Marcus Morton
Encyclopedia
Marcus Morton was a lawyer, jurist, and politician from Taunton, Massachusetts
. He represented Massachusetts
in the United States House of Representatives
and served two terms as 16th and 18th Governor of Massachusetts
, as well as a portion of an unexpired term in 1825, as Acting Governor.
Morton was born in East Freetown, Massachusetts
to Nathaniel and Mary (Cary) Morton. He received his early education at home, at age fourteen being placed under the Rev. Calvin Chaddock at Rochester, Massachusetts
for further instruction. In 1801 he entered Brown University
with the sophomore class, came to adopt Jeffersonian ideas, and graduated in 1804. He then read law at Taunton for a year in the office of Judge Seth Padelford, after which he entered Tapping Reeve's law school in Litchfield, Connecticut
(where he was a schoolmate of John C. Calhoun
). Moving back to Taunton, he was admitted to the Norfolk
bar in 1807 and began practising. On December 23 of that year he married Charlotte Hodges, with whom he had twelve children. He received his LL. D. from Brown in 1826, and again (as an honorary degree) from Harvard University
in 1840.
After serving as clerk of the Massachusetts Senate
, Morton was elected as a Democratic-Republican
to the House of Representatives in 1816 and served from 1817 until 1821. He lost his seat in the election of 1820.
In 1823 Morton served on the Massachusetts Governor's Council
and became Lieutenant Governor the following year. He served briefly as acting Governor after William Eustis
died in office in 1825. Later that year he was named as associate justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
, and served there until 1840. As a judge he showed ready knowledge of legal principles, sound judgment in applying them, patience, courtesy, and strength of character.
From 1824 to 1848 there were two well-defined political camps in Massachusetts. The conservative Whigs
were made up of wealthy aristocrats, shipowners, bankers, and manufacturers, largely concentrated in Boston. The more liberal and progressive Democratic-Republicans (who became known as the Democrats
in this period) consisted of farmers, workers, and recent immigrants. Morton headed the latter group, and each year from 1828 to 1843 he ran for Governor on its ticket. He defeated Edward Everett
in 1839 by one vote, and the Senate
chose him over John Davis in 1842, as neither man obtained a majority. As Governor he secured retrenchment in public expenditures, reduced the number of Supreme Judicial Court
justices from five to three, and abolished the right of appeal from the court of common pleas to the SJC except on questions of law, this privilege having made the administration of justice slow, expensive, and uncertain.
In 1845 President Polk
appointed Morton collector of the port of Boston; he served four years. In 1848
he refused to run for Vice President
with Van Buren
, as he could not bring himself to bolt his party. However, his life-long opposition to slavery led him to join the Free Soil Party
. He was a delegate of that party to the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention of 1853
, and was elected on its ticket to the Massachusetts House of Representatives
in 1858, serving one term.
Morton was a man of unquestioned honesty, whose poise, serenity, and character made him generally admired. In his championship of the lower classes, his distrust of over-large corporations, and his advocacy of shorter working hours he was a man ahead of his time (perhaps accounting for his somewhat sporadic level of political success). He was an overseer of Harvard University
for thirty-two years.
Morton died at home in Taunton in 1864 and was buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery
there. His home in Taunton later became the original building of Morton Hospital and Medical Center
. The Morton House in Taunton was demolished in the 1960s during hospital expansion.
His son, also named Marcus
, was also a lawyer and would follow him on the state's supreme court. His daughter, Frances, was the mother of novelist Octave Thanet
.
Taunton, Massachusetts
Taunton is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. It is the seat of Bristol County and the hub of the Greater Taunton Area. The city is located south of Boston, east of Providence, north of Fall River and west of Plymouth. The City of Taunton is situated on the Taunton River...
. He represented Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
in the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
and served two terms as 16th and 18th Governor of Massachusetts
Governor of Massachusetts
The Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the executive magistrate of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, United States. The current governor is Democrat Deval Patrick.-Constitutional role:...
, as well as a portion of an unexpired term in 1825, as Acting Governor.
