G. & J. Morton (aka J. &G. Morton): History

(Note: the history of this company can be a bit confusing because it involves two brothers and three of their children with the names Joseph and George)

 

The Company

The business known as G. & J. Morton was established with that name sometime between 1850[1] and 1865[2], presumable shortly after 1859 when the father of the owners died.  The firm was first listed in an 1861[3] newspaper advertisement as G. & J. Morton manufacturing cutlers at 39 Cheapside in London.  This cutlery business goes back at least one generation; however, its name then was J. & G. Morton.  It seems most likely that Joseph Morton (1801-1866) and his brother George Morton (1803-1859) established a partnership in a cutlery business shortly after their father, also a cutler, died in 1828.  The first time they were listed in city directories was in 1835[4] when they were listed as Jos & Geo Morton at 2 Craven Buildings, Drury Lane in London.  Ten years later in 1845[5] a J. Morton was listed as a cutler and dressing case maker at 39 Cheapside and Joseph & George Morton continued to be listed as working cutlers at 2 Cravens Building but now, they also had another business at 8 Great Turnstile in Holborn where Geo. was also listed as cutler and ivory dealer. 

 

According to the 1841[6] census, there was only one Joseph Morton and only one George Morton in the London area with the occupation of cutler.  Joseph Morton and his family lived from at least 1830[7] until at least 1851[8] at Craven Buildings.  By 1851[9] George and his family were living at the 39 Cheapside address.  Perhaps Joseph started a second shop at Cheapside while the two brothers worked together at Craven Buildings with George eventually taking over the Cheapside shop after he moved his family there.  The last time the firm was listed as Joseph and George Morton was in an 1850[10] city directory.  Apparently the two brothers either had a falling out or decided to establish separate businesses around this time because in 1852[11] their partnership was dissolved.  When the partnership ended, they were listed at three locations, 2 Craven Buildings, 8 Great Turnstile and 39 Cheapside.  By 1861[12] Joseph moved to 343 Oxford Street where his cutler business became known simply as Joseph Morton, which after his death in 1866 was taken over by his son Joseph Underwood Morton (1842-1922) who continued the business until 1910[13].

 

The 1856[14] article seen on the previous page indicates George Morton of 39 Cheapside was a manufacturing cutler who won prize medals at the 1851 Exhibition in London and the 1855 Exhibition in Paris.  Apparently, George Morton achieved a high degree of success as he was listed in a history book in 1868[15] as “The best Cutler in London. Vide 2^nd Londoniad.  An inhabitant of Cheapside.”  At some point after George died in 1859, his two sons George (c1835-1878) and Joseph (c1838-1899) took over his business and renamed it G. & J. Morton.  They patented a syphon tap corkscrew in 1861[16] and were listed in an 1865[17] city directory as George & Joseph Morton of 39 Cheapside, manufacturing cutlers and dressing case makers. 

 

G. & J. Morton at 39 Cheapside continued to be listed in city directories in 1870[18], 1875[19], 1885[20] and 1890[21].  During those years they expanded their product line to include a variety of items such as the roller skate advertisement seen here in 1874[22].  Then in 1895[23] and 1900[24] the business was listed simply as Joseph Morton at 39 Cheapside.  Presumable Joseph kept the old business name after his brother George died in 1878 probably because the firm had a good reputation and was well known.  He changed the name to Joseph Morton sometime between 1890[25] and 1895[26].

 

To date only three needle cases has been found with the Morton company name and all three are Quadruples, a design which was patented by William Avery and Albert Fenton of Redditch in 1868.  According to a previous author the Quadruple known as the Quad-Eclectic - Bent Arm in Oval[27] contained the J. & G. Morton 39 Cheapside name.  The Quad-Golden Casket - Butterfly on Leaf[28], seen on the next page pictured on the left, has only been found with the Morton 39 Cheapside name.  Two examples of the Quad-Golden Casket - Fleur-di-Lis[29] are seen here, the middle one with the J. & G. Morton Cutlers 39 Cheapside name and the one on the right has the G. & J. Morton Cutlers 39 Cheapside name.  Why the business used three different names for the same address in unknown.   Perhaps there was some confusion because of the similar initials.  The firm was also listed at the 39 Cheapside address with two different names in 1867 newspaper articles regarding their cutler company winning an award at the 1867[30] Paris Exhibition.  In February that year they were listed as J. & G. Morton and in July as G. & J. Morton. 

 

The Morton Owners

Joseph Morton was born c1765 presumably in the London area.  He will be listed as Joseph I for the remainder of this narrative in order not to confused him with his son and grandsons with the same name.  He married Elizabeth around 1800 and they had two sons Joseph II (1801) and George (1803) and possibly two daughters[31]: Mary Ann an Eliza.  Joseph I worked as a cutler and the family lived for a few years at Falcon Court on Fleet Street, just east of St. Paul’s Cathedral.  Eventually the Morton family settled on Clement Lane in the parish of St. Clement Danes in central London about halfway between St. Paul’s and Trafalgar Square.  Joseph I died there in 1828 at age 63 and gave his stock and trade to his two sons Joseph and George.  Although no death record for his wife Elizabeth has been found and no record of him marrying a second time has been located, it is possible that Joseph I had a second wife named Lucinda.  And why is this possible?  In 1830, two years after his death, a woman named Lucinda Morton age 54 died at the same residence as him.  Both Joseph I and Lucinda were buried at St. Clement Danes.

