, about fourteen miles from Columbia, where he engaged in farming for three years. On account of the failing health of his wife's father, he returned to Connecticut to look after the estate, and after living for some time in Wethersfield, removed in 1878 to Newington, where he engaged in agriculture, and died as above noted. He was a member of the Congregational church, and a Republican in political principle, but sought no share in the management of public affairs.
He married, May 27, 1856, Jane Hastings Savage, of Wethersfield, born May 31, 1828, daughter of Captain Horace Savage, who was born in 1799 in Cromwell. In his sixteenth year he shipped as cabin boy on the merchantman 'Commerce," of Hartford, commanded by Captain James Riley. After making successful voyages, this vessel was wrecked on the northwest coast of Africa and all on board were held by the natives for ransom. The experiences of the party in this adventure have been narrated in full in a book published by Captain Riley. Through the efforts of William Wiltshire, the British Consul, the release of the party was obtained, and Captain Savage returned to his native land. For
several years he resided in Matamoras, Mexico, where he was a prosperous merchant. His last twenty-five years were spent in Wethersfield, Connecticut, where he died in 1881. Captain Savage was descended from John Savage, who was in Hartford as early as 1652, but very soon removed to that part of Middletown which is now Cromwell, then known as Middletown Upper Houses. He had built his house there before May 18, 1654, at which date he was made a freeman by the General Court. His lot was two miles north of Middletown, the most southerly in the Cromwell settlement, on the corner of the road near the bank of the river, and included three acres. By subsequent purchase he became a large landowner, and in 1674 owned 1,207 acres, of which 441 acres were on the east side of the river. He was a townsman (selectman)
in 1667, and his name was seventh on the list of organizers of the church, September 4, 1668. He was also sergeant of the "Train Band," and died March 6, 1685. He married, in Hartford, February 10, 1652, Elizabeth Dublin, and was described in the Hartford records as of that town.
Their son, William Savage, born April 26, 1668, was a deacon of the church in 1716, captain of the North Company, 1719, deputy of the General Court from 1715 to 1726, died January 25, 1727, and was buried in the old cemetery. He married, May 6, 1696, Christian Mould, who was born in 1677, daughter of Hugh and Martha (Coyt) Mould, of New London, died October 16, 1719. Their eldest son, William Savage, born September 18, 1699, was deacon of the church, and died April 15, 1774. He married, June 26, 1726, his cousin, Sarah Savage, born in September, 1700, third daughter of John and Mary (Ranney) Savage, granddaughter of John and Elizabeth (Dublin) Savage, died August 10, 1780. Their sixth son, Luther Savage, was baptized April 8, 1759, and was a soldier of the Revolution, serving first in the company of Captain
Edward Wells, Colonel Comfort Sage's regiment, which was raised in June, 1776. This regiment participated in the operations on Long Island, and in the battle of White Plains, time expired December 25, 1776. From April 10, to May 22, 1777, Luther Savage was a member of Captain Wells' company, Colonel Thomas Belden's regiment of militia, stationed at Peekskill. He enlisted again April 8, 1778, in Captain Abijah Savage's company in the regiment commanded by General Henry Sherbourne, of Rhode Island, of which three companies came from Connecticut, and served until 1780. In September, 1781, he was a member of Colonel Samuel Canfield's militia regiment at West Point and was credited to the town of Chatham. After the war he settled in Hartford. He married, December 13, 1781, in Cromwell, Jerusha Smith,
daughter of Captain Abner Smith, of Haddam, and eldest child of his second wife, Rebecca (Gibbs) Smith. They were undoubtedly the parents of Captain Horace Savage. No record of his birth appears in either Hartford or Cromwell. He married, February 24, 1823, in Hartford, Jane Hastings, and they were the parents of Jane Hastings Savage, wife of Samuel Wells Morris, as previously noted.
William Samuel Morris, second son of Samuel Wells and Jane Hastings (Savage) Morris, was born July 19, 1858, at the family home on South Main street, Wethersfield. His education was supplied by the district and high schools of various localities where he lived. Before
his father's return from South Carolina, at the request of his maternal grandfather, he came to live with the latter in Wethersfield, being then fifteen years of age. He was about twenty years old when his father settled in Newington and he accompanied him thither. After the death of his father, he returned to Wethersfield and settled on twenty acres of land on the east side of Broad street, which was inherited from Captain Horace Savage. Here he engaged in market gardening and has developed a very large and prosperous business, extending to other lands in the neighborhood. He purchased other lands adjoining, making a tract of twenty-four acres. Mr. Morris is wholly mindful of the truth of "Poor Richard's" adage: He who by the plough would thrive, Himself must either hold or drive.
He is found in the fields with his men early and late during the growing season, and has always kept himself busy. Including himself, the business employs nine hands the year round, and in the growing season many others are also engaged. Besides cultivating his own homestead, Mr. Morris rents lands in the vicinity, and his wagons are well known in the markets of Hartford and other cities in the neighborhood. He also ships vegetables extensively to more remote markets. By his industry and shrewd management, Mr. Morris has achieved a remarkable success, and he is recognized and esteemed among his fellows as one of the leading citizens of the town. He is the owner of two cottages at Hawk's Nest Beach, Sound View. His sons are also trained to habits of thrift and industry, and are found accompanying their father in the labors of the establishment. Mr. Morris makes a specialty of celery, which he preserves and markets throughout the year, thus making steady work for his employees. He is a member of the Congregational church of Wethersfield of the local Grange, No. 145, and a charter member of Summit Lodge, No. 45, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Hartford. Politically, Mr. Morris supports the principles of the Republican party, and he is ever found ready to favor any movements calculated to advance the general welfare, regardless of partisan considerations.
