Peter G. Morgan

Peter G. Morgan (October 21, 1817 – March 15, 1890), born enslaved, after the American Civil War became an African-American politician from Virginia.

Early life Of mixed race, Morgan was born a slave in Nottoway County, Virginia, and learned to work with leather. A self-taught shoemaker and saddler, he was allowed to hire himself out. While still a farm hand and while teaching slaves to read was illegal in the commonwealth, he was known to attach a blue-backed speller to his plow and apply himself to lessons as he worked.

Career

As an adult, Morgan made enough money by hiring himself out to purchase his own freedom. Under Virginia law, he subsequently obtained title to the members of his family, reportedly paying a thousand dollars to free his wife.

Following the Convention, Petersburg's voters elected Morgan to two terms in the Virginia House of Delegates, for 1869/70, and 1870/71.

Morgan was initially prosperous during the post war years, but he lost his savings in a failed bank. Nevertheless, he was able to leave his Petersburg house and lot bought in 1871 to his children.

Morgan's descendants include civil rights leader, Ben Jealous, his great great great grandson.