[AUTOGRAPH LETTER, SIGNED, FROM LEWIS MORRIS TO HIS SON, JACOB, CONGRATULATING HIM ON THE BIRTH OF HIS DAUGHTER]

Morris, Lewis

Published by Morrisania, 1788

About this Item

[1]p. plus integral address leaf. Folio. Old fold lines. Light soiling and toning. Slight separation at some folds. About very good. In a blue half morocco and cloth clamshell case. An affectionate letter written by Lewis Morris to his son, Jacob, congratulating him on the birth of a daughter. Lewis Morris, the brother of Gouverneur Morris, was one of the few members of the landed gentry of the state of New York who supported the colonial cause. He served in the Continental Congress, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and served in both the New York State Militia and its Senate. His son, Jacob, though educated for a mercantile career, was moved by the patriotic fervor of the times and served as aide to both generals Charles Lee and Nathanael Greene; he served with distinction at Fort Moultrie. After the war he served in the New York legislature; the town of Morris, New York, which he settled, is named for him. Lewis Morris writes: "My dear Son, I most sincerely congratulate you on Polly's safe delivery of as fine a girl as ever you saw, it looks like your Mother, the finest feature in her face is her nose, which is very large; Polly was delivered on the 21st instant, a little after four o'clock in the afternoon, by old Mother Sickels, and she had a very fine time of it, and the old woman went away well pleased after tea with her fee. She is now very well, and has her nurse with her who seems a good creature, so that we expect in a short time she will be down again and making her boys winter cloaks, which she was very busy about just before she lay in. Your boys and girls are all very well. Yesterday by the packet I had a long letter from your brother James, who was then at Spaw in Germany and by a vessel from London, your good uncle Staats before he went to Spaw, sent me four pr. of most excellent shoes, and two pr. of boots, one a strong pr the other for day. I find this letter flying; a day or two ago I saw Mr. Upton at New York and he says in a short time he will go up then I will write you a long letter. Give our love to Billy tell him his cattle thrive very well. By Mr. Upton I will write you both and give you all the politick going." The letter is sent care of Charles Webster, printer at Albany who, in partnership with Solomon Balantine, established the second newspaper printed in that city. Seller Inventory # WRCAM42448

Bibliographic Details

Title: [AUTOGRAPH LETTER, SIGNED, FROM LEWIS MORRIS...

Publisher: Morrisania

Publication Date: 1788