Talk:Charles Morton (librarian)

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Sources:

1. Family Search, International Genealogical Index, Version 5.0 Available at: http://www.familysearch.org

Individual Record

Name: Charles Moorton Gender: Male

Birth: September 10, 1716 Christening: September 21, 1716 at Saint Peter, Liverpool, Lancaster County, England Parents Father: John Moorton

Messages: Extracted birth or christening records for locality listed in the record. The source records are usually arranged chronologically by the birth or christening date.

Source Information Batch Number: P020271 1704-1815 Source Call Number: 0093872,0093873 Type: Film Printout Call Number: 6903233

Individual Record

Name: Charles Morton Gender: Male

Christening: October 8, 1716 at Hand Alley And New Broad Street Presbyterian, London, Middlesex County, England Parents Father: John Morton

Messages: Extracted birth or christening records for locality listed in the record. The source records are usually arranged chronologically by the birth or christening date.

Source Information Batch Number: C096451 1705-1753 Source Call Number: 0597083 (RG4 4138) Type: Film Printout Call Number: 6903956

Individual Record

Name: Charles Morton Gender: Male

Event Marriages: Spouse: Mary Berkley Marriage: September 13, 1744 at Kendal, Westmoreland County, England

Source Information

Batch Number: I029354 Type: Film

2. Parish Registers of St. George, Bloomsbury, Page 7, Entry #30 - available online at http://www.ancestry.com

Charles Morton Esquire of this Parish & Mary Wallis of the Parish of Twickenham were married in this Church by License this Twenty Fifth Day of August 1767, by me, Charles Bryant, Rector in the Presence of James Danse Elizabeth Morton. This Marriage was solumnized betwen us: Charles Morton M.: Wallis.

3. The London Evening Post, From Saturday August 29, to Tuesday September 1, 1767, Price Two-Pence Half-Penny, Front Page

London

On Tuesday last was married, at St. George, Bloombury, Doctor Charles Morton, to Lady Saville, of Twickenham in the county of Middlesex.

4. Doctor Charles Morton's will, retrieved from the United Kingdom National Archives online

In Doctor Charles Morton's will & codilcil last written January 20, 1798, proved April 27, 1799, he states that he is of the British Museum, Doctor of Physic. He states that his present wife is former spinster (unmarried woman) Elizabeth Pratt. He mentions that he has estate in the Kingdom of Ireland. He bequeaths a whole length portrait of Sir George Savile, Baronet to his present wife, Elizabeth Pratt. He mentions that he has a home at Twickenham.. He names John Tatlow as a trustee in administration of the estate along with Henry Foster to pay her 800 pounds per annum representing Elizabeth Prat's dower. He mentions that he has a Coat of Arms.

He names his son Charles Carr, grand daughters Mary and Elizabeth Dansie plus grandson James Dansie. He alternatively bequeaths his grandaughters inheritance to Joseph Pratt, son of the reverend Joseph Pratt, should they die without issue.

Administration was granted to Elizabeth Morton on April 27, 1799.

On the 17th of July 1828 Administration of the Goods and Chattels and Credits of Charles Morton late of the British Museum in the County of Middlesex Doctor of Physic deceased left unadministered by Elizabeth Morton, afterwards Bacon, widow deceased whilst living the relict of the residuary legatees named in the said will was granted to Anna Maria Buckworth, Spinster of Englefield Green in the County of Surrey the nominee on the part said behalf of Fanny Whalley wife of the Reverend Thomas Sedgwick Whalley Clerk Doctor of Divinity (Formerly Gould, Spinster) John Tatlow, esquire and John Keysall Esquire limited so far as concerns all of the right title and interest of him the said Charles Morton deceased in and to a certain sum of two thousand seven hundred and ninety one pounds, nineteen shillings and eight pense will per cent reduced book annuities nowstanding in the names of Henry Daughty and Charles Morton and the dividends and interest now due to grow due thereon for the purpose of carrying into effect the trusts and certain indentures dated the twenty seventh of February one thousand and eighty four and the first of November one thousans seven hundred and seventy six and all benefit and advantage to be received there from but no further or otherwise in any other manner whatsoever having been first sworn duly to administer John Tatlow and John Keysall Esquires the Executors are residuary legatees in the trust named in the will of the said deceased formerly recognized as will the probate and execution of the said will and codicil as the letters of administration with the said will and codicil Andrew Caldwell, Esquire the executor named in the said Codicil also renounced the probate and execution of the said will and Codicil.

5. Genealogical and Heraldic Dictionary of the Landed Gentry of Great Britain & Ireland for 1852: Comprising of particulars of upwards of 100,000 individuals in Two Volumes. Volume 1, A to O - London: Colburn and Company, Publishers, Great Marlborough Street, J. Bernard Burke, Esquire, of the Middle Temple, Barrister at Law, Author of "The Peerage and Baronetage." ETO, Page 891.

Morton of Kilnacrot House.

Morton, Pierce, Esq. of Kilnacrott House, Cavan County, born November 22, 1803; married June 1, 1839, Louisa, second daughter of the late James Somerville, Esquire of Ross, Meath County, and has issue:

Pierce-Edward, born February 3, 1842. John-D'Arcy, born January 10, 1843. Frances-Armytage.

Mr. Morton is a magistrate for the counties of Cavan and Meath, and a deputy-lieutenant for the former.

Lineage:

Charles Morton, Esquire, son of John Morton, Esquire, married Elizabeth Pratt, and by her, who married secondly, John Bacon, Esquire of Friern House, Middlesex, was father of:

Charles-Carr Morton, Esquire of Kilnacrott, who married May 1, 1799, Charlotte, second daughter of John Tatlow, Esquire of Crover, Cavan County, and had issue:

Charles, born August 16, 1802, died October 2, 1832, unmarried Pierce, of Kilnacrott House. John-Bacon, born January 30, 1805, died In 1826, unmarried Edward, born March 29, 1806, married in 1836. Savile, born August 1, 1811. Edmund, died unmarried in 1841. D'Arcy, died unmarried in 1836. Marianne. Elizabeth-Charlotte, married in 1832, to Gabriel-Emile Condreux, of Tours. Janetta. Sophia, died unmarried.

Arms—Ermine, on a chevron, between three ogresses each charged with a martlet, of the field, as many mascles, or, a chief gules. Crest—A griffin's head, pierced. Motto—Sub nexu nunquam servill Seat—Kilnacrott House, Cavan County.

