MORRIS, John Richard

John Richard Morris born 8 May 1854 Manchester, England, eldest son of Marina Mott and John Richard Morris, reg. Manchester Sep 1854 vol. 8d page 232, baptised 9 June 1854, Manchester, England [1], arrived Port Chalmers, New Zealand on the ship "City of Dunedin" 12 January 1869 from London aged about 15 years, died 29 June 1919 at his residence, George Street, Dunedin aged 65 years, reg.1919/6776, buried block 38, plot 112, Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin [2]

brother of the photographers:

Guy Clayton Morris

Hugh Mark Morris

Evening Star, Issue 5783, 20 September 1881

Obituary

Mr J. R. Morris.

On Sunday evening, at his residence George street, Mr J R. Morris died at the age of 65 years. The eldest son of the late Mr J. R. Morris, city valuer, deceased was born in Manchester, England, and came to New Zealand with his parents in 1879. He was educated at the Chorlton High School, Manchester.

He took up the photographic business on his arrival in the Dominion, and was known as the father of photography in Dunedin. He was an artist in marine oil pictures, and was well known and highly respected by local artists. In his earlier days Mr Morris was an enthusiastic cyclist and oarsman.

For the last two years he had been ailing, and for the past 12 months he had been confined to his bed, the cause of death being heart failure.

Mr Morris is survived by his brothers—Mr G. P. Morris (Picton), Mr E. C. Morris (Wellington), and Mr H. M. Morris (Dunedin)—and his only sister (Mrs P. J. Ness).

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17665, 1 July 1919

Evening Star, Issue 17168, 8 October 1919

George Street
Dunedin

"Bella Hislop now Mrs H. Hare"
   [Isabella Johanna Hislop married Harry Howard Hare in 1889, reg. 1889/3339]



 

 

George Finlay

later inscription "baker [in the] 1890's born 1875"

 


 

[purchased March 2023]

175 George Street
Dunedin

Hughina

[purchased September 2023]

[purchased September 2023]

Samuel McMurray Album

[purchased 5 October 2024]

above cdv courtesy of The Laurence Eagle Collection

 

above cdv courtesy of The Laurence Eagle Collection

 

[purchased September 2023]

[purchased September 2023]

 

 

 

above cdv courtesy of The Laurence Eagle Collection

 

[Isabella Johanna Hislop married Harry Howard Hare in 1889, reg. 1889/3339]

 

"1888"

Mr Edward Boyd, Stirling, Otago, N.Z.

 

 

Princess Street and George Street, Dunedin

[purchased September 2022]

 

Princess Street, Dunedin
from about 1890 

Notes:

[1] "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NT16-9RG : 30 December 2014), John Richard Morris, 09 Jun 1854; citing Manchester, Lancashire, England, reference 242; FHL microfilm 438,178.

[2]  Dunedin City Council, Cemeteries Database

[3] Family of John Richard Morris (senior)

 

John Richard Morris (1851 census chemist aged 19 years, Dudley, Staffordshire),  son of Lydia Bond and James Morris, gentleman, born November, 1831 Dudley, Staffordshire, arrived Port Chalmers on the ship "City of Dunedin" 12 January 1869 from London, died 30 December 1909 at his residence 129 Queen Street, Dunedin aged 79 years, buried block 132, plot 10 Northern Cemetery, Dunedin, married 2 August 1853 at the Parish Church in the Parish of Kirk Braddon, Isle of Man, witnessed by James Mark Morris, his brother, and James Killey [3a], Marina Mott  born 28 Dec 1830 daughter of Mary and Charles Mott,  gentleman, baptised 8 July 1831 Saint Giles, Camberwell, London, arrived Port Chalmers on the ship "City of Dunedin" 12 January 1869 from London, died 13 December 1904 at The Mount, Queen Street, Dunedin aged 75 years, reg. 1904/7804, buried block 132, plot 10 Northern Cemetery, Dunedin 

His brother James Mark Morris, surgeon married Amelia Mott the sister of Marina Morris 22 August 1853 at the Parish Church in the Parish of Kirk Braddon, Isle of Man [3b]. He married 2ndly Elizabeth Ann Firth 1877 reg. Jun 1877  Nantwich vol. 8a page 459.  James Mark Morris M.R.C.S., died 8 June 1899 at the residence of his sister-in-law, Mrs Firth, Drayton, 67 Avoca Street, South Yarra, Melbourne, Australia in his 70th year, late of Market Drayton, Shropshire and Campbell Town, Tasmania [3c]. Elizabeth Ann Morris died 7 March 1925 Blair Athole, Oldleld Park, Bath, England

Our Dunedin exchanges contain notes upon a surprise visit which a party of relatives and friends paid last Sunday to the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Morris on the occasion of their golden wedding. Mr. and Mrs. Morris, who are the parents of Mr. E. C. Morris, of Wellington, were married fifty years ago at Kirk Braddon, Isle of Man. Mr. Morris has been Dunedin's City Valuer since 1874, and has a host of friends throughout the colony. He has taken an active part in musical affairs in Dunedin, and has been President of the Orchestral Society, of which he was the founder.

Evening Post, Volume LXVI, Issue 32, 6 August 1903

Surviving issue of John Richard Morris and Marina Mott:

1. John Richard Morris born 8 May 1854 Manchester, arrived Port Chalmers on the ship "City of Dunedin" 12 January 1869 from London, died 29 June 1919 at his residence, George Street, Dunedin aged 65 years, reg. 1919/6776, unmarried.

2. George Piddocke Morris (or George Piddock Morris) of "Moana", Picton, Manager of the Union Steamship Company, Picton from 1890, previously purser on the ship "s.s. Penguin", born 1855, reg. Dec 1855, Chorlton vol. 8c page 443, arrived Port Chalmers on the ship "City of Dunedin" 12 January 1869 from London, died 16 August 1930, Auckland aged 75 years, reg. 1930/8301, buried Purewa Cemetery, Auckland, married 1stly 17 September 1884, reg. 1884/3781 at the residence of the bride's parents, Howe Street, Dunedin by the Rev. Dr. Roseby,  Annette Morisey only daughter of Henry Morisey, she died at her residence, Picton, 1906  aged 48 years, reg. 1906/4915, he married 2ndly 1910, reg. 1910/2754, Wellington, Sara Dimant, she died 3 December 1921 at her residence 37 Old Farm Road, Kilbirnie, Wellington aged 59 years, reg. 1921/7150

issue:

2a. Maude Stella Morris (or Maud Stella Morris), born 18 April 1885, reg. 1885/8692, died 1984, reg. 1984/44104, married 13 January 1913, reg. 1913/1615, Wellington by the Rev. W. A. Evans, Frederick John Turnidge, eldest son of J. T. Turnidge, Mosman, Sydney died 1963 aged 81 years, reg. 1963/28819

3. Edward Charles Morris (watchmaker and working jeweller, Wellington) born 1859, arrived Port Chalmers on the ship "City of Dunedin" 12 January 1869 from London, died 14 April 1924 aged 65 years, reg. 1924/3995, married 25 December 1880, reg. 1880/2817 at the residence of Captain Moore, Sydney Street, Wellington by A. B. Maston, Caroline Elizabeth Stella Moore, born 12 April 1861 Maldon, Victoria, Australia, only daughter of Captain Frederick George Moore and Caroline Phelps, died 27 May 1940 at her residence, 32 Crawford Road, Kilbirnie Wellington aged 79 years [see obituary below].

 

issue: 

3a. Ethel Marina Morris (Wellington) born 1 January 1882 Wellington, reg. 1882/2590, died 6 October 1955 Dunedin, married 16 January 1901, reg. 1901/1810, William Herbert Philip Evatt eldest son of Thomas Evatt of Dunedin  

 

3b. Frederick George Morris born 1883, reg. 1883/1339, died 1883 aged 6 weeks, reg. 1883/5720, buried with his grandparents, block 132, plot 10 Northern Cemetery, Dunedin

 

3c. Cecil Edward Morris born 26 October 1884 Dunedin, reg. 1884/7853, died 2 January 1895 Shepparton, Victoria, Australia.  

