Morgan County Profiles

General Daniel Morgan

     This series of Morgan County biographical profiles is being initiated to provide ready assess to information about interesting people who have been born in, lived, worked, or were educated in Morgan County, or in some fashion are associated with the County. There have been rich and famous personages, but this series is intended to expand such a list to contemporaries as well as historical figures and to those less traditionally traditionally "famous." The intent is to honor many who have contributed to the county and its communities and touched the lives of many others by their efforts. Perhaps it best to begin in an untraditional way - to honor one who never set foot on the soil of Morgan County.
     General Daniel Morgan was born in New Jersey in 1736, being four years younger than his future commander George Washington. He moved to Virginia as a youth and became, at 19, a civilian wagoner during the French and Indiana War serving on the Virginia frontier under ill-fated General Edward Braddock, as did Washington. Eventually joining the Army, he was a lieutenant in the defense against Pontiac's Conspiracy in 1763-64. By the time the Revolutionary War broke out, Morgan received a commission as Captain of Virginia riflemen. He served under Benedict Arnold at Quebec, was forced to surrender and later exchanged as a prisoner. Promoted to Colonel, he served under General Horatio Gates, helping defeat British General Johnnie Burgoyne at Saratoga, a decisive American victory. He became a Brigadier General in his command of troops in the southern department in North Carolina.
     Retiring to his Virginia estate after the war, he was recalled to duty to help curtail the Whiskey Rebellion. As a Federalist, he serve one term in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1797-99. He died in 1802, a revered hero of the Revolutionary generation that was quickly disappearing.
     In December 1821, the General Assembly approved an Act establishing Morgan County with the county, named for General Morgan, organizing on January 1, 1822, with the Governor appointing its first officers.

By Ken Griffin

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