MOREY
From the files of Stephen M. Lawson
Grave photo 1989
Photo about 1865
Elijah Mason and Elizabeth (Merrill) Morey
Elijah Mason MOREY - b. May 2, 1815, Preble, Cortland
Co., NY; d. Aug. 13, 1850, Penfield Township, Calhoun Co., MI;
bur. Oak Hill Cemetery
[photo], Battle Creek,
MI. Son of Eli MOREY and Sophronia
MASON. Elijah's age at death, on cemetery records, was 35
years 2 months and 11 days, which would give a birth date of Jun.
2, 1815. Family sources consistently give his birth month as May.
He was a resident of Cortland Co., NY on Nov. 27, 1835 when he
purchased 80 acres of land in Section 35 of Pennfield, Calhoun
Co., MI. The Calhoun County Business Directory (1869-70) states
that Mason MOREY arrived in the county in the spring of 1836.
On Jun. 25, 1836, Elijah asked to join the Battle Creek United
Congregational and Presbyterian Church by letter from Preble,
NY. The membership letter was received Jul. 30, 1836, and he became
the eighth member of the church. On Jan. 1, 1838, Elijah purchased
20 acres of land in Pennfield from Samuel ROBINSON, and on Dec.
25, 1838, he and wife Elizabeth witnessed a deed for Pennfield
land from John GIFFORD to Francis PATTERSON. The 1840
census of Penfield, Calhoun Co., MI lists his household as
having one male age 0-5 (son William), one male age 20-30 (Elijah),
and one female age 15-20 (Elizabeth). The 1850
census of Penfield, Calhoun Co., MI, lists all six children,
and includes 'Ellen F. Wright' (age 13), probably a daughter of
Sarah (MOREY) WRIGHT, sister of Elijah. Married Dec. 6, 1838,
Battle Creek, MI by Rev. Justin MARSH, with witnesses John VanBRUNT
and Edwin MOREY. Rev. MARSH was minister-elect of the church,
John S. VanBRUNT was deacon of the church, and Edwin was Elijah's
brother.
Elizabeth MERRILL - b. Jul. 12, 1819, Oneida Co., NY;
d. Dec. 5, 1865, Freedom, Cattaraugus Co., NY; bur. Elton
Cemetery [photo],
Cattaraugus Co., NY. Her birth date may have been b. Jul. 9, 1819,
based on her grave marker: Elizabeth M. MOREY, wife of Philo TUPPER,
died Dec. 5, 1865, ae 45 Ys, 4 Ms, 27 Ds. A family source states
that she died at Johnsonburg, Wyoming Co., NY, but this is unlikely.
Elizabeth traveled from NY to MI about 1836 (at about age 17)
with the family of her sister Amanda (MERRILL) SMITH. Evidence,
including photos of Elizabeth and all children except Charles,
indicates that Elizabeth returned to NY about 1851 with her six
children under the age of 10 upon the death of Elijah. The New
York State 1855 census
of the Town of Freedom, Cattaraugus Co., NY, lists Elizabeth
in household 43, together with her daughter Maria (Mariett in
census), with children William, Homer, and Anne living in two
other households nearby. There is an account in the name of Elizabeth
MOREY for merchandise purchased at her brother Smith MERRILL's
store in Franklinville, dated Aug. 11, 1853. Subsequently, two
children, William and Homer, returned to MI. Elizabeth married
second Philo TUPPER of Elton, NY, probably shortly before her
death. A photo of Elizabeth
was taken about 1865, and is marked on the reverse "Grandmother
Morey" in the handwriting of her grand-daughter Minnie Elsie
(MOREY) FREEMAN. Daughter of Allen
MERRILL and Tamma SMITH.
Children of Elijah and Elizabeth Morey
- William Clemeth - b. Jan. 12, 1840,
Elton, Cattaraugus Co., NY; d. Dec. 2, 1912, Fort Worth, TX.
- Caroline Sophronia - b. Jul. 8, 1841, Penfield, Calhoun Co.,
MI; d. Nov. 9, 1859, Allegany, NY; bur. Elton, Cattaraurgus Co.,
NY. Her grave marker in Elton Cemetery gives her age at death
as 18 years, 3 months, 22 days, and identifies her as the daughter
of ELIGAH M. & ELIZABETH M. MOREY. Caroline was named for
her Aunt Caroline (MERRILL) SENTELL, and for her grandmother
Sophronia (MASON) MOREY. Unmarried.