 

3d. Stella Morris (Mrs Hazelwood, Dunedin) born 9 February 1887 Dunedin, reg. 1887/717, died 18 January 1974 

 

3e. Guy Addison Morris (jeweller of Clark and Morris, Cuba Street, Wellington) born circa 1889 Rutherglen, Victoria, died 3 July 1943 Wellington, reg. 1943/21870 aged 54 years, married 1919, reg. 1919/8416 Emma Seeta McCarthy nee Entwistle, born 14 September 1894 Birkenhead, Auckland, died 8 May 1978 Auckland, she married firstly Ralph Henry McCarthy he died 19 November 1918 France, she married thirdly Oswald Milestone

issue: 

June Seeta Morris [Mrs McBride], born 25 October 1920 Wellington, died 13 April 2010 Hamilton, reg. 2010/8770 

Ruth Marina Morris [Mrs Arnold] born 26 June 1923 Wellington, died 10 June 2011 Tauranga, reg. 2011/13855 

Edward Rowley Morris [Ted] born 18 February 1925 Wellington, died November 1958 Christchurch

Betty Morris [Mrs Adams]

John Richard Morris, born 24 December 1926, died 1986 reg. 1986/46913

3f. Dulcie Victoria Morris (Dunedin), born 1892 Preston, Victoria, Australia, married circa 1915 Aubrey Charles Paterson, youngest son of C. T. Paterson of Thomas Paterson and Co., merchants, Dunedin,  [Dulcie Victoria Shrimpton Paterson born 26 January 1892, died 1975/36804].   

3g. Bond Moore Morris born 1895, died 1931

 

3h. Albert Edward Morris (Wellington) born 13 November 1898 Wellington, reg. 1898/13315,  died 26 September 1943 Wellington aged 44 years, reg. 1943/25743, married 11 August 1920 at the Congregational Church, Constable Street, Wellington,  Laviena Currie, second daughter of J. Currie

4. Ethel Morris born circa 1861, died 11 September 1938 Dunedin aged 77 years, reg. 1938/24916, married 1 August 1903, reg. 1903/3232 Dunedin, Philip John Ness (Accountant) died 1934 aged 67 years, reg. 1934/4489, no issue.

5. Hugh Mark Morris (photographer), born circa 1864, reg. Jun 1864 Chorlton vol. 8c page 594, arrived Port Chalmers on the ship "City of Dunedin" 12 January 1869 from London, died 7 September 1932 Whanganui aged 68 years, reg. 1932/10160, married circa 1910, reg. 1910/7296, Bussorah Marion Helps daughter of Bussorah Goodwin and Francis Helps, died 4 August 1960, Whanganui

issue:

5a. Madeline Josephine Tui Morris (Mrs Buckendahl), born 8 March 1913, reg. 1913/16718, died 1999, reg. 1999/1542

 

5b. Marion Naomi Morris (Mrs Lewis), born 3 April 1919, died 2006, reg. 2006/3276 

6. Guy Clayton Morris (photographer) born 19 September 1868 Manchester, England (youngest son), reg. Dec 1868 Manchester vol. 8d page 294,  arrived Port Chalmers on the ship "City of Dunedin" on 12 January 1869 from London, died 28 December 1918 at his residence, Braeview Crescent, Maori Hill, Dunedin aged 50 years, married 1901, reg. 1901/3637, Margaret Craig Burns died 17 September 1962

issue:

6a. Jean Marina Morris (Mrs Watt) born 4 December 1902, reg. 1903/12981, died 1984, reg. 1984/35977

 

6b. Dorothy Thelma Morris born 5 August 1904, reg. 1904/8643 died 28 January 1973 reg. 1973/41673 (unmarried) 

 

6c. Marina Marguerite Morris born 16 February 1906, reg. 1906/831, died 1999, reg. 1999/18170

 

6d. Guy Clayton Morris born 1911, reg. 1911/10439, killed in action 14 July 1942, buried El Alamein War Cemetery, [married 1932, reg. 1932/10282 Rose Mary Auld ?]

 

[3a]  "Isle of Man Parish Registers, 1598-2009," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XZRR-XC1 : 1 October 2015), John Rich Morris and Marina Mott, 08 Aug 1853, Marriage; citing Braddan, Isle of Man, Manx National Heritage Library, Douglas.
[3b]  "Isle of Man Parish Registers, 1598-2009," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XZRR-XTP : 1 October 2015), James Mark Morris and Amelia Mott, 22 Aug 1853, Marriage; citing Braddan, Isle of Man, Manx National Heritage Library, Douglas.
[3c] Argus (Melbourne, Vic), Friday 9 June 1899, page 1
[3d]  1851 census

