The thought process of a genealogy detective…

William Ascar/Augustus Morrison

Information I had- The marriage license of Julius W. Abernethy, Sr.
(book 29  page 339  Clerk of Court office, Newton, NC)

• Julius W. Abernethy, Sr., age 53,  is the son of Julius Franklin Abernethy and Mary Alice Whitener of Newton, Catawba County, NC both deceased.
• Willie Maye Morrison, as being the daughter of William Augustus Morrison and Jauneta Williams of Newton, Catawba County, NC both living.
• witnesses were Laura Abernethy and Robert J. Danehy of Newton, Catawba County, NC

marriage date: 2-17-1945 makes his birthday 1892.

William Ascar Morrison, I decided to start with his death certificate, which I located on Ancestry.com. It names his father as Col. William A. Morrison and for a mother, someone typed Amanda, then blacked it out. Spouse- Juanita Williams. So I went to look for William Ascar Morrison in the 1880 Alexander County, NC Census since his Death Cert. says he was born 1 Jan 1872 on Alexander County, NC. He would have been about 8 yrs old and should have been living with his parents if they were still living and any possible siblings he might have had. Unfortunately a search with the available information I have so far, did not locate anyone living in Alexander Co. that could have been him. So next I looked at each page in Millers Twp. (where most of the Morrison’s lived) and Sharpes Twp. again no luck. I also looked in Concord Twp. Iredell County, and no William A. that fits the bill. I still have some additional Twp.’s in Alexander and Iredell to look at, so it’s still possible I might find him in 1880.

So then I thought I would try to find him in the 1900 Census and I had better luck.

1900 NC Alexander Co., Miller’s Twp. 0004

134/136 Morrison, William A        27, Head  b. NC
Neta                 26, wife     b. NC
Willie May         2, dau     b. NC

Living next Door
135/137  Morrison, L Clementine    68,wd  b. NC
Amanda                         47 dau. b. NC
Prudence C.                  48 dau.  b. NC
William B.                     20 Grandson b. NC
Roberta                          15 Granddau b. NC

living next Door
136/138   Morrison, Amanda         52 b. NC
Loula                          34 b. NC
Maggie E.                   26 b. NC
Jamie                            2 b. NC (female)

Okay, so what did this information tell me. Well that I was on the right track.  William A. is the William Ascar Morrison we are looking for, his wife Juanita “Neta” and their daughter, Willie May. Usually when there are people of the same Surnames living next door to each other in a Census there is a good possibility (but not always) there is a family connection involved. The next family was easy for me to identify since I had done quite a lot of research on them. The L. Clemetine Morrison is Louisa Clemetine Gibson who married Alfred Thomas  “Oph” Morrison, the Amanda is for their daughter, Harriet Amanda Morrison, who according to her death Cert. died unmarried. She is buried in the Concord Baptist Church Cemetery, in Alexander Co., NC not to be confused with the Concord Presbyterian Ch Cem. in Loray, NC. The Prudence is for another of Alfred and Louisa’s daughters, Prudence C. “Prude” Morrison, and her two illegitimate children, William Bois Morrison, and Roberta Morrison. Prudence had both children by an unkown father, according to their Death Certificates, and on William Bois Morrison’s death Cert. where it says name of father it has Illegitimate son.

Next is the family of Amanda Morrison, 52, her two daughters, Loula 34, and Maggie E. and a Granddaughter Jamie 2 yrs. old. At first I thought this could be the mother of William Ascar Morrison, but now I am not so sure, let me try and explain. One family tree on Ancestry.Com states that William Acsar Morrison is the son of Col. William A Morrison, and a Amanda Miller. Unfortunately there was no further information given for the parents. I tried to locate a marriage record between a William A. Morrison and an Amanda Miller, no luck. So then I started to look for a Amanda b. about 1848, NC that might be the one in the 1900 Census above. And I came up with Amanda M. ‘Mandy” Morrison Born 31 May 1845 Iredell Co., NC died 12 Aug 1916, Millers Twp. Alexander Co., NC buried at New Sterling ARP Church Cem. She is a Sister to Alfred Thomas “Oph” Morrison, and a daughter to Andrew Claiborn Morrison and Louisa Eliza Miller. Then I looked for the children of the Amanda Morrison age 52 in the 1900 Census and I found the death Certificate for a Mrs. Alice Louise Morrison b. Apr 1866 Alexander County, NC died 30 Mar 1947 Iredell Co., NC buried New Sterling ARP Cem. Father; Amos Morrison, Mother: Amanda Miller. Informant: Mrs. Wade Murdock (More on her later). Okay, now what’s going on here? The death Certificate says Mrs. Alice Louise Morrison and that she is a housewife, but then in box 6a where it says to check for Single, Married, or divorced, there is an S for single. So is she single or married?

