morris/morrison

page #2

 
 

A continuation of Alice May Bond’s ancestors

Genevieve “Eva” Morris, nee Morrison, Born in Steamburg NY April 15, 1863, died in Geneva NY Oct. 19, 1924. Buried in Clifton Springs [NY] Cemetery. She was the last of 11 children born to Harrison Morrison & Adelaide Needham. See below. She was the mother of Willow Wave Morris/Bond/Lane/Champlin & grandmother of the authors mother Alice May Bond/Blakesley/Bardeen. According to Alice, she always looked like this right up till she died, Always dressed with hair done, jewels & light make up. At a very young age she was accidentally tipped out of a baby carriage & suffered a serious injury. As a result she never was able to walk. She got around in a wheel chair & on crutches.. In spite of this she married George [2] at about age 19 or 20 & was a widow at about age 36. She raised 6 children, did all her own housework, lived in her own home right up to the end & still kept herself looking like a lady.

   A clue to her character may be found in a post card sent to daughter Willow Wave. The card is postmarked Jan. 24, 1919, 2 PM Geneva ,NY. Addressed to Mrs. Ben Lane [Wave]  RD# 4 Dundee NY. It says: ” Wave, be sure and meet the train tomorrow [Sat] night for i surely will be on it.  Ma”. She sent the card at two in the afternoon on Friday & expected Wave to receive it on Saturday ? Wave did get the card & if it arrived on time, i have no doubt Wave was at the station when “MA” arrived. Sounds like a tough bird to me.

In 1953 the author took his grandmother Willow Wave Morris, then Champlin, to see her Uncle Frank Morris in Corry PA. He was living there with his second wife also named Grace. They probably were living at the So. Centre St. address. They were a fine old couple in their mid 80s. She was unable to walk. He picked her up & carried her where ever she needed to go ! While there the author & Wave went to Guys Mills near Corry where she said she was born. At the right she is next to the well her father dug. She was 57 when the photo was taken in 1953. Her obituary said she was born in Erie Co., PA. Guys Mills is in Crawford Co., PA

The men above are believed to be Morris brothers. Left: George [2] husband of Genevieve. Right: Frank [aka C. Frank]. The pretty lady above is Grace Morris first wife of Frank.

Address on the back: Mrs. C. Frank Morris, 703 South Centre St. Corry, PA

Left hand photo: In back at left, Cecil Morris [1888 - 1976] ,  Willow Wave Morris [1896 - 1981] at right. Little girl, Cecil’s daughter Dorothy who later married Wave’s stepson, Harry Lane. Man is unknown. Probably Cecil’s 1st husband John Ballaon. Others were Golden, Kehi & Davenport. Right hand photo: Probably Cecil. Certainly looks like her. 

                                                          Genevieve Morrison’s Ancestors

                                                                                 Notes

Information for Morrisons comes from 4 main sources:

1 - A book entitled “Samuel Morrison of Bucks & Lycoming Counties Pennsylvania and Some of His Descendants” by E. J. Sage published in 1936.     

2 - Family Search LDS, A Mormon web site

3 - Find - A - Grave website

4 - The author visits to historical sites

Harrison J. Morrison.

Steamburg Cemetery.

No photo for Adelaide.

James [Jr] & Abigail Morrison in Oakland Cemetery, Pleasant Township near Warren Village, PA

1 - Parents of Genevieve Morrison Morris

Harrison J. Morrison born in Warren, PA March 23, 1817. Married Adelaide Needham Oct. 31, 1836 in Smethport PA. She was born in Bradford, PA July 14, 1818.

There is a mystery here. Genevieve’s death certificate says Adelaide was her mother, but her fathers name was Alonzo Morrison. The Sam Morrison book lists Genevieve as the 11th child of Harrison & Adelaide Morrison. Genevieve’s son Harold supplied the information for her death certificate. He may have gotten the name mixed up with a man named Alonzo Kent who married Genevieve’s older sister Betsey. Harrison & Adelaide spent the first nine years of married life at Kinzua PA. In 1845 they moved to Wisconsin. Their 4th child, Betsey, was born that year. They returned to Warren PA in 1847. In the spring of 1849 Harrison took a load of lumber by raft to New Orleans. He left Adelaide & their 5 children behind. A 6th one had died. The youngest of the ones left behind was born in 1849. After selling his lumber he took passage on a sailing ship to Panama. There, he & one guide, crossed the isthmus on foot. On the Pacific side he took a ship to San Francisco. He spent three years in the gold fields along  the Feather River. Apparently he didn’t strike it rich because he returned home in 1852. In 1853 the family moved to South Valley Township, Cattaraugus Co. NY. In the spring of 1865 they moved to Steamburg, Cattaraugus Co. Harrison died there Feb. 1, 1867 at age 50. He is buried in Steamburg Cemetery in Cold Spring Township. He left behind his widow age 49 & four young children ages 3, 8, 12 & 16. Five older children also survived him. Two died young.  In spite of having 11 children, being left behind while Harrison traveled & moving several times, Adelaide outlived him almost 30 years. She died at age 78 on April 7, 1896.  She was on a visit to her daughter [probably Betsey Kent] in Norfolk VA when she died & is buried there. Cemetery unknown. She had great genes.

2 - James Morrison Jr. born July 11, 1778. Born in Northumberland County [now Lycoming County, PA]. Married Abigail Murdock [or Meddick] about 1798. She was born in New Jersey  Feb. 12, 1780. He was a man of means, owning two farms [185 & 65 acres ] in Mead Township, Warren Co. PA, a large house located on Morrison & Levee St. in Warren Village & 1/3 owner of a sawmill with brothers Sam & Jeremiah. He also served as county commissioner in 1833. He died in Warren Co. Oct. 25, 1854. Abigail died in Warren Co.  Jan. 21, 1855. They had 11 or 12 children. Harrison [1] was number 9.

More about Morrison family see LINK  MORRISONS