John Morgan

John married Mercy Cooley 14 Jan 1713/14, Springfield, Hampden, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

A prominent citizen of Springfield, his name appearing on many of the town records. He was wounded in the neck during the Indian War in 1675.

David married Mary Clark 16 Jan 1671/2, Springfield, Hampden, Massachusetts. Mary (daughter of John Clark and Elizabeth Stebbins) was born 31 Mar 1654, Springfield, Hampden, Massachusetts; died 22 Apr 1715, Springfield, Hampden, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Possessions: 25 Mar 1672/73, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts; "wife of David Morgan" summoned to appear in court to answer for wearing "silk, contrary to law."

Notes:

Birth:
"Mary Clark daughter of John Clark Borne the 31 of the 1st mon: -- 1654"

Notes:

With his brothers, James and John, he sailed from Bristol on the ship "Mary" and arrived at Boston in April, 1636. They lived in Roxbury, MA for a time. James subsequently moved to Plymouth Colony and later settled in New Haven, CT, where he became a member of the Colonial Assembly of Connecticut and fought in the Pequot War. John grew disgusted with the bigotry, superstition, and the persecutions (including the witch trials) then taking place in New England and moved to Virginia.

Miles joined the company of Sir William Pynchon in the colonization of western Massachusetts and was one of the founders of the city of Springfield, originally names Agawam after the Indian tribes that lived in the area. One of the company of colonists, Miles, though he was only 21 years of age, quickly became the second-in-command. He was one of the leading citizens of the new town and was regarded as an intrepid Indian fighter, farmer, and town leader. He had been given the title of "Sergeant Morgan" on the journey from Boston. In addition to establishing the farms that meant survival to the colonists he was also the butcher in the community and, in later years, operated a boat on the Connecticut River, trading with other colonists and with the Indians. He was subsequently known as "Captain Morgan." Unable to read or write, his mark on the town records was the sign of an anchor.

On the voyage from Bristol he had made the acquaintance of Miss Prudence Gilbert, who was emigrating to the New World with her family. Once settled in Agawam he had a letter written to Prudence, who had settled in Beverly, north of Boston, and proposed marriage. She accepted and in 1642, accompanied by an Indian guide, a pack horse, and two companions, Miles set out for Beverly, where the couple were married. Prudence, her possessions piled on the horse, walked the 120 miles back to Springfield with her new husband.

Morgan built one of the few fortified houses in town, was active in the militia, and was depended upon in the protection of the frontier town. During the fighting that swept the colony during King Phillip's War in 1675 the Indians attacked Springfield, nearly destroying the town. Many of the citizens took refuge in Morgan's house, and under his command, held off the attack. An Indian servant who worked for Morgan managed to escape and alerted the Massachusetts Bay troops under the command of Major Samuel Appleton, who broke through to Springfield and drove off the attackers. Morgan's sons were also famous Indian fighters in the territory and one of them, Peletiah, was killed by the Indians in battle in 1675.

Miles appears in the records as a selectman, constable, surveyor, fence viewer, and overseer of highways. He was also appointed to sit in the balcony of the church during services and maintain order among the young men in the congregation. ("...up in ye gallery, to give a check to disorders in youth and young men in tyme of God's worship"). Given the piety of the early settlers this was a position of some honor and also attests to his force of personality.

Not all their time was spent in church, however. According to the records, in 1673 Hannah Merrick, unmarried daughter of Thomas Merrick, accused Miles's son Jonathan with the paternity of her child. Miles provided his son's bail and Jonathan fought the charge. The court found him guilty, however, and ordered him to pay two shillings, six pence towards the child's support for four years. Jonathan's second wife eventually got a full confession from Hannah (the records do not indicate how) and Hannah was condemed to pay a fine of seven Pounds or receive twenty lashes as punishment for her perjury. Jonathan, not letting matters lie, then filed a suit charging slander against Hannah's father, but lost. Eight years later Miles was again in trouble over a child. His daughter Lydia worked in the household of the family of Samuel Gaines, who became the father of her child. Miles filed charges and won his suit and Mr. Gaines was ordered to pay child support. The judges declared their "greate Cause to Lament and bewaile ye sore hand of God agst us in suffering such vile inormityes to Breake out amongst us which as a Flood does threaten to overwelm us."

Miles married Prudence Gilbert 1643, Beverly, Essex, Massachusetts. Prudence was born 1617, Beverly, Yorkshire, England; died 14 Nov 1660, Springfield, Hampden, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Probate: 30 Sep 1684, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts; Estate inventory; total value £316.06.0
• Probate: 30 Sep 1684, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts; Will proved
• Will: 15 Sep 1684, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts; To son John: land; to daughter Sarah Barnard: land already given, £5; to unnanmed children of daughter Sarah: 40s each; to unnamed wife, and daughter Mary Morgan: all my remaining estate, to be divided between them; to unnamed children of daughter Mary: 40s each; unnamed wife, executrix, with "the Worshipfl Major Pynchon & John Holyoke" as advisors

John married Elizabeth Stebbins 2 Mar 1646/7, Springfield, Hampden, Massachusetts. Elizabeth (daughter of Rowland Stebbins and Sarah Whiting) was born 1628, England; died 28 Oct 1700, Springfield, Hampden, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Died:
"the widdow Elysabeth Clarke Dyed october 28th 1700"

Notes:

Married:
"John Clarke & Elizabeth Stebbins were joyned together in marriage 1st mon 2 day 1646/47"

William married Elizabeth Morgan 1606. Elizabeth (daughter of William Morgan and Elizabeth Winters) was born 1583, Tredegar, Wales; died 28 Jun 1638, Bristol, Gloucestershire, England; was buried Bristol, Gloucestershire, England. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Probate: 2 Jan 1671/2, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts; Estate inventory, £121.05.02
• Will: 1 Mar 1669/70, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts; Executor, son John Stebbins; to the seven children (not named) of son Thomas Stebbins: 20s each when of age; to John Stebbins first born son of my son John Stebbins: housewares, clothing; to Benjamin Stebbins son of my son John Stebbins: clothing, 20s; to my son John's son Samuel: clothing, 20s; to my son John's other six children (not named): 20s each when of age; to my son-in-law Merrick's three daughters Sarah, Mary, and Hannah: 20s each; to daughter Elizabeth Clarke: £3, and to her three children (not named) 20s each; to Mary (perhaps child of Elizabeth Clarke): a skillet; to Mary Munde: 10s; to son John's wife (not named): stockings; remaining estate to be divided between sons Thomas Stebbins and John Stebbins; overseers of will, friend John Pynchon and brother Robert Bartlett

Notes:

Christened:
Saint Mary's Parish

Buried:
Bridge Street Cemetery

Rowland married Sarah Whiting 30 Nov 1618, England. Sarah (daughter of John Whiting and Sarah Smith) was born 1590 - 1591, England; was buried 4 Oct 1649, Springfield, Hampden, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet]