Landowner and developer from New York who signed the Declaration of Independence and served as a delegate to the Continental Congress (1726–1798). Unusual double ALS signed twice "L. Morris," one page both sides, 8 x 13, August 1 and 5, 1785. On both sides of a page, Lewis Morris writes two letters to his son, Lewis Morris, Jr., in South Carolina; the second letter was occasioned by an unexpected delay in the sailing of a ship bound for Charleston. On the front, Morris writes, in part: "I just come to Town and going again but hearing of a Brig that sails for Charles Town to-morrow I set down to acknowledge the receipt of your affectionate Letter…This much about the Horses I have wrote to several people in Jersey and when they inform me of a fine pr. I will set out to look at them…How do you do to live in Charles Town this weather I hope this will be the last Summer you will spend in that hot country. I can with pleasure inform you that our house at Morrisania is almost tenable I have a noble crop of corn and every thing looks flourishing. You must prepare Nancey to come. I will just touch on the plan the Morrisania house is large enough for to contain you and all the Elliott family and to have them with us will make me the happiest of men. I have laid out for you a farm near me where you can build it being near my house."
The second letter, in part: "After writing the Latter the other side the Brig did not sail for Charles Town as was said…two days ago I had conversation with Colonel Wadsworth about a pr. of Horses, they are at Hartford, but by his discription of them I believe they are too much of the race Blood, however he says that he will ship them to Charles Town in about a month from this, and then will order the Capt. to give you the preference, his price is 500 dollars but in the mean time you may depend I will do every thing in my Power. to procure a proper pr. for our friend. I can't tell you how happy we all are on hearing that your dear little fellow has got over the small pox; Major Edwards has been in Town, we have asked him a Thousand questions about the Boy, and he gives a very favorable account indeed." Addressed on the integral leaf in another hand. In fine condition, with slightly irregular overall toning.
Lewis Morris's son, Lewis Morris, Jr., served as aide to General Nathanael Greene in South Carolina during the Revolution and ultimately settled there, marrying Ann B. 'Nancy' Elliot and taking up residence in Charleston—much to the dismay of his father, who here expresses the northerner's prejudice about weather in the South. The couple withstood the old Signer's persuasions and remained in Charleston, where the younger Morris served five terms in the South Carolina legislature and was elected lieutenant governor in 1794.
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