Morley, formerly known as Long Rapids, is pleasantly situated on both sides of the Grasse River, in the northeast corner of the town, near the line between Canton and Lisbon, and six miles from Canton village. Stillman Foote began the settlement by building a dam and erecting a sawmill in 1810. Christopher Wilson and Pitts Bailey, from Vermont, bought the village site and the saw-mill, which was in an unfinished state. In 1815 they put into this mill two run of rock-stones, with a bolt. Two years later they built a new mill, and put in burr-stones. These mills stood about four rods east of the present stone mill. In one corner of the last mill Mr. Thomas Fenton had a room where he carried on wool-carding and cloth-dressing. He continued here about eight years, and then built a factory a few rods down the stream, which he occupied about twenty years. Wilson settled on the east side of the river, and built the first frame house, on the sport now partly occupied by Mr. L. Fenton's house. Bailey built a frame house on the west side of the river. It now forms a part of the Ervin Hotel, which Bailey built and kept many years. The first bridge was built about 1820. Before this the settlers on the west side in going to mill would stop on the bank with their horse, and a flat-bottomed boat or scow would go over from the mill for their grist, and return it, when ground, in the same way. The first saw-mill on the west side was built by Charles Barrett, who also built the tavern recently burned. The first store and goods was kept by J.P. Cummings, in a frame building, where the engine-house now stands. A year or two later he built the stone building which is still standing. In this store he was a partner of Isaac Whitney for six years, and then Whitney bought the Bailey tavern, which he kept some twelve years. The present stone grist-mill has four run of stone, and was built in 1840. It is owned by Mr. T.L. Harison, and is under the management of Mr. Rufus K. Jackson. Wm. Washburn was the first blacksmith, and Eden Ray the first carpenter, in the village. The school-house in the village was built about eighteen years ago, after plans furnished by Mr. W.H. Harison. It is of stone, one story high, and built in the Gothic order of architecture, its cost being about three thousand dollars. When the post-office was first established here, at Mr. Harison's request the name of the village was changed to Morley. This village is the residence of Mr. Thomas L. Harison, a son of one of the late proprietors of this town. Mr. Harison is secretary of the State agricultural society. On his farm here near the village, he has the finest herds of short-horn cattle in the country. For seven head he was offered, and refused forty-five thousand dollars. He occasionally sells a cow for six thousand dollars, or a bull for fifteen or twenty thousand dollars. A short-horn calf will bring from five hundred to one thousand dollars.

The village of Morley contains 2 churches, 1 flouring-mill, 1 saw-mill, 1 butter-tub factory, 2 asheries, 1 hotel, 4 stores, and the usual mechanic shops, and has a population of about 300 souls.

Trinity chapel was erected in 1870-71, mainly through the efforts of Mr. T.L. Harison, a liberal and wealthy churchman, a resident of the village. It is a stone structure, of the English Gothic rural style of architecture, open roof inside, roof-boards and rafters finished in oil, and in all its appointments presents a very neat appearance. The chapel is twenty-four by sixty-two feet, with a recessed chancel of sixteen by twenty-four feet, and will seat about two hundred and fifty persons. The cost was about twelve thousand dollars. On the 26th day of July, 1871, it was consecrated by Bishop Doane, assisted by the neighboring clergy. This is a mission chapel, and is under the control of the board of missions of the diocese of Albany. The present missionary in charge is the Rev. Charles S. Olmstead. The membership is 125, communicants 42, number confirmed since consecration of chapel 54. The Sunday-school numbers 75 scholars, with the rector as superintendent. Previous to building this chapel, occasional church services were held in the school-house for a number of years, by clergymen from Canton and other places. A Sunday-school was organized and carried on by ladies connected with the church, during a period of twenty years, which school was held in the school-house. The missionaries in charge of this mission have been Rev. W.S. Hayward, Rev. E.G. Prout, Rev. A. Whitaker.

On the 23d day of September, 1843, the members of the congregation worshipping at the shcool-house in the village of Morley met, pursuant to law, and proceeded to organize the First Wesleyan Methodist society of the village of Morley. Hiram Barber and John Byington were chosen to preside, and David Clemens, Joel Seger, Selotus Whitney, John W. Allen, and Thomas Buffam were chosen trustees. Among the first members of this society were David and Naurilla Clemens, Ira and Joanna Day, John Byington and wife, Wesley Byington and wife, James S. and Rachel Wright, Edward and Ruth Gould, Thomas and Sally Fisher, Wilson and Lorena Freeman, Peter and Mary Wheeler, Marilla Whitney, Hiram H. Lockwood, Truman Penoyer, Orlow Walbridge. The church edifice was built in 1843. It is a plain one-story frame building, size 40 feet by 60 feet, cost $1200. The parsonage, built in 1845, is in the same inclosure; cost $800. The pastor first chosen was Rev. Lincoln Brown. The following have been some of the officiating pastors since: Rev. Joel Grinnell, Rev. Isaac Sprague, Rev. Wm. P. Ray, Rev. Dyar Willis, Rev. N. Wardner. Rev. J.L. Benton is the present pastor. Membership 110. The Sunday-school is in charge of James S. Wright, superintendent. Number of scholars, 92; teachers, 9; library, volumes 200.

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