FAMILY HISTORY: MORTON
THE LIFE OF RICHARD MORTON
| Name: Richard Morton | |
| Father: (unknown) | |
| Mother: Dorothy Morton | |
| Birthdate: Mid-1700s | |
| Birthplace: Claughton-on-Brock, Lancashire, England | |
| Date of Death: 28 May 1814, age 46 |
| Richard Morton was born in Claughton-on-Brock in the
mid 1700s. His actual birth year is quite confusing. At the time of his death the Burial Register gives his age
as 46 years, making his year of birth about 1767/68. However, the Register of Papists from 1767 indicates that
he was 4 years old, making the year of his birth about 1762/63. I know that the ages given in the Register of
Papists are very inaccurate but it seems strange that anyone could mistake a newborn infant for a 4 year old. According to the Will of his grandfather, John Morton, Richard was the natural (i.e. illegitimate) son of his eldest daughter Dorothy Morton (later Mrs. Dorothy Carter) Richard apparently never married and fathered no children that I know of. His grandparents made provisions for him in their respective Wills, with his grandfather leaving £5.00 to put him through an apprenticeship in some trade. I have not yet determined what trade or profession Richard eventually chose, but it seems that he was quite successful. Richard wrote his Will in 1814, leaving his two houses on Penny Street, Lancaster to his aunt Ann Morton. After her death, they were to go to his half-brother James Carter. His Will mentions his half-sister Dorothy Weights (nee' Carter) and several members of the Baines family of Claughton including: James Baines of Claughton House (one of his executors), Thomas Baines the older of Claughton House, Thomas Baines the younger of Claughton House, Reverend Peter Baines of Ampleforth Lodge, and Barnaby Baines of Claughton House. Also mentioned are his cousins Robert Morton, William Morton, and Agnes Grayston, of Claughton, who were three of the children of his mother's brother John Morton. He left several legacies to various Roman Catholic institutions in Lancaster, Scorton, and Claughton. The Will was signed and sealed on 5 April 1814 and witnessed by Richard Mawson, Richard Baines, and J. Webster. Richard died on 28 May 1814 and Probate of his Will was granted on the 25th of June 1814. Declared value under £2000.00. |