Morgan, James, 1787-1866

Colonel James Morgan (1787-1866) was an early Texas settler, merchant, and land speculator. Having started out in Texas with a mercantile business, in 1835 Morgan became a real estate agent for the New Washington Association and began to purchase large tracts of land for development. During the Texas Revolution, Morgan was the commander at Galveston Island, where he was in charge of the 1836 fortification of the island. President Sam Houston later charged him with mismanaging this project. After the revolution, Morgan turned his interests to improving what would eventually become the Houston Ship Channel, and experimenting with cattle breeds and crop cultivation.

James Morgan (1787-1866) was a Texas pioneer, merchant, land speculator and commander at Galveston during the Texas Revolution (1835-1836). He first came to Texas in 1830. In 1834, during the feverish era of speculation just prior to the Texas Revolution, Morgan organized an ambitious land venture called the New Washington Association.

Born in Philadelphia to James and Martha Morgan, James Morgan (1787-1866) grew up in North Carolina, where he married Celia Harrell, with whom he had three children. In 1830, Morgan moved to Texas to open a mercantile business with John Reed. Two years later, Morgan was selected to represent Liberty Municipality in the Convention of 1832. In 1835, Morgan joined the New Washington Association as a purchasing agent. He soon purchased large quantities of land for the company in Harrisburg and Liberty counties, and laid out the town of New Washington. Morgan also operated a ship for the company, which was often used by the Texas government during the Revolution. Additionally, he was appointed commandant of Galveston Island and planned its defenses, though Sam Houston charged him with mismanagement. After Texas gained its independence, Morgan returned to work for the New Washington Association, was defeated in his bid for a Congressional seat, and was active in promoting the Houston Ship Channel. He also experimented with the cultivation of oranges, cotton, and sugarcane as well as possibly importing the first Durham shorthorns into Texas.

Source:

Brunson, B. R. and Andrew Forest Muir. "Morgan, James." Handbook of Texas Online. Accessed July 19, 2011.

Born in Philadelphia to James and Martha Morgan, James Morgan (1787-1866) grew up in North Carolina, where he married Celia Harrell, with whom he had three children.

In 1830, Morgan moved to Texas to open a mercantile business with John Reed. Two years later, Morgan was selected to represent Liberty Municipality in the Convention of 1832. In 1835, Morgan joined the New Washington Association as a purchasing agent. He soon purchased large quantities of land for the company in Harrisburg and Liberty counties, and laid out the town of New Washington. Morgan also operated a ship for the company, which was often used by the Texas government during the Revolution. Additionally, he was appointed commandant of Galveston Island and planned its defenses, though Sam Houston charged him with mismanagement. After Texas gained its independence, Morgan returned to work for the New Washington Association, was defeated in his bid for a Congressional seat, and was active in promoting the Houston Ship Channel. He also experimented with the cultivation of oranges, cotton, and sugarcane as well as possibly importing the first Durham shorthorns into Texas.