 

The eldest son of Joseph I and Elizabeth Morton, also named Joseph, was born in 1801 and was baptized at St. Bride’s church on Fleet Street in Central London.  Joseph II married Madalin Lean in 1829 at St. Anne in the Soho section of London.  It is unknown how they met because Madalin was born in Redruth, Cornwall in 1802, a town 268 miles southwest of London.  Joseph II and Madalin lived at the Craven Buildings on Drury Lane from at least 1830 until at least 1851.  They had 9 children between 1830 and 1845 all baptized at St. Clement church: Jane Madalin, Josephine, Joseph who died at age 1, Elizabeth, Mary Ann, Isabella, Louisa, Joseph Underwood and John Lean who died at age 1 and a half.  Sometime between 1851 and 1861 the family moved to 343 Oxford Street, near Oxford Circus, where they remained for at least six years.  Throughout his life Joseph II worked as a cutler with his family living most likely in the upper floors above his cutler shop as that was common during the Victorian Period.  For many of those years he partnered with his younger brother George in the business known as J. & G. Morton until their partnership was dissolved in 1852.  Joseph II died at his home in 1866 at age 64 and was buried at the All Souls Cemetery in Kensal Green, Kensington.  His estate valued at under £8,000 (approximately £500,872[32] today) was proved by his only surviving son Joseph Underwood and his eldest daughter Jane Madalin.  By 1871 his widow Madalin and their daughter Jane Madalin moved to Brixton, a district in the south London borough of Lambeth.  Madalin died there in 1871 at age 62 and was buried next to her husband at All Souls in Kensal Green.

 

The only surviving son of Joseph II and Madalin was Joseph Underwood Morton who was born in in 1842 and baptized at St. Clement Danes.  He married Martha Robertson in 1867 at St. James Piccadilly, a couple blocks west of Piccadilly Circus.  Joseph Underwood took over his father’s cutler business which by 1865 became known simply as Joseph Morton because the partnership between his father and uncle ended years earlier.  At first his family lived in the upper floors above the cutler shop at 343 Oxford Street where 6 of their 7 children were born:  Joseph Alexander who died at age 2, George Ernest, Arthur, Pattie Maud, Joseph Alexander who died at age 1 and Edith.  Shortly after the birth of Edith the Morton family moved to Richmond, Surrey, about 9 miles west of central London, where their last child was born, Bruce Talbert, in 1879.  Joseph Underwood carried on his father’s cutlery business for his entire life and was listed as a cutlery manufacturer in 1881 and a cutler employer in 1891 and in 1901.  At some point between 1875[33] and 1885[34] he moved the family business to 223 Oxford Street.  In 1899 Joseph Underwood was initiated into the Cutler Lodge in London and by 1901 moved his family to Kensington in west Central London.  His wife Martha died sometime between 1901 and 1911 and Joseph Underwood moved to the  South Fulham section of west Central London where he lived with another family as a lodger.  In 1921 he was listed as Joseph Underwood Morton age 78 whose niece Lily Bertha Belmont was living with him.  He died in Fulham in 1922 at age 78.  To date his probate has not been found.

 

The second son of Joseph I and Elizabeth Morton was named George Morton.  George will be referred to as George Sr. for the remained of this narrative in order not to confuse him with his son with the same name.  George Sr. was born in 1803 and baptized at St. Bride’s on Fleet Street in London.  He married Ann Smith who was born in Redbourne, Stafforrdshire, in 1832 at St. Giles Cripplegate located a few blocks north of St Paul’s Cathedral.  George Sr. and Ann had 5 children: George Jr, Joseph (who will be listed as Joseph III), Susan Ann, Mary Elizabeth and William.  George Sr. spent his entire life working as a cutler and by 1851 he and his family were living above their cutlery shop at 39 Cheapside, 1 block north of St. Paul’s Cathedral.  It seems most likely that George Sr. established his own cutlery business around this time as he and his brother, Joseph Sr.’s, cutlery business partnership was dissolved in 1852 and each brother thereafter worked on their own.  Seven years after the partnership was dissolved, George Sr. died at his Cheapside home at age 55 in 1859.  He was buried at Kensal Green Cemetery in London and left as estate of under £3,000 (approximately £177,388[35] today) proved by the oaths of his sons George Jr. and Joseph III.  Shortly after his death, his cutlery business was taken over by these two sons and was renamed it G. & J. Morton.  His wife Ann continued to live at Cheapside until at least 1861, however by 1871 she was living at Ravenswood Square in the Chelsea section of London.  She died in Croydon in 1887 at age 76.  The youngest son of George Sr. and Ann, William Morton, also became a cutler, however he moved to the Sheffield area in south Yorkshire where he established his business.

 

George Jr. was born c1835 and was baptized at St. Martin in the Fields next to Trafalgar Square.  In 1861 he married Georgina Wardell at St. Giles Cripplegate.  George Jr. worked his entire life as a cutler taking over the business of his father and working with his brother Joseph III at their Cheapside shop.  Although at first George Jr. and Georgiana lived in the Westminster section of London, by 1871 they moved into his parent’s home above his shop in Cheapside.  George Jr. and Georgiana had no children and George Jr. died at the relatively young age of 48 in 1878 in Dover, Kent.  He was buried at the Kensal Green Cemetery and left an estate of under £3,000 (approximately £198,554[36] today) to his youngest brother William Morton of Sheffield.  After his death his widow moved to Folkestone, Kent for a few years and later to Yarmouth in Norfolk where she married her second husband Isaac Ditcham in 1897 at age 60.  She died there in 1904.

 

The second son of George Sr. and Ann Morton was Joseph III who was born in c1838 and baptized at St. Clement Danes.  Joseph III also spent his entire life as a cutler living in the London area.  He married Matilda Fucesly in 1871 at St. Peter’s Hammersmith in west London.  How they met is unknown because Matilda was born in Adelaide, South Australia.  The Morton family lived in the Croydon section of south London, then in Kensington, later in Epsom, a town about 14 miles south of central London, and lastly at Parliament Hill, Hampstead in north London.  Joseph III and Matilda had 3 children born between 1872 and 1875: Theodora Matilda, Katherine Johanna Matilda and Henry Joseph.  He spent his entire life as a cutler carrying on the business of his father and later of his brother George Jr. renaming the business Joseph Morton sometime after his brother’s death in 1878.   Joseph III died in 1899 in Hampstead at age 60 and was buried at the Kensal Green Cemetery.  His estate valued at £2,275 (approximately £177,842[37] today) passed to his son Henry Joseph Morton who worked as an accountant.  Joseph’s wife Mathilde died in Hampstead at age 71 in 1914.

 

 

 

 G. & J. Morton (aka J. &G. Morton): Images

 

Quad-Golden Casket - Fleur de Lis detail with G. & J. Morton name.

 

Quad-Golden Casket - Butterfly on Leaf detail with Morton name (S=eBay.com).

 

Quad-Golden Casket - Fleur de Lis detail with J. & G. Morton name (S=internet sale).

 

Cheapside Street sign, 2023

 

Building on the south side of Cheapside Street between Bread Street and New Change Street where the Morton business was originally located, 2023.

 

Another view, from the west looking east, of the building on the southside of Cheapside Street, 2023.  The H & M Store is located at 45 Cheapside Street, 2023.

 

 

G. & J. Morton (aka J. & G. Morton): Genealogy

 

Generation 1: Joseph Morton (c1765-1828) and Elizabeth (??-??) and Lucinda ?? (c1776-1830)

·       Born: c1765 (S1burial).

·       Baptized:  not found.

·       Marriage #1: not found.

·       First Wife’s Death: not found.

·       First Wife’s Burial: not found.

·       First Wife’s Probate: not found.

·       Possible Second Wife’s Birth: c1776 (S1burial).  Listed as Lucinda ??

·       Marriage #2: not found.

·       Death: not found.

·       Burial: February 21, 1828 St. Clement Danes, London, Middlesex (S1burial).  Listed as Joseph Morton of 9 Clements Lane age 63.

·       Probate: March 3, 1828 London (S6) with Will dated February 16, 1828. Listed as Joseph Morton of Clements Lane in the parish of St. Clement Danes in Middlesex a cutler, lists his wife whose name is illegible possibly Lury, his sons Joseph and George and his daughters Mary Ann and Eliza.  He gave his stock in trade to his sons with the son Joseph as the sole executor.

·       Possible Second Wife’s Death: not found.

·       Possible Second Wife’s Burial: March 15, 1830 St. Clement Danes, London, Middlesex (S1burial).  Listed as Lucinda Morton of 9 Clements Lane age 54.

·       Possible Second Wife’s Probate: not found.

·       Children: (all of these children are listed in their father’s will)

1.     Joseph Morton (1801-1866) – See Generation 2.

2.     George Morton (1803-1859) – See Generation 2.

3.     Mary Ann Morton (??-??). not found.

4.     Eliza Morton (??-??). not found.

 

Generation 2: Joseph Morton (1801-1866) and Madalin Lean (1802-1871)

·       Born: June 22, 1801 (S1c).

·       Baptized: July 19, 1801 St. Bride’s, Fleet Street, London (S1c).  Listed as Joseph with parents Joseph and Elizabeth Morton of No. 1 House, Falcon Court, Fleet Street.

·       Wife’s Birth and Baptism: Born July 23, 1802 and baptized August 27, 1804 Redruth, Cornwall (S1c) with parents listed as Nicholas and Maudlin Lean. 

·       Marriage: March 2, 1829 St. Anne, Soho, London Westminster (S1m).  Listed as Joseph Morton and Madalin Lean.

·       1841 Census: Craven Building, St. Clement Danes, Westminster (S4).  Listed as Joseph Morton age 40 a cutler born in the county with Madeline age 34 born in the county and 6 others ages 11 years - 6 months all born in the county: Jane Madalin, Josephine, Elizabeth, Mary Ann, Isabella and Louisa.

·       1851 Census: 2 Craven Building, St. Clement Danes, Westminster (S4).  Listed as Joseph Morton age 49 a cutler born in London, Middlesex with wife Madalin age 42 born Redruth, Cornwall and 7 children: all born in London: Jane, Josephine, Elizabeth, Mary Ann, Isabella, Louisa and Joseph U.  (Note: Joseph’s age is incorrectly listed in the census index as 42 and his son’s middle initial is incorrectly listed as M.).

