Skip to main content

Morris-Tull Family Bibles

 Collection
Identifier: MS M7

Scope and Contents

Family register pages documenting the births, marriages and deaths in John and Fannie Morris's extended family, removed from three Bibles as well as the few loose documents and photographs that accompanied them. Although there is no statement of ownership in any of the Bibles, entries indicate one belonged to John and Fannie, the second to her parents, Nicholas and Frances (McNeill) Tull, and the third possibly to her step-mother, Mary Elen (Dun) Tull. Later generations continued making entries in the first two after the deaths of the original owners.

Dates

  • Creation: 1801-1936

Creator

Notes on Use of Collection

The library reserves the right to restrict access to its collections. Researchers agree to abide by any restrictions placed by the library on its collections.

Copyright

It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Board of Governors for Truman State University, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of copyright.

Researchers further agree to indemnify and hold harmless Truman State University, Pickler Memorial Library, and their officers, employees, and agents from and against all suits, claims, actions, and expenses arising out of use of collections held by the library.

Biographical Note

John H. Morris (1836-1909), Kirksville, Missouri's first photographer, moved to the city from his native Orange County, Virginia around 1862. Frances J. "Fannie" Tull (1846-1931), originally from Elizabethtown, Kentucky, moved to Missouri at about age 3 and lived in Clark and Macon counties before arriving in Kirksville, probably about the same time as her future husband. The couple married in Kirksville, 1868 June 11.

John operated his photography studio in Kirksville for about 20 years, from his arrival until he moved to Queen City, Missouri, in the early 1880s. At some date, probably late 1870s, George W. Tull, Fannie's brother, joined the firm and when John left Kirksville, took over as sole proprietor. John lived in Queen City, where he owned a mercantile store and was a partner in another photography studio, for about 10 years then "retired" and returned to Kirksville. Back home, he dabbled in several businesses, including real estate and sewing machine sales, until his death in 1909. Fannie continued to live here with her children, Zena Mae and Emery L., until her own death twenty-one years later.

Extent

0.2 linear feet

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

This collection is organized into five series.

  1. John H. and Frances J. (Tull) Morris Family Bible, 1801-1936
  2. Loose Documents from the Morris Bible, 1801-1936
  3. Nicholas and Frances (McNeill) Tull Family Bible, 1801-1936
  4. Mary Elen (Dun) Tull(?) Bible, 1801-1936
  5. Photographs, 1801-1936

Acquisition Information

Dr. Pauline Knobbs of the University faculty acquired this collection for Pickler Memorial Library's local history collection, but left no record as to when or from whom she obtained it.

Physical Description

The ink has faded badly on some of the Bible entries so we cannot guarantee readability of scanned or photocopied reproductions. We will, however, do our best to provide transcripts of faded portions along with "best possible" copies when copies are requested. We will also be happy to add identification information to the file for these unidentified photographs if reliable proof is submitted to us.

Title
Morris-Tull family Bibles, 1801-1936
Subtitle
Recording the Events of the John H. and Fannie J. Morris and Nicholas and Frances Tull Families
Author
Finding aid prepared by Elaine Doak.
Date
[1993-2010]
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Truman State University, Pickler Memorial Library, Special Collections Manuscripts Repository

Contact:

660-785-4537