7 Comments
User's avatar
phil allen's avatar

In the Fall of 1988 I made a tour of several significant research sites, as well as meeting Hamilton Fish in his Park Avenue digs. I began in Washington at the LoC, bleary after a red-eye flight. In trying to explain my needs to the desk clerk, he said--ahem--'This sounds like a fairly esoteric subject'. (Football?) 'Here ..' He gave me a stack pass! Beautiful little thing; 'still have it. The experience was altogether overwhelming, but the collection alarmingly small. I wish I'd known ..

Football Archaeology's avatar

Meeting Hamilton Fish had to be interesting. I don't know if I'd rather talk to him about football or the Harlem Hellfighters.

Bill Claypool's avatar

W. F. Morgan had a brother, David Percy Morgan, who I believe played for Princeton and was also on the rules committee in 1882 (see Parke Davis's book, page 469 - listed as D.F. in April 1882 and D.P. in October 1883). Their father was a very prominent New York banker, but was only distantly related to J. P. Morgan. I think only rich kids had both money for college and time for football.

Football Archaeology's avatar

Interesting. I did not make that connection. While doing the research I came across the account of the 1882 Columbia-Princeton game in which Morgan and Poe scored for Princeton. I misread it initially, thinking W.F had scored, not a Morgan playing for the New Jersey boys.

David Perlmutter's avatar

It would be weird if Captain Morgan had any affiliation with the Captain Morgan rum company (not named for him, of course.)

Football Archaeology's avatar

I have no knowledge of a connection between the two, but I'm willing to drink to either one.

Vas's avatar

Just upped my subscription. Get thst book, you deserve it!