Rev. Solomon MORGAN

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He responded to the Lexington Alarm during the American Revolution. Rev. Morgan was pastor of the Congregational Church in Voluntown.

Solomon married Eunice AVERY in 1770 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut. Eunice (daughter of Elder Parke AVERY and Mary LATHAM) was born in 1748 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut; was christened on 13 Nov 1748 in First Church, Groton, Connecticut; died on 2 May 1793 in Canterbury, Windham Co., Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Solomon married Anna MIX on 4 Aug 1795 in Newent Congregational Church, Lisbon, New London co., Connecticut. Anna was born in 1740 in Connecticut; died on 16 Oct 1816 in Canaan, Litchfield Co., Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Solomon married Mary WALWORTH on 01 Jul 1742 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut. Mary (daughter of William WALWORTH and Mary AVERY) was born on 29 Sep 1721 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut; died on 31 Mar 1796 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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They lived at Groton, Conn., and Mary was living as late as March 31, 1796, when she signed a deed.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Death: 26 Aug 1747, Groton, New London Co., Connecticut

William married Margaret AVERY on 17 Jul 1696 in New London, New London, Connecticut, USA. Margaret (daughter of James AVERY, Jr. and Deborah STALLYON) was born on 07 Feb 1673/74 in New London, New London, Connecticut, USA; died on 28 Jul 1755 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut; was buried in Avery-Morgan Cemetery, Groton, New London Co., Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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William of Noank, the eldest son of William, of Fisher's Island, was a farmer and a large land owner. That part of the property which fell to the share of William, lay mostly in Noank and Noank Neck. It included also parcels of farm and woodland on Fort Hill, especially on the south and east sides, and reaching northerly until it touched the grounds of his father's great farm on the heights.

William also had large possessions in Bozrah and Lebanon and, in the course of thirteen years, from 1720 to 1733, no less than thirty deeds recorded in the Town Clerk's office show William as a party in the sale of land. He had money in abundance which he spent freely in purchasing more land. William is reported to have moved to Bozrah, Connecticut, about 1744, where he afterward lived and died.



He was a farmer and large landowner and had large possessions in Bozrah and Lebanon. William had a will dated 30 Nov 1773, with a codicil dated 2 Dec 1773, that was proved 14 June 1774 at Stonington. William's surname is sometimes called Walsworth. William Walworth claimed to be descended from Sir William Walworth, who was Lord mayor of London at the time of the rebellion of Wat Hilliard, in the reign of Richard II. Sir William died in 1383 and was buried in the Church of St. Michael, Crooked Lane, London. His father came to the new London Colony at the instance of Major General John Winthrop commanding the forces of the colony, who afterwards became its governor.

William married Mary AVERY on 16 Jan 1720 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut. Mary (daughter of Capt Samuel AVERY and Susannah PALMES) was born on 10 Jan 1694/5 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut; was christened on 5 Mar 1694/5 in First Church, Groton, Connecticut; died on 17 May 1739 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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William's wife, Mary, descended from the leading families of Nobility and Royalty of England. She was a direct descendant of King Edward III of England, and of thirteen former kings, prior to King Edward's reign.

She also was a member of the illustrious family of the Lords of De la Warr, who were connected with the early settlement of America. Sir Thomas West, 3d Lord De La Warr, and his brother, John, both were among the early Governors of the Virginia Colony. Her great-grandfather, General John Humphrey, a lawyer by profession, was one of the founders of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and the Colony's first Deputy Governor. He was prominent in the foundation of Cambridge College, familiarly known today as Harvard University.

Mary's father, Capt. Samuel Avery, was the son of Capt. James Avery and Joanna (Greenslade), and grandson of Christopher Avery, progenitor of the Avery family in New England. He was born Aug. 14, 1664, and on Oct. 25 1686, married Susannah Palmes, dau. of William Palmes and Ann (Humphrey), of Swanzey, Mass. Capt. Samuel Avery operated a large farm and was chosen moderator upon the legal organization of the town of Groton in 1704, and its first townsman at the first town meeting in 1705, an office which he held until his death, which occurred May 1, 1723. Records show that he is buried about a mile northeast of the Seth Williams' farm in Ledyard, Conn. on a farm of CH. Stanton.

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"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]

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He received numerous tracts of land from his father, one (March 28 1679) being enough to make up a hundred acres "near the cart path that goes to John Morgans, near the county road." May 29, 1702, Capt. james and Capt John Avery, Ephraim and Joseph Myner sold thee hundred acres of land in Preston called Pachaug.

James Avery early disposed of his land on the General Neck, land that came to him from his father and grandfather, and lived on the east side of the river. Like his father, he took an important part in the affairs of the colony. He took the oath of freeman, Oct. 14, 1669. he was several times selectman of Groton, also justice of the peace; he was deputy from New London to the general court seven times (1690-1702), and from Groton nine times (1707-12); he was made sergeant of the train band, New London, June 5, 1683; he was commissioned lieutenant in May, 1690, and later became captain; he was counselor and advisor of the Pequot tribe and, in 1720, became their guardian; in 1723, he instituted suits to recover lands of which they had been deprived; he several times acted as interpreter to the council; he was often on committees to settle boundary disputes and the location of public lands, and often served on the grand jury. (See Conn Col. Rec.)

