From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (main entry)

Shelton Morris (1806-1889), his five siblings, and their mother, Fanny, were freed by their owner (and father of the children), Col. Richard Morris from Virginia. The Colonel owned the Green Springs Plantation in Gordonsville, VA. Shelton Morris moved to Louisville, KY, where he purchased land and opened a barbering business and bathhouse. His younger brothers, John and Alexander, were also barbers; they joined Shelton in Louisville. Shelton married Evelina Spradling, sister of Washington Spradling, Sr., who was also a barber.

In 1840 Shelton was accused of voting in the presidential election; African American men were not allowed to vote in Kentucky until 1870 (with the passing of the 15th Amendment). Voting rights for free African American men had been revoked in 1799 with Kentucky's second Constitution. After the voting incident and the death of his wife, Shelton Morris moved to Cincinnati, where his sister Elizabeth lived.

For more see The Saga of the Morris Family, by R. M. Graham.

*Correction made to the birth location of Colonel Richard Morris, with the addition of the Green Springs Plantation, as pointed out by Roberta Patton.