James Morris, III | |
|---|---|
 Signature | |
| Born | January 19, 1752 South Farms, Connecticut |
| Died | April 20, 1820 Goshen, Connecticut |
| Allegiance | Patriot (American Revolution) |
| Service | Connecticut militia, Continental Army |
| Rank | Major |
| Battles / wars | Battle of Germantown, Siege of Yorktown |
| Other work | Founded the Morris Academy |
James Morris III (January 19, 1752 – April 20, 1820) was a Continental Army officer from Connecticut during the American Revolutionary War and founder of the Morris Academy, a pioneer in coeducation.[1]
Born in Litchfield County, Connecticut, James Morris spent his early life hoping and training to be a minister.[2] However, after graduating from Yale College,[3] Morris accepted a commission of First Lieutenant from the Continental Army and joined the fight for American Independence.[4] Morris was captured during the Battle of Germantown and spent most of the remaining war in captivity.[5][6] Upon his release, Morris was promoted to the rank of Captain and supported Alexander Hamilton in the Siege of Yorktown.[6][7] When he returned from the war, Morris began and ran an academy that trained both boys and girls together, a rarity at the time.[8][9]
James Morris died in 1820.[10] The South Farms section of the town of Litchfield, where he was born, was incorporated as a separate entity in 1859 and re-named Morris in his honor.[11]
- ^ Strong 1976
- ^ Carhart 1922, p. 176
- ^ Keefer 1947, p. 16
- ^ Keefer 1947, 18
- ^ Keefer 1947, pp. 18-19
- ^ a b Keefer 1947, p. 23
- ^ Keefer 1947, p. 25
- ^ Keefer 1947, p. 29
- ^ Keefer 1947, p. 32
- ^ Keefer 1947, p. 37
- ^ "Morris". Connecticut history. Connecticut Humanities. 28 October 2011. Archived from the original on 2013-10-23. Retrieved 2013-10-13.