The Morrill Name in America
by
GAMELIA MORRILL GRANT
DR. CHARLES MORRILL, San Francisco, 1860
Who was the inspiration of his brothers coming that made California possible to us
The Morrill Name in America
by
GAMELIA MORRILL GRANT
DR. CHARLES MORRILL, San Francisco, 1860
Who was the inspiration of his brothers coming that made California possible to us
The Morrill Name in
America
Genealogy, Facts and Narrative, pertaining to their Ancestry and
Generations
IN MEMORY
OF
Morrills of the Seventh
Generation, born in Chichester, New Hampshire, who migrated to
California as Pioneers, 1849-1855
DEDICATED
To their Posterity of
the Eighth, Ninth and On-coming Generations
"Those who do not look upon themselves as a link in the past the
future, do not perform their duty to the world."-Daniel
Webster.
GAMELIA I. MORRILL
GRANT
San Jose, Calif. January, 1923
Copyright 1923
Contents
Description of Burial Place
Quotations of Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company
Harvard College Established and Endowed
Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company
Seventh Generation of Morrill as Pioneers to California
The Morrill Home, Chichester, and Members of the Family
Extracts of Morrill Name found in Canterbury, NH
Dr. Charles Morrill's Balloon Ascensions from Boston Common
Photograph of Sarah C. Morrill Raymond
Photograph of Aunt Sally Batchelder
The Pioneer, Mary Ann Morrill
The Pioneer and Gold Rush , Destinations to California, 1849
Genealogy of Malachi Haines
Photo of Gamelia I. Morrill Grant
NOTE BY THE AUTHOR
There is a difference entertained in one and another as to the degree in which they hold ancestry, and desire or care to link themselves with the past. One of the eighth generation of us realizing his indifference said, "There must be something the matter with me"; also another, "I cannot seem to interest myself in it much."
One also engaged in the Morrill research says, "The hardest obstacle I have found is the indifference or neglect of those to whom I appeal for record of themselves and their kin."
I have been fortunate in finding co-operation in nearly every instance sought for material. To those of my cousins who have especially helped in a substantial way and otherwise encouraged my attempt to tell something collected of our early ancestors, I wish to acknowledge appreciation, and that my efforts did not become futile in what seemed an undertaking in collecting the data herein recorded.
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"Every person has two immediate parents, four ancestors in the second degree, eight in the third, and so the pedigree ascends, doubling at every step, until, in the 20th generation, has no fewer than 1,048,576 ancestors, and in the 30th generations 1,073,741,824, a number which exceeds the population of the globe."
"A single intermarriage in the fourth generations may make the number of ancestors in the next all succeeding generations an eighth less, while one in the third generation may reduce it a quarter. Intermarriages occur among families that have long been located in one neighborhood, the number of one's ancestors being lessened thereby."
Some affect to be indifferent, tracing important features in American history to the original English stock on the principal, "We judge of a man as we find him, not on the merits of his ancestors."
"Preservation of pedigree is not the pastime of idle and curious, it is the employment of the student and historian, and has always formed true basis of history."
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The Pilgrims landed November 10, 1620, at Plymouth, Massachusetts for settlement, and founded the Plymouth Colony, after exploring the whole coast of Cape Cod Bay. The actually became Pilgrims from the time they fled to Leyden, Holland, from Scrooby, England, in 1607, for freedom of thought and action in their religion. Dissatisfied at Holland, they appealed to the English government for permission to establish themselves, and to be financed for navigation to the Virginia Colony, settled by the English, 1607, in America. The London Company fitted out an expedition wherein the Pilgrims bound themselves to work certain time or years, until the money advanced was paid back. And so it was the Mayflower sailed out of Plymouth Harbor, September 15, 1620, with 102 on board, to encounter the ordeal history relates of them. The point reached was Cape Cod, 200 miles north of the Virginia settlement. Baffled in their attempts to sail southward, the winter season approaching, they anchored in Cape Cod Harbor for the exploration that made Plymouth possible.
The Pilgrims had separated from the Church of England, and hoped their migrations and example would be a "stepping stone" for other Separatists or Dissenters to follow, also such other sects beside themselves persecuted by the Church. Example of the Pilgrims led to settlement of Puritans in New England, known as Nonconformists, who thought to "purify" the Church by introducing reforms without a separation. The Puritans were original settlers of Massachusetts Bay, and the Pilgrims further south about forty miles were known as the settlers of Plymouth Plantation.
Small bands of English settlers continued to come after 1620 and formed in groups around Boston Harbor.
In 1628 and important company came under Governor Endicott, arriving at Salem, which them promised to be the commercial center. He was empowered with a charter of military bearing, for resistance of arms on the sea coast, and inland, from invasions of Indians and the French.
In 1630 John Winthrop, famed for ability to organize, was sent also by King Charles I, to displace Endicott, who allowed at Salem the levity of "Merry England" and the "May Pole."
The new governor brought a charter of self-government whereby New England was settled. Fifteen ships of immigrants, equipped at $100,000 expense, sailed under Gov. Winthrop in three detachments, 900 to 1000 preferring to locate at Boston instead of Salem. All were men of wealth, education and social ranks, dissatisfied under Charles I's ruling by laws of religion. Ministers came in company, learned men capable of shaping affairs, physicians, magistrates, military officers, millers, mechanics and others possessed of horses, cattle and other property; 200 colonists died the first winter, 100 more returned in discouragement to England.
By 1640 20,000 Puritans, discontented in England, came to New England shores, where they established churches of an independent spirit, not always agreeing among themselves. Some still leaned toward the Episcopalian, or Church of England.
The Pilgrims were said to have more charity and brotherly love than the Puritans, who conformed to a restricted life of religious discipline, but said to be of more cultivation and action than the Pilgrims.
ANCESTRY ESTABLISHED
"The ages of isolation had their use for they trained men for ages
when they were not to be isolated."
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In this evolution of colonial events the objets is to establish the Morrill ancestry in the New World around the time of the great exodus of Puritans mentioned. Traced back to 1632, when two brothers, Abraham and Isaac Morrill, immigrated from England, June 22, arriving September 16. They sailed on the ship "Lion," sometimes spelled "Lyon," landing at Salem or Boston. The question has arisen, did Abraham come the same time, since only the name of Isaac appears "as taking the oath of passage before sailing." With Isaac came his wife Sarah and two daughters, Sarah and Catherine; their names also not appearing on the passenger list.
There is no doubt of the brothers arriving the same time, as they were known to be moving and co-operating always together in 1632. Both located on arrival at Cambridge, a new settlement, in 1631. Later Isaac went to Roxbury, and made his home. Abraham remained in Cambridge, received land there, and was a proprietor. His home was in sight of what is now known as Harvard Square, close to Harvard College. He moved to Salisbury in 1641, a distance of forty miles up the coast from Boston and Cambridge. In 1640-44-45 he received land in first divisions. In 1650 he was a commoner and taxed, only four rated higher that he.
Also their sister Joanna Brewer, wife of Daniel Brewer, mentioned as "friend of the brothers," came in the same ship, it is said, and they also settled in Roxbury. Joanna was born in Somersetshire, 1601; would place her as a much younger sister, and age about 31 years, and Isaac, born in 1588, about 44 years of age on landing in America. To determine the age of Abraham, two to four years usually between ages of children, would credit him possibly as 40 years of age on landing. Their deaths occurring within six months of one another, would seem they were not far apart in age, and that the "alloted span of life" had closed upon both nearly of age.
The maturity of Abraham no doubt protected him against application of the rule of "early marriage" in the colony, forced upon the young men at that time, since he was a celibate for thirteen years before marrying. There existed a political and ecclesiastical system, rendering a premium on early marriage. An unmarried man living by himself in the colony was an object of suspicion. Church membership was not easily obtained-even denied such a one. Cases known where a son being stubborn and disobedient was convicted. In some of the colonies, by law, could be tried and sentenced to death. "In the seventeenth century a bachelor over 21, or a spinster over 20, was an exception."
In the Connecticut Colony a code was enacted that "no young man without wife, servant, or public office, might keep house by himself, or be taken as a lodger in a family, unless the magistrates gave leave."
Abraham lost much time before marrying Sarah Clement of Haverill, June 10, 1645, thirteen years after his arrival. He then was around 50 years of age. In summing up births of their children, the first occurring July, 1646, and so on up to his death, in 1662, would suggest he married quite a young woman, and Sarah Clement being next to the youngest of Robert Clement's family of five children. That she was much younger than Abraham is borne out; that she lived thirty-two years beyond the time of his death, she dying in 1694.
Also the fact of his versatility, skilled and experienced as an older man, disproves the theory of being "much younger" than his brother Isaac. Known to be a blacksmith, millwright, iron founder, planter, and a trainer in the Artillery Company.
Robert Clement, Sarah's father, was an immigrant from England to Salisbury, 1642, which part of town he settled, later became Haverill. A man of prominence, receiving many appointments of office-"a man of rare integrity and superior talents" as quoted.
