THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 487 



the route for the Erie Canal, and took an active part in originating and 

 promoting that noble work." "The activity of his mind, the richness of 

 his fancy, and the copiousness of his eloquent conversation were the ad- 

 miration of all his acquaintance, and he was universally admitted as one 

 of the most accomplished and prominent men of our country." 1 * He 

 died at Morrisania, Nov. 5th, 1816, aged 64. His publications were 

 numerous. A selection from his papers, with a sketch of his life, has 

 been published by Jared Sparks, in three volumes. 



He married Ann Cary Randolph, daughter of Thomas Randolph of 

 Roanoke, Virginia, who was descended in the fifth generation from the 

 celebrated Pockohantes, (literally a run between two hills), 6 the daugh- 

 ter of Wahunsonacock or Powhattan, Emperor of Attanoughkanonck, or 

 Virginia. His son is the present Gouverneur Morris, Esq., of Morris- 

 ania. 



The principal proprietors, at present, of the ancient manor bearing the 

 name, are AVilliam H. Morris, Esq., who at one time held one-third part 

 of old Morrisania; Henry Lewis Morris, grandson of Commodore Rich- 

 ard Morris, and the Rev. Arthur Morris, Protestant Episcopal mission- 

 ary to Japan ; also the present Gouverneur Morris, Esq., and his children, 

 who hold a portion formerly belonging to General Staats Long Morris, 

 and the other heirs of Gerard W. Morris. The manor is now divided 

 among a vast number of proprietors too, numerous to mention. Accord- 

 ing to the survey of Adam Findlay, made in 1849, ."the Long Neck 

 Mansion House Farm of Old Morrisania, then belonging to the late 

 Colonel Lewis Morris, embraced 313,^0 acres, which then included 

 everything, i. e. all the property unsold, excepting the lots on the Post 

 road between Orange and Mott streets, and the lot where the small 

 house stood in the rear of Parkers, and excepting the lands permanently 

 leased." 6 ' 



•• Morrisania remained but sparcely settled for years. During the 

 Revolution its forests formed secure hiding-places for the royalist ref- 

 ugees, '' d and its thick coverts abounded in wolves." It remained in the 

 family of its ancient owners until the first large advent of population to 

 its fields in 1848. An association then purchased two hundred acres of 

 the northern part, and began a village. At that time there were but 

 three houses on the purchase. At first it was called " New Village," but 

 as it grew it assumed the name of Morrisania, while Bronck's original 



Barber's Ilist. Coll. of N. Y. 

 b Tins name was given to h jr under the supposition that the English could not bewitch her 

 wiih an assumed name. 

 e Copied from JISS. of II. M. Morris, Dec. 10th, 18'J7. 

 d New York in the Old.n Times, by J. liaruitz Uacou. 



