The Key Role Played By Morgan Edwards

 Who was Morgan Edwards and why is he a key figure in Mandeville history? That was the question that history researcher Don Sharp has tried to answer, only to find out that while Mandeville's "Morgan Edwards" was the American who wrote the famous Oath of Allegiance for Mandeville area residents in 1779, his last name was actually Hewitt.

The real Morgan Edwards was actually a famous Baptist minister born in England and active during the American Revolution on the east coast. He was the mentor and/or benefactor of Morgan Edwards (Hewitt). While adoption papers were probably not filed in Dublin, Ireland at the time, Sharp's research revealed that the Baptist preacher "adopted" the young Morgan Edwards (Hewitt). He is the one that went on to play a key role in Mandeville history. 

"And since the family name Edwards has played such a large part in Louisiana history," Sharp said, "This development is important as we approach the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution next year."

Click on the "Play Triangle" in the above video to

hear more about Don Sharp's research into the real Morgan Edwards

Hewitt was the man who penned the famous "Oath of Allegiance" to the United Stated signed by 19 Mandeville area residents in 1779. That oath made its way to the Continental Congress and was introduced as the first declaration by group of people in Louisiana to swear allegiance to the new United States.

Mandeville's Morgan Edwards hired New Orleans surveyor Gilberto Guillemard to survey early Mandeville to settle a land boundary claim. This was after his important role in the months following the "Battle of Lake Pontchartrain." More information on that at this link.