John Morton: Chester County Native Son and Signer of the Declaration of Independence

Come get acquainted with John Morton, the Founding Father from Chester County you’ve probably never heard of, at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8, at Historic Waynesborough in Paoli.

Historian John E. Smith III will discuss the legacy of this prominent Pennsylvanian with Finnish roots who died a mere nine months after signing his name to the Declaration of Independence and whose Ridley Township estate was then ruthlessly plundered by the British Army. And he’ll reveal how and why this important figure passed into obscurity.

John Smith has a master’s degree in public history from Temple University. He served as an archivist at the Chester County History Center for five years before leaving that position to pursue research into local history and continue work as an independent researcher.

Admission is $15. Refreshments will be served.