Corp. Gideon Morgan

Corporal. Gideon Morgan (1751-1830), surveyor, architect, civil engineer, merchant, Indian trader, and tavern keeper.

During the Revolution they lived at Washington Township, Connecticut. Gideon served as a Corporal in Capt. Crouch's Company from New Milford. After the Revolution they lived briefly in New York State, then moved south to Virginia. Gideon was in Albemarle County, where he sold lots in Morganstown, then in Rockingham County where he conducted a lottery for lots at New Haven. About 1809 he moved to Kingston, Roane County, Tennessee, where he died.

"Gideon Morgan was a "Minuteman" with the rank of corporal in Captain Ebenezer Crouch's company, in Colonel Andrew Ward's regiment of Connecticut militia during the Revolutionary War. Another record states that he also served in Captain Burt's Company at West Springfield, Mass.

"Mr. and Mrs. Morgan remained in Connecticut until 1784 and then removed to Saratoga, New York before 1788. He was a surveyor, civil engineer, land speculator, and businessman. He laid out the town of Saratoga, N.Y. He afterwards went to Petersburg, thence to Staunton, VA where his wife died. He subsequently moved to Kingston, TN, where he married his second wife but had no issue.

• 1810 in Kingston, Roane County, Tennessee.

1. Note: Gideon Morgan is indexed by the DAR.

"The Morgans migrated frequently, starting in Wethersfield, then in Washington, CT during the War and later New Preston, CT, then moving to Saratoga Springs, NY, thence to Petersburg and Staunton, VA in 1790, and finally to Kingston, TN around 1810 where Gideon became a tavern keeper and a partner with his sons in a merchandising business on the Cherokee-Tennessee border; he is said to have become wealthy as an Indian trader. He died in Kingston on November 15, 1830, and is buried with an imposing tombstone monument in the Old Kingston Cemetery. Patience Cogswell Morgan had been his first wife, and the mother of all his children; she had died in Staunton; Morgan then married, in Charlottesville (in Albemarle County, Virginia), on December 15, 1797, Elizabeth ("Betsy") Hardin, the daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth Brown Hardin, who survived him. She sold their Kingston home in 1842.

"On May 18, Generals Washington and Henry Knox and the French engineer, Louis le Begue du Portail, left New Windsor for Wethersfield to confer with General Rochambeau and lodged the night of May 18-19 in the tavern of Gideon Morgan in New Preston (now Washington). Patience Cogswell Morgan was Washington's hostess."

(Charles Eugene Claghorn III, "Washington's Travels in New England" http://www.flssar.org/wash-tvl.html)

"Gideon's obituary in the Knoxville Register of 24 Nov 1830, indicates he died 15th Nov 1830 at his residence in Kingston, Roane County, after two weeks' illness. His age is given as 79 years and five months. According to the obituary, Morgan resided in his native state of Connecticut until 1790 when he emigrated to Augusta Co., Va., where he raised "a respectable family." He later moved to Albemarle Co., Va, where he lived until 1810 when he removed to Tennessee and resided in Kingston for 20 years or more. In the course of his lifetime, he laid out as many as three new towns. A Royal Arch Mason, Gideon was buried at the side of his son, Rufus Morgan, who had died three years earlier. Gideon's will, filed in McMinn County, names his and Margaret's children . . . ."

• "In a Rare 1828 Deed Cherokee Mother Betsy Walker Makes Provisions for Her Daughter" in The Tennessee Genealogical Magazine / Ansearchin' News Vol. 48, No. 3 (Fall 2001), pp. 7-9.

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ID: I0229

Name: Gideon Morgan

Sex: M

Birth: 15 JUN 1751 in Springfield, Hampton, Mass.

Death: 15 NOV 1830 in Kingston, Roan Co, Tenn.

Burial: Old Kingston Cemetery

Father: Samuel Morgan b: MAY 1728 in Wethersfield, Hartford, Conn.

