Thomas Morgan (abt. 1751 - abt. 1845)

Born about 1751 in Lunenburg, Virginia [uncertain]

Ancestors

Descendants

Died about Apr 1845 at about age 94 in Camp Creek, Greene, Tennessee, United States [uncertain]

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Biography

Thomas Morgan served with 2nd Virginia Regiment (1779), Continental Army during the American Revolution.

Thomas was born about 1751/52 in Virginia (possibly Lunenburg County), United States.(need reference)

On 28 November 1771, Lewis Morgan deeded 50 acres of land on Chesnut (sic) Creek in Pittysylvania, Virginia, to Thomas Morgan for 50 pounds.^[1]

In 1774, Thomas purchased 400 acres on Little Reed Island Creek, a branch of the New River in Botetourt County, Virginia (present day Carroll County, Virginia).

During Lord Dunmore's war, Thomas Morgan served under Capt. James Robertson and was paid for 8 days of service from Fincastle County, Virginia.^[2]

Dunmore’s War was a conflict between the Colony of Virginia and the Native Americans of the Ohio Valley. Following increased raids and attacks on frontiersmen in this region, the Royal Governor of Virginia, Lord Dunmore, organized a large force of militia and marched to Fort Pitt arriving at the end of August 1774. Dunmore also ordered Colonel Andrew Lewis, commander of the southwestern Virginia militia, to raise an army in the south and meet Dunmore’s force along the Ohio River. Lewis formed militia companies from Augusta, Bedford, Botetourt, Culpeper, Dunmore, Fincastle, and Kentucky counties. After Colonel Lewis’ victory at the Battle of Point Pleasant, Dunmore successfully negotiated a peace treaty with the Delaware, Mingo, and Shawnee chiefs that prevented them from settling or hunting south of the Ohio River.^[2]

Fincastle County was created from Botetourt County in 1772 and disappeared when it was divided into Montgomery, Washington, and Kentucky in 1776.^[3]

He served as a scout for John Sevier during the Revolutionary war. In Ramsey's Annals of Tennessee, page 178, it states that "1778: During this summer two of the spies that were kept out in advance of the settlements, were Henry Reynolds and Thomas Morgan, discovered the Warm Springs on French Broad. They had pursued some stolen horses to the point opposite, and leaving their own horses on the north bank, waded across the river. As they reached the southern shore they passed through a little branch the tepid water of which attracted their attention. The next year Warm Springs were resorted to by invalids."^[4]

While on a scouting trip he has a skirmish with the Cherokee Indians by Paint Rock; today this area is part of the Cherokee National Forest (USDA) and a portion of that area is referred to as the Paint Morgan Trail.

In 1776, Fincastle County was divided into Montgomery County, Washington County, and Kentucky.

In the Fall of 1779, Thomas moved from Botetourt County, Virginia, to Washington County, Territory of North Carolina (present day Greene County, Tennessee).^[5] Thomas Morgan and his brother, Adonijah, and a Levi Morgan (could this be Lewis?) were paying taxes in Greene County, Tennessee, in 1783.^[6] Both Adonijah and Lewis are listed on the Greene County Tax Rolls in 1797; however, by 1800, his father and brother had moved to Pulaski County, Kentucky.

His land is located on the Nolichucky River at Camp Creek. In keeping with family tradition he operates a mill. Certified by the East Tennessee Historical Society as a settler of Tennessee prior to statehood, June 1, 1796 (#1385).

On 25 February 1815, Thomas Morgan and seven other men founded the Tennessee Manumission Society (society for the abolition of negro slavery) at Lost Creek Meeting-house in Jefferson County, Tennessee. Societies were soon formed in Greene, Sullivan, Washington, and Cocke Counties as well as Knoxville. The first meeting of the Greene County, Tennessee, society was held 21 November 1815 at Lick Creek Meeting-house of friends, Greeneville.^[7]

By Act of Congress dated June the 7th 1832, he received a pension for service during the Revolutionary War.^[8]

He passed away about 1845 and was buried at Shelton Mission Cemetery, Greystone, Greene County, Tennessee.^[9] On 2nd June 1845, at the County Court of Greene County, June Term 1845, Thomas Reynolds, Administrator of Thomas of Thos. Morgan, deceased filed one claim on John K Snapp for $25.00 and another claim yet to draw on the Estate of Thom Morgan dec. $10.00 but doubtful whether it can be collected---^[10]

Residences

Prior to moving to North Carolina/Tennesse, Thomas Morgan was living in Botetourt County, Virginia.^[5]

1783 Greene County, TN Tax List^[6]

• Thomas Morgan
• Adonijah Morgan
• Levi Morgan

1791 Land Grant: Thomas Morgan paid 50 shillings for 50 acres on the south side of the Nolichucky River on Camp Creek, Greene, North Carolina (present day Greene County, Tennessee); recorded 26 December 1791, entered 27 November 1779; witness: Alexander Martin^[11]

27 July 1793 Land Sale: Thomas Morgan sold 50 acres of land located at the south side of the Nolichuckey River on Camp Creek at the mouth of the water fork of Camp Creek to John McDonald for 50 pounds Virginia money.

