Miles Morgan
Privacy Level: Open (White)

Miles Morgan (abt. 1620 - 1699)

Captain Miles Morgan
Born about in Englandmap [uncertain]
Son of [father unknown] and [mother unknown]
[sibling(s) unknown]
Husband of — married before 1644 (to 1660) [location unknown]
Husband of — married 15 Feb 1669 in Springfield, Hampshire, Massachusettsmap
Descendants descendants
Father of , , , , , , , and
Died at about age 79 in Springfield, Massachusettsmap
Problems/Questions Profile managers: Puritan Great Migration Project WikiTree private message [send private message] and John Putnam private message [send private message]
Profile last modified | Created 14 Sep 2010
This page has been accessed 10,174 times.
{{{image-caption}}}
Miles Morgan is currently protected by the Puritan Great Migration Project for reasons described in the narrative.
Join: Puritan Great Migration Project
Discuss: PGM
Indian fighter, farmer, and town leader, selectman, constable, surveyor, fence viewer, and overseer of highways.

Contents

Biography

Miles Morgan was one of the early founders of Springfield Massachusetts.[1][2] His English origins and parentage are unknown. The earliest record of Miles Morgan in New England was the birth of his first child in Springfield in February 1645. He took the oath of fidelity on 6 February 1648 in Springfield, and his name is on the list of freemen in Springfield in 1663.
In 1646, he was noted as holding 34 acres of land in Springfield. He would receive a number of other grants of land from the town, including 20 acres in 1656, 3 acres in 1659, 10 acres in 1663, 3 acres in 1664. Other plots of land are proven by deeds or sales agreements.
Miles Morgan held a wide variety of jobs and responsibilities for Springfield. On 8 January 1646, George Colton and Miles Morgan were charged with doing their best to find a smith for the town.[3] He was appointed surveyor of highways in November 1647, October 1653, November 1654 and February 1665. He was appointed fence viewer in six times between 1665 and 1685.[4] He served as a Selectman for Springfield in 1655, 1657, 1659, 1662, and 1668.[5] He was constable for the town in 1662.[6] Miles also selected tithingman in February 1680 and March 1682.
He is often referred to as sergeant Miles Morgan which comes from his role in the militia of Springfield. He is first referred to as sergeant Morgan in town records on 2 November 1658.[7] This may have been made official when the Hampshire County court confirmed and ratified in 1662 at the request of Springfield their choices for the militia, and that "Thomas Stebbins is & shalbe their Eldest Sarjeant; and Miles Morgan their Second Serjeant." During King Philip's War, Springfield was one of the hardest hit towns, and in October 1675 Springfield was attacked by Indians with the goal of destroying the town. A number of inhabitants took refuge in the home of Sergeant Morgan: "A party of Indians attacked the house, but their fire was returned with such spirit and success by those within, several of whom were keen marksmen, that the assailants found it dangerous to appear withing sight of the windows and loopholes and after some hours were glad to sheer off." His son Pelatiah was killed during the war. In 1678, he was part of the committee to fortify the ministers house. He was freed from military exercises, probably on account of his age, by the Hampshire Court in 1668.
The name of Miles Morgan's first wife was Prudence. She was said by Titus Morgan in 1809 to be Prudence Gilbert, and the same name was found in the papers of Capt. Joseph Waters (1756-1833) whose mother was a Gilbert. It seems likely the name is correct though exactly how she connects to any particular Gilbert family is not known. By Prudence, Miles had six children. Prudence died in 1661, and 1669 Miles remarried to Elizabeth Bliss. By Elizabeth he had only one child.
Sergeant Miles Morgan died 28 May 1699 in Springfield. He apparently left a will which does not survive though records of the administration of his estate do survive.[8][9] The estate was split among his sons Jonathan, David, Isaac, and Nathaniel Morgan, and son-in-law Samuel Terry.


Name and Origins

Name: Sgt. Miles Morgan of Springfield, Massachusetts.
The origins and parents of Miles Morgan are unknown. The theory that he is the son of William Morgan of Y Dderw and his wife Elizabeth Morgan has been disproved. As such, we have no records of any kind to suggest his origins. Almost all early settlers in Massachusetts derived from various places in England, so the idea that he came from Wales is now held to be unlikely.
He is often said to be the brother James Morgan.

Birth

Born: About 1620 (1610 to 1623), presumably in England.
The date is an estimate based on the birth of his first known child in 1645, and presumed marriage by 1644. He was given several land grants and given a number of town responsibilities 1645-1648, and so was certainly age by then and likely in his mid-20s.

