Staats Long Morris facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Staats Long Morris
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| Member of Parliament for Elgin Burghs |
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| In office 1774–1784 |
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| Preceded by | Thomas Lockhart |
| Succeeded by | William Adam |
| Governor of Quebec | |
| In office 1797–1800 |
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| Monarch | George III |
| Preceded by | James Johnston |
| Succeeded by | William Goodday Strutt |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 27 August 1728 Morrisania, New York |
| Died | 28 January 1800 (aged 71) England, United Kingdom |
| Resting place | Westminster Abbey |
| Spouses | Duchess of Gordon (m. 1756) Jane Urquhart (m. 1780) |
| Parents | Lewis Morris Katryntje Staats |
| Alma mater | Yale College |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Great Britain(1746–1800) |
| Branch/service | British Army (1746–1800) |
| Rank | General |
| Commands | 89th Regiment of Foot 61st Regiment of Foot |
| Battles/wars | Seven Years' War |
General Staats Long Morris (born August 27, 1728 – died January 28, 1800) was a British Army officer and a politician. He was a member of the British Parliament for Elgin Burghs from 1774 to 1784. He also served as the governor of Quebec from 1797 until he passed away.
Morris was born in the colony of New York. He married a Scottish noblewoman, which helped him have a successful career. He became a military officer and a politician in the British Parliament.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Staats Long Morris was born on August 27, 1728, in Morrisania, New York. His father, Lewis Morris Jr., was a politician and a judge. His mother was Katryntje Staats.
Morris went to Yale College in Connecticut. He started in 1743 and graduated three years later in 1746. After graduating, Morris joined the British Army. He became a lieutenant in the New York Independent Companies.
When William Shirley, the governor of Massachusetts, formed the 50th Regiment of Foot in 1754, Morris was put in charge of some of its companies. Morris later became an aide-de-camp (a personal assistant) to Shirley.
Career in Britain and India
In 1749, William Shirley went back to Great Britain, and Morris went with him. While in Britain, Morris met and married Catherine Gordon, Duchess of Gordon. She was the widow of a duke. They married on March 25, 1756.
At the time, Morris was only a captain in the British Army. He was also ten years younger than the Duchess. Their marriage was surprising to some people in high society. After marrying, Morris visited North America briefly. He then returned to Britain in November 1759. He settled at his wife's home, Gordon Castle.
His marriage helped Morris gain a lot of political influence. He became a major two years later. In 1759, the Duchess convinced King George II to let Morris create a Highland regiment. This regiment would be formed in the lands of the Clan Gordon, which the Duchess knew well. This helped Morris's military career.
Recruiting for the new regiment went very well. Within a few weeks, 960 new soldiers were gathered at Gordon Castle. In December 1759, these recruits marched to Aberdeen. There, they became the 89th Regiment of Foot. Morris was promoted to lieutenant-colonel and became the regiment's commander.
The regiment was sent to India as part of the Seven Years' War. They left in November 1761. Morris himself did not leave England until April 1762. He then traveled to India and joined his regiment. The regiment was praised for its actions. In December 1763, Morris returned to England. His regiment followed him the next year and was disbanded in 1765.
Later Life and Public Service
After the Seven Years' War, Morris became interested in North American affairs again. In 1765, he asked for land grants in different areas. He was given 10,000 acres in Canada in 1766. In 1768, Morris and his wife toured North America.
Returning to Scotland in 1769, Morris became friends with the 4th Duke of Gordon. This friendship helped Morris get elected to the House of Commons in 1774. He represented Elgin Burghs until 1784.
When the Revolutionary War began in 1776, Morris was a Loyalist. This meant he supported Britain. He offered to leave his military role. However, the War Office instead sent him to the British army base on the island of Minorca. This way, he would not have to fight in his home country.
Morris was promoted to major-general in 1777. He then became the commander of the 61st Regiment of Foot. King George III asked Morris to attend Parliament more often. Morris agreed and became a strong supporter of the government. He kept his seat in the 1780 general election.
Morris's first wife died in 1779. He remarried to Jane Urquhart in 1780. In 1796, Morris was promoted to general. The next year, he was appointed governor of Quebec. This job was a sinecure, meaning he got paid but did not have to live there. Morris stayed in England while holding the position. He remained governor until he died in office on January 28, 1800, at age 71. After his death, Morris was buried in Westminster Abbey. This was a great honor for someone from America.
Family and Legacy
Morris was born into a well-known Anglo-American family. His family had been important in the English colonies of New York and New Jersey for a long time. However, the American Revolutionary War divided the family. Morris was the only one in his family to support the British (the Loyalists). His brothers supported the American side (the Patriots).
Even though his marriage to the Duchess was controversial at first, Morris was well-liked. He acted with kindness and friendship. The Duchess's family soon accepted him. Morris was also the stepfather of Lord George Gordon. Lord Gordon was known for leading the anti-Catholic Gordon Riots in 1780.
After his father died, Morris received half of his father's estate. This included large landholdings in Westchester County, New York. Morris later sold these lands to his half-brother, Gouverneur.
Morris died on January 28, 1800. His wife, Jane, died shortly after on March 15, 1801, at age 52. She was buried next to him in Westminster Abbey. Their original large gravestone was later replaced with a smaller one.
Images for kids
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Staats Long Morris
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A painting of the 4th Duke of Gordon.