Mother: Rachel Kibbe

Marriage 1 Patience Cogswell b: 19 AUG 1754 in Litchfield, New London, Conn.

Married: 6 JUN 1772 in Connecticut

Children

1. Calvin Morgan b: 31 JUL 1773 in Litchfield Co., New Preston, Conn
2. Luther Morgan b: 4 JUL 1776 in New Preston, Conn
3. Gideon Morgan b: 6 AUG 1778 in Preston, New London, Conn.
4. Rufus Morgan b: 19 FEB 1781 in New Preston, Conn
5. Mary Polly Morgan b: 7 JUN 1785 in New Preston, Conn
6. William C Morgan b: 11 MAY 1786 in Waterford, New York
7. George Washington Morgan b: 9 JUL 1788 in Saratoga Springs, NY
8. Elizabeth Morgan b: 20 FEB 1792 in Staunton, Virginia
9. Henry Morgan b: 1796 in Staunton, Virginia

Marriage 2 Elizabeth (Betsy) Hardin

Married: 15 DEC 1797 in Albemarle Co., Charlottesville, Virginia

Great Great Grandfather, of Geneticist, Thomas Hunt Morgan.

Sources

• http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=31363885

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Gideon Rufus Morgan, the son of Gideon Morgan was born 1751 in Springfield, Massachusetts. He married Patience Cogswell 16 June 1772 and together they had at least the following children; Calvin, Gideon, Luther, Rufus, William, George and Elizabeth “Polly” born in Staunton, Virginia in 1792. After the death of his first wife, Patience, he married Elizabeth “Betsy” Hardin in Charlottesville, Virginia on 15 December 1797.

He served as a Corporal in the Revolutionary War under the command of at least three different companies. He was a surveyor, civil engineer, land speculator and businessperson. His early work took him to Connecticut, New York and Virginia.

While in Virginia and into the early 1800s, he bought land with his partners and sold lotteries to create new communities and industries. These enterprises included a mill in Staunton and at least two towns, Morganville in Albemarle County and New Haven in Rockingham County, however, neither community successfully established. Shortly after the 1806 murder trial for his son Luther, he moved to Kingston, Roane County, Tennessee. There he engaged in several business ventures with his son Calvin, Union Lodge #38, the Cherokee settlements and tavern keeper. He died November 1830 in Roane County, Tennessee and his second wife, Betsy, survived him.

Gideon Morgan Will written 1828 proved in court 1832 transcribed by Nina Reauveau

In the name of God Amen I Gideon Morgan Sen of the Town of Kingston in the County of Roane State of Tennessee being of sound mind disposing mind & memory do make this my last will & Testament in manner & form following that is to say

First, I give & direct that all my just debts & funeral charges be immediately paid by my Executors

Second, I give & bequeath to my well beloved wife Betsy Morgan the house & lot in Kingston on which I now live together with all the household & kitchen furniture and also all the other houses and lots belonging to me in Kingston also the land I bout of Joseph [Grus] George Mansfold Thomas Brown & Thomas M Mullin all of which is in the county of Roane

I, also, give and bequeath to her the said Betsy Morgan all my stock of merchandize that many [ou] hands at my decease and all debts that that may be owing to me on any delay or manner whatever together with all my stock of horses, cows sheep and hogs Also carriage & harness wagon and gear and farming utensils and also the following Negro slaves or as many of them as may be belonging to me at my decease with their increase To wit Franky, Charity, Amy, Sidney, Cary, Ann, Marid & two negro men named George to be to her the said Betsey Morgan Her heirs assigns forever to have full power during her life to sell transfer & dispose of as she may think proper either by gift sale or [devise]

Thirdly, I give & bequeath to my half Brother Philo Fowler & all my sons & my daughter all my land and lots in Morganville in the County Marian in the State of Tennessee and the land and lots belonging to me in Standardsville and New Haven in the State of Virginia to be equally divided amongst them & to be to them their heirs & assigns forever

