A dutiful descendant Wednesday, Feb. 1, 1984 Philadelphia Inquirer 3-B brings day of honor to neglected patriot By Edgar Williams Inquirer Staff Writer By mayoral proclamation, yesterday was Robert Morris Day in Philadelphia. And the city paused not at all to honor the memory of a little-sung hero of the American Revolution on the 250th anniversary of his birth. No, that's not quite right. A handful of people who attended a simple service in Christ Church, Second and Walnut Streets, and then went outside for the placing of a wreath on Morris' tomb - they cared. They had come together to pay tribute to the man who was called "the financier of the Revolution," the man responsible for coming up with the money that kept George Washington's army Robert Morris Bussinessman, backer of Revolution in the field. There was a contemporary Robert Morris, age 29 - if you put seven greats in front of grandson, that's his relationship to his namesake - and there was his mother, Ellen Morris Morris family members at wreath-laying (from left): Manganaro. There was Robert Britton Jr., also 29, a five-times-great-nephew of the original. But the lineal descendant basically responsible for this commemoration was not there. Her name is Mary Morris Mikkola. She lives Robert Morris, his mother, Ellen Morris Manganaro & Robert Britton Jr. in Detroit, and she is a great-great-great-granddaughter of Robert Morris. Early in January she wrote a letter addressed simply, "Rector, Christ Church, Philadelphia Pa." ''I am sure I need not remind you," Mrs. Mikkola wrote, "that Jan. 31st will be the 250th anniversary of Robert Morris, patriot of Philadelphia, nor where he lies. I have seen his resting place, but since I am 78 years old and ill, I am hoping you will act as my emissary. "I wish to send you a check so that you may order a wreath of some sort, made of green leaves that will withstand the winter weather for a few days, and decorated with a red, white and blue bow of something equally appropriate. "I am the last of my generation and I made a valiant try for a (commemorative) stamp or coin from the government. They did nothing, so this is all I can do now. (As a) descendant of his, I weep to realize how little he has been appreciated. I do not know how, other than with your help, I may accomplish my task. "If there is any residue from my check, please slip it into a collection plate some Sunday." The Rev. James A. Trimble, rector of Christ Church, turned the letter over to the Rev. John E. Midwood Jr., assistant minister, and Father Midwood took it from there. He not only arranged for the wreath, but he got in touch with Robert Morris Associates (RMA), a Philadelphia-based trade group of commercial loan and credit officers at major banks throughout the nation. The company arranged for the proclamation by Mayor Goode, which was presented during the service to Clarence R. Reed, executive vice president of RMA, by Charles Pizzi, deputy director of commerce. It also arranged or attendance by the Morris descendants. Inasmuch as Mrs. Mikkola was unable to make the trip here, the Michigan chapter of RMA honored her at a meeting in Ann Arbor, Mich., Monday night. Coincidentally, the reading appointed for the day in the Episcopal liturgy, from the Book of Ecclesiasticus, began with "Let us now praise famous men" and included an allusion to "these men of mercy whose righteous deeds have not been forgotten." The wreath, which was placed on Morris' tomb at the northwest corner of the churchyard, was in keeping with Mrs. Mikkola's specifications, with an extra touch of red, white and blue carnations. Morris, a Philadelphia businessman, was a member of the Continental Congress, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, a prime mover in the first American navy, the financier of the Revolution (often working closely with another Philadelphian, Haym Salomon), a framer of the U.S. Constitution and a senator from Pennsylvania. Yet, improvident land investments brought financial ruin. He spent a portion of his last days in Philadelphia debtors' prison and died broke. Copyright 1984 PHILADELPHIA NEWSPAPERS INC. May not be reprinted without permission. Memo: CLEARING THE RECORD, PUBLISHED FEBRUARY 2, 1984, FOLLOWS: The Inquirer erred yesterday in giving the location of Christ Church in an article about the observance of Robert Morris Day in Philadelphia. The church is located on Second Street near Market.