Morris
The town of Morris is located in Litchfield County in the northwest portion of the state. Settled around 1723, it was organized as the South Farms parish in 1676, but it was not until 1859 that Morris incorporated and became a separate town from Litchfield.
Named for Revolutionary War soldier James Morris, the town had opened its homes during the conflict to quarter patriots traveling from other New England towns to battles in New York. Initially a farming town, Morris retained its rural nature and is the home to Bantam Lake, the state’s largest natural lake.
A small marker and the remnants of a foundation mark the location of the Morris Academy, a landmark co-educational institution.
The Academy was the brainchild of James Morris III, who was born on January 19, 1752, in South Farms (which, in 1859, was renamed Morris in his honor). Morris’ father James was a deacon, and the son harbored hopes of entering the ministry. An enthusiastic reader, young James routinely traveled to Bethlehem to borrow books from that town’s library. His education, which began with these library books, was guided by three remarkable teachers.
At 18, Morris began studies under Bethlehem’s Dr. Joseph Bellamy, one of the leading theologians of the late 18th century. It is reported that Morris also studied under Nathan Hale, before enrolling at Yale. While at Yale, Timothy Dwight, later president of the university and one of the leading figures in —- educational history, served as Morris’ tutor.
Following his graduation, Morris returned home to help on the family farm, teach students in Litchfield, and ponder a future in the ministry. The Revolutionary War, however, got in the way. He served first in the Connecticut Militia, then in the Continental Army, fighting on Long Island, at White Plains, and at Germantown, Pennsylvania, where he was captured. Upon receiving parole, he hurried to Yorktown, Virginia, where he served Alexander Hamilton during that climactic battle of the Revolution.
https://connecticuthistory.org/hidden-nearby-the-morris-academy
After the war he returned home and married Elizabeth Hubbard, with whom he raised five children. His fellow townspeople elected him both justice of the peace and a selectman. By 1790, however, when children began regularly showing up at his door, Morris put aside his ideas about the ministry and looked instead for a career in education.
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