6. Chalmer's Biography, Volume 22, Page 434, 1812 transcribed at: http://words.fromoldbooks.org/Chalmers-Biography/m/morton-charles.html

Morton, Charles, a learned physician and antiquary, was a native of Westmoreland, where he was born in 1716, and practised physic with considerable reputation at Kendal about 1745. At what time he removed to London we have not been able to discover, as very few particulars of his life have been recorded, but it was probably about 1751, when he was admitted a licentiate of the College of Physicians. In 1752 he was elected a fellow of the Royal Society; and on the first establishment of the British Museum, in 1756, he was appointed under-librarian of the manuscripts and medal department. In 1760 he was elected one of the secretaries to the Royal Society, which situation he held till 1774; and in 1776, on the death of Doctor Maty, he was appointed principal librarian of the British Museum. He was also a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, and of the Imperial Academy of Petersburgh. He died February 10, 1799, aged eighty-three, and was buried in the cemetery near the London road, Twickenham. In 1744 he married Miss Mary Berkeley, a niece of Lady Betty Germaine, by whom he had an only daughter, Elizabeth, married to James Dansie, esquire of Herefordshire. He married, secondly, in 1772, Lady Savile (mother of the amiable Sir George Savile), who died February 10, 1791: in which year he married to his third wife Elizabeth Pratt, a near relation of Lady Savile. Doctor Morton was a man of great uprightness and integrity, and much admired as a scholar.

Doctor Morton published in 1759 an improved edition of Doctor Barnard’s engraved “Table of Alphabets,” and Bulstrode Whitlock’s “Journal of the Swedish Embassy in 1653 and 1654,” 1772, 2 volumes. quarto. He communicated to the Royal Society a paper on muscular motion, and another on the supposed connexion between the hieroglyphic writing of Egypt and the modern Chinese character; both of which were published in the Philosophical Transactions, volumes 47 and 59. This last communication originated from an inquiry addressed to the Jesuits at Pekin, relative |to certain characters on a bust discovered by Mr. Needham at Turin, whose conjectures concerning them were controverted by Desguignes, Bartoli, Winkleman, and Wortley Montague. The Jesuits, assisted by the Chinese literati, decided that the characters in question, though four or five have a sensible resemblance to as many Chinese ones, are not genuine Chinese characters, having no connected sense nor proper resemblance to any of the different forms of writing, and that the whole inscription had nothing Chinese in the face of it; but, in order to promote discoveries, they sent an actual collation of the Egyptian with the Chinese hieroglyphics, engraved on twenty-six plates. In 1768 Doctor Morton was appointed, jointly with Mr. Farley, to superintend the publication of the Domesday Book, but soon relinquished the task. At this time it was proposed to have been carried into execution by types; and Mr. Gough says, Doctor Morton had 500 pounds for doing little or nothing, and nearly 200 pounds more for types that were of no use.

7. The Dictionary of National Biography, Volume 39 Morehead - Myles, Sidney Lee, New York, Macmillan and Company, London: Smith, Elder & Company 1894, Pages 150 - 151.

Available online at: http://books.google.com/books?id=VGeDtX52QTsC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_v2_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q=&f=false

Morton, Charles (1716-1799), principal librarian of the British Museum, a native of Westmoreland, was born in 1716. He entered as a medical student at Leyden on September 18, 1736, and graduated there as Medical Doctor on August 28, 1748 (Peacock, Index of English-speaking Students at Leyden, Page 71). He is said to have meanwhile practised at Kendal 'with much reputation,' and in September 1748 was admitted an extra-licentiate of the College of Physicians.He practised in London for several years, and on April 19, 1750 he was elected physician to the Middlesex Hospital. He was admitted licentiate of the College of Physicians on April 1, 1751, and in 1754 also became physician to the Foundling Hospital..

On the establishment of the British Museum in 1756 Morton was appointed under-librarian or keeper of the manuscript and medal departments, and in that capacity continued the cataloguing of the Harleian MSS. He also acted for some time as secretary to the trustees. In 1768 he was appointed with Mr. Farley to superintend the publication of the 'Domesday Book,' but though he received a considerable sum the work was not carried put. On the death of Doctor Matthew Maty [quod vide (which see)] in 1776, Morton was appointed principal librarian and held the ofhce till his death. His term of office was not marked by any striking improvements, but he is said to have always treated students and visitors with courtesy.

He was elected Fellow of The Royal Society on January 16, 1762, and was secretary of the Royal Society from 1760 to 1774 (Thomson, History of the Royal Society, Appendix 4 and 5.) He contributed to the 'Transactions' in 1751 'Observations and Experiments upon Animal Bodies ... or Inquiry into the cause of voluntary Muscular Motion' (Philisophical Transactions, Volume 47, Page 305); and in 1768 a paper on the supposed connection between the hieroglyphic writing of Egypt and the Modern Chinese character (issue book, volume 49, page 489). He was a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, the Imperial Academy of Saint Petersburg, and of tlie Royal Academy of Gottingen. He is said to have been 'a person of great uprightness and integrity, and much admired as a scholar.' He died at his residence in the British Museum on February 10, 1799, aged 83, and was buried at Twickenham, in the cemetery near the London Road.

Morton was thrice married: first, in 1744, to Mary Berkeley, niece of Lady Elizabeth (Betty) Germaine, by whom he had an only daughter; secondly, in 1772, to Lady Savile, who died February 10, 1791; and, lastly, at the end of 1791, to Elizabeth Pratt, a near relation of his second wife.

Morton published: I.). An improved edition of Doctor Bernard's ' Engraved Table of Alphabets,' 1759, folio. II.) "Whitelocke's' Notes upon the King's Writ for choosing Members of Parliament,' 13 Car.II, 1766, quarto. 3. Whitelocke's ' Account of the Swedish Embassy in 1653-4,' 2 volumes, 1772, quarto, dedicated to Viscount Lumley. Doctor Burn, in the preface to his 'Justice of the Peace," acknowledges obligations to Morton for assistance in the work; and in Nichols's 'Literary Illustrations' there are several letters concerning him. In one from E. M. Da Costa [quid vide (which see)], of the Royal Society, dated July 1, 1751, he is asked to collect fossils and make observations on them in Westmoreland and Lancashire, and is given directions as to the localities where they are to be found and directions for cataloguing them. Daniel Wray wrote to John Nichols, September 29, 1771, that Morton had imported the 'League and Covenant of 1688, the original upon a giant skin of parchment, signed by a handsome numher.'

[Munk's College of Physicians second edition, Volume 2, Pages 174-5; Edwards's Founders of the British Museum, Pages. 344, 516; Lysons's Environs of London, Supplemental volume Pages 319 & 322; Nichols's Illustrations of Literature. Volume 1, Page 130, Volume 2, Pages 67-69; Allibone's Diet, of English Literature, Volume 2, Page 1376; Gentleman's Magazine, 1799 Part 1, Page 260, and European Magazine same year, Page 143; Chalmers's Biographical Dictionery; authorities cited in text.]

