Philip & Catherine - Morter Ancestry

PHILIP and CATHERINE!

This is, perhaps the most important link in the whole Website. The main sources of true details of our Morter Lines are to be found in Robert’s 64-Page Dossier. The man responsible, for this unique piece of work, was a Mr Morgan. Robert’s mother, Margaret was originally married to Raymond Morter, brother to Geoffrey whom I met on that eventful Thursday. Alas Ray died over 20 yrs ago, and it was Margaret’s sister Angela’s father in law, who was Mr Morgan. He did it, as a favour to Ray Morter. He also, managed to produce, based on the Dossier, this:

As you can see, both Robert and Geoffrey are in the Photo, taken on that Thursday! I am really, grateful to Mr Morgan, for his amount work and time involved, in finding and interpreting all the records, and then drawing up the tree.

I’ve scanned Page 1 Dossier and Page 2 Dossier, hoping you might read these, and have highlighted some relevant details. On the first page you can see that:

Philip Morter and Catherine Harris, Widow, were married ye 20th of September 1698. This was in the Morningthorpe Parish Register.

Also, another Philip, Fillipus was baptised in North Walsham on 31st July 1630, and was the 2nd son of Thomas married to Frances. I enclose copies of these actual records, as I found them in the Records Offices at Norwich that Thursday at around 1 00pm, before meeting Robert that evening. I needed proof of what Robert told me on the phone, before seeing the Dossier; therefore, proving the authenticity of the Dossier. These records were confirmed in the Dossier, that evening!

Mr Morgan indicated it is a possibility that this Philip was later to be found at Happisburgh. He goes on to say, and I quote:

“A Philip Morter and his wife Dorothy had but two children baptised at Happisburgh, These were: - Rose born 31st October 1654 and John, born 1st April 1656. Philip appears to have removed from Happisburgh, as I have found no more trace of him.”

Once again, on a subsequent visit to the record offices, I give you proof:

Mr Morgan continues to say-

“The age of Philip Morter of Morningthorpe, as previously roughly computed, suggests that he was of an age to have been a son of Philip Morter of Happisburgh but I have not a shred of evidence to support this.”

It appears that Philip Morter`s (husband of Catherine Lincolne, of Morningthorpe) father is in question? Therefore, it is also fair to say, that his father might well come from elsewhere………….. FRANCE…According to our family’s Folklore!

When I first read through the Dossier, it seemed, our line went right through to Thomas of North Walsham Bur. 21st Dec 1636 without question; now as a result of the detail from Mr Morgan, perhaps there is a French Connection!