·       1861 Census: 343 Oxford Street, St. James, Westminster (S4).  Listed as Joseph Morton age 68 a cutler born in London, Middlesex with wife Madalin age 53 born Redruth, Cornwall and 5 children: all born in London: Jane M., Josephine, Elizabeth, Mary Ann, Louisa and Joseph U. and 1 servant. (Note Joseph’s age appears to be a census taker error as all other information matches with earlier censuses).

·       Death: January 19, 1866 Golden Square, St. James Westminster, Middlesex (S8d), listed as Joseph Morton age 64 a cutler who died of asthma and bronchitis at 343 Oxford Street with Joseph H. Morton present at his death.  January 19, 1866 at 343 Oxford Street (S6).

·       Burial: January 27, 1866 All Souls, Kensal Green Kensington and Chelsea (S1burial).  Listed as Joseph Morton of 343 Oxford Street age 64.

·       Probate: February 27, 1866 Principal Registry (S6).  Listed as Joseph Morton late of 343 Oxford Street, Middlesex a cutler with effects under £7,000 resworn December 1866 under £8,000 proved by the oaths of son Joseph Underwood Morton a cutler and a daughter Jane Madalin Morton a spinster both of 343 Oxford Street.

·       1871 Census: 2 Gloster Place, Brixton, Lambeth (S4).  Listed as  Madaline Morton a widow age 60 a lodger and annuitant born in Redruth, Cornwall with daughter Josephine Morton unmarried age 30 independent born in St. Clement, London.

·       Wife’s Death: November 14, 1871 Brixton, Lambeth, Surrey (S8d).  Listed as Madalin Morton age 62 the widow of Joseph Morton a cutler who died of general atrophy from nervous debility at 1 Gloucester Place, Brixton with Elizabeth Treglown present at her death.

·       Wife’s Burial: November 21, 1871 All Souls, Kensal Green Kensington and Chelsea (S1burial).  Listed as Madalin Morton of 1 Gloucester Place, Brixton age 62.

·       Wife’s Probate: not found.

·       Children:

1.     Jane Madalin Morton (1830-1907).   Baptized: August 1, 1830 St. Clement Danes, Westminster (S1c), listed as Jane Madalin with parents Joseph and Madalin Morton who resided at 2 Craven Buildings with father’s occupation cutler.  1841, 1851 and 1861 Censuses: with parents (S4).  Marriage:  November 25, 1869 St. John Brixton, Surrey (S8m), listed as Jane Madalin Morton age 38 a spinster who resided in Brixton whose father was Joseph Morton a cutler and Henry Haight age 49 a bachelor and trimming seller.  Death: 4th QTR 1907 Lambeth, London (S5d). listed as Jane Madeline Haight age 77.

2.     Josephine Morton (1831-1911).  Baptized: July 20, 1831 St. Clement Danes, Westminster (S1c), listed as Josephine with parents Joseph and Madelin Morton who resided at 2 Craven Buildings with father’s occupation cutler.  1841, 1851, 1861 and 1871 Censuses: with parents (S4). Death: November 29, 1911 (S6).   Probate: December 18, 1911 London (S6), listed as Josephine Morton of 58 Solon New Road, Clapham, Surrey with effects of £851 to Joseph Morton master cutler and George Frederick Welch tailor.

3.     Joseph Morton (1833-1834).  Baptized: January 31, 1833 St. Clement Danes, Westminster (S1c), listed as Joseph with parents Joseph and Madelin Morton who resided at 2 Craven Buildings with father’s occupation cutler.  Burial: May 11, 1834 Clement Danes, Westminster (S1burial), listed as Joseph Morton age 1 year 4 months who lived a 2 Craven Buildings.

4.     Elizabeth Morton (1835-1915).  Baptized: June 7, 1835 St. Clement Danes, Westminster (S1c), listed as Elizabeth with parents Joseph and Madalin Morton who resided at 2 Craven Buildings with father’s occupation cutler.  1841 and 1851 Censuses: with parents (S4).  Married: November 29, 1860 St. James, Westminster, Middlesex (S8m), listed as Elizabeth Morton a spinster who resided at St. James whose father was Joseph Morton a cutler and Eldred Treglown a bachelor and draper.  Death: 4th QTR 1915 Willesden, Middlesex (S5d) listed as Elizabeth Treglown age 80.

5.     Mary Ann Morton (1837-??). Baptized: May 19, 1837 St. Clement Danes, Westminster (S1c), listed as Mary Ann with parents Joseph and Madalin Morton who resided at 2 Craven Buildings with father’s occupation cutler.  1841, 1851 and 1861 Censuses: with parents (S4).  Marriage: August 29, 1863 St. James, Westminster (S8m), listed as Mary Ann Morton a spinster who resided at Oxford Street whose father was Joseph Morton a cutler and George Woolley a bachelor and traveler.  Death: not found.

6.     Isabella Morton (1839-??).  Baptized: June 18, 1839 St. Clement Danes, Westminster (S1c), listed as Isabella with parents Joseph and Madeline Morton who resided at 2 Craven Buildings with father’s occupation cutler.  1841 and 1851 Censuses: with parents (S4). (Note: the baptism date is incorrectly listed in the baptism index as June 17, 1839).  Marriage: not found.  Death: not found.

