Lewis Morris American statesman Date of Birth: 08.04.1726 Country: USA

Biography of Lewis Morris

Lewis Morris was an American statesman, landowner, and prominent builder. He was born on April 8, 1726, in the Morrisania area of New York, to Lewis (Sr.) and Catherine Morris. His grandfather, Richard Morris, was a renowned figure who had immigrated to New York and acquired the first portion of land in the Bronx, which later became the foundation of the unique family estate.

After the American Revolution, Lewis Morris had to rebuild his own property, which had been burned and looted during the occupation of New York. In 1762, Lewis Morris inherited the majority of the estate upon his father's passing. Shortly before this unfortunate event, Lewis had been appointed as a judge for the Admiralty Court, a position he was reelected to in 1774. In 1769, Morris also became a member of the Colonial Assembly.

From 1775 to 1777, Lewis Morris actively served in the New York Provincial Congress, where he fought for independence and advocated for the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Despite his brother's warning about the potential consequences, Morris fearlessly signed the Declaration and famously declared, "Damn the consequences, give me the pen."

From 1778 to 1781, and again from 1783 to 1790, Lewis Morris held a seat in the Senate, cementing his status as a prominent figure. He was married and raised exceptional children, including Lewis Morris Jr., who went on to achieve high social standing, as did the rest of Morris's offspring. For instance, his daughter Helena married Senator John Rutherfurd.

Lewis maintained warm relations with his uncle, Robert Hunter Morris, the governor of Pennsylvania, and actively engaged with his cousin, who was also a manager. Lewis Morris passed away on January 22, 1798, and was buried in the family vault in one of the cemeteries in the Bronx.