Abraham was fined in 1641 for "selling his servant his time"-explaining that he hired his servant out to another. As a celibate, he probably lived alone with his servant, whose time he allowed another to use. Slavery conditions existed at that early day in the colonies, of the Negro, Mulatto and Indian. The rigorous climate of New England was unfit for it to any great extent, where in Virginia slavery began and flourished, the warmer climate adapted and in the more southern states of outdoor work.
The will of Abraham, made the month before he died, mentions his wife and six children only, out of the then eight births known; one child, a girl named Hepzibah, born after his death. Infant mortality was great in the colonies owing to the severe climate and deprivations of an unsettled country. Abraham died while on a visit to his brother Isaac in Roxbury, June 20, 1662. His state, worth 507 pounds, besides a farm, implements and stock.
Sarah, his widow, married Thomas Mudgett in 1665, a ship builder, by whom she had, some authorities say, five children; some say two only-proving her to have been a very young woman when she married the first time.
Abraham belonged to the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Boston. In a history of that company is given an outline of the lives of members, from which is quoted an another page in this book something of Abraham and Isaac.
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Isaac, referred to as Welshman, suggests Wales as birthplace. Somersetshire, Devonshire, places identified with the Morrills, are near Wales. He was freeman, 1633, and member of the First Church, Roxbury. Was constable in 1659, and one of the four richest men. Wrote a fine hand as shown by his signatures, Isaac MORRELL. His three sons died young with no issue. The three daughters married names Smith, Brewer, Davis, from whom are many descendants in New England ancestry and scattered married throughout the United States and thousands more descended from Abraham. Isaac's wife Sarah died Nov. 9, 1672, aged 72 years. He belonged to the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company. In the history of the company is given an outline of its members, from which is quoted an interesting side light in this book of Abraham and Isaac.
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DESCRIPTION OF BURIAL PLACE OF ISAAC AND ABRAHAM
In the "Old First Burial Ground," Roxbury, now Boston, corner of Eustis and Washington streets. A section of ground about 200 feet by 200, an elevation, excavated to level of the sidewalk and walled up in stone some six feet. Pedestrians make their way below on two sides of the corner, with buildings in contact on other sides.
Amidst the din of city traffic, trolley cars on surface, elevated cars above. The old-time slate headstones loom up like so many sentinels to portray the 300 years gone by, and where Abraham and Isaac lie buried.
Mrs. Annie Morrill Smith of Bronxville, N.Y., author of a book, "Morrill Kindred in America," has given permission to use the photograph of Morrill tombstone she recently erected to the brothers.
In her investigation of the old burial place she found the much worn stone with Isaac's name, and as Abraham died at the home of his brother, but identity lost of the spot where buried, she had the inscription read to both, a panel being made to embrace the name of Isaac and inserted in the new tombstone.
Four generations of Morrill were born in Salisbury, home of Abraham, and several from Isaac, who lived in Roxbury, close to the Old First Burial Ground.
MORRILL TOMBSTONE
Roxbury Burial Yard Ground, Boston
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THE TWO BROTHERS-ABRAHAM AND ISAAC
As quoted from the History of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Boston in 1895, in reference to its members: ABRAHAM MORRILL-Joined the company in 1638. Was of Cambridge. In 1632 came perhaps in the "Lion" with his brother Isaac. In 1635 he resided on the westerly side of Brighton street, near the spot occupied by the old Porter Tavern. He removed with the original proprietors to Salisbury, where in 1650, only four men were taxed for more than he. He probably moved to Salisbury in 1641, as in that year a house-lot was granted him on the "Green" (East Salisbury), Jan. 25, 1642, sixty acres of land were granted to him and Henrie Saywood, to build a "corn-mill." No other mill was to be built so long as this one ground all the corn the people needed. This will was situated at what is now called the "Mills" Amesbury (which town was a part of Salisbury later divided off). He is believed to have moved from the "Green" and owned and occupied a house on Barlay's Hill, Amesbury, a most sightly place, taking in the sinuous Merrimack river from Pipe-Stave Hill to Deer Island, while at its foot among the ancient elms nestled the hamlets of "Point-shore" so called.
The cellar of his house is still visible. He was a blacksmith by trade, and so many of his descendants having chosen that art, the family has been humorously called "of the Tubal Cain fraternity."
He married Sarah Clement, daughter of Robert Clement, the ship builder. By her he had seven children at least. In the inventory of his estate are included four guns and blacksmith's tools.
"The death of Abraham Morrill," Mr. Merrill says, in his history of Amesbury, "one of the most prominent men of the old town, may with propriety be mentioned here, 1662, as his descendants have largely helped to people the town. He died previous to Oct. 14, when his will was proved. He was among the first to settle in new territory and his house-lot was near the residence now occupied as a parsonage at East Salisbury.
He died at Roxbury while on a visit to his brother's home, June 20, 1662. His estate inventoried 507 pounds.
Whittier in his poem to Quaker Morrison, makes the latter say,-
"Ensign Morrill and his son
See the wonders they have done."
The family of the ancient trainer Abraham Morrill (he trained the members of the Artillery Company) through every generation have been noted for their enterprise, whether in iron, fish, cloth, nails, coasting vessels, farming or trades. In the business history of Salisbury and Amesbury the ancient and honorable soldier of the Artillery Company and his numerous decendents have made a most noble record.
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Also joined the Artillery Company in 1638, brother of Abraham, born in 1588, came to America with his wife and two daughters in the "Lion," arriving Sept. 16, 1632, he settled in Roxbury and was admitted to be a freeman March 4, 1633. His homestead in Roxbury was on the Dorchester road, between Washing and Warren Streets. He was a blacksmith, and Mr. Drake days, "One of his two forges belonged in 1720 to his great-grandson, Samuel Stevens, the grandfather of Joseph Warren."
Drake in his history of Roxbury, thus refers to Isaac Morrill and the Roxbury train-band, "Among the distinguishing traits of our ancestors was their attention to military affairs. Arms were a common possession. Those of Isaac Morrill of Roxbury, hung up in his parlor were, a musket, a fowling-piece, three swords, a pike, a half-pike, a corselet and two belts of bandoleers. All males between sixteen an sixty were required to be provided with arms and ammunition. The arms of private soldiers were pikes, muskets, and swords. The muskets had matchlocks or firelocks, and to each one there was a pair of bandoleers or pouches for powder and bullets, an a stick called a ‘rest’ for use in taking aim. The pikes were ten feet in length, besides the spear at the end. For defensive armor, corselets were worn, and coats quilted with cotton. The train-band had not less than sixty-four nor more than two hundred men and twice as many musketeers as pikemen, the latter being of superior stature. Its officers were a captain, lieutenant, ensign, and four sergeants. The commissioned officers carried swords, partisans, or leading staves, and sometimes pistols. The sergeants bore halberds. The flag of the colony bore the red cross of St. George in one corner, upon a white field, the pine-tree, the favorite emblem of New England, being in one corner of the four spaces formed by the cross. Company trainings were ordered at first every Saturday, then every month, then eight times a year. ‘The training to begin at one of the clock of the afternoon.’ The drum was their only music.
The Auchmuty estate, of fourteen acres, on the old turnpike, and the "fox holes," so called, containing twenty-six acres, were parts of the Isaac Morrill estate.
In the Roxbury Land Records, Sixth Report of the Boston Record Commissioners, Isaac Morrill's is the seventh property enumerated, consisting of "two houses, two forges, one barn with out housing and two orchards and a swamp" and 10 lots of land, including "fox holes" and smithfield." According to the Roxbury Church Records, "Isaac Morrill, an aged brother, died Dec. 21, 1662."
HARVARD COLLEGE ESTABLISHED AND ENDOWED
In 1636, there were in Massachusetts and Connecticut at least forty men who had been educated at Cambridge and Oxford, England. Such as academic element in Massachusetts naturally exerted themselves for education in the colony. In 1636 the General Court voted four hundred pounds towards establishing a college or grammar school at Cambridge. Next year John Harvard bequeathed 779 pounds and his library of 260 volumes. He died in 1638. At that time the standing of a student in class at Harvard when graduated, was no on his merit, but was according to wealth, the "son of a gentleman thereof" stood at the head of his class, and so on to the next, from status of wealth or money.
Gifts and donations made to Harvard by bequests from John D. Rockefeller are known to be to date, 1922, two million dollars. What will be the gift in the next three hundred years.
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THE
ANCIENT AND HONORABLE ARTILLERY COMPANY OF BOSTON
ITS BENEFIT IN COLONIAL TIMES
This company, one of the oldest military organizations on the American Continent, was borrowed or transplanted from England; known there as the London Artillery Company, later as the Honorable, on account of so many distinguished men belonging and commanding the company.
In New England was first named "The Military Company of Massachusetts." Ancient was added after the first century of its formation, together with Honorable in Boston where the military training days were held.
The first settlers having no military defense, formed train-bands. In 1636 there were seven of these bands in adjacent towns, viz. Boston, Dorchester, Charlestown, Watertown, Newton, Sangus, Ipswich. Their leaders were skillful and experienced. Weapons and equipment were sent out from England, as were also their military trainers.
The small and scattered train-bands were unequal to the marauding Indians, being deficient in tactics and discipline; but were not without martial courage. It is claimed the Pilgrims and Puritans were not fighting men in the sense of belligerants. They could prepare for war, safety and encounter, yet repel and resist when occasion required.
The Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Boston was formed in 1637. In 1638 a charter was granted to the colonists for adoption, by King Charles I of England. This company was a benefit in a military sense to the Massachusetts Bay Colony, being the first in defense of every battle of New England in the century of their existence. It hastened the time of independence and pointed the way to the Republic of the United States of America. People esteemed the members of the company, being men of prominence and influence.
The company greatly directed and moved town affairs. Was the first to organize schools and churches, framed and administered laws of the colony. Introduced manufactures and extention of trade.
The officers of the company consisted of Captain, Lieutenant, Ensign, two Sergeants, Clerk and Drummer. The drummer was a conspicuous person whose duty it was to make town announcements. In the absence of church bells, the drum beats called people together for meeting house worship. Sundays, and to the Thursday lecture, proclaimed the laws, auction sales, departure of vessels, advertised rooms to rent, children lost and found, new importations of dry and other goods. Also the military called the colors for drills and parades. There were no newspapers then.
The Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Boston is today an aristocratic society, classy, and expensive for its members to maintain, who are proud of the association and jealous of its prerogatives.
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In 1638, Joseph Glover, a non-conformist clergyman, sailed for Boston from London, carrying with him a printing press, all necessary stock, a master printer and three workmen. The press was intended to be presented to Harvard College. The clergyman, Glover, died on the journey, but the master printer. Day, whom he had engaged, arrived safely with the press. It was set up at Cambridge and Day was granted 300 acres in view of his act and services.
AUGUSTUS MORRILL
Photo of In the Consulate of Manzanillo, Mexico, 1869 to 1889
SEVENTH GENERATION OF MORRILLS AS PIONEERS TO CALIFORNIA. BORN IN CHICHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE
They made the venture in 1849 as did many others in that early and historical period. Charles was the first to come from Boston, his brothers followed from New Hampshire. Cyrus, the oldest, never left his native state. He married, had one child as far as known. Died November 2, 1853, aged thirty-five years; buried in the Morrill Yard lot, Chichester.
John Calvin came in 1852 via Cape Horn, ship North American, arriving San Francisco September 1, and went directly to the mines at Coloma, El Dorado county. After six months the "call of the farmer" being largely in his make-up, he rented a ranch March 1, 1853, on Dry Creek, Armador county. November of that year he returned to New Hampshire via Nicaragua route, remaining until 1855. He then again returned to California via Isthmus of Panama, bringing his wife and three children. After a short stay in Sacramento and San Francisco he went to Santa Clara county. October 1, 1856, he came into possession of a fine farm of 160 acres, in the foothills of Berryessa, close to San Jose. His first house was a long cabin. Later he erected a handsome dwelling. Made several trips to New Hampshire. Finally sold out his ranch and built a nice home in San Jose, where he died March 6, 1895. He married Emeline H. Swain, May 4, 1843, also native of New Hampshire.
Dr. Charles Morrill was a graduate of Harvard, class 1846, degree M. D. Between that year and 1849, before coming to California, he lived in Boston. It was at the Quincy house where all lived in Boston, that he met his future wife, Mary Ann Morrill, born in Dearing, New Hampshire, not known to be related. Dr. Morrill made several balloon ascensions from Boston Common, of which an account will be given.
Naturally the gold excitement would appeal to one of his mind. The doctor arrived in 1849 via Isthmus of Panama, and located in the drug business at San Francisco and Sacramento, where he had a chain of drug stores between the two places. It was only around 1852 that city directories appeared. In looking back to one, "Dr. Charles Morrill, importer and wholesale dealer in drugs, medicine, paints, oils, brushes, combs, manufacturer of camphene."
At one time he operated a line of coasting vessels between San Francisco and Colima, Mexico, in the interest of passengers and freight, to facilitate operation of the drug business he opened at Colima through a party who proved incompetent. A severe storm scattered and destroyed the vessels to the extent of abandoning the enterprise.
Dr. Charles Morrill died in San Jose, March 30, 1871, aged 47, at the home of his brother, John Calvin.
Lewis came in 1849 in the ship New Jersey, around Cape Horn, leaving New York July 1, arriving October 9th at San Francisco. He at once proceeded to the mines, later followed the inclination of his boyhood days as a farmer, and settled at Suisun, Calif., where he had a fine farm or ranch as called, making a specialty of raising livestock. He died February 11, 1912, at Suisun.
Dr. Morrill, Lewis and George, coming in 1849, rates them as real pioneers. The California Society of Pioneers at first recognized those only who came as "Forty-Niners," later accepted those who came up to 1855. Now residents of the state fifty years are admitted to the Society of Pioneers.
George came in 1849 around Cape Horn. He went to the mines at Coloma. As a druggist he had a store at Virginia City, Nev., and Diamond Springs. Late in life he located a homestead at Verdi, Cal. He died July 18, 1891. Buried in Truckee, Cal. Very little is known of him and his family, they being isolated from the rest, but there was a large family of children, who lived mainly at Truckee and Sacramento.
William came in 1853. He assisted the doctor, his brother, in the drug stores, and engaged in a printing establishment in San Francisco later. Born and bred a farmer, having left a wife east in his absence, returned to New Hampshire early. He enlisted in the Civil War of 1862 and died at Deerfield, N. H., May 6, 1867. Is buried with his wife at Epsom, McClary cemetery, the adjoining town, and close to Chichester.
Augustus Morrill, the youngest of the brothers, came by Isthmus of Panama in 1852, where at San Francisco and Sacramento he operated his brother's drug stores. Later went to La Porte to take charge, where he met his wife Camilla Langham, who as a pioneer in her youth, had come across the plains from Kentucky by ox team. She and Augustus married in 1859 at La Porte, at the home of her sister. Dr. Morrill arranged with his brother to investigate the drug business opened at Colima and this is how Augustus found residence in Mexico by going there in 1861 with his young wife and infant son, Charles. He preferred to stay in that country and so agreeably affiliated with the people that he was made vice-consul of the United States at Manzanillo, January 26, 1869, and made consul same place August 5, 1872, being retired from the consulate 1881. Was also consul agent at Colima. During the disturbing times of Carranza in 1914, the bandits took mules and stock from his rancho, three miles out of Colima, also received money demanded. Finally in trying to take him for ransom, which he knew, but continued his horseback rides to and from his home, until one day, February 23, 1920, he was attacked. In defending himself he was shot and died instantly, having just passed his eighty-eighth birthday. Thus he lived sixty years or passed his life in Mexico. He loved the country and often said he wanted his bones to repose there.
The last of the Morrill Pioneers, the youngest and only girl, Sara Catherine, will find mention elsewhere in these pages. She died at Pacific Grove, Calif., June 13, 1914.
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Camilla, widow of Augustus, whose tragic death occurred in Mexico, 1920, was left at the age of eighty-two to settle her affairs alone and join her children in California, making her home at San Lorenzo with her daughter, Mrs. Aurora King. Augustus' children ad all been educated at San Francisco, where Augustus, Jr., received the degree of M. D. Charles and T. Leonard settled in Mexico, as did also Dr. Augustus. They all left suddenly for San Francisco with their families in 1914 as refugees during the disturbing times of Carranza's government.
Dr. Augustus and his wife, Clotilda, died within a short time of each other at Antioch, Calif., in 1919.
Charles became guardian of the six orphaned children of his brother, the two families returning to Colima, November, 1920, where affairs had calmed down under President Obregon, all but Charles being natives of Mexico. He resumed his holdings as druggist, taken over years before from his father. His wife, Emma, is a sister of Clotilda, wife of Dr. Augustus, both being natives of Mexico.
T. Leonard remained in California and lives at Oakland; he is a consulting engineer, and married, Agnes B. Oldenbourg in Colima, Mexico, February 15, 1905, of German descent.
Augustus Morrill in declining years as he used to ride from his Colima home, three miles to the Hacienda el Balcon or farm of 2000 acres, under cultivation of corn, beans, sugar cane and manufacture of oil from the coquito, or small cocoanut, grown on the Pacific coast; the process by machinery, grounding and pressing out oil used for lighting purposes.
The view was taken in the patio or yard of the Hacienda.
Charles L. of San Francisco, son of John Calvin, was named for his uncle, Dr. Charles, whose operations suggest the same forceful character. Always interested in enterprises; a promoter, and financed by various companies in matters of power development and mining. Operating in Cuba, Honolulu, Mexico, besides California.
Fred L., Oldest son of Lewis, is located at Fairfield, near Suisun. Like his father, he followed along the agricultural line. Later has given attention to fruit raising, co-operating in with cannery of his products, which are the choicest and bear Morrill brand. The business is exclusive, consists of private orders given in advance.
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THE MORRILL HOME, CHICHESTER, AND MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY
PAUL, FIRST SETTLER
(Quoted from Concord, N. H., State Library Statistics)
"Indian War prevented early settlement of Chichester, but in 1753 to 1758, Paul Morrill, son of Isaac, Jr., for 500 acres of land was induced to come up into the woods and commence a clearing and make for himself and his posterity a home and name. The tract of land which he selected was in the southwest corner of the town, and has ever since been known as 'Morrill's Grant.' He cleared up a piece of land and built a home at the 'Horse Corner', so called from a horse being lost in that vicinity.
