Jump to content

Benjamin Wistar Morris (colonist)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Benjamin Wistar Morris (sometimes spelled "Wister"; 1762–1825)[1] was the founder of Wellsboro, Pennsylvania. Samuel Wells Morris, Morris' son, was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. His grandson was Episcopal bishop Benjamin Wistar Morris II, and his great grandson was Benjamin Wistar Morris III, a noted architect.

Morris was the son of Captain Samuel and Rebecca (Wistar) Morris.[2] Benjamin Morris, an agent of the Pine Creek Land Company, settled in Tioga County, Pennsylvania about 1805 with his wife Mary Wells Morris.[3] Wellsboro may have been named in honor of Mary or a member of Mary's family.[3] William Wells, Mary's brother, was a leader of the land company for whom Benjamin worked.[3] At the time they settled in the county, the Morris' log house was the only home in what is now the borough of Wellsboro.[3]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Finding Aid: Morris Family Papers, 1741-1989" (PDF). National Park Service. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 8, 2012. Retrieved June 25, 2011.
  2. ^ Jordan, John W. (1978) [1911]. Colonial and Revolutionary Families of Pennsylvania. Baltimore, Maryland: Clearfield. p. 58. ISBN 0-8063-0811-7.
  3. ^ a b c d "History of Wellsboro". Wellsboro Chamber of Commerce. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved June 25, 2011.