Marriage and Children

Married: 1st - Prudence by 1644 based on the birth of their first child. She is said to have been Prudence Gilbert, however, this is uncertain and not completely proven. They had eight children. Prudence died on 14 January 1660/1 in Springfield.[10]
Married: 2nd - Elizabeth Bliss on 15 February 1669 in Springfield.[11] They had only one child,
Children of Miles Morgan and Prudence:[12][13]
  1. Mary Morgan. Born on 14 February 1644/5 in Springfield, Massachusetts.[14] She married Nicholas Rust on 23 April 1678 in Springfield. Mary died 2 October 1683.
  2. Jonathan Morgan, Born on 16 November 1646 and baptized on 22 November 1646 in Springfield.[15] He married Sarah Cooley married on 5 January 1679 in Springfield. Jonathan died on 10 April 1714 in Springfield.
  3. David Morgan. Born on 23 September 1648 in Springfield.[16] He married Mary Clark on 16 January 1672 in Springfield. David died on 30 May 1731 in Springfield.
  4. Pelatiah Morgan. Born on 17 July 1650 in Springfield.[17] He was killed by Indians during King Philip's War in the spring of 1675.
  5. Isaac Morgan. Born on 12 May 1652 in Springfield.[18] He married Abigail Gardiner on 12 November 1673 in Springfield. Isaac died on 23 March 1705 in Enfield, Hartford, Connecticut.
  6. Lydia Morgan. Born on 8 April 1654 in Springfield.[19] She married 1st John Pierce, and second Edmund Marshall on 7 June 1700 in Suffield, Connecticut.[20]
  7. Hannah Morgan. Born on 11 April 1656 in Springfield.[21] She married Samuel Terry on 17 May 1682 in Springfield. Hannah died on 17 January 1697 in Enfield, Hartford, Connecticut.
  8. Mercy Morgan, Born on 18 July 1658 in Springfield.[22] No further information on this daughter.
Children of Miles Morgan and Elizabeth Bliss:
  1. Nathaniel Morgan. Born on 14 Jun 1671 in Springfield. He married Hannah Bird on Jan 1692. Nathaniel died on 30 Aug 1752 in Springfield.

Death

Died: 28 May 1699 in Springfield, Massachusetts.[23]

Common Errors to Avoid

  • Incorrect parents: Miles Morgan is said in many secondary sources and across the internet to be the son of William Morgan of Y Dderw and his wife Elizabeth Morgan - this is incorrect. William Morgan matriculated to the Middle Temple on 17 April 1616 at which time he would have been about 16 years old, and he was called to the bar in 1623.[24][25] He was in an extended relationship (married?) first with Sybil Wayte by 19 Nov. 1624.[24][26] He married Elizabeth Morgan, youngest daughter of William Morgan of Tredegar, after 26 March 1633.[24][27] His only known son and heir, and only son named in his will, was William Morgan who left no heirs, and the estates William Morgan of Y Dderw were eventually inherited by his daughter Blanche.[28] William Morgan did not have a son Miles. He married Elizabeth Morgan long after Miles Morgan of Springfield would have been born. Also, William Morgan was a wealthy lawyer and landholder and a member of parliament from 1640 to 1649, King’s attorney, recorder of Brecon, etc. Even the information that he ever lived in Bristol is wrong. He lived, worked served, died, and is buried in Brecon with no records of his life pertaining to England. His monumental inscription in Brecon church “"Here lyeth the body of William Morgan, Esq., king's attorney of South Wales and recorder of this borrough, who married Elizabeth, daughter of William Morgan, of Tredegar, and had issue William, Elizabeth, Mary Ann.”[29] His son would not be a typical puritan farmer in Springfield, Massachusetts.
  • Wife's LNAB: Titus Morgan writing in 1809 stated that Miles Morgan fell in love with Prudence Gilbert, and that Miles had accompanied Prudence and her family on the same ship to America. A memorandum found among the paper of Capt. Joseph Waters (1756-1833) states that "Morgan married Prudence Gilbert of Beverly. This family of Gilberts were passengers in the vessel with Morgan and there formed acquaintance."[30][31] The mother of Joseph Waters was Esther Gilbert, who descended from Humphrey Gilbert - Prudence would be the right age to be a sister of Humphrey Gilbert. So, we have no contemporary records to confirm or even suggest her LNAB is Gilbert, but the fact that Joseph Waters mother was a Gilbert does suggest he may have known the correct name for Prudence.
  • Immigration: A memorandum found among the paper of Capt. Joseph Waters (1758-1833) states that "John, Joseph and Miles Morgan sailed from Bristol, England and arrived at Boston, N.E. April 1636. Joseph went to Plymouth Colony and after removed to Connecticut. John, the elder brother, disgusted at the bigotry, superstition, & persecutions then so prevalent in Massachusetts that he went to Virginia and there settled. Miles the youngest joined Wm Pinchon Esqr in his enterprise to Springfield. Morgan married Prudence Gilbert of Beverly. This family of Gilberts were passengers in the vessel with Morgan and there formed acquaintance.[30] There is no evidence that this is true. The earliest record of Miles Morgan in New England is 1645 in Springfield. There was no known ship Mary so this cannot be known. He is often said to be a brother of James Morgan, but there is no known connection between the two men other than their last name.
  • Sergeant or captain: Appleton Morgan says that he was "Captain Miles Morgan as he was soon to be called." However, I find no record where he is referred to as Captain Miles Morgan. He was Sergeant Morgan when the name first occurs in 1658, when his position was confirmed in 1662, when he was married in 1669, when he took the Oath of Allegiance in 1678[32]

Research Notes

  • The book "A History of the Morgan Family" by Dennis Morgan states that Miles, James and John Morgan sailed from Bristol on the ship Mary. Dale H. Cook, the MA Coordinator for the USGenWeb Project and NEHGS Research Member posted the following information:
The source may have been a memorandum found among the papers of Capt. Joseph Waters of Salem, 1758-1833. A synopsis of that memorandum was published in NEHGR 30:108, submitted by H. F. Waters. The synopsis agrees with the above in every respect except that it does not name the ship. Indeed, Banks' "Planters" does not show a ship by that name among the few known to have arrived in Boston that year - the names of most of the 1636 ships to Boston and the names of their passengers are not known.
Dale H. Cook; Research Member, NEHGS; Member, Mass. Soc. Mayf. Desc. Plymouth Co. MA Coordinator for the USGenWeb Project[33]
Alternate year of birth: Miles was born in 1616.

