Copy of Jacob Giles Morris' last will and testament
Dateca. 1854-1860
OriginAmerica, Mid-Atlantic
MediumPaper & ink
DimensionsHeight: 9 3/4" Width: 7 3/4"
Credit LineGift of Beatrix T. Rumford
Object number2004-68,2
Description19th-century copy of Jacob Giles Morris' last will and testament (deceased 1854)Label TextBorn into a wealthy and established Philadelphia family in 1800, Jacob Giles Morris was a philanthropist and collector. He drowned when the S.S. Arctic sank in 1854, leaving his collection to his sister, whose descendants sold his rare coins long ago.
Dated June 8, 1853, Morris's 3 page will mentions his collection of "old continental paper money" which he had "great pleasure in making." Left to Morris's sister, his beloved paper money fared better than his coin collection.
Still in its original album, Morris' colonial era currency remained with his family until 2004 when it was given to Colonial Williamsburg. Today, the Jacob Giles Morris Collection (2004-68,1) has the distinction of being the oldest surviving intact collection of American paper money.
ca. 1845-1854
June 14, 1836
19th century
September 23, 1844
