Descendants of John Morris Henderson Co. TX

Generation No. 1

1. JOHN1 MORRIS1 was born April 08, 1811 in Georgia, and died November 07, 1873 in Henderson
County, Texas. He married (1) ANN MARIAH ROBERTS1 February 15, 1836 in Talapoosa County,
Alabama. She was born September 03, 1819 in South Carolina, and died May 23, 1861 in Smith County,
Texas. He married (2) SARAH ANN MCDONALD1 October 28, 1863 in Smith County, Texas. She was
born March 11, 1837, and died July 01, 1906.

Notes for JOHN MORRIS:
Marriage record to Ann Mariah Roberts, lists Tolbert Hatcher as bondsman, and D. G. Watson as Clerk of
Court.

John and wife, Ann Mariah were charter members of Sharon Baptist Church in Jamestown, Texas (There
are several Jamestown's in Texas, both past & present. May be the present town north of Van, Texas; or a
former town, no longer existing, outside of present day Owentown, Texas.)

Had 8 children with first wife, Ann Mariah, and 5 children with second wife, Sarah Ann. His last child
was born 3 months after his death.

Came to Texas in 1847. Found in 1850 Rusk County, Texas census, Page 529, lines 25+. Per census
occupation is farmer, owned land valuing $1000.

Found in 1860 Smith County, Texas census, page 9A, Canton Beat, Troup Post Office. Occupation
Farmer, owned land valuing $1700, total personal value $3000.

Found in 1870 Henderson County Census, page 292, Precinct 4, Athens township.

His Last Will and Testament in Henderson County, is dated 20 September 1873.....

In the name of God, Amen. I, John Morris of the State of Texas and County of Henderson, do
make and ordain and declare this instrument to be my last Will and Testament revoking all others.

Imprimis:   All my just debts to be paid after which I give and bequeath to John R. Morris Five
(5) Dollars in gold coin, also, to my second son, I give and bequeath Five (5) Dollars in gold coin. Also to
my third son, William H. Morris, I give and bequeath Five (5) Dollars in gold coin. Also to my fourth son
Robert T. (I believe) I give and bequeath Five (5) Dollars in gold coin. Also to my fifth son, Samuel N.
Morris, I give and bequeath Five (5) Dollars in gold coin. Also to my Grandson, Elbert Friday, Son of
Godfrey Friday and Mary F. Friday, dec., I give and bequeath Five (5) Dollars in gold coin.

Item:   To my dearly beloved wife, Sarah A. Morris, I give and bequeath the use, profits and management
of my whole estate, both personal and real, during her natural life.

Item:   Upon the decease of my wife Sarah A. Morris, it is my will and desire that her own children shall
have all of her estate both personal and real that she may die in possession of which is to be divided
equally among them.

I, John Morris, do hereby acknowledge the within to be my last will and testament in witness of all and
each of the things and Items herein contained. I have here unto set my hand and seal this 20th day of
September in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Seventy Three using scrolls for
seals.

Attest: William ? his
Attest: J R Thacker John X    Morris
Attest: W S Thacker mark

A Codicil

Upon the decease of Sarah A. Morris, my wife, all the property real and personal, that she may die in
possession of, is to be equally divided between the following heirs, to wit:   Rhuemma E. Morris, Jesse Lee
Morris, Olivia A. Morris, Alma F. Morris.

End of document............

The W S Thacker who witnessed the will is, I believe, the husband of Molly McDonald who married a
William S. Thacker. Molly being Sarah Ann's daughter by first marriage.

Notes for ANN MARIAH ROBERTS:
Died May 23, 1861, daughter Siccilla died May 26, 1861, daughter Mary Frances Morris Friday died June
2, 1861, suggesting an epidemic. Burial site not yet located, but suggested in Smith County, Texas.

Children of JOHN MORRIS and ANN ROBERTS are:
i. MARY FRANCES2 MORRIS1, b. July 30, 1837, Alabama; d. June 02, 1861, Smith
County, Texas; m. GODFREY FRIDAY2; b. Abt. 1827, South Carolina.

Notes for MARY FRANCES MORRIS:
Not listed on Smith County, Texas 1860 Census. May have died before census, or may have been away at
hospital?

