MORGAN MORGAN, JR.

 It was the custom in the olden days to name the eldest son after the head of the family. We have departed from this custom until today it is more often found that the youngest son bears the fathers name, and Colonel Morgan Morgan set us the example by naming his youngest son Morgan, Jr.

Morgan Morgan, Jr. or Morgan Morgan II., as he is sometimes called, was born in Virginia, March 3, 1737, and died there October 20, 1797. On November 17, 1761, he married Mary Gossett, born 1731, and died September 13, 1817. Five generations named Morgan Morgan lie buried in the Bunker Hill cemetery, and grave stones mark all their graves with the exception of Morgan 2nd. It is stated that at his request he was buried under the porch or entrance platform of the old church, and for this reason no grave marker is found.

He followed in the footsteps of his illustrious father, and was an influence for good in the community in which he lived. He was lay-reader at the Bunker Hill church, which his father helped found, and took a very active part in religious affairs. The family of the first and second generations always considered him as being a minister, and always referred to him as such. The reader is referred to Bishop Meade's article (appearing elsewhere) for a fuller account of his life, and this article will also settle the argument with reference to his being a minister. He did preach, but was never ordained. A manuscript book containing three of his sermons is now in the possession of a distant relative living in Washington, D.C. A photograph of two pages of this book is shown elsewhere, which will give some idea of the educational attainments and ability of this son of the forest, who, in all probability, was never in a. school house in his life.

He was also a Justice in the county of Berkeley, and we see by a court order, dated February 22, 1775, that he and others were directed to view out a road from Providence Mounts' Mill, by Augsberg Ferry, to Catfish Camp, which is now Washington, Pa. This may have been a continuation of Col. Morgan's old road, the first in Berkeley county.

With the exception of Charles, Morgan Morgan, Jr., was the only one of Col. Morgan's children to remain in Berkeley county, and but few of his descendants are found in that locality today. From time to time, the Colonel had disposed of parts of his original grant of 1000 acres, until in 1765 but 182 acres remained in his possession. He and his wife had been living with Morgan, Jr., for some time, and on April 2, 1765, he deeded this last portion of his plantation to them for 100 pounds English money. Morgan Morgan, Jr., lived on this farm until the time of his death, when he gave it to his son Zackwill, by will bearing date October 16, 1795. Zackquill sold it to his brother Morgan Morgan, 3rd, by deed bearing date July 25, 1810, consideration being $2,730.00 cash. The signatures to this deed show that Zackquill wrote a legible, though poor hand, while his wife, Rachel, made her mark. The history of the farm has not been traced further, but at the present time 82 acres of it is still in the possession of a descendant of Morgan Morgan, 3rd.

References: (1) State of West Virginia, Report of the Col. Morgan Morgan Monument Commission, Charleston, WV: Jarrett Print. Co., 1924, pp. 35-99.