Individual Details

In 1720, John Randolph of York Co VA transferred to Thomas Moreton, Joseph Moreton, and John Moreton, of Henrico, planters, 436 acres, S side of white oak swamp to be divided: Thomas, 212 acres next to Chickahominy swamp; Joseph 112 acres next adjoining; the remaining 112 to John. Land which had descended to John Randolph from his father William Randolph, dec'd. In the will of Capt. William Randolph, 1713, his sons John & Richard were given three tracts bought of John Woodson, Sam Knibbs & John Moreton, 900 acres on the Chickahominy - Richard the upper part, and John the lower part. [Obviously part of this was the 200 acres John Morton had transferred to William Randolph in 1700.]

1721. John Morton, son and heir of John Morton, and his wife Elizabeth, sold to John Ferris 100 acres on Morton's Spring branch on Chickahominy River. Wit: Edward Goode, Samuel Soane, Joseph Farrar. [Edward Goode later married John's brother Thomas's widow.]

1731. John Morton sold to Richard Morton, son of Thomas Morton, late of Henrico, for 2500# tobo already paid by Thomas Morton dec'd, a tract granted by patent to John Woodson Sr on Thomas Morton's former line on the Chicahominy Swamp and along James Cockes line to a line of Thomas Morton, dec'd.

In 1740, Elizabeth Morton, widow of Thomas, deeded land to her sons and her nephew Samuel, son of John Morton.




Other children have been suggested for John Jr, including a Thomas:

http://mortonfamilyresearch.blogspot.com/2005/08/thomas-mortons-of-amelia-prince-edward.html

In 1736, Tho. Morton, Jno. Morton, Cuffy a negro were listed on the Amelia County tax lists above Flatt Creek. Since no note was made and Tho. was listed as head of household (first in a list), it is most likely that this Thomas was above 21 and hence born before 1715. We will call this Thomas, Thomas (4). The other Mortons listed in that area of Amelia County were Stephen and Joseph. Now Jno, Stephen, and Joseph were all sons of John Morton, the oldest son of John the immigrant. Does it not make sense that Thomas would be a brother to these three? In fact, from the way the tax list was given, I would venture to say that he was older than his “brother” Jno. Why was Samuel, another brother, not also on the same tax lists? He certainly had reached his majority. My guess, from the fact that Elizabeth Morton deeded land to her nephew Samuel, was that Samuel was with Elizabeth Morton back in Henrico trying to “hold down the fort” with the early demise of Elizabeth’s husband Thomas (1). It seems that after Thomas (4)’s uncle Joseph arrived in Amelia in 1738, Thomas was first listed in Joseph’s household and then the following year listed “next door.”

Early land transactions that I believe to involve Thomas (4) occurred 1737 - 1740 as follows.

On 9 February 1737/8, for 15 shillings, Thomas Moreton was granted 126 acres of land in Amelia County between William Fuqua's and William Mayo's lines; by Joseph Watson to a Corner white Oak marked “JM”. Signed William Gooch Lieutenant Governor & Commander of Virginia Colony and Dominion at Williamsburg. [http://www.lva.lib.va.us/index.htm]

20 Jun 1740 court Thomas (+) Morton presented and acknowledged his deed livery and seisson to John Short of James City County VA. 21 Jun 1740 Thomas Morton of Amelia County deeded to John Short of James City County, for 15 pounds current money, 126 acres of land in Amelia County originally patented to Thomas Morton 9 Feb 1737. Thomas (mark +) Morton. [Amelia County, VA Deeds, Volume 1 (1735-1741), page 233]

The next land transaction I can attribute to Thomas (4) follows.

On 15 February 1744/5 Joseph (mark backwards capital E) Morton, Sr. of Brunswick County to Thomas (mark capital I) Morton, for 5 pounds current money, 225 acres in Amelia County lying on forks of lower fork of Sandy River beginning at said Joseph Morton’s old line, crossing fork of river to Daniel Hamlin’s line (part of a 353 acre tract). Witnesses: Joseph Ligon, Edward Osborne, William Ligon. [Amelia County, VA Deeds, Volume 2 (1741-1757)]

As an aside I believe this Joseph to be Thomas (4)’s uncle not his brother Joseph. Brother Joseph always signed his full name, while Uncle Joseph always used a mark of backwards capital E. Because of this land transaction, I believe Thomas (4) to be the witness to the will of his uncle Joseph Sr in Dec 1749, traveling to Halifax County court as a witness to help prove the will at March Court 1753. It is very clear from the will of Joseph Sr that Thomas (4) was NOT his son.

Birth	Abt 1684	Henrico County, Virginia
Marriage	By 1708	Elizabeth [Morton]

Spouse	Elizabeth [Morton] ( - )
Child	Joseph Morton (1709 - 1782)
Child	John Morton ( - )
Child	Steven Morton (1710 - 1793)
Child	Samuel Morton (1711 - 1764)
Child	Thomas Morton ( - )

Father	John Morton ( - 1720)
Mother	Joanne Hughes ( - )
Sibling	Thomas Morton (1690 - 1731)
Sibling	Joseph Morton ( - 1753)