Too many Morgans!

[mckha489]

Regarding #27. 

He was a friend and contemporary of William Murray, afterwards Earl of Mansfield. It was said of these two lawyers that "The English Bar must ever command respect whilst it had Murray's eloquence and Morgan's integrity".

I have been unable to find any source for this statement.

Nor this one

This John Morgan, who was cousin to Sir Chaloner Ogle,

And have not found a fifth child.

[mckha489]

I’ve been through all the wills of the Morgans who were ironmongers in Southwark.

Eg https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C10011300.

I could not find any connection there.  (The mentions in Lambeth Palace archives relate to that family).


I still feel this will could be key.  https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C1918773
If only because it is the one they could not find when I ordered it over a year ago, and Murphy’s law must surely prevail. I have ordered it again, will see if they have more luck.

[mckha489]

National Archives  have found the Will of William Morgan of St Thomas, Southwark.  1749


In the Name of God Amen, I William Morgan of the
Parish of St Thomas Southwark in the county of Surry Gentleman
being weak in Body but of sound mind memory and understanding
do make this my last will and Testament in manner and form
following that is to say Whereas my Brother the Rev John Morgan
of Sion College London stands indebted unto me in the summe of
twenty one pounds besides interest being the remaining  part of the
summe of forty five pounds I lent him sometime since on his
Note of Hand for the same as may appear by the said Note
now in my Wifes Custody who refuses to deliver  the same to
me Now I do hereby in Consideration of my said Brothers having
maintained and educated my son David Morgan from his
Infancy (he being upwards of fifteen years of age) forgive and
discharge my said Brother John Morgan of and from the said
summe of twenty one pounds and all Interest due thereon to me
at the time of my decease and all thereof residue and remainder
of my Estate of what nature or kind soever I give and bequeath
the same and every part thereof unto my said Brother John
Morgan in trust for my said son David Morgan when he shall
attain the age of one and twenty years At which time I direct
my Executor hereafter named to deliver and pay all such residue
of my said Estate unto him my said son David Morgan for his
own sole use and benefit but incase my said son shall depart this
life before he attains such age then and in such case I give and
bequeath all such residue of my said Estate unto Leonora Morgan
wife of the said John Morgan as a recompense for her extraordinary
love and indulgence  of my said son from his Infancy as aforesaid
and i do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my said Brother
John Morgan sole executor of this my last Will and Testament
hereby revoking all others by me at any time heretofore  made  In
witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal this
fourth day of December in the year of our Lord 1749

Signed sealed published and declared by the
Testator William Morgan as and for his last
Will and Testament in the presence of us who
in his presence and at his request have sett
our names as witnesses hereto

Tho. Raffles     Pet. Edwards



So  - there is no mention of another son John, so John Morgan of the Inner Temple cannot be the brother of David.  In fact David must be an only child!  Bang goes that theory.
Also - it seems to be from the tenor of this will that the mother of David must have died and the wife refusing to give up the promissory note is a subsequent one?  Shame he doesn't name her.

Not the break through I hoped for. But interesting for you OrganicJohn.


On the reverse it says

14th November 1750
The Revd. John Morgan the
Brother of the Testator and sole
Executor within named
was duly sworn

and

Testator died in the parish of St Mary Newington in the county of Surrey in July last. Which I interpret as July 1750

[OrganicJohn]

That is really interesting. He is definitely the right William Morgan as the son David is exactly the right age to be my David Walter Morgan. So he was brought up by his uncle Rev John Morgan and his wife. I wonder where David was educated; could it have been Sion College? Was Rev John Morgan the headmaster? He went on to study at Cambridge which would have been very expensive. Perhaps the wealthy Herman Olmius provided the money for whatever reason. David was obviously indebted to him, naming his son John Drigue Morgan  after Olmius`s wife. I don`t quite follow what the "promissory note" is all about. Perhaps some research on Rev John Morgan might be rewarding.

[OrganicJohn]

Sion College in the City of London was founded in 1630 for the education and fellowship of Church of England clergy. It was badly damaged in the Fire of London in 1666. If it operated as a charitable instituition then perhaps William Morgan did not need to be very well off to send his son there. Sending him to Cambridge might have been a different matter. Perhaps he could have got a scholarship or maybe this is where the Olmius family helped.

[mckha489]

I can’t see that Sion college was actually an educational establishment as such.
More of a support place for clergy with a library and Alms House.

[mckha489]

Page 13 of this document has a reference for something at London Metropolitan Archives

https://search.lma.gov.uk/LMA_DOC/CLC_198.PDF

Miscellaneous letters and papers chiefly relating to court business, estate management, and library matters.

Doesn’t look too hopeful but you never know.


BTW it is interesting he is said to be of Sion College at this time when he was appointed at Braintree in 1738. 

There are references to be followed in Wales too re the Chancellorship of St David’s

https://archives.library.wales/index.php/return-of-chanter-and-chapter-of-st-davids-certifying-that-john-morgan-chancellor-and-james-tunstall

[OrganicJohn]

It is referred to as a "college" rather than a "library" although there was a library there. There is also mention of it originally having apartments for students. The students could of course have been studying independantly in the library rather than attending formal courses.

[mckha489]

Have you seen this Organic John?

https://www.lotsearch.net/lot/a-mid-18th-century-mahogany-cased-long-case-clock-with-fine-later-carving-41177220?page=2

No idea if it is your man or not. But an interesting possibility.