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Giles County, TNGenWeb

Lester Morris
Giles County, Tennessean
in the Revolutionary War


A Joint Project of
Giles County, TNGenWeb and
Tennesseans in the Revolutionary War



LESTER MORRIS was born 5 Jul 1759, lived in Brunswick County, Virginia at the time of his enlistment, having fought at the battles of Savannah and Charleston, and been wounded and captured at the latter. He applied 5 Jun 1818 in Giles County, Tennessee for his pension, which was started on 21 Jun 1819, but dropped on 1 May 1820, and not restored until 7 Jun 1832. In 1826, living with him were a wife Francis, aged 65, a daughter, Lucy, aged 18, and a widowed daughter, Martha, with her three children, Sally, Rebecca, and Susan (her married name not given). From about the year 1840 he made his home with his son-in-law, Thomas A. Westmoreland. (Rev War file S2003 and 1835 Rolls). He was on the rolls as Giles County, a Private, Virginia Line, with an annual allowance of $96.00, but only $168.00 Amount Rec'd to date due to having been dropped in between.

Brunswick County, Virginia marriage records (index - record not viewed) include that of Lester MORRIS and Frances BROWN, 16 Dec 1784. Lester MORRIS is on the 1812 Giles County, Tennessee Tax List, and the 1820 Giles County Census, p. 22. Lester MORRIS, age 80, pensioner, is in the household of T. A. WESTMORELAND on the 1840 Giles Census, p. 148 (1830 not checked yet). In 1850 Lester MORRIS, age 93, born in Virginia, is in the household of T.A. Westmoreland, 49, Virginia, Farmer, Elizabeth Westmoreland, 44, Virginia, and others (children ranging in age from 3 to 21, all born in Tennessee) (District 2, HH53-53).

Congressional records indicate Lester Morris encountered numerous difficulties respecting his pension application:




12 Dec 1827 U.S. House of Representatives. "Mr. Polk presented a petition of Lester Morris, of the State of Tennessee.

"Ordered, That the said petitions be referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Claims"
(Journal of the House of Representatives of the United States, 1789-1873, Wednesday, December 12, 1827, Page 39)

24 Jan 1832 U.S. Senate. A message from the House of Representatives, by Mr. Clarke, their Clerk:

"Mr. President: The House of Representatives have passed bills, and a joint resolution, of the following titles, in which they request the concurrence of the Senate, viz...."An act granting pensions to Lester Morris, John Ferguson and William Headley..." (Journal of the Senate of the United States of America, 1789-1873, Tuesday, January 24, 1832, p. 96)

H.R. No. 478: ... Lester Morris, of Tennessee... $8 a month commencing 1 Jan 1830 [sic] (also H.R. No. 70 in 1831)



According to a number of DAR applications (sources not known), he died in 1853 in Giles County. There are no less than ten early DAR applications for Lester MORRIS (and possibly more - not yet fully checked). Note that there are also some conflicts between the various applications:




LESTER MORRIS Mrs. Sammie Westmoreland Kennedy. DAR ID Number: 42138 Born in Cherry Valley, Arkansas. Wife of Frank H. Kennedy. Descendant of Lester Morris. Daughter of Thomas Lester Westmoreland and Diomitia Andrewa, his wife. Granddaughter of Thomas Westmoreland and Elizabeth Morris, his wife. Gr.-granddaughter of Lester Morris and Frances Brown (b. 1761), his wife. Lester Morris, (1759-1853), enlisted under Capt. Benjamin Tolliver, Col. Richard Parker and was wounded at the battle of Savannah. He was taken prisoner at Charleston 1780, exchanged 1781 and discharged at Williamsburg, Va. His pension was allowed 1818 for two years actual service as private, Virginia line. He was born in Brunswick County., Va.; died in Giles County., Tenn. (The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution Volume 43, page 55)