8. Memorials of Twickenham, Parochial and Topographical, Reverend R. S. Corbett, M.A., of Pembroke College, Oxford, Some Time Curate of the Parish Church of Saint Mary, Twickenham, London, Smith, Elder & Company, 15 Waterloo Place, 1872, Page 75.

Charles Morton, Esquire, Medical Doctor and Fellow of The Royal Society, Principal Librarian of the British Museum, died the l0th of February, and was buried on the 18th, 1799, aged 83. [Doctor Morton, in the earlier part of his life, had settled as a physician at Kendal. On the establishment of the British Museum, in 1756, he was appointed Under Librarian of the MSS and medal department; in 1760 he was elected one of the secretaries to the Royal Society, which situation he held till 1774; in 1776 he was appointed Principal Librarian at the British Museum. Doctor Morton published an improved edition of Doctor Barnard's engraved table of Alphabets; and Bulstrode Whittock's Journal of the Swedish Embassy in 1653 and 1654, in 2 Volumes, quarto. He communicated to the Royal Society a paper on muscular motion, and another on the supposed connection between the hieroglyphic writing of Egypt, and the moder n Chinese character. Doctor Morton was buried in the cemetery in the Back Lane near the London Road, where a tombstone is erected to his memory, inscribed only with names and dates.]

9. The Transactions of the East Riding Antiquitarian Society, For the Year Ending October 1905, Volume 13, Part 1, Hull, Printed For the Society, A. Brown and Sons, Limited The Savile Press, 1906, Page 65 & Plate 36.

Portraits, &c., at 2, Carlton House Terrace

Portrait number 138: Mary, Lady Savile, viz.: Mary, daughter and heir of the Right Honorable John Pratt, by Honoretta, his wife, daughter and, in her issue, coheir of Sir John Brookes, 1st Baronet, of Ellenthorpe, York. She married first, Sir George Savile, 7th Baronet - and was mother of Sir George Savile, 8th Baronet, Mrs. Thornhagh and Barbara, Lady Scarbrough. She married second Captain Wallis and third, Doctor Charles Morton, of the British Museum. Half length. Oval in square frame. Seated. Hands resting on her lap. Face three-quarter to the left and looking down, wearing a white cap with blue ribbon, and dressed in white with a black gauze cape and hood and blue bow in front. On canvass. Oval 34 x 261/2 inches, in square frame.

Copy by the late Angustus William Savile, Esquire, of Rufford, of the portrait by G. Romney at Rufford Abbey, and given by Mr. Angustus Savile to Cecil, Lord Hawkesbury, now 4th Earl of Liverpool.

10. A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Landed Gentry of Great Britain & Ireland in two volumes, Fifth Edition - 1871, Sir Bernard Burke, C.B., LL.D, Ulster King of Arms, Author of "The Peerage and Baronetage" "The Dormant and Extinct Peerage" "The Vicissitudes of Families", Harrison, Pall Mall, Bookseller to the Queen and His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, Pages 1120 - 1121.

Pratt of Cabra Castle.

Pratt, Mervyn-Joseph, Esquire of Cabra Castle, Cavan County, J.P. and D.L., High Sheriff for Cavan County 1841, and for Mayo County 1843, born August 2, 1807; married October 1834, Madeline-Eglantine, only daughter and heir of the late Colonel William Jackson, of Enniscoe, Mayo County, and has issue: I. Joseph, royal regiment, born. January 1, 1843. I. Louisa-Catherine-Hannah, married June 23, 1866, to Thomas Rothwell, Esquire of Rockfield, Meath County. II. Modeline-Caroline-Mary. III. Jemima-Boberta-Emily-Tynte.

Lineage. — The branch of the family of which we are treating, was settled in Leicestershire, 1641, when three brothers, Joseph, Benjamin, and John Pratt migrated thence; Joseph and Benjamin, to Ireland; John, to Jamaica. Joseph and Benjamin obtained lands in Meath County from Cromwell which they divided between them. The elder was ancestor of the Pratts of Cabra Castle the younger of the Pratt-Winters of Agher.

Joseph Pratt married first, Frances, sister and heir of Colonel Thomas Couch, of Cabra Castle, Cavan County, and Covoaddy, Donegal County; and secondly, Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Audley Mervyn, and widow of Nathaniel Poole, Esquire and by her had issue:

l. Joseph, died young. II. Benjamin (Doctor), of Cabra Castle Provost of Trinity College Dublin, married Lady Phillippa Hamiilton, third daughter of James, sixth Earl of Abercorn, but died without issue. III. John, of Cabra Castle, constable of Dublin Castle, and deputy-treasurer of Ireland, married Henrietta Clements, and died 1740 having had two sons drowned in the Phoenix Park, 1723, and one daughter, Mary, married First, to Sir George Saville, of Rufford, and Secondly, to Doctor Charles Morton. IV. Thomas, died without issue. V. Mervyn. I. Margaret.

The youngest son, Mervyn Pratt, Member of Parliament Cavan County, married 1704, Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Coote, Esquire of Coote Hill, Cavan County, and sister of the Earl of Bellamont, and died 1751, having had (with three daughters, Elizabeth, married to Dr. Burleigh; Anne, married to John Pratt, Esquire of Agher Castle, Meath County; and Frances, married to Joseph Methee, Esquire) a son and successor,

The Reverend Joseph Pratt, of Cabra, who married Elizabeth, daughter of Jonathan Chetwode, Esquire of Queen's County, and bad issue,

Mervyn, died 1798. Joseph, of whom presently. James-Butler, married Margaret, daughter of William Foster, Esquire of Dunleer, and died 1829, leaving four sons and four daughters. Elizabeth, married First, to Doctor C. Morton; and secondly, to Unknown Bacon, Esquire. Ann, married to Henry Foster, Esquire, cousin to the First Lord Oriel

The Seconnd son, the Reverend Joseph Pratt, of Cabra Castle, born 1738; married 1770, Honorable Sarah Morres, daughter of Hervey, Viscount Mount Morres,by Lady Letitia Ponsonby, his wife, daughter of Brabazon, Earl of Bessborougb, and bad issue,

Joseph, late of Cabra Castle. Mervyn, in holy orders, died 1823. Hervey, of Castle Moires, Kilkenny County, who, upon the death of his father, suceeded his mother in the Kilkenny estates, which she and her sister, the late Marchioness of Antrim, had jointly inherited as co-heiresses of their brother, Redmond, Viscount Mountmorres. Mary, married to Sir John Piers, Baronet. Letitia, deceased.

