Charles Waln Morgan

Charles Waln Morgan (September 14, 1796 – April 7, 1861) was a whaling industry executive, banker and businessman. At his peak in the whaling industry, he owned fourteen whaling ships, one of which was named after him, the Charles W. Morgan. It became a National Historic Landmark. He sold the sperm oil that came from his ships, and also used it in his candle-making factory. He was an abolitionist, and for the early years of his life, while he lived in Philadelphia, he was a Quaker. After he moved to New Bedford, he became a member of the Unitarian First Congregational Society. Early life and education Morgan, the son of Thomas Morgan and Ann Waln Morgan, was born on September 14, 1796, in Philadelphia. Born into the Quaker faith, he had five siblings. His father died in 1804. His mother, also called Nancy, was born about 1760 and died on June 2, 1814, of consumption. They were the ancestors of many notable families of Philadelphia, including the Whartons, Rotchs, Churchmans, and Morgans. and Morgan became head of the family. His uncle, also named Charles Waln Morgan, was the executor of the estate. Morgan and his siblings married people from New Bedford and became established there. Rebecca married William R. Rodman. Francis Rotch courted and married his sister Anne. Susan married Benjamin Rodman. Around 1817, when Morgan was 21, he went with Richard Wells, his cousin on a trip to the West. Traveling for pleasure and for work, he documented his journey, the people he met, and places he visited in detail. He noted in 1819, that he was spending beyond his means, and having to take money from the family's principal investments. When the estate was settled, Morgan received stocks, about $14,000, and the ship Enterprise, worth about $4,000. Upon receiving his share of the estate, he was able to marry.