E. Morgan & Sons

Information from E. Morgan and Sons Finding Aid at the Rhode Island Historical Society Manuscripts Divison.

" Ebenezer Morgan of Groton, Connecticut began the manufacture of patent medicines in Providence, R.I. circa 1878, in partnership with James S. Pidge. The firm of Morgan & Pidge was disbanded in 1886, and Morgan formed a partnership with his son William H. Morgan (1853-1910) and son-in-law Franklin P. Marsh (1853-1928). Ebenezer Morgan ceased to be active in the firm circa 1892, but the name "E. Morgan & Sons" was retained. It was around this time that the firm's address changed from High Street to more permanent quarters at 350 Weybosset Street. After William H. Morgan died without any children in 1910, Franklin P. Marsh assumed sole control of the company. Upon his death in 1928, he was succeeded by his widow Lavinia (Morgan) Marsh and their son Ebenezer M. Marsh (grandson of the founder). Ebenezer M. Marsh of Longmeadow, Warwick, R.I. appears in the city directories as proprietor of E. Morgan & Sons through 1961. After that date, both he and the firm disappear, and the factory building at 350 Weybosset is listed as vacant.

This company was engaged mainly in the production of two patent medicines: "Dr. Haynes' Arabian Balsam", and the less popular "Miller's Vegetable Expectorant". These two products were marketed to wholesalers and pharmacies; a few loyal consumers purchased the Arabian Balsam directly from the company. The precise recipes for these medicines have not been found, but the company's purchasing book shows invoices for salad oil, licorice root, lobelia herb, turpentine, flour, guar gum, "gum myrrh", nitrous ether, camphor, "oil origanum" (oil of red thyme), molasses, and alcohol."