Memorials › Sarah E. “Sally” Robertson Morris

Sarah E. “Sally” Robertson Morris

Feb 1825 – 1900

Birth	Feb 1825
Death	1900
Cemetery	Morris-Brown Cemetery Wayne County , Tennessee , USA
Added by	Tricia Kannegieter Hetrick on 25 Mar 2021
FaG	https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/224913685

Gravesite details

Sally is buried next to her son, James Carroll Morris. They both died in 1900. She does not have a headstone.

Bio

Sarah (Sally) Morris remains an enigmatic figure, her origins obscured by time. While the details of her family lineage are elusive, tantalizing fragments of information and compelling DNA evidence offer glimpses into her heritage. Born in February 1825, Sally's birthplace is a mystery, with conflicting records suggesting either Kentucky or Tennessee. Her parentage is equally uncertain, though DNA research and census data hint at John Wesley Robertson and Malinda Rowsey Robertson as her possible parents. Sally's life was one of pivotal moments and enduring complexities. At 18, she may have given birth to her first son, Thomas Morris. The identity of Thomas's father is unknown, adding to the intrigue surrounding her early life. Tragically, Thomas's story was cut short during the Civil War, where he succumbed to measles, leaving no descendants. Four years later, in 1847, Sally welcomed her second son, James Carroll Morris. The mystery of James's father persists, but DNA evidence suggests a connection to George Washington Hale , a Confederate soldier who died in an Illinois POW camp in 1863. Hale lived in the same county as Sally, suggesting their lives may have been intertwined. However, Hale's marriage and other family further complicate this potential connection. Sally's family grew with the births of three more children: William (born 1850), Lewis (1853), and Mary (1856). Intriguingly, DNA analysis suggests that George Washington Hale may also have been the father of Mary, deepening the puzzle of Sally's relationships. The lack of legal documentation for the fathers of Sally's children has left her descendants piecing together her story through family lore and genetic evidence. Various theories circulate among her descendants, but definitive proof remains elusive. Even the Morris surname adds to the mystery. In an 1850 census record, a Sarah Robertson is listed living with her grandfather, Thomas Rowsey, along with two children, James and William, whose surname was also recorded as Robertson. If this is indeed Sally, it suggests the Morris surname was adopted later. Adding to the intrigue, another Sarah Morris appears in the same census in the household of Jincy (Wolfe Morris) Rea, accompanied by a six-year-old child named Thomas. It's possible Sally was counted twice, with her children split between households. Throughout her life, Sally and her children moved frequently, residing at various times in Hardin County, Tennessee; Lauderdale County, Alabama; and Wayne County, Tennessee. The reasons for these relocations remain unclear, emphasizing the transience that characterized their lives. Family stories, such as those shared by Sharon Smith, provide a window into Sally's later years. According to Smith, around 1870, Sarah Morris and her children—except for the late Thomas—traveled from Lauderdale County, Alabama, to Wayne County, Tennessee. Accompanied by her close friend Alcy Ann Weatherford, they made the journey by wagon, exemplifying the resilience and determination that defined Sally's life. Sally's life concluded in 1900 when she passed away and was buried beside her son, James Carroll Morris. Though much of her story remains shrouded in mystery, the fragments that have been uncovered paint a portrait of a woman who faced life's challenges with quiet strength and enduring perseverance. Tricia Kannegieter Hetrick Sally's GGG Granddaughter July 2021 - Updated June 2023

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