Robert Morgan Papers

1861-2021, undated; Bulk Dates 1940-1992
Manuscript Collection #268
Creator(s)
Morgan, Robert, 1925-2016
Physical description
544.5 Cubic Feet, 11.89 Gigabytes, 1075 archival boxes, 3 records storage boxes, and 39 oversized archival folders
Preferred Citation
Robert Morgan Papers (#268), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.
Repository
ECU Manuscript Collection
Access
Access to original audiovisual and digital media is restricted. Please contact Special Collections at specialcollections@ecu.edu for access copies.

Papers, 1861-2011 (bulk 1940-1992), undated, of Senator Robert Burren Morgan, an ECU alumnus and lawyer, who served the state of North Carolina in a variety of elected and appointed positions. His first elected position was clerk of court in Harnett County. He was elected to the State Senate, served as president pro tempore of the Senate, and was twice elected Attorney General of North Carolina. He served in this position until 1974, when he won the United States Senate seat vacated by Senator Samuel James "Sam" Ervin, Jr. Morgan served as United States Senator from 1975 to 1981. He returned to his law practice following an unsuccessful reelection campaign and later served as Director of the State Bureau of Investigation from 1985 until 1992. Morgan served as a member of the ECU Board of Trustees for fifteen years, including nine terms as chair in the 1960s. He helped the institution achieve university status and was instrumental in establishing the ECU School of Medicine. The collection includes series relating to Morgan's family and personal matters, North Carolina Senate Files, Attorney General Files, United States Senate Files, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Files, and Oversized Materials Files. It includes manuscripts, photographs, audio and video materials, electronic records, printed materials, and ephemera.


Biographical/historical information

Senator Robert Burren Morgan was born on 5 October 1925, in Lillington, Harnett County, North Carolina. His parents, James Harvey Morgan and Alice Butts Morgan, were farm owners. Following a public school education, Morgan attended East Carolina University (then East Carolina Teachers College), 1942 – 1944, until he was drafted into the Navy. After World War II ended, Morgan returned to East Carolina Teachers College in 1946, graduating in 1947. He then attended Wake Forest University Law School and, after graduating, in 1950, opened a law practice in Lillington. Morgan specialized in personal injury, real property and antitrust law and soon had a thriving practice. Meanwhile, he was also becoming involved in politics. While he was still in law school, a group of Harnett County Democratic leaders convinced him to run for Clerk of Superior Court. Morgan did so, was elected and served from 1950 – 1954. He service was interrupted when he was recalled to active duty in the Navy during the Korean War, 1952 – 1955. After returning to civilian life, Morgan continued to serve in the Naval Reserve until 1971. He then enlisted in the Air Force Reserve and served from 1971 – 1973.

In 1954, Morgan ran successfully for the North Carolina State Senate and was re-elected regularly until 1966. As a state senator from 1955 - 1969 Morgan became a master of the legislative process and quickly rose through the ranks, obtaining the status of President Pro Tempore in 1965. Morgan developed a reputation as a populist advocate for working people and their interests. He was also a strong supporter of agriculture, education, conservation and the environment. He was an advocate for persons with disabilities and mental health care reform.

In the 1968 primary, Morgan defeated incumbent North Carolina Attorney General Wade Bruton to win the Democratic nomination for Attorney General. He then won election as Attorney General and was re-elected in 1972. As Attorney General from 1969 – 1974, Morgan established an innovative consumer protection office and advocated for lower utility rates. He won passage of the "Little FTC Act" to regulate unfair trade practices in North Carolina. One of Morgan's most notable accomplishments was the reorganization of the Attorney General's office, hiring many new, young lawyers, including the first African-American lawyer to serve in the Attorney General's office. Meanwhile, Morgan also worked to upgrade the training of law enforcement officers and successfully convinced the state legislature to establish a law enforcement training academy and to adopt new standards for officers. In addition, Morgan reformed and modernized the State Bureau of Investigation. While serving as Attorney General, Morgan was also active as a member of the National Association of Attorneys General. In recognition of his national service and for his accomplishments on the state level, the NAAG gave Morgan its Wyman Memorial Award, as the Outstanding Attorney General in the United States in June 1974.

Morgan resigned as Attorney General later in 1974, after winning the Democratic nomination to the United States Senate to succeed retiring Senator Sam J. Ervin. In the general election, he defeated Republican William Stevens by a 61.6% to 37.6% margin. In the Senate, Morgan was named to the important Banking, Armed Services, and Public Works committees; he was also named to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Activities (Watergate Committee) and the Senate Ethics Committee. As a senator, Morgan was a strong supporter of North Carolina agriculture and other interests; he also was active on issues such as education, health, conservation, energy, finance and banking, foreign policy, economic deregulation, taxes and government efficiency. He served as one of the floor leaders of the successful effort to pass the Anti-Trust Enforcement Act of 1978, an unusual role for a freshman senator. Morgan was a strong supporter of President Jimmy Carter's Panama Canal Treaty and the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty. The Panama Canal Treaty, which passed by a single vote in 1978, became a significant focus of his opponents during the 1980 election. Morgan also served on the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution and the National Portrait Gallery Commission.

In the Senate, Morgan continued to support environmental issues, education, mental health, and aid for the disabled. He was also a strong proponent for the Armed Forces, tobacco farmers, and deregulation of the airline, trucking and communication industries. Morgan was narrowly defeated for reelection in 1980 by Professor John East, a member of the ECU Political Science faculty and an ally of North Carolina's Republican Senator Jesse Helms.

