Christmas Wishes do Come True – some Answers to the Morgan Mystery

My search continues for clues on the Hardy Morgan family. In addition, how Hardy’s family might tie into my own Morgan family. In researching the military record for Hardy Morgan, I came across some mind-changing information on Joseph Morgan, my fourth great grandfather. I know I have said this a hundred times, and I will probably say it a hundred more. When no information is readily obtainable on an ancestor, it truly benefits us to research those people who lived around that ancestor in order to find information and build a timeline.Trust me, once you begin researching those who lived around your brick wall ancestor, you will find clues that lead to more clues that finally lead to solving the mystery.

On 18 June 1812, Congress declared war on Britain and the War of 1812 officially started. North Carolinian's served in both the regular army and the militia during the war. The 10th Regiment contained the most North Carolinian's. On 23-24 August, the British burned Washington, D.C. and the federal government called 7,000 North Carolina militiamen. Two North Carolina regiments were sent to Norfolk. Those North Carolinian's witnessed a British naval bombardment but did not take part in any fighting. Troops were kept in readiness until the end of the war. The majority of soldiers who fought from North Carolina were in state militia companies ordered to Wilmington and New Bern to defend the North Carolina coast.

Orders had been issued for another regiment of North Carolina’s detached militia to rendezvous at Wadesboro, Anson County, travel to the Mississippi Territory, and join forces under Gen. Andrew Jackson, but the Wadesboro rendezvous was canceled when The Treaty of Ghent was signed on 24 Dec 1814 and the War of 1812 came to an abrupt end. Federal records indicate that only 18 North Carolina soldiers were killed in action, the majority of others died from disease. (ncpedia.org and statelibrarync.org)

Listed as a second lieutenant, Hardy Morgan, and my fourth great grandfather, Joseph Morgan, served in the War of 1812 with the Tenth Company, detached from Montgomery Regiment. 

Pay vouchers was the system used to pay soldiers, and in some cases those who gave supplies to the war effort. They were later redeemed for money. The vouchers were pre-printed forms with specific details like name, rank, and company filled in by hand. When a voucher was redeemed, a hole was punched through it. (statelibrarync.org)

Hardy Morgan and Joseph Morgan, my fourth great grandfather, were issued their pay vouchers on 7 May 1815, Hardy’s pay voucher is listed as number 1713 and Joseph’s listed as number 1725. Both pay vouchers were redeemed as a hole is punched through them.

I now know that my fourth great grandfather was alive on 7 May 1815, five months after the War of 1812 ended. Thus, Joseph Morgan was NOT killed in the War of 1812. 

http://digital.ncdcr.gov

A Christmas wish fulfilled, I located the War of 1812 Pension File for Nancy Morgan, wife of Hardy Morgan! Seventeen pages packed full of documented information on Hardy and Nancy Morgan. The file states that Hardy Morgan served in Captain Elijah Haltom NC Mil from 6 Aug 1813 to 21 Aug 1813. Less than 60 days service. Documented evidence to back up the pay voucher I found

The miracle continues with the affidavit stating that Hardy Morgan was born in Chatham County, NC on 1 Apr 1785 and died in Pontotoc County, MS 3 Jul 1854. Hardy had emigrated from Chatham County to Montgomery County prior to 1807 as the file states he and Nancy Hearn(e) were married on 16 Jul 1807 by Samuel Steed in Montgomery County, NC. The file further states that Hardy and Nancy had 12 children, whom all died prior to 1877.

The file goes on to state that Hardy Morgan emigrated with his family to Pontotoc, MS in 1846 and after his death, Nancy emigrated to Lincoln County, AR with her children where she died on or about 12 Jan 1877.

Fold3

Further searches have turned up a Newspaper article indicating that in 1828 Hardy Morgan turned in his resignation to the North Carolina House of Commons and said resignation was accepted.

Newspapers

In 1832 and 1833, Dr. Francis Kron visited the Hardy Morgan household in Eldorado, Montgomery County, North Carolina for a myriad of medical issues. In April 1833, Dr. Kron records a visit to “Bleeding Carolina.” 

Stanly County History Center

This record confirms that Caroline was not married to Colin Beckerdite yet as she is still living in her father’s household. It is currently my belief that Colin and Caroline were married about 1834 and their first child, Oliver, was born about 1835. I am still researching the areas where the Morgan’s and Beckerdite’s lived in hopes of finding some connection that can reasonably explain how Colin Beckerdite and Caroline Morgan could have met.

Now that I have documented proof that Hardy Morgan was born in Chatham County, North Carolina I will begin research there in an attempt to uncover who his parents were.