Winson Haywood Morrill, July 7, 1924-December 13, 2018 Winson Haywood Morrill, 94, of Hamilton, Massachusetts, passed away Thursday at his home. He was the husband of the late Jean (Follansbee) Morrill, who we lost in 2003. Born in Beverly to a family with deep roots in Es County, he was the son of Phillip Roy and Florence Gertrude (Butman) Morrill.
He grew up on Washington Street, one of nine children. At age seven, he contracted polio and lost the use of his right arm and shoulder. … Read More » He never let that slow him down, building his own house in Hamilton, starting in 1948.
He worked at the Charles Freeman Greenhouses in North Beverly after World War II. He worked as a grower at Evan’s Flowers in Peabody from 1952 until he retired in 1989, growing flowers such as poinsettias and Easter lilies. A skilled and dedicated craftsman, he gained widespread recognition for his work.
Beginning in 1964, he created over 7,000 ships in bottles of his own, many featuring woods from historic houses and ships. He was featured in Yankee magazine in an article titled 3 Ships A Night. In 1974, he appeared as a guest on What’s My Line?
the first of many Boston and national TV appearances. Win was profiled in the 1980 book Salt 2. In 1999, he began constructing intricate miniature houses which reflected his interest in family history.
He was featured twice on WCVB Chronicle, once for his ships-in-bottles and a second time for his miniature libraries. Ted Reinstein even included a chapter on Win’s miniatures in his book New England Notebook. He recently completed a memoir, Winson Morrill and his Marvelous World of Miniatures.
He also produced many watercolors, mother-of-pearl inlays, and pen-and-ink drawings, grew amazing tomatoes and blueberries and perfected the art of baked beans and oyster stew. Those who met him were amazed by his knowledge, his patience, his humor and his passions. Winson was a unique New Englander and died as he lived, on his own terms, at home on his beloved Jean’s birthday He is survived by his daughter, Stephanie Morrill Moffat, of Hamilton; his two grandchildren, David Moffat, of Salem, and Rebecca Moffat, of Manhattan; a sister, Nancy Campbell; a niece, Carole Roy, both of Beverly and many other nieces and nephews.
Services are private, but a celebration of Winson’s life will be held July 7, 2019 to commemorate a life well lived. Arrangements by the Campbell Funeral Home 525 Cabot Street, Beverly 01915. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Hamilton Historic Society, Town Hall, Bay Rd, Hamilton, MA 01982, or to daughter Stephanie Moffat, PO Box 398, Hamilton MA 01936 to erect a memorial bench in his name.
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