A Link Between A Founding Father & Signer Of the Declaration of Independence and Me

Robert Morris

While doing some family research I recently discovered -  that it's a distinct possibility - I am related to one of our nation's founding father's Robert Morris, signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Robert Morris came to this country from Liverpool, Lancashire, England with his father at the age of 13 in 1747. He became an apprentice at a shipping and banking firm in Philadelphia, earned a fortune and went on to finance the American Revolution. Besides signing the Declaration of Independence, he also signed the Articles of Confederation and the U.S. Constitution!

It seems as though Robert Morris may have been a much older cousin to my Great-Grandfather (5th removed) George Morris. Evidently,George may have been a great - nephew of Robert Morris Sr., the father of Robert Morris, according to the family research I read.

George Morris

George was born in Handley, England and later lived in nearby Chester, England, a short distance from Lancashire, England. He came to this country in the year 1843 after his first wife died giving birth to a daughter, who also died shortly thereafter. George entered the U.S. through the Port of New Orleans  and shortly thereafter married his 2nd wife, Hanna Marie Newberry.  

George and Hanna made their way on to Nauvoo, Illinois - met up with Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon Church - then made his way to Salt Lake City, Utah with Brigham Young.    

Needless to say the two men never met in life and there was no link between the two families here in America and I would venture to say that by this time in history, the two families back in England were probably estranged as well.

Still, pretty cool to know of the link between the two.

Happy 4th of July!