Mr. Pratt died 1831, and was suceeded by his eldest son,

Joseph Pratt, Esquire of Cabra Castle, colonel of militia, born 1775; married first, 1806, Jemima-Roberta, daughter and co-heir of Sir James Stratford Tynte, Baronet, and by her (who died 1822) had issue,

I. Mervyn, now of Cabra Castle.

II. Joseph Tynte, who has assumed the surname and arms of Tynte, born 1809; married 1838, Geraldine, 2nd daughter of the late William-Richard Hopkyns-Northey, Esquire of Suffolk Lawn, Cheltenham, and has issue, 1 Fortescue; 2 Mervyn; 1 Hannah; 2 Madeline: and 3 Alice.

III. Fitzherbert, died 1849.

IV. Walter-Caulfeild, J.P. and D.L. of Oving House, Bucks, colonel commanding royal Bucks militia, and formerly 67th regiment, born December 25, 1819; married March 11, 1852, Catherine-Cecilia, 6th daughter of George, 3rd Lord Boston, and has issue,

A. Dooglas-Walter-Caulfeild, born. 1853. B. Geratd-George-Cautfeild. born 1855. C. Cedt-De Moalmorency-Caulfeild, born 1857. D. Constance.

V. Fitzmaurice, born. September 5. 1822; married 1850, Isabella-Mary, daughter of Charles Costello, Esquire of Edmondston, Mayo County, and has a daughter, Josephine.

I. Hannah, married to Charles Rochfort, Esquire II. Sarah, married July 12, 1834, to Robert Doyne, Esquire of Wells, Wexford County. III. Elizabeth-Martha, m. February 4, 1840, to Robert Francis Saunders, Esquire of Saunders Grove, Wicklow County.

Colonel Pratt married secondly, 1826, Nichola-Sophia, relict of the late Claudius-William Cole-Hamilton, Esquire of Kingscourt, Meath; and died. August 27, 1863.

Arms—Argent, on a cherron, sable, between three ogresses, each charged with a martlet, of the first, three mascles, oi the field. Seat—Cabra Castle, Cavan County.

11. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, From their Commencement, in 1665 to the Year 1800, Abridged, With Notes and Biographic Illustrations, by Charles Huton, LL.D. Fellow of The Royal Society; George Shaw, M.D. Fellow of The Royal Society F.L.S.; Richard Pearson, M.D. F.S.A., Volume 10, From 1750 to 1755, London, Printed by and for C. and R. Baldwin, New-Bridge Street, Blackfriar, 1809, Pages 219-220.

XLVII Observations and Experiments on Animal Bodies, Digested in a Philosophical Analysis, or Inquiry into the Cause of Voluntary Muscular Motion. By Charles Morton Medical Doctor, F. R. S. Page 305.

The author of this paper is led by the experiments to which he refers, and the arguments he employs, to the following conclusions: viz. that a muscle being given, in its natural state, in a living animal body, the blood, which is present in every part of its contracting substance, and which, in effect, to the sense of the given muscle, (which is occasionally rendered more acute) puts on an increased heat, and again lays it down at the command of the will, is the immediate mechanical cause, by which the muscle does instantly contract, and is again relaxed, at the command of the will.

Whence it would appear that muscular voluntary motion is performed merely as a sensation, (Hartley Conjecturae de Sensu, et cetra) extremely acute, and under the nicest management of the will; which explains its velocity in great measure.

Doctor Charles Morton was bom in Westmorland, about the year 1716, and was a practising physician at Kendal in 1745. In 1744 he married Miss Mary Berkeley, niece ot Lady Betty Germaine. His second wife was Lady Saville, mother of Sir George Savile, to whom he was married in 1772, and who died February 1791. The latter part of the same year, when he was 75 years of age, he married his third wife, Miss Elizabeth Pratt, a near relation of Lady Saville. And he died at his apartments in the British Museum in February 1799. being about 83 years of age. In 1751 Doctor Morton was admitted a licentiate of the College of Physicians; and on the establishment of the British Museum in 1756, he was appointed under librarian of the Manuscript and Medal department; and in 1776, he succeeded Doctor Maty as principal librarian, which he enjoyed till his death. In 1760 he succeeded Peter Duval as Secretary to the Royal Society, which situation he resigned in 1774, when he was succeeded by Doctor Horsley, now the learned Bishop of St. Asaph. Doctor Morton has only 2 papers in the Philosophical Transactions, viz. that above abstracted, and another in volume 59, on a supposed connection between the writing of ancient Egypt and China. In 1759 be published an improved edition of Doctor Barnard's engraved Table of Alphabets. And, in 1772, Whillocke's Journal of the Swedish Embassy in l653, 1654. Doctor Morton was a man of a sweet and amiable disposition, of great uprightness and integrity, and much admired as a scholar.

12. The Eurpoean Magazine and London Review, Containing the Literature, History and Politics, Arts, Manners and Amusements of the Age, By the Philological Society of London, Volume 19, from Januaqry to June 1791, London, Printed for J. Sewell Cornhill 1791, Pages 160 & 398.

Obituaries

February 14 [1791]

Lady Mary Savile, Wife of Charles Morton, M.D. principal Librarian at the British Museum. She was mother of the late Sir George Savile, and the present Countess of Scarborough.

Marriages

Charles Morton, M.D. principal librarian at the British Museum, to Miss Pratt, eldest daughter of Joseph Pratt, Esquire, of Cabra Castle, in the Kingdom of Ireland.

13. The Eurpoean Magazine and London Review, Containing Portraits, Views, Biography, Ancedotes, Literature, History, Politics, Arts, Manners and Amusements of the Age, By the Philological Society of London, Volume 41, from Januaqry to June 1802, London, Printed for J. Sewell Cornhill 1802, Page 422.

April

John Bacon, Esquire, of Fryern House, and Mrs. Morton, relect of Charles Morton, M.D. of Twickenham.

14. Biographical Dictonary: Containing an Historical and Critical Account of the Lives and Writings of the Most Emmienent Persons in Every Nation; Particularly the British and Irish; From the Earliest Accounts to the Present Time. a New Edition, Revised and Enlarged by Alexander Chalmers, F. S. A. - Printed for J. Nichols and Son, J. F. C. and J. Byington; T. Payne; Otridge and Son; G. and W. Nicol; G. Wilkie; J. Walker; R. Lea; W. Lowndes; White, Cochrane, and Company; T. Egerton; Lackington, Allen, and Company; Carpenter; Longman, Hurst, Iuls, Orme, and Brown; Cadell and Dayies; C. Law; J. Booker; J. Cuthell; Clarke and Sons; J. and A. Arch; J.Harris; Black, Parry, and Company; J. Booth; J. Mawman; Gale, Curtis, and Fenner; R. H. Evans; I. Hatchard; J. Hurray; Baldwin, Craddick, and Joy; E. Bentley; J. Faulder; Ogle and Company; W. Ginger; J. Deighton and Son, Cambridge, Constable and Company. Edinburgh; and Wilson and Son, York. Volume 22, by Nichols, Son, and Bentley, Hal Lion Passage, Fleet Street, London, Pages 434-435.

