Robert Hunter Morris
| Robert Hunter Morris | |
|---|---|
| Deputy Governor of Pennsylvania | |
|
In office 1754–1756 |
|
| Preceded by | James Hamilton |
| Succeeded by | William Denny |
| Member of the New Jersey Provincial Council for the Eastern Division | |
|
In office April 1738 – 27 January 1764 His death. |
|
| Succeeded by | James Parker |
| Chief Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court | |
|
In office March 17, 1739 – 27 January 1764 His death. |
|
| Preceded by | Robert Lettis Hooper |
| Succeeded by | Charles Reade |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c1700 Trenton, New Jersey |
| Died | 27 January 1764 Shrewsbury, New Jersey |
| Nationality | American |
| Spouse(s) | Elizabeth Stogdell |
| Children | Mary Robert |
Robert Hunter Morris (1700 in Trenton, New Jersey – 27 January 1764 in Shrewsbury, New Jersey), was a prominent governmental figure in Colonial Pennsylvania, serving as governor of Pennsylvania and Chief Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court.
He was the second son of the future Governor of New Jersey Lewis Morris and Isabella Graham Morris and named after his father's friend the future colonial governor Robert Hunter. He received what was described at the time as a "liberal education", and received additional training from his father in politics.
When his father was named Governor of New Jersey in 1738, his son's name appeared on his list of councilors. Less than a year later, Governor Morris named Robert the Chief Justice of the provincial Supreme Court. His commission was set to run "during good behavior of same", which differed from that of his predecessor, Robert Lettis Hooper, whose term was determined to run "through the royal pleasure". His term was marked by increased punctuality and efficiency. Following a long trip to England in 1749 he was made Deputy Governor of Pennsylvania in 1754 and elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1755 after his return.
He served as Deputy Governor from 1754 to 1756, during the French and Indian War. (Early Governors of Pennsylvania were referred to as "deputy governors" because Thomas Penn, who resided in England, was the official "Governor" as well as one of the proprietors of the province along with his brother Richard Penn. He often clashed with the Assembly over proposals to emit paper money to fund the war. In the spring of 1756 Morris announced volunteer scalping parties. These scalping parties were "the only way to clear our Frontier of Savages" according to Morris's councilor James Hamilton. He was the uncle of Congressman Lewis Morris of New York.
...
Wikipedia