Returning to North Carolina in 1981, Morgan resumed his law career and later served as Director of the State Bureau of Investigation, 1985 - 1992. After leaving the SBI in 1992, Morgan retired from public life but he resumed his law practice and continued to be active in social and civic affairs.

In retirement, Morgan remained active and influential in the affairs of ECU as he had been since graduating in 1947. He served as chair of the Alumni Association board for 1958-1959, and served as a member (1958 – 1973) of the Board of Trustees and as chair for nine terms during the 1960s. He served also as a member of the Board of Trustees for Lees-McRae College, in Banner Elk, NC, from 1974 - 1977. He was an important part of the successful campaign to achieve university status for ECU in 1967 and was instrumental in establishing the Brody School of Medicine. In recognition of his contributions, ECU named Morgan Outstanding Alumnus and awarded him the Jarvis Medal and the Alumni Service Award.

Morgan served as chair of the North Carolina Baptist Retirement Homes and was a Deacon of Memorial Baptist Church in Buies Creek, NC, where he worshipped. His faith informed many of his speeches and he spoke frequently of the importance of freedom of religion, the separation of church and state, and on the importance of religious faith in the nation's politics.

Morgan married the former Katie Earle Owen in 1960. Mrs. Morgan, also a ECU graduate, was president of the Class of 1946. Together, the Morgans had four children: daughters Margaret Morgan Holmes, Mary Morgan and Alice Jean Morgan (1965-1967), and foster son Rupert C. Tart, Jr. Mrs. Morgan was an active supporter of her husband's political career and spoke and traveled regularly on his behalf. She was also a lifelong supporter of ECU, served on the Board of Trustees, was named to the ECU Educators Hall of Fame and received the Incredible ECU Women award.

Robert Morgan passed away at age 90, on 16 July 2016, at his home in Lillington, NC.

Sources:

Doug Boyd, In Memoriam: Robert Morgan, East Magazine (Fall 2016), p. 59. https://issuu.com/eastcarolina/docs/east_fall16

Robert Burren Morgan, Heritage Hall (October 5, 1925 – July 16, 2016). https://lib.ecu.edu/heritagehall/friends/morgan

Robert Morgan Obituary, Charlotte Observer (18 July 2016). http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/charlotte/obituary.aspx?n=robert-burren-morgan&pid=180705183&fhid=16907

Remembering Robert Morgan, Congressional Record, Vol. 162, No. 133 (6 September 2016), pp. S5246-S5248; See also: Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2016/9/6/senate-section/article/S5246-1


Scope and arrangement

The Robert Morgan Papers consist of 541.4 cubic feet, 1075 boxes and 39 oversized folders containing archival material. The papers date from 1861 - 2011; however, the bulk of the material dates from 1940 to 1992, although there are many undated items. The collection was donated by Senator Robert Morgan, Carroll Leggett, Dorothy Pastis, Peggy Seifert and Martha Elmore, in 29 separate accessions, the earliest dating from 1974.

The Robert Morgan Papers contain a wide variety of materials, including: legislative files (1958-1967), campaign files (1964-1972), county correspondence files (1968-1970), East Carolina University Board of Trustees files (1958-1973), personal files as Attorney General, memorand, legislative council material, clippings, speeches and statements (1974), Carroll H. Leggett correspondence (1970-1974), 1965 General Assembly scrapbook, daily schedules (1975-1978), and Lees-McRae College files (1974-1977). Personal files (1944-1977) include correspondence, photographs, movie film and sound track, clippings, reports, and miscellaneous. Campaign and U.S. Senate files (1974-1980) include committee material, legislation, constituent correspondence, case files, speeches, press releases, clippings, campaign records, oral histories, and miscellaneous ephemera. This collection is divided into 6 series, 40 subseries, and 179 sub – subseries. Robert Morgan served as North Carolina State Senator (1955-1968), Attorney General (1969-1974), and U.S. Senator (1974-1981). He was also a member of the boards of trustees of East Carolina University (1958-1973) and of Lees-McRae College (1974-1977). He entered the North Carolina Bar in 1952.

The Robert Morgan Papers are organized into six, roughly chronological series, corresponding to his life and political career.

Series 1: Personal Files, includes biographical materials, clippings, college materials, correspondence, and speeches, 1894 – 2011, relating to Morgan's family and early life, and later retirement, in Lillington, Harnett County, NC; also his education at East Carolina University (then known as East Carolina Teachers College), in Greenville, NC, 1942 – 1944, 1946 – 1947; his service in the Navy during World War II, 1944 – 1946; his law school education at Wake Forest College, in Winston-Salem, NC, 1950; his early political career as Clerk of Court in Harnett County, 1950 – 1954; his return to active duty during the Korean War, 1952 – 1955; his continued service in the Naval Reserve until 1971; and his service in the Air Force Reserve, 1971 – 1973. This series contains files relating to Morgan's service to the ECU Alumni Association and ECU Board of Trustees. It also includes materials relating to his law practice, in Lillington, 1955 – 1969, where he developed a reputation as a trial attorney taking personal injury, criminal defense, real property law and anti-trust cases. This series contains six subseries: Biographical Files, Clippings, College Materials, Correspondence, Jesse Helms and the Hard Right, and Law Firms and Speaking Engagements.

