The students of the Radical University: John M. Morris

John Miller Morris (b. abt. 1853)
South Carolina.  Born enslaved.  Black.
Occupation: school teacher.  
Father's occupation: blacksmith, wheelwright, carpenter.

John Miler Morris was born about 1853 in South Carolina to Grace and John B. Morris.  The father worked as a blacksmith and wheelwright.  John's parents are described as free persons of color in the book Men of Mark, but their status was slightly complicated.  John's mother was enslaved but had been purchased by his father.  At the time, manumission was only possible possible through a special act of the state legislature, so legally she was enslaved but largely lived as a free women.

The son John M. grew up in Charleston.  Following his brother Joseph who had left the previous year, he began attending Howard University in Washington D.C. in 1870, following the (College) Preparatory Course.   He graduated from the Preparatory Course on June 12, 1872 and then entered into the Collegiate Course.  However, he left Howard in Spring 1874 (his sophomore year) and returned to South Carolina before completing his degree.

John left Howard at the advice of former Howard Professor Francis L. Cardozo.  In the 1870s, Cardozo was active in South Carolina politics and, in particular, was a member of the University of South Carolina Board of Trustees.  When the university began admitting African American students, Cardozo encouraged Morris's classmate C. C. Scott to bring Howard students back to South Carolina to enroll at the university.  To cover travel expenses, Cardozo lent Cornelius money.  Joined by Paul J. Mishow and William M. Dart, John and Scott followed Cardozo's advice and transferred to the University of South Carolina.  They were later joined by T. McCants Stewart, Alonzo G. Townsend, and John's brother Joseph.

John registered as a student at the University of South Carolina on January 5, 1874.  He enrolled as a college student following the classical studies track, and he graduated with an A.B. degree in June 1876.

After completing his education, John worked as a school teacher in Charleston.   In a 1911 Letter to the Editor of The State newspaper, Cornelius reported that John died shortly after graduation.  The present author has been unable to locate a death record, although Morris appears in the 1880 census.

Sources
1). 1880; Census Place: Charleston, Charleston, South Carolina; Roll: 1222; Page: 488A.

2). 1870; Census Place: Charleston Ward 8, Charleston, South Carolina; Roll: M593_1487; Page: 585A.

3). "When Negroes Attended the State University", May 8, 1911. State (published as The State).  Page 9.

4). Koger, Larry.  Black Slaveowners: Free Black Slave Masters in South Carolina, 1790-1860.  McFarland & Company, Jefferson, North Carolina and London.  1985.  p. 9.

5). Simmons, William J.  Men of Mark: Eminent, Progressive, and Rising.  Geo. M. Rewell & Co. Cleveland, Ohio.  1887.