Next in the 1910 NC Alexander Co., Millers Twp., 0004

19/19 Morrison, Amanda     64, single b. NC
Lula A.       42, dau single b. NC
Themla B.    7,  niece b. NC

20/20 Morrison, Amanda H.  57, Head of household Single b. NC
Prudence   54, single sister b. NC
Boice W     29, nephew

Okay, again Harriett Amanda Morrison, and Prudence C. Morrison, unmarried daughters of Alfred Thomas “Oph” Morrison, and his illegitimate grandson, and the yet to be identified Amanda Morrison, possibly the daughter of Andrew Claiborn Morrison or now more likely Amanda (Millier) Morrison, wife of Amos Morrison, maybe William Amos Morrison.

So could the Alice Louise Morrison in the above death Certificate be the same Lula A. Morrison daughter of Amanda in the 1900 and 1910 Censuses? Yes, it could, and here is why? Remember when I said the informant for Alice Louise Morrison’ s death Certificate was a Mrs. Wade Murdock? Well I found the following in the 1920 North Carolina, Alexander Co., Sharpes Twp. 6

100/100 Morrison, Lue    51, Married NC
Thelma 16, Single NC

Then 1940 North Carolina, Iredell Co., Concord Twp. 49-15

Murdock,  Wade       38, Head b. NC
Thelma                       36, wife  b. NC
Ruth                           16, dau   b. NC
Margaret                    13, dau   b. NC
Morrison, Louise     74, wd. Mother-In-Law b. NC

Alright, now is where we need to go back to the 1870 NC Alexander Co., Millers Twp., 008 Census

80/80 Morrison,   Andrew              78
Eliza                              74
Isabella                          39
Amanda E                     23
Benson, Louisa A           4

1880 North Carolina, Alexander Co., Millers Twp. 008

Morrison,  A C    80
E                              76 Wife
I J                            53 dau
A M                          34 dau
Benson,    L A        14 Granddau
Rumple,    W A        8 Grandson
Rumple,    M C        6 Granddau

Again this is the family of Andrew Claiborn Morrison, his wife, Louisa Eliza Miller, dau Isabella Jane and daughter Amanda M.  Only now there is a granddaughter Louisa A. Benson, and two Grandchildren with the last name of Rumple. Now one of Andrew and Louisa Morrison’s daughters, Margaret Elizabeth Morrison b. 30 May 1848, married an Elias Adolphus Rumple, a son of Alexander and Catherine (Smith) Rumple. But none of Elias and Margaret Rumple’s known children had names with the initials W A or MC.

Then I found this which starts to make some sense:

ALEXANDER CO NC BASTARDY BONDS
This is from a listing I found on line

MOTHER                   Date              NAME OF BONDSMAN

Amanda M Morrison        Feb 1866          Lewis M Benson
Amanda M Morrison        Nov 1873          H A Rumple

A note about NORTH CAROLINA BASTARY BONDS, which were intended to protect the county or parish from the expense of raising the child.

When the pregnancy of a woman or birth of a child was brought to the attention of the court, a warrant was issued and the woman brought into court. She was questioned under oath and asked to declare the name of the child’s father. The reputed father was then served a warrant and required to post bond. If the woman refused to name the father, she, her father, or some other interested party would post the bond. In some cases it was found that the mother and reputed father, together, posted the bond. If the woman refused to post bond or declare the father, she was often sent to jail.

Occasionally it well be found that a woman’s name appears in the records several times. Refer to the Court Minutes to determine if this is for one or more cases of bastardy.

These bonds are held in Raleigh in the state archives in the extant bonds. For a more complete listing of the Bastardy Bonds of a particular county, you should read the county court minutes. The bonds that have survived are only a very small percentage of the number recorded in the County Courts and County Superior Courts.

