Hannah MORGAN

Hannah married William LATHAM on 30 Jun 1698 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut. William (son of Joseph LATHAM and Mary ?) was born on 09 Jul 1670 in New London, New London, Connecticut, USA; died on 05 Nov 1732 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Mary LATHAM was born on 18 Feb 1698/9 in Groton, New London County, Connecticut; died on 14 Aug 1754 in Groton, New London County, Connecticut; was buried in Starr Cemetery, Groton, Connecticut.
2. Jonathan LATHAM was born on 28 May 1716 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut; died on 22 Dec 1796 in Groton, New London Co., Conn.; was buried in Ledyard, New London Co., Connecticut.
3. Lucy LATHAM was born on 21 May 1709 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut; died on 02 May 1757/8 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut.

Notes:

Name:
"History of James Morgan": Capt. James b. 3 Mch., 1644, so. of James, m. "Mary Vine of Old England," Nov. 1666, died 8 Dec 1711, age 68. His wife Mary died in 1689, of the "throat distemper," so called, a terrible epidemic which prevailed throughout the country that year, especially in the months of July and August, visiting nearly every family and carrying consternation and death in its trail. She was born in England in 1641, and was 48 years old when she died. After her death he married 2nd wife Hannah (?), born in 1640, who d. in 1711, aged 71, a few days only before his own death, but after the date of his will, in which he calls her his "dear and loving wife."

His will is dated in Groton 25 June, 1708, and approved in the probate 22 Jan. 1712. In it he bequeaths to his "dear and loving wife Hannah Morgan," his "horse and chaise," barn, and orchard by it, and "the lower field this side of the cross fence which joineth south brook," to enjoy during her life. To his son James, his "field"; one half the barn and all his land at home, subject to the joint control and use of his widow, so long as she so remained. Also to James a lot "in the plain," near the salt marsh, "on the north side of the island." to his son William, "the land he has already a deed of," and 100 acres and one little island in Packanacock plain," that is, my sons Jas and Wm shall have equally." To his "four daughters, Mercy, (record of birth says Mary), Hannah, Elizabeth and Jerusha," all his cattle, horses and sheep, to be equally divided between them. to his "grandson James Morgan," his saddle bridle and short gun, and to his "grandson Wm Morgan" his musket.

He was an active member and one of the two first deacons of the first church in Groton; was the principal magistrate, and transacted the chief part of the civil business around him, for many years. At the first town meeting held after the town was incorporated, in Dec. 1705, he was the moderator, and was chosen first townsman or selectman. he was moderator of nearly every town or society meeting until near his death in 1711, and after that for many years his place as moderator was supplied by his two sons Deacon James and Lieut. John, sometimes the one acting and sometimes the other. He was chosen captain of the first "train band" in Groton, in 1692, under an order of the Governor and Council, authorizing a military company to be formed there, and had been then two years a captain and commander of the "dragoon" force of New London county, under a special commission from the General Court.

Like his father he was one of the Deputies to the General Court from New London from 1689 to 1700, and afterwards one of the first Deputies from the new town of Groton, in 1706; and for several years was a Commissioner to advise and direct the Pequot tribe of Indians in the management of their affairs.

The military titles of these early days, even down to that of ensign, or sergeant, were esteemed as marks of high distinction, and from their peculiar importance, and the care and caution with which the officers were chosen, very justly so. These infant plantations were surrounded by hostile tribes of Indians, overwhelming in numbers; exposed constantly to the inroads of prowling bands, often irritated and always treacherous, and their very existence as well as peace and safety, depended much upon the personal character, the wise sagacity, prudent counsel and conduct, and the cool intrepidity of these chosen military guardians. Hence it was the early practice, when the leading officers of these "train bands" were to be chosen, to open the proceedings by solemn proclamation and prayer, and sometimes a special sermon for the occasion was prepared and preached to the company by their minister.

Capt. James lived and died upon the old patriarchal homestead of his father James...

James married Mary VINE in Nov 1666 in New London, New London, Connecticut, USA. Mary was born before 1641 in England; died on 08 Dec 1689 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut; was buried in Avery-Morgan Cemetery, Groton, New London Co., Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Name:
James Morgan, the emigrant ancestor and progenitor of the Morgan family, was born in Wales in 1607. He m. Margery Hill of Roxbury, Mass., Aug. 6, 1640. He was made freeman there, May 10, 1645. Early in 1650 he had lands granted him in Pequot, now New London, as New London records show which was soon occupied by him as a homestead, 'on the path to New street or Cape Ann street,' as it was called in honor of the Cape Ann Company, who chiefly settled there. On the 25th day of December 1656, he sold his homestead and removed soon after, with several others, across the river, upon large tracts of land previously granted them by the town. The spot where he built his first house in Groton in 1657, and where he ever resided and died, is a few rods southeast of the dwelling of Elijah S. Morgan, about three miles from Groton ferry, on the road to Poquonock Bridge. He was nine times afterwards chosen member of the assembly, the last in 1670, and he was also an active and useful member of Re. Richard Blinman's church, as his name is prominent in every important movement or proceeding.

He also served in he early Colonial wars.

James married Margery HILLS on 6 Aug 1640. Margery was born in 16 Jun 1611 in Essex, England; died on 28 Apr 1690 in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut; was buried in Avery-Morgan Cemetery, Groton, New London Co., Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]