The records of Briery church show that he was one of the first elders of the church, which was organized some time between the year 1755 and 1760. He died in 1782. Mr. Morton's wife, Agnes survived him for 20 years, and died in 1802. Dr. Alexander says she lived to the age of ninety-two, "she was a very pious woman, whose house was always open for ministers and for religious people, and for the preaching of the Gospel". From this pair has sprung a large connection of Presbyterian people, which for more than a hundred years has been multiplying, and giving their children to the service of God. At least 7 of thtese children were members of the Briery church. Three became ruling elders. The children of this family have now for four, and even five generations, been brought into the service of God by Christ, the covenant-keeping Head of His church. Their daughters and granddaughters have intermarried with the Venables and Watkins, the Hoges and Carringtons, and the line of these faithful servants of God has contributed to the strength of the church a long roll of pious ministers, elders and members. The records of the Briery church give us the names of some thirty of their descendants who became communicants there in less than 70 years from its organization; and many more were afterward added to this number besides the large emigration to other churches within and beyond the Synod of Virginia.

John Morton, mentioned as the guide of Mr. Davies on his visit to Charlotte, whose mother was a granddaughter of the little Night-Cap, likewise became the ancestor of a large Presbyterian connection. One of his granddaughters married John Holt Rice, of Union Seminary, Virginia. The memory of her beautiful Christian character is still fresh in the minds of the people of Hampden- Sidney

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