Next I thought I would try and learn a little more on who Lewis M. Benson, H A Rumple, and Amos Morrison, and could they be the possible fathers of the above mentioned children.

First I found a Death Certificate for a Louis M Benson, born 15 Sep 1840, died 21 Nov 1913 Wake Co., NC, Father: Jousha Benson,  Mother: Martha Cochran, buried Statesville, NC  In the 1870 NC Iredell Co., Coddle Creek Census there is a Lewis H. Benson, 31, single, living with his parents Jousha and Martha P, Benson. I think this is the same Lewis M. Benson, possible father for  L A Benson, who was age four and a daughter of Amanda Morrison in the 1870, and 14 in the 1880 Census, and  is the same Alice Louise Morrison in the Death Certificate I mention above. I think for what ever reason, Amanda Morrison gave her illegitimate children her maiden name of Morrison.
Next I found a Death Certificate for a Harvey Augustus Rumple, born 1844, Iredell County, NC, died 3 Dec 1923, Statesville, NC, Father: Alexander Rumple, Mother: Katie Rumple. This Harvey Augustus Rumple was a brother to Elias Adolphus Rumple who had married Margaret Elizabeth Morrison, who was a daughter of Andrew Claiborn and Louisa Eliza (Miller) Morrison, and sister to the  Amanda Morrison in question.

Finally if you go back to the 1900 Census above, for the family # 138 of Amanda Morrison, 52, Loula 34, Maggie E. 26, and Jamie 2.

I found a death Certificate for a Maggie Lackey. Born 6 Mar 1874 Alexander Co., NC died 19 Nov 1922, Newton, Catawba Co., NC Wife of W C Lackey, buried New Sterling. No father listed, but Mother: Mandy Morrison.

Then in the 1910 NC, Catawba Co.,Newton 0029 Census:

155/155    Lackey, William C 30 Head
Maggie    35 Wife
Jamie        9 Dau
Matie        8 Dau
Fred          7 Son

157/157    Morrison, William    38  Head
Neta       32  wife
May        12  dau
Rudy        4  son.
Of course this is the William Ascar/Augustus Morrison who started all of this.

Then there is this, which seems to pull a lot of what I have been saying together. That is the Death Certificate for Amanda Morrison, Born 31 May 1845 in Alexander Co., NC. Died 8 Aug 1916, Alexander Co., NC in the box where it states marriage status, it says Single. Lists her Father as A C Morrison, born Alexander Co., NC  Mother: Eliza Miller born Alexander Co., NC Lists Amanda as being buried in New Sterling ARP Church Cem. And the informant is W. A. Morrison of Newton, NC

Purposely I left Amos Morrison, the supposed father of some of Amanda Morrison’s children till now. I only know of 2 Amos Morrison’s from around Iredell Co., NC There were probably more, but in our line of Morrison’s there are only two that I know of. One is John Amos Morrison who was Coit’s Great-Grandfather who was born 25 Sep 1846, was married three times, and didn’t have the time to have Amanda’s children. The only other Amos Morrison that I am aware of is that of Amos Morrison, son of Andrew Claiborn & Louisa Eliza (Miller) Morrison. Which would make him a brother to the Amanda “Mandy” Morrison in question. And I don’t think he would be the father of his sisters children. But I will give a little more about him.

Amos Morrison, born 24 Oct 1839, probably Iredell or Alexander Co., NC He is listed in the 1860 Alexander Co., NC census as being 20 yrs of age living with his parents and siblings.

If we go back to the Alexander County, NC Bastardy  Bonds we find this listing:

Mother                              Date                          Bondsman
Malisa J. Moore               Mar 1866               Amos Morrison

Now because of research I had previously done, I knew there was a Malissa Jane Moore who was the Mother of Mary Belle Moore born 16 Mar 1866, Iredell County, NC. Could this be the same Malissa Jane as listed in the Bastardly Bonds? The date was right for the birth of the child. So I then looked in the 1860 and 1870 in Iredell County and found a Melissa J Moore as the daughter of Andrew & Margaret J Moore. She is listed as single dau age 20 in 1860 and single, age 26 in the 1870 census., but no listing of a Mary who who have been abt 4 yrs in 1870.

