David Morgan (frontiersman)

David Morgan (born 12 May 1721 Christiana, New Castle, Delaware died 19 May 1813) "The Indian Fighter" was a notable soldier and frontiersman in what is now the state of West Virginia. He was the third child of Morgan Morgan and Catherine Garretson Morgan, traditionally stated to be the first white settler in West Virginia. Family tradition claims he was a friend of George Washington and Patrick Henry. Morgan was hired to help George Washington to survey the lands of Lord Fairfax's Virginia land holdings in 1746 and establish the northern border of Fairfax estate. This boundary became the border between Maryland and Pennsylvania. A monument placed at the northern branch of the Potomac River is known as Fairfax Stone.

For other people with the same name, see David Morgan (disambiguation).

Morgan participated in many battles of the Revolutionary War and helped defend Fort Duquesne. A younger brother Zackquill (Zackwell) Morgan founded Morgantown, West Virginia which is the town where West Virginia University is located.

In 1745, Morgan built a log cabin at Bunker Hill, Frederick (now Berkeley) County, (West) Virginia. (This structure was later expanded and became the Morgan-Gold House; it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.[1]) In 1772, he moved to Marion County, (West) Virginia.[2]

Morgan is the 3rd great grandfather of West Virginia Governor Ephraim F. Morgan (1869–1950) and Congressman William S. Morgan (1801–1878).[2]

Military Service

French and Indian War

During the French and Indian War, David fought under the command of Captain Charles Lewis. He was also a defender at Fort Necessity and served under General Edward Braddock in the disastrous march on Fort Duquesne.

American Revolution

David served as private in Captain Haymond's Co., Virginia Militia; as private in Captain William Haymond's Co., Virginia Militia; and was Captain of 5th Co., 8th Battalion under Col. Peter Grub.

Family

David married Sarah Stevens in 1745. Together they had the following 8 children:

  1. Morgan 'Mod' Morgan born 20 Dec 1746 died 31 Oct 1826
  2. James Morgan born 5 Apr 1748 died 3 Mar 1840
  3. Evan Thomas Morgan born 3 Mar 1753 died 18 Mar 1850
  4. Elizabeth Morgan born 1755 died 1798
  5. Zackquill Morgan born 8 Sep 1758 died 27 Feb 1834 (not to be confused with Colonel Zackquill Morgan founder of Morgantown, West Virginia)
  6. Stephen Morgan born 17 Oct 1761 died 30 Nov 1850
  7. Sarah Morgan born 1765 died 1791
  8. Catherine Morgan born 16 Jan 1769 died 30 Apr 1848.

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. Frances D. Ruth (September 1984). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form: Morgan-Gold House" (PDF). State of West Virginia, West Virginia Division of Culture and History, Historic Preservation. Retrieved 2011-06-02.

[1]


  1. Morgan, French; A HISTORY AND GENEALOGY OF THE FAMILY OF COL. MORGAN MORGAN, THE FIRST WHITE SETTLER OF THE STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA WASHINGTON, D.C., 1 JANUARY 1950
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