Sources

Footnotes and citations:
  1. ↑ Morgan, Appleton. A History of the Family of Morgan. (1902): Internet Archive link.
  2. ↑ Starr, Frank Farnsworth. The Miles Morgan Family of Springfield, Massachusetts. (1904). Google Books link.
  3. ↑ Burt. History of Springfield, vol. 1. (1898): page 62.
  4. ↑ Burt. History of Springfield, vol. 1. (1898): pages 187, 219, 259, 350, 370, 392, 407, 410, 416.
  5. ↑ Burt. History of Springfield, vol. 1. (1898): pages 27-28.
  6. ↑ Burt. History of Springfield, vol. 1. (1898): page 305.
  7. ↑ Burt. History of Springfield, vol. 1. (1898): page 259.
  8. ↑ Hampshire County, MA: Probate File Papers, 1660-1889. (AmericanAncestors.org online database). Probate #101-16, administration of the estate of Miles Morgan 1700.
  9. ↑ Starr. The Miles Morgan Family of Springfield. (1904): pages 22-25.
  10. ↑ Stott. Vital Records of Springfield, vol. 2. (2003): page 1687.
  11. ↑ Stott. Vital Records of Springfield, vol. 1. (2003): page 22.
  12. ↑ New England Historical and Genealogical Register, vols. 18-19 (1864-1865): 18: 82-86, 18: 142-147; 19: 61-64, 19: 249-252. "Records of Springfield, Massachusetts, " by H.S. Davis.
  13. ↑ New England Historical and Genealogical Register, vol. 87 no. 4 (October 1933): pages 301-304. "Springfield (Mass.) Records: Additions and Corrections," AmericanAncestors.org link.
  14. ↑ Stott. Vital Records of Springfield, vol. 1. (2003): page 10.
  15. ↑ Stott. Vital Records of Springfield, vol. 1. (2003): page 11.
  16. ↑ Stott. Vital Records of Springfield, vol. 1. (2003): page 12.
  17. ↑ Stott. Vital Records of Springfield, vol. 1. (2003): page 13.
  18. ↑ Stott. Vital Records of Springfield, vol. 1. (2003): page 14.
  19. ↑ Stott. Vital Records of Springfield, vol. 1. (2003): page 14.
  20. ↑ NEHGR vol. 160:283-284.
  21. ↑ Stott. Vital Records of Springfield, vol. 1. (2003): page 15 Link at AmericanAncestors ($).
  22. ↑ Stott. Vital Records of Springfield, vol. 1. (2003): page 15.
  23. ↑ Stott. Vital Records of Springfield, vol. 1. (2003): page 70.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 History of Parliament Online. Biography of MORGAN, William (c.1600-1649), of Y Dderw, Llyswen, Brec. and the Middle Temple, London.
  25. ↑ Hopwood. Middle Temple Records: 1603-1649. (1904): page 604, page 682.
  26. ↑ Sybil Wayte of London sued William Morgan to prove her claim they married in 1624 and had children including one son. William Morgan denied the claim they were married though admitted he lived with Sybil and acknowledged one illegitimate daughter. These suits continued from the 1620s until long after his death.
  27. ↑ This date appears to be the date of a marriage agreement, though I haven't yet found the document. Multiple sources agree to this date though.
  28. ↑ Blanche may actually have been a granddaughter of William Morgan (daughter of son William). Sources are conflicting and the abstract of William's will leaves both interpretations as an option.
  29. ↑ Poole. Illustrated History and Biography of Brecknockshire. (1886): page 45.
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 "NEHGR, vol. 30 (1876): page 108.
  31. ↑ Phillips Library at the Peabody Essex Museum. Collections: Waters Family Papers, 1682-1910.
  32. ↑ NEHGR 5:83
  33. ↑ Cook, Dale H. replying to Is there a passenger list for the Mary, Bristol to Boston in 1636? dated 12/26/2005, MAESSEX-L Rootsweb Mailing List Archive [archive page at WayBack Machine
Source list:
  • Burt, Henry Martyn.The First Century of the History of Springfield: The Official Records from 1636 to 1736, volume 1. (Springfield, 1898). Google Books link.
  • Connecticut Valley Historical Society, Papers and Proceedings, vol. 1. (The Society, Springfield, Mass., 1881):pages 250-262.
  • Cutter, William Richard. Genealogical and Family History of the State of Connecticut. (Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1911): vol 3, page 1243.
  • Hampshire County, MA: Probate File Papers, 1660-1889. (AmericanAncestors.org online database). Probate #101-16, administration of the estate of Miles Morgan 1700.
  • Hopwood, Charles Henry ed. Middle Temple Records: 1603-1649. (London, 1904): page 604, page 682.
  • Morgan, Nathaniel Harris. Morgan Genealogy: A History of James Morgan, of New London, Conn. (Press of Case, Lockwood & Brainard, 1869). Page 18
  • New England Historical and Genealogical Register, vol. 87 no. 4 (October 1933): pages 301-304. "Springfield (Mass.) Records: Additions and Corrections," AmericanAncestors.org link.
  • New England Historical and Genealogical Register, vol. 30 no. 1 (January 1876): page 108. "Morgan: Memorandum found among the papers of the late Capt. Joseph Waters born 1758 died 1833," by H.F. Water.
  • Poole, Edwin. The Illustrated History and Biography of Brecknockshire. (Brecknock, 1886): page 45.
  • Starr, Frank Farnsworth. The Miles Morgan Family of Springfield, Massachusetts: In the Line Joseph Morgan of Hartford, Connecticut, 1780-1847. (Hartford, 1904). Google Books link.
  • Stott, Clifford L. ed. Vital Records of Springfield, Massachusetts to the Year 1850, vol. 1. (Boston, MA: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2003).AmericanAncestors.org link.
  • Stott, Clifford L. ed. Vital records of Springfield, Massachusetts to the year 1850, vol. 2. (Boston, MA: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2003).
See also:
  • Find a Grave Memorial #62404974, memorial page for SGT Miles Morgan (1615–28 May 1699). Citing Springfield Cemetery, Springfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts, USA.

