The family tree

Further information for Stephen Morris.

Biography

Stephen, son of Jonas Morris of High Wycombe and Ann Wingrove of Penn, was baptised 12-12-1733. He married Mary Floyd of High Wycombe on 21-8-1762 by licence. Their only child, Charlotte, was baptised 18-1-1764. On 10-4-1786 Charlotte married Thomas Weller, butcher, second son of William Weller of Amersham Brewery. Their eldest son, Stephen, baptised 1787, at Penn, eventually became my Great-great-grandfather [Barbara Taylor].

Will of Stephen Morris of Putnam Place, farmer.

He left to Mary "all my Messuages, Lands, Tenements, Woods, Woodgrounds and Hereditaments" in Penn and Princes Risborough, also "all my part or share of and in a Leasehold Wood called Saint John`s Wood Term and Terms of years therein" etc.

Probably Stephen died soon after making his Will -his signature is very shaky -and Mary made hers on 28th January 1810. Mary died later that year leaving £200 and half her interest in St. John`s Woods to her Grandson Stephen Weller, the rest of her property to be sold and the "interest dividends and produce thereof" to go to her daughter Charlotte and after her death equally between Charlotte`s children.

Executors are nephews Thomas Hearne and Joseph Pratt.

St. John`s Woods were leased from the Crown, and held jointly with George Hearne and Thomas Floyd.

Reference for Mary`s Will - Aylesbury Record Office, D/A/WE 127 No. 56 (1810)

We have a copy of Stephen Morris`s Will.

Copy of Court Roll, Aylesbury C.R.O. D/X 875. Land in Princes Risborough.

• 1819. Admission of Charlotte Weller on the death of her Mother Mary Morris.
• 1845. Admission of Stephen Weller on the death of his Mother, Charlotte (Charlotte died intestate).
• 1846. Surrender by Stephen Weller to Edward and William Weller of Amersham, brewers and co-partners.

From Vesry Minutes and Poor Rates, High Wycombe -lands held by Stephen Morris- 1793.

• St. John`s Wood, Coal Hatch, Coal Hatch Woods, Farm and lands, Ashton Curzons Woods, Brownleys, Rushmore Fields.
• By 1798, a Mr. Fountains has Coal Hatch and C.H Woods.
• 1801, Stephen signed the Poor Rate book as one of the `principle inhabitants`.
• 1811, Stephen Weller for St. John`s Woods £31 (£1-18-9), for farm and lands £17, Lord Curzon`s Woods £2.
• 1815, Stephen Weller for farm £17, (£1-14) and Lord Curzon`s Woods, £2. (4/-)
• From `A History of the Parish of Penn` by Gilbert Jenkins- records of 1742- `paid Jonas Morris for meat for Ann Yarrow and Ann Child when they had the smallpox`.
• In 1810 Puttenham Place was assessed at £60 for the poor rate.