Henderson in Rusk County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Judge William Wright Morris

(1805-1883)

Photographed by Brian Anderson, February 14, 2025

1. Judge William Wright Morris Marker

Inscription. Born in Halifax County, North Carolina, William Wright Morris moved with his family to Coosa County, Alabama, in 1840. He taught school, studied law, and was elected judge. In 1847 he brought his mother, widowed sister Martha (Morris) Spivey, her three children, and family slaves to Henderson. The judge practiced law and built a fine plantation home (3 mi. NW) for the family. An influential man, he was elected district judge in 1854, served as a Texas legislator, and helped promote the first railroad in East Texas. Morris County was named for him in 1875.

Erected 1980 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 11022.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 32° 9.259′ N, 94° 48.115′ W. Marker is in Henderson, Texas, in Rusk County. It can be reached from North Van Buren Street. Marker is located in the Henderson Old City Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Henderson TX 75652, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Piney Woods.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Henderson City Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); The Rev. William Craig (within shouting distance of this marker); First Baptist Church of Henderson (about 500

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feet away, measured in a direct line); Thomas Jefferson Rusk (about 700 feet away); Masonic Lodge Building (about 700 feet away); Henderson (approx. 0.2 miles away); The 1860 Henderson Fire (approx. 0.2 miles away); Merritt Building (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Henderson.

Also see . . . Morris, William Wright (1805–1883) - The Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) (Submitted on February 22, 2025, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio.)

Photographed by Brian Anderson, February 14, 2025

2. Judge William Wright Morris Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 22, 2025, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. This page has been viewed 187 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 22, 2025, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio.