Morton & Son Confusion?
Gunmakers
Limerick
Saunders Newsletter; 28th September 1867.
Image courtesy of The British Newspaper Archive.
Interestingly, the Morton name in gunmaking has been connected with both Cork & Limerick during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
In Cork they traded under different guises i.e. R. Morton, William Morton and William Morton & Son and traded throughout in this period at Georges Street, Cork. c.1846-c1909..
Not until c. 1869 were they connected to Limerick when they first appear at 2 Ellen Street, Limerick as Morton & Son. Gunmakers. They went on to trade at 17 Patrick Street through to c.1893 again as Morton,W & Son.
It just could be plausible that Morton & Son Gunmakers were in the process of setting-up business in Limerick when this consignment was siezed in 1867? It is unlikely to be a Fenian plot as the package was clearly marked, although seemingly in error, "M.Morton & Son, Gunmakers, Limerick"
We are always interested in any early material related to the movement and manufacture of arms in Ireland.
Dave Stroud. ramrodantiques.co.uk