Series 2: North Carolina Senator Files, contains subject files, 1944 – 1974, relating to Morgan's elections and service in the North Carolina State Senate, 1955 – 1968, including his service as president pro tempore during 1965. It includes campaign materials, correspondence, legislative files, and photographic materials among other materials. This series contains only one subseries, organized by topic. Morgan's areas of concern while State Senator included mental health rights, ECU's proposed medical school, and milk pricing. Documents found within this series include letters of congratulations, correspondence on liquor laws, and voting statistics.

Series 3: Attorney General Files, includes materials, 1955 – 1980, undated, relating to Morgan's campaigns and service as Attorney General of North Carolina, 1969 – 1974. Series 3 includes audio-visual materials, campaign materials, state office files, clippings, speeches, and subject files; it also includes voting statistics, education and mental health and other issue files.The audio and visual recordings include TV spots, interviews, and background information for Morgan's speeches.

Series 4: United States Senator Files, includes papers, 1861 – 1982, undated, relating to Morgan's campaigns for and service in the United States Senate, 1974 – 1981. The most voluminous of the series, it contains 17 subseries including audio–visual and digital files, campaign files, case work files, correspondence with constituents and other political leaders, electronic files for the early senate mailing system, legislation files, federal nomination and appointments files, press releases, senate publications, Morgan's schedule and appointment files, speech and interview transcripts, subject files, and Morgan's voting records. The subject files include 37 sub-subseries covering office files, political files, committee files, international travel files, and federal department files; subject files on tobacco, Panama Canal Treaty, energy, transportation, international trade, military, and the Smithsonian Institution; interns, staff and state office files; and Congressional Mail Service (CMS) Library Item Encyclopedia (compiled responses to constituent letters) files. Constituents primarily wrote Morgan about the SALT treaty, the Panama Canal, Veterans' Affairs, and Social Security. This series also includes correspondence with well-known elected officials including Jimmy Carter, Joe Biden, Barry Goldwater, and Jesse Helms. Beyond correspondence, this series has documents relating to legislation, including constituent surveys, senate resolutions, and foreign policies. In addition to Morgan's papers, chief of staff Carroll Leggett's correspondence and documents are also included in this series.

Series 5: North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Files, includes papers, 1937 – 1991, undated, relating to Morgan's service as Director of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), 1985 - 1992. This series includes Morgan's correspondence files, district meeting minutes, speeches and subject files. Morgan's speech files are arranged according to venue: commencement and graduation addresses, political speeches, SBI and law enforcement speeches, and sermons. Speech topics include the Panama Canal Treaty, the potential for terrorism in North Carolina, and the role of the SBI.

Series 6: Oversized Materials Files, 1954 – 1989, undated, consists of oversized materials transferred from the collection for special storage for conservation reasons. Series 6 includes maps, posters, photographic prints, architectural drawings and plans. Each folder notes the folder of origin; each folder of origin indicates the current location. The maps are primarily of North Carolina--proposed construction projects, protected wilderness, blueprints, estate properties--and the Panama Canal.


Administrative information
Custodial History

July 12, 1974, 113 items, 302.000 cubic feet; Papers (1944-1980) of lawyer and Democratic Party politician who served as North Carolina State senator, 1965-1967; attorney general, 1968-1974; United States Senator, 1974-1980; member of the Board of Trustees of East Carolina University, 1958-1973 and of Lees-McRae College, 1974-1977, consisting of legislative files, speeches, photographs, movie film, records, oral tapes, etc. 319 boxes. 16 vols & 50 items. (302.0 cubic feet) Recd 9/12/1974 2/14/1975 6/4/1975 1/12/1976 2/1/1979 4/13/1979 9/4/1979 10/10/1979 1/5/1981. RESTRICTION. Donor: Robert Morgan.

July 12, 1974, (addition 1); 42 cu. ft.; Papers (1958-1974), including legislative files (1958-1967), campaign files (1964-1972), county correspondence files (1968-1970), East Carolina University Board of Trustees files (1958-1973), personal files as Attorney General, memorandums, legislative council material, clippings, and miscellaneous.

February 14, 1975, (addition 2), 4 vols.; Speeches and statements (1974).

June 4, 1975, (addition 3); Carroll H. Leggett correspondence (1970-1974) and clippings (July 1974).

January 12, 1976, (addition 4), 1 vol.; 1965 General Assembly scrapbook.

February 1, 1979, (addition 5), 4 vols.; Daily schedules (1975-1978).

April 13, 1979, (addition 6), 50 items; Personal files (1971-1977).

September 4, 1979, (addition 7), 63 items; Speeches and Lees-McRae College files (1974-1977).

September 20, 1979, (addition 8), 50 cu. ft.; Personal files (1944-1976), including correspondence, photographs, movie film and sound track, clippings, reports and miscellaneous.

October 10, 1979, (addition 9), 42 cu. ft.; Campaign and U.S. Senate files (1974-1976).

January 5, 1981, (addition 10), 210 cu. ft.; U.S. Senate files (1974-1980), including committee material, legislation, constituent correspondence, case files, speeches, press releases, clippings, campaign records, oral tapes, miscellaneous and personal papers.

May 23, 1990, (addition 11), 5 cu. ft.; Speech files and copies of personal correspondence while SBI director. Gift of the Honorable Robert Morgan, Lillington, N.C.

November 26, 1991, (addition 12), N/A items; Speech files and copies of personal correspondence while SBI director. Donor: Morgan, Robert (Hon.).

