John Morton, Signer of the Declaration of Independence

By Margie Wilson, descendant

Skagit Valley Genealogical Society member

A common misconception that many people have is that all of the colonists were of British descent. But, in the Delaware/Pennsylvania area in the mid-1600s there was a small colony formed called “New Sweden.” These colonists were of Finnish descent but ruled by Sweden at the time, so considered “Swedish.”

Thus, in 1654, my Finnish immigrant ancestor, Mӧrten Mӧrtensen, from Rautalampi, Finland, arrived on the shores of Delaware as part of Sweden’s interests in founding a colony in the New World.

Mӧrten Mӧrtensen’s (many spelling variations of his first and last named recorded) original log cabin still stands today, protected by the National Park Service, located just south of the Philadelphia airport. In fact, it was the Finns who brought the log cabin architecture to America.

Mӧrten Mӧrtensen’s great-grandson, John Morton, was a surveyor, farmer, self-taught lawyer, and well respected in the community of Ridley Park, Pennsylvania. John Morton’s political career spanned being elected county sheriff, a justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, and elected to the 1^st Continental Congress.

John Morton was opposed to war with Britain. Instead, he tried to convince King George III that the many grievances the American colonists had against the British governing of the colonies, could perhaps be listened to and reconciled by some alterative to all out war between the colonies and Great Britain. To John’s disappointment, King George III never responded to any of his many letters of appeal to avoid a military conflict.

On that fateful day, July 2, 1776, at the meeting of the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, the delegates gathered to vote, for or against, breaking away from British rule. The history of that decision reflects the immense pressure that must have been felt by the delegates assembled. Their vote would declare war with the greatest military power in existence at that time.

When it was Continental Congress delegate, John Morton’s time to vote, he could no longer hope for reconciliation between the colonists and the king. All the colonies had voted. The vote was tied yes for independence, or no, to continue under the abuses of King George III. Since delegate Morton had been so intend on avoiding war, when it was now his turn to vote, his fellow delegates were uncertain as to how he will vote.

My ancestor, John Morton of Pennsylvania, cast the deciding vote for independence from British rule. He was the 17^th signer of the Declaration of Independence as a delegate for Pennsylvania, along with James Wilson and Benjamin Franklin, also from Pennsylvania.

Sadly, not much is told about John Morton and his courageous decision for independence. John Morton’s distinction became that “he was the first signer to die.” John died in April 1777. In biographies of that time, he is said to have died of “brain fever.” But many believe it was the intense stress and the fallout from his July 2^nd, 1776 decision that led to his early death at age 53. Respected by his community for his integrity and years of service as a lawyer and justice of the Supreme Court. After John Morton’s July 2^nd, 1776 vote, that swung the decision to split from British rule, his neighbors and even friends turned against him. This reversal of support and affection from his neighbors deeply concerned him. Remember that most of his neighbors were Finnish descendants but also Quakers, who held pacifism as their beliefs. So, a declaration of war with Britain, their former homeland turned them away from their friendship with John Morton.

Because John Morton died in 1777 his signature does not appear on the United States Constitution, like so many of his fellow signers of the Declaration of Independence lived to sign.

My direct ancestral connection to John Morton is through his eldest daughter Mary Morton. Mary married yet another Finnish immigrant family named Justus. (Mary Morton married Charles Justus, later spelled Justis (no “c”). The generations of Justis family descendants stayed mainly in the eastern Pennsylvania region, focused in Philadelphia as well as Lancaster County.

From the Philadelphia Daily News (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) Saturday July 5, 1969 page 5

I apologize for the short notice on this movie event.  The attached flier is pretty self-explanatory however I’ll include a few comments.  The movie “The American Miracle” will be presented on June 14, 2026 by:

Sponsors:

The Seattle Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolutions, and

The Rainier Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution

Along with the movie, author and nationally syndicated commentator Michael Medved with the movie’s executive producer Ralf Augstroze will introduce the movie and provide perspective on its meaning and the making of the movie.

Before and after the movie guest will be able to tour the Rainier Chapter House, a replica of George Washington’s beloved Mount Vernon home, that was built in 1925 by the Daughters of the American Revolution.  Historical artifacts and an extensive flag exhibit will be on display along with a number of displays by the SAR, DAR, CAR, and Girl Scout. 

Location:

DAR Rainier Chapter House

800 E Roy Street, Seattle, Washington

Time:

The Rainier House will open at 1:00, movie introduction at 2:15, and movie at 3:00.  

Tickets:

Admission is free but please sign in for the event at Eventbrite by clicking here or use the QR code shown at the attached flier.

Concessions will be available for sale.

America 250 – Joseph Guess by Angela Michener

Joseph Guess was born about 1762 in Fairfax, County in the Colony of Virginia. His family moved to Orange County, in the Province of North Carolina when he was young and he was drafted in the local militia when he was of “age”, usually 16. He served as a private for 9 months in the New Levies (emergency conscripted soldiers in 1778 and 1779 authorized by the North Carolina General Assembly) under Capt. William Jamieson and Lt. Col. Archibald Lytle. They marched to Charlotte, then on to South Carolina; Charleston, Purrysburg, Two Sisters and Turkey Hill on the Savannah River. He was discharged at a place called Stono, according to his pension information.

A short time after his discharge, he was again drafted as a private and served for 3 months under Capt. Davis Gresham, Lt. Col. Thomas Taylor and Col. Francois DeMalmedy in the North Carolina Light Dragoons. The Dragoons were trained to fight on both horseback and foot, playing a crucial role in the American Revolution. They went against the Tories on the Pee Dee River and had many skirmishes with them. The prisoners they took were sent to Gen. Henry William Harrington, who was in the field not far from them.

Joseph Guess was my 5th great grandfather. He applied for a Revolutionary War pension and was placed on the pension roll on 14 March 1833. He died on 13 Jan 1835 in Caldwell, Kentucky. There is no marriage record and in order to continue to receive his pension, his widow Constance (Taylor), appeared in the Princeton, Kentucky courthouse on 17 May 1841 and testified under oath that she and Joseph were married on 11 Jan 1785 in North Carolina.

Angela Michener, Yakima Valley Genealogical Society

Jan Wells Minzel’s DAR Revolutionary War Soldier ancestor is Ichabod Brown from Rhode Island, my 4^th Great Grandfather. He was commissioned by Gov. Greene of Rhode Island in 1779. He was appointed ensign in 1779 of the 1^st Cumberland company 2^nd regiment, of the Rhode Island militia. He served as a Sargent for Rhode Island under Capt. Weatherhead and Col. John Mathewson.

He was born on April 1745 in Smithfield, Rhode Island and died on September 16, 1828, in Farmington, New York. He married Hannah Ballou on November 9, 1777, in Cumberland, Mass. Their daughter, Rhoby Brown, married my 3^rd great grandfather, Joseph L. Wells, on October 27, 1803, in Manchester, New York.

By Jan Wells Minzel, a member of the Mason County and Olympia Genealogical Societies.

THE DAY FAMILY IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR by Carol Gillies Handke.

The Day Line. Robert Day, Mary Day, Capt. Day etal Page 2

Contributed by Anna Kent Winsemiusm, Grand Rapids, Mich

-My 7X great grandfather, 6 of his 8 sons, and a son-in-law, all served in the Revolutionary War. This is something our family is very proud of. Here is a copy of their Bible records:——————-

Children of Robert Day:

Mary, M.Capt. Eleazor Warren, and D.Jul.8, 1744

II. Sarah, Bap. Sept.23, 1722

III. David

IV. James (mentioned below)

V. Elizabeth, Bap. 1717, M. Ar.Whitmore

VI. Patience, B.Sept. 1717, M.John, son of Andrew Phillips

VII. Jonathan, B. 1719, D. Jul. 6, 1745

VIII. Robert, B.1719 (Sept 23, 1722)

IX. Susanah

X. Thomas, B. Feb 19, 1727

James (2) son of Robert (2) Day, was born about 1717, died in

Killingly, Conn. Dec. 25, 1782.

