TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 459 



e Secretary of the Colony of New York, to "Col. Morris, announ- 

 ces the death of Richard Morris and Sarah his wife : — 



COLONEL LEWIS MORRIS AT THE ISLAND OF BARBADOES. 



New York, 29th October, 1672. 



WoRTnY Sir : — Since my reception of yours by William Shackcrly, no oppor- 

 tunity of conveyance to you hath presented from hence till this present. Al- 

 though by the way of Boston, I suppose you would sooner receive the sad tidings 

 of your brother's decease — in whom as you have lost an only brother, so have I a 

 dear friend; I shall not insist upon many particulars relating thereto; our gen- 

 eral letters arriving to you herewith I hope sufficiently inform you ; yet I cannot 

 but reflect upon the transitory condition of poor mortals, when I frequently call 

 to mind in how little time God hath been pleased to break a family, in taking 

 away the heads thereof ; first, a virtuous young woman in the prime of life, and 

 then a man full of strength and vigor, inured to hardships, of whom there is re- 

 maining but one poor blossom, of whom yet there may be great hope with your 

 kind friendship ; for it is a lovely, healthy child, and was well at Harlem, where 

 it is at nurse, and I went to see it yesterday. I was also at the plantation on the 

 other side, when there was some public correction of two or three negroes, and 

 breaking the necks of a mutiny among the white men by Mr. Gibbs, and through 

 his vigilance it is now in good order. The crime of the negroes is reported to be 

 so natural to them, which was both stealing and receiving stolen goods. 

 Wortny sir, Your most dutiful Humble servant, 



The Governor presents you his MATTHIAS NICOLL. 



kind respects and service. 



" Letters of administration of the estate of Captain Richard Morris, 

 brother of Colonel Lewis Morris, were granted to Mr. Matthew Nicolls, 

 Mayor j Captain Thomas De Lavall, Mr. Cornelius Steenwyck, Captain 

 John Berry, and Mr. Thomas Gibbs, trustees, in i6']2. ,,a 



1st of September, 1673. — " The Worship" Orphan Masters of this city of New 

 Orange are requested and authorized to summon before them the Curators of the 

 estate left by dec' 1 Richard Morris and Walter Webley, and to require of them ad- 

 ministration of that estate, and as soon as possible to make a report thereof. ''^ 



29tii September, 1673. — "On the request made on behalf of Colonel Lewis 

 Morris, pass and repass is granted him to come into this government, on condition 

 that he attempt nothing to its prejudice during his sojourn."^ 



The following order was issued to Lewis Morris in 1673 : — 



"The Governor having read and considered the petition of Lewis Morris re- 

 questing in substance the guardianship of the minor child of his deceased brother 



o Surrogates Office, N. Y. Wills and administration, 1665 to 16S3, No. 1, p. 1T3, 

 b Doc. Col. Hist. N. Y. Holland Doc. 1657-1678, vol. ii, p. 95. 

 c Doc. Col. Hist. N. Y., Holland Doc. 1657-1678, vol. ii. p. 619. 



