Foreword Bradwell in the High Peak of Derbyshire Thomas Morton, Part 1 1744 - 1810 Thomas Morton, Part 2 1744 - 1810 |
This research project started in 2004 as part of a larger family history project relating to the Watkins of Nottinghamshire and Sheffield. My father, Geoffrey Watkin had married Jean Hall Morton from Bradwell in 1946.
During the course of my research – 99% on the internet! – I established contact with a number of Morton relatives who were previously unknown. Their help, guidance and support provided a vast amount of data that justified a separate Morton “Family Tree”.
Seth Evans, in his book “Bradwell: Ancient and Modern”, refers to the Morton family of Bradwell as:
“……A famous family whose sons have gone out into all parts of the world, many of whom have distinguished themselves, especially in the Army and Nonconformist ministry. They were for centuries connected with lead-mining and they were prominent people here in the year 1472, and have taken active part in the life of their native place through all these centuries…….. They have been freeholders for centuries………”
I am not sure of the family’s origins. Various postings and articles on the Internet suggest that the Morton line is descended from Robert de Mortaine, Earl of Cornwall and Moreton who was half brother and companion to William the Conqueror at Hastings in 1066. Robert de Mortaine was born c.1031 in Normandy, France and died on 8th December 1090.
A nice conceit!!
I have been able to trace the Mortons of Bradwell back to Miles Morton, born c.1703 in Bradwell and his wife, Hellen Hallom. However, there are other Bradwell Mortons who have appeared in this research project to whom I can find no familial links. I am sure that these links exist – I just haven’t yet found them!
Whilst I have received tremendous help from a number of people, I am convinced that there are distant relatives out there who can help to part the mists of time, correct the many errors (for which I take sole responsibility!) and help take this family history to the next stage.
If anybody out there on the World Wide Web can help me to update this history of the Mortons of Bradwell, I – and all the other Mortons and Morton relatives – would be very grateful.
I hope you find this interesting and look forward to hearing from you soon.
Kindest Regards
John Watkin PO Box 1505 Applecross Western Australia 6953
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