First Generation

1. Morris ROBERTS was born in 1732 in VA.^1,2 I have placed his birth in Virginia - however, he may as well been born in England and come over to fight and then settled down in Louisa County. Through a YDNA test he is proven to be part of the male lineage of John Alexander Roberts who was apparently born in England, but until that family line is identified and geographically located, I can't be sure where he was born. However, although they are the same line, this Morris Roberts is surely NOT a son of John Alexander Roberts, but probably a nephew or cousin. John also had a son named Morris Roberts who died in 1760 in Albemarle County, VA. He served in the military in 1756 in Louisa Co, VA.^3,4,5,6 He served in the military Listed as deserter from the Virginia Regiment on 2 September 1757 in VA.^1,7,8 Morris was assessed Tithables - Trinity Parish in 1767 in Louisa Co, VA⁹ He was assessed Tithables - Trinity Parish in 1768 in Louisa Co, VA¹⁰ He was assessed Tithable - Trinity Parish in 1769 in Louisa Co, VA¹¹ Morris was assessed Tithables - Trinity Parish in 1771 in Louisa Co, VA¹² He was assessed Tithable - Trinity Parish in 1772 in Louisa Co, VA¹³ He was assessed Tithable - Trinity Parish in 1773 in Louisa Co, VA¹⁴ Morris was appointed Road repair crew on 8 November 1773 in Louisa Co, VA¹⁵ He was assessed Tithable - Trinity Parish in 1774 in Louisa Co, VA¹⁶ He owned 100 ac-BD & Sycamore Frk-rec 1805 on 11 December 1774 in Louisa Co, VA.¹⁷ Deed Book K, p. 144
Louisa County Records

This Indenture made this eleventh day of December in the year of our Lord, one thousand, seven hundred and seventy four, Between Joseph Carver and Mary his wife of Louisa County of the one part, and Morris Roberts of the said County of the other part, Witnesseth that the said Joseph Carver and Mary his wife for and consideration of the sum of twenty pounds current money of Virginia to them in hand paid by the said Morris Roberts, before the ensealing and delivery of these presents the receipt whereof the said
Joseph Carver and Mary his wife doth hereby acknowledge hath granted bargained Sold and confirmed, and by these presents doth grant bargain sell and confirm unto The said Morris Roberts, his heirs and assigns a certain tract or parcel of land situate lying and being in the said County of Louisa, between the waters of Beaver dam creek and Sycamore fork, containing by estimation one hundred acres be the same more or less and bounded as follow (to wit) Beginning at a Spanish oak on John Spencer Alverson running thence due South one hundred & thirty eight poles to a forked white oak thence fifty degrees East sixty poles to a Maple in a branch thence North thirty three degrees East one hundred and twenty poles To two pines on Jos Carver. Thence North nine degrees forty five minutes West ninety seven poles to a white oak on John Spencer Alverson line thence along his line South seventy seven degrees thirty minutes West one hundred poles to the first station, and the reversion and reversion, remainder and remainders, rents, issues and profits thereof and all the estate, right title interest claim and demand whatsoever of them the said Joseph Carver and Mary his wife to the same or any part thereof. To have and to hold the said land and premises with the appurtenances to the said Morris Roberts his heirs and assigns shall and will warrant and forever defend by these presents. In witness whereof he said Joseph Carver and Mary his wife, hath hereunto set their hands and seals the day & year first above written
Signed, Sealed, & delivered Joseph Carver (Seal)
In presence of Mary Carver (Seal)
James Carver, Thomas Carver
David Thomas

