Page:Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography (1900, volume 4).djvu/432

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394
MORFIT
MORGAN

steamboat ; and, at Livingston's request and ex- pense, Morey visited him at Clermont. Morey con- tinued his experiments another summer, encour- aged by the chancellor's promises that, if he succeeded in running the boat eight miles an hour, he would give him a considerable sum, which was understood to be $100,000. For what had been accomplished Livingston offered Morey $7,000 for a patent for the North river to Amboy. Morey did not accept this offer. On 25 March, 1795, a patent was issued to Samuel Morey for a steam- engine, the power to be applied by crank motion to propel boats of any size. This patent is now in the custody of the New Hampshire historical socie- ty, in Concord. The patent-office records show that on 27 March, 1799, and 17 Nov., 1800, patents were issued to Morey for the application of steam, and another in 1803 for a steam-engine. Morey con- tinued his exertions, and in June, 1797, built another steamboat at Bordentown, N. J., on the Delaware, which he propelled by means of two paddle-wheels, one on each side. These wheels were more effective than any method tried, and the boat was openly exhibited in Philadelphia. By these successes Mr. Morey became widely known in New England and the middle states. From 1790 till 1820, seven or eight patents were issued to him for improvements to the steam-engine and the application of steam. Every obstacle seemed to Capt. Morey to be overcome in the construction of steamboats on a large scale, and arrangements were made with capitalists to put steamboats into practical operation, but a series of misfortunes to him and others deprived them of the means of prosecuting their design.


MORFIT, Campbell, chemist, b. in Hercula- neum. Mo., 19 Nov., 1820: d. in London. 8 Dec, 1897. He was educated at Columbian university, but before graduation took up the study of chem- istry in the laboratory of James C. Booth, in Phila- delphia. Subsequently he entered a laboratory for the manufacture of commercial chemicals, and in time became its owner, receiving for his prod- ucts medals from the American and Franklin institutes. Meanwhile he originated the chemical department of the Maryland institute, but declined to take charge of it, and in 1854 became professor of applied chemistry in the University of JNIary- land, where he remained for four years. In 1858 he went to New York, and there followed his pro- fession until 1861, when he removed to London, England, where he remained. His work while in the United States included researches in guanos, salts, sugars, the analyses of coals, gum mesquite, and glycerine, accounts of which he published in the scientific journals of the time, but since his residence abroad he has devoted more attention to the improvement of technical processes, notably in the preparation of condensed food rations, the manufacture of paper, the refining of oils, and other similar work. During the Native-American riots in Philadelphia he held the office of major of the 2d brigade, and he received the honorary degree of M. D. from the University of Maryland. He is a member of scientific societies, and is a fel- low of the Chemical society of London, and of the Institute of chemistry. Besides writing numerous scientific papers, he was joint author with James C. Booth of a report to the ordnance department on "Grun Metal " in 1853, from investigations by him in a laboratory that he established on his own plan at Pikesville arsenal, Md. Dr. Morfit pub- lished " Chemistry as applied to the Manufacture of Soaps and Candles " (Philadelphia, 1847) ; " Chemical and Pharmaceutical Manipulations " (1848) ; a revision of the American edition of Noad's " Chemical Analysis" (1849); "Progress of Cheraicaj. Arts," with Dr. James C. Booth (Washington, 1851); "The Arts of Tanning and Currying" (Philadelphia, 1852) ; " Perfumery, its Use and Manufacture " (1853) ; " Oleic Soaps " (London, 1871) ; and " Pure Fertilizers and Phosphates " (1873). He was also co-editor with Dr. Booth of the " Encyclopedia of Chemistry " (1851). — His brother, Clarence, chemist, b. in Washington, D. C, 16 May, 1828. studied chemistry with James C. Booth {q. V.) in Philadelphia, with whom he was connected in the U. S. mint. Subsequently he- filled the office of assistant melter and refiner in the U. S. assa}^ office in New Yoi'k city for seven years. Meanwhile he was also associated with his brother in his analytical work in New York city, and was joint author with his brother of the sec- ond edition of " Chemical and Pharmaceutical Ma- nipulations " (Philadelphia, 1857).


MORFORD, Henry, author, b. in New Mon- mouth, N. J., 10 March, 1823; d. in New York city, 5 May, 1881. He entered mercantile life at an early age, kept a country store, and was post- master in his native town, but contributed to pe- riodicals from the age of seventeen. He estab- lished the " New Jersey Standard " at Middletown Point in 1852, in 1856 removed to New York, and from that date until 1868 was connected with the editorial management of several papers. He trav- elled in Eurofjc in 1865, publishing afterward " Over Sea " (New York, 1867), and again in 1867 when he wrote " Paris in '67" (1867), and subsequently made various tours in connection with the authorship of "Morford's Short-trip Guide to Europe," which was published every year. He then established a "Short-trip Guide to America" for European publication. From 1861 till 1868 he was clerk of the New York court of common pleas. Mr. Morford wrote several plays, the best known of which are " The Merchant's Honor," and an Irish drama, " The Bells of Shandon," and was editor and manager of the " Brooklyn New Monthly Magazine" from its first number, January, 1880, until his death. He published two volumes of poems entitled " Rhymes of Twenty Years " (New York, 1859), and " Rhymes of an Editor " (London, 1873) ; humorous sketches entitled " Sprees and Splashes " (New York, 1863) ; and several novels, which in- clude " Shoulder -Straps" (Philadelphia, 1868);. "The Coward" (1864); "The Davs of Shoddy" (1864); "Utterly Wrecked" (New York, 1866);. and " Only a Commoner " (London, 1871).


MORGAN, Abel, clergyman, b. in Alltgoch, Cardiganshire, Wales, in 1673 ; d. in Philadelphia, Pa., 16 Dec, 1722. He was a son of Morgan ap Rhydderch ap Dafydd ap Grufydd. Morgan ap Rhydderch's brother, John ap Rhydderch, was a famous poet and flourished from 1700 to 1730. Their grandfather, Dafydd ap Grufydd, also wrote many books. During one of the violent persecutions in Wales, Morgan ap Rhydderch united with the Rhydwilym Baptist church, and in 1668 was chosen a deacon and next year was ordained as such. His children, as was the custom at that time, took as their surname the Christian name of the father. Abel early gave evidence of remarkable talents. He began to preach at Llanwenarth, in 1692, when only nineteen. In 1697 he was called to become pastor of the church at Blaenegwent, in Monmouthshire, and ordained there. He seems to have been very popular in the principality, and in the various associations was called upon to preach the introductory sermon, and to answer queries on questions of doctrine or disci-