Morris family.

The Morris family of Philadelphia were brewers, merchants, land speculators, manufacturers, and prominent participants in public affairs.

Anthony Morris was born in London in 1654. His father died on a voyage to Barbados about a year after his birth. His mother then went to Barbados to settle his affairs, where she too died, leaving Anthony an orphan in London. Anthony Morris became a Quaker and emigrated to Burlington, N.J., in 1682, relocating to Philadelphia about three years later. Around 1687 he founded the second brewery in the city, which became the basis of the family fortune. He was one of the founders of the William Penn Charter School and served in a number of legislative and judicial offices. After 1701 he retired from business ans devoted much of his time to preaching and the affairs of the Society of Friends. He died in 1721.

His son, Anthony Morris, was born in London in 1681/82 (old style). He continued the family brewing business and, beginning in 1720, made large investments in the iron industry. He became a partner of Thomas Rutter, Thomas Potts, et al., in the Colebrookdale Furnace in Berks County and in 1727 was one of the founders of the Durham Furnace. He also invested in flour mills in Bucks County. He represented Philadelphia in the Provincial Assembly (1721-1726) and was Mayor of Philadelphia (1738-1739). He died on September 23, 1763.

His son, Anthony Morris (1705-1780), continued the brewing business. He was one of the founders of the elite fishing club, the "Colony in Schuylkill." His son, Samuel Morris (1734-1812), was a merchant who was also a member of the "Colony in Schuylkill," the Gloucester Fox Hunting Club, and other elite sporting clubs. In 1774 he helped organize the Philadelphia Troop of Light Horse and was its commander from 1775 to 1786. He fought at Brandywine, Germantown, and Trenton, where his brother, Maj. Anthony Morris, was killed. During the war he also served two terms in the Provincial Assembly and was Commissary General of the Middle District.

Luke Wistar Morris (1768-1830) and Isaac Wistar Morris (1770-1831), the sons of Samuel Morris, operated the Dock & Pearl Street Brewery in Philadelphia. Isaac W. Morris was also a member of the company formed to promote John Fitch's steamboat. Isaac Paschall Morris (1803-1869), the son of Isaac Wistar Morris, was originally a druggist but abandoned the trade in 1827 to manufacture machinery with his cousin, Levi, and brother, Joseph. The firm became I.P. Morris & Co. in 1841 and developed into one of the city's most important manufacturers.