- Charles Sentell - b. Jan. 11, 1843, Penfield, Calhoun Co.,
MI; d. May 3, 1863, Chancellersville, VA; bur. on battlefield
in the Civil War. A
memorial to Charles was placed in the cemetery at Elton, Cattaraugus
Co., NY, reading "In Memory of Charles S. MOREY of Co. D,
64th Regt. NY Volunteers. Killed in Battle May 3rd, 1863. At
Chancellorsville, VA. Aged 26 Yrs, 3 Mons, & 22 Ds. Burial
place unknown." Charles, named for his uncle and husband
of Caroline (MERRILL) SENTELL, enlisted Oct. 8, 1861 in Co. D,
64th Reg't, NY Vols., being listed as a non-resident of the Town
of Freedom and serving as a paid replacement for another. He
is described as 5' 9" in height, with light complexion,
brown hair, and blue-grey eyes. Charles' first cousin, Henry
Smith MERRILL, wrote on Feb. 26, 1863 from Bells Landing, VA
that "Emm and I returned from the 64th last evening....
I did not see Charley Morey he was at commasary head quarters
on guard some 4 miles distant." Charles' Regiment, commanded
by Col. Daniel G. BINGHAM, was one of five regiments composing
the Fourth Brigade, First Division, Second Corps, Army of the
Potomac in the Chancellorsville Campaign. The brigade had 19
known killed, 64 known wounded, and 446 either captured or otherwise
missing in the campaign. Pvt. Charles was a brigade commissary
guard for the 3 months before being killed in action. A Civil
War Letter
written on May 30, 1863 by Warren B. PERSONS just three weeks after the
battle of Chancellersville includes the following: "Eight of our Co.
were shot dead in the works and four wounded. ...the fourth man on my
left Charles Morey of Freedom was also killed." Charles' death is
described more graphically in Warren's letter of May 11th to his
mother, capturing the horrors of war: "Charles Morey was the fourth man
on my left, he was struck in the side of the head near the ear and fell
like a log, the blood spouting in a torrent from the wound."
- Maria Theresa - b. Nov. 24, 1844, Penfield, Calhoun Co.,
MI; d. Nov. 11, 1909, North Tonawanda, NY; bur. Clarence, NY.
Married George W. GOULD (d. before Nov. 1909). George and Maria,
who lived at Looneyville, Erie Co., NY, were witnesses to her
brother William's marriage. The heirs of Maria, who died at the
home of her daughter Lydia, included all four children, brother
William in Fort Worth, TX, and his son Charles C. MOREY in Great
Falls, MT. A signed affidavit by Maria is in the pension file
of brother Homer. Children: Lydia Isabelle married Otto Adelbert
SIEHL; Olive Irene married first Mr. RAINS, and second Mr. SMITH;
Mason J. married; and Carrie Elizabeth married Delmer D. MACKWOOD.
- Homer Atwood - b. Sep. 4, 1847, Penfield, Calhoun Co., MI;
d. Mar. 29, 1887, Big Rapids, Mecosta Co., MI. Homer is listed
with his two brothers as non-residents of the town of Freedom,
NY, serving in the Civil War as a paid replacement for another.
He was in the same Civil
War service unit as brother William (Company F, 5th New York
Cavalry), enlisting on Feb. 27, 1864, and being discharged on
Jul. 19, 1865. Homer's cousin, Emmett MERRILL, wrote on Apr.
24, 1864 from Brandy Station that he "went over to the 5th
Cav. to day... I see Wm Morey he is O.K. Homer was out on Picket
So I did not see him... Wm says he thinks that Homer will get
detailed to drive ambulance with him." According to his
Invalid Pension application, "in June 1864, near Stony Creek,
Virginia, he contracted typhoid pneumonia and lung disease, which
resulted in consumption" (Widow's Pension Claim 357628).
His photo, taken at Johnsonburg, NY, is included in the Civil
War Pension File (Invalid Pension 601040; Widow's Pension 254213).