At a Court held for Louisa County on the 11th day of December 1780 This deed was this day in open Court proved to be the act & deed of Joseph Carver by the oaths of James Carver & Thomas Carver two of the witnesses there to and by the Court ordered to be certified for further proof.  And at a Court held for the said County of Louisa on the 14th day of October 1805 the said deed was this day in open Court further proved to be the act & deed of the said Joseph Carver by the oath of David Thomas another witness there to and by the Court ordered to be recorded.
                                                                        Teste Morris was assessed Tithable - Trinity Parish in 1775 in Louisa Co, VA¹⁸ He was assessed Tithe for Fredericksburg Parish, Louisa County in 1777 in Louisa Co, VA¹⁹ He was assessed Tithables - Fredericksville Parish in 1777 in Louisa Co, VA²⁰ Morris owned Survey - 122 acres on 30 January 1779 at On the waters of Beaverdam creek in Louisa Co, VA.²¹ He served in the military Warrant assigned to James McAlister on 14 February 1780 in Louisa Co, VA.²² He was assessed in 1782–1787 in Louisa Co, VA²³ Morris was assessed in 1782 in Louisa Co, VA²⁴ He was assessed in 1782 in Louisa Co, VA²⁵ He was assessed List of Tythes - Trinity & Fredericksville Parsh in 1785 in Louisa Co, VA²⁶ Morris served as surety on on 20 January 1791 at in Louisa Co, VA for²⁷ He served as surety on on 22 October 1792 at in Louisa Co, VA for²⁸ On 20 December 1793 he acquired 400 acres in Louisa Co, VA^29,30 Although deed of sale for the 400 acres was approved by the court 20 Dec 1793, it was not recorded until 11 April 1794 when Morris wanted to sell a portion of the land to his son Jeremiah. Information found in Minute Order Book in the basement of the Louisa County Courthouse. Morris sold 138 1/2 acres to Jeremiah Roberts at Both sides of Beaverdam Creek in Louisa Co, VA on 11 April 1794.³¹ Deed Book G
Page 365
Louisa County Court Records

This Indenture made this Eleventh day of April on the year of our lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety four between Jeremiah Roberts of the county of Louisa on the one Part and Morris Roberts and Elizabeth his Wife of the said County on the other Part Witness that whereas the said Morris Roberts and Elizabeth his Wife for Certain Just Causes but More Particularly for and in Consideration of the sum of Eight pounds of Lawfull money to them in hand paid by the said Jerimiah Roberts this receipt Whereof they do hereby acknowledge have bargained and Sold and by these presents do Bargain and sell alien and Confirm unto the said Jeremiah Roberts, a certain Tract on parcel of Land lying and being in the County of Louisa on both sides of Beaver Dam Creek a fork of Great Creek Containing by survey one hundred and thirty eight and a half acres be the same more or less and Bounded as follows. Viz Begining at a corner pine in Rows line thence South 145 to large pine s line Thence S65 W102 to white oak sapling Rowes line thence S60 E120 po to a Corner pine in Harlows Line thence to a Corner thence a cross line to a Corner thence West to the Beginning & being part of a Tract of Land that the said Morris Roberts bought of John Bourn to have and to hold the said land of one hundred and thirty and half Acres with all its appurtenances thereunto belonging unto the sd Jeremiah Roberts his assigns And we the sd Morris Roberts and Elizabeth his Wife for ourselves our heirs Executors and administrators shall and will forever Defend a Good and Lawfull right and Title to the sd Land. Thereto the sd Jeremiah Roberts his heirs or assigns Forever free from the claim or claims of of any Person or persons. Whatsoever. To the only Proper Use and behoof of him the sd Jeremiah Robs his heirs or assigns Forever In Testimony whereof we have Hereunto set our hands and affixt our Seals the date above written
Signed sealed and Delivered in presence of Morris Roberts (Seal)
At a Court held for Louisa County on the 14th day of April 1794 this deed was this day in open Court
Acknowledged by Morris Roberts to be his act and Deed and by the Court ordered to be recorded He owned Land adjacent to Joseph Anderson in 1796 in Louisa Co, VA.³² He sold 142 ac to William Bellomy in Louisa Co, VA on 14 June 1802.³³ Deed Book J
Pages 370, 371
Louisa County Records