But then the 1880 Census NC, Iredell, Concord, 140, family 153/154 Moore, Andrew     69
Jane           68
Melissa     36  Dau
Hiram       34 Son
William    24  Son
Mary         14  Grandchild
Robert         8  Grandchild
Augustus     5  Grandchild

So here is Mary in the 1880 census a grandchild of Andrew and & Jane  Moore, possible dau of Melissa J Moore. Next I found the death certificate for Malisia Jane Moore died 29 Mar 1924, aged 83 yrs 6 m 14 days which would put her birth at 1841, Iredell Co., NC Father: Andrew Moore and Mother: Margaret Miller. ( A side note is this Margaret Jane Miller is a sister to Louisa Eliza Miller  who married Andrew Claiborn Morrison) The death cert. doesn’t state her as being married or widowed.  Next I had the death certificate for Mary Belle (Moore) Morrison, b. 16 Mar 1866, Iredell Co., NC d. 31 Jun 1947 Iredell Co., NC Father listed as M J Moore and Mother: Malissia Moore
Note: I believe that someone simply used the Initials of both the mother and grandmother M J for a father, and Amos Morrison was the real father of Mary Belle Moore. I futher thing I found the death certificate for a Robert Grier Moore b. 1 Jun 1870 Iredell Co.,NC
Died 12 May 1935 Iredell Co., NC Spouse: Miss (Maggie) Mae Hoke Occupation: Butcher, Father –Not Obtainable, Mother: Malissa Moore
Note; Most of these people are buried at the Trinity Methodist Church, Iredell Co., NC
So this is the Robert Moore listed as a grandchild of Andrew Moore in the above 1880 census.

The 1900 NC Iredell Co., Statesville 0101 Census backs up this claim.

Moore, Robert      28
Mary        20  wife
Graham     3/12  son
Malissa     56 Mother

So what this mean?  Amos Morrison had a child (Mary Belle Morrison) out of wedlock with Malissa Jane Moore, and shortly thereafter left North Carolina for probably the reason stated above. Which gives credence to the Amos Morrison I found as a confederate veteran from Iredell Co., NC living in Harris County Texas and according to his pension application had been a resident of Texas since 1866.  I don’t believe him to be the father for Robert Grier Moore, for this reason.

He is gone by the 1870 census. But then I found a Amos Morrison Enlisted as a Private on 15 August 1862 at the age of 24.Enlisted in Company E, 37th Infantry Regiment North Carolina on 15 Aug 1862. He enlisted from Iredell Co., NC Surrendered Company E, 37th Infantry Regiment North Carolina on 9 Apr 1865 at Appomattox Court House, VA.

Then there was this Pension application for a Amos Morrison dated 19 Sep 1907 for a Amos Morrison, age 66 living in Houston Heights, Harris County, Texas. He states his company was formed in NC and that he surrendered with Lee at Appomattox Court House and he served in Co. E 37 NC Infantry. His occupation is that of an carpenter and he has no real or personal property, and is living with a son. The pension app, goes on to say that he has no wife, meaning he is a widower, and that he has been a resident of Texas since 1866. Unfortunately I have yet to find him in the 1870, 1880, Texas or 1900 or 1910 Houston Heights, Harris Co., Tx US Federal Census, and I have looked at all Houston Heights, thee wards, page by page. I did fid him in the 1911 and 1912 Houston, Houston Heights, Tx city Directory. He is listed as Amos Morrison, retired Carpenter, living at 620 W 21st Ave. HO Hts, with a Al Morrison also listed as a carpenter at the same address. I am guessing that this is his son he mentions living with in his pension application. In the 1912 city directory Al is listed as Albert and he now lives at a different address than Amos. Of course I have no proof that this Amos is the same Amos Morrison, son of Andrew Claiborn and Louise Eliza (Miller) Morrison. But it does seem to fit.

So in summary as to what I think all this means or is possible. I think Amanda M. “Mandy” Morrison was born abt 31 May 1845 in Alexander Co., NC, a daughter of Andrew Claiborn and Louisa Eliza (Miller) Morrison. That she never married and had at least three children, by two different men, one possibly a Lewis M. Benson who fathered Louise Alice Morrison, and a possible Harvey Augustus Rumple who fathered William Ascar Morrison & Maggie Elizabeth Morrison who later married William C. Lackey.
The only thing I have a hard time with is why Amanda would list her children in the 1870 & 1880 Census by their real fathers last name and then from there on give them her maiden name of Morrison. And is it possible then that her children didn’t want it to be known that they were illegitimate children, and they used a long lost Uncle’s name of Amos as their father’s name? Or was there really a Amos Morrison that married an Amanda Miller? I couldn’t find one. I enjoy a challenge and this sure was one, still a lot of questions that need answered, but it is a good start anyway.