Fourthly, all the rest of my estate real & personal not heretofore particularly specified or mentioned I give and bequeath to my aforesaid well beloved wife Betsy Morgan her heirs and assigns forever

And for the execution of this my last will & testament I constitute and appoint my well beloved wife Betsy Morgan Executrix and my friend William C M [Kainy[ Executor hereby revoking all former wills by me made

In testimony where of I have here unto set my hand and seal this seventh day of May one thousand eight hundred and Twenty eight

Signed sealed & acknowledge Gideon Morgan seal In presence of [Parm] Henry S [Purri] Elijah H Smith

State of Tennessee County Court Roane County January Session 1831

The [was] the foregoing last will and testament of Gideon Morgan Sn decd proced in Court and proved in due form of law by the oath of Henry S Purris one of the subscribing witnesses is thereto & said will as to the real property is continued for further proof Given under my hand & private seal not having a seal of office at office in Kingston the 24 day of January 1831

Henry Breageale clk by his deput Henry S Purris

State of Tennessee County Court Paine County October Session 1832

Then way the execution of the foregoing last will & testament of Gideon Morgan Sn decd duly proved in open court in due form of law by the oath of Elijah H Smith one of the subscribing witnesses thereto & it’s execution having heretofore been proved by H J Purris an other subscribing witness It is admitted to record & ordered to be certified

Given under my hand and private seal not having a seal of office at office in Kingston the 22 day of October 1832 Henry Breagale By his deputy Henry S Purris

Marriage: Connecticut, U.S., Town Marriage Records, pre-1870 (Barbour Collection) Name Patience Cogswell Marriage Date 16 Jun 1772 Marriage Place New Milford, Connecticut, USA Spouse Gideon Morgan

Gideon Morgan was a "Minuteman" with the rank of corporal in Captain Ebenezer Crouch's company, in Colonel Andrew Ward's regiment of Connecticut militia during the Revolutionary War. Another record states that he also served in Captain Burt's Company at West Springfield, Mass.
The Morgans migrated frequently, starting in Wethersfield, then Washington, CT. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan remained in Connecticut until 1784, and then removed to Saratoga, New York before 1788. He was a surveyor, civil engineer, land speculator, and businessman. He laid out the town of Saratoga, N.Y.
It is said that General Washington was a guest in their home the night of the birth of their son, who they named George Washington Morgan in the General's honor. Their next move was to Petersburg & Staunton, Virginia about 1790, where Patience Cogswell is believed to have died after giving birth to their last two children. He laid out the city of Staunton & Petersburg, Va., as well. He sold tracts of land in Morgantown, Albemarle Co., Va., and in New Haven, Rockingham Co., Va. See: The Allen Papers, McClung Collection, Lawson McGhee Library, Nashville. He later remarried and removed to Kingston, Tenn. about 1810, where he was given a permit by Gov. Blount to operate a tavern in Kingston. He became a tavern keeper and a partner with his sons in a merchandising business on the Cherokee-Tennessee border. He is said to have become wealthy as an Indian trader. He died in Kingston on November 30, 1830 and is buried with an imposing tombstone monument in the Old Kingston Cemetery. It is said that Sam Houston recovered from an arrow wound at Gideon Morgan's tavern, and that Andrew Jackson was a frequent visitor.
Cecil Holland wrote of Gideon Morgan: "The great grandfather of the raider [Gen. John Hunt Morgan], patriarch of the Morgan clan, and a relative of Gen. Daniel Morgan of the Revolution."
He is the Great Great Grandfather, of Geneticist, Thomas Hunt Morga

sources
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/31363885/gideon-rufus-morgan

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/L71L-WHW

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/sources/L71L-WHW

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Morgan-2570

Gideon Rufus Morgan, the son of Samuel or Gideon Morgan was born 1751 in Springfield, Massachusetts. He married Patience Cogswell 16 June 1772 and together they had at least the following children; Calvin, Gideon, Luther, Rufus, William, George and Elizabeth “Polly” born in Staunton, Virginia in 1792. After the death of his first wife, Patience, he married Elizabeth “Betsy” Hardin in Charlottesville, Virginia on 15 December 1797.

