Heritage of the Moore County, TX Mortons: 2010

Generation 3

There are records of 5 children born to Thomas and Elizabeth Morton. Those children are Richard, Thomas², Anne, Judith, and John³. In this generation, our direct ancestor is Thomas Jr. Our Uncle John³ is later known as Captain John Morton. There is more information on him that I'll share at a later date.

Elizabeth Woodson's Second Marriage

Thomas Morton died when Elizabeth was 31 in 1730. The next year she married Edward Goode in Virginia. She lived until 1740 so she was only 41 when she died.

Name:	Elizabeth Woodson
Gender:	female
Birth Place:	VA
Birth Year:	1699
Spouse Name:	Edward Goode
Marriage Year:	1731
Marriage State:	VA
Number Pages:	1

Source Information:Yates Publishing. U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004.

Henrico, Virginia: Our First Home in America

Mortons of Moore County, TX and our ancestors have lived primarily in three areas since settling in America. The first area the Mortons settled was Henrico County, Virginia. Some time between 1805 and 1813, our branch moved to the Williamson County, Tennessee area. Then we know Papa Jim's Grandfather William Jones Alexander Morton settled in Moore County in 1902 after a decade in Greer County, Oklahoma. They left Tennessee three days after their marriage in 1892.

Here are some satellite images of the area in Virginia our family lived

Generation 2 in America

As stated, Thomas Morton was the next in our direct line and the first born in North America (although the USA didn't exist yet obviously.) Thomas was the second of three boys according to all the records I have seen so far. The first was John² Born 1689. Thomas was born in 1690 and then Joseph was born in 1693.

Here are some references to records that further verify the marriage date, parents, and one son (Capt. John.) It also shows a connection from our family to the Randolph family.

I haven't done any research on these siblings since I am concentrating on the direct line first with a few exceptions.

Classification of Cousins

Writing about our famous relatives got me to thinking about cousin classification so I looked it up. The level of a cousin depends on the number of generations to a common ancestor. A first cousin is someone who is two generations from your common ancestor. A second cousin is three generations from your common ancestor. A third cousin is four generations from a common ancestor and so on. What gets confusing is when a cousin is a different number of generations from the common ancestor than you. Each generation difference from your generation to the common ancestor is a generation 'removed.'

The chart above is the simplest way to break it down

This is different from what I have always thought. I thought second cousins were your parents' cousins. Your parents cousins are really your first cousins once removed because they are one generation removed from you to your common ancestor who is two generations from them. Your parents' cousins' children are actually your second cousins. You share a great-grand parent. A third cousin is your great-great-uncle/aunt's great-grandson/daughter. The number cousin you are when there are generations removed is determined by the shortest distance from either one of you to your common ancestor.

So, using the example of George H.W. Bush, Elizabeth Woodson's great-great-grandfather is the closest common relative. If you share a grandfather you are first cousins, great-grandfather you are second cousins, and great-great-grandfather, you are third cousins. She is his third cousin but the common ancestor is his 8th great-grandfather. That puts him 6 generations removed from the same relationship she has with the common ancestor therefore he is her 3rd cousin 6 times removed. Any questions?

Elizabeth Woodson and Our Famous Relatives

Through the Ancestry.com One World Tree^tm you can check what famous relatives you have and how they are related. All the famous relatives we have from William James Alexander Morton back are related to use through the Woodson Family. This may be because they were an influential family that has been traced very far back.

I am afraid you will all be disappointed to know that the closest famous relative I have found is none other than Hillary Rodham Clinton. Elizabeth Woodson's father, Richard Woodson (1662-1716) is Mrs. Clinton's 6th Great grandfather. Therefore, Hillary is Elizabeth Woodson's 5th great grand niece. That would make her my 7th cousin twice removed And Papa Jim's 7th cousin even.

