Figure was a small
bay stallion
A stallion is a male horse that has not been gelded (castrated).
Stallions follow the conformation and phenotype of their breed, but within that standard, the presence of hormones such as testosterone may give stallions a thicker, "cresty" nec ...
owned by
Justin Morgan
Justin Morgan (February 28, 1747 – March 22, 1798) was a U.S. horse breeder and composer.
He was born in West Springfield, Massachusetts, and by 1788 had settled in Vermont. In addition to being a horse breeder and farmer, he was a teacher of ...
; he became the
foundation sire of the
Morgan horse breed.
Early years
The stallion was born in
West Springfield, Massachusetts
West Springfield is a city in Hampden County, Massachusetts, Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Springfield metropolitan area, Massachusetts, Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was ...
in 1789. The small, dark colt is believed to have been sired by an English
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word ''thoroughbred'' is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed. Thoroughbreds are c ...
stallion
A stallion is a male horse that has not been gelded (castrated).
Stallions follow the conformation and phenotype of their breed, but within that standard, the presence of hormones such as testosterone may give stallions a thicker, "cresty" nec ...
named "True Briton", also known as "Beautiful Bay" and "Traveller", which was foaled in 1768. Figure's
dam
A dam is a barrier that stops or restricts the flow of surface water or underground streams. Reservoirs created by dams not only suppress floods but also provide water for activities such as irrigation, human consumption, industrial use ...
was of "Wild-Air" breeding, sired by Diamond, foaled in 1784 in West Springfield. The dam was bred by Justin Morgan, for whom the breed is named. Figure is thought to have stood about 14 hh (1.42 m), and to have weighed about 950 lb (430 kg). He was known for his prepotency, passing on his distinctive looks, conformation, temperament, and athleticism.
Ownership by Justin Morgan
In 1792, Figure was advertised for stud before he was given as payment for a debt to Justin Morgan (1747-1798), a singing teacher and one-time
Randolph, Vermont
Randolph is a town in Orange County, Vermont, United States. The population was 4,774 at the 2020 census, making Randolph the largest town in Orange County. The town is a commercial center for many of the smaller, rural farming communities that ...
, Town Clerk. Morgan owned Figure from 1792-1795, advertising him for stud in
Randolph and
Lebanon, New Hampshire
Lebanon is a city in Grafton County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 14,282 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, up from 13,151 at the 2010 census. Lebanon is in western New Hampshire, south of Hanover, New Hampshire, H ...
(1793), and
Royalton, Vermont
Royalton is a town in Windsor County, Vermont, United States. The population was 2,750 at the 2020 census. It includes the villages of Royalton, South Royalton, and North Royalton. Vermont Law School, the state's only accredited law school, ...
(1794), and
Williston and
Hinesburg, Vermont
Hinesburg is a town in Chittenden County, Vermont, United States. The town was named for Abel Hine, town clerk. The population was 4,698 at the 2020 census.
The main settlement of Hinesburg in the center of town is a census-designated place (C ...
(1795). He leased Figure to Robert Evans in the fall of 1795 to clear land for a Mr. Fisk at a rate of $15.00 a year.
Morgan later traded the horse to Samuel Allen for land in
Moretown, Vermont. Allen sold the stallion later that year to William Rice of
Woodstock, Vermont
Woodstock is the shire town (county seat) of Windsor County, Vermont, United States. As of the 2020 census, the town population was 3,005. It includes the villages of Woodstock, South Woodstock, Taftsville, and West Woodstock.
History
Cha ...
.
Accomplishments
In 1796, Figure raced in a sweepstakes in
Brookfield, Vermont
Brookfield is a town in Orange County, Vermont, United States. It was created by Vermont charter on August 5, 1781. The population was 1,244 at the 2020 census. Brookfield is best known for its floating bridge which spans Sunset Lake buoyed b ...
, beating
New York horses to win $50. That year, he was advertised at stud by Johnathan Shepard of
Montpelier, who also raced him in several match races in which he did well. Figure became known as the "Justin Morgan horse."
