Morrison-Q Convene in Iredell County, NC – Oct 2012

My visit to Statesville to attend our Morrison-Q gathering had several dimensions, so I’ll report in segments:

I was excited to get together with Coit and Jean for the first time in two years and to see Dave for the first time in, probably, five years. I also enjoyed the time spent with Robert Morrison and seeing Edwin Holcombe for the first time in five years and meeting Edwin’s wife. Face to face relationships are always better for me than electronic. I was impressed with Clan Morrison exhibits that show our DNA information and the descendants of the four original brothers; enlarged and laminated, they become excellent and intriguing talking aids with visitors and potential members of our Morrison-Q group. The same kind of treatment applied to the Harris paper photographs Coit took in Raleigh should be particularly appealing to Iredell Countians.

Visiting Bethany Cemetery and seeing the gravesite of Revolutionary John and Sarah Morrison, visiting the site of Fort Dobbs, revisiting the Morrison cemetery and graves of William and Margaret Morrison, and seeing the remains of the William Morrison mill on Third Creek for the first time were highlights. And attending the services at Concord Presbyterian Church in Loray with Coit and Jean was a special treat. Being on the ground that our ancestors trod, where they created a new life and a new nation, adds dimension to genealogy that cannot be equaled. The internet is great; being there, in some way I can’t really express adequately, brings our ancestors back to life.

As always, our exchanges of information and thoughts about genealogical work helped me to attack my William Morrison “brick wall”. Maybe someday it will be torn down. There is no substitute for personal exchanges with people you have come to know and trust.

The visit to Statesville put me in the right neighborhood to revisit Pickens County, Georgia, where my North Carolina Morrison’s lived from 1840 until 1901. I was able to explore the Talona Creek area in the north part of the county where my 2x Grandfather Andrew Morrison lived. The right of way and railroad that was originally known as the Marietta and North Georgia is still in use; my grandfather John Morrison was a fireman on that line from the early 1890’s until 1901.

Upon leaving Iredell County, Coit and I drove west into Burke and McDowell Counties where my people lived from about 1779 until 1840. We found Silver Creek where it crosses Morrison Road, and passed over both Muddy and South Muddy Creeks nearby. These three tributaries of the Catawba watered land owned by members of my family. I now have a much better appreciation of the spatial relationship of these three creeks and the distances between them.

All in all, and as always, I got a great deal of pleasure being in North Carolina, increased immensely by “being on the ground” where our people lived 260 years ago and with their descendants and my friends.

John Morrison
Lee’s Summit, MO

Walking the grounds that my ancestors tilled and trod has always been like a fertilizer to my soul, which few save you all, (Coit, Dave, John, and Jim) could understand. Being able to climb through the briars at third creek alongside the Morrison Mill, share the joy of finding the extant stones at the Morrison Cemetery still in a reasonable form, our stop at Ft. Dobbs and the drive along Scotts Road where Coit grew up, and our worship time at Concord P.C. in Loray as well as the afternoon at the Games, with Dave being able to join us for the afternoon and dinner, make up some great memories for me. I am particularly thankful for our discussion times on Sat. evening and Sunday, which helped me reach a better understanding of the Q group’s DNA studies, and who the others in the Iredell Group are. It became apparent that participation in all those of the Q group to the level of 111 marker analysis is desired, but for sure to 67. The charts and graphs that Coit prepared for our enlightenment aided greatly in our understanding and a good tool for discussion. Jim’s chart of the potential lines with living people was a great starting point for our new set of goals. And of course, thanks to chauffer John for our adventures on Sunday.

In a word, my impression of the games weekend is, “family”. Being there really sort of set the cement for me in making me really feel like part of my greater family. Another word would be “relaxing”. I really liked the low key feel of the games with not so many people which afforded more time to spend with each one of you.

Dave Morrison
Ashville, NC

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Click on photos to enlarge

Clan Morrison Tent (2012 Allison Woods Highland Games)

Coit and Dave at the Clan Morrison Tent

Coit, Bob, John, Dave, and Jean
Wearing our new Morrison-Q T-Shirts – displaying our logo and WED site.

John and Jean looking at the tent display

Visit to William Morrison Grave in Morrison Cemetery in Loray

Jean, a descendant of William and Margaret Morrison

Visit to Revolutionary Johns grave at Bethany Church

Visit to Revolutionary Johns grave at Bethany Church

William Morrison Mill Site on Third Creek
Foundation of Mill Housing – west bank looking down stream, south
Further research has instead shown this is to be the site of the Old Watts Mill

William Morrison Mill Site on Third Creek
Foundation of Mill Housing – west bank looking up stream, north
Further research has instead shown this is to be the site of the Old Watts Mill

William Morrison Mill Site on Third Creek
Dam wall foundation on west bank
Further research has instead shown this is to be the site of the Old Watts Mill

William Morrison Mill Site on Third Creek – looking upstream, north
Top Arrow – Dam wall foundation on west bank
Bottom Arrow – Foundation of Mill Hosing on west bank
“X” marks the same spot on picture below – dam wall in field on east bank
Picture taken from Third Creek bridge at Island Ford Rd
Further research has instead shown this is to be the site of the Old Watts Mill

William Morrison Mill Site on Third Creek – looking upstream, north
“X” marks the same spot on picture above
Arrows mark the dam wall in field on east bank
Further research has instead shown this is to be the site of the Old Watts Mill