Mr. Morris married, November 18, 1886, Emma Abigail Churchill, born August 24, 1862, in Wethersfield, daughter of Stephen Belden and Esther Amelia (Blinn) Churchill. Children: Frank Stephen, born October 11, 1887; Mabel Churchill, February 20, 1889; Nellie Jane, March 27, 1891; William Savage, February 29, 1893; Emma Amelia, December 12, 1894; Ethel May, February 9, 1897; Alice Ruth, November 13, 1899; John Everett, June 9, 1904; also a son, who died in boyhood. Mrs. Morris is descended from Josiah Churchill, who had lands in Wethersfield on the Connecticut river, April 28, 1641, including a house lot of six acres. His residence was on the east side of High street facing the south end of the common. He later purchased the Gildersleeve homestead on the west side of High street, a little south of his original residence. He served as juryman, constable and town surveyor, made his will, November 17, 1683, and died before 1687. His estate, which included two hundred and ten acres of land, was valued at 618 pounds, 12s . 6d. He married, in 1638, Elizabeth Foote, daughter of Nathaniel and Elizabeth (Deming) Foote, born about 1616 in England, died September 8, 1700, in Wethersfield. Nathaniel Foote settled
near the south end of the present Broad street, where a monument to him now stands. The eldest son of Josiah Churchill was Joseph Churchill, born December 7, 1649, who received by will of his father the house and lands, including fifty acres at 'ye west end of Wethersfield bounds," which was in the present town of Newington. He also received property by the will of his maternal grandmother, Elizabeth (Deming) Foote, who became the second wife of Governor Thomas Wells. He served the town as surveyor, assessor, collector, constable and selectman,
was sergeant of militia, and died April 1, 1699, leaving an estate valued at 461 pounds. He married, May 13, 1674, Mary, whose surname does not appear in the records. She survived him, was living in 1728, and probably died early in 1738. Her second son was Samuel Churchill, born 1688, settled in what is now Newington, where he purchased fifty-two acres of land in 1712. He was active in town and church affairs from 1746 to his death, July 21, 1769; was ensign of militia, and is described in the records as a smith. He married, June 26, 1717, Martha Boardman, born December 19, 1695, died December 14, 1780, daughter of Daniel and Hannah (Wright) Boardman, granddaughter of Samuel Boardman, of Cleydon, England, one of the first settlers of Wethersfield. Jesse Churchill, fourth son of Samuel Churchill, was born August
31, 1726, and lived in Wethersfield, except a short time in Bristol, until 1775, when he removed to Hubbardton, Vermont. There he took up wild land, built a log house, began a clearing, but was driven out by the Indian activities during the Revolution, and returned to Wethersfield,
now Newington, where he was many years deacon of the church, and died May 7, 1806 He married, in Farmington, November 8, 1750, Jerusha Gaylord, of that town, born July I, 1731, in Wallingford, Connecticut, daughter of Benjamin and Jerusha (Frisbie) Gaylord. Her third son, Levi Churchill, born December 15, 1759, in Newington, lived in Wethersfield, where he died February 12, 1836. He married, January 5, 1785, Hannah Belden, born May 30, 1769, in Wethersfield, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Rockwell) Belden. She was descended from
Richard Belden, who had eight parcels of land in Wethersfield, April 7, 1641, and died in 1655, leaving a large landed estate. His home was on Broad street at the corner of "the waye leading into the Great Playne." This was held by descendants to 1742, and was occupied in 1885 by James Smith. His son, John Belden, born about 1631, was a merchant and innholder, made freeman, 1657, and married Lydia, daughter of Thomas and Susanna (Francis) Standish. Her eldest child was John Belden, born June 12, 1658, died January 10, 1714; married, June 15, 1682, Dorothy Willard, born I663-4, died February 28, 1754, daughter of Josiah and Hannah (Hosmer) Willard. Her eldest child was Josiah Belden, born February 14, 1683, in Wethersfield, died September 5, 1746, in Rocky Hill. He served as lister and tithingman; married, May 1, 1707, Mabel Wright, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Butler) Wright, died October 11, 1767. Their third son, Solomon Belden, born May 22,
1722, in Wethersfield, was buried there, January 6, 1776. He married, June 27, 1768, Elizabeth Rockwell, and their eldest child was Hannah Belden, born May 30, 1769, who became the wife of Levi Churchill. Their third son was Levi Belden Churchill, born March 24, 1797, in
Wethersfield, and lived in that portion of the town known as Griswoldville. He married, June 27, 1816, Abigail Griswold, born August 23, 1798, daughter of Justus and Prudence (Wells) Griswold. Their third son, Stephen Belden Churchill, born June 21, 1830, married, May 5, 1857, Esther Amelia Blinn. Their third daughter, Emma Abigail Churchill, born August 24, 1862, became the wife of William Samuel Morris and the mother of nine children.