SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 2

(By Senators Beach, Klempa and Unger)

 

 

 

Requesting the Division of Highways to name bridge number 31-43-2.48(4303) on County Route 43 and crossing Morgan’s Run Road in Monongalia County, West Virginia, the “Colonel Zackquill Morgan Memorial Bridge-Founder of Morgantown”.

    Whereas, Colonel Zackquill Morgan was a son of a Welsh-born Colonel Morgan Morgan and mother, Catherine Garretson Morgan in Berkeley County, Virginia now West Virginia in 1735. He served the Virginia forces during the French and Indian War participating in both the ill-fated Braddock's expedition and the more successful expedition by General Forbes in 1758. He rendered valuable service as leader of the rear guard during the Revolutionary War and advance guard of the Republic, serving in the capacity as "County Lieutenant" of Monongalia County with the title of Colonel during the Revolutionary War. Colonel Zackquill Morgan commanded approximately 600 Virginia Minute Men with General Gates during the Battle of Saratoga in October 1777, having lost nearly half his men in this battle; and

    Whereas, Colonel Zackquill Morgan accompanied by his brother David Morgan migrated to the region now known as Monongalia County, having had land surveyed for him on April 29, 1778, to include 220 acres on Decker's Creek and the Monongahela River. In 1782, with the extension of the Mason-Dixon line, Colonel Zackquill Morgan's home and county seat became part of Pennsylvania and as such moved south to what was then called Morgan's Town, establishing the county court in Colonel Morgan's home while a new courthouse was under construction. In October 1785, by request of Colonel Zackquill Morgan, the Virginia General Assembly specified that 50 acres of land be surveyed to establish half acre lots and a town named Morgan’s Town, Virginia, now known as Morgantown, West Virginia to be established on this site. Colonel Zackquill Morgan maintained and operated the town's first tavern in 1783 and lived in a house on Front Street until his death on January 1, 1795, several years after peace had been declared with England. He was buried in a remote cemetery at Prickett's Fort, Marion County, Virginia, the grave was marked by a simple sandstone slab with the words "Z. M. Morgan, Jan. 1, 1795" crudely chiseled into its face; and

    Whereas, Colonel Zackquill Morgan shall be remembered as having served throughout the Revolutionary War and as founder of present day Morgantown, West Virginia, and the life and contributions of Colonel Zackquill Morgan shall be recognized and honored; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number 31-43-2.48(4303) on County Route 43 and crossing Morgan’s Run Road in Monongalia County, West Virginia, the “Colonel Zackquill Morgan Memorial Bridge-Founder of Morgantown”; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is requested to have made and be placed signs at each entry of said bridge, containing bold and prominent letters proclaiming the bridge to be the "Colonel Zackquill Morgan Memorial Bridge-Founder of Morgantown"; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Secretary of Transportation and the Zackquill Morgan Chapter Daughters of the

American Revolution.