1840 US Census, Districts 1, 2, 3, 5, 9, 10, and 13; Greene County, Tennessee.^[12]

page 11:

• row 7: Thos Morgan Sr - males: 1 age 15-20, 1 age 20-30, 1 age 50-60, 1 age 70-80: females: 1 age 10-15, 2 age 20-30, 1 age 50-60.
• Living near: John Morgan (age 40-50), Elijah Morgan (age 40-50), Thos Morgan Jr (age 20-30), Nancy (Morgan) Stevens (age 30-40), Sarah Morgan (age 50-60).

page 12, row 7: Thomas Morgan, age 88, Revolutionary War service.

Revolutionary War

1779 - Payroll of Capt. Boswell, 2nd Virginia Regiment for October 1779^[13]

Thomas Morgan, Private, Military Service Oct 1779, Virginia.

Compiled Service Records of Soldiers Who served in the American Army During the Revolutionary War^[14]

Card 659: Thomas Morgan, 2 Virginia State Regiment, Private, Private, lists 34 payment card numbers.

1832 - Pension Application^[5]

STATE OF TENNESSEE

GREENE COUNTY

Personally appeared before me Thomas Jones an acting Justice of the Peace for said County and State: Thomas Morgan resident of said County and State aged Eighty two years who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of an Act of Congress dated June the 7th 1832.

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated ---- that he volunteered in Botetourt County Virginia under Captain Robinson and Colonel John Preston the commander of the Regiment for one month this was in about the first of the year 1778, we marched twenty miles down New River to Culvinson's bottom where was the frontier fort on said River -- the object of said tour was to drive off and guard against the Indians -- he served out said month and returned home. A few days afterwards he volunteered at the same place to serve three months tours as a ranger to go from one fort to another, under Colonel Preston we marched from Parris's fort on the bank of the New River to Cavender's fort four miles down the river thence back to Parris's fort visiting each alternately during the whole three months, guarding against the Indians. Next he volunteered at the same place where he first entered the service, a few days after the expiration of the last tour, to guard Parris's fort four months against the Indians -- at the expiration of said four months he volunteered at the same place where he first entered the service to serve one month, he served out said month at James Allison's fort about one mile from New River. Col. Preston had the ordering out of men and Superintendent of all the aforesaid forts and the command of the men stationed therein.

In the fall of 1779, this applicant moved from said Botetourt County Virginia to Washington County in the Territory of North Carolina now Greene County in the State of Tennessee. That in the summer of 1781 he served first as a spy against the Indians five days, on the next day after the expiration of said five days he was called on by Captain Doherty to act as spy again for one month, that he served said time out. He was then called on by the same Captain to spy another month which he done also; he was then called on by the said Captain to spy fifty seven days more which he accordingly done that after the spying to wit about the year 1782 he served a tour of one month under Colonel Robinson from said County of Washington against the Cherokees. He marched as far as Beech Creek and was there discharged. He afterwards spyed the Indians two months and a half months under Major Taford the whole spying was done in the years 1781 and 1782. This applicant during the first months tour of spying as aforesaid killed an Indian near the painted rock in North Carolina near the Frenchbroad river. Afterwards in the last of year 1782 or first of 1783 he volunteered in Washington County under Captain Jacob Brown of Washington County, Territory of North Carolina in a Regiment commanded by Colonel Sevier. We marched on to Tellies (Talley) block house in Little River in Cherokee Nation and was there discharged having served one month during this Tour.

This applicant states that he has no documentary evidence to show that he served as aforesaid in the Revolutionary War, and that he knows of no testimony he can produce but the testimony of Henry Reynolds to prove any part of said service and which is hereto affixed. This applicant is about eighty years old. He has no record kept of his age; he was born in Bedford County State of Virginia. That when he as called into the service of the United States he lived in Botetourt County in the said State, that he removed from there to Washington County, Territory of North Carolina now Greene County, State of Tennessee where he has lived ever since. He knows of no living man who can testify as to his age or the reputation of his service in the revolution.

I here relinquish every claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.

Thomas Morgan

Sworn to and subscribed before

me date above written.

Thomas Jones

Justice of the Peace

On 8 February 1833, Henry Reynolds gave a supporting affidavit stating that he had served with Thomas Morgan during several of the tours mentioned and that he was well acquainted with him "...having lived within 4 or 5 miles of them about 53 years..."^[10]

1835 Pension Roll, Greene County, Tennessee, page 585.

Thomas Morgan, Private, Annual allowance $58.33, Sums received $174.99, Virginia militia. Placed on Pension Roll 6 July 1833; Commencment of pension 4 March 1831. Age 83.

