ROBERT MORRISON
Robert Morrison was born 1723 on a farm in
White Clay Creek Hundred of New Castle
Delaware. He was the son of Neil Morrison. His
mother is unknown. The farm had been in the family for
many generations before Robert's birth. It
lay on the south side of White Clay Creek near present
day Ogletown.
There is a lovely story in Chapter 19 of History of
the Morrison Family by Leonard Allison Morrison and F.
W. L. Thomas
that tells of Robert being in new Castle at
the age of 25, ie 1747, where he had hauled wood from the
family farm to sell. There he met Ann Douglass, who was
preparing to return to her native Scotland. He
proposed marriage, she accepted and they were immediately
married. They returned to the farm in all the
grandeur that cart drawn by oxen would allow.
Soon thereafter Robert and his bride moved to New Castle
where he became a merchant re the History. Another
source says he was a black smith. The History
stated that Robert and Ann Morrison had 6
known children. they were:
1. Isaac, born 1748 who lived to 1791.
2. David, born 1753 who lived to 1829, He
served in Revolution and was not known to marry, but I
believe he may have.
3. Martha, born 1756 who lived to 1823
4. Susannah born 1759 who lived to 1799
5. Robert born 1760,
6. Douglass born 1765
who lived to 1849, and married Elizabeth Wilson
From the History, page 157 is noted a Deed, dated
Nov. 7, 1759: Samuel Morrison of White Clay
Creek Hun. in county of New Castle on Delaware, a sadler,
and Jane, Saumel's wife, sold to Robert
Morrison, blacksmith, of the town and county of New
Castle, for the sum of 103 pounds, one full equal half
part of the land originally purchased by Hugh Morrison,
then conveyed to Neil Morrison, the eldest son of
Hugh. It was the 170 acres of the White Clay
Creek farm mentioned as the family farm. Samuel
Morrison was Neil's brother. So 85
acres now belonged to Robert.
When Douglass still an infant, the family
moved back to the farm at the death of Robert's
father, Neal Morrison. re History of the
Morrison Family by Leonard Allison Morrison.
Robert Morrison served as
an elder in the White Clay Creek Presbyterian
Church. His father had been an original member
there. Generations of the family is buried in
it's cemetery.
Douglas was 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.
However, his marriage was 1796 and by the 1800 census Douglass
was living with his brothers on the farm.
Robert Morrison, took an active part in the
Revolution. He was also robbed of a large number of
cattle by British soldiers. Probably on their way to
the Battle of the Brandywine. Scharf History I
think. This history also said that he died
when in fell off a log. He is buried probably at
White Clay Creek Presbyterian Church Cemetery.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
If you know the answer please CONTACT US
1. There is a Deed at Recorder of Deeds, dated May 25, 1780 where Robert Morrison and wife Ann sold some of the farm land. I need to read that again. for the farm continued in the family.
2. there is a story that Douglass was only child to marry. Is that true?
3. Find the Scharf reference to his Revolutionary activities and death.
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Date Dec. 7, 2019
Date edited 7/30/2024