Major-General Jacob Morton (1761–1836) was an American military officer, lawyer, and businessman.

Biography

Morton was born in New York City on July 8, 1761. He studied law at

The College of New Jersey The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) is a public university in Ewing Township, New Jersey. It is part of New Jersey's public system of higher education. Established in 1855 as the New Jersey State Normal School, TCNJ was the first normal school, or ...

, the predecessor of

Princeton University Princeton University is a private university, private research university in Princeton, New Jersey. Founded in 1746 in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Elizabeth as the College of New Jersey, Princeton is the List of Colonial Colleges, fourth-oldest ins ...

; however, Morton never practiced law. Morton was the marshal for the

First inauguration of George Washington The first inauguration of George Washington as the first president of the United States was held on Thursday, April 30, 1789, on the balcony of Federal Hall in New York City, New York. The inauguration was held nearly two months after the begin ...

. When it was found that no bible was available, Morton retrieved the Lodge Bible from St. John's Lodge where he was the

Worshipful Master In Craft Freemasonry, sometimes known as Blue Lodge Freemasonry, every Masonic lodge elects or appoints Masonic lodge officers to execute the necessary functions of the lodge's life and work. The precise list of such offices may vary between the j ...

. Morton served as

New York City Comptroller The Office of Comptroller of New York City, a position established in 1801, is the chief financial officer and chief auditor of the city agencies and their performance and spending. The comptroller also reviews all city contracts, handles the s ...

from 1807 to 1808. Morton was also later clerk for the

New York City Common Council The New York City Council is the lawmaking body of New York City. It has 51 members from 51 council districts throughout the five boroughs. The council serves as a check against the mayor in a mayor-council government model, the performance of ...

. Morton was an active

Freemason Freemasonry or Masonry refers to fraternal organisations that trace their origins to the local guilds of stonemasons that, from the end of the 13th century, regulated the qualifications of stonemasons and their interaction with authorities ...

, and was the Grand Master of

Grand Lodge of New York The Grand Lodge of New York (officially, the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York) is the largest and oldest independent organization of Freemasons in the U.S. state of New York. It was at one time the largest grand ...

from 1801–04. The Grand Lodge of New York established an award named for Morton, known as the "Jacob Morton Award", given to Masons or Masonic Organizations that have demonstrated exceptional voluntary service to their community. In 1796, Jacob Morton was listed as the presiding officer of Ancient Encampment, Knights Templar (New York City), in its first published list of officers. He remained in that office until 1810, when all traces of the encampment were lost. In 1815, the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of New York was created. On August 16, 1823, the Grand Encampment issued a warrant to Morton Encampment No. 4 (now Morton Commandery No. 4), which was named in honor of General Morton. Morton was promoted to brigadier-general in 1804. The Brigade he commanded was known as "Morton's Brigade of Artillery," which was the precursor for the Seventh Regiment of New York. As Major-General, Morton led the

New York Militia The New York Guard (NYG) is the State Defense Force, state defense force of New York State, also called The New York State Military Reserve. Originally called the New York State Militia it can trace its lineage back to the American Revolution and ...

during the

War of 1812 The War of 1812 (18 June 1812 – 17 February 1815) was fought by the United States of America and its indigenous allies against the United Kingdom and its allies in British North America, with limited participation by Spain in Florida. It bega ...

. He died in New York City on December 3, 1836.

Notes

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Morton, Jacob 1761 births 1836 deaths Princeton University alumni New York City Comptrollers Masonic Grand Masters American militiamen in the War of 1812 New York City Council members American militia generals People of the Province of New York