1840 US Revolutionary War Census, Greene, Eastern District Tennessee.^[15]

Thomas Morgan Sen, 88, head of household.

Index to Final Payment Voucher 1818-1864^[8]

Name: Thomas Morgan

Agency of Payment: Jonesboro, Tennessee

Date of Act: 1832

Date of Payment: 4th qr. 1844

last Final Payment Voucher Received from the General Accounting Office ::General Services Administration, GSAA DC 70-7035, Form GSA Dec 69 7068.

Research Notes

Possibly married about 1774 at Fincastle County, Virginia, to Sarah Willett/Wilhoit, born abt 1756.

The 1830 US Census for Greene County, TN, page 199, lists a John Morgan, age 80-90 living alone and near Thomas' sons (as well as Henry Reynolds who attested to Thomas' Rev War Application). There are several Thomas Morgans listed of younger ages in the 1830 census but none of the right age for this Thomas. It is possible the census enumerator mistook "Tom" for John. I have found no other record for a John Morgan who would have been 80-90 in 1830 and living in Greene, Tennessee before or after that time.

On November 18, 1820, a marriage is recorded for Thomas Morgan and Rachel D Follett in Greene County, TN. This marriage is for a possible son or nephew.

On March 25, 1837, a marriage is recorded for Thomas Morgan (1814-1870) and Rachel Presley in Greene County, Tennessee, USA. This marriage is thought to be for a possible grandson (Morgan-12122).

Sources

1. ↑ Land Deed, Lewis Morgan to Thomas Morgan, Pittsylvania County, Virginia, Deed Book No. 2, 1770-1772; Pittsylvania County Courthouse, Chatham, Virginia; pages 354-355; FamilySearch, images 466-467 (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PX-G4K9).
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} Payroll Claims, 1774 Registers, Dunsmore's Expedition, Fincastle, Virginia: (https://lva.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01LVA_INST/9cpp9q/alma990012292500205756)
3. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_County,_Virginia
4. ↑ https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Annals_of_Tennessee_to_the_End_of_th/RXMOAAAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=Thomas%20Morgan
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2} tngenweb.org Revolutionary War Pension Application of Thomas Morgan, transcribed by Phebe Morgan, submitted on 16 Oct 2000[1]
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1} "1783 Greene County, TN Tax List" by Mrs. Louise Wilson Reynolds, published April 1919, D.A.R. Magazine, reprinted in the Overmountain Men by Pat Alderman, Overmounntain Press, Johnson City, Tennessee, 1970, pp. 239 and 242. Extracted by C Hammett (https://www.tngenweb.org/revwar/counties/greene/1783.html)
7. ↑ Goodspeed's History of Greene Co., Tennessee; TNGenWeb[2]
8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1} Index to Selected Final Payment Vouchers, 1818-1864 at Ancestry.com (subscription required) (https://www.ancestryinstitution.com/mediaui-viewer/collection/1030/tree/79436925/person/40401654949/media/d29203cf-7215-4c30-1749-4be699e3a…)
9. ↑ Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 24 April 2018), memorial page for Thomas Morgan (1751–1845), Find A Grave Memorial no. 102348140, citing Shelton Mission Cemetery, Greystone, Greene County, Tennessee, USA.
10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1} "Southern Campaigns American Revolution Pension Statements", Pension Application S2862, f24 NC [sic, VA], Transcribed by Will Graves 5/15/09p rev'd 6/3/17; Greene County Genealogical Society[3]
11. ↑ https://www.nclandgrants.com/grant/?mars=12.14.6.1050&qid=639647&rn=23
12. ↑ "United States Census, 1840," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHYL-K1G : 8 December 2020), Thos Morgan, Greene, Tennessee, United States; citing p. 12, NARA microfilm publication , (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll ; FHL microfilm
13. ↑ "United States Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QL6Y-84H1 : 15 March 2018), Thomas Morgan, Oct 1779; citing Oct 1779, Virginia, United States, citing NARA microfilm publication M246. Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Services, 1980. FHL microfilm 830,375.
14. ↑ Ancestry.com subsription website
15. ↑ http://www.newhorizonsgenealogicalservices.com/1840-census-of-pensioners-tennessee-ed.htm

Also see

• Find A Grave: Memorial #102348140
• FamilySearch Record: GKZ6-9CC Thomas Morgan with wife Sarah Elizabeth Willett (be careful

Acknowledgements

Phebe Morgan, wife of aa descendent of Thomas, whose research was submitted to the First Families of Tennessee Project for the Tennessee statehood bicetennial, publication date 1 August 1996,