"Paul Morrill cleared up a farm upon which he spent the remainder of his days. He settled several of his sons near him. John Morrill, one of the sons of Paul, was born about the time his father settled in Chichester, and in supposed to be the first child born in the town; as we find that the Land Proprietors gave fifty acres of land to the first child of Paul Morrill born in Chichester.
"The Proprietors continued for several years their efforts to induce others to settle there and thereby create a demand for their land, but very little was accomplished in this direction until about 1770, when John Cram for a grant of land and the water power which he has discovered on the Suncook River, in what is now Pittsfield, built a sawmill-an institution of great importance in those days, and without which no extended settlement could be made.
The home in Chichester is on a hillside not far from the burial lot. Two large mulberry trees stand in front and a long shed leads into the side entrance of a large barn. From the back of house is a view below of wild and unoccupied country. At the right of wood pile is the orchard where stand the trees grafted by Nancy Morrill, close to a large forest of pines.
THE MORRILL YARD
"The American Revolutionary War of 1775-81 left the country deeply in debt. Congress had no power to establish a system of imports; consequently heavy taxes were levied on polls and estates. This in connection with other circumstances produced a season of distress and suffering, from which Chichester did not escape.
"The war over, the settlers began to talk about dividing the town, for John Cram and his numerous friends, aided by that great civilizer, the sawmill, had already built up quite a settlement around the water power, now Pittsfield village.
Paul Morrill and his family and friends had settled in the extreme southerly portion of the town, so, when an attempt was made to fix upon a center for a church, etc., a difficulty arose which they could not surmount. The people of the north part of the town wanted it there. So on the 26th day of December, 1781, they voted to divide the town. In 1783 they divided their books. The town of Pittsfield took the ‘law book’, which had been the guide of the town officers hitherto, and Chichester took the ‘record’ books of the Selectmen and town clerk. These books are in the town clerk's office in Chichester, and are in a good state of preservation."
Paul Morrill, fourth generation, married Martha Worthen of London, N.H., in 1740.
His family consisted mainly of ten boys; several made alliances of marriage in Vermont, just over the line, and settled there. Many prominent men in public life named Morrill have been natives of that state.
John Morrill, son of Micajah and grandson of Paul, known as Deacon John. We read of him in the chronicles of those early times conducting a Sunday school class of adults.
Deacon John Morrill married Nancy Peverly, January 19, 1818; she was the daughter of George and Sarah Peverly of Canterbury, N. H. Sarah's family name was Sherburn. It is recorder that Sarah Sherburn and George Peverly were married in Louden, N. H., in 1799 by Jedediah Tucker. From the union two girls were born, Nancy and Catherine.
THE MORRILL CLOCK
Brought from New Hampshire in 1869
Sentiment and reverence usually linger about grandfather's clock. Little children in their chairs with the elders grouped around this clock loop upon its face in retrospection of the distant place it once occupied in the home of Deacon John. They listen to the measured tick-tock and solemn hourly strike with veneration for those ancestors along the Morrill line associated with it in the past.
Nancy Morrill was a person or remarkable force and energy. Deacon John died in 1838, leaving her with a family of eight children. In 1839 the house burned down, wherein all possessions were lost. The following year Nancy set about rebuilding the house by her own ability and largely helped by the good neighbors of those days. Some of the fruit trees that she grafted are today, 1922, left standing grim and lifeless from age, a memorial to her efforts and capabilities. She died seven years after Deacon John at age 45 in 1845, which caused a breaking up of the home and separation of the Morrill boys. The house and farm of 150 acres are well preserved and stand on an eminence, not far from the Morrill Yard burial lot, commanding a beautiful view below of open and unsettled country, with a faint outline in the distance of approach to the White mountains.
The home is occupied and owned at this date, 1922, by Abraham Lincoln West, whose father, George Washington West, when a boy of fourteen, lived with Nancy and helped build the barn in 1840. He said he should own the place one day, which later came into his possession.
The Morrill Yard burial lot in which a few are laid to rest has at this writing, 1920, been placed in perpetual care and redeemed from a neglected condition to one of order, a sum of money being recently contributed to the trust fund of the town of Chichester, the interest thereof to perpetuate the care, also a new headstone erected to Catherine Peverly. The Morrill Yard is connected with no cemetery, it lies on the public road or highway and is sixty-six feet square, the location being sparsely settled but typical of the beauty of New Hampshire scenery.
During a visit east in 1889 John C. Morrill of San Jose erected within in Morrill Yard a monument of granite with curbing of same around it, making an enclosure of thirty feet by twelve near the frontage or highway.
Within this space is buried Paul Morrill, first settler; his great-grandchild Deacon John, with his wife Nancy, and his brother Micajah with his wife Sallie (Shaw); Cyrus, oldest son, is also interred there.
The deaths of these six members are inscribed on the monument together with date of its erection.
In one corner of the enclosure is a small honorary tablet that reads, "Wm. S. Morrill, Co. E, 11th N.H. Infantry," a Civil War veteran, son of Deacon John, but who is buried with his wife in McClary cemetery, Epsom, adjoining Chichester; Catherine Peverly, sister of Nancy, is also buried in the lot proper.
Mention should be made that in Deacon John's home was the old-fashioned or grandfather's clock, that stands eight feet, bearing on its face. "1818 Concord" manufacture, now over 100 years old. One of the boys, John C. Morrill, rushed into the burning home in 1839, and saved it from the fire. Also he brought it from New Hampshire considerably later in life on one of his eastern visits to the old locality and it remained in his home at San Jose until his death in 1895, when it passed into the family on his sister, Sarah C. Raymond, Pacific Grove. The clock will eventually revert to the Morrill name.
The family Bible, containing the Morrill genealogy from 1632, was brought to California at the same time, and is now in the family of Fred L. Morrill, Fairfield, son of Lewis.
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Some claim MOREL is French from descendants of the Huguenots who fled to Germany in 1635. MORRILL is also said to be French MORRELL is claimed to be both English and Welch.
One of the eighth generation, descended from Daniel, a son of Isaac, says his grandfather told him the Morrills came over to England with William the Conqueror and settled there. Thus the name is spelled Moril, Morril, Morrella, Morel, Morell, Morrall, Morrill, Morrell, Murrell, Morriel, Morrall, Moil. This diversity of spelling is found in names of towns as well. Salsbery, the town where Abraham lived, is today spelled Salisbury. The name Hoyt, Haight, Hight and Hoit are of the same family. The name Mudgett, Mudget, Mugat, Muggitt, Mughitt, in colonial times belonged to the one family. Capt. Keayne, first commander of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, Boston, in 1638, his name appeared Keayne, Cane, Kene, Keene, Keine. Spelling of names may be a matter of caprice or fancy, like Peter H. Burnett, first Governor of California in 1849, in his recollections of and old pioneer, states his name was originally spelled Burnet, but at the age of nineteen he added another "t." His example was followed by his brothers, giving as reason, the name was more complete and emphatic spelled Burnett. Take MORIL, and substitute MORRILL, is certainly gives emphasis and charm to the name both in speaking and writing it.
In olden times living in provinces of countries, and in the colonies of New England, pride, and as a distinguishing feature might have induced the bearer of a name to twist, add, or subtract letters to suit himself.
In the records of English marriages during the 17th Century the name in England occurs most frequently spelled MORRELL.
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EXTRACTS OF MORRILL NAME FOUND IN GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH CANTERBURY, NEW HAMPSHIRE
Abraham's second son Jacob had a son Ezekiel. This son had a son Ezekiel, Jr., the fourth generation. He became the pioneer settler of Canterbury, near Chichester. Like Paul, both born in Salisbury, within a year of each other, wandered away from impulse to seek new settlements, or form new alliances in marriage.
Salisbury, 40 miles from Boston, on the ocean. Settlers moved along the coast from there to up the Merrimac Valley into New Hampshire.
Inscription of family lot in Canterbury Cemetery reads, "Eight generations from Abraham Morrill. Five generations in Canterbury from Ezekiel, the Pioneer."
Also was found in research, "George Peverly Morrill, seventh son of Capt. Davis Morrill and elder son of his second wife, whose name was Sally Peverly Morrill, born April 21, 1844, on his father's farm in Canterbury, who worked the ‘Morrill Road’ connecting the mill with the Penacook and Concord roads."
This is quoted on account of the name of Peverly handed down in our family from Sally Sherburn Peverly of Canterbury who married George Peverly, 1799.
It will be seen that Isaac, Jr., our ancestor of the third generation, had also a son, the youngest child, brother to Paul, named Isaac, who became very prominent as the Rev. Isaac Morrill of Wilmington, Mass., where he officiated the greater part of his life.
Quoted from Annie Morrill Smith's book, "Morrill Kindred in America," whose near ancestor he was: "Isaac, born May 20, 1718, brings us to the youngest of the family, and the one who became our Revolutionary ancestor as Chaplain in the Colonial wars and then in the Continental army, as will be seen later, being familiarly called "Rev. Isaac.’ He was born in Salisbury, received into the church at Wilmington. He graduated from Harvard College in 1738, in his 19th year. Rev. Isaac was settled in the ministry at Wilmington, being ordained there May 20, 1741, and died in the 53rd year of his ministry on August 17, 1793, aged 75 years."
