Morris was a member of the War Committee, was appointed colonel of volunteers August 14, 1862, and was instrumental in raising the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Regiment, known as the "Anthony Wayne Guards," later as the Sixth New York Heavy Artillery, and which was afterwards commanded by Colonel (afterwards Brigadier-General,) Wm. H. Morris.

Mr. Morris was president of the New York State Agricultural Society, and has been since 1850 a life member of the Royal Agricultural Society of England.

The estate of Mount Fordham is a portion of the old Manor of Fordham, was purchased by Lewis Morris, grandson of Richard, the first settler, and has descended to its present owner from his ancestors.

So much has been written concerning the distinguished family of which Mr. Morris is a representative, that little remains to be said. The line of descent is : fii-st, Richard, who came to this country in 1670 ; second, Lewis, born at Morrisania, in 1672 ; third, Lewis, Governor of New Jersey, as was also his father ; fourth, Richard, who was judge of Admiralty under the crown, and the successor of John Jay as second chief justice of New Y''ork, and whose brother, Lewis Morris, was the illustrious signer of the Declaration of Independence; fifth, Robert, born in 1763, and married Frances, daughter of Isaac Ludlam, of Goshen, Orange Co. Their children were Richard ; Julia, wife of William B. Ludlow ; Mary, wife of James A. Hamilton, son of the illustrious statesman; James L., who married Lucretia, daughter of Peter Crary; Francis W., wife of Thomas W. Ludlow; Robert H. who was mayor of New Y'ork, recorder, and judge of the Supreme Court, and married Ann Eliza ilunson ; Wm. L., who married Mary E. Babcock; and Lewis G.