December 14, 2004, (addition 13), 2 items, 0.002 cubic feet; Remarks (12/11/2004) honoring Sen. Robert B. Morgan (ECU 1947) upon his receipt of the Thomas Jordan Jarvis Medal, delivered at East Carolina University's commencement ceremonies, by Peggy Stewart Seifert, his longtime executive assistant, and by Dr. Pete Daniel, a curator at the Smithsonian Institution and president-elect of the Southern Historical Society. 2 items. 6 p. (ca. 0.002 cubic feet) Rec'd. 12/14/2004. Donor: Carroll H. Leggett.

January 18, 2005, (addition 14), 1 item, 0.001 cubic feet; Remarks (12/11/2004) by Judge Gerald Arnold at the Hilton Hotel, in Greenville, NC, honoring Sen. Robert B. Morgan (ECU 1947) following his receipt of the Thomas Jordan Jarvis Medal at East Carolina University's commencement ceremonies. 1 item. 4 p. (ca. 0.001 cubic feet). Rec'd. 12/29/2004. Donor: Carroll H. Leggett.

February 2, 2005, (addition 15), 2 items, 0.020 cubic feet; Speeches of Senator Robert B. Morgan, U. S. Navy, Retired (2004) including speeches, photographs, maps, and clippings, with speeches, 1965-1980, compiled on a compact disc using Acrobat Reader 6.0; also printed index to speeches. Compact disc & index to speeches. 2 items. 36 p. (0.020 cubic feet) Recd. 12/6/2004. Donor: Robert B. Morgan.

March 22, 2005, (addition 16), 1 item, 0.001 cubic feet; Eulogy (2/14/2005) of Ashley B. Futrell, publisher of the Washington Daily News delivered by Robert Morgan at the First United Methodist Church, in Washington, NC. Typescript. 1 item. 4 p. (ca. 0.001 cubic feet) Rec'd. 2/25/2005. Note: Received as an email attachment from the donor. Donor: Carroll H. Leggett.

May 27, 2005, (addition 17), 71 items, 0.25 cubic feet; Collection (1974-1981, n.d.) of correspondence, clippings, ephemera, etc. compiled by Dorothy Pastis, during the time that she was the receptionist in Sen. Robert B. Morgan's U. S. Senate office, in Washington, DC. 1 box & 1 oversized folder. ca. 71 items. ca. 111 p. (ca. 0.25 cubic feet). Rec'd. 4/15/2005. RESTRICTION. Note: Received via Carroll H. Leggett. Donor: Dorothy Pastis.

May 24, 2005, (addition 18), 3 items, 0.004 cubic feet; Collection (4/30 – 5/2/2005, n.d.), including Remarks by Joseph W. Baggett at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Dinner celebrating the establishment of the Joseph W. and Hannah Huske Baggett chair for the study of Parkinson's disease, 4/30/2005; Morgan Family Memories: On Alice Butts Morgan and Child Labor, by Robert Morgan, Her Son, n.d.; and Robert B. Morgan letter to Carroll Leggett, 5/2/2005, re: Baggett dinner, Morgan Family Memories, and his Korean War experiences. Photocopy typescript & Typed letter signed. 3 items. 12 p. (ca. 0.004 cubic feet) Recd. 5/10/2005. Donor: Robert B. Morgan.

September 19, 2005, (addition 19), 6 items, 0.004 cubic feet; Collection (May-June 2005) including a List of books purchased by the Harnett County Library with funds contributed in honor of Katie and Robert Morgan; Letter from Robert Morgan to Carroll Leggett enclosing an affidavit and letter from G. Christopher Olson relating to Richardson v. NationsCredit Financial Services Corporation, et. al. Case No. 02 CVS 02398 (Durham County) and the North Carolina Unfair Trade Practices Act (Little FTC Act); and Correspondence between Robert Morgan and Bill Stillerman regarding the Baptist Church in North Carolina. 6 items. 11 p. (ca. 0.004 cubic feet) Rec'd. 7/5/2005. Donor: Carroll H. Leggett.

July 24, 2008, (addition 20), 63 items, 0.10 cubic feet; Papers (ca. 1979-2004) regarding Senator Jesse Helms, the "Hard Right" in politics, the Panama Canal issue, and the election of 1980, including clippings, statements and press releases. Photocopies. 1 box 63 items. 150 p. (ca. 0.10 cubic feet) Rec'd. 4/25/2006. Donor: Robert B. Morgan.

July 24, 2008, (addition 21), 154 items, 0.25 cubic feet; Photographic Negatives (1975-1980) of Senator Robert Morgan (D-NC) and various friends, relatives, and associates taken in and around the United States Senate, found in the Senate Historical Office. See preliminary inventory attached. 1 box. 154 negative sleeves. 411 items (neg. strips). 749 images. (ca. 0.25 cubic feet). Recd. 5/12/2008. Donor: Robert B. Morgan.

September 28, 2009, (addition 22), 1 item, 0.001 cubic feet; The Battle for East Carolina: Leo's Field General Tells All . . . , by Al Myatt (2007), photocopy clipping from Bonesville: The Magazine, published by East Carolina Educational Foundation, Greenville, NC. 1 item. 10 p. (ca. 0.001 cubic feet) Recd. 8/25/2009. Note: "Exclusive interview with Senator Robert Morgan" concerns fights for university status and medical school at ECU. Donor: Martha G. Elmore.

