Capt James MORGAN

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]

James married Hannah BREWSTER before 08 May 1690. Hannah (daughter of Jonathan BREWSTER and Lucretia OLDHAM) was born on 03 Nov 1641 in Dartmouth, Bristol, Massachusetts; died in Dec 1711 in Dartmouth, Bristol, Massachusetts; was buried in Avery-Morgan Cemetery, Groton, New London Co., Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Name:
"William Brewster and His Descendants": On the second Tuesday, 9 January 1738/9, James Morgan and his wife Anne, and with her sister and brother-in-law John Morgan and his wife Ruth, supported her brother, Daniel Shapley of New London in a dispute over land of her mother, Mary (Pickett) Shapley.

The will of James Morgan of Groton, dated 29 March 1745, and proved 11 May 1748, made provision for his wife (unnamed) to have one-third of his moveable estate so long as she remained his widow use and improvement of "the eastermost part of my Dwelling House that is to say the old Room the Bed Room and the Mick House and the Cellar under it and also the Chamber over the Great Room, during her widowhood" also a fourteen acre tract of land, with all the fruit growing in the orchard and liberty to pasture her creatures in his great pasture. His son, James Morgan, was made executor and given all his lands and buildings in Groton His son, Daniel was given ten pounds and one half of his wearing apparel as he already had received a portion out of the estate. Daughter Mary Gallop, was to receive one hundred and fifty pounds old tenor, with one-third of the moveable estate, and the same was bequeathed to the heirs of daughter Anna Owen, deceased. Wit: Thomas Eldredge, Daniel Latham, and John Ledyard. A Codicil, dated 6 April 1748, gave his wife liberty to cut firewood on his land, mary Gallup and the heirs of deceased daughter, Anna Owens, were each given an additional fifty pounds. Wit: John avery, Joseph Gardiner and John Ledyard, who gave oath on the codicil, 10 May 1748. Oath, regarding the will, was made by John Ledyard, Esq. and Capt. Thomas Eldredge on 11 May 1748. The inventory, dated 23 May 1748, was taken by John Avery and Nathan Smith. On 13 July 1750, (Rev.) John Owen of Groton, gave receipt as guardian of his children.

Family/Spouse: Hannah ?. Hannah was born in Groten, New London Co., Connecticut; died about 1720 in Groten, New London Co., Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

James married Anne SHAPLEY on 24 Jun 1729 in New London, New London, Connecticut, USA. Anne (daughter of Benjamin SHAPLEY and Mary PICKETT) was born on 31 Aug 1685 in New London, New London Co., Connecticut; died on 17 Jun 1751 in Groton, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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]

Mary married Thomas STARR on 1 Jan 1695 in Groton, Connecticut. Thomas (son of Samuel STARR and Hannah BREWSTER) was born on 27 Sep 1668 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut; was christened on 11 Jun 1671. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married William PABODIE after 14 Dec 1717. William (son of William PABODIE and Elizabeth ALDEN) was born on 24 Nov 1664 in Duxbury, Plymouth, Massachusetts; died on 17 Sep 1744 in Little Compton, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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]

Elizabeth married Capt. Jonathan STARR on 12 Jan 1698. Jonathan (son of Samuel STARR and Hannah BREWSTER) was born on 23 Feb 1673/74 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut; died on 6 Aug 1767; was buried in Starr Cemetery, Groton, New London Co., Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]