Morton was born in East Freetown, Massachusetts
East Freetown, Massachusetts
East Freetown is one of two villages in the town of Freetown, Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. Added to the town in 1747, East Freetown was originally an outpost settlement of Tiverton, Rhode Island, then a part of Massachusetts. It rests on the shore of Long Pond.- History :East...
to Nathaniel and Mary (Cary) Morton. He received his early education at home, at age fourteen being placed under the Rev. Calvin Chaddock at Rochester, Massachusetts
Rochester, Massachusetts
Rochester is a town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 5,232 at the 2010 census.-History:Rochester was settled in 1679 on the lands called "Sippican" by the local Wampanoags, along the coast of Buzzards Bay...
for further instruction. In 1801 he entered Brown University
Brown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
with the sophomore class, came to adopt Jeffersonian ideas, and graduated in 1804. He then read law at Taunton for a year in the office of Judge Seth Padelford, after which he entered Tapping Reeve's law school in Litchfield, Connecticut
Litchfield, Connecticut
Litchfield is a town in and former county seat of Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States, and is known as an affluent summer resort. The population was 8,316 at the 2000 census. The boroughs of Bantam and Litchfield are located within the town...
(where he was a schoolmate of John C. Calhoun
John C. Calhoun
John Caldwell Calhoun was a leading politician and political theorist from South Carolina during the first half of the 19th century. Calhoun eloquently spoke out on every issue of his day, but often changed positions. Calhoun began his political career as a nationalist, modernizer, and proponent...
). Moving back to Taunton, he was admitted to the Norfolk
Norfolk County, Massachusetts
-National protected areas:* Adams National Historical Park* Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area * Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site* John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site-Demographics:...
bar in 1807 and began practising. On December 23 of that year he married Charlotte Hodges, with whom he had twelve children. He received his LL. D. from Brown in 1826, and again (as an honorary degree) from Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
in 1840.
After serving as clerk of the Massachusetts Senate
Massachusetts Senate
The Massachusetts Senate is the upper house of the Massachusetts General Court, the bicameral state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Senate comprises 40 elected members from 40 single-member senatorial districts in the state...
, Morton was elected as a Democratic-Republican
Democratic-Republican Party (United States)
The Democratic-Republican Party or Republican Party was an American political party founded in the early 1790s by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. Political scientists use the former name, while historians prefer the latter one; contemporaries generally called the party the "Republicans", along...
to the House of Representatives in 1816 and served from 1817 until 1821. He lost his seat in the election of 1820.
In 1823 Morton served on the Massachusetts Governor's Council
Massachusetts Governor's Council
The Massachusetts Governor's Council is a governmental body that provides advice and consent in certain matters such as judicial nominations, pardons, and commutations to the Governor of Massachusetts...
and became Lieutenant Governor the following year. He served briefly as acting Governor after William Eustis
William Eustis
William Eustis was an early American statesman.He was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts and studied at the Boston Latin School before he entered Harvard College, from which he graduated in 1772. He studied medicine under Dr. Joseph Warren and helped care for the wounded at the Battle of Bunker...
died in office in 1825. Later that year he was named as associate justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court is the highest court in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The SJC has the distinction of being the oldest continuously functioning appellate court in the Western Hemisphere.-History:...
, and served there until 1840. As a judge he showed ready knowledge of legal principles, sound judgment in applying them, patience, courtesy, and strength of character.
From 1824 to 1848 there were two well-defined political camps in Massachusetts. The conservative Whigs
Whig Party (United States)
The Whig Party was a political party of the United States during the era of Jacksonian democracy. Considered integral to the Second Party System and operating from the early 1830s to the mid-1850s, the party was formed in opposition to the policies of President Andrew Jackson and his Democratic...
were made up of wealthy aristocrats, shipowners, bankers, and manufacturers, largely concentrated in Boston. The more liberal and progressive Democratic-Republicans (who became known as the Democrats
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
in this period) consisted of farmers, workers, and recent immigrants. Morton headed the latter group, and each year from 1828 to 1843 he ran for Governor on its ticket. He defeated Edward Everett
Edward Everett
Edward Everett was an American politician and educator from Massachusetts. Everett, a Whig, served as U.S. Representative, and U.S. Senator, the 15th Governor of Massachusetts, Minister to Great Britain, and United States Secretary of State...
in 1839 by one vote, and the Senate
Massachusetts Senate
The Massachusetts Senate is the upper house of the Massachusetts General Court, the bicameral state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Senate comprises 40 elected members from 40 single-member senatorial districts in the state...
chose him over John Davis in 1842, as neither man obtained a majority. As Governor he secured retrenchment in public expenditures, reduced the number of Supreme Judicial Court
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court is the highest court in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The SJC has the distinction of being the oldest continuously functioning appellate court in the Western Hemisphere.-History:...
justices from five to three, and abolished the right of appeal from the court of common pleas to the SJC except on questions of law, this privilege having made the administration of justice slow, expensive, and uncertain.