There are descendants of two distinct families of Morrill in New England and Maine, let this be understood but no relation was ever traced between them, viz., Abraham of Salisbury in 1632, and John Morrill, coming from England, 1668. The very first man by name of Morrill to "set foot" on American soil was one William Morrill in 1622, a clergyman known to be in the Plymouth Colony, and later returned to England, and has no ancestors here. Other Morrills have come over from England at later dates. John Morrill, mentioned born 1640 in England, arrived in Massachusetts, 1668, and settled in Kittery, Maine, where he received land grants 1668-69. His name then was spelled MORRELL; his descendants now spell it MORRILL. He had three sons, one was named Abraham; Nicholas conducted a ferry from Kittery to Dover Neck, N. H.
There are several generations of descendants from two of the sons. The book, "Old Kittery and Her Families," also "Pikes Journal" give something of them.
Gov. Anson P. Morrill and Senator Lot M. Morrill of Maine are of the Kittery lineage. Senator Justin S. Morrill of Vermont, and Judge John A. Morrill of the Supreme Judicial Court of Auburn, Maine, are of the Abraham or Salisbury lineage.
Mary Ann Morrill was born in Dearing, N. H., May 29, 1825. Her mother, Mary Ann Hoyt, married Lewis W. Morrill of Bradford, N. H., around 1823. Her ancestors on the ascendant side have been traced back to John Hoyt, living in Salisbury, the home of Abraham, dying there in 1688.
Her great grandfather, Lieutenant Stephen Hoyt, was born 1746. He fought in the battle of Bunker Hill, 1775; again in the Revolutionary War of 1776; was wounded and mustered out. He was a soldier in the American Army when the British commander, General Burgoyne, surrendered at Saratoga, 1777.
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DR. MORRILL'S BALLOON ASCENSIONS FROM BOSTON COMMON
He made several in 1847-48. In one, his only sister, Sarah Catherine, a child of twelve years, attempted to make the ascent with him, but at the last moment her extreme youth was brought to bear in the situation, and given up with great reluctance. Once in making a balloon ascension, Dr. Morrill came down in contact with a body of water, some fishermen close by came to his rescue as the balloon was about to settle.
Another time, Mary A. Morrill, intended wife of the Doctor, attempted an ascent, quotation from a Boston newspaper dated Sept. 14, 1848, says, "The excitement among the crowd in the Public Garden and Common was now intense and the crowd much larger than on occasion of the Doctor's previous aerial voyage. All anxious to catch a glimpse of the intrepid young lady who was to display her nerve as an aeronaut, it was with difficulty the police could hold back the crowd from incommoding the workmen about the balloon. Presently the lady appeared dressed in a black close-fitting habit, with hat and plume, and took her place beside the Doctor in the car, when the word was given ‘let go’ the rope that held them. The lady appeared not in the least frightened or excited, but holding on to the netting with one hand, with the other unfolded a flag, and smiling waved it as the car arose. The balloon rose slowly and sluggishly with a rolling motion, and taking a westerly direction, dashed the car against the upper strip of canvas of the amphitheater. It cleared however, but the balloon was not equal to the weight appended, and it gradually descended till it touched the ground about fifty yards from the starting point. The lady was taken out much against her inclination. She displayed the utmost coolness and intrepidity when the collision occurred, nearly upsetting the car.
Relieved of the most precious portion of its burden the Doctor, "all alone by himself" now re-ascended in magnificent style. After going upwards and onwards, in the direction of Cambridge about ten minutes, it reached a northerly current of air, which brought it back over the Common, and carried it towards Quincy, where it landed about a quarter before six. The Doctor had not returned to the city when our account was made up. There was much speculation to know who the mysterious lady is, and though we feel pretty certain her name is Miss Morrill and that she may be a cousin of the Doctor, we should not like to say so without being more certain. She is decidedly pretty and her intrepidity beyond a doubt. She is of slender from, weighing from ninety to one hundred pounds, and of fair complexion.
Account of still another trip-"The ascent of Dr. Morrill from the public gardens on Saturday, 5 o'clock, drew a large concourse of spectators. The balloon went off in a south-easterly direction, and rose rapidly, passing through several clouds, and looked like a little star, when it disappeared in the distance. Dr. Morrill landed in perfect safety a few minutes past six o'clock in Pembroke, near Duxbury, twenty-seven miles from this city. He procured a carriage and arrived home at 1 o'clock yesterday morning, nothing having occurred to mar the pleasure of his solitary aerial voyage.
Balloon excursions are now common over the whole extent of our country. Whether the principle can be applied as to enable the aeronaut to control the direction of his balloon remains still a doubtful question.
We see by a recent number of the Newark Advertiser that an ingenious mechanic is experimenting in the hope of achieving this desperation,-nay, that he thinks he has achieved it, and that with adequate means he can carry it out into successful operation. When balloons first began to be constructed it was expected that they would be found applicable to many important purposes, but no such improvement has been made since the discovery."
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Heraldry is a science of symbols and devices laid down by law for its guidance when the various symbols adopted are recognized as hereditary. Heralds were the spokesmen for all messages of the king or commanding generals, and became authority for record of those to whom armorial bearings were granted. The name "herald" first occurs in 1152.
Appellation of coat-of-arms originated from practice of embroidering the family insignia (a badge of office or honor) on the surcoat, a garment worn over the armour, or shirt of mail. The English soldiers were distinguished by a white cross, sewed to their surcoats; the French bore a red, and the Flemings a green cross. The business of the herald was to proclaim peace and to announce war, to be employed in martial messages, and to judge and to examine coats-of-arms.
The Herald's College was established in England in 1483. Its business was to regulate grants of arms and to see that such distinctions were not borne illegally. From 1528 to 1704 its officials made periodic visits to the various countries, registering genealogies, summoning all knights, esquires and gentlemen to appear and register their arms, all marriages, births and deaths, and other family events.
Persons receiving certain high honors, or offices of honor, from the Crown must have arms and then if they and their immediate ascendants have not borne arms a search is made to connect the person with some recorded coat. The Herald College is still existence though shorn of much of its power. Arms are still granted by the college to any applicant for a moderate fee of ten pounds.
Arms are generally borne upon a shield to signify their military origin, and covered with metals, furs and colors; upon it are certain devices, like a helmet, crest, supporters, mottoes and mantlings. Marshaling is the art of blending two or more coats-of-arms to form one composition so as to convey a definite meaning. A shield divided into partitions is said to be "quartered."
Those Americans whose ancestors assumed arms in colonial days, as so many did, may be glad to have this precedent to refer to. George Washington inherited a coat-of-arms from reputed English ancestors, and used it on appropriate occasions. Benjamin Franklin applied for and obtained a grant of armorial bearings and his motto was "Conduct marks the man." Where two such republicans lead, Americans need not fear to follow. When a man marries, the arms go with the alliance. The husband has the right to "marshal" her coat with his, and their children inherit the new quartered coat. In the coat of arms illustrated in this booklet of the Plas Yolyn Morrill family the "quartering" is an instance of two families united by marriage.
THE MORRILL FAMILY OF PLAS YOLYN
The Morrall, Morrell, Morrill family of Plas Yolyn, county of Salop, descended from John Morrall Esquire of Plas Yolyn, who married in 1669 Judith Edwardes daughter and heir of Thomas Edwardes Esquire of Kilhendre, eighteenth in descent from Tudor Trevor, a celebrated chieftain.
The coat-of-arms of this family is as follows: Silver on a red embattled fesse, between six Cornish choughs proper, three palm branches of the first. The quartering for Edwardes is two chevrons engrailed between three erased silver boar heads. The Morrall crest is a demi-griffin and the motto is, "Norma tuta veritas," which, translated, means "Truth is the safe rule."
There are from 25 to 30 or more Morrill coats-of-arms of English and French origin. This one goes back to 1551 and earlier, and is a branch of Morrill arms or family. If could be traced would give once a clue to relationship.
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The two coats-of-arms on pages 37 and 38 were evidently brought England by our Colonial ancestors-known to be in such families, and reproduced from their duplicates in Boston.
Mrs. Annie Morrill Smith, authority for my use of all of them, is now working out in the supplement to her book, "Morrill Kindred in America," a fully genealogy of Morrills, also the exact location in Essex, England, if possible, for further history now being discovered that is the neighborhood of advent of the two brothers.
Line drawing of
BY THE NAME OF MORRILL
He beareth azure, two griffins rampant or, supporting a diamond argent, by the name of Morrill. Granted in 1565, the seventh year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth, to Sir Hugh Morrill, of the County of Devon, first son of Sir Robert Morrill, Inner Temple, London, son of Sir Thomas Morrill, west of England. This is used by the Morrills, of Salisbury and Amesbury. Obtained at Boston, Mass. 1793.