LESTER MORRIS Miss Gladys Raymond Maberry. DAR ID Number: 43440 Born in Woodruff county, Arkansas. Descendant of Lester Morris. Daughter of Albert Freeman Maberry and Minnie Maxfield Andrews, his wife. Granddaughter of Isham T. Andrews and Martha Westmoreland, his wife. Gr.-granddaughter of Thomas Westmoreland and Elizabeth Morris, his wife. Gr.-gr.-granddaughter of Lester Morris and Frances Brown (b. 1761), his wife. Lester Morris, (1759-1853), enlisted 1775 as private under Capt. Benjamin F. Taliaferro, Col. Richard Parker. Engaged in battles of Savannah and Charleston, was wounded, captured at Charleston, 1780, exchanged and honorably discharged 1781. He was born in Brunswick County., Va.; died in Giles County., Tenn. (The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution Volume 44, page 168) Also No. 42138.

LESTER MORRIS Mrs. Emily Pipkin Simmons. DAR ID Number: 63630 Born in Hillsboro, Mo. Wife of George Edward Simmons. Descendant of John Thomas, Charles Lewis, Jr., and Lester Morris. Daughter of Philip Pipkin and Sophia Brickey Thomas, his 2nd wife. Granddaughter of Philip Pipkin (d. 1841) and Susan Morris (d. 1851), his wife; James Wilton Thomas and Eliza A. Johnson, his wife. Gr-granddaughter of John Thomas and Frances Lewis, his wife; Lester Morris and Frances Brown (b. 1761), his wife. Gr-gr-granddaughter of Charles Lewis and Mary Randolph, his wife. John Thomas (1757-1847) served as a private in the State militia from Albemarle County during the Revolution. He also signed the Declaration of Independence of the citizens of Albemarle County, 1779, where he was born and died. Charles Lewis, Jr. (1721-82), signed the Albemarle Declaration of Independence, 1779. He was born in Goochland County; died in Albemarle County, Va. Lester Morris (1759-1853) enlisted, 1775, as a private under Capt. Benjamin F. Taliaferro, Col. Richard Parker; engaged in the battles of Savannah and Charleston; was wounded, captured at Charleston, 1780, exchanged, and honorably discharged, 1781. He was born in Brunswick County, Va.; died in Giles County, Tenn. (The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution Volume 64, page 207) Also Nos. 42138, 43440.

LESTER MORRIS Mrs. Amy Simmons Rice. DAR ID Number: 68225 Born in Macon, Mo. Wife of William Walter Rice. Descendant of Lester Morris. Daughter of George Edward Simmons (b. 1841) and Emily Pipkin (b. 1850), his wife, m. 1871. Granddaughter of Philip Pipkin (1814-83) and Sophia Brickey Thomas (1828-93), his wife, m. 1850. Gr-granddaughter of Philip Pipkin (1770-1841) and Susan Morris, his wife. Gr-gr-granddaughter of Lester Morris and Frances Brown, his wife. Lester Morris (1759-1853) enlisted, 1775, as a private under Capt. Benjamin F. Taliaferro, Col. Richard Parker; engaged in the battles of Savannah and Charleston; was wounded, captured at Charleston, 1780, exchanged, and honorably discharged, 1781. He was born in Brunswick County, Va.; died in Giles County, Tenn. (The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution Volume 69, page 80 ) Also Nos. 42138, 43440, 63630.

LESTER MORRIS Mrs. Winna Thomas Morgan. DAR ID Number: 68750 Born in Hillsboro, Tenn. Wife of William B. Morgan. Descendant of John Thomas, Charles Lewis, Jr., and Lester Morris. Daughter of John Lilburn Thomas and Sarah Ellen Pipkin, his wife. Granddaughter of James Wilton Thomas and Eliza A. Johnson, his wife; Philip Pipkin, Jr., and Sarah Parke, his wife. Gr-granddaughter of John Thomas and Frances Lewis, his wife; Philip Pipkin and Susan MORRIS, his wife. Gr-gr-granddaughter of Charles Lewis, Jr., and Mary Randolph, his wife; Lester Morris and Frances Brown, his wife. John Thomas (1757-1847) served as a private in the State militia from Albemarle County during the Revolution. He also signed the Declaration of Independence of the citizens of Albemarle County, 1779, where he was born and died. Charles Lewis, Jr. (1721-82), signed the Albemarle Declaration of Independence. 1779. He was born in Goochland County; died in Albemarle County, Va. Lester Morris (1759-1853) enlisted, 1775, as a private under Capt. Benjamin F. Taliaferro, Col. Richard Parker; engaged in the battles of Savannah and Charleston; was wounded, captured at Charleston, 1780, exchanged, and honorably discharged, 1781. He was born in Brunswick County; died in Giles County, Tenn. (The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution Volume 69, page 269 ) Also Nos. 42138, 43440, 63630.

