Identifier: annalsofphiladel03inwats (find matches)
Title: Annals of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania, in the olden time : being a collection of memoirs, anecdotes, and incidents of the city and its inhabitants, and of the earliest settlements of the inland part of Pennsylvania ...
Year: 1870 (1870s)
Authors: Watson, John F. (John Fanning), 1779-1860 Hazard, Willis P. (Willis Pope), 1825-1913
Subjects:
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.M. Stoddart & Co.
Contributing Library: University of Pittsburgh Library System
Digitizing Sponsor: Lyrasis Members and Sloan Foundation

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spoil the water. Therewere at this time but fifty-two acres. In September, 1855, it wasdedicated as a public park, and through the aid and exertions ofa number of public-spirited gentlemen the Park has been grad-ually increased to its present dimensions; Sedgley was annexedin 1856, the Lansdowne estate in 1866, and others by the actof 1867 ; to which was added the superb gift of Jesse George andhis sister, in whose memory Georges Hill was named. By his wife Mary, sister to Bishop White, Robert Morris hadseven children. Henry, a fine, portly man like his father, waselected sheriff in 1841, but died of heart disease in 1842. Maria,the second daughter, married Henry Nixon. It is evident to those who trace Mr. Morriss character that hewas a man of liberal mind, great vigor, and of such energy thathe dared to grasp and carry through schemes from which men ofsmaller calibre would shrink. His education as a merchant inone of the largest and most successful houses would tend to foster > b
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Robert Morris. 263 this, and the position toward the government in which he wasplaced, carrying out schemes of great magnitude for those times.When the liberty of the country was assured and the tide of em-igration began to pour in, Mr. Morris foresaw a great future forthis country and this city. He was interested in several schemesof land speculation, and he must perhaps at one time have hadan interest in some twenty millions acres of land. He also owneda number of valuable pieces of property in the city which he hadbought on speculation. His credit, which had carried the govern-ment through financially when its own had failed to accomplishit, was so good that it must have led him into transactions thatmore sober judgment would have forbidden. In addition to hisother purchases, he was part owner of three-fourths of the newcity of Washington, anticipating that as the future seat of a greatgovernment lots must rise greatly and rapidly. He had madesome large sales of lands at good profi

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