John Morton
John Morton was born in Ridley, Delaware County, Pennsylvania 1724. His ancestors came from Sweden at an early period and settled on the bank of the Delaware River near Philadelphia. John's father, of the same Christian name, married Mary Richards when he was young and died before his majority. The widow subsequently married John Sketchly, an intelligent Englishman who proved a good husband and kind stepfather.Young Morton continued with his faithful guardian until manhood dawned upon him, aiding in agriculture and surveying, constantly storing his mind with sound knowledge of testing theory by practice. In 1764, Morton was commissioned a justice of the peace and shortly after was elected to the Assembly of his native state. He soon became conspicuous and was subsequently speaker of the House during several sessions. Morton took a deep interest in the welfare of his country and was a member of the Congress assembled in New York in 1765 to concert measures for the repeal of the odious Stamp Act.
In 1767, he became the sheriff of his county, which station he ably filled for three years. About this time, he married Anne Justis of the State of Delaware, who was worthy to be the wife of a patriot and contributed mainly to his happiness throughout his life.
In July 1774, Morton was elected a member of the Congress convening in Philadelphia the following September. The grand object of that Congress was to make a last and noble effort to effect a reconciliation between the two countries and heal instead of increasing the unfortunate breach.
In May 1775, Judge Morton took his seat in Congress but ended his career in July 1776. He died in April 1777 and was buried in the cemetery of St. James Church in Chester, Pennsylvania.