Morton (charles), a learned pbysician and antiquary, was a native of Westmoreland, where he was born in 17 16, and practised pbysic with considerable reputation at Kendal about 1745. At what time he removed to London we have not been able to discover, as very few particulars of his life have been recorded, but it was probably about 1751, when he was admitted a licentiate of the College of Pbysicians. In 1752 he was elected a fellow of the Royal Society; and on the first establishment of the British Museum, in 1756, he was appointed under-librarian of the manuscripts and medal department. In 1760 he was elected one of the secretaries to the Royal Society, which situation he held till 1774 ; and in 1776, on the death of Dr. Maty, be was appointed principal librarian of the British Museum. He was also a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, and of the Imperial Academy of Petersburg!!. He died Feb. 10, 1799, aged eighty-three, and was buried in the cemetery near the London road, Twickenham. In 1744 he married Miss Mary Berkeley, a niece of Lady Betty Germaine, by whom he had an only daughter, Elizabeth, married to James Dansie, esq. of Herefordshire. He married, secondly, in 1772, Lady Savile (mother of the amiable Sir George Savile), who died Feb. 10, 1791 : in which year he married to his third wife Elizabeth Pratt, a near relation of Lady SaviJe. Dr. Morton was a man of great uprightness and integrity, and much admired as a scholar.

Dr. Morton published in 1759 an improved edition of Dr. Barnard's engraved "Table i?f Alphabets," and Buistrode Whitlock's "Journal of the Swedish Embassy in 1653 and 1654," 1772, 2 volumes. quarto. He communicated to the Royal Society a paper on muscular motion, and another on the supposed connexion between the hieroglyphic writing of Egypt and the modern Chinese character; both of which were published in the Philosophical Transactions, vols. XLVII and LIX. This last communication originated from an inquiry addressed to the Jesuits at Pekin, relative to certain characters on a bust discovered by Mr. Needham at Turin, whose conjectures concerning them were controverted by Desguignes, Bartoli, Winkleman, and Wortley Montague.. The Jesuits, assisted by the Chinese literati, decided that the characters in question, though four or five have a sensible resemblance to as many Chinese ones, are not genuine Chinese characters, having no connected sense nor proper resemblance to any of the different forms of writing, and that the whole inscription had nothing Chinese in the face of it; but, in order to promote discoveries, they sent an actual collation of the Egyptian with the Chinese hieroglyphics, engraved on twenty-six plates. In 1768 Dr. Morton was appointed, jointly with Mr. Farley, to superintend the publication of the Domesday Book, but soon, relinquished the task. At this time it was proposed to have been carried into execution by type.-!; and Mr. Gough says, Dr. Morton had 5001. for doing little or nothing, and nearly 500 punds more for types that were of no use[1].

[1] Nicholas Bowyor.—Lysons's Environs, supplementary volume, Folio 2

15. The Gentleman's Magazine and Historical Chronicle, For the Year 1799, Volume 49, Part the First, By Sylvanus Urban, Gentleman, London, Printed by John Nichols, at Cicero's Head, Red Lion Passage, Fleet Street; Where Letters are Particularly Requested to be Sent, Post Paid. And Sold by Elizabeth Newbery, the Center of Saint Paul's Church Yard, Ludgate Street. 1799, Pages 173 & 250.

Note: the above appears in: A Selection of Curious Articles from the Gentleman's Magazine, By John Walker, L. L. B. Fellow of New College, In Four Volumes, Volume 4, Biographical Memoirs, Literary Ancedotes, and Characters. Topographical Notices, Third Edition. London: Printed for Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, Pater-Noster-Row; and Munday and Slatter, Oxford, 1814, Pages 450-451.

Page 173

Obituary of Remarkable Persons; With Biographical Ancedotes.

February 10, 1799

At his apartments in the British Museum, aged about 83, Charles Morton, M.D. F.A. and R. SS. and fellow of the Imperial Acadamey of Petersburgh, etc. cetra. He was admited licentiate of the College of Physicians in 1751; and, on the establishment of the British Museum in 1756, was appointed under-librarian of the MS and Medal department; and, in 1776, succeeded Doctor Maty as principal Librarian. [A further account of him and his writings will be given next month.]

Page 250

Additions to, and Corrections in, Former Obituaries.

Doctor Morton was a native of Westmoreland, and a practising physician of considerable estimation at Kendal, in the year 1745. In 1744 he married Miss Mary Berkeley, a niece of Lady Betty Germaine, by whom he had an only daughter, Elizabeth, married to James Dansie, Esquire of Herefordshire. A farther account may be seen volume 47, page 891. To Lady Savile, mother of Sir George Savile his second wife, he was married in 1772., who died February 10, 1791; and to his third wife, Elizabeth Pratt, a near relation of Lady Savile, he was married in the latter end of the year 1791. He succeeded Peter Duval, Esquire in 1766, as Secretary to the Royal Society, which he held until 1774. In the valuable Transactions of the Society he published "Observations and Expiriments upon Ani9mal Bodies, digested in a Philosophical Analysis or Enquiry into the Cause of Voluntary Muscular Motion" (Volume 47, page 305). In volume 59, page 489, "A Supposed Connection Betwen the Hieroglyphic Writing of Ancient Egypt and the Charateristic Writing Used at this Day Among Chinese." This Letter Originated from an enquiry addressed to the Jesuits at Pakin, relative to certain characters on a bust discovered by Mr. Nedham at Turin, whose conjectures concerning them were controverted by Desguignes, Bartoli, Winkelman, and Wortley Montague. The Jesuits, assisted with the Chinese Literati, decided that the characters in question , though four or five have a sensible resemblance to as many Chinese ones, are not genuine Chinese characters, having no connected sense nor proper resemblance to any of the different forms of writing, and that the whole inscription had nothing Chinese in t he face of it; but in order to promote discoveries, they sent an actual collation of the Eqyptian with the Chinese hieroglyphics, engraved on 26 plates. In 1759 he published an improved edition of Doctor Barnard's engraved Table of Alphabets; and, 1772, Bustrode Whitelocke's Journal of the Swedish Embassy in 1653 and 1654, in 2 quarto volumes, dedicated to Lord Viscounty Lumley. He was a man of great uprightness and integrity, and much admired as a scholar. Those of his friends who knew him best were the foremost in their admiration, and now with latent grief deplore his loss. On the 18th of February, his remains were deposited in a vault in the burial-ground at Twickenham, Midlesex.

16. The Literary Magazine and British Review For 1791, Volume 6, London, Printed for the Proprietors and Sold by C. Forester (unreadible) Poultry, Page 476.

