The following notice of Elizabeth (Watson) Morris (4th wife of Anthony Morris) appeared in the Pennsylvania Gazette for February 12, 1767.
On Monday, the second instant, departed this life in the 94th year of her age, Mrs. Elizabeth Morris in whom were happily united the Christian and Gentlewoman, by virtue of which amiable endowments she passed through the various scenes of her long life with honour, justly meriting the universal Regard paid her by all Ranks. She was blessed with an uncommon share of health, until near the close of life, and then bore the gradual decay of nature and the prospect of her important change, with truly Christian Fortitude, had her senses preserved to the last Period, and continued to manifest her knowledge of the Christian Religion by her humble confidence in God, and love to her Fellow-Creatures. Thursday following, her remains were attended by a large number of her Fellow Citizens to the Burial place of the Quakers, whose principles she adopted in the early part of her life, and lived and died a worthy member of the Society.
In the next issue of the Pennsylvania Gazette on February 19, 1767, the following second notice of her appeared :
To the Printer.
Tho' I believe the character of Elizabeth Morris inserted in the last Gazette to be just, yet I think the following Particulars (perhaps unknown to the Essayist of that account) are worth preserving. She was born at Elizabeth Town in New Jersey, married to Anthony Morris, in 1700, lived with him above Twenty years, and survived him about forty-six years, and her conduct in every station of life was truly honourable.
Her husband was a noted preacher among Friends, one of the first settlers, and held considerable offices in the Government of this City and Province, and some of his Descendants (by preceding wives) of the fifth generation followed the Corpse of his widow to the place of interment.
A.B.
