DOUGLASS MORRISON
Douglass Morrison was born 1765 in New Castle Delaware. He was the youngest son of Robert Morrison and Ann Douglass. Robert had been born on a farm in White Clay Creek hundred. After his marriage in moved to New Castle where Douglass was born. However, while still na infant, the family moved back to the farm at the death of Douglass' grandfather, Neal Morrison. re History of the Morrison Family by Leonard Allison Morrison
Douglass Morrison wed Elizabeth
Wilson in 1796. There were many Wilsons
in White Clay Creek area, but I cannot connect her to any
specific family. One of my brickwalls. You
know the answer CONTACT
US. Interestingly, Douglass was the
only child of Robert and Ann Morrison's 6 children
to marry.
Douglas began by keeping a hardware store in
New Castle. but when his father, Robert
died, Douglass returned to the homestead to farm.
I'm not sure if that was before or after his marriage to Elizabeth.
Douglass and Elizabeth Morrison had 7 known
children:
1. George Morrison, born Jan 15, 1797. He wed
Eliza A. Lovell of Baltimore in 1823. He died April
19, 1837 in Baltimore. He had served in War
of
1812
was a Presbyterian minister.
2. Annie Morrison, who died at birth and her
twin, re the History of the Morrison Family
3. Catherine - who was always known as
Catherine Ann.
Born Dec. 18, 1800, wed William
Kelley. She died in 1891.
4. Matilda Morrison born June 11, 1805, she
married first William Hawthorn in 1830, he died
1840, she wed 2nd James Henry 1842. she died
1875
5. David Morrison born Sept 13, 1808 was
said to live to be over 90 years old.
6. Robert Morrison no date given in the
History, he died at age of 14.
7. Elizabeth Morrison, born in 1815. She wed
James McCoy in 1834.
The 1800 Census for White clay Creek Hundred page 3 or
4 has D. Morrison and brothers:
1 male < 10 George
1 male 10-16
1 male 16-25
3 males 26-44 Douglass - age 35,
probably Robert and David Morrison
1 female <10 unknown girl
2 females 10-16 2 unknown girls
2 females 26-44 Ellizabeth ? (she
should have been 23) & unknown female
The is a real puzzle. The original entry says "D
Morrison & Brothers" I'm guessing that the
D stands for David? It would appear to be at least 2
families living together, with maybe a 3rd brother, but
then that would suggest another of the brothers actually
wed and had a family. Two other entries on the page
are also of interest ie."John Wilson, miller"
Could this have been Elizabeth's father? and
Nathan McCoy, possibly father of James McCoy
who daughter Elizabeth eventually married.
There is also a Samuel Morrison, > 45.
This was probably his uncle, brother of Robert
Morrison.
Scharf's History of Delaware has Robert
Morrison on 1804 Assessment list of White Clay Creek
Hundred along with David and Douglass Morrison.
So those are probably the 3 males 26-44 on the 1800
Census. Scharf also noted that Douglass was
a ruling elder of White Clay Presbyterian church from 1826
- 1839.
I believe the farm was on the south side of White Clay
Creek near present day Ogletown. By 1893 a James
Morrison owned land on the south side of Old Red
Mill Lane, 113 acres. Delaware Recorder of Deeds.
Then there were 3 properties at a little distance from the
said farm owned by W., S. & S.W. Morrison
found on a map of White Clay Creek with ownership showing
I believe from Wilmington Center Directory c 1900.page
25.
The 1830 Census for White Clay Creek Hundred
has Doulass Morrison with 7 males and 4
females. As best as I can they were:
male <5
unknown boy
male 10-15 unknown
boy
2 males 20-30 David &
unknown man
1 male 30 -40 unknown man
2 males 60 - 70 Douglass &
unknown man
1 female 15-20 Elizabeth
(daughter)
1 female 20-30 Matilda
1 female 40-50 Elizabeth (wife)
It is possible that the 10-15 year old boy was son Robert,
but then he would have been born after Elizabeth
not before. There are still 3 unknown men and 1 boy
I cannot account for. Possibly Douglass'
brothers - who had never married?
Elizabeth Wilson Morrison at the age of 54 in
1831. Douglass continued quite a while as a widower, but
on Oct. 17, 1843 he wed Jane Morrison of New Castle,
Delaware. It waas reported in Delaware Gazette
on Oct. 27, 1843.
Douglass Morrison was a Democrate. He
died on the homestead" Sept 5, 1849 in his 84th year",
from his tombstone. He was said to be a
"worthy and respected man.". He was buried at White
Clay Creek Presbyterian Church Cemetery next to his
first wife Elizabeth.
His 2nd wife, Jane lived until Nov. 13,
1862. Dying at the age of 76. I don't know where she
lived after the death of Douglass. I don't
know what happened to the farm after his death.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
If you know the answer please CONTACT US
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Date Dec. 5, 2019
Date edited Dec 29, 2019