Priscilla (Brantley) Morgan (abt. 1771 - 1843)

Born about 1771 in Chatham, North Carolina

Ancestors

Wife of William Morgan Jr — married about 1788 in Chatham County, North Carolina, USA

Descendants

Died 29 Oct 1843 at about age 72 in Jackson, Georgia, United States

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Biography

Priscilla (Brantley) Morgan was born ca 1771 in Chatham Co., NC.^[1] She was the daughter of William Brantley.^[2]

Priscilla married William Morgan, who died ca 1809 in Jackson Co., GA.

In his will, William made the following bequests:^[3]

• To his wife, "Pricilla", a "negro woman Feriby & her increase"
• To his daughter, "Patsey Shepherd one negro girl named Minty which she has in possession"
• To his son, Blake Morgan, "one negro boy named Adam"
• To his son, William Morgan, Ned
• To his daughter, Joice Morgan, "one negro boy named Peter"
• To his son, Jesse Morgan, "one negro boy" Isham
• To his youngest daughters, Priscilla Morgan, Esther Morgan, and Mahala Morgan, "two negro girls Dilce, & Vina" and their increase

Priscilla and Samuel Hay, the executors of William's will, were granted Letters of Testamentary during the 5 June 1809 session of Jackson County's Court of Ordinary.^[4]

Priscilla appeared as "Presilla Morgan Ex^rx Estate W^m. Morgan" in the 1809 tax roll for Capt. William Gathright's District in Jackson County.^[5] Property mentioned in the tax roll included:

• 130 acres in Jackson County, on the waters of "Cabben Creek" bordering Patrick, originally granted to [Uriah] Hardemann, which William purchased in 1806 from James Tuttle Jr.;^[6]
• 50 acres in Jackson County, on the waters of Sandy Creek bordering Castlebury, originally granted to Terrel, probably the land William purchased in 1804 from Thomas Castlebury;^[6]
• 115 acres in Jackson County, on the waters of Sandy Creek bordering Castlebury, originally granted to Terrel, probably the land William purchased in 1802 from William Hickman;^[6]
• 202 1/2[?] acres in Wilkinson Co., GA, originally granted to "S^d. Morgan";
• 8 slaves, all named in William's 1809 will.

George D. Lester (Priscilla's future husband) and Robert Morgan (possibly William's brother) were also listed on that year's tax roll in Capt. Gathright's district.

It should be noted that three deeds from various individuals to William Morgan, purchased on various dates, were all recorded on 14 August 1809, possibly as part of the probate on William's estate.^[6] All three properties correspond to the real estate for which Priscilla was assessed taxes in 1809.

On 1 October 1810, Priscilla purchased 50 acres of land in Jackson County from Samuel Gardner for $25. The land bordered property owned by Joseph Harris, Howard Smith, and Priscilla.^[7]

On 6 February 1815, George D. Lester and Priscilla Lester were appointed guardians of Priscilla Morgan, Esther Morgan, and Mahaly Morgan, "Orphan Children of William Morgan dec'd." William Morgan "orphan son of William Morgan...[being] over the age of fourteen" chose Joseph McLester for his guardian. Samuel Hay was appointed guardian of Jesse Morgan "an orphan son of William Morgan," deceased.^[8] While no marriage record has yet been found, these appointments likely mark the approximate date when Priscilla remarried to George D. Lester.

During the September 1817 session of the Court of Ordinary, M.C.M. Norman, John Madkiff, and Jesse Harris (security for George D. Lester's appointment as guardian of William and Priscilla's daughters Priscilla, Esther, and Mahaly) appeared before the court stating that they were not satisfied with George's conduct as guardian. His guardianship was subsequently revoked and Samuel Hay was appointed as their guardian. Priscilla, William's widow, was not mentioned in these records.^[9]

On 17 March 1820, Priscilla and George witnessed a deed in Jackson County between John Hammon [Hammond] and John B. Jackson for 400 acres "on waters of Sandy Creek" adjacent to Hardis line, Hinson's line, Dunson's line, John Embry's, and Morgan's line.^[10]

Priscilla passed away on 29 October 1843^[11], possibly in Jackson County.

Sources

1. ↑ Needs sources.
2. ↑ Needs sources.
3. ↑ Jackson County, Georgia, Will Book A, 1803 – 1860: 125 – 126; Probate Court, Jefferson. William Morgan's will was dated 26 April 1809, and proved 1 May 1809.
4. ↑ Poss, Faye Stone. Jackson County, Georgia, Early Court Records, 1796 - 1831: 42; Snellville, GA: Self-published (2006).
5. ↑ Ancestry.com. "U.S., Property Tax Digests, 1793-1892" (database : accessed 31 December 2023), Jackson County, Georgia, entry for Presilla Morgan, Exrx. Estate of Wm. Morgan.
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3} Poss, Faye Stone. Jackson County, Georgia, Deed Abstracts, Books E - G, 1808 - 1822: 46; Snellville, GA: Self-published with grant assistance from The R.J. Taylor, Jr., Foundation (2000).
7. ↑ Poss, Faye Stone. Jackson County, Georgia, Deed Abstracts, Books E - G, 1808 - 1822: 90; Snellville, GA: Self-published with grant assistance from The R.J. Taylor, Jr., Foundation (2000).
8. ↑ Poss, Faye Stone. Jackson County, Georgia, Early Court Records, 1796 - 1831: 150; Snellville, GA: Self-published (2006).
9. ↑ Poss, Faye Stone. Jackson County, Georgia, Early Court Records, 1796 - 1831: 159, 161; Snellville, GA: Self-published (2006).
10. ↑ Poss, Faye Stone. Jackson County, Georgia, Deed Abstracts, Books E - G, 1808 - 1822: 355; Snellville, GA: Self-published with grant assistance from The R.J. Taylor, Jr., Foundation (2000).
11. ↑ William Morgan [son of William and Priscilla] Family Bible. Proper citation needed.