LESTER MORRIS Mrs. Grace M. Simmons Franklin. DAR ID Number: 76665 Born in St. Louis, Mo. Wife of Benjamin Franklin. Descendant of Lester Morris. Daughter of George Edward Simmons (b. 1841) and Emily Pipkin (b. 1850), his wife, m. 1871. Granddaughter of Philip Pipkin, Jr. (1814-83), and Sophia B. Thomas (1828-93), his 2nd wife, m. 1850. Gr-granddaughter of Philip Pipkin (1770-1841) and Susan Morris (d. 1851), his wife. Gr-gr-granddaughter of Lester Morris and Frances Brown (b. 1761), his wife. Lester Morris (1759-1853) enlisted, 1775, as a private under Capt. Benjamin F. Taliaferro, Col. Richard Parker; engaged in the battles of Savannah and Charleston; was wounded, captured at Charleston, 1780, exchanged, and honorably discharged, 1781. He was born in Brunswick County, Va.; died in Giles County, Tenn. (The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution Volume 77, page 251) Also Nos. 42138, 43440, 63630.

LESTER MORRIS Mrs. Emily Pipkin Thomas Hamel. DAR ID Number: 87835 Born in Hillsboro, Mo. Wife of Frank O. Hamel. Descendant of John Thomas, Charles Lewis, and Lester Morris, as follows: 1. John Lilburn Thomas m. Sarah Ellen Pipkin. 2. James Wilton Thomas m. Eliza A. Johnson; Philip Pipkin, Jr., m. Sarah Parke. 3. John Thomas m. Frances Lewis; Philip Pipkin m. Susan Morris. See Nos. 87751. 4. Lester Morris m. Frances Brown. Lester Morris (1759-1853) enlisted, 1775, as private under Capt. Benjamin T. Taliaferro, Col. Richard Parker; engaged in the battles of Savannah and Charleston; was wounded, captured at Charleston, 1780, exchanged and honorably discharged, 1781. He was born in Brunswick County, Va.; died in Giles County, Tenn. (The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution Volume 88, page 260) Also Nos. 63630, 76665.

LESTER MORRIS Mrs. Mary Asbury Mckay. DAR ID Number: 103866 Born in St. Francois County, Mo. Wife of Elmer Alexander McKay. Descendant of Lester Morris, as follows: 1. Samuel Lester Asbury (b. 1838) m. 3rd 1879 Ellen Prichard (b. 1852). 2. William Morris Asbury (1810-64) m. 1835 Susan Lester Marks (1809-96). 3. Samuel Marks (d. 1811) m. 1803 Martha Morris (d. 1840). 4. Lester Morris m. 1782 Frances Brown (b. 1763). Lester Morris (1759-1856) enlisted, 1775, as private under Capt. Benjamin Taliaferro, Col. Richard Parker, Virginia troops; was engaged in the battles of Savannah and Charleston; was wounded and captured at Charleston, 1780, and, in 1781, honorably discharged. He was born in Brunswick County, Va.; died in Giles County, Tenn. Also No. 87835. (The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution Volume 104, page 266)