One word for those of you that are new to doing research, if you look at census records on Ancestry.com, always look at the original census record. Many people volunteer to transcribe these records and if they are not familiar with they way they used to write or are not familiar with the certain families , they are incorrectly transcribing the names, which can make finding the person you are looking for very difficult. So when you do a search and you come up empty, try a different spelling and you might just find the person.

Cheers!

Jim

Documents:

• https://morrison-q.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/WAM-Death-Certificate-William-Ascar-Morrison.jpg
• https://morrison-q.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/WAM-Death-Certificate-Maggie-Elizabeth-Morrison-Lackey.jpg
• https://morrison-q.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/WAM-Death-Certificate-Louise-Alice-Morrison-1866-1947.jpg
• https://morrison-q.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/WAM-Death-Certificate-Amanda-Morrison-1845-1916.jpg
• https://morrison-q.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/WAM-Civil-War-Pension-papers-for-Amos-Morrison-Pg-1.jpg
• https://morrison-q.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/WAM-Civil-War-Pension-papers-for-Amos-Morrison-Pg-2.jpg
• https://morrison-q.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/WAM-Civil-War-Pension-papers-for-Amos-Morrison-Pg-3.jpg

The link below is to a portion of a NC Map from 1770.  I have printed the full map on a 48″ x 36″ vinyl banner to be displayed at Morrison gatherings.

A few points of interest to notice:

• Charlotte is shown as Charlottesburgh
• Oliphants Mill is now under Lake Norman
• Catawbaw River is spelled with a “w” at the end
• There is a community listed as “Morrison” (probably the farm of either James or William Morrison) located around the current community of Scotts – notice the “s” in Morrison looks like an “f” – that is how the letter looked in early print.
• The Brushy Mountains
• The Blue Ridge
• Fort Dobbs
• 3rd and 4th Creek
• The Brevard community listed is not the current mountain town of Brevard

Map Link (PDF File)

Note: The map is high resolution – so you should be able to zoom in close without losing any details.

Immigrant Brother – 1706-1746

Thomas Morrison’s Will (PDF File)

Thomas Morrison (link to will below) was the son of William and Mary Morrison (link to will below).  The  wills of Mary Morrison (1813) and Thomas Morrison (written 1827, dec’d 1831) provide the names of most of the children of William and Mary, including the married name of some of the females.  They are, then, essential as proof of origin of the Burke County Morrison family from the formation of the county in 1778.  The two wills, together with “The Family of William and Mary Morrison of Burke County, North Carolina” (article is forthcoming to replace “The Family of William Morrison of Burke County, North Carolina) tie together land records, court minutes, census information, and probate documents to define the activities, places of residence, and members of the founding Morrison Family of Burke County.

Mary Morrison’s Will (PDF File)
Thomas Morrison’s Will (PDF File)

This research is to provide all information known about said individual, to create a timeline of his life, so that additional researchers might help in the search for a living male descendant, and if found to have their DNA tested, to see if my theory about who his parents were is correct.

The first reference found is in the book “Ancestry.com. John Ruddell of the Shenandoah Valley [database on-line]. Provo, UT: The Generations Network, Inc., 2004.”Page 34

“Abraham Ruddell b. 8 Jan 1785, probably in Bourbon Co., d. 22 Nov 1855 ae. 70. Bureau of Land Warrant, hereafter Blwt #82050-160-1855, showed that Abraham d. 11-22-1853, in Independence Co., Arkansas. 1858 John Ruddell 65, and Fergus S Morrison, 69 say Abraham is dead. He served in the War of 1812 from Cape Girardeau Co., Missouri. John was a corporal and Fergus was a private in the same outfit, as was Samuel Hinckston”

Next we find Fergus S Morrison listed in the Index to Louisiana Soldiers During the War of 1812 as:

Morrison, Forgus S. Private-Capt. Ramsey’s Co., Mounted Riflemen, La. Militia,

Along with John Ruddell, Abraham Ruddell, and Samuel Hinckston, as well as a James Morrison as a 1st Lieutenant, all serving in Capt. (Andrew) Ramsey’s Co. of Mounted Riflemen in the Louisiana Militia. (James Morrison could be a brother or father to Fergus, more about James later)

US  Census Reconstructed Records 1660-1820-Ancestry.com

Name- Fergus Morrison
State-Arkansas
Locality- La & Mo Territory
County-Lawrence
Town- Lebanon Twp.
1820
Between 1 Oct 1816 and 31 Mar 1817 he was made a Justice of the Peace for Lebanon Twp.