In 1845 President Polk
James K. Polk
James Knox Polk was the 11th President of the United States . Polk was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. He later lived in and represented Tennessee. A Democrat, Polk served as the 17th Speaker of the House of Representatives and the 12th Governor of Tennessee...
appointed Morton collector of the port of Boston; he served four years. In 1848
United States presidential election, 1848
The United States presidential election of 1848 was an open race. President James K. Polk, having achieved all of his major objectives in one term and suffering from declining health that would take his life less than four months after leaving office, kept his promise not to seek re-election.The...
he refused to run for Vice President
Vice President of the United States
The Vice President of the United States is the holder of a public office created by the United States Constitution. The Vice President, together with the President of the United States, is indirectly elected by the people, through the Electoral College, to a four-year term...
with Van Buren
Martin Van Buren
Martin Van Buren was the eighth President of the United States . Before his presidency, he was the eighth Vice President and the tenth Secretary of State, under Andrew Jackson ....
, as he could not bring himself to bolt his party. However, his life-long opposition to slavery led him to join the Free Soil Party
Free Soil Party
The Free Soil Party was a short-lived political party in the United States active in the 1848 and 1852 presidential elections, and in some state elections. It was a third party and a single-issue party that largely appealed to and drew its greatest strength from New York State. The party leadership...
. He was a delegate of that party to the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention of 1853
Massachusetts Constitutional Convention of 1853
The Massachusetts Constitutional Convention of 1853 met in order to consider changes to the Massachusetts Constitution. This was the third such convention in Massachusetts history; the first, in 1779–80, had drawn up the original document, while the second, in 1820-21, submitted the first nine...
, and was elected on its ticket to the Massachusetts House of Representatives
Massachusetts House of Representatives
The Massachusetts House of Representatives is the lower house of the Massachusetts General Court, the state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It is composed of 160 members elected from single-member electoral districts across the Commonwealth. Representatives serve two-year terms...
in 1858, serving one term.
Morton was a man of unquestioned honesty, whose poise, serenity, and character made him generally admired. In his championship of the lower classes, his distrust of over-large corporations, and his advocacy of shorter working hours he was a man ahead of his time (perhaps accounting for his somewhat sporadic level of political success). He was an overseer of Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
for thirty-two years.
Morton died at home in Taunton in 1864 and was buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery
Mount Pleasant Cemetery (Taunton, Massachusetts)
Mount Pleasant Cemetery is an historic cemetery at Crocker, Cohannet, and Barnum Streets in Taunton, Massachusetts.-History:The earliest part of the cemetery was founded in 1710. The cemetery was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002....
there. His home in Taunton later became the original building of Morton Hospital and Medical Center
Morton Hospital and Medical Center
Morton Hospital and Medical Center is a medical complex located on Washington Street near Route 140 and Route 138 in Taunton, Massachusetts, USA. The facility serves the Greater Taunton Area and is equipped with its own heliport for medical emergency flights...
. The Morton House in Taunton was demolished in the 1960s during hospital expansion.
His son, also named Marcus
Marcus Morton (jurist)
Marcus Morton , American lawyer and jurist who served as Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, was born in Taunton, the son of future Governor Marcus Morton and his wife Charlotte . He attended Bristol County Academy, was graduated from Brown University in 1838, and from...
, was also a lawyer and would follow him on the state's supreme court. His daughter, Frances, was the mother of novelist Octave Thanet
Alice French
Alice French , better known as Octave Thanet, was an American novelist.She was born at Andover, Massachusetts, a daughter of George Henry and Frances Wood French. She graduated from Abbot Academy in Andover, in 1868...
.
External links
- Official Commonwealth of Massachusetts Governor Biography
- Marcus Morton and the Dilemma of Jacksonian Antislavery in Massachusetts, 1817–1849 By George Ticknor Curtis, George Stillman Hillard, Massachusetts Constitutional Convention, Samuel Hoar, Marcus Morton, Charles Francis Adams, John Gorham Palfrey. Published 1854, 306 pages. By Henry Hubbard, Marcus Morton, Thomas Wilson Dorr, Chauncey Fitch Cleveland, published 1842, 17 pages. (regarding the Dorr RebellionDorr RebellionThe Dorr Rebellion was a short-lived armed insurrection in the U.S. state of Rhode Island led by Thomas Wilson Dorr, who was agitating for changes to the state's electoral system.- Precursors :...
in Rhode IslandRhode IslandThe state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
and voting rights.)