His tombstone has this inscription:

“I sought the Lord in early youth,

nor did I seek in vain;

He leads me in the path of truth

and great has been my gain”

He was a blacksmith by trade; married in 1740 to

Mary Parkhurst, of Plainfield, Conn. B. about 1721,

D. in Killingly Jul, 28, 1818, aged 97 years, Bur. Dayvill

Children:

1. Nathan, Bap. Jul 28, 1744 in Putnam Heights Church

Was a Corporal in Capt. Jas.Cady’s Co. the 3^rd, 11^th.Regt

Moved to Granville, N.Y. M. in Brooklyn, Conn. Sept.20

1770, Hannah Hewitt

2. Jonathan, bap.Mar.12, 1745, Corp. in Revolution

3. Elias, B.Sept.25, 1746 “ “ “

4. Mary, B. Mar21, 1753

5. Thomas, B.Jun 19^th, 1755 Private “ “

6. John, B. Mar. 12, 1757 “ “ “

7. James, B.Aug 23, 1758

8. Asa, B.Jul 23, 1760 “ “ “

9. David, B. Jul 20, 1762

James Day (1717-1782)was the father of this family, son of Robert Day and Elizabeth Dresser. He married Mary Ann Parkhurst in 1740. Their children were born between 1744 and 1762. When the Revolutionary War began, he was 59 years old. James was one of the Connecticut men who marched to Boston for the relief of the town in the Lexington Alarm. He was recruited from New Haven and served as Adjutant to Col. Samuel Parsons, Sixth Regiments. James was commissioned on May 30, 1775. He also served in the Battle of Long Island, New York in 1776. James remained stationed in the Hudson River area until his term of service expired on December 31, 1776.

Children of James and Mary Ann Parkhurst:

1. Nathan Day (1744-1821). He married Hannah Hewitt in 1770. They had 3 children before he served in the Revolutionary War. In 1776 he was a Corporal in Capt. Jas. Cady’s Co when they marched from Connecticut to West Chester, New York. There are no records of how long Nathan served, but he was home by 1777 when his 4^th child was born and in 1779 when their 5^th child was born. He re-enlisted in 1780 as Private in Capt. Stillwell’s company. He was on the muster roll for August 1780 as a “Waggoner.” Nathan was discharged in 1781 at 37 years old. Four more children were born after his discharge but two died young. In 1790 Nathan and his family moved to Granville, New York with the State Bounty Land Grants. He became Deacon of the First Presbyterian Church. Nathan’s wife Hannah died in 1796. Nathan died in 1821 at 77 years old.

2. Jonathan Day (1745-1825). He may have married Tamar May, but records are sketchy. There is no record of children. The family Bible and headstone shows that he was a Corporal in the Revolutionary War. Compiled war records state that he was a Private in Capt. David Cady’s company and also with Capt. Ephriam Warren’s company with the Connecticut militia. Jonathan was a pensioner in 1818. He died in 1825 at 80 years old.

3. Elias Day (1745-1838). Elias was a private in the 9^th and 18^th Connecticut Regiments, at one time under Capt. Abraham Mead. He signed up as early as August 13, 1776. After the war he married Percey “Esther” Blanchard in 1781. They had 7 children. They moved to Dayville, CT, the town named after his brother John Day, in about 1830. Elias’ wife Esther died in 1815. He died in 1838 at age 92.

4. Mary Day (1753-~1820. She married Nathaniel Maine and they had 5 children. Her husband was a Corporal in Capt. Dixon’s company.

