Rueben Morgan

Notes:

The letter transcribed below was written by Abner E. Morgan in October, 1946. It was supplied to me in an email from Jeanie Trimble of Thonostosassa, Florida. She in turn received it from Janie Blanton. Jeanie noted that although Abner referred to his great-grandfather as being named "Isaac Morgan", all other sources she found seemed to point to his name as actually being Reuben. This contradiction has not been explained. Perhaps both names were his given names, or perhaps Abner was confusing Rueben Morgan's first name with that of Rueben's father-in-law, Isaac Newton, also of Duplin County.

"This information reference to my great grandfather Isaac Morgan came to me from my father Frances Cornelius "Neal" Morgan as handed down from father to son from around the year 1800 to date.

Isaac Morgan. Born in Ireland, date unknown, emigrated to the United States in or about the year 1800. Settled on a farm in North Carolina. Moved to South Carolina by wagon about 1828, where he farmed for two years.

He moved again to South Georgia in 1830, and settled in Brooks County and I am reliably informed that the old home site is now inside of corporate limits of Quitman, GA. His family consisted of three daughters and seven sons ranging in ages from small to grown up. One of Isaac's sons John, a married son, died while they lived in South Carolina, leaving a son named Malachi or Mae. Another son, Daniel by name took over and recorded Mae-thus-great granddad reached Georgia with three daughters and six sons and a grandson.

Daughters: Dorcus, Sally, Nancy

--Dorcus: Married Edmond Blanton son of David Blanton & Nancy Goff. (B.C. Blanton, a direct descendant. My father and B.C. Blantons father being first cousins).

--Nancy: Married a Wilson of whom the late John T. Wilson of Shady Grove was a direct descendant. My father and the Wilsons (Enoch Wilson) were also cousins.

--Sallie: I do not know much about her and have never contacted any of her offsprings, however I do know she married Enoch Bell and that around 1890 they lived in Kissimee, Florida.

Sons: Joe, John, Daniel, Duncan, Reuben, Isaac and Enoch Morgan.

--Enoch Morgan was my grandfather who married Martha Ann Williams in Georgia, his wife being the sister of a Baptist preacher, of Georgia, but later of Lee, Madison County, Fla. The said preacher being the grandfather of the late W. O. Williams of Perry, Fla.

To this marriage were born 4 sons and 5 daughters, my father being born in Georgia in 1842. In 1846, my granddad Enoch Morgan and J. Pasco's grandad, Isaac, moved to Florida. Isaac settling on part of the place now owned by E.J. Rowell at Iddo and Enoch Morgan settled on the Old Greenville Road (later called the Old Salt Road) some three miles north of old Shady Grove in Taylor County. At this location my fathers three brothers grew up.

War. At the opening of the war, father's two brothers Joe and John entered the Southern Army and were immediately sent to Virginia, never to return. Joe died in battle and John of disease.

Later my father, and (his) younger brother Math, volunteered for service in the U.S. Army (Union). My father was shot and carried a Confederate bullet in his breast to his death in 1905. On returning from service, my father bought a homestead claim to a 160 acre tract of government land from one Wright Hendry. This land being just North of Shady Grove but in Taylor County. On this tract he built a log house. Then he married my mother, Lucy Alice Lugenia McFail. To this marriage was 4 sons and 2 daughters born. Ollen, Asberry, Abner (that's me), Ella, Joe and Margarett.

Margarett being only nine days old at my mothers death in 09/19/1882. Ollen and Ella died I think in 1892, and Asberry died last year in 1945, leaving myself and Margarett.

Back to Georgia. I have already told what became of my Granddad Enoch sisters and will tell you about the sons.

--John died in South Carolina.

--Enoch and Isaac came to Florida as stated above.

--THE OTHERS INCLUDING MAE, MOVED TO MAGNOLIA SPRINGS, JASPER COUNTY, TEXAS EITHER IN 1849 OR 1852. MY FATHER KEPT IN CONSTANT TOUCH WITH THEM UNTIL HIS DEATH IN 1905. IN 1913 THROUGH THE POSTMASTER I GOT IN TOUCH WITH MAE IN ERIN, TEXAS AND HAD A LETTER FROM HIM, AND GOT ANOTHER LETTER IN 1914. HE WAS 86 THEN AND NEVER ANSWERED AGAIN. (Emphasis added).

Back to Neal my Father. As stated above there were 4 sons and 2 daughters. Ollen born in 1872 and died in 1893 and buried at Mt. Enow Church near Plant City, Florida. Asberry born 03/18/1875 died 1945 in Pahokee, buried Homestead. Abner, (I was) born 70 years ago to day 10/17/1946 and (am) happy to know that time is near for my final journey. Ella b. 1875 d. 1893. Joe b. 1880 Margarett b. 1882.

May, this is the entire letter. Hope you can use this. Thanks again, and yes I'll get with you later on our history of John Bunion Blanton and his Civil War File. I'd love to read this."