June

Monthly Register

Married

Charles Morton, M.D. principal librarian of the Museum, to Miss Pratt, eldest daughter of Joseph Pratt, Esquire of Cabra Castle, in the Kingdom of Ireland.

17. The Annual Register or a View of the History, Politics and Literature, For the Year 1776, The Fourth Edition, London, Printed for J. Dodsley, In Pall-Mall, 1788, Page 220.

Doctor Charles Morton, to be Principal Librarian to the British Museum, in the room of Doctor Maty, deceased.

18. The Publications of the Harleian Society, Established 1869, Volume 39, For the Year 1895 - Familae Minorum Gentium Diligentia Joseph Hunter, Sheffieldiensis, S.A.S., Volume 3, Edited by John W. Clay, F.S.A. London, 1895, Page 919

Brook

Robert Brook

Unknown Brook

Percival Brookes[1] of York, merchant. Will dated February 28, proved November 9, 1629. Had a brother who fathered Robert Brook of Hunslet.

Children:

A1. James Brookes of York, merchant, Alderman, Lord Mayor 1651; buried 1675, at the age of 81; buried at Aldborongb. Bought Ellenthorpe. Satirical Notices of him in Harl. 6115. M.P.B., xiv., 83. He married Priscilla Jackson, survived & resided at Howgrave, where she made her will December 11, 1691, being then very old. To be buried at Alderborough. A2. Benjamin A3. Leonard A4. Francis A5. William A6. Christopher A7. Thomas A8. Mary, wife of Jaques; mother of William, Richard and Robert 1616. A9 Elizabeth, lately married to William Nicholson 1616. A10. Sarah

Children James Brookes, above:

B1. Sir John Brookes, created a Baronet June 13, 1676, died 1691, before his mother. He married Mary, daughter of Sir Hardress Waller by Elizabeth, second daughter and child of Sir John Dowdal of Kilfinny, Limerick County Ireland; sister of Bridget, wife of Henry Lord Cadogan. B2. Anne, married Sir William Wyvil.

Children John Brookes, above: C1. Mary, married William Proctor, an Alderman of Newcastle. She had a son named Anthony Proctor, living at Berwick, a coheir of Mrs. Jenkins. C2. Jane, married William Pigot of Kilkenny in Ireland C3. Anne, died unmarried C4. Honoretta[2] married John Pratt, Esquire, or Dublin. She had a daughter married first to George Saville, secondly to Charles Morton; coheir to Mrs. Jenkins. C5. Deborah, married William FitzMaurice, brother to Thomas, Earl of Kerry. He had a son named John and a grandson who ob. v.p. and great grandaughter who married Sir Robert Deane, a coheir of Mrs. Jenkins. C6. Thomas, a merchant in London C7. Henry, died March 3 1760, age 71, buried at St. Martin's. C8. Elizabeth married William Bethel of Swinden. C9. Priscilla, married Rowland Place of Dinsdale, Durham County, Esquire; married at skelton July 13, 1682. She had sons Rowland and James - both living 1691. She also had daughters Pricilla, who married John Clutterbuck of Newcastle at Dinsdale on May 29, 1705; Christine, married Wilmot Read. Christine had daughters Elizabeth, who married John Baker, Esquire, coheir to Mrs. Jenkins; Priscilla, married Unkknown Astlee; coheir to Mrs. Jenkins. C10. Sir James Brookes, 2 Baronet, died at Hammersmith March 1735, married Bridget, daughter of Unknown Wright of Hammersmith[3]. C11. John, 2nd son, of Breade in Sussex in 1741. He married Damaris Milbank of Sussex first, second he married Mary Ludlam, widow of Breade. By his first wife, he had a daughter Honora Gatland, only child, unmarried 1741; cousin and heir to Sir Job; died without issue December 20, 1778. She married John Jenkins, Junior..

Lodge, It, 115. Colonel Wiliam Fitzmaurice, married November 25, 1701. He married Debora, daughter of Sir John Brookes of York, Baronet.

Children:

D1. John, of Springfield in Limerick.He married Ann, daughter of James Fitmaurice of Kilmihil. They had a son and a daughter. D2.Elizabeth, married Josiah Hort Archbishop of Tuam; married February 19, 1725. D3. Mary, married her cousin John Fitzmaurice, a younger son of Thomas, first Earl of Kerry.

All the 11 children of Sir John Brookes are named in the will of their grandmother, of whom Elizabeth, Priscilla, & Mary are named as mar., the rest of the dau' by their maiden names. She names her nephew Thomas Jackson, Esq., and his children Stephen, Dorothy, Grace, Henry, & Medicas. She names as cousins, MTM Mary Wilson, Frances Pudsey, Jane Waite. Mentions several of the Wyvils.

The marriage with FitzMaurice is not mentioned in the Baronetage, but occurs in Beckwith's account of the coheirs of MTM Jenkins. That account has furnished much of what we have here.

Priscilla Brookes mentions also Thomas Bendlows of Howgrave, Esquire, & his children Thomas, John, Hannah, & Catherine,.... married Warcup, & .... married Hayford Wainwright of Gray's Inn, Gentleman.

Mr. Bendlows the lawyer near Boroughbridge; died February 23, 1706. (Dickenson's 'Obituary.')

Catherine, daughter & coheir of John Bendlows of Howgrave, born 1691; married Edmund Swetinham of Somerford, Esquire. (Ormerod.)

[1] I very much doubt James Brookes being the James named by Percival Brookes in his will. Percival Brook names also in his will his nephew Christopher Brook, Cousin Edward Seeker, Cousin Alderman Brearey.

[2] In the Burial Ground of the psh. of St. George's, Hanover Square, a Mon. to the memory of Honoretta, wid. of the Hon. John Pratt, Deputy vice Treasurer of Ireland, and dau. of Sir John Brookes of York, who d. 10 Dec. 1769, aged 95, & of her nieces Elizabeth & Ann Place. MTM Pratt is said in the Insc to have directed that her body should be burnt, that she might not endanger the health of her neighbours, which was done. See for the Places, Surtees' 'Durham,' iii., 237, to whose pedigree of them we have here a useful addition.

[3] The person there improperly described was a dau. of John Wright who had been Attorney General in Jamaica. She had 2 sisters, Mary wife of John Offley, Esq., & Sarah who married 1 Elice Derritt, Esquire, Deputy of the Great Wardrobe under the Duke of Marlborough, & 2 Count Gyllenburgh, Ambassador from Sweden. (See ' G. M.,' 44, 626, & 51, 627.)