Note: Lawrence Co., Mo Territory became Lawrence Co., Ark in 1819, and Independence County was formed from Lawrence in 1820.

Fergus S Morrison purchases 10 Jul 1826 Independence County, Ark 80 acres

1830 US Federal Census Arkansas, Independence, Ruddell: Fergus Morrison, 1 male under 5, 2 males 10-14, 1 male 20-29, 1 male 40-49,  1 female 5-9, 1 female 10-14, 1 female 30-39

U. S. Army, Register of Enlistments, 1798- 1914,  for Fergus S. Morrison- 63 Morrison, Fergus S. 39, NC, Iredell, Farmer, Enlistment date: 30 Jul 1832, Batesville, Arkansas, by Capt. Bean for a period of 1 yr, discharged 30 Jul 1833, expiration of service at Ft. Gibson. (Oklahoma)

Roster of Bean’s Rangers-Ft. Gibson Oklahoma

The following list from the National Archives was made from the first muster rolls at Fort Gibson, Oklahoma.  Most of the men were enlisted by Jesse Bean from his own Batesville, Independence Co., Arkansas area.

Furgus S. Morrison 5th Sgt.

1830 US Census

Arkansas, Independence, Ruddell: Fergus Morrison, 1 male under 5, 2 males 10-14, 1 male 20-29, 1 male 40-49,  1 female 5-9, 1 female 10-14, 1 female 30-39

US General Land Office Records 1796-1907
(All purchases were in Independence Co., Ark)
80 acres – 10 Nov 1830
80 acres – 1 Nov 1834
80 acres – 5 Sep 1842

Journal of the Senate of the United States of America   Tuesday Feburary 13, 1838

Mr. Sevier presented documents relating to the claim of Fergus S. Morrison to be indemnified for a horse lost in the military service of the United States which was referred to the Comittee of Claims

Independence County Archives Military Records

Military Land Grants in Independence Co, Arkansas for soldiers of the Indian Wars:

Name: Morrison, Fergus S.
Regiment: Bean’s Company United States Rangers Black Hawk War
Granted to: Fergus S. Morrison

1840 US Census

Arkansas, Independence, Ruddell: Fergus S Morrison, 1 male under 5, 1 male 50-59, 2 females under 5, 1 female 5-9, 1 female 10-14, 2 females 15-19

1850 US Census

Arkansas, Independence, Ruddell: 1003/1003: Morrison, Forgus 62, 700, NC, Narcissa 27, Ark, Rachel R. 23, Ark, Mary J. 17, Ark, Julia C. 15, Ark, James 13, Ark, Margaret B. 11, Ark, Barnett, James M. 15, Jeremiah 7, Ark\

1860 US Census

Arkansas, Independence, Gainsboro: 922/911: Morrison, F. S. 71 farmer, NC, Narcissia 36, Ark, Rachel 33, Ark, Mary J. 27, Ark, James 22, Ark,

—-Book – Reminiscences of Independence County, Pages 350 & 351 ;The bank of the state of Arkansas was the Plaintiff and an old citizen of the county named Fergus Morrison commonly called “Foggy Morrison” was the defendant. The jury failing to agree, John Simpson was of the number, not in good humor, his face red as a beet – He turned and addressed the judge : ” Jedge, there’s eleven d– contrary men on this jury; and ” Foggy Morrison” is an honest man.

So far no other records have been located for Fergus Snoddy Morrison past the 1860 Census

The 1870 US Census for Independence Co., Gainsboro Ark I found his daughter Narcissie Morrison age 49, living by herself.

So lets summarize what we know about this man so far.

