Morris Brothers Memorial Cross, Pentre Eirianell, Anglesey

The memorial to the four Morris brothers tales the form of a Celtic Cross standing in a field alongside the A5025 road, 300 metres south of their former home, the farmstead. of Pentre Eirianell. Erected in September 1910, memory of the Morris brothers in September 1910. The cross has been erected on land within the boundary of the farmstead, the former home to the four brothers who were renowned scholars, historians and surveyors in the early eighteenth century.

•  Lewis Morris (1701-65) was a noted surveyor, Crown agent, poet and scholar; DWB notes that he "by the middle of the 18th cent., was the highest authority on the language, acknowledged as such in Wales and outside it". 
•  Richard Morris (1703-79) was founder of the Cymmrodorion Society. 
•  William Morris (1705-63) was scholar of the Welsh language and botanist. 
•  John Morris (1706-40) was a sailor who participated in the slave trade while serving on an East India Company ship. He later served on a naval warship and died in a naval attack on Cartagena during the War of Jenkins’ Ear. 

MORRUSIAID MEMORIAL FUND A meeting of the Morrusiaid Committee was held at the Bull Hotel, LJangefni, on Friday, Lord Boston (president) in the chair when It was resolved that Mr Harold Hughes design (as approved by the Committee with some modifications) be adopted, and, that the tender of Mr Richard Williams, Llanfairfechan, for the sum of £133 be accepted, the work to be put in hand at once. The design, as finally approved, is that of a Celtic Cross of Aberdeen granite throughout with an emblematic panel on the front of the shaft. It is estimated that the total cost of the memorial, including the inscription and the fencing of the site, will amount to £150. [Caernarvon and Denbigh Herald 11 February 1910 page 8]

THE MORUSIAID MEMORIAL THE UNVEILING CEREMONY. PICTURESQUE SCENE IN ANGLESEY. A movement which has been going on among the people of Anglesey for the last two or three years culminated on Wednesday in a most interesting function, when the memorial to the Morusiaid was unveiled at Pentre Eirianall, in the parish of Penrhoslligwy. ……   

 DESCRIPTION OF THE MEMORIAL. The memorial takes the form of an erect, free-standing Celtic Cross. The design is based on the wonderful series of ancient crosses to be found chiefly in those countries inhabited by the Celtic races. It is of the wheel pattern, with projecting arms, pierced between the quadrants of the ring and the arms of the cross. Five bosses with interlaced work occupy, respectively, -the centre and the enlarged ends of the arms of the cross. The stem is reduced in thickness in each direction towards the top, the sides having a perceptible entasis and bold rolls at the angles. This cross proner is supported on a massive base with inclined sides worked with curved outlines, and this, in turn, rests on a squared plinth. The front of the stem of the cross contains a carved symbolical panel, in which the four brothers Lewis, Richard, William and John, are represented by the emblems of the Dragon, the Ship, the Bible, and the Leek, the ship of Elizabethan style with bulging sails risks high, fore and aft. The dragon encircles and coils round it, while on the sails in the ancient manner are displayed the open Bible and the leek. The inscriptions occupy the front and back faces of the base. The cross with its carving has been designed by Mr Harold Hughes, and it has been executed in grey Aberdeen granite. The contractor is Mr Richard Williams.

THE UNVEILING. Amidst hearty cheering the memorial, which up to then had been enveloped in a Red Dragon flag, was then unveiled by Lady Boston and Mrs David Rees. The inscription on the base of the cross runs (in Welsh)—"In memory of the Morrises sons of Pentre Erianell, Penrhos, Anglesey, fosterers of their language, patrons of literature and song, men of knowledge, versatility, and genius. They were wise and eloquent in learning. This monument was erected by those who desire to honour their names. September 1910." The inscription embraced the names of the three elder brothers only, but it is intended later to have an English version of the inscription on the other face of the stone, and to include the name of the fourth brother. [North Wales Express 9 September 1910 page 5]

LISTING TEXT - Tall Celtic memorial cross. The centre and spandrels of the head of the cross are studded with textured lozenges, the tapering shaft has a recessed panel which depicts a sailing ship and mythical sea creature; the sail of the ship is adorned with the image of an opened book. The cross sits on a stepped, cushion tapered base which has inscriptions upon 3 of the 4 sides which commemorate "... THE BROTHERS MORRIS OF PENTREIRANELL PENRHOSLLIGWY / LEWIS / RICHARD / WILLIAM / JOHN / FOUR PATRIOT BROTHERS OF THE CYMRIC RACE"

Reference    Caernarvon and Denbigh Herald 11 February 1910 page 8
Reference    North Wales Express 9 September 1910 page 5