February 10, 2010, (addition 23), 1 item, 0.001 cubic feet; The Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County 60th Anniversary Luncheon and Six Days in November: A Celebration of Crafts, Arts and Innovation, Joan Adams Mondale, Honorary Chair. Introduction by Milton Rhodes (11/19/2009) Typescript. 1 item. 3 p. (ca. 0.001 cubic feet) Rec'd. 12/22/2009. Donor: Carroll H. Leggett.

November 21, 2008, (addition 24), 7 items, 1.00 cubic feet; Records (1975-1980) of the United States Senate, including Rules and Manual, Journal of Senate; Hearings and Investigation of the Select; Committees on Ethics investigation of Herman E. Tallmadge; and Resolutions and Reports of the Select Committee on Intelligence. Printed volumes. RESTRICTION: (1) Clippings, speeches, press releases, and published newsletters: None. (2) Case files: Closed for 15 years from date of contract, 12/12/1980; available at discretion of head of special collections after consultation with donor, or his heirs, etc. (3) Files with classified or sensitive documents restricted in accordance with NARS security requirements. (4) All other files available by nomination of head of special collections and only with written consent of donor during his lifetime. See contract for more information. Rec'd 11/21/2008. Donor: Robert B. Morgan.

March 2, 2011, (addition 25), 6.0 cubic feet; Papers (1921-2008) pertaining to Senator Morgan's family and personal life as well as to his career in the United States Senate and his views on political and other issues, including correspondence, speeches, transcripts of oral history, radio, and other interviews, newsletters, recollections, photographs, newspaper and magazine articles, campaign posters (1980), and a copy of a film made by WBTV in 1976 covering Senator Morgan's introduction of President Gerald Ford during his visit to Charlotte during the American Revolution Bicentennial. Donor: Robert B. Morgan.

October 31, 2012, (addition 26), .005 cubic feet; Addition includes two letters. The first letter (October 8, 2011) was written by Senator Robert Morgan's granddaughter, Grace Morgan Holmes of Chapel Hill, N.C., asking Ms. Peggy Seifert for information about Senator Morgan for use in a 6th grade Social Studies project. Ms. Seifert responds in an October 12, 2011, letter describing her memories of working with Senator Morgan for many years as a member of his office staff. Donor: Peggy Seifert.

November 20, 2012, (addition 27), .339 cubic feet, 4 items; Includes four volumes of Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Hearings held while Senator Robert Morgan was a member of the U.S. Senate Select Committee to Study Governmental Operations with Respect to Intelligence Activities. Volumes included are for 1975: Committee Prints, Interim Report, and Hearings Volumes 1-4; 1976: Final Report Books I and II; 1976: Final Report Books III-VI, and 1976-1978: Hearings. Donor: Robert B. Morgan.

October 16, 2020,(unprocessed addition 28), 3.0 cubic feet; This addition (ca. 1971-2013) contains five flash drives, twenty-five DVD's or DVDR's, ten 3-ring binders of materials and other items related to the donor's research on Robert Morgan and to his time as a member of Robert Morgan's staff while he was U.S. Senator for North Carolina. Donor: W. W. "Billy" Yeargin, Jr.

June 21, 2021, (unprocessed addition 29), 0.10 cubic foot; Included is a July 25, 1974, statement made by former N.C. governor Terry Sanford introducing Robert Morgan at an event during Morgan's campaign for the U.S. Senate. Accompanying this statement is a June 3, 2021, letter from Carrol H. Leggett, Robert B. Morgan's former chief of staff, explaining the political climate of the 1960s and 1970s and the relationships between major N.C. politicians of the era. This accession also covers material donated earlier that includes faxes and emails (2000-2007) related to the controversy over museums (particularly the Smithsonian Institution) and charitable organizations selling naming rights and seats on boards and commissions to private corporations; related to Morgan's nomination for the Governor's North Carolina Award; including selected abstracts of disbursements (1976-1981); and Morgan's remarks as the Jarvis Medal recipient at the December 11, 2004, ECU graduation ceremony. Donor: Carroll H. Leggett.

July 1, 2024, (unprocessed addition 30), 0.10 cubic foot; Includes 30 Kodachrome slides taken by W. W. "Billy" Yeargin, Jr. (aide to Senator Morgan) of an event commemorating the opening of a new ethanol manufacturing plant outside Creedmoor, Granville County, North Carolina, in October 1980. Pictured are Senator Morgan (keynote speaker), NC Commissioner of Agriculture Jim Graham, NC Farm Bureau President John W. Sledge and several local farmers including Weldon Poe Currin. Gift of W. W. "Billy" Yeargin, Jr.

Source of acquisition

Gift of Robert B. Morgan

Gift of Carroll H. Leggett

Gift of Dorothy Pastis

Gift of Martha G. Elmore

Gift of Peggy Seifert

Gift of W. W. "Billy" Yeargin, Jr.