LESTER MORRIS Mrs. Sallie Evens Davis. DAR ID Number: 104692 Born in Moberly, Mo. Wife of Owen Llewellyn Davis, Jr. Descendant of Charles Lewis, Jr., Lester Morris and John Thomas, as follows: 1. James Walter Evens (b. 1860) m. 1885 Rosa Susan Thomas (b. 1863). 2. John Lilburn Thomas (b. 1833) m. 1856 Sarah Ellen Pipkin (b. 1837). 3. James Wilton Thomas (1795-1845) m. 1819 Eliza A. Johnson (1800-75); Phillip Pipkin (1814-83) m. 1836 Sarah Parke (1817-49). 4. John Thomas m. 1776 Frances Lewis (1759-1834); Phillip Pipkin (b. 1770) m. Susan Morris. 5. Charles Lewis, Jr. m. 1746 Mary Randolph (1725-1803); Lester Morris m. Frances Brown. Charles Lewis, Jr. (1721-82) signed the Albemarle Declaration of Independence, 1779. He was born in Goochland County; died in Albemarle County, Va. Lester Morris (1759-1853) enlisted, 1775, as a private under Capt. Benjamin F. Taliaferro, Col. Richard Parker's regiment of Virginia troops; engaged in the battles of Savannah and Charleston. He was born in Brunswick County, Va.; died in Giles County, Tenn. John Thomas (1757-1847) served as a private in the State militia from Albemarle County, during the Revolution. He also signed the Albemarle Declaration of Independence. He was born in Amherst County, Va.; died in Albermarle County. (The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution Volume 105, page 230.) Also No. 68750.

LESTER MORRIS Mrs. Nora Susan Thomas Evens. DAR ID Number: 116511 Born in Hillsboro, Mo. Wife of Francis Walter Evens. Descendant of Lester Morris, John Thomas and Charles Lewis, Jr., as follows: 1. John Lilburn Thomas (b. 1833) m. 1856 Sarah Ellen Pipkins (b. 1837). 2. James Wilton Thomas (1795-1845) m. 1819 Eliza A. Johnson (1800-75); Phillip Pipkins, Jr. (1814-83), m. 1836 Sarah Parke (1817-49). 3. John Thomas m. 1776 Frances Lewis (1759-1834); Phillip Pipkins (b. 1770) m. Susan Morris. 4. Charles Lewis, Jr., m. 1746 Mary Randolph (1725-1803); Lester Morris m. Frances Brown. Charles Lewis, Jr. (1721-82), signed the Albemarle Declaration of Independence, 1779. He was born in Goochland County; died in Albemarle County, Va. Lester Morris (1759-1853) enlisted, 1775, as private under Capt. Benjamin F. Taliaferro, Col. Richard Parker's regiment, Virginia troops, engaged in the battles of Savannah and Charleston. He was born in Brunswick County, Va.; died in Giles County, Tenn. John Thomas (1757-1847) served as private in the State militia from Albemarle County during the Revolution. He also signed the Albemarle Declaration of Independence. He was born in Amberst County, Va.; died in Albemarle County. (The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution Volume 117, page 159) Also No. 104672.





Other Brunswick County, Virginia Morris marriage records include those of John to Elizabeth EDWARDS, 22 Aug 1782; Sarah to Henry CALLAS, 28 Feb 1785; Mrs. Elizabeth to James TOMLINSON; Rebecca to William MAYS, 19 Dec 1785; Henry to Mason SIMMONS, 26 Dec 1785; Sarah to John NORWARD, 28 Dec 789; Robert to Sally THOMPSON, 9 Sep 1794; and Patsey to Edward CHRISTIAN, 28 Jan 1798.

The marriage of Susan MORRIS to Philip PIPKINS is recorded in Davidson County on 11 Oct 1810, and may be significant in respect to Giles County and the War of 1812. Also Note: Several other MORRIS marriages took place in Davidson County about this same time: Delilah MORRIS and James MOSES on 2 Jan 1811, and Thomas MORRIS and Lucrecia JENKINS on 19 Jan 1811. An Elizabeth MORRIS married a James MOSES in Davidson on 30 Nov 1814. No marriage record has been located for Martha





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