This Indenture made this fourteenth day of June 1802, between Morris
Robarts and Elizabeth his wife of the County of Louisa of the one part and William Bellomy of the said County of the other part witnesseth that the said Morris Robarts and Elizabeth his wife for and in consideration of the sum of thirty one pounds six shillings lawful money paid to them in hand paid by the said William Bellomy at and before the sealing & delivery of these presents the receipt whereof they do hereby acknowledge, hath by these presents granted bargained & sold unto the said William Bellomy one certain tract or parcel of land situate lying and being in the County of Louisa containing by survey one hundred and forty two acres (more or less) and bounded as follows (Viz) beginning at a spanish oak, thence north forty five degrees east one hundred and eight poles to a shrubby white oak saplin Hence north five degrees west 158 poles to a pine, thence west one hundred and forty three poles to two pines on M. Roberts’s line, thence south four degrees east sixty six poles to a pine in said line, thence south twenty seven degrees east, one hundred and twenty poles to several white oak sapling thence south eight degrees east ninety two poles to the beginning. To have and to hold the said tract or parcell of land unto the said William Bellomy his heirs and assigns forever and the said Morris Roberts and Elizabeth his wife for themselves and their heirs to covenant & agree with the said William Bellomy that they will warrant & forever defend the right & title of the said land free from the claim or claims of themselves and their heirs and against the claim or claims of all and every person or persons whatsoever – In witness whereof they the said Morris Roberts and Elizabeth his wife have hereunto set their hands and affixed their seals the day & year within
written Morris Roberts (Seal)
signed sealed & delivd in presence of Elizabeth ---------(Seal)

At a court held for Louisa County on the 14th day of June 1802 this deed was This day in open Court acknowledged by Morris Roberts to be his act and deed And by the Court is ordered to be recorded.
Morris sold 144 1/2 ac BD Creek to Jeremiah Roberts in Louisa Co, VA on 14 June 1802.³⁴ Morris & Elizabeth Roberts to Jeremiah Roberts
Deed Book J, pp 371, 372
Louisa County Court Records

This Indenture made this fourteenth day of June in the year of our lord One thousand eight eight(sic) hundred & two between Morris & Elizabeth Roberts his wife of Louisa County of the one part and Jerimiah Roberts of the said County of the other part witnesseth that this Morris Roberts & Elizabeth his wife for and in consideration of the sum of sixty five pounds current money of Virginia have bargained sold and delivered to the said Jerimiah Roberts one certain tract or parcel of land lying & being in the County aforesaid and on one fork of Beaverdam fork of mechunk creek, containing one Hundred and forty four & half acres be the same more or less, and bounded As follows (VIZ) beginning at several ??? lines in William McDonalds line and running with the said Jerimiah Robert’s own line north two degrees west two hundred and eighty poles to the said Jerimiah Roberts
corner pine thence east thirty six poles to William Bellomy’s corner pointer
alone the said Bellomys line south six degrees east thirty six poles, thence
south thirty six degrees east one hundred & twenty poles, thence south
seven degrees east ninety poles to the said Bellomys corner spanish oak
in Wm McDonalds line, thence south forty eight degrees west sixty eight
poles to a corner oak thence north seventy eight degrees west seventy six poles to the beginning; To have and to hold the said bargained premises and appurtenances thereunto, belonging or in any wise appurtaining to he only proper use and behoof of him the said Jerimiah Roberts to him and his heirs or assigns forever and the said Morris Roberts & Elizabeth his wife to agree warrant and forever defend a good and lawful title in fee simple to the
Jeremiah Roberts against the claim or claims of every person whatsoever claiming all or any part of the said land, to the only use of him the said Jerimiah Roberts to him and his heirs and assigns forever. In testimony
whereof the said Morris Roberts and Elizabeth Roberts his wife have hereunto set their hands and affixed their seals the day & year above
written. Morris Roberts (Seal)
signed sealed & delivd in presence of Elizabeth Roberts (Seal)

At a court held for Louisa County on the 14th day of June 1802, this deed was This day in open Court acknowledged by Morris Roberts to be his act and deed and by the Court is ordered to be recorded He was assessed in 1810 in Louisa Co, VA³⁵ He signed a will on 3 November 1810 in Louisa Co, VA.³⁶
Louisa County, VA Will Book 6, p 366
In the name of God Amen I Morris Roberts be in my proper Senses but knowing that it is ordained that all men is certain to die I Bequeath my soul to God hoping that he will receive it, and my body to the earth desireing(sic) my Executors to see that it decently Enter and as for what goods and chattles Godalmity has been pleased to bless me with I do give as followeth. Viz I give to my daughter Mary Roberts the Land I live on and one feather Bed & furniture one trunk and one Cow and the money left her by her Mother, and to my son Richard Roberts Decd for what he has had and for his heirs not to have anything more and as to my Daughter Frances Decd I give nothing more to hir heirs and as to my daughter Agness and her heris(sic) no more than they have had. And the balance to my son Jerremiah Roberts and all the trade and hawk he has made during from the Commencement of my disability of doing my business till this time and all the balance that is left if the said Jerremiah Roberts shall stay and take care of me until my death if he Should be the longest liver and I leave the said Jerrmiah Roberts my hole and sole Executor tho this my last Will and Testament Given under my hand and seal this third day of November in the year of out Lord Christ one thousand eight hundred and ten.