Processing information

Processing was completed with the generous financial support of the Morgan family, their friends and supporters and other donors, 4/16/2017 - 4/15/2018. Papers initially encoded by Apex Data Services, 2002; Accessioning, Arrangement & Description, Preliminary inventory by Donald Lennon, 1974 - 2000; Jonathan Dembo 2000 - 2018, with the assistance of: Dan Ojeda, 2004; Brian Clayton, 2005; Cheryl Funderburk, 7/2/2007 - 2/12/2008; Josh Milton, 4/18/2008 (1 - 724); Crystal Townsend, 5/20 - 6/30/2008 (725 - 965); Srujana Rallabandi, 12/21/2008 (Box 966 - 1097); Dick Wolfe (Box 1 - 467), 2010-2018; Leigh Smith, 5/15 - 7/11/2012 (Box 1-124); Spencer Tart, 5/15 - 7/25/2012; Stephanie Salas, 1/24 - 5/7/2013; Katherine Parrish, 9/6 - 12/13/2012; George Messmer, 1/30 - 2/27/2013; Stanley Walker, 1/30 - 2/27/2013; Michael Caggiano, 3/18 - 4/26/2013; Caroline Rozario, 9/24/2013 - 4/29/2014; Juana Servin, 3/16/2013 - 4/23/2014; Brionna S. Tillman, 5/21 - 7/31/2014; Matthew P. Crain, 1/21 - 2/11/2015; Alyssa Coleman, 2017; John Leche, 2017; Samantha Grzybek, 2017; Sherry Cortes, 2017-2018; Dan Hemme, 2017-2018; Martha Mihich, 2017-2018 (Box 1 - 1075). Processing completed by Sherry L. Cortes under the supervision of Jonathan Dembo, 2/23/2018.

Descriptions updated by Jennifer Overstreet, July 2020

Copyright notice

Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.

Metadata Rights Declaration

Language of material

German, Russian, Vietnamese, Spanish

Key terms
Personal Names
Helms, Jesse
Leggett, Carroll H.--Correspondence
Morgan, Robert, 1925-2016
Corporate Names
Democratic Party (N.C.)
East Carolina University. Board of Trustees
Lees-McRae College. Board of Trustees
North Carolina. Department of Justice
North Carolina. General Assembly. Senate
North Carolina. State Bureau of Investigation
United States. Congress. Senate
Topical
Conservatism--United States--History--20th century
Political campaigns--North Carolina
Politicians--North Carolina
Places
North Carolina--Politics and government--20th century
Panama Canal (Panama)--History--20th century