Fergus Snoddy Morrison was born somewhere between 1787-1793 according to the various above mentioned records, in Iredell County, NC. He served in the war of 1812 from the Cape Girardeau Missouri area and was in the Louisiana Mounted Riflemen Militia. He was a Justice of the peace in Lebanon Twp., Lawrence Co., Missouri Territory between 1816-17. He purchased land in Independence Co., Ark in 1826, and was married by the 1830 Census with 4 sons and 2 daughters. The 2 daughters would have been Narcissis and Rachel. Fergus serves 1 yr as a 5th  Sgt. At Ft. Gibson Oklahoma during the Black Hawk War, and is granted land for his service. His wife evidently has died by the 1840 census. By the 1850 Census he names his five children, but only one son James age 13, which would mean he was born abt 1837, which probably is the male under 5 in the 1840 Census. So if we go back to the 1830 census Fergus states he has one male under the age of 5, which means he had one son born somewhere between 1825 and 1830. 2 males between 10-14, so they were born between 1816-1820, and one male between 20-29, so he would have been born between 1810-1819. So who and where are these sons? By the 1850 census they would have been of age and on their own or it is possible they all died.

So far I have been unsuccessful in identifying these older sons of Fergus Snoddy Morrison. I did find one candidate in the 1850 Independence Co., Ark Census. A Stubblefield Morrison born abt 1810 in Ky. And some researchers on Ancestry.Com has him listed as a child of Fergus S Morrison, which is possible, but it is more likely that this Stubblefield Morrison b. abt 1810 in KY is the son of a Hugh Morrison b. abt 1754 d. 1818 and married a Mary Stubblefield b. abt 1755 d. 1818. Hugh Morrison and family were living in Warren Co., Ky in 1810 (Census).

So, finally as to whom I think make a good candidate for parents of Fergus Snoddy Morrison.  There is a James Morrison born 30 Dec 1750 in Rowan County, NC. He marries 25 Oct 1772 in Rowan County, NC an Eleanor Snoddy born 15 Dec 1751 NC, a daughter of Samuel Snoddy & Elizabeth Sloan. This family of Samuel Snoddy is well documented, Samuel names his daughter Elenor Morrison in his will along as makes his son-in-law James Morrison one of his Executors of his will. There is also the marriage bond of James Morrison to Eleanor Snoddy dated 25 Oct 1772 Rowan Co., NC (Original at the NC State Archives).
In 1798 James Morrison and Samuel Snoddy Jr. had order of the court for leave to keep a ferry over the Cumberland River, in 1810 he sold his land and departed.
September 1804- Thomas Ballew “assigned” to James Morrison and John Wilson his rights to a tract of 250 acres “in Cape Girardeau District, Upper Louisiana on the Waters of Hubbles Creek in Cape Girardeau Settlement.” (Cape Girardeau County Deed Book A & B, p. 103). In 1806 James Morroson (Sic) of the District of Cape Girardeau” bought from Thomas Ballew another 16 acres “South of Morroson’s improvement.”

Cape Girardeau is a turn on the west bank of the Mississippi River. A port and small settlement developed there when the Louisiana Purchase opened to American migration to the west of that river. In 1812, it was included in the Missouri Territory. In August 1823, following the Missouri Compromise” of tragic consequences, the State of Missouri was formed, including Cape Girardeau County.

The Following was obtained from “History-Southest Missouri” Embracing An Historical Account of the counties of Ste. Genevieve, St. Francois, Cape Girardeau, …….. Published Chicago: The Goodspeed Publishing Co. 1888.Pg. 489.

“One of the first companies recruited south of the Missouri River was raised in Cape Girardeau District, by Andrew Ramsey, Jr., in the spring of 1813. The officiers were Andrew Ramsey, captain; James Morrison, first Lieutenant; Peter Craig, second lieutenent, Drakeford Gray, third lieutenant; William Ramsey, Ensign; (among others, JWM, this has to be the same company I made mention of earlier, being that of the Capt. Ramsey’s Louisiana Mounted Riflemen Militia.)

Oct 12, 1816 – No other evidence of the death of Eleanor has been found, but a notice in the Missouri Gazette of October 12, 1816, gave a clue to her husband’s death, “Died, James Morrison of Cape Girardeau County. Samuel Morrison Administrator.” No will was recorded.

