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Genealogies giving Abel Morgan’s descendants often cite an article in the “Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography.” This journal was not available to most readers of these genealogies until recently. It is now available online at
http://books.google.com/books?id=Yg0XAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA302&dq=morgan+rhydderch+cardiganshire#PPA304,M1.
The article in said journal, by Horatio Gates Jones, is entitled: ‘The Reverend Abel Morgan. Pastor of the United Baptist Churches of Pennepek and Philadelphia,’ and is in Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. VI, Philadelphia, PA, 1882, pp. 302-307.
There is an interesting letter from the Rev. Morgan to his congregation back in Wales, which he wrote shortly after arriving in America. It was penned in Welsh and painstakingly transcribed into English. It describes his tribulations encountered crossing the ocean, and also gives a description of Philadelphia ca. 1712. The latter should interest the general reader.
I have transcribed a pertinent section from Jones’s text reproducing the letter and an introductory piece to the letter. It follows:
“On the 28th of June, 1711, he and his family took ship at Bristol, but the weather was so unfavorable that the next day they were compelled to return to Milford Haven, where they were detained three weeks. Starting from this place, they were driven by a storm to Cork, in Ireland, where they were obliged to remain for five weeks, and were subjected to much suffering. On the 19th of November they started on their voyage for the third time, but were soon taken sick. On the 14th of December his little son died, and on the 17th his wife died. The passage was long and severe, for he was of Mr. Morgan in my possession is a letter in Welsh to his church in Blaenegwent, which has been carefully translated by my worthy friend Rev. Richard Edwards, of Pottsville, Pa. It is interesting not only to Baptists, but to others, describing as it does the condition of this new country, as it appeared to a new-comer.
PHILADELPHIA, April 12, 1712
My dear Christian brothers and sisters, usually meeting at Blaenegwent Salutation! You have expected to hear from me sooner but I could find no way to send from this place. I have more to write than I can conveniently do at present. After leaving King Road Sept. 28, we came to Milford Haven next day, where we remained three weeks and after sailing from there, a tempest drove us to Cork, in Ireland on 23rd of October, where we were delayed by adverse winds for five weeks. We were generally sick at this place and several died. My wife and family were likely to die, but the time had not yet come then. Our sickness began from the impurity of the air and insalubrity of the land with our bodies. More than all we were injured by the beef and water there, and no spiritous liquors were allowed us, unless we were able to purchase a little ourselves. We were treated there like menials. On account of the tempests we suffered from colds, and on the 14th of December my little son died and three days after my wife died, which is a severe calamity and loss to me, but the Will of God must be done. We were eleven weeks between Ireland and the land of America. We came into sight of land about the 12thof February. We were in that ship twenty-two weeks. We did not suffer from enemies but were sore in need of provisions. At first we wanted stimulants and afterwards food, but all this ended, and we arrived in the land of bread. We became well as we arrived and continues so at the present. We were compelled to take a house in the city for a year. I can say but little about the country for I have not seen much of its sights and interests. I am surprised to see the extent of the city in so short a time. It is about a mile long and of medium width with wide streets and high and beautiful buildings. The inhabitants are numerous; ships laden lie at the side of the town. There is a Court here, and wagons are continually going with flour and wheat to the ships. The country is exceedingly level as far as I have seen for about sixty miles; mostly good ground without much stone, so that a man may ride a hundred miles without a shoe under his horse. There is an orchard by every house of various fruits, very productive they say, but generally yielding every alternate year. There are but few who do not sell much wheat in the year, which is the most abundant grain except rye. All other cereals which are raised in England and many more are raised here. I have visited many houses. I have only seen flour and rye bread, various meats and plenty of changes. I am told that pork can be had in the fall for seven farthings per pound, but that is only about five farthings of England’s reckoning; dry bacon now for three pence of English money. There are many improvements about this place, a sufficiency of employment for tradesmen, with good wages; also for hired men for farmers. They are paid two shillings a day and board, sometimes more.
Money is scarce here on account of the war. They expect it more plenty when peace is restored. People generally barter their goods. They trade in the country for grain and flour, and money can be had in the city for these by the thousands of bushels. People live well here. It is certain the poorest are doing as well as those who possess twenty pounds a year in Wales. Malt beer is scarce with us at present but we cannot expect that we who have newly arrived in the country can obtain all things like others. But we are not in need. We must sow before we reap. The last winter they say was severe with frost and snow. Summer is spoken of as being very warm some days, but I will be able to say more of this when I write you again.
Concerning religious affairs, as yet I can say but little. It is a joy to my heart to see all things so well, but they are not so well, nor can we expect them as well situated as we saw them in our own country. We have different opinions and denominations as in Wales, but the Quakers are the most numerous. It is likely there will be four churches1 here this summer and four more the other side of the river in Jersey, and each congregation have ministers conducting all things orderly. They have annual meetings, and many people gather to them. One was held late in March which I attended. I intend going some one hundred and twenty miles to organize a church in West Jersey2 where brother Nathaniel Jenkins is called, but they are all English. From there I am likely to go to annual meetings before I return home. One of these congregations numbers about eighty and the other about one hundred and twenty members. There is but one entire regular church in all respects, but I think they are willing to be instructed how to act in conformity with the usual customs. By the help of God I have been enabled to bring about some reformation and I have a full desire to correct all deficiencies pertaining to their faith as far as lies in my power – and give them directions for discipline and order. But it requires great caution and wisdom, so that I am constrained to say “who is sufficient for the work that here is to be done?” if undertaken in a clumsy manner, no good can be accomplished, for such interference divided a church of about one hundred and twenty members, so that the division existed for three or four years. A man3 who came from Ireland last year did much harm in this town. He hindered their success, but it is hoped that this stumbling block will soon be removed. Although many Welsh are in the country I fear but few are likely to keep up the true Protestant religion or their language. The English is swallowing their language, though assisted by religion. I intend giving more minute history of religious matters when time permits. The true desire of my heart is that you remain firm in the faith, loving each other as members of Christ’s body and continuing the worship of God as you are taught in the Gospel. Give aid to the hands of your leaders by praying for them in their difficulties and not forsaking them and finding fault with their actions. When you find that brother John Harry is qualified for the work, do not delay sending him out, so that brother William Philips may be encouraged and that they may bear the yoke together voluntarily and agreeably.
. ........... My mother-in-law and my daughter are well. ..
.........God help you all. Amen. From one you formerly judged faithful and who still continues the same and I hope will be kept through tribulations faithful to the end. Amen. So let it be.
ABEL MORGAN.”
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