Other notable historic figures related to us through Elizabeth Woodson include the following:

14th President Franklin Pierce - 5th cousin 1 time removed (his 5th great grandmother is Elizabeth's 4th great grandmother)
41st President George Herbert Walker Bush - 3rd cousin 6 times removed (his 8th great grandfather is her great great grandfather)
43rd President George Walker Bush - 3rd cousin 7 times removed(his 9th great grandfather is her great great grandfather)

There are many more but they're too distant to go into specifics including William Faulkner, President Taft, John Steinbeck, Marlon Brando, Orville Wright, Katherine Hepburn, John F. Kennedy, Sam Walton, Robert Louis Stevenson, Truman Capote, and Bob Hope.

I will go into the Woodson family a little bit later since I think there is some interesting info there.

Thomas Morton¹ 1690-1730 and Elizabeth Woodson1699-1740

I have several sources for the births and marriage of Thomas Morton, the second son of John Morton¹, and Elizabeth Woodson. There is the William and Mary College Quarterly listed below along with the following.

Yates Publishing. U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 [database on-line]

Name:	Thomas Morton
Gender:	male
Birth Place:	VA
Birth Year:	1690
Spouse Name:	Elizabeth Woodson
Spouse Birth Place:	VA
Spouse Birth Year:	169?
Marriage State:	of VA

Name:	Thomas Morton
Gender:	male
Birth Place:	VA
Birth Year:	1690
Spouse Name:	Elizabeth Woodson
Spouse Birth Place:	VA
Spouse Birth Year:	1699
Marriage Year:	1720
Marriage State:	VA

Name:	Elizabeth Woodson
Gender:	female
Birth Place:	VA
Spouse Name:	Thomas Morton
Spouse Birth Year:	1690
Marriage Year:	1718

One Last Note Tonght

I came across this story added by an English woman named Karim Wheatley. Some of it is irrelevant but here's the section that pertains to our ancestor John Morton.

One source: The Henrico County, Virginia branch of the Mortons (Moretons) came from the County of Warwickshire, in the English Midlands.

Early Henrico County records show the original Morton and Randolph families were neighbors, and closely associated in land transactions. It is likely the two families were also from the same neighborhood in England. The Randolphs lived in Moreton Morrell, Warwickshire. William Randolph was born there in 1650. When about 22 years old, he emigrated to Virginia, to make a new life. He was the son of Richard Randolph, who lived at Moreton Hall, in Warwickshire. There are other Morton Halls in England, and at least two sprang up in Virginia, where John Morton's descendants lived.

The Randolphs were one of Virginia's 1st families, acquiring land and money, and were neighbors of John Morton, who came to Virginia about 1675. It is likely that John Morton and William Randolph came to the New World together, and were about the same age. [William Randolphs were listed as arriving in Virginia in 1672 and 1677. No John Mor(e)ton was listed as arriving on the same date, at least on the passenger indexes I looked at.] So we can assume John Morton was born about 1650, in Warwickshire, England. It has been suggested the Randolphs may have obtained the passage of John Morton to Virginia, and he may have been indentured to them. However, John himself claimed in Henrico County records [1710], that he imported himself, and was entitled to a land grant. He married a widow, Joanne Hughes Wade, in 1682. One account says she also came to Virginia with the Randolphs.

It is certain John Morton is our earliest known Morton ancestor in Virginia. He had at least three sons - John Jr., Thomas and Joseph, who were listed in land transactions between the Mortons, Randolphs and Woodsons, in the 17th and early 18th centuries. The three sons became planters along the Chickahominy River. John Morton was dead by 1720, leaving his land to his sons and grandsons. It is unknown if his wife died first, if he re-married, or had other children.

Records collected:
John Woodson, Sr. Carpenter, of Henrico Par. & Co. (and Judith his wife), to William Randolph of aforesaid County & Parish Gent, in consideration of a proportionable part of ye rights, Survey & other charges in taking up & Patenting 1850 acres upon Chickahominy Swamp in same Par. & Co., conveys to said Randolph, 400 acres, being a part & dividend of above said tract, beginning at ye side of said Swamp a little above ye house where John Morton now lives (being a quarter built by and belonging to said Randolph); Judith, wife of John Woodson, relinquishes right of dower &c. Recorded Apr. 1, 1689.

