Morton, Charles

Morton, Charles an early New England divine, was born in Cornwall, England, in 1626; was educated at Oxford University, of which he was a fellow; entered holy orders, and was at first a Royalist, but becoming a Puritan, was ejected from Blisland for his nonconformity in 1662. He had established an academy at Newington Green, and continued at its head for twenty years. Among his pupils was Defoe, the author of Robinson Crusoe. Being much annoyed by the bishop's court, Morton felt obliged to leave the country, and in 1686 emigrated to New England, and settled in Charlestown. Mass., where he held a position till his death, which occurred April 11, 1698. He was well esteemed by his contemporaries, and acknowledged to be a man of eminent learning. He wrote a number of religious works, among which is The Ark, its Loss and Recovery. See Drake, Dict. of Amer. Biogr. s.v.