MORRILL, Stephen ~ 1810 U.S. Census Readfield 2-1-1-1

Stephen Morrill was born 11/19/1776 in Kingston, NH s/o John and Mary “Polly” (Rogers) Morrill. He married Betsey Martin in 1801.[i] In 1802 he purchased one half / 100 acres of lot#120 in East Readfield for $30 from Cornelius Lyon. His occupation was listed as shoemaker.[ii]  The same year he purchased 50 acres for $300. This acquisition was part of lot #240 and adjoined lot #120 to the north.[iii]  His residence was listed as Readfield on both deeds and he appears as a head of household in Readfield in 1810.[iv]

Since his occupation was shoemaker it seems very likely that he was associated with the tannery not far from where he lived.[v]  In consideration of his land holdings and occupation it would seem he had settled in for good, but troubles arose. In 1813 he received a warrant for collection of $210 he owed to Thomas Smith, trader. His property was appraised at $210.75 – which Smith accepted as enough to cover the debt owed.  Twenty-three acres from lot #240 was signed over to Thomas Smith.[vi] Four months later Stephen Morrill sold seven acres of lot #240 to Daniel Campbell[vii] – in hopes to recoup some cash flow perhaps. In 1819 he sold the rest of lot# 240 to Thomas Smith for $250. By this time his residence was given as Belgrade.[viii]  He died in Rome, ME 7/2/1842 and he is buried there.

Four of his five children were born in Readfield.[ix]  The youngest was born in Rome.[x]

1. John b.7/14/1802
2. Cordelia “Delia” b.6/21/1805
3. Nathaniel b.4/21/1808
4. Stephen Orrin b.10/21/1810
5. Eliza b.1813

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[i] New Hampshire, Births and Christenings Index, 1714-1904 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.

[ii] Kennebec County Registry of Deeds; Book 18 Page 325

[iii] 1791 lot map of Readfield, Maine

[iv] 1810; Census Place: Readfield, Kennebec, Maine; Roll: 11; Page: 693; Image: 0218682; Family History Library Film: 00684.

[v] The tannery was at East Readfield village near Carleton Pond.   

[vi] Kennebec County Registry of Deeds; Book 18 Page 274

[vii] Kennebec County Registry of Deeds; Book 21 Page 550

[viii] Kennebec County Registry of Deeds; Book 31 Page 409

[ix] Clark, Dale Potter; To Those Who Led the Way; self-published 2009; page 34; www.readfieldmaine.blogspot.com

[x] Maine State Archives; Cultural Building, 84 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0084; 1892-1907 Vital Records; Roll #: 21.