Genealogy - Zechariah (Zacarriah) Morris
Zacarriah MORRIS was born May 24, 1793
(tombstone). It is said he was born in Georgia. Zacarriah died at his home in
East Fork Township, Clinton County, Illinois on May 23rd or 24th, 1846. He is buried
in Lutz Cemetery, Marion Co., Illinois. (The stones of Lutz Cemetery were destroyed
in 1965. Zacarriah Morris had given this land for a cemetery.) Rachel
(Zacarriah's wife) died August 21, 1846 (tombstone).
Zacarriah was the son of John and Elizabeth Morris of Jackson County,
Georgia as evidenced from the last Will and Testament of John Morris
which was written on June 27, 1810 and acknowledged in open court in Jackson County on
March 4, 1811 which we will assume is close to the day John Morris
died. He was survived by his wife Elizabeth, sons - Zachariah
and Jesse, and daughters - Polley Morris DUKE
(married to James Duke, January 13, 1806), Susannah, and
Salley, if we can assume his will mentions all of his family. (Jackson
Co. GA, Will Book A, page 36) Zacarriah married Rachel JONES, daughter of James Jones and Mary
WHALEY Jones, on November 23, 1811. (See marriage
records Jackson Co. GA Courthouse)
We are not sure of John Morris's origins although we could conjecture
that he may have migrated from North Carolina. There is no proof at this time, but
it has been said the Whaley's and the Jones migrated
down through Duplin Co. NC and the 1790 Census for Duplin County shows several families of
Morris, Jones, Whaley, PARKER and WARD. All of these family names figure into to later
family history and may have migrated to Illinois as well. The only possible
reference is to Mary Jones (Mary Whaley Jones?) whose
husband might have been away at the time of the census. There are a couple of Morris
families listed but no mention of John and Elizabeth. They may have been living in
one of these households but that is conjecture and not supported by fact. ("Flashes
of Duplin's History and Government", Chapter 10, page 105)
Marriage
Zacarriah Morris and Rachel Jones made application for marriage license Nov. 21, 1811 and were married in Jackson Co., GA on Nov. 23, 1811 by Joseph Camp J.P. (GA DAR published 1926, GA Archives, Atlanta, GA.)
Zacarriah Morris in the Illinois Territory
In 1812, Zacarriah Morris migrated to southern Illinois with his family. He settled in St. Clair County, Illinois, east of Lebanon, Illinois. (Probably Padfield Settlement, Fort Chambers)
1818 Census St. Clair Co., Illinois
Household of eight, No. 189, page 161, two white males over 21, all other
inhabitants white. (Edited by Theo. Colvin, Pease "?", University of Illinois) Zacarriah
Morris remained in St. Clair County until 1820.
1820 Census Bond Co., Illinois
(Reel No. 90, Page 7, Line 13)
2 - Males - under 10 years (Probably sons, William and James)
1 - Male - 18 to 26 - engaged in agriculture. (Probably brother Joseph
[some discrepancy here])
1 - Male - 26 to 45 - engaged in agriculture. (Zacarriah)
1 - Female - 26 to 45 - Rachel
This census was given as Perryville District, Bond County, Illinois. Zacarriah
Morris was on his way to Irishtown Township, Clinton County, Illinois. A large
settlement moved into Irishtown about 1823. ("Early History of Irishtown Township,
Clinton Co., Illinois" page 175, "History of Marion and Clinton Counties"
printed by Brink, McDonough and Co., Philadelphia, 1881)
1830 Census Irishtown Township, Clinton Co., Illinois
(Microfilm reel No. 19-23, page 104)
Male:
1 5 to 10 years (John, William was dead)
1 - 15 to 20 years (James)
1 - 30 to 40 years (Zacarriah)
1 - 40 to 50 years (unknown)
Female:
2 - Under 5 years (Mary and Lavina)
1 - 5 to 10 years (Salina)
1 - 30 to 40 years (Rachel)
Zacarriah Morris lived at the top of what was known as Neely Hill.
(Sec. 2 T 3 N - R 2 W) As late as 1915 there were rocks on that location that had
been part of an old fire place. John Morris, grandfather of Estella
SHERMAN, and son of Zacarriah, said that
three graves were on Neely Hill. From descendants of early Irishtown settlers,
stories have been told of Zacarriah Morris. Zacarriah
was a good carpenter, and had built a very good log cabin and outbuildings. In 1826,
Zacarriah killed an Indian who was lying in his sweet potato patch.
It is said that Zacarriah went out of his cabin one morning after a light
snow had fallen and saw Indian moccasin tracks. He gathered a group of men and they
followed until, at the end of two days, they found them sitting around a campfire.
Eight of the straggling Indians were killed and one escaped. Zacarriah was said to
be a large, very strong man. He was also described as stubborn, proud and
ambitious. He was also a good neighbor. (Betty DUCOMB,
whose mother, Betty MCNEIL RUSSELL, came from
Ireland, with her mother and three brothers in 1826 and settled in Irishtown Township)
In 1826, Zacarriah Morris served on Petit Jury with Neely McNeil
and James BURNSIDE. (Page 34, old Circuit Court
Records, County Clerks Office, Carlyle, Illinois)
Zacarriah Morris wanted a mill so Sept. 9,1832 he purchased land on East
Fork Creek in East Fork Township for his mill.
N. (Nathaniel) POPE to Z. Morris,
the N.E. ¼ of Sec. 13 T 3 N - R 1 W 160A for the sum of $200.
Nathaniel Pope and his wife Lucretia (by mark)
(Randolph Co., Illinois) signed this deed. Deed Book A, Page 342, County Clerks
Office, Carlyle, Illinois. (In the year 1809, Nathaniel Pope was
Secretary and Acting Governor of the Illinois Territory)
In the December, 1835 term of court, Zacarriah received a permit to build a mill on the
banks fo the East Fork Creek for a fee of $5.00. In conjunction with his
brother-in-law, John ROGERS, Zacarriah
constructed a water mill on the East Fork. This was the first mill built in the
township as well as the first for miles around. It contained on run of stone and ran
a sawmill in conjunction with the gristmill. The gristmill was still in operation in
1880.
March 21, 1834, Zacarriah Morris sold 25 acres to John Rogers
(part of Sec. 13). {Deed Book A, Page 570 and 571} Rachel was
not living with Zacarriah at this time and she had to sign
separately. "Be it remembered 21st, March 1834, Zacarriah Morris
appeared before Justices and acknowledged that, the deed to be his act, and of said wife,
of said Morris to be separated from her husband. Said wife examined by me, and said
that she had made the same freely and with her own consent to the end, the same might be
recorded as such. (Rachel and Zacarriah remained separated for
about one year) Given under her hand and seal. Bennett BIGGS
J .P. 13th March, 1846 James Morris, eldest son of Zacarriah.
In 1834, May 16th, John Rogers and wife Lavina sold the
above 25 acres to Thomas RAY. (Deed Book B - page
47)
In December term of court, Zacarriah Morris appointed Supervisor for
Road Work, Road #10 Salem to Martins Ferry to Thomas Rays on Vincennes
Road, 10 miles to William GIBBS, and thence to
the nearest point on the Kaskaskia River. Zacarriah continued to be appointed a
juror and received roadwork in East Fork Township.
(Note: John Rogers and wife, Lavina, moved south of
Patoka, Marion Co., Illinois. The site is not known where they lived. There
was supposedly a cemetery near by. (The cemetery has not been found.)
Zacarriah Morris attended the sale of son, James on May 2, 1846. (Box
164, Circuit Clerks office, Carlyle, Illinois)
On May 24, 1846, Zacarriah Morris died of Cholera (Cert. of death, Box
164, Circuit Clerks office, Carlyle, Illinois). He was buried in Lutz Cemetery with
members of his family. Zacarriah was said to be an influential citizen of East Fork
Township. He had the first mill for miles around and was the builder of many
roads. Zacarriah also gave land for the some of the first schools and churches of
the area.
Zacarriah and Rachel are said to have had eleven
children, James, Salina, John, Mary, Lavina, Rachel, and Joseph are know
of.
Last Will and Testament of John Morris (Father of Zachariah)
In the name of God, Amen, I John Morris of the State of Georgia and Jackson County being sick and weak of body but of sound and perfect and disposing mind and memory blessed be God, do this twenty-seventh day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ten, make and ordain this my last will and testament in the manner and form following. ____ I give and commend my soul to almighty God who gave it, and my body I wish to be buried in the earth, at the discretion of my executor, hereafter to be named and my worldly goods I give and desire and dispose of in the following manner.
Item, my will and desire is that all my just debts be paid by my executors out of my estate.
Item, I give and desire to my son Zachariah one certain bay horse known by the name of Jolly, also our cow and calf known as Pride.
Item, My will and desire is that my daughter Sally Morris and Susannah Morris shall have each of them a cow and calf when they come of age.
Item, I give to my daughter Polley DUKE one certain heifer known by the name of Brindy.
Item, I give and desire to my son Jesse one heifer known by the name of Libby.
Item, I give and desire to my beloved wife Elizabeth Morris my land and tenaments and plantation tools and household furniture. Also our sorrel mare known by the name of Irish (?) also the whole stock of cattle and hogs all for the use of the widow and orphans during her life or widowhood.
Item, I will and desire for the wagon to be sold upon a credit with as much other property as will defray all my debts and I do hereby nominate, constitute, and appoint Frederick THOMPSON, Eli WHALEY, and the a foresaid Elizabeth Morris, Joint Executors and execute to this my last will and testament ratifying this and this only to be my last will and nullifying all other wills and testaments by me heretofore made witness my hand and on the date above signed sealed and acknowledged in the presence of
Joseph CAMP
William NICHOLS
His
John
X Morris
Mark
Georgia
Jackson County
Personally came into open court Joseph Camp and William Nichols
and being duly deposith and sworn saith that they did see the within named John
Morris sign seal and acknowledge the within to be his last Will and Testament and
that they were witnesses to the same. Sworn to in open court this 4th day of March
1811.
Edward Adams - clerk Joseph
Camp
William Nichols
[This last will and testament was typed from a copy of the original, (photocopied in
the county courthouse of Jackson Co., Georgia) by Michael James Morris,
son of Carroll Don Morris whose father was Millard James Morris
whose father was Frank Morris, whose father was William Morris,
whose father was John Morris, whose father was Zachariah Morris.
I believe we were all eldest sons of the eldest sons. (An interesting fact but not really
relevant.) Please forgive any misspellings or punctuation errors. I tried to
leave most errors intact from the original but every so often I could not resist putting a
comma in or correcting an error. There were also several places where the words
could not be clearly read since this was a handwritten document. I believe I guessed
correctly in most cases.]
Submitted by Mike J. Morris
Clinton County Biography Index