‍Morgan Power II would have worked his father’s land from a young age and showing early determination and ambition, at the age of 16 he petitioned Governor Darling for his own land to run cattle in Seven Hills like his father. It doesn’t appear that he was granted that land, but he needn’t have worried. On the 8th December 1825, Morgan I died, bequeathing to Morgan II over 600 acres of land, cattle and horses.

A mere month later, on 15 January 1826, Morgan II married Ann Good who was 14 years old. (You can read more about the Good family at John Good Jnr’s headstone). Witnesses to the marriage were Hugh and Ester Kelly, the ceremony officiated by Father Therry, the same priest who spearheaded the establishment of St Patrick’s Cemetery, presented the couple with a "holy water" font which has been passed down the generations! (Wonder where is it now??)

Eight months into their marriage, and Ann pregnant with first child Sophie, the Sydney Gazette reported:

"Morgan Poor [this spelling was often used], free, stood charged by Stephen Osborne with firing at a dog and striking him, and with stating that he would serve Mr Pye the same way. Stood further charged with disturbing the neighbourhood by frequent discharge of guns in the night. Ordered to find sureties for his good behaviour".

On another occasion he was accused of having set fire to his neighbour's house and barn, when Mr Charles Griffiths refused to sell his 100 acres to Morgan. Morgan II had already inherited 53 acres that his father had purchased from Griffiths. No charges were laid, however, Griffiths did capitulate. Ann must have wondered what she had signed up for.

Then in June 1828, Morgan II was charged with “Wilful and Corrupt Perjury” for having given false testimony in a trial regarding two men who stole cattle from Hassall's Farm. He was sentenced to one month in gaol, an hour in the stocks on market day,  followed by two years in a penal colony. He served one year and one month on Norfolk Island under Lieutenant-Colonel Morriset. During this time, his wife Ann was left with two small children. She was provided with a Government servant to help her manage the farm which comprised 20 horned cattle and five horses.  Ironically the two men charged were not found guilty!

In the 1830’s there was an economic depression. Brother Timothy was forced to sell off all his inherited land. In a twist of irony, Morgan II survived by selling off the additional land he had purchased somewhat erroneously and managed to hold on to most of his inherited estate.

Sadly, Morgan II’s wife Ann died at 37. Together the couple had nine children, including children who are also buried in this plot.  Morgan then married Margaret Wilkinson (nee Rogan) but she died within the year.

A year later he married Ann Good (not a typo !) at St. Patrick’s Church, Parramatta. This Ann was first married to Edward Good, the brother of Morgan II’s first wife, Ann. His second wife Ann’s maiden name was Murphy. Through this marriage, the couple became responsible for no less than 18 children!

By the time Morgan II died at the age of 78 from “cancer of the face”, he was described as a “fruit grower”. He left the bulk of his vast landholdings, livestock and assets to his four younger sons from his third marriage – Thomas James, Patrick, John Francis, and Alfred Henry.

Much of the land bequeathed by Morgan II continued down the generations until the 1950’s. The present suburb of Kings Langly represents much of the area farmed by the generations of Powers.

Of his children with Ann I, five of them had predeceased him (Sophie, Morgan III, John Joseph, Catherine, and Anne). To the surviving sons from his first marriage, he left the following:  

Joseph  - one and half acres at Seven Hills. There are numerous reports in the local papers of Joseph and his wife Prudence hosting all-night parties "brilliantly lighted" with dancing and "first-class music”, with their sons the "indefatigable J. and G. Power" as MCs !

Edward ( 1832-1906, dealer, who lived on Castle street, North Parramatta adjacent to this Cemetery) and Martin - 10 pounds each. The English pound was the official currency from 1825 and could buy about 831 pounds of goods and services today.

Mary Ann  -  one shilling,  as a "mark of indignation at her implied conduct towards" her father - A statement that brings to mind a scene from Succession or more recent Australian dynastic feuds!

Morgan II certainly didn’t inherit the gene for equal division of wealth upon death!

Author: Inara Molinari, 2026

References:

Numerous source documents originally found through Ancestry.com with further interrogation and substantiation through sources like: TROVE; Parramatta History Centre; “The Parramatta Cemeteries, St Patrick’s”,  Judith Dunn OAM; St Patrick’s Cemetery Burial records; historical society records; family anecdotes and research, and a great confirmatory source, “A New Beginning. A story of Three First Fleeters and Descendants”, researched and published by the Jane Langley Descendants Association.