Levy in the year 1690. Henrico County? To Henry Randolph, Clerk, his customary allowance, 800 pounds of tobacco in 64 casks. To Captain William Randolph for John Morton & his Indian boy for 1 Wolf's head 100 pounds tobacco... Court held 10 Oct 1690.

Sept. 28, 1691: Samuel Knibb, of Henrico Co. in Virginia, Planter, to William Randolph, of same County, Gent, for 3600 pounds good merchantable tobacco & casqued, 300 acres in aforesaid County on S. side of Chickahominy Swamp or River, beginning at upper corner of land belonging to said Randolph, formerly purchased of John Woodson, of aforesaid County (Sr.) & now in occupation of John Morton; being part of a greater dividend granted unto said Woodson by patent dated 23 Apr. - & by said Woodson conveyed to aforesaid Knibb & Jeremiah Brown by conveyance dated 2 June 1689 & acknowledged & recorded in records of Henrico Court 2 June 1690 & now by death of aforesaid Brown belonging solely to aforesaid Knibb. John Worsham, by power of attorney to him directed by Sarah, wife of aforesaid Samuel Knibb, relinquished her dower right. Recorded 1 Oct 1691.

John Woodson Sr. of Henrico Co., to John Morton, for 2000 pounds of good bright tobacco in cask and -" (the description of the property conveyed has been entirely rotted away). Recorded Aug 1, 1698

John Woodson, acknowledges conveyance of land to John Morton; Woodson's wife by her attorney, John Woodson, Jr., relinquished her dower right. Aug 1, 1698.

Oct 7, 1700, John (mark I) Morton, of Henrico County, Planter, to William Randolph, of same County, Gent, for 2000 pounds of tobacco, 200 acres in County aforesaid on S. side of Chickahominy Swamp; being one moiety or half of that tract of land by me purchased of John Woodson containing about 400 acres as by conveyance dated 1 Aug -; adjoining lands of said Randolph (where said Morton now lives). Wit: Litt'y, Wm. Recorded 8 Oct 1700.

In 1710 records of Henrico County stated John Morton's claim that he had imported himself and his wife from England so he was entitled to a land grant.

On 19 May 1720 John Randolph of York Co, VA transferred 436 acres of land, which descended to him from his deceased Father William Randolph, on South Side of White Oak Swamp in Henrico County to Thomas Moreton, Joseph Moreton and John Moreton of Henrico County, planters, for 32£, 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.

William Randolph, Joseph Royal, Jr., Henry Wood prove deeds of lease & release dated 18 & 19 days of May 1720 from John Randolph to John, Thomas & Joseph Moreton. Court held July 1720.

In 1721 there was an indenture between John Morton, son and heir of John Morton Sr deceased, and John Ferris for 100 acres on Mortons Spring Branch on Chickahominy River--witnesses: Edward Goode, Samuel Soane, Joseph Farrar.

[From the 1720 and 1721 records, I infer that John Morton Sr. may be deceased.]

I'm not sure where the information comes from but I trust at least the land transactions since they can be verified. There is enough circumstantial evidence to believe that the Mortons knew the Randolphs well.

More on John Morton

Here's another reference to John Morton of Henrico from the William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine.

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.

It's interesting to note, more than one source says the Mortons were acquainted with the very influential Randolph family. Here's what wikipedia says about William_Randolph.

John Morton c1650 -c1720 and Joanne Hughes Wade c1655-?

I have four sources for the marriage of John Morton to Joanne Anes Hughes Wade. Three of the citations come from Yates Publishing. U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004.

