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Birth: 1725 (Exact date is unknown)
Death: April 1, 1777 (Age approximately 51-52)
Colony: Pennsylvania
Occupation: Farmer
Significance: Member of the Stamp Act Congress and First and Second Continental Congresses. Signed The Declaration of Independence (at the age of approximately 50-51)
John Morton was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Morton was born in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, which is just outside of the City of Philadelphia. His family had arrived in the area even before the formation of Pennsylvania, dating back to when the land was part of the Colony known as New Sweden, and both of Morton's parents are of Finnish heritage, which was then part of the Realm of Sweden.
Morton worked as a farmer before getting involved in politics. Morton was a member of the Stamp Act Congress in 1765, served in the First Continental Congress and Second Continental Congress, and he also signed The Declaration of Independence. Morton was the swing vote that led to Pennsylvania toward Independence. Morton also helped to write the Articles of Confederation, America’s first governing framework, though he fell ill and died before they were ever ratified and before America won the Revolutionary War.
John Morton in Philadelphia
John Morton lived his whole life in the Philadelphia area. He worked inside Carpenters’ Hall while serving as a member of the First Continental Congress, and he would later live in Philadelphia while serving as a member of the Second Continental Congress. During this time period, Morton worked at Independence Hall, and he would eventually sign The Declaration of Independence. A plaque commemorating Morton for signing The Declaration of Independence can also be found on Signer's Walk on the 600 block of Chestnut Street. Carpenters' Hall, Independence Hall and Signers' Walk are all visited on The Constitutional Walking Tour!