BY THE NAME OF MORRILL
He beareth sable, a leopard's head jessant-de-lis or, in the dexter chief a lion passant, by the name of Morrill. Granted 1660 A.D., the 18th of July, in the 12th year of the reign of Charles II, to Samuel Morrill of Southamstede Bar. Original now in the Peabody Historical Society Rooms; formerly belonged to the Stimson family.
THE PIONEER
SARAH C. MORRILL RAYMOND
Came to California via Isthmus of Panama from Boston, 1855, arriving at San Francisco, eighteen years of age, only daughter of Deacon John. She was brought up in the early New England conscience of religion, and was an ardent exponent of its discipline. Beloved by her children, associating largely in the interests of their lives and a true woman in the home.
Was always a protege of her brother, Dr. Charles, with whom she lived until her marriage to John P. Raymond, in San Francisco, June 28, 1858, who also was a native of New Hampshire.
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AUNT SALLY BATCHELDER
Sally Batchelder, sixth generation, born in Chichester, N. H., March 17, 1793, was a sister of Deacon John. A woman of resolution and capabilities, and like numerous Morrills drifted to Boston, and there had management of the Quincy House round the years 1830, a then select boarding place, where many Morrills congregated. Aunt Batchelder, as known to them; great aunt, to us of the eighth generation.
Born and bred in the stern Puritan ideas, she was prim and exact, but jolly and happy withal.
In that era a woman began to wear the distinctive cap on approach of age fifty and settled herself as elderly. The dressy cap was her chief concern of wear and adornment, significant of her dignity.
At an advanced age Aunt Batchelder's life close, suited to her independent nature, in a first established home for the elderly on Charles Street, Boston, within view of the Charles River.
From the home she periodically visited friends and relatives, radiating sunshine and breeziness to us all, glad of her advent among us.
Old ladies like Aunt Batchelder in the lace cap have gone by as the gold rush to California, neither chapters to be repeated.
In this age of 1922 old ladies are barely classed as such, will there be so recognized any old ladies at all in a generation from now?
Jesse Morrill, younger brother of Sally and Deacon John, wandered into commercial seafaring life, taking up with it probably from the port of Boston. At age 21 in 1823 he was known to have been a trader and exploited along the coast of California, later was appointed United States Consul to Australia.
Afterwards he became a druggist in Sacramento, where he lived with his family and died in 1871. As a little girl, Elizabeth Raymond well remembers visiting her mother's Uncle Jesse in Sacramento-great uncle to her and to us eighth generation.
MARY ANN MORRILL
Came to California via Isthmus Panama, Feb. 1851, from Boston to San Francisco, where she married Dr. Charles Morrill. A letter to her mother in Boston, from Sacramento, of September 14, 1852, she writes: "Charles went off this morning without eating any breakfast and this noon did not come up stairs."
Letter of Nov. same year, "The burnt district is now nearly all rebuilt. Charles is more busy than I have ever known him to be, and according to moderate calculation, his income will not be far from $2000.00 a month, providing there are no more fires or deluges." Several fires occurred to destroy the doctor's drugs and miner's supplies. At another time an avalanche that rushed down the mountains into Sacramento set afloat his buildings and houses.
A further letter of May, 18, 1856, she writes to her mother-"Charles has gone for another week, in another direction soliciting orders and I must make myself contented and try to like here for about one year more and then we shall go home on business. Do not think I shall ever come back here again, it costs so much, and the journey so perilous and unpleasant with children. I hope in two years Charles will bid a final adieu to this place himself." The writer of this article was born July 1, 1852, in Sacramento. Aug. of 1854, Mrs. Morrill went to Boston on a visit to her mother, and returned with another daughter. In 1857 she made a second visit to Boston, where she died at 32 years of age.
Three girls, triplets, were born on this final visit, two lived, the four children remained in Boston for education, the write in later years returning to California as a native daughter. Dr. Charles Morrill died as stated, much broken in health at age 47, his remains sent east to be interred beside his wife in Woodlawn Cemetery, Chelsea, Mass.
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THE PIONEER AND GOLD RUSH DESTINATIONS TO CALIFORNIA IN 1849
The various routes are open to interest, since history will not repeat them in the same section, nor same rush for gold. That on period is lost to California under those same circumstances.
Gold was discovered January 24, 1848, by James Marshall at Coloma saw mill, near Sutter Fort, Sacramento. News of the find was a jealously guarded, but little by little the adjoining country hearing of it began a stampede, until by November, 1848, 50,000 were on the ground.
People in the states and elsewhere began coming early in 1849; overland by crossing the plains, which was a long journey of peril, hardship and privation, often losing the trail, and exposed to attacks of Indians. There was the long and tedious voyage of several months in vessels round Cape Horn, with no effort on the part of voyagers, but who experienced the terrors of storms, rolling waves, sea sickness and anxiety.
The Isthmus of Panama and the Nicaragua route of Central America, across those narrow strips of land from ocean to ocean was a shorter and more favored way, equally as thrilling as the two other routes.
The goal was a San Francisco, ending their voyage on the last lap of the journey up the Pacific ocean. What joy passing the Golden Gate into the bay of San Francisco, where, in 1849, they were greeted by a City of Tents and the consummation of an unusual journey.
The Nicaragua and Panama routes are somewhat similar as the travel across country was by river and mules, and tropical in scenery.
Passengers disembarked on the Atlantic side, at the old Spanish town of San Juan del Norte, or port of Greytown, consisting of bamboo and palm thatched huts, a mixed population of 500-Indians, Negroes, some Mexicans and Spaniards. The country low and unhealthful, undergrowth all around, densely matted, monkeys, turkey-buzzards, alligators made claim to the country with the mongrel inhabitants. Arrangements for hire of steam river craft was made with the almost naked, long haired, tawny native men who manned the boats that convoyed passengers and cargo up the river eighty miles, passing several rapids to Virgin bay outlet. San Juan seventy-five miles, across Lake Nicaragua.
Going up the river occupied forty hours. Two hundred passengers huddled together carrying their own provisions for meals and comforts, sitting up or stretched out for sleep, wherever they could find space, taking turns. The boat came to anchor late at night, journey resumed early next morning.
Griefs and discomfort forgotten amid the new and strange scenes of grandeur. Tropical flowers, birds of crimson plumage-a specie of parrot; monkeys in trees hanging over streams; bananas, plantains appearing, lofty palms and white limbed trees of beautiful foliage bend down to the river's bank. Up the river toward the lake, the grander the sight. Foliage, forests increase, mountains higher, until nearing the lake sixty miles wide by one hundred, foliage dwindles to low bushes and coarse grass. Arrive at Castillo Rapids for the night, one hundred population of natives as described. Hotel same name, upper floor divided into small rooms, where hung hammocks, and stood rows of cot beds. Five dollars for the night, no pillows, one blanket, take your choice; meals one dollar, consisting of bread, coffee, beans, fruits, and bread cakes, cooked on a griddle; served by native women in tawdy attire of short cotton skirt, and no covering on upper body, a custom of the country. Attractive in appearance, of the Spanish type, modest and reserved. At Castello Rapids embark next morning on larger steamers to cross Lake Nicaragua. Hills and mountains arise from the distant shore with smoking volcanic peaks, little islands dotted here and there. Arrive at Virgin Bay, miserable little town of same number inhabitants. During the day bathing is safe, alligators frequent the place at night.
Here passengers swing their hammocks and feed for the night again, and congregate in groups around fires made to keep at bay wild beasts. Next morning the journey to the coast town, San Juan del Sur, fifteen miles, is made on mules or foot, a delightful ride across a narrow strip of land, straight, and part way covered by a dark forest where the sun scarcely penetrates to the ground, matted with branches, leaves and trailing vines and occasional reptiles. The road then winds through rolling hills, scales a continual divide of 160 feet above sea level, then descends to sea level.
Here, as at Panama, steamers anchored a distance from the store. Small boats came to the water's edge, where passengers waded or were carried on backs of natives, to board to small boats conveying them and baggage to large steamers bound for San Francisco, coming around Cape Horn. This route was 1000 miles shorter than the Panama from New York, and ceased its operations in 1855, when filibuster Walker's exploits in Mexico caused confiscation of the company's river and lake steamers.
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Passengers disembarked from steamer on Atlantic side at Fort Charges, later called Aspinwall, taking eight days from New York. A fantastic looking town on approach, like a beehive, of perhaps fifty guts having pointed roofs and palm thatched and bamboo shanties, amid the ruins of an old Spanish castle. Some thirty large canoes fifteen to twenty feet long, hollowed out of a single log, with awning to protect from sun and rain and forty to fifty huge black natives arrayed almost in nature's garb, met the gaze for resumption of next lap of journey. The thick lips and wooly head of the African, high cheek bones, straight hair dogged look of the Indian, and the more chiseled features and expressive eyes, of the Spaniard were all there. Whatever their origin, they were a mongrel race, large dark and expressive eyes, notably in talking, with much chatter and gesticulation.
The natives of both sexes around the door of their cabins. The females have rather pretty faces, dressed in flounces and ruffles beginning at the shoulders, ending at the knee, eating tamarinds, oranges, and other fruits, hairless dogs, pigs and naked children, turkey buzzards all about the dwellings. Basking in the climate of a tropical sun, seasons alike the year round, days passed in drowsy languor and sloth.