5. Thomas Day (1755-1830). He was a private under Capt. Crosby. Records also show him with the Wadsworth Brigade and Johnson’s Regiment in 1778. After his military service he married Susannah Buck in 1783. They had 10 children. Thomas was one of the Deacons at Brandy Hill Baptist Church in Thompson, CT. He died in 1830 at 75 years old.

6. John Day (1756-1838). There are records that he was in Capt. Warren’s Company. After his time served, John married Annis Bowman on Jan. 25, 1781. John and Annis had eleven children. On Oct. 17, 1793, he was commissioned Captain of the local militia by Governor Samual Huntington. The village of Dayville, CT, near Killingly was named after John. He built the first house there, about 1830. He also built and operated a small mill. Capt. Day bought himself a large tract of land in East Brooklyn, where his brother Thomas was a Deacon. John took a prominent part in local affairs and was very successful in his business ventures. John died on March 10, 1838. Annis died 10 years later in 1848.

7. James Day Jr. (1758-1808). James Jr. was 18 years old when the Revolutionary War began. There are no records that show that he served. Perhaps his mother needed at least one son to stay home. It appears that his sister Mary was still living there. There are also no records that he married, although there are some incorrect records that he married Deborah Carter in Pennsylvania. He lived in Connecticut and it’s unlikely that he traveled that far to meet her. James died in 1808 at 50 years old.

8. Asa Day (1760 – dec). Asa signed up as a private in 1778 at 17 years old in Johnson’s Regiment of militia. Records are sketchy but he may have been a Capt-Lt in Capt. Elisha Elys’ company on Sept 1, 1780. On August 7, 1782 he was a Captain. Some family trees state that he died before 1783 in England, but there are no records to prove that.

9. David Day (1762-1831). David was 13 years old when the Revolutionary War started and did not serve in the military. He married 1) Lurana Warren in 1788. They had 2 children. Lurana died in 1793 at 24 years old when the youngest child was 6 months old. David married 2) Sarah Sharpe 5 years later in 1798. They had 5 children together. He died on Apr 27, 1831 in Dayville.

My soldiers are so far:

Hugh Truesdale, Pvt., Pennsylvania

David Hunnel, Pvt., New Jersey

Josiah Woodworth Sr., Pvt. Connecticut

Nathaniel Cox Sr., Pvt. Massachusetts (Maine)

Most notable was Nathaniel Cox:

Nathaniel Cox Sr served in the Revolutionary War in Col. McCobb’s Regiment, Brig. Gen. Warner’s Brigade. His name appears in a list titled “Revolutionary Soldiers to the Eastward – A list of the men mustered by Stephen Smith, Muster Master, on the 24th day of July 1777, in Col. McCobb’s Regiment. In Brigadier General Warner’s Brigade.” [Source: Bangor Historical Magazine, Vol. IV, No. 6, Dec 1888, p. 119]

Concerning Nathaniel Cox Sr’s war service, Tibbets and Lamson wrote, “During the Revolutionary times there was active support for the Colonial cause, and a number of Pleasant River men took part in the Battle of the Margaretta 12 June 1775 (4 men from Pleasant River shared in Margaretta prize money of 18 pounds each – Samuel Knowles, Nathaniel Cox, James Nash, & Richard Earl).” [Source: “Early Pleasant River Families of Washington County, Maine,” Picton Press, 1997, p. xxii]

The Battle of Machias, the naval battle involving the capture of the British schooner Margaretta, has been described in detail by George F. Talbot in the Bangor Historical Magazine, Vol III, No. IX, March 1888, pp. 161-167. It is also described on this website: https://www.thoughtco.com/american-revolution-battle-of-machias-2361161

Nathaniel Cox Sr. was also a Mayflower descendant of Allerton & Warren

As for Josiah Woodworth Sr., his family was from Connecticut and as a child he moved with his parents to Nova Scota after the British kick the French out. As an adult he returned to Connecticut and fought against the British during the Rev. War. He never returned to his family. He moved to New York after the war.

By Roger Newman