Person:William McMorris (3)

William McMorris, son of Alexander and Elizabeth McMorris, was born in Fairfield County, South Carolina about the year 1794. At the age of six he and his family moved to Franklin County, Georgia where they stayed for about 10 years. Around the age of sixteen, they moved again to Amite/Pike County, Mississippi where his father had obtained a 1200 acre tract of land.

Around the age of 18, William joined the Mississippi Militia and served under Lt. Col. David Neilson in the Creek War and the War of 1812. William's name is found on the Muster and company pay roll as a private sick in quarters in Captain William A. Lucas's company. He is found listed as being present at Camp New Orleans, Louisiana from January 6, 1815 to March 31, 1815. Tour of duty charged was two months and twenty six days with a pay of $22.70.

At the age of 23, on March 4, 1817, William married Cynthia Andrews in Amite County. They settled in what is now Pike County, Mississippi on 160 acres of land on the Bogue Chitto River. William was listed in the Pike County tax rolls as having paid $4.66 tax on the land. They had eight children: Alexander, William, Baxter, John, Sarah, Angeline, Nancy Ann, and Sylvester.

Ten years later, William and his brother Alexander moved to Hinds County, Mississippi. Both men are listed on the 1830 census of Hinds County and listed as having owned land. William and his family then moved to Livingston Parish, Louisiana where, according to the Bureau of Land Management's General Land Office Records of Louisiana, on September 2, 1839 he obtained 79.67 acres of land in St. Helena Parish.

William died shortly after obtaining land in Livingston Parish and prior to his father's death in 1841. His wife Cynthia's death is estimated as being prior to her eldest son assuming guardianship of his brothers and sisters in 1846.

1. ↑ Farmer
2. ↑ Pvt. In 21 Regiment Infantry And Mississippi Militia In Creek War And War Of 1812