Container list
Box 16 Folder a The Battle for East Carolina: Leo's Field General Tells All. . . , by Al Myatt (2007) in Bonesville: The Magazine, published by East Carolina Educational Foundation, Greenville, NC. Photocopy clipping. 1 item, 10 p (ca. 0.001 cubic feet) Recd. 8/25/2009. Note: "Exclusive interview with Senator Robert Morgan" concerns fights for university status and medical school at ECU; Addition #22, 2007 (Preliminary inventory by Jonathan Dembo, 9/28/2009)
Box 1054 Folder a Bureau Briefs Complete Edition, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation [SBI] Newsletter, Issues No. 1 - 46 (1985 - 21 May 1990) Written by Geb Prather; edited by Director Robert Morgan. Spiral bound. Soft cover. Photocopy typescript. Note: Paid for by Justice Foundation of North Carolina
Box 1054 Folder b The Potential for Terrorist Activity in North Carolina [1990] Photocopy typescript. Looseleaf bound. 1 item, 44 p. Note: Lists terror - related organizations in North Carolina with short descriptions
Box 1054 Folder c SBI Correspondence & Mail. Director, Robert Morgan (11 June - 30 June 1990) Photocopied letters, memoranda, etc. Looseleaf bound
Box 1054 Folder d SBI Correspondence & Mail. Director, Robert Morgan (1 - 31 July 1990) Photocopied letters, memoranda, etc. Looseleaf bound
Box os01 Police Officers Memorial Day Address, by Robert Morgan, Winston - Salem, North Carolina; San Diego Union editorials on public perception of police officers; Program brochure (18 May 1989) Typescript, Photocopy clippings, Printed brochure. 5 items, 22 pages. Note: oversized newspaper clippings: Guardians of the Peace [Editorial] and It's A Cop's Life [Commentary] San Diego Union, Section B (10 May 1989), p. B6 - B7 transferred from folder #268.1071.g
Box os02 Daily Reflector, Greenville, North Carolina, Vol. 129, no 123 (14 May 1958) Newspaper. 15.25" x 23" 2 items, 58 pages. Note: includes East Carolina College [ECC] 50th Anniversary Issue: "Celebrating Its Fiftieth Anniversary"; Transferred from folder #268.0033.d
Box os03 Daily Record, Dunn, North Carolina, Vol. 26, no. 191 (26 August 1977; 29 January 1980) Newspaper clippings. 16.5 x 23" 2 items, 5 pages. Note: from Addition #17 received 5/27/2005; includes articles with photographs: "Harnett Democratic Women Play Host for Senator Morgan" (1977), p. 8 - 9; "Scenes from Morgan Rally" (1980), p. 10; Transferred from folder #268.0403.a
Box os05 North Carolina Mental Health Controversy: Inadequacy of State's Four State Mental Hospitals attacked by NC Mental Health Association Part I (10 - 29 February 1972) Newspaper Clippings. 15" x 23" 4 items, 21 pages. Note: includes clippings from the Goldsboro News Argus; Raleigh News & Observer; Greensboro Daily News; and the Raleigh Times; Transferred from folder #268.0260.a
Box os06 North Carolina Mental Health Controversy: Inadequacy of State's Four State Mental Hospitals attacked by NC Mental Health Association Part II (1 - 12 March 1972) Newspaper Clippings. 15" x 23" 5 items, 36 pages. Note: includes clippings from the Raleigh Times; Raleigh News & Observer; Greensboro Daily News; & Charlotte Observer; Transferred from folder #268.0260.a
Box os07 Robert B. Morgan Family Portrait (ca. 1971) Photographic Print. Black & White. 14" x 22" 1 item, 1 page. Note: photograph of Senator Morgan seated on front steps of home; back row: son (adopted) Rupert C. Tart b. 1950?; wife Katie Earle Owen Morgan b. 1925; Attorney General Morgan; front row: daughters Mary Morgan Reeves b. 1963 & Margaret K. (Morgan) Holmes b. 1959; verso stamped "photo - processing by Image"; inscribed: "37395/t9/6"; Transferred from folder #268.0327.e
Box os08 Journal of North Carolina State University, Vol. 9, no. 3 (November 1977) Newsletter. 17.5" x 17". 1 item 3 pages. Note: Holograph notes "Jeff Mann", "Pat Joyner" and telephone numbers on back page; Transferred from folder #268.0505.s
Box os09 Open Letter to the President and Congress of the United States, by Citizens for a Strong Energy Program (1975) Broadside. 19.75" x 26" 1 item 2 pages. ID #1975001843 - 1975001844. Note: Transferred from folder #268.0554.a
Box os10 Final Plat of Shoreline Estates, A Portion of Block 102 and All of Block 101A, Long Beach, Smithville Township, Brunswick County, North Carolina, by Gerrit C. Geer (27 February 1977) Blueprint. Scale: 1" = 50' 28.5" x 21". 1 item, 1 page. Note: Transferred from folder #268.0587.g
Box os11 Pisgah National Forest (Pisgah Ranger District) North Carolina Map, by U. S. Department of Agriculture, U. S. Forest Service (1966) Printed. 1/2" = 1 mile. 17.5" x 24.25" 1 item, 1 page. Note: ID #19750100393 - 19750100394; Transferred from folder #268.0587.k
Box os12 Sea Gate Development Composite Map, Sea Gate, Inc., Beaufort, NC, Harlowe - Beaufort Township, Carteret County, North Carolina, by J. E. McLean, P.E. (15 October 1974) Blueprint. Scale 1" = 200 ' 36" x 85" 1 item, 1 page. Note: Transferred from folder #268.0587.k
Box os13 Alice Morgan Estate Properties, Maintenance Maps of Harnett County Depicting Countywide Locations of Parcels of Land; Base Allotments, by U.S. Department of Agriculture. NC. State Highway Commission (1978) Annotated printed. 4 items, 4 pages. Note: includes: 1) N7212 Alice Morgan Estate, Harnett County (1978) 20" x 24"; 2) A303 Morgan and Mabe, Harnett County (1978) 20" x 24"; 3) L6396 Robert H. Jones, Operator, Harnett County (1978) 20" x 24"; 4) P8785 Billy Ray Matthews, Operator, Harnett County (1978) 20" x 24". Polyconic Projection. Scale: 1" = 4 miles; Transferred from folder #268.0623.g
Box os14 The Chances Are 49 Out of 50 You'll Pick the Wrong State For Your Next Plant, North Carolina, by Governor's Office, Raleigh, NC (1976) Broadside. 31" x 32.5" 1 item, 1 page. ID #19760391276 - 19760391277. Note: Transferred from folder #268.0639.c
Box os15 Part of Old Philadelphia: A Map Showing Historic Buildings & Sites From the Founding Until the Early nineteenth Century, Compiled by Grant Miles Simon, F.A.I.A, et al. (Philadelphia, PA: G. Simon (c) 1951, 1952, 1966; revised 1966; published 1973) Broadside. 25.5" x 24" No scale. 1 item, 1 page. Note: Transferred from folder #268.0652.c