Notes for GODFREY FRIDAY:
Personal value at $800 per 1860 Smith County Census, page 9A-9B.

ii. SISCILLA MORRIS3, b. December 01, 1839, Alabama; d. May 26, 1861.
iii. JOHN ROBERTSON MORRIS, SR.3, b. June 07, 1842, Alabama; d. December 19,
1909, Smith County, Texas; m. (1) CATHERINE ELLEN FORD; b. September 19, 1844; d. March 04,
1928, Smith County, Texas; m. (2) MARTHA A. PINKERTON4; b. September 17, 1848, Tennessee; d.
October 31, 1885, Smith County, Texas.

Notes for JOHN ROBERTSON MORRIS, SR.:
Served in the 14th Texas Cavalry during the Civil War. His Mother and two sisters died during the civil
war. His dad remarried and he did not know this until after the war was over. When he returned and
discovered these facts, he left and lost contact with his family after this. Must have gone back east for a
time as was in Coosa County, Alabama in 1872.

Married twice. Buried at Bascom Cemetery on FM 848 north of Whitehouse, Texas. Wives buried there
too. Has Masonic Marker.

iv. JAMES B. MORRIS5, b. July 20, 1845, Alabama; d. 1921.
v. JEPHTHA HARRIETT MORRIS5, b. November 08, 1848, Texas; d. February 26, 1849,
Texas.
vi. WILLIAM HOUSTON MORRIS6, b. January 28, 1850, Rusk County, Texas; d. April
16, 1922, Dallas, Dallas County, Texas; m. (1) SARAH WILLIAMS, August 05, 1870, Van Zandt
County, Texas; b. April 28, 18527; d. December 19, 1873, Van Zandt County, Texas7; m. (2) MARY
ELIZABETH "BETTY" BOHANNAN8, December 05, 1877, Van Zandt County, Texas; b. April 13,
1861, Van Zandt Co., Texas; d. March 13, 1925, Van Zandt County, Texas.

Notes for WILLIAM HOUSTON MORRIS:
First wife, Sarah Williams, died in child birth with their second child.
According to family legend, William Houston went to court the widow living up the road, Nancy
Bohannan, and instead, married her daughter, Mary Elizabeth. He was very good to his mother-in-law
through the years, and she repaid them by deeding her land to them.

Brother, John R. Morris buried Bascom Cemetery, on FM 848, Smith County, Texas.

Huse was a farmer and rancher, operated one of the first cotton gins in the area, had a grist mill, and
operated a general store.

More About WILLIAM HOUSTON MORRIS:
Occupation: Farmer

Notes for MARY ELIZABETH "BETTY" BOHANNAN:
Family legend says that William Houston Morris was a widower, living up the road, who had come to
court Nancy Bohannan, who was the widowed mother of Mary Elizabeth and her sister Ann. He instead
married the daughter, Mary Elizabeth.

Was 16 years old when married William Houston Morris in 1877. William Houston was 27 years old,
Nancy Bohannan was 35 years old.

vii. ROBERT T. MORRIS9, b. October 10, 1852, Texas.
viii. SAMUEL STINSON MORRIS9, b. November 12, 1856; d. 1908; m. MARY REBECCA
JONES10, April 23, 1885, Van Zandt County, Texas.

Notes for MARY REBECCA JONES:
Buried Edom Cemetery, Edom, Texas

Children of JOHN MORRIS and SARAH MCDONALD are:
ix. RHUEMMA E.2 MORRIS11, b. August 08, 1864; d. January 1889; m. C. J. SMITH.
x. JESSE LEE MORRIS11, b. June 08, 1866; d. August 16, 1878.
xi. OLIVIA A. MORRIS11, b. June 02, 1869; d. January 06, 1952; m. T. G. RODDY, July
17, 1889, Mabank, Texas; b. Mabank, Texas.
xii. ALMA MORRIS11, b. June 09, 1871; d. February 27, 1956; m. W. J. DRENNAN,
Mabank, Texas.
xiii. BEATRICE MORRIS11, b. February 01, 1874; d. 1923; m. BUD JOHNSON.

Notes for BEATRICE MORRIS:
Had 6 children.

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