Y-DNA testing can be a powerful tool in genealogy research. Testing my paternal uncle and several male cousins has allowed me to focus my research on other Morris families that I know I am somehow related to; even if it is a distant relationship, I can know I am on the right track. I may not know how my 3rd great grandfather, John Jacky Morris, relates to these Morris families, but he does, and researching the matches hopefully will bring me closer to finding the Morris line that John Jacky belongs to.
This blog will cover a Morris family whose origins are found in Moore County, North Carolina and who my uncle and cousins have a Y-25 DNA match to. The tester has tested to Y-37 but is not showing as a match at that level. I believe if this kit were upgraded to Y-67 or higher (Y-111 or Big Y 700) the match would show up on the match list at the higher level. At a minimum, if the kit were joined to the Morris project at Family Tree DNA, I believe it would most likely be put in Group M29, where my Morris family is.
This Morris family very likely connects to Frederick Morris who shows up in Cumberland (now Moore and Lee) County, North Carolina in 1765 when Frederick purchased land on Juniper Creek from George Robards. You can read more about Frederick by clicking here.
John W. Morris was born about 1812, probably in Moore County, North Carolina. It seems likely he is the son of Stephen Morris whom he was living next door to from 1850 - 1880. John married Mary about 1840/1. She was born about 1823, probably also in Moore County. It is thought Mary’s maiden name is Black because Malcom and Catherine Black are living with her in 1860 and 1870 and are old enough to be her parents. Outside of the Census resource though, I can find no other connection between Malcom and Catherine Black and Mary.
According to the 1850 and 1860 Census, John and Mary had eight known children, although John’s 1886 will only names Catherine, Isabella, and Angus.
The 1850 Census records children Jane (1842), Catherine (1844), David (1845), Isabella (1847), Henry (1849), and Robert (1850).
In 1860, two additional children have been added, John W (1848) and Angus (1851).
In 1870 we learn that John and family are living in Pocket, Moore County in dwelling number 70. That area today is in Lee County, which formed from Moore County in 1907. Children living in the home are Catherine, John W, Angus, and 77-year-old Catherine Black. Malcom Black looks to have passed away between the 1860 and 1870 Census years.
Isabella married James Wesley (called J. W.) Oldham and is living next door. Stephen, age 83, is next door to J. W. and Isabella with Lucy, Nancy, Stephen, and a new name, Mary J, age 20, living in his household.
The 1880 Census shows John Morris was living in Pocket, Moore County, age 68, a farmer, and widowed. His children Catherine and Angus are living with him, but Mary looks to have passed away prior to 16 Jun 1880, the date the Census was taken. Living next door are Lucy and Nancy who were on the 1850 and 1860 Census with Stephen Morris who looks to have passed away as well. Jane McBryde, age 24, a niece, is living with them.
Angus Morris, the youngest son of John and Mary, married Callie Clark about 1884. Their son, Chandler was born about 1885. Three more sons would follow, Claude Lacy, born about 1886, Lawrence Carson, born about 1888, and Angus Milton, born about 1891. In 1894, Mary Elizabeth was born, the only girl. In 1896, Everton Lutterloah was born and the youngest, August was born in 1899.
Angus and his family settled on Big Juniper Creek in Moore County. The same place Frederick Morris settled in 1765.
The first tragedy struck in 1886 when taxes could not be paid. It looks like the family property might have been sold for taxes and costs.
In 1895, the second tragedy came when Angus, with counterparts, D. Clark and Bud Blalock were arrested by Marshals J. P. Scott and Joseph McIver who found the three operating an illicit distillery about the area of Pocket post office. They were bound over for the next term of federal court.
In 1900, Angus moved his family to a farm near Carthage. It seemed that life may have been getting back on track.
The third tragedy struck in 1903 when Angus died leaving Callie a widow with seven children. The oldest, Chandler was only 18 and the youngest, August, only 3 years.
The fourth tragedy visited this family when in 1906, Callie followed Angus to the grave. The children had lost both parents within three years. Mary and Everton lived in a Christian orphanage in Alamance County during their teen years.
Callie had remarried in 1905 to James Atlas “J. A.” Dickens. Her marriage license provides the name of her father, Newton Clark, but not the name of her mother. A. W. Clark, he also applied for the marriage license, and J. L. Clark were two of the witnesses present at the marriage. These may be brothers or other relatives of Callie.
I have not been able to find any more information on Chandler, the oldest, or August, the youngest.
Claude married Margaret Pipkin in 1915. They made their home in Randolph County but moved to Alamance County where Claude worked as a Laborer in the Cotton Mill Industry. He died in 1933.
Lawrence, who also looks to have served time in the military, married Lillian Bryant in 1919 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio. He looks to have worked as a Barber, owning his own business. He died in 1944. His obituary noted him as a beloved husband.
Angus married Lena Kiser before 1915 and the couple made their home in Davidson County, North Carolina. He worked in the Furniture business as a Sander. He died in 1936 at his home in Lexington.
This is the male line with the Y-DNA match to my Morris family.
The only daughter, Mary Elizabeth, married Jacob Adamee in 1915 and they settled down in Alamance County, North Carolina. She led an active life within her church for 47 years. Mary died unexpectedly in 1969.
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