Box os16 Exhibit I: Plat Showing Ocean Hill, Currituck County, North Carolina Section I (June 1978) Blueprint. 1 item, 1 pages. Scale 1" = 200' 16.75" x 20.25"; Exhibit II: Revised Preliminary Subdivision, Drawing 1, Ocean Hill, Currituck County, North Carolina Section I (30 June 1978) Blueprint. 1 item, 1 pages. Scale 1" = 200' 24" x 36.5"; Exhibit III: Subdivision of Ocean Hill, Section 1, Currituck County, North Carolina (11 April 1978) Blueprint. 5 items, 5 pages. Scale 1" = 100' 18" x 24", by Hassell & Folkes, Surveyors & Engineers, Portsmouth, VA. Note: Transferred from folder #268.0656.b
Box os17 Washington Post [including post - 1980 election reporting] Vol. 103, no. 356 (25 November 1980) Newspaper, Sections A - B, D - F. 4 items, 54 pages. 23" x 14.5" Note: Transferred from folder #268.0688.j
Box os18 Please, Congress, Don't Let Him Push That Button, by the National Right to Work Committee (ca. 1977) Broadside. 22.5" x 15" 1 item, 1 page. Note: Poster shows "Labor Boss" preparing to explode his prisoners, labeled "employees" and "employers"; Transferred from folder #268.0891.a
Box os19 Exhibit E: Rougemont Alcohol Fuel Plant Flow Diagrams P1 & P2: 95% Alcohol Process & Anhydrous Step Process, McKim & Creed, Engineers, Consultant & Planners, Wilmington, North Carolina (19 September 1980) Blueprint. 36" x 47.5" 2 items, 2 pages. Note: Transferred from folder #268.0905.a
Box os20 Brunswick Energy Company Proposed Refinery Layout Plan & Vicinity Map, Brunswick County, North Carolina, by Henry von Oesen & Associates, Consulting Engineers & Planners, Wilmington, NC, undated) Blueprint. Scale: 1" = 400'. 17" x 36" 2 items, 2 pages. Note: Transferred from folder #268.0933.h
Box os21 Carolina Synthetic Fuels, Inc., North Wilkesboro, NC. Proposed Ethyl Alcohol Distillery. Flow Diagram; Plot Plant; & Plot Plan - Topo Drawings (March - April 1980) Blueprints. Scale 1: = 30' 0". 36" x 24" 3 items, 3 pages. Note: Transferred from folders #268.1048.q - s
Box os22 Guardians of Peace [Editorial] & It's A Cop's Life [Commentary] San Diego Union, Section B (10 May 1989), p. B6 - B7. Newspaper. 23" x 14". 1 item, 4 pages. Note: Cited in Law Officers Memorial Day Speech, by Robert Morgan 18 May 1989); Transferred from folder #268.1071.g
Box os23 Wake Community Lions Club Certificate of Appreciation as Guest Speaker (28 August 1969) Printed form. 8" x 10" 1 item, 1 page. Note: Transferred from folder #268.1115.a
Box os24 North Carolina Poultry Federation Certificate of Appreciation (1968) Printed form. 8.75" x 10.75" 1 item, 1 page. Note: Transferred from folder #268.1115.a.1.03
Box os25 National Register of Prominent Americans Certificate & Letter of Election, undated) Printed form & TLS. 8.5" x 11" 2 items, 2 pages. Note: Transferred from folder #268.1115.a.1.04
Box os26 City of Lexington, Kentucky Certificate of Honorary Citizen (21 April 1969) Printed form. 8.5" x 11" 1 item, 1 page. Note: Transferred from folder #268.1115.a.1.02
Box os27 Blue Grass Airport at Lexington, Kentucky Certificate of Honor of the Red Carpet (21 April 1969) Printed form. 14" x 11" 1 item, 1 page. Note: Transferred from folder #268.1115.a.1.06
Box os28 Robert B. Morgan Portrait (ca. 1969) Photographic Print. Black & White. 11" x 14" 1 item, 1 page. Note: Transferred from folder #268.1115.a.1.07
Box os29 Robert B. Morgan Photograph; with State Bureau of Investigation Personnel & Vehicle (ca. 1970 - 1974) Photographic print. Black & White. 11" x 14" 1 item, 1 page. Note: Transferred from folder #268.1115.a.1.08
Box os30 Robert B. Morgan Photograph; with President Gerald R. Ford, Senator Jesse Helms, with Other Congressional Leaders, exiting Air Force One (ca. 1975 - 1977) Photographic print. Black & White. 16" x 20" 1 item, 1 page. Note: Print #P - 268/1 Transferred from folder #268.1115.a.1.09
Box os31 Survey Map of Proposed COGAG [Coalition of Governments - Appalachian Governments] Building Location, Boone, NC (17 March 1977) 1 item, 1 page. 24" x 18". Scale: 1" = 60' Note: Transferred from folder #268.1017.a.1.10
Box os32 You can Judge What a Man Will do...by What He has Done Campaign Poster; & duplicate (ca. 1980) Broadside. 2 items, 2 pages. 12.5" x 14". Note: Transferred from folder #268.0013.a.1.11
Box os33 Map of North Carolina Medical School Districts (ca. 1970) Printed. 1 item, 1 page. No scale. 32.5" x 12.5". Note: Regions marked on North Carolina/South Carolina highway map; verso shows insets of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Spartanburg, SC, Greenville, NC; Raleigh, Durham (Partial), Wilmington, & Asheville; map is cut to make an outline of North Carolina; Transferred from folder #268.0043.b
Box os34 Concession Map of SE Asia Area, Showing Continental Shelves (1975) by Offshore, the Journal of Ocean Business. 1 item, 1 page. No Scale. 34" x 22" Note: Transferred from folder #268.0996.h
Box os35 Desk calendar for February - May 1965, including handwritten notes. 4 item 4 page. 22" x 16" Note: Transferred from folder #286.0051.h
Box os36 Map of Randolph County, produced by NC State Highway Commission (undated, revised 1 January 1962) 19" x 31 " 1 item, 1 page. Note: Transferred from folder #268.0044.d
Box os37 Property Described in Civil Action entitled North Carolina State Highway Commission vs Robertson Wall et ux, et al. (August 1969) 28" x 18" 1 item, 1 page. Note: Transferred from folder #268.0243.l
Box os38 Three maps: General Map of Southeast Asia, Conical Projection; Rand McNally Imperial World on Mercator's Projection; Superior Map of Asia and the Western Pacific (undated) 42" x 29", 52" x 42", 39" x 26" 3 items, 3 pages. Note: Transferred from folder #268.0278.d
Box os39 Map of Panama Canal Zone and Vicinity (July 1973); Compiled by Office of Engineer and Section of Surveys, Panama Canal and the Isthmian Canal Commission, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, and Panama Railroad; Scale: 1:100,000; 31.25" x 39.125" Note: Transferred from folder #268.0392.a.1
Box 1075 Folder e Slides (October 1980) taken by Yeargin at the opening of an ethanol manufacturing plant near Creedmoor, North Carolina
Box 1076 Microfilm Reels

These microfilm reels are only available for onsite use. Please contact Special Collections if you need help scheduling a time to view these items.