Emigration_to_New

In 1859 John MORTON, his wife Jane Vallance Morton, his five daughters and his elder brother Thomas, sailed on the Cheviot from Glasgow to Port Chalmers, Otago, New Zealand. From various documents, including official reports of the NZ and Australian Land Company, he took this step at the behest of his other brother James, who was the Managing Director of that company. From a newspaper report in the Hamilton Advertiser dated 27th August 1859, it is clear that he was a farmer and stockman of great repute in South West Scotland, and that he was a man of means as well. The report states that "it was on Monday last that the fine ship, 'Cheviot' left the Clyde with a cargo such as never, perhaps, would leave the far-famed river before. Being completely loaded with all requirements for farming - some dozen horses of the first class, two entire, with mares, to introduce the celebrated Clydesdale breed; cows and bulls of the Ayrshire breed; Cheviots and black-faced sheep; grain of every kind, with garden seeds of every variety; materials for erecting houses and farm steddings on the most approved principles, got up in such a way that they can be put together when there with little trouble; ploughs and harrows in great numbers; above one hundred tons of wire for fencing, with many tons of horse shoes, almost fit for use; between forty and fifty passengers, mostly farmers, to assist in agricultural pursuits. They have besides along with them masons, smiths and wrights, and other artificers. Young men and women are carefully selected so that the 'Cheviot' has a colony almost within herself, comprising the elements of civilisation and future greatness; ......... To Mr John Morton, late of Cleughearn, and Mr McAulay, late of Bogton, all this is mainly due."
It goes on as follows - "Mr Morton has been long and well known throughout the country for his public spirit and gentlemanly deporment. His stock at Cleughearn was justly considered of the first class - and realised high prices at his sale. His knowledge of horses and cattle induced the agricultural societies, not only in this district, but throughout the greater part of the West of Scotland, to solicit himself, with others, to judge their stock; besides, he was often to be seen judging the new ploughed field. Having ample means at his command, coupled with a thorough knowledge of farming in all its details, his mind being made up to emigrate early in the spring, for many months he has been unremitting in his exertions to select what was necessary - Gathering information from the most reliable sources, it is not to be wondered at that he has been so successful in the selections of implements and stock. All of those on board speak in the highest terms, especially of the live stock. Mr Morton chartered the 'Cheviot'** for the special purpose - has had her fitted up with every convenience, the number of passengers being very limited - and amply provided for."
** The ship was chartered from Potter, Wilson & Co, Directors of the City of Glasgow Bank, and closely associated with James Morton as Directors of the NZ & Australian Land Company.

On his arrival in New Zealand details of his movements are very sketchy. There are records of him living in Morton Mains (it was named after him), and Seaward Downs - though written records of both stations make no mention of him at all. The first detail that can be traced was when he moved to Wallacetown and managed the "Oatlands Estate", which he later purchased.
Shortly after his arrival in New Zealand, at Seaward Downs, in 1861, a son, HUGH, was born, followed by another son JOHN in 1862. Unfortunately in 1865, Jane Vallance Morton died after giving birth to a stillborn baby.
Two years later, in Wallacetown, John married JANET (Jessie) FINLAYSON STEWART of Dunoon & Kilmun parish,, Argyll, Scotland. Their relationship prior to the marriage is not clear - why Jessie was in New Zealand is unknown, but during the next fifteen years until his death in 1882, they had nine children, MARION, JAMES STEWART, HELEN, JOHN, CHRISTINA, FANNY STEWART, ALEXANDER STEWART, DAVID STEWART, and HELEN BURNS. Of these, Helen and Helen Burn both died in infancy.