Middletown transcript., 1895-03-23
NEUROLOGY,
MARY TERESA MORTON.

MARY TERESA MORTON.
Mrs. Mary Teresa Morton died on Monday
at the residence of her cousin, David
visiting since the last Of January. Her ILL
ness, which was of several weeks, duration,
originated with infammatory rheumatism,
but the immediate cause of her death was
paralysis Her last hours were made sweet
by the gentle and loving ministry of her
daughters and granddaughter. and the
consolation of religion offered by the
church.
Her remains were brought to her home
here on Tuesday evening. She was in her
72d year
Mrs. Morton was of an old and infuen-
tial family of Baltimore. She was the only
daughter of Captain John A. and Adelaide
Wheeler Durkee, of that city, where she
was born and reared. Her maternal an
cestors were among the early settlers of
Maryland, the Greens Of whom her mother
was a decendent having come to this
country with Lord Baltimore; one of the
first governors of the State was a member
of her family.
In 1874 she was married to Hamilton
Morton, well-known and respected farmer
and land owner Of this community. Their
married life until few years previous TO
Mr.. Mortons death which occurred in 1880.
was spent at strawberry Hill" their farm
on Bohemia Manor, in Cecil county, Md.
~ for fToy IN
dletown where they have since resided.
their home being on Green street.
Mrs Morton was a rare type of woman-
hood; her strength of character, her men
tai and physical vigor, together with the
beautiful christian spirit that animated her
life. were characteristics that made her
natural leader in the home. in society and
in the church. Her bright, bouyant and
cheerful disposition made sunshine where
ever she went, and those whose privilege it
was to know her intimately always found
good cheer in her presence.
maryland hospitality" was never more
heartily dispensed or enjoyed than beneath
her roof, and whether on the farm or in
town her home was always the center of
true hospitality. The remembrance of the
many hapny hours spent at the ODD home
stead on strawberry Hill' still warns the
hearts of those who came under the in
fuence of that sacred shrine.
There were many vicssitudes that came
into Mrs. Morton's life, but she was never
known to falter al any fate. She was life
ng member of the Catholic Church, and
was a devoted and consistent christian. 1t
was at her house that the first Catholic
service in this town was held, and largely
through her efforts the Catholic society
here has attained its present strength.
Her re ,orol is a precious memory. and the
fragrance Of her beautiful life will not soon
fade away. D;lt will remain as hallowing
inhuence,-a holy incense. inspiring
..thers to life as pure and good as hers.
She leaves seven children. Her three
sons, Henry, illiam and Hamilton being
IN California Her four daughters, Mrs. e.
w. Lockwood, of near Warwick. Mrs. G.
w Stevens and Mrs Edward Miff1in, Of
chester, and Miss Bessie Morton. of Mid
detown, were all with her in her last hours.
Her only brother, John Durkee, of San
Fransisco, also survives her.
The funeral took place Thursday morn
ing at 10 o'clock, Low NJ ass of Requiem be-
lug held in st Joseph's Oh lrch of this
town. Rev. Father Mccarthy, Of Balti-
more, otficiated The interment was at st.
Francis Xavier Cemetery.
W. POLK CCMMINs.
w. Polk Cnmmins, of myrna, died at his
home on Sunday aftern ION after an illness
Of few days. He was a son of David j.
CumminS and was married to a daughter
of Congressman James Williams. He
was highy-respected man and practi
cal and successful farmer. For many years
he was choirmaster at the Episcopal Church
in Smyrna. His wife survives him, but he
leaves no children. He was brother of
A w. Cummins of "The Morning news"
staff, and brother-in-law ofN. ]. Williams
of ,liddletown.
His funeral on Wednesday afternoon
was largely attended. The interment was
in the Episcopal Cemetery of Smyrna.