Capt James MORGAN

Male 1643 - 1711  (68 years)


Personal Information    |    Sources    |    Event Map    |    All    |    PDF

  • Name James MORGAN  [2, 3, 4
    • "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... [1]
    Prefix Capt 
    Birth 03 Mar 1643  Roxbury, Suffolk Co., Massachusetts Find all individuals with events at this location  [2, 3, 4
    Gender Male 
    Death 08 Dec 1711  Groton, New London Co., Connecticut Find all individuals with events at this location  [2, 3
    Burial Avery-Morgan Cemetery, Groton, New London Co., Connecticut Find all individuals with events at this location  [5
    Person ID I40378  Main Tree
    Last Modified 4 Feb 2022 

    Father James MORGAN,   b. 1607, Lianvabon, Glamorans, Wales Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 1685, Groten, New London Co., Connecticut Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 78 years) 
    Relationship Birth 
    Mother Margery HILLS,   b. 16 Jun 1611, Essex, England Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 28 Apr 1690, Wallingford, New Haven Co., Connecticut Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 79 years) 
    Relationship Birth 
    Marriage 6 Aug 1640  [1, 4
    Family ID F03196  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 1 Mary VINE,   b. Bef 1641, England Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 08 Dec 1689, Groton, New London Co., Connecticut Find all individuals with events at this location (Age > 48 years) 
    Marriage Nov 1666  New London, New London, Connecticut, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [2, 4, 6
    Children 
     1. James MORGAN,   b. 6 Feb 1667, New London, New London, Connecticut, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 04 May 1748, Groten, New London Co., Connecticut Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 81 years)  [Birth]
     2. William MORGAN,   b. 04 Mar 1669, Stonington, New London, Connecticut, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 25 Dec 1750, Groton, New London Co., Connecticut Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 81 years)  [Birth]
    +3. Mary MORGAN,   b. 20 Mar 1670, New London, New London Co., Connecticut Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 14 Sep 1765, Stonington, Connecticut Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 95 years)  [Birth]
    +4. Hannah MORGAN,   b. 08 Jun 1674, New London, New London, Connecticut, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 21 Apr 1727, Groton, New London Co., Connecticut Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 52 years)  [Birth]
     5. Elizabeth MORGAN,   b. 9 Sep 1678, Groton, New London County, Connecticut Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 18 Sep 1763, Groton, New London Co., Connecticut Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 85 years)  [Birth]
     6. Jerusha MORGAN,   b. 1682  [Birth]
    Family ID F06522  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 6 Feb 2018 

    Family 2 Hannah BREWSTER,   b. 03 Nov 1641, Dartmouth, Bristol, Massachusetts Find all individuals with events at this locationd. Dec 1711, Dartmouth, Bristol, Massachusetts Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 70 years) 
    Marriage Bef 08 May 1690  [2
    Family ID F04625  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 4 Feb 2022 

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsDeath - 08 Dec 1711 - Groton, New London Co., Connecticut Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBurial - - Avery-Morgan Cemetery, Groton, New London Co., Connecticut Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 

  • Sources 
    1. [S5304] Nathaniel H. Morgan, "Morgan Genealogy" A History of James Morgan, of New London, Conn. and His Descendants; From 1607-1869, (Hartford: Press of Case, Lockwood & Brainard, 1869).

    2. [S03585] Barbara Lambert Merrick/ E. Virginia Hunt, Mayflower Families in Progress: William Brewster of the Mayflower & His Descendants for 4 Generations , (General Society of Mayflower Descentants - Revised 3rd Edition 2000).

    3. [S02580] Lineages of Members of the National Society of the Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims.

    4. [S9214] Richard Anson Wheeler, History of the Town of Stonington, County of New London, Connecticut.

    5. [S02329] Find A Grave Website.

    6. [S03420] The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records: New London.