Welcome to the Morton Homestead

Welcome to the Morton Homestead. . , Even History Changes Morton Homestead was first identified as an historic site in 1862 by George Smith in his volume The History of Delaware County. The Morton Homestead was completely dismantled during its preservation in 1938. Later, it was believed to be the birthplace of John Morton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. In 1957, after extensive research, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission was reluctantly forced to conclude that the John Morton birthplace was not proved. The findings raised a storm of local controversy. The State of Pennsylvania renamed the site Morton Homestead, a fine example of Swedish colonial architecture., In 1988, research continued and noted the property was jointly owned by Morton Mortonson, the great-grandfather of the signer, John Morton and Jan Cornelius. Maps indicated it was Jan Cornelius who occupied the Homestead. Researchers also noted the architecture of the building was not purely Swedish, with the Atlantic White Cedar logs characteristic in Scandinavia. The floor plans and other logs of White Oak were typically English. Perhaps it was one of the first truly American buildings, a practical blend of techniques and materials from many sources., The research and excavation identified the locations of what may be the first building structure under the south unit, the ferry landing and corduroy (log) roadway and two paved walkways. Archeological investigations recovered over twenty-five thousand three hundred seventy-seven (25,377) artifacts from which archeologists and historians have based their findings. , Preservation of this site will continue and as time passes and further evaluations are completed, the past will be forever embraced. , The Morton Mystery , Archeologists working under the south part of the homestead discovered what is thought to be a European use of the site, a 14 foot eight inch by 16 foot 4 inch rectangular hole. What was this mysterious hole? Was it a temporary home typical of the Swedish or Finnish settlers? Or something else? No one knows for sure., Researchers poring over old court records may have uncovered one clue. The found a record dated April 3, 1679. ,

Jan Cornelius... complaying to ye Court that his son Erik is berect of jos factural senses and is turned quyt madd and ... a poor man is not able to maintain … Ordered that three or four persons live hired to build a little blockhouse at Amosland for to put in the said Madhouse.

, We will probably never know whether the hole in the rock housed mad Erik., When? , Before 1638: Indians , 1638 - 1655: New Sweden , 1655 - 1664: Dutch dominion , 1664 - 1681: English rule , 1681 - 1784: Pennsylvania colony , 1784 - 1870: Americans , 1870 - 1935: Suburban development , 1935 - 1937: Building restoration , 1937 - present: Historic park