Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-04-02
horticultural Department.
ORIGIN or THE MORGAN HORSE.

From Me Jtbahg CbVtdtoF
The following is an exsract from letter of JUS
tin Morran's to the Cultivator dated Stockbrdge,
W., March lst 1912.
al will now relate the facts relative to the Nor
gan Horse as recollect them. My father Justin
Morgan brought said horse, rather said colt, in
10 Randolph, VI, in the summer or autumn Of
1895. Said colt was only two years old when my
father brought him to Randolph, and hadnever been
handled in any way, not even TO be led by halter.
My father went to Springfield, Mass, the place Of
his ma witty, and the place from which he removed
to Randolph, in the summer of 1906, after money
that was due to him in that place, he said aud
instead Of getting money as he expected, he got
two colts one three years old gelding colt, which
he led, the other, two years old stallion colt,
which followed all the way from Springfield to Ran.
doph; having been, as my father said, always kept
with, and much attached to the colt he led Said
two years old colt the that has since been
known all over New England by the name of the
Morgan Horse. My father broke said colt himself
and as have before remarked, owned and kept
him to the time of his decease, which took place in
March, 1893, and said horse was five years old the
spring my father died; and as before stated soon
after my fathers decease, he passed into the posses
sion of William Rice, of Woodstock, VT. cannot
state positively that my father purchased said colt
in Springfield, Mass, but | am very confident that
he purchased him in that town or in the immedi.
ate vicinity, on Connecticut river. "
We next offer an extract from letter of John
Morgan, in which il will be seen that the material
points set forth by Justin Morgan are confirmed,
and some further light given in regard to the blood
of the first Morgan horse John Morgan resides in
LIMA, N. Y, and is, we believe, relative Of JUS
tin Morgan, Senior, and a near neighbor Of the
latter previous TO his removal from Springfield to
Vermont.
tTba Morr,n horso co calied ,y.s virnJ he
horse owned by Sealy Norton, of East Hartford,
Ct called the "True Britton," "Beautilul Bay"
He was kept at Springfield one season by the said
Justin Morgan, (Sen.) and two years after kept
him two seasons. This horse was said to have
been raised by General Delaney, commander Of the
refugee troops on Long Island and rode by him in
the Revolution 1t was said that one Smith stole
the horse from the General at Kings Bridge, while
the General was in the tavern; ran him across the
bridge and took him to the American army, near
White Plains, and sold him to Joseph Ward, of
Hartford, Ct for 5000 1t was also said at that
time that he was sired by The imported horse called
"Trayeer,r said to have been kept in New Jersey.
Ward was a merchant and kept the horse three or
four years for saddle and carriage horse and then
traded him Off to Norton, who kept him for mares
while he lived. / have always understood that
Morgan kept the colt for stallion at Randolph, |
and that he very celebrated for stock.
Mr. Weissinger in letter to the Cultvator, OBJ
serves -
al have conversed with some of the best Judges
of horses, and some Of the most experienced breed
ers and horse dealers in the State of Vermont
There is doubt of this--that the breed of the
Morgan horse was, and is now, in the few instan-
ces where it can dc found, far the best breed of
horses for general service that was in the Uni
ted States-probably the best in the world and ii
is remarkable thatths breed WIS, and is new known
[li@ See first page.