John Brightwell Morton’s dates (July 4, 1807 — 1881) are given on his tombstone. He was named for his father Richard Morton’s grandfather, John Brightwell of Prince George’s County, Maryland.  The name was also passed down to later generations. He married Clarissa Coleman (1809 — 1894). The name of their son Douglas Vass suggests a connection to the Vass family, which included a Douglas Vass.   Is John Brightwell Morton  the John Morton aged 20-29 in the 1830 Census in the Brooke district, with a wife the same age, and a daughter aged 5-9 (and no slaves)—he seems too young to have a 5-year-old then?

He is found in the 1850 census in Richmond with his wife “Clara”, the first five children named below and William Pitts, a 15-year-old clerk. They were strong Methodists, naming one son after the clergyman Thomas Osmond Summers and another after D’Arcy Paul, a devout Methodist banker. The 1898 dedication of the Centenary Methodist Church in Richmond included trustees O. Summers Morton and John Morton.

At Hollywood Cemetery can be found the tombstones of John and Clarissa, and many of their family.

Children of John Brightwell Morton (1807 — 1881) marr. Clarissa Coleman (1809 — 1894)

7.9.1) Elizabeth Ann Morton (1833/4- ) marr. Joseph Thomas Morton

Her husband Joseph Thomas Morton (son of Josiah Morton of the Virginia line of Mortons) was in the tobacco trade and eventually passed his business on to her cousin Robert Chew Morton.

7.9.2) Mary Morton (1840/1-  )  marr. Frederick Hobson

7.9.3) Osmond Summers Morton (Dec. 1843- 1920) marr. 1867 Peytona  —-  (1837 –  )

He was an 1863 graduate of the Virginia Military Institute, which records him as “a drillmaster in Richmond April-June 1861, Hon. Grad.; C.S. Engrs.; Banker; Artist; died in Richmond, Va., April 18, 1920.” In July 1901, Assistant Cashier O. Summers Morton of the National Bank of Virginia (a long-time employee) supervised a heavily guarded gold transfer. He painted landscapes and portraits.

Children: Maude L., Norman S., Louise, John Brightwell, Margaret B., James, Peyton, Mary E., Clarisa C., Ella M., Richard S.

7.9.4) John Morton (1847-1902 )

7.9.5) Douglas Vass Morton (1849-1927) marr. 1875 Carrie Virginia Tucker

For fifty-five years was connected with the State-Planters Bank and Trust Company and for the last twenty-five years held the position of assistant cashier.

Father of two sons, Guy Carter Morton (1882-1966) and Douglas V.Morton, Jr,  and four daughters, K.L. (Morton) McIver, — (Morton) Hawkins, Mabel (Morton) Goddin, Carrie (Morton) DeArras (1886-1976).

7.9.6) D’Arcy Paul Morton (1854-1884) buried in Hollywood Cemetery.