7.     Louisa Morton (1841-1920).  Baptized: January 13, 1841 St. Clement Danes, Westminster (S1c), listed as Louisa with parents Joseph and Madalin Morton who resided at 2 Craven Buildings with father’s occupation cutler.  1841, 1851 and 1861 Censuses: with parents (S4).  Marriage: October 2, 1869 St. Matthew, Brixton, Lambeth, Surrey (S8m), listed as Louisa Morton age 28 a spinster who resided at St. Matthew, Brixton whose father was Joseph Morton a cutler and Matthew Samuel Faulkner age 27 a bachelor and a draper.  Death: 1st QTR 1920 Wandsworth, London (S5d), listed s Louisa Faulkner age 78.

8.     Joseph Underwood Morton (1842-1922) – See Generation 3.

9.     John Lean Morton (1845-1847).  Born: 3rd QTR 1845 Strand Union (S5b), listed as John Lean Moore with mother’s maiden name Lean.  Baptized: August 3, 1845 St. Clement Danes, Westminster (S1c), listed as John Lean with parents Joseph and Madalin Morton who resided at 2 Craven Buildings with father’s occupation cutler.  Burial: May 9, 1847 St. Clement Danes, Westminster (S1burial), listed as John Lean Morton age 1 year 9 months who resided at 2 Craven Building.

 

Generation 2: George Morton (1803-1859) and Ann Smith (c1811/13/14-1887)

·       Born: September 8, 1803 (S1c).

·       Baptized: October 2, 1803 St. Bride’s, Fleet Street, London (S1c).  Listed as George with parents Joseph and Elizabeth Morton of No. 9 Shoe Lane.

·       Marriage: September 30, 1832 St. Giles, Cripplegate, London (S1m).  Listed as George Morton and Ann Smith.

·       1841 Census: 8 Strand Place, St. Clement Danes, Westminster, London (S4).  Listed as George Morton age 37 a cutler born in the county with Ann age 27 not born in the county and 3 others ages 5 months to 5 years all born in the county: George, Joseph and Susan, and 1 servant.

·       1851 Census: 39 Cheapside, St. Mathew Friday Street, London (S4).  Listed as George Morton age 47 a cutler master born in London, Middlesex with wife Ann age 38 born in Redbourne, Staffordshire and 3 children: Joseph, Susan Ann and Mary Elizabeth.

·       Death: February 17, 1859 South London, City of London (S8d), listed as George Morton age 55 a cutler who died of atonic hemoptysis at 39 Cheapside with George Morton present at his death.  February 17, 1859 at Cheapside (S6), February 4, 1859 (S1burial).

·       Burial: Kensal Green Cemetery, London (S1burial).  Listed as George Morton who died February 4, 1859. 

·       Family Gravestone: Listed as George Morton of Cheapside who departed this life February 4th 1859 in his 56th year. (Note: this gravestone lists other family members, see their listings for more details).

·       Probate: March 12, 1859 Principal Registry (S6).  Listed as George Morton late of 39 Cheapside a cutler with effects under £3,000 proved by the oaths of George Morton and Joseph Morton both of 39 Cheapside cutlers and sons

·       1861 Census: 39 Cheapside, St. Mathew Friday Street, London (S4).  Listed as Ann Morton a widow age 48 the proprietor of houses born in Redbourne, Staffordshire with 1 daughter Susan Ann age 20 a cutler born in Westminster, Middlesex and 1 servant. (Note: the surname is incorrectly listed in the census index as Marton).

·       1871 Census: Belvue House, Ravenswood Square, Chelsea, London (S4).  Listed as Ann Morton a widow age 59 whose occupation was listed as rents of house born in Redbourne, Staffordshire with son Joseph unmarried age 59 a cutler born in Strand, Middlesex and 1 servant.  (Note: Joseph’s age appears to be a census taker error as his other information matches with other censuses).

·       1881 Census: not found.

·       Wife’s Death: June 28,1887 Mitcham, Croydon, Surrey (S8d), listed as Ann Morton age 76 the widow of George Morton a cutler who died at 4 Manor Terrace, Wallington of chronic rheumatic arthritis and hemoptysis with Joseph Morton a son in attendance.  June 25, 1887 (S1burial).

·       Wife’s Burial: Kensal Green Cemetery (S1burial).  Listed as Ann Morton who died June 25, 1887.

·       Family Gravestone:  Listed as Ann Morton wife of George Morton Senior who died June 25th 1887 age 76.

·       Wife’s Probate: not found.

·       Children:

1.     George Morton (c1835-1878) – See Generation 3.

2.     Joseph Morton (1838-1899). – See Generation 3.

3.     Susan Ann Morton (c1841-??).  Born: not found.  Family Gravestone:  listed as Susan Ann daughter of George and Ann Morton who died January 14, 1910 age 69. 1841, 1851 and 1861 Censuses: with parents (S4).

4.     Mary Elizabeth Morton (1842-??).  Born: 4th QTR 1842 Strand Union (S=GRO Online Index), listed as Mary Elizabeth Morton with mother’s maiden name Smith. 1851 Census: with parents (S4).

