Simpson Reece Morgan

Simpson Reece Morgan, mostly known as Reece Morgan was my second great-grandfather. He was born to William M. Morgan and Sarah Serena Tallent on December 25, 1856. What a Christmas present! William was a farmer in  Monroe County, Tennessee. Reece was the 4th child of 9 children.

On April 24, 1876, Reece married Matilda White, daughter of Toliver White and an unknown McLemore. They were married in Blount County, Tennessee.

In the 1880 Census in Rhea County, Tennessee, Reece is listed as "Morgan White" and wife Reece. This is also exactly how they are listed in the 1900 Census too. They are in the same place. Reece and Tilda are the only ones in the house during those two census visits. I find this rather strange. It's almost as though in 1900 the census taker just copied the 20 year old entry from 1880. It is exact. I am not sure what to think of it. There is no indication of who was the informant either time.

In the 1910 Census, Reece and Matilda have moved to DeKalb County, Alabama. They are listed as: Morgan, S. R., Matilda, Grace, and Edgar. Reece is a farmer.

The 1920 Census, still in DeKalb County, Alabama, the family is listed as Morgan, Reece, wife Tilda, Grace Cook, daughter, Bonnie, Lester, Georgia L. Cook, grandchildren. Reece is still farming. Right next door is Patrick and Addie Brock. Addie, Jessie Adeline, is a daughter of Reece and Matilda. She is my great-grandmother.

Matilda White Morgan died in 1925 in Calhoun County, Alabama. I have not yet found all of her information. I will work on her later.

In the 1930 Census in Etowah County, Alabama Reece is living with his son James F. Morgan, Morgan, his wife Lummie, and their 2 sons, Otne, and Robert H., Reese is 64 and still listed as a farmer. Other families are living nearby, Brock, Beard and Morgan are on the same census page.

The 1940 Census in Etowah County, Alabama, has Reece living with his daughter Addie and her husband Patrick Brock. Their children, Leonard, Paul, Warner, and Calvin are in the household. Reece, listed as S.R. Morgan, father-in-law and is 76 years old. He does not list an occupation.

In the Alabama, Deaths and Burials Index, Simpson Reece Morgan, died January 10, 1942, in Collinsville, DeKalb County, Alabama. His burial date is January 11, 1942 in  Copeland's Bridge Cemetery. He is 87 years old and a farmer.

When I look at his picture I can see my dad in his face. I think I would have loved Reece. I wish I could have known him.

Sources:1860 Census; District 13, Monroe County, Tennessee; Family 1190, Dwelling 1170, Wm Morgan, SS, MC, EM, MM, SR, Malissa. Wm is a farmer. Nearby Tallent, White, Morgan, Saffle, Moses
1870 Census; District No. 13, Monroe County, Tennessee; Family 7, Dwelling 7; William Morgan, Sarah, Mack, Emaline, Maberry, Reese, Malissa, Sarah, Will, Sam, Caroline
Tennessee, Marriage Records, 1780-2002; April 24, 1876; Page 95; Reese Morgan to Matilda White. Blount County, Tennessee; Wm. Henderson, Justice of the Peace.
1880 Census; District 5, Rhea County, Tennessee; Dwelling 84, Family 84; Morgan White, Reece
1900 Census; Eighth Civil District, Rhea County, Tennessee; Dwelling 413, Family 416; Morgan White, Reece
1910 Census; Portersville Precinct, DeKalb County, Alabama; Dwelling 27, Famly 27; Morgan, Sr., Matilda, Grace, Edgar.
1920 Census; Van Buren Beat 5, DeKalb County, Alabama; Dwelling 145, Family 145; Morgan Reece, Tilda, Grace Cook dau, Bonnie, Lester, Georgia L, grandchildren.
1930 Census; Cox District, Etowah County, Alabama; Dwelling 117, Family 118; Morgan, James F., Lummie, Otne, Robert H., Reese (Father/64)
1940 Census; Cox District, Etowah County, Alabama; Brock, PH, Jocie, Lonard, Paul Warner, Calvin, SR Morgan (father in law/76)
Alabama, Deaths and Burials Index, 1881-1974; Simpson Reece Morgan; 10 Jan 1942;  Collinsville, DeKalb County, Alabama; Burial date: 11 January 1942; Copelands Bridge Cemetery; 87 years old; Farmer.