James Mark Morris     Son     M     21     Dudley, Worcestershire

John R Morris     Son     M     19     Dudley, Worcestershire

Charles Morris     Son     M     15     Dudley, Worcestershire

Mary Morris     Daughter     F     13     Dudley, Worcestershire

Eliza Lydia Morris     Daughter     F     12     Dudley, Worcestershire

Emily Morris     Daughter     F     6     Dudley, Worcestershire

[3e] Maude Slater was a cousin of John Richard Morris (junior)

[4] Obituary - Mrs. E. C. Morris

The late Mrs E. C. Morris

The last surviving child of one of Wellington's pioneers (Captain Frederick George Moore) died at her home in Wellington yesterday - Mrs. Edward Charles Morris, aged 79. 

Mrs. Morris, as a pioneer's daughter, was keenly interested in the preservation of records of the founding of Wellington, and was an active member of the Early Settlers' Association, in which she held vice-presidential rank. Her father, who was captain and partowner of one of the earliest trading vessels on this coast, the brig Jewess, left a family of three sons and one daughter; his journal, and other relics of his early adventures are in the Turnbull Library. 

His daughter, Caroline Elizabeth Stella, who married the late Edward Charles Morris, leaves three daughters and two sons—Mrs. E. Evatt, Wellington; Mrs. A. W. Hazelwood, Dunedin; Mrs. A. C. Paterson, Dunedin; Mr. Guy Morris, Wellington; Mr. Albert Morris, Wellington. There are sixteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

It was the ambition of the late Mrs. Morris to live to see the Centennial Exhibition, which she regarded as primarily the gathering together of all the ribbons of New Zealand history, since 1840; and it was her particular pride that her father was not only captain of one of the earliest sailing craft, but was also a prominent advocate of the introduction of steam into the England-New Zealand merchant service, and was present when the first New Zealand-bound steamship left England. Mrs. Morris was also a prominent member of the Wellington Spiritual Church and was one of the oldest spiritualists in Wellington.

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 125, 28 May 1940

Obituary
Mr John Richard Morris died at about one o'clock this morning at his residence in Queen street, after an illness extending over several months. Mr Morris was born at Dudley, Staffordshire, in November, 1831. and was educated for the medical profession, but later on entered the shipping trade as partner in the firm of Cook, Morris, and Holmes, of Manchester. In 1869 he sailed for Otago, with his wife and family, by the City of Dunedin, and resided here continuously ever since. For a while he served the Provincial Government in the Treasury Department under Mr Sperry. Then he became connected with the Dunedin waterworks, and upon the Corporation taking over that concern he joined the municipal service, being appointed city valuer on the 30th September, 1874, and holding that office until about a year ago, when he resigned.

He was married at the Isle of Man in 1853 to Miss Mott, Mrs Morris died five years ago. The surviving members of the family are five sons and a daughter.

The deceased gentleman was of quiet manner and cultivated taste. His chief pleasure was music, and in that connection he will be pleasantly remembered as one of the founders and the first president of the Dunedin Orchestral Society.
Evening Star, Issue 14253, 30 December 1909

J. R. Morris.
It is with regret that we have to record the death of Mr John Richard Morris, who passed away at his residence, Queen street., about 1 o'clock yesterday morning, after an illness extending over several months.

Mr Morris was born at Dudley, Staffordshire, England, in November, 1831. He was educated for the medical profession, but later in entered the shipping trade as a partner in the firm of Messrs Cook, Morris, and Holmes of Manchester.

In 1869 he sailed for Dunedin, with his wife and family, and has resided here ever since. For some years he was in the service of the Provincial Government, in the Treasury Department and later was connected with the Dunedin Waterworks. Upon the Dunedin City Corporation taking over that concern, he joined the municipal service, and on September 30. 1874, was appointed city valuer. He held that office up to about a tear ago, when he resigned.

He was married at the Isle of Man in 1853 to Miss Mott. The surviving members of the family are five sons and one daughter, Mrs Morris having died some five years ago.

Mr Morris was a gentleman who was highly esteemed, both in his official capacity as city valuer, and outside of it. He possessed a striking personality, and was a well-known figure in the streets of the city. He took a keen interest in anything pertaining to music, and was one of promoters and the first president of the Dunedin Orchestral Society.
Otago Daily Times, Issue 14720, 31 December 1909