Anthony Morgan of Freshwater facts for kids

Major Anthony Morgan was an important person in British politics who lived a long time ago. He was born in the 1600s and died in 1729. He lived in Freshwater, on the Isle of Wight. Anthony Morgan was an officer in the British Army. He was also a Whig politician, which was a political group back then. He served in the House of Commons, which is like a big meeting place for politicians, for many years between 1695 and 1729. He also held the job of Lieutenant-Governor of the Isle of Wight, helping to govern the island.

Early Life and Family

We don't know much about Anthony Morgan's parents. He married Catherine Urry by 1691. Catherine was the daughter of Thomas Urry, who also lived in Freshwater, Isle of Wight. Through this marriage, Anthony Morgan gained control of the Freshwater estate.

Military Career

Anthony Morgan was an army officer. He served in the Life Guards, which was a special part of the army.

• By 1691, he was a Brigadier and a lieutenant.
• In 1692, he became an exempt and a captain.
• By 1694, he was a guidon and a major.
• In 1697, he was a cornet and a senior major.

Political Journey

Anthony Morgan started to become very influential in politics. He focused on two areas on the Isle of Wight: Newtown and Yarmouth. This caused some disagreements with the new governor, Lord Cutts. Lord Cutts wanted the government to control who got elected on the island.

First Time in Parliament

At the 1695 English general election, Anthony Morgan was chosen to be a Member of Parliament for Yarmouth. He signed an important document called the Association.

• In March 1695, he voted to set the price of guineas (a type of coin) at 22 shillings.
• On November 25, 1696, he voted for the attainder of Sir John Fenwick, 3rd Baronet. An attainder was a special legal act that declared someone guilty without a trial.

Continued Success

Because of an agreement made in 1697, Anthony Morgan was re-elected without anyone running against him in the 1698 English general election. On January 18, 1699, he voted to support having a standing army, which means a permanent army even in peacetime.

He was re-elected again without opposition in both general elections of 1701. During this time, he was known as a Whig. The Whigs were one of the main political parties in England.

Lieutenant-Governor Role

In 1702, Anthony Morgan was made Lieutenant-Governor of the Isle of Wight. This made Lord Cutts, the governor, quite unhappy. Lord Cutts tried to stop the appointment because he still had a grudge against Morgan. However, Morgan got the job.

He was re-elected for Yarmouth without opposition in the 1702 English general election. He was also re-elected in the 1705 English general election.

• On October 25, 1705, he voted for the candidate supported by the King's Court for Speaker of the House.
• In February 1706, he supported the Court's position on a part of the regency bill.

Whig MP and Challenges

Anthony Morgan was re-elected as a Whig MP for Yarmouth in the 1708 British general election. In 1710, he voted to impeach Dr. Sacheverell. Impeachment is a process where a public official is accused of wrongdoing.

When the government changed after the 1710 British general election, Anthony Morgan lost his seat in Parliament and his position as Lieutenant-Governor. He did not get these roles back until after the Hanoverian succession, when a new royal family came to the throne.

Return to Politics

At the 1715 British general election, Anthony Morgan ran as a Whig in both Yarmouth and Newport.

• He was elected in Newport.
• He was first defeated in Yarmouth, but after a special request (a petition) on April 12, 1717, he was given the seat there.
• Because he now had the Yarmouth seat, he gave up the Newport seat.

From 1715 until his death, he was again the Lieutenant-Governor of the Isle of Wight. He was also the governor of Cowes Castle during the same period. He was re-elected for Yarmouth in the 1722 British general election.

In the 1727 British general election, he changed the area he represented and was elected without opposition for Lymington.

Later Life and Family

Anthony Morgan passed away on April 19, 1729. He had six sons and one daughter. He chose to leave his Freshwater estate to his five younger sons, rather than his oldest son. His second son, Maurice Morgan, also became a Member of Parliament for Yarmouth.