Source# 2610.038 Lists John Morton birth place: England, birth year: 16?? spouse name: Joanne Hughes Wade, spouse birth place: England, marriage state: VA

Source# 1045.000 Lists Joanne Hughes birth year: 1660, spouse name: John Morton, spouse birth year: 1655, marriage year: 1682, marriage state: VA

Source# 1267.000 Lists John Morton birth place: England, birth year 1650, spouse name Joanne Anes Hughes

The fourth source is Annals of Henrico Parish, Diocese of Virginia, 1611-1884. Lewis W. Burton, a rector of St. John's Church, compiled the records of this parish at the request of the Bishop in 1904. -ancestry.com

Detail: Marriage Record
Date: 1682
Actual text: 1682 Name: John Morton to John Wade 's widow.

I am confident that the Marriage year is 1682 and the birth years are either 1650 or 1655 for John and 1655 or 1660 for Joanne.

These have been the most difficult to find information on as the above records are the most reliable I've found apart from the William and Mary College Quarterly. Vol. III. There are many family trees on Ancestry.com with the couple listed but they all most likely passed inaccurate information around all from the same source. There are two summaries of the family on ancestry but they contain information from two different John Mortons. One of Henrico from Warwickshire and one of Richmond from Kent. Most of the trees that contain John Morton use information from both men so I am trying to sort this out to the correct one. Ours for sure lived in Henrico County, VA. This is why I had Joanne listed as Deborah Joanne for a long time. It was changed when I came to the conclusion that Deborah was the wife of the Richmond John Morton. I may be changing more information as I settle on what I think is the most accurate.

Morton Ancestors born c1650-1900

Here is the definitive list of Morton ancestors from the earliest American ancestor to the Moore County, Texas branch of the Morton family. I have independent sources on each name on this list but not necessarily each date or event. The documentation will follow in other blogs as I have time to upload them. I'll go into aunts and uncles at a later date as I go through each family individually but I wanted to start off with strictly the grandparents.

¹John Morton b.1650-55 Warwickshire, England d. c1720 Virginia
¹Joane Hughes (Wade) b. 1655-60 England d. ? Virginia

²Thomas Morton b. 1690 Henrico, Virginia d. 1730 Henrico, Virginia
²Elizabeth Woodson b. 1699 Henrico, Virginia d. 1740 Henrico, Virginia

³Thomas Morton b. 1722 Henrico, Virginia d. 1802 Prince Edward, Virginia
³Cicily Katherine Moore b. 1726 Amelia, Virginia d. 1762 Virginia

⁴Samuel Morton b. 1755 Prince Edward, Virginia d. 1825 Williamson, Tennessee
⁴Luvicy Watson b. 1758 Virginia d. 1833 Williamson, Tennessee

⁵William M Morton b. 1793 Henrico, Virginia d. 1822 Williamson, Tennessee
⁵Susan Gremmar b. 1798 Williamson, Tennessee d. 1854 Williamson, Tennessee

⁶William James Alexander Morton b. 1821 Maury, Tennessee d. 1880 Maury, Tennessee
⁶Willie Elizabeth Anna Jones b. 1846 Tennessee d. 1899 Nashville, Tennessee

⁷ William Jones Alexander Morton b. 1869 Williamson, Tennessee d. 1934 Dumas, Moore, Texas
⁷ Laura Elizabeth Kennedy b. 1871 Hampshire, Maury, Tennessee d. 1943 Dumas, Moore, Texas

⁸ William James Morton b. 1894 Hollis, Harmon, Oklahoma d. 1967 Dumas, Moore, Texas
⁸ Willie Inez Edwards b. 1900 Dawson, Navarro, Texas d. 1987 Dumas, Moore, Texas

I have many sources as stated but I'll start off with the most robust source to give you plenty to read through before the next update. The following excerpts are from Genealogies of Virginia Families from the William and Mary College Quarterly. Vol. III Heale-Muscoe. This and most of my productive research was done on Ancestry.com. The highlighted portions pertain to our direct line but the rest is also interesting information about our extended family. What's special about this article is not only does it complete our line all way way from Papa Jim's great grandfather (William James Alexander Morton) to Immigrant John Morton, it also confirms that the Mortons fought for American independence in the Revolutionary War.