Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Morgan, William (1623-1689)
MORGAN, WILLIAM (1623–1689), Jesuit, second son of Henry Morgan, by his first wife, Winefrid Gwynne, was born in Flint in 1623, and educated at Westminster School, where he was elected king's scholar, and passed on in 1640 to Trinity College, Cambridge, from which, after two years' residence, he was expelled by the Earl of Manchester for taking up arms in the royal cause (Welch, Alumni Westmon. ed. Phillimore, p. 115). He was taken prisoner at the battle of N aseby, and after six months' confinement in Winchester gaol, he was sent into banishment, and entered the Spanish service in Colonel Cobb's regiment. Having been converted to the catholic religion, he entered the English College at Rome in 1648. He was admitted into the Society of Jesus in 1651, and was professed of the four vows, 2 Feb. 1665-6. In 1661 he became a professor in the Jesuit college at Liege, whence he was sent in 1670 to the mission of North Wales. He was declared superior of the residence of St. Winefred in 1672, and in 1675 he was chaplain at Fowls Castle. He was specially noted in Titus Oates's list as an intended victim of the persecution, but in February 1678-9 he with difficulty effected his escape to the continent. In October 1679 he was appointed socius to Father Warner, the provincial, and subsequently, on visiting England, he was arrested and imprisoned. In May 1683 he was declared rector of the English College at Rome. He was appointed provincial of his order 22 Aug. 1689. and died a few weeks afterwards in the college at St. Omer on 28 Sept. 1689.
Dr. Oliver says Morgan wrote the beautiful account of the reign of James II beginning 'Anni Septuagesiini Octavi,' &c., but omits to state where this work is to be found.
[Foley's Records, v. 990, vii. 523; Oliver's Jesuit Collections, p. 144.]