    Please note that this cite may have incorrect information. Certainly the cemetery was not the original resting place of Miles although according to Wikipedia: " The cemetery opened in 1841 ... With the relocation of remains from the city's earliest burying ground, the cemetery became the final resting place for many of Springfield's 17th and 18th century pioneer settlers."




Sponsored Search by Ancestry.com

DNA
No known carriers of Miles's DNA have taken a DNA test.

Have you taken a DNA test? If so, login to add it. If not, see our friends at Ancestry DNA.

Images: 3
Statue of Miles Morgan
Statue of Miles Morgan
Llandaff, Wales
Llandaff, Wales
Miles Morgan marriages and issue
Miles Morgan marriages and issue


Comments: 53

Leave a message for others who see this profile.
There are no comments yet.
Login to post a comment.
Ken Morgan
Thank you to everyone who has been working on this. I would like to make some observations from my years following him. In the bio I have also read much that is mentioned both the old incorrect versions and the changes and corrections. Everyone wants to make it as accurate as possible even after hundreds of years. We had oral traditions. I can not prove any and I have been trying for many years. What I have is that Miles and Prudence fell in love when young [Miles' story] and came to North America on the same ship. I have used the ship story often found in his bios except claims of Robert and James Morgan being on the 1636 ship possibly landing in Salem. He and Prudence were married by 1642 in or along the road / path from Salem. The building had a very tall steeple per Miles' description. Prudence and likely Miles lived in or near Salem when landing. As far as the Beverly connection. Beverly did not exist until 1668. It was all part of Salem then. There were different parts like the village, waterfront etc. A large building was moved into Salem to be their meeting house. A tall steeple was added so it could be used as a place of worship. No other building in New England had this feature at that time. Miles and Prudence were married there per my research. As to who Prudence came with or why I have nothing to add or question the possibilities mentioned. My findings on Miles is he came from unknown origins. Our story has been he was of Welch descent. Miles never talked about this or his origins. We have speculated he was an orphan, run away or on his own in Bristol and sailed on the ship with Prudence. He was illiterate which always caused my doubts of the early claims of his parentage and connection to Tredegar House. I accept the research that has proven otherwise. Lastly he was very close to his youngest son Nathaniel in his final years.
posted by Ken Morgan
edited by Ken Morgan
Bartlett-10612 Renee Bartlett
Miles is my 8x GGF through his son Jonathan and granddaughter Sarah Morgan-Bartlett. Some of my family members and myself were able to visit his statue in the summer of 2022. Nice to know we are connected to a Founder of Springfield whose descendant is associated with a Founder of Ludlow, who is then connected to a Founder of Windsor. How interesting how all these Founders are linked together.
posted by Renee Bartlett
Lester-2558 Graham Lester
Should probably change all birth references to "England or Wales" since we don't seem to know which country he was born in. Wales is a separate country, not part of England.
posted by Graham Lester
Ken Morgan
Somewhere was mentioned that perhaps Miles Morgan or his family had lived on the Welch side of the Bristol Channel and moved to the English side or into Bristol looking for work and other opportunities. This may have been in the articulates about the James Morgan family too? If the opportunity comes I would like to verify his birth place and parents and also the parents of Prudence. I believe they may have come on a ship to Salem and not Boston. I have read accounts of others coming to Salem from England in those early years. That could be why their names do not appear on a Boston Ship record?
posted by Ken Morgan
M Cole
Hi Ken,

Not trying to discourage the theory of immigrating to Salem, but I would be careful about reading too much into his name not appearing on any ship record. Unfortunately, that's the norm. In fact, many of the "ship lists" are actually synthetic lists, best guesses based on associations, location and other records in New England. In any case, good luck in your search!

posted by M Cole
Ken Morgan
Thanks I am very aware that we may never find documents for he and Prudence's voyage. I have Cole ancestry too from England to Plymouth, MA. My Morgan ancestor [Erasmus Morgan] was married to a Ludden. Her mother was a Thayer and her father's grandmother was a Thayer too. They were from Braintree ,MA. originally and settled in Granby , MA. area. They left Amherst, MA. in 1830 and traveled west eventually settling in Cattaraugus County, N.Y. by 1834.
posted by Ken Morgan
edited by Ken Morgan
Ken Morgan
One small observation for the biography is that Miles and Prudence' first child [Mary] was born on the 14th day of the 12th month in 1644. Vital Records of Springfield. MA. to 1849 BK 1 p 5. Does this translate to February 1645? Son Jonathan was born in the 16th day of the 9th month of 1646, and David 23rd day of the 7th month 1648. Per vital records of Springfield to 1849. I would suggest they were married in 1642/43. Our family tradition is that they were married in or near Salem Massachusetts. I found a record of an early meeting house that was moved and a steeple added for use as a church in about 1638-1640. It is my belief Miles and Prudence were married in that church as it was the first such structure in the area. Many of the town names being used today did not exist at that time. Please remove the phrase [up to 1660] after wife Prudence Gilbert's marriage. In an article about Bennett and Robert Morgan also appears a drawing of this same structure shown on the Salem Waterfront Road. This matches the other drawing I found of the earliest church where our oral tradition says they were married [Miles and Prudence].
posted by Ken Morgan
edited by Ken Morgan
Ken Morgan
Son Pelitiah , son-in-law Edmund Pringryday[s][husband of daughter Mary Morgan] and a third man were killed in the October 1775 attack not spring as stated under son Pelitiah in the Children: section. I have read this in different accounts. Three men were working on a roof on the west side of the river when the attack took place and were all killed. Miles' daughter-in-law was left for dead in another attack that took several lives. The same daughter-in-law lost her father in the attack when he and another man attempted to talk peacefully with natives. They were both killed and her father's body was brought back still on his horse. The next time I find these accounts I will include their sources in the appropriate profile's on Wiki.
posted by Ken Morgan
edited by Ken Morgan
GeneJ X
Hi Ken,

