This past week has been tremendous for me. Last Sunday I discovered a great deal about my great great great great uncle James Morton (1808-1864). He came to Kingston, Ontario Canada June 24, 1824. When he arrived he worked for Molson as an apprentice for 7 years. After that he went into a partnership with Robert Drummond. After Mr Drummond died James bought him out and continued on his own and called it "Morton's Distillery".
His distillery continued till 1900. It is now an art center owned and operated by the City of Kingston.
James Morton was a man of many interests and became a very rich and important man in Kingston. For more information on him here are several links that are fascinating:
http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01-e.php?&id_nbr=4615
His distillery continued till 1900. It is now an art center owned and operated by the City of Kingston.
James Morton was a man of many interests and became a very rich and important man in Kingston. For more information on him here are several links that are fascinating:
http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01-e.php?&id_nbr=4615
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| This is an artistic depiction of Morton's brewery. |
So my great great great grandfather George Morton (1815-1893) came to Canada with his Uncle James after Uncle James had established himself in Kingston.
According to my great grandfather's life account he said that George Morton boght land in the Barriefield area, had many children (Robert was his second born) and then desired more land so he bought 100 acres in Picton County a mile and a half from Milford.
While I was researching this I saw an Evan Morton on-line who is the curator of the Tweed Museum and remembered the name. Evan Morton's grandfather is David Morton who is the older brother of my great great great grandfather George who came over thanks to the support of James Morton. Our family will be going up to Tweed in two weeks to meet cousin Evan and learn more about our Morton ancestors. I am so thrilled. One of the highlights of our conversation was that Evan remembers Eliza Aurelia Hall who married Robert Morton.
I look forward to reporting my findings about these great pioneers of our country.
Thanks for a fascinating post. I spent much time working at both the theatres located on the former Morton Distillery site, with many fond memories.
ReplyDeleteYou might be interested in knowing that the site is now owned by Queen's University how are currently building a new performing arts centre on the site. This has sadly displaced the previous theatres and other groups who were residents there.