Sir Henry Morgan

Born c. 1635, son of Robert Morgan of Llanrumney, Glamorgan, Wales. Early migrant to Jamaica (probably c. 1658). Married Mary Elizabeth (d. 1696), daughter of deputy governor Edward Morgan (d. 1665). Mary Elizabeth's sister Anna Petronella married Henry Morgan's business associate and friend Robert Byndloss, (q.v.).

Privateer in the Caribbean from the early 1660s. Morgan's most successful plunder was at the sack of Portobello in 1668. He was arrested following the sack of Panama in 1672 and imprisoned with Thomas Modyford in the Tower of London. Released in 1674, knighted later that year and appointed lieutenant-governor of Jamaica, a position he held until 1682.

Morgan owned three plantations on his death in 1688. Most of his estate was left to his wife for life and thereafter to his nephew Charles, second son of Robert Byndloss. Land in St George was left to Robert Byndloss (born c. 1673, eldest son of Robert Byndloss) and land in St Mary to his friend Roger Elletson.

Sir Henry Morgan, knight. Estate probated in Jamaica in 1689. Slave-ownership at probate: 131 of whom 64 were listed as male and 67 as female. 33 were listed as boys, girls or children. Total value of estate at probate: £5263.06 Jamaican currency of which £1923 currency was the value of enslaved people. Estate valuation included £0 currency cash, £880.2 currency debts and £150.03 currency plate.

The burial of 'The Lady Morgan' was recorded in St Andrew, 03/03/1695/6.

Nuala Zahedieh, 'Sir Henry Morgan (c. 1635-1688), privateer and colonial governor', ODNB online edition, https://0-doi-org.catalogue.libraries.london.ac.uk/10.1093/ref:odnb/19224.

Trevor Burnard, Database of Jamaican inventories, 1674-1784.

Familysearch.org, Jamaica Church of England Parish Register Transcripts, 1664-1880 [database online].