N.B. the said Jerrmiah Roberts is to give to my Grandson James Bellomy the Bed that I now lie on and one Cow and two sheep.
Morris Roberts (his mark) Morris died in March 1811 at the age of 79 in Louisa Co, VA.^36,37 Date of death estimated - based on date of will and date will proven. He had his estate probated on 10 June 1811 in Louisa, Louisa, VA.³⁷ Signed sealed and delivered present, John Brown, Zaceus X (his mark) Baley, William Carver and James Rowe.
At a Court held for Louisa County on 10th day of June 1811 This Will was this day in open Court exhibited by Jeremiah Roberts the executor therein named and was proved by the oathes of John Brown, Zachus Baley and James Rowe the witnesses thereto and by the Court ordered to be recorded and the said executor having made oath thereto and entered into bond with approved security conditioned as the law directs a certificate is granted him for obtaining a probat thereof in due form. Teste This Morris Roberts is NOT the son of John Alexander Roberts, although his descendants have produced perfect matches for the YDNA of descendants of this Morris. However, I suspect that he is a nephew or cousin. Cannot believe that John A Roberts would have produced two sons, same age and same name.?! They died in drastically different circumstances and at different dates, and both left very different wills. The great challenge of my life was discovering who Morris was - thought I had when I happened on John and his progeny. However, I must confess that enthusiasm got the best of me for a while, but honesty and clearheaded analysis leads me to this conclusion.
For information regarding the line of John Alexander Roberts, open the JARoberts Descendants file or the JARoberts pedigree and family group sheet file on this website..

James Roberts tithed 3 in 1777 in Trinity Parish - History of Louisa County, VA, p 168

Morris Roberts rec'd patent in 1702 for 300 acres in Pamunkey Neck

Tithables and Census 1743 - 1785, by Rosalie Davis:
p. 87 - Two undated listing by Nathan Anderson for Morris Roberts - 1
The lists of 1778 and 1779 which were returned by Nathl. Anderson 14 Sept. 1778 and 11 May 1779, are missing. See two undated lists by Nathl Anderson at the end of this section. The list of 1780, returned by Robert Anderson 8 May 1780, is also missing.

Morris ROBERTS and Elizabeth were married about 1760 in Louisa Co, VA.³⁸ I have no data about his marriage - only this deed (Louisa County, VA Records, Deed Book G, page 365, 1794) - I have assumed that he married Elizabeth prior to Richard's birth, and that she is Richard's mother - and the mother of all of Morris's children, but I cannot prove that. [I will point out that Richard named his oldest daughter Elizabeth.] There may have been more than one marriage. Because of this document, I am sure that there was one - to Elizabeth in 1794 - and nothing else. I do know that it wasn't Elizabeth Rust, who is generally considered the best choice for his wife, because a Morris Roberts married Betsy H Rust in 1799 in Campbell County, VA. (Marriage record: Virginia Select Marriages, 1785-1940, Ancestry - Betsy H. Rust m. Morris Roberts, Campbell County, VA, on 29 June 1799. Her father was George Rust. Film 31050) Another Morris Roberts, who first settled in Henrico County, moved into Campbell County and to the best of my knowledge is no relation. However, that family is very well documented - more so than the Albemarle/Amherst/Louisa Morris. I also suspect that they were better off - wealthier and more successful. They³⁸ appeared in the census in 1800 in Louisa Co, VA.³⁹ Morris Roberts:
1 male 26-45 (Jeremiah)
1 male 45 and over (Morris)

1 female 10-16 - (Mary)
1 female 16-26 - Could be Mary - have no ideal who else this could be.
1 female 45 and over (Elizabeth)
Agness married 1784 and remains in Ohio
Frances married 1791, dies before and only has a son
Sarah married 1792 and dies before and only has a son

This is such a puzzle to me - there are not any other young women that I have found who might have been living with them. And there doesn't seem to be any way to discover who she might be. Elizabeth died between 1800 and 1810.^38,40,41

Morris ROBERTS-5161 and Elizabeth -5202 had the following children: