John Morton

The records of Henrico Co. Va. (Book I (1677-1692) p. 225 archives) show that John Morton married Joane Hughes, widow, in 1682.

In 1700 John Morton transferred 200 acres of land in Chickahominy Swamp to William Randolph, being 1 moiety or one half of the tract he bought of John Woodson "where I now live." (D B 1697-1704 p. 192 Henrico 1700), also vol. 4 p. 1961 val. papers 1698.

In 1720 John Randolph of York Co. Va. transferred to Thomas Moreton, Joseph Moreton and John Moreton of Henrico planters 436 acres for 32 lbs, on South Side of white oak swamp to be divided as follows: Thomas Moreton 212 acres next to Chickahominy swamp; Joseph Moreton 112 acres next adjoining and the remaining 112 acres to John Moreton, which descended to him from his deceased Father William Randolph—(Valentine rec. vol. 3 p. 1375). In will of Capt. William Randolph 1713—(Val. papers vol. 3, p. 1368-9), sons John and Richard are given all 3 tracts bought of John Woodson, Sam Knibbs and John Morton estimated at 900 acres on Chickahominy; son Richard the upper part and son John the lower part. In this deed William Randolph Joseph Royal Jr. and Henry Wood signs lease and release (B1719-1724 p. 36 1720).

This John Woodson is son of John Woodson who died in 1684,— Woodsons history says his wife was unknown, but he married Sarah the widow of John Brown. In 1677 (Henrico Co. rec. 1677-1692) John Woodson presented account of estate belonging to orphans of John Brown deceased, wife of said Woodson and mother of said orphans and with consent of said John this his wife Sarah Woodson shall have in her care the estate belonging to said orphans, (Abel Gower and John Clark securities.) Jeremiah Brown being of age in 1684. Temperance Batte wife of Thomas Batte (in 1688) and Solomon Knibbs (in 1704) son of Sam Knibbs all asked for, and got their portion of the late John Brown estate.

In 1681 John Woodson married orphan of Samuel Tucker (prob¬ably Mary) (p. 155). Samuel Tuckers widow married John Pleasants. Her maiden name was Jane Larcom. She died 1708. John Pleasants died 1698—(Val. papers vol. 2 p. 1078). (& W&M Q. vol. 11 p. 51).

In 1698 (Rec. 1697-1704 p. 97) John Woodson Sr. of Henrico Co. for 2000 lbs. of tobacco transferred lands to John Morton—(details not legible). John Morton had at least 3 sons as will appear from land transfers later on as follows:

1 John2 (Johnl)

2 Thomas2 (Johnl)

3 Joseph2 (John')

The ancestry of these Mortons has not heretofore been published and are probably unknown to those purporting to be familiar with the history of the family.

In 1725 Joseph Morton of Varina Parish sold Robert Spear 112 acres on Chickahominy River and John Ferris line and Thomas Mor¬tons line—(Va. archives loose leaf vol. 2 p. 631.) This is part of the land John Morton sold Captain Wm. Randolph and the same 112 acres conveyed later to Joseph Morton by his son John Randolph.

In 1721 there was an indenture between John Morton son and heir of John Morton and John Ferris for 100 acres on Mortons spring branch on Chickahominy River—witnesses: Edward Goode, Samuel Soane, Joseph Farrar. (Va. archives loose leaf vol. 2 p. 527).

This Edward Goode married Thomas Mortons widow after his death in 1731.

In 1731 John Morton conveyed to Richard Morton, son of Thomas Morton late of Henrico Co. for 2500 lbs. of tobacco already paid by Thomas Morton deceased, a tract of land granted by patent to John Woodson Sr. on Thomas Mortons former line on Chickahominy Swamp and along James Cockes line to line of Thomas Morton deceased. (Va. archives 1731 part I p. 293), witnesses John Povall, Joseph Childers and Joseph Pleasants.

"Morton Family of Henrico, Prince Edward and Brunswick Counties, Virginia"

James Walter Allen

William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine, 2nd Ser., Vol. 11, No. 3. (Jul., 1931), pp. 210-220.