1355 1955 J. & T. MORRIS [IMITED

J. & T. lVIorris Limited, founded in 1855 is Prince Edward Island’s oldest firm continuously owned by one family. The original partners, James and Thomas Morris, sons of John (Johnnie Brick) Morris started as commission merchants and auctioneers. One of the commissions carried out in the early sixties was the sale by auction for the British Government of that block of land on which the Charlottetown Hospital and Nurses’ Residence now stand.

James Morris died about 1858 and is buried in the old cemetery on Elm Avenue. Thomas lVIorris carried on the business alone until 1885 when he was joined by his son John S. Morris. The firm’s offices during this time were on the corner of Water and Queen Streets where DeBlois Bros. Limited now stands. The “brick warehouse” at 80 Water Street was erected in 1872 and is now the property of DeBlois Bros. Limited.

On the death of Thomas Morris in 1896, his youngest son Thomas W. Morris entered the business thus completing the second generation of the firm. The firm moved to its present premises 75-79 Water Street on New Year’s day 1899.

In 1924, on the retirement of Thomas W. Morris from the firm due to temporary ill health, his son John F. lVlorris entered the firm. In 1934 on the death of John S. lVIorris, Thomas Harry Morris became associated with the firm, and in which he still maintains an interest. The firm was incorporated in 1929 with John S. Morris as its first President. John F. Morris has been President and Managing Director since 1934 when John S. Morris died. John F. lVforris Jr. is now with the firm which marks the start of the fourth generation for this old firm.

As the firm was founded during the days of “wooden ships and iron men” many changes have taken place in the firm’s methods of carrying on business. In the early days the firm dealt in all types of commodities, one of which was liquor. Gradually other lines were discontinued until the latter part of the last century the liquor business was its chief line. The firm conformed to the various laws governing the sale of the product from time to time until 1918 when it acted as wholesale vendor for the Provincial Government. In 1918 the Provincial Government decided to conduct the wholesale end of the business and in 1919 the firm went into the soft drink business which is still its main line of business. Today besides its main office and plant in Charlottetown, the firm maintains warehouses in Summerside and O’Leary.

The lVIorris family have always maintained a close connection with the local militia. John, the father of the founder, commanded a company of local volunteers in 1824 or thereabouts. In 1860 the Officer Command— ing the battery which fired the salute on the arrival of the Prince of Wales was Captain Thomas Morris. His son Thomas Morris was a member of the original Light Horse and was on the Edward VIIth Coronation con- tingent. John F. Morris also of the Light Horse served in the 1939-1946 war and his son John F. Jr. has had some years service with the B.C.N.V.R.