Col. Haynes Morgan

The Later Years

Colonel Haynes Morgan went to Pittsylvania Court House in March and April of 1780 with his 1764 discharge, to apply for land for his earlier service as a Sergeant Major in the British Army. He stated that he had served seven years beginning in 1758 and was “reduced” in New York in 1764. The court ordered his service record to be certified to the Register of the Land Office.

In 1785 the Pittsylvania County records credit Colonel Haynes Morgan with 4 white tithables, 1 dwelling house and 5 other buildings. That same year, he was made Colonel of the County Militia. In 1788 a Masonic Lodge was organized at Pittsylvania Court House and Colonel Morgan was chosen as the Master Mason for Lodge No. 24. There were then only two dozen Masonic lodges.

On August 22, 1789, Haynes Morgan wrote to Governor Beverly Randolph “complaining that the County Court had recommended Lieut. Col. Stephen Coleman to be Colonel of the First Battalion of Militia and Mr. Constant Perkins, a private in the Second Battalion, to be major in the First. He claims that he is entitled to the promotion, being the Eldest Colonel. These promotions occur by reason of the death of Col. Abraham Shelton of the First Battalion.” He stated that the Court of the County, “consisting of a few members in his absence had recommended Stephen Coleman Lt. Col. of the First to be Col. thereof, & he had been commissioned. This he [Morgan] conceives to be his right, and request the Governor as Commander-in-Chief, to see him righted.” There is no record of a response.

Colonel Haynes Morgan remained involved with the State Capital. By an Act of the General Assembly dated December 16, 1791, he was appointed a Commissioner to examine obstructions to the passage of fish up the Rivers. Serving with him on this Commission were Matthew Clay, Thomas Watkins, John Wilson, George Adams, David Hunt, William Todd, Robert Williams, Stephen Coleman, James Anderson, Beverley Barksdale, and John Markham.

In February of 1793, he applied for 400 acres of vacant land on his own lines and those of Doss, Crenshaws, and Andersons, beginning on his own line "per his 3,000-acre warrant." Apparently, he was granted this land for his earlier service. His heirs received land for his service many years later after his death.

Colonel Haynes Morgan’s will was dated January 15, 1790, but it would be five more years before it was proved in court. His will was ordered recorded on April 20, 1795. An appraisal of his estate lists 22 slaves by name with value ranging from 8 to 75 pounds each. The slaves were Old Will, Isaac, Sherwood, Nan, Grace, Jude, Phillis, Silvey, Little Jude, Abram, Nelson, Jenny, Harwood, Mary, Siller, Moriah, Patt, Dick, Rose, Fanny, Ned, and Young Will. His will gave his sword to his son, Haynes Morgan II.

Records show that in 1805, Mary, the widow of Colonel Haynes Morgan, had six slaves and three horses. Haynes Morgan II had 11 slaves and four horses.

On September 17, 1810, Haynes Morgan II bought 126 acres of land on both sides of Banister River “including one half acre for the Mill Seat” from Henry Wade, Senior. This was the old mill built by John Buckley on Banister river near the mouth of Allen’s Creek in 1795. In 1816, Haynes Morgan II applied to build another mill one quarter of a mile above his mill. In 1817, Haynes Morgan II sold three tracts of land which totaled 988 acres.

The 259-acre tract with the home place and grave of Colonel Haynes Morgan, was sold to Edmond Fitzgerald for $2,595.00. Descendants of Fitzgerald live on this land today.

Also in 1817, Haynes Morgan II’s brother-in-law sold the 190-acre tract of land that was given him by his father, Major Vincent Shelton in 1816. Both of these families (Morgans and Sheltons) migrated to Rowan (now Davie) County, North Carolina.

On the 24th of March 1838, warrant #8510 was issued for 6,666 and 2/3 acres of land for three years service as a Colonel in the State Line by Haynes Morgan during the Revolutionary War. The warrant was issued to Mary Thompson Roberts, Elizabeth Shelton, (the children) - Mary Thompson Thomas, Haynes Laurence Morgan, John B. Morgan, and Elizabeth Morgan Thomas, Susan Columbia Morgan (grandchildren of Col. Haynes Morgan, deceased).

Fifty-two years after the old soldier’s death, on February 22, 1847, descendants of Colonel Morgan signed a power of attorney to William B. Morgan to obtain land for the colonel’s service. Morgan was directed to locate military land warrant #419 in Virginia for 1,482 acres due the descendants of Elizabeth L. Shelton, deceased, who was a child of Haynes Morgan, deceased, who was a colonel in the Continental Line (actually the State Line). the warrant was said to be issued on 10 July 1838. Elizabeth’s four children were Henry R. Shelton, Sr., Elizabeth L. Shelton Howell, Vincent Morgan Shelton, and Susan B. Shelton Ribelin.


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