This post will be updated as more deeds are transcribed. In most cases, the question marks (???) indicate the page has run into the gutter of the book rendering the microfilm image too dark to read.

The information I have on Elisha MORRIS is as follows:

Elisha MORRIS (b. abt 1750, d. 1797)
m. Ann (LNU)

Children: (unsure if Ann is their mother)

  • Sarah MORRIS m. James BUCK (b. abt 1785) – Sally Buck is named as an “heir at law” of Elisha Morris in a deed between her and her husband, James Buck, and Edward Laughinghouse in 1827.
  • Thomas MORRIS

Illegitimate Son: Josiah MANKER (b. abt 1787)

The Elisha MORRIS deeds I examined today, along with the deeds of John HOLMES (which I’ll be posting at some future date) have land references that provide circumstantial evidence that John HOLMES of Beaufort County (b. abt 1793, d. 1872) who married Celia AVERY and had several children: Sarah “Sally” HOLMES, Jane HOLMES, Sophia HOLMES, Elizabeth “Betsy” HOLMES, and William HOLMES is likely to be the son of John HOLMES of Beaufort County who appeared on the 1790 and 1800 census as head of household labeled as Other Free.

Elisha MORRIS as Grantee

Jesse DRAKE to Elisha MORRIS, 1784/1787

Know ye that I the said Jesse DRAKE for the consideration of the sum of Thirty five pounds currency to me in hand paid or to be paid before the delivery of these presents by Elisha MORRIS of the County of Beaufort & State af’said, Planter, the note? whereof I do acknowledge have granted bargained sold conveyed assigned & made over unto him the said Elisha MORRIS his heirs and assigns forever all my right title & interest in a certain moity or parcel of land situate & being in the County of Beaufort and state af’said on the South side of Pamplico River & East side of Chocowinity Swamp beginning at an oak at the end of the beaver dam James COBB’s corner running S 74 E 60? poles with COBB’s line to a pine COBB’s corner thence N 34 E 240? poles with said line to a pine COBB’s corner thence [??] E 160 poles to a pine on the side of a branch then down the branch So 34? W 380 poles to a gum on the side of said ? Swamp then along? the Creek to the beginning contaniing by estimation Four hundred acres more or less as by the said Patent granted to the said Jesse DRAKE now assigned over unto the said Elisha MORRIS bearing date the 27th of October 1784.

To have and to hold the said ??? with all the appertenances thereunto belonging or ??? unto him the said Elisha MORRIS his heirs & assigns forever and the said Jesse DRAKE for himself his heirs shall ?? forever warrant & defend the above mentioned land from the lawful? claims of all manner of persons whatsover ?? Elisha MORRIS him his heirs & assigns forever.

In Witness whereof the said Jesse DRAKE hath set his hand & seal this 28th day of April 1787.

Jesse DRAKE { Seal }

BLOUNT, Reading to MORRIS, Elisha (1788)

To all to whom these presents may come I Reading BLOUNT of the County of Beaufort State of N Carolina send Greeting

Know Ye that for & in consideration of the sum of Twenty Pounds Currency by Elisha MORRIS of the same place of the other part the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge myself therewith satisfied I have granted bargained sold & confirmed assigned and set over unto him the said Elisah MORRIS his heirs and assigns a certain parcel of land lying in Sd County joining the land of John HOMES [John HOLMES] horse pen branch Beginning on the branch at HOMES’ upper corner runs his line N 80 W? to his corner over the Road to said BLOUNTs line then with Sd line S ? W 80 poles to a stake, then So 80 Et to the boundry branch and down the winding thereof to the first station containing by estimation One hundred acres be the same more or less being part of a larger tract of land containing 640 acres dated 1773. To have and to hold to the said Elisha MORRIS his heirs & assigns forever & In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this 19th day of July 1788.

Reading BLOUNT { Seal }

BLOUNT, Reading to MORRIS, Elisha (1795)

This Indenture made this 24th day of August 1795 between Reading BLOUNT of the County of Beaufort & State of No Carolina and Elisha MORRIS of the same place Witnesseth that for and in consideration of the sum of Thirty Pounds in hand paid by Elisha MORRIS the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge have bargained & sold unto the said Elisha MORRIS his heirs & assigns all my right, title and interest unto a certain parcel of land situate in the County aforesaid So side of Pamplico River Beginning at a pine at the Green Swamp second corner of BLOUNT’s Old patent running So Eighty East 240 poles to Stake in his line, thence No 10? degrees East 286 poles to FISHER’s line, thence No 70 West to the Horse pen Branch up the same to MORRIS’ corner then west & with said line to the head line of BLOUNT’s old Patent to the beginning pine in the Green Swamp containing by estimation 175 acres be the same more or less being part of tract granted to Reading BLOUNT for 250 acres reference being had may more fully appear.

To have and to hold the said premises & appertances thereunto belonging to the said Elisha MORRIS his heirs & assigns forever and I the said Reading BLOUNT for myself my heirs & assigns do will warrant by these presents whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this day & year above written.

Reading BLOUNT { Seal }

Signed & delivered in the presence of
Reading BLOUNT, Jun }
Nathan LANE? [name too dark to read] }

 

More to come…