Colonel George Morgan

During the American Revolution, many different people got caught in the conflict, including Native Americans.

That’s part of my story, and it begins in Philadelphia, where I was born the son of Welch merchants. I worked for a merchant firm, and my business took me to Pittsburgh, where I interacted with the Delaware nation. We developed good relations, and they honored me by making me a member of their tribe and called me Tamenend, a reference to a great man in their history known for his wisdom and faith. When the Revolution began, I was appointed an agent for Indian affairs. I tried my best to make sure my friends were treated fairly, but ultimately I became frustrated and resigned my post.

I relocated to Princeton, New Jersey and became a gentleman farmer. My family included three children and a young boy I helped raise for a friend, as well as some enslaved persons. I was visited by ten Delaware chiefs who needed help in their land dealings George Washington and the Continental Congress. I did my best for them but ultimately I was once again frustrated. And though I failed to help the chiefs, I arranged for three of their boys to stay in Princeton and receive white education.

I also did my part in support of the new government. When the Continental Congress came to Princeton in 1783, I took some of them into my home, and helped others find spaces to live. And when General Washington came to join them, I arranged for him to stay at Rockingham, the home of Margaret Berrien.

In 1796, I returned to Pennsylvania and settled on a farm I called Morganza. Today, my house in Princeton is called Prospect, and Rockingham is a New Jersey Historic Site.