Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

is wholly mindful of the truth of "Poor
Richard's" adage
:
He who by the plough would thrive,
Himself must either hold or drive.
He is found in the fields with his men
early and late during the growing season,
and has always kept himself busy. Including
himself, the business employs
nine hands the year round, and in the
growing season many others are also
engaged. Besides cultivating his own
homestead, Mr. Morris rents lands in the
vicinity, and his wagons are well known
in the markets of Hartford and other
cities in the neighborhood. He also ships
vegetables extensively to more remote
markets. By his industry and shrewd
management, Mr. Morris has achieved a
remarkable success, and he is recognized
and esteemed among his fellows as one
of the leading citizens of the town. He
is the owner of two cottages at Hawk's
Nest Beach, Sound View. His sons are
also trained to habits of thrift and indus-
try, and are found accompanying their
father in the labors of the establishment.
Mr. Morris makes a specialty of celery,
which he preserves and markets through-
out the year, thus making steady work for
his employees. He is a member of the
Congregational church of Wethersfield of
the local Grange, No. 145, and a charter
member of Summit Lodge, No. 45, Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, of Hart-
ford. Politically, Mr. Morris supports the
principles of the Republican party, and
he is ever found ready to favor any movements
calculated to advance the general
welfare, regardless of partisan consider-
tions.
Mr. Morris married, November 18,
1886, Emma Abigail Churchill, born August
24, 1862, in Wethersfield, daughter
of Stephen Belden and Esther Amelia
(Blinn) Churchill. Children: Frank Ste-
Conn—5—22
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
337
phen, born October 11, 1887; Mabel
Churchill, February 20, 1889; Nellie
Jane, March 2j, 1891 ; William Sav-
age, February 29, 1893 ; Emma
Ame-
lia, December 12, 1894; Ethel May,
February 9, 1897; Alice Ruth, Novem-
ber 13, 1899; John Everett, June 9, 1904;
also a son, who died in boyhood.
Mrs. Morris is descended from Josiah
Churchill, who had lands in Wethersfield
on the Connecticut river, April 28, 1641,
including a house lot of six acres. His
residence was on the east side of High
street facing the south end of the common.
He later purchased the Gilder-
sleeve homestead on the west side of
High street, a little south of his original
residence. He served as juryman, con-
stable and town surveyor, made his will,
November 17, 1683, and died before 1687.
His estate, which included two hundred
and ten acres of land, was valued at £618
12s. 6d. He married, in 1638, Elizabeth
Foote, daughter of Nathaniel and Eliza-
beth (Deming) Foote, born about 1616 in
England, died September 8, 1700, in
Wethersfield. Nathaniel Foote settled
near the south end of the present Broad
street, where a monument to him now
stands. The eldest son of Josiah Churchill
was Joseph Churchill, born December
7, 1649, wriCl received by will of his father
the house and lands, including fifty acres
at "ye west end of Wethersfield bounds,"
which was in the present town of New-
ington. He also received property by the
will of his maternal grandmother, Eliza-
beth (Deming) Foote, who became the
second wife of Governor Thomas Wells.
He served the town as surveyor, asses-
sor, collector, constable and selectman,
was sergeant of militia, and died April
1, 1699, leaving an estate valued at £461.
He married, May 13, 1674, Mary, whose
surname does not appear in the records.
She survived him, was living in 1728, and