John Morton,
of Plymouth & Middleberry
born 1616
1627 22 May 1627 Plymouth Colony Records 12:13
John Morton is assigned a lot of land at which to keep cows and goats. He shares this lot with his brothers (Nathaniel and Ephraim), the Kemptons, and the Bradfords.
1640 2 November 1640 Records 1:166
John Morton is granted five acres of land in the South Meddows toward Aggawam, Colebrook Meddows.
1643 August 1643 Records 8:187
Morton's name appears in a list entitled "The Names of all the Males that are able to beare Armes from xvj. Yeares old to 60 Yeares, wthin the seurall Towneshipps". Morton's name is included with those of Plymouth.
7 November 1643 Records 2:66
Morton gives an oath in Court, along with Nathaniel Masterson, that John Barnes was drunk "in the Bay and at Scituate".
1647 2 March 1647 Records 2:112
John Morton's name appears in a list entitled "The Jury for his Traus [traverses]", which refers to a Court case in the record above which involves George Wright. Wright was presented by the grand enquest for "attempting the chastity of divs women by lacivious words & carriages".
1 June 1647 Records 2:114
John Morton, along with Ephraim Morton, is propounded to take up his freedom at the next General Election Court.
Records 2:116
Also at this Court, John Morton's name is listed as a member of the Grand Enquest.
1648 23 January 1648 Records 12:156
John Morton was witness to a land deal between John Rogers of Duxbery and Ephraim Hicks of Plymouth.
7 June 1648 Records 2:123
At this Court, Morton is admitted and sworn as a freeman, along with Ephraim Morton.
1649 No specific date Ancient Landmarks of Plymouth II:189
John Morton the younger born to John and Lettice Morton. This son may have died in infancy, because we know that another son, John, was born one year later in 1650.
6 March 1649 Records 2:137
The Court granted liberty to Morton "to draw and sell wine by retaile at Plymouth, and to lodg and entertaine straingers and trauellers to bead and bord, for dew concideration for the same".
Records 7:45
At the same Court, Morton as a jury member.
Plymouth Colony Records: Wills & Inventories 1:181
In the inventory of Ephraim Hicks estate, the appraisers noted that the Hicks estate owed John Morton 12s.
29 October 1649 Records 7:46
Morton served as a jury member at this Court.
1650 No specific date ALP II:189
The second John Morton the younger born to John and Lettice Morton.
22 February 1650 Records 12:204
Mannasses Kempton, of Plymouth, gave land at Sagaquas to John Morton and his brothers Nathaniel and Ephraim, to divide up amongst them into equal parts. Kempton refers to Ephraim as his "sonn in law" and to all three as his sons.
2 October 1650 Records 7:52
Morton served as a jury member at this Court.
1652 2 March 1652 Records 7:58
Morton served on as a juror at this Court.
29 June 1652 Records 3:15
John Morton appears as a member of a grand enquest summoned by Governor William Bradford to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of Robert Wille [Willis] of Milbrooke. The enquest concluded that Wille, having been up a greater part of the night at the house of James Cole, Sr., went fishing on his boat and drowned after he "endeavored to hange his rudder" and fell overboard in the process.
5 October 1652 Records 7:62
Morton served as a juror at this Court.
1653 No specific date ALP II:189
Twin sons are born to John and Lettice Morton, Manasseh and Ephraim.
1 March 1653 Records 7:64
At this Court, John Morton served as a juror.
6 December 1653 Records 7:68
Morton served as juror at this Court, hearing the complaint of Ann Atwood against Samuell Sturtivant and Edward Gray for "non pformance of couenants conserning a farme the said Mis Atwood did set and lett vnto the said Samuell & Edward". The jury found no verdict, needing more evidence.
1654 6 June 1654 Records 3:48
Morton is listed as a constable of Plymouth, along with Samuell Hickes.
8 June 1654 Records 7:70
Morton served on a jury which heard the case of Kenelme Winslow, Sr. and Josias Winslow, Jr. against John Soule, for defamation. The jury found for the plaintiffs.
1655 5 June 1655 Records 7:73
Morton served as a jury member at this Court (multiple cases).
4 October 1655 Records 7:75
Morton served as a jury member at this Court (multiple cases).
1656 5 October 1656 Records 3:109
Morton appears as a member of a grand enquest summoned by Governor Bradford to investigate the death of Titus Waymouth. The enquest concluded that Waymouth, "haueing been a man oftens troubled with stopings, together with drinking of cyder" died as a result of these circumstances. [of note: mentioned with Gyles Rickard, Sr.]
Records 7:81
Morton served as a jury member at this Court (multiple cases).
1658 No specific date Records 8:197
Morton's name is included in the freemen of Plymouth.
2 March 1658 Records 7:87
Morton served as a jury member at this Court (multiple cases).
1659 1 March 1659 Records 7:90
Morton served as a jury member at this Court (multiple cases).
7 June 1659 Records 3:164
Upon the request of Morton, the Court granted him the liberty to look for tracts of land that would accommodate him for his "posterities". Also requesting, Richard Wright, John Dunham, Jr., Samuell Eedey, and Francis Billington.
3 October 1659 Records 7:94
Morton served as a jury member at this Court (multiple cases).
1660 7 March 1660 Records 7:95-6
Morton served as a juror on the case of William Randall against John Bryant. Randall accused Bryant of selling lumber belonging to him. The jury found for Bryant. The jury also heard the case of Kenelme Winslow against Christopher Winter for "takeing away his good upon distresse". The jury found for the defendant in this case.
6 June 1660 Records 3:188
John Morton is listed as a member of The Grand Enquest.
15 July 1660 Records 3:196
Morton appears as a member of a grand enquest summoned by Lieutenant Southworth to investigate the circumstance surrounding the "sudden death" of James Peirse of Boston. After viewing the corpse, the grand enquest concluded that "hee died by an emediate hand of God by thunder and lightening" while boating, which was supported by burns down the right side "to the calfe of his legg" and the fact that his shirt was burned onto his stomach. Not that the guy did not have enough luck already, but he was also struck over the head of his mainmast (having been struck itself) and knocked overboard which, as the enquest said, "might [have] hasten[ed] his end".
1661 4 June 1661 Records 3:217
Morton, as a part of his petition to the Court of June 7, 1659, is granted land in parts "toward Saconeesett".
5 June 1661 Records 11:133
As the representative of Plymouth, Morton is appointed to take up excise on "Iron tarr boards oysters etc.", having the power "to make serch and what forfeties [he] finds [he] shall haue the one half thereof". It will be the duty of the excise committee to give a just account to the treasurer the first of November and the first of May annualy. There is note beside the entry stating that this was repealed in June 1662.
1662 3 June 1662 Records 4:14
John Morton is listed in "the names of the deputies of the seuerall townes of this jurisdiction whoe serued att this Court". Ephraim Morton is also listed here.
Records 4:20
Morton, as an ancient freeman, is granted land {must look on p.19}.
Records 4:21
Morton is appointed as a deputy of the government, "to take the account of the Treasurer".
9 June 1662 Records 8:106
Morton's signature appeared on a treasury accounting sheet, which would seem to reflect his duties in the entry above.
10 June 1662 Records 4:23
Representing Plymouth along with William Harlow, Morton is named in a list "of those that are appointed by the Court in the seuerall Townes of this Goument to take the Invoice of what Liquors, Powder, shott, and Led is brought to the Goument". This appears to be a part of his appointment on June 3, 1662 to act as an accountant for the Treasurer. The Court stated that they were to give a "trew account" of each of these items that came into the colony. Could there possibly have been a problem with people stealing items?
2 October 1662 Records 7:105
Morton served as a jury member at this Court (multiple cases).
1663 3 March 1663 Records 7:108
Morton served as a jury member at this Court (multiple cases).
1 June 1663 Records 4:37
Morton's name appears in The Grand Enquest.
1664 8 June 1664 Records 4:67,11:187
As a part of his position as a deputy to the Treasurer, Morton is nominated to "take vp the Excise" for the liquor and other items which were accounted for Plymouth.
4 October 1664 Records 7:119
Morton served as a jury member at this Court (multiple cases).
1665 5 March 1665 PCR:W&I 1:437
John Morton appraises the estate of Maragrett Hickes, along with Capt. Southworth.
7 March 1665 Records 7:123
Morton served as a jury member at this Court (multiple cases).
7 June 1665 Records 4:91
Morton was sworn as a member of The Grand Enquest.
Records 4:94
The Court assigned Morton one share of land on the "westerly side of Namasskett Riuer". One share of land was equal to about thirty acres, and all the land was divided among 24 shareholders. The Court also stated that no man should hold more than two shares of land, at the penalty of forfeiting excess shares to the government.
1666 5 June 1666 Records 4:128
The Court granted Morton liberty to look for an "accomodation of land"; if he were to find any fit for his purposes, he was to have fifty acres.
5 July 1666 Records 7:129
Morton served as a jury member at this Court, hearing Richard Willis' complaint against Peter Stevens.
31 October 1666 Records 7:134
Morton served as a jury member at this Court (multiple cases).
1667 5 March 1667 Records 7:136
Morton served as a jury member at this Court (multiple cases).
2 July 1667 Records 7:137
Morton served as a jury member at this Court (multiple cases).
14 October 1667 PCR:W&I 1:466
Morton served as witness to the last will and testament of Gabriell Ffallowell, along with Thomas Southworth.
1668 29 October 1668 Records 12:229
Morton is a witness to the last will and testament of Pamantaquash, the pond sachem.
25 October 1668 Records 7:150-1
Morton served as a jury member at this Court (multiple cases).
1669 6 July 1669 Records 7:156
Morton served as a jury member at this Court (multiple cases).
1670 1 March 1670 Records 7:159
Morton served as a jury member which heard the case of Joseph Tilden and wife against Charles Stockbridege, "to the damage of one thousand pounds, for defaming Elizabeth [Tilden], in publishing and reporting, since the first of May last past, that Nathaniel Turner could kisse the said Elizabeth as ofte as hee list, and doe somthing else too, and the said Nathaniel knew the said Eliabeth Tilden as well as her owne husband knew her, whereby the said Elizabeth is defamed". The jurors found for the defendant.
29 May 1670 Records 5:279
Morton is listed as a freemen from Middleberry, along with Henery Wood dec., Jonathan Dunham, Francis Combe, William Nelson Sr., and Samuell Eaton.
7 June 1670 Records 5:34
Morton is listed as a deputy of the Court.
5 July 1670 Records 7:160
Morton served as a jury member at this Court (multiple cases).
11 August 1670 Records 5:47-8
The Court granted Morton another parcel of land "within the Majors Purchase att Namassakett . . .along the southwesterly syde of the said Jonathan Dunhams land", in addition to the parcel of land he was previously granted by the Court, lying along the "easterly syde with Jonathan Dunhams land". The "Majors Purchase" was the moniker by which this area of land at Namassakett was known. Interestingly, Morton was referred to as John Morton, senior.
29 October 1670 Records 5:50
Along with Lieutenant Morton, John Morton Sr. is approved by the Court as a guardian for David, Joseph, and Benjamin Wood. This Court reference may show a congenial connection, as the Woods and the Mortons are listed together in earlier parts of the Records.
Records 7:163
At the same Court, Morton served as a jury member (multiple cases).
December 1670 A Little Commonwealth (143)
At a Plymouth town meeting, Morton "proffered to teach the children and youth of the towne to Reade and write and Cast accounts on Reasonable considerations". This account has it that the next year, Morton "renewed his proposal" and the townspeople responded by raising money for a school. This would have been
1671 5 June 1671 Records 5:62
Listed as a deputy from Middleburrough, Morton is named as one of many persons appointed by the Court "to view the damage done to the Indians by the Horses and Hoggs of the English". The other appointee from Middleburrough is George Vaughn.
Records 5:66
Also at this Court, Morton's land is mentioned in a land grant case. {see p. 65}
5 July 1671 Records 7:167
Morton served as a jury member at this Court.
29 October 1671 Records 5:82
John Morton is listed in a jury which tried the case of John Bucke and Mary Attkinson. Apparently, Bucke and Attkinson fornicated at some point, although it was not known whether Attkinson's husband, Marmeduke was still alive at the time that the fornication took place. The jury found that they should both be "pulickly whipt att the post, or pay each of them a fine of ten pounds". Also, Attkinson bore a child as a result of the fornication and Bucke is sentanced to pay an early form of child support, at three pounds a year for eight years.
1672 5 March 1672 Records 7:171
Morton served as a jury member at this Court (multiple cases).
5 June 1672 Records 5:90
John Morton is listed as a deputy of the several towns.
1 July 1672 Records 7:172
John Morton served as a jury member at this Court (multiple cases).
1673 4 March 1673 Records 7:177
Morton served as a jury member at this Court (multiple cases).
3 June 1673 Records 5:114
Morton is again listed as a deputy.
1675 1 June 1675 Records 5:167
Morton is listed as a surveyor of the highways for Middleberry, along with Obadiah Eedey.
Records 5:170
At this Court, Nathaniel Morton requested the liberty to look for land for himself and "in the behalfe of the posteritie of his brother, John Morton, deceased, as being decended of Mr. Gorge Morton, deceased". The Court ordered "that hee [Nathaniel Morton] bee considered with such freemen as are abouenamed that may make theire adresses to the Court for a supply".