History

Morgan Township was originally part of Richfield Township until 1819 when it was detached and given the name of Morgan after John Morgan who originally purchased it in 1798.

The first settlers, Nathan & Asa Gillett, arrived in 1801 and proceeded to clear timber to make way for crops to feed their families. No grist mill was erected in Morgan until 1808, so residents prior to that had to travel long distances for grinding and supplies.

In later years, the Gilletts built a larger home and their original house became the first schoolhouse with Miss Diantha Wilcox being the first teacher.

Early religious services were held in residents homes with the first church being built in 1829 in the township center. Years later, the building was moved nearer to the center of population on the southern border of the township with the Rev. Ralph Stone being the first regular Minister.

The Torrington Land Company, which owned much of the land in the Township, donated a plat of land which was to be used for a center of town. The inhabitants began to clear this in 1804.

Access to Morgan Township from the East was a turnpike road from Ashtabula to areas south. Other roads were constructed giving access to neighboring communities. The community continued to grow with Rock Creek Village being incorporated in 1849.