Some native women washing at the river's bank, where not far away alligators stretched out in the sun; the women exercising at the wash, keep an eye same time on the alligators.
After taking in all these sights, a bargain is made with the owner of the canoe to proceed up the river Chagres to Gorgona, fifty miles, or on to Cruces, eight miles further, where the twenty-five mile ride by mule is made to Panama.
The first stopping place on the river is Gatun, ten miles and other stops, which names are now obsolete, for rest and refreshments. If landed for the night, fires were made to keep of wild beasts and venomous serpents and protect against the large mosquito and insects. If stayed on the boat for rest and night, either way, were prepared with cups, pots and kettles, canned food, and the wherewithal for existence those two days up the Chagres. The river in some places is half a mile wide, in others not more than thirty yards, alligators are on the banks during the day, but take to the water at night. The boatmen had to be continually coaxed to keep moving, long poles used like oars, while constantly standing, sending the boats along with speed.
The beauty of the river is of the tropical, in the date, pomegranite, the plaintain, banana, cocoanut, lime, citron and pineapple, abundant along the bank of river. Flowers of every hue and fragrance, beautiful birds of plumage, the air filled with thousands of melodious strains in contrast to the harsh notes of parrots, mackinaws and chattering monkeys; mountains, hills in the distance, all making such a sublime scene and more, was worth the travel across the Isthmus and the trials sometimes endured. Reaching Gorgona on a bend of the river, presents a five view of mountains rising in successive ranges. The town is better than Chagres, streets are laid out, and the dwellings or huts are better class, of about one hundred. A bamboo built hotel and thatched roof furnished for sleeping with grass hammocks and cots, and five or six other hotels with such names as Union Hotel, Astor House, Hotel Francaise, kept mostly by Yankee landlords, a few stores and saloons. Boats had been arriving all night until next morning, there were about one hundred of them, all strung side by side at the landing, ready for return trip down the river. At daylight started for Panama on saddle mules, paying ten to twenty dollars, and filed off into the narrow path, children in chairs strapped to the backs of natives, or in baskets hung on each side of the mule, baggage carried on the back of a native. Many walked beside the mule that carried their baggage. A traveler describes the ride to the Pacific thus: "Two miles brought us across the table land, entered a dense forest, followed the path over soft, uneven ground up and around pricipitous hill sides cut by travel into steps and stairs, the sagacious animal placing his foot tenderly, knowing that a misstep would send him down the steep slope. Now winding through undergrowth rustling with serpents, insects and birds. Descending with slow and cautions steps, steep declevities, then ascending, again descending, the scenery ever changing now with its beauty, and now thrilling with its magnificence. Would hear the whoops of the muleteers when in the ravines coming from opposite directions and shout back to them.
Some of the gullies are so worn by centuries of travel, and so narrow at the bottom, a loaded mule can barely get through. When the travelers met, often one would have to turn back, or the riders when caught in tight places, draw up their legs to let the animals squeeze past each other. All along the way crosses mark the resting place of those died of fever or assassinated."
Stops made at some "Half Way House" where could stay over night if not to get through the twenty-five miles to Panama in a day. Down from the mountains, and out of the tropical wilderness, approach was made to the broad Pacific six miles distant to Panama of 8000 population, mostly natives, except for emigrants and travelers, waiting to get away in the steamers. Thus the terminus was reached of a hazardous journey across the Isthmus. Steamships of good size and accommodation conveyed passengers to San Francisco, occupying the time of twenty-eight days from New York, if able to come direct. The traveler over these routes faced disease, hunger and despair. The cholera and Panama fever carried off many in the often long wait at ports for steamers, which places were always unhealthful. The clever natives with their artful thieving of baggage that would be found wanting as one was about to board the steamer, and the trick of abandoning a customer for mule hire, if could find a better paying one, were all in evidence. At one time 1000 gold hunters were stranded at Panama in 1849 waiting to get on board of steamers coming around the Horn that would hold about a quarter of them.
It is said the experience of this and the Nicaragua Route, was not only a unique one but helped to mould the character of every man and fit him for what was to follow in California.
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THE OLD OVERLAND TRAIL VERSUS THE NEW TRANS-CONTINENTAL
Was 2000 miles distance; transportation of the Pioneers then made by ox-team, horses and mules, is today replaced by rail. Credit is due them as the real and original surveyors who blazed the way across that vast solitary country that now blossoms with verdure and teems with life.
Two roads began operations across two-thirds of the continent, receiving their charters in 1862 for building east and west, greatly handicapped by the Civil War in those year. Three years six month was consumed in completion of the Overland railroad.
The Union Pacific began to build westward from Omaha, the Central Pacific eastward from Sacramento; the actual construction taking place in 1864. The terminus of the roads met at Promontory, Utah, where the last spike was driven May 10, 1869, amid much ceremony and rejoicing. One of the engines used to help seal the climax is to be seen in the museum of Stanford University, Palo Alto, California.
The "Big Four," projectors of the Central Pacific, were Collis P. Huntington, Leland Stanford, Charles Crocker and Mark Hopkins.
Owing to attacks of Indians upon section trains, working parties, and isolated station, eight military posts had to be established along the way. Surveying parties always in advance of rail workers were the first to be attacked when at a moment's notice the workmen laid down pick and shovel for rifles. The bill authorizing building of the Overland was sponsored by President Lincoln and became a law July 1, 1862.
It was a military necessity and a tie to bind California and the great West to the East.
RAILROAD AND CANAL ACROSS THE ISTHMUS
The Aspinwall railroad built across the Isthmus of Panama was begun in 1850, and became a possibility an account of the rush of gold miners in 1849 to California.
It was completed February, 1855, at an expense of $7,500,000, is about fifty miles long and crossed by rail in four hours from Christobal, the port of Colon on the Atlantic side, to Balboa, the Pacific port of Panama. Within the canal zone and under the jurisdiction of the United States.
As the road progressed and the length of track increased year by year, passengers traveled by rail to the point where they had to embark on the Chagres river, which distance by water became shorter, and the perils of the earlier times less. Conditions too a the stopping places for meals and at night greatly improved from increase of tourist. The French, under their great engineer Ferdinand de Lessups, builder of the Suez Canal, had worked for twenty-eight years unsuccessfully to build to Panama Canal. In 1904 the French retired defeated, in favor of the United States. May 4, 1904, the formal transfer took place of the property of the French. The province of Panama in 1903 seceded from Columbia and became a republic. Then the United States took over the territory and paid $10,000,000 to the Republic of Panama, and an annual payment of $250,000, beginning nine years after the signing of the treaty, which guaranteed the independence of Panama, and secured absolute control over which is now called the Canal Zone. A strip of land ten miles wide, with the Canal through the center, and forty-five miles in length from sea to sea, and about 448 square miles. Ten years was occupied in building, the cost was $368,543,271 while $40,000,000 was paid to the French for expense undergone of equipment and rights and privileges. The official opening took place January 1, 1915. Ships steam through the Canal now in six hours. Col. George W. Goethals, U.S.A., was the chief engineer in its construction, the building of which conferred a favor on humanity.
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Connected by Marriage with Morrill
Malachi Haines
Married Sallie Peverly, widow of George
Children of Malachi
George Peverly-born Feb., 1811
John-born -, 1818
Children of George P. Haines
John P.-born Nov. 30, 1840
Sarah Jane-born Jan. 1, 1843
George Henry-born Jan. 27, 1845
Mary Ann-born Mar. 1, 1847
Albert H.
Alvin M.-born Apr. 3, 1849
George Henry Haines
Son of George Peverly Haines
Children died in infancy
Now comes a record of Malachi, the second husband of Sallie Sherburn Peverly Haines, to whom were born two sons, John and George Peverly Haines, half brothers to Sallie's two girls Nancy and Catherine by her first husband, George Peverly. Jon Haines died at the age of twenty-one. He, together with Malachi and his first wife, also the second wife Sallie Peverly, are buried in the "Morrill Yard" proper. The other son, George Peverly Haines, from the year 1847 owned and managed for forty years in North Chichester, a store of general merchandise. He was also Post Master for the town during that tine, his son George Henry being assistant- Post Master for over twenty years. The father and son were highly esteemed by the community wherein their lives and activity were so long centered.
George Henry Haines married Mary F. Sanborn of Chichester, November 13, 1876. He was a Civil War Veteran, having served during the war of 1862-65. Was a manufacturer of carriages and sleighs around the year 1867. Owing to increasing business and need of larger quarters for storage, Mr. Haines in 1885 bought the chapel of the Advent Society, which was formed in 1843, and abandoned for lack of a settled pastor. At the present writing, 1922, Mrs. Mary F. Haines, widow of George Henry, is living at North Chichester, the scene of her husband's life and efforts, which town is near the railroad depot, and five miles distant to the Morrill Yard burial lot, accessible only by private conveyance. Another way when intention is to visit the Morrill Yard is to drive there from Concord, a distance of perhaps six miles by private conveyance, and most direct. Chichester is not on line of the railroad like North Chichester, both towns having a few scattered residents only, and a general country store with a post office.