Homer's middle name is the married name of his great aunt Mary
(MASON) ATWOOD. Married Oct. 1, 1870, Cohocton, NY, Catherine
'Kate' A. QUINN (family sources give her name as Kate IRWIN).
Children: Maimie; Helen 'Nellie' married Mr. STROTHER; Mary D.;
and Maude Anna did not marry (the probate papers of the Estate
of Maude A. Morey provide valuable family history information).
- Ann Elizabeth - b. Jul. 31, 1849, Penfield, Calhoun Co.,
MI; d. April 14, 1890, West Falls, NY; bur. Elton, Cattaraurgus
Co., NY. Married Mar. 1, 1871, Arcade, NY. Her husband's name
is not known.
Photo about 1865
Photo about 1870
William Clemeth and Melvina E. (Andrews)
Morey
William Clemeth MOREY - b. Jan. 12, 1840, Elton, Cattaraugus
Co., NY; d. Dec. 2, 1912, Fort Worth, Tarrant Co., TX; bur. Oakwood Cemetery [photo],
Tarrant Co., TX (block 100 lot 26 space 1, with monument marker).
Son of Elijah Mason MOREY and Elizabeth MERRILL.
Some family sources and census records indicate William was born
in MI (Calhoun Co.), but a signed, witnessed and notarized statement
in his Civil War pension file indicates he was born at Elton,
NY. Served in the Civil War as a private in Company F, 5th New
York Cavalry, Union Army. The National Archives has both a pension
file (WC 760-022)
and Civil War service
file for Pvt. Morey, who is described as 5' 10" in height,
with light complexion, light hair, and blue eyes. William is found
in the 1855 census of Freedom,
Cattaraugus Co., NY, and entered the service on Sep. 17, 1861,
a non-resident of the Town of Freedom, NY, as a paid replacement
for another, and was discharged at New York City on Oct. 17, 1864.
William's first cousin, Emmett MERRILL, wrote on Apr. 24, 1864
from Brandy Station that he "went over to the 5th Cav. to
day... I see Wm Morey he is O.K. Homer was out on Picket So I
did not see him... Wm says he thinks that Homer will get detailed
to drive ambulance with him." William's basis for a pension,
dated Jun. 6, 1889, at Wichita, KS, was that in "Dec. 1861,
he contracted a severe cold on march from Baltimore, Maryland
to Annapolis, Maryland, and said cold resulted in pleursy and
heart trouble." One document gives his residences after the
war as Freedom, NY 1864; Johnsonburg, NY to 1866; Alpine, MI to
1872; Big Rapids, MI to 1882; Kiowa, KS in 1883; Wichita, KS to
1891; Fort Worth, TX to 1909; and San Antonio, TX beginning Jun.
1909. He returned to Fort Worth about 1911. The family is found
in the 1870 census of Alpine,
Kent Co., MI and the 1880
census of Big Rapids, Mecosta Co., MI. William C. is found
in the Wichita City Directory for 1888 as a farmer, and in 1889
as a hardware dealer, his address both years being 1903 So. Mosley.
Also living at the same address in 1888 were his children Willie
A., Rose B., Jennie, and Charley. A diary entry dated Aug. 2,
1891, made by Melinda (HOWE) MERRILL at Elton, NY, reads, "Who
should come, but Wm. Morey, Wife & daughter - staid til next
night. Went to J. B. JONES - staid all night. Went to Perry's
next morn - staid there til the next day AM. Then went to Franklinville
- staid til Monday night. Left on train for Johnsonburg."
In the 1900 census of Glenwood,
Tarrant Co., TX, the William C. MOREY family is found residing
at 108 Cromwell, with children William A., Minnie E. and Kittie
in the household. The occupation of William C. MOREY is given
as peddler, and that of William A. as day laborer. William C.
MOREY's daughter Minnie related that her father was an itinerant
Methodist minister. Married Mar. 12, 1865, at Johnsonburg, Wyoming
Co., NY, with George W. and Maria T. (MOREY) GOULD as witnesses.
Melvina E. ANDREWS - b. Sep. 7, 1843, Johnsonburg, Wyoming
Co., NY; d. Jan. 2, 1926, Fort Worth, TX; bur. Oakwood
Cemetery [photo],
Tarrant Co., TX (block 100 lot 26 space 2, with flat marker).