19. National Library of Ireland, Manuscript Collections, Description of Items Held in Manuscript Collections Available at: http://hip.nli.ie/ipac20/ipac.jsp?session=B264VI0603452.576651&profile=mss&menu=search&submenu=alpha&ts=1264280603733#focus

A.) Will of John Morton, of Kilcunny, Cavan County, March 17, 1752 by Morton, John of Belturbet, Cavan County, merchant Description: 1 item

Copy/Holding information Location Collection Call No. Manuscript Collections Ms Ms 28,820(2)

B.) Power of attorney from John Cumming of Dublin, grandson and heir of John Cumming of Belturbet, to John Morton, of Belturbet, merchant, relating to properties in Belturbet, Co. Cavan 1741 Aug. 22. by Cumming, John fl. 1741 Subjects Belturbet (Cavan, Ireland)

Description: 1 item Personal Name: Morton, John Location: Manuscript Collections Collection: Manuscripts Call Number: Ms 28,827(1)

C.) Deed of sale between Thomas Steward of Bury St. Edmunds, John Cumming of Dublin, Patrick Brady of Dublin and John Morton, for properties in Belturbet, Co. Cavan 1750 July 20. by Steward, Thomas 1669?-1753 Subjects Belturbet (Cavan, Ireland)

Description: 5 sheets Personal Name: Morton, John Location: Manuscript Collections Collection: Manuscripts Call Number: Ms 28,827(4)

E.) Letter of attorney signed by Patrick Brady of Dublin, authorising John Morton of Killconey, Co. Cavan, to distrain tenants of leases in Belturbet, Co. Cavan 1750 Aug. 09. by Brady, Patrick, fl. 1750 Subjects Belturbet (Cavan, Ireland)

Description: 1 item Location: Manuscript Collections Collection: Manuscripts Call Number: Ms 28,823(2)

F.) Quit claim from Charles Morton and his wife to David Buttle of Dublin, for lands at Kilmurry etc., Meath County, 1768. By Morton, Charles of Twickenham Subjects Kilmurry (Meath, Ireland) Description: 1 item Personal Name: Buttle, David

Location: Manuscript Collections Collection: Manuscripts Call Number: Ms 28,833(7)

G.) Lease; from Gertrude Morton to Thomas McGrath, victualer, both of Belturbet, for house at Holborn Hill, Belturbet, Co. Cavan 1783 June 01. by Morton, Gertrude of Belturbet, Co. Cavan Subjects Belturbet (Cavan, Ireland) Description: 1 item Personal Name: McGrath, Thomas

Location: Manuscript Collections Collection: Manuscripts Call Number: Ms 28,828(1)

H.) Lease; from Gertrude Morton to John Armstrong, of house in Belturbet, Co. Cavan 1788 June 25. by Morton, Gertrude of Belturbet, Co. Cavan Subjects Belturbet (Cavan, Ireland) Description: 1 item Personal Name: Taylor, John Armstrong

Location: Manuscript Collections Collection: Manuscripts Call Number: Ms 28,829(1)

I.) Copy will of Elizabeth Morton of Ashgrove and late of Belturbet, Cavan County, April 8, 1802. by Morton, Elizabeth of Belturbet, Cavan County. Description: 1 item Notes: Copy made Janurary 7, 1859

Location: Manuscript Collections Collection: Manuscripts Call Number: Ms 28,820(3)

Compiler's note for source above: The compiler has not obtained John Morton's will, or any of the above listed documents as of date. The compiler believes, based up on source #3, above - that this likely is Doctor Charles Morton's father, Joihn Morton. This is a _lead_, and _only circumstancial evidence_, but not yet proof.

20. The Gentleman's Magazine and Historical Chronicle, For the Year 1791, Volume 61, Part the First, By Sylvanus Urban, Gentleman, London, Printed by John Nichols, at Cicero's Head, Red Lion Passage, Fleet Street; for David Henry, late of Saint John's Gate, And Sold by Elizabeth Newbery, the Center of Saint Paul's Church Yard, Ludgate Street. 1791, Page 189 & 487.

Page 189

Obituary of Considerable Persons

February 14, 1791

At Twickenham, Lady Mary Savile, wife of Doctor Morton, principal llibrarian to the British Museum, mother of the late very excellent Sir George Saville, Baronet and the present Countess of Scarborough, and daughter of John Pratt, Esquire; married, 1722 to Sir George Savile, Baronet, who died in 1743, by whom she had two other daughters. By her Ladyship's death, Lord Scarborough will receive an addition to his fortune of 2,000 pounds per annum; and Miss Pratt, who lived with Lady Savile many years, has been generously rewarded by a legacy of 2,000 pounds.

Page 487

Marriages

April 26, 1791

Charles Morton, M.D. Principal Librarian of the British Museum, eldest daughter of Joseph Pratt, Esquire of Cabra Castle in Ireland, a lady only 35 years of age, with a fortune of 10,000 pounds. [The Doctor's late wife (Lady Savile) died on the 14th of February last, see page 189.]

21. The Gentleman's Magazine and Historical Chronicle, For the Year 1802, Volume 72, Part the First, By Sylvanus Urban, Gentleman, London, Printed by Nichols and Son, at Cicero's Head, Red Lion Passage, Fleet Street; Where letters are particularly requested to be sent, Post Paid. And Sold by J. Harrisof Saint Paul's Church Yard, Ludgate-Street. 1802, Page 469.

Marriages

April 27, 1802

John Bacon, Esquire, of Fryern House, Middlesex, and of the First Fruits Office, to relict of the late Charles Morton, M.D. many years librarian of the British Museum.

22. The Eurpoean Magazine and London Review, Containing the Literature, History, Politics, Arts, Manners and Amusements of the Age, By the Philological Society of London, Volume 35, from Januaqry to June 1799, London, Printed for J. Sewell Cornhill 1799, Page 143.

[February 10, 1799]

Monthly Obituary - February

Dr. Charles Morton, M.D. F.R.S. and A.S.L. principal Librarian of the British Museum. He was educated at Leyden, was for some time physician to the Foundling Hospital, and became a licentiate of the College of Physicians of London in 1751. Dr. Burn, in the preface to his Justice of the Peace, acknowledges his obligations to him for his assistance in that work, and for some time Dr. Morton was employed about the publication of the Doomsday Book. He formerly practised at Kendal, Westmoreland.

23. The London Magazine or Gentleman's Monthly Intelligencer, Volume 36, For the Year 1767, By his Majesty's Authority, Printed for R. Baldwin at the Rose in Pater Noster Row, Page 595:

Marriages and Births

September, 25 1767

Charles Morton, M.D. to Lady Saville.

24. Original Marriage Records of St. George Bloomsbury, London, Middlesex County, England - available at http://www.ancestry.com

Charles Morton, Esquire, Widower, and Elizabeth Pratt, Spinster, both of this parish, were married in this church by License this twenty sixth day of April 1791 by me, Robert Burst, Vicar of Twickenham.

