Morgan’s Point Cemetery Plaque

Who gave Morgan’s Point its name? This plaque at Morgan’s Point Cemetery holds the answer. It’s a story etched in time a testament to a man named James Morgan. Before the town existed before the cemetery even existed this land belonged to others. Nicholas Clopper owned it from 1826 to 1835. But it was James Morgan who left his indelible mark. In December 1835 he bought 1600 acres from Clopper. He envisioned a town New Washington. He built his home on Clopper’s Orange Grove. Tragedy struck. General Santa Anna burned the plantation the day before the Battle of San Jacinto. Undeterred Morgan rebuilt. New Washington didn’t flourish. But Morgan’s plantation became a renowned haven. Famous figures visited. The German naturalist Ferdinand Roemer. The Prince of Salms. The renowned wildlife artist James Audubon. Wealthy English yachting enthusiasts Mr and Mrs Houstoun. Even neighbors Sam Houston David Burnet and Ashbel Smith frequented the place. James Morgan was influential in the Republic of Texas’ early days. He defended Galveston during the revolution. He also played a role in selling the Texas Navy after the war. He died on March 1 1866. He rests with his family in the old Orange Grove Cemetery now Morgan’s Point Cemetery. This plaque remembers him and his enduring legacy the name Morgan’s Point a name forever linked to this land and this place.