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.