Other owners
Figure was traded again in 1797, along with a blacksmith shop, to James Hawkins. In 1801 he was recorded as owned by Robert Evans of Randolph. Evans owned the horse until 1804, using the stallion for logging, racing, and breeding, until he fell into debt to Colonel John Goss. Goss collected the horse as part of the debt, and used him to review troops. He entered the horse in a pulling bee, which the little horse won. In 1805, Goss traded Figure for a mare owned by his brother David.
David Goss owned Figure from 1805-1811, where he worked on the farm for 10 months, and was used for breeding for two months each year. He was sold in 1811 to Philip Goss for the breeding season. Philip Goss sold Figure to Jacob Sanderson, who sold him to Jacob Langmeade. Langmeade used the horse to haul freight, and is thought to have abused the aging stallion.
Langmeade sold Figure to Joel Goss and Joseph Rogers at the end of 1811. Figure stood at stud for several years, before he was sold to Samuel Stone in 1817. Stone exhibited the stallion in the Randolph fair. Figure was used as a parade mount by President
James Monroe
James Monroe ( ; April 28, 1758July 4, 1831) was an American statesman, lawyer, diplomat, and Founding Father who served as the fifth president of the United States from 1817 to 1825. A member of the Democratic-Republican Party, Monroe was ...
later that year.
Final years
In 1819, Figure was sold to his final owner, Levi Bean of
Chelsea, Vermont
Chelsea is a town in and the shire town (county seat) of Orange County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,233 at the 2020 census.
Geography
Chelsea is located in a river valley in central Vermont. The First Branch of the White Ri ...
. Toward the end of his life, Figure was put out to pasture. He died in 1821 from an injury to the flank, caused by a kick, at the age of 32. Figure is now buried in
Chelsea, Vermont
Chelsea is a town in and the shire town (county seat) of Orange County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,233 at the 2020 census.
Geography
Chelsea is located in a river valley in central Vermont. The First Branch of the White Ri ...
.
Stories, myths and legends
Many myths developed surrounding Figure and Justin Morgan. The popular children's book, ''
Justin Morgan Had a Horse
''Justin Morgan Had a Horse'' is an American children's historical novel by Marguerite Henry, illustrated by Wesley Dennis and published by Wilcox & Follett of Chicago in 1945. It concerns the real figures of Justin Morgan and his bay stallion ...
'' by
Marguerite Henry
Marguerite Henry (' Breithaupt; April 13, 1902 – November 26, 1997) was an American writer of children's books, writing fifty-nine books based on true stories of horses and other animals. She won the Newbery Medal for ''King of the Wind'', a 19 ...
, is a fictionalized account of Figure (called "Little Bub" in the book) and his early life.
Walt Disney Studios adapted the book into a film in 1972.
Sire line tree
*Justin Morgan (Figure)
[Justin Morgan Pedigree](_blank)
/ref>
**Sherman Morgan[Sherman Morgan Pedigree](_blank)
/ref>
*** Black Hawk[Black Hawk Pedigree](_blank)
/ref>
****Blood's Black Hawk[Blood's Black Hawk Pedigree](_blank)
/ref>
*****Gist's Black Hawk[Gist's Black Hawk Pedigree](_blank)
/ref>
****Ethan Allen
Ethan Allen ( – February 12, 1789) was an American farmer, businessman, land speculator, philosopher, writer, lay theologian, American Revolutionary War patriot, and politician. He is best known as one of the founders of Vermont and for ...
[Ethan Allen Pedigree](_blank)
/ref>
*****Daniel Lambert[Daniel Lambert Pedigree](_blank)
/ref>
*****Holabird's Ethan Allen[Holibirds Ethan Allen Pedigree](_blank)
/ref>
*****Delong's Ethan Allen[Delongs Ethan Allen Pedigree](_blank)
/ref>
*****American Ethan[American Ethan Pedigree](_blank)
/ref>
*****Honest Allen[Honest Allen Pedigree](_blank)
/ref>
References
{{reflist
Individual Morgan horses
1789 animal births
1821 animal deaths
Individual animals in the United States
Foundation horse sires