George Morris (burgess)

George Morris (23 October 1616 – c. 1685) was a surveyor, planter, military officer and member of the House of Burgesses for New Kent County.^[1] George was also the progenitor of the Morris Family of Virginia, and a member of the Morris of Suffolk.

George Morris
Member of the House of Burgesses
In office 1680–1682
Constituency	New Kent County
Personal details
Born	23 October 1616 City of London, England
Died	c. 1685 Virginia Colony
Spouse	Eleanor Morris
Children	William Morris, Catherine Morris (1638–1713)
Parent(s)	Richard Morris and Anne
Occupation	Surveyor, Planter, Military Officer, Politician
Military service
Allegiance	British Empire
Rank	Major

Early life and family

Born in the City of London on 23 October 1616, and was baptized on 1 November 1616 at St Mildred, Poultry, City of London, England. George was the son of Richard Morris and Anne, and grandson of Richard Morris Esq, a London merchant^[2] who served as Master of the Worshipful Company of Ironmongers. The arms of Morris, "vert., a stag trippant, or"^[2] George's cousin was Ralph Morris (son of Richard's brother, George), Lord of Helmingham Hall, who was observed bearing his father's coat at the "Visitation of Suffolk in 1612."^[3]

George's aunt Mary Morris was the Countess Dover who first married Sir William Cockayne, Lord Mayor of London in 1619.^[4] Her second marriage was to Henry Carey, Fourth Lord Hunsdon and First Earl of Dover.^[5] According to historical records, seven generations from Mary Morris, Countless of Dover from 1565 - 1648 resulted in 7 Generations consisting of 67 People, 2 Duchesses, 2 Dukes, 7 Countesses, 5 Earls, 4 Viscounts, 2 Viscountesses, 2 Baronesses, 1 Baron, 1 Baronet.^[6]

George married Eleanor Morris, and had at least one son William and a daughter, Catherine (1638–1713). William's wife Eleanor Morris was accused of witchcraft in a 1695 Virginia Witch Trial in King & Queen County by fellow settler Anne Ball wife of William Ball. Eleanor was found not-guilty, and in June 1695 filed a defamation suit in neighboring Essex County that Ball pay 5,000 pounds of tobacco in damages. The jury ruled in favor of Eleanor but reduced the sum to 500 pounds of tobacco.^[7]

Virginia career and land grants

It is unclear what event prompted George to move to the James River, but it could have been 1649, sailing alongside fellow Cavaliers including Major Morrison. He is mentioned in a court filing on 4 April 1661 between Harquip, chief of the Chickahomini tribe, as having surveyed a 743-acre tract alongside Lt. Col. Abrahall and James Cole on property claimed by Philip Mallory.^[8] On 2 March 1661, George Morris was requested by Lt. Col. Nathaniel Bacon to survey land claimed by Capt. Martin Palmer and John Prosyer concerning one-thousand acres.^[9]

On 14 December 1660, George Morris alongside John Pigge received 1,000 acres in New Kent County as payment for transporting 20 persons.

In 1662, then acting governor of Virginia, Francis Morrison Esq., with the consent of the Council of State granted George Morris and William Lane 2,500 acres of land in Rappahannock County. As part of the agreement, Morris and Lane agreed to transport 40 settlers from England.^[10]

19 July 1663, George Morris received 1,350 acres New Kent Co. on the North side of the Mattaponi River part thereof on the branches of Chescaack Path, the land bordered that of Anthony Arnold, payment for the transport of 15 persons. Arnold was hung on 14 March 1667 for participation in the Bacon Rebellion.

A second transaction was recorded on 19 July 1663, George Morris received 933 acres also in New Kent Co., described as "South Side of Narrows of York River upon branches of Black Creek, beginning at a corner Tree by Westover Path belonging to land of Mr. Jones and Jonathan Higby, formerly William Pullams, along land of Mr. Brereton and Anthony Arnold."

1667: 1,600 Acres. A joint grant with John Long, located on branches of Major Andrew Gilson's Creek, payment for transporting 32 settlers.

29 Apr 1668: George Morris, 860 acres, New Kent County, Stratton Major Parish, on north side of Mattapony River, by an Indian path to John Madison's house, adjoining Anthony Arnell.

8 May 1674, for 3,000 acres in (Old) Rappahannock County.^[11]

1679: 700 acres in Rappahannock County.

In 1680, George Morris founded the Jasmine Plantation located in Providence Forge. It was used as the Headquarters for the Revolutionary Army in 1779 by General George Washington.^[12]

1683: 5,000 Acres located within New Kent and Rappahannock County for transporting 40 settlers.

Of those that Morris sponsored, some were members of his extended family including Edward Morris, Anne Morris, Mary Morris, and William Morris.

Bacon's rebellion and House of Burgesses

From 1676 to 1677, Nathaniel Bacon attempted to overthrow the governor William Berkeley. Morris, a Royalist and friend of Berkeley, served as a Major either before or during the revolt.

Among the co-conspirators were John Langston, who was a member of the House of Burgesses for New Kent. Langston was expelled^[13] and George Morris took his place beginning on 9 June 1680,^[1] serving on the Private Causes Committee.^[14] On George's swearing in he was listed as Major George Morris. "Major George Morris tooke the Oathes of Alleigance & Supremacie and ye oath of a Burgess which was administered to him by Mr Secretary Spencer & Colonel William Cole"^[15]

Morris served alongside Charles Turner. Morris served as a member from 1680 until 1682 and stepped down likely due to his health. He was replaced by John West. George died around 1685. West also served during the revolt as a captain.

Of the 1,000 troops, George's cousin from Suffolk, William Morris came as part of the force. William was commissioned on 4 March 1676^[16] and served as Adjutant in Colonel Herbert Jeffery's Regiment commanding seventy soldiers.^[17][18] In 1678 the regiment returned to England but left five officers and 2015 soldiers as a contingent. Captain William Morris remained in military service until 1680-81 before returning to England. William Morris obtained permission from the Robert Spencer, Earl of Sunderland, Secretary of State to Lord Culpeper dated at Whitehall on 22 September 1680, "Conveying His Majesty's Pleasure that Mr. William Morris "of the Middle Plantation in Virginia" should be given leave to return to England on private matters." William never returned to Virginia. His wife Frances filed a petition on his behalf during his time in Virginia.^[19]