The Morrows of Albany for half a century have been prominent in the professions. The family descend from a Virginia settler who was also early in the settlement of Kentucky and Ohio.
(I) James Morrow was born in the north of Ireland, of Scotch and English parents. He was a young man when he came to America about 1770. He settled in Virginia. He married there Elizabeth Frame, born in Virginia where both died. They had issue including a son, James.
(II) James (2), son of James (1) and Elizabeth (Frame) Morrow, was born in Virginia, October 22, 1774. He grew to manhood and was commonly known as Colonel Morrow, probably obtaining his title from service in the militia. He was a printer by trade. Soon after his marriage he removed to Kentucky, settling near the present city of Lexington. He there purchased a small newspaper outfit and started a paper called The Columbus Herald. After a short time he sold his paper and removed to Ohio, settling in Green county between Xenia and Jamestown. Here he again acquired newspaper interest and became well known as a writer and debater. He was ruling elder in the Associate Presbyterian church and was the author of several tracts or addresses arguing and defending doctrinal points then under discussion. His home was at Massie's Creek near Xenia, Ohio, which included a large farm, well-improved and fertile. He married (first) in Virginia, Anna Kyle, born in Pennsylvania, November 27, 1779, died in Green county, Ohio, June 14, 1821, daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Chambers) Kyle. He married (second) Margaret (Anderson) Fulton, widow of Rev. Andrew Fulton, of Indiana; by her first husband she had children: Margaret, Mary, Rev. Andrew (2) Fulton. By her second marriage no issue. Children of Colonel Morrow by first wife:
- Kittie, born in Clark county, Kentucky, April, 1802, died June 21, 1822, accidentally drowned.
- James C., born April 2, 1804.
- Eliza, born in Green county, Ohio, September 20, 1805, the first child born to her parents in Ohio, died young.
- Mary, born February 8, 1807, died March 23, 1883.
- Ann, born December 10, 1808, died young.
- Isabella, born August 24, 1810, died February 17, 1875; married and had issue.
- Joseph, born April 25, 1812, married but had no issue.
- Robert, born April 18, 1814, married and had Albert, Arthur and a daughter.
- Margaret J., born April 12, 1816.
- Rev. Samuel F., of whom further.
- Ruth, born May 10, 1821, died June 21, 1821.
(III) Rev. Samuel F. Morrow, youngest son of Colonel James (2) and Anna (Kyle) Morrow, was born on the home farm in Green county, Ohio, January 29, 1819, died January 12, 1904. He was educated in the district schools and the Massie's Creek Academy, sometime called "Dogwood" Academy. He was reared and intended for the ministry and, in fulfillment of the plans of his parents, was sent to Hanover College where he was graduated in September, 1836. His alma mater conferred upon him the degree of D.D. in 1873. He was about eighteen years of age when he was graduated. After leaving college he taught for some years at Carmi, Illinois. In 1841 he began the study of theology under the private instruction of the Rev. Andrew Heron, D.D. In 1842 he entered Canonsburg Seminary at Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, taking the theological course, graduating in 1845. In June of that year he was licensed to preach and in November, 1845, was ordained a minister of the Associate Presbyterian church, July 1, 1846, he received calls at Cambridge, Florida and Albany, New York, accepting the last as its pastor, which church afterwards became a part of the United Presbyterian Church. (For the history of the consolidation and establishment of the United Presbyterian church in Albany see Munsell's "Annals of Albany," in an article prepared by Rev. Samuel F. Morrow.) He was settled over the Albany congregation from July, 1846, to July, 1886, a period of forty years, his only pastorate. He was a faithful minister of the Gospel, a pulpit orator of pleasing address and convincing manner. He was strong on doctrinal points, yet mindful of the rights of others and courteous to an opponent. He was a well-beloved pastor and dear to the hearts of his parishioners. He was honored by the general synod of his church and received many flattering testimonials of the high appreciation of his brethren in the ministry. His long years of service rendered him well-known in the city outside his own church.
He married, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, June 8, 1848, Mary Roseburgh, born in Pittsburgh, June 22, 1827, died November 16, 1886, in Albany, New York. She was a well-educated woman and a devoted Christian, a daughter of Samuel Roseburgh, a contractor of Pittsburg, postmaster of that city, and a prominent member of the Presbyterian church of that city. He married Isabelle Miller, also born in Pittsburgh, both died in the city of their birth, past fifty years of age. Samuel was son of ———— and Isabella Bruce (Miller) Roseburgh, the latter of Scotch ancestry, members of the Covenanter faith. Children of Rev. Samuel F. Morrow:
- Dr. Samuel Roseburgh, was born in Albany, May 6, 1849; graduated from Albany Academy in 1866; Yale University, A.B., 1870, receiving A.M. from same in 1874. He was a tutor at Yale in Greek and Mathematics 1873-76; graduate from College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York City, M.D., 1878; on the house staff of Bellevue Hospital, October, 1877, to April, 1879; studied at London Hospital, Vienna Hospital and at Halle until 1880. He began the practice of medicine and surgery in Albany, 1880, and continues in his profession. He has been lecturer, adjunct professor and professor at Albany Medical College since 1881, subjects: Anatomy, surgery, general and orthopoedic; surgeon to St. Peter's Hospital for Incurables; Albany Hospital and Childs Hospital; a member of the State Medical and vice-president of Albany County Medical societies, and a contributor to leading medical journals. He married Elizabeth Gwynne Hutchins, of distinguished revolutionary ancestry, (who served in both army and navy), daughter of Stephen C. (of Cooperstown, New York), and Mary (Wiggins) Hutchins (of Albany), and sister of Walter L. Hutchins, secretary to Mayor McEwan of Albany. Stephen C. Hutchins was on the editorial staff at different times of the Albany Journal, Albany Argus and Rochester Chronicle and Democrat; he died in Albany, February 22, 1883. Child of Dr. Samuel R. Morrow:
- an adopted son, Sydney King, born February 8, 1892.
- Anna, of whom further.
- Isabella, born December 9, 1853, died December 30, 1890, unmarried. A well educated woman of high character and a devoted Christian.
- Mary, born April 25, 1856, died March 27, 1858.
- James Linton, born October 15, 1858; he is now in business in Pittsburgh, and a man of education and prominence in that city. He married Anna Copeland; children: James Douglas, Mary Adeline.
- Jeanette R., born May 17, 1861, died May 3, 1863.
- Alice, born May 30, 1863, died April 17, 1895; married Esek Bussey Williamson, of Troy, now deceased, son of Rev. Robert D. and Phoebe (Cruikshank) Williamson. Esek B. Williamson was prominent Troy man of the firm of Alexander and Williamson, jewelers. He was lieutenant of the One hundred and second New York Regiment, raised for service in Spanish-American war.
- William, born August 13, died August 23, 1866.
(IV) Anna, eldest daughter of Rev. Samuel F. and Mary (Roseburgh) Morrow, was born in Albany, New York, May 20, 1850. She was educated in the Albany Female Academy. She is a member of the United Presbyterian church over which her father was for so long the pastor. She is a woman of culture and refinement whose influence is always exerted for good, and one thoroughly appreciated by a large circle of warm friends.