George Morton (Pilgrim Father) facts for kids
George Morton (born around 1585, died 1624) was an English Puritan Separatist. This means he was a Christian who wanted to separate from the Church of England to practice his faith in a simpler way. George Morton helped publish the first book in Great Britain about the founding of Plymouth Colony. This important book was called Mourt's Relation.
George Morton's Life Story
George Morton came from a town called Bawtry in England. He was part of a group of Separatists known as the Scrooby Congregation. Many members of this group later became the famous Mayflower Pilgrims.
Morton moved to Leyden, Holland, with the congregation. However, he stayed behind when the first settlers left for Plymouth, Massachusetts. Even from Europe, he continued to manage important business for the Pilgrims. He likely helped arrange the publication of Mourt's Relation in 1622.
In 1623, George Morton finally sailed to Plymouth Colony himself on a ship called the Anne. He traveled with his wife, Juliana Carpenter, and her sister, Alice Southworth. Alice later became the second wife of Governor William Bradford, a key leader of Plymouth Colony.
Sadly, George Morton died in 1624, just one year after arriving in Plymouth. After his death, his wife Juliana married Manasseh Kempton, who had also arrived on the Anne. Governor Bradford took a special interest in helping to raise George Morton's children after he passed away.
George Morton's Family
George Morton and his wife, Juliana, had several children:
- Nathaniel Morton married Lydia Cooper in Plymouth on December 25, 1635. The Plymouth Public Schools named Nathaniel Morton Elementary School after him.
- Patience Morton married John Faunce by 1633. She was the mother of Thomas Faunce, who became a famous church elder in Plymouth.
- John Morton married Lettice (last name unknown) by 1649.
- Sarah Morton married George Bonum on December 20, 1644. Sarah is the main character in a children's book called Sarah Morton's Day by Kate Waters.
- Ephraim Morton married Ann Cooper in Plymouth on November 18, 1644. Their oldest child was another George Morton (1645–1727) who became a deacon in the Plymouth church.
Famous Descendants
Many of George Morton's descendants became successful leaders in business and government in the New World (America). Here are some of the most notable ones:
- Nathaniel Morton was the Clerk and Secretary of Plymouth Colony from 1645 until his death in 1685. He also published the first history of New England, called New England's Memorial, in 1669.
- Elder Thomas Faunce is known for starting the story about Plymouth Rock.
- Perez Morton was the seventh Massachusetts Attorney General. He was married to the American poet Sarah Wentworth Apthorp Morton.
- Marcus Morton served as the Governor of Massachusetts multiple times.
- Levi Parsons Morton became the 22nd Vice President of the United States. He was also the 31st Governor of New York.
- Henry Martyn Dexter and his son Henry Morton Dexter were important American clergymen, historians, and writers.
- Julius Sterling Morton was the third United States Secretary of Agriculture. He is also famous for founding Arbor Day.
- Joy Morton was the son of J. Sterling Morton and the founder of The Morton Salt Company.
- Paul Morton was another son of J. Sterling Morton and served as the 36th United States Secretary of the Navy.
- Lydia Jackson was the second wife of the famous philosopher and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson.
- Henry Cotton Morton was the son of Eleazor Morton and founded the town of Benton Harbor, Michigan. He also built the Morton House Museum there.
See also
- Nathaniel Morton