Captain James Avery took part in various expeditions against the Indians of Massachusetts and Connecticut....

James married Deborah STALLYON on 20 Feb 1669 in New London, Connecticut. Deborah (daughter of Edward STALLYON and Margaret ?) was born about 1649; died on 27 Mar 1729 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut; was buried in Avery-Morgan Cemetery, Groton, New London Co., Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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"Hyde Genealogy": This William Walworth came to New London about 1689, from the neighborhood of London, England at the request of Gen. Fitz John Winthrop, for the purpose of introducing English farming upon fisher's Island, then owned by Winthrop. Soon after his arrival he married Mary Seaton, who came out in the same vessel with him. They settled upon fisher's Island, of which he was for several years the lessee. He and his wife and their eldest child, Martha, were baptized at New London, by the Rev. Gurdon Saltonstall, 24 Jan. 1692. Shortly before his death, William Walworth obtained a tract of land in that part of New London which is now Groton: upon which his widow lived and brought up his children respectably by her great industry and energy of character, after his death. He died in 1703, at Groton. She survived him, and died 14 Jan. 1752, at New London, in the 49th year of her widowhood, aged 84. They had four sons and three daughters, the eldest of whom was only 12 years old at their father's death....

William, a prominent farmer at Groton Manor, England, well known to the Winthrop family, was induced by Governor Winthrop of connecticut, to come to America to introduce to the Colonists the English system of cultivation. thus, William became the first lessee and settler upon Fisher's Island. He converted the virgin wilderness into fertile farm land and made the island his residence. to it, he carried a young wife and it became the birthplace of his older children. He remained on the island with his family for nine years, after which he felt it necessary to remove them to the mainland at Groton, Conn., to avoid the dangers of the Indians and the French Privateers. After removing to Groton, he came into possession of large grants and purchases of land and, at the time of his death, left a large estate of his family.

William married Mary Abigail SEATON in 1690 in New London, Connecticut. Mary was born in 1669 in London, London, England; died on 14 Jan 1753 in New London, New London, Connecticut, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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Mary, an only child, at the death of her father, in London, England, was left an orphan. Her father was the second son of a wealthy family, but, by English law, received nothing by inheritance, the bulk of his parent's estate going to his older brother. Mary took a bold step of her own, that of emigration, and came to New London at the same time and on the same ship with William, and soon after arriving became the bride of William.

Mary descended from one of the earliest and most distinguished families of Scotland. The "History of Scotland" by Buchanan and Watkins, records "Seatons" throughout its pages. The date of their earliest existence there has not been established but, as early as 1057 A.D., they are mentioned in said history. It records an Alexander Seaton, nobleman, as early as 1330, and mention is made of Mary Queen of Scots as having found shelter in the house of Lord Seaton at Niddy in East Lothian after her escape from Lock Liven Castle in may, 1568. Therefore, historians indicate that the Seaton family was one of high standing, held a high social position, and became allied with the most powerful of their time.

Mary was a woman of rare ability and, following the death of William which occurred thirteen years after marriage, she reared her seven young children and managed her estate with unusual wisdom. She survived William by forty-nine years, death occurring in 1752, at the age of eighty-three.

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Like his brothers, Samuel Avery was an extensive land owner. He bought the rights of his brothers, Thomas and John, in their grandfather's land on the General neck, in 1685. In 1693, he received from his father, James Avery the homestead farm on which his father was then living. Uncas, the Indian chief, deeded to him several hundred acres of land, the consideration being an Indian woman, Betty, who was one of the captives taken by James Avery in the King Philip war. Samuel Avery spent most of his life on his farm in Groton and there his children were born. He calls himself husbandman and merchant. he early took a leading part in Groton affairs. In December, 1705, he and his brother James were members of a committee to make up the accounts with New London. Upon the legal organization of the town, December 1, 1705, he was made first townsman and moderator; he held that office until his death. He was one of the committee authorized in 1706 to sell two hundred acres of the town's land to pay its debts. When the schoolmaster was engaged, May 28, 1706, to tach the children in the different houses until the school-house was built, he was to teach first in Mr. Samuel Avery's house. April 12, 1710, Samuel Avery was one of the commission to allot lands. March 20, 1715-16, he was a member of a committee to seat the meeting-house. He was town clerk from 1718 until his death, and justice of the peace from 1719 to 1722 inclusive. In the division of the Nawayunk (Noank) lands, he received lot No. 35.

He also took an important part in the affairs of state, being deputy to the general court from New London in 1693, and from Groton in 1709, 1716, 1718 and 1719. He possessed the same military spirit as his brothers, being commissioned ensign by the general court in May, 1705, lieutenant in may, 1710, and captain in May, 1716.

May 15, 1717, he was witness to a deed given by his father to his brother James....

Samuel Avery, the youngest of four brothers, was the first of them to die, May 1, 1723. he was buried in Ledyard, then the northern part of Groton. His widow, Susannah Avery, was in full communion "at the ordination" of the First Church of Groton, Nov. 22, 1727. She died Oct. 2, 1747, at Groton.

Samuel married Susannah PALMES on 25 Oct 1686. Susannah (daughter of William PALMES and Anne HUMPHREY) was born on 1665 or 1666 in Ardfinan, co. Tipperary; died on 02 Oct 1747 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Immigration: 1679, To Boston