So James & Eleanor (Snoddy) Morrison were living in Cape Girardeau Missouri Territory the same time as we find Fergus Snoddy Morrison.

One additional note is that Eleanor (Snoddy) Morrison had a Uncle, a Fergus Snoddy b. 16 Oct 1759, Rowan Co., NC and died in 1785 in Charleston, SC. He never married.

It seems plausible that Eleanor (Snoddy) Morrison might name a child born shortly after the death of a childless Uncle in remembrance. Hence it seems like after compiling the above information. It seems to me a strong possibility that Fergus Snoddy Morrison may be the son of James & Eleanor (Snoddy) Morrison, what do you think?

GRANT

James Morrison (Buffalo Shoal Creek of Catawba River) Book 9 page 466: October10,1783.

The State grants (#637 at 50 shillings the 100 acres) to James Morrison 300 acres on the north side of Buffalo Shoal Creek of Catawba River and crossing said creek. It begins on the north side of said creek by a small branch at a poplar, goes up the various courses of it 92 degrees ease 100 poles to a white oak, south 45 degrees east 208 poles to a red oak, south 45 degrees east 250 poles to a black oak, north 45 degrees east 340 poles to a stake, then to the beginning.

WILL

Iredell County, NC Book 2 page 93 #403 In the name of God Amen. I James Morrison of the county of Iredell in the State of North Carolina being weak in body but of sound and perfect mind and memory, do make and purblish my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following:

First I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife, Mary Morrison, all of my household and kitchen furniture of every sort and kind during the term of her natural life to be used and disposed of as she thinks proper. I further give and devise to my two daughters viz. Mary and Margaret, to each I give the sum of $50.00 to be paid to them at any time they may call upon my executors for it after my decease. I also give and bequeath to my two sons viz James Morrison and Thomas Morrison (firstly) the whole of my Estate real and personal, the profits and expenses of the same to be equally shared by them and I further direct that my wife, Mary Morrison, and my two daughters, Mary and Margaret, shall be comfortably and plentifully supported out of my estate as long as my wife lives. Lastly I constitute and appoint my two sons (that is) James Morrison and Thomas Morrison to be the Executors of this my last will and testament. In witness thereof I have her unto set my hand and seal this first day of June in the year of our Lord One thousand and eight hundred and twenty. Signed, Sealed, Published and declared by the above names Jame Morrison to be his last will and testament, in the presence of us, who at his request and at his presence have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses to the same.

James Morrison

James Morrison, BS (assuming this was his father-in-law…Smith James Morrison known as “Blacksmith Jimmie” -jmn)

John Mclean, Jun (McLeans are on the maps and church records of being there)

Note: Buffalo Shoals James Morrison is not in the paternal blood line of Morrison Group Q – he is of Morrison Group AR – But all his descendants are members of the Morrison-Q family due to his wife being the daughter of Immigrant Brother James of Morrison-Q.

Old Morrison Cemetery on New Sterling Church Road near Buffalo Shoals Creek in Iredell County, NC

marked graves:

• Thomas (1782-1861)
• infant Thomas (1857)
• John L. (9-22-1879)  ll yr 9 mos 14d
• Mira  wife of Thomas (8-15-1801/6-151852)
• Matilda   wife of Thomas (10-31-1796/10-12-1842)
• Martha O. Morrison (10-30-1830/3-19-1913) wife of Thomas
• Thomas Morrison (11-23-1819/9-11-1887)
• Mary A. M.  (10-7-1864/7-29-1865)
• Sarah (4-17-1872/6-19-1872)
• Mary Watt (9-23-1844  22 yr 7 mo 11 d:) wife of J. S. Watt

Elijah Morrison was born in (probably) Burke County, NC in 1825.  He was the son of James and Rachel Patton Morrison, then of Burke County, later of Pickens County, Georgia (formed from Gilmer County after James Morrison’s family arrived).  Elijah married Esther Jordan on March 29, 1849 in Gilmer County.  There were seven children born to the couple, six of them living when Elijah died at Point Clear, Alabama, on July 23, 1863.  Elijah was a Corporal in the 36th Georgia Regiment, CSA and had been captured at Vicksburg on July 4, 1863.  Elijah was ill when captured, paroled, and sent to recover at Point Clear by rail.

Photo of Elijah Morrison

Grave Marker of Elijah Morrison