Might you share the source you have relied on for the conflicted information about which you write? Thank you.

posted by GeneJ X
Aldrich-908 Cheryl (Aldrich) Skordahl
I have protected this profile to prevent return of parents. Were notes and links placed on parents? Also we need (according to precedence) a Disputed Origins paragraph on this page. Thank you.
posted by Cheryl (Aldrich) Skordahl
B-404 Anne B
Yes notes and links were added to parents, and see the "common errors to avoid" section, which is Joe's version of Disputed.
posted by Anne B
Jathan Pfeifle
This is an incorrect move. miles' parents shall be returned to their rightful place. You had no evidence to back up theit removal. This is my direct line and they were there for a reason. I expect they be returned to their rightful place immediately. Thank you.
posted by Jathan Pfeifle
B-404 Anne B
I'm sorry Jathan, more recent information has come to light on William Morgan. See the section on this profile "Incorrect Parents and take a look at the corrected profile for William to see why he and Elizabeth were not the parents of Miles.
posted by Anne B
B-404 Anne B
I have removed alleged parents: William and Elizabeth. Sufficient evidence having been presented that they are not the parents of Miles Morgan.
posted by Anne B
Jathan Pfeifle
The parents who were listed for Miles were NOT his alleged parents, but they were his genuine parents. This is my direct line. Please see to it that they are returned immediately. Thank you.
posted by Jathan Pfeifle
Brad Stauf
Jathan, thanks for your interest in this profile. As I'm sure you realize, there are probably many people descended from this couple and as WikiTree is collaborative, neither you nor I nor any one person has exclusive rights to assert facts about them. We all have to work together and try to use solid sourcing to support what we claim so that profiles are fact-based.

Re: his parentage, please read through the comments, especially from Joe Cochoit and read the information about disproven and theoretical parents in the profile. The decision to sever the previously asserted parents was not made lightly or without thought and research. If you have truly primary or solid secondary sources such as peer-reviewed research to show who his parents were, that would be fantastic. If so, please put that in a comment for review. Thanks and we all look forward to seeing your contributions.

posted by Brad Stauf
edited by Brad Stauf
Ken Morgan
I believe the marriage date for Miles and Prudence to more likely be 1640 or later. It is believed Miles arrived in 1636 from Bristol, England in the Salem / Boston area. It is also believed he joined Sir William Pynchon in Agawam / Springfield shortly after the initial group came there from the coast. So I would suggest using the date of 1642 that is in the extended biography. It seems likely the closest in time we can use for their marriage. Please remove the [to 1660] date of the marriage to Prudence Gilbert. She had her children from the 1644-1658 . She died in 1660 so her marriage date would not be to 1660!
posted by Ken Morgan
edited by Ken Morgan
Ken Morgan
The one oral tradition our family has maintained is that our Morgan ancestor[s] were of Welch origin and came to Salem , Massachusetts. No first names or dates were passed with the information or were forgotten. This was told to my grandfather by this father and thru his uncles' family too. I am the most recent recipient of our oral tradition. I set out to discover who he was our immigrant Morgan Ancestor. I started with Robert Morgan and also looked at James Morgan's line. They were in that coastal Salem area for a number of years. I could find no connection to either of these lines. My line was in central Massachusetts for several generations before leaving Amherst in 1830 and heading west into New York State. I concluded I descend from Miles and Prudence. So either the ship they came on landed in the Salem area or one or both lived there in the early year[s]. I have seen mention that Miles or Prudence lived there before moving to Agawam [Springfield]. They perhaps were married in Salem. Find A Grave mentioned in this profile James Morgan as Miles' sibling? I thought that this was proven incorrect? It would be nice if it were true. My son was once asked if he descended from the Morgan family in Connecticut. If so he could receive a discount on his gas bill. Apparently it was the Morgan Gas Company? I believe I descend from David Morgan son of Miles and Prudence. Other connected persons claim we descend from Jonathan. They site what they claim to see in some of these old publications. My view on it is not seeing the Jonathan Sr. and Jr. connection to Daniel Morgan Sr . in Brimfield. It was descendants of David Morgan who went to Brimfield. David's sons Deacon David and Benjamin Morgan Sr were in the Brimfield area.
posted by Ken Morgan
edited by Ken Morgan
Prickett-120 [Living Prickett]
Ken, please feel free to enter the changes you propsoe. Please include sources. Thanks