This Marriage was Solemnized between us: Charles Morton Elizabeth Pratt In the presence of us: M: Alfray James Bulkeley

25. The Gentleman's Magazine and Historical Chronicle, For the Year 1797, Volume 67, Part the Second, By Sylvanus Urban, Gentleman, London, Printed by John Nichols, at Cicero's Head, Red Lion Passage, Fleet Street; Where Letters are Particularly Requested to be Sent, Post Paid. And Sold by Elizabeth Newbery, the Center of Saint Paul's Church Yard, Ludgate Street. 1797, Page 891.

At his lodging at in Fountain Court, Strand, of a fever, aged 23, Mr. james-Henry Damsie, only son of James Dansie, esquire. of Great Marlborugh-Street, aud grandson of Charles Morton, M.D. F.R.S. fcc. principal librarian of the British Miseum. His great-grandfather and family were considerable adventurers in the speculations of the year 1720; and his grandfather was a surgeon of St. Bartholomew's hospital, who died 50 years ago. He was married, but has left no issue.

26. Londinium Redivivum, or, An Antient History and Modern Description of London, Compiled from Parochal Records, Archives of Various Foundations, The Harlean Manuscripts, and other Authentic Sources, By James Peller Malcholm, Volume 1, London, Printed by John Nichols & Son, Red Lion Passage, Fleet Street, and Sold by F & G Rivington St. Pauls Church Yard, T. Payne, Mons Gate, G Willis Patemaster Row & J. White Fleet Street, Pages 55 & 57.

Page 55:

All Hallows, Lombard Street

On the North wall, one "In memory of Mrs. Elizabeth Dansie, who departed this life much lamented on the 8th of December, 1778, aged 33. She was wife of James Dansie, of Conduit-Street, esquire. and daughter of Charles Morton, of the British Museum, esquire. Flora, daughter of James and Elizabeth Dansie, died 1778, aged two years and four months."

Names on pavement: James Dansie, 1744.

Page 57:

(Burials)

March 7, 1744-5. James Dansie, esquire.

27. Surrey Archives

available at: http://www.exploringsurreyspast.org.uk/GetRecord/SHCOL_G21

"Title Deed of agreements and covenants for the execution of the will of Dame Mary Jane Buckworth of Richmond, widow of Sir John Buckworth 1) Charles Buckworth of Englefield Green, esq 2) Angelique Faiche Clermont, of Richmond, Dame Mary Jane Buckworth's sister 3) Bulkeley Gould of Broad Street Golden Square, parish of St James, Westminster, esq 4) Fanny Gould of Bath, Somerset, spinster 5) James Booth of Lincoln's Inn, esq, (executor of Dame Mary Jane Buckworth of Richmond) 6) Henry Doughty of Snarford, Lincs, esq

• • • and Dr Charles Morton of Twickenham, Middx ***

The condition of the Buckworth estate in Richmond at the death of Mary Jane Buckworth is given with details of household accounts to be paid by parties above. Details of personal bequests are given including her pictures to her son Charles Buckworth. The individual responsibilities of the parties, regarding the terms of Mary Buckworth's will such as her burial, are also given. Real estate is not mentioned. Her will was dated 11 Jan 1772 and proved 7 Mar 1775 and she died 26 Jan 1775 in Twickenham, Middx Reference G21/1/8 Unit Date 1 Nov 1776 Start Date 17761101 End Date 17761101 Message in Sent

28. The New Annual Register, or a General Repository of History, Politics and Literature for the Year 1791, To Which is Prefixed A Continuation of the History of Knowledge and Learning, and Taste, in Great Britianm during the Reign of Queen Elizabeth, London, Printed for G. G. J. and J. Robinson, Pater-Noster Row, 1792, Page 58.

Deaths in the Year 1791

Family information

The information in the article is not currently presented in a neutral fashion. To meet the requirements of NPOV policy, some rewriting will be required, noting contradictions but not passing judgement on them. Charles Matthews (talk) 16:49, 7 June 2010 (UTC)

First of all - thank you for taking the time to work on this article. My greatest concern was the depreciation of the character of a very extraordinary Family - who I have no blood relation to. Over time, this has slowly happened.

Now I do have some complaints.

1. I do appreciate your effort to take the transcribed form of the Dictionary of National Biography, but I do feel that the original link to a scan of the original has its place along side the reference to the transcribed version, in as much as it verifies the accuracy of the transcription.

Also note that the DNB from 1802 contains some minor inaccuracies and the current Oxford Dictionary of National Biography is far from "Neutral" in its opinion of Doctor Morton. The most noteable is the proposed 1772 marriage date.

2. On "Neutrality" and "Passing Judgement"

I have no need to make Doctor Charles Morton any more or less of the individual he was, or characterize him beyond the evidence available. That has been my approach from the start.

A. The facts presented in the article, a basic understanding of conventional marriage and birth, along with reasonable thought, leave little room for controversy that there is indeed an open question regarding Charles Carr Morton's natural birth mother. At this stage, I have not "passed judgement" but in fact stated that this is a genuine mystery. Had I passed judgement on Doctor Morton I would criticise him for marrying Elizabeth Pratt, as the current Oxford Dictionary of National Biography does.

I have, since writing this article, come to find additional information in which the future father in law of Charles Carr Morton speculates, but does not provide sufficient proof, that Elizabeth Pratt was Charles Carr Morton's natural mother and Doctor Charles Morton his natural father. However - since some researchers have accepted this as proof - I will neutrally present both sides of the issue - in a future edit, in accord with the NPOV policy. Ironically, I can't honestly say (based on the evidence I have) that any conclusion but "we don't know" could be considered "neutral."

B. The facts that I had already presented, and were removed by another editor, leave little room for controversy regarding the trageic fate of Doctor Charles Morton's grandchildren. Two were murdered, 1 committed suicide, estates were lost, wives died in their first year of marriage, etc.

C. It is fact certain that little or nothing is known about Doctor Charles Morton's parents as well, despite the 1801 DNB, current Oxford Dictionary of National Biography and Burke's Peerage asseting that his father was a "John Morton." This assertions, made by all 3 publications, present no support to back up the claim that his father was a "John Morton" whatsoever.

By his significant marriages and education, Doctor Charles Morton appears to have come from a background that is significant and yet to be discovered. Dispite the absence of records that have been found to establish, without question, who Doctor Charles Morton's parents were. Either that, or he was far more intellectually or charismatically significant then he has been characterized.

In as much as historical facts remain unresolved - the idea that unanswered questions should be removed - is detrimental to progress. Linuxcpa (talk) 22:09, 18 June 2010 (UTC)