Details
MORTON, John (1725-1777), Signer (Pennsylvania). Manuscript document signed ("John Morton Speaker," with flourish) as Speaker of the Pennsylvania Assembly, [Philadelphia], 6 April 1776. 1 page, oblong folio, brittle at folds but without loss, slight fading.
Boldy headed "In Assembly," the document is addressed to Ludowick Sprogle, who is appointed a Muster Master "of the forces of this Province, for the protection thereof, against all hostile Enterprises and for the Defence of American Liberty." He is enjoined to "carefully and diligently discharge the Duties" of his office, "by mustering the said Forces once a month at least" three days "before they are to be paid." He is to forward a "copy of your Muster Roll, monthly to the Assembly."
Morton, who cast the decisive vote which swung Pennsylvania to the affirmative side in the crucial vote for independence, served multiple terms in the Pennsylvania Assembly. But his active career was a brief one: he fell ill in early 1777 and died at age 51. For this reason, signed documents and letters of Morton are rare, especially examples of war date.
Boldy headed "In Assembly," the document is addressed to Ludowick Sprogle, who is appointed a Muster Master "of the forces of this Province, for the protection thereof, against all hostile Enterprises and for the Defence of American Liberty." He is enjoined to "carefully and diligently discharge the Duties" of his office, "by mustering the said Forces once a month at least" three days "before they are to be paid." He is to forward a "copy of your Muster Roll, monthly to the Assembly."
Morton, who cast the decisive vote which swung Pennsylvania to the affirmative side in the crucial vote for independence, served multiple terms in the Pennsylvania Assembly. But his active career was a brief one: he fell ill in early 1777 and died at age 51. For this reason, signed documents and letters of Morton are rare, especially examples of war date.