11

posted by [Living Prickett]
Cochoit-2 Joe Cochoit
Ken is there any actual evidence of for the family tradition? I will tell you from experience that I believe none of it. Of the many hundreds of claims of a "Welsh" origin I have seen, a fleeting small number have proved to be true. Is there any evidence that his parents are correct? Your Miles Morgan at a glance appears to be a typical Puritan farmer, well involved with his church and community. He first appears in Springfield in 1644, and every record there after is in Springfield. He was almost certainly born in England unless there is actual evidence of his origins or parents. The first record of him in New England appears to be the birth of his child on 14 Feb 1644/5 (btw we have the birth dates of all of his children wrong). His marriage should be estimated as by 1644 based on the birth of his child (1636 is too early). The best estimate of his birth would be about "1620 in England" based on the totality of his records.
posted by Joe Cochoit
Ken Morgan
The only things I have to go on are what is available to us all. I claim no knowledge of Miles in Wales or England. His story has definitely changed recently from earlier publications. With the internet and more access to records many of these earlier publications have seen corrections. I remember the 3 brothers claim that is still out there on many sites. I had people call and read this to me about Miles and James being brothers and arriving together. I told them I can read it back to them as I had copied it too. I am still trying to overcome claims from these earlier publications as I am going through the next generations in Miles' lines. Once something is entered on Wiki it can be harder to remove it than it was to enter it. Thanks for changing the marriage date to "before 1644" that is a most accurate description . I would remove the [1660] date after it. As for the location again we can only guess. The story indicates it was in the Salem area. Salem was originally called Naumkeag before 1628. After 1635 Beverly was set off from Salem. I have seen Beverly and Salem mentioned as the marriage location. As for the claim of Welch ancestry my grandfather was consistent in his telling of the oral history. His uncle's family repeated the same story to me. They did not have a first name only our Morgan ancestor came to Salem. The story of Miles' parents and being in Bristol England and traveling to New England are from research in England I would assume. The arrival of Miles and others in 1636 can not be confirmed. It is mentioned no ship records for arrivals in Boston are found for him that year. Perhaps the ship arrived in Salem as our tradition suggests? I would love for him to be descended from Tredegar House in Wales as his line is linked on Wiki to that Morgan estate. The fact that he was not literate seems to indicate he likely did not benefit from the wealth of Tredegar. His story appears to be still evolving and we may never know all the facts. Thanks to everyone who has worked on this and continues to so!
posted by Ken Morgan
edited by Ken Morgan
Cochoit-2 Joe Cochoit
Frankly, he needs to be disconnected from his parents as there is no evidence to support them.
posted by Joe Cochoit
Ken Morgan
[Comment Deleted]
posted by Ken Morgan
edited by Ken Morgan
deleted by Ken Morgan
Cochoit-2 Joe Cochoit
There are two reasons to disconnect Miles Morgan from his supposed parents William Morgan (d. 1649) of Y Dderw and Elizabeth Morgan (d. 1638), daughter of William Morgan of Tredegar. The first is you have no evidence that it is true. You have no baptism records, no wills, no land records, no court records, and even no family associations to even suggest that it is true.

The only thing we have is Appleton Morgan's A history of the family of Morgan, from the year 1089 to present times published in 1902. Even this provides no sources and is confusingly written. This alone is enough to remove the parents of Miles Morgan of Springfield.

The second reason is that it is fairly easy to show that William and Elizabeth cannot possibly be the parents of Miles Morgan. William Morgan matriculated to the Middle Temple on 17 April 1616 at which time he would have been about 16 years old, and he was called to the bar in 1623. He married(?) first Sybilla Wayte on 19 Nov. 1624. He married Elizabeth Morgan after 26 March 1633. His only known son and heir, and only son named in his will, was William Morgan who left no heirs and the estates William Morgan of Y Dderw were eventually inherited by his daughter Blanche. William Morgan did not have a son Miles. He married Elizabeth Morgan long after Miles Morgan of Springfield would have been born. Also, William Morgan was a wealthy lawyer and landholder and a member of parliament from 1640 to 1649, King’s attorney, recorder of Brecon, etc. Even the information that he ever lived in Bristol is wrong. He lived, worked served, died, and is buried in Brecon with no records of his life pertaining to England. His monumental inscription in Brecon church “"Here lyeth the body of William Morgan, Esq., king's attorney of South Wales and recorder of this borrough, who married Elizabeth, daughter of William Morgan, of Tredegar, and had issue William, Elizabeth, Mary Ann.” His son would not be a typical puritan farmer in Springfield, Massachusetts.

posted by Joe Cochoit
edited by Joe Cochoit
B-404 Anne B
Joe, I'm a manager/trusted list on the listed parents. I freely admit that I used Appleton's History as my source. (I'm not comfortable with it, but it is what it is.) You seem to have a good grasp of "William and Elizabeth" and sources I assume. I would welcome whatever changes need to be made to their profiles and will happily make the disconnection from Miles.
posted by Anne B
Ken Morgan
[Comment Deleted]
posted by Ken Morgan
deleted by Ken Morgan
B-404 Anne B
Probably, unless they are based on somebody else's claim that was originally based on Appleton.
posted by Anne B
Cochoit-2 Joe Cochoit
I would say they certainly are all based on Appleton. There are actually many errors on this profile, which now that I have started I will be cleaning up. (e.g. every date on his children is wrong).