Most documents in the Civil War Pension files have her name as
'Malvina', and she so signs in two places. But 'Melvina' appears
on her marriage certificate, grave marker, and in other places.
Statements in her Civil War widow's pension file (760,022) provides
confirmation of her birth, marriage and death dates. A statement
in her handwriting, and signed by her husband, gives the birth
dates for all their children, except Jennie. Daughter of Henry
L. ANDREWS and Harriet HOLCOMB.
William and Melvina Morey Family - 1895, Fort Worth, TX
Left to right: Melvina, Jennie, Minnie, William,
Kittie, Willie
Children of William
and Melvina Morey
- William Amos - b. Jan. 5, 1866, NY. Willie A. is found in
the Wichita City Directory for 1888 as a farmer living with his
parents at 1903 So. Mosley. Married Laura after 1900, and moved
to San Diego, CA. He apparently had no descendants living in
1959, when the estate of his cousin Maude A. MOREY was distributed.
- Rosa Belle - b. Jan. 11, 1868, Alpine, Kent Co., MI; d. April
17, 1941, Secor, IL. Rose B. is found in the Wichita City Directory
for 1888 as a cavasser living with her parents at 1903 So. Mosley.
Married May 12, 1889, Wichita, KS, Michael Frank CONNER (b. Aug.
7, 1857, Kokomo, IN; d. Jul. 11, 1928, Secor, IL). Children:
William Franklin married Alma Eva NOLLER (ch. Carolyn Rose) [photo]; Alpha Belle
did not marry; and Edna Florence married Harold R. MAGEE (ch.
Mildred Alpha, Harold R., and Judy Lyman).
- Jennie
- b. Nov. 23, 1869, probably at Alpine, Kent Co., MI; d. Nov. 19, 1897,
Fort Worth, TX; bur. Oakwood Cemetery (block 54 space 151, no marker).
Jennie is found in the Wichita City Directory for 1888 as a dressmaker
living with her parents at 1903 So. Mosley. Married Frank SKINNER, who
deserted her (no children). She lived with her parents until her early
death. There is some mystery from family sources surrounding Jennie's
death and burial, and Oakwood Cemetery records her death date as Nov.
11, 1896.
- Charles Clemeth - b. Sep. 10, 1871, Alpine, Kent Co., MI;
d. Mar. 12, 1959, Tacoma, WA; bur. Mar. 16, 1959, Mountain View
Memorial Park, Tacoma, WA. Charley is found in the Wichita City
Directory for 1888 as a salesman living with his parents at 1903
So. Mosley. He moved to Tacoma, Pierce Co., WA by 1926 where
he owned a grocery store. Tacoma City Directories give residence
as 1233 So. J in the 1926-1936 editions, 811 S Cushman Ave. in
1937-1951, and 915 S Cushman Ave. in 1952-1957. Married Feb.
15, 1896, Fort Worth, Tarrant Co., TX, Almo Kristina LINDBERG
(b. Sweden; d. 1944, Tacoma, Pierce Co., WA). Charlie's funeral
arrangements were handled by the Mountain View Funeral Home,
with Rev. Jack M. TUELL officiating, and included a recitation
of Alfred Tennyson's "Crossing the Bar." Son: Leon
married twice, the second time to Alice Irene CONANT (Leon had
no children).
- Minnie Elsie - b. Sep.
24, 1877, Big Rapids, Mecosta Co., MI; d. Feb. 17, 1959, Seattle,
King Co., WA. Married Aretus
Erastus FREEMAN.
- Kittie Bessie - b. Jun. 5, 1883, probably in KS; d. Jul.
25, 1972, Fort Worth, TX. Married Sep. 8, 1904, Charles Alexander
CORNETT (d. Jul. 1, 1965, Fort Worth, TX), son of August Americus
CORNETT, and brother of Flavius J. CORNETT who witnessed a document
for Kittie's father in 1910 at San Antonio, TX [photo].
Children: Lucile Bessie married Albert William ZABEL (ch. Rowena
Ruth, Carlyne Alberta, and Bettye Lucile); Nellie died in infancy;
and Lester Flavius 'L. F.' [photo]
married Jane McLEOD (ch. Dr. Michael McLeod, Patricia Anne, Rev.
Larry Edward, and Mary Margaret).
