Richard Morris | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Chief Justice of the New York Supreme Court | |
| In office 1779–1790 | |
| Preceded by | John Jay |
| Succeeded by | Robert Yates |
| Member of theNew York State Senate | |
| In office March 4, 1778 – October 23, 1779 | |
| Preceded by | John Jones |
| Succeeded by | Stephen Ward |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1730-08-15)August 15, 1730 |
| Died | April 11, 1810(1810-04-11) (aged 79) |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 5, includingLewis Richard Morris |
| Parent(s) | Lewis Morris Katrintje Staats |
| Education | Yale University |
Richard Morris (August 15, 1730O.S. – April 11, 1810) was an American lawyer and politician fromNew York. He was chief justice of theNew York Supreme Court from 1779 to 1790.[1]
He was born on August 15, 1730,[2] inMorrisania, then located inWestchester County, New York, the third son ofLewis Morris (1698–1762) and Katrintje "Catherine" (née Staats) Morris (1697–1731).[3]
His paternal grandfather was Governor of New JerseyLewis Morris. His brothers included Continental CongressmanLewis Morris and Gen.Staats Long Morris. His half-brother was U.S. SenatorGouverneur Morris and AssemblymanRichard Valentine Morris was his nephew.[4]
Morris was a graduate ofYale College in 1748. Then he studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1752.[1]
In 1762, he was appointed by GovernorRobert Monckton to the New York Court of Vice-Admiralty. At the outbreak of theAmerican Revolutionary War he sided with thePatriots, and resigned from the bench in 1775.
On March 4, 1778, he was appointed by theNew York State Assembly to theNew York State Senate as one of the representatives of the Southern District, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation ofDr. John Jones. He remained in the State Senate until October 1779, sitting in the1st,2nd and3rd New York State Legislatures.[5]
On October 23, 1779, he was appointed by theCouncil of Appointment as Chief Justice of theNew York Supreme Court, and remained on the bench until September 1790 when he reached the constitutional age limit.[6] In 1788, he was a delegate to the New York Convention to Ratify the U.S. Constitution. On October 19, 1789, he administered the oaths of office to Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme CourtJohn Jay.[7]
InDecember 1794, he ran on theFederalist ticket for Congress in theWestchester–Richmond district, but was defeated by Democratic-RepublicanPhilip Van Cortlandt.[8]
On June 13, 1759, he married Sarah Ludlow (1730–1791), the daughter of Henry Ludlow (1701–1784) and Mary Corbett and the sister ofWilliam Henry Ludlow. Together, they had five children:[9]
He owned estates in Westchester county at Mount Fordham and in Scarsdale. Mount Fordham was burned by the British during theAmerican Revolution.[1]
He died on April 11, 1810, inScarsdale, New York; and was buried at theTrinity Churchyard in New York City.
His granddaughter, Mary Morris (1790–1869), marriedJames Alexander Hamilton (1788–1878),[12] son ofFounding FatherAlexander Hamilton.[13] His grandson,Lewis Gouverneur Morris (1808–1900), was married to Emily Lorillard (1819–1850), of theLorillard Tobacco family.[11]
| Legal offices | ||
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| Preceded by | Chief Justice of theNew York Supreme Court 1779–1790 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
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| National | |
| Other | |
