Name Lewis Morris Died September 19, 1900 | Parents Frances Ludlam | |
Born August 19, 1808 ( 1808-08-19 ) Fordham, New York Occupation maritime advocate, sheep and cattle breeder Spouse(s) Emily Lorillard (1839-1850) Children Fordham Morris
Francis Morris Relatives Gouveneur Morris
Gouverneur Morris Jr.
Lewis G. Morris Jr. (grandson) | ||
Lewis G. Morris (1808–1900), a resident of Morris Heights, New York, maintained a small farm at Fordham, until it was encroached upon. He then purchased another farm in Scarsdale and on these farms bred sheep and cattle.
In 1838, he took up his lifelong fight to restore and improve the Harlem River. After careful legal consultation and planning, on September 14, 1838, he led a raid on the Macombs Dam, and restored the channel. After a long legal battle with the dam's owner, he persevered in Renwick v. Morris. The removal of the dam was justified as being a public nuisance in violation of the original provisions of the dam's public authorization.
Morris also championed the design of the Croton Aqueduct to soar over the Harlem River at High Bridge, rather than block the channel. He also pushed to see the Harlem River Ship Canal become a reality.
Many in the Morris family shared the same name, Lewis G. Morris Jr, his grandson, is the original proprietor of the Lewis G. Morris house. not to be confused with this Lewis G. Morris, his grandfather.