Carolyn Lockhart recounts a similar story: "There were five brothers to come into Jasper County. Duncan first, Daniel, Malachi (Note: Actually a nephew), James and William (Note: Also probably nephews). John Morgan died in Georgia." Carolyn further indicated that Ruben Morgan could be found on the 1779 Iredell County, North Carolina census with 2 females under 10, 1 female 10-16, 1 female 26-45 and himself. In 1790, he was in Franklin County, North Carolina where he can be found with 4 females and 1 male 0-16. In 1800, he was in Sampson County, North Carolina, listed with 3 males under 10, 1 male 26-45, 1 female under 10, and 1 female 16-26. (Note: Not verified that the 1779 and 1790 census listings are for the same Ruben Morgan).

The information on the Morgan Family was compiled from information that was generously shared with by Jeannie Trimble of Florida, Kenneth Morgan and Nan Kittell of Jasper, Carolyn Lockhart of Nederland, Jo Ann Gartig of Nacogdoches and others.

Several researchers show Rueben Morgan as the son of a Theophilus Morgan, however Jeanie Trimble thinks this unlikely. Bonnie Smith shows him as the son of William Morgan and Rebeckah Mills of Bladen and Guilford, North Carolina. I have not seen any documentation of this either.

(Research):1820 Sampson County, North Carolina Census

Mathis' 312: Morgan Reuben 21 1 3 0 1 2 1 2 0 0

Lee's 298: Morgan Henry 20 0 0 1 0 2 0 1 0 0

(Relationship of Henry not known)

1830 Decatur County, Georgia Census

Ruebin Morgan Sr Males 1-1-0-2-0-0-0-1 Females 0-0-2-0-0-0-1

1840 Lowndes County, Georgia Census

Rubin Morgan

Three Males, one between 5-10, one between 10-15 and 1 between 60-70

One Female between the ages of 50-60

Immediately following his listing is one for the household of Enoch Morgan, his son.

Rueben married Dorcus Newton on 25 Nov 1793 in Duplin County, North Carolina. Dorcus (daughter of Isaac Newton and Jemima Chambers) was born before 1773 in Duplin County, North Carolina; died on 3 May 1824 in Duplin County, North Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
According to "MARRIAGE BONDS OF DUPLIN COUNTY, NC 1749-1868" by Cora Bass (Southern Historical Press: 1959) Rhuben MORGAN and Darcas NEWTON were married on 25 November 1793 by David WILLIAM, with Wm. DICKSON, CC as witness.

A few years later, on 2 Feb 1796, Samuel MORGAN and Elizabeth TONANS were married with Wm. WILKINSON officiating, and Wm. DICKSON, CC as witness. The relationship between Rueben and Samuel is unknown.

1. Joseph Morgan was born after 1794 in North Carolina; and died.
2. John Morgan was born between 1798 and 1800 in North Carolina; died before 1840.
3. Daniel Morgan was born about 1800 in North Carolina; died before 1886 in Roganville, Jasper County, Texas; was buried in Morgan Cemetery, Jasper County, Texas.
4. Rueben Morgan, Jr. was born between 1800 and 1810 in North Carolina; and died.
5. Nancy Morgan was born about 1805 in North Carolina; and died.
6. Duncan Morgan was born on 8 Jun 1806 in Sampson County, North Carolina; died on 26 May 1881 in Magnolia Springs, Jasper County, Texas; was buried in Morgan Cemetery, Jasper County, Texas.
7. Enoch Morgan was born on 4 Jun 1812 in Sampson County, North Carolina; died after 1860 in Florida.
8. Dorcus Morgan was born in Nov 1813 in North Carolina; died on 5 May 1859 in Lowndes County, Georgia.
9. Isaac Newton Morgan was born about 1814 in Duplin County, North Carolina; died after 1873.
10. Sallie Morgan was born about 1817 in North Carolina; and died.

Rueben married Perthenia Bell on 15 Feb 1825 in Duplin County, North Carolina. Perthenia (daughter of Hezekiah Bell and Martha Baggett) was born about 1785 in Duplin County, North Carolina; was christened on 12 Sep 1835 in Bethlehem Primative Baptist Church, Quitman, Brooks County, Georgia; died about 1847 in Lowndes County, Georgia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
MARRIAGE BONDS OF DUPLIN COUNTY N.C. 1749-1868 by Cora Bass (Southern Historical Press: 1959) shows that "Wena" Williams and Rueben Morgan were married 15 February 1826 by Jn. Hufham, witnessed by Jas. Pearsall Clk.

It appears that Perthenia married Rueben Morgan Sr., and not his namesake son. At the time of the 1830 Decatur County, Georgia Census, a Rueben Morgan Sr, between the ages of 50 and 60, was listed as a head of household which includes a female between the ages of 40 and 50. Perthenia was born in 1785, and would fit in this category. Rueben Morgan Jr was enumerated immediately after his father's household, and was listed as a single man, between the ages of 20 and 30, with no children.