Appleton Morgan makes a big deal of calling him Captain Morgan - I find no instance where he was ever called this. Does anyone know of a record where he was called Captain Morgan?

posted by Joe Cochoit
Childs-1516 Christopher Childs
I find a range of secondary records that refer to him as "Capt." -- including Crozier's General Armory of 1904 and a 1906 Supplement to the General Register of the Society of Colonial Wars -- but these both postdate Appleton and may be reliant on the earlier work. OTOH, in 1897 Representative Men of Massachusetts, 1890-1900 described a "colossal bronze statue of Capt. Miles Morgan... in the Court House Square of Springfield", but a photo of that statue (https://lostnewengland.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/004_1908c-2Bloc.jpg) shows that no rank was assigned to him when its inscription was attached. The New England Historical Society describes him only as "a constable and selectman of Springfield".

Elsewhere I've seen believable references to him as "Sergeant" (e.g., Springfield Present and Prospective: The City of Homes, by Eugene Clarence Gardner, 1905; https://books.google.com/books?id=s5yOH4pNf68C&pg=PA54-IA7&lpg=PA54-IA7&dq=#v=onepage&q&f=false; also, the earlier Life and times of Henry Burt of Springfield, by Henry M. Burt & Silas Wright Burt, 1893 -- antedating Appleton by 9 years), which strikes me as more likely, but I admit I haven't yet seen a _primary_ source for that rank.

The 1869 Morgan Genealogy by Nathaniel H. Morgan refers to him as "Sergeant" in its report of his 1669 (2nd) marriage, to Elizabeth Bliss: p. 236; https://archive.org/details/morgangenealogyh00morg/page/236/mode/2up . That's the earliest mention I've seen so far of any rank. ... Ah: here's the marriage record (https://ma-vitalrecords.org/MA/Hampden/Springfield/MarriagesM.shtml) -- "MORGAN... Serja Miles and Elizabeth Bliss, Feb. 15, 1669. PCR", followed by two other records of the marriage, each of which shows him as "Serjeant".

[LOL -- If we demote him from "Capt.", do we risk a lawsuit from a major rum distillery??]

posted by Christopher Childs
edited by Christopher Childs
Cochoit-2 Joe Cochoit
What I have so far is... He is first referred to as Sergeant Morgan in town records on 2 November 1658. This may have been made official when the Hampshire County court confirmed and ratified in 1662 at the request of Springfield their choices for the militia, and that "Thomas Stebbins is & shalbe their Eldest Sarjeant; and Miles Morgan their Second Serjeant." He was Sergeant Morgan when he got married in 1669. He was still Sergeant Morgan when he took the Oath of Allegiance in 1678 (now after King Philip's War). He was freed from military obligations 1686. Certainly from 1658 to 1678 he was consistently called Sergeant, and afterwards I find no mention of a rank. It could still be there on some late town record but I haven't found it yet.
posted by Joe Cochoit
Ken Morgan
Joe I have read that he used a boat anchor as his brand on his livestock. He was said to have had a boat that he used to trade with natives and neighbors along the river. That appears likely where the title Captain came from. I can not recall the place or places I read this. It could have been in one of those early publications like Appleton. I believe some early records survived that mentioned the boat anchor as his mark or brand.
posted by Ken Morgan
Cochoit-2 Joe Cochoit
I will be correcting and sourcing many errors on this profile.
posted by Joe Cochoit
Ken Morgan
[Comment Deleted]
posted by Ken Morgan
deleted by Ken Morgan
Cochoit-2 Joe Cochoit
There are three claims which I have seen literally hundreds of times which seem invariably wrong - "three brothers" came to New England (always 3 separate men with the same LNAB); "Family tradition says" (it is always wrong and is in fact someone's more recent genealogical error); "came from Wales" (every family of unknown origins seems to claim an origin from Wales and it is never correct. The number of actual early NE immigrants from Wales is exceedingly small).

As far as the family tradition regarding Miles Morgan goes, I find this actually rather interesting as this is a rare case where we can actually attribute information to people writing about their family at a time much closer to when Miles Morgan lived. What I would say your true "family tradition" is:

Titus Morgan (1776-1811) writing in 1809 said Miles Morgan was a native of Great Britain; he lived in Bristol for a time; he immigrated with two brothers (one unnamed and one named John) in April 1636; he married an unnamed young woman he met on the voyage to NE; he had to travel from Springfield to Beverly to bring his bride back to Springfield.

Found in the papers of Capt. Joseph Waters (1756-1833) was a memorandum stating John, Joseph and Miles Morgan traveled from Bristol to Boston in April 1636; Joseph removed to Connecticut, John to Virginia, Miles to Springfield; "Morgan" married Prudence Gilbert of Beverly; Miles met the Gilbert family on their voyage to NE.

So, the true family tradition mentions no parents and no origins, it includes no brother James, and it does not mention Wales. Both agree the Morgans came from Bristol to NE, and that Miles married a woman from Beverly (only one of which says Prudence Gilbert). Both of these "early" family traditions are still 150+ years after the fact and so cannot be completely trusted without confirming primary records.

posted by Joe Cochoit
Ken Morgan
Joe I posted a comment for Ann on another Morgan profile. Basically i mentioned a reference to Appleton Morgan's page 100 claim of brothers. I suggested a similarity to that and Morgan -229 and son Morgan-228 compared also with Morgan-1012 and son Morgan-8446? A comment near the end of Sir William Morgan's profile[ Morgan-126] mentioned difficulty in researching the Morgan family because of common names but this seems a bit much; Evan, Thomas, John and James Jr?
posted by Ken Morgan
edited by Ken Morgan
Cochoit-2 Joe Cochoit
At this point, I believe that Appleton Morgan was not just wrong about the origins of Miles and James Morgan I believe he was intentionally fraudulent. I say that because it is clear he was copying from an earlier work (near word for word so he was using it), but then changed a date and inserted a false son into the pedigree to support his "theory." I will supply more details later when I have time. Appleton Morgan cannot be trusted on anything he says regarding English/Welsh origins of the NE immigrants and everything must be confirmed from other sources.
posted by Joe Cochoit
Ken Morgan
I found these other earlier writings now more interesting since we cannot use Appleton's publication as the best source. I have seen Titus Morgan mentioned in earlier records long before I was on the internet. I did not know about writings from him .
posted by Ken Morgan
Cochoit-2 Joe Cochoit
Ken and Anne, you may be interested in this free space page I started.

Origin of James and Miles Morgan

It includes information as to why I think Appleton Morgan may have committed fraud with respect to the origins James Morgan. I have gone down a real rabbit hole here and spent way too much time on this family. The next thing to add is a different theory as to the origins of James and Miles which is much more likely to be correct.

posted by Joe Cochoit
Aldrich-908 Cheryl (Aldrich) Skordahl
At some point in time, when you're ready Joe, I think your free space page could be linked to PGM. Let me know when it's ready. Thanks.
posted by Cheryl (Aldrich) Skordahl
Ken Morgan
Patricia thanks for the comment . I am on other sites like "Find a Grave" and also finding mistakes. They have Miles' son Pelatiah as born and died in 1676. I have spent much time trying to prove who these early Pelatiah Morgans are to people who have mixed them. Miles' son Pelatiah was born in 1650 and killed in the attack in Oct 1675 during King Phillips War. Son David named his next son Pelatiah in 1676 likely to honor his deceased brother. This baby appears to not have survived as he is listed in the death records the same year 1676. So when David and his wife had a son in 1677 they named him Pelatiah Morgan. This son survived and lived and raised a family in West Springfield. After the American Revolution the removed to Vermont or Maine? Miles' son Issac also named a child Pelatiah. So we have a few more generations of Pelatiah and Pelatiah Jr. The point being people are mixing these generations. On Find a Grave they have correct information in a bio but incorrect information under children or siblings connections? People are creating memorials and connecting them to the wrong generation as the parents. When you are not the manager you are limited. I send the correct information and/or a request for them to change it. I found this on one of our presidents' parents memorials on Find A Grave. They have a father's death place in a wrong state. The man died in the same place his son who became president was born in the previous year? Thank you!
posted by Ken Morgan
B-404 Anne B
Who is Joseph? Not a child of Miles according to the two Morgan Genealogies. I suspect he may be Morgan-7680 son of Robert. What do people think?
posted by Anne B
Prickett-120 [Living Prickett]
I've detached Joseph as the son of Miles, as you can now see. Pat
posted by [Living Prickett]
Ken Morgan
[Comment Deleted]
posted by Ken Morgan
deleted by Ken Morgan
Prickett-120 [Living Prickett]
I've detached Joseph as the son of Miles, as you can now see. Pat
posted by [Living Prickett]
Ken Morgan
I thought that more recent research has proven James Morgan and Miles Morgan were not brothers!
posted by Ken Morgan
Smith-32867 Jillaine Smith
Ken, would love to learn more about that. Do you recall where you saw that?
posted by Jillaine Smith
B-404 Anne B
It's one of those old "three brother's" myths. Caused by misreading one of those early genealogies. I see the paragraph containing siblings is still on this profile, so I will remove it.
posted by Anne B
Ken Morgan
All I can offer is that you look at the profiles of his parents and read all the comments and conclusions. Many of these earlier publications have been long used as the final word. Newer research has brought some corrections and perhaps uncovered documents not available earlier. The important thing as we continue to verify and correct going forward!
posted by Ken Morgan
Smith-32867 Jillaine Smith
Parents' profiles and comments reviewed. No sign of more recent research than 1902.
posted by Jillaine Smith
Smith-62120 Ellen Smith
I share Carolyn's opinion about the image from the Captain Morgan brand rum label. It shouldn't be here.
posted by Ellen Smith
Jessica Burguess
Miles Morgan was not the Capt. Morgan we are all thinking it was an off spring of a Thomas Morgan who was still living in Wales at the time, and he went onto being residence of Jamaica.
posted by Jessica Burguess
Ken Morgan
Yes that is correct. I believe he may be Henry Morgan. There is a profile for him on Wiki too.
posted by Ken Morgan
Carolyn Adams
Request that the cartoon pirate used to sell rum be taken down from Miles Morgan's profile. It is disrespectful.
posted by Carolyn Adams

Featured National Park champion connections: Miles is 11 degrees from Theodore Roosevelt, 18 degrees from Stephanus Johannes Paulus Kruger, 9 degrees from George Catlin, 13 degrees from Marjory Douglas, 21 degrees from Sueko Embrey, 11 degrees from George Grinnell, 24 degrees from Anton Kröller, 11 degrees from Stephen Mather, 19 degrees from Kara McKean, 13 degrees from John Muir, 15 degrees from Victoria Hanover and 24 degrees from Charles Young on our single family tree. Login to find your connection.

M  >  Morgan  >  Miles Morgan

Categories: King Philip's War | Massachusetts Bay Colony, Immigrants from England | Springfield, Massachusetts | Agawam, Massachusetts | Puritan Great Migration Adjunct