5.     William Morton (1845-1889). Born: 4th QTR 1845 City of London Union (S=GRO Online Index), listed as William Morton with mother’s maiden name Smith.  1881 Census: 175 Rockingham St, Sheffield, Yorkshire (S4), listed as William Morton age 35 a cutlery manufacturer born in London, Middlesex with wife Mary E. age 32 born in Sheffield, Yorkshire and 3 children: Mary E., George and William, 1 visitor and 1 servant.   Death: 2nd QTR 1889 Wortley (S=GRO online Index), listed as William Morton age 43, May 31, 1889 at Greno House (S6). (Note: Wortley is a village located in the Sheffield area).  Probate: October 9, 1889 Wakefield (S6), listed as William Morton late of Old Rockingham Works, Sheffield and of Greno House near Sheffield a cutlery manufacturer with effects £15,276 proved by Mary Elizabeth Morton of Greno House widow and Joseph William Wells of Rotherham in the county cutlery manager the executors.

 

Generation 3: George Morton (c1835-1878) and Georgina Wardell (c1834/36-1904)

·       Born: c1835 (S4) (Sc1).

·       Baptized: December 6, 1835 St. Martin in the Fields, Westminster, London (S1c).  Listed as George with parents George and Ann Morton of Crown Ct with father’s occupation listed as cutler.

·       1841 Census: with parents (S4).  Listed as George Morton age 5 born in the county.

·       1851 Census: not found.

·       Marriage: March 17, 1861 St. Giles. Cripplegate, London (S8m).  Listed as George Morton a bachelor and cutler who resided at Reddof Street whose father was George Morton a cutler and Georgian Wardell a spinster whose father was George Wardell an excise officer.

·       1861 Census: 21 Gloucester Rd, Westminster, London (S5).  Listed as George Morton age 25 a cutler born in Westminster with wife Georgina age 25 born in Paddington and 1 servant. (Note: the surname is incorrectly listed in the census index as Mostow).

·       1871 Census: 39 Cheapside, St. Mathew Friday Street, London (S4).  Listed as Geo Morton age 36 a cutler born in London, Middlesex with wife Georgina age 37 born in London, Middlesex and 1 servant.

·       Death: GRO death record not found.  February 19, 1878 Dover, Kent (S6).  February 1878 (S1burial).

·       Burial:  Kensal Green Cemetery, London (S1burial).  Listed as George Morton.

·       Family Gravestone: listed as George Morton son of the above who died February 15, 1878 aged 42.

·       Probate: April 30, 1878 Principal Registry (S6).  Listed as George Morton late of 39 Cheapside, London a cutler with effects under £3,000 to William Morton of Sheffield, York a manufacturing cutler the brother.

·       1881 Census:  1 Rossendale Terr, Folkestone, Kent (S4).  Listed as Georgina Morton a widow age 48 annuitant born in Marylebone, Middlesex with 2 boarders from Ireland. 

·       1891 Census: not found.

·       Wife’s Second Marriage: March 4, 1897 Great Yarmouth, Norfolk (S8m).  Listed as Georgina Morton age 60 a widow whose father was George Wardel an exciseman and Isaac Ditcham age 70 a widower and pensioner.

·       1901 Census:  81 Nelson Road, Yarmouth Southern, Norfolk (S4). Listed as Georgina Ditcham a widow age 68 annuitant born in Marylebone, London living with a companion.

·       Wife’s Death: February 2, 1904 Yarmouth Southern, Great Yarmouth (S8d).  Listed as Georgiana Ditcham age 75 the widow of Isaac Ditcham a lightsman trinity service who died at 67 Lancaster Road of mitral disease and alcoholism.  (Note: her age appears to be an error).

·       Wife’s Burial: February 5, 1904 Great Yarmouth (S1burial).  Listed as Georgiana Ditcham of 67 Lancaster Rd age 75. (Note: her age appears to be an error).

·       Wife’s Probate: not found.

·       Children: none

 

Generation 3: Joseph Morton (c1838-1899) and Matilda Fucesly (c1844-1914)

·       Born: c1838 (S1c)

·       Baptized: October 7, 1838 St. Clement Danes, London (S1c).  Listed as Joseph with parents George and Ann Morton who resided at 8 Thanet Place with father’s occupation listed as cutler.

·       1841 Census: with parents (S4). Listed as Joseph Morton age 2 born in the county.

·       1851 Census: with parents (S4). Listed as Joseph Morton age 12 a scholar born in Westminster, Middlesex.

·       1861 Census: 7 George Cottages, Blackstone Lane, Islington, Middlesex (S4).  Listed as Joseph Morton age 22 an unmarried lodger and cutler born in Westminster, London living in the household of Charles B. Southern age 43 a gardener.

·       1871 Census: with mother (S4).  Listed as Joseph Morton age 59 unmarried a cutler born in Strand, Middlesex. (Note: his age appears to be a census taker error).

·       Marriage:  September 9, 1871 St. Peter’s, Hammersmith, Middlesex (S8m).  Listed as Joseph Morton a bachelor and cutler who resided at Ravensworth Square, St. Peter’s Hammersmith whose father was George Morton a cutler and Matilda Facesly a spinster.

·       1881 Census: 117 Carshalton Hill The Chestnuts, Epson, Surrey (S4).  Listed as Joseph Morton age 42 a cutler employing 5 men born at St. Clements, Middlesex with wife Matilda age 37 born in Adelaide, S. Australia and 3 children: Dora, Katie and Henry and 2 servants.

