James Morris III
James Morris III (January 19, 1752 – April 20, 1820) was a Continental Army officer from Connecticut during the American Revolutionary War and founder of the Morris Academy, a pioneer in coeducation.
James Morris, III | |
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| Born | January 19, 1752 South Farms, Connecticut |
| Died | April 20, 1820 Goshen, Connecticut |
| Allegiance | Patriot (American Revolution) |
| Service/ | Connecticut militia, Continental Army |
| Rank | Major |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Germantown, Siege of Yorktown |
| Other work | Founded the Morris Academy |
Born in Litchfield County, Connecticut, James Morris spent his early life hoping and training to be a minister. However, after graduating from Yale College, Morris accepted a commission of First Lieutenant from the Continental Army and joined the fight for American Independence. Morris was captured during the Battle of Germantown and spent most of the remaining war in captivity. Upon his release, Morris was promoted to the rank of Captain and supported Alexander Hamilton in the Siege of Yorktown. When he returned from the war, Morris began and ran an academy that trained both boys and girls together, a rarity at the time.
James Morris died in 1820. The South Farms section of the town of Litchfield, where he was born, was incorporated as a separate entity in 1859 and re-named Morris in his honor.