Perhaps, like me, you recall a story book from your childhood called, “Justin Morgan Had a Horse”. I received a copy for proficiency in reading in the third grade. My teacher knew I was enamored with horses, and it was the perfect book for me. However, as I’ve learned since, the story was more creative fiction than reality, so apart from saying I still have that book, I won’t draw any facts from it today. Instead, I turn to the internet to share everything you wanted to know about Justin Morgan—the man, and Justin Morgan—the horse.
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| Justin Morgan -- New England Historical Society |
Justin Morgan the Man
Justin Morgan the man was born on this day in 1747, in West Springfield, Massachusetts. He was the son of Isaac and Thankfull Morgan, the eighth of eleven children. We don’t know much about his early life, so we can assume he did what most boys of that era did, which was to receive a quality education. In 1771, at the age of 24, his father deeded him a barn and a small piece of land, and in 1774, at 27, he married his first cousin Martha Day. Their first child came along in May of 1776, just before the Declaration of Independence was signed. Justin and Martha had six other children, but only five survived childhood.
While Morgan is best remembered for the horse breed that bears his name, that was not his only interest. For a time, he ran a tavern from his home. He was described as a farmer in town records, as well as a stallioneer, that is, he charged stud fees that were considered part of his income.
During the War for Independence, Springfield was a cavalry depot for Patriot forces, and Hartford, Connecticut was considered the horse center of the times, and relatively nearby.
In 1782, Morgan was charged with aiding a runaway slave in his quest for freedom. While we can applaud their help, their motive—gaining another soldier for the Continental Army—may be considered self-serving.
After serving as a tax collector for a number of years, Morgan was sued by the government because he couldn’t collect adequate taxes. Following the war, folks had fallen on hard times, and cash was scarce. Since taxes had to be paid in coins (currency), many fell behind. This legal action is presumed one reason why Morgan sold up in 1788 and moved to Randolph, Vermont by ox sled. His work with horses continued, but it wasn’t until 1792 that his equine namesake appeared.
In Randolph, he set up home and business once again, including a tavern and his election to town clerk and treasurer. Their final two children were born in Randolph, but his wife died ten days after the birth of the last child.
No doubt Morgan’s excellent education contributed to his business acumen, as well as his election to various positions of trust which required reading, writing, and mathematics. Not so well known about him was also his love for music and ability to compose, tech, and conduct music. He traveled widely in his teaching, as far west as Pennsylvania, as far east as New York, and perhaps even as far Baltimore, Maryland.
He is considered the father of “America’s first original art music”, in the form of fugues, which require complex composition with elaborate repeating of chords by voices or musical instruments. However, Europe considered the form rustic, particularly as the New England adherents were not formally trained in music.
Only nine pieces of his music survive, primarily because he didn’t publish the tunes. Around 1810, fuguing went out of favor until the mid-20th century, and he has now regained his stature in the music world.
Justin Morgan the man died of tuberculosis in March 1798 at the relatively young but then considered old age of 51, and he is buried in the Randolph Center, Vermont cemetery beside his wife Martha. His penmanship, of which he was proud, deteriorated in his final years, and a permanent record of his decline are inscribed in the town records as town clerk and treasurer.
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| Morgan Horse Museum |
Justin Morgan—the horse
The Morgan horse—or The Justin, as afficionados refer lovingly to the breed—was developed in the United States, and can be traced back to a colt named Figure in the 1780s. Generally described as a compact horse with a stout well-arched neck, a short back, and an expressive head, the breed is known for speed, and was used in racing, harness racing, the cavalry, and the Pony Express.
They are also legendary for their pulling ability and strength, often used as carriage and coach horses, and were equally suitable for general riding. As the breed expanded westward, cowboys recognized all of these traits, and the breed was often used for cattle work. In the 19th century, the breed was exported to England, and became the basis of the Hackney horse, famous for pulling carriages and coaches in London.
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| Morgan Horse -- Wikipedia |
Figure originally didn’t belong to Justin Morgan the man, but was surrendered to him in 1792 to pay an outstanding debt. While the horse’s exact pedigree is unknown, although some contend he was a Thoroughbred with unique physical and personality attributes, which he consistently passed along to his offspring.
Justin Morgan the man used Figure primarily as a farm or draught horse, expanding into using him extensively as a breeding stallion after he realized what a gem of an animal he owned. In fact, had Fate not intervened, the horse breed might have been called something completely different. Justin Morgan the man tried to sell the horse on his journey to Vermont, but times were tough and nobody had the money to buy. However, he broke pulling records for moving a log no horse but him could, and he was the only mount suitable for President James Munroe, not to mention he outran the most-winning racehorse central Vermont had ever known. Records exist for only six of his sons, three of whom form the foundation bloodstock for the breed. Woodbury, Bullrush, and Sherman were known for endurance, speed in harness, and their prepotency—ability to pass along their physical and personality traits to offspring. Sherman went on to become a foundation stallion for the Standardbred, American Saddlebred, and Tennessee Walking horse breeds.
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| Morgan Horse museum display |
Morgan horses have been used in harness, in racing, and as calvary mounts, which is how the breed became popular with the Pony Express. Used primarily on the eastern route, the horses were fast and strong, and the Express purchased these horses from the military to provide mounts for their riders.
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| Morgan Horse Museum display |
Justin Morgan the horse remained healthy throughout the lifetimes of two ordinary horses. Every mare he bred to—regardless of her form—bore a Morgan foal who possessed his disposition and abilities. No wonder this little horse serves as the foundation for the breed.
Justin Morgan the horse was kicked by another horse in 1821, and later died of his injuries at the ripe old—and still working and studding—age of 32. He is buried in Tunbridge, Vermont.
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About Hollenberg Hearts: A mail order bride. A crippled stationmaster. No way out for either of them—except with each other. Can they surrender their hearts and find true love?
About Donna:
A hybrid author, Donna writes squeaky clean historical and contemporary suspense. She has been published more than 60 times in books; is a member of several writers' groups; facilitates a critique group; teaches writing classes; and judges in writing contests. She loves history and research, traveling extensively for both, and is an avid oil painter. She is taking all the information she’s learned along the way about the writing and publishing process, and is coaching committed writers.
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Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Morgan
https://www.morganhorse.com/about/museum/justin-morgan-the-man/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morgan_horse
https://breeds.okstate.edu/horses/morgan-horses.html?Forwarded=afs.okstate.edu/breeds/horses/morgan/
https://www.morganhorse.com/about/museum/
https://pinelandfarms.org/national-museum-of-the-morgan-horse/