(This article, written in California, 1922, by one who had just visited the scenes herein described-oldest daughter of Dr. Charles Morrill, Gamelia Morrill Grant.)
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Investigation and research has brought the writer in contact with three besides ourselves who have all descended from Abraham's oldest son Isaac. We from Isaac, Jr.; Hon. Judge John A. Morrill, Auburn, Maine, from John; Hon. Fred B. Morrill, Spokane, Wash., from Daniel; Mrs. Annie Morrill Smith, Bronxville, N.Y., from Isaac, the youngest son and child of Isaac, Jr., known as Rev. Isaac Morrill. Further came in contact with Mrs. Annie Morrill Smith of Boston, Mass., who came down from Jacob, the second son of Abraham. She belongs to the Canterbury branch of Morrills already outlined on another page.
The locality from whence came Abraham and Isaac, whether Essex, Somersetshire, Devonshire near Wales; or came either from France with the Huguenots, or William the Conqueror to England, is left for those of the future to investigate, and to work on the scale of ASCENDENCY in tracing backward the ancestry of the brothers.
SOME BOOKS OF MORRILLS REFERENCE IN LIBRARIES
Old Families of Salisbury and Amesbury, by David W. Hoyt.
Savage's Genealogical Dictionary, Vol. 3.
American Ancestry, Vol. 3, written previous to 1776.
History of Cambridge, 1630-1877, with Genealogy, by Louis R. Paige.
Many others books too numerous to mention. The writer had access to a limited number from circumstance of location.
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First Generation Dates from ABRAHAM of Salisbury, Mass., 1632
SECOND GENERATION
Children of Abraham
ISAAC-born July 10, 1646
Jacob-born Aug. 24, 1648
Sarah-born Oct. 14, 1650
Abraham-born Nov. 14, 1652
Moses-born Dec. 28, 1655
Aaron-born Aug. 9, 1658
Richard-born Feb. 6, 1660
Lydia-born Mar. 8, 1661
Hepzibar-born Jan. -, 1663
THIRD GENERATION
Children of Isaac
Abraham-born Aug. 22, 1671
ISAAC, JR.-born July 24, 1673
Mary-born Feb. 1, 1674
Sarah-born May 27, 1675
Jacob-born May 25, 1677
John-born Nov. 2, 1679
Rachel-born Feb. 18, 1681-2
Daniel-born Feb. 18, 1682-3
Jemima-born Oct. 9, 1685
Mary-born Sept. 10, 1689
Rachel-born Aug. 24, 1692
FOURTH GENERATION
Children of Isaac, Jr.
Benjamin-born Jan. 27, 1696-7
Abigail-born May 6, 1669
Nathaniel-born July 20, 1701
Joseph-born Nov. 15, 1703
PAUL, first settler of Chichester, 1753-8-born May 5, 1706
Micajah-born July 21, 1708
Tamson-born Oct. 16, 1712
Phebe-born July 7, 1715
Isaac (Rev.)-born May 20, 1718
FIFTH GENERATION
Children of Paul
Daniel-born -, 1741
Samuel-born Jan. 29, 1742
Isaac-born Nov. 13, 1743
Ephraim-born Sept. 4, 1745
Abigail-born Apr. 9, 1747
Paul-born Feb. 24, 1749
Dorothy-born Jan. 27, 1750
Ezekiel-born May 11, 1753
James-born Oct. 29, 1755
MICAJAH-born Nov. 11, 1757
John-born Jan. 17, 1759
Nathaniel-born Jan. 11, 1761
SIXTH GENERATION
Children of Micajah
Martha-born May 12, 1783
Thomas-born July 31, 1784
Benjamin-born Aug. 13, 1788
JOHN-born Dec. 18, 1790
Sally-born Mar. 17, 1793
Betsey-born June 11, 1795
Micajah-born Sept. 17, 1797
Jesse-born Oct. 11, 1802
Paul-born Oct. 21, 1804
James-born Jan. 28, 1807
SEVENTH GENERATION
Children of John
Cyrus P.-born Oct. 22, 1818
John Calvin-born Sept. 4, 1820
Charles-born Sept. 7, 1823
Two infant girls
George P.-born July 6, 1828
Lewis-born July 4, 1830
Augustus-born July 7, 1832
William S.-born Sept. 2, 1834
Sarah C.-born Mar. 27, 1837
EIGHTH GENERATION
Born mostly in California
Children of Cyrus
Nothing known, but one child
Children of John Calvin
Elmira F.-born March 4, 1845
Ellen A.
Emma A.-born Apr. 25, 1847
Charles L.-born July 20, 1849
Children of Charles
Gamelia I.-born July 1, 1852
Eva A.-born Aug. 27, 1854
Sylvia A.
Mary E.
Leonora-born Aug. 19, 1857
Children of George P.
Galen W.-born Feb. 9, 1856
George E.-born Jan. 16, 1858
Eben R..-born Nov. 4, 1859
John R.-born Dec. 14, 1862
Virginia E.-born
William S.-born Sept. 10, 1867
Carrie C.-born
James P.-born Dec. 11, 1874
Children of Lewis
Fred L.-born March 10, 1866
William S.-born Apr. 9, 1869
Clair A.-born Aug. 19, 1871
Louisa-born Oct. 16, 1874
Children of Augustus
Charles-born Feb. 7, 1860
Camilla-born July, 5, 1862
Aurora-born Apr. 2, 1864
Augustus-born Nov. 12, 1865
Thomas L.-born Nov. 6, 1872
Children of William
None who lived
Children of Sarah Catherine
Elizabeth H.-born July 21, 1860
Fletcher-born Nov. 1, 1863
Peverly-born June 10, 1866
John P.-born June 26, 1870
Kathrina M.-born Aug. 25, 1873
NINTH GENERATION
Children of Charles L.
Evelyn M.-born May 31, 1888
Children of Fred L.
Clara L.-born July 5, 1888
Lewis F.-born Jan. 27, 1890
Mabel E.-born Mar. 24, 1894
Ruth B.-born Mar. 24, 1899
Verne W.-born Feb. 21, 1904
Ward C.-born Mar. 15, 1906
Children of Clair A.
Elizabeth-born May 1, 1908
Children of William S.
Jane
William
Children of Charles
Emma L.-born Mexico
Aurora-born Mexico
Luis C.-born Mexico
Emelia C.-born Mexico
Maria C.-born Mexico
Augustus-born Mexico
Adolpho-born Mexico
Carmen-born Mexico
Children of Augustus L., Jr.
Leonard A.-born March 15, 1892, San Francisco
Camilla L.-born Oct. 24, 1897, Colima, Mexico
Clotilda-born Oct. 24, 1907, Colima
Augustus L., Jr.-born Sept. 17, 1908, Colima
Louise-born July 3, 1910, Colima
Elizabeth-born Dec. 28, 1911, Colima
William J.-born Apr. 3, 1913, Colima
Charles-born Feb. 13, 1915, Colima
Children of T. Leonard
T. Leonard Jr.-born Jan. 3, 1906, Mexico City
Anna M.-born Feb. 28, 1907, Colima
Agnes B.-born Dec. 24, 1908, Colima
George L.-born Aug. 22, 1910, Colima
Alida C.-born Mar. 24, 1912, Colima
Edward H.-born Oct. 17, 1914, Colima
Henry M.-born Jan. 26, 1917, Vallejo, Calif.
Robert C.-born Oct. 13, 1919, Oakland, Calif.
TENTH GENERATION
Children of Lewis F.
Lewis F., Jr.-born Apr. 3, 1918
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GENEALOGY
Eva A. Morrill married George Cassell, June 28, 1876, Chelsea, Mass.
Children
NINTH GENERATION
Florence M.-born July 10, 1878
Oscar George-born March 26, 1880
Florence M. Cassell married Joseph H. Loud, September 27, 1899
Children
TENTH GENERATION
Madolyn M.-born June 8, 1904
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RAYMOND GENEALOGY
Fletcher Raymond married Louise T. Halsey Nov. 10, 1908
Children
Fletcher L.-born Nov. 2, 1909
Ruth M.-born Apr. 15, 1912
Ralph H.-born Aug. 20, 1913
Peverly Raymond married Agnes P. Halsey, Mar. 9, 1905
Children
Nancy Peverly-born Nov. 29, 1913. Named for her great-grandmother Nancy Peverly Morrill, wife of Deacon John.
John P. Raymond married Caroline C. Reich, June 3, 1897.
Children
John P.-born July 21, 1906
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KING GENEALOGY
Aurora Morrill married Clinton S. King, January 12, 1886, Colima, Mexico
Children
NINTH GENERATION
Camilla A.-born Sept. 25, 1886
Robert P.-born Oct. 29, 1887
Agnes Carmen-born Feb. 13, 1889
Aurora Morrill-born May 14, 1890
Hazel L.-born July 25, 1891
Esther L.-born Feb. 16, 1894
Clinton S. Jr.-born May 29, 1895
Augustus Morrill-born Oct. 10, 1899
Second Printing ordered
January, 1969 by
Thomas Leonard Morrill Jr.
Reproduced and bound By
Academy Press
San Jose, California
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