He served as a Corporal in the Revolutionary War under the command of at least three different companies. He was a surveyor, civil engineer, land speculator and businessperson. His early work took him to Connecticut, New York and Virginia.

While in Virginia and into the early 1800s, he bought land with his partners and sold lotteries to create new communities and industries. These enterprises included a mill in Staunton and at least two towns, Morganville in Albemarle County and New Haven in Rockingham County, however, neither community successfully established. Shortly after the 1806 murder trial for his son Luther, he moved to Kingston, Roane County, Tennessee. There he engaged in several business ventures with his son Calvin, Union Lodge #38, the Cherokee settlements and tavern keeper. He died November 1830 in Roane County, Tennessee and his second wife, Betsy, survived him.

Gideon Morgan Will written 1828 proved in court 1832 transcribed by Nina Reauveau

In the name of God Amen I Gideon Morgan Sen of the Town of Kingston in the County of Roane State of Tennessee being of sound mind disposing mind & memory do make this my last will & Testament in manner & form following that is to say

First, I give & direct that all my just debts & funeral charges be immediately paid by my Executors

Second, I give & bequeath to my well beloved wife Betsy Morgan the house & lot in Kingston on which I now live together with all the household & kitchen furniture and also all the other houses and lots belonging to me in Kingston also the land I bout of Joseph [Grus] George Mansfold Thomas Brown & Thomas M Mullin all of which is in the county of Roane

I, also, give and bequeath to her the said Betsy Morgan all my stock of merchandize that many [ou] hands at my decease and all debts that that may be owing to me on any delay or manner whatever together with all my stock of horses, cows sheep and hogs Also carriage & harness wagon and gear and farming utensils and also the following Negro slaves or as many of them as may be belonging to me at my decease with their increase To wit Franky, Charity, Amy, Sidney, Cary, Ann, Marid & two negro men named George to be to her the said Betsey Morgan Her heirs assigns forever to have full power during her life to sell transfer & dispose of as she may think proper either by gift sale or [devise]

Thirdly, I give & bequeath to my half Brother Philo Fowler & all my sons & my daughter all my land and lots in Morganville in the County Marian in the State of Tennessee and the land and lots belonging to me in Standardsville and New Haven in the State of Virginia to be equally divided amongst them & to be to them their heirs & assigns forever

Fourthly, all the rest of my estate real & personal not heretofore particularly specified or mentioned I give and bequeath to my aforesaid well beloved wife Betsy Morgan her heirs and assigns forever

And for the execution of this my last will & testament I constitute and appoint my well beloved wife Betsy Morgan Executrix and my friend William C M [Kainy[ Executor hereby revoking all former wills by me made

In testimony where of I have here unto set my hand and seal this seventh day of May one thousand eight hundred and Twenty eight

Signed sealed & acknowledge Gideon Morgan seal In presence of [Parm] Henry S [Purri] Elijah H Smith

State of Tennessee County Court Roane County January Session 1831

The [was] the foregoing last will and testament of Gideon Morgan Sn decd proced in Court and proved in due form of law by the oath of Henry S Purris one of the subscribing witnesses is thereto & said will as to the real property is continued for further proof Given under my hand & private seal not having a seal of office at office in Kingston the 24 day of January 1831

Henry Breageale clk by his deput Henry S Purris

State of Tennessee County Court Paine County October Session 1832

Then way the execution of the foregoing last will & testament of Gideon Morgan Sn decd duly proved in open court in due form of law by the oath of Elijah H Smith one of the subscribing witnesses thereto & it’s execution having heretofore been proved by H J Purris an other subscribing witness It is admitted to record & ordered to be certified

Given under my hand and private seal not having a seal of office at office in Kingston the 22 day of October 1832 Henry Breagale By his deputy Henry S Purris