·       1891 Census: 20 St. Columb, Enfield, Middlesex (S4).  Listed as Joseph Morton age 52 a cutler employer born in Strand, London with wife Matilde age 47 born in Adelaide, S. Australia and 3 children: Theodore M., Katherine M. and Henry J. and 2 visitors and 2 servants.

·       Death: July 25, 1899 Hampstead, London (S8d), listed as Joseph Morton age 60 a master cutler who died at 55 Parliament Hill of cerebral hemorrhage with H. J. Morton a son the informant.  July 25, 1899 at 55 Parliament Hill (S6).

·       Burial: July 25, 1899 Kensal Green Cemetery, Kensington (S1burial).  Listed as Joseph Morton born in 1839.

·       Family Gravestone:  Listed as Joseph Morton second son of George and Ann Morton who died July 25, 1899 aged 60.

·       Probate: August 21, 1899 London (S6).  Listed as Joseph Morton of 55 Parliament Hill Hampstead, Middlesex and of 39 Cheapside, London a cutler with effects £3,544 to Matilda Morton widow.

·       1901 Census: 18 Nasington Rd, Hampstead, London (S4).  Listed as Matilda Morton a widow age 57 a cutler shopkeeper employer born in Australia with 3 children: Theo. M., Katherine and Henry J. and 2 servants.

·       1911 Census: 28 The Pryors, East Heath Rd, Hampstead Heath, London (S4).  Listed as Mathilde Morton age 67 a widow and cutler dealer employer born in Adelaide, Australia with daughter Theodora Matilda Morton age 38 single born in Norwood, Surrey and 1 servant.

·       Wife’s Death: May 26,1914 Hampstead, London (S8d), listed as Mathilde Morton age 71 the widow of Joseph Morton a master cutler who died at The Pryors East Heath Road of pneumonia and cardiac failure with her daughter Theodora M. Morton present at her death.  May 26, 1914 (S6).

·       Wife’s Burial: not found.

·       Wife’s Probate:  June 26, 1914 London (S6).  Listed as Mathilde Morton of 28 the Pryors, Hampstead Heath, Middlesex a widow with effects £1,518 resworn £2,275 to Henry Joseph Morton accountant.

·       Children:

1.     Theodora Matilda Morton (1872- ??).  Born: 3rd QTR 1872 Croydon (S=GRO Online Index), listed as Theodora Matilda Morton with mother’s maiden name Fuesshy.  1881, 1891 and 1901 Censuses: with parents (S4).

2.     Katherine Johanna Matilda Morton (1873-??).  Born: 4th QTR 1875 Kensington (S=GRO Online Index), listed as Katherine Johanna Matilda Morton with mother’s maiden name Fuessly.  1881, 1891, 1901 and 1911 Censuses: with parents (S4).

3.     Henry Joseph Morton (1875-??).  Born: 4th QTR 1875 Epsom (S=GRO Online Index), listed as Henry Joseph Morton with mother’s maiden name Fueesly.  1881, 1891 and 1901 Censuses: with parents (S4).  Marriage: October 6, 1908 St. Peter’s Church, Hampstead, London (S8m), listed as Henry Joseph Morton age 33 a bachelor and chartered accountant who resided at 28 The Pryors, Hampstead Heath whose father was Joseph Morton deceased a cutler and Edith Mary Limebeer age 31 a spinster. (Note: the marriage index lists the marriage place as Belsize Park, Campden whereas the actual record lists St. Peter’s, Hampstead).

 

Generation 3: Joseph Underwood Morton (1842-1922) and Martha Ann Robertson (c1846-c1901-11)

·       Born: 2nd QTR 1842 Strand Union, London (S=GRO Online Index).  Listed as Joseph Underwood Morton with mother’s maiden name Lion.

·       Baptized: June 12, 1842 St. Clement Danes, Westminster (S1c), listed as Joseph Underwood with parents Joseph and Madelin Morton who resided at 2 Craven Buildings with father’s occupation cutler.

·       1851 Census: with parents (S4).  Listed as Joseph U. Morton age 8 born in London, Middlesex. (Note: Joseph’s middle initial is incorrectly listed in the census index as M.).

·       1861 Census: with parents (S4).  Listed as Joseph U. Morton age 18 born in London, Middlesex.

·       Marriage: September 7, 1867 St. James, Piccadilly, Westminster, London (S8m).  Listed as Joseph Underwood Morton a bachelor and cutler who resided at St. James whose father was Joseph Morton a cutler deceased and Martha Ann Robertson a spinster.

·       1871 Census: 343 Oxford Street, St. James, Westminster, London (S4).  Listed as Joseph U. Morton age 28 a cutler born in St. Clements Danes with wife Martha A. age 24 born in St. James Middlesex and 2 children: George E. and Arthur and 2 servants. (Note: Joseph’s middle initial is incorrectly listed in the census index as M and his son George is incorrectly listed as age 24).

·       1881 Census: 204 Rosslyn, Richmond, Surrey (S4).  Listed as Joseph U. Morton age 38 a cutlery manufacturer born in London with wife Martha A. age 34 born in London and 3 children: Bruce T., Patty M, and Edith M., and 2 visitors and 3 servants.  (Note: Joseph’s middle initial is incorrectly listed in the census index as N).

·       1891 Census: 53 Rosslyn House, Kew Road, Richmond, Surrey (S4).  Listed as Joseph U. Morton age 48 a cutler employer born at St. Martins, London with wife Martha A. age 44 born at St. James, London and 2 children: Pattie M. and Edith M. and 1 visitor, 1 companion and 2 servants.  (Note: Joseph’s middle initial is incorrectly listed in the census index as N. and 3 servants and 12 others from the two houses next door are incorrectly listed as with the Morton family in the census index).

·       1899 The Cutler Lodge Membership: Initiated February 9, 1899.  Listed as Joseph Underwood Morton of 223 Oxford Street, cutler.

·       1901 Census: 24 Marilla, Kensington, London (S4).  Listed as Joseph W. Morton age 54 a cutler employer born at London with wife Martha A. age 54 born at St. James, London and 1 child: Edith M., 1 daughter-in-law Mona L Morton and 1 grand-daughter Florence Morton and 1 servant.

·       Wife’s Death: not found.

·       Wife’s Burial: not found.

·       Wife’s Probate: not found.

·       1911 Census: 12 Parsons Green Lane, South Fulham, London (S4).  Listed as Joseph Underwood Morton age 67 a widower and a cutlery seller living on own account born in  London living with the William age 56 and Georgina age 54 Masson family.

·       1921 Census: 29 Rostrevor Rd, Fulham, Middlesex (S4).  Listed as Joseph Underwood Morton age 78 a widow with no occupation born in London, Middlesex with his niece living with him: Lily Bertha Belmont age 44 a drapers sales woman with Liberty & Co Regent Street born in Brompton, Middlesex.

·       Death: February 18, 1922 South Fulham, Fulham, London (S8d).  Listed as Joseph Underwood Morton age 78 a retired master cutler who died at 4 Dancer Road of fibroid degeneration of the heart with L. B. Belmont a niece present at his death.

·       Burial: not found.

·       Probate: not found.

·       Children:

1.     Joseph Alexander Morton (1868-1870).  Born: 2nd QTR 1868 Saint James, Westminster (S=GRO Online Index), listed as Joseph Alexander Morton with mother’s maiden name Robertson.   Death: 3rd QTR 1870 Westminster, Saint James, (S=GRO Online Index), listed as Joseph Alexander Morton age 2.

2.     George Ernest Morton (1869-??).  Born: 3rd QTR 1869 Westminster, St, James (S=GRO Online Index), listed as George Ernest Morton with mother’s maiden name Robertson.  1871 Census: with parents (S4).

3.     Arthur Morton (1870-??). Born: 4th QTR 1870 Westminster (S=GRO Online Index), listed as Arthur Morton with mother’s maiden name Robertson.  1871 Census: with parents (S4).  Marriage:  April 26, 1899 St. Mark, Notting Hill, Kensington, London (S8m), listed as Arthur Morton age 28 a bachelor and traveler whose father was Joseph Underwood Morton a cutler and Ethel Milford Davidson age 25 a spinster.

4.     Pattie Maud Morton (1872-??).  Born: 4th QTR 1872 Westminster (S=GRO Online Index), listed as Pattie Maud Morton with mother’s maiden name Robertson. 1881 and 1891 Censuses: with parents (S4).

5.     Joseph Alexander Morton (1875-1876).  Born: 2nd QTR 1875 Westminster (S=GRO Online Index), listed as Joseph Alexander Morton with mother’s maiden name Robertson.   Death: 1st QTR 1876 Westminster (S=GRO Online Index), listed as Joseph Alexander Morton age 1.

6.     Edith Mary Morton (1877-??).  Born: 3rd QTR 1877 Westminster (S=GRO Online Index), listed as Edith Mary Morton with mother’s maiden name Robertson.  1881, 1891 and 1901 Censuses: with parents (S4).

7.      Bruce Talbert Morton (1879-??).  Born: 4th QTR 1879 Richmond, Surrey (S=GRO Online Index), listed as Bruce Talbert Morton with mother’s maiden name Robertson. 1881 Census: with parents (S4). 

 

 

 

Avery Needle Cases with the Morton name

1.     Quad-Eclectic - Bent Arm in Oval - Mechanical patent #3517 registered November 19, 1868 by William Avery, needle manufacturer, and Albert Fenton, machinist, from Redditch (S=British Library - Business and Intellectual Property Centre, London).  No example of this has been seen by the author and is only listed here because it is mentioned in the 1990 book entitled Victorian Brass Needlecases by Estelle Horowitz and Ruth Mann where they claim it was stamped J. & G. Morton 39 Cheapside, London.

2.     Quad-Golden Casket - Butterfly on Leaf stamped Morton 39 Cheapside - Mechanical patent #3517 registered November 19, 1868 by William Avery, needle manufacturer, and Albert Fenton, machinist, from Redditch (S=British Library - Business and Intellectual Property Centre, London).

3.     Quad-Golden Casket - Fleur-di-Lis - examples stamped G. &. J. Morton Cutlers 39 Cheapside and stamped J. & G. Morton Cutlers 39 Cheapside have been found - Mechanical patent #3517 registered November 19, 1868 by William Avery, needle manufacturer, and Albert Fenton, machinist, from Redditch (S=British Library - Business and Intellectual Property Centre, London).