Obituary-
Mrs. Morris was born in Bourbon County, KY, the 27th day of May 1807, was united in marriage with M.A.E. Morris the 2nd day of September 1825 (Christian County, KY), and emigrated to Missouri, together with her father's family, in 1838. She was a woman of rare and remarkable virtues, and while we mournfully and sadly record her death, with admiration we briefly recount her history, and cheerfully offer this poor tribute of respect to her memory.

Soon after settling in Cooper County, MO (between 1838-1840), a sad accident occured which deprived her at once of her father and mother (William Henry and Sythe Combs Payne), who were drowned while attempting to cross in a carriage the Lamine River in that county (grave site unknown). This shocking disaster came near dethroning her reason, and for a time temporal interests were ignored. Consequent upon this afflicting bereavement, two sisters and a brother - quite small - were left in her charge. She raised them and saw them respectably settled in life.

Later W.H. Boatwright, once a citizen of Greenfield - and since dead - became an orphan, who she raised to manhood and sent him into the world with fair qualifications for usefulness. Later still, her widowed daughter and infant son found a home in her house, and the good name and manhood of the son is not inconsiderably attributable to her teaching. Her own children were nine in number - six daughters and three sons - all of whom she raised to adult age and witnessed their marriage.

Mrs. Morris was long and favorably known in the community in which she lived, beloved by all. Her demise is universally deplored. A Christian in its broadest and most truthful senses, her example of truth and soberness was priceless, the fruits of which will still live on. As an accomplished lady, her peers were few. With large benevolence and generous impulses, she in no small degree sacrificed upon the alter of charity, self, and self-interest. To relieve the distressed, and bear the cross of the unfortunate, was a peculiar characteristic of her nature.

She survived her husband near a quarter of a century; was much afflicted in the latter part of her life, which she endured with great fortitude and patience, directing her family interests all the while with judgment and superior skill.

Three daughters and a daughter-in-law administered devotedly to her wishes in her last illness, anxiously and lovingly smoothing death's pillow and calming the weary spirit sinking to rest. Approaching the end she invited the King of Terrors and welcomed his coming. Embracing her children she sealed with a last long kiss the hallowed book of maternal love, the pages of which she had embellished with gems most sacred and immortal. Unto the grave sadly and sorrowfully we have consigned her honored remains in that peace which the world cannot give, to sleep til time shall be no more.

Dade County Advocate, Greenfield, MO April 29, 1880 L.
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Narcissa was the owner of what was called a madstone. It was given to her by a Campbellite preacher from Texas who stayed at their home for a number of weeks while he held revivals in the area.

A madstone is a round bit of honeycomb bone, supposedly taken from the stomach of a white deer. It was thought to cure rabies and probably other illnesses. In gifting Narcissa with the stone, the preacher must have considered her up to the responsibility of caring for it, and the people who would show up at her door in need of it. Last in the possession of granddaughter Lucile Morris Upton, she donated the madstone to the museum of the College of the Ozarks, Branson, MO.