Early New York Families: 1600s-1900s
Lewis was born at Trenton, New Jersey, September 23, 1698, died at Morrisania manor house, July 3, 1762. He was the sole heir to and second lord of the manor of Morrisania. When twenty-four years of age he became a member of the council of Governor Burnett, under Governor Montgomery, Burnett's successor. He questioned the legality of certain proceedings of the executive, and in 1730 was suspended for "Disrespectful" conduct. In 1732 and for the succeeding eighteen years he was elected and re-elected to the assembly to represent the borough of Westchester. He was zealous and prominant in opposing the government on the issue of Van Dam's salary, the removal of Chief Justice Morris [his father], and the course of Zenger's Journal.

During his father's absence in England, 1734 to 1736, he took his place in the popular leadership, and after Cosby's death was a vigorous antagonist of the succeeding lieutenant, Governor Clark. In 1737 he was speaker of the assembly. He was also judge of the high court of oyer and terminer, and of the high court of admiralty.

The 20th Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Vol.7, p.469
In the name of God, Amen. I, LEWIS MORRIS, of Morrisania, "Considering the Evil Consequences of Dying Intestate, and that the Disposition of an estate by Will is one of the most important Acts of a man's Life, I have therefore thought proper to take the advantage of that season of Health and Serenity of mind which, by God's favour, I now enjoy, to make this my last Will and Testament, Which to obviate all disputes and contentions I have endeavored to express myself in the plainest Language." My Body I desire to be laid in the Family Vault at Morrisania, next to those of my father and mother, with as little Pomp and show as my executors may think proper. My debts and funeral charges are to be first paid. I devise that part of Morrisania to the westward of the Mill Brook to my son, Lewis Morris, and his heirs and assigns, and that it operate as a confirmation of the Deed or Deeds I have already given him for the same in fee simple. The remaining part of Morrisania, being the farm whereon I now live, lying east of the Mill Brook, together with the Mill Brook and stream leading from Broncks Kill to the Grist mill, standing on said Mill Brook, to the head thereof, I devise to my beloved wife, Sarah Morris, during her life. The stock of negroes, Horses and cattle, and farming utensils on said farm, and all my plate, money, household furniture, Coach, Chariot, and Chaise, and all the income of said farm, I leave to my wife during her life, to enable her to bring up and educate those children I have and may have by her. That part of Morrisania which I have left to my wife I leave after her decease to my son, Staats Long Morris, if he survives her, and to his heirs and assigns. And he is to pay to my executors œ7,000 within fifteen months after the death of my wife. But if he be out of the Province, in England, then to be paid within two years. Immediately after the receipt of the same my executors shall pay to my son, Richard Morris, œ2,000, To my son, Gouverneur Morris, œ2,000, To my daughter Mary, wife of Thomas Lawrence, œ600, To my daughter Isabella œ600, To my daughter Sarah œ600, To my daughter Euphemia œ600, and to my daughter Catharine œ600. If my son, Staats Long Morris, should not survive my wife, or if he refuses to pay the said sum, then that part of my estate is left to my son Richard on the same conditions. If neither son should survive, then to my son, Gouverneur Morris, and if all my said sons die without issue, then to my eldest son, Lewis Morris. The two lots which I lately purchased lying in the Broadway in New York, one being part of the estate of Joseph Murray, Esq., and the other part of the estate of Stephen Van Cortlandt, And whereas David Ogden has made a joint purchase with me of a tract of land upon Passaic river, in New Jersey, from Samuel Burge, of Philadelphia, These several parcels I devise to my wife during her life, empowering her to dispose of the same among her children as she thinks proper. The pictures of my father and mother I bequeath to my brother, Robert Hunter Morris, Esq. And my own picture and my wife's I leave to my daughter Isabella. All the rest of my real estate I direct to be sold by my executors and the proceeds paid to my wife, who is to divide the same among my daughters, Mary Lawrence, Isabella, Sarah, Euphemia, and Catharine, and my sons, Staats Long, Richard, and Gouverneur. After the death of my wife my executors are to sell the personal property and divide the proceeds among my children. "My wife having signed an Instrument before our marriage, dated November 3, 1746, by which she gave her niece, Johana Hall, œ200, and I having received all the money belonging to my wife, I bequeath œ200 to the said Johana and also a negro girl." (The will disposes of various negro slaves, 12 being named, and several others, including one "bought of my brother-in-law, James Graham," among his children.) My Coach and the silver tankard given to me by the Colony of Rhode Island I leave to my son, Lewis Morris, Also my Library, "agreeable with my father's design of passing it with the estate. But all such books as I have added to it are for my son Richard, and in the catalogue are marked with the letter P." "And of the remainder my son Richard is to have the joint use of them while he continues to practice the Law. But none of the books are to be removed from Morrisania, and none of the books are to be loaned out of the Library to any person."

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Wealth Comparison

Portrait in New Orleans Museum