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'''Robert Morris''', (June 8, 1823 or 1825 – December 12, 1882)  was a trailblazing attorney, abolitionist, and civil rights advocate. Born in Salem, Massachusetts, Morris was the second African American lawyer in the US. He was also one of the first really successful African-American attorneys in the U.S. and was the first Black lawyer to win a jury trial. Morris advocated for the integration of public spaces, schools, and the military. He was also concerned with equal rights for women.  
'''Robert Morris''', (June 8, 1823 or 1825 – December 12, 1882)  was a trailblazing attorney, abolitionist, and civil rights advocate. Born in Salem Massachusetts, Morris was the second African American lawyer in the US. He was also one of the first really successful African-American attorneys in the U.S. and was the first Black lawyer to win a jury trial. Morris advocated for the integration of public spaces, schools, and the military. He was also concerned with equal rights for women.  


Morris began working for White abolitionist lawyer, Ellis Gray Loring in 1836, running errands and doing other duties. Instead of attending traditional law school, Morris was an apprentice under Loring. He was admitted to the Massachusetts bar in 1847. Morris married Catherine H. Mason and had three children. Their first, Catharine was born in 1846 or 1847 and died at the age of 10 in 1856. Their second child, Robert Jr. was their only child to survive into adulthood. Their third child Mason died at the age of 1 in 1850. Robert Jr. eventually studied to become a lawyer and worked with his father.  
Morris began working for White abolitionist lawyer, Ellis Gray Loring in 1836, running errands and doing other duties. Instead of attending traditional law school, Morris was an apprentice under Loring. He was admitted to the Massachusetts bar in 1847.


In 1848, Morris filed a lawsuit against the city of Boston. He argued that an African American student named Sarah Roberts had been unlawfully denied from the public school near her family's home. The case was called Roberts v. City of Boston. Sarah's father, Benjamin Roberts hired Morris to take on the case. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court upheld the Boston School Committee's decision and ability to continue to segregate students at their schools. In 1855, the governor of Massachusetts signed a law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, or religion in public schools admissions.  
Morris married Catharine H. Mason and had three children. Their first, Catharine died at the age of 10. Their second child, Robert Jr. was their only child to survive into adulthood. Their third child Mason died at the age of 1. Robert Jr. eventually studied to become a lawyer and worked with his father.  


Morris represented Shadrach Minkins in 1851. Minkins fled to Boston from being enslaved in Virginia. Minkins escaped the courtroom during a hearing and fled to Canada. Morris and others involved with Minkins legal representation were charged with aiding the escape in violation of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. The Fugitive Slave Act required the return of escaped enslaved individuals to their enslavers. Federal and local authorities were required to intervene in the capture, even if they crossed state lines. Morris was acquitted later in 1851 and helped to free Minkins.  
In 1848, Morris filed a lawsuit against the city of Boston. He argued that an African American student named Sarah Roberts had been unlawfully denied from the public school near her family's home. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court upheld the Boston School Committee's decision and ability to continue to segregate students at their schools.


In 1863, Morris recommended African Americans not join the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Unit during the Civil War until African American officers were commissioned. He sought to eliminate the word "White" from militia laws of the time.  
Morris represented Shadrach Minkins in 1851. Minkins fled to Boston from being enslaved in Virginia. Minkins escaped during a hearing and fled to Canada. Morris and others involved with Minkins legal representation were charged with aiding the escape in violation of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. The Fugitive Slave Act required the return of escaped enslaved individuals to their enslavers. Federal and local authorities were required to intervene in the capture, even if they crossed state lines. Morris eventually helped free Minkins. Morris helped establish the Boston Vigilance Committee, an organization that helped protect escaped enslaved peoples from being returned to slavery.
 
Morris organized the Massasoit Guards, a militia group made up on African American members dedicated to the protection of the community in which they served.  


Morris had a strong relationship with Boston College and donated his library of books to them at his death.
Morris had a strong relationship with Boston College and donated his library of books to them at his death.
In 2025, Mayor Dominick Pangallo declared June 8 as '''Robert Morris Day''' in Salem in celebration of the legacy of the lawyer and activist.


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*[https://www.salemma.gov/m/NewsFlash/Home/Detail/390 Mayor Dominick Pangallo Proclaims June 8 "Robert Morris Day" in Salem] Salemma.gov
*[https://www.salemma.gov/m/NewsFlash/Home/Detail/390 Mayor Dominick Pangallo Proclaims June 8 "Robert Morris Day" in Salem] Salemma.gov
*[https://www.nps.gov/people/robert-morris.htm Robert Morris] National Park Service

Revision as of 16:12, 12 June 2026

Robert Morris, (June 8, 1823 or 1825 – December 12, 1882) was a trailblazing attorney, abolitionist, and civil rights advocate. Born in Salem Massachusetts, Morris was the second African American lawyer in the US. He was also one of the first really successful African-American attorneys in the U.S. and was the first Black lawyer to win a jury trial. Morris advocated for the integration of public spaces, schools, and the military. He was also concerned with equal rights for women.

Morris began working for White abolitionist lawyer, Ellis Gray Loring in 1836, running errands and doing other duties. Instead of attending traditional law school, Morris was an apprentice under Loring. He was admitted to the Massachusetts bar in 1847.

Morris married Catharine H. Mason and had three children. Their first, Catharine died at the age of 10. Their second child, Robert Jr. was their only child to survive into adulthood. Their third child Mason died at the age of 1. Robert Jr. eventually studied to become a lawyer and worked with his father.

In 1848, Morris filed a lawsuit against the city of Boston. He argued that an African American student named Sarah Roberts had been unlawfully denied from the public school near her family's home. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court upheld the Boston School Committee's decision and ability to continue to segregate students at their schools.

Morris represented Shadrach Minkins in 1851. Minkins fled to Boston from being enslaved in Virginia. Minkins escaped during a hearing and fled to Canada. Morris and others involved with Minkins legal representation were charged with aiding the escape in violation of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. The Fugitive Slave Act required the return of escaped enslaved individuals to their enslavers. Federal and local authorities were required to intervene in the capture, even if they crossed state lines. Morris eventually helped free Minkins. Morris helped establish the Boston Vigilance Committee, an organization that helped protect escaped enslaved peoples from being returned to slavery.

Morris organized the Massasoit Guards, a militia group made up on African American members dedicated to the protection of